SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: Tins evening, 6.05 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, ,*>.34 HIGH WATER: This evening, S. 15; to-morrow morning, 3.26.

ARRIVALS.

Southern Cross, s s., from Tauranga Strathnaver, schooner, from Russell, Comerang, p.s., Chrisp, from Poverty Bay Emulovr, suhooner, from Dunedin

DEPARTURES.

Opotiki, schooper, Pulman, for Poverty Bay Ertie Meikle, schooner, for AVangapona Clyde, schooner, for Wangarei Challenger, p.s., for Wangarei

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Southern ports: Taranaki, s.s., to-morrow For Norfolk Island : Ivanhoo, schooner, to-morrow For Honolulu and San Francisco: Nebraska, mail

steamer, 20th inst. For Cork : Polar Star, ship, to-morrow For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Monday next For London: Harvest Home, ship, and ulennuntly,

For Sydney and Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s. to-morrow ; Hero, s.s., about 28th inst.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Durham, ship, from London. Sailed 29th November Edinburgh Castle, ship, from London. Loading Parsee, ship, from London. Loading Langa, barque, from Liverpool. Loading

The p.s. ComercW "xeffc Poverty Bay on Wednesday nigl^ U) and had light northerly winds and a Strong easterly swell throughout. Slie brings as passengers —Messrs T. Hume, Collins, and two Maories. Cargo—so head cattle, 400 sheep, mO bags grass seed for G. E. 'Reed. The Comerang sails for Eussell to morrow.

The schooner Strathnaver has reported at the Customs with 85 tons coal from Russeil.

The schooners Clio and Queen have cleared outwards for Bussell.

The schooner Margaret Campbell is loading coal at Eussell for Dunedin.

Preparations are being made by the owners of yachts entered for the coming race on Tuesday next. The. competing vessels are the Fleetwing, Energy, Spray, and Gipsy Queen. Several improvements are being made on board the yachts, and each seem confident of success. Great interest is taken in the event, and it is to be hoped that the day -will prove favourable for the struggle. The s.s. Taranaki will leave the Manukau nt eleven o'clock to-morrow morning for Southern ports. The s.s. Wonga Wonga is announced to take her departure for Sydney and Mel bourn at three o'clock to-morrow afternoon.

The yachts belonging to tlie Auckland Y~acht Club will proceed on a cruise to morrow afternoon un.uer command of the Commodore, who vail hoist his flag on board the yacht Sabrina. The start will be effected by -fcwo o'clock from the westward side of the wharf.

The p.s. Lady Bowen will leave for Mahu rangi and the Hot Springs at eleven o'clock to-morrow moTiuns

The schooner Fiery Cross will leave for Hussell this evening. Consignees by the ship Warwick's are re quested to attend to the nsual formalities and take possession of their goods imported by that vessel. The ship still lies in the stream. She will receive a quay berth to-morrow morning. The brig Moa has hauled into the stream, and will leave for Bussell to-morrow.

The hulk Marina is alongside the Wonga Wonga delivering coal. The Star of the South left Napier for the Thames on Tuesday last.

The cutter Dido arrived at Lyttelton yesterday from Kaipara.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs E. and H. Isaccs held an extensive sale of Melbourne-made clothing, English tweed, &c, at their stores to-day. The trade was fully represented, and all the goods were sold in packages. Bidding spirited ; and considering the reported dull ness of trade the prices were fully what could be expected. In all about £1600 worth of goods were disposed of.

MINTNG. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— £, s. d. DIVIDEND. All Nations .. .. 0 4 0 Feb 18 CALLS Van .. .. 0 0 6 Feb 14 Imperial Crown .. 10 0 Feb 17 Missouri .. .. 0 5 0 Mrch 3 American Eagle .. 010 Mrch 12 Inverness .. .. 0 0 3 Mrch 12 Royal Standard .. 00 6 Mrch 12 MEETINGS. Masonic, Coromandel, 15th February Shotover, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m. 17th February Coromandel Tunnel, Mr Tothill's office, Auckland, 10 a.m., 18th February Bisnwck and French Republic, Insurance Buildings Auckland, 2 p.m., 21st Febraary Tokatea, Coromandel, 21st February ■Watchman, Grahamstown, 21st February Central Italy, Graharastown, 27th February

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as under :— Jb'or Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.; and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. . For Taranaki, the Southern provinces, and Chatham Islands, per s.s. Taranaki, on Saturday, 15th inst., at 9 a.'m. _ For Mahuranei, Matakana, Mangawai, &c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday, 15th inst., atlOam. For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Wonga Won"a, on Saturday, 15th inst., as follows :— For the Australian Colonies and the United King dom, via Suez, at 2 p.m. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, at 2.30 p.m. Money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, R LateTettersforthe United Kingdom (via Brindisi), Sydney, and Melbourne, at 2.30 p.m. - For Great Barrier, Vhitiangi, Tauraosa and Opotiki, per Southern Cross, on Monday, 1/th inst, at 3 p.m. For Russell and Mongonui, per Eowena, on Monday,

For Wangarei, W^ng'arei Heads, &c, per Challenger, on Monday, 17th inst., at 3 p.m. For Norfolk Island, per Ivanhoe, on Monday, 17th

inst, at 5 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Nebraska, on Thursday, 20th inst, asunder:— For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at "For United Kingdon via San Francisco, at 12.30

Late letters for the United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of 6d in addif ion to the postage will be received at this pfflue until 1 p.m., and by the mail agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

To gentlemen requiring first-class tobacco and cigars, if they would only visit Mrs Sharpe's neat little American Tobacco and Ci«ar Divan (next Bank New Zealand) they may purchase the same cheaper than in any ether house in the city. No inferior goods kept in stock ; would not purchase such for the public at any price. One trial is suffi oient to guarantee a continuance of custom. tit!. BmoHT'HPHoaPHODYNB. — Multitudes of People are hopelessly suffering from Debility, Nervous and Sver Complaints, Depression of Spirits, Delusions, Unfitness for Business or Study Failure of Hearing, Bieht and Memory, Lassitude, Want of Power, &c, whose cases admit of a permanent cure by the new remedy Phosphodyse (Oxonic Oxygen), which at once allays all irritation and excitement, imparts new enercy and lite to the enfeebled constitution, and ramdlv cures eveir stage of these hitherto incurable and distressing maladies. Sold by all Chemists and Storekeepers throughout the Colonies, from whom Pamphlets containing testimonials may be obtained. K£T Caution.—lse particular to ask for Dr. Blights Phosphodynu us imitations are abroad; and avoid purchasing single bottles, the genuine article being sold in cases md ;/.

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 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

Once more it becomes our duty to seek to arouse the political spirit of our fellow citizens, and incite them to prepare themselves for the exercise of the franchise. As regularly at Christmas tide we say " A merry Christmas and a happy New Year," and on anniversary day we dilate on the rapid growth and the prospects of the colony, so about this particular season the newspapers all over New Zealand will proclaim " Eegister!" Until the 31st of next month it is the privilege of colonists to assert their rights to have a voice in the election of our legislators; and if through negligence the privilege is waived any one will deserve neither sympathy nor pity in the disappointment and chagrin which are sure to result in the approaching season of great political excitement. It is needless for us to advise any one with the least interest in political affairs that we are on the eve of two events, each of which will intensely agitate our social system from North Cape to Tongariro, or whatever other promi nent physical feature may be accepted as indicating our Southern frontier. Not only will every electoral district be engaged in the creation of the con stituent elements of the new Provin cial Council, but tlie whole province, as a province, will by-and-bye be in the throes of political parturition over the production of a new chief magistrate. With such events impending it should not be necessary to urge any one to take the small pains of placing his name on the Electoral Roll, and the man that does not perform this duty deserves to be jeered at when making that most humiliating confession in election times —" "Well I ought to have a vote, but I am sorry to say I neglected to register." There are always these political eunuchs to be found sheepish and shy slinking round the hustings when every one else holds his head erect in the con scious pride of political manhood, and the feeling of contempt with which they are viewed by people who re mark —" Oh, you need not speak to him ; he has no vote" —should be enough. to nerve any man to the resolution that. never again will he neglect to " register." Many and earnest have the struggles been for the extension of the franchise, and now when extended till within the reach of almost every settled member of our social system, people are to be found who will noteven strotch forth the hand and take the boon. Every man that has been six months in a district,

and has formed any tie to it in the shape of a home, or a freehold, has only to apply to have his name enrolled among the electors. The form of application can be procured at this oilice at the cost of the smallest coin current in the city, or gratuitously if the

applicant thinks the privilege of a vote ! not worth a penny. It is requisite to ; merely fill a form with the intbi mation specified, sign it in the presence of any elector of the district, any Justice of the Peace, or the Returning Officer — Colonel Balneavis—and to have the application then deposited at the office of the latter gentleman in the Police Court buildings. Thereafter the name, without any further trouble, and no charge whatever, will be placed on the electoral roll, which will come in force on the first of September; and will, for all time to come, until the name is removed on account of death or dis qualification, entitle the applicant to vote in the election of Provincial Councillors, Superintendent, and members of the House of Repre sentatives. It may be proper add that any r,^ -~ w a vote for e^ fl£j t the colony have a qualification in each and make the proper application through the several Returning Officers. Once again, we say to every one that has not yet been enrolled among electors, Register! You may feel indifferent on the subject now, but ere many months have passed away you will see every one in a species of political frenzy ; business will be voted a bore, and neither the coat on your back, nor the balance at your bankers, will be the test of your respectability and worth, but " have you a vote ?"

The ca.se of tlie Butchers' Assistants is really one of genuine hardship ; and we do not hesitate to say that if it were fairly placed before the minds of the public, housekeepers would give a practical form to their sympathy. We do not like to lead off in any thing that might injure the personal interests of par ticular tradesmen, or to mention particular names. But we really think that if there is

no other way of repairing this cruel wrong to one class of workmen, the public feeling will have to be aroused in direct and practical and effective hostility against the nigger drivers who presume to live in a decent city, and among decent people. The butchers 3 assistants, be it known to the people of Auckland, have been accustomed to be kept at work for seventeen hours in the day. They ask that they should have to work only (!) twelve hours in the day, and will it be believed that there are in this city

five employers of labour who say " No ! you shall and you must work seventeen hours in the day." And will it be credited that these men dare to say this while they are depen dent on the public for theirtrade, and for their continuance of the power to grind down the poor devils that a cruel fate has placed under their power. We do not mention the names of these five butchers, but surely they will not persist in doing what will be regarded by the whole people as an outrage on our common humanity. Are we to suppose that working men, who have striven forshort hours for themselves —are we to suppose that the drapers' assistants, who have striven for short hours for themselves —are we to suppose

that the people who never refuse their sym pathy when there is a genuine case of suii'er_ ing submitted, will turn a deaf ear to the pleading of men who do not like seventeen hours of daily labour, and ask that they should be compelled to labour only twelve. It is needless to say that unless all the butchers consent to close at a lixed hour one recalcitrant butcher can compel not only his own men but the whole of the butchers' as-

sistants to continue in this grinding bondage unless public opinion is aroused; but it is equally needless to say that if public sympathy is fairly awake, the man that determines to continue nigger driving in a decent city can be made to suffer for it. We shall be reluctant to

enter on this struggle unless we are com pelled, and we would respectfully, in th e name of our common humanity, implore these butchers to reconsider their determi nation to compel men to continue j'vorking for seventeen hours a clay. We believe it will be difficult to brave public opinion on such an outrageous thing; and the public, by sending for its bill and squaring up ac counts, and intimating that it will not have chops and joints from hands that are

nigger-driven for seventeen hours out of the twenty-four, can at least in flict a loss equal to the gains of the five wicked hours of blood-sucking slavery. We are not desirous of entering on this quarrel, on which it would be very easy to arouse hot public feeling against this wrong that needs resistance, and we sincerely trust that the five butchers will re-consider their purpose, and not stand forth as defending such a term of daily bondage as has not heretofore been brought forward to brave the public indignation.

The postmen have been kept busy to-day delivering the missives of St. Valentine, and the stationers have no reason to complain of the amount of custom that has been accorded them in this particular line. The present form of observing Valentine day is rather stupid, and not to be compared with the cus tom of former times. In the olden times, according to Ohambers's Book of Days, the youths and maidens assembled on Valen tine's Eve and inscribed upon little billets the names of an equal number of maids and bachelors of their acquaintance. These were thrown into a receptacle of some sort, and were then drawn out lottery-wise—care being of course taken that each should draw one of the opposite sex. The person thus drawn became one's valentine, and one of the consequences was that for a whole year a bachelor remained bound to the service of his valentine somewhat after the fashion of a medieval knight of romance to his lady love. There was something sensible and substantial about such a custom as that, which contrasts favorably with the practice f shooting abominable caricatures under people's doors, ov sending them through the

post. An analysis of the motives which actuate people in sending valentines would probably show that about 20 per cent, are sent as a token of regard, 40 per cent, as a joke, and the remaining 40 per cent, for the gratification of some little spite. The class of valentines offered for sale are as varied as are the individuals who send them. A few are pretty, and bear lines expressing a really ; fine sentiment; a greater number are em bellished with extremely weak sentimental twaddle ; some are really humourous, and the balance low, if not grossly offensive >: and disgusting. It is on Valentine's Day that aspiring poets allow their feelings to gush, and we have received a few speci mens of to-day's productions. Here is the address on an envelope picked up in the vicinity of Messrs S. and J. E. Vaile's shop. We have merely altered the name of the young lady who had the extreme felicity of receiving the valentine : — " Postman, Postw- Tolo-- —.1, ao not fail __,c ihls with S. and J. H. Vaile, And when you leave it, pray jubt mention That it is for Miss Polly Urention." A neat little pink envelope, richly perfumed? Was laid On our table this morning; The ad dress was in a lady's handwriting* and we opened it tremulbuSlyj when the lines given below stood revealed. We are not iii a position to say whether the scene so patheti cally described is taken from observation or from personal experience' ; but we shall let tlie lines speak for themselves1 : — " Upon this morn no blither bird Trilled forth its son? to hail the day, Than rose in girlhood's freshest bloom, 1 Sweet Kate, the gayest of the gay. " And wherefore was this joyous mood ? And why that bosom's later sigh . ' And why, oh why, that drooping head ? The horrid postman had pi-ssed by ! ! " And he had left for her who sought I With fluttering breast no loter's tcken ; And so pour Kate she sat her down; And cried u'i if heir heart was broken;"

Poor thing ! if we only knew her address she should no longer pine. The origin of the custom of sending valentines appears to be enveloped in the uncertainty that has gathered around so many old customs. It does not appear that good St. Valentine was in the habit of trifling with the feelings of the young ladies of his acquaintance, but the curious customs peculiar to the day seem to date to a period before St. Valentine had any existence. Bailey's Dictionary, which contains the result of much research in such matters, attributes the custom of selecting valentines at a particular period of the year to the nature worship which formed the religion of North-westoin Europe before and for some centuries subsequent to the Christian era. He says : "About this time of the year the birds choose their unites, and probably thence came the custom of the young men and maidens choosing valentines or special loving friends on that day."

A correspondent writes us from Coro mandel as follows :—A paragraph in^ this evening's >S7«/-, which states that Dr Wright considers " the epidemic among the rooks to be akin to influenza amung poultry," reminds me that during a number of years 1 experience I have observed that influenza and more serious epidemics among human beings, specially, however, influenza, are almost invariably preceded by similar plagues among domestic poultry. Moreover, in two years in which influenza or catarrh, or whatever it may be called, was remarkably severe in New South Wales, the weather was of a similar character to that which we have re cently experienced.

After the close of the bazaar in aid of the Sir George Grey Cadet Corps, this evening, a grand subscription ball, under distin guished patronage, will take place in the college.

The Roman Catholic clergy, both in the colonies and at home, are almost unanimous in their denunciations of Freemasonry.

The remains of Mr George Rodgers, solicitor, who died on the 12th hist, in the prime of life at his residence, Edwin-street, .Newton, were laid in their last resting-place this afternoon, in the presence of a number of friends of the deceased. Mr Rodgers wasanativeof Sleaford, in the county of Lincoln (born 1840], and an occasional contributor to the Stamford Mercury, one of the oldest and most popular of English provincial newspapers.

Latest advices from Niho o te Kiore state that native matters are very quiet in that locality, and public works being proceeded with as usual.

The survey of road between Rotorua and Tarawera is being rapidly proceeded with.

At the annual meeting of the congregation attending St. Matthias' Church, Pantnure, a report was presented which showed that the total receipts during the year were £117 10s. 3k1., and the expenditure left a deficit of £20 Us. 3d. on the minister's salary, which it was proposed to meet by a loan from the Standing Committee. Mr P. Q. Pearse was elected parish warden, and Mr Ireland minister's warden for the current year. Messrs M. Roberts, Udy, Kingsley, Flemming, Hunter, Durbridge, J. Hunt, and G. Keough were elected members of tho vestry.

The natives employed on the Poverty Bay road have spun a queer yarn about seeing the "debbil." They say that during the night of the 24th or 25th they were awak ened by tneir dogs loudly barking, and going out of the whare they saw a tall figure com ing towards them. They attempted to sur round it or him, but it vanished in the bush. This happened on other occasions, until they got fairly scared, declaring the place haunted, and that it was a warning to them to discontinue the road. Of course they were well laughed at, but it seems there was some foundation for this twister. It ap pears that a native named Matene liutu, of Ngatua, tribe of Whakatohea, was with his tribe at Maraetai before he surrendered. (Maraetai is in the Waioeka Gorge). AVhile there lie was instrumental, with others, in killing a man and woman in the Gorge, the man being a relation of the celebrated Te Kooti. Te Kooti was at this time about Whakataui. However, after dispatching this man, Mr Matene funked on it ; and fearing Te Kooti would be revenged on him, bolted into the bush. His tribe all surrendered with Hira te Popo. He has since been in the bush, now some three years, and the natives describe him as being slightly porangi. Getting tired of this monotonous kind of life, Matene thought he would visit the coast, and came out at a settlement called Tuamatahuia. He was gathering peaches when disturbed by the dogs belonging to the Whakatohea working on the road, and was seen by them. After dodging about, Hamiora Rewiti, of Te Whanau, Opanui, managed to obtain an interview, and Matene marches in with all the honours of war ; and if former experiencos are any criterion, will at once receive substantial condolence from a parental Government. Matene is a very tall, elderly man, and seems nothing worse for his stay in the bush.— B. P. Times.

There was a full house at the Prince of Wales Theatre last evening on the occasion of the benefit of Lottie and her brothers. The performances were much of the same charac ter as of previous nights, and were equally successful. To-night will be the last of these eminent artistes in Auckland, and will be for the benefit of the vocalists, Miss Fanny Sara and Mr Fred Clifton. We hope they will have a. bumper house,

Of the forty-five single girls who came out in the ship Warwick, which arrived on > Monday, only five remained at the immi- : grants'" quarters last night, forty having obtained good employment ; six of them at 12s per week, and the remainder at from eidit to ten shilling per week. The married men have not fared so well, as out of the twenty-seven who came here in the vessel only ten have yet secured situations, and seventeen would now be glad to hear of suitable employment. The immigrants are of a class altogether unsuited to the require ments of the colony. Engagements could be at once obtained for two or three hundred persons with a practical knowledge of farm work, but those who are awaiting employ ment include a carpet weaver, gentleman's 1 Servant, shdpmaii, porter, and other similar occupations which* are already too numer ■ ollsly rotated in toJ <f™*J£jZi plaints made against thb , 1 - e n 0 the immigration department Veq- ~v,e clearer substantiation than the return of w occupations of the male immigrants sent to ' the colony at .the Government expense per the ship Warwick. ■ An election of auditors to the City Council ; for the ensuing year will take place on the Ist proximo. An election of assessors will be held on the same day. Candidates for both offices will require to be nominated before Thursday next, the 20th instant. The mo'iithly inspect.io'rt of the Artillery Volunteers will take place in the gun-shed,- Albert Barracks, this evening, at half-past seven o'clock. The Naval Company and Cadets will meet for inspection at the same time. i The name of Volunteer Brassey, of No. 4 Company, was inadvertently omitted in our report of the prize firing yesterday. This volunteer's name should have been at the head of the list, he having scored 42. '■ This evening the Rev. Thomas Buddie will deliver his lectures in fHo Pitt-street Wes leyan school-room on "Courtship and Mar riage," a subject which will attract large numbers of attentive listeners. The lecture ! will be interspersed with various selections , of music by the choir, and a pleasant evening is anticipated. [ A musical entertainment will be given '. this evening at the Young Men's llooms, in | aid of All Saints' Sunday-school, consisting of songs, recitations, and selections from the great composers. The meeting for the election of a district j school committee for the Otahuhu Educa tional District will be held at the Public \ Hall, Otahuhu, this evening, at seven ' o'clock. The village of Peacedale was thrown into quite a state of excitement on Thursday. last by the report that two graves had been dug ! up near Watson's corner, on the shore of the i Saugatucket river. The circumstances are j as follows : The family of William Rose^ who reside at Saunderstown, near the South Ferry, are subject to the consumption, several members of the family having died of the j disease, and one member of the family is now quite low with it. At the urgent request of the sick man the father, assisted by Charles Harrington, of North Kingston, repaired to the family burying-ground, which is located near Watson's corner, one mile north of Peacedale, and after building a fire first dug up the grave of his son, who had been buried for twelve years, for the purpose of taking out his heart and liver, which were to be placed in the (ire and consumed, in order to carry out the old superstition that the con sumptive dead draw nourishnientfromthe liv ing. But as the body was entirely reduced to ashes, except a few bones, it was shortly covered up, and the body of a daughter who had been dead seven years was taken up out of the grave beside her brother. This body ' was found to be nearly wasted away, except the vital parts, the liver and heart, which were in a perfect state of preserva tion. The cortin also was nearly perfect, while the son's coffin was nearly demolished. After the heart and liver had been taken out of the'bocly, they were placed in the fire and consumed, the ashes being only put in the grave. The fire was then put out and the two men departed to their respective homes. Only a few spectators were present to wit ness the horrible scene. It seems that this is not the first time that graves have been dug „up where consumption was prevalent in the family, and the vital parts burned, in order to save the living. A few years ago the same was done in the village of Moors field, and also in ' the town of Kingston, both of course without success.— Providence Herald, Sept. 5. His Majesty King Thakombau is thus de scribed by a writer in a Sydney paper : —7 " If it is a fine afternoon, or any special occa sion has brought him to Levuka, you may happen to meet with King Thakombau shuttling along barefooted, his big muscular frame clad in the scanty tappa which seems to do duty for a variety of purposes (it is a species of grass cloth, the fineness and density of the texture varying according to the amount of labour bestowed on the cloth). The cares of Government appear to sit heavily on the king, who is now getting very aged ; an expression of world-weari ness and official boredom lends an additional gravity to his features, which are tolerably regular. In these excursions, which appear to be incognito, as 110 notice whatever is taken of him, he is as often unattended as not. The town of Levuka is extending itself in spite of the unpromising state of matters social and political. Trim little villas are scattered all over the side of the hill facing the sea. Mr Butters' residence is prominent amongst these for its pretty situation and tastefully laid out grounds. Beach-street consists chiefly of stores and grog shops—the latter of course being in the majority. Most of the buildings are wooden erections with here and there a native-built house of saplings—these latter are substantial but ex pensive. The length of this the principal, or rather the only street worthy of the name, is about two miles. The population is provided with three churches ; the largest and most pre tentious edifice is the Catholic Church, an iron building, which boasts of a spire. The Church of England stands somewhat back from the beach ; it is a neat little structure. The same applies to the Wesleyan Chapel at the other end of the town, facing the pier belonging to Mr Kay's hotel. There are several of these latter ; chief among them, as to size and accommodation, is Messrs Street and Bohm's, Levuka Hotel. But all have become proficient, owing to a sharp competition in catering to the vitiated tastes of an idle public, which suffers from an in satiable thirst for strong drink, and a desire for excitement and killing time by the numerous appliances for gambling in vented and introduced for the most part by the enterprising Yankee section of the community. Of an afternoon the beach pre sents an animated spectacle ; it is then that the female elite of the place delight in pro menading the pebbly footpath regardless of the inevitable destruction of the bewildering high-heeled bottines of the period. Here you ! see a bevy of damsels arrayed in the latest ' fashions from Melbourne or Sydney, and im- ! mediately in their wake follow a troop of native women in their scanty toilet, carrying huge baskets of yams or bananas on their heads, and in some cases having one or tv/o picanninies slung on their backs in the nativ .• tappa,—Correspondent of the Sydney Empire

A visitor to Opotiki furnishes our Tauranga contemporary with a description of the place, in which the following passage occurs : — " The church in Opotiki is at present used for Constabulary barracks—church service (for there is a clergyman) in the school room. There is also a R.M. holding his Court in an unpretending iron building, but I in vain looked for the lock-up—no building of any kind would pass muster as such. I thought possibly there might be stocks, or at least a strong post and chain for the safe custody of offenders, but nothing of the kind could be found. At last I discovered the lock-up was in the steeple of the church, approached by steps like the loft in a stable. Here, if pri soners will not ascend, they are hauled up by a rope. Out of curiosity I took a peep at the accommodation, and found it shared by a colony of pigeons. There is also a Post- Office at Opotiki. I had occasion to visit it, and found the postmaster i. very civil and intelligent man. He has charge of office, savings' bank, and money order office, and —forms the whole duties for the sum of pt#.. n. nilum . Who says the New Zealand £10 per «~ • . extravagant ?" Government i» „ , c Nos. 2 and 4 Com- The weekly parade v, •-•> qherl Wftg but panics, last night in the Drm-- _ nt of tlie thinly attended, probably on accou unfavourable state of the weather. The Indian Statesman says :—" There are rumours that three or four princesses of Siam and two servants have been accused ot steal in^ gold chains, diamonds,- and precious stones. The gold chains, diamonds, and other precious stones that were attached to the Kino-'s sword had been taken away, arid imitation chains and stones, had replaced them. These depredations, it is rumoured, were made during the late reign, bat have only recently been discovered. Some say those accused of the theft have received ninety lashes each. The servants are to be executed and the princesses disposed of as the law provides for persons of their rank, if found really guilty of the theft. Others say the ladies of rank who are implicated are being tried, and it is not yet known what their punishment will be. If there is any basis for the rttmours, and the prin cesses should be implicated find found guilty, their sentences will doubtless be death. The execution of princes and princesses would be at some prominent temple. They would be bound and fastened in a bag, a block of chan wood, of triangular shape, would be placed on the ground, and the fastened body turned face downwards, so as to bring the neck beloAv the chin on the triangular block. At a given signal, the first executioner, after raisin «• his chanwood cudgel, weuld strike the fatal blow on the back of the neck, and the three other executioners, similarly armed, would continue their blows upon the body until it entirely ceased to quiver. The bag containing the body would then be weighted and thrown into the river. This, it is stated, is the way in which his Royal Highness Kioma Luang Rak Konnaset was executed in 1849." Yesterday's Waikaio Times points out the necessity for introducing agricultural labourers into the province in place of the miscellaneous assortment of immigrants who are at present being selected by the Agent- General. The Times says:—" Considerable discontent naturally prevails in consequence of the very small number of immigrants allotted to this province.. Nearly every farmer in answer to a suggestion to grow this or that crop, replies 'It is impossible, labour is too dear, and independent of being dear, is exceedingly scarce.' It must O& remembered, however, that the General Go vernment wrote to the Superintendent of each province asking to be informed as to number of immigrants his division of the colony could advantageously absorb. The Government took action in accordance with opinions thus procured, and as far as practi cable, the numbers suggested have been introduced. We believe that it is an in disputable fact that the apparent neglect of this province by the General Government, as regards immigrants, is entirely owing to our Superintendent not having taken the trouble to ascertain the wants of the people over whom he reigns. The Government naturally presumed that he understood his own business, and acted upon his suggestions. We are therefore without the labour of which we are so much in need." At the meeting last night for the purpose of electing a school committee, held in the Presbyterian Church, Newmarket, Mr. Beveridge in the chair, the following gen tlemen were elected to represent the Mount Hobson District :—Messrs Rattray. Wrigley, Newman, King, and Angus. At the close of the special business of the meeting a lively discussion took place on the taxing clauses of the education rate. Mr Hay cousidered tliat the tax was unfair, and that too much of the money would be eaten up in salaries. Mr Wrigley backed up the opinions ex pressed by Mr Hay. Mr Clayton proposed for Mr Wrigley—" That this meeting is of opinion that a colonial scheme of education should be adopted, and the cost paid from the colonial revenue," which was subse quently carried. Mr Beveridge in a speech of some length defended the education bill, and said it reflected the highest credit on its originators. Mr King followed in the same track. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. The Board of Education, at their meeting yesterday, iinanimously confirmed the ap pointment of Mr Worthington as master of the Devonport District School, made by the local school committee at their meeting on Wednesday last. The Secretary thought it advisable to bring before the Board the diffi culty in which he was placed in the abseuce of a permanent chairman. The correspondence with school committees especially was in creasing, and it was necessary to answer their applications promptly or affairs would get muddled and their work impeded. On the motion of Colonel Haultain it was resolved that there should be weekly meetings of the Board, to be heldevery Tuesday at three p.m., and that a rota of the members should be formed, so that three might attend previously and dispose of the ordinary correspondence with the Secretary. Letters were read from the Auckland West No. 2 Committee, asking for appropriation of £200 a-year to a school master, recommending Mr Harrison for the office, and containing all the requisite infor mation to bring the Act into operation at once in the district, was read and referred to the City and Suburbs School Committee. Several members of the Board expressed great satisfaction at the ability of the memorandum and of the energy shown by this committee, and hoped the other committees would supply them with the same amount of useful infor mation for their guidance. An application to the Board to pay school fees for some children whose parents were unable to pay for them was refused. Thy Board decided to take into consideration at its next meeting the entire question of school fees, and to settle whether they should be charged for the current quarter, or the whole amount of teachers' salaries paid from Ist January last. The return cricket match between the I. Zingara and eighteen Colts will take place on the U. C. C. Ground, Albert Barracks to morrow, commencing at 12.20. This is the first Saturday afternoon match played in. Auckland this season, and it will be hailed by cricketers and spectators with delight, as it affords the business community who are confined to the warehouse tii« whole week an afternoon's recreation,

Professor Andrews, of the Chicago Medi cal College, has, says the New Torlk Tribune,, been classifying the medical facts contained in the United F**fces Census Reports of 1860 and 1870, and from these he finds that consumption and cancer are two diseases, which are similarly affected by and prevail in the same regions, and that the two laws governing their prevalence are as follows :— First these two diseases are abundant near the sea, and diminish as you recede from it; and secondly, at equal distances from the sea they prevail most at the north, and diminish as you go south. From this it follows that the best resort for a consumptive or cancer patient is some point which is at the same time as far south and as far from the .« sea as possible. Such a place is New Mexico^ where the deaths from consumption are only" 3 per cent., or Arkansas, where they are from 5 per cent.; while in New England, which is colder and seagirt, they are 25 per cent. Entirely in accordance with this rule, but contrary to the popular opinion, Minnesota is a worse place than any other State. Ac cording to this theory the midland counties would be the best resort for English patients afflicted with consumption or cancer, and if any faith could be placed in statistics it would be'interesting to know how far Professor An drew's view is borne out by our own census ~ -turns. — Pail Mall Gazette.

T\, o C! rtl -'iety for Promoting Morality, in Ihe &oi* -y published their third Melbourne annual report. .U»»J J b duri three ™vemef * I '^separate associa* the past W.^s "Pj.!^ to accommodate tions—a model lodging bous*. a* least 200 men,-a retreat .or fallen and destitute women-and a Pn-Son^ ?£ scheme for assisting those whjhje the gaols to set out on a career of honest} and virtue. Besides setting in motion thvee energetic associations to carry out these three important undertakings, this society has in other way* striven to correct immoral ity A deputation consisting of their Right Rev. President, Bishop Perry, and tw® other gentlemen had an Review with the Attot&y-General of Victoria to con siderhow fa? fc was possible to make the criminal courts « medium for exposing seducers They have also urged on the Attorney-General the necessity of suppress ing the Chinese gambling houses, and the betting shops. They have taken steps to improve the condition of the factory boys at Collingwood. One of their successful effoits will command less sympathy than those above mentioned. By a deputation to the Minister of Lands they frustrated an attempt which had been made to secure one of the best sites in Melbourne for m opera. house. There is hardly an art to the SKirts of which vice, in some shape or other floes not attach itself. Let the advocates oi morality strike with all their force at vice, but not through the art of which vice takes takes advantage, for that is to confound .rood and evil. To thwart the promoters of art in lawful enterprise, upon the ground ot evil associations for which they are not responsible, may do harm to the cause oi morality by alienating the sympathies of the admirers of art from the movement for the rescue of society from immorality. With manifold activities and social influence the society does its work without requiring much money, its income and expenditure for the year being under £42.— -Umpire.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M.)

DRUNKENNESS.

Two drunkards- were fined five shillings each and co^ rdfrlyChe Christina Wilson was charged with having no visible lawful means of support, and with having been previously convictea as an idle and disorderly person. an -u nma The prisoner strenuously denied ttt=e charge, and frequently interrupted Detective ■> effrey, who proved the case. His evidence wa>? cor roborated by Detective Ternahau. The pri soner persisted in making interruptions, and accused the constables of telling lies. Sergeant Walker also deposed that the prisoner was a disorderly character. The Court sentenced her to twelve months' imprisonment with hard labour, when she commenced abusing the Magistrate, and con tinued her invectives until removed. John Healey pleaded guilty to being the occupier of a house frequented by reputed thieves and persons having no visible lawtul means of support. A woman living in the neighbourhood gave eyidence of the character of the house with great volubility. The prisoner asked her if she did not throw a stone him.

She denied that she had done so.

The prisoner, in proof of his assertion, turned the back of his head round to the Court and stated that the stone was there there now.

The Court sent her to gaol for three months.

STRAY CATTLE CASES. Daniel Cleary, for letting a cow stray in Upper Symonds street, was fined 5s and costs.

Alexander Wilson allowed his goat to be at large in East street, jSTewton, and -was fined '2s 6d and costs.

Patrick Wynn's goat also wandered in Newton ; the defendant's wife appeared and stated that her husband had deserted her.

The case was dismissed on her paying costs.

William Cranch was also charged with letting his goat wander. His wife appeared, and said the goat broke loose.

The Court let her off on payment of costs. Patrick Ryan was next charged with depasturing three cows on Barrack hill, on the 31st January.

Mrs Ryan said that the cows were only

out four minutes and a, half.

Mr Sheehan asked on her behalf that the fine might be a nominal one, as Mrs Ryan had already contributed over £100 to the _. Court by way of fines. jtf There was another charge against Mrr Eyan of a similar nature. \ •' Both cases were remanded until Monday, i Wm. Campion was charged with keeping a goat on unenclosed land within the limits of the city.

The defendant pleaded that the land be longed to him. and was attached to his house. Fined ss. and costs.

Walter Cook was charged with depas turing eight cows on the Barrack Hill on the 27 th January. Mr Sheehan appeared on behalf of the defendant, and pleaded guilty under mitigat ing circumstances. He stated that the cattle were being driven from defendant's premises to the Domain, and that as one of them was ill at the time they were driven very slowly. The delay was on this account. Fined ss. and costs.

NEGLECTED CHIMNEYS. John B. Smith was charged with letting the chimney of his house take fire in Wellesley-street on Sunday last. Fined 5s and costs. James Page was also charged with allow ing the chimney of his house in Wellesley to take lire on the 31st January. Fined Is and costs, This concluded the business,

TOUS *VKWWB M?JLE,'^RirnAt > ffEBBtTA&Y 14, Iftfo



PANAMA HATS! Panama hats!! Just Eeceived, 72 SUPERIOR REAL PANAMA HATS, Will be sold at lCs 6d each. SAMUEL COOMBES, CITY CLOTHING MART, No. SO, QUEEN STREET, T COSGEAYE & C O.'S SALE OF DRAPERY & CLOTHING COMMENCED ON B/y'rURDAY, FEB. 1. I The Public are requested to Inspect the Goods as the Reductions are Genuine, CAN THE BEST MOLESKIN TROUSERS IN NEW ZEALAND BE SOLD FOR 6s. llr>.? NO! DRAPEES AND OTHEBS outside the Clothing Trade may offer such baits to the public, but as THE CLOTHIER OF THE PROVINCE, and the only one whose business is exclusively confined to the manufacture and sale o£ Men's Clothing, 1 maintain that it cannot be done. I can, however, offer to the Working Men GENUINE BARGAINS, being prepared to sell a pair of Moleskin Trousers equal in every respect to the Gs. lid. article, FOR ss. 11d. And a pair of GENUINE Crown Moles, FOR 6S. llL), And the best in New Zealar^, FOR, Bs. 11d. Samuel coombes, MANUFACTURER & CLOTHIER, 80 & 180, Queen-street. DEATHS. Williams.—On Feb. 13. at his residence, Newton road. Wm. Williams, mason ; a?ed 50 years. The funeral will take place To-morrow (Saturday), 15th inst., at four p.m. Friends please accept thJs invitation. Pilkinuton.— On Feb. 13, Margaret, the wife of Edward Pilkington, of West Tanaaki. The funeral will leave her late residence at half-past four p.m. on Sunday next. Friends will please accept this in\ Itation.