SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

3UNSET : This evening, 7.17. SUN-RISE : To morrow morning, 5.4 . „.„_ HIGH WATEK: This evening, S.lO ; to-monow morning, 8.27

STEAM TO THE THAMES.

Golden Crown, to-morrow morning at eleven o cIOCK

ARRIVALS.

Swallow, schooner, from Mercury bay Strathnaver, schooner, from the Thames

DEPARTURES.

Wellington, s.s., Carey, for Southern ports Biingatira, s.s., Hepburn, for Southern ports Vincent, cutte.% for Tauranga Mat.v, schooner, for Rorotonga

EXPORTS.

Per s.s. Wellington, for Southern ports :— 7 casks port, Combes and Daldy ; 1 £-cask brandy, Cruickshank; 1 parcel, 1 stove, 1. and S. Morrin; 2 cases coffee, Brown, Barrett, and Co.; 2 trusses, McArthur ; 1 case, Roberton and Co.; 1 trunk, Barnes ; 10 barrels salmon, Stone Bros.; 1 ease books, Lusk • 12 casks wine, Combes and Daldy ; 1 case, Gilfillan; 1 do, R. Lusk ; 1 parcel, S. B. Ince and Co.; 25 barrels salmon, Stone Bros.; 1 case, R. Lusk ; 25 bdlsbags, Jakins and Wilcox ; 1 parcel, Hannaford ; 1 case, &5 bdla,, bags, R. Lusk]; .13 empty casks, J. Reid.

The s.s. AVellington sailed for Southern ports this morning with a general cargo and the following passengers :—Mr and Mrs Sweet and four children, Mr and Mrs Goldie, Miss Cornford, Miss Morgan, Messrs. Samuels, Trimble, Sharp, Cook, Morrin, Kelly, Capt. Morgan, Master JSTancarrow, Messrs. AYhite, Allen, Jones, Morley, Mc- Nab, Mrs Lloyd, Mr Meyers, Miss Sheath. Steerage— Messrs Watkins, Murphy, Burke, Peggett, C. Dare, J. R. Wave, D. Buchanan C. JEf. Newton, and Constable and prisoner

The following are the Customs returns of vessels entered at the port of Auckland for the quarter ending 31st December, 1872 : — From United Kingdom, 8 vessels, 5,8G3 tons ; New South Wales, 19 vessels, 7,366 tons; South Australia, 2 vessels, 350 tons; Tasmania, 3 vessels, 500 tons ; Victoria, 4 vessels, 601 tons ; South Sea Islands, 8 vessels, 507 tons ; Hawaiian Islands, 3 vessels, G429 tons; Navigators Islands, 1 vessel, 41 tons ; New Hebrides Islands, 1 vessel, 72 tons ; Society Islands, 2 vessels, 126 tons. Total, 51 vessel, 21,855 tons.

Tlie following are the Customs returns of vessels cleared outwards from the port of Auckland for the quarter ending 31st Dec, 1872 :—To United Kingdon, 2 vessels, 1,518 tons ; New South Wales, 26 vessels, 9,418 tons ; South Australia, 1 vessel, 239 tons ; Tasmania, 1 vessel, 63 tons; Victoria, 3 vessels, 599 tons ; South Sea Islands, 10 vessels, 781 tons ; Hawaiian Island, 3 vessels, 6,429 tons ; Maiden Island, 1 vessel, 294 tons ; Naviga^ tor's Island, 1 vessel, 113 tons ; New Cale donia, 1 vessel, 72 tons ; Society Islands, 3 vessels, 236 tons ; South Sea Whale Fishery, 1 vessel, 328 tons ; America, 3 vessels, 1,541 tons. Total—s6 vessels, 21,629 tons. The following are the Cnstoms returns of total value of the imports at theport of Auck land for the quarter ending 31st December, 1872 :—United Kingdom, £244,427 ; New South Wales, £51,296 ; South Australia, £3,962 ; Tasmania, £3,399 ; Victoria, £73,404; Hawaiian Island, £2,063; South Sea Islands, £4,867 ; United States, £1,967. Total, £355,385. r - The well-known and fast sailing trading ship Queen Bee, Captain Williams, will haul away from the wharf on Friday after noon after the completion of her loading for London. She will sail positively on the 20th inst. The whole of her steerage and intermediate berths are taken up with exception of one, and there is only one cabin vacant in the saloon.

H.M.S. Dido is lying at anchor at the man-o'-war ground, off the Wynyard Pier. The schooner Swallow has cleared outwards for Mercury Bay. The schooner Dantzie has cleared at the Customs for Tutukaka and Wangarei. The schooner Swallow brings 17,000 feet timber for Mercury Bay. The schooner Strathnaver returned from the Thames on Monday, and has gone on the hard in Freeman's Bay, for the purpose of re-fitting. The ship Polar Star commenced discharging her cargo of Yankee notions, &c, this morn ing, and judging from the rapidity with which the work is being done she wiU.be discharged by to-morrow afternoon. She is a fine staunch ship, well found, and was formerly one of the celebrated American liners trading between London and New York. The schooner Mata took her departure this morning for Rorotonga. Tommy Barron, the Auckland boy, has issued a challenge to row any one in New Zealand of his own weight—9st. to 9st. Gits. —a distance of four miles, for £50 or more. The new schooner Zior is announced to leave to-morrow for Kaipara. The mail steamer Dakota will be dispatched from this port for San Francisco on Thursday, the 23rd inst. She is announced to leave Dunedin, en route for Auckland, to-morrow. The schooner Tawera, which arrived from the East Coast yesterday, is transhipping her cargo of wool on board the ship Queen Bee, for London. Mr John Lamb, of Riverhead, is about to have a steamer built for the Riverhead trade, to compete with Capt. Casey's well-known clipper. The cutter Bella, from Tauranga, yesterday brought 250 bags gum. Theschooner Tauranga willleave to-morrow for Kaipara. The s.s. Rangatira left yesterday afternoon for Southern ports with a large general cargo and several passengers. The captain of the schooner Tawera, which arrived yesterday, reports that he was com pelled to throw overboard, several bags of flour from the deck cargo through stress of weather. These were the bags marked G.E.R., seen by, Capt. Hepburn, of the- Rangatira. , ~ . . "•■ All accounts against the ship Queen Bee must be sent in to the agents, Messrs L. D. Nathan & Co., by noon on Thursday, or they will not be recognised. A barque supposed to be the Bella Mary is coming up harbour as we go to press. CHIEF FOST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND. Mails will Close as Under : — For Thames, this day, at 6.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Friday, 17th in.st., a,t 1.30 p.m. For Wangarei, Wangarei Heads, Waipu, &c, per Challenger, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Rorotonga and Tahiti, per Energy, to-morrow, at

5 p.m. For ftussell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Comerang, on Friday, 17th inst., at noon. (Signed) S. B. Bibs, Chief Postmaster.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the Rood that we can do.

If the Education Eate serves no other good purpose it will apparently cause a movement among the cobwebs and bats' nests, and bring once more before the public eye the oddest lot of people to be found in the province. We are prepared to back Auckland against all other places in these Southern colonies for quaintness of ideas, and for quaint ness in their manifestation. W c admit that both are rapidly disappearing from the public stage, but the Education Eate' is bringing forth, one by one, all the oddities of our social system; and out they come on the stage, in cotton cap and spectacles, and gingham umbrellas, "wholly unconscious of the grotesqueness of their appearance. It ia bringing out also the political charlatans and venal wind-bags of the place ; and, altogether, it seems likely to afford us an infinite fund of humour, as we observe each one blowing up his own bladder, and strutting on the stage, mouthing " principles " that are as patent to spectators as the actors are ridiculous. We observe that Mother Kempthorne has been moved by the bee in her bonnet to exhibit again the ecclesiastical craze with which the whole world ought by this time to be familiar. This "humble unit" has "for seven yeara resisted the encroach ing and arrogant spirit of sectarian ism," and having during this length ened period been mopping up the tide she whirls the mop around her head and prepares to mop up Education. S. Kempthorne is going to protest. " I propose," he says, "to publish a protest against it." Good Heavens ! he surely does not mean that ! What ever will become of us when-Samson Kempthorne protests? Earthquakes and tidal waves! Q-ods and little fishes! what will become of us ? People of Auckland, open your ears ; and ye es pecially whose exalted tips extend to an altitude symbolic of your intelli gence, raise them to their utmost longitude and give befitting attention while S. Kempthorne protests. We know that his protests have worked the reformation of ecclesiastical authority, and that before them Her Majesty's throne has already reeled and tottered, nor would Samson Kempthorne's impli cit faith in his own importance, and the mighty power of his protesting faculty fail him if gazing on the sun he ordered him withdraw his beams, or bade the advancing tide retire. Bamson Kemp thorne protests ! and, taking a survey of the effect of all his past pro tests, he may exclaim with the other Samson, "Heaps upon heaps, with the jawbone of an ass have I slain a thousand men." And " Anthropos," reeling from the tavern reeking with the stench of whiskey punch, becomes quite a leader in the crusade against educa tion ; striding through the columns not only of the Cross, but now also of the Herald, a very giant in the cause; fraternally through his hiccups strok ing the h6ad of the Apostle of Teetotalism, .rtev. Samuel Edger, while he is himself caressed by the stern and ascetic reformer Kempthorne. But what are these by the side of "S. Edger " himself, whose long disappear-; ance from the public eye and from the columns of the Gross we have mourned with many_ tears. " I am { here " says this erratic preacher, jump ing into the ring, unable to resist the ; temptation of a little further notoriety ' to bring grist to his mill. And then peeping from retirement, as if uncer

tain as yet which way the cat will jump, but with an eye to the main chance, he adroitly gives to know how his silence may be secured by the Provincial Grovernment. "With one finger he points to his farm in Albert land ; with the other he points to the storm clouds he fancies to be gathering around the Education Eate. " Give me

a boat," he says, pointing to his farm

produce on the shores of Kaipar^1 "I am here.." says he, pnj-- £ coming storm. apostle ot uenevo j ence and enli gl ii;eil . w^nt that our children are growing up ignorant and brutalised. He will join in an organised resistance to a tax for education ; but a subsidy for a steamer to his farm on the Kaipara is a righteous cause, and on that the taxes of ibe poor may be expended. Oh, human nature ! human nature ! You | are still the same, whether under black cloth or fustian. " I am here," says Mr. Edger, " here on the side of ignor ance and its consequent vice and misery ; here to rouse up the passions of the poor, unhappy, and deluded people to resist the law of the land ; here to lead them in a struggle against those who would give their children the cheapest and the best education that can be procured; here to incite to riot; and it may be blood shed to bring a few more bawbees into my collecting ladles. But I. am here, too, to urge the Government while not subsidising one other boat to the North, to pay from the people's taxes a subsidy to send a steamer to Kaipara, and to "take away my turnips and my carrots and my cabbages to market." Never has a more beneficent and promising measure for the welfare of the poor been passed in this province than the present Education Act, and heartily ashamed are we to see a man calling himself a minister of the Gospel wishing thus to take away the children's bread and give them a stone. Every kind of misrepresentation and falsehood that could be conceived has been hurled against this Education Act by the few who have set them selves to resist progress. " Anthropos," in the drivellings of his drunkenness, ■ essays to make believe that such and such subjects are excluded by the Act from the common schools, i and that the children of poor men will i in consequence be unable to prepare • for, and take advantage of the higher schools. "Whereas if he would only for one evening cease to look through a glass darkly, and with unfuddled ; brain read the Act he is talking nonsense about, he would learn that his charges are utterly baseless. The intention in the Education Act is to give the very best education that can be given in the schools. These will be no pauper schools, . but all classes contributing to their support, the children of all classes will equally freely, and equally exempt i from school fees, take their seats on the forrr.s. We do not hesitate to look on any one that seeks to incite the ! unreflecting against this Education

Act as being not only dishonest men, but tbe enemies of society ; and if the Board of Education or the Provincial Government show the white feather, they deserve the scorn and the repro bation of every resident in the pro vince.

The following is the list of civil cases to be heard before the Chief Justice at the close of the Criminal Sessions : —Loveday v. Jones ; Mr Rees for plaintiff, Mr Devore for defendant. McTavish v. McGregor; Mr Cooper for plaintiff, Mr Jackson for defand ant. Sholl v. Warner ; Mr Rogan for plain tiff, Mr Rees for defendant. Angus v. Hewin; Mr Meyer for plaintiff, Mr Thome for de fendant.

Some men have their particular hobbies which they trot out once a year ; it was so with Mr Locke King, with his £10 bill, and with other politicians of the old country ; it is so with Mr Cadman, of Auckland. It is a well-known fact that this gentleman rarely attends the services of St. Matthew's, but at the annual meeting he invariably shows up in opposition to church progress, and brings forward his pet motion for the abolition of pew-rents. Mr Cadman is regarded as the apostle of retrenchment and reform—the Joseph Hume of St. Matthew's.

The residents at the North Shore, as well as the frequenters of that favourite suburb, will be pleased to learn that the General Government have acceded to the request of the Devonport Highway Board, and will, with the concurrence of the Superintendent, hand over to them the Flagstaff Hill for a permanent recreation ground. The top of the hill will itself be reserved for signalling purposes, and must be fenced around ; and a roadway, from Victoria Road across the base of the hill past the district school-house, will also be reserved, but all the remainder of the hill will be handed over to the Highway Board,, to be planted and laid off as a place for recreation.

A married woman applied for and obtained a protection order this morning from the Mayor. In reply to questions put to her she affirmed she was the mother of twenty four children, the said children having, ac cording to her affidavit, been ushered into the world two, three, and even seven at a birth. Poor thing !. she required protection. Unhappy husband ! no wonder he took to drink.

Miners engaged in working a valuable claim in Clear Creek county, Colorado, situ ated on the north side of the Leavenworth mountain, at an elevation of 12,800 feet, found their progress impeded by frost, even at the great depth of 250 feet, the earth and rocks being frozen in a solid mass together.

A very successful ball, in connection with the Artillery Volunteer Corps, took place last evening at the Oddfellows' Hall, Cook street. During the evening Lieut. Powley presented Corporal Geddes, on behalf of the company, with a massive gold ring, in recog nition of his gallantry in jumping from the Tararu wharf and risking his own life to save that of Mrs Edgar, who had accidently fallen into the sea.

Inspector Goldie informs us that he contem plates a crusade against owners of stables in the city who do not respect the sauitory egulatioijs. One suffered yesterday.

The desirability of planting trees in sub urban districts is fully recognised by many of our citizens, but in the absence of encourage ment from the authorities no uniform and extensive system is likely to be adopted. A correspondent writes to us stating that he i wishes to plant cocoanut trees on a re°crVe near the seashore, but not hav^g } iat \ aU y practical experience in cultivation of these handsome ne wouW feel obligec l tor any i^ iormation upon the subject. Com munications will be gladly received, at our office and will be duly placed at the disposal of our reader's:

tJori't believe iii animal magnetism ? Look Steadily at a baby when it is sound asleep and it will wake up ; or, when nervousness keeps you awake, get some person not ner vous to put a hand on you and off you go. Why is this thus ?

A woman was charged on Monday, at the Thames Police Court, with disorderly be haviour on the beach at Shortland. The defence was, that as the offence took place below high water mark, the place could not be described as one of public resort. The plea was successful.

Thei-e was no performance at the Circus last evening owing to the extreme inclemency of the weather. The programme to-night promises to be an attractive one. There will only be one or two more performances of this company previous to their departure for the Thames.

A Birmingham paper complains that the milkmen there are raising their prices al though the Water Works Company have not increased the charge for water.

Paris matrons of. unimpeachable morality are to be preserved in places of public enter tainment f romcontaotwith thedemi-mondanes but inasmuch as the responsibility of separat ing the sheep from the goats is to be thrown upon the vendor of tickets the question is how the thing be done. The best of the matrons will array themselves in the gaudy plumage which is supposed to characterize the other class, and there is always a debat able land between them, where, as Lamb hath it, " both seem either," and how shall the poor ticket man know whether he be not condemning "an angel unawares."

We would again say a word for the jour neymen butchers. With the exception of one or two employers the very reasonable request put forward by this overworked class remains unheeded by the trade. Ex perience everywhere teaches that in cases where a certain amount of business must be done, which is especially true of those trades devoted to supplying the public with pro visions, it can be done as well in nine or ten hours as in sixteen. The men have, we think, shewn great patience and forbearance, and masters should meet them in a liberal spirit, and endeavour to come to some ar rangement which will make the trade less slavish and yet not put employers to loss. In Wellington, about a fortnight ago, the journeymen threatened to strike, and a day was fixed for the turn out, but at the last moment the masters agreed to reduce the hours of labour to ten, and to pay for Sunday work as overtime. That is the rule which prevails throughout the trade in Wellington at the present time. A meeting of journey men butchers will be hold at the British Hotel this evening, at eight o'clock, at which master butchers are requested to attend.

A fire at Awhitu, on Sunday, completely destroyed a house occupied by a man named Kelly, and an adjoining tenement, together with the whole of their contents, consisting of gum, etc. The origin of the ore is a mystery. j

The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Matthew* was held last night in the school-room, Hobson-street. The Rev. David Jones was called to the chair. From the financial report, which was read and adopted, we gather that the total income of the palish from all sources was £1,247 9s. 9d., including a balance of £141 9s. Sd. from the previous year's account. £63 19s. Sd. have been re ceived from the Archdeaconry Fund towards the minister's stipend. The general offertory amounted to £583 2s. 10d., showing a de crease of ",£l2 for the year. Among the dis bursements was the sum of £">0 Bs. 4d. for the new bell. The reports of the schools were satisfactory. Dr. Hooper was elected clergyman's warden, and Mr Upton parish ioners' warden. The following gentleman were elected as vestrymen for the present year : — Messrs Brigham, Doonin, Burtt, Atkin, Henderson, Cameron, (Jarr, Morrin, and ISlolan. Mr Doonin moved—" That the sum of £400 be borrowed from the standing committee of the diocese for three years, for the purpose of carrying out certain improve ments." Mr Cadman strongly opposed the borrowing of money ; but upon being put to the vote the motion was carried. A few other matters, with votes of thanks to the chairman, the choir, and Mr Weston, the trustee of the building fund, terminated the meeting.

The Wellington Post says:—" The Auckland Almanac, published by Messrs. Reed and Brett, of the Evening Star office, is a very creditable specimen of thegenns almanac, both in its general arrangement, in the manner in which the various articles are compiled, and in its typography. There is a well-written article headed "Information for intending Settlers," which, in a very small compass, contains a large amount of information about Auckland which every intending emigrant to that province would desire to know."

During the past week, out of six attempts to commit suicide, uo less than four turned out wretched failures. Recognizing an evil, the practical mind turns at oncetoits remedy. Society is not yet educated up to the point where it would receive with favoiir an ordi nance directing the police in cases of abortive attempts at suicide to complete the job. It should be observed that such an ordinance follows as a severely logical result from the admitted right of the citizen to travel to kingdom come at his own sweet will. But even though we must leave this salutary legislation to. another generation, it does ;not seem too 'imuch to require that when cured at the public expense of self-inflicting wounds he shall be constrained to labour on the public works during a term which shall yield an equivalent for the cost he has put us to. This scheme is as feasible as it is simple, and would not fail of effective results.— San Francisco Neivs Letter. ■

It is rumoured (says the Hokitiki Star) that Mr A. Reid, who has for some time past held the position of editor of the Grey River Argus, has accepted the editorship of the Nel son Colonist. Mr A. Reid is brother to Mr John Pteid, importer, of this city.

Notice is given of an application for transfer of license of the Army and Navy Hotel from Mrs Anne Freer to Michael .Dinnin.

In addition to the cases mentioned in our yesterday's issue, the following contributory schedules were confirmed without opposition at the District Court: —Nil Desperandum, Johno' Groats and Hunt's.

The Thames Advertiser divides the oppo nents of the Education Act into two classes— those who object to pay for anything what ever, and those who from some prejudice or crochet wish to embarrass the authors of the Act.

The reports respecting the approaching native meeting at Maungatautari come from so i&auy sources, and are in some instances so contradictory, that it is difficult to get at the true state of matters. We believe, how eve I',1', chat affairs stand at present in this nosition : When the meeting was first pro posed it was contemplated to niake it a genera) gathering of frieiidly. and kin<ntS natives; Invitations were issued tfdrth ilrid .South', and other pre parations nlade: Subsequently, however, Manithiri (an old scoundrel who acts as the King's Prime Minister, and who is the mam cause of the present isolation of the Waikato natives) became afraid that such a gathering as that suggested would result in the com plete breaking up of the bond which unites the professed kingites together, and mitfht lead to the restoration of cor disl relations with the pakeha. He has therefore neglected to forward second invitations to Queenite natives announc ing the date upon which the meeting is°to be held, and the friendlies are deter mined not to go unless they receive these invitations. The meeting will consequently in all probability be confined almost wholly to kingites. Mamihiri is cog vetting a little recardmg his own presence and that of the King. He has announced that Tawhiao will not attend, and this is probably the fact, but it is not impossible that the statement has been made with the object of misleading Europeans, and that both the King and his adviser will attend. The extent of the pre parations has been greatly exaggerated, a few cartloads of dried fish and fifty or sixty pi«s being all the kaikai yet collected, but the meeting will no doubt be a large one, al though it has lost the political significance at one time attached to it. The 21st of the present mouth is the date fixed for the be ginning of the proceedings.

In another column will be found district orders for company representatives of the various volunteer corps of the Auckland district in reference to the competition for the General Government prizes.

The Harbour-master's office on the wharf has been removed, and permanently fixed adjoining to the Queen's wharehouse, in the place formerly occupied by the Landing waiter's office. The latter office will be erected on the new western T about to be built.

The half-yearly general meeting of the shareholders of the Coliban Goldmining Com pany was held on Monday, at the Stafford hotel, Grahamstown. MrJ. Wormall pre sided. The balance-sheet showed the receipts and expenditure, which left a balance of £159 3s 7d to the credit of the company, besides 400 shares. The following gentlemen were elected directors for the ensuing twelve months —Messrs Warmoll, Roulstou, Un thank, McCloughen, and Turtle.

A meeting of lumpers was held last evening at the Thames Hotel, resolved to form a "Lumpers' Accident Fund Society," and Messrs Brown, Crawley, lnkster, W. Niccol, and J. Xiccol were appointed to revise the code of rules drawn up, and submit them for approval at a meeting to be held on Tuesday evening next. There were about forty per sons present, and the effort to form a society is likely to prove a success.

We learn from the Waihaio Times that a Maori was arrested by the constable at Cambridge on the charge of stealing a blanket. The constable managed to hand cuff his prisoner, when a number of Maoris came to the rescue and succeeded in effecting his recapture. Shortly afterwards one of the rescuing party returned to the 'cOnstable and" coolly asked him for the loan of the key to remove the handcuffs from his companion's

hands

" Anthropos "has favoured us also with his views on the education rate. He is one of those who do not want education. He says : " It is all very well for those who are in a position to pay taxes to advocate their im position —it is all mighty fine for those who are fattening upon the public revenue of the country to make light of it : but it is not so with those who have enough to do to keep body and soul together in themselves and their families." "Anthropoa" does not, from what we learn of him, require much beyond an unlimited supply of beer to keep his body and soul together ; his family's welfare and education are second ary considerations. He touchingly pleads on behalf of the poor, who are condemned to pay as much as the rich, and, we might add, get all the benefit. He says : "It was not at all the province of the Provincial Govern ment to have undertaken the great question of education, which, correctly and strictly speaking, is a national one ; and as such should be principally undertaken by the General Government." We quite agree with him in this : If the General Government had fulfilled its duty in the matter of education there would have been no necessity for the Provincial Government to undertake it. But does our correspondent seriously mean to advocate that children should be permitted to grow up in ignorance, pending the settlement in the General Assembly of the sectarian squab bles that have been imported into the great question of education ? '' Anthropos" con tinues : '' The funds necessary for the purpose should come through a source similar to that of the loan for public works, or a property tax, instead of direqtly taxing the industry and energy of labour." This suggestion is worthy of .Robert Lowe. Our correspondent objects to an education tax ; but he would not object to paying the amount of money required for education with interest thereon if a loan were raised for the purpose. He remarks : '' Even as it is, it is very doubtful whether some of the surroundings of this Education Act is not opposed to the spirit and intention of the constitution." Perfectly true; it is decidedly opposed to his constitu tion to pay the education tax or anything else if he can possibly avoid it. He invokes our aid in the name of the '' cause that lacks assistance ;" and we give it cheerfully for the benefit of good and cheap education for the working classes who are not to be misled by any special pleading such as that put forward by our droughty correspondent.

The appointment has been made in Paris of butter inspectors at the octrois and halles, apparently for the purpose of putting a stop to a kind of adulteration which has been discDvered in England as well as in France. Butter is now largely manufactured in Paris with flour suet, lard, and unwholesome colouring matters, and having been packed in little square jars and baskets is sent to the suburbs to be sent back again to Paris.

The exhibition of antiquities at the Hotel de Ville, Paris, has just been enriched by a very valuable object, belonging to M. Cockuy —the sceptre of Mary Stuart. It is about thirty-two inches long, and artistically carved in ivory, and portraits of the Queen and her husband, as well as the emblems, devices and arms of Scotland, England and Francis the first of France. It bears the date of 1558, and is composed of four pieces, mounted in brass, and adorned with medal lions in silver.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce will take place to morrow afternoon at three o'clock.

The Hon. Donald McLean, Native and Defence Minister, may be expected in A»cV land about the latter end of uext week.

Mr Sheehan, Goldfields Secretary, left for the Thames to-day in connection with the carrying-out of public works there. The programmes issued to the committee and friends at the late Tauranga races were printed dii wliite silk, edged with blue rib jjdns arid ornamented at the corners with blue bows. The whole had a very pretty arid tasty appearance. ' To-day was the last day upon which de sions for the improvement of Barrack Jiiu were receivable. We learn that four designs have been sent in. The City Im provement Commisssoners will meet at eleven o'clock to-morrow, when the designs will be submitted for criticism.

THE NEW FERRY STEAMER TAKAPUNA.

The parturition of this steamer has been attended with unusual pain, and like the son of Israel, bom in a time of turmoil, she might be called the " child of much trouble. She is now out of the hands of the ac coucheurs, and it is permissible to make a few comments on what has been transpiring during the past few weeks. The mam point of difference between the builders and the company, has been the question of speed It was agreed that the new steamer should be built to go at the rate of about ten and a-half miles anhour, butshe has asyetattamed the rate of only about eight an,d a half miles an hoar. After much negotiation, which, from the interest apparently attaching to the ferry service, was magnified extraordinarily outside, an allowance was yesterday made by the builders for the lack of speed by a remission of £375 off the contract price, and the boat will be taken by the directors for the company. There will be few to say that some eight and a-half miles an hour is not a very respectable rate for a ferry steamer ; in fact the company are to be congratulated on not having a rate of speed that would be likely to be for ever smashing piles and paddle boxes, and subjecting all the travel ling old ladies of the city to the constant fear of collision. As it is, the Takapuna is able to steam round and round either of the oppo sition steamers during the passage, and it is better that they should have time to clear out of her way rather than that Captain Burgess and the Harbour Board should be perpe tually framing rules to restrain her velocity when tooled by the irrepressible Mack. Objection was taken to the fact of the ma chinery having been at work before—a cir cumstance which would have been easily enough obviated had the enterprise been undertaken without a desire to have the boat under steam at the earliest moment possible, but as at present completed; the machinery — barring the two miles i per hour — will do everything; that is required of a ferry boat, and in every race as ye when under a moderate pres sure of steam —she has with the utmost ease overhauled the opposition ferry steamers. As for the boat herself, we have no hesita tion in saying she is the prettiestand the most commodious ferry steamer in the Southern colonies. Mr Thomas Niccol, to whose care and supervision she is mainly due, went into the work heart and soul, and throughout the recent warm discussion there has not been one to say that his work has not been ably, and faithfully, and well done. In a few days the Takapuna will be placed on the service, when the public will have an opportunity of seeing what pains have been taken to impart elegance and comfort to a trip to the North Shore, and an oppor .tunity of showing also how they mean to support an enterprise that has been insti tuted, and will be 'carried out solely in the interests of the public. There has been plenty of exaggeration and false assertion current during the past few weeks, advantage being taken of the stand taken by the direc tors in struggling for the interests of the shareholders. The public will perfectly appreciate the motives, and we are confident that the sympathy of the public will be all the more en listed on the side of the Takapuna from such vile attempts. The lateness of the season will preclude the directors from carrying out their intentions in their entirety this summer; but we believe that ere next summer they will be in a position to supply commodious baths and other attractions to their passengers, so as make the North Shore conduce as far as possible to the health and the enjoyment of the humblest and poorest as well as the wealthiest in the city.

THE MARTIN'S BAY SETTLEMENT.

There was a good attendance at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church last evening, upon the occasion of the Rev. Mr. Porter's lecture on the Martin's Bay Settlement. The Rev. Mr. Cornford offered up prayer, and the Rev. Mr. Olliver introduced the lecturer. Mr. Porter commenced by expressing his thanks to the public and the Press for the sympathy shewn towards him and his fellow-sufferers, and especially for the Christian kindness he had received in Auckland. Martin's Bay is a settlement in Otago, in the province of the Holyford River, and there, four years and a half a^o, he, with forty-three hardy, strong Canadians, landed with the determination to settle for life in that locality. He then pro ceeded to narrate the difficulties of their voyage, and vividly described a storm at sea, which occupied one-fourth of the lecture. He next gave a graphic account of the scenery and physical features of the bay, considering it as one of the cosiest and prettiest spots in the whole world. The splendid bay was before them, sheltered by noble ranges o£ hills, among which were 15,000 acres of good arable land. They were surrounded by an abundance of timber, pro nounced by competent judges to be the finest in the Middle Island. He also spoke of the climate as delightful and genial: potatoes, peas, cauliflowers, and fruits flourish and ripen through the winter months, which are extremely mild. The lecturer then gave a brief epitome of its history, dimensions and extent; with an account of the formation of their church and its happy associations ; but in their passage their1 plants and seeds had chiefly been destroyed by the sea water, and those re maining did not in consequence when sown reach .perfection, hence they were reduced to absolute starvation, eking out a bare exist ence upon shell-fish found upon the rocks, and fernroots which they boiled. They were promised assistance from time to time, but the steamers they expected with provisions did not arrive. He preached to the people ; their church on Sundays was upon the rocks with the surging ocean and the hills around them. They frequently received messages of hope from Dunedin, with promises that they should not be neglected. He (the lecturer) had previously settled in Victoria, and should not have ventured to Martin's Bay had it not been for ill-health, which necessitated a change of climate. When he resolved upon the change the larger portion of his church in Victoria determined to accompany him and share together a common lot. When evil days fell upon them, he went to Hokitiki to state their case, and to ascertain whether the Bay settlers must abandon the place to -which they had become attached, or whether unaided they must starve. He returned to his patient people after an absence of three months, with a year's provisions for hia

family The lecturer then gave a harrowing account of their subsequent privations, and read several interesting extracts from reports by Capt. Turnbull and others ; also from an article which appeared in the West Coast , Times In coticrttsiou he said that the neatest desire of his heart was to go back to his devoted people, that Mr Robertson, of Oueenstowu, was about.to erect a saw-mill in the Bay and place a steam-tug on their river so that their'hopW were brighter than they had hitherto been; and he trusted that no one among his audience would be called upon to undergo the sufferings and privations which had fallen to the lot of himself and companions during, the last three years, _We may add that Mr Porter's graphic sketch of. St. Martin's should be published, as it would form a most interesting chapter in our colonit,- history.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

H»m>er anS B'uitKE.— A correction of the reported strike having already appeared, I it is not necessary-to insert your letter.

HARBOUR BOARD.

Yesterday.—(Continued)^ ,: ; ,,iJ§| The reports of the Clerk of Works and Harbour Master having been read the salaries of the permanent offices* fixed for the year. The salary of the Clerk of Works was raised from £300 to £350, and £50 was added to the salary of the shipping clerk Mr Williams was re-elected m the place of Mr Tonks, who had resigned. It was intimated that Mr Heather, who had been absent from the Board three months, was a member no longer, but might be re-elected. The tender of Mr McLwen for ironwork was accepted. The name of Mr Kissling Avas substituted for that of Mr Isaacs on the Finance Committee. The Chairman's motion, " That the Wharf Com mittee be authorized to expend a sum not exceeding £200 for the purpose of boring for water on the property of the Board with the view of obtaining a supply of water for shipping was agreed to. The question of cleaning the mam-sewer was allowed to stand over. Mr Casey gave notice of motion to abolish port charges on Auckland-owned vessels, which concluded the business.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M.)

DRUXKEXXESS

Two drunkards were fined 5s each, another 10s and costs, and a fourth forfeited her bail.

HABITUAL DPUNKARDS. Mary Walton, in addition to being drunk, was also charged with being an incorrigible

rogue. This prisoner was discharged yesterday on condition that she went to the Refuge. She was taken there by Constable Bullen, but left again shortly afterwards, and was found in the town drunk and incapable. The Court sentenced her to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour. Albert E. Cowen was also charged with drunkenness, with being an incorrigible rogue, with habitual drunkenness, and with having been several times convicted of this vice within the last twelve months.

The prisoner denied the charge, and the offence was proved by the constables. On the second charge 3peing read over he ""-wished to know under what clause the charge was made, and when the twelve months was dated from. Upon being informed he pleaded not gnilty. A long list of previous offences against the prisoner was produced, and the Court re marked that he evidently had a good ac quaintance with the Vagrancy Act. The prisoner replied that he always liked to support the Bench. He was sent to gaol for three months with hard labour. POOR OLD PAT. Patrick Lynch, a man possessing no visible lawful means of support, was charged with this grave offence. The case was remanded until to-morrow. UNDER THE VERANDAH. Alice Mills was charged with making use of abusive words in the public street with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. The prisoner was given in charge by Mr Samuel Young for creating a disturbance under the verandah of his private residence? in Harding-street, at an early hour this morning. She was an entire stranger to him and his family. Constable Melville, who took the prisoner in charge, said that she was the worse for liquor. Mr Young stated that he did not wish to press the charge, and the accused was dis missed with a caution. UNMISTAKEN IDENTITY. Alfred Carroll, charged with thieving, was brought up on rem?nd to enable him to prove an alibi. Mr W. Lundon, of the Harp of Erin Hotel, attended in obedience* to a subpoena, but could not swear positively to the time the prisoner was at his house on the day of the alleged robbery. The prisoner refreshed his memory by re calling conversations that took place at the time he was in the house. The, witness stated that it was quite correct, and the conversations referred, to took place at about five o'clock. Mrs Lundon was then sworn, and deposed that she remembered the prisoner's face, but she could not swear positively when he was at the house. The prisoner described minutely all that took place in the house at the time of his visit; and she stated all he had said was quite right, but she could not remember the ! time it happened. j Another witness named Kelly, called by | the police, proved seeing the prisoner leave ; the Harp of Erin between four and five ! o'clock on Thursday last. (The robbery of ; the boots was alleged to have taken place at six o'clock). The Court said that when the case wa' remanded it was xinder the impression thafvfX the accused would be in a position to prove j that he w<as in Mangere at the time, whereas i he had now proved nothing of the kind. The sentence of the Court would'tote thirty i days' imprisonment with hard labour. i CUFFING "POOR JACK." William Bates, a seaman on board the barque Glenhuntly, was charged with assault ing Arthur Morris Starkey, an apprentice on board the said ship, on the 11th inst., while on the high seas. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was fined 20s and costs, or in default 30 days' imprison ment. This concluded the business.

THTB EVENING Wf}oL t W^ftESßjfo, jANtTAftf lh, lSfo



■VTEAL'SaNEW ZEALAND J3i - ' |"S ATJ C E Neal'sl.Chutney Neal'u Oriental Pickles Real's Tomato Sauce Neat's Carry Paste. These New Zealand Manvfactures are found to be equal to the best and superior to most imported articles, and are sold at a Less Price than Inferior Foreign Goods. Sold E ail by tbe Grocers in town and country Wholesale by B, TONKS & CO



CAN THE BEST MOLESKIN TROUSERS ] • IN NEW ZEALAND BE SOLD FOR 6s. 11r..? NO! DRAPERS AND OTHERS outside the Clothing Trade may offer such baits to the public, but as THE CLOTHIEJi OF THE PRO\ INCE and the only one whose business is exclusively conhnert to the manufacture and sJe of Men's Clothing, l maintain that it cannot be done. I can, however, offer to the Working Men GENUINE BARGAINS, being prepared to sell a pair of Moleskin Trousers, equal in every respect to the Gs. lid. article, FOR ss. 11d. And a pair of GENUINE Crown Moles, FOR Gs. 1 Id- And the best in New Zealand, FOR Bs. 11d. SAMUEL COO Ivf BE S, MANUFACTURE,?, & CLOTHIER, 80 & I.SO, QtrEKX-HTRKKT. EDUCATION RATE. FATHERS AND MOTHER^ LISTEN ! YOU are toM that the new Education TUt* is oppressive. Hearken ! Hitherto you I ft&VM tt&M scliool fees for your children. Under the Ww Act instead of school'fees you pay One Pound per annum household rate in quarterly payments of nve shillings each. You pay also live shillings per year for each child of the school age ; but not tor more than four in the family- the rest are free. Gumpare the old with the new, and don't be misled by trading politicians. The following table shows the fees payable per annum in the past and in the future for one or more child : j Number of Chil- Fomer Cost. I New Act. ilren. I I £2 12 0 £15 0 '-, 5 4 0 1 10 0 3 i 7 10 0 1 15 0 4 i 10 8 0 2 0 0 (Vi 0 0) sto 20 \ to \ 2 0 0 (.52 0 0) The cruel tax! The grinding tax !



To gentlemen requiring first-class tobacco and cigars, if-they would only visit Mrs Sharpe's neat little American Tobacco and Cigar Divan (next Bank New Zealand) they may purchase the same cheaper than in any other house in the city. No inferior goods kept in stock ; would not purchase such for the public at any price. One trial is suffi cient to guarantee a continuance of oustoaii Give a ca.ll,—Advt.