SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUN-SET: Thl» evening 5.26.1 SUN-BISB: To morrow morning, G.4i! . FTTOH WATEB : This evening, 403 ; to-morrow, morning, 5.1

ARRIVALS.

Comerang, p.s , Hughes, from Napier i Sovereign of the Seas, cutter, from Wangarei

DEPARTURES.

Southern Cross. R.'s., for Tattranga. Challenger, p.s., for Wangarei

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For San Francisco : Akbar, ship, early. ; For Southern ports : Taranaki, s.s , Monday For Sydney: Wentworth' s.s.; oarly A bris; supposed to be the Albion, from Newcastle, is sic;ualle(l as we go to press. The p s. Challenger, Captain Edwards, in augurated a new service to "VYangarei this morning. The steamer is to call at the Kawau, Little Omaha, Mangapai, and other places in the Wangarei river. Capt. Edwards took down passengers and cargo this morning, but the object of his present trip is to arrange matters connected with the service with the Wangarei people. ' • '■..»' The cutter Wanderer cleared at the Cus toms to-day for Hokianga with a cargo of spirits, tobacco, and general stores, shipped by Messrs. Lewis Bros., Must and Op.,*: and Walker and Co. The. ship St Kilda, from \ has arrived] at Dunedin after a passage' of 97 days. ' ; '• : ; The steamer Phoebe has been doing good work since her return from Sydney. On her last passage from Lyttelton to Dunedin she averaged 11^ knots. The p. a. Comerang landed at the Thames 56 head of cattle, and 100 sheep, and dis charged the balance of her cargo at the Tamaki. The following is a list of her pas sengers—Bishop Moran, Captain Smith, Mrs Home, .MjgtTucker, Mrs Dempsey and child. The schooner Prima Donna has been char tered to proceed to New Caledonia. The Lsetitia left Napier for Auckland on Tuesday last, and the ketch Wild-Duck on Wednesday. The scnoouer Flirt haa arrived at Lyttel ton after another smart run from this port via Russell. The following is a list of the passengers per Wellington for Southern ports —Mrs Gillies, Miss Wright, Messrs Nelson, Shaw, Lewisson, Hobson, Hiissey, Albert, Brown, Draper, Mason, Elliott, Earlong, Coate3, Burney, Gardiner, and 17 steerage. The a.s. Taranaki, -.is d«e in the Manukau to-morrow. She left Nelson yesterday at 5 p.m. . •, ~.,■) r .■■■■ ■; , . • ■ ; ■ The ship Akbar, after taking in her ballastj took in 60 tons of flax for San Francisco. The schooner, Colonist is discharging, her cargo of cool into thevhulk below the wharf in mid-stream. 3f* ■ : ;' ;" The scnoorier! Golden' Isle is discharging her cargo of coal into the steamers at the wharf. The new beacon being constructed at the breakwater for Eangitoto reef is now com pleted, and will be shortly placed in position. Messrs Henderson and Nearing are carry ing out their contract with the Harbour Board for the alteration and replacement of the moorings and buoys in the harbour.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

swim, Close as Under:— For Thames, this day, at 5.80 'p.m.; and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and sV3o*p.m'. For Coromandel, to morrow, at 12.30 p.m. For United States; per "Akbar, this day, at 4 p.m. For New Caledonia,' per Ivanhoe, this day, at 4.30 p.m. ■For Taranaki, Nelson, and - Southern provinces, ptr Paterson, to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m. For Russell, per Golden Isle, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. FarWangannr ana.'iWallington; per Rangatira, to ' morrow, at 5 p.m. For Gisborne, per Comerang, on Friday, 29th instant, st 1 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Bfas. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

SMrrn.—At Springbank, on the 15th August, 1873 the wife of Mr Charles Smith of a daughter.

DEATH.

Bbowji. -• On August 19, 1873, James Clayton Brown, hotel-keeper, Auckland, formerly of Bradford, Yorkshire, England (eldest son of Joseph Brown, wool merchant, of above place), in the 49th year of his age.

The funeral will leave his late residence, Albion Hotel, Hobson-street, at 3 o'clock p.m., to-morrow (Wednesday). Friends will please accept this mvi. . j iation.—Home papers please copy.

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future In the distance,

And the good that we can do

The labours of the Select Committee of the House of Representatives ap pointed to consider the National Bank Bill have resulted, as might have been expected, in eliciting overwhelming evidence in favour of the bank. Our ; special correspondent telegraphs that the opposition was shown to be " fri volous and vexatious. We have re frained hitherto from commenting on the opposition raised against the charter of the new bank be cause of- the difficulty experi jenced.in ascertaining reliably the real igrounds upon which the opposition was based, and the arguments put forward in support of the position that has been assumed towards the bill now before the House. It. is well understood that the Bank of New Zealand is the sole .mover in the matter, and wo should 'be very sorry to reflect unfairly upon our oldest local institution or to do it an. injustice. But the opinion has been pretty widely entertained from the first, and is now confirmed by the facts disclosed in committee, that the course pursued by the Bank of JS rew Zealand towards what should be re garded as a sister rather than a rival institution, has been factious, paltry, and unjustifiable. We are really sorry to think that.an institution holding the position of the Bank of New Zea land should have descended to a mode of procedure that savours much more of a. rival grocery spirit than of any thing else we can compare it to. We cannot but believe that this opposition will do the National Bank an immenso service. The public will, rightly or wrongly, attribute the action of the Bank of New Zealand to a very keen jealousy, if not to actual fear of power ful rivalry in a field where it has previously wielded undisputed sway. In, the.opposition of the Bank of New Zealand will be recognised the old spirit that has endeavoured to crush the life out of every movement and every, enterprise in the colony that has not emanated from the clique which has circled round our first local bank. It is pitiable to see the slow ness w^ith which the "old iden tity" recognise, ih& fact that the time has passed away when New Zealand could be ruled with an iron hand from a bank board-rqpm. The colony his grown out of infancy into vigorous independence ; and how ever grateful we may feel to those who blave helped us in our early years, and aided us in our growth and develop ment, we feel that such assistance would be- dearly bought if it were to be Repaid by an everlasting subjection airid a perpetual bondage. The feel ifig of animosjty . between our two Colonial banks will be deprecated by all who have the interests of the whole ; colony, and not of any special institu tion, at heart. The same bitter feeling Mfas engendered when the South British Insurance Company issued its prospec tus ; but experience has shewn that the mcreasQ'pf pur local institutions opens up new fields of investment, and does no material injury to the institutions that hare preceded them. The growth of the colony, which has rendered an' additional insurance company neces sary, surely affords an equal field for increased banking enterprise. There j ace,J.three,foreign banks doing large businesses in the colony, and we think tile promoters of the National Bank ,were not unreasonable in calculating there was room for another bank, with local shareholders and a local directory, possessing in fact all the qualifications of a local institution, with the additional advantage of a* large monetary support from British capitalists. The operations of the new bank have already conferred a benefit upon the colony by the capital which it has brought for investment, and its influence is shewn in the low rates of interest and the plentifulnese of money in Auckland at the present time. . The new institution gives sjreat promise of usefulness ; its large capital, in order to return interest, must be invested in promoting the industries, trade, and commerce of the 3olony, and the legislature would take i post unprecedented and extraor-,

dinary step if it gave effect'to an oppo- .!; sition that has so little to put forward in its favour, and arises from causes so palpable, j

Mr Brown, of Wellington, gave notice in the House of Representatives a few <lays ago to move that in any future Californian mail service Wellington Bhall be made the first ! port of call and the last port of departure. ', From its geographical position special ad vantages are offered to the colony by making Auckland the first port of call; but this* like j : all other political questions ill New Zealand, j ! will bo made the occasion of a party i scramble, in which the paltry interests of ! every port will be considered before the general good of the colony. We are I glad to learn from the telegram, of our special correspondent at Wellington that the Government has determined to oppose Mr Brown's motion, and its rejection may be re garded as certain. The great struggle on this question, however, is yet to come, and it is to be: hoped that there will be no wavering and no lack of exertion on the part of our members in their efforts to secure the rights of Auckland. Were it not for the laxness which has more than once been exhibited in guarding Auckland's interests, it might appear unnecessary to impress such a self evident duty upon our representatives. But notwithstanding the unquestionable rights of Auckland in this mattor we have no guar j antee from past experience that our interests j will not be sacrificed, as they have been in ! other things, through the greater pertinacity and unity of the Wellington members. I A deadness or lack of life has within the I i?ast fortnight come over the Police Court. j In fact there would be comparatively little I business to transact were it not for the un ! fortunate drunkards who appear day by day i to pay the tine of folly, or retire for a tempo ■ rary change to Mount Eden. Even the ; cattle appear to be better taught, or kept | within bounds. Not a solitary milkwoman | now comes forward with a piteous plaint of ■ woe, or an eloquent denunciation of the by i law which took the cream oft' her milk. Not ! a gaudily dressed girl occupies the 1 melancholy prisoner's box to answer for unwomanly conduct in the streets, and beg his Worship's pardon, and say that if he will only lot her oIT this time sho will never misbehave herself again, but embark at once for the salubrious air of Skedaddle Island. No distressed wife now stands in ; the centre of the Court, like a withered flower, with her onco love-lighted eye, since darkened in an evil hour by the clenched hand of an inconsiderate • husband, with the tender appeal that she '• thinks he will be better iniuture, and she ;wi 1 withdraw tho charge. The Court is also entirely deserted by the lawyers, who are, far away in quest of more profitable scenes. One of these gentlemen put his head between the hall open door and the nearest post i this morning, when the clerk raised his eyes for a moment and again was pensively musing, over the records of the past as the lawyer's steps died away in the distance. The move ; ment of the quill-pen across the foolscap, the ticking of the clock, and the Heavy breathing : of a police constable in the passage were the j only sounds audible in this othorwiae mau soleum of the departed. The quarterly meeting of the Grand Black Chapter of Ireland Preceptor, No. 149,; will be held this evening in the chapter-room, by order of the Sir Knight Commander. This, the 19th day of August, is the 22Gth anniversary of the birthday of that eminent astronomer, John Flauisteed, whose name is inseparably associated with the Greenwich, observatory, so well known to the London holiday makers, and remembered by many persona in New Zealand. Flamsteed was born of humble parentage, his father being a maltster in the town of Derby. At a very early age Flamsteed displayed a strong pre dilection for mathematical knowledge, and in 1699 he calculated an unfofetold eclipse of the sun, which happened in the ensuing year, and proved the stepping - stone to future ' successes. He was subsequently appointed Astronomer Royal, and the observatory in Greenwich Park was erected for him, and in that place he passed the latter years of his useful life. The inhabitants of Cook-street, last even ing, were somewhat alarmed upon hearing a terrible noise like that of thunder or an earth quake. It was very dark at the time, and few cared to go abroad to ascertain the cause of the reverberations. One poor lady who had been reading Mrs Crowe's "Night side of Nature," and who held strange notions about spiritism, believed that the end was come, and sat up in her arm-chair all night wait ing for some new revelation. At an early hour this morning the up-rising Bun disclosed the secret of the natural disturbance. A portion of Cook-street had given way in consequence of the earth being loosened by the recent sharp rains, and its rumbling was the innocont cause of needless fears. The gap is properly fenced round, and in a short space of time all will be well. Cook street is as straight as ever, and the inhabitants' calm amid the serenities of nature. " One who Knows" writes as follows with reference to the case of Mrs Green: —" Sir, — ( Would you allow me a few words in reply to 'R. O.'s' letter in Saturday's Evening Star in justification of my own remarks about Mrs Green. 'R. O. gives me credit for untruthful statements ; let us see what they are. First, Mrs Green is on a bed of sickness and unable to do anything for her own support. Second, hor husband died three years ago, leaving a delicate widow j with five children to support by the hard j earned proceeds of mangle and washing-tub. She is a woman proud in her suffering, and would sooner die in her misery than let her poverty be known. But because she is a noble sufferer would you stand by and see cruej starvation carry her to the gravet 'R. o.' would. He is a man of that kind, or he would have told you what his miserable support was. He is ashamed of it, therefore left the public to infer. I challenge him now ( to make a true statement, and leare the pub lic! to judge how far I am at variance with truth." Captain Smith, of the schooner Saucy Lass, accidentally broke his leg between the knee and the ankle, on tho 9th inst., at Napier. The accident occurred through the main-sheet coming foul of the captain's leg, and the boom at "the time jiblSng he was jammed against the wheel, and his leg broken. The limb . was set at Napier, and Captain Smith came »p by the Comerang last night. i We are requested by Mr Moyle to state that Mary Ann McGee, who was sentenced to two months' imprisonment for larceny yesterday, is not in destitute circumstances, having an income of a pound a week from. property. The Cause •' of Her downfall' is drink.

A junior master is wanted for the Auck- College and Grammar School. Full par ticulars will be found in our advertising columns.

j ¥he Auckland Independent Lodge of Good Templars gave an entertainment last night at the City Hall, which was very well filled on thttjioccasion. The Rev. Mr Edgar was in the chair, and the meeting was half on pleasure bent aWd half on business. The assembly by their cheerful and joyous demean- I our afforded a most convincing; proof, even >to the most septical, that strong drink is not necessary to produce merriment. I).D.W.Q;T. Mackune explained the system of the society Of Good Templars, and gave several illustra tions of the success which had attended the, I institution of the body. In England there were I 200,000 members ; in New Zealand there were 13 lodges ; and in the Auckland Pioneer Lodge 206 members. The lodge at the Thames numbered over 500 members. Mr Mackune concluded by advocating the claims of Good Templarism, and inviting new members. Mrs Mitchell, at intervals} gave some... excellent ' songSj with which the advocates of modera- . tion were much delighted. Mrs Anderson > and Mr Lambert also helped to entertain the audience by their performances on the har- ■ monium. | Our Australian telegrams a few days ago stated that the Melbourne papers have , severely criticised Sir George Bowen's eco- j nomy. ( The chief cause of complaint wa3 j the omission of invitations to several mem- I bers of the legislature at the birthday ball, | while various persons were present | whose claim to invitations was not j understood. The Melbourne Herald makes the following remarks on the subject "Since Sir George Bowen arrived here he has failed to perform the duties appertaining to the vice-regal position in any manner at all satisfactory. He has made pretty speeches, but that is all. He has been received with acclamation by the colonists, but has failed to reciprocate the kindly feeling exhibited towards him save by the empty words he has uttered. It is at least expected of a Go vernor that he shall do the duties of a host graciously and with no sparing hand, and yet •last evening, the great annual occasion when her Majesty'p representative is expected to appear in the character of the bountiful host, he certainly did appear as host, but not as the bountiful host." A meeting of creditors in the matter of the declaration of insolvency of Marbin Joseph Clcary, late of Hamilton East, con tractor, but now of Pan mure, was held to day at noon, when Thomas Maeffarlane Esq., was appointed trustee of the estate, and Dr Campbell, and L. D. Nathan Esq., sup ervisors. The liabilities were estimated at £7<>9 12s lid ; assets £281 11s 3d. To the Editor: Sir, —Knowing your paper to at all times aid the cause that lacks assist ance I trust you will not only bring before the notice of the public our^case, but also see that we receive fair play and justice from those in power. Myself sLul mates lately had a contract for quarrying ballant atone*, for which we were to receive la, Bd. a load. Out of this we have to pay Is. per load for toll and royalty, so that we receive but?Bd a load, and owing to no definite number of loads being specified we have received notice that no more can be taken at that price. As Captain Eyre has undertaken to supply surface stone at 6d per load, or 2a per load for quarried stone, now a load is reckoned to contain two cubic yards, prison labour can do it at this price ; but I defy any work ing man to make a living at this rate after payingforpowderfuseandsharpeninghistools. I am informed that the gaol is not only self supporting, bnt a clear profit to the Provincial Govornment of £1200 a-year. We have four gentlemen aiming to become our Superinten dents, and I honestly hope that some one of them will take up our case, and see that prison labour will not debar us from making a living for our families, for Capt. Eyre could as well charge 3s. or 4s. per load for quarried stone as 25., having no toll or royalty to pay, and thereby enable us to make a living. —I am, &C, A QITAKRYMAtf. Messrs E. and H. Isaacs' sale of fancy goods, &c., will take place to-morrow at half-past eleven instead of eleven as previ ously advertised. The Wellington Independent of the sth inst. says.—" The Mayor of Wanganui (Mr Watt), it is said, has got into fresh trouble. It ap pears he has forwarded to the directors of the Bank of New Zealand some documents affecting the official conduct of the manager of the Bank at Wanganui, which this gentle man is not disposed to pass lightly over. The exact nature of the document in question has not transpired, but in so far as it may, by inuendo or otherwise, attach blame to the management of the Bank, it is perfectly without foundation ; and as, we understand, it is to form the ground of an action of dam ages its contents will ultimately become public enough. Messrs Whitaker and Russell, of Auckland, are counsel for the Bank man ager. Some time ago M. Commandeur, of Paris, accidentally left in his garden a pot, in which he had been making experiments with starch and iodine. The pot, imperfectly covered with a piece of board, remained ex posed to the heat and rain for three weeks, when, on looking one morning into it he was surprised to find it tenanted by scores of snails and slugs that had con gregated in it from every part of the garden. He repeated the experiment several times, and ascertained that the emanations from iodine will attract these creatures from a considerable distance, when they may be killed by hundreds." A Chicago paper says—"The windy beard of iEolua himself, and all his suceedanasous bags of athmosphere, beswept our segment of earth from long ere dawn of yesterday through a bitter twenty-four hours of extreme winter ness and physical and spiritual shiverings." We have much pleasure La acknowledging the receipt of ten shillings from Dri Kender dine for the unfortunate Puhoi settler. We ••hope we shall have the opportunity of ac knowledging further subscriptions to-morrow. The case is a very deserving one. We would fain be gracious to budding poetasters, and especially to suck promising young sparks as our correspondent "Q.C.E., but why not send his liame and address that we may privately impart some small instruction to him on rhyme, reason, and rhythm. His unexquisite verses are in the form of a parody, which is a mistake. Parodies are invariably contemptible, espe-, cially when, as in the case of "Q.C.E," an' attempt is made to imitate such universally I admired effusions as "Vilikins and his Dinah," for which the author, Mr Henry Mayhew, has been universally thanked. " Q.C.E." with much taste entitles his parody "The Auckland Spooney," which we presume is a versified antobiography. We do not wish to be unjust to this young author, and that the public may judge of his rhyming powers, we give two verses :— Oh! them ere barmaids from the youngest, Just fourteen years old, In all the hotels, many a drink they have sold ; - To all their young spooneys, that come ever so far, sETo spend all their "rino " In front of the ba'. j There is one young spooney, but he has got no show, ' I follers the spooneys wherever they go— i If he takes my advice, he will give up ghost— I And remain in his dwelling not far from this cost ! Shades of the wandering minstrel and the poet of Seven Dials, in mercy protect us front the.se dreadful attacks of rersunania.. ,!;

Fair play is a jewel, and an instance of it was afforded the other day which beats all we have heard for some time. At a certain public-house in a settlement called Hampden (Otaco), it appears a number of Broadens navvies were, a few days ago employing themselves in the difficult task of filling themselves with beer, when a quarrel arose. The dispute, at first general, gradually fined down to a very personal interchange of com pliments between two of the party. The arguments became stronger and stronger, till, from the effects of one far stronger than any of the others, one of the disputants was laid prostrate and semi-iiheohsciotjs qn mother earth. The victor thus far could not re strain the torrent of his pent up feelings, but; without waiting for his foe to rise "went for him " in savage style. "Fair play !" cried the bystanders, and with as much trouble as is experienced in separating two curs who have pinned each other, they at length parted the unequally placed combatants. "iWt hit him while he's down," shouted a i virtuous and staunch supporter of fair play." "I did'nt hit him" retorts the ■ baffled attacker. This was perfectly true, he had only kicked him in the head, tried to gouge his eyes out, and failing in j that had inserted his hands in his neckcloth, 1 and tried to strangle him. Quite true he didn't hit him, and was of course naturally i indignant at the accusation. Two or i three of the bystanders had by this time I raised the inah, who was half stUpified with ! drink and the force of the blow, and as he I couldn't stand himself propped hind up ! against some corn bags in a corner in such a j way that he couldn't possibly fall down. Then the men who had held the ether back let him go, and , for ten minutes of a quarter-of-an-hour, the head of the unfortunate victim of British fair play, who was unable to employ any defence, underwent a severe punching to the cheers of the excited throng. Well done, good fellows all! hurra for English sense of honor and right. It shews well here contrasted against the un : scrupulous attacks of less fortunately born combatants. But after all the thing.has a moral. This empty semblance of honor is very common amongst men of a much higher class than those we have been speaking of. We would not cast a slur on any one in particular for the world ; it might get us into trouble. Bnt we cannot help thinking of Antony and Brutus when we hear such a very general application of the -term " honor able men." Yea, verily, "so are they all, all honorable men." It is finally decided by the people of Ded-' wood that a public hall shall be erected, fronting the Ponsonby road, the spot where the 'buses start from. A plot of land has been secured, and a large number of shares taken up. Tenders are asked for by Mr Mahoney, the architect, which must be Eent to his office by Saturday next. The neigh bourhood of Dcdwood is being thickly studded with houses, and shortly it will be impossible to s.et an allotment in the district. The proposed Ponsonby Hall is to answer all the purposes of an institute, will possess a library for the accommodation of all readers, and a chess and reading-room for the^ pleasure and amusement of persons of advanced years. The'monthly inspection df the Victoria Company will take place this evening at half past eeven. The attendance of'every mem ber is requested. A conversazione to welcome the return of the Rev. B. T. Dudley, the respected incum bent of St. Sepulchre's Church, will be held in the Choral Hall, Symonds-s^reet, on Thurs day, August 28. We have received the following latter with reference to the trees on Flagstaff Hill, North Shore :—" Sir, —In a local yesterday you took notice of the trees planted by me on the Flagstaff Hill. I endorse you senti ment that I Bhall not make much out of the contract if I replece all that die the first year. I, from this date, publicly state that I shall not replace, nor have any iurther rc»ponsi bility in the matter. I have already re placed 350 two-year-old trees arid 350 one year-olds. It was never my intention to have to replace any when I first made my offer to the Board; that was forced out of me at a public meeting, and that on certain conditions. These conditions have been broken. A large portion have been maliciously destroyed; they have been torn out by the roots, left exposed for a few days, and a man employed by the Board to see the fence put in order replanted them again ; others destroyed by cattle, which are to be seen on the hUI svery day, which is the fruit of gross carelessness on the part of the Board. Two weeks since I found fault with the Board about the two gates being down ; they are still down, and I suppose it is their intention to let them lie. When I promised to replant it was to show that I took a greater interest in the matter than a matter merely of business. I have already done my part. There is still a large portion of the best trees in good health. Perhaps individuals will not be so malicious when they know a private individual has no longer any responsibility. You will . excuse the length of this on the ground that the case needs it."—Yours, &c, A. Goldie, Rose Bank Nursery. We are glad to learn that an excellent course of lectures is being delivered in con nection with the Mount Eden school-room, and this evening the members will give a musical and literary entertainment, assisted by the members of the Tonic Sol Fa Union, which, under Mr Bloomfield, has made good progress. ' . Mr James Browne will deliver a lecture this evening in the Church of England school room, North Shore, on " His thirty years' experience as a' colonial journalist." This lecture will be eminently interesting to those who have the privilege of listening to it, as no doubt it will be full of that humour peculiar to the lecturer. . ~,. To the Editor : Sir, —Can you inform me why the present contractor for the mail service is allowed to run a two-horse'coach, when a four-horse coach . was specially specified in the advertisement for the oon ■ tract of the mail service between Tauranga and Taupo. I see by the Tauranga Times ! that Mr Hannon gives a reason for not I driving four horses by saying jthat the road is pot safe. .. Now, sir, I have good authority from a gentleman of large experience that j ihas just come over the road. He says that > the road is in splendid condition, and safe to drive a four-horse coach over any part of the road without the least danger. Mr Hannon's excuse is a very poor one, and I should think th^t the inhabitants of Tauranga and the district should see that the contract is faith fully carried, out. If Mr Hannon is allowed to j continue "running a two-horse coach it is an injustice to those who tendered for the same service, and I may say that the con tract might have been taken for a much less Bum if allowed to tud a two-horse coach.— lam, &c., Settler. A paragraph in a Wellington paper asserts it is the intention of the Government to in-1 troduce the employment of girls in the Telegraph department. There is no doubt the experiment has proved eminently suc cessful in England, America, and various European, countries, and as it opens up another suitable field for the employment of; women the system is one "Worth trial in .this colony.

A very severe squall passed over the har bour S morning about eleven o'clock. It wuaccompanied by heavy pelfcng mn and lasted nearly a quarter of an hour. It came &2^U*SS£« SSL g its fury "he weather became fine with strong breeze from the westward. At about two o'clock this afternoon one of iiSsSSSaJivfttss ballast. . . Our big brother, the Cross hasi again lost himself among the numerous dates he is called upT oTroSicle. To-day he informs he public that a conversazione will be held m the Choral Hall on Thursday evening next, while by advertisement it apppars that the Choral Hall is engaged for a concert on that day. The conversazione is to take place.on Thursday 28th instant, and not on the 21st as erroneously stated by our contemporary. As an express cart belonging to C. Harrison was coming down Queen-street this morning the horse suddenly came down. Beyond the fact that it caused some little excitement the accident does not call for further comment. The state of the high road between Kaipara and Eiverhead is described as atrocious. It Is said that the local boards have a large sum in hand, which they cannot decide about spending, local jealousies running sohigh. Vv c should have thought that the settlers, who must profit by the running of the coach, would be inclined to do all they could to improve the road. This does not seem to be the case.

THE ORPHAN HOME.

The contemplative lover of nature will not be displeased with the bracing walk from Parnell to' the Orphan Home. The road is good, and the scenery around is picturesque pleasantly interspersed with a vanefy of trees, hills, and buildings. Beyond Bishop s court the second road to the right hand from the shady avenue of firs and kauris lerds down a sunny slope to the Parnell Orphan Home, which stands out from social and legislative errors in evidence of that benevolence which is a redeeming character istic of the people of these islands. These homes for those who otherwise would be homeless shed lustre upon the British char acter, and are among the surest proofs of the genuineness of that Christianity in its true spirit from whence these institutions emanated, and which con tinue to foster them. The Orphan Home is situated in a healthful spot, in the midst of a landscape sufficiently varied to please the poet's eye and kindle the artist's enthu T siasm. -More pleasing, however, to • the generous heart is the Home, where a number of parentless children are clothed, fed, and taught through the liberal contributions ojt those persons' to whom Heaven, in its mys terious dispensations, has been more bountiful. It will be unnecessary in recording our impression of this excellent Home to repeat thosei known facts which the reports from time to time furnish to the donors. We would simply and unobtrusively note what we saw on Saturday last. It was at the end of the week, and the day, as in other homes Vas a kind of window - cleaning, scrubbing and clearing-up day, preparatory to the quiet dawn of the Sabbath. We found some of the orphans busy in the work of reno vation, while others were disporting them selves in the brief sunshine. We were cour teously shown through the establishment by the matron, who bears the honoured namo of Burns, and who belongs to the family of the Scottish peasant poet. The Home contains forty-two orphans, and their full, round faces, without an exception, indicated health and happiness. The utmost order prevailed in obedience to sytematic rula. The children have plenty of good wholesome food," and take their meals regularly. The rooms are fitted up with every convenience, are large, and well ventilated. The children rise soon after daybreak, at the call of the first bell, and perform their morning ablutions. They next assemble at a quarter to eight for prayers, which are said by the matron. The little inmates, boys and girls, are then sum moned to breakfast at the hour of eight, and at half tpast nine the school commences. The fbod is prepared by an experienced cook, who receives some assistance by one or other of the girls. The dianer is invariably on the table at half-past twelve, and laid out with considerable taste in order that the orphans may acquire good habits by example. The children then amuse themselves until two o'clock, when they return to their scholastic duties until four. Tea is set before them at a quarter to five, after which they are allowed to recreate themselves. Some employ the time in singing, some in gymnastic exercises, and others in the garden in accord ance with their inclinations. Reading and prayer at seven close the varied opera tions of the day, and after a wash they retire to • their beds. At dinner two of the lads, with little white aprons, act in turn as waiters, and in like manner the girls take turns in assisting in the cooking, needlework, and cleaning, that they may learn to become useful and domes ticated. We were particularly struck with the good behaviour and obedience of the children towards those who minister to their physicial and moral welfare; they evinced an unrestrained child-like playfulness in the presence of the matron which savoured of affection, and shewed unmistakably that Miss Burns, wlio has held her position for six years, is exactly the kind of person to deal with young hearts. The children have their separate beds, well supplied with warm blankets and clean lineni The orphans are from many climes, but very harmonious ; and, innocent of national dis tinctions, appear well satisfied with the Home, which has Leen provided for them. The principal elements of a healthy home are fr«sh air, pure water, and substantial food ; and there is no stint of these good gifts at the Home.' The children, moveover, have plenty of exercise, while their moral and religious training is not neglected. The matron has taken pains to adorn the rooms wijth 'suitable verses and texts, pictures and other attractions, which have their beneficent influences on the mind through the senses. We were pleased with the good order, taste, and systematic working of the Orphan Home, which is well worthy a visit from citizens who take pleasure in such local institutions, which reflect rays of hope for humanity, and stand out as a rebuke to the waste.and vice and immorality of the age.

THE COMING MAN.

To the Editor of the Evening Star,

Sir, —The speech of Mr Dargayille last evening at Newton has been read with much satisfaction by a large number of the resi dents in Auckland, and the bold, manly style in which he exposed the existence of a "ring" will have the effect of securing him a large number of hitherto undecided votes. Waverers will now to a man rush to the poll and vote for Dargaville. Auckland has for many years been ground and kept hack by a mysterious 'something that few could-fathom. We now hear that it is a "ring." Such being the

case, the sooner every honest man in ft* *~ vince does his utmost to wring therNij V, such a vile incubusme better it -will be f '• all. Poor Auckland, with its bad legislate' and its great want of broad acres, cannot afford tcbe continually sucked by a "ring»» which I take to mean an organised company of designing men, who deliberately scheme to filch the province by a system of low cunnin» that is a disgrace to ■ any community/^ when discovered ought to be visited' the punishment which guilty) action! merit. That Mr Dargaville is y. coming man there is now very little doubt, and it is to be hoped that the advent of his taking office as Superintendent •will be marked as the commencement of a new eta. that brighter days will dawn on this provftW and that Auckland -will no longer benbjied throughout the length and breadth of its colonies as a political stinkpot. Finding that they are being closely run, and that there is a probability of their man, Honest John, losing the day, the "ring" will gp^ neither money nor means to put, asMrM gaville forcibly says, "the drag on." ft consequently behoves every man who has the welfare of the province at heart not to.be tempted to sell his birthright for a paltry sum of money, or be seduced by honeted words to give his vote and advance the inter ests of designing men who are makingacatg. paw of the province for their own aggrandise, ment.—l am, &c, Geohge Eozuhi^ Newton. v .

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.) J DRUNKENNESS. We Tinne, a Maori, and Michael Kelly,"j young man, were charged -with being drunfc and disorderly, and fined ten shillings each', or forty-eight hours' imprisonment. . BREAKING AND ENTERING! ' Samuel Taylor was charged with breaking into and entering the shop of Duncan Camp, bell, situated in Vulcan Lane, and stealing therefrom five pairs of boots, value £s,'be tween 9 p.m. on Saturday evening and 7am. on the morning of Monday. JVLr Beveridge, who appeared for the prj. soner, pleaded not guilty. Sergeant-Major Pardy asked that ifo accused might be remanded for a week in order to get further evidence. The boot* had been found in Taylor's possession. yv His Worship remarked that prisonerViaoe* was a familiar one at Court, and he wai' sorry to find that his name had figured bn!. the Police list many times for petty larceniw and other offences. Mr Beveridge said he could have no ob-; jection to a remand. m The case was accordingly remanded for i week. This was all the business.

MIDDLE STAR GOLD MINING COM PANY.

A special general meeting of the shareholders df the Middle Star Gold Mining Company was held at the Mechanics' Institute at, 12 noon 'to-day. Mr Hughes, chairman bltiiL company, presided, and there were tight shareholders present. The chairman read the advertisement con vening the meeting. He said the business of the meeting was to authorise the directors to let on tribute from time te time snch por tion or portions of the upper ground in old workings as they might deem advisable, and he begged, to propose a resolution that such authority be given. Mr Paul seconded the motion, which carried, unanimously, and the meeting separated; ' l '■ ;' ;

PARLIAMENTARY.

[BY TEEEGRATH.]

(From our Special CoREESpqxDKNT.j^J The National Bank Bill. The inquiry by Committee ontheNationil:! Bank Bill has concluded. It was found that the evidence was over-;: whelming'in favour of no interference with; the name, and that the opposition waa frivolous, and vexatious. The evidence is being transcribed, and the repoit may be laid before the House to-day, but more probably not for a day ov two. Last Night's Sitting. ■ The House met last night at halt-past ■ seven for the transaction of Government Bills Discharged." > The Native Schools, Regulation of Elecj tions, Electoral, and Provincial Electoral-; Bills were all discharged from the paper. Petitions. Petitions were presented lastiiight in thtf House respecting residence- sites on the Thames goldfields, and making a branch rail way to Waiuku. Floatage of Timber Bill. The Floatage of Timber Bill was discharged, -• pr aparatory to a new one to be submitted to day, being fifth Bill drafted on this difficultj. I believe Mr Vogel is in sore travail in the parturition of logs. The intention is to drive timber before • flood from dams, inundating and sweeping across the low country. Petitions were presented last night praying for an inquiry by a select committee into the Civil Service Legislation. The Permanent Officers Salaries' Bill was AitchargeU The subject met any clause proposed in Civil Service Amendment Act. The County of Westland Bill- Mr Vogel moved the second reading <%:, • the County of Westland Bill, the object being to raise Westland into a province, the || Superintendent to sifc in Council. ? The Bill was supported by Messrs Harrison^ 5; Luckie, White, and O'Conor. Mr Gillies urged its postponment, as the | Bill had only been placed in his hands that >. evening, and memberf had had no opportu-^ nity of reading it. - Mr Sheehau did not oppose, butjjhought •. they should rather aim at a reduction in the;, number^ of provinces. He urged annexation , to Canterbury. M Mr Wakefleld and Mr O'Neil urged cjelay.^ ;Mr Vogel replied. . / The Bill was read a second time, and is to a be committed to-day. Crown Grants Bill. The Rangitikei and Manawatu Glo^^ Grants Bill, after some debate was read »;:' , second time, arid is to be committed to-day.- ; Native Eeserves. A lengthened debate occurred on the ques- , tion of going into Committee on the Native Eeserves Act Amendment Bill, its object,^ being to vest reserves in Commissioners, aided by Maori advisers. Karaitiana strongly opposed it. The Go- - vernment should point out where reserves were, and their boundaries, so that he might -.^ see if it was for the welfare of the natig p5- He thought there were too many bills w^-' natives. He thought the Government S^OIW; give them a cart to carry them as they couKr not bear them on their shoulders. It was a.„ bad Bill for the natives, and he would oppose 'it. ./i il;-: •'■■■.' <i^ ■ ' .-'.;,: Mr Sheehan opposed the Bill. He had not | the opportunity of doing* so on its second

mi Bvairiye beae, TOespat. ATOtfsf ia iw.s.



[Established 18Q^.] r\ stephYnson & oo.'s CELEBRATED COFFEES, ''•EXHIBITION BRAND" " EAGLE BRAND " "CEOWIT "BEAN D." Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and Storekeepers throughout the Provinca of Attck "*• ,'■•■} ■- /'Mr d. stephjknson & coy; W V N D H A M -STREET, AUCKLAND. GREAT EEDTJCTIONB ; ' . vor THREE MONTHS ONLY AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, QUEEN STREET, Nkxt Door to Savings' Bank. CarUs-de-msite reduced from 16s per dozen to 13s 6d. I Maori Celebrities Qargest stock in New Zealand to select from), reduced from 12s per dozen to Bs. Views from all parts of Now Zealand reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Enlargements trom,Carteß-de-visite to Life-size, plain or beautifully nnished in Oil or Water Colors, also reduced in price. Large Stock .of Photographic, Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Stereoscopic Slides, &C.,~ greatly reduced. MoGARRIGLE,: ■"■'' . Manai'or. HATS! HATS ETJSHBEOOK & BEIDGMAk ' ::sSJßSte^WlO';ir t BALA'NC.E. OF Lrn'oU GIRLS' AND WOMEN'S-BLACK STRAW ;HATS,'.FItOM 13; EACH' • Als&, aXot of IX ' ..., CHILDREN'S WJNTER JACKETS, waterproof; ;CLpAKS,,,,:/■;;•; I FEATHERS, TRIMMINGS; ETC.; VER : Y;;! CHEIApr; '.T''\.y ; RUSHB R0 0 X & B RID GM A N,! JUNCTION I)RA'I;EKY , WAREHOUSE, (Opposite ABMy and Navy Hotel), UPPER QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND. q :'A\^i T-:.i : . J X".,o'""i OLSON'S i TOMATO/ SAUCED amO) Connoisseurs pronounce, this Sauce to be the BUST for general use in household*, and, in con •eiucnce of its hi^li reputation, some unprincipled persons have been iritluced'to :Cdllebt Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, ■ndpass the same off'as ''Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRADE MARK to ba Registered under the provisions ~of?; , tlie "Trade Marks* Act, 1866," and proceeding's will., be !takeii;». against such,persons as m»r forge .or pouhterfeit such mark. .-sTlie public arc eautionedtS^ "^ ASK FOE OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that' the -name is Stamped on Bottle and. Stopper, and wrapped rouud .with bit well-known =*^. : -r'^mVx , ■ ■ " '"' ']■ IDr E A <Wv CO O M'BE S 1 LIST Oj? PRj^C ES. BTOC-t: OP .TWEEDS. . MUW& .■,•/» in rtmoa Tin vTeJsfc io^l



J^ COSGBAVE & CO. . ; ■. Aro now holding an IXTRAOEDINAEY CHEAP SALE OP DRAPERY AND CLOTHING At their Premises, CANADA BUILDINGS, QUEEN STREET.