SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : Thi« evening, 6.33. HIGH WATER : This afternoon, 2.42.

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Enterprise No. 2, G o'clock this evening.

ARRIVALS. Nebraska, mail steamer, from Honolulu.

Comerang, p.s., Chrisp, from Bay of Islandi. Duke of Edinburgh, p.s., from B»y of Islands. Tauranga, schooner, Sellars, from T&urang*. Mahurangi, schooner, Neil, from Mahurangi.

DEPARTURES.

City of Melbourne, s.s., Moore, from Sydney. Golden Isle, schooner, Matzen, for Melbourne ri* Wangapoa. Opotiki, schooner, for Opotiki. Wellington, s.s., Kennedy, for Southern ports. Result, p.s., for Westport.

CLEARED OUTWARDS.

Isabella, ketch, for Wangapoa. Argo, schooner, for Tairua.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne : Hero, s.s., 23rd inst. Vor Tahiti: Edith, schooner, early. F»r London : Cadmctug, sb'.p, early. For Southern ports: Phoebe, 9th inst. For Kaipara : Colonist, schooner, to-day. For Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Otajo Nebraska, p.s., midnight. For Honolulu : Nebraska, mail steamer, 21st March. For Newcastle: Kalahome, barque, early.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, 5.3., from Sydney. Magellan Cloud, ichooner,^from Chatham Islands Naomi, ship, from London, 3ailed 16th November. Wild Duck, ship, from London, sailed 10th December Moa, brig, from Melbourne. (Sailed Feb. 4.) flelenslee, ship, from London (sailed Jan. 11). Frowning Beauty, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed February 14 Bella Mary, barque, from Hobart Town. Cyrene, barqu«, from Lyttelton Whynot, ketch, from Napier Byron, brig, from Sydney Taranaki, s.s., from the South. England, ship, from London. Ella Gladstone, brig, from Adelaide. Maggie, brig, fronj Adelaide. Amherst, schooner, from Sydney. Janet Grey, schooner, from. Fiji. Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney.

Thcp.s. Nebraska will leave for Southern port.? *t twelve o'clock to-night. The schooner Julia Price arrived at Russell from Levuka in ballast on Saturday, after a run of eight days.

When the Comerang left Russell the Europa whaler had not arrived. She was however seen outside with a large whale lashed alongside. It is very probable that tho murder having been committed on the high seas, the murderer will be taken to the United States to be tried.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below : — DIVIDENDS. Cock-a-Doodle .. .. 0 3 9J Mar 25 CALLS Thames Gas .. ..026 Mar 6 Christchurch .. ..003 Mar 7 Coronet .'. ..010 Mar 7 Get-long .. ..010 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 MHXTINGa TO COME. Pride of Moana.ta.iari, Grahamstown, March 6 Ctown Prince, Queemferrr Hotel, Auckland, 2 p.m. March-7 West Coast, Grahamstown, March 16. Oriental, Grahamstown, March 21.

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND STREET.

Mails will Closb as Under : For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Napier, and Southern Provinces, perp.s. Nebraska, this day, at 5 p.m. For Kawau, Wangerei Heads, Manapai, etc., per Duke of Edinburgh, this day, at 5 p.m. For Kapanga, per Royal Alfred, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. ; and per Challenger, at 0.30 p.m. For Tairua, per Janet Gfrey, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. Per s.s. 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 5 p.m. S. B. Biss. Postmaster.

DIED.

KAVANAGH.—On March 3, at Onehunga, Mrs. M. Kavanagh, the beloved wife of Mr. P. Kavanagh, of Putomahoe, aged 52 years. A requim mass will be offered for the deceased at St. Mary's Church, Onehunga, at 8 a.m. to-morrow, after which the funeral will leave for the Cemetery.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1872.

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."

In another column will be found de tails of the Trans-Pacific news. All other intelligence pales before the announcement of impending hostilities between England and America. If we believe American journalism, war is imminent. But we do not believe American journalism ; and our unbelief has been accumulating with each suc cessive mail, until it has reached the climax at which we stand awed at the amazing capacity for lying. There is a clearness of conception, distinctness of outline, and completeness of detail, and circumstantiality in a Yan kee newspaper fib, that commands our unbounded admiration. Speak ing for British journalism gene rally, we admit, that we can lie — some ; but we throw away our pen in disgust, and prostrate ourselves before the magnificent grandeur of American lying. As gazing upon the wide expanse of ocean, the mind is lost in the feeling of infinitude ; so in gazing on the length and breadth, and depth and height, of the Ameri can capacity for untruth, we pause and wonder and are silent. Tho Bird of Liberty seems to have set up the feathers on his back, and screeched from the summit of tho Eocky Mountains, or wherever else he is supposed to roost; and all tho little Birds have taken up the screech, and have set up such a cackle that we hardly know what to make of the din; and must even wait, with what patience we can command, till the mails are extricated from the snow-bound cars of the Union Eailwav.

Ik another column we publish a letter from Mr Baird, the Principal of the Auckland College, with reference to the relations existing between Major G-ordon and the College Cadets. This is the first communication, oral or written, that we have had with Mr. Baird on the affair; and the action which we took in relation to this sub ject, was based wholly on information derived from independent sources. "We are pleased to find that in all par riculars we were right; and we reiter ate our statement that these occur rences demand prompt and honest investigation. There i3 an attempt made to import into our Volunteer force a domineering spirit that will damn the cauae ; and sincerely as we admire the noble cause of citizen sol diering, and thoroughly as we believe the future.'safety and independence and welfare of the country to be contingent on its success, we feel impelled to resist any attempt to im port into our contingent military system the vices of an ■ effete ordfir of things. In our remarks, we are not to be regarded as referring specially to Major Gordon, who, we are told, has many estimable qualities ; but to the attempt that is made in New Zealand to model our Volunteer sys tem on the laws and usages of the British Army. This country is cursed with military men, and military men who have been accustomed to look on, as perfection, the worst and most de fective military organisation that has been dignified with the name of Army in modern times. As to the valour of 1 the individual British soldier there is no doubt. That has been estab lished on many a bloody field. But the whole hi&tory of British campaign ing in modern times proves the force of the description of the British Army, which has become ajhousehold word all over the continent of Europe, that it consists of " Lions led by asses:" USTob only has the blundering of the Crimea forced this truth into a settled con viction, but it necessarily follows from the system by which the ranks of officers have been hitherto filled. There has been nothing that can be regarded as a proper military training for the position, such as that which makes the German or French, or any other continental officer, a professional soldier. A young man has been usually selected by his family for the army, because he was the black sheep of the flock; and as a consequence the govern ing ranks of the British army include the vauriens of the more respectable classes of society. The qualification for 'the position of a British officer, hasjjbeen practically that a man should be either a rake or a dunce, and con sequently unfit for anything else. It is needless to say that there have been bright exceptions to the general rule, and the army contains both gentlemen and soldiers. But the great bulk 01

those holding commissions being of the class indicated, have modelled the esprit de corps of the British army, and to be thoroughly possesed of that esprit de corps, a man must to a certain extent be pig-headed. Now this country a« we have said is cursed with being infeßted by a multitude of the cast-off disciples of such a school. Miserable remnants of the departed British forces, they have overrun the land like rats, and have eaten up our corn. And if ever our self reliant volunteer force is to become efficient, and really a defence to the country, we must drive into the sea, or otherwise expel the military rata that have fastened on our vitals ; and model our defence force after a fashion more consonant with the advance of intelli gence and the tone of popular feeling in the colony. In all this we are not making special reference to the imme diate case at present engaging atten tion. But while on the subject we not hesitate to say that any power which attempts to interpose between the parent or guardian and the child dur ing the years of that child's nonage, will not be tolerated; and if such in terposition is necessary to the efficiency of fcadet volunteering, then cadet volunteering in the colony will never be efficient. Domineering over either men or boys, and especially if asso ciated with glaring favouritism, will not "go down" in New Zealand ; and the sooner our military system is purged of its antiquated usages, and conformed to the spirit of the time and place, the better will it bo for the cause.

We have received a long letter under the heading " March to the Battle-field." It seems a good letter in the cause of temper* ance j but we are deterred from reading it till wo have more leisure. It is written in a crabbed band, with interpolations, marginal references, and foot notes, referred to by crosses and double crosses, and with inter bracketed commentaries, all constituting a maze bewildering to look upon. For the sako of the good that appears to be contained in it, we shall endeavour to have it deciphered and re-written, so as to be put in a condi tion to bo placed in the hands of the compositors ; but we give wiirning that thii 13 not our babit with letters that violate all the rules of newspaper correspond ence. We cannot find where jtho tail of it i?, but wo have no donbt we shall discover it bj-and-by.

In another column will be found telegranß from the South, transmitted by wire over so much of the Tauranga and Thames line as is yet completed, and forwarded by hand over the remaining portion of the route to the Thames. At, through thii means, telegraph communication will bo maintained with the Sauth daily, unless in exceptional cases, we have made arrangements in the South co as to be enabled in each issue to lay before ou» readers the latest Southern news. The item* in another column are important, as indicating the principle that will guide the Government in the conduct of railway construction in rela" tion to deviations and their selection of routes. The return of iick treated at tho Provincial Hoipital during tho week ending Saturday, March 2nd, 1872: —Eemainedlast return, 70; admitted since, 8 ; discharged, 1 ; died, 2 ; remaining, 69; males, 61 ; females, 8 ; Arrangement ofcanes: —Cancer, 4.; scrofula, 2 ; *yphilis, 3 ; phthisis, 10 ; rheumatism, 6 } neuralgia, 1; delirium tremens, 1; paralyi*, 6/ epilepsy, 4; amaurosis, 1; ophthalicna, I* ( ,> bronchitis, 2; pneumonia, 1; heart diiw^.j; 3 ; hemorrhoids, 1 ; fistula, 2 j sprain, 1;i abscess and ulcen, 6; -wounds and con tusions, 3; Necrosis, 2; fractures, 3; dislo cation, I; amputation, 2; cutaneous 1 ; debility, 2. Two men died daring the wee 1 I of pulmonary consumption, and 1 of ab< of the lung (phenmonia). Further »v i old linen solicited. On Wednesday and Thursday next a no description of performance will bo given. v ... the City Hall, consisting of daring feats tho wire ropo by Prank Barry, who h q,. -ecently arrived from the Australian coloniy Tha performance will comprise—walk in blindfolded, wheeling wheelbarrow, walkir in baskets, and the marvellous act of ridi a bycicle on the high rope. Mademoise, Victoire, who accompanies Mr. Barry, \rv also perform feati on the trapeze, and is described as being both daring and graceful. The entertainment will include other per formances from well-known talent. The whole is likely to produce a Bensation, We would draw attention to the annual meeting of the Waitemata Lodge of Instruc tion to be held to-morrow evening, a notice of which appears in our advertising columns. The regular mont hly meeting of the Lodge Ara, as will be seen from another column will be hold this evening at the Lodge-room in the Masonic Hotel, a half-past leven. The Q-arrick Club are singularly unfortunate in their endeavours to procure a set of scenery for the Lunatic Asylum entertainments. On Saturday night ths performance given for that \ object was not well patronised. ; The regular monthly meeting of Lodge Ara, No. 348, S.C., will be held this evening, at the Masonio Hotel. I t Applications for the publicans' licenses must ' be made before 4 p.m. to-morrow, otherwise they will not be entertained. l A little fellow fell oft* tho wharf yesterday afternoon, but was rescued by a man named W. Brickets, who plunged in after him. The Comerang brought up, yesterday, a uumljfr of natives from the Bay of Islands. .'hey will proceed to the Waikato, to bo j present at the forthcoming meeting of the < Jvingites. i The first general moetinp of members of the * Corporative Building and Investment Society will be held this evening, at the Young Men's Christian Association Booms. Number* of I shares have been taken, and the secretary wil] c be in attendance at 7 o'clock, oae hour before j the. meeting, to enroll members. i

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS

(FROM: OTJB OWtf COBREaPOITDENTS.)

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE MANAGER'S REPORT.

The following is a copy of a telegram sent by the Mine Manager;—

"9.58

" Water increasing in shaft. No. 1 block improving. E,eef in north drive 6 inches. No change elsewhere. "S. B. EicnABDS."

All Nations Return.

Moanatairi Crushing.

The All Nations have lodged 48-1 ounces of gold for the week's return from the amalgam from plates, and 250 lb.

Moanatairi have banked 54<0 ozs 17 dwts. melted gold.

The City of Dunedin have obtained 30 ounces.

IMPORTANT FROM THE SOUTH.

SPECIAL TO TRJ3 STAR

The Coming Session to be held at Wellington.

Bazaar in aid of Catholic

Church

Deputation to Public Works

Minister.

Via Kati Kati.

NAPIEB

March 3

It is stated on authority that the next session will be held in Welling ton. The bazaar held in aid of the build ing fund, towards a new Catholic Church, was a great success. Mr Brogden, the contractor, is ex pected to arrive at Napier (overland) on Monday. His Excellency the Q-overnor has left Wellington for Kaikouri. Mr Ormond, the Public Works Minister, in reply to a deputation of Meanee settlers, stated that the pro jected lines of railway would be con structed on the principle of benefiting districts containing the largest popu lation. The Engineer's opinion would only be conclusive as to the cost. Steele and Howard troupe will leave to-day for Wanganui. The steamer Albion arrived at the . Bluff this morning with later Aus tralian news, which contains nothing important. The General Assembly will meet on the 20th April. The firing of the Dunedin Volun teers for representatives has been completed. All scored over 40. J. it, PC ' ~ ■ '■■ '■ ■ HfdEOPATH ■■' ' '"■'.. '"'■- -: INTiii.^ , .. This match wai concj.nu... with the following result: — English 336 Iriih ... 312 Scotch 282 the English team beating the Irish by 24 points, and the Scotch by 54.

The Artillery Band will meet this ©ven ing at half-past 6 for practice. The members of the Onehunga Riflei, who will compete for the first and second sets of the district prizes, will assemble at their own range at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. The officers and non-commisioned officer! of the Onehunga Rifle Volunteers, chal lenged an equal number of privates to a shooting match, and the affair came off on Thursday afternoon, at their Rifle Range. The officers' team won by some twenty odd points; a pretty close contest, as each competitor fired five rounds at four ranges. The day was first-rate for firing, there being very little wind, and clear weather, but none of ihe scores were extra good. Volunteer McCarthy, .Captain Lundon headed the totals in the respective teamr

MR. LANCELOT BOOTH.

Ah opportunity will be given to the public of showing their appreciation of the talents of this young gentleman by attending at his benefit this evening, to take place at the Theatre Royal. The whole of the performance will coniiit of the productions of the beneficier ; a full programme will be found in ouradvertising columns. We hope to see a bumper houie and are confident that everyone will be pleased with the entertainment provided ftr them.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before T. B. Kenderdine and J. Holt, Esquires, Justices. DKUNKENNESS. Seven persons were punished in the usual manner for this offence. HABITUAL DHUNZBNNBSS. Letitia Hughes, having brought herself under the provisions of the Vagrant Act by having undergone three conviction for drunkenness within the last twelve months was sent to gaol for seven days for drunkenness, and for three months for tho breach of the Vagrant Act. INDECENT EXPOSUBE. Thomas Murphy, one of the drunkards, was convicted of this offence, which was committed in Barrack street yesterday morning while people were going to Church. Ordered to be imprisoned three months with hard labor, in addition to the punish ment for drunkenness.

PRIDE OF TOKATEA GOLD MINING COMPANY.

The half-yearly meeting of shareholders in this company was held to-day, in the Mechanics' Institute, Gr. W. Booker, Esq. in the chair. The report was read, shewing that the company was in a prosperous state. It went on to say that in October last, the directors had pur chased an adjoining claim, called " The Eainbow End" for £425, and 400 Pride of Tokatea shares. This had turned out a good speculation, and during last month, the directors had also concluded a pro visional arrangement for the purchase of the " Two Georges" and " Three Kings" claims for £850. Tho retiring directors were, Messrs. Bennett and Williams, who did not desire to be re-elected, and it was proposed to reduce the number from seven to five. The report concluded by remarking that although the directors had hitherto performed the work gratui tously, the prosperous condition of the company would* warrant, the appropria tion of a sum to remunerate them for their services.

The balance sheet shewed that after paying all expense and £2500 in the shape of dividends, £442 19s. lOd. remained in hand.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The chairman suggested that as the Surveyor, and the Mining Manager had been prevented by the state of the weather from completing their reports, perhaps it would be advisable to adjourn the meeting for a week. The meeting adopted the suggestion, and adjourned till next Monday at the lame hour.

CITY COUNCIL.

The usual fortnightly meeting was held this afternoon, at which were present his Worship the Mayor and Councillors Isaacs, George, Prime, Macready, Hobbs, and Hampton. After the customary preliminary, Mr Isaacs drew attention to the unprotected state of the Symonds street cutting. The guard was placed too far from the cutting, and accidents had happened already. The Mayor said that he had also observed this ; and Mr Macready remarked that he thought it a matter in which the police should interfere. Correspondence was then read ; of which the principal were, —one from Brogden and Sons making certain definite propo positiona as to providing a water supply; from Major Heaply and Mr. Peppercorne advising as to the best method of pro curing a sufficient supply. Other letters were of les3 importance. The other principal business this after i will bo a discussion on a motion by Isaacs to send a sum not exceeding * to England to purchase paving rial to be afterwards supplied to izens at cost price. (Left sitting.)

ARRIVAL OF THE NEBRASKA, WITH THE OPEAN TELEGRAMS AND AMERICAN MAIL.

English Mail Snowed up i the Union Pacific Rail

cd.

The Alabama Claims.

•gland Repudiates Indirect Damages.

A War almost inevitable.

Severe Gale and Eloods in

England.

Terrible Steamship Disaster and Great Loss of Life.

Dreadful Earthquake in Cau

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.

THE SNOW BLOCKADE.

From the San Francisco News of the World. Owing to the unfortunate and unprece dented " snow blockade" on the Union Pacific railroad, we have not been able to include selections from the late English papers. Our telegraphic news is, how ever, as full as ever, and will be found both important and interesting. The snow blockade has taught the Union Pacific

"Railroad Company the necessity of " snow sheds" and fences in exposed places as it long ago did on the Central Pacific rail raid (California, Nevada, and Utah end of the trans-continental route), and no deten tions need be feared in the future. On the Central Pacific Railroad there has been no detention or stoppage during this winter except of the most trifling nature from floods. The amount of line blocked by snow does not exceed one hundred miles (and that only in portions) of the entire distance, thirty-two hundred miles, from San Francisco to New York. The road having been kept open the two entire pre vious winters, the Company was not pre pared for the events of this one. The weather has been exceptionably severe over the whole country, and even in the ordinary course of event such storms would not probably recur in ten years. Of course for the interests of the Company as well as for those of the travelling public, the line will be cleared as speedily as possible. In San Francisco we look to that being completely accomplished inside of a week.

ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

London, January 22

The twenty-second circular issued to the Governor of the provinces of Spain for. the suppression of the International' Society has evoked remonstrances from members in all parts of Spain. Internationals from Madrid have made earnest appeal for the revoca tion of the instructions. January 24 A severe storm commenced yes terday evening, lasting all night and raging with great violence. The. gale at times became a hurricane, and ifc rained and poured in torrents, flooding the lower portion of the city. The Parliament building was damaged by water penetrating the roof in several places, injuring decorations and furniture, January 25. In the storm yesterday and preceding night there was an exraordinary rainfall. The streams in the south of England over flowed their banks. Whole villages were deluged. Great damage has been done to property, especially in the Valley of the Severn. The Thames is above its banks. The town of Windsor has suffered severely. In London, the upper portion of tho city, near the river, is flooded. The loss of property and interruption j to business is quite serious. Christiana Edmunds, a prisoner under sentence of death, has received a respite. Lady Franklin offers a reward of £2,000 for the recovering of the records of the Eclipse (Erebus ?) and Terror, supposed to be deposited in King William's Land. January 26. The Prince of Wales was out yesterday, and walked a quarter of a mile. January 28. The Prince of Wales contemplates a sea voyage as soon as pleasant weather sets in. The royal yacht Victoria and Albert is now being refitted for the Prince's convenience, and during the month of April ho will embark for a cruise in the Mediterranean and to Madiera. January 27. A special states that the Emperor of Germany recommends to Earl Granville, British Foreign Minister, the negotiations of a treaty for the suppression of the Internationals, principally by rendition of all political refugees. Also, that the Spanish Bourbons have agreed to support Alphonso, son of ex-Queen Isabella, for the throne, the Duke of Montpensier to assume the regency until the Prince reaches his majority. January 30. Sir Charles Dilke was married to-day, in Chelsea, to Miss Shiel. A special from London says the impres sion prevails there that the Geneva Con ference will necessarily disappoint the hopes of its friends and the end will prove a failure. If the Conference should decide in favour of the Americau claims, no English Government would accept the result ; no Parliament would vote the money. Hence, the Government would stop the proceedings now if there was a pretence. The argument of the Times is, that England should demur to the claim of indirect damages, and if the Court re ject the demurrer she should withdraw from the case. This is not the argument addressed to the Government, but the Government view put forth as a feeler. The Government says we cannot acquiesce in a construction which we are determined not to acknowledge if proved against us. February 1. The bark Manitoba went ashore yester off Penzance, arid is a total wreck. Fuor of the crew were lost. February 2: The newspapers teem "with hostile com ment and false reports in regard to the case of the United States, which have been published in reference to the Alabama claims. The statement of the English case has not been published. The Advertiser asserts that Chief Justice Cockburn, one of the arbitrators, will withdraw; that the Government will repudiate the treaty of Washington ; and a correspondent advocates this cause, and ■uggests repudiation. The Daily News say 3 that the United States claims for indirect damages have been declared out of the question, and that this opinion is backed by the senti ment of the country. February 3. The Times declares that England must give immediate notice to the Geneva Arbi trators and the American Government (should such action not have been taken already), that if the American case is as reported, all efforts at arbitration may as well cease. The Daily Telegraph reports that negotiations to that end have been opened between England and America, and that British representation are not received in a friendly manner. February 3. [Special to the World.']— Chief Justice Cockburn has officially counselled the , Cabinet that England s must recede imme diately from the Treaty of Washington, leaving America to decide between a new treaty, or war. The Times says the Americans, by light of their experiences in the cases of the steamers Florida, Hornet and Virginia, must see that the suppression of illegal equipments by England during tho war was prodigiously difficult. It hints that Fenian raids in Canada was not always so promptly or effectually suppressed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

I#ar"We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

THE AUCKLAND CoLLEG-E CADE/.d AND MAJOR GORDON. f

To the Editor of the Evening Stab\ Sik, —Having decided to apply to the I . the Defence Minister for an enquiry- :>o the treatment received by the Auckland College Cadets at the hands of Major Gordon, I have hitherto, during the new3 paper discussion of the subject, purposely refrained from either writing or in fluencing the writing of a single line re ferring to the matter. However, I cannot permit the leading article in Saturday's Volunteer Gazette, which I take to be either the production of Major Gordon, or inspired by him, to pass without remark. The action taken by me in tho matter of my cadets going out to Epsom, which is characterised in the article referred to as unwarrantable, a personal insult, a glaring proof of insubordination, and by other similar sonorous, but in this case meaningless expressions, and my reason for the course I adopted, are, I think, fully explained in the letter addressed by me to the captain of my company, and sub mitted by him to the officer commanding the volunteers, of which the following is a copy :— Tho College, 7th Feb., 1872. Sir,— As you have informed me that Majer Gordon desires an explanation of the absence of the College Cadets from the Epsom Bace-course on.lsafc Saturday, I take this opportunity of exonerating you from any blame oh that account, as it wa3 solely by my order 3 that the boya were not dragged out such a distance in such weather. lam sorry that tho exorcise of my judgment should have brought you into collision with the volunteer department; but I have yet to learn that school companies can be ordered about in such a special manner by any official, without the Principals of the schools having first been communicated with. Such, at all erants, is not my Victorian or New South Wales experience. I alone am responsible to the parents, and as several of my boys suffered from the effects of a similar expedition on the 9th November last, I beliere that I was fully justified in preventing a repetition of the occurrence. Had you received any communication from the department ordering the attendance of the company on the occasion referred to I should, as a matter of courtesy, have requested you to call and state the reason why they would not be present, but as I am awars that you received no such notice, I did riot think that course necessary." Tom1?, &c^, ToCapt. Williams, A.C.C. I would only add to what has been said in this letter that it would be perfectly im possible to maintain the discipline of a large public school, if the re existed any outside authority which could at.its plea sure set at defiance the orders of the Head Mastsr, The question at issue between the Corps and Major Gordon is simply this—has that gentleman the power to suspend the entire company and prohibit them from assembling for drill, practising at the butts, &c, because he is at logger-heads with their captain. Incredible as it may appear to any but a military mind, this was the course pursued by the gallant officer who, according to the Volunteer Gazette, had so frequently spoken highly of the Auckland College Cadets. Let it be had in remembrance that the prize firing was coming in a month, and you will be better able to appreciate the order that they were not to be allowed to practise. It is not pretended that the Cadets them selves had been guilty of glaring insubor dination or anything else, just a little short of high treason, but it is they who are punished. This may be strict military rule, although, civilian as 1 am, I doubt ifc from its very absurdity ; but I do not think that it will be tolerated in the Volunteer force, nor that the common sense of the Auckland people will permit Major Gordon to indulge for any length of time in such practices. If the Captain deserved to be suspended, why were not the duties, of the Company carried on by the other officers, or by the drill instructor, who, by the way, although paid by me for his services, either refused to attend, or was prohibited from attend ing, when requested. - Major Gordon in the article referred to states, that I have acknowledged my error, and have promised not to interfere for the Future with the conduct of the company. This is a most impertinent assumption on his part. I have committed no error that I require to apologise for, but finding that my boys were to be deprived of the ad vantages and amusement of firing for the District and General Government prizes by the action of Major Gordon, I did so far yield the position I am entitled to hold, as to assure the Captain of my company that "So long as it was connected with the volunteer department, as at present con ducted, I should leave the command of the company in his hand. In yielding even this far. I was writing under intimi dation. Major Gordon apparently having the power, whether or not he has the right, to deprive my boys of all the benefits to be derived from their twelve months dril ling and exercising. I was the first in Auckland to move in the matter of School Cadet Companies, knowing from experience the many advan tages to be derived therefrom when pro perly conducted; but while giving the movenment my warmest support, I can only recognise it as an assistance in the work of education, wholly subordinate to the moral and intellectual training of the youths committed to my care, and to the general dicipline of the establishment under my charge. Should the Government support th* action of the official referred to, all I ca- j say, is that in the interests both f x. parents and pupils, I will be compelled; to tender the resignation of the company^, and take such steps as will gain for mj^ lads even greater advantages than they at present enjoy in connection with the Volunteer Department; and at the same time protect them from the petty tyranny and unfair treatment to which they have of late been subjected. I am, &c, J. McVby Baibd. P.S.—A letter appears in the same issue of the Gazette, signed, " A Volunteer Officer," but as the Editor has made a personal apology to me for its insertion, and as I believe he means to,conduct his paper respectably, I will not further refer to it than to say, that if many more such epistles should appear, Major Gordon will soon have cause to exclaim^ " Save nic from my friends."

THE EVENING STAB, MONDAY, MAEOH 4, 1872.

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T CATEE (late Ceombie's), EOYAL O • FINE AET PHOTOGKEAPHIC GALLEEY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in informing his friends and the public generally that he has purchased the Photographic Business s» long carried on by Mr. Crombie; and having secured the •ervices of Mr. C.'s late Manager, he feels warranted in itating that they -will receive every civilty and attention, as weU as first-clasß 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. MiHE immense Success attending the intro l_ duction of this new local industry -will alone testify to the high estimation in which it is held. During the last year the proprietor wag scarcely able to supply the large demand, and has in consequence made extensive alterations and additions to his 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 everyw here in Bottles with the name of H. OLSON on wrapper and stamped on bottle and stopper. Auckland, 10th February, 1872. ft X AAA WOETH of GROCEEIES &O 9 \J\J\J and PROVISIONS to be sold at; Cost Pp,ice, previous to our Eomoval to our New Central Premises, next to the Southern Cross office, Queen street. Families, Storekeepers, and Coasters, are invited to call at their old establishment, BAENETT AND LEVY'S NOTED KED HOUSE, next to the Theatre Royal. " RELINQUISHING BUSINESS. Il^pr FINAL NOTICE. E. HOBBS WILL* offer 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. . # J. GOSGEAVE & CO.'S MONSTER SALE of DRAPERY and CLOTHING is now on. They have a tremendous lot of Bargains to offer to the public. The Largest Stock in New Zealand to ehooss from. THORNTON, SMITH, & FIRTH'S WHOLESALE PRICES CURRENT: & 8 d Fine Flour, Silk Dressed, "Crown ' Brand," per ton of 2,0001b5. .. -■■■~. 16 0 0 Adelaide, per ton of 2,0001bs 1C 0 0 Fine Flour, Silk Dressed, "TS&F. ! Brand," per ton 14 0 0 Seconds, per ton .. 12 0 0 ' Sharps, per ton 7 0 0 Brau, per bushel of 201b. .. .. .. 0 13 Oats, per bushel 0 3 9 Auckland, January 9,1872.



OK(\C\ WORTH of MUSIC and SONGS set to MUSIC to be givon away by F. 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. Lewissok, Queen street.