SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

POET OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.13. HIGH WATER: This afternoon, C. 20.

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Enterprise No. 2, 8 o'clock.

ARRIVALS.

Wellington, s.s., Kennedy, from Southern ports. Phcebe, s.s., Worsp, from Southern ports. Keera, s. s., Carey, from Southern Ports. Ariel, schooner, from Russell. Eagle, ketch, from Russell.

DEPARTURES.

Wallabi, s.s., Daniels, for Wanganui. Sea Gull, schooner, for Russell.

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Phoebe :—From Dunedin : For Auckland— (Under bond) 25 half-chests and 4 boxes tea, Hender son and Macfarlane ; (duty paid and free) 1 1/runk, order ; 5 hhds. and 10 barrels ale, Williams and Co. ; 1 case, J. Renshaw; 1 case, 1 bag, Brown, Barrett,and Co. ; 7 cases drugs, 1 bag, Kempthorne and Prosser ; 1 coil rope, 14 cases, 0 bundles sheet iron, 1 cask fuse, 1 cask bolts, J. Renshaw ; 1 case, 1 box, P. A. Philips ; 4 cases, 5 casks hardware, J. McCaul; 1 parcel, J. McVey Baird ; 1 parcel, Howden. From Lyttelton : (Free, the produce of New Zealand) 34 sacks malt, order. From Welling ton : (Duty paid and free) 10 telegraph poles, A. Sheath ; 2 bales Nelson tweed, Major Tisdall; 1 box, F. Scherff. For Tauranga ;—Shipped at Lyttelton : (Free, produce of New Zealand) 340 bags flour, 40 sacks oats, F. Wrigley. Shipped at Dunedin, to be transhipped to s.s. Nebraska, for California: 425 bales wool,. Henderson and Macfarlane. Shipped at Lyttelton, to be transhipped : 135 bales wool, Hender son and Macfarlane. Shipped at Wellington, for California: 20 kegs butter, order ; 140 kegs butter, 1 case butter, order.—Combes and Daldy, agents.

Per s.s. Wellington, from Dunedin : 1 coil lead piping, Collector of Customs; 1 box, Moore ; 2 cases, Craig ; 1 parcel, A. G. Millar ; 5 cases Anthony. From Lyttelton—l6 sacks malt, order ; 1 case, 75 bales wool, Henderson and Macfarlane ; 1 box, H. Kolin ; 2 cases spice, D. Stephenson and Co. ; 1 case, 9 sacks, S Jones ; 2 casks wine, Compton ; 1 case Phillips ; 4 cases eggs, order. From Nelson —48 cases apples, J. Solomon; 18 ditto ditto, Slater; 100 sacks malt, Binney; 1 case, Bank of New Zealand. From New Plymouth : 1 case butter, 1 bag, A. Barnes; 3 cases 1 case eggs, R. M. Clarke '■ 1 case butter, Sibbin ; 80 sacks bran, 20 sheep, A. Buckland ; 1 horse, Burton ; 1 case eggs, Barnet and and Levy ; 18 cases butter and eggs, Barnes; 2 bales flax, Howard ; 10 cases, 1 cask, and 1 sack, A.'Hood.— Combes and Daldy, agents. Per s.s. Keera, from Southern ports :—2O cf.ses wine, Henderson and Macfarlane ; 1 flax machine, J. S. Macfarlane; 1 parcel, Combes and Daldy; 2 bdles arms, 2 boxes, 1 coil binding wire, 1 parcel, 1 box Tele graph ;64 cases fruit, 2 cases cheese, Binney.—Com bes and Daldy, agents.

ARRIVAL OF THE PHCEBE.

The s.s. Phoebe, Captain H. Worsp, arrived in har bor this morning. She left Port Chalmers on the 17th at 6.30 p. m ; light variable winds and cloudy weather till 10 a.m. of the 18th, when it freshened into a strong breeze from the north-west, with very heavy squalls ; anchored at Port Cooper at 5.15 p.m. ; sailed at 4.30 p.m. of 19th ; northerly winds to the Kaikouras from thence light airs and calms across the Straits; arrived at "Wellington :.t 0.30 p.m. of 20th ; proceeded j at. 0.20 a.m. on Sunday, light northerly winds and' hazy ; anchored off Port Ahuriri on the 22nd. at 1.20 a.m. ; sailed from thence at 9.45 a.m. ; -north-east wind, hot weather, and smooth water; rounded the East Cape at 4 a.m. of 22nd ; passed "White Island at 2.30 p.m. on the 23rd; sighted the s.s. Star of the South bound to Napier at 1.30 ; strong westerly .vinds across the Bay of Plenty ; arrived at 9.15 a.m. on tha 24th. Passevo tins—Saloon :—"From Dunedin—Mr. and Mrs Kunzie, Mrs. Kissling, Miss Oascoigne, Miss For syth, Mr. l>. Comsia, Mr. Caird, Mr. Kissling. From Wellington—Miss Freeman, Mrs. Berry and 2 children, Miss Berry, Mrs. McDonald, Mr. Simcox, Mr. Pendergast, and Mr. Berry. From Napier—Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Eormer, Mrs. Bendall, Mrs. Pendergast, - Mr. Gregg. We are indebted to Mr. E. B Pringle, purser, for files.

ARRIVAL OF THE WELLINGTON.

• The s.s. Wellington, Captain Kennedy, arrived in the Manukau this morning from Southern ports, with a large cargo. Passengers—Saloon—Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Veale, Mr. Burton, Mr. Blake, Mrs. Rusden, Miss Dare, Mr. Veale, Messrs. Landor, Harrington, Williams, Cand, Mr. and Mrs. Carling, Mr. McAnany, Mr. Evans, Bonnington, Mr. Kays, Mr. Butement, Mr. and Mrs. Findlay, Messrs. McKenzie, Kirwan, Reed, Durant, Tangye, Donald, Kerr, Northam, Slater, Mr. and Mrs. Capper, and Miss Capper, Mrs. Martin, Miss Freeman, Mr. Tinne, Mr. Blackadders, Mr. Lully, Mr. Cox, Misses Cox (3), Master Cox, Mr. and Mrs. Jno. Hooper, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Hooper, and Mr. Bannerman. Steerage—Mrs. Leckie and two children, Mr. and Mrs. Osborne, Mrs. McGull, Messrs. Eggers, Fielding, Williams, Elmer, Frederick,! Mrs. Vine, and Mr. Harper.

ARRIVAL OF THE KEERA.

The s.s. Keera, Captain Carey, arrived in harbour this morning. She left Wellington midnight 17th, off Castle Point midday 18th, strong N.W. gale with heavy sea washed overboard deck cargo of kerosine, burst foretopsail, broke foretopsail yard, and smashed part of starboard bulwarks. Arrived at Napier 0.45 a.m. 19th, sailed same day ; arrived at Poverty Bay 1 p.m., sailed same evening; arrived at Tauranga 22nd, sailed same day ; arrived on Kati Kati 22nd, sailed 23rd ; arriving at Auckland on the 24th. From Napier to Auckland fine weather. Passengers: Mrs. Harrison, Mrs. Eociiford and child, Messrs. N. J. Isaacs, Thomeson, Thorneson, junr., Kempthorne, J. H. Harrison, Shlrard, Camp bell, junr., Haigh, Morris. We are indebted to Mr. Keeble, purser, for files.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydney and Melbourne: City of Adelaide, February 5 : Hero, February 15. For Honolulu : Nebraska, mall steamer, 25th mst. For Levuka : Julia Price, schooner, this day. For Tahiti: Queen, schooner, shortly. Samoa, via Tonga: Kenilworth, schooner, to -"* -"sorrow. IXuthern Ports : Keera, s.s., and Phoebe, s.s.,

VESSELS EXPECTED.

'"' ■'■ ! '' ■ ■*, '-'\ s.s., from Sydney ' N)fitv>» £/; Napier 7,* ..-.'.. •--; ■■•■>•>' !'s>m London, sailed Octobei JjS . .schooner, fro.n Chatham Jsi&nfa } ' er, from Lyttflton fcA^i! ■- ■■ ■' lan-of-war. from Sydney , »a<Jmi, snip", iru^.: T.oTidon, sailed 16th November. Alice Cameron, barquo, from Sydney Grace Darling, schooner, Trom Melbourne Queensland, barque, from Newcastle Nebraska, p. s.. from Sydney Nevada, mail steamer, from Honolulu, du<j 30th irji.c.

The Ballarat, barque, was to leave Napi;;? for Lou don with a large cargo of wool yesterday. The ship Electra left Wellington for London on the 15th inst.j/wifch a full cargo of wool, flax, tallowj tea.

COMMERCIAL.

Evenino Star Office, Wednesday afternoon.

Sfr. G. W. Binney held to-day at his Corn Exchange an extensive sale of cheese, hams, bacon, &c. The attendance was good and competition brisk. The following prices were received: —Canterbury cheese, 4Jd. per lb,; 10 kegs butter, 3|d. to 5Jd. per 1b.,; 2 cases Gilmour's hams and bacon, 4.W1. to 9d. per lb.; Peacock's tins jams, 6s. 4d. per dozen (for 20 cases); do. jar jams, siUl. per lb. ; tart fruits, 9s. per dozen : 1,500 lbs. hams and bacon, in lots to suit purchasers, 4d to 4Jd. per lb.

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

jiri^iHon.. .. .. v a o j«eu o MEETINGS TO COME. A-tgo, Coromandel, January 25 Cyclops. Grahamstown, January 25 Kuranui, Company's office, Shortland street, 8 o'clock January 25* TTna, Shortland, January 26 Evening Star, Commercial Hotel, Saortland street, Auckland, 4 p.m. January 26 City of Boston, Grahamstown, January 26 Thames View, Mechanics', Auckland, at 3 p.m. Janu ary 30 Tiki, Coromandel, January 30 Bailor Prince, Company's office, Fort street, Auck land, 4 p.m. January 30 Bed, White, and Blue, Grahamstown, January 30 Lion. Grahamstown, January 30 fihotover No. 1, Mechanics' Institute, 11 a,m. January 80

Emily, Coromandel, January 31 American Eagle, Grahamstown, January 31 Golden Calf, Grahamstown, January 31 Middle Star, Mechanics', Auckland, 2 p.m. January

31 New Rakaia, Coromandel, February 2 Yon Tempsky, Coromandel, February 2 Nebraska, Grahamstown, February 5 Venus, Coromandel, February G Evening Star, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, 2 p.m.

February 6 Bass Rock, Queen's Ferry Hotel, Auckland, 8.30 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 Phoenix, Grahamstown, February 9

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails wm 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. VorKapanga, etc., per Royal Alfred, to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m. ; and per Challenger, at 0.30 p.m. Per p.s. Nebraska, on Thursday, 25th instant, as follow: ,„, , For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British, Central, and South America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe, via London, at 10.30 a.m. For United Kingdom, via San Francisco, at 10.30 a.m.; money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at Late letters for United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of sixpence in addition to the postage, will be received at this office till 11a.m., and by the Mail Agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing. For Whananaki, per Blanche, to-morrow, at 5 p.m. For Russell, Kawakawa, etc., per Duke of Edinburgh,

to-morrow, at:? p.m. For Tauranga Napier, and the Southern provinces, per Phoebe, on Saturday, 27th instant, at 11 a.m. Late letters and telegrams, for transmission from the Tauranga station, will be received here till 11.30 a.m. For Taranaki and the Southern provinces, per AVellington, immediately after the arrival of p.s. Nevada, from Honolulu. S. B. Bi.ss, Postmaster.

BIRTH.

SJLSRISOIf:—"te "TB"23ra January, at Gaston Villa, Auckland, the wife of E. M. C. Harrison, of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

O'HALLORAN—DRTJRY.—On the 22nd Ja. xaiy, at St. Matthew's Church, by the Rev. D. Jones, George Stuart O'Halloran, second son of the late Richard O'Halloran, Esq., of Glenarm, County Antrim, Ireland, to Frances Ann, second daughter of the late R. S. Drury, Esq., of Dunedin, Otago, N.Z.— Home papers please copy.

DIED.

WEST.—On the 22nd January, at Grahamstown, William George, infant son of Mr. James West, aged 7 weeks.

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."

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1872.

Oue contemporary the Herald has re turned to the subject of the strike on the Waikato Railway works; We are charged with an attack on Messrs. Broaden, and with'tendering " foolish advice" to the men. We are certainly unaware of having made any attack on the contractors for our railways. On the contrary, as strangers to the colony they have been spoken of with consi deration and respect; and if by an error of judgment on their own part, or "foolish advice" on the part of others, they have made the attempt to introduce unreasonable hours into the public works of New Zealand, we cannot be regarded as the

enemy, but the friend of the con tractors, if we warn them respect ing the struggle impending. Our contemporary says, " We do not refer to the threats which have been used in the article in question, because we cannot believe they were seriously meant." But our contemporary need have no such delicacy. There is an insinuation that these " threats " are of the nature of violence and breaches of the peace. But we have again and again throughout our two articles on the subject, said that the moment the men commit themselves to any violence of conduct, that moment will they lose public sympathy, and take the most effective steps to disappoint their purposes. At present we believe the public feeling is in favour of the eight hours' system; and the wildest "threat" that we have used has only made reference to constitutional action; and the most extreme denunciation that we can discover after a careful perusal of our articles, is in the words, "for be it known to them that, constitutionally, the people rule in New Zealand." Our contemporary appears to speak ex cathedra in the assertion " The Govern ment are alone responsible for the nine hours' labour condition," and we shall not, therefore, offer assertion to asser tion. But wo happeu to know that the statement is an error. However this may be, and whosoever is responsible, we trust that the obnoxious rule will not be pressed. Our contemporary enters on a " simple matter of calcula tion," and concludes that we can afford to build railways with the nine hours', but not with the eight hours' system. We are not in a position to follow our contemporary in the " simple calcula tion ;" but it appears very " simple." However, a cheaper way than all would be to introduce Polynesian labour ; or the large surplus population of Chinese in Otago could, we have no doubt, bo taken off the hands of our Southern friends on reasonable terms, and, by a very •' simple matter of calculation," this could bo shown to be the cheapest system of all. It has been generally considered, however, that in our colo nisation scheme, thero were other objects contemplated besides the mere making of railways at the cheapest possible rate ; and among these there was not included the debasing and degrading of our working classes —a result which would inevitably arise from grinding hours of labour. We have no desire to pander to any un reasonable demands on the part of the working men : any more thau we have to pander to employers, who constitute the body of our advertisers and sup porters. But the fact of our not being benefitted by the labourers on the railway, will not induce us to desert what is unquestionably the cause of mercy and humanity, and we would add, justice. Eight hours a day are enough for any freeman to toil at manual labour; and we do not hesitate to name it " nigger driving," whether on the part of the Colonial Government or the Government contractors, if either pressure or temptation is applied to working men, to wring from them another hour. We again express tho hope that the men will stand firm, and behave temperately, and we claim for them the sympathy not only of their fellow workmen, but of all in the city actuated by humane feelings.

For some time past it has been observed that on the third or fourth day after each market day, tho police court has been occupied ■with tho trial of numerous cases in which parties have been brought up undor the new regulation for omitting to chain their wheels. On looking into the matter, we find that nine out often of these are farmers and other peoplo from a distance, who could not by any possi bility have heard of the law. It seems hard that these ignorant persons should be thus dealt with; and we would suggest, that onj> ftjturjj&aßgS c r "lij laST'whbh £fgfit"affoct count-y folk, should be published by being printed on large posters, and displayed on the , walls of the various toll-houses.

Messrs. Foster and Gallagher, of Wyndbain street, have the credit of introducing into this city a new and ingenious system of reflecting tho light from gas lainp3 by which it is re% peated an infinito number of limes by graved reflectors instead of tho plane surfaces hitherto used. These " crystal prismatic lights" can be made by the above named ar' T - for less than anything of the kind can "* ' for, and as a branch of eoloniax industry deserves honorable mention. One was in ful blaze last Saturday night in Friend's newly erected light-hous'?, and illuminated the wholn street for a great distance.

Wo are obliged to bold over till to-morrow an account of the efforts made by the Artillery this morning at Fort Brifcomart to bring the clouda down. Captain Lovvrio has beon appointed pilot at the Kaipara. Mr. Tayaros was well recoivod at the Thames. . As will be seen from a notice in another column, a public meeting will take place to-morrow evening on the ground opposite the Drill Shod, with reference to the strike on the railway works. Subscription lists bave been opened in Lyttelton, in Christcburch in aid of the families of the crew of the sebponer .Rifleman. Lists will also bo sont to all parts of the colony. Major F. M. Georgo's resignation a8 Deputy Commissioner of Stamp Duties has been accepted, and Theophilus Kissling has been gazetted as appointed in his stead. Dr. Pollen has been appointed as tb c Licensor of Sharebrokers for Auckland, and John Eobinson, Esq , for the Thames. By the Government Gazette of 16th Jan., we observo that Mr. Andrew Sonar's residence at Kaukapakapa has been appointed a polling place for tbo district of Koslnoy.

Mr, D. S. MacPonald is appointed Clerk of Works to the Harbour Boarsl- The case of Gtaw and another v. Eraser has been dragging its slow length along in the Supreme Court all day, and is likely to occupy the attention of his Honor and the special jury for some time yet. Tenders are required for the sinking of a well at the corner of Wellesley and Barrack streets. They will be received up to 2 o'clock to-morrow. A musical and dramatic entertainment will be given at the Provincial Lunatic Asylum to-morrow evening, at 7 o'clock. The Band, under Mr. McComiah, will attend. Two sharks, measuring 12 feet |aud 9 feet, respectively, have been caught in Napier har bor. As the goods and chatties of the Theatre Eoyal Company were being convoyed in a truck along the tramway, we are very sorry to > hear that a box, containing the theatrical wardrobe of Mrs. Walter Hill, and valued at about £50, fell off the truck, and into the water. The box was fished up again, but the dresses, &c, were very much injured. Wo are sorry to hear that this loss has occurred to this lady, especially as many of the dresses cannot very well be roplaced here. — Thames G-uardian.

We observe by advertisement* that Mr. K. 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 Bolicits an early call to secure bargains : [Advs.]

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 pounds. I also challenge New Zealand for style and beauty. Two thousand pound worth of Colonial-made Jewellery always on hand.— F. 11. Lkwisson, Qneen street. —IA dvt.]

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

THE CALEDONIAN.—MINE

MANAGER'S REPORT,

The following is a copy of a telegram received from the Mine Manager:—

" January 24, 10.10 a.m

" Under cutting specimen run North drivo looking well, but no gold No change elsewhere.

"S. E. ErciiAßDg."

(from our own correspondent.)

Sale of Caledonian Tailings.

Another Serious Accident on the Moanatairi Tramway.

Unicorn Trial Crushing,

G-raiiamstown, 3 p.rn

The Caledonian tailings were sold by auction this morning by Mr. J. D. O'Keeffe. 475 tons were knocked down at £2 2s. Gd.; 200 tona fetched £2 55.; and 300 tons sold for £2.

An accident happened this morning on the Moauatairi tramway. A loaded

truck ran over a man named Henry Brown, and broke his right leg just above the ankle. He was taken to the Hospital. Tho leg will have to be amputated.

A trial crushing of 5 tons from the Unicorn took place this morning. The average yield is three ounces.

The Bright Smile are having a cleaning up, and are crushing speci mens. They have a fine show.

THE SHARE MARKET.

J. M. LENNOX'S BEPOBT,

Thero is a slight improvement, in the sharo market. I sold Caledonian shares as low as £20, but tho market is now firmer. My sales coQipriso — Caledonian, £20, £21, £22 5 Thames, £6 103. ; Central Italy, £2 15s. Closing sellers—Caledonian, £23; Thames, £7. Buyers—Caledonian, £22 j Thames, £6 10a. Tho market closed with an upward tendency in Caledonian and Thames shares.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY. Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M

DBUNKENNESS: Two inebriates were disposed of as usual. • OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Mary Doran, for using obscene lan guage in a public place, was ordered to pay £5 and costs, or be imprisoned two months with hard labor. ASSAULT. Andrew Kirkwood was brought up on a warrant, charged with assaulting Anno Kirkwood. It seemed that defendant had been " making a general average" in tho crockery department by throwing plates and dishes at his wife's head. Ordered to find bail —himself in £0, and two bondsmen in £10 each, to keep tho peace for three months. FOHGEEY. A charge against J. 0. Davis for forging a transfer of a share in the Tokatea G.M.C., was adjourned till Tuesday next, defendant's bail being enlarged. LAECENY. Annie Stainson appeared to answer a charge of having stolen a pawnbroker's ticket, value £2 10s, the property of Agnes Coulson. Prosecutrix deposed that she gave de fendant some clothes to take care of, and that she had taken the ticket from one of the pockets. Witness had seen defendant with the ticket in her possession. Defen dant was " beastly drunk" at the time, and refused to surrender it, and still retained it. His Worship: "Do you ever get drunk P" " How many times a week P" Witness : " Sometimes. I don't know how often." His Worship: " Well, you have a very drunken looking face at all events." Mr Broham, this seems to be a trumpery case. It had better be put off till to-morrow; and let the police make enquiries in the meantime. EEEACHES OF BYE LAWS EELATING TO HACKNEY CAEEIAGES. Alexander Fraser, for standing for hire elsewhere than the place appointed as a

public stand, was discharged on payment of costs and a fine of Is. A. Sayers, for not taking up his station on arrival at the stand, was ordered to pay the costs of the action and a similar fine. D, Quinn, for not moving to a place vacated by a hackney carriage, after its departure from a public stand, was dis charged with a caution. All these cases originated frointho fact of one cab driver having pulled into the ranks when the authorized number of cabs was already on the stand. The defendants appeared to have been ignorant of the bye laws, which, however, His worship said they would in all pro bability take pains to learn after this morning's proceedings. The movements of the cabs seemed rather to puzzle the Court, and perplex the byestanders almost as much as did the evidence in the celebrated case between the two opposing omnibusses on the Karangahape Road, about a twelve month ago.

ARRIVAL OF THE S. S. PHCEBE AND S.S. WELLINGTON.

By the arrival of the steamers Phoebe and Wellington, from Wellington and the Southern ports, via Napier, we have later Southern papers, from which we take the following : — WELLINGTON. January 20. The foundation of the new Provincial Buildings will be laid on Monday week by His Honor the Superintendent.

DUNEDIN.

January 20. The stabloa of the White Horse Hotel, Tokomairoro, were burned down yester day. The loss is £GOO, being only insured for £200. The Opera Company opened last night with " II Trovatoro," to a capital house. January 19. The flour market is brisk. Trade lots are in demand at £13. Millers' brands are low. There is no bran or pollard. Wheat is scarce, and good sorts are worth 5s to 5s 3d. Oata are dull at 2s to 2s 2d. Malting barley is saleable at 3s 9d.

BLENHEIM.

January 19

A terrific conflagration has occurred on the runs. The whole country between the Awatere and Flaxbournehas been burned, and sheep roasted in mobs. All the fences and feed are dcs troyed. The fire is still raging, and is spi'cading behind Richmond and Stafford's runs. The Cape run has been burned. About 20 miles of country, near the Scarborough homestead, was saved with difficulty. Such a firo was never known here before.

CHRISTCHURCH.

January 19. The weather continues very hot, and the drought is so protracted that the crops have been seriously injured. The grass feed has all been burned up. During 1871, one hundred and eleven new artesian wells were sunk in Christ church, making a total in the city of 629. Owing to harvest, transactions in bread stuffs arc limited, and quotations are un altered. No new wheat lias yet been offered. At the beginning of the week new oats moved freely at 25., but they have since declined to Is 9d, Is lOd, and Is 2d. Provisions are unaltered.

NAPIER.

January 18,

Tho country is dried up for want of rain. It is surmised that Dolbell's station was burned by a bush fire. A party is gone to ascertain, and the constabulary are now scouring the district. January 19.

The Keera met with a very severe gale off Castle Point. Her bows dipped under, and 50 cases of kerosene were washed off her deck.

January 20j _..A- -pidHnffis^uisToTeTScr~Eo burn down the gaol last night. One of the accom plices informed the gaoler of it, and so enabled him to take steps to frustrato tho design, and arrest the incendiary in the attempt.

AUCKLAND SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

The seventh annual meeting in connection with tho above association was held last evening in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association. Thero was a splendid tea provided, and we had hoped to sue a much larger number to partake of it. After tea, the President of the Union, J. C. Firth, Esq., occupied tho chair, and in a most powerful and eloquent speech on the subject of education (and religious in particular), opened the proceedings. Mr. F. Battley, hon. secretary, read the report, which showed tho Union to be in a most flourishing position. There were 26 schools in association, 230 teachers, 2070 scholars, and a credit balance of £112 4s Bd, which speaks volumes for past effort, The Rev. Mr Bree next addressed the meeting upon the importance of religious knowledge, which was to be imparted mainly through the instrumentality of Sabbath Schools; showing that all knowledge, no matter how great and vast, was only a means to an end, the salvation of the whole human race from sin to God. The Rev. P. H. Oornford in his address, reviewed the past, and urged upon every teacher to be careful, that the past suc cess should not bo a temptation to ease. Ho pressed upon them present duty, and not to bo " weary in well-doing, for they should reap, if they fant not." Mr. Glan ville spoke of the importance of the work, and dwelling in particular upon the pre sent Sunday excursions, which was an open violation of the Lord's day, and called upon every one to raise their voice against this system of Sabbath breaking. The meeting was brought to a clo3e, by a humorous speech from Mr. Jackson, and the singing of the Doxology.

The Bruce (Otago) Eifles competed for representatives for the colonial prize firing on the 12th inst., but all failed to qualify, none making 30 points in the first stage.

ATTEMPT TO BURN DOWN NAPIER GAOL.

On the 16th instant, one of the prisoners in the Napier Gaol, of the name of Brown, was detected in the act of placing some combustible materials between the weatherboards and tho lining, with the object, as it proved subsequently, of set ting fire to the building. Information had been received on the previous day from another prisoner named Symonds to the effect that an attempt was shortly to be made to burn down the gaol. The latter stated that about a fortnight before, Brown had come into his cell, and said to him, "It wouldn't be hard ; to set this place on fire," and had urged . him to join with him in a scheme for doing | it. This, Symonds says, lie refused to do j Brown, on the other hand, says thatitwas j Symonds who, in the first instance, urged • him to set the place on fire, suggesting to ; him that he might have an opportunity of ■ obtaining his pardon by exerting himself to suppress tho fire. At any rate on the in formation being received from Symonds, a very close watch was kept upon Brown by the gaolauthorities. About 9o'clock on the morning of the 19th, he was seen both by Mr. Miller and one of the turnkeys to go round the west wing of the gaol to the tank : in the corner, and deposit something under it. Close to the tank some greased paper , had been inserted in one ot the air-holes on j the day previous. This deposit was known of, but had not been disturbed. On seeing the rags deposited under the tank no imme- i diate action was taken, but the prisoner was still closely watched. In about half an-hour, as was anticipated, he returned to the tank with the view of taking up the rags and placing them beside the paper in the air-hole. Just as he had taken them out from under the tank one, of the turnkeys, Moloney, who had crept up close to him in the interval, seized him. Ho had stuffed his bundle inside his shirt. It was taken out, and found to be saturated with grease and kerosene. The prisoner had been acting as cook, and had got the kerosene out of a small lamp in a room where the potatoes are kept. An enquiry was held before the Jus tices on Friday, and the prisoner will shortly be brought before the ."Resident Magistrate to be committed for trial. It is said that he had been much in the habit of talking about burning down buildings, and it is highly probable that he has had a hand in raising some of the fires that have occurred recently in Auckland- He had been sentenced to twelve months' im prisonment in November last for robberies committed in Poverty Bay when acting as cook of the steamer Napier.— Hawlees Bay Herald, January 22.

MASONIC.

We have been favored with an inspection of a massive Past-Master's Jewel, to bo presented to-day to Bro. Beveridge, D.P.G.M., of the Scotch Constitution of Freemasons in this province, by tho Walter Scott Lodge, at the Thames, in remember ance of his services as First Master of the Lodge, and in recognition of his invaluable aid in establishing the Lodgo at Gr&hamstown as well as his services to Masonry in general. It is made of solid gold in the form required by tho Scotch constitution, viz., the square and compasses connected by a segment with a star in the centre. The whole elegantly chased and wrought with a " Cairngorm " forming the eye of the compasses, and a " Carbuncle" in the centre of the star, it is suspended to a ribbon of " Masonic blue " with gold clasps and pin, and altogether reflects great credit on Bro, Macready of Short land street, the manufacturer, as a speci men of colonial workmanship and " in dustry."

ST. PAUL'S PAROCHIAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of parishioners was held last evening. The report of the vestry was read and adopted, the principal subjects mentioned, being,—the necessity of compelling more prompt payment of pew rents, —the fact that the Sunday school was in a flourishing condition, — that the school-house has been put into repair,—that the parsonage required re shingling,—and that tho financial condi tion of th§ jygj?^ was satisfactory. Officers for the ensuing year were ap pointed, and a committee selected to report to a parish meeting the best and most suitable hymnal for use in.St. Paul's church. Thanks were given to the retiring officers, the organist and choir, and to the rev. chairman, and the meeting separated.

THE VOLUNTEER CHRONICLE.

The three members at the Thames, who have qualified themselves at present for the district representatives, are Hos kins, 45 points ; Payne, 43 points; Par tington, 43 points ; Snodgrass, 40 points ; but Fenton has yet to fire. The monthly parade of the Auckland Eifie Brigade will be held on Friday evening next, at 7 o'clock. As this is the monthly inspection, all members ought to be present. On the 2nd prox., the annual inspection will be held, and the time fixed is such, thatj there can be no excuse for members not attending. All absentees without leave, will be liable to a fine of £5,

The Auckland Artillery Corps met at Fort Britomart last evening for drill. Two gun detachments were put through various field exercises by Lieutenant Isaacs. A grand al fresco moonlight dance and concert will take phce on Saturday even ing in the Albert Barracks, in aid of the funds of the Artillery band. The preliminary firing for the Inter national Rifle Match takes place at Mount Eden rifle range on Saturday next.

PRINCE OP WALES THEATRE.

Theee wasagoodattendancoat this theatre last night. Mr Hoskins and Miss Colvillo again delighted their audience in pleasing comedies. Signor Donato also met with a most enthusiastic reception. His per formance is truly wonderful.

The Malta Times says : — " While people are talking of a railway to India direct, to accomplish, the passage from London to Calcutta in five days, tho Viceroy of Egypthas actually commenced one of the most gigantic undertakings ever attempted in his territory—that of connecting Upper and Lower Egypt by a line of railway, 600 miles long."

WATER SUPPLY.

To the Editor of tho Evening Stab. Sir,—As water supply is now occupying the attention, of the public, and several borings having been made, but without success, in and about the Domain, allow me to suggest through your columns to the powers that be the propriety of c a trial in the present market place, near Cousin and Atkins coach factory. To any one acquainted with the geology of the Auck land basin, and the laws affecting under ground springs, this suggest .f->a will, I believe be worth consideration.^,., I am, &c, Eichard Hi/11, C.E. Auckland, January 23, 1872.f.

FREE TRADE!

To the Editor of the Evening Stae. Sir, —Under the above heading on tho 19th instant in the Evening Stab appears a letter from Mr. W. E. Sadler. Hi 3 letter treats the subject in a rather peculiar manner. I quite agree with him when he states "he cannot conceive how any one can stand to a nominal advocacy of so-called free trade whilst defending the Custom-house institution." H e also expresses surprise at some of my recently reported utterances, apparently insinuating such utterances are at variance with formerly expressed opinions. I advocate tha sj mß principles now which for years I have been advocating, namely, "Equalisation of taxa tion," " Opening up the country districts by roads," and every possible "fostering of agri culture," aa the " basis of a great country is its soil." I must leave it to Mr. W. E. Sadler to determine whether theso principles a<*rea best, according to his definition, with " Free Trade" or "Protection." I do not stop to enquire whether I am undor the banner of one or the other; all I know is the country interest of this province has undergone and is undergoing great suffering from the effects of political injustice. Hoiv can " free trade " be in existence in thi3 country, whan its main revenue i 3 obtained from fiscal taxation ? Free trade in my opinion mean 3 open ports for all icQDort3, being prepared either to com pete with all the world in agriculture and manufactures, or take the world's produce and give them in return the natural proiuct3 of the country, which here are comprised in scoria stones, flax, gum, and timber. (Q-old cannot be reckoned, as it co3ts, up to the present, much more par ounce to get it than it realises.) "Free Trade" in the old country, as practically carried out, rnean3, after a few hundred years of incessant toil, thought, aad invention, England obtained a foremost position in art, science, manufac tures, and agriculture. By degrees she felt competent to enter into competition with other nation?, so naturally opaned her port 3 to increase her own wealth- What i 3 our position ? A revenue must ba had for the Government of the country. It has been decided "customs duties " is the easiest and best way of obtaining it. The question now is, not whether this is the best mode of raising revenue, because it is a fact and practice,— eventually some other approved system may be adopted,—but at the present moment thero is no earthly hope of the system of " custom 3 ; duties" being abolished, for the simple reas son, nothing can be put in its place but a tax upon incomes and property, which is not likely to be done yet; consequently, I advo cate that the burdens of our fiscal taxation should be borne equally by the different in» terests of the country, which is very unequally levied now. For instance, tradesmen such ag shoemakers, saddlers, tinmen, and others do not fear foreign competition, because a duty is levied on all articles imparted; and the farmers who have to buy the boots, the bar* ne3s, the bucket, the spade, &c , are the people who pay the duties. Upon farrnars 1 produce no duty is levied (that is, until lately enacted, a small duty on cereals). He has, in fact to compete with tho whole world ; is ife fair that he should be placed in so unequal a position? Also take into consideration that tradesmens' plant and tools do not absorb a very large capital, and he can at once produce and sell his handiwork; while the farmer mii3t fell trees, clear land, make his own roads, plough, sow, reap, and depend upon produce for sunshine and rain, he may expect in a few years to be able to produce something for the market. His capital and labor required is much more thin tradesmen require, and the return much longer to be waited for. Upon these grounds I asfc why should the farmer ba placed in this disadvantageous position, merely because his trade is a producer of food for th* people, this much upon the general question, Now, how are farmers situated in this pro vince. For the period, say of the last 15 ' years, much land has been brought into oulfct* vation by the incessant toil and application af tho farmer and his family. This against almost insuperable difficulties. Broken coun try, want of roads, &c, had first to do the., wcrk of a navie, and road maker before he could farm at all, and patiently box tho crush-' ing effects of the war ; they assisted manfully to develop the Thames gold-fields, in hopes of ' raising another market for their produoe, which has ha-i the effect of bringing up th 6 speculator to import from other proyinces,pre cluding the farmer from reaping any benefit ironi his outlay. Prioes obtained for agricul tural produce is notoriously " ruin to farmers." This is no real benefit to the mining popula tion, in fact I know well they would rather pay a fair price for their food which would insure tamers the means to get an honest living from their labors. The present provin cial land and other regulations cau3e this. Auckland land requires oapital and labor to pro< duce grass. Other provinces abound in natural grasses, and is always ready for the plough without labour. Some provinces will not allow Auckland to send down cattle to them— prohibit their lauding; other provinces make charges upon every head of sheep received, while Auckland receives from any other pro vinces cattle and sheep freo of charge, or a nominal charge only on sheep. I contend, sir, colonial farmers are unjustly dealt with under the tariff law. Open all the port 3 of the different provinces to each other, so they can produce whatever they are best adapted for, or handicap each province fairly 5 if Auckland province is fairly weighted and honestly dealt with, tho country interest will fear no legitimate competition Mr. W. E. Sadler is not very complimentary to me in calling my wished for agricultural journal a white elephant; if he will pause aVd refer to the press for the last few yearfy and ask himself whether they tried agriculturally to bind the ' public, and whether I from tho general tone of the correspondence on country matters he doos nofc find soon mia conwption or ignorance, which would ' vb-0 better for the diffusion of sound infort Jiou a9 to the real position of country settlement; and which could be depended upon, from an organ devoted to the general country and ngricultural interest, and then candidly say am I very impertinent or very wrong; and, being desirous that correct information should be disseminated, be it from the text either of "Freo Trade," "Protection, or "Expedi ency." I am, &c, H. S, ANDBEW3.

THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY JANUAEY 24, 1872.

2



? CALLS Pickwick .. ..003 Vulcan 0 6 0 Central Italy .. ..020 Sailor Prince .. ..010 Abraham Lincoln .. 0 0 C English 0 0 0 Eed Queen .. .. 0 0 (3 Coronet .. ..010 Sunbeam .. ..000 John Bull .. ..003 Alburnia .. .. 0 13 0 West Coast 0 10 Shotover 0 2 0 Coromandel Harp ..004 Highland Chief.. ..003 Ttuby 0 0 3 Mary Ann 0 0 3 Golden Lion "..006 Bank of New Zealand.. 0 0 6 Goldfinch .. ..002 Standard .. ..006

Due Jan 24 Jan 24 Jan 25 Jan 27 Jan 27 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 29 Jan 30 Jan 30 Jan 30 Feb 1 Feb 2 Feb 3 Feb 4 Feb 4 Feb 5 Feb 5 Feb 5 Feb 7



NOTICE. RJ YATEB begs to inform the residents c of Parnell and the public generally, that after the Ist day of January, 1872, the business now being carrried on by Mb Thomas Watees will be taken by him, when he trusts that by strict attention to business, keeping goods of the very best quality, and selling at a reasonable profit, to merit the same support as his predecessor. IN retiring from the business which he has carried on successfully for so many year?, the undersigned begs to return his sincere thanks to all those who have honored him with their patronage, and hopes that the same liberal support will be given to his successor (Mb B ,T Yatss), whose long experience in the Grocery trade will enable him to give the fullest satisfaction to all who may become customers of his. THOMAS WATERS. TTANDSOMELY BOUND BOOKS JLJL yon CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, AT E.WAT T E ' S AUCKLAND LIBRARY, 100, Queen street. A. liberal discount to the trade and schools. J CATER (late Cbombte's) , ROYAL • PHOTOG-RAPHIC GALLERY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in in forming his friends and the public generally that he has purchased the Photographic Business so long carried on by Mr Crombie ; and having secured the services of Mr Crombie's late Manager, he feel 3 warranted in stating that they will recoive every civilty and attention, as well as first-class and artistic portraits at his hands, aiid that no pains will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J C. also wishes to inform the Ladios that arrangements are being made for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children. IMPORTANT NOTICE. rFIHE most inveterate case of Diarrhoea, J_ Dysentery, English and Asiatic Cholera, may be speedily cured by using Dk. Coffin's botanic remedy, the Anti> cholera Powders, as prepared and sold by H. BRTTTAIN, Chemist and Medical Herbalist, G5, Victoria street, corner of Chapel street, Auckland. WATER FREE ! WE have been requested to intimate that the following wells have been kindly placed at the service of the public during tho continuance of the drought. Mr. Clare's, Ireland street, Alma Place, Freeman's Bay Mr. Btxird's, Auckland College Mr. Layers', Wyndhani street; entrance, Mill's Lane.