SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 0.32. HIGH WATHR : This afternoon, 4.4.

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Lady Bowen, 6 o'clock this evening.

ARRIVALS.

Clyde, schooner, Anderson, from Wangarei. Mary Ellen, schooner, Kennedy, from Mercury Bay. Tauranga, schooner, Sellars, from Tauranga.

DEPARTURES.

Nebraska, p.s., Harding, for Southern ports. Wellington, s.s., Kennedy, for Southern ports.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne : Hero, 5.»., 23rd inst. For Tahiti: Edith, schooner, early. Tor London : Caduceus, ship, early. Tor Southern ports: Phcebe, oth inst. Tor Kaipara : Colonist, schooner, to-day. Tor Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Ota^s

Keera, early. Tor Honolulu : Nebraska, mail steamer, 21st March Tor Newcastle: Kalahome, barque, to-morrow. For Tauranga : Tauranga, schooner, to-morrow.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, s.s., from Sydney. Mageßan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Island* Xaomi, ship, from London, sailed 10th November. Tfild Duck, ship, from London, sailed 10th December Moa, brig, from Melbourne. (Sailed Feb. 4.) fielenslee, ship, from London (sailed Jan. 11). Frowning Beauty, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed February 14 BeUa Mary, barque, from Hobart Town. Crrene, barque, from Lyttelton Whynot, i etch, from Napier Byron, brig, from Sydney Taranaki, i.s.,.from the South. :: ; ; England, ship, from Loudon. Ella Gladstone, brig, from Adelaide. Maggie, brig, from Adelaide. Amherst, schooner, from Sydney. Janet Grey, schooner, from Fiji. Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney.

The schooner Tauranga arrived this morning from Tauranga. Cargo—6so bushels wheat, Thornton, Smith, and Firth ; 2 horses, Jones ; 1 ton gum, Lewis Bros. ; 10 bdlg. sheepskins, Clayton. The Success, schooner, cleared outwards in ballast this morning for Russell. The Mary EBen schooner, arrived from Mercury Bay, with 22,000 feet *awn timber. ■ ■ •

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below : — DIVIDENDS. Cock-a-Doodle .. .. 0 3 _>_■ Mar 25 CALLS Thames Ga 0 2 6 Mar « Christchurch .. ..003 Mar 7 Coronet .. ..010 Mar 7 Geelong ■ : .. .. 0 10 ... Mar 7 Sons of Freedom ..026 Mar 7 Pickwick .. ..003 Mar 11 Sunbeam .. ..010 Mar 18 Queen of May .. ..004 Mar 20 Oriental 0 0 3 Mar 20 Waitemata .. ..010 Mar 20 North Devon .. ..010 Mar Jl MBITIH-tSI TO COMB; Pride of Moanataiari, Grahamstown, March 6 Crown Prince, Queemferry Hotel, Auckland, 2 p.M. March 7 Pride of Tokatea, Mechanics', 12 noon March 11 lons of Freedom, Canada Buildings, 3 p.m. March 15 West Coast, Grahamstown, March 16. Oriental, Graham_town, March 21.

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND STREET.

Mails will Close as Under : For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow,

at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Kapanga, etc., per Royal Alfred, to-morrow at

11 a.m. For Russell, Kawa Kawa, etc., per Comerang, to

morrow, at 3 p.m. For Tauranga and Opotiki, per Tauranga, to-morrow,

at 4 p.m. For Whitiangi, per Mary Ellen, to-morrow, at 5 p.m. Pers.a. Phoebe, on Friday, Bth inst., as follows :— For India, China, Mauritius, Mediterranean Ports,

and Continent of Europe, at 5 p.m. . ~ . For Australian Colonies, at 5 p.m.: ■ . ■ ■■ For United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for

letters specially so addressed), at 5 p.m. For United Kingdom, via Brindisi, at 5 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces of New Zea land, at _p.m

S. B. Biss. Postntiitw.

MARRIAGE.

GRAHAM—COMBES.—On the sth March, at St. Matthew'i Church, by the Rev. D. Jones, William Australia, third son of George Graham, Esq., to Alice, eldest daughter of the late Walter Combes, Esq., of this city —No cards.

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News and the Morning News

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 1872.

v For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do."

Professor Haselmaver will appear at the Otahuhu Public Hall and the Mechanics'; Institute, Onehunga, during this week, and Has fixed upon Thursday for the last mentioned place, and Friday evening for Otahuhu. This will give the inhabitants of those districts an opportunity of beholding his marvellous performances, and judging for themselves the effect of his wonderous ability.

A grand performance will be given this evening at the Theatre Royal in aid of the Auckland Blue School Cadet Corps, under the distinguished patronage of the officers and men of the Auckland Volunteers. The pro gramme is a most amusing and diverting one. The celebrated featic troupe and gentlemen amateurs will assist the Cadets in the per formances ; and the splendid band of tha Royal Company, Auckland' Rifle Volunteers will add to the entortainmeut by discoursing some choice selections of music. A full pro gramme is published in our advertising columns. We hope to see a full house.

The spirited manner in which the Band of the Artillery Volunteers have com<f forward and contributed to the amusement of the people on Saturday afternoons, is deserving of the highest praise—the more so as many of them can but ill spare the time they thus give up gratuitously, for the gratification of the citizens. This band is now in a high state of efficiency, and as most of the members are old and thoroughly qualified musicians, the selections performed by them in front of Government House attract great numbers of visitors. His Worship the Mayor has pre3ontod a valuable gold medal, to bo fired for bj Cudof ?. under regulations issued by the Government Inspector of Militia and Volunteers. The medal is in shape of a Maltese cross, and, wo understand, has been modelled afcer the Iron Cross of Prussia. The maker is Mr. I. Alexander, of Wellealey street; and the work reflects credit on his ingenuity, as the gift ; does on the liberality of Mr. Philips. It h now to be seen in the window of Mr. Upton, the stationer.

The first general meeting of the members of the Auckland Permanent Co-operative Building and Investment Society was held at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms last evening. The rules were adoptee. and officers appointed. A large number of shares are already subscribed for.

At the City Council yesterday Hi? Worship the Mayor announced that he had for warded a draft for £64 to the Relief Fund at Greymouth.

A most successful performance was giren at tbe Devonport Hall, North Shore, lost evening, by Professor Haselmayer, the affair surpassing all expectations. The Hall was crowd ed to the doors, a great number of the audience having to be content with standing room.

The running match between C. Williams and E. O'Hare, was concluded yesterday in a victory to the latter by about two feet. The match between Pivott and Whisker was won by the former. Whisker has challenged Pivott to run again for £10 a side. Skellie has also challenged him for £12, and will give 50 yards start.

A wedding was solemnized in St. Matthew's Church this morning, by the Rev. D. Jones, between W. A. Graham, Esq., and Miss Alice Combes. A long retinue of carriage conveyed th» bridal party to and from the church. Several vessels in harbour were gaily decked in bunting in honour of the event. . They appear to do business in a queer sort of way down South. Donald McKay, com mitted for trial at Wanganui, on a charge of murder, was admitted to bail by the magis trates who had committed him on the capital oifence. An emergenoy meeting of Lodge St. Andrew No. 418, 1.C., will take place this evening. The members of the City Band of Hope will meet this evening at the Young Men's Christian Association Booms. Tha man who jumped in the harbour on Sunday to save a little boy, is named William Rix, Lamp-trimmer of the s.s. Phcebe, and not Bricketts as reported in last evening's issue. Ebbatum.—ln the first line of a letter signed C, which appeared in the Star of Saturday last, the word '' instinctism" should have been " martinetism." The error entirely arose through C's indistinct writing.

In Upton's shop there is at present a beautiful work of art in the shape of a highly ornamental silver inkstand. Th« design is exquisite, and the inkstand will repay anyone for the trouble of calling in to view it: It is well suited for a presentation.

The election of a member to fill the vacant seat caused by the resignation of Mr. Tonks will take place on the 20th inst. Candidates must be nominated before the 12th inst.

The annual meeting of the members of the Educational Society was held last evening, in the Young Men's Christian Association Booms. The re port was read and adopted. The pro gress of the Society ban been very satisfactory. Tenders are required for the repair o f Panmure Bridge:

To amy o»» whe wUI show a larger stock of A.uek land-made Quartz, Greenstone, and Mosaic Jewellery within six months, I will give a rewardof fifty pounds. I also challenge New Zealand for style and beauty. Two thousand pound worth of Colonial-made Jewellery always on nana.— F, H. Lkwisson, Qneen street. —lAdvt.l

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS

(from: our own corbespondent.)

The Coliban Crushing.

GrRAHAMSTOWN,

Mar. 5,3.12 p.in

The Coliban have obtained 22 ozs. gold in a crushing of 18 tons. They have now aarted to crush 100 tons.

THE CALEDONIAN—MINE MANAGER'S REPORT.

Thb following is a copy of a telegram wnt by the Mine Manager :—

" 9.52 a.in. " Reef in north drive one foot thick. Managing water in ihaft nicely. ]So other change. " S. E. RICHiRDI."

THE SHARE MARKET.

MB 3. M. -L-UMKOX'S MWOWT.

There was not much business done on the Exchange to-day. My sales comprise : Thames, £5 10s. ; Tokatea, £2 ; Nonpareil, £2 17s. 6d. Closing sellers: Caledonians, £14 10s. ; Thames, £5 12s. 6d; Buyers : Caledonian, £14; Thames, £5 7s. 6d.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY,

Before His "Worship the Mayor, and J. Holt, Esquire, J.P. DRUNKENNESS. Seven drunkards were disposed of in the ordinary manner. DRUNK AND DISOBDEELT. James McCabe forfeited his bail; and George White was fined 20s. and costs or in default 48 hours' imprisonment with hard labor. YAGBANCY. Anthony E. Cowan, being an habitual drunkard and having been previously con victed as an idle and disorderly person, was ordered to be imprisoned for six months with hard labor. ASSAULT. Michael Harley, brought up on warrant charged with violently assaulting Thomas Doyle, was remanded to Coromandel, from the Bench, at which place the warrant was issued. BEEACH OF BYE-LAWS 01' CITY COUNCIL. James Butcher appeared on the inform ation of George Goldie, Inspector of Carriages, &c, charged with omitting to place the number of his license on his cart.—As Mr Goldie merely pressed for a nominal fine, in order that the^bye-law might receive publicity, he was fined five shillings and costs. TEANSFEB OP LICENSE. After an adjournment of an hour, His Worship the Mayor, and A. K. Taylor and James Holt, Esquires, took their seats on the Bench, and granted a transfer of the Light House from Jeffry to George Smith.

BKBACH OF MEBCH__r>T SHIPPING. ACT

Matthew Clinker was charged by j Captain Jones of the Sea Gull, with j being absent from the vessel without leave, pleaded guilty. Captain Jones said that his absence had occasioned great inconvenience. Men who were working hard were compelled to go without their meals. He did not wish, however, to press the charge, but rather desired that prisoner should be cautioned and informed of the amount of punishment which might be meted out to him. Others who were in ignorance of the law would thus be made acquainted with the probable consequences of such neglect of duty; Prisoner bore a good character generally. The chairman said that prisoner had rendered himself liable to imprisonment for ten weeks, and to forfeit two days' pay besides six days' day for every twenty four hours' absence, or any expenses there might have been properly incurred in hiring a substitute. As, however, the Captain had asked the Bench to deal leniently in this case, thoy would .dismiss the charge on payment of the costs of Court as well as those incurred by the captain in getting his work performed during his absence.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE.

The following are the scores made at the Bine Range this morning by members of the Artillery Rifle Club :— 150 yds. 200 yds. 250 yds. Tl. Ist Class. Driver J. Davies ... 17 13 9 39 Gunner Goudie ... 12 5 9 26 2nd Class. Sergeant Watson... 17 16 11 44 Gunner Pavne ... 13 12 14 39 „ Skinner ... 8 12 12 32 „ McMaster 16 11 0 27 „ Clark ... 11 6 6 23 ~ Mann ... 5 2 2 9 3bd Class. Corporal Geddes ... 13 9 4 26 Gunner Hood ... 7 11 6 23 Lieutenant Isaacs ... 8 8 5 21

The officers of the Hobson Rifle Com pany,'will be examined at the Catholic Institute, Wellington-street, this evening. The Artillery Band met last evening at Fort Britomart for practice. The members of No. 6 company Auck land Rifle Brigade and Cadets, will meet in the Albert Barracks for company drill this evening. The match between the No. 3 company A.R.B. and the Bruce Eiflei, will be fired to-morrow. The members selected to fire for the Auckland Volunteers, are Sergeants Soall, Boardman and Tierney, Corporal Mcintosh, and Volunteer Reid, Aitken, Sibbald, Cameron. Partington a»d Thome. Mr. Devore will represent the Bruce Rifles at the firing here. Members of No. 5 Company A.R.V., competed yesterday at the Range for the for the fowling piece presented by Ser geant Warren. So Private Payne was awarded the prize for a score of 36. Sergeant Warren, however, scored 48. Some money piizes were also contested for. ~ . ; : -

Thursday evenings are appointed for the battalion drill of the Royal Victoria Com pany A.R.V., and cadets, at the drill shed.

The Artillery Volunteers will meet for field gun drill, and the cadets for company drill, this evening, at half-past 7 o'clock, in the Albert Barracks,

HARBOUR BOARD.

The usual fortnijhtly meeting of the Harbour Board wis held this afternoon. Present; Messrs. Philips, Tonks, Boylan, Macreaday, Anderion, Dargaville, Casey, Copland, Nicol, anl Jones. Mr: P. A. Philip having been moved into the chair, the ninutes of last Meeting were read and confirmed.

Correspondence vas then read. Among these was one from Patrick Heath, stating that the jetty in Shtal Bay, referred to at last meeting, was a public one, and that the main road to theßay of Islands started from that wharf. Ii reference to this it was resolved to alloy the letter to lie on the table, inasmuch is the Board had no jurisdiction. Some conversatioi took place in re gard to the pajment of harbour duei by the TJ.B.S. St. Maiv's, and it appeared that the Secretary wis at preient making inquiry into the mater. The Chairman st*ed that the balance in hand was at preient £1,616 15s. 6d. Payment! at preseat necessary to be made were £88 18s 7d. The Secretary was authorised to mike these payments. Letters enclosing designs for the seal were then opened. In all there were nineteen designs submitted, and, after a ballot, that of Mr. Charles Palmer, of Shortland-street, was accepted.

(Left litting)

MADEMOISELLE VICTOIRE AND FRANK BARRY.

An entertainment at the City Hall for to-morrow evening is annonnced. It is altogether of a novel and sensa tional character, and likely to draw a good house. The performance of a lady gymnast is not often our lo; to witness; but to this is added various feats on the high rope by the daring Frank Barry, who in addition to a performance a la Blondin, actually out-Blondins that cele brated performer, by riding a bicyiclo along a tight rope, to which ii suspended in mid-air Mademoiselle Victoire on the trapeze. Only two performances will be given, namely, on to-morrow evening and Thursday, as these artistes are pro ceeding south by the Phoebe. For their courage and daring they deserve to bo well patronised.

THEATRE ROYAL.

Thebe was a large attendance last even ing at this Theatre, on the occasion of a benefit to Mr. Lancelot Booth; Miss Jessie Raymond. Mr. Glover, and mem bers of. the Auckland Garriek Club assisted in the performances, which were a great success.

ENGLISH NEWS.

Terrible Steamship Disaster and Great Loss' of Life.

Dreadful Earthquake in Cat

casia.

Wreck of a Barque and Loss of

Life.

The Disturbances in India.

Fifty Mutineers to be Blown from the Mouths of Cannon.

Engagement. —Gen. Bourchier

wounded.

LONDON.

February 4. The Observer to-diy states, that the British Government his sent a despatch to Washington, advi&ng it of its argree ment to submit the Alabama claims to arbitration before the Geneva Board, the liability of England b.ing understood to remain an open question. The despatch is couched in friendly terms, and the Go vernment expresses an earnest desire on the part of her Majesty's Government to carry out all the provisions of the Treaty of Washington. The burning of Chicago seems to have stimulated anemigratbn of carpenters and masons.

The Times of Saturday has the follow ing language :—" We repudiate the con struction which has be.n put on the Treaty of Washington in the imerican case, and must withdraw from arbitration if this construction is insisted; but this point rectified, we are readyto stand loyally by the treaty." The Tines to-day is afraid that the attempt to .olvc the Alabama difficulty may prove abortive, and hopes the failure will not er.ite bitter feelings in America. The Pott thinks it will be time enough when the United States refuses to with draw their charge for indirect damage, to decide upon future action. Menaces are now ungracious. February 5. The Pall Mall Qatette this evening claims to have seen an early copy of the Queen's speech to be delivered on the opening of Parliament to-morrow, and gives the following abstract: The Queen congratulates Parliameat and the country that her relations with all the nations of Europe are of the most friendly character. Considerable space is devoted to the subject of the Alabama claims, on which the Queen says : " To uphold the extent of my international obligations. I have concluded a treaty with the United States for the settlement of the questions which have been discussed for several years; having become obvious that the horrors of war are avoidable by peaceful arbitra ment instead of arbitrament of the sword, I have given my consent to the reference of the Alabama claims to an International tribunal the highest authority to which their decision could have been intrusted; through a pardonable oversight on the part of the negotiators the claims were not explicitly limited to direct losses, and therefore the President of the United States has preferred a considerable mount of indirect claims, to many of which my Government has demurred. I hope the amount to be ultimately de frayed will not exceed the French pay ment to Germany. The Queen deplores the troubles in India. She facilitates Parliament upon

the condition of the finances of the country, and the collection of unprece dented revenues, and refers to the peace able state-of Ireland, and promises the introduction of bills in relation to the ballot for the regulation of modes for acquisition of railways for the state and for the regulation of licenses for the sale ° The yEveninyPost says that Sir Charles Dilke organized a large; meeting m Trafalgar Square to-night. Fully 10,000 persons were in attendance. The pro ceedings bid fair to be orderly and distur bances improbable. , The Prince of Wales attended church at Sandringham yesterday. The Times complains that the American case has been translated into continental languages and scattered broadcast over Europe. If the intention is to make retraction impossible, no method could be chosen which could prove more effective.

THE VERY LATEST.

New York, February o. The Herald's Washington special says that there is great excitement among the high officials of that city in conse quence of our relations with England, and there have been constant conferences between representatives of the American Government and the English Embassy. The situation in England, as represented by the English Legation in Washington, ii of the gravest character The lory party, although represented by Sir Wat ford Northcote in the Joint High Com mission, is desirous of forcing the Alabama question upon Parliament and force such a vote as would test its want of confidence in Mr Gladstone's ministry. The latter, in consequence, is seeking an amendment to the Alabama case, to parry the assaults of the Tories. A despatch has been re ceived at Washington, urging the Ad ministration to withdraw its claim for consequential damages. The President is firm in the conviction that the case, as presented by our Government shall not be amended or withdrawn. He regards the Geneva Commission as a Court, and feels that America has the right to go before that Court like any other party, and leave the question to its decision. If our case shows any surprising features, the fault will be with the English, who permitted themselves for their own gain, to become parties to acts of war upon the United States. The President also feels that the necessities of the English Cabinet must not be permitted to force his ad ministration into a false position. A despatch has been received from Minister Schenck to the effect that the excitement in London is intense, but no recommendations are made. The English Minister, Mr Thornton combats the view of the Administration as to the Geneva Commission being a Court, and- argues that it be treated as an amicable confer ence. He contended that there could be no peace if our case were presented in the form of an indictment for misconduct. Secretary Fish does not see how any claim can be withdrawn. If, in his judgment, Sir Alexander Cockburn would withdraw, there would be no hope of an amicable settlement. Mr Evarts is about toTeturn ! to this country for further instructions.

AMERICAN NEWS.

New Yobk, January 11

Stokes is in the Tombs Prison. He puts on or really feels an indifference to nis position. He eats, sleeps and talks as usual. The Grand Jury is now in session. January 12.

Alexander Delman's paper, The City of Brooklyn, of to-day, brings to light an alleged extraordinary financial transaction affecting the Liverpool, London, and Globe Insurance Company. It charges that, through financial manipulations, the managers have pledged five million dollars of assets on trust, in order to secure to themselves three hundred thousand dollars per annum for ever inviolate, and that the former immense sum is falsely advertised among the com pany's assets. January 18, There was a great crowd at the Court of Oyer and Terminer this morning,; to: witness the arraignment of Stokes for the murder of Fisk. Stokes was brought to the CoUrt in a close carriage, and arraigned. The counsel asked for a postponement, ; as they had not see an indictment yet. The case was then adjourned till the 24th. January 20. John Russet, messenger of the Metro politan Bank, was robbed in the street about noon to-day of $23,000 in gold and certificates, and a quantity of notes and bonds. No arrests as yet. January 21. A London letter contains the details of a plan to shoot Earl Russell. Cincinati, January 12.

A tornado at Monticello, Arkansas, last night, blew down four churches, and left nothing standing of the fifth. The Court-house was destroyed, and any number of houses and barns unroofed, No lives were lost, and but few persons wounded. It lasted only five minutes. . Chicago, January 19. Mayor Medill yesterday received an anonymous letter from San Francisco, in which the writer confesses to .having/set fire to Mrs O'Leary's barn on the night of the great fire. The letter was dropped into the San Francisco office without a stamp, and the postage was paid by the Young Men's Christian Association of that city. The information is not con sidered valuable as the writer is evidently insane. Louisville, By, January 21. At four o'clock this morning the Union Pipe Foundry, Dennis Long and Co., Fulton street, near Preston, Was destroyed by fire. Loss about $175,000. Insurance only §10,000. It was one of the most extensive foundries in the United States, and had a capacity of working 27,000 tons of metal annually. Boston, January 24. The barque Warren Hallet, which started from this port on Tuesday for Cape De Verde, put into Provincetown harbor the same night, in consequence of a mutiny among the crew. Previous to reaching the harbour a terrible fight occurred on board, during which one man was killed, and another fatally injured.

FOREIGN NEWS.

Paris, January 25. Tne report in circulation that the sen tence of Henri Rochefort has been oom

muted to banishment, is pronounced untrue. , ~ , _„ ■, A terrible railroad accident occurred near Nice to-day. The train broke through the bridge over the Taglioni River, pre cipitating the cars into the water. Four teen persons were killed and many others *oUllde<L January 28. The plan of the revolutionary uprising has been organized over the whole terri tory of the south of France. J February 28. A new play by YictorienSardou, entitled "Ragabas," has just been brought out at the Vaudeville. It contains some expres sions in favour of Imperialism and the Bonapartes which havo caused wild scenes of excitement at the theatre. The agita tion extended outside, and last after the performance crowds passed through the Boulevards, some crying "Down with Bonaparte !" and others " Vivel'Empire! At one time a disturbance>as threatened, but the crowds finally dispersed without coming to blows. . To prevent the recurrence or this dangerous agitation Thiers has ordered General l'Admirault to suspend the per formance of the play, and if necessary temporarily close the theatre. The Assembly to-day, by and over whelming majority, passed the bill authoriving the Government to notify England and Belgium of the termination of the commercial treaties between France and those countries. February 5. Great interest is felt here in the dis cusion of the Alabama claims now going on in England, and the result is awaited with much anxiety. Berlin, January 26. Princess Victoria, wife of the Prince Imperial, is enceinte. Berlin, January 29. The draft of the treaty between Great Britain and the German Empire for the extradition of criminals, has been laid before the Federal Council. St. Petersburg, January 29. Intelligence was received here to-day, of the total destruction, yesterday, by earthquake, of Schamachi, a town of Asiatic Russia, in Trans-Caucasia. From ' further details received of this terrible disaster, it is learned that the shocks i were very protracted, and that many lives, number not stated, were lost.

CORRESPONDENCE.

/3TWe do not hold ourselves responsible for .__• opinion! expressed by our correspondents.

MARCH TO THE BATTLE-FIELD.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —I was much pleased to see the letter headed " Who is to lead," in you paper of Friday. The time is now approaching when the people will have the opportunity of dealing with the licensing of public-houses themselves. That however is now no longer in the hands of an arbitrary and irrespon sible Bench of Magistrates only—irrespon sible to the people I mean. I hope the fritnds of permissive licensing will meet, and consult as to what is to be done in view of the approaching? licensing day. If none, among the wealthy or upper ten thousand, or clergy, will come forward tolead in such a cause, some men in humbler stations but repectable character must do so. This is eminently a working man's movement in England. It ought to be so here too. "Alcoholism" or, in plain English, " drunkenness," is by no means confined to the workshop or public-house now-a days, but disgraces the drawing-room also, as the London press have recently informedus. Many persons, it is believed do not even yet know what the Permissive Bill means, and many, perhaps, never heard of it all. I would, therefore, suggest that a notice to the following effect be forthwith printed, and widely circulated in any locality in which it may be in con templation to attempt to enforce the prohibitory clause this year:—" It has been found by long and painful experience, that the common ; sale of intoxicating liquor, especially in open tippling bars (so numerous in this town), is the fruitful source of immorality, crime, destitution, disease.prematuredeathaudinsanity.aswell as innumerable other miseries. The public burdens for the police and gaols, and the maintenance of the desti tute .are thereby greatly increased, and the honest industrious portion of society made to suffer grievous wrongs. The Provincial Council by the new Licens ing Act has conferred on all the adult male and female residents of each district the power to forbid the issue of licenses to retail liquor where they see fit. You will therefore be waited on by respectable gentlemen of your own ward, and invited to exercise that power by signing the necessary memorials against the issue of licensas, as required by the Act." By sending into each house a prelimi nary notice of the above tenor, the "masses" would begin to think and reason on the propriety or otherwise of their signing a prohibitory memorial against any or all the publicans in their ward. Tbey would not bo taken by surprise when the memorials were afterwards pre sented to them for signature. The ex pense of all this could not be very heavy ; as a public spirited man, you would n 6 doubt print such noticescheap. Though the present licensing act is not what it might haVe been in regard to the prohibitory clause, and still greatly and unneoessarily obstructs the working of that clause by throwing upon private persons instead of officers of Government the duty of put ting it in force, or collecting the census and votes, still it does confer immense power on the people, such as they never enjoyed before, and such as four years ago, they could hardly dream that they would ever possess. Thanks to the U.K.A., and Mr. Gillies too (though he perhaps could not help it) for the boon. If the people decline to put the prohibi tory clause of the Act in force, in any case however urgent the necessity may be, they, will betray tho public interests;: proye. unfaithful to the cause of justice and mercy; and become deservedly the laughing stock of the publicans who are preying on society in general and on the working men especially. There is great talking and writing at home now about the growth of republican principles in England, and some apprehen sions are felt on the subject. But if the upper classes wish to check any feeling in favour of Republicanism in the English mind, they should not hold off when any great social reform, such as the

enactment and working of a P er . missive Bill, is in question. The English people are now resolved that they will no longer allow the highest interests . | of themselves and their families to be sacrificed merely that liquor-sellers and their friends be gratified and enriched, or preserved in the possession of a political power, which they have so long s bused, to impoverish, degrade and e&L j.ve the humbler classes. Some of you? readers of the " better class " may say that this language savors of the stump. Be it so. It isjltrue, notwithstanding. Many felt surprised that our Provincial Council had the courage to pass a prohibitory clause. They will be still more surprised if they see that the citizens have the pluck to enforce it. I have, &c, P.B. [The scheme proposed by our correspondent will have our cordial support. It is really time that the friends of temperance were moving, if they do not mean to be valued only for their professions. True, the Licensing Bill is not everything that might be desired, but if reformers wait till ihe path is made all smooth, public good will never be achieved. Ifc is not thus that the battles of progress hare been won. We shall soon begin to think it is only talk with the TJ.KA — Much cry and little wool.—Ed. JE.S.I

CADETS.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. g IE _When the Cadet movement was first originated in this country, many arguments were used pro and can. It was urged in favour of this organisation of the youngsters, that the military discipline they would be subjected to would tend to induce habits of order and dis cipline, and that the training would not only be useful in preparing them to become good soldiers hereafter at short notice, but would be beneficial in develop ing their muscular energy. On the other hand, it was feared that the subjection to military despotism would probably lessen parental and scholastic influence, and weaken home ties. And this, I really fear, is already becoming too evident. Your paper has frequently published paragraphs respecting thelamentable want of home guidance in respect to the youths of this colony, and that laxity of paternal discipline which allows boys to do almost anything with impunity, at whatsoever time of day or night they choose. I am sure, therefore, that yon will cordially agree with me, that some arrangements ought to be put in force, to render the return of these lads to their homes compulsory, immediately after each nocturnal parade. At present they may be found in dozens, after the conclusion of their business, lounging about the streets, smoking stumps of cigars, sitting on door steps fighting their battles over again, poking their noses into public house bars, and doing everything they should not, up to eleven or twelve o'clock. The difficulty is, how to remedy this. There appear to be two methods of solv ing the difficulty, which are , quite simple of application. The one is, for the volunteer authorities to make it generally known that under no circum stances will the youngsters be kept later at parade than half-past eight or nine p.m. Parents would then be able, if they chose, to compel their juvenile vagrants to be at home in a reasonable time after wards. The other is, for the officers in charge of the parades to march the boys into the main thoroughfare of the town, and then dismiss them. They could then see that the lads dispersed in an orderly manner, and went towards their'respective homes, where the majority of them ought certainly to be, by soon after 9 p.m. This prowling about the streets after a reasonable hour of night, is productive of immense evil to the rising generation, and those in authority onght certainly to do all in their power to put a stop to it; It ig certain that if matters go on much longer as at present, the cadet movement will prove a failure and be groductive of more harm than good.— V ours, &c., JiYJ-AX

THE VOLUNTEER GAZETTE.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —On reading a copy of the Volunteer Gazette, dated Saturday last, I was much surprised to find no notice whatever has been taken in its columns of the compli mentary ball given to Captain Clarke, of ■ No. 3, Auckland Rifle Brigade, on Tues-' day, 27th ult., although the daily papers contained reports of the same, from which as a rule, the Volunteer Gazette appears to cull its items of news for the week, if one may judge from the similarity of lan guage used in the Gazette. The omission besides is the more noticeable from the fact that the editor of the journal was present on the occasion. If this is a sample of the way in which the special organ of the Volunteers represents them, I am not at all surprised at the dissatisfaction which has been expressed in your columns by the various writers, and their repudiation of apublication which neither possesses talent in itself, nor reliability in its records of passing events. Did I not know to the contrary, I should have imagined a leaven of jealousy of the popularity of Captain Clarke had dictated the omission I com plain of; as it is, lean only attribute it to defective arrangements in the reporting staff of the journal. Apologising for troubling you. lam, <&c, i A Membeb op No. 3.

ASPHALT!

To the Editor of the Evening Sta:

Sib, —In your issue of last Friday! a letter appeared on the above subject, ajfed signing himself as such in which he wo." A. have the Aucklanders and City Cou£ *\: (as he termed them), believe that asphalt is better than freestone for paving.

Allow me sir to inform him that asphalt has been well tested in many parts of the world some 30 years ago for paying, and even at that time, high expectations were formed of it in Eng land, but the process of asphalting has gone out of use, as it is not found durable as stone, and therefore in ordinary circumstances, more costly. There is another thing that is fatal to asphalt; that is, the dull appearances it gives to aay sort of goods in shop windows, much to the annoyance of

THE EVENING STAB, TUESDAY, MARCH 5> 18

2



J CATER (late Cbombie's), ROYAL • FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in. informing his friends and the public generally that he has purchased the Photographic Business sa long carried on by Mr. Crombie; and having secured the services of Mr. C's late Manager, he feels warranted in stating that they will receive every civilty and attention, as well a9 first-class and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pains will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J C. begs to announce that his arrangements for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children are now complete. . OLSON'S TOMATO SAUOE. THE immense Succe»s attending the intro duction of this new local industry_ will alone testify to the high estimation in which it ie hold. During the last year the proprietor was ■earcely able to supply the large demand, and has in consequence made extensive alterations and additions to hh Factory, so as to be enabled to keep the market well supplied. No one who values health and appetite should be without a supply of this really health-restor ing and agreeable condiment. Sold every\. here in Bottles with the name of H. OLSON on wrapper and stamped on bottle and stopper. Auckland, 10th February, 1872. O X riOA WORTH of GROCERIES &0 9 \JkJ\J and PROVISIONS to be sold at Cost Pbice, previous to our Removal to our New Central Premises, next to the Soirfliem Cross office, Queen street. Families, Storekeepers, and Coasters, are invited to call at their old establishment, BARNETT AND LEVY'S NOTED RED HOUSE, next to the Theatre Royal. .'..%! RELINQUISHING BUSINESS. fs3§* PI_SA.Ii NOTICE. R. HOIiBS WILL oifer for the next Eight Weeks, (unless disposed of during that time), the Whole of his very large Stock of Genera and Household Drapery and Men's and Boys Clothing, at very low prices. February 12, 1872. _Jg_3 .£^oo WORTH of MUSIO and SONGS set to MUSIC to be given away by __P. H. Lewisson, Jeweller, Queen street. For each £1 worth of Jewellery purchased at Establishment, the same amount of Songs or Music given in.—F. H. Lswisaoi., Queen •treat. J. COS GRAVE & CO 'S MONSTER SALE of DRAPERY and ft* OTHING is now on. They have a tremendous lot Bargains to offer to the public. The Largest tk in New ; Zealand to choose from, '■ .- i i ;•: • •; • ' : i , ." ;..»-. :.'■-< _-■ • ■..,/'.'•■■,■■■ '. 7 _■: y : .ofibf/" iii ''. ttr-jv-'fr •;