SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 6.33 SUN-RISE: To mon-owmorning, 6._0 ..••-:•■--- • - - '"-- - HIGH WATER: This evening, 8.45 ; to-morrow morning, 9.3... ■■■■-■■■ •; ■•" f

ARRIVALS.

Go-Ahead, s.s., McGillivray, from Waitara Southern Cross, s.s.,,froin Tauranga. Vincent, cutter, from Tauranga Mary Ellen, schooner, Rawlings, from Mercury Bay

DEPARTURES.

t_ueen, schooner, Veale, for Russell Emulous, brigantine, for Kaipara

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

1!or.Honolulu, and San Francisco: Dakota, mail steamer; _oth March For Northern p^rtiJ:" Rowena, s.s., Monday next For London:/Harvest-Home, ship/early For Sydney'and'Melbourne: Hero. s.s.. about 3rd Marcher'Wonga Wonga,' s.s.. about 19th March; Phoebe,""-, s.,' aboutSth March (from the Manukau) Southern ports; via Napier : Dakota, p'k, early For Hokianga:/Herald and Janet Grey, schooners this afternoon

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Durham,'ship,'Jtrom. London. ■ Sailed 29th November Edinburgh Castle,.ship, from London. Loading Parsee,-hip, from London. Loading ; Zahga, barque, if mm. Liverpool. Loading '■' ■" ' I , Thames, .barque, from New York, via Sydney, loading r '- Dakota,.mail steamer, from.Honolulu>< ■ ■'-, -'-'•■ •.Hero, s.s,, from Sydney;nuvO ,• _ < ■< -■" '•■ ! : • Prosperity, schooner,-from Melbourne ' "•/Corredo, .barque, from Sydney ..East Lothian, barque,, from -New York.-' Sailed 20th - lieceinjier .. -"/•';. ••;■. vni.-l. -^ j ,jDauntless, schooner, .from South Sea Islands J' J V HarrieJc-irnQytage, barque, from Dunedin-; -'■-■• ; - [ Cgrdnet, brigaptine, from Wellington SateUite,cutter,.from Levuka ,\ : ; • ■ H.M_S. Rosarlo, from Wellington Dido, cutter, fronrLytteß'on Agnes Jessieyschboper, from Lyttelton. Sailed 24th February •ii _TaiialiQueen,':sch6on'er,. from Lyttelton, Sailed 26th: • -:r> .'F-bruary - rirrtfd ■-•■•-:•■' '■'■ '.-■■■ >•?■ - ..Florence, schooner, from Dunedin Sailed 21st February - - ' '" ii. | Mary,MiUar/ibarque, from Newoastle. Sailed 11th February I Success, schooner}-from Levuka '■ Albion, brig; from.Newcastle Ladybird, s.s., from Sydney.(in the Manukau) Saucy Lass,, schooner, from Napier. Sailed 17th ■ -February l-: ,\ .','■' ''^ Briton, barque, from Newcastle r I "*'' BeUa Maryj.barque, from Hobart Town ; 'I Amaranth; schooner, from Lyttelton. Sailed

IMPORTS.

Per s.s.. GorAhead, from Waitara—3B head cattle,'4 200' sheep, 4 horses, 2 bales wool; W., 'Bayly;' 28 I hides; order';' 7 p!gs butter, .3 cases eggs, Brand ; 5 kegs butter, Binney ; J,,10 "cases butter and eggs, Hood ; II do do,'Veale. . " .'

EXPORTS.

Per s.Si .Go^Ahead, McGillevray, for Wai tara and Wanganui—2s sacks grass seed, Buckland ; 1 hale leather, ' Gittos ;' 5 cases drapery, Levy and Co'; 700 drain pipes, 8 trunks, 22 cases,r3 trusses, 16 boxes, 2 half chests sundries^ A.^Barnes.— Combes and Daldy," agents. ::'---""m Per Duke of Edinburgh,; schooner, for Napier : '478 new rails, '1930 rail joints,, 1287' bdlsplates, .6 bales, 4 cases^,3 casks, 34 cases iron,- [tran-hipped per./ Warwick], Owen' & Graham;! 4 cases: chairs; H. M. Jervis.'' Goombes-& Daldy; agents; ' ["'AAI '■'.'A. _s I >

The T.S.N. ■ Co.'s s.s. Go-Ahead, Captain

McGilliv-ray, arrived in,the Manukau this morning' at. 8 a.m. She left Waitara at 11 'a.m.. yesterday ji and i arrived off the Manukau bar>at3a. in. this morning ; crossed at 6 a.m., arriving-here as above. Experienced

light southerly, winds with smooth water throughout.' i Passengers : Mrs W. Bayly, Mrs Crernow, Messrs W. Bayly,;J. Skinner, and " Forster. We are indebted to Mr W. S. Newman, purser, for files and other favours. The s.s. Go-Ahead cleared out wards at the Customs this afternoon for Waitara and Wanganui, and will leave this evening. _ . , n - . . The-vveir-known brigantine Sea Gull will be sold by auction on Monday next, at the Brunswick mart, by Messrs..B. Tonks & Co. The ship Warwick will leave for Lyttelton on Tuesday next. All claims against the ship must be sent into the agents ,by ten o'clock on Monday morning or they will not be recognised. ~■"■'■''' l The s.. Wanganui arrived at Wanganui at noon yesterday from the Manukau. ' I A very -hocking shipwreck is reportedj to have occurred pn the much-dreaded Goodwin Sands early, on Wednesday morning. About six o'clock 1 the Deal boatmen had their

•;-attention .drawn to, signal-guns and rockets .which were fifed from the Hghtship, and -.;taT-barrels were observed to be burning in the direction of the Goodwin Sands. The Ramsgate tug and lifeboat, and the'North end life-boat, were at once manned and sent out, and it was. ascertained that a barque, re ported to be the Hiawatha, Captain Jenkins, of Falmouth, bound to that port from Brem erhaven, witiracargo of potatoes, had struck on the sands, and it is ".feared, soon went to pieces. Nothing could be seen of the ill fated vessel, but one of the crew was picked up floating "ou: the cook-house off the South Sand-head, by. the Leander galley-punt, of Deal. The poor fellow was in a very and exhausted ; condition, was put on board the North German ship Hertha, lying in the Downs. It is supposed that the remainder, of the crew,. 14 in number, were • drowned.; A gale from the north-east, with rain and; sleet, was blowing, during the morning, and' it. is doubtful whether a ,bp_t from the barque: could have lived m the surf which swept over, 'the saads.-^Donddn paper, l t .-J '■• ■■ ■> ' A Strange Message from the Sea.—The JSoston Advertiser publishes a letter which was picked up on shore at Wood's _ Hele a few days since. It is said to be written by one of the late passengers of the ill-fated American ship Metis. _ The Advertiser says; the letter was scribbled on.commercial paper, j

and bore every" evidence of genuineness _> — «'August..3o.; 1872. , Out on the t Ocian on a Baft aj)a_senger' from the il fated Steamer Metis Lost this morning and I am lei'e a lone to die if: no vessel corns < a -ross me; and now I am thinking of homand frieDds that I long agoleft, a wife and : 2 darling. Children and But for this axcidend , I should have Been with-them. Bot.god saw fiitt otherwise. Oh I am readyahef wiUihgtogo to him now as I shall, perish herea^j^have,no food onjy this Bottle of Spirits mth'me. May this fall into hansithat will .put it in to a paper that fojks may know-ny-fate. It is lonely to die with" no friends* to bee neef you in such a place as /this, but god hay. .mercy on me. 1 am a nativ;of !New Castle- pa, and I am not afraid to die. Tel my friends, this, so good by AU. A lone All alone to die.—Charles H. Paine." ' i -.'•■ '; ;" iay '' "' '-'

The new schooner Jessie Niccol has been sold by Mr M. Niccol and-Capt. M. Yates for £2,100. The purchaser (Mr C. F. Wood) intends converting her. into a-pleasure yacht. The three-masted schooner Duke of Edin burgh has cleared outward-'at the'Custoins for Napier, and will take her departure,this afternoon. " - , • -•': •-.-■■•■ ■•■■:

The brigantine Emulous left this morning for Kaipara)to load timber .for.Lyttelton. The schooner Mary Ellen has reported at the Customs,* from Mercury Bay,- with 21,000 feet timber. -

The schooner Magellan Cloud has cleared outwards for Bussed with a general cargo and three passengers^ ,'.":' ',",, j■, ■■'■ " ■ ;;,._.' The cutter Mercury: has cleared outwards im: Mercury Bay. mnnmm

The schooner Herald has cleared, outwards for Hokianga' with a large general v cargo. She will leave this afternoon. ~-.<. r■•

t" • '-'V "'*¥ * The following are the Customs returns for the week ending to-day :—Duties, £3j053~5s 3d; lighthouse dues, £11 9s 9d; merchant shipping fees, £5 0s 9d ; arms fees, £3 19s ; miscellaneous, 7s 6d ; pilotage and port charges, £12 18s 2d. Total, £3,087 0s 7d. .

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Matls Willi. Close as Under. :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and on Monday, 3rd inst., at 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Tuesday, 4th inst., at 0.30 p.m. For Taranaki and Wanganui, per Go-Ahead, tlrs day, at 5 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena, on Monday, 3rd inst., at 3 p.m. For Whitianga and Tauranga, per Southern Cross, on Monday, 3rd inst., at 3 p.m. For Napier and Southern provinces, per p.s. Dakota, six hours after arrival. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. '~..■ The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— "H >! I ■ ' ■ o, B . d. OALLB Missouri ■.'. ..- 0 5 0 Mrch 3 Coromandel Tunnel 0 10 0 Mrch 10 Oriana 0 0 C Mrch 12 Gold en Eagle- .. 0 0 1 Mrch 12 Bismarck .. .. 0 10 Mrch 12 Otago 0 10 Mrch 12 American Eagle .. 0 10 Mrch 12 Inverness .. .. 0 0 3 Mich 12 , Royal Standard. ! ..'•: 0 0 6. Mrch 12 ' : "Scottv Hill 0 0 6 Mrch 12 ~Red, White, and Blue 0 0 6 Mrch 12 Neptune .. .. 0 0 0 Mrch 12 _ BirdinHand.. ..' 0 10 Mrch 19 -Albion- ..' .. 1 0 0 Mrch 22 .;,.,■ MEETINGS. , Pride of Tokatea, Insurance Buildings. Auckland, v noon, 3rd March J "*W" Nolan's Candlelight, Company's office,^ Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 11 a.m., 13th March Murphy's Hill, Messrs J. B. Rust ell and Devore's, office, Shbrtland street, 18th March ' ~, Old Whau, Company's office, 2 p.m., 19th March ! Old Stocking, Coromandel, 22nd March

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 1, 1873.

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

" The situation remains unchanged." The dissension in Vogel's camp con tinues. The Premier refuses to with draw his resignation, and there are whispers that Mr O'Eorke feelsTun | comfortablerand cohtemplates a nl>:- ngc of employment. So the political barometer stands very low, and doubt less'there is a tempest at hand. It is difficult to tell the real cause of tbe •commotion in: the Cabinet, but judging from the telegrams which have reached us, the Honorable Mr Wa.erh6_.se has the honor of being prime mover in the matter. He felt ill at ease bedause the Hon! J. Hall could' no longer assist him in the work ofthe Upper House, and thus " placed in a false position," /deserted, unassisted, he miist needs' give warning ; that "he can ho longer hold the reins of office. It is unfortunate that the honl Premier should trust in''man who is mortal.". Mr Hall is an ablei statesman, but it Was generally believed that Mr"Water ! house was a man of such colonial par i liamentary - experience that no diffi culties would daunt him; that unaided | and alcne he could bring the .colony through troublous" times and place it in such a position as would make it the pride of the inhabitants. Is it un reasonable to suppose that Mr Vogel had some such idea when he gave a pledge to the House that the resigna tion ofthe Premier would mean the resignation .of the. Ministry? It is reMoii&ble w fcupposie iha,i Mr Yogel

had no idea of the probabilityJof the* Premier placing the Ministry in the unhappy position in which they now are, or he would have been more guarded. It is a serious matter for the colony. The ministers are at variance, and while this lasts there can be no harmonious action for the good of the country. There can be but one opinion in regard to the time Mr Waterhouse has chosen for taking this. step, and the reasons he assigns for so acting—so far as they are known to us—are not sufficient to give him a high place .in public estimation. Looking at the position of affairs now, and contrasting them with the .prophetic utterances which were indulged in when Mr Waterhouse took office, this unhappy juncture does not come unexpectedly. With the retirement of. the hon. John Hall the Premier's hope of achieving political fame has perished, and his weakness must of necessity show itself, for he has no man like-minded who will naturally care for his state, and guide him in the dubious path sof statesman ship. This is the man whose boast it was that the destinies of New Zealand were in his hands; that the colony could not prosper unless he reigned. Poor New Zealand! has it come to this, that a man so wrapt up in himself that he cannot see beyond the point of his own nose, is the only one who can be got to protect and advance thy interests ? Imagine a man solicitous for the wel fare of the country taking umbrage because the Colonial Treasurer did not consult him in regard to the number of pounds he should spend in main taining the dignity of the colony at the Intercolonial Conference. If the Colonial Treasurer has erred in bring ing the colony into greater pecuniary obligations than he had a right to do, surely the more patriotic and noble way for the Premier to mark his dis approval would be to stick to his post and repudiate the disputed transaction, even to the calling together of the General Assembly. ' But no ; the Pre mier's pride is wounded, and the colony may go to the dogs. It is a pity the honourable gentleman is not relieved from the cares of State ; evidently his back was never made for the burthen. If it be necessary to keep Mr Vogel in check it is not by running away from the evil that it will be remedied. Such action displays cowardice, and gives the colony cause for withdrawing whatever confidence may heretofore have been placed in the Premier. By all means, we say, let the Governor accept the resignation of the hon. Mr Waterhouse, and another king will arise, who will reign prudently and firmly, and prove a blessing and an honor to the land. _..' I"

" Hikutaia has proved a duffer." So say the miners whom the Fates have not favoured with a look of the gold which glittereth. Gold mining is a great lottery, and for one who pulls a prize twenty pull a blank. Gold miners, as a class, are shrewd and not easily imposed upon, but those who have been ac customed to alluvial diggings are unstable as water. Here to-day, away to-morrow; to day sighing over a barren claim, to-morrow rejoicing in the immediate prospect of a car riage and four. Quartz miners as a rule are not so migratory. They can afford to build houses, when alluvial diggers can only pitch tents. This is not the result of a diversity of fortune, but of a difference in the tenure of occupation. The claim of an alluvial digger will last only as many months as that of a quartz digger will last years. It is wonderful then to find a body of intelligent men forsaking country they know to be gold-bearing and running away to untried, unknown country. The thirst for excitement, and to be speedily rich doubtless leads many on a goose's errand, but there have been few greater " sells " than that of Hikutaia. It is sur prising that some good specimens were not brought down for many good ones we taken up the new El Dorado, and it is a redeeming feature in the affair that these specimens were not called into requisition. Had Brogan " struck it heavy " no prophet could have foretold the consequences. There would have been many claims to register Eureka. But thank Heaven the bubble has burst, and with the exception of a few storekeepers, no one has suffered any great pecuniary loss. Yes, .we err, the Government have lost, they have spent money which, had it been judiciously spent at the Thames, would have yielded a golden harvest from country that is known. But we do not blame them ; doubtless they were wise in yielding to the clamours of eager hunters after easy wealth. The gold was supposed to be there, and had the Government not opened the way to have the illusion dispelled, great would have been the anathemas with which they would have been.visited. Now, however, that the fate of Hikutaia is known we venture to suggest to the Government that they would consult the interests of the province did they do some thing to make the country behind Tararu more accessible. There is a fine reefing dis trict there, and the reefs are sufficiently auriferous to pay handsomely. Many claims were taken up and worked, but they had to be abandoned because the rugged nature of the country rendered it impossible to take machinery up, or to bring quartz down. We know one company, that spent a considerable sum in developing their mine, and, having found good payable stone, they secured a ; machine site and a water right, but they ! foundi it-impossible to get machinery over the trackless hills, and a valuable property had ;to be abandoned. When Victorian speculators ; visited the Thames, in the earlier days, they fixed upon the Tararu reefs as being, par excellence, the leading reefs of the field. It is a valuable country neglected because of its inaccessible character. We humbly suggest to the Government that they do something to encourage the miners to . return to the scene of their lost labours. Give them roads if not Roman roads—at least such tracks or tramways as will enable them to take their grist to the mill.

: The application of Messrs Wells & Walker to the Government to have their fines remitted for breaches of the Stamp Act has; not been favourably entertained. They have conse quently been compelled to pay the amount with costs. :••:•;; '

The only business at the Police Court this morning consisted of the punishment of two drunkards. The eases against Mr Hardington and Mr Friend were again ad journed until Thursday next in consequence of the absence of Mr Brookfield.

'■: 1 case of: cMldrbirth concealmerit is said to have occurred at Whiriwhiri, a settle ment near Waiuku, and the accused, a married woman, was arrested on the charge by Constable Parker. The particulars of the case" "which*nave come to hand are these ':— The daughter of the woman, whose name is withheld, gave birth a short time since toan illegitimate child, which, to all appearance, was healthy at, least, so it was stated by a neighbour" who attended the g|rl in her confinement. This person says further that she . went. to Waiuku. for the purpose of procuring certain necessaries, and upon her return she learnt with surprise that the child was dead, and shortly after^ Wards it was privately buried. The con stable who arrested the woman reported, his investigation to Captain Harris, J.P.,1 who remanded the case until yesterdayj when jit was expected the facts would fully _ appear in evidence beforethe..Resident Magistrate's ; Court. The result of shearing has not' yfet ! reached us. ""'"'' ' '.., ■ -t

Mr Crispe and Mrs .Qqlclough,, we-tttldel^ stand, are on the best of terms, and their pleasant diversities of opinion, apart from the bustle of the city; in the quiet of nature, form no inconsiderable portion, of their rural happiness. .. We have been looking for some thing " plummy" on the Education Act from the peil of this lady^ for it is unnatural in a lady to be silent in these times of change on a question of so much public importance. Whatever matter Mrs Colclo.ugh takes in hand she ever blends with it sensible and prac tical remarks Worthy the type which gives them.vitality ; as, for example, on the Bible in schools, this writer says : —" Any attempt to teach religion in public .schools is. an at tempt to fbfce our views on others'; and as all should be fairly [considered in return for a tax that,-all must pay I hope that strictly secular instruction, school hours, will, in all fairness, be upheld in State schools, and I am, I hope, a good Protestant, and love the Bible for all that."

A short sketch of cabby in all his glory on a,wet day appeared in our columns, last Saturday, but the writer omitted to notice the express driver who evinces the most religious patience in similar seasons ; who can sit in a shower,'and \vith-the utmost sang froid endure a tea-pot storm. Tho express driver, if not a .man of mark among the world's , heroes, is nevertheless a plucky fellow with Something of Spartan fearless ness in his composition. The .express lines have a picturesqueness, and give a character to Queen^ and .Victoria-streets. There ;are solitary units round about pausing at sly corners, but these are the waifs and strays, and not of the recognised express fraternity or order of ,the .brotherhood. If you peep round the Bank corner towards- the sloping pumpkin beds on the opposite side of the street it is ten to one .if you are not "twigged ": by the merry twinkling eyes of the' express-man, twinkling in the gleaming sunshine like the morning dew upon Mount Eden, and immediately he twirls his! whip in happy anticipation of a profitable job ; but if he does not.get it he is not greatly, disappointed, for, ; his means are not narrowedyto the,, vicissitudes of a day. He -fas xnoney in the .bank, has possessed lucky shares in happier days, and his.wife keeps a nice snug shop round the corner in , yonder street.; Whatever may be looming in his future his past is haloed by a golden mist svhich casts golden shadows forward upon the hopeful path before him. Unlike cabby, the express-driver does not care particularly for cabbage, nor does he take his meals in the car; he prefers the higher mode, and does the thing to rights in a restaurant. If you want to borrow a few pounds, say £50 or £100, we know of no quarter of the city where you are so likely to be accommodated on easy terms as on the express rank ; —you may easily distinguish your man among those worthy citizens. If you converge with him you will be astonished at his courtesy and good breeding ; his conversation exercises a cheerful influence over you, and tends to strengthen your wavering faith in humanity. The driver, with his Garibaldi hat and Byronic tie, is not nt all dogmatic in his opinions, and frankly makes allowances. He does not. censure you for your espousal of iron - men's political or social views, and if you go in with the exuberant chairman of the convivial politicians for universal suffrage and heavy wet, he nods with the same genial smile as much as to &ay, "Do/as you like, this is a free country." He does not take a mean advantage of citizens, nor, tout, as Brother Cabby does, but sits or stands, like "patience on a monument," waiting for business, and his scale of charges are the same to his Worship the Mayor as they are to the maid-of-all work ; and on Sundays he is not to be seen, except at church, or in one or other of our suburban retreats, and then you would not be able, in appearance, to distinguish him from the smartest man in the colony.

The Bemuera road, between Newmarket, toll and: St. Mark's Church, is closed for; repairs.

One more by-law is required from the City Council and then the Corporation Act will be complete. It is to prevent Maoris from expectorating on the pavement, which to say the ler.st is a very reprehensible act, and should be put down with the strong arm of the law. Leakage from verandahs during rainy weather is already provided for, and three omnibuses must not stand in Queen street at One time, and the Maori ought to be made to spit in the gutter, or be compel led to carry a pocket handkerchief.

The following story! is from the So:iih London Pres?. The writer says that it occurred at tlie snug little village of Peck ham:-—An old maiden lady recently engaged a cook on the express understanding thai no "'followers" were to be allowed. Matters went on smoothly enough until Sunday evening last, when the old lady in question unexpectedly intruded herself into the cook's , domain. ' On entering, she was greeted by the shrill scream of,a loquacious parrot which had been doomed to penal servitude in the kitchen on; account ox the bad habit he had :of making unearthly' noises, The old lady put her fingers .into her ears —and it would have been well she. had kept them there ; for the momentshe withdrew them, Poll mut tered, in' sepulchral tones, "He kissed the cook." These words, to the apparent dis comfiture of cook, immediately attracted the attention of the old maid—such impropriety, indeed—no wonder 1 " What ?" she ex claimed, gazing eagerly upon the bird. ." Under dresser," replied Poll, in the same husky voice. Notwithstanding cook's pro testations that rats had been heard under the dresser, the mistress insisted on an investigation. There was no help for it; the I table-leaf was raised, when lo ! the astonished mistress discovered there was a full blown —not a policeman, but a guardsman booted and spurred. . " My cousin, ma'am," said the blushing cook; but the explanation apparently was not considered satisfactory, as the old lady is advertising for another cook, with this addendum—"None need apply under forty-five." : Plantamour, the comet man, is in Paris. He now thinks that the people of this world will all be frozen to death about the year 2011. -~ The Customs duties for the month of February amountedto £14,317 12s 7d, being an increase of £972 Qs 8d pver the preceding week.

■Messrs Eish'er and Co., butchers, have taken a lease of Orakei, and have purchased the punt for landing cattle there. They intend to make improvements to' facilitate the traffic^ in cattle.

It is notified that Mr John Street, late of the Exchange Hotel, has taken the .Q.C.I-. Hotel, in Shortland-street. .. • _-* -*^' '— «aa"

Tenders w_U___ received by the Secretary of the Board of Education until Monday; at noon, for the lease of an education i-sery.o at _?akaranga,^consisting of about -120 acreg.. i

Messrs Walter Grahame and John Buchanan havelbeeh appointed assessors ojf_h^&ity, f qf Aiicktaftd for the, ensuing year.- ai Mess*- John featger and John Waymputh hat^ also been elected auditors. ''''\.AA A ?: ' .v,'' ; .. Judge Rogan and two nativeM^sessors;.will proceed South shortly to' open the Native Lands Court,for judgment in the Manawatu. case. It will'be remembered that judgment' in this ease was. postponed/ and,we understand that the Government have been requested by the natives to again defer'f giving'lud^nerit until certain: Matters that:are likely to.'be affected by the judgment have been settled between the claimants. The Gove'rnmeiit have acceded to this request, .but ; the Court, having been adjourned until a specified day, must be opened at the time appointed, and, if thought proper, adjourned again.. This is the duty which Judge Rogan goes., to discharge.. The Court will.simply be; open, an intimation of postponement'of, judgment in the case made, and the Court then adjourned again. The Manawatu land - case appears to be one of. those interminable, affairs that are continually lipon the point of., i being settled, but which, nevertheless^; up every now and then as fresh as ever.-! I i

A very pleasing entartaiiinient was give_ji: last evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre c on the occasion of a benefit tendered to Mi-' Tom Margetts by the leading amateurs oif Auckland. The beneflciare sang several comic songs to the delight of the audience1. Signor Ferrari's, monkeys .also caused:a fund of amusement by their exceedingly'clever performance on the trapeze,' tight rope, &'cj The amateur gentlemen who assisted were greeted with considerable applause for theiij really, excellent singing and dancing. There was a good attendance.,,.,.,, .

The meeting of persons connected with the shipping trade will take place this evening at the Thames Hotel, for the purpose of me* morializing the Government to appoint a local board of examiners for sthis port,; O ;

According to announcement the Prince of Wales Theatre' willi be' open to-night, and the public will have an opportunity of enf joying an entertainment provided ( for their amusement by such artistes as Miss NeilsonJ the charming cantatrice ; Mr G. Bromleyj the celebrated polyphonist (an old favourite in ■ Auckland) ; ; Mr Tom Margetts, the favourite comique; and Signor Ferrari's troupe of educated monkeys.

About ten o'clock yesterday morning, as His Honor the Superintendent was driving into town, accompanied ,by f his son, hi 3 buggy was considerably, damaged by coming into contact' with la dray' in /the "Kyber Pass road, but fortunately Mr;; Gillies and bi son, as well as the horse, escaped- "vvithout injury.. Mr Austin, ■ c£erk'in Lltn'e office'of the Chief Judge of-the Native"Lands.Court,,^vas th.owh from his horse ' yesterday morning on the Kaipara Road, and stunned by rT the fall. Mr Austjn was at'pnceita^pntp^i^.er head, and placed on board the, Gemini.*. I Upon reaching Auckland he was taken to .Dr. Goldsbro', by whom he bones were broken, and Mr'Austin',was con veyed to his own home, where he now. lies. As no serious results are likely to follow it is probable Mr Austin will be able to resume his duties in a few days. ..'...

Subjects of discourse to-morrow at Newton Kirk (Dr. Wallis)_will be1: Morning, ",Seif culture versus Christian Character;" evening, " The Mother-heart of God." At the City Hall (Samuel Edger, 8.A.) : Morning, " Religion, the Supreme Pleasure of Life'V evening, " Sodom, and the Fate of Lot's Wife." At the United Free Church,: .Pitt street (Rev..G. H. Turner) : Morning, w The Precious Blood of Christ;" evening, '"Sight for Blind Eyes." ;' :; ;-;■._.'..;, \ f Ak7A*A

We clip the following from a late .ssjiiWbl the Bruce Herald, in explanation:.,of-,.a telegram which appeared in a late issue re garding-.a. melee at the Woolshed'•• between European and Chinese miners:—About fiVe months ago the Chinese agreed with Mr John Adam for a small paddock, of ground near:the bed of the river for min_ig purposes, and for which they were to pay him a .weekly rent. They, however, neither took possession nor paid any rent, and two; -months ago* a patty of Europeans having applied ./'to purchase the ground, Mr Adam gave the Chinese notice of the -termination of their agreement The transaction with the Europeans was completed, and on Saturday week they pegged off the ground' This was noticed by the Chinese, and in'the. beginning ofthe week they commenced, work. ; in the paddock. On Saturday morning last'the Europeans—three in number—went, to take possession of the ground •'/■ they found thrfee Chinamen there^at .work, and quietly commenced operations in the opposite corner of the claim. No words passed between them, but in. a few minutes the Chinese called out to a number of their countrymen who were at work near by, who immediately rushed to the ground and commenced an. assault upon the Europeans with their ordinary working tools^pick,*: shovels &c. Three other Europeans, !;,who' had anticipated a disturbance, had gonei to, the 'ground, took/the part of .their friends* and for the space of about a quarter -6f~ah J hour a very: rough' and dangerous struggle ; was carried on—on the one side six. El^ro peans, and on the other seventeen Chinamen The weapons above mentioned had/app arently been freely, used on both sides, while full advantage was taken of —the abundant supply of stones which were at hand in tiie bed of the river.- The Chinese" were ultimately defeated and driven off the! : ground. .. .. > r ; .". ci >■'./. :t"'. I'! j The Auckland Amateurs have made ! arrangements; <to give' aj grand;' amateuri entertainment at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Monday, the 10th inst.> the proceeds of iwhich will be devoted to the fund now ;collecting for the erection of a reformatory.

: In acknowledging his health at a dhmer jgiven'.in his honour in December! las^'Mr j Alderman Carter, M.P. for Leeds, said it iwas just 40 years since he came to Leeds, a country lad, in a carrier's.'.waggon... ntSkQWeM very arduous life—-that ,Pf an . agricultural labourer —he entered a factory, ana was surprised how easy the work was" there in with that which he had gone through in previous years., He had^ppssed thrbugh all the phases of a wbrking man*^jife. iand a1 working mail's experience.' Ear}y,rn life he had learned this great1 lesson, y(whi_h" he would now give to the young men present., that the best thing they could do for* them: pelves was to devote themselves with all Jthe power and energy of which they were capable to promote the welfare of others. This he had tried to do, increasing the time so devoted accordingly as God -gave hini ■ op portunity. It is .remarkable tb#t another M".' P. for Leeds'/Mr E. Baines, worked his way lip in a similar praiseworthy manner. He entered Leeds with all his worldly, goods, at his back, arid'all his cash under a sovereign we believe, in his pocket.

Dr Livingstone's religion is thu^ noW by the explorer Stanley in his recent work . The study of Df Livingstone would not be complete if we did not-take therehgipus side j m his character into consideration. -Us , religion is hot of the theoretical kind but » _ is. a constant, earnest, sincere V^f 10*', 1 . .{• neither demonstrative nor louden* manifests . itself in.a quiet practical way'j-land is always , at work. It is not aggressive, which some- | times is troublesome, if not impertinent. *n , vhim religion exhibits its loveliest features ,j it governs his conduct not only towards his servants but towards the natives, and ail. who come in contact with him. Without it, Livingstone, with-his ardent temperament, his enthusiasm, his high spirit and pourage must have become uncompanionable anaa, Jhard ihaster.. Religion has tamed him'aii<i made him a Christian gentleman ;. the crude . and wilful have .been refined and subdued ; religion' has made him the most companion-, able of men and indulgent of masters, a man whose society is pleasurable to a degree, -ij observed that universal respect was paid to "hini f Weh the Mohammedans never passed Uis house without calling to pay their compliments >&tia to say,: "The blessing of Godrest-on . you;" Earth Sunday morning he gathers his little flock around hifli and reads prayers and a,chapter .from the Bible in a naturalun- affected aid sincere tone. There 2? ati™? e£ , point in Livingstone's character about w^. -readers' of his books and students of ms gravels would like to know,.and that, is--nis "ability to withstand the dreadful climate ot -Central Africa. His consistent energy is; 'jnative to him and to his tace. He is a very, fine example of the perse verance.doggedhess,: Srld'tenacity Which characterise the Anglo-, 'Saxon spirit, fiut hi_ ability to withstand; fthe climate is due not only to' the happy; 1 constitution with which he was borH, b_t to! ?fpie' ;) str-ctly,:,teniperate.;iife he. has .ever led.; A drunkard; and a man of vicious-habitsj could never- have' withstood the climate of; Cehtrai':AMca" 'I'asked the Do-to? if \be! did not feel a desire sometimes to visit his;, country;" Said he.: " I would like very; .much to go home and .see my children once again,, but I cannot bring my .heart to • aban-; don the task I have undertaken when it is so; ttearly cdmpleted. Why should "I go, home; -before, my iask is-ended to have to come "back.again to do what I can very well .do: now?" "And why," I asked, "did you[ come so far, without finishing the task which j ryou say you have got to do?" "Simply! because: I. was;forced My men. would not| budge a step forward. They mutined andj formed a secret resolution—if I still insisted! on going on—to raise a disturbance in the; couhtryy and after they had effected it1 to; abandon,,me, in which case I shopld have; been Jkillecl._t 'lt_..was dangerous to go any: •further. (T VT / "A Dlft H E "?./[" ! , t The late -Baron, James de Rothschild, * in his last moments, expressed a desire to, "devote the interest of one million of francs xp the foundation of a charity in aid of indigent' families of r Paris, without distinction -pf "religion^forthe payment of their; rents: -The: heirs 1 'at' the deceased; with the view .of, nqt; delayingjthe^ execution :/t;heir '.father's in-; tentiohs,' have,' jus. placed ,the revenue in questions at the disposal of -the Bureaux de j Bienfaisance. It is well known that the baron in his lifetime Was in the^ habit of, placing large supplies of bread^ "coal, and , money: at"the 'disposal of the! pbbrl \f. T STKAli'iflMlSes-A.IO baa.Slv.lOd ,JTiO ® * '

BILLIARD MATCH.

A: bil_lAe_d match. was played this after noon, at the .Occidental Hotel, between the proprietor (Mr E. Perkins) and Mr George Bromley (comedian). The match was for "J-25 a side, and consisted of 500 points,/to be played on a 6ft x 12ft six-ppcket table of Allcock's. There was a very large muster of spectators to watch the game, the room being .inconveniently crowded.;-"Having won the choice, Perkins selected the plain iball, and rolled ,it to the right corneivlrpm . whence Bromley failed to count. A cautious game was played for some time with variable 'success. In half an hour PerkinS had scored 106 to Bromley's 00, but the players appeared very evenly matched. . ;. . ; At the time of our going to press the game stood as under—

Perkins ... ' ' ~.* , . ... 288.points ,' •Bromley ' ! ... ... c 201 points. Considerable j interest was being taken in the game. , . -; ,' ,-.*", . - ■*/ f j , . > ( - ;

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.)

DBTJNKEXNT.SS.

A female drunkard was fined 10s and costs. A male person charged with a similar -fierice urged that it was the first time: he had ever been charged. ~ His Worship said that was the very. reason he intended to fine him 10s and costs. For (said he) if I let you oft without a fineJ you will probably be here again to-morrow."" ; The : was accordingly fined 10_ j with the alternative Of 48 hours imprison-" I ment. - :l'-'- GRAVE O?FE-ICES ■' -"; '-; i' T [ . I '!.The case against Mr G. W- Friend for ! permitting the drippings from the cave of * his verandah to fall-upon the public foot bath on the-13th inst. was called oni;./.:!■'. 1 j Mr Joy applied for an adjonnrmeht for | the" attendance of Mr BroOkfield, the j solicitor instructed in the case on behalf j of the defendant. ~*

Inspector Broham said these adjournments j were a great inconvenience to him, when jhis.Worship rephed it could be obviated-by 'the Inspector allowing Mr Goldie,' the (Inspector of Nuisances, to lay the information iin such cases.: He further said he felt quite I sure that if the police had power to lay these I informations anybody, else had also the jpowe,_C.; ,- ~ \,, Ijy 1 ~ ••' TJ S P XTT *] I The matter w?.s'adjourned until* Thursday. I The case against Mr H. Hardington, for an [alleged obstruction in Queen-street on the imbrhiiig of the 15th ult., by allowing "three whole omuibusses to remain in the public carriage-Eoad\at,one time, ,was;also called oiyr i ( Mr Joy niade'a. is:milar application as 'the previous case, and,an,adjournment was granted., ; , ; .-, « r rr o jj y A A,l (I H j This cohcluded the business. t

POLITICAL UNION—NOBLE PRO POSALS!

|A; meeting w^S;called this day by the Vice;-,-, President.of the Political Union; at SCeat's Hotel, Queen-street, for the purpose of pro ceeding with the good work of pplitical regenerationI.' 1 ~Mr ( Jphn Mason in the chair. ~ ~ , :; j.: "The Chairman read the objects of the Union, viz., to promote the abolition of Superintendents and Provincial Councils ; to jwork for one Governor, one Executive, one General Assembly, and one financial chest for the benefit of the whole colony; to smash the nest-eggs of the swarm of drones who live upon the vitals of the people ; to remedy ifchlP "bungles of the past, and to coristitute a political-union for the benefit of posterity." I Mr Andrews enquired if Mr G. M 4 Reed had consented to take the presidential chair. j The Chairman shook his head. The meeting was then adjourned until Saturday next, ,-• ; ;;>

THE STORY OF THE "MERMAID."

(To the Editor of the Evening- Star.) g I K-j__"vVili you allow me space in your valu able columns to -lay a plain statement of a, very hard case rn before _ the public, and-one which has been,-so. generally discussed by all classes that it cannot fail to interest most of your reader's. Circuirtttances (which are pretty generally -_&OT»_f,.but which are far too sad for-me tp state here) harring compelledaae *; to earii my own living, I accepted a situation . -*\ as " barmaid," offered to me by Mr Abbot, of the 7 City Club Hotel,! Auckland,; on the following terms :—Three months' engage ment, at.fifty.shillings (50s) per weekj- and a, week's warning when the engagement, had expired-. , For about six weeks I what is called " drew" tremendously—that is to say, the youth and folly of . Auckland came in crowds to the City Club to spend their money and.see the "Mermaid," by which delightful nickname I was known. As time went on money wast scarce in the good city of (Auck land, and the novelty ofthe peep-show being over. I ceased to '.'draw;" so after kaving been in Mr Abbott's employ for nine weeks he p_id me my week's wages and dismissed me, skying \M I could only mr,ke ,'fortiy-five per" cent, profit he no longer, required my services. He accused me of no fault, and gave me not the slightest warnings I found myself alone in this strange.place without one friend and with only fifty shillings in my-pocket,' andj: of course,-qttrfce unable to obtain J another Situation, as .my sudden dismissal had^qiute,.taken. ;aw^y.iny --fiiract^/^J^y%i>ai^riO* ma Jsajfidiithatl have a poor-little child -who is je^tirely dependent upon me for his sUppoßl] and who must starve unless, I am able to earn money. .___rjfchi_t Mrl _-bboit weU-pd-ew, andgwhen such conduct asithis is pursU-H by/especj^e heads of: families, .then, what* wonder -MM that .-our streets' ■am full.; of:: lomiammMen women', and thatthere are so mafty-5-6_i_r's inquests on wretched-female suicides. I appealed to'-fthe law tti'helf ihe;'but my late employer, finding it impossibleto substantiate ahy: real'ch'ai-ge^gaiiist'me/ pleads ii'defence that J am. a^^rried %oman, and consequently cannot recover damages in a court of law ; but althdfl'gftJl My be : abFp WmakeMr Abbott pay me the-money J :>->:_. uyustice « entitled to, th&ihe&rt'ot every man (yes, and Englishwoman to. will sym pathise with ,me,,and burn.with :; _adig__jtion againstfihe. nian, iWhp: is cowardly r^noughto . thus! tai-6.advantage ,6f W def _ncele_3cW-n^ji. Trusting you will pardon my haying".^te'- p&Ved.s;o A '!on^, : uI ppn^iyqiir.timeiatid'-pace, 3W,j_s,»-__ —=- —■ -^Grahani_t.own,. Feb. 28,n8J3.^^M&

EXHIBITION OF THE SOCIETY OF ARTISTS.

We are glad to be. able ,tp -announce that the approaching {^exhibition, under the auspices' of the* Society of Artists, w Kkely.'tph-'a great success., Mr J/:C.,Hoyte^':t_i_"hdhdrary secretary; has been'untiring in_his_e__e_tions, and he has secured an excellent collection of works of >'art, to-which ourjlocal talent contributed largely. The oil paintings'ex hibited will not be so numerous: as-at'the last exhibition, but in other tespectslt-Ms year's show: :wilii'J-ei.'better~'t_K_i its pre dccGssor *'"■ ' ■-■'• f*l'-i't. •;.' "• ■ di** *-» *■■** r-f-.^x. We paid;a.visit;.tb T the \G\^M-j&:s&ki and fbuhd'the preparations "for ppeinngin-an advanced state. The pictures have been hung so as to secure the best .possible, lights jand&t the same time be cpnvenient for examination. The .most striking feature. in,, the exhibition is , the._eries_o£ views of Lake scenery by Mr J. C. Hoyte, There are tei_ pictures lh'the series., and" they have never beenplaced oh view before. The scenes selected are perhaps the most remarkable in th©world, andMr_Hoyte . is to be warmly congratulated •: upon the" way:' _.';_» \E&s depicted them. The beautiful teiTacei-^p-ii the subjects ~of .four or , k fiv^^ views. Rotomahana! and' Tarawera lakes furnish two 'unequalled subjects, in lake /scenery^ Otukapiiefangi and,the Geysers of/ thetjdis^ trict:. ares also beautiful:-scenes,- ■ and^'are characterised by the clearness ~of,." x'6utJu_'©1' peculiar to Mr Hoyte's pictures/," There" are other admirable productions by Mr Hoyte's bru_TyA which) we may I mention mpresjpar ticulafly iin <ftZ future notice. Mr] Clark, a pupil ;bf' Mr;' Hoyte's, codtr^ut-slKa very nice ~view~"of Swiss scenery. Many other of the pictures ; have been con ; tributed to this' exhibition :'-f art. by .local , artists whose names aiid productions are« I familiar to the public. Wemotieed especially' 1 |an .excellent view of the Waiwera, by' Jfije v ; Jolm Symbjis ; also, two capital sketches of ibuslr scenery, a view of Buttermere, and a j life-like painting of mining operations ] Tararu by the > same artist,5 all' of whiclt idisplay much skill and taste. Mr W. East- |wp(pd occupies ,a prominent, place ;,as.r jah"''exhibitor, and m_ny pictures, "both old and new, ?in ' this year's gallery. We draw .attention to his two painting-," viz.', '' "Entrance to the Manukau," and " Manakau Harbour ati3un jset." These pictures aTerhoi- to our taste than iwere some of the earlier productions, of .this Jartist, and would form an excellent drawing room pair, h Other. ? sketches by l the same | jhand evidence! ckfe and; .'finish, I and; are, mi i teresting beyond, theij'raeri^i^'^lustrations ■of remembered English scenes..;;gSis.'d_nding place at the Thames, as it wa-'ih 186$', will pbe noticed '- by r visitors.'. Mr "yVarner'a pic ■tures,i as.works,;pf a lpcal;limner,.deserveun stinted praise ;and we are of opinion they will henceforth occupy position in the, future artig^crieaptNewZealand. We were much pieasedwwith his, admirable views froni the Karaka bridge,'and of St. George's Bay also, with; his • ptheiv eleven Sketches of local scenery..''. The Bey Dr Kinder contributes several • exceUent--pictures^ and among"bth-r • lake views a ,^66d'f^iew ' Rotomahana"'in the A locality of the'Hi.-X*^ Springs. Mr Bartley ; has -, furnished i a very effective. Sketch.,-alle'd';f,A,JWaW Scefl^, ■While'Mr Albyn; Martin,', also;dcnown as ah artist and a lover of nature, has given in a gpod'view-.of Cragieburn .Ranges,' 'in thp Provf vin'ce of Canterbury. . We notice also several of Dr Thorn's paintings,,, and mention as attractive his }' ' Mountain Gorged and. A Hutricane in the Mauritius," 9! very;, difficult subject' to. handle but which ithe^ doctor has wprkedwith 'much ingenuity and skill. "The Pigeon (and Moor Hen," by Dr Wright; 'will- attract attention j it is a faithful outline of the birds represented in the painting/ • Dr Wright adds other valuable contributions to the exhibition. Seyeralpen-'and-inkisketches.of. localscenery,. I by .Trevor Lloyd,, were executed with a-, delicacy of perception which belongs alone to the true artist, Mr Blomfield exhibits;_&^ view of Kapanga,. which' Is/very creditablywa done;; and j Miss Carroll,' of Dedwood, has, Several excellent. portraits in oil remarkable i" beauty and: ,%ish. We have not space to notice separately the many excellent con tributions $o,the Artists'; Exhibition of 1873, but may mention that _dr JSannaford's well -fnpwnipic^ureffbhe-," Source of the Otir§,,'f"\ whiphjwbn.somany encomiqmsVin, Sydney? / and foi which the artist obtained a medal,. >i is Among the number. We would also

amm&m\ sii&;.SA!to-_r, jk-xati. Ufa



T COSGEAVB & CO.'S SALE OF DRAPERY & CLOTHING COMMENCED OST SATURDAY, FEB. 1. :•,., ...• '.■.:■■■ ■ ' i.'.' '•»- ■ ■'','."' The Public are requested to inspect the Goods as the Reductions are. Genuine. Great Teeductions ,0 '-' -'; FOR' •' -' THREE MONTHS ONLY:; ' ' \:~)QT> .:■ (.lilt ~'i vi f■■> ' - ' ■''•'•' ' , AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC / COMPANY, ; . 194, QUEEN STREET, Next Door to Savings,' Bank. tCartes-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-dc-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, 7_t -' •' '-■ ' I• ' greatly reduced. J. McGARR IGL E, -.1' • . ' ''Manager. UNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA [Established 1837.] PAID-UP CAPITAL ... £1,250,000. RESERVED FUNDS ... £400,000. NOTICE TO PROPRIETORS. rpELEG-RAPHIC advice having been received that a Dividend at the rate of 13 per Cent, per annum for the half year ending 31st December, 1872, on the Paid-up Capital of this Bank was declared at the Meeting of the Proprietors, held in London on the 15th January, Proprietors registered in Christchurch at the former, date will receive their Dividend "Warrants on application at the Bank's Offices, Hereford-street, Christchurch, or through any Branch of the Bank in New Zealand. „.: ' -.(Signed) I : JOSEPH PALMER, Chief Officer for New Zealand.