SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

POET OF AUCKLAND.

StTN-SET: This owning, 7.10 BTJN-RISB: To morrow mornlnpr, 4.41 TTXan VTATJfR: Tills evening, 3.30; to-morrow Jnorninp, 3.56

ARRIVALS.

Queen, schooner, from Russell Southern Cross, s s, from Tauranga and East Coast Magellan CJourt, schooner, from Busscll Wild Duck, ketch, from Eussell

DEPARTURES.

v^ryae, schooner, for wangarei Mariner, schooner, for N>\v Caledonia Hover, schoorier, for Poverty Bay EfHe Meikle, schooner, for Eussell ■Ladybird, s s, for Southern ports Star of the South, ss, for Napier and Gisbornc St. KiJda, s s, for Napier, Wellington, and Wanganui Skimmer of the Waves, barque, for New York

EXPORTS.

Per Star of the South, for Napier —2 cases, A.S.P.C.; 9 trunks boots, 1 box, 2 casks, 1 case, Owen & Graham • 1 case, J. S. Mac farlane ; 19 bales tow, 3 do clothes lines, Close Bros ; 1 parcel, Oldham; Ido Britten j 1 do, Deane; 1 do, Lea; 1 canvas bale, Ireland Bros ; 2 cases, Stacey ; GO do biscuit, 1 do matches, 1 do soap, Ido candles, S^ ne Bros; 2 cases, Me Arthur, Shera & Co" 30 do biscuits, J. s. Macfarlane & Co ; 50 ke^s sugar H. S. Meyers; 33 pieces timbw, Holdship & Co ; 1 case, Cucksey j 2 cases plate glass, 1 truss, 1 box colour?, 1 cask putty, 1 drum, 2 barrels, 1 box, 1 paper *? redf™?.,}F eg White lead' 7 keSs> 5 boxes glass, Phillip & Son 5 1 case class* Boylan • aP^ ccK Upton '' 3 cases > Lev.V~; 5 bales flax, A. Auckland ; 2 boxes specie, Union Bank. JJorGisborne—Teases oranges, 13 sacks po tatoes, R. Arthur ■ 1 bale cornsacks, 1 win nowing machine, 4 bales cornsacks, A. Uuckland • 1 parcel, Upton.

_ The St. Kilda sailed this afternoon for Napier, Wellington and Wanganui. She takes a full general cargo, and the following passen gers £_Miss Miles, Mrs Lawrence, MissNeal, Mr Jj. Uirtia, Mr Goodwin, Mr A. Neal Master Cooper, Mrs Baker, Mr Fenton, Mr Jackson and Mr Dwyer. _ The s.s. Star of the South sailed for Napier, via Gisborne, this day at noon. She takes ageneral cargo, a3 per exports, and the follow ing passengers:—Mrs Davis, Miss Davies Miss Williams, Mrs Williams, Bishop Williams, Masters Williams (2), Master Chapman, Mr Curtis, and four others, with thirteen in the stearage. The barque Skimmer of the Waves sailed for New York this morning at ten o'clock. The s.s. Southern Cross arrived from Tau ranga and East Coast ports yesterday. She brings a full complement of passengers and a cargo of 163 sheep and some settlers' pro duce.

The coasters which had been detained by adverse winds in harbour were enabled to get away on Saturday afternoon, the wind having shifted to the South. About four o clock Eangitoto channel was completely dotted with small craft under sail. The yachts Energy and Daphne were to be made out among the rest. QThe barque Gemsbokhas entered outwards for New York.

The p. s. Luna left Tauranga on Saturday lor Opotiki. The schooner Queen, from Russell, brings 70 tons coal. The ketch Wild Duck also comes laden with coal.

The schooner Mariner, bound for New Caledonia, sailed on Saturday afternoon. The barque Ferndale has now nearly com pleted her loading. She is expected to sail for London within the next two or three days.

The schooner Rover sailed for Poverty Bay yesterday with a full general cargo shipped by various firms.

The Effie Meikle has sailed in ballast for Russell.

, The schooner Queen has cleared for Russell with 5000 bricks. •

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs Samuel Cochrane & Son sold this day the most valuable block of land in the city that has been offered to public competi tion for some years past, viz., the site of premises lately occupied by Messrs Hender son & Macfarlane, and Mr J. S. Macfarlane. It was sold in two lots, the first (33ft x 198 ft) realized £3350; the second was sold for £3100, or a total of £6450, and within a fraction of £98 per foot..

Calls.

£ b. d. Date. South British Insurance ..060 Dec. 17 New Zealand Shipping Co. .. 010 3 Jan. C Albion Coal Co 015 0 Feb. 1

MEETINGS. Coromandel Excelsior G.M.C., 22nd December

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

MAttS WTLTj Q-LOST. AS UNDER :—

For Thames, this clay, at 5.30 pm, and to-morrow, at 10,30 am and 6.30 pm For Whitianga, Tairua, Tauranga, Opotiii, and Napier (via Tauranga), per Southern Cross, on Tuesday next, at 3 pm For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Plicebe, on Wednesday, 17th instant, as follows : For India, China, Mediterranean ports, Continent of Europe, at 1 p.m. For Australian Colonies, at 1.30 p m For the United Kingdom, via Suez (letters specially addressed), at 1.30 p.m. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late. letters for Sydney and Melbourne, at 2 p.m. For money orders and registered letters, at noon. • For newspapers, at noon. For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Governor Blackall, on Monday, 22nd instant, as follows :— For Fiji, Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 0 30 p.m. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, at 0,30 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 11 a.m. N.B, —The Post-office at Churchill has been re opened. A Post-office will be opened at Whakatane on the Ist January next. (Signed) S. B. Bias. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

Tuuuoi-e.—On 13th instivnt, at Grey street, the wife of Thomas Tudohepo of a son. Thomson-On Dec. 7, at Otago Cottage, Wellington Btrcet, Mrs J. Bell Thomson, of ason.

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

MONDAY. DECEMBER 15, 1873.

For tho cause that lacks assistance, .For tho wrong that noeds resLstanco, For the future in the distance, And <*n cnod that wo can do

"B. F. E." writes with reference to the accusation made by a Sheridan-street corres pondent against certain persons alleged to be connected with the Templar order. He pro ceeds altogether on false premises, and his reasoning, as a natural consequence, results in a false conclusion. He remarks that our correspondent " does not say that this annoyance emanates from the Templars." "B. F. R," it will be admitted, is somewhat over positive in this assumption considering that the full statement of our Sheridan-street correspondent was never published. That the language complained of was used by Good Templars returning from the Lodge is precisely what our correspondent in Sheridan street did say ; but perceiving the possibility of a mistake having been made, and from a kindly feeling for the Order, we modified the statement so far as to give the Lodge the benefit of any doubt that might exist. Hence "B. F. 11." will himself under stand that the chief ground of his ■defence under this head is removed, and his superstructure of reasoning built up on the supposition that we assumed more than was asserted by our correspondent fails. The insinuations of interested motives or "animus" made by our correspondent in this instance are, we know, utterly with out foundation. " 8.F.R,." proceeds : "To connect the offences (if such there were) with templar's and templarism, as was inferen tially done, is as unjust as it would be to direct public attention to the communicants of any one church in Auckland because one supposed to bo of their number may have been guilty of a dishonest transaction. Why connect templarism with bad language unless you have proof that the former is the cause and that the latter the effect, or, at least, that they are not, as they are absolutely and externally, incompatible one with the other." Anyone who read the paragraph which our correspondent takes exception to must know that the Order was fully acquitted of at all conducing to habits of swearing. The prin ciples of Good Templary are well-known to be sound, and any charge of such a character would be palpably absurd. When, how ever, B.F.E, takes his stand on the question of " cause and effect," he is logically at fault. If the establishment of a Good Templar's Lodge in a previously quiet street results in the annoyance of the neighbours by the pro fane language and obscenity of those who gather round the institution, then the lodge is clearly answerable to the neighbours, and it is its duty to suppress the cause of com plaint, even to the extent of expelling the offenders. We do not say that this was so; we merely published a complaint, which was in itself just, if the facts stated therein are correct, and the masters of the Lodge had full opportunity of denying the occurrence, or, upon finding it to be true, of checking the evil. The proper, in fact the only way, of clearing the Templars of participation in the offence and its responsibility, (and this is the course which our correspondent should have pursued), is to inquire into tho facts ; and if false, deny them. A mcro repudiation on the ground that "they do not teach this" ■will not do, so long as the evil is sheltered under their wings. Tho order must show its disapproval of profanity by expelling those guilty of it, as unfit to associate with persons of pure minds, just

as a Christian communion, cited by our correspondent, must expel a black sheep found in their midst, or accept the odium connected with his presence. The charge made against Good Templarism in Australia and elsewhere has been that the association of all sexes and all classes indiscriminately—united only in their re pudiation of grog drinking—tends to the cultivation of vices of even of a mote sei-ious character than drunkenness. We believe, however, that the Templars are endeayonring to affect a reform which deserves the support of all intelligent people, but they must be careful not to single out drunkenness as the only vice they have to contend againat. Principles of morality can never be success fully divided, nor do we think there is any intention on the part of the leaders "? the ronle cof CtL fc m cf ra t. intO thiS ~ -^ako which Weonlvv "s unquestionably lnako. f + i - «*m them that they must be careful . u ije appearance of evil as well as of the evil itself, and that they should not be so impatient and petulant under a criticism as " B.F.E. " appears to be. An official trial of the Onelmnga railway was made by Mr Carruthers, 0.E., and Mr J. Stewart, C.E., yesterday, for the purpose of fixing a time-table. The line was found to be in a satisfactory state, and the com plete distance was accomplished with ease in forty minutes. As the p.s. Enterprise was leaving tho Shortland landing place at mid-night on Saturday a man, who was going on board, missed his footing and fell overboard. An alarm v/as raised, and for a few minutes great excitement prevailed. The man however was a good swimmer, and -was hauled on board with no other injury than a good duck ing.

The Rev. J. G. Paton will delivor an address at tho Dcvonport Presbyterian Church to-morrow evening at seven o'clock on the subject of Foreign Missions, when he will illustrate liis remarks by the ex hibition of idols and other curiosities from heathen lands. It is probably generally known that Mr Paton is making a tour through this colony with tho view of exciting on interest in the mission work, more especially in that branch of it carried on by the Presbyterian body. He has a practical knowledge of what he speaks about, and we are suro his address to-morrow will be instructive and interesting. Secretaries of public bodies, Freemasons, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, musical societies, &c, are requested to leavo at the Stai:, as early as possible, the names of their ofTiees, places, and dates of meeting, and other information desirable to bo published in the " Auckland Almanac."

Tho wharf on a .Saturday morning nt eleven o'clock presents ita busiest and most bustling aspect. At this time in addition to tho ordinary business of loading and unload ing the various vessels lying alongside, another source of animation is the departure of the coasting steamers for their several destinations. First and foremost there is the noble Golden Crown, puffing and chafing till the clock sends forth its first strokes of the hour, when the voice of the energetic Captain Farquhar is heard, bidding tho sailors cast off tho lines. The clock has .scarcely done before tho vessel, with hor crowd of pasfu-n ---gers, has backed into the stream, and in ;•, few minutes her head is round, and she Ls speeding along twelve knots an hour to the Thames, leaving a bevy of farewell-takers on tho wharf gazing after her till her hulllessens in the distance. At the North .Shore Ferry T meanwhile the Lady Jjowen, more leisurely in her movements, is about to convey her tidy little load of excursionists and settlers to the Hot Springs and Mahurangi. Captain Caspar is busy superintending the embarkation of tho cargo, among which is generally to be seen some addition to the equine or bovine stock of the thriving Northern settlement. Hen also is a little crowd of leavo-takor.s assembled, and the scene ia quite a lively one. Cap tain Casey and his family may often be seen looking on with satisfied glance at the re munerative results of his own enterprise. Close by the Captain is able to watch another of his ileet make her start. This is the Gemini, with her voyagers to Kiverhead or Kaipara. When the railway between these two places opens, if itover does, we may expect to see a more pretentious craft doing duty in this direction. Till then success to the Gemini. From the western extremity of the main T the p.s. Devonport is just off to the now more frequently visited region of Stokes' Point, while the North Shore ferry boat also takes its usual complement of pas sengers.xto our popular northern suburb, the district of Lake Takapuna—the land of strawberries and cream. With all the boasted advance of the Southern cities a prettier scene, or one more sug gestire of life and energy, is not to be witnessed in any of them. Auckland may be said to stagnate, business may be said to be dull and inactive, but how ig it that Auckland can point to pages like this of her daily life and yet bo so very very un desirable a place of settlement ?

His Worship recently complimented the police and the Good Templars of this city on the diminution of cases of drunkenness, but had he walked in the shadows of Ponsonby road yesterday he might have seen three men stretched upon the green sward in a state of unconsciousness from over-draughts of brandy. Towards evening the cooling breeze revived them sufficiently to enable them to feel their feetapain, and they staggered away from their halting place. Shortly after a little lad (a Good 'J'ernplar) found a bottle of brandy which they had left behind them, and upon discovering that it was brandy he dashed it to the earth with honest zeal and went on his way with his milk-can in triumph.

A very shocking case of sudden death occurred in Dublin-street, Newton, on Satur day last. The deceased was a Mrs Harkins, wife of John Harkins, a carpenter. The husband left his wife at noon after dinner in good health. During the afternoon a nurse who had been engaged to attend upon Mrs Harkins in her confinement, which was ex pected at an early date, called to see her. On going into the bedroom the visitor was appalled by finding Mrs Harkins lying half on the floor and half on the bed to all appear ance dead. The alarm being raised Constable Clarke was soon in attendance. Dr. J. It. Nicholson was then sent for, and was soon on the spot. Deceased had by this time been placed upon the bed, and measures taken to restore animation should life still exist. These however had proved ineffectual up to the time of the doctor's arrival. Pie examined the body and pronounced life extinct. Deceased has been subject to violent epileptic fits for some time, and the appear ance of the corpse was such as to warrant the ] belief that death resulted from this cause. Dr. Philson held a post-mortem examination, and gave a certificate of death in accordance with these facts. An inquest will therefore not be held.

Wo remind intending exhibitors at the Mechanics' Institute Industrial Exhibition that they should make application at once for space for their exhibits as places are being rapidly taken.

The Royal Exhibition at the City Hall wan visited by largo numbers of citizens on Saturday. To-night a special entertainment will bis given, comprising Mrs McGregor's lov<se, and v number of other extra attractions.

The members of the Pioneer Lodge of Good Templars will hold their adjourned meeting this evening in the Albert-street Temperance Hall, and the members of the Union Lodge will hold their first Freeman's Bay meeting mi Friday evening, the 19th inat.,H in the Union-street school-room.

T ho half-yearly meeting of the Auckland I ermanent Co-operative Building and In vestment Society will be held to-morrow evening in the large room of the Young Men s Christian A sso^iatioli,

The d-ood Templars of the various Auck land lodges held their Sunday meeting in the JJomam yesterday afternoon, opposite the garden entrance. The weather being ex tremely favourable about 200 persons assem bled, under the trees, and the utmost order prevailed. The speakers were Messrs Carr, Jenkins, and Atkins, and the choir was led by Mr John Edwardes, jun. Mr Carr's speech was persuasive, that of Mr Jenkins anecdotal, and that of Mr Atkins philoso phical. A large number of those who had listened then retired to Brighton gardens and regaled themselves with strawberries.

The concert to Mr I). Fox will take place this evening in the Choral Hall according to the programme in another page. The band will perform several overtures ard choruses. Songs will be sung by well-known amateurs. An original story will be related, and some local puns perpetrated. Readings will be given by accomplished readers. Master Fitts will fit little footsteps ; and there will be a variety of dances, comicalities, and a farce, and indeed something for everybody. The entertainment, therefore, should be eminently successful. Mr Avey, of the Masonic Hotel, will provide refreshments. To the Editor : Sir,—You kindly inserted a letter respecting the night-carts about a week ago, and 1 beg to trespass further upon your columns. Since I wrote the above I havo been informed that no less than thirty people have applied to the present contractor to havo their closets emptied, but he had so much to do that lie cannot attend to them. If such is the case .surely for the sake of health (in this hot weather more especially) thero ought to be more means at the disposal of the public. A party has applied to the City Council, but at the present time they don't see it is requisite. If wo wish to keep the inhabitants of this city in good health we must remove as quickly as possible those things that arc detrimental to health, and 1 feel Hire that you will kindly give a space in your valuable paper to help to do so.—l I am, <vc, (). Shkvhkkd.

Mr Edger, last evening at tho Lome-street Hall, delivered a practical discourse on the Early-closing Movement. The hall was crowded, and much sympathy was expressed for the success of the struggle. We believe that if all our city ministers would preach a sermon in favor of the cause there would scarcely be a sinner left in the background to wait uuon the few lingering customers who ignorantly ignore the claims of humanity.

The regular monthly meeting of the GSO E.C. will be hold this evening in the .Masonic Hotel, at the usual hour.

The third entertainment of the Wcsleyan Mutual Improvement Association will be held in the ritt-strect school-room on Friday evening. A first-rate programme is in pre paration.

The new panorama in connection with the

Auckland Sunday-school Union recently from London, will be exhibited this evening in All .Saint's Schoolroom, by Mr IF. Barton. The views will compriso a series of pictures illustrative of recent explorations in the J'olar seas, including Sir L. McClintock's discovery of the remains of Sir John Franklin's expedition. Tho other series relate to coal and tho coal-mines, being a collection of illustrations designed to instruct the young on the very interesting subject of coal, explanatory of the origin of the coal deposits and other peculiar characteristics, with views descriptive of the A'arious methods of -working this valuable mineral. As both subjects are of interest to us as colonists it is hoped that schools will avail themselves of the panoramas at an early date, and the lecturers, in describing the scenes, will endeavour to make the exhibi tion both interesting and entertaining.

Mr Simms, who some .six months ago opened tho Papaknra Hotel, has recently erected, pt his own expense, a neat public hall for the use of the people of the district, which will he opened on Friday next, tho 19th inst., with a musical and literary soiree. Several amateurs of Papakura will appear on that occasion, we boliove, for the first time. Two distinguished amateur singers of Auck land will also aid the entertainment, and by the special wish of the ladies a select quad rille party will close the proceedings. The committee purpose having a regular course of lectures and entertainments.

A cricket match was played at the North Shore on Saturday last between eleven members of the local club and eleven of the Auckland Rowing Club. The game resulted in an easy one-innings victory for the North Shore Club. During tho after noon a large number of spectators attended the ground, and tho City Band played some excellent music. A raatch was also played the same afternoon in the Domain between two elevens of the Cotele and Standard Cricket Clubs. After a close contest the Cotele team won by one run in the first innings, which was all that was played. A nother match—the third —is talked of as coming off next Saturday between the same two clubs. Subjoined is the full score: -Cotele: Hugh Pollen b Snod grass, 3; G-. Biding 3, run out, 0; It. Conuell, run out, 5 ; R. Gilfillan c Ibbetson, 0 ; C. Pollen b Woon, 6 ; H. Gilfillan b Snodgrass, 1 ; E. Morrow b Snodgrass, 3 ; T. Biggs Ibw b Beale, 5 ; H. Green, not out, 1 ; W. Ridings b Hears, 0; G. Orchard c Snodgrass, 3; extras, 17 —total, 44. Standard: Stone bH. Gilfillan, 1; White bE. Morrow, 0 ; Snodgrass c and b Gilfillan, 14 ; A. Hears c Pollen, 6 ; Woon b E Morrow, 1 ; Beale c R. Gilfillan, 5 ; Castelli b E. Morrow, 0 ; Ibbetson cH. Pollen, I j Hull, run out, 0 ; W. Mears bE. Morrow, 3; Robertshaw, not out, 0; extras, 12—total, 43.

The Prince of Wales Theatre was well attended last Saturday evening, and the members of the excellent Queen's Variety Troupe were loudly and enthusiastically cheered in the course of the evening. The troupe will appear to-night, and during the week at the Theatre Royal, Thames, when they will return to this city and amuse their old patrons for a short time previous to proceeding on their pilgrimage to other scenes. These minstrels are highly amus ing and deserve well of the public.

A special messenger arrived at Maketu on Friday at noon from Opotiki, and imme diately wired the following satisfactory intel ligence to the Hon. Mr McLean, to whom the Bay of Plenty Time* is indebted for the information :—" The Opotiki Court closed last night. The Maoris wero very orderly and well disposed. .About 100,000 acres passed the Court.

The whole of the money (£SO) for the race between the new cutter Fawn, launched last week, and the cutter Undine, is now posted. The articles' of the match are also signed and sealed, so that the race is certain to come off. Thursday is mentioned as the probable day should the weather be favourable. The course will be round Tiri Tiri and back.

In our notice of the St. Kilda on Saturday there was an inaccuracy respecting the names of the contractors for the work of decorating and re fitting. The contract was taken by Mr Coul-, and was sublet to Mr Hood.

Tie old Custom Louse shed on the Nortli Shore Ferry T has been removed. The in creasing traffic on thia T demands some of the space formerly occupied by this struc ture. It was decided therefore, on the recommendation of Mr McDonald, C.TC., to pull it down and rebuild another and smaller edifice. This will be begun in a few days.

Some of our honest City West cattle-keepers have recently been in the habit of allowing their cows to munch at break of day in the grassy waste places of the suburbs ; and very properly too, some persons might say who are ignorant of the by-laws ; but un happily some of these trespassers were nabbod yesterday morning, and before the ringing of All Saints' bell were duly im pounded. We warn cow-keepers, there fore, to be cautious, as both the Inspector and Constable have resolved henceforth to be " Up in the morning early."

We do not remember ever seeing the planking pf the Queen-street wharf in a worse condition than it is at present. In some parts it is positively dangerous; not only is the surface broken and irregular, but large holes where the work has been com pletely ground to splinters, are not at all in frequent; The Harbour Board should see to this being remedied before an accident occurs. We heard some two months ago of a contract being accepted for rethinking some of the old work. ilow is it this has not been carried out ?

Owner* of horses are rem; aded,that accep tance for the "Auckland Turf Club Cup and the'general entries for the Auckland Turf Club Itaces, to be h«ld at Ellerslie on Boxing and following days, must be made at the oilice of the Club, Durham-street, before two p.m. on Wednesday next, December 17th.

The new Post-oilice and Custom-house buildings are rapidly approaching comple tion. To-day the greater part of the roofing has been added. The stone facings are nearly finished, and present a very handsome appearance.

(iood progress is being mado in the new range of buildings being erected between the Q.C.E. hotel and the store of Messrs. L. ']). Nathan and Co., at the direction of this firm. The difficulty of obtaining a firm foundation having been effectually surmounted, the buildings will be run up in a short space of time. When finished they will form a hand some addition to the architectural features of this city.

A scene was witnessed yesterday afternoon on the water, by the North Shore, in which two rather pretty young girls were placed in a perilous condition. A young man per suaded them to step into a boat at the Devonport wharf, with the assurance that they should have a beautiful trip. He per suaded them to venture their little lives in the boat when, partly owing to his want of skill, and the unsound bottom of the boat, their feet and legs were soon in a sea of trouble. The boatman at length managed to get his lovely freight, in a state of terror, on to the boards of the Flagstaff wharf, where they stood in the sun literally drip ping with sea water, subjected to the unfeeling chaff of the multitude, who ex claimed "How's your poor feet?" "Have you had a long voyage, old fellow '!" &c, which the trio endured with ex emplary patience until the timely Tata ptina took the group in tow. A very ungal lant proceeding took place on board. Tho ladies went into the cabin to wring their clothes, and drew the screen, when several ill-mannered loons endeavoured to look in. Unfortunately the law does not permit the application of a rope's end even to such fellows as these, or they might have been appealed to with the only kind of argument they are able to appreciate, as several on board were preparod to administer the thong. As it was ono of tho young ladies told them a few plain facts concerning themselves.

Tho delay in completing the Auckland and Onchunga railway is attracting attention in tho South. We take the following from the Hawkc's Jim/ Herald :—" Had the contracts been properly carried out trains would have been running to Onohunga, and the Auck land, Newmarket, and Onehunga stations built two months ago ; in lieu whereof, although the lines are completed, tho erection of the stations is as yet not even commenced, andalong row of elaborately finished carriages is to be seen at Newmarket, perishing in the sun and rain instead of being put to their proper use. This most culpable negligence calls for the adoption of prompt and decided measures to rouse the authorities from their lethargy, the shameful waste of public money in this manner being a subject on which all havo a right to express an opinion."

Unless Auckland merchants arouse from their apathy the commercial supremacy of this city will soon be a thing of tho past. A healthy activity has lately been aroused by the loss of the Poverty Bay trade. .Napier enterprise is now about to reap the profits of what Auckland might have secured, but has utterly neglected. The following paragraph from the Jlawkes liny Herald alludes to this subject:—" The Auckland people appear to be awakening to the fact that the imperfect and unsatisfactory nature of the steam communication between that city and Napier and Poverty Bay has resulted in a large portion of the trade of the last-named ports, which ought naturally to go their way, being diverted to Wellington. This is cer tainly the case. The Auckland people, how ever, have themselves alone to blame for it. There i 3 no question that a steamer laid on in the Auckland and Napier trade would pay excellently at present. A large business could be done in the carrying of stock hence to Auckland and the bringing of imported goods thence to this port. Yet no move has been made in the matter in that quarter, and it has been left to a Napier firm, Messrs Watt Brothers, to undertake the task of establishing steam communication between the two ports. Their steamer may be expected to arrive early in the new year."

3&Tho drawing for tho sweep of the Turf Club Cup will take place at the City Club hotel at eight o'clock this evening. The friends of Mr John Hesford will bo glad to learn that he has obtained gan en gagement as lecturer to the diorama of the Franco-Prussian war. Mr Hesford leaves for a Southern tour to-day.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., KM.) DKUNKENNEBS. James McGuinneßs, Edward Robinson and beorgo Clarke were charged with this offence (the latter on remand), and were dealt with in the usual way.

SQUARING AT CONSTABLE MULVILLE. 1 eter McEvoy (a wild-looking man from the bush) was charged with being drunk and assaulting Constable Mulville while in the execution of his duty. Prisoner said he was drunk, but did not re member squaring up to Constable Mulville. Constable Melville deposed that he arr'esttd prisoner in Drake-street on Saturday. He was in liquor, and shewed fight, and cau«ht

him tightly round the waist, but did not seriously injure him.

His Worship reprimanded prisoner and imposed a fine of »s and costs for being drunk, and 10s ami costs for assaulting the constable. INDECENT ASSAULT. Wm. Millar Avas charged with committing an indecent assanlt on a little girl of nine years of age, named Fanny Emily Marter, at the London Dining .Rooms, on the 13th instant. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Fanny Emily Marter deposed that she understood the nature of an oath ; that her father, Charles Marter, was now in Fiji. She knew prisoner, who was a cook at the London restaurant, and that on Saturday evening the servant assisted her to bed, and closed the door. It was ten o'clock, and immediately on the servant retiring, prisoner came to her door and called out " Fanny." She did not answer, when he entered the room, put his hand upon her mouth, and attempted the assault. She cried out, and her mother came to see what was the matter. Sarah Ann Marter, mother of the child, deposed that she and the girl were staying at her son's dining rooms in Victoria-street. She heard her daughter cry out. She im mediately went and saw the prisoner there. She at once caught hold of him and held him. She knew the prisoner (was that man, and on the return of her son he was given into custody. Adelaide Brislane remembered Saturday evening at ten o'clock. Prisoner, as she sup posed, had gone to bed. She put the child to bed. and left her. Prisoner made a statement to the effect that after he had got in to bed he heard the girl cry, and he went to the door and asked the child what she was crying about, when the mother came up and found him at the door and cuffed him, and accused him of going into the child's room. He had not been there. His Worship said there was not evidence to show that a criminal assault had been committed, although it was clear that prisoner had been where he had no business to be, and 'as a warning to him he must pay a fine of 40s or go to prison for fourteen days. PETTY QUARRELS. Two cases of neighbours' quarrels were on the police-sheet, but on the application of Mr Joy, who informed the Court that their differences had been arranged, the cases were withdrawn. TOE CHILE CASE. Merlin Coughtry appeared in answer to the charge of assaulting and ill-treating Ann Vesey on board the Chile on the 2nd of October. The case was adjourned until Thursday next. A CONVALESCENT. .Tames Conner, who stood charged with lunacy, and who it was expected would have been committed to the Whau, had so far re | covered from the attack of delirium tremens as to be considered sufficiently sane to be at large. Prisoner was therefore dismissed. This was all the business.

FIJI.

[Fnoar our own Correspondent.]

LEVUKA

December 4. COMMODORE GOODENOUGH AND THE

BRITISH COMMISSION. THERE is not anything special to note since my last communication. " All things con tinue as they were." In politics, as in commerce, matters are quiet. Every thing seems preceding the result of the commission from Home to enquire into Fijian affairs. Ab you are aware. Commodore Goodenough has arrived, but Mr Consul Layard is not yet here owiug to his having missed the Suez mail. However we expect him to arrive very shortly, when the Commission will settle down to their work in earnest. The Com modore has won the good opinion of every one here owing to his affable and gentle manly demeanour. Not that other commo dores do not possess these good qualities, but that Commodore Goodeuough possesses them iv a higher degree than anyone of that rank who has yet visited us. He has had numerous calls on him for his interference, some of them amusing in their absurdity. However, he can afford, to laugh at these things, and laughter is good for digestion. In the meantime he appears to be collecting; what infor mation he can, and like a good cask that receives everything and loses nothing he keeps things to himself and is very reticent and careful as to how he speaks on Fijian affairs. That, however, is as it should be. There is one thing in connection with thfe Commission that gives general satisfaction to those in favour of annexation, namely, that the Commodore seems inclined to have his own interpreters ; that is, not to depend upon the interpreter whom the Government may send. In this way he will secure a more just and impartial inter pretation in hia intercourse with the natives. Numerous planters arc just now in town, having como come to meet the Commission with almost unanimously signod and strongly worded protests against the action of the Fijian Government, and petitions in favour of annexation. Most of these documents ask the Commission to urge on the British Go vern meut the desirability, in case of their decision being against annexation, of leaving us to settle our own disputes without any inter ference from English ship's of war. If the decision be adverse there will no doubt be great trouble in Fiji.

THE NEW CONSTITUTION,

What is commonly termed " The New Constitution" has, to the astonishment of nearly every one here, been published in the Sydney Morning Herald. From the fact of it having been sent to that journal by its " own correspondent " in Fiji, and the fact also that it was an impossibility for ' • outsiders " to obtam a copy, and also from internal evidence in tho letters themselves, the public generally have come to the con clusion that tho author is Mr Charles St. Julian (commonly styled Sir Charles in Fiji)." Who so able, say they, to obtain a copy of the " Constitution" as the Chancellor of the Kingdom ?

THE FIJIAN BANK.

The Bank has at length opened, and will no doubt be a great boon to the public. There are native sentries on the premises day and night, a standing insult to our littlo community. How valuable they are may be gathered 'from the fact that on Thursday night a white man went up to one and ordered him to give up his musket;, which the sentry did. On the white man marching off with it the sentry, in piteous terms, expostulated thus —" Don't sir, if you take away my gun I will be clubbed " or beaten.

THE MURDERERS OF THE BURNEB

FAMILY

Mr Swanstan, Minister for Native Affairs, arrived yesterday from Nodi, bringing up some of the murderers of the Burnes family. There is now only one of these wretches at large. In contradistinc tion to the Government statement that the mountaineers are conquered, he affirms that another expedition would have to proceed to Nabutautau to subdue that and tho neigh bouring tribes.

THE CROPS ~~~"-~/jJ Wo have had really splendid weather tJf the crops, and an exceedingly large cotton' crop is feeing now gathered in. The su ° industry ia alao making good progress ££ of course will require time to doyefop THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL LINE Will be inaugurated this month, and T notice that in addition to his other acTom plißhmonte, Mr G. A. Woods has added £ of agent for the service in Fiji. To 1T „ vnkftna it is satisfactory to hear that Com inodore Goodonough, wno has just Dai?l I visit to Golea harbour (the port o f off 0 J the steamers at Kandavu), condemns that place as a coaling station for the steamers

NOMINATIONS FOR THE PAPAKURA HANDICAP.

Major Walmsley's Atalante. Mr Walter's Yatterina, Slander, Fan™ Fish (colt), Pacific (mare). y Mr Reay's Calumny. Mr Gywnne's Flying Jib. Mr Young's Bedouin, Tattler. Mr Laury's Saturnella. Mr Fitzpatrick's Fawn. Mr Breakell's Dainty. Mr Prince's Diacord. Mr G. G-. Walter's Little Nell

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The adjourned meeting of the above Society was hold this afternoon in the Museum buildings. Present:—Messrs Firth (chair man), Campbell, Murdock, Owen, Gillies Swanson, Burtt, Earl, Hurst, and Palmer ' The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the Chair man said that the only business before the Council was to consider the matter of the secretaryship, whether or not it was ad visable to have a paid secretary. A considerable amount of discussion en sued, in which Messrs Swanson, Owen, and others took part.

Mr Earl considered that if Mr Abererom bie could combine the work of secretary and curator it would be of great advantage to the Society.

Mr Kirk intimated that the business of Secretary would take much of the curator's time away from the gardens, and he might then require extra help in the garden. The Chairman suggested that such extra help might cost say £100 a year. He con sidered that it would be best to pay a secre tary £50 ; besides, Mr Abercrombie would not have the necessary control over the workmen.

It was finally agreed that advertisements should be inserted in the journals for a secre tary.

This was all the business

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The Provincial Council opens for business at two o'clock to-morrow. The folloinng information with reference to its constitution and the recent elections, furnished us by Mr F. C. Leggett, will be read with interest :— " Sir, —As all the returns for the provincial elections arc now to hand it may be inter esting to the public to know that the new Council, to meet to-morrow, will con sist of twenty-two members who held seats last session, and of twenty two new members. I forward here with two lists, showing the names of the several members, the Electoral Districts which they respectively represent, and the length of time the old members have served in Council. It will be observed that Mr W. T. Buckland has sat continuously from the first session up to the present time, and may therefore claim the title of "Father of the House."

Yours, &c, Francis C. Leggett, Clerk of Council. NEW MEMBERS IN SESSION XXIX, 1873. Bagnall, L. J., the Thames. Ball, W. T., Mangonui.

Brown, J., the Thames. Byron, H., Waipa. Carpenter, W., the Thames. Cheeseman, T., Newton. (Held a (seat in Council from session xiv. to xxiv. (inclusive.) Crispe, J., Ramarama. Dargaville, J. M., Auckland East. Douglas, Sir R., Bart, Whangarei. Goldie, D., Auckland West. Graham, W. A., Waikato. Johnson, J. W., Turanganui. Lloyd, H., Kaipara. Moak, W. P., Warkworth. Morris, G-. 8., Tauranga. Ormiston, W., Wairoaand Mangapai. Peacocke, P. J. R., Pakuranga. Reed, G. M., Takapuna. Roche, H., Waipa. Ryburn, E. N., Tamaki. Wilson, T., Raglan. Wood, R. G., Parnell. (Held a seat in Council from session viii. to xiii. (inclusive).

Note.—The undermentioned gentlemen who held seats last session did not seek re election, viz :—Messrs Bassett, Brookfield, Creighton, Douglas, Dyer, Mackay, Maxwell, May, J. McLeod, Nicholson. The following sought re-election, but were not successful, viz :—Messrs Ellis, Gordon, Kerr, Lusk, Mitchell, Ileyburn, Shanaghan, and Stoney.

MEMBERS OF COUNCIL IN SESSIONS XXVIII Aii'D

xxix, 1572-3. The following statement shows the length, of time which members of the present and late Council have served :— Beveridge, A., Eden, session xxvi to xxviii inclusive.

Boy lan, J. T., Auckland West, session ito xiii and xxv to xxviii. Buckland, W. T.. Eden, sessions i to xxviii Cadman, J"., Coromandel, sessions xto xx and xxvi to xxviii.

Carleton, H., Bay of Islands, sessions v to vii and x to xxviii.

Dignan, P., Auckland West, sessions i to xiii and xix to xxviii. Harhlin, E., Waiuku, sessions xxv to xxviii.

Hay, W., Papakura, sessions vto vii and xxv to xxviii

! Hurst, W. J., Auckland East, sessions , j xxiii to xxviii I Kelly, YV\, Opotiki, session xxviii. ! Lundon, J"., Onehunga, session xv and xxr to xxviii Macready, T., Newton, sessions xxiii to xxvii. McLeod, M., Otamatea, sessions xxv to I xxviii. o'E.orke, G.M., Onehunga, session xxiv to xxviii (Speaker for the same period). Philips, P. A., Auckland East, session xxv to xxviii. Prime, F. L., Auckland West, session xxviii. Sheehan, J., Hokianga, sessions xxv to xxviii. Shepherd, J., Albertland, sessions xxv to xxviii. Swan, W. T., Thames, session xxviii. Swanson, W., Auckland West, sessions xvi to xxviii. Taylor, A. X., Waitomata, sessions xxv to^l xxviii. A\ Tonks, 8., Parnell, sessions xxvii an>.J|l"i xxviii. , -: '

THE BVEWING BTAB, MONDAY. DECEMBER IB 187S



(*i A U T I O N . OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to be the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its high reputation, some unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the same off as " Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRADE MARK to be Registered under the provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and proceedings will be taken against such persons aa may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to ASK FOR OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and wrapped round with his well-known label. PRELIMINARY NOTICE. BEST QUALITY AT THE LOWEST PRICES. Pheistmas"eeuits & spices, VJ SUPERIOR TEAS for the Million of surpassing purity, strength and flavor. Also, General Groceries bought at a low price in an over-stocked depressed market. Our New Price List will be shortly published in the daily papers. "With pleasure we acknowledge the liberal patronage accorded to us, and we hereby make known that we have resolved to retail the very best quality of General Groceries at the Smallest Profits and Lowe«t Prices. jJSTPlease Note our Address:— FRENCH & CO., THE PEOPLE'S TEA WAREHOUSE, QUEEN STREET, ■ (AND BRANCH STORE IN THE MARKET;.



pHSISTMAS nOLI D|A V S. I J. CO SO RAVE & CO. Are now holding their usual CHEAP SALE OF DRAPERY & CLOTHING At their Premises CANADA BUILDINGS. THE SALE IS NOW ON, And will continue during tho CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. J. 008 GRAVE k CO. QuEEl* STREET. OCCIDENTAL. OCCIDENTAL, OCCIDENTAL. LTTFGr SESTORESB (PATENT BEING APPLIED FOE). NO MORE NEED OP DOCTORS. The following Medicines will he dispensed for tho benefit of the public : TIJIE FOR DOSTIS : Ear-openers, Sum Reviver. 6am P —Head Reducer (certainty), 0.30 am Eenovator, 7 am Appetizer, 8 am Digester, 9 a m P—Stuffeis and Lunch, 10 to 3 Sweet Talkers, 12 Spooneys, 12.20 pm P—Special'Tea, lpm Lightning Dews, 2 p m Retirerp, 3pm Roarer's Double, 4pm Sitter-lip, spm Invigorntor, 0 pm P—Throat Cleavers, 7 pm Jlunky Ticklers S pm SociaMes, 0 p m National Consolers (a la Duncdin), 10 p m Njptht Caps, 11 pm Dick and Dora's (a la Courlay), 12 p m P —Boston Floats, free. N.B.- -The items marked P are entirely for the use of the Permissive Public, none others need apply at the hours set opposite. AUCKLAND TURF CLUB CUP Will take place on the Evening of General Entries 17th December. Tickets—2os each. Billiard Tournament to Close on 15th January. Two Prizes. , EDWARD PERKINS, . Proprietor. NELDER V. C. B. EDWARDS AND JANE EDWARDS. IN connection with tlio above charge of assault, called on at the Police Court to-day, I wish the public to know that tho charge was on'lv WTTI DRAWN on CONDITION that a Public Apology be made, and all expenses paid, FRANK NELDER.



' Coffee.— Brown, Barrett, & Co.'s Standard Coffee « both delicious and strong. Brown, Barrett, & w>. s Excelsior Coffee deserves preference to any cottee on account of purity and distinctness of flavour -WO"1 the brands. Sold at almost every grocery eatabuw ment in town and province.-- [Axlvt.]