SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening, 6.2 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning. 6.13 ITTOfT WATFIi: This afternoon, 4.7: to-morrow morning, -IC"3

ARRIVALS.

"Vettor Pisani, Italian frigate, Comte de Maria, from Sydney Star of the South, s.s., Holmes, from Napr'er Southern Cro ■% s.s., Se 7'",r.-., from Tauraiga Clyde, cchonner, A-n&ei on, from W?ngrrei Vincent, cutter, from Tauranga Perrl, schooner, Brown, from Rv«?ll Fairy, schooner, from Wrngproa Queen, chooner, Verio, from Russe?l Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Russell Cambria, schooner, from Wrngsrei

DEPARTURE.

St. Kilda, s.s., Flowerday, for Wanganui

PROJECTED DEPARTURES. For Southern ports : Wellington, s.s., to-morrow For Napier : Esther, schooner, to-day For Honolulu and San Francisco Nebraska, mfl'J

steamer, 17th April For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., to-morrow For Sydney and Melbourne: "Wonga "Wonga, s.s,,

early For Hobart Town : Bella Maiy, barque, early For Cork : Moss Glen, barque, early For Newcastle : Briton, b?"que, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Edinburgh Castle, ship, from London. Sailed 29th December Parsee, ship, from London. Sailed 12th January Zanga, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed Corido, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed 28th February East Lothian, barque, from New York, Sailed 20th December Ladybird, s.s., from Sydney (ii the Manukan) W. C. Wentworth, barque, from Sydney "Wonga Wonga, s.s., Brown. froM Sydney

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Star of the South for Napier, 56 head cattle, 350 sheep, order.

The Italian steam corvette Vettor Pisani, carrying 14 guns, under the command of M. Le Comte Joseph Lovera de Maria, arrived in Auckland harbour at two o'clock this morning from Sydney. We are indebted to the obliging officers of the frigate for a report of passage, later Sydney papers, and other favours. The following is a translation of the report:—Left Sydney harbour at 7 o'clock on the morning of the 4th inst. under sail, and had for the first three days light N.E. winds, so that it was only on the 10th inst., in lat. 36° 30" S., and Greenwich long. 129 E., that she was enabled to make any way towards the North Cape of New Zealand, with a good wind from the jS.S.E. On tho. 16th. instant arrived at the ' North Cape, and the same wind prevailing the corvette was obliged to beat down the coast in order to make Auckland. While endeavouring to make the Cape Kava Kava, on the 17th inst., a violent gust of wind arose from the E.S.E., and the vessel was driven back and forced to be hove to for three days off the North Cape. On the 21st the weather calmed, but the wind continuing from the same direction steam was' got up in order to .reach Auckland, which she did' as stated above, making an entrance into the ' harbour without any assistance of a pilot. The Vettor Pisani returns to to Italy by way of Cape Horn, having accom plished in two years a voyage of circumnavi gation of the globe, during which she has visited Asaph, Abyssinia Aden,' Singapore, China, Japan, the Phillipine Islands,, Cochin China, Siam, the Moluccas, New Guinea, and Australia, receiving everywhere, and particu larly in Sydney, the' greatest proofs of friendship and c sympathy which always inspires a young country. The Vettor Pisani is a screw corvette of 300 horse-power. She carries 14 guns, some of which are of heavy calibre. She is a new vessel having been built at Venice in 1871, which port she left on the 25th April, IS7I, on her voyage of circumnavigation. She is a fine looking vessel and a credit to the flag under which she sails. The Vettor Pisani is the first Italian ship of war that has visited Auckland. She remains here about ten days ' during which time she will coal and victual for her voyage home, calling at Monte Video. - The schooner Florence left Dunedin on the 21st of last month bound for this port ■with a general cargo, but up to this time has not arrived. It is said by those who know that she is not expected, and yet no fears are entertained for the safety of the vessel and those on board. The captain of the schooner put into Wellington, and took his wife and family on board, and "it is also said' drew a considerable sum of money out,o,f the, i.baiik. It is reported that the schooner is heavily mortgaged, and that she has been blown out of her course towards the Pijis or somewhere, where the captain, to a|pidfurther risk, would dispose of the vessel aiid cargo to ; .the best advantage. . Good-bye Florence, ' The s!s. .Star ofthe; South arrived yester-, day from Napier with a full cargo of sheep | : aiid several pasoerigers. , , , > j The s.s. Southern 'Cross arrived yesterday ■ from Tauranga mth 19 passengers and a: cargo'of wheat andso sheepI.''; '/ 1 The s.s. Wellington, will leaye Oriehunga Wharf to-morrow morning, at eight, o'clock,. and will take her final departure from the I Bluff anchorage, atj 3 Shirt, .for Southernj ports. .'j >ir, ijlhioi ••■■• -: '■■' ■■!■■' . '■■ ' ;' i A' new open boat will b& sold by auction j at the watermen's steps, to-morrow, at noon, I by Messrs u Cochrane and Son. .The s.s. Rowena, which arrived on Satur- j day from the North, will sail again at four j o'clock to-morrow afternoon.

The s.s.' Wonga Wonga left Sydney for Melbourne on the Bth of March. She took the (Sydney crew which is to take part in; tile .inter-colonial gig race on March 28th. '.„ H.M.S. Rosario left this morning for the Kawau, and relmrned again' irt the afternoon. j The schooner Excelsior haying discharged cargo has hauled into the stream. < ....■• The barque Bella Mary is turnijng out her cargo, as usual,'in first fate condition. Tne schooner Qtteen arrived' from, Russell this morning with a cargo of coal. The s.s. Stferof the South has reported at the Customs with the following passengers:— Messrs. Cashmore;; W. Leaf, Mann, Scarfe, Mrs McNally, Mrs; Waine, and Miss Bridge house, and two in the steerage. . ~-; The schooner Cambria has cleared out wards for Wangarei with a cargo of flour and sundries^.., , r .' :: . ,'.' '.'■.■'.' '.,''; ■•' The new schooner Pearl, Capt. Brown, reported at the Customs with 45,500 feet timber from Russell. <-> ' >'j ( , The s.s. St. Kilda, A. McGillivray, master, cleared outwards from the Manukau for Wan ganui to-day, with 20 sacks seed, Taylor and Watt;. 2 pgs sashes, Sipgs glass doors, 4 bundles mouldings, 46 pieces architraves, 16 pieces mouldings, 36 bars jron -John Duthie ; 2 bags grass seed, 1 bag rape seed, William son.—A. Barnes, agent.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails "rrruL Close as Under :—, ' For KusseH, per Star of the South, this day, at 5 p.m. For Thames, this day, at'6.3o'p.m., and to-morrow, ats.3op.m. . !■ .' J .: .V, i .'. For Coromandel, on Wednes-Oay, at 11.30 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Austra'Man Colonies, perWellinoton, to-morrow, at noon For Rraell, Wan-jaroa, and Mongonui, per Kowena,

to-morrow, at 3 p.m. , . For Kawau, Wahgarei, Wanjarei Heads, &c, per Lady. Bowen, on Tuesday, at '3 p.m. - For Whiti.;nsa, Taurat>!*a, and Opotiki, per Southern Cross, on Tuesday, at 3 p.m. For Korotonga, per Mata, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Napier and Southern province, per Nebraska, six hours after her aulva'l./ r i i (Signed) S. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster. ' ,H ?{ D X 0 U 'A 0 f I ,'iaUa 'i'a v- ku hi'

COMMERCIAL.

At Messrs H. S. Meyers and Co.'s sale of fruit, ex Bella Mary, held this morning, there was a good.attendance of the trade. Fruit realized 2d to 3Jd per tb according to condition. Jams (tins) 8s (id per dozen for trade parcels ; jars 7d per IT> ; hops Is Id per 1b ; oats 2s 10d per bushel. Sydnky.—The Sydney Morning Herald of March 4 reports :—The import markets have opened weak. Inquiry for goods has been very slack of late, and the shipments by recent arrivals from England have come to a fully-stocked market. Beer is becoming more plentiful-—each of the vessels that came in recently have brought good-sized parcels, and the ships due bring additional stocks. Breadstuff's are hardly so firm. Millers are contented for the present with purchases of wheat made earlier in the season, and look for easier prices later in the year. Eation sugars are getting very scarce, and are held for extreme prices.

MINING.

The following are the current call and dividends payable in the companies named below :— & s. d.

MEETINGS. Vulcan, Canada Buildings, Auckland, noon, 2Cth March Mnliun in Parvo, British Hotel, Auckland, 2 p.m., 26th March Queen of the Thames, Mr Hunter's office, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 3 p.m., 27th March TTnicorn, Grahamstown, 27th March El Uorado, Mr P, A. White's office, Shortland street,

Auckland, S p m. 27th March Golden Crown, Mr Tothill's office, Auckland. 11 a.m.,

28th March John o'Groats, Mr F. A. White's office, Auckland,

3 p.m., 31st March Golden A-re, Company's office, Shortlrnd street,

Auckland, 2 p.m., Slst March Yon Voltke, Coromandel, 2nd April Lucky Diggers, Messrs Russell and Devore's office, Shortland street, Auckland, at 11 a.m., Bth April D,vuu"hteT!s of Frcr-dom, Grahrmstowa, 14th Ap: 'I Bee, Grahamstown, 15th April Margaretta, Mr A. A. Browne's office, Wjndham street, Auckland, 3 p.m., 23rd April Bank of New Zealand, Bj,nk, noon, 24th Apiil

BIRTH.

Buttehs.- -On March 20, at her residence, Mount Street, the wife of Mr J<-s. Butters of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

Pjeuy— Hooper.—On Wednesday, Mach 19, at St. Sepu^hre's Chrrch, by the Rev. Mr Dudley, Henry Hart-tonr;e Peiy, of the County Lime-Jc'c, to S.r: h Annie, daughter of Mr J. J. Hooper, ] te of London.

DEATH.

R\wLiNc;n. —At S^-boro—h Tenve, Pa aell, on 23rd March, Jane, the belo.^d w"fe of Mrrk Bawling, r^d 40. The funera' w'U leave he" late re rdence To moviow (Tur day) moiu'Mg, at eight o'c'Ofk.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1873.

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

That the new Education Act and the Board administering it should at once gite, universal satisfaction was never anticipated, and despite the grumblings we do not hesitate to say that the Board deserves very warm commenda tion for the vigorous method in which it has set to work in somewhat untoward circumstances, and the mea sure of success which has attended that effort while matters are still in a transition state. Most of the difficul ties encountered will be gradually overcome, but there are some that will prove an embarrassment to the Board, and consequently retard the establish ment of a uniform and smoothly work ing system of education until the Act itself, is, altered. Prom the first we predicted, and we believe time is proving it, that mischief would be wrought by the combination of local and / central control in relation to the: schools. "We do not say that any conflict has occurred between these two authorities, for the Board, with an evident desire to produce harmony, sufters the local committees to lead, and so long as the committees are pleased with the new toy, and do not.begin.to enquire what it is made of, and how they can use and abuse it ? i all will probably go smoothly. At the same time it is impossible to close the eyes to the evils that \ even at present : are growing up. 'For so far the action '< of the new system has been to take I over the old schools, absorbing them in I the new order of things. This, so far, lis well. The same teachers are re appointed. This, also, is well. The same pupils are re-assembled. This, also, is well. But, as a general rule, those children who were not previously at school are still left out in the cold.

And this is not well, in fact it is quite contrary to the anticipations and desires entertained by the advocates and pro moters of the new system. In this city, for example, schools have been formed in its several districts and under excellent teachers. But we venture to say, nay, on authority we say, that they have scarcely enrolled a single pupil from what may be called the street children, or those who have not been enjoying the advantages of education before. Either some means should be taken to induce the accession of such to the existing schools, or if the rules of cleanliness and social caste must operate, then should there be a distinct and separate school in the city to which the little pariahs may be con signed, and so reap the benefit con ferred by a system for which the whole body politic has to pay. If the new Education Act merely confers gratui tous education on children that were previously enjoying the benefits oi education on the payment of fees, and if this is the amount of the change effected, it can hardly be regarded as worth the controversy thai has attended it; while this is exactly the result if action originates from local committees, and the Board eloes not step in, and, in behalf of the common weal, see to the education oi the little hoys and girls whose torn clothes and dirty faces may be repel lent to the decent householder. It is a question if the schools at preseni recognised and established in the city and suburbs are capable, with preseni accommodations, of embracing this class ; and if it comestobe a matter ol preference we may anticipate that the waifs and strays will be left in the cold. Another evil that seems likely tc attend this combined central and loca' authority will be the inappropriate location of teachers. We do not say that such a feature has manifestec itself. But seeing that the preseni system practically comes to the people of a district confirming the position oi the teacher best known to them, it ma) happen that the best and most highly certificated teachers will find thorn selves located in the most out-of-the way places, where nothing but ar. extraordinary increase of prolificity ir. the inhabitants, and the lapse of years could bring under their influence pupils in numbers deserving of theii talents ; and " duffers " will be electee teachers of city schools of unbounded capabilities solely, it may be, in conse quence of qualities alien to those which characterise a good teacher. The Board, if it have not the absolute appointment and removal of teachers —which it ought to hay unquestionably establish a code of rules which would prevent any save teachers of the best qualifications from occupying the fore most positions. Unless such regula tions are fixed and understood the]action of the Board, if ever it interferes in the appointment of teachers, will be in vidious, and will be attributed to personal spite or prepossession. Such a method may afford some tilleviation of the evils inherent in local committees, bu-t never until, as in Victoria under the new system there established, they are reduced to the position of mere local boards of advice, will the system work uniformly, smoothly, and satisfactorily. The Board must have the unfettered power of removing and* changing teachera whether for promotion or degra dation, or for the mere adjustment of the powers available to the work to be done, if ever the system is to be efficient; and as the sustenance of schools is from above, the control of them absolutely should be in the same hands. This of course must await the

time when the Act will be brought

under review in Council, but in the

meantime it is the duty of the Board to lay down lines within which these committees are to travel, or the result

will be inextricable confusion.

The railway embankment across Me chanics' Bay is rapidly approaching Wynyarcl pier, where it will form a junction with the Fort Britomart reclamation works. A pro tecting wall of timber is proceeding with the embankment, so that there is no danger of a repetition of the injurious washing away of earth into the harbour which occurred some weeks ago. This precaution is a very neces sary one as the approach of winter renders it very probable that heavy gales will fre quently test the durability of the works during the next three or four months; The sea wall along the Fort Britomart embank ment is now in course of construction, and the sea wall in Custom-house-street will also soon be finished by Mr Cameron, contractor for the work.

The fine Italian steam-corvette Vettor Pisani arrived in harbour this morning from Sydney. As will be observed from the report of passage the vessel was brought ,up harbour to an anchorage at the man-of.war ground in the middle of the night without the aid of a pilot, no one on board having ever been in the port before. The Vettor Pisani encountered the same boisterous weath-ir and baffling winds as the Bella Mary, which prolonged her passage to twenty days, and she was obliged to come down the coast under steam.

The following is the return of sick treated at the Provincial Hospital during the week ending Saturday, March 22,1873:—Remained last return, 67; admitted since, 8; discharged, 8 ; died, 0 ; remaining, 67 (males, 59, females, 8). Arrangement of cases, : Fever, 3 (convales, 2); ophthalmia, 2; syphilis, 6 ; rheumatism, 5 ; phthisis pulmonalis, 6; epilepsy, 2 j melancholia, 1 ; paralysis, 3; heart disease, 2 ; aneurism, 1 ; bronchitis, 1 ; dyspepsia, 2 ; fistula, 1 ; uterine diseases, 2 ; necrosis,, 5; abscess and ulcer, 8 ; debility, 2 ; fractures, 8 ; wounds and contusions, 4 ; amputation, 1 ; resection, 1 ; cystitis, 1. No death occurred during the week. Thanks are returned to Mrs Eeader Wood for a present of grapes, also for a large {collection of the Illustrated London News and Gfraphic ; and to Mrs Frederic Williams, Albert-street, for a parcel of old linen. i

The great gift sale was held on Saturday, and was one of the merriest and liveliest scenes that have ever set this city " in a roar." As evening advanced the Hall gradually filled until, at last, when the trio of auction-voices rang through the place, the pumpkins were in danger of being crushed, and the big white cat trembled with the fear of being squeezed into a state of inanity, j The auctioneers were Messrs Tonka, Biimey, : and Sibbiii, and never did knights of the hammer struggle mo*re vigorously for i conquest. Their tongues went faster j than woman's, and with the rapidity of j a waterfall. Mr Tonks discoursed on , baby-linen with a keen knowledge of the texture and character of the tiny habili ments of unlettered innocence. Mr Binney displayed a severe acquaintanceship with dolls and pumkins ; he nob only advocated dolls for little girls as semblances of future realities —as still imitations of noisy facts — bub as useful in fitting arms for the proper bearing of coming troubles in long dresses. He with much eloquence and a remarkable conception of genius dilated on the digestive and cooling peculiarities of pumpkins. Mr Sibbin dealt more closely with fancy cushions, and very cleverly expatiated on the beauties of babies' frocks. Mr Shera, we understand, became the happy possessor of a doll in bed at the small price of 11s., which no doubt will prove, when it grows up, a valuable merchant's assistant. The goods met with a ready sale and caused much amusement. The ladies were in capital humour, and the result of the sale, we believe, over £200, will give an organ to St. Mary's Church and the long-expected gas-light, so that the church people of Parnell will no longer sit in darkness but be blessed with music and light. i The adjourned meeting for the election of i a school committee for the Graft on road j district will take place this evening in St. | David's school-room. j The monthly meeting of the Lodge St. ! Andrew's, No. 418, S.C:, will be held this i evening at the Star Hotel. Bank of New Zealand shares are quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald on March 4 at £17 10s. The reclamation works at Freeman's Bay are progressing satisfactorily, and a large area of ground, measuring about four acres, has already been reclaimed and made avail able for business purposes. A great deal of the work has been of a heavy nature in con sequence of the large quantity of stone the contractor has come across. This has had to be removed by the process of blasting. We understand that a wooden sea-wall is contemplated by the Harbour Board. This would last about h've years. Mr J. Dempsey is the contractor, and he expects to get the work finished before many weeks, when it is probable another contract will be let for a further portion of the reclamation works contemplated in this part of the city. The extension of the Wellesley-strcet drain on to the beach is also being pushed on rapidly. Stone taken out of the point during the re clamation work is being used for the bad of the drain.

The Garrick Club of amateur theatricals performed on Saturday evening before a moderately filled house. The pieces se lected for performance were the drama of the "Bent Day," and the amusing farce of the " Silent Woman." Both pieces were well placed upon the stage, and the amateurs appeared very creditably in their respective roles ; indeed some of them dis played more ability than is usually associated with the amateur ranks. After the per formance of the drama Miss Carrie Allnutt. the favorite danseuse, appeared and executed some very clever terpsichorean melanges, which elicited loud applause.

We have seen the new invention of bottles and stoppers which Mr George Glcdhill is about patenting, and can only say that when brought into use it bids fair to revolutionize the old method of corking and wiring bottles containing lemonade, sodawater gingerbeer, or other effervescing waters. One of its chief recommendations is its simplicity. The stopper is a permanent one, and cannot get out of order. The bottle being corked from the inside will stand any amount of pressure without the process of wiring being necessary ; in fact the greater the pressure the closer the stopper. A very great saving will be effected by its adoption, and when brought into use great advantage will be found to be derived from it. We avoid giving any further description of the inven tion, simply adding that it is sure to be a success when once a trial is given.

The charge-sheet at the Police Court this morning consisted of five or six city rate cases and an assault summons. The former were settled out of Court, and no one appeared in support of the latter, so that virtually there was no business. This is remarkable for a Monday morning, as the drunkards were conspicuous by their absence from the dock. His Worship the Mayor was on the bench.

Perhaps it is not very surprising to find the Rev Mr Duller indulging in imaginations as to the "fairest of England's daughters" being, like Barkis, " willin' " to "grace with her chai-ms the palatial residences of a Maori aristocracy," and as to the future Anglo- Saxon people of this country, with the blood of the Maori flowing in their veins." He has been nearly forty years in the country; he came as a missionary to the Maoris, not ex pecting, perhaps, ever to see New Zealand colonised as it has been ; the Maori race was his first love, and the heart is naturally tender to that; his youthful enthusiasm was spent upon the Maoris ; he values them as only those objects or persons are valued upon which much toil and labour have been spent, even if spent in vain ; and he is natu rally loth to think that the labours of himself and his fellow missionaries should go for nothing or for little. A robustness natural to Mr Buller's mind has kept him hitherto from going so far in this kind of sentimen talism, and from manifesting a strong and mischievous bias by indiscreet acts, as have others of his class. But we must express dissent from Mr .Buller's conclusions, and profess that we can see nothing to warrant his predictions. We have little doubt that any Maori having a palatial residence to offer, and being.determined to do hia utmost to bring about the fulfilment of Mr Buller's prediction, would find a mate for himself amongst England's daughters ; whether he could choose amongst the fairest _in face or character ,we would not like to make sure of. "Palatial residences" are supposed to -have attractions for the gentle sex sometimes overcoming a consider able amount of prejudice against, and repugnance to, the owners. And that Mr Buller is conscious that there is not and can not be such an equality between the races as to make marriages common is shown by the fact that he has to hold out palatial resi dences as an inducement to the fairest of England's daughters. It is easier for a Maori to acquire a palatial residence than to attain to corresponding habits of civilization. But such residences are not very common amongst the Maoris, and never will be, and Mr Buller's imagination as to the admixturs of the races has no chance of being realised unless the fairest of England's daughters are content to share, in a kind of animal com munism, a dirty Maori whare.— Thames Advertiser. ' :

An accident occurred at the railway works Fort Britomart, about noon to-day, which deserves to be classed amongst the narrow escapes from death which are from time to time chronicled. Three men were employed on a narrow ledge of rock, about sixty feet up the cliff, when nearly a ton of earth suddenly fell from the face of the cliff, about eight feet above the workmen, and struck one of them on the back, completely burying him. Fortunately he was not thrown offtha i ledge on which he was standing or the result ! would inevitably have been -fatal. The man : immediately got up without assistance, and he | with his two companions, anticipating further slips, clambered up' to the top of the cliff. They had nojfe left the spot many seconds when another fall of earth took place. The man upoti whom the earth fell was considerably bruised, and had suffered a severe shock to his neifvoua system, but did not appear to be injured otherwise. •A picnic was given ait Sydney by the Marine Board to Vettor Fesani Count Lovera di Maria, captain of the Italian corvette* and a number of fcha officers of that vessel. At eleven a.m. thgi wardens and some friends whom they mad invited to meet their guests, amongst | whom was the Mayor of Sydney, left tbfj Circular Quay in Mr Cuthbert's steam laucßi, which had been lent for the purpose, and proceeded to the corvette —where the guest}?! were taken on board. The party steamed iround the man-o' war, and down the harbour| and on reach ing Clontarf lauded for refreshment, and afterwards proceeded up Middle Harbour. The rain, however, came cJown in such heavy showers as to almost entirely obscure the romantic scenery of >,hat locality, and the launch was accordingly steered back to Olontatf, when; the party ftssembled to luncheon. The toasts of "Queen■■ Victoria.,!' and afterwards that of the " King:, oU.taly," were proposed and responded to,-^ith gce-at enthusiasm. Then followed "It"* healths of the captain and officers of i?ne Vettoi Pisani," and in succession the customary social toasts. After spending several hours in the most convivial manner tVie, P^rty returned to Sydney. • ' The following cases .pill beheard tomorrow (Tuesday) at the District Court:— Warrior Gold Mining Company v. James Craig; do. v Anthony aud Bullock ; do. v. P.. ■&■ Richards ; do. J. H. Weekes. Wyiryard Gold Mining Company v. Walter L~e ; Daisy Hill Gold Mining Company v. Francis Lipsey ; do. v. H. Frost, and an application to remove the name of W. E. Young f^ om the list of contributories. i At the inquest held on Saturday, bef oru Dr. Philson, coroner, at the Robert Burns Hotel, on the body of John Burke, f he jury after a very patient enquiry returnee 1 a verdict of " Accidental death." . From'papers by the Italian corvette VettfJ Pisani we have received fuller particulars o>. the destructive floods in New South Wales; At C'amden so rapidly did the floods'rise thai by live p.m. half thu town was submerged. Mrs Henry Thompson's house was the tirst entered by water, at the eastern end of the town. The family worked energetically, removing furniture and effects to the second story, but had scarcely accomplished this when they found their labour useless, the water soon making its way into that also. They, however, manage to carry their clothes and small valuables into the third story (two attics), and retire there themselves, eleven persons. There they spent a night of danger, suspense, and fear, expecting every moment the foundation would give way, or the walls be injured by logs dashing against them, whilst the water was creeping inch by inch nearer to them. They had been anxious to leave the house when first really alarmed, but the only boat in the town had gone to Kirkham, in search of the body of a man named Scott, who was drowned whilst trying to save some horses. On Thursday the town presented a most desolate appearance, fences down in every direction, trees torn up by their roots, verandahs wrenched off, windows smashed, roofs washed away, and pumpkins, turnips, etc., scattered everywhere, supposed to have been washed down from the Camden Park gardens. The houses of Messrs Waters Douste, Mitchell, and Lakeman, which have always been considered above flood level, w rere some feet under water : also the Wesleyan parsonage and chapel From Thuresa Park we hear of great losses, one farmer named Hock has lost forty head of cattle, another had to sit on top of a bar all nK'ht. The cottage of Elias Thorne, was swept" right away, the family barely escap ing with their lives. At Dapt great damage was done in all parts to fences and crops, and grass paddocks that had been reserved for winter feed wera covered with mud and totally.destroyed. Hundreds of pumpkins, and melo)-s were seen floating down the stream, also large quantities of timber and fencing.

In the whole history of ciiminal jurispru dence there has never probably been, anything equal to the gigantic trial which has con cluded at Moscow, in .Russia, on the 21st of November, and in which were arrainged live hundred prisoners, upward of two hundred of whom were convicted and sentenced to cruel penalties. Among the accused were persons of every station in life—grey-haired men and youths, men and women ; among the latter some highly accomplished aiid prepossessing in* appearance. All the prison ers were charged with one of the gravest offences in the criminal code of Russia— that of counterfeiting. That code says : "The person that counterfeits the coin or currency of the Imperial Government shall suffer death." Notwithstanding this rigorous provision Russia has been flooded for many years past with well executed counterfeits of the Government treasury notes. At length, in last July, a curious accident gave the Government the long looked for clue. Three thousand men and women were arrested, but after a preliminary examination twenty-five hundred of them were discharged, and about five hundred were heir], for trial. ' Among the latter were six Frenchmen, of St. 1 Petersburg, who had been caught printing i the counterfeit notes, and a comparatively ' large number of women. On the 20th of October the trial was opened in the large hall 'of the Kremlin, which holds nearly five thousand persons. Two hundred and three ;of them were found guilty, among them ! about fifty women. Sentence of death was ' passed upon the six Aench printers, and the other convicted parties were con j lined to hard . labour in the , gold mines of; the Ural mountains for life,' ,or for ten years. The doomed men and women * burst into piercing shrieks and howls, and well they might, for in the case of the former j the sentence included barbarous flogging and ! branding on the forehead with red. hot iron ; while the women, some of whom were of ; refined descent, shuddered at the idea or ! having to do the most menial work for life of i ten years at the station-houses, where the j keepers of the male prisoners reside. In' their despair some of the unfortunates threw themselves upon the ground, and their piercing cries, mingled with the clanking of their chains, produced a truly horrible effect. The excitement and frenzy of the condemned grew from minute to minute more intense, and the Judges, in order to restore quietude, had to call in the soldiers, who, with their kantschub3, beat the prisoners right and left j and then dragged them back to the vault? of the Kremlin.

We have been shewn a vegetable marrow by the owner measuring five feet eight inches in height and three feet seven inches in cir cumference. The marrow is comically shaped and is to be seen at the Occidental Hotel.

The time for the receiving of tenders for the new ferry steamer is postponed, a?s Mr Heslop is engaged in preparing in full trie plans and specifications to be submitted to tenderers. After the trouble encountered by tuo directors in connection with the building of the Takapvma, it is considered wiser to define in all particulars the work to fee per formed, which, though it may cause delay, will be more satisfactory in the end.

As will be seen from another column the valuable property in Albert-street, including the Independent Chapel, will be sold to morrow by auction by Mr Tonks. The property is exceedingly choice, and we have no doubt will command good .prices. vVe understand thatthe congregation worshipping in Albert-street intend, if they can sell, to erect a church that will be an ornament to the city on their fine site in Beres ford - street. This site, which is one of the most commanding in the whole city, has a frontage to Bera>t"Drdl-.street of 200 feet by a depth of over 100, with^ an entrance from Pitt-street, and as it is %11 paid for the proceeds of to-morrow: s sale of the Albert : street property will all go to what we must regard as the ornamentation of the city, vfewed in such light, irrespective of better purposes, we hope there will be a suecess£n' sale to-morrow, Which the property to tie sold, from its intrinsic value, itself deserves.

The free public school under fJ'\ neW Education Act was opened this aftei i:_ J i f°r Auckland East District in St. Paul's school room. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and formally opened the school. Mr H. H. Lusk addressed those present, after which Mr Armstrong, the teacher of tfcg 'school, made a few'remarie. There wits only a small attendance of children on account of: sufficient public^? not having been given of the intention to open /the school. Nineteen children {n;-ale and female) were enrolled on the books out of a popula tion of 1700 children in the district, 870 of which do not attend any school. ' ■ We have been requested to ca 1! attention to Mr E. Arthur's sale of fruit to-morrow, ex Bella Mar.y, from Hobart Town, when he will sell over 000 cases of fruit and onions, which, notwithstanding the long passage, is in good condition. The fruit is well assorted, there being about thirty different kinds of apples, pears and plums. He will also sell two superior well-bred Pointer Dogs, from a celebrated Hobart Town kennel. Honor to who'i'ii honor is not due. In the

'•Crosx of th&<L4th appears an article wherein it is st^ed that Mr John McLeod was the first tfc, bring to bear machinery in sawing our. kauri timber. Now *it is a well-know^ \.act that there were three mills in operation many years before Mr McLeod appeared in the colony. The first was started by Mr W. Browii. at Mahurangi, in 1842 ; then one by Mr Brereton, at Ararimu; and then one by Henderson and Macfralane, at Waitemata, in 1847.

The Hon. J. -Vogel has offered twenty guineas to be fired for by the Volunteers of Auckland and the Thames, under conditions to be fixed by Major Gordon. Mr Vogel wishes the money to be handed to the winner, to be invested by him in any memento of the event he chooses. Mr J. S. Macfarlane has intimated, on behalf of the A.S.P. Co., that intending competitors will be conveyed from the Thames free.

A man named James Briggs Wilson is missing under circumstances which leave little .doubt that he has met with a watery grave. It appears that, in company with a man named Peacock, he west to Riverhead from Lucas' Creek to obtain liquor, and they returned with three bottles of rum. they anchored the dingy in the creek, and went to sleep for the night. Upon awaking in the morning Peacock found Wilson and one of the bottles of rum missing. The water was only about two feet deep where the dingy was anchored, but there was no sign of the missing man, who has not yet turned up. Both men were under the influence of liquor when they anchored the boat.

An extraordinary escape from death has occurred at Hill End. A man named John Joseph, was at work in the Waratah claim, Lower Turon, when six tons of stone fell from a distance of 35 feet upon him. His mates quickly sought to rescue him from the mass of rock under which he was buried ; when they succeeded, he was just alive ; a. few more minutes would have been fatal to him. Dr. Carroll saw him at the claim ; he reports that every part of the poor fellow is sadly bruised. He received some very bad and dangerous punctured wounds, and has one leg severely fractured. He is regaining consciousness, and there are some hopes of

his recovery.

THE DEMONSTRATION TO THE GOVERNOR.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Sir,—Will you oblige me by inserting in I your next issue, for the information of the I subscribers to the " Demonstration Fund," i the following statement of receipts and dis i bursements in connection therewith, and at i the same time permit me to say that the i several vouchers can be inspected at my '• office :— ~.'. ...,,,, receipts. £ s. a. I From, the Ciiy Council 25 0 0 .Subscriptions from the public ! generally ....,-, 47 11 0 IBy sale of material Z o V i From the Provincial Government 19 1 6 £93 18 6 PAYMENTS. I Quick and Crowther, for carriages 34 0 0 i Williams, for flags ... ■••2 0 0 i City Council, for wages, timber, and other material 18 15 10 (Band ... •: 9 6 2 Printing and advertising, Southern j Cross .. • ••• lg J J I Printing and advertising, Herald 710 0 I,' Atkins... " ..Stal''.'.' 0 7 0 . Clerical assistance, cab hire, sta ! tionery, stamps, messengers, ' and sundries ... ... ••• 414 6 Paid the Rechabitet), expenses ... 0 5 0 .::r\ rim-.'.l ■> t' £93 IS' 6 I am, sir, eto., 1 THOS. S. WESTON. 44, Shortl end-street, March 24, 1873.

DISTRICT COURT SITTING

This Day. (Before His Honor Judge Beckham.)

The subjoined cases were heard this mom iug in this Court, and arranged as un er :—

HILL BROS V. G. H. LAYERS

Claim £27 10s. . , This was a claim for goods, which had i been previously heard in Court, and which •was referred for settlement to arbitration. The award was £16 6s 9d.

The Court granted £4 15s Court costs. The witnesses' fees were held over for con sideration at next sitting. V SWANSON V. MKARA AND ROBINSON. Claim £28 19s 2d. Mr Hesketh appeared for plaintitt, and «fcritod that the claim was for the amount of a promissory note and interest thereon De | fendants did Sot appear. Judgment for P^V^S CR OFrG.M. P ,V. THOMAS BRAY. £'?7 10-3- , claim for calls. Mr James Sivewright, efe-rk in the com nanVa office, produced the share register, and Stewed that defendant held s«> shares in the company, and the claim was far calls and 'intent. Judgment for plaintitl. ■VV -f- DALTON V. PREECE AND UlvA.ts.-vvt. Claim"£77 15s, for work, &c. JiiMES -FOOT V. PREECE AND GRAHAM. i Claim £?2 7s Oil, for work, &c. . • On the application of Mr Hesketh, wfcc i jmijearecl for defendants, these cases wer« ; allowed to stand over until next Court day. • This was all the business.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST THAMES NEWS

Caledonian Specimen Stealing.

Nonpareil and Shamrock Crnshings.

GRAHAMSTOWN,

This day.

James Mackintosh, alias Robert Sullivan, charged with stealing 1 oz 5 dwts of amalgam from the Caledonian battery, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to twelve months gimpri sonment. The magistrate, in passing sen tence, pointed out how crimes of this sort involved other men in suspicion. Nonpareil.—The crushing of specimens was commenced to-day, and a general clear ing up ■will take place to-morrow alter 4UU tons of stone have been crushed. Shamrock.-The crushing for the tn buters of this mine yielded oOozs 15 dwts of gold from 30 tons of s'jone.

TAURANGA

This clay,

The cutter Maude has arrived from Mer cury Bay with a cargo of timber for Omanana Bridge. The Janet Grey has arrived with timber.

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS

Company to Work Greymouth Coal

Presentation to Captain Hepburn.

A Live Moa Seen.

(PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH COM-

WELLINGTON,

This day,

Mr Halcombe has been appointed Govern ment Immigration Agent for Wanganui and RangatikeL

GREYMOUTH

This day,

At a public meeting, held on Saturday night, a local company was formed to work the Grey mouth coal mine.

DUNEDIN

This day.

The Volunteer representatives have pre sented Captain Hepburn, of the Rangatira, with a piece of inscribed plate for the kindness shewn by him during the voyage from Nelson.; A live Moa has been seen in the rough country on the west-side of the river Waiau. The report is reliable.

ADDITIONAL AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

PARTICULARS OF THE GREAT MELBOURNE FIRE.

By the courtesy of the officers of the Italian man-of-war Vettor Pisani we have later Sydney papers, from which we extract the following telegrams, which are fuller than those received via the South :— MELBOURNE. Sir Henry Barkly has written to the Cor poration from the Cape stating that his portrait is finished, and that it will shortly arrive. ':

Over 400 immigrants have arrived by the Atrato under the assisted system. The sale of booths and gate for the Autumn meeting realised £276. The Press Association ur"ge on the Govern ment the advisability of a cable subsidy. Shoobridge's hops, Is 9d; 1,500 boxes candles sold at close on Is! '

Templestowe and Heidelberg bridge, over the Yarra, gave way on Saturday after heavily loaded i wool drays had passed over. Shortly after eight o'clock on March 3rd a fire broke out in the large store of Messrs. Council, Watson, and Hogarth, wholesale grocers, Flinders-lane. At first it appeared unimportant, and likely . ,soon to be got under ; but when the 'flames once burst out the whole premises, > three storeys high,, were soon a mass of fire. The stor* was filled with the .lpgest stock in the colony, including quantities of spirits, and other inflammable goods. Efforts were directed to saving the adjoining store, oc cupied by Messrs Banks, Brothers, and Bell, warehousemen, and fortunately! they proved successful, though it is likely that the stock has been partially damaged by water. Connell's i store has been entirely gutted. The building is'insured, and the stock prob ably, but the amounts are at.present unknown The origin of the five is also unknown. It was a grand sight, visible for mile 3. Thou sands of persons were present. Frequent explosions were heard.

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

[Via Melbourne.] . The Gape news per Atrato is unimportant. There has been a light between Basutos and some farmers in the Free State teritory, but nothing serious has occurred.1

PIGEON SHOOTING.

The members of the Hamley Gun Club assembled in strong force on Saturday after noon at the Junction, and some excellent Bport was shown. \ The first match consisted of a sweepstake : 21 yards rise, five birds each. Eight members competed, and scored as follo.w,s : =

Mr Jas. Kusf-e'l 20213 .. 7 Mr S. Morrin 22222 .. 10 MrT. Brown 10211 .. 6 MrE. G. Gw/nne .. .. 12220.. 7 Mr W. Palmer 11222 .. 8 Mr J. Ching 22222 .. 10 Dr Whitney. R.M. .. .. 00222.. 0 MrE. Perkins 20202 .. 6 The match resulted in a tie between Mr S. Morriri and Mr 0. Citing; who decided tO divide.

*HE tfWßtfltttf STAJtt, MONDAY, MABCa 24, im



DIVIDEND. . Alburnia ... .. 050 CALLS Albion .. .. 10 0 Flagship & Golden Anchor 1 0 Golden Calf .. .. 0 3 6 Viilcan .. .. 0 10 El Dorado .. .. 0 10 Aurora .. .. 0 10 Golden Spur.. .. 0 0 3 Von Voltke .. .. 0 0 S

Mrch 25 Mrch 22 April 9 Apiil 9 Aprl 9 Av ril 9 April 9 April 9 April 9



"J^ELSON TWEED TROUSEES 15s. 6d. Pek Pair, AT THE CITY CLOTHING MART, AND AT No. 180, QUEEN STREET. SAMUEL COOMBES. GREAT REDUCTIONS FOR THREE MONTHS ONLY AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, queen street, Next Door to Savings' Bask, Cartes-de-visite reduced from 16s per dozen to 13s 6d. Maori Celebrities (largest stock in New Zealand to select from),' reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Views from all parts of New Zealand reduced from •, 12s per dozen to 6s. Enlargements from Cartes-de-visite to Life-size, plain or beautifully finished in Oil or Water Colors, also reduced in price. Large Stock of Photographic Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Stereoscopic Slides, &c, greatly reduced. J. McGARR IGL E, Manager.