SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

POST OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening, 5.47 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 6.21 HIGH WATER: This evening, 11.12; to-morrow morning, 11.40

ARRIVALS.

*T MJganui, S.S., Linklater, from Wanganui Johba, barque, from Lyttelton Yelocidade, barque, Ifwen.on, from Lyttelton Cambria, schooner, from Wangarei

DEPARTURES.

Magellan Clould, schooner, for Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

*or Adelaide : Durham, ship, early For Hokianga : Derwent, brig, Monday n For Napier and Southern provinces!iJJNebraska,' p.s., to-morrow afternoon For Napier : Esther, schooner, early For Honolulu and San Francisco Nebraska, mall steamer, 17th April For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Monday next For Sydney and Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s., sth in st. For Cork : Moss Glen, barque early ' For Monte Video : H.I.M.S. Vettor Pisanl, 3rd April For Poverty Bay : Opotiki, schooner, to-day For Levuka: Marion Kenny, schooner, Saturday next For Taranaki and Wangamii: Go-ahead, s.s., Satur day

VESSELS EXPECTED.

.E-ujDDurgn uastle, ship, from London. Hauea zatn December Parsee, ship, from London. Sailed 12th January Agra, ship, from London. Sailed Countess of Kintore, ship, from London "Woodlark, ship, from London.- Loading Zanga, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed 17th January East Lothian, barque, from New York. Sailed 20th December Thames, barque, from New York, via Sydney. Loading Akbar, ship, from Boston, via Melbourne Dauntless, schooner, from South Sea Islands Satellite, cutter, from Levuka Rangatira, s.s., from Southern ports ! ■ '■ '_ ' jj ' Amateur, barque, from Adelaide Mary "Webster, schooner, from Adelaide. Sailed 21st March (for the Mannkau) Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney and Newcastle Mariner, schooner, from Lyttolton. Sailed 20th March Hercules, schooner, from Newcastle. Sailed 22nd March Hylson Castle, barque, from London

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Wanganui: 751 sheep, 22 bullocks, W. Brewer.—Cruickshank and Co., agents.

Tenders are required by MrT. C. Tilly, the agent of the Melanesian Mission, for building a schooner of about 115 tons registei". A premium of £20 will be paid for the ap proved model.

The ship Durham will leave in a few days for Adelaide direct. • i

All accounts against the ship Durham must b« rendered by to-morrow morning to Messrs Cruickshank and Co. . -

The barque Velocidade arrived last evening from Lyttelton with a full cargooofff grain. She is consigned to D. H. Mackenzie.

The brig Derwent will leave for Hokianga on Monday -next to load timber. '* \

The barque Bella Mary was compelled to put back to Eangitoto reef yesterday in con sequence of the strong N. E. wind. She left again this morning on her voyage. IP The s.s. Wanganui, Captain Linklater, left Wellington at 4.30 p.m. on the 29th March, and experienced strong N.W. gales and heavy sea until arrival at Wanganui at 8 a.m on 30th ; sailed at 1 p m. on Ist April, and encountered strong northerly gales and heavy head sea, and arrived at the Manukau at 8 o'clock this morning, after a very rough passage of 43 hours. Passengers : Mrs Barnes and son ; Messrs Wynyard, Claude, Grittos, Reteymer, Gurrin. "We are indebted to Mr Keeble, purser, for prompt delivery of our files.

The barque Joliba hrs arrived from Lyttelton with a cargo of grain, and is anchored off the North Head. She left Lyttelton on the 28th ult.

The brig Heather Bell has reported at the Customs.

The barque Velocidade has reported at the Customs for Lyttelton.

The schooner Ruby has cleared for Russell with a quantity of timber.

A strong westerly wind has been blowing all day in the Manukau, and it is not expected that the Ladybird will be able to cross the bar till to-morrow.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following are the current call and dividends payable in the companies named below :— £ s. d. CALLS. ~!J'J"[ Lincoln Castle .. 010 April 9 Golden Eagle .. 0 0 2 April 9 Flagship & Golden Anchor! 0 April 9 Golden Calf .. .. 016 April 9 Vulqan .. .. ,o^l 0 April 9 f El Dorado .. .. 01 0 Ayril 9 i Aurora .. .. 0 10 April 9 Golden Spur.. .. , 0,03 April. 9 VonMoltke.. .." 0 0 3 April 9 Sappo 0 0 1 April 9 Key of Tokatea <!■.?> 0 0 3 April 9 Coromandel Beach.. 0 10 April 10 Van - 0 0 6 April 12 Morning Star .. 0 0 8 April 14 John o'Groats m.. > 0' 5 0;-' April 15 Thames Gas;. V. 0z 6" May 1 Queen of May .. 0 1,0. , May 14 : MEETINGS. Lucky Diggers, Messrs Russell and Devore's office, Shortland street, Auckland, at 11 a.m., Bth Apr- Moan atairi Union, Mr F. A. White's office, Shortland land street, Auckland, 3 p.m., Bth April Daughters of Freedom, Grahamstown, 14th April Bee, Grahamstown, 15th April Nolan's Candlelight, No. 1, 41, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 3pm., 21st April Flagship, Shortland, 22nd April Margaretta, Mr A. A. Browne's office, Wyndham street, Auckland, 3 p.m., 23rd April Bank of New Zealand, Bank, noon, 24th April

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Closk as Under : — For Thames, this day, at 6.30 p.m., and to-morrow,

at 10.30 a.m. For Coromandel, to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m. For Napier and Southern provinces, per Nebraska,

to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m. For MahuraD^i, Matakana, MaDgawai, &c, per Lady

Bowen, on Saturday, sth inst., at 10 a.m. Mails for the undermentioned places, per Wonga Wonga, on Saturday, sth inst., as under : For India, China, Mediterranean ports, and Con tinent of Europe, at 9 a.m. For the Australian Colonies, and the United Kingdom, via Suez, at 10 a.m.

For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, at 10.30 a.m. For money orders and registered letters, at 5 p.m., 4th inst. ' -,ii For newspapers,, at.9a.mi . t //.ulilUU Note.-The Mails for Toka Toka, Whakahara, Aratapu, Maungawhare, and Whaflu, willjinfnt.uve^ be despatched, from this office on "Wednr";Jay,'< instead of Monday, returning on Tuesday at 6 p.m. The Post-office, Devonport, has been rerwved'to Mr Mays' Store, Victoria road. ~'...■ - (Signed) S. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster..

To the Editor : Sir, —It is not generalfy known that the "shooting season" does not begin until the Ist of May this year,.and'then only for two months. But irrespective of that, a well-known Newmarket poacher had the audacity this morning, between the hours of five and seven o'clock, to shoot at pheasants in the Remuera district, and kill one out of two shots. "it is very necessary when people trespass over other people's land (out of season especially) or in season without a license that the police should keep strict Burveillance 'over them.'"—l am, &c, Anti-poacher. Applications for^the post of inspector for the new Market may be sent in at once to" the chambers, Canada Buildings, from persons qualified for the position. The Provincial Government is asking for tenders for the erection of the long contem plated bridge over Stewart's creek, Wamrarei heads, *

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 3. 1873.

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

The departure of the steamship Nebraska has been postponed until to-morrow (Friday) afternoon.

We understand that King natives are at present discussing the advisability of sum moning, another meeting of natives to be held at some place in their own district, probably at Tokangamutu. We are not, however, as yet aware of the nature of the business to be transacted.

The Arawas are making great preparations for the large hui that is shortly to come off at Rotorua.

We would warn the public that there are counterfeit sovereigns in circulation in the city. We are informed that they bear a great resemblance to the new issue, have a dragon on the face, but on the reverse may be found the word " Hanover." We not only sound the' warning but we trust that any person detecting such will try to trace it to ts source^

Mr Lemon, General Manager of the Tele grapt Department, left for the South, to-day.

An artistically written address in various colours has been presented to Mr Gabriel Marks, son of Mr Morris Marks, by the members of the Grahamstown Fire Brigade, on his retirement from the office of superin tendent. The address, as follows, is executed with much taste, and inscribed to Gabriel Marks, Esq., with the names of the twenty five officers and members appended :—" Dear sir,—We, the undersigned, members of the Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade, have much pleasure in returning you our sincere and heartfelt thanks for the interest you have taken in the prosperity of this Brigade while under your superintendence, as we consider that the state of efficiency to which it has attained is due, to your energy and attention; ■ Wishing you every prosperity thorough life we beg to subscribe ourselves, yours, truiy [here follow the signatures].— March 13, 1873."

The police authorities have received in formation from the London police of the fact that the body of Harriet Buswell was found with her throat cut in the great metropolis. )An individual, whose description has been for warded .to the police, is suspected of the murder, and ,a reward of £200 is offered for his apprehension. The description is posted outside the police court.

We ! notice that a considerable number of windows, in exposed situations, were blown in by the force of the Violent gale during last night.

i There are some very sad circumstances con nected with the death of the late Adam Chis holm. Itappearsthat the unfortunate man went jbo the Refuge for Old Men on Tuesday night and asked for admission. His hand was bound up, Owing to some painful injury or disease. The Home being full there was no possibility of accommodatinghim, but he was treated kindly, and after having partaken of a meal was directed to the hospital. The deceased; wujxt to the Hospital and'asked for permission to stay-there, but was perempto iily refused by the nurse and was driven into nhe darkness of the night a homeless outcast. !5e was'seen sitting upon the steps of Mr Nathan's residence in a very dejected and downcast state. In the town where at no distant time ago he could have commanded hundreds of pounds he now could not obtain ijhe meanest shelter for his head. His body was'found floating in the harbour, and a jury ait to inquire how it came there. Would it not also be well to ascertain how the tempta tton to obtain rest even in death may be lessened to such weary miserable creatures as the late Adam Chisholm.

i We perceive that a post in connection with the new Telegraphic offices has been eire'et'ed at the Shortland-street corner, op posite the store of his Worship the Mayor, preparatory to the opening of the new offices o!n those premises. The present officea were found to ,be unhealthy, consequently it #as thought desirable to remove them to thia spot.

! We are requested to announce that Mr Chalmers^ gardener of the Domain, has a very l^rge supply of mulberry trees ready for planting o^it, and any person who may desire a i supply of siik-Worin trees may have them by applying by letter for an order to Gr. M. Mitford, Esq., Parnell.

1 Tie,performance announced by the Auck land Serenaders at Onehunga last night in ai,d of the widow of the late G. L. Low did n6t take place. At the appointed hour the Serenaders were present, but there was no aiidience, probably owing to the inclemency of the weather. The amount given to Mrs. Low as the proceeds of the lact entertain ment having been called into question, the manager has forwarded for publication a statement accounting for the whole of the receipts. Thia statement is published in another part of to-day's issue. We under stand it is the intention of the Serenaders to give another entertainment in aid of the earae object next week in Auckland,

There have been many complaints made about the small number of emigrants sent to this province under the emigration scheme. Emigrants are scarce at home—iso Say the agents. The stormy Weather has made brave hearts quiver with fear, and the Agent- General has established an emigration depot in which to stow intending emigrants till the weather moderates. The latest published "intention" of the Government is to send to this province 3,500 of the ladies and gentlelnen so stored. It is presumed they will be fairweather birds, well adapted for this genial climate. Or it may be that con stitutionally they will bear an affinity to Featherstone's recent pickings for Auckland, and will require to be comfortably housed and carefully amused during the trying months of an English winter. If we are really to be favoured with ah addition of 3,500 souls to our population, by all means let us have the right class of emigrants. It is false policy to bring to this country a crowd of people who will only fill our hospitals and swell our pauper lists. In the case of emigrants we have as much right to look for value for our own money as we have in any commercial transaction, and if both quantity and quality are not what we had a right to expect for the money, then we are not true to our own patriotic instincts if we do not cry aloud against the imposition. The class of emigrants sent to this country recently might have been better. Our agents cannot be congratxilated for their wisdom in ! choosing none but those whose horny hands showed themto be the right men. Is there any difficulty in procuring men and women of the right stamp ? There may be, but that difficulty arises, not from the want of such I men and women, but from the incompleteness of the means employed to induce them to emigrate.. Those who are familiar with the old country will remember that country people in Scotland and Ireland frequently give themselves more con cern about the journey to the place of embarkation at London than they do about I the royage out to New Zealand. This j would, to a great extent be obviated, and ! the interests of emigration advanced, were vessels advertised to sail from the chief sea-port towns of these countries. People would go to see the vessels, and thus not only would objections frequently raised that they may not get a good ship when they go to London be removed, but a look at a good ships foster ideas of emigration, and cause many to take ship for our shores who are now halting between two opinions. Canada gets hundreds of emigrants who would prefer this country had they the place of embarkation brought nearer home. It would be well for the Government then to consider whether the interests of emi gration would not be advanced by laying on a vessel occasionally at Leith, Glasgow, and the principal seaport towns of Ireland. ilt is certain that many more of the right I class would be induced to seek homes on these shores were our agents in a position to say, " Now gentlemen, the ship is brought to your door, step on board and off you go." It is wise that every little hindrance that operates against the success of the emigration ! scheme should be removed if possible. It iis possible, and it would be highly fprofit- I able, to remove the obstacle we have named. ! Many of the small tenantry of Scotland and Ireland would make most excellent colonists, and would willingly emigrate to New Zealand if it were brought nearer to them by ships sailing from their chief sea-port towns. It may seem absurd to us, yet it is true, that thirty shillings for transit to London, and the expense of lodging and other ex penses there till the ship sails, is* thought more of than the voyage thence. Nor is he who is influenced by that expense to be despised for his 'penurious habits. He is the man who will make a good colonist, and his idiosynscracies, when not ridiculous, should be humoured, for their influence may act salutarily upon a money-wasting com munity.

Those who are curious enough to peep into the shop of Mr White, senior, in Wellesley street, may inspect several exquisitely-carved pieces of woodwork and a few fairly-executed oil paintings by Mr White and his son. The several paintings represent the '' Entomb ment of Christ," " Waiting for the Verdict " (after Solomon), " Mediterranean Priests throwing Dice," and "Charlotte Corday" just before her execution for the daring part she took in the first French Revolution. Better, however, to our taste than the paintings is the minutely-carved " Trophy of Spring," wrought in native kauri, and the chastely - worked side-board wreathed with fruits, wild flowers, acorns, and Canterbury bells. The " Trophy of Spring" is an elaborate triumph of art, and is worthy of a visit. We are hot surprised that Mr White should have obtained a prize at the Sydney exhibition for a similarly-carved ornament.

The Market-house is rapidly approaching completion. The exterior of the building is finished, the whole of the glazing done, and the outside painted. It certainly has a very pleasing and business-like appearance. At each corner of the market are placed four large tanks which collect the rain water from the roof, and these are expected to supply sufficient water to the occupants of the stalls. In addition to this a fountain and basin will be placed in the centre of the market, and will be both ornamental and useful. Each separate stall is provided with a back entrance through to the goods will be brought in order to avoid confusion. No goods will be allowed to be delivered to the stall-keepers from the interior of the market. It is con templated to let the stalls in the first instance by public auction ; but no decision has yet been arrived at on the subject.

Acts of barbarism pale before the march of civilization. No more shall we be pained ■with the spectacle of gangs of aged and decrepid prisoners and young women being marched through the streets manacled on their long and dreary way to the gaol, often through drenching showers, or Under a broiling sun, with no other shelter than their scanty rags which cover them. The Provincial Government has concluded arrangements with Mr Crowther, for the conveyance of prisoners to the gaol in either an omnibus or cart, according to the number of offenders against the law. The contract will include the conveyance of pri soners to and from the Stockade to the Supreme Court for trial.

An advertisement appears in the WaiJcato Ti.nes addressed to young men who prefer to have their shirts washed by maiden hands. The lovely young washer-woman is single, and her appeal to the single young men of Ngaruawahia is ingenuous and business-like, and exhibits womanly qualities of a high order, and which will possibly realise the sweet dream of one of the blithest hearts that ever palpitated over a wash-tub. Young men of Ngaruawahia, note the terms issued by this model washerwoman—this Circean laundress that is to be—Circe's pro jected establishment will be on the latest and most improved principle ; and she trusts that the young men of her neighbourhood will build her a neat little cottage. Single men will be requested to bring and take away their linen, and find soap, soda, and blue. Payments are to be made in advance.

Mr Sherley, the hotel-keeper at Rangariri, notifies to sportsmen that wild ducks were never more plentiful in the lakes and creeks of his neighbourhood than at the present sea-

Complaints'have reached us respecting the ' state of the roadway in Baker-street. The work was commenced a few weeks back with a view, it vould appear, of making a channel, , and with that view the footpath was broken up ; but from some unaccountable reason the . work has been stopped; and as a consequence a road that was passable is now unsafe to travel at night. Looking to the near approach | of the wet winter months it is time this i necessary and long-neglected work was J completed. I

We have been requested by Mr Mitchell to state, for the information of his former pupils, that he has received from London a supply of phonographic publications (tenth edition) which will be of great assistance to them in their phonetic studies. The books contain a series of graduated exercises for learners and advanced students, and the outlines, phraseographic combinations, gram malogues, etc., are illustrations of the best possible method of shorthand writing, as adopted by the most skilful and experienced phonographers in the home country.

INQUEST.—THIS DAY.

An inquest was held this afternoon at two o'clock, at the Railway Terminus Hotel, Wynyard Pier, before T. M. Philson. Esq., M.D (coroner), and a select jury, to enquire into the cause of the death of Adam Chis holm, whose body was found yesterday morn ing by the piles of the Wynyard Pier—Mur doch McLeod, senr., foreman. John Sargent, a lad of thirteen, employed on the railway works, Mechanics' Bay, de posed that as he was going to his work yes terday morning, at seven o'clock, he was told there was a dead man floating by the tip head. He went and saw the body, and then informed the police of the circumstance. George Daniels, night watchman, stated that he saw the deceased in Custom-house street by Holdship's, about half past ten on Tuesday night, wandering about. He then went towards the Waitemata Hotel, and stood a while by Copland's, where he tried to light his pipe. Witness then asked him what he wanted there. He wanted a match, and then went to some men on the wharf, who supplied him. He then went down the wharf smoking his pipe. He saw no more of him alive. He was perfectly sober. Witness had been thirteen years in Auckland, but did not know Adam Chisholm.

David Dunnigham was next examined, and stated that he was an hotel-keeper in Hobson-street, and had known the deceased for three ytars. He met him on the wharf on Tuesday night, at half-past ten. He was going towards the end of the wharf. Sergeant Walker was examined, and the jury after £a brief consultation, returned a verdict of " Found drowned."

FIRE IN THE NORTH.

BURNING OF THE MISSION PREMISES

AT KAITAIA.

By letters just received we regret to learn that the Church of England Mission Station at Kaitaia was the week before last the scene of a fire, which has consumed the residence of Mr Puckey, who is in charge of the district. This station, whichisthe most north ern of all the mission stations in New Zealand, is situated about twenty miles from Mangonui and adjacent to Ahipara Harbour on the west coast, and has been for upwards of forty years under the charge of Mr Puckey, who is father of Air Puckey, native agent at t]ie Thames. At the time the fire occurred the family had retired to rest, about 10 o'clock, there being in iiie house at the time Mr and Mrs Puckey and their daughter, also the teacherof the Pukapoto school, who happened to be staying for the night. About twelve o'clock Mr Puckey was disturbed by a dog scratching at the door, when hearing a sound which he supposed at first to be the roaring of the surf on the west coast, he arose and found the house in flames. The fire had originated in a small room off the landing above stairs, in which a fortnight before a small quantity of tow had been placed, but whether arising from spontaneous combustion, or from rats carrying off and gnawing matches, cannot now be known, but no person had been near the tow within a week before. The first effort of the inmates was to extingusli the burning flax, but it was vain ; nor was there much time afforded for rescuing anything from within the burning building. Mr and Mrs Puckey saved merely the bedding from their room, and the clothing worn the pre vious day. Miss Puckey merely saved what clothing she had on at the time of the fire, but by an extraordinary effort this young girl of about fifteen years, assisted by the teacher, was enabled to carry out from the blazing building her piano, which it had tasked the united efforts of four men a few days previously to place within the building. A beautiful organ, a fine library, and the accumulated collections and mementoes of forty years were in one short quarter of an hour swept away. The loss will be a painful one to Mr Puckey and his family, and the disaster has-, created general and sincere sympathy throughout the district, but from I;ne well-known liberality of the Church Mission we have'no doubt that a suitable residence will soon be supplied to the veteran missionary who has spent almost a lifetime of labour in the district.

THE YOUNG LADY OF THE PERIOD.

; (To the Editor of the Evening Stab.) Sir, —I was glad to observe a paragraph in last evening's Star which I hope will have a beneficial effect upon some of our lay-a-bed young ladies, and cause them to rise a little earlier in the morning. It is quite true that many of our Auckland daughters indulge themselves in bed -much longer than is riecegsary, or even healthful. I am sure ejarly rising would conduce to their physical and mental improvement, and stamp their features with fresher beauty. I hope, there fore, they will accept your timely hint and act upon it, instead of spending five months out of the year between the sheets, and three hundred and sixty-five hours out of the same circle of time in arranging their hair. I am continually lecturing my girlm on making the most of time, and am happy to say that they now rise at half-past seven when the milkman comes. —I am, &c., The Mother of Seven.

AUCKLAND AMATEUR SERENADERS.

: Sir, —I am very sorry that the late benefit af; the City Hall should have brought about aO much discussion. When this troupe was organised the rule already before the public in. print was formed. Now to explain that rule. If at any time the Serenaders should perform, and their proceeds should just realise their expenses, then they could fall bfick on this fund, which should be in every troupe or company, and extract a few pounds for the object for which they were performing, and thus not leave the widow and fatherless uttei'ly desolate, as has often been the case in other troupes. Now the reason that the receipts and expenditure were not before published was on account of tickets not being received which had been distributed. "Inquirer," in referring to the publication of the receipts and expenditure, is perfectly justified in so doing. I should alsp like to

see the balance sheet of the " Hauraki's" for their performance on last Regatta night (29th January) and the night following ; also of the " Excelsior V for their performance at the Thames for the benefit of the " Thames Miners' Eelief Fund," as I believe their audience were numerous on each occasion. Now, sir, if these little things had been settled at first it would have saved all this bother. But, like Shakespere's comedy, there has been "Much ado about nothing.'^ Yours &., W. F. Armstkong, Manager.

The following is the balance sheet for the late benefit at the City Hall : —

Eeceipt" & s. d- By money taken at door .. .. .. 20 13 6 By money received for tickets distributed.. 17 10 0

Total receipts 38 S 6 Expenditure. £ s- <*• To City Hall .. ..400 Printing and advertising 5 0 0 „ Musicians 319 0 ;; Gri io° ~ Hireofpi,mo 0 10 0 „ Mr Orlando Mazzolini, for clearing hall for dance 0 10 0 „ Kefre-hments for the Company .. .. 2 8 0 „ Sundries .. .. .. .. .. 139 ~MrsG. L. Low 20 0 0 Total expenditure 38 1 9 Balance in hand 0 13 J. Young, Secretary. T. Philips, Treasurer.

HOW NEW ZEALAND IS SLANDERED.

Attention has been directed to a letter bearing the signature of "John E. Eander son, G'oromandel," which appeared in the Alliance News of November 23rd, 1872. This periodical is the organ of the temper ance reformers at home, and for information respecting the cause abroad must depend on such correspondents as Johnß. Randerson, of (Joromandel. In the exercise of his duty, and doubtless with a due appreciation of the appetite which teetotallers have for strong food, John E, Randerson informed the readers of the Alliance News that the Government of New Zealand buys the native land and "settles" the native question, and the natives themselves, by a free supply of fire water, and even condescends to particulars. We make the following «xcerpts from the letter —"Yet I am sorry to have to inform your readers that the Government of New Zealand can now no longer boast, as heretofore, that the lands of this colony are not obtained from its aborigines in the same way as the vast prairies of America were bought from the Indians, viz., by giving them 'fire water.' Alas! no ! That which has been their just boast and firm principle for twenty years is now theirs no more. —The practice of the Government not to pay the Maoris for their lands in intoxicating liquors has for some time past been deviated from. I will give but one instance of several which have come to my knowledge during the past six months. Only last week about SCO Maoris were assembled within a very few miles from this place to receive payment for a largo tract of land, bought by the Government through their agent. So far very good; their right to buy Maori land, by all fair means, no one will dispute. But how did they pay ? In money, as all private individuals must do ? No, they sup plied the natives with large quantities of provisions, and several. hundred gallons of grog. Is this a Christian Government ? If so I ask,' why does it bring forth such evil fruit? ' On this let*br our contemporary the Cross comments in strong terms, under the heading which we have assumed " How New Zealand is slandered ;" whereat John R. Randerson, of Coromandel, is offended, and flies to the Evening Star, that refuge for the distressed ; and appealing to us by the "cause which lacks assistance" discourses thusly. We receive him to our loving embrace, and deal with him an we believe he deserves :—

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir, —Believing that the accompanying letter addressed to the editor of the Daily South ern Cross, a copy of which I have sent to that gentleman, will not 'be published in that journal, may I request that you will do me the favor to insert it in your widely cir culating paper. —I am, &c, John E. RanderJ son.

To tie Editor of tie DaPy Soutlvern Cross

per favor of tlie Evening Star.

Sir, —I am very glad to find that you have re-printed my letter to the Alliance News in the columns of your daily and weekly papers. It is high time that public opinion should express itself on this subject. I should havn replied earlier had I not been waiting to see if any representative of the. Government in his official capacity would deny my statement, and call upon me for proof. Such not having been the case, it is only fair to myself that I should have the opportunity afforded me, —which I trust you will not deny me—of replying to some of the abuse which has been heaped upon me. In your weekly you contemptuously ask, Who is this Mr Randerson ? Let me tell you, sir, he is one who is neither to be terrified into silence nor consigned to oblivion, nor bul liod or put down, nor even intimidated by the unscruplous remarks, the frantic asser tions, the unwarrantable assumptions, or the maniacal dogmatisims of more unscru plous newspaper editors. He is one whose honor is unimpeachable, whose character will bear the strictest investigation, and who is not ashamed to have his name associated with the exposure of one of the "wrongs that need resistance." He may be found daily at his office, Kapanga road, Coromandel, and if you are not yet satisfied, Mr Editor, as. to " who this, Mr Randerson is " you can have ocular, and, if necessary, substantial proof •by calling at th c aforesaid place. In your issue of 25th inst., as also in your weekly, you publish my latter under the heading, "How New Zealand is Slandered." Now, sir, if it can be proved that truth is slander, and that to state a fact, however black and hideous it may be, is to become a slanderer, then, and not till then, will I admit that I have " slandered" the Government ; bxit as such is not the case I maintain that the Government is not " slandered," but publicly exposed. As for the unmitigated ignorance which is displayed in the quotation from the Wailcato Times I would cast back the con tempt which it strives to throw upon me, and tenfold more upon the head of the ignoramus who wrote. "It is certainly new to us that natives have frequently asked to have the traffic abolished." The remarks of " Cameo " (whose name, by-the-bye, should have been " Chameleon," as I feel persuaded that, he could change from black to white as quickly as the reptile of that name in order to swell the number of hi 3 penny lines) are certainly not characterised by that truthful ness which he would lead the public to believe is the basis of his actions. He condemns intemperance in these noble senti ments, " There are greater sins than drunkenness, and there is intemperance in other matters than the excessive indulgence in intoxicants," which I heartily endorse ; but why, let me ask, now that he is so fully aware of the disease under which he is laboring, why does he not apply himself earnestly to cure his own malady first. Let "Cameo"—or rather, I beg his pardon, "Chameleon"—not forget those remarkable, and to him applicable words, " Physician hea.l thyself," He also states

that I haye been led "to traduce and malign my fellow-settlers ;" this I positively deny, i as my letter does not even mention my fellow-settlers ;" but I do say, now that this | matter is before the public, that if my ! fellow-settlers" still allow this evil to be continued they will be equally to blame : with the Government itself. I am some what surprised, sir, that you have taken up | the cause of the Government so heartily; and yet I need not be at all surprised that the Southern Cross—the organ of the Go- ■ vernment—should have done so when I con- > sider that the Government gets 12s per | gallon for every gallon of spirits consumed, ; and that rate on 300 gallons would represent , the nice little sum of £180. And now, sir, j knowing as I do, that the Press always , reserve to themselves the last word, let me i tell you once for aU that I will produce the : proof of the fact I have stated in my letter to the Alliance Neios when the authorities concerned have denied the fact, and called upon me to do so. —Yours, &c, John it. Randerson. Coromandel, March 31, 1873. We observe| that Mr Randerson deals ji hardly with the editors of the Cross and the Waikeio TimeSfj&nA. that he is one not to be terrified, bullied, or put down by the ' un scrupulous remarks, the frantic assertions, unwarrantable assumptions, or maniacal dogmatisms of more unscrupulous newspaper editors." This is quite right, and we are glad to see him give it hard to those trucu lent papers, but from his flying for refuge to us against their attacks we assume that he regards us only as being a worthy representative of journalism, and as such that he will accept in good spirit the remarks which we make. It will be seen that Mr Randerson withdraws none of the charges made against the colony. It is need -1 less for us to say that they are gross and malicious falsehoods, but Mr Sanderson, who by his own showing, is a man of '' un impeachable honor whose character "will bear the strictest investigation," waits till the Government does him the honor of picking him up out of the mud of Coromandel, and dignifies his false and feeble pen with the honor of a disclaimer which would make the Government laughed at by the whole people. If every calumniator of the colony, and the name is legion, will be allowed to dissemi nate his slanders unchallenged till a " repre sentative of the Government in bis official capacity " denit s the statement, then slander must pursue its mischievous course to the detriment of the whole people. Mr Randerson, if he knows anything at all of public policy, knows that the Government does not traffic in fire-water with the natives, and the particular case to which he refers as having occurred in August last, " within a very few miles" of Kapanga, in which "several hundred gallons of grog" were given by the Government to the natives in i payment for their land, is such a bare-faced ! falsehood that we wonder how any man would dare to make it. We challenge Mr Randerson to the proof of his statement, and I we are surprised that any respectable journal ' like the Alliance News would place before its I readers such a sweeping statement without ! enquiry. It is this unscrupulous conduct !on the part of teetotal fanatics that j disgusts the general public, and damns I the cause of temperance. We have notj the honor of being acquainted with Mr j Randerson, or knowing any thing about him | but what he tells; us himself, namely, that i he is a man of " unimpeachable honor ;" but ! the impression made on us by his letter is ; that he* is one of the most consummate | scoundrels to be found, in the province. He | appeals to us for protection, and in the j utmost friendliness and confidence we shall ' tell him what amount of protection we i should like to give a man that so wantonly 1 seeks to ruin the fair fame of this the land jof our adoption. We should like to have his ; hands fixed over his head to a triangle. We 1 should like then to have the clothing re- I moved from his back. We should like then to roll up our shirt sleeves, and with a good j cat-o'-nine-tails in our hand we should like i to go in

For the cau' c th."t lacks a's;stance. For the w ong tlut DeeOs rea t nee, For the uture 'n the dhtonce.

And the good that we could do.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST FROM THE WAIKATO.

Terrific Gale.—Two Houses Blown

Dotath

Harvest Ball

NEWCASTLE

This day. A terrific gsAe occurred early this morning. Two houses were blown to the ground, and are perfect wrecks.

Mr Innes gave a ball to celebrate t^ie hop harvest on Tuesday evening. About fifty guests were present, and. the affair was a great success.

Great Native Meeting at Taupo.

Probable Openics of Tuhua.

TAUPO.

This day.

At the native meeting held at Tokano, there were 700 present. A committee consisting of Te Heuhew, Pbihipi, Hohepa, 7 L 'opea, were elected to manage the lea? dtfg and sale of lands. Hohepa spoke of the wealth of the Auckland and N.apier natives through the sales of theij* land, and the poverty of the inland natives. The meeting will probably result in the opening of the Tuhua co antry.

TAURANGA.

This day. - v ft A meeting will be held to-night to urge for a subsidy to Quick's coaches oil the Tau po line. | The Times indignantly the truth of the statements made by Mr Casey, Minister of Lands, Victoria, in his no ties on a trip through New- Zealand.

| Mr D( aiglass meets his Constituents to-night. ;v i

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

Great Fire at Ohristchurch

Destruction of the new Town Hall

, Insurance Companies' Losses

i HEIdTCHTJRCH,

This day. i A fire occurred last night at the building originally erected as a Town Hall.. In consequence of an accident, which rendered the building insecure, it wa,f3' changed into a draper's shop, and

was occupied by Messrs Beath and Co. The building, which was of brick, was situated in the centre of a block of wooden erections. When the fire broke out the brigades put forth strenuous exertions toconfine the .flames to the building-in which the fire originated. A plentiful supply of water from the water tanks in the vicinity was obtained, and by its means the brigade were enabled to prevent the spread of the flames. The hall was totally destroyed. The stock was valued at £2000, and was insured, in the South British office for £3000.. a. The building was insured in^T* Liverpool, London, and Q-lobe onftes for £800.. S. a-nd H. Nashelsky, ironmongers, occupied the shop adjoining the hall, and their premises as well as others in the vicinity sustained some damage. The New Zealand Insurance Com pany loses between -6400 and £500 by the fire. It is suspected that incendiarism was the cause of the fire.

WELLINGTON.

This day,

The captain of the Glenlora was fined £75 for a breach of the Passengers Act in not supplying sufficient pro visions for the voyage. Arrived—-Ban gatira, from Napier.

WANGANUI.

This day.

A "meeting of the shareholders of the Wanganui Steam Navigation Com pany decided to sell the steamers Wanganui and St. Kilda for £10,000, and to wind up the company.

DUNEDIN.

This day. Mr McG-lashan, M.H.R., goes home to purchase the plant for a paper manufactory. Mr Driver is a candi date for his seat.

A petition to the Provincial Council has been prepared, praying that the High-school be placed under the con trol.of the University Council. The petition is being largely signed. Mr McG-lashan denies that; he in tends to resign his seat in the House of Representatives.

NELSON.

This day.

Mr Richardson has resigned his seat in the Bouse of Representatives. Mr Andrew Richmond and several other candidates are mentioned.

LYTTELTON.

This day. Arrived—Wellington, from Dune d-'n.

PICTON.

This day. The s.s. Tarauaki sailed at 9.40 to day for "Wellington.

PORT CHALMERS.

... This day. The s.'s. Patterson sailed yesterday for the Bluff.

Sailed—Free Trader, for Hobart Town • Eleanor, for Newcastle. ;

POLICE COURT.—This Day. (Before his Worship the Mayor.)

DRUNKENNESS.

John McNaughten, and William Burton, were brought up charged with this offence and . subjected to fine or imprisonment.

Thomas Mulvaney appeared on remand charged with assaulting Jane Quinn on the 29th inst, and threatening to " Knife her." Mr Brock on the part of the defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr Joy appeared for the plaintiff, and desired'tnat the parties might make up the1 matter and the defendant be bound over to keep the peace, as there were a number of witnesses present and the case would probably occupy two hours, , • l Mr Brock thought it would be but a short case there being only nine witnesses.

ALLEGED ASSAULT.

His Worship suggested a settlement. ' The defendant was ordered to find suretie3 himself in £40, and two others in £20 each.

This was all the business,

SUPREME COURT.—THIS DAY.

IN BANKRUPTCY.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Johnston.)

IN BE PATRICK. GLEESON. : The bankrupt applied to pass his last - examination. His liabilities yere £558, and assets £30. The report of the trustee was r6ad, and it was stated that bankrupt had „ carried on: business at Grreymoiith,' where ;| many of big debts were contracted. He had-; aj large number of debtors there who owed [ hjm some £2000. They were all decent and j honourable men, and might be expected to pay when they could. The collapse of the Jj place had brought him intp the Bankruptcy ' Oourt. He had no books which would be of j vplue to any one but himself. ~ ! Mr Armstrong appeared for the bankrupt, and there was no opposition. i j His Honor commented in strong termg w upon the way the bankrupt had conductedly his business. He had commenced without? 9 capital and appeared to have given credit to"* any one who asked him for it. He did not , seem to have endeavoured to get in any of' this money which he alleged was due to him. What did the insolvent care so long as he got his discharge? How could he swear that these 250 Greyniouth creditors were all 1' • I decent and honourable " men; la no com- I munity could 250 men chosen promiscuously be termed "decent and honourable ;" he wished to <Gtod, morality were so universal that it would be possible to do so. The absence of opposition did not weigh much with ' the Court, as experience showed that it fre quently arose from that censurable negli gence which was often exhibited by mercantile men. He felt it was his duty in the interests of commercial morality to institute strict examinations into such cases as the one before the Court, and he should refuse to grant the bankrupt his discharge until the provisions 7 trustee had instituted inquiries amongst the ' Greymouth creditors.

IN RE V

H. BUTLER,

The bankrupt, who was a painter, came up upon hia own petition to be released from ins debts, amounting to £99 19* Gd»

Tfflß EVENING STAk THURSDAY, AVRTL S, ISfS



'JJ'ELSON TWEED TROUSERS. 15s. 6d. Pee Paie, AT THE CITY CLJOTHIN6 MART, AND AT No. 180, QUEEN STREET. SAMUEL COOMBEB, GREAT REDUCTIONS FOR THREE-MONTHS ONLY AT THK AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, queen street, Next Door to Savings' Bank. Cartes-dc- visite reduced from 16s per dozen to 13s 6d. Maori Celebrities (largest stock In New Zealand ■ to select from), reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Views from all parts of New Zealand reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Enlargements from Cartes-de-visiU to Life-size, plain or beautifully finished in Oil or Water Colors, also reduced in price. Large Stock of Photographic Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Stereoscopic Slides, &c, greatly reduced. J. MoGAEEIGLE, Manager.