SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.C. HIGH WATER : This afternoon, 12 midnight.

STEAMER FOE THE THAMES. Enterprise No. 2, 5 o'clock evening.

ARRIVALS.

Caduceus, ship, 1,000 tons, Roberts, from London. Alice Cameron, barque, 341 tons, Carter, from Sydney. Duke of Edinburgh, Farquhar, from Wangarei. Briton, barque, Dyson, from Newcastle. Onward, schooner, from Bay of Islands.

DEPARTURES. Duke of Edinburgh, p.s., for Russell.

IMPORTS.

Per Alice Cameron, from Sydney:—loo gunnies sugar, J. Roberton and Co. ; 355 do. do., order ;92 bags bone dust, S. Jones ; 30 crates bottles, H. S. Meyers : 100 bags maize, order ; 50 do. do., J. Coup land ; 100 do. do., Bell Brothers ; 534 do. do., 1,137 bags (small), 321 bags (large) sugar, 250 casks cement, order ; 2 casks tumblers, 1 do. earthenware, Newman and Ewen ; 9 cases acid, H. Hayden ; 31 do., Bank of New Zealand ; 30 do., H. S. Meyers ;1 case addressed, 3do , Newman and Ewen ; 1 do.*, 1 bale, S. Jacobson ; 12 nests tubs, T. and S. Morrin ; 1 case hats, Hill, Fenton, and Hulbert, S bags sand, Wilthew ; 10 cases oysters, S. Jacobson ; 2 cases merchandise, Montague ; 12 bales hay, S. Jones ; 21 do. do., order ; 7 drums potash, editor Southern Cross.

ARRIVAL OF THE CADUCEUS, FROM LONDON.

The fine ship Caduceus, Captain Roberts, is work ing up harbour as we go to press, having made the passage from Graveaend in 10G days. She has been detained several days on the coast with light winds and calms, and was in sight of Tiri Tiri last evening. She brings a large number of passengers, including the Rev. D. Bruce ; and a valuable cargo of general merchandise. She has also on board one bull, one cow, and four sheep, valued at £070. The following is a list of the passengers :— Passexgsrs.—Mr. and Mrs. Richard Eurges3, Mr. and Mrs. Hazard, Rev. D. Siang, wife, and four children, Rev. D. Bruce, and three children, Dr. George Fisher and wife, Major-General Cosset and wife, Rev. D. Hamilton, Messrs. George W, Potts, 11. Train, J. M. Rainbow, John W. Craig, Alfred H. and "W. Thomas Sobey, A.. C. and A. H. Uossett, William Clarke, the Rev. William Macrae, Mrs. Hamilton, Mrs. Hibbee, Misses Catherine Proctor, Maria, Gertrude, and Mary Gosset.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: City of Adelaide, 3rd inst. ; Hero, about the 15th inst. For Tahiti: Queen, schooner, early. For Samoa, via Tonga : Kenilworth, schooner, early. For Southern Ports : Wellington, s.s., on arrival of > Nevada. For Napier and "Wellington : Nevada, to-morrow. For Sydney : Amateur, schooner, early. For Hokianga: Mary Eliza, to-day ; Herald, schooner, sth inst. For Kaipara : Merlin, schooner, to-morrow. For Wanganui: St. Kilda, s.s., to-morrow.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Naomi, ship, from London, sailed ICth November. Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney Grace Darling, schooner, from Melbourne Nevada, mail steamer, from Honolulu, due 30th inst Gazelle, schooner, from Newcastle Macquaric, schooner, from Melbourne Rita, brig, from Melbourne. Albion, s.s., from Melbourne and Southern ports

The schooner Kenilworth, Captain Mackenzie, has cleared outwards at the Customs for Samoa, with a full general cargo, and Messrs. K. and J. B. Davis as passenger?. The barque Alice Cameron left Sydney on the 15th ultimo, and experienced light airs and calms through out. Passed the North Cape on Sunday last and had light winds down the Coast. The Alice brings a general cargo, particulars will be found under the head im ports.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :—

MBETINGH TO COME. Nebraska, Grahamstown, February 5 Hauraki Saw Mill Company, Company's office, 2 p.m. February 5 Venus, Coromandel, February C Bass Rock, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, 3.30 p.m. February 6 Evening Star, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, 2 p.m. February 6 Hope of Coromandel, 10, Insurance Buildings, 4 p.m. February 7 Conquering Hero, 12, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 4 p.m. February 8 Crown Prince, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, February 8 Little Wonder, Coromandel, February 8 Golden Phcenix, Grahamstown, February 9 Queen's Ferry, 49, Queen street, Auckland, 4 p.m February 13 Golden Pah, Coromandel, February 15. Smiling Beauty, Grahamstown, February 16. Pride of Tokatea, Company's office, Queen street, Auckland, 3 p.m. February 22 Lowland Law, Grahamstown, February 24

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails will Close as Under : For Thames, this day, at 4.30 p.m. ; and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Malvurangi, AVarkworth, Matakana, etc., per Lady Bowen, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Kapanga, per Koyal Alfred, to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. For Wanganui, per St. Kilda, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Russell, per Onward, to-morrow, at 5 p.m. Per s.s. City of Adelaide, on Saturday, 3rdinst.,as follows :— For Australian Colonies, at 11 a. m. For Uunited Kingdom via Suez and Southampton (for letters specially so addressed) at 11 a. m. For United Kingdom via Brindisi, at 11.20 a.m. For money orders and registered letters, at 5 p.m. 2nd instant. For Newspapers, at 9 a.m. Late letters for Sydney, Melbourne, ond United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of 3d. and 6d. in ad ton to the postage will be received here till 11.30 a.m. For Wangamii, per St. Kilda, on Saturday, at 11 a.m. For Tavanaki and the Southern provinces, per Wellington, immediately after the arrival of p.s. Nevada, from Honolulu. For Napier and Southern Provinces, per Nevada, six hours after her arrival. S. B. Biss, Postmaster.

BIRTH.

THOMSON.—On the 28th January, at Otago Cottage, Wellington street, Mrs. J. Bell Thomson, of a son.

MARRIAGE.

HAIGH—LEANING.—On the 27th January, by special license, at the Registrar's Office, Mr. E. T. Haigh, of Tauranga, to Fanny, only daughter of Mr. J. Leaning, Victoria street.

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

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."

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1872.

The dog nuisance is becoming most unbear* able. In some parts of the city and its suburbs nightly these cura send up their " songs of the night," and keep up their wail till morning tide. There is consequently no rest for the weary, and many citizens toss the livelong night on their pillows, tortured by the dis cordant howls of these canine monsters. Could not the Inspector of Nuisances or the police perform a proeoss of "weeding" amongst these quadrupeds, and dispatch all those that are unregistered ? If this were effectually done, there would be very few left to disturb the rest of peaceful and quiet-loving folks.

" J. D., a New Chum," is facetious, and after preliminary parley thu3 speaketh: — <' But is it really true that the twelve apostles have come to Auckland ? That will accoun^ considerably for the sensation. I hope there is nothing serious to happen. Is it a bad omen ? There were good men one time. But, sir, you sueak of the communistic spirits. I had heard some time ago that Thicrs had determined to send some thousands of in furiated communists to some islands near Australia, which caused considerable excite ment. I hope they have not made a mistake and sent them here. Pray, sir, can you tell me if they have come."

The stating rink was again opened at the City Hall yesterday and extensively patron ised. New beginners are constantly appearing for their maiden skate, and many soon attain a degree of proficiency. Duriug the afternoon yesterday, when business was quiet, some ladies vontured on tho " ice," and apparently enjoyed their novel amusement. The pro prietors have skate 3of all sizes suitablo for the largest and smallest foot.

At the E.M. Court, Onehunga, on Wednes day, two men were fined for drunkenness, and one of them for destroying a bucket while in custody was further fined 15s. and cost of the bucket. A charge of assault against Matthew Nixon, preferred by.Bobert Wharton, resulted in a fine of ss. and costs being imposed on the defendant.

Last evening, at live minutes to eight, a very beautiful meteor appeared and travelled across a portion of the heavens, lighting up the city. It burst into countleß3 fragments before it disappeared. It had tho appearance of a comet at first view.

The well at Messrs. Seccombe's Brewery, haa now been connected with the Domain re sevoirs by pipes, and pumping commenced yesterday. This is a source of great satisfac tion, as 30,000 gallons will be supplied daily to the citizens by this measure.

We indyerfently omitted to yes terday that the beaefit at the Prince of Wales Theatre this evening included Miss Colville in addition t:> Mr. Hoskins. During this lady's sojourn here she has been a most popular favourite amongst us. Her graceful manners and talented acting having won for her many frienda and admirers. This evening will be the last appearance of Miss Colville and Mr. Hoskins, and we wish them a bumper house for their joint benefit. A meeting of the Brewers of Auckland is convened for 5 o'clock next Wednesday after noon, at the Thames Hotel, to consider the price of beer. Tenders are required by the Remuera District Board for carting scoria. Tenders are also required for the extension of the Tokatea tramway. Tenders will also be received up lo the 17th instant for a ferry service from Onehunga to certain districts. Mr. John Sheehan returned to town last evening from a tour through the Northern division, where he has been addressing the electors explanatory of his political views. Votes of confidence were passed and pledges given to support his return to the vacant^seat in the Greneral Assembly. No other candi date has appeared in the field. A variety of swimming matches will take place to-morrow afternoon, at tho Breakwater Swimming Baths. Sports will commence at half-past three o'clock. We understand that Coromandel is about to have a brewery established in its midst: In reply Jto our paragraph of Tuesday in reference to Major Gordon's protests the Thames Advertiser replies in the following terms:— We may say that it was quite impossible for all the competitors at the Thames to fire all their shots in both stages on the same day. One day was set apart on which a portion Of the competitors fired their first stage at Tararu, and another day on which the remainder fired their first stage at Parawai. On another two days, the remaining stage was fired at Tararu and Parawai. It would hardly have bsen possible to have adopted any other arrangement. As for Volunteer Fenton, he was so ill on the ground as to be unable to finish his firing, and was allowed by the commanding officer to finish on another day. During a portion of each day, it is quite impossible to fire at the Tararu range. The firing at Auckland has throughout been in ferior to that at the Thames. More than double the number have got through their class-firing here than at Auckland, and the scores have been much higher, and this, be it remembered, while Auckland has twice as many Volunteers as we have, ond ia allowed to send eight representatives to the South, while we are only allowed to send four,

We would call the particular attention of capitalists and speculators to the sale of pro. perty to»morrow, as advertised in another column, by Mr. R. Arthur. This is a chancu which may not occur again, of obtaining property close to the Waikato Railway Works. Property in this neighbourhood is advancing in price every day, and will shortly become the moat popular part of the city. We observe by advertisements that Mr. R. W. Dyson, so long and favourably known in the drapery trade, is about to relinquish the business, and conse quent upon the expiration of his lease, will, for the remainder of term, hold an unusually cheap sale, and solicits an early call to secure bargains : [Advt.] To any one who will show a larger stock of Auck" land-made Quartz, Greenstone, and Mosaic Jewellery' within six months, I will give a rewardof fifty pounds1 I also challenge New Zealand for style and beauty. Two thousand pound worth of Colonial-made Jewellery always on hand.—F. H. Lewissox, Qneen street. -I Advt.]

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY. Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M. JUDGMENTS FOB PLAINTIFFS. S. Reynolds v. C. W. Hemmans, £6. ADJOURNED CASES. Selanappe and Ansenne v. Thomas Muir, for £20. Adjourned for a week. DEFENDED CASES. Williamson v. Barnett and Levy, for £13 19s 4d. TKis case arose out of a question whether a certain parcel of in ferior tobacco had been taken out of bond in error, in lieu of a case of tobacco of a superior quality. A large amount of evidence was taken, and Mr J; B. Russell, for the defendant, argued that he was not to blame, but that the Customs authorities or other custo dians of the tobacco were responsible for handing over the wrong tobacco. The Court reserved its decision until next Court day.

POLICE COURT.

Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.i and Captain Holt, J.P.

THE ALLEGED INCENDIARISM AND CHARGE OF ATTEMPT TO MURDER.

FUKTHER EXAMINATION

(Continuation —x esterday. G. Jeffrey, Sergeant of Armed Con stabulary, deposed : On the 28th January, at 3 in the afternoon, I searched prisoner's house. I found a coat hanging up, and in the pocket the letter marked D, and the account marked H folded up in the envelope produced. "W. H. Fleming deposed : I am a clerk in the office of Whitakev and Kussell. On the evening of the 24th I picked up the letter marked B on the floor, as if it had been pushed underneath the door. It was about 10 o'clock. I put it on Mr Russell's table. Mr Thomas Russell deposed: On the 25th January I found on my office table a letter. I "was familiar with the hand writing on the envelope. I believe the writing to be that of the prisoner. lam well acquainted with the writing of prisoner, and am well acquainted with his signature. I have compared the writing with that in the books which are in the possession of Mr Broham. I hare no doubt that it is in prisoner's hand writingi 1 observed that the en velope was made from a half-sheet. of notepaper, that the edges had a peculiar tear, and the water-mark was divided. Mr Broham and I searched among papers for the other half sheet. Mr Broham found it —the half sheet marked D. On placing the two halves together it was quite evident they had originally formed one sheet. The jagged edges fitted, and in one part of the tear the paper was split in its thickness, the two portions fitting : exactly. Also by the correspondence of the tear through the water mark, which leaves a portion of a figure on each sheet. The piece used as an envelope also retains the original fold of the letter. The en velope contained a threatening letter, marked C, now produced. (This letter was given in extenso in our columns yes terday and therefore does not need repe tition.) To Mr MacCormick: I have known prisoner for thirteen months. I have had no quarrel with him, and to my knowledge I never gave him any cause to quarrel with him, accepting that I refused to grant him a renewal of a lease of the Insurance Buildings. I was very much pressed by prisoner and his agent. I observed a very strong exhibition of feeling on the part of Mr. Haley at a meeting of the Caledonian shareholders. That was shortly after the fire. He jumped up. He did not say much. Others exhibited temper, but Mr Haley was conspicuous. It was some thing connected with the business of the meeting which caused the exhibition. Witness further said the accused had never, either by word or in writing, threatened him before this letter. lam not aware that I have ever done him any injury. Thomas Broham, Inspector of Mounted Constabulary: I remember searching among the papers of Mr. Haley. Before doing so I had seen the paper marked B in Mr. Russell's possession, having written on it a direction to Mr T. Russell, Wyndham street, Auckland. I was searching among the prisoner's papers, to find if possible half a sheet of note paper to match the half-sheet B. I found there the half-sheet D, having on it Newman's letter, and with it the account marked H in the envelope marked E. The two half-sheets D and B exactly corresponded. (Witness here described the particular manner in "which the two half-sheets corresponded, in the same way that Mr Russell had done.)

Mr Brookfield said lie proposed to take the same course in this second charge. He would produce no further evidencs, and would ask for a remand for a week, until Thursday, the Bth of this month. The remand was asked for until that date in consequence of his Worship being com pelled to attend at the Thames Court at the commencement of the week.

The prisoner was accordingly remanded until next Thursday morning, when the charge of setting fire to two ricks of hay at the Pa will be proceeded with. There are yet some extraordinary facts to come out in evidence in this remarkable case, and it is not unlikely that the charges against the prisoner will assume a new form.

The prisoner was conveyed to Mount Eden in the interim. THIS DAY. Before His Worship the Mayor, and S. Kempthorne, Esq., J.P. DETTNKENNESS. One culprit was disposed of in the usual manner. iabceny. William Small, the last of the quartette of small boys who had stolen oranges and small coin from the shop of George Hazell on the Karangahape Road, was also sent to gaol to be privately whipped.

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE MANAGKEK'S REPORT. The following is a copy of a telegram received from the Mine Manager:— " Feb. 2, 10.12 a.m. " Two cwt. specimens from main run. Gold shewing over face of 20 feet, but not rich. "Reef all taken down off bottom level. "S. E. Riciiards." (feom: our own correspondent.) The Miranda Coalfield. Favorable Report.

G-rahamstown, 3 p.m. A party visited the Miranda coal field on Fook's farm yesterday, and report favorably of the prospects. There are extensive coal beds, situated within ten miles of Mercer or the Meremere rivers. It would require ten miles of road made, or a good tramway to convoy coals to the beach opposite Grahainstown. A seam of coal was cut into as far as six feet, but was not cut through. The coal is of a good quality, although near the sur face. Little need be done to' open the mine. Collett's case is not yet finished. The Inverness are cleaning up. They retort to-morrow, and have a good show.

ARRIVAL OF THE CADUCEUS.

EETrEIS" OP THE UEV. D. BEUCE. It will afford great satisfaction not only to the members of the Presbyterian Church, but to a large circle in the city and province, embracing members of every denomination, to learn that the ship Caduccua, having on board the Rev. D. Bruce, is beating up the harbor; A large number of friends and well-wishers of Mr. Bruce have taken steamer and watermen's boats and gone off to welcome the reverend gentlemen on his return to the colony. As none of the boats have returned at the hour of our going to press, wo are not in a position to give any particulars of the voyage or of the passengers. It is needless for us to refer to the circum stance of the heavy bereavement with which Mr. Bruce has been afflicted since he parted from his friends in Auckland. His meeting with them again, and his re visiting old familiar scenes after an absence of two years will be with mingled feelings of joy and sadness ; but we are confident that he will find not only sym pathy, but a pleasing welcome from his fellow citizens of every denomination. We understand that Mr. Bruce brings with him several clergymen of the Scottish Church to minister to the spiritual wants of various districts in this and a neighbouring province.

WATER SUPPLY.

Theee was a committee meeting of the City Council this morning, at which Mr Brogden stated he was willing to under take to supply the city with 600,000 gallons per diem, —the Council to state what sums they were prepared to pay. No definite understanding, however, was arrived at.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE.

ONEHUNGA EIFLE VOLUNTEEES

Thb annual inspection of this corps by Colonel Harington took place on their parade ground last evening. The com pany mustered very strong, Captain Lundon, Lieutenant Brierly, Ensign Hendry, 1 color sergeant, 2 sergeants, 50 rank and file, Bandmaster Higgs and full band, being present. Colonel Har ington was accompanied by Major Gordon, and the instructor of the corps, Sergeant Wainhouse, took charge of the cadets, After the usual exercises and movements had been made, the inspecting officer addressed the men. He said he was there for the purpose of finding fault, but ho always gave praise where praise was due. The total silence observed in the ranks, as well as the steadiness and efficiency in drill of the corps, came in for his share of commendation. After a few words of kindly encouragement in reference to firing for Government prizes, the parade was dismissed The cadets under their drill instructor were then inspected, and got through remarkably well indeed, taking into consideration the short time they have been in working order.

There has bcenavast amount of murmur ing among the volunteers of all arms and grades in regard to the general parade ordered for Saturday next. It is said that it was wholly injudicious to call a parade of the whole force for the hour of three in the afternoon for the purpose of marching all the way to Epsom, for by the time they reach the ground it will be nearly sunset, and there will be no daylight to brigade to perform any intricate manoeuvres; and the mal-contents further say that it is absurb to call a general parade of volunteer forces for any day other than a proclaimed holiday, for the majority of the men cannot by any possi

bility attend without risking the loss of their situations. - These are matters of common talk among the volunteers, and we merely give them for what they are worth.

We are requested to state that the parade of the Auckland Volunteer Engineers, will take place at 10 minutes to 4 o'clock, on Saturday afternoon, and not as advertised this morning.

The members of No. 3 Company A.R.B. Cadets, mustered yesterday at the Range, Mount Eden, for target practice and musket instruction, under the supervision of Lieut. McConnell. The following are the scores: — ■Name 100 yds. 200 yds. Total. Lublin 17 12 29 Partington H 17 11 28 PartingtonJ 15 12 27 Blandford 14 9 23 E Moss 10 10 20 Dickey 11 9 20 Keals 14 5 19 Pivot 8 10 18 O. MOBS 11 0 11 Steele 0 7 7 Longdill 0 6 G Clarke 5 0 6 The annual inspection of the Auckland Battalion Bine Volunters, will take place in the Albert Barracks, at half-past six o'clock this evening. The Auckland College Cadets, asembled last evening in the Albert Barracks for drill. They accquitted themselves well. Captain Williams is about presenting a silver cup to the Company to be fired for. The annual inspection of this company will take place this evening. s

The members of the Blue School Cadets will parade in the Albert Bsrracks this afternoon, for the annual inspection.

Several of the members of the Auckland Troop of Cavalry have called on us in reference to a paragraph which appeared in yesterday's chronicle. We learn that although certainly dissatified with the manner in which Colonel Harington con veyed his rebukes, the troops have no intention of giving up their self-imposed duties.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATER.

The same programme was repeated last night, as on the previous evening. The attendance was thin. To-night is set apart for a farewell benefit to those popu lar and talented artistes, Mr Hoskins and Miss Colville. This will be the last opportunity that the Auckland public will hare of enjoying their performances, as they are on the eve of departing for the South. The programme will consist of " She Stoops to Conquer," (Goldsmith's celebrated comedy), and "A Handsome Husband." Signor Donato will also appear between the pieces.

ROTA.

February sth: Messr3. Ritchie and A. K. Taylor. February 6th: Messrs. Turton and Reader G-. Wood.

CORRESPONDENCE.

igS" We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

MR. BROG-DEN AND THE JSTIN-E

HOURS QUESTION

To the Editor of the Evening Staiu Sib,—The stand that Mr JSrogden has already taken in respect to the above question is a subject-matter that is of the deepest concern to the working classes of this island. No doubt Mr Brogden is aware that the intelligence of the bulk of the working classes can but dimly see through his ulterior and latent designs in assuming to himself the right to invade the most sacred right of the working classes, viz., the eight-hour system. I deny that this can be considered a question of labour and capital, because when Mr Brogden negotiated and undertook his contracts, he well knew that the eight hours system had already been established in this province ; and now to ask men to work nine hours is simply a bold stroke, I may say of actu&l dishonesty, on the part of Mr Brogden, and perpetrated no doubt with a view of forming a precedent to be practised on the hordes of ignorant emigrants, with whom, no doubt, lie fully intends to finish his Vogel contracts. A fair days work for a fair days wages is my motto, and let me tell Mr. Brogden that 1 have in my time worked hard with both pick and shovel, and also as a con tractor, and for a while as a mercantile man, and I can testify to one fact which I am not ashamed to record, Sir, that from experience I consider eight hours hard work a sufficient tax on the strength and constitution of any man for one day. But looking at this subject in another aspect it still wears a more gloomy colour, and by applying the lens of healthy criticisms to the present railway struggle, what do we find —is it not the first bitter fruit of Vogel's imaginary colonizing scheme, is it not an experiment on patience and on the bone and sinew of the country, is it not a pretext to get up a cry that there is a scarcity of labour in our market, and by this means perhaps decoy honest men from all that is near and dear to them at home for a life of wretchedness in New Zealand. To say that there is a scarcity of both skilled and and unskilled labour In our market would simply mean to utter falsehood, for the Thames alone there are hundreds of idle men at the present time, and indeed to my own knowledge, only that many of them expected temporary work on the railway. Meetings ot the unemployed would have been held before now, but while I admit this, is it not monstrous to think that the struggling working classes who are trying to rear up families under many difficulties in order to colonise the the country should be ground down and denied an honeat day's labor, when intelli gence must admit that the chief onus of wiping off Vogel's loans will rest chiefly on this very class of men. However gloomy the forebodings of the future may appear to be to the working classes in Auckland, yet to mejit seems plain that the renovator of all things (time) will in a very short space determine how this grand question with all its intricacy is to be un ravelled and made plain to all concerned. But should everything come to its worst, there will only be one manly course left open for the laboring classes of this pro vince to pursue, and that is should the works be suspended pending the arrival of expected immigrants, or should the works

be only carried on in such a quasi manner as to permit Brogden and Co to get immigrants out here in large numbers then I say in the name of humanity that the working men of this country must take united and'legitimate steps to arrest, and if possible avert a calamity which would surely overtake us if Vogel and Brogden is permitted to take the bread out ot our own, and children's mouths. The plan I wSd suggest is as follows :-That on the very first indication of such a policy being carried out, that the working classes should take immediate steps, and publ sh a number of pamphlets, setting forth tne exact and real condition of the country and labor market, and that copies ot sucli be sent to the leading newspapers ot Europe and Australia, and if this were done, it would have a wholesome influence on respectable working men at home, and would be the means of warning the un wary how to escape the lasso and artifice of an imprudent Government. Trusting that you will give publicity to this, I am, &c, Scobia Geamhab.

[The proposal of our correspondent for stopping immigration would be just the very worst of policies for the working man ; and is precisely of that short-sighted character with which working men are so often misled by the professional " Poor man's friend." Doubtless, at first, immigration may tend to lower wages; but in the settlement of an industrious popu lation in the country, through the colonisation scheme in its entiroty, there is the best guarantee for the future welfare ot the working man and every other man. If the formation of our railways is to be reserved as a perquisite for the working men at present in the country, and there is to be no increase of population, who, we ask, will pay for the immensely increased taxation consequent on the expenditure on railways? These are things that working men should think about, and not bo befooled. Immigrants turned into prosperous settlers are what we want, and the railways are but the stepping stone to this.—Ed. E.S.]

THE AUCKLAND TROOP.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. g lHj —Seeing a paragraph in your paper of the Ist instant, saying it is ruomoured that the Auckland Troop are going to appear in a certain dress and resign in a body at the Epsom race-course, I have made enquiries amongst several of the members and they know nothing of the matter; therefore, I shall feel obliged by your inserting this, as I am sure, whatever the intention of the troop may be regard ing the manner they were treated on a public parade ground, they have too much respect for themselves to do an act that would almost amount to insubordination, I am, &c, W. M. M., Trooper A.C.V.

EIGHT HOUR GRIEVANCE.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —I don't think it would lessen " Looker On's" nobility by signing his own name to his charitable speech, but methinks the shoe he wears fits him bet ter. A working bee, if he is not an ass sings a different song to " Looker On," whether he works in the same hive or no. No, it is not all bosh, bunkum, and balder dash to talk about nigger driving in this new and free country of ours, it is the bona fide working man that is by nature entitled to call it " ours," it is the amount of over paid xiseless drones and lookers on that makes it naught desirable, but its climate. New and free country you call it, right you are, if a working country labourer didn't like to work for 10s a week and New Zealand tucker, and country trading from light to dark (as I don't think Looker On would) why he can go gum-digging, when he'll work nearly all the hours God sends for 15s a week. I wish " Looker On " or any other imposter that wants to force inconsistent labour on his fellow creatures was sentenced to it, till he saved an independence out of it. No, " Looker On," it is not exactly the same thing to purchase or lease an article in a shop as it is to hire a labourer. A shopman is not obliged to sell, you are not obliged to buy, but a labourer must take what the world offers. It therefore becomes the public voice to proclaim consistency to all, particularly the poorest. " Looker Ou," you say that when a man advocates eight hours instead of nine, you may be sure that he is not an industrious honest working man himself. I advocate it, and I'll throw down my guage to you or any other humbug in this whitey-brown country for honesty, industry, and fair dealing. This is a flattering and relaxing climate ; and if " Looker On " had to work honestly eight hours, day after day, week after week, in a broiling sun, I think he would sing out with the rest at the eight hours' end, " Hold, enough." But as no two mea are alike in notions, I'd consent never to have a laborer's days work men tioned again, but so much an hour ; that is the way I generally reckon my wages, then they can mostly suit themselves, and I doubt not but what a good many of them will work fifteen a day if their employers will let them, but that he will not do only on emergencies. Generally speaking man is an ill-starred and more or less cranky animal, but as creation has ordained it so, I blame him not. I am. &c, E. Davidson.

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sic, —I see your contemporary the Herald of this morning thinks that the strike of the men on the railway is "likely to act in more ways than one," and thinks that the working men will ultimately suffer, because all the time that the works are stopped money is being paid out. How this is to affect them is not said, but even if it does, that is no reason why they should be imposed upon. One of your contemporaries wishes to know why it is that eight hours is insisted upon, and not seven or six. I think that the answer is apparent to every one, viz., that ci^ht hours is considered a fair day for work. Let it be borne in mind that some of the men live a distance from the works, and that by the time they get home and have their suppers, &c, a full hour or two has passed, leaving a very short time for reading and other amusements ; and if an extra hour is taken from them it amounts to little less than all work and no play for us, if this nine hour arrangement is carried out. I think you will find that the

volunteer movement will rapidly lo3e many of its present members ; and let me urge all the working men of Auckland not to let the matter be forgotten, but to stick to their fellow men in upholding their rights in this matter, and I am assured they will not rue the day. ' Apologising for trespassing on^-a^ur spirited journal, ~J Yours, &c, A Lif v jjb.

THE REGATTAS.

To the Editor of the Eves-ing Stab. g IE) Permit me, a disinterested spectator of the Eegatta of Monday last, to express my surprise at the unseemly amount of ill-feeling which the event has apparently called forth. I always understood that this and similar associations were instituted for the ostensible purpose of encouraging local enterprise and aiding mechanical skill. I have witnessed like contests in the old country, and am bound to affirm that they invariably are conducted in that genial spirit of fair play and honest emulation, which should ever characterize such undertakings, but in Auckland, I observe with regret, that this friendly feeling does not generally prevail. Your correspondent " Fair Play" intimates, and perhaps justly, that committeemen should not be allowed to compete in the Eegatta for prizes, but what then would become of the present committee ? A new one would necessarily have to be found as the majo rity of this committee, I understand, are directly or indirectly pecuniarily in terested in these races-' In reading the report, in the morning journals, of the committee meeting of last ni^ht. I was particularly struck by the amount of dissatisfaction exhibited, by the number of protests made, and by the un due partiality shewn in one or two cases. Capt Mceller, according to the report, talks of " going to law." ISTow, sir, I think it would be much better if parties concerned would endeavour to banish, favouritism, act justly, and judge fairly in these matters ; and I am sure that such a mode of procedure would be far more creditable to those persons who act on the committee, and take so prominent a part in these Auckland regattas. Yours, &c, W. B. [The dissa'isfaction is unquestionably owing to a large extent, to member of the committee being personally interested in the races. We trust this palpable blunder will never again be committed in Auckland. —Ed. U. &]

HER MAJESTY'S GAOL.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib,—The weekly returns from H.M. Gaol show that the average number of females confined there as vagabonds (which simply means prostitutes), is twenty-six to twenty eight, and that of this number, fully two thirds have spent the greater part of their time therein, and the remaining portion are far from being unfrequent residents. From the surprise created in court the other day, at the appearance of one better dressed than usual, it would appear these girls are nearly all from one locality, and of one grade in society. It is natural therefore, to ask, Are these the only girls of the class in Auckland ? If not, How is it these names so continually occur? Chancery Lane, Mills' Lane, and their habitants have for some time past been, under the surveillance of the police. Allow me to ask through your columns, if there are not other well-known and more favored localities, where vice in all its. disgusting deformity is unblushingly carried on with impunity ?

" Through tattered clothes small vice 9do appear; Eobeß and furr'd gowns hide all —plate tin with gold, And the strong arm of justice hurtless breaks : Arm it with rags, a pigmy's straw doth pierce it."

The only benefit to be derived from this continued persecution, is an enormous in crease of our gaol expenses. Mrs Col clough, of whose earnest sincerity in the cause of reformation there cannot be two opinions, has acknowledged that there is no hope of a.reformation under the pre sent system, and with the means at hand.

I am, Sir, Yours, &c,

T.H,

SUPREME COURT.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sib, —Contempt of Court has always been looked on by your humble servant as a grave offence ; but, when a Court brings itself into contempt, it is even worse. How pitiable in my eyes is the spectacle of a gentleman so far forgetting his duty and position, as was the case in the exhibition in the cause of Fenton v. Le R-oy. I would not credit the report as pub lished in this morning's papers, and give credit for some printer's blunder; but such occurrences as the deplorable one pub lished this morning are of too frequent occurrence in that Court to leave me any room to hope that thero is any mistake. It is to be hoped that such trifling with time, and money, and want of feeling for the parties interested, will be put a stop to. Yours, &c, Obsebves.

VOLUNTEERS.

To the Editor of the Evening- Stab. Sib, —I see by last night's issue that the Volunteer review is to be held at the Epsom racecourse. I think, with all due respect to the officer calling the parade, that a great deal larger attendance of members of the various forces •"•mid V obtained if the Albert Barrack , tar* Domain were made the sceneoos^ s J£ fr I have seen many of the Voluntt Aj/iiis morning, and on asking them would be present on Saturday, ,ceived for answer, '* Oh, I don't know ~'\> it will be fearfully hot; a fellow will be melted going out to Epsom. Why don't they have it nearer town? they'd get more men to attend." Hoping that some alteration of the kind will be made, in order to make the review a greater success, I am, &c, Mupnrii Eifib.

THE EVENING STAR, FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2, 1872,

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