SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This eveaing, 6.10 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 6.8 HIGH WATER : This evening, 10.3 ; to-morrow morning, 10.27 ■"'■

ARRIVALS.

Wellington, s.s., Carey, from Southern ports Dakota, mail steamer, lngersoll, from Southern ports Mary Eliza, cutter, fram Wangapoa Fortune, schooner, from Bay of Plenty Opotiki, schooner, Harris, from Poverty Bay iietitia, schooner, Jones, from Lyttelton Esther, brigantine, from Napier Excelsior, schooner, from Dunden

DEPARTURES.

Hero, s.s., Logan, for Sydney and Melbourne Luna, Government steamer, Fairchild, for Russell Paterson, p.s., Kennedy, for Southern ports Southern Cross, s.s,, Cellars, for Tauranga

For Taranaki and "VVanganui: .Go-ahead, s.s., to morrow, at 3 p.m. For Newcastle : Natal Queen, barque, to-day For Honolulu and San Francisco: Dakota, mail steamer, to-morrow For Northern ports : Rowena, s.s., Monday nest For London: Harvest Home, ship, to-day For Sydney and Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s., early

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Edinburgh Castle, ship, from London. Sailed 29tb December Parsee, ship., from London. Sailed Zanga, barque, from Liverpool. Loading Corido, 'barque, from Newcastle. Sailed 28tli February East Lothian, barque, from New York, Sailed 20th December ■Florence, schooner, from Dunedin Sailed 21st February Ladybird, s.s., from Sydney (in the Manukau) Bella Mary, barque, from Hobart Town. Sailed 26th February W. C. Wentworth, barque, from Sydney "Wonga Wonga, s.s., Brown, from Sydney Dauntless, schooner, from South Sea Islands Satellite, cutter, from Levuka Thames, barque, from New York, via Sydney, loading Zior, schooner, from Lyttelton. Sailed 26th February Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney Victor Persani, Italian war vessel, from Sydney. Sailed 4th March Derwent, brig, from Sydney. Sailed 3rd March

VESSELS EXPECTED.

IMPORTS.

Per.s.s. Wellington, from Southern ports : 6 boiler tubes, Frazer and Tinne ; 50 case 3 geneva, Lewis Bros. ; 2 cases, 2 bales, order ; 2 portmanteaus, Barnes ; 1 parcel, Bell; 1 do, Nathan and Co. ; 25 sacks malt, Ehren field ; 3 do do, D. Stephenson & Co. ; 2 cases drugs, !1 drum naphtha, Kempthorne & Co. ; 1 parcel, H. Xohn ; 2 cases, M. J. Wilts ; 1 parcel. Lewisson ; 1 case, Keesing, Doitch and Keesing; 1 package, Mulholland ; 1 parcel, Simpson ; 69 sacks wheat, Bycroff and Co. ; 7 cases cheese, Coupland; 10 cases bacon, Morton ; 4 cases bacon, 3 do cheese, F. Hewin ; 1 parcel, Bank of New Zealand ; 1 parcel, 1 box, 2 cases, Collector of Customs ; 1 case, Levy; 1 parcel, District Engineers ; 3 package luggage, Flower ; 1 box, Hemies ; 1 parcel, Stewart; 2 boxes gold, 14G5 ounces 13 dwts, Bank of New Zealand ; 2 parcels, Bank of New Zealand; 19 cases fruit, J. Solomon ; 8 cases, Barnes ; 12 hides, Gittos ; 8 cases, Bennett; 12 cases, Hood ; 5 cases, Osborne Bros. ; 5 do, Veale. —Combes and Daldy, agents. Per Excelsior, schooner, from Dunedin : 7 barrels pork, 11 cases preserved meat, 48 bags grass seed, order ; 10 barrels pork, 6 hhds. ale, 1 case sundries, 10 barrels salt pork, J. Reid ; I case bolts, 9 kegs nails, T. and S. Morrin ; 2 cases shovels, 1 box scales, 1 keg hammers, J. Renshaw, 975 bags flour, 120 ditto pollard, 20 ditto pearl barley, 280 ditto bran, 40 ditto barley dust, G. W. Binney. Per Esther, schooner, from Napier: 17 bales wool, 130 do flax, J. Roberton and Co.

Per Dakato, p.s., from Southern ports : 30 hhds. ale, J. Reid; 50 sacks seed, W. Baird; 1 case glass, Fort; 2 qr.-casks whiskey, Henderson and Macfarlane ; 1 case preserved meats, J. Reid; 1 do, Wm, Montague ; and 258 packages wool, &c, for San Francisco.

The N.Z.S.S. Co.'s s.s. Wellington, M. Carey, commander, arrived at Onehunga at noon to-day. She left Port Chalmers on the 12th instant, at 7 p.m., and arrived at Lyt telton at 1 p.m. on the 13th ; left at 6.50 p.m., and arrived at Wellington at 10.50 a.m. on the 14th ; left at 1.15 p.m. on the 15th, and arrived at Picton at 6 p.m. ; left at midnight and arrived at Nelson at 10 a.m. on the 16th ; left at 9 p.m. on the 17th and arrived off Taranaki at noon on the 18th ; left again at 6 p.m. and arrived as above. Experienced light easterly •winds throughout the passage. We are indebted to Mr Will cocks, purser, for files and list of passengers — Saloon : Mr and Mrs'Forsyth and child, Mrs Robertson, Mrs Marshall) Mrs Symour, Major Gordon, Capt. Murray, Lieuts. Kitchen and Mellsopp, Messrs Hoskins, McLean, Mills, Battle, Hedge, Partington, Gordon, Crawford, Soall, Hay, Thompson, Haresnape, Boardman, Payne, Stone, Warren, Colman (2), Douglas, Leigh (2), Watson, Petchell, Drake, Cawkwell, and Grundy. Steerage : Messrs Anderson, Ebborn, Maberley, Wigley, and Schuter. The schooner Fortune brings 800 bushels wheat from Awanui, flThe schooner Opotiki from Poverty Bay brings 386 bags grass seed, G. E. Head; 4,000 do. Lewis Bros. ; 2,00 do. 2 boxes apples, order; 3 do do. Kissling. Per Lsetitia, schooner, from Lyttelton : 459 sacks oats, D. H. McKenzie ; 156 do wheat order. —D. H. M'Kenzie agents J y The cutter Dawn has cleared outwards for Kaipara with a large general cargo. The mail steamer Dakota, Capt. Ingersoll, arrived last evening from Southern ports with a large number of passengers. She will leave with the English and American mails to-morrow afternoon at two o'clock. The schooner Lsetitia arrived yesterday from Lyttelton with a cargo of grain. She left Lyttelton on the 11th instant. The missionary schooner Southern Cross will leave to-r\iorrow for Norfolk Island. The brigantine Esther arrived last evening from Napier, with a cargo of wool, consigned to Messrs J. Eoberton & Co. The cutter Flora McDonald arrived in the Manukau yesterday from Kaglan, with the the following cargo :—54 bales flax, A. Barnes; 18 bales tow, A. Buckland. Pas sengers :—Dr Harsant, MrHarsant, Mrs Mit chell, Mis Kescel, Messrs Kescel, Gage, and one native. The s.s. Go-Ahead will leave the Manukau for Taranaki and Wanganui at three o'clock to-morrow afternoon. Sending Sailors to Sea in Unseaworthy Ships.—The Graphic observes : —A number of seamen have just been committed to prison at Dorchester for various terms, with the addition of hard labour, their offence being a a refusal to go aboard their ships, as they had contracted to do. Seamen are, no doubt, occasionally difficult to deal with ; but it is impossible to read the reports of these cases without some painful doubts as to the justice of their sentences. To take an example, one of the ships is stated to have sailed from Cardiff for Rio de Janeiro, but to have found herself, after a week of bad weather, com pelled to put into Weymouth for repairs. A vessel driven so far as this out of her course, must certainly have been but little under control; and it appears that five of her crew were disabled and others severely injured. It was under these circum stances that the remainder of the crew, having landed, refused to go aboard again, alleging that the vessel was not seaworthy. This plea, it appears, was not regarded as proved, but as the defaulting seamen preferred hard labourin a gaol to returning to their ship

there seems to be at least prima facie evi dence of the sincerity of their excuse. Un happily, the practice of sending vessels to sea undermanned and unseaworthy is known to be very common, and to be yearly increasing under the influence of the pre* sent system of insurance. "The Vessel may have been perfectly unobjectionable ; but as seamen are poor, and as a rule unable to ob tain much professional assistance, it would be satisfactory to know whether any means I are taken \n such cases for inquiring into tke fcfuth of their complaint. ( The s.s. Star of the South arrived at the Spit at seven o'clock this morning from Auckland. The s.s. Albion arrived at an early hour this morning at the Bluff, with the Suez I mail.

COMMERCIAL.

mtktkg. The following are the current call and dividends payable in the companies Darned below :—

MEETINGS. Old Stocking, Coromandel, 22nd March City of London, Company's office, Wyntlham street Auckland, 3 p.m., 24th March Vulcan, Canada Buildings, Auckland, noon, 20th March Mulum 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 Unicorn, Grahamstown, 27th March El Dorado, Mr F. A. White's office, Shortland street, Auckland, 3 p.m. 27th March Yon Voltke, Coromandel, 2nd April Lucky Diggers, Messrs Russell and Devore's office, Shortland street, Auckland, at 11 a.m., Sth April

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails "will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 4.30 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Friday, 21st inst.., at 11.30 a.m. For Great Barrier, per Heather Bell, this day, at 4 p.m. For Taranaki, Wanganui, Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago, per Go-ahead, to-morrew, at 8 a.m. For the undermentioned places, per p.s. Dakota, on Thursday, 20th inst., as under :— For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British and Foreign "West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at 12.30 p.m. For Money Orders, Registered Letters, and News papers, at 11 a.m. For United Kingdon, via San Francisco, at 12.30 p.m. •*• Late letters for United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of 6d in addition to the postage will be received at this office until 1 p.m., and by the mail agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Wellington immediately after arrival of the Nebraska from Honolulu. For Napier and Southern provinces, per Nebraska, six fifliours after her arrival. (Signed) S. B. Biss. Chief Postmaster.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1873.

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

While this colony in its public enter prise exhibits at present a spirit deser ving of all praise we are safe in saying that the conduct A of the Telegraph de partment deserves condemnation be yond that deserved by similar depart ments in^any other of the Australasian colonies. This is not in respect of the reasonableness of charge for the trans mission of messages, nor yet in respect of the courtesy and obliging disposition of the clerks, but in respect of that main quality which gives all its value to telegraphy, namely, rapidity| of transmission, and reliability in that item of rapidity. iWe do not say who or what is to blame, but that blame attaches somewhere does not admit of a question, and the worst is that the department is perfectly impervious to persuasion or complaint, and as un susceptible to ordinary influences as is the nether millstone. It may be that from some peculiar arrange ment in the molecular consti tuents of the New Zealand atmos phere the electric current passes slowly and laboriously from point to point, in which case blame would attach only to that over which human control does not extend. But expe rience has led us to believe that the " breaks" occur within the four walls of the various offices, and that the chief delay in the continuity of the " lightning" message is at the point where ,it passes from paper to wire, and from wire to paper again. It is evident that the General Manager is engaged in the operation of trying to present as good a balance-sheet as possible for the Telegraph department, and to this end avails himself of the services of a number of ill-educated boys, and through this boy labour and

an insufficiency of wire accommodation the public interests are wholly over looked) and the public feeling is irri tated and prejudiced at the very time when we are expected to become enthusiastic over the idea of connecting New Zealand with Australia ' o y te\e graphie cable. c ar6 very > ar indeed irom iep;, a g that there is anything oDjectionable in the legitimate effort to make the Telegraph department a source of revenue^ but in the interests of the public we do most vehemently protest against the introduction of the " cheap and nasfcv h principle, when the object of the General Manager is not probably to save the revenue, but to make himself stand'well in the eyes of his Government superiors. On this same principle railways should give place to bullock drays, and telegraphic officers might send the telegrams by post. It appears that the General Manager has so get hold of the ears of his employers that he even boasts-that there is no use in lodging a complaint against the conduct of the department, for that "all letters of such character are at once remitted to himself to report upon, and to act in the matter as to himself may seem proper. If this i the case then we can readily under stand the idleness of sending com plaints at all, and the vain results that have hitherto attended such complaints. But we can hardly credit that such a loose and unsatisfactory state of things could be allowed in a depart ment under the control of Mr Vogel, unless it may have grown up during his absence. The persistent deter mination with which Mr Yogel has stood by the trans-pacific service, and the various other enterprises for the advancement of the colony with which his name is inseparably connected, and for which time the great rectifier will yet bring him the^due meed of praise,— would not prepare us for expecting to find within his own immediate department a system by which complaints are received and finally adjudicated upon by the very officer against whose administration of the details those complaints are lodged; and we feel confident that Mr Vogel's return will put an end to the idle boast that complaints are useless, and to the system by which they are merely docketed and consigned to the pigeon-holes. Incomparably better would it be to return to a higher tariff, if such is necessary, than to accept telegrams "on the cheap," and transmit them at an hour when they are dear at any price and absolutely valueless to the receiver. Yet such result of the " cheap and nasty" sys tem we are ourselves enjoying daily, and our experiences but represent those of the great body of consumers of telegrams, if we are to judge of the frequent complaints which we have received. If, instead of undertak ing the huge expense of a cab'e connecting with the Australian con tinent, we incurred the very small expense of stretching additional wires on the posts already erected; and instead of employing raw lads to do the important work of transmitting messages, often of the utmost value, we were invited to pay a higher tariff for the services of men, and if the General Manager were promoted to some other office under the General Government, in which he could continue to commend himself to his superiors by cutting down expenses without inflicting such annoyance and mischief on the in terests of the public, we believe more real general good would be conferred on the colony than if we were con nected by a dozen cables with Aus tralia.

Although the "Orangemen" were in cluded in the list of the societies intended to take part in the demonstration and procession in honor of his Excellency yesterday, it is to the honor of the members of that institution to say that on the request of the Governor they promptly and cheerfully agreed to forego the pleasure, on its being represented to them that their taking part in it would hurt the feelings of some of their fellow citizens. Such concession will be remem bered, we trust, by the " Hibernian Society," or any other which in a similar way may be looked upon by any as represen tative of party feelings likely to provoke dissension among fellow-colonists. It is only right that we should say in this connec tion that the Orangemen had simply accepted an invitation forwarded to them from the Demonstration Committee in common with all public bodies in the city, and that with this invitation, or with the intended mark of respect to him at the hands of the Orange men, his Excellency had nothing whatever to do. In such circumstances we cannot refrain from expressing our regret that the Roman Catholic Bishop has pub lished the letter which bears his name in our contemporary this morning. Had the Orangemen deserved a castigation for any action in connection with the late demon stration, or anything else, we should our selves have felt great pleasure in giving that castigation, as we do to any one or any party deserving of it. But in this case the for bearance and generosity of the Orangemen in withdrawing after being invited to attend is beyond all praise.

Every trace of yesterday demonstration and holiday making has been removed, and business resumed in earnest. The triumphal arch at the town end of the wharf was pulled down and carted away this morning.

The windmill property offered to-day by Mr R. Arthur, was withdrawn for higher prices than those offered at the sale.

The ceremony of swearing. in Sir G. A. Arney as acting-governor, until the arrival of Sir James Ferguson, will take place to morrow, at five p.m., opposite Government House. Mr Justice Johnston will admin ister the usual oaths of office.

The boring of the artesian well on Messrs Holdship's allotment in Custom House-street for the Harbour Board is progressing, several men being employed in the operations. The boring implements -are now going through blue sandstone at a considerable depth.

As illustrative of the rapidity with which lightning tz-avels in New jZealand we may state that our English telegrams given in to the office at the Bluff at eight o'clock this morning have just finished coming through as we go to press, 4.30 p.m. Our Australian tolegrams placed in the| Telegraph-office at the same hour this morning have not yet began to show «p. If they come any time between this and to-morrow we shall issue a second edition. Great are the blessings of the electric telegraph. All claims against the Demonstration Committee are requested to be sent in ferthwith to the hon. secretary, Mr Thomas S. Weston, of Shortland-street. Tenders are requested by the Provincial Secretary for the supply of coal to the Provincial Government during the forth coming quarter, Among the many demonstrations in honor of the departure of his Excellency yesterday were some that were especially noticeable as showing a desire to make an outward dis play of inward feeling where the means were not'equal to a seemly flag. One tradesmen opposite the old market site exhibited a hearth-rug, and in Hobson-street au eccentric loyalist hung out her red petticoat. The cricket match yesterday between the Eleven and the outsiders terminated, in favour of the Eleven, who had three wickets to spare. The scores where —the Eleven, 129 ; outsiders, 120. The batting of King, Moohey, Mumford, and Whitaker was un exceptionable. Our cricketers seem deter mined to take every advantage of the barrack-green while the opportunity lasts before the ground is turned into a shrubbery for nursemaids. The Bishop's prizes, gained by the scholars of St. Paul's Sunday-school, will be given in St. Paul's Church to-morrow (Thursday), at half-past seven in the evening, by Bishop Cowie, who has kindly promised to re deliver his carefully prepared lecture on the "Revision of the Holy Scriptures." The excellent choir of St. Paul's will sing several anthems during the evening. There was a very good attendance at the theatre of the Prince of Wales last evening, and we are bound to say that the amateurs of the Garrick went through their per formances with remarkable success, and we willingly accord them that meed of praise, which is unquestionably their due. The gift auction of various article in aid of the funds for gas and the organ in connection with St. Mary's Church, Parnell, will be held on Friday and Saturday next in the City Hall. We understand there will be a large collection of goods, the inhabitants having responded liberally to the call of the parish ioners. A fire, supposed to be the work of an incendiary, broke out yesterday afternoon at Stokes' Point, which completely destroyed a ten roomed house, the property of Mr Beedell. Mrs Calligham, the hostess of an hotel, was the first person to discover the signs of the fire. She saw smoke issuing from the roof, and at once communicated the fact to Mr Clout, a near neighbour, who with several others broke into" the house when the fire was burning fiercely with little chance of its being put out. Mr Beedell arrived as soon as possible from Auckland, accompanied by Mr Mooney, one of the Fire Brigade, and Mr Mr Marshall, a Queen-street waterman. The two latter went vigorously to work with buckets of water from a neighbouring well, and by their exertions prevented the spread of the fire to the back stables. The house was speedily and completely destroyed. It was insured for £400 in the Liverpool, Lon don and Globe Insurance offices. A strict investigation will take place to discover if possible the cause of the iire.

At a meeting of shareholders in the Murphy's Hill Gold Mining Company, held yesterday at the office of Messrs Russell and Devore, Mr H. jS. Warner was appointed liquidator. The estate of the company is expected to yield five shillings in the pound.

A select quadrille party, consisting of mem bers of friendly societies and their families, was held yesterday evening at the Oddfel lows' Hall, Cook-street. There -were about thirty couples present, and dancing was kept up with spirit for several hours, and a very enjoyable evening was passed.

At a meeting of shareholders in the All Nations Gold Mining Company, held yester day, it was agreed to amalgamate Math the Long Drive Gold Mining Company on the same terms as proposed by the shareholders of that company.

.At the trial of Mr Crow for murder, in New South Wales, Mr Justice Hargraves is reported to have given utterance to the fol lowing extraordinary remarks : —"I do not believe that the poor thing provoked you at all, but that a bloodthirsty and latent dispo sition—probably caused by (he nature of your occupation as a butcher —showed itself, and caused you to hurry the poor woman into eternity, leaving her five children mother less."—lt is a wonder his Honor trusts him self to eat a chop or steak dealt out by such sanguinary hands. If his butcher poisoned him would it be a matter for surprise ?

Mr Alfred Anderson and Miss Carrie Emanuel gave their final entertainment at the City Hall last evening, when several choice songs and pianoforte selections were given by these talented artistes. It is to be regretted that they have not been siipported by other talent during their stay here, which would have made their entertainment a success in every way.

The rowdy way in which the New South Wales Assembly conducts its business is thus alluded to by a writer in a Sydney paper :—" Nothing is more striking about the present House than the querulousness and sharpness of tone pervading most of its proceedings. Elegance or humour, grace or vigour of thought or expression, no one expects ; but at least one might have the ordinary manners of the commonest bar parlour; Nowhere else are .men in the habit of screeching at each other like scolding women, or throwing out charges, or worse still, base insinuations that anywhere else could have but the one result of a broken head or a pulled nose. There may be a good deal of reform needed in the constitution of both our Houses, but as a preliminary step it would be decidedly as well if hon. gentle men were to practice their prentice hands in the reformation line on their own manners.

A good deal of the unpleasantness, says the Leader (Melbourne), that has recently arisen in connection with cricket had its origin in the betting which takes place over our cup matches. Cricketers, and leading ones too, put their twenty pounds and more on the result of a game, and if they drop their money their ill-temper vents itself in the abuse of the players on the losing side. It is all very fine talking about preserving the healthiness of the game when betting is becoming so rampant. Wagering used to be confined at one time to the inter-colonial matches, but now-a-days the result of any match of import decides the losing or winning of large sums of money. Some of our cricket reformers would do well to take this matter in hand, for assuredly the evil requires stamping out. If it is not speedily done cricket, instead of being an amusement, will become a business.

We feel justified in the use of a little self commendation in relation to our yesterday s account of the demonstration on the depar ture of his Excellency the Governor and the vice-regal party. Had the various features of the programme been strictly adhered to a correct and detailed account of the proceed ings might more easily have been given, partly by anticipation. But considering the dense crowd that attended every portion ol the proceedings, and the unavoidable devia tions necessitated, especially iti the mmof details^ it was necessary to' wateli pro gress at every point of the demonstration, and task the whole strength of our journal istic force in having the result immediately transferred to metal. We believe it will be found that saving verbal, literal, or other errors of no importaiide the prddeedings to the moment of the Hero's departure from the wharf, extending over four columns of the Star, were given with great accuracy, mes sengers being constantly proceeding to the office to the last moment, and yet those who had witnessed the embarkation Were met in returning up Queen-street by the news-boys bearing the sheets for sale fresh and damp from the pfess. An effort was made to send by the Hero £i large number of copies of our issue detailing the proceedings till the moment of departure ; but unfortunately as the package reached the wharf the Hero was just rounding the North Head. Had the steamer delayed a few minutes, as intended, the arrival in Australia of our voluminous and detailed description of the departure of the Governor would have been coincident with the arrival of the vice regal party itself. As it is, our papers sent South last night by the Paterson will arrive in Melbourne before the arrival of their new Governor, however short may be his stay in Sydney. The inquiry into the circumstances under which Captain Gilbee's sword and cap were found on a courtezan in Bourke-street (the Ape states) was resumed on Tuesday after noon, and brought to a conclusion. Captain Stubbs called and examined Kerr, referred to by Captain Gilbee as being the person whose leave he had asked to enter the house as he knew him well, but the witness declared that he did not know Captain Gilbee, nor had he seen him until after the woman's arrest. Another witness stated that he had seen the captain and Annie Britten talking together at seven o'clock that evening, but Britten, who was subsequently examined, denied that she saw him until two or three hours later. The evidence of Annie Britten aud Ellen Turner, her servant was to the effect that the captain was a frequenter of her house, that he went to see Britten on that evening and having taken off his sword and cap, he placed them on her to decide a bet that he had made. Subsequently lie changed clothes with a person who was in the house, and went to the lock-up and bailed Britten out. He then returned to the house, and went with the woman to a solici tor on the Sunday. The Court refused to allow statutory declarations to be put in as evidence on either side. The inquiry having been closed, the report of the Court was submitted to the proper officers, and the decision was a recommendation that Captain Gilbee be dismissed from the volunteer force. A Danbury man's horror at the proposal of being crushed to death by a team of frightened horses was terribly intensified by the reflection that he was standing on the very verge of eternity without a dollar in his pocket. A New York paper informs us that Brig ham Young and his people are tired of the States, and contemplate another move. Their peculiarities are a source of discomfort to them, aud they do not assimilate with American institutions. Palestine is said to be the new home of Morman Church. The disciples of Joseph Smith would in Palestine be in the very cradle of polygamy, and could indulge their ideas to their hearts' content. It is suggested that it would be an advantageif theycould induce the Free-lovers, the Tammany-hall leaders, Erie-ring men, and several others, to emigrate with them, and make up a party to go to Jericho. MrT. B. Harding, proprietor of the HawJce'n Bay Times, which ceased publication a few weeks ago, has issued a neat Monthly Circular, intended to be continued during the temporary suspension of the Times. Mr George Smith, of the British Museum, has made a remarkable discovery among the Assyrian tablets deposited in that institution The tablets were found at Ninevah, in what is supposed to have been the library of a Monarch who reigned about G6O B. C. It is impossible to estimate the labour and research of Mr. Smith in his investigations or to over rate the value of his contribution to Biblical archceology. The account given of the Deluge from these remains is in close ac cordance with the account given in our Bible, and goes to prove the common ori gin of those venerable tradition. Sir Henry Rawlison, who presided over the meeting at which Mr. Smith explained his discoveries, said that the historical era of the Assyrians dated back 5150 before Christ, and that the legend belonged to the mythological period, probably 1000 or 1500 years earlier still.

To those whose occupations take them on to the wharf on a windy day it is interesting to watch the number of hats that are sud denly wafted from the heads of the wearer on to the troubled waters of the harbour, to be followed by the plunge of a sagacious and friendly dog, or the putting off of an obliging waterman to the rescue. If the latter, the owner may generally consider he is one shilling the poorer, as that amount is required for the salvage fee. The dog is not mercenary, and asks for no reward beyond a kind word and a pat on the head. It is to be regretted there are no butchers' shops handy, that one could do the amiable to doggie, and treat him to a small steak. The largest number of hats ever blown into Auckland harbour in one day is twenty-seven, so we are informed on reliable aubhority. Twenty four of these were ultimately regained. The rest were cast ashore on the Watchman, and were appropriated by the gulls for nests. A gentleman, whose name it is needless to repeat, once assured us that his hat had cost him £2 12s 9d (and it was a shocking bad tile). He accounted for the cost in this wise—four shillings and ninepence, original price, and forty-eight shillings salvage fees on as many different occasions. He wrote a sonnet; or, according to his own language, Aattuned some 7tattic strains. It commenced as follows :—

flat any rate, I must Jiattempt, If you /(.attend to me ; i A topic which none can deny, JTattacked by all should be. inattention pay to one who knows, And can /(.attest it flat; "What dreadful penalties Ziattach, To wearing of a hat. And so on for forty-nine stanzas, concluding with the following : — Our heads it does /(attenuate From its severe /(.attrition ; And seen in any Ziattitude, ifattains no good position. It therefore behoves mankind in general to be particular in the purchase of their head ornaments. While on the subject we would remark that Mr Samuel Coombes of Queen street, guarantees hats purchased at his estab lishment not to blow off the head in half a gale of wind. Beyond that pressure he will not be responsible.—[Advt.]

A Sydney ei6fearig>.says,:—His Excellency the Governor, Sir Tteroiiles Edbinson, has added another to the already Io«gM of his popularities. The Four-in-hand Club * an old English invention of high repute, and its introduction by the Governor to his Sydney friends cannot fail to have a good effect upon both men and horse-flesh. Any ambition, it is said, is better than none, and the ambition to excel in a faultless turn out is certainly not the least creditable of the many ambitious aspirations that have at various times and after1 various fashions fired the fancy ot tne gyctiie'y Vppat Ten. Then his Excellency has a racehorse in training for the coming meeting, and is said to contemplate a pack of hounds—in short as an old colonist and enthusiastic old sport observed the other day "lie is the right sort and no mistake; there's been nothing like him since the good old days of Governor Fitzroy." To be sure his Excellency's warm: admirer happened to be a horse-dealer; but what CoiiM that sig nify—except perhaps to qualify him to fee £3 better judge. If a statement recently made by the .Nel son Evening Mail be correct Mr Broad must be the greatest pluralist in New Zealand. It gays the office of Eegistrar of the Supreme Court is to be amalgamated with that of Resident Magistrate from the first of April next, when Mr. Brorid Will enter upon his new duties. This will make Mr, Broad the holder of no less than twenty-three offices.

On. the 28th ult., while two men named Alexander Steele and William Macdonald, were wrestling together in the Provincial Sale Yards, Dunedin, the former was thrown, and M'Donald fell upon him with his foot upon Steele's stomach, inflicting internal injuries upon Steele of so serious a character that the unfortunate man has since died.

The recent attempt to murder the Rev. J. J. Carroll, Roman Catholic clergyman, while performing a marriage ceremony in St. Mary SJ Church, Bombala, is thus described by a Sydney paper :—A marriage ceremony had just been performed, and the clergyman was about to administer the Holy Communion, when a man was observed to enter at the door of the Church, quickly walk up to the altar, pushing the altar gate open, and, drawing out a knife, said "he would murder the priest." Father Carroll immediately jumped off the altar, over the communion rail into the body of the church. The women screamed and rushed out. Senior Sergeant Byrne, who was present at the time, ran forward without a moment's delay and seized hold of the would-be assassin by the throat, who at once turned on the Sergeant to stab him there and then. A desperate struggle then ensued, Messrs. Dunn, E. Hart, and Tierney rendering valuable service, and eventually managing to overcome the villian, who was at once conveyed to the lock-up. It is very evident the man intended carrying out his attempt to murder, for previously he had called at Mr D. M'Kay's station, seeking for Father Carroll, saying "he intended to mur derhim." Itwas fortunate the reverend gentle man was not alone at the time, or we should, without doubt, have had to chronicle a murder instead of an attempt. Great credit is due to our Sergeant for the plucky manner in which he seized upon the man, and the presence of mind he displayed at the time by taking him at the side ; had he grasped him in front of the throat nothing but a miracle would have saved him from a fatal blow of the desperado's knife.

The adherents and friends of the United Free Methodist Church held an interesting soiree last evening in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association, Mr Shalders in the chair. After a bountiful tea the subject of the evening, " Room to work in," was elaborated in a series of ex cellent speeches by Revs. Dr. Wallis, Dr. Macdonald, P. 11. Cornford, and G. H. Turner ; Messrs Hemus, Atkin, and Coup land. It was proposed to raise £400 in the following manner :—By lady-workers and talkers, £202 10s ; by 50 weekly subscribers of Is for the year, £125 ; donations and proceeds of tea meeting, £50 ; from a pro posed course of lectures, £25 ; making a total of £402 10s. The meeting closed in the usual way with the doxology.

RETURN OF THE NORTHERN RE PRESENTATIVES.

HEARTY WELCOME,

The Auckland and Thames Representatives for the General Government Frize Firing at Nelson returned under the command of Major Gordon, to-day at half-past two o'clock. They arrived at Onehunga in the steamer Wellington at noon, and were met at the wharf by His Worship the Mayor, Major Tisdale, Councillor Cosgrave, Capt. Batger, A.R.8., Capt. Derrom, Victoria Co. The representatives on landing " were paraded by Major Gordon, and cards of invitation issued to them for the complimen tary {dinner at the Music Hall, Symonds street, this evening, at seven o'clock. His Worship the Mayor then stepped forward and said: "Major Gordon and gentlemen representatives of the Northern Province of New Zealand for the prize-firing at Nelson, allow me, in the name of the citizens of Auckland, to bid you hearty welcome back to your homes, and sincerely to congratulate you on the proud position this province has taken at the prize firing, more particularly the Thames district. | It reflects the largest amount of credit and honor upon. you, and gives great satisfaction to the in habitants of the province. To you, Major Gordon, I feel the Volunteers are in some measure indebted for their success. I am requested, gentlemen, by Mr Brewer, on be half of the residents of Onehunga, to solicit you to partake of their hospitality." After a short delay the representatives pro ceeded to town in conveyances provided for them by the committee, and were met at the junction of Kybei>Pass Road and Symonds street by the Volunteers of all corps, under the command of Captain Barnett, and ac companied by the fine band of the Royal Company. They formed into fours, headed by the band, and marched into town, lustily cheered on the way. On arrival opposite Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co.'s stores they were formed into line, the band playing "See the conquering hero." His "Worship then called for the two Champion shots ; and three cheers were also given for the Mayor, three for the Mayoress, and three for Major Gordon We understand that the Champion shot o f New Zealand has taken up his quarters while in Auckland, at the Occidental Hotel?

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

The following are the quotations of the Auckland Stock and Sharebrokers' Associa tion for March 19 :— New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency (new issue), 30s South British Insurance Company, 30s. Caledonian, £17, £17 ss, £16 15s ; Thames G. M. C, 80s. Black Angel—buyers, 25s ; 265. 6d. Central Italy, sellers, 6s Gd. Tookey, (paid up) sellers 82s. Cure, sellers, 11s. Otago, buyers, 16s. Una, sellers, 9s. Dixon's No. 1, sellers, 80s. D. B. Orchakd, Secretary. ,

TELEGRAPHIC.

TAURANGA.

This day. The p.s. Pater son has arrived. She grounded ; near the wharf, and -will probably not float till six.

BLUFF.

This day. The s.s. Albion, Captain McLean, cleared the Melbourne heads at 5.30 p.m. on March 13, and arrived of the Bluff at 11.30 last ni^ht. She came to the wharf at daylight this morning. She brings 33 saloon and 25 steerage passengers, and 482 tons of cargo for all ports. She sails for Dunedin at 4-p.au to-day.

ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

(Per Java Cable.)

Presentation to Geneva Arbitrators.

Expected Defeat of tiie Gladstone Government. State of Affairs in France. The Colliery Strike. Colonial Contributions to the Imperial Defence. Invasion of British Territory. Heavy Fall in Wool. Webb's Boats Withdrawn from the San Francisco Line. The Spanish Eepublic

LONDON.

March 10. The Hon. W. E. Gladstone will ask for £3 300 for a presentation ol plate to the Italian, Swiss, and Brazilian arbitrators for their services at Geneva. The debate on the Irish University Educa tion Bill is proceeding in the House of Com mons with indications of the defeat of the Government. Mr Cardwell made a long and laborious speech in defence of the measure. President Thiers is again seriously indis posed. The French Assembly unfavourably regard the Anglo-French treaty. The distrust of Thiers by the Republicans 1a increasing. The French Assembly exempt constitu tional Bills from the Presidential veto. President Thiers' speech in the Assembly confirms M. Dufaur's statement, maintaining that according to the compact made at Bor deaux Germany occupies Belfort till the whole of the indemnity is paid. The colliery strike in Wales continues. There is much bitterness of feeling between the masters and men, which it is feared will result in violence. Coals continue to fall owing to foreign importations.

Sir James Ferguson has been gazetted Governor of New Zealand. He will not leave in England till May or June. The Civil Service Estimates amount to eighteen millions anda-half, or half a million increase. An Australian Pearl Fishing Company has been formed with a capital of £42,009. Afresolution has been moved in the House of Commons that the colonies should contri bute according to their population and wealth towards the defence of the Empire. Mr Gladstone opposed the motion, which was withdrawn. Twelve thousand Askanes (?) have invaded British territory. They contest the transfer of Elmed (?) The subject is before both Houses of Parliament. The exports for February are twenty-three and a-half millions. Imports, twenty-seven millions. Iron is easier ; copper, 92. Flax is firm at advanced rates. New Zealand fives are 104. There have been large arrivals of wheat, and prices are firm. Tallow is unaltered- Government annuities have been given to the sisters of Mr Waghorn, the pioneer of the Suez route. The Bank of Englandf Rothschilds, Baring, London, Westminister, Union, and several foreign banks have been forged upon to a large amount. Three men are in custody charged with being concerned in the forgeries. The prime mover, Warren, is still free. The London wool market on the 10th March fell equal to 25 per cent on greasy wool as compared with the February sales. Seventy-five bales were sold and five thousand withdrawn. Victorian fletece and greasy, superior, was 2d lower than at ttie December sales. Good Australian wools threepence to fourpence, inferior greasy 3d lower. Combing sorts were most in request. Gedella and Co.'s Colonial Bank is ml V vent. N 1

NEW YORK.

March 6. President Grant, in his inaugural message, notes the rapid spread of Republicanism, and augurs that it will speedily be the dominant power throughout the world. The United States Government will endeavour to civilise the Indian tribes, failing which they will ex terminate them. Reference to foreign powers in the speech was pacific. The Congress declines to subsidise either Webbs or Burnside's Australian steamship lines. Webb has taken the" boats off the line. The Hawaiian Government, under a re ciprocity treaty, cede to America a naval station near Honolulu,

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Mroh 19 Mrch 19 Mrch 22 April 9 April 9 April 9 Avril 9



"VTELSON TWEED TROUSEES 15s. 6d. Pee Pair, AT THE CITY CLOTHING MART, AND AT No. 180, QUEEN STREET. SAMUEL COOMBES. GREAT EEDUCTIONS TOR THREE MONTHS ONLY AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, QUEEN STREET, Next Door to Savings' Bank.



Cartes-de-visite reduced from 16s per dozen to 13s Od. Maori Celebrities (largest stack 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. M o G A R R I G L E, Manager.