SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, G. 57. HIGH WATER : This evening, 9.27 p.m,

STEAMER FOR THE THAMES.

Enterprise No. 2,11 o'clock this evening.

ARRIVALS.

Comerang, p.s., Chrisp, for Bay of Islands. Duke of Edinburgh, p.s., Farquhar, from Bay of Islands. ,_„ , Willie Winkle, cutter, Gundry, from Port Waikato. Flora Macdonald, cutter, Kenny, from Raglan (in the Manukau). Mary Ellen, schooner, Rawlings, from Mercury Bay.

DEPARTURES.

Alice Cameron, barque, Carter, for Sydney. Dauntless, schooner, Mceller, for Tauranga.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Far Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, aooui me iyui

inst. For Tahiti: Queen, schooner, early. For Sydney: Amateur, schooner, early. For London : Caduceus, ship, early. For Honolulu : Nevada, 22nd instant. For Russell: Comerang, AVednesday, 4 p.m,

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, s.s., from Sydney. Keera, s.s., from Napier. Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Chatham Islands Naomi, ship, from London, sailed 16th November. Macquarie, schooner, from Melbourne Jtita, brig, from Melbourne. Albion, s.s., from Southern ports Wild Duck, ship, from London, sailed 10th December

The Flora Macdonald, cutter, arrived m the Manukau this morning from Raglan this morning with the following cargo :—2B bales flax, 24 bales tow, A. Buckland; 15 pigs, Hunter and Co. : 5 cases sundries, Allen. Passengers.—Mrs. Powell, Mr.Hume. —A. Barnes, agent. The schooner Mary Ellen arrived this morning from Mercury Bay with 26 tons kauri gum consigned to Rolph, Sterry, and Co. The Golden Crown is laid up for repairs, and her place has been taken by the Royal Alfred. The Duke of Edinburgh, taking the place of the Royal Alfred, left at noon for Coromandel. She will consequently be unable to make the trip to Wangarei this evening,

COMMERCIAL.

QueeVs Ferry, 49, Queen street, Auckland, 4 p.m

February 13 ._,,.,. Red White, and Blue, Grahamstown, February 14 Golden Pah. Coromandel, February 15. Smiling Beauty, Grahamstown, February 10. Flagship Golden Anchor, Grahamstown, February 21 Pride of Tokatea, Company's office, Queen street, Auckland, 3 p.m. February 22 Masonic, Coromandel, February 23 Lowland Lass, Grahamstown, February 24 Margaretta, 33, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m.

February 24. Argo, Coromandel, February 24. Nebraska, Grahamstown, February 26 Claremont, Grahamstown, February 27 South Lead, Grahamstown, March I.

POST OFFICE, SHORTLAND-STREET.

Mails will Close 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 Whananaki, per Blanche, this day, at 5 p.m. For Kapanga, etc., per Challenger, to-morrow,

at 0.30 p.m. For Kawau, Wangarei Heads, etc., per Duke of

Edinburgh, to-morrow,at 5 p.m. For Whitiangi, per Mary Ellen, to-morrow, at 5 p.m. For Russell, Kawa Kawa, etc., per Comerang, on

Wednesday, 14th instant, at 3 p.m. Per p.s. Nevada, on Thursday, 22 inst., as follows— For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British, Central and South America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at 10.30 a.m. For United Kingdom via San Francisco, at 10.30 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 9 a.m. Late letters for United States of America, and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of 6d. in addi tion to the postage, will be received at this office till 11 a.m., and by the mail agent on board the steamer wp till time of sailing. S. B. Biss, Postmaster.

BIRTH.

MARKS.—On the 12th February, at Hobson street, Mrs. C. Marks, of a daughter.

DIED.

FAIRWEATHER.—On the 11th February, at his residence, James street, William Fairweather, after a protracted illness, from cancer in the throat, aged 44 years.

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."

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1872.

We have much pleasure in giving insertion to the letter of a " Member," in defence of the committee, and the past and present of the Mechanics' Institute. Our correspondent rings the changes on the " membership," evidently regarding the Institute as a private establishment, while defending the appropriation to it of funds from the public revenues. Does "Member" mean to say that the public have no interest in what should be the literary aud scientific institution of the place ? Or, does a " Member " presume to say that the small list of members repre sents the literary and scientific tastes of Auckland ? Or, will a " Member " have the courage to deny that a large number of former members have left the Institute, and a multitude of others have been deterred from joining the Institute, by certain grounds of dissatisfaction, very well known to members ? Or, will a " Member have the coolness to say, that in any sense the Mechanics' Insti tute' is doing the work of - a Me chanics' Institute, for which it has any right to a public grant,?_^ Sj"* u'e inform us in what b ~.r- x<s, as here tofore conducted, more deserving of a grant from the Provincial Council than any private library in Jie city ? and if Mr. Wayte, or Mr. Upton, or Mr. Chapman, applied for a grant in aid of their libraries at the next si^my uf the Provincial Council, will a member in form us on what grounds they would be refused which would not be equally good for refusing public aid to our so called Mechanics' Institute ? The fact is, the grant from the Provincial Council is a gross misappropriation of public funds, and, like the support given so liberally to the Grammar School, simply enables the library and reading room of the so-Galled Me chanics Institute to compete with private enterprise of the same kind # We maintain that the "Mechanics' In. stitute, holding, "_as it does, a large number of books belonging to the pro vince, and receiving an annual grant from public revenue, should •be administered as a public, not as a private, institution. Of course if we regard the Institute as a private institution to be worked for the benefit of its members alone the public have no right to complain ; and if the members are apathetic, that is their, own affair. It may be said, that if the public wish to reform the Institute they can become members. But what is there in the Institute to attract members ? The present members, we presume, are content with a library. But the public can have equally good libraries in the city, without the unpleasantnesses which are known to. be experienced in connection with that at the Me chanics' ; and people are reluctant to take part in attempting a reform which they know must be attended with ill feeling. Any person under taking to move for an improvement of affairs in the Mechanics' Institute is at once charged with doing so from personal feeling; and from the un happy peculiarity of the secretary to the Institute, it is a fact that so many have had their feelinga ruffled as to give an appearance of truth to the charge. The Institute has hitherto been worked in a manner so as to make reform exceedingly difficult. All the energetic and active have been driven from its membership by discourtesy. Those remaining are either those who will bear anything for the sake of peace, or are personally interested in continuing the present state of affairs. In the President, who has been retained in office, we believe against his own in clination, the Institute has a gentleman whose position in society and the esti. mation in which he is held are a bulwark of strength to any cause;. and we do not hesitate to say, that the respect in which Mr. Wdit'aker ia held, has been one of the chief causes con tributing to the long continuance of this abuse. Our correspondent need not impose on himself the task of defending Mr. Whitaker. He has our sincere respect as he has the respect of all, but we are not deterred by any namby pamby feeling fron Sk 'ng that the utter in eff- ■'.&■».■ of the Institute under his

presidency does not redound to his credit. It ia all very well for our cor respondent, in allusion to Mr. Philips and Mr. George, to speak of their con nection with the Institute, and utter a wail respecting ingratitude to public men. We quite admit that great wrong is often done to those who generously give their time and means to the public service, but we assert that this is not a case in point. Before the very eyes of these two vice-presi dents, an abuse has continued foryears, and we do not hesitate to say that, for the fact, that the Me chanics' Institute is nothing but a second rate library and news room, these two officers deserve censure and not commendation. It is all nonsense to talk about public apathy. It is the fault of the management of the Insti tute that there is public apathy. Thepub lic are not apathetic, when there is any thing to enlist their feeling ; but what is there in the library and news-room of the Mechanics' Institute to enlist sympathy of any kind ? Our corres pondent complains that for this ingrati tude to public men, " men of ability refuse to take part in public affairs," but without at all comparing great things with small, the same could be said by Messrs. Tweed, Hall, and other " men of ability " who constitute the " Tammany King." " Men of ability " and worth should not connect them selves with abuse, nor be party to such a ruse as "that which last year placed the present committee in power ; and " men of ability" should show themselves taking the lead in effecting reform in an institution that every one knows to be in a state of utter inefficiency. We are ourselves regarded by those inter ested in the present conduct of the Mechanics' Institute, as being actuated only jby personal feelings, so that we should feel sympathy with " the men of ability " whose conduct is misinter preted. But they, with us, should rely only on the merit? of *^n "jln^PT" at issue, and, waiving all these senti mental feelings, consider whether the Mechanics' Institute is doing in this city the work of a Mechanics' Insti tute. The fact that our past efforts in connection with reform of the institute have " not improved matters" merely shows how powerful has been the vested interest in the perpetuation of abuse, and the utter powerlessness of the public to affect a body that has worked its influence so as to place the outside public at defiance. Our correspondent says, " None of the honorary officers are desirous" of re-election. We shall See. If this is so, and if the committee, being in possession of power, do not take steps to retain themselves in power, then we shall indeed have hope of the Mechanics' Institute.

A son of Jemmy Walsh, the fighting man was murdered in the New Cut Road. London, by a betting man through jealousy, in De cember last. The murdei'er escaped.

The total losses of the Insurance Companies by the Chicago fire, amounted to $88,634,122. The risks were taken in 341 different offices, of which 58 were compelled to suspend in conse quence of their inability to pay.

There was a curious occurrence yesterday afternoon at the lime wharf. A number of youngsters were playing about, when suddenly the neighbourhood was alarmed by a series of piercing screams. There was a general rush to the epot, aud in two minutes a crowd collected, and it was found that an urchin had crawled into one of the large drain pipes lying there, and could not extricate himself. Sine illce lachrymce. By dint of sheer force, ha was at last thrusts completely through, and emerged not much the worse, and not unlike a small sweep coming up through a chimney pot.

A number of volunteers who intend to take part in the international rifle contest assembled at the butts on Saturday for practice, and preliminary fire was resumed. A meeting will be held to-morrow evening at the Drill" shed to complete the arrangements for the

match.

The Choral Society's next concert of the season will be given to«morrow evening in the Mechanics' Institnte. The concert will oom prise Stabat Mater and Gounod's Mass.

A series of spprts came off on Saturday, at Epsom raoe-course. Tha ficst event consisted of a pony race, after which a number of foot races took place. Mr. Perkins, of the Occi dental Hotel, acted as judge. Some matches have been arranged for next Saturday.

The election of a duly qualified person to represent the Waikato district in the General Assembly will take place at noon on the 19th instant, and the poll, if demanded, on the 29th instant. The nomination will take place at the Court-house at Ngaruawahia.

The return of sick treated at the Provincial Hospital during the week ending Saturday, February 10,1872 :—Eemainedlastreturn, 74; admitted since, 5 j discharged, 9 ; died, 1; remaining, 69; males, 61; females, 8. Arrangement of cases:—Cancer, 4; scrofula, 4 ; syphilis, 2; phthisis pulmon^is, 10; rbeu. matism, 7 j paralyis, 7 epilepsy, 4 j amaurosii, 1; bronchitis, 3; pneumonia, 2 } heart disease, 2 ; hepatitis, 1 ; dyspep3ia, 1; fistula, 2 ; stricture, 1; hydrocele, 1; necrosis, 2; frac tures, 4 i abscess and ulcers, 3 ; cutaneous, 1 ; wounds and contusions, 5; debility, 2. A man died on the 9th inst. of chronic menin getis.' Thanks are returned to Mr. S. Mow-in or a donation of the Field newspapers,

The usual trip of the p.B. Duke of Edin burgh is postponed until to-morrow, Tuesday, when she will leave at six o'clock evening punctually.

The adjourned preliminary meeting for the purpose of forming a new land siociety is to be held this evening at 8 o'clock in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association.

The congregation of St. Marks' Church, Remuera, were informed by the Biahop of Auckland yesterday morning that the Rev. Longadale Pritt, Archdeacon of the Waikato, had accepted the temporary charge of that district. Mr. Pritt was formerly chaplain to Bishop Hobhouse, and afterwards on the staff of the Melanesian Mission,

" We observe by advertisements that Mr. E. 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 pounds. I also challenge New Zealand for style and beauty. Two thousand pound worth of Colonial-made Jewellery always on hand.—F. H. Lewisson, Qneen street. — [Advt.]

SPECIAL TELEGRAMS.

(fboat ottb own coeeespondent.)

Serious Accident in the Caledonian Mine.

Tookey's Air Shaft on Fire.

Bright Smile Crushing.

Assault in the Caledonian through

Searching a Visitor,

Robbery at Cosgrave's Store.

Harbouring Prostitutes at the Thames

GrBAHAifSTOWN, 3 n.rr>

■ A contractor named J ETCH]?B beg 3 fco an accident in tL- .0 that bo is prepared, ~ . . .to Empty Cesspools at this morning. priceß# h ""orders left --| The men were bon Zotol. °dv wuu it exploded. The debris struck Jewitt on the chest, infii> f;- * severe injuries also cutting his hend and arm. He was taken to the hospital

Tookey's air shaft caught fire this morning by a spark from the furnace used in the shaft. The damage done was slight, not exceeding £5. Ths works were stopped for three hours in consequence of the accident.

The Una have realised 74 oze. 10 dwts. during three days' crushing.

The Bright Smile has 211 ozs. of amalgam from four days' crushing at Viekery's.

Thomas Eadford, a foreman of shift in the Caledonian, was fined*'2oa. for an assault arising from using violence in searching a man named Ottea, a

visitor to the mine,

Eliza Pitzpatrick has been sentenced to two months' imprisonment for stealing some prints from Cosgrave's drapery store.

Thomas Windover was sentenced to two months' hard labour for harbouring prostitutes.

ALL NATIONS.—MINE MANAGER'S REPORT.

The following is a copy of a telegram received from the Mine Manager:— " 12th February, 9.58 a.m. "Took out two cwt. specimens on

Saturday

"P. HANSEN.',

THE SHARE MARKET.

J. M. LENNOX'S EEPOBT,

There wai considerable activity in the share market this morning. All Nations, Thames, and Pride of Tok?tea sold freely at advanced rates. My sales comprise—Caledonians, £17, £16 10s » Thames, £5 10s ; Pride ef Tokatea, 8s to 98; All Nations were sold at £5 to £5 ss. Closing sellers—Caledonians, £17; Thames, £5 10s; All Nations, £5 5s ; Pride of Tokatea, 9s. "Buyers—Caledonians, £16 10a ; Thames, £5 ss.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO ME. ROGAN.

We regret to learn that a severe accident occurred to Mr Rogan yesterday, through the incautious handling of a Small Sharp's repeating pistol. By some means the charge in one of the barrels exploded, and the ball shattered the upper part of the right thumb to such an extent that, on a consultation of Drs Kenderdine and M. E. B. Nicholson, it was found necessary to amputate the whole of the thumb, which was done by those gentlemen after administering chloroform. We learn that no serious consequences are likely to occur, beyond the extreme inconvenience which the loss of that important member cannot fail to occasion.

POLICE COURT.

THIS DAY.

Before Captain W. E. Thomas and H. D. Morpeth, Esq., Justices. DBUNKENNESS.

Four persons were fined 5 s and costs for their first offence of drunkenness. William Shiels, for his second offence, was fined 10s and costs, and John Mooney, for a third offence, was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment with hard labor.

WINDOW BREAKING.

Thomas Foley was charged by William Burton with malicious injury to property, by wilfully destroying a window sash and three panes of glass, valued at 4s 6d, in Graham street.

He pleaded guilty. Sergeant Pardy explained that the prisoner lived in a house in Graham street with a lot of bad women, and had been quarrelling with one of them, when she ran into a neighbor's house for protection, whereupon the prisoner threw a brick-bat at the window, and occasioned the damage complained of. The Court ordered him to pay for the damage, and sentenced him to six weeks imprisonment with hard labour in addition.

ROBBING A MAORI.

Manuel Selvey, a Portuguese man of colour, was charged with stealing a coat valued at 55., from one Edward, a Maori, about the month of October last. Edward, the Maori, was examined through Mr Brown, a licensed interpreter, and deposed to the prisoner sleeping at his house on October last, and to taking the coat away with him without prose cutor's permission. this evidence was then translated to the prisoner by Prank, a man of colour, in the Portuguese language. Petective Ternahan deposed to appre hending the prisoner. He had been looking for him for some time. Prisoner admitted taking the coat, but said the weather was cold at the time ; he after wards said he had brought the coat with him from America.

The prisoner through the Portuguese interpreter, said the coat belonged to him. The Court sentenced the prisoner to two month's imprisonment with hard labour.

DISTRICT COURT.

THIS DAY

Before Thomas Beckham, Esq, District

Court Judge. VERDICTS FOE PLAINTIFFS.

Kirkwood v. Moon, £53 sa, costs £6 5s ; Dickey v. Garrard, £100, costs, £7 (im "tion'avfi execution) ; and Tonks & Co v. Postmaster^ Is lid, COSts, £4 18s.

fiNED TILL NEXT COUET day _ iVlarslia n y. Eobertson, and Coleman v „ , Ed Sar

Defended Cases

AKERS V. DIGNAN (eXECUTOE OF CAMP-

BELL'S ESTATE.)

Mr Eissling appeared for plaintiff; Mr Sheehan for defendant.

Thomas Akers deposed that in the com mencement of last year he was in the employ of Mr John Campbell. Before the 18th of May he had a settlement with him. At that time £11 5s was due for seven and a half weeks' labor. This sum has not been paid. On the 15th of June he lent Mr Campbell £4. After the 18th May he continued to work for him, and he asked plaintiff to work in his house and receive the same as other men working in doors. He was then paying his men £1 per week, He remained|in his employfor thirty weeks, making £30 13s 4d. Mr Campbell died on 27th October, 1871. Witness continued to work on the same terms until the 18 th December. In August, 1871, he received £1. The amount now due is £44 18s 4d. He had spoken to Mr Dignan, but had received nothing. When in Mr Camp bell's service he had incurrod medical ex penses, £3 3s, which Mr Campbell said he would pay. This witness was subjected to a long and searching examination by Mr Sheehan, but without shaking his testi mony. For the defence Mr Sheehan called Mr John Campbell, nephew of the deceased, who deposed that deceased had not been in the habit of paying his men who lived in the house more than from 12s to 15s a week.

Mr P. Dignan, who had been acquainted with deceased for twenty-five years, said that Mr Campbell was a gentleman in affluent circumstances, and that he never knew him to. borrow, except from himself or one another gentleman if he happened to run short of cash after bank hours. Another man employed in similar work to plaintiff had been paid at the rate of 15s a week. The account for medical attendance had been paid by the executors. Witness told plaintiff to get his account certified by young Mr. Campbell, and he would pay it. He did not do so, but at once sent a solicitor's letter, and followed it by a summons. Mr Sheehan pointed out the improba bility of some portion of plaintiff's story, and denied the responsibility of defendant for the physician's account. He considered that the rate of wages claimed was excessive.

Mr Kissling having replied, his Honor remarked that he could not do otherwise than allow the whole of the first item. In regard to the £4 said to have been lent, he must disallow it, as no corroborative evidence had been adduced. With respect to the third item, he considered that, as plaintiff had by his own showing been an inefficient ploughman, 12s and. his board would be ample. As to the item for medical attendance, he must disallow that, as it would have been easy to have ob tained the evidence of Dr Aickin. Judg ment must therefore pass for plaintiff for the reduced sum of £25 Us 4d, with £4 8s 4d costs.

This concluded the business

SKATING RINK.

This favourite place of amusement was well attended on Saturday evening, and appears to be rising in popular favour as a means of obtaining exercise in a pleasant manner. A great number also attend for the purpose of seeing the fun and the grotesque contortions of the skaters.

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

The Zavistowski Sisters continue to draw large audiences to witness their really clever burlesques. On Saturday evening the applause which greeted these talented artiste 3 fully testified the approbation of the audience. This evening " Ixion" will be reproduced, preceded by a petite comedy of " A Little Rebel," in which Miss Emmeline and Miss Alice Zavis towski will appear. The historical burlesque of " Kenilworth/ will be pro duced to-morrow.

WHO IS HE.

"Pbofessor Haselmayer is coming. Such is the notice we meet wherever we turn. Who is professor Haselmayer r' We are informed that he is a necromancer, with a host of accomplishments that will both astonish, amuse, and instruct all who may have the pleasure of witnessing his wonderful performances. He is described as being superior to Heller, Blitz, Herman, or Anderson, who have in their turn astonished the public by their cleverness and sleight-of-hand tricks. Professor Haselmayer is the inventor of a new musical instrument, on which he plays, and which he has named a stylocarfe. It is said to produce most exquisite music. He possesses a number of beautiful little trained canaries, Java sparrows, and parroquets, which are educated to perform a series of tricks that are marvellous to behold. He had in his collection a troop of performing white mice, but had the misfortune to lose them whilst travelling in San Francisco. However, being pre sented with a number of fresh ones, he is now in the process of training these little animals to various deeds, so it is not unlikely we shall be favoured with an exhibit of the result of his persever ance, tact, and skill. The New Orleans Times speaks very highly of Professor Haselmayer, and we clip the following from their remarks :—-" We believe we have been ' round ' a little, and we have seen many a magician, a sleight-of-hand man, professor of magic, artiste-diaboliqua, prestidigitateur or any other man; but we have never seen anything that equals Professor Haselmayer in his peculiar specialities. His opening trick with the cards at once showed him a finished per former —ease, quiet, and finish, marking every movement. He had not finished his really clever trick of " the enchanted lithograph" before he wa3 perfectly en rapport with his audience." This clever magician and " Educator of Birds " is at Present giving a few performances at the hames, and we may expect him in Auck and in course of a week, when we shall be enabled to witness his performances, and delight in the sweet music of his " Tronto plhilipanotrasomento."

CORRESPONDENCE.

flgf'We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.

MECHANICS' INSTITUTE

To the Editor of the Evening- Stak. Sik, —You must allow me as an old mem ber of this Institute to take exception to your leader of Saturday as not at all cal culated to do it any real service, neither do I think your insinuations on previous elections have improved matters, greatly the reverse. It is lam sure unnecessary for me to tell you, that one of the great causes men of ability and position re fuse to take any active part in public affairs here is from the fact that they are not only unappreciated, but after years of service they are generally rewarded with the worst imputations. Surely if men in the position of the President cannot afford to waste a little time (now occupying no pub lic position) how much less can men to whom time is of so much value, and whose limited means probably prevent them from forwarding the interests of the In stitute. I allude to the class of mechanics it is supposed to benefit. Mr George, one of the vice-presidents, is a very old mem ber, and one who has taken a very warm and active interest in the Institute for many years and has been a regular attendant at all meetings ; Mr. Philips has also been a member for about twenty years, and always shown a warm active interest in its affairs, which will be best proved by a reference to the minute book, and in the face of great opposition repeatedly obtained a grant of the provincial revenue, and now because the apathetic members take little or no interest in its affairs, choose to let the days for nominating office bearers (some 12 in number) pass unheeded, a slight is to be passed on those gentlemen, who have for a long course of years, con tributed largely in money, tune books, &c, and they are coolly to be told the fault is theirs, as if any two or three could possibly do anything in the face of the continued apathy and indifference shown by the real power the members themselves. For many years so careless have the members been, that up to the last day no nominations have taken place, and with a view of preventing the total burst up of the whole affair, members of committee have allowed themselves at the lasthour to be nominated. You yourself Mr. Editor are aware that after all the articles and agitation last year when the annual meeting took place, what was the attendance, some six or seven members beyond the old committee ! I must say I consider your article neither just or generous. Those who are deserving of castigation are the members themselves and nobody else. If they wished to shew some little interest they could soon have whoever they chose, and as a real friend of the Institute, I should be only too pleased to see them shew a little energy in the matter; but I fear it cannot be denied that the Me chanics' Institutes are somehow or other not a success. What we want, and ought to have, ia a public free library. I wish I could believe there was the strong feeling about the election you allude to; it has not as yet manifested itself on the nomi nation board. lam aware that the other day one of the vice-presidents requested the secretary to intimate through the papers the last day for nominating office bearers, so that no excuse might be again made as to a want of knowledge in the matter, although mrmbers who take any real interest ought to be up to the rules. While I am satisfied that none of the honorary officers were desirous of being re-elected, I cannot help thinking the ex cuse sotight to be made is not only paltry but ungracious, and ungrateful in the ex treme. Surely, although our citizens are indifferent enough for any " Sleepy Hollow," it does not need to disgust those who have proved themselves warm friends of the Auckland Mechanics' or any similar institution.

Yours, &c,

Membeb

To the Editor of the Evening Stab

Sib, —Could you kindly give me any in formation as to the manner in which the carriage department of the Waikato rail way is being managed at present. I have reason to believed that there are

men in Auckland who have been waiting long, and who are thoroughly competent to carry out those works m an efficient manner, but they find Ihe position already occupied, possibly there might not be so much to find fault with m that, if: they had engaged some one that was quailed, but what is the result? Here are flve men and a foreman and his sub, after four weeks unremitting labour have, actually got one carriage half done tha£ is put together. Tou must bear in Oad they were made in England, but wfcS are the foreman and his sub? If 1 am ngh ly informed the former is not a coach builder at all, but simply a coach trimmer and the sub actually not in the trade at all, but being a son of the foreman the thing will speak for itself; truly Auckland is a peculiar place. . Tru&ting you will be able to throw some light upon the matter. I remain, yours, &c, Nemo.

Auckland, February, 12th, 1872.

GROWN PRINCE GOLD MINING COMPANY (REGISTERED.)

An extraordinary meeting of shareholders in this company was convened to be held this afternoon at the Queen's Ferry Hotel, for the purpose of considering the disposal of forfeited shares, to adopt new rules, and to consider the removal of the company's office to Auckland. Some delay occurred in constituting a meeting, it being necessary to have half the number of shares represented either by the holders or by proxy, and the requisite number could not be made up when we went to press.

A SHOWMAN AT WARWICK.

From the New York Evening Post,

The burning of Warwick Castle brings to mind a somewhat notable visit made to this great-house some years ago by P. T. Barnun and the late Albert Smith. The day's sight-seeing was conducted, as one or two hotels abroad are, on the American, not the Euro pean, plan, and Stratford, Warwick, and the surrounding country xwere " done," in a few hours, in a manner which Albert Smith afterwards fully and facetiously detailed in a paper in Bentley's Magazine, in which he said that the business was accomplished with such rapidity that, in attempting to write an account, he found the whole thing so confused in his mind that he came near locating " Peeping Tom" in the house of Shakespeare, while G-uy of Warwick would stick his head above the ruins of Kenilworth, and the Warwick vase appeared in Coventry. After visiting the red, cedar and gilt drawing-rooms, and the State bed chamber, to say nothing of the boudoir, chapel, dining-rooms and G-uy's tower, our tourists went to the porter's lodge and saw Q-uy's armour, punch-bowl, sword, and toasting-fork, and a huge rib-bone of the gigantic "din cow," that, according to tradition, once haunted the region. Having seen these wonders, Mr. Barrium horrified the attendant by gravely proposing^ to buy them for his museum in America, and when he wss informed that no amount of money would buy these relics, he said: " Never mind; I'll have them duplicated for my museum, so that Americans can see them, and avoid the necessity of coming here, and in that way I'll burst up your show." Smith laughed, especially at the amazement of the porter, and afterward introduced the incident, with change of names and locality, in the lecture which accompanied his famous panorama of Mount Blanc. Nor was there anything so very absurd in a really serious proposition to pur chase these relics, since Barnun once had the refusal of Shakespeare's house, which he meditated moving in pieces and setting |up again in this city. The fear that this might -be done prompted the subscription which put the house in repair, and made it the property of an association, so that Mr. Barnum really did an excellent thing, in stimulating new interest in and care for a notable land-mark which English neglect was suffering to go to decay.

. A gentleman was awakened in the night, and told his wife was dead. He turned over, drew the coverlet closer, pulled down his riightoap, and muttered, as he went to Bleep again, '' Ah! how grieved I shall be in the morning!"

A debtor gave as an excuse for nonpayment that l< money wase very * close,' butjiot close enough yet for him to reach it."

In Madras, £50 is year voted for deporting monkeys frein the city, and £2000 for deport ing European loafers, another growing nui sance.

A Inndon resident, whose name has not tran spired, but who is said to be the renowned Professor Holloway, hae offered to give half a million for the benefit of the poor in that city when he can see a mode of satisfactorily effect* ing this without fear of pauperising the classes he seeks to benefit.

A gentleman in Parliament Square states positively, that a neighbour's cat has eaten no less than 180 chickens, broken 26 dozen of eggs, worried 36 cochin-china fowls, 27 Spanish, Jfl, polish, and 49 of other valuable breeds. Nevertheless this extraordinary ca ia allowed to be at largo, and has a custom of making nightly prowls. Is this not a matter for.the Q-overnment to enquire into ? " j.

A. late bishop of Nova Scotia applied tc j>>e Q-overnment of that province to allow b&e soldiers of the garrison to present arms to fnni, which Sir John Harvey permitted until he heard from the commander-in-chief. The old Duke's answer was, "The only attention the soldiers are to pay the bishop are to- his sermons."

Cornelius O'Dowd tells a story of an Irish man, bound over to keep the peace against all her Majesty's subjects, * exclaming, " Then Heaven help the first foreigner I meet! "

A servant who plumed herself upon being em ployed in a " genteel family," was asked the definition of the term. •• Where they have two or three kinds of wine, and the gentleman swears," was the reply.

THE EVENING STAR, MONDAY FEBRTJAEY 12, 1872

2



MINING. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— DIVIDEND. Plying Cloud .. ..020 Feb 14 CALLS " , Scandinavian .. ..006 Feb 12 Little Angel .. .. 0 0 G Feb 12 Whau ... ..050 Feb 14 Bird in Hand .. ..010 Feb 14 Multum-in-Parvo ..010 Feb 15 Stock Importation ..100 Feb 19 Lowland Lass .. .. 0 0 G • Feb 19 Pacific 0 0 6 Feb 19 Lincoln 0 0 2 Feb 20 Golden Pah .. ..010 Leb 20 Middle Star .. .. 0 10 0 Feb 21 Seige of Paris .. ..006 Feb 21 Matawai 0 0 3 Feb 22 City of Aberdeen ..00 3 Feb 22 Otago 0 10 Feb 23 Conquering Hero ..010 Feb 23 Guildhall .. ..003 Feb 20 American Eagle ..006 ieb 29 Thames Gas .. ..026 Mar 6

MEETINGS TO COME. Bank of Tokatca, Mechanics, Auckland, 4 p.m. Feb-



THORNTON, SMITH, & FIRTH'S WHOLESALE PRICES CURRENT:— £ s. d. Fino Flour, Silk Dressed, " Crown Brand," per ton of 2,0001bs 16 0 0 Adelaide, per ton of 2,0001bs 16 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 Bran, per bushel of 201b. 0 16 Oata, per bushel • • 0 3 9 Auckland, January 9, 1872. - OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. THE immense Success attending the intro duction of this new local industry will alone testify to the high estimation in which it is held, During the last year the proprietor was scarcely able to supply the large demand, and has in consequence made extensive alterations : and additions to hia Factory, so as to he enabled j 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 everywhere in Bottles with the name of H. OLSON on wrapper and stamped on bottle and stopper. Auckland, 10th February, 1872. JCATEK (late Cbombie's), EOYAL • PHOTOGKAPHIC G ALLEKY, Queen street, Auckland, has much pleasure in in fc*mlag Ks friends and the public generally that he has purchased the Photographic Business so long carried on by Mr Crombie j and having secured the services of. Mr Crombie's late Manager, he feels warranted in stating that they will receive every cm'lty and attention, as welJ as first«class and artistic portraits at his hands, and that no pains will be spared to give entire satisfaction. J 0. also wishes to inform the Ladies that arrangements are being made for taking instantaneous Portraits of Children. RELINQUISHING BUSINESS. llgp 13 TOTAL NOTICE. R. HOBBS WILL offer for the next Eight Weeks, (unless disposed of during that time), the Whole of his very large Stock of General and Household Drapery and Men's and Boye' Clothing, at very low prices • February 12, 1872. Jgß



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