SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND

SUNSET: This evening 532 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 6.29 RTOU WATER; This evening, 7.52; to-morrow morning, 810 ".'

ARRIVALS.

ji.iu.o. jsosaiio, trom the Kawau Eclipse, steam launch, from Wellington Merlin, schooner; frbhi Russell Southern Cross, s s., Sellars, from Tauranga Dido, cutter, Ohlsou, from the Bay of Islands Alert, schooner, Lane, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

g+iwiu-r, scnooner, for Russell Swallow, schooner, for Mercury Bay Eagle, ketch, for New Hebrides Vincent, cutter, for Tauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

*or Honolulu : Nebraska, p.s., 19th inst. Por Hokianga : Derwent, brig, to-day For Northern ports : Rowena, s.s., to-morrow Por Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., about 21st instant For England : Moss Glen, barque, early For Levuka : Marion Renny, ■___ooner, Tuesday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Edinburgh Castle, s> i Pj f rom London. Sailed 29th December Parsee, ship, fr 0 m Lor don. Sailed 12th January Agra, ship, from London. Sailed Countess of Kintore, ship, from L6ndon. Sailed Woortlark, ship, from London. Sailed Hylton Castle, barque, from London. Sailed City of Auckland, from London. Loading Hero, s.s., from Sydney Zanga, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed 17th January Thames, barque, from New York, via Sydney, Loading Akbar. ship, from Boston, via Melbourne Satellite, cutter, from Levuka Mary Webster, schooner, from Adelaide, Sailed 21st March (for the Manukau) Alice Cameron, barque, from Newcastle, Sailed 29th March . . Truranga. schooner, from Dunedin. Sailed 4th April Rangatira, s.s., from Southern porta . •■■ ,■■■■. Amateur, barque, from Adelaide TJpolu, schooner, from Samoa Dauntless, schooner, from Samoa Esther, brig, from Newcastle. Sailed 30th March

H.M.S. Rosario returned from the Kawau this afternoon.

The steam-launch Eclipse arrived in harbour this afternoon from "Wellington via Napier and the East Cost. We have already given full particulars of this useful little launch," and particulars of her trip from Wellington to Napier. After leaving the latter place she encountered verysevereweather, and was compelled to take shelter in Poverty Bay and Tairua for ten days. The Eclipse is schooner-rigged, and may be seen lying at anchor between the wharf and breakwater.

The p.s. Nebraska left Lyttelton for this port yesterday. She is announced to leave for Honolulu on Saturday next with the out ward English Mail.

The ketch Eagle leaves'to-day for the New Hebrides with., a. general cargo and the following passengers : —Messrs "L. Gerard, E. J. Ellis, and J. Murray. _ The p.s. Lady Bowen returned on Saturday night from Wangarei, and left again yester day morning for Mahurangi and the Hot Springs.

The schooner Merlin from Russell brings 58 tons coal.

A new schooner named the Alert arrived yesterday from the Bay of Islands with 80 tons of coal and 30,000 feet of timber. The s.s. Southern Cross did not arrive at Tauranga until four o'clock on Saturday morning although she left Auckland on Tues day afternoon last. Her long passage was on account of very heavy weather. She returned to Auckland yesterday evening with a general cargo and several passengers.. We learn that the screw steam - collier Fidelia, Swainston, master, a fine vessel of 1600 tons burthen, fitted with all the latest improvements, sailed from Cardiff for Dunedin, via Newcastle, N.S.W., last month. This vessel is owned at her port of destination, and it is intended she should run in the trade between there and Newcastle, thus opening a much-wanted direct communication with New South Wales. She will have accommo dation for several first-class and an unlimited number of steerage passengers. y Supposed Barratry op the Schooner * Florence.—'There can now be but little doubt that this vessel, which many of our readers will remember used to trade here _ccasionally, has been made away with by the Captain, Michael Keenan,. and her owner Neil Beaton, 'who is on board. She left Dunedin about the 23rd of last month, with a valuable cargo for Auckland, com prising hams, bacon, oatmeal, flour, beer, Ac, to the value of upwards of £2,000. The vessel is mortgaged for about £720 ; she put into Wellington on the 27th February for water, stating that she was driven thither through stress of weather, although from accounts received since from vessels leaving at the same time the weather was beautiful. The owner, Beaton, took his wife and child on board at Otago Heads -, his brother is also with him. "Up to the 25th inst. she had not arrived at Auckland. Active steps are being taken by the New Zealand Insur ance Company, who have a mortgage en the vessel, to try to rescue her. Her destination is pretty well known, and no efforts or expense ■will be spared to try to recover the vessel, and bring the captain and others concerned— should they have made away with the schooner—to justice. J'The vessel is insured in the South British, National, and Victoria Insurance Companies. Beaton got three new sails from Mr Knight, the sailmaker in Wel lington, on his late visit, having previously ordered but unfortunately forgot to pay for them.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following are the current call and dividends Bavable in the companies named below:— _ s. d.

MEETINGS. Bee, Grahamstown, 15th April Moore's Coromandel, 18th April Nolan's Candlelight, 41, Insurance Buildings, Auck-

land, 3 p.m., 21st April Flagship, Shortland, 22nd April | , ' Margaretta, Mr A. A. Browne's office, Wyndham street, Auckland, 3 p.m., 23rd April . Black Angel, Grahamstown, 23rd April Bank of New Zealand. Bank, noon, 24th April Alburnia, Insurance Buildings, Auckland!, 3 p.m. NePlus Ultra, 41, Insurance Buildings, Auckland 11 a.m., 28th April. Otago, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, ?Bth April,' 2 p.m. jjong Drive, Mr Tothill's office, Auckland, 3 p.m.,, 7th May All Nations, Mr Tothill's office,' Auckland, 2 p.m.,! 7th May ,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :—

For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow,

at 10 30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Wednesday, 16th inst., at 1.30 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa and Mongonui, per Rowena, • to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Kawau, Wangarei Heads, WangareiandMangapai, per Lady Bowen, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga and Opotiki, per Southern Cross, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. ~; • For Fiji Islands, per Marion Kenny, to-morrow, at 3.p.m. ] | • • For the undermentioned places, per p.s. Nebraska, on Saturday, 19th inst., as under :—- For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at 12.30 p.m. For Money Orders, Registered Letters, and News- I papers, at 11 a.ra. f

Por United Kingdon, via Saa Francisco, at 12.30 P.m. <f V Late letters for United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of 6d in addition to the postage will be received at this office until 1 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Biss. Chief PostniMtejf.

BIRTH.

Lennox.— On April 12, at Cypress Cottage, Mrs J. m, Lennox, of a daughter,

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

MONDAY, APRIL 14, 1873.

For the oause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance,

And the good that we can do

From notices in our advertising: columns it would seem that there is some conflict be tween the Military authorities and the Im provement Commissioners. If so it seems to us to be wholly, unnecessary and might be avoided by a little adjustment. It does not appear that there is any intention on the part of the Commissioners to interfere with the parades of the Volunteers, and if there is, there should not be. The notice issued by the Commissioners can be merely regarded as an assertion of ownership and authority, and to intimate that in future applications for the use of the reserve for any public or private purposes is to be made to them in stead of being mad c as heretofore to the Go vernment. In so far we do not see anything unusual, and we feel confident that the Com missioners will not throw any obstacle in the way of our citizen soldiers, or prevent any legitimate assembling of people for amusement or otherwise during the progress of the works of improvement. It is true that Mr Fenton and Major Gordon have had a coup d' armes before with reference to the booming of the Artillery at Fort Britomart, but that gives no reason to suppose that they will have to fight it out in the Albert Barracks; and as both these gentlemen are interested in the public good we "trust that no small remnants of the old differences will arise to cause apparent collision. Until the streets and bujldings are actually in course of con struction on the green there can be no harm in our citizens doing soldier on the old mili tary sod. At the same timelitis quite right that the sovereignty of the commissioners should be asserted and admitted, and we trust that if requisite some one will act as our amicus curia, and intervene in overcoming any little barriers that may stam! in the way of the settlement of this apparent difference.

His Honor Mr Justice Johnston on Satur day referred to an expression attributed to him in our report of the Supreme Court pro ceedings during the hearing of the charge against William Odium. His Honor remarked that he had not used the expression, and in this he was confirmed by Mr Brookfield and Mr. Hesketh. Under these cir cumstances we|conclude that our reporter was in error, although he assures us thathegavethe expression in good faith, and not, as our con temporary, the Cross, insinuates, " for effect." It is very difficult at times to hear distinctly what is said in the Supreme Court without the closest attention, and even the most care ful reporters are liable to error, but as we desire to make our reports accurate records of the proceedings which they relate to we exceedingly regret the mistake made on Saturday, and should be sorry if it caused his Honor any annoyance. Our reports will compare very favourably with those of our contemporary the Cross, which assumes the role of censor on this occasion. We have only to refer to the Cross's sensational and garbled account of the unfortunate accident to the late Mr W. J. Young to show what re porting for " effect" is, and to what an extent it is carried on by our contemporary. In that account appearing on the 9th instant, the •story was in the most cold-blooded and heartless strain framed to convey the im pression that the unfortunate man, one of our most respected and esteemed settlers, had shot himself intentionally. Everyone must have noted such embellishments, as "he would gladly take ' anything that would do him good," the shooting of the goose with the vaguely stated remark, "that was just what they wanted," the mystery around the poor man's remark about "patting -the colts and speaking to them," the deceased being "rather singular in his hibits at times," and the statement that " Slack thought his behaviour on this occasion nothing remarkable " —all circumstances of ' the most trivial moment in themselves, but put together in such a way as to leave the impression on the mind of every reader that Mr Young had wilfully shot himself. As the unfortunate gentleman, who evidently met with the accident when leaning on the muzzle of the gun in his illness and weakness, had had his life insured, the conduct of the Cross in thus for the sake of a few pennies doing that which would rob the heartbroken widow and fatherless children is inconceivably heartless, and seems like a wild beast gnashing his bloody fangs in the heartstrings of a human being. This was writing "for effect " with a vengeance, and throws wholly into the shade the practical joke of the Russian invasion, which our contemporary regards as a highly creditable feat of journal ism. Of course the intention of the Cross was to chastise us for having referred to the filthy paragraph in our contemporary on the day of the opening of the present session of the Supreme Court. On that morning the Cross, with an intense gusto, sounded an invitation to all the sensualists of the city to come and hear Mr Justice Johnston's reference to the vilest case on the calendar ; and, as we said, the Court was crowded by those mjdejr the sway of their i

j beastly passions, and who went hungering ! and thirsting away because His Honor had spoken as a gentleman and a judge. YVe assert i that we were perfectly justified in the effort to suppress this bawdy kind of literature. There is evidently some one on the Cross that has a keen scent for the savour of the stews, and who, not content with gloating over vile subjects in secret, must parade them on the broad-sheet, as if deriving a secret pleasure from the thought that the minds of the pure and artless are being polluted and taught in forbidden lore. Witness two suggestive paragraphs in this morning's Cross, as in I almost every issue. It is really improper I for our contemporary to aim at this kind of " effect " among a decent people ; and with ! all the character which the Star bears for j great plainness of speech we challenge our contemporary to produce from our columns anything calculated to sap the morals of the people in the manner now habitual and characteristic in these prurient and suggestive and ecstatic paragraphs appearing so frequently in the Cross. AVith reference to the case in point our reporter verily believed that he heard the exclamation, and he is not the kind of man to wilfully write for "effect." But considering the exceedingly defective acoustic properties of the Supreme Court buildings we can readily understand how he has mistaken the remark. And on his Honor's state ment that he had not used it, even had it been uncorroborated by the assertions of Messrs Brookfield and Hesketh, we at once and willingly accept the assurance, and express our regret that the words appeared in our report. As for the Cross's defence of Mr Justice Johnston, it is quite gratuitous. The attempts made by our contemporary to in doctrinate his Honor in the mysteries of rhetoric and Belles leltres, but especially in law and the practices of the law courts, have been laughable in the extreme. With reference to accuracy of reporting, we do not hesitate to say that our reports compare very favourably with those of our contemporary, who shows his appreciation of our correctness by dishing up all the news which we collect, and serving it up under a flimsy disguise the next morning without the faintest acknowledgment. With the desire to secure thoroughly reliable and accurate reports we have obtained the services of competent and experienced men, and not the tag-rag and bob-tail lot which appears to be the rule for making up reporting staffs in this city ; and when we aim at '' effect" our reporters seek it by the judicious arrange ment of the facts of the case, and do not attempt to spice our columns by that which bears the savoury odour of the moral cess pools and reeking stews of the city. We learn that Messrs Cobley, Clark and party returned yesterday from their prospect ing tour in the Wairangatiri field along to Whangarei without finding any favourable specimens of gold-bearing quartz. These gentlemen report, however, that they have seen abundance of coal, iron-stone, and lime stone, and consider that the local boards are very remiss in not providing better roads in those districts, which would aid in developing these useful resources. In reply to a correspondent respecting the recent concert held in Mr Frasers' High School, for the benefit of St. Andrews' Sun day school, we may state that Madame Moller rendered very substantial service to the St. Andrew's entertainment, We trust this paragraph will remove any reflection which may appear to have been cast upon a lady whose musical abilities are so well known and appreciated, and who is ever ready to give her competent assistance to every cause which tends in a worthy direc tion.

The Herald advocates that verandah-posts should be painted white, in order that people may see them in the dark, but, in our opinion, they should be painted black, so that people may not run against them in the day-time. We have at preeent not had to chronicle any serious accident to any citizen from collision with a verandah-post, but, judging from the fact that half of the posts in Queen-street are considerably bent, we should imagine that the posts have had the worst of the encounters. To avoid mishaps, both by day and by night, in future, we would recommend that the verandah-posts be painted black and white, or chequered. The trial of William Odium, charged with

killing a horse, which was found dead near a tree in Tararua bush, was concluded on Sat urday evening in the Supreme Court. After a number of witnesses had been heard on both sides the jury found the prisoner " Not guilty." The prosecutor and the accused in this case were opposition dairy-men at Tara ru, Thames, and for several years a kind of milk-and-water rivalry had existed between Odium, who is an Irishman, and M'Cormick, who is a Scotchman. We trust now that the last act has been played out that these genuine milkmen will continue their walks in peace.

The Odd Fellows of the Good Intent Lodge are invited to a select quadrille party to be held this evening in the new hall, Cook street. Dancing will commence at eight o'clock.

On Saturday afternoon as Mr Goldie was passing Mount St. Mary, near the Convent, with a heavy load of timber for building purposes, the shaft of the cart suddenly broke and the horse fell with the weight upon his back. Several persons close at hand rendered timely assistance. Fortunately nothing more serious than the breaking of the shaft occurred. The new troupe, under the attractive title "The Diamond Troupe of Sable Harmonists," will give their grand Soiree ■ d'Ethiop this evening in the City Hall. The programme is full and judiciously arranged so as to meet varying tastes, and we have no doubt but that it will be eminently successful. We invite special attention to the first of Mr Joseph Browne's series of popular con certs, to commence this evening in the Choral Hall. The able assistance of Mrs Mitchell; and the most eminent of our local artistes, have been secured by Mr Browne, so that nothing may be wanting to make these concerts worthy the attention of the general public. Mr Browne is well known for his urbanity of manners and musical talent, and he, like every true musician, is extremely desirous of fostering a love of music where ever he may be able to extend his influence. He has also been at great expense in getting up his projected series of entertainments, solely with the view of introducing better and more elevating concerts in our midst, and doing his best to create a purer musical taste] among the people. We hope these concerts will produce such results as will encourage Mr Browne to proceed in his, laudable and cheer-inspiring course. The following is a return of the cost of! New Zealand lighthouses during the yeari 1871-72 :—Tiri Tiri, £522 6s Sd; Farewell' Spit, £713 Os 6d ; Nelson, £239 5s 2d; Mana Island, £517 12s 2d ; Pencarrow Head, £605 '19s 8d; Cape Campbell, £551 17s lid; Godly Head, £409 15s 2d ; Taiaroa Head, £452 8s 5d ; Nugget Point, £506 12s 4d ; Dog Island, £1,150 8s 7d. It is curious to ; note the great variety in the cost of mainten ance. This is doubtless accounted for by the varied difficulty of access. The amount voted for the marine'department for the finan cial year 1871-2 was £10,175. The sum expended has been £7,308 6s. The amount of fees collected under the Steam Navigation Act, the Merchants Ships' Officers Act, and sals of charts was £591 13s 6d,

Germany, among other re-bras, ia taking way upon slates. Some of the objeitions urged against their use are that they are noisy, hurtful to the eyes, and assist in forming a bad chirography which it jjjkes years of pen practice to overcome. "Jheir place is to be filled by an elastic, Ight paper slate upon which ink can be ued, and from which it can be removed as 6:ben as needful. The total abolition of slates yill be a joyful move for teachers as well as pupls, and the day which marks the sharpening of the last slate-pencil should be marked wiu a white stone by every teacher whose teth have been "set on edge " by the horrid souid. The death of the venerable Dr Steplen Lushington, who died on Sunday, the l_thof January, is noticeable as the last livng person who knew the secret cause of he separation of Lord and Lady Byron. Jr. Lushington was born January 14, 1782, aid had attained the ripe age of 90. The deceased had retired from active profe-sional life, aid lived in studious seclusion at Ockhim Park, in Surrey, which for some tweity years had been the house of Ala, Countess of Lovelace, Byron's only legti mate daughter. Ockham Park, with its me oaks and thousands of wild flowers, has hen owned by the King family from the timeof the,first Lord King, nephew of John Lock, the philosopher. The mansion contains many fine portraits of Locke, members of the King family, and the illustrious poet whose memory j was revived a few years ago in no very ! creditable degree by Mrs Beecher _ Stove. jDr Lushington, in consequence of his visits to the daughter of the poet, took a fancy tc Ockham Park ; and upon the death of the ' Countess, when its natural charms had nc j further interest for Lord Lovelace, the eldei brother of Mr Locke King, he became th< tenant of the place. It was well knowj. in literary circles that Dr Lushingtoi possessed the secret which the work was so curious about during the Byroi controversy, ' but he was silent upor the subject, being pledged, it was said, t< secrecy. Part of the secret, it is stated—th< part which relates to the statement o of Mrs Stowe, —will be published, bu the complete story will not be mach known until |3ome years hence. Di Lushington was a distinguished scholar, anc was called to the bar in 1806. ' He obtained his appointment as Judge of the High Court of Admiralty in 1838, and only retired from that post on account of faiing health in 18G7. He was recognised as the best living authority on maritime laws, and his decisions received universal respect. The deceased scholar represented Winclwlsea, "Yarmouth, and the Tower Hamlets from IS2L) to IS4I, and took an active part in connection with Clarkson, Wilber.orce, Buxton, and Brougham in the anti-slivery agitation which resulted in the f reecbm of the West Indian slaves. An incident, says the Independent, occurred on the last trip of the Rangatira in which the heroic and ludicrous are mingled. While between Napier and Poverty Bay, with the steamer running about ten knots, wind and sea favouring, an intoxicated fireman who had been ordered out of the engine-room csme on deck, and in lolling about the rail he lolled himself into the sea. The cry "man over board was heard almost simultaneously, and before the poor fellow had swept by into the wake of the steamer, Captain Hepburn thundered out the order to clear away the boat. She was quickly lowered, and the chief mate and four of the crew put off after the drowning man. The captain then altered the course of the steamer, no easy task from the rate of speed on, and went after the boa. This was done so expeditiously that in a few min utes the steamer was up to the fellow, wqo was at his last gasp. Captain Hepburn siw this, and knowing no time was to be lost where a life was at stake, clapped a bowline under his arms and jumped overboard. He then held the exhausted man afloat until bctli were soon after taken on board. flThe rescued man was taken into the cabin, stretched dv the table, and the usual restorative means taken, the captain superintending in his wet clothes. After about twenty minuts labor and anxiety their efforts were rewarded. The partially dead or drunken iireman fetched a deep sigh, i opened his eyes, and on meeting the w.ll j known swarthy and dark-bearded face of _is captain bending over him, he rather amused I those in the cabin by ejaculating, " By , j Black Jack, I owe my life to you." But ; checking himself, he added, " I beg pardon, j Captain Hepburn." Soon after the fellow once more began talking of jumping over board again, but changed his mind on bei„g invited to do so, and told that no one would go after him. The captain dropped him at Poverty Bay, having had somewhat too mujh of the fellow. A violent cold will keep tae recollections of his exploit in the captain's mind with some freshness for a week or two. The fireman's name is Palmer.

COACH ACCIDENT IN UPPER QUEEN STREET.

THIS DAY.

At ten o'clock this morning the inhabitants lof Upper Queen-street were startled by observing a coach coming down the hill minus a driver and the occupants of the coach precipitating themselves into the road reckless of all consequences. The vehicle was the Panmure and Howick coach belong ing to Messrs Loomb and Smith, and. driven by the first-named partner. It appears that after turning out of the Karangahape road the near rein broke, which-left the driver so helpless in any control over the animals that he jumped off • the coach. His son was sitting at the top of the vehicle, and to him he called to fol low his example. There were several occu pants inside the coach, and observing their danger they all one after another jumped out, receiving more or less injuries in their" fall through the hasty and precipitate manner in which they threw themselves out. Jane Anderson, employed at the Shakespeare Hotel, was veiy much cut about the face, and had her shoulder fractured, and was car] ried into Mr Rushbrook's, late Hobb's shopy and afterwards to Mr Sandall's, where she was attended by Dr. Dawson. MrLoomb's son hurt his leg, and it was said by some that he had broken it; as however he was seen to walk shortly after, the injury could not have been so serious. Mr Carr, junr. of Howick, has received a sprain and several contusions, likewise Mr E. Mac Lean, jun. Happily the injuries are not very serious. The horses, although uncontrolled, cannot be said to! have run away, for they proceeded down; Queen-street at a moderately quick pace, and! on arrival at the Market - square, by the Thistle Hotel, turned off on to the pathway! at that side. Passing under the verandah! attached to Mr Messenger's shop, the coach came in violent collision with the partition , that divides his verandah from Mr Smith's Cash Palace; Here the coach came to grief, for the f ore-part J becoming detached from the ring-bolt the body of the coach was left on the footpath, and the horses, with the fore wheels attached, proceeded to Quick's stables, where they have been in the habit of putting up. Here they came to a standstill, as if nothing had happened. The injury, as fax as the vehicle is concerned, is trifling, and we believe that the passengers are not hurt further than described. The horses are un injured.

KEROSINE SPRINGS ON THE EAST COAST.

Our Waiapu correspondent writes s—Tliere arrived here about March 20, 18/3, a gentle man to see if he could not lease the kerositte springs from the natives (the Ngatiporn tribe.) He told them that if they would put the land through the Lands' Court he would lease it of them. So they called a large runanga (meeting) consisting of all the hapus of the Ngatiporou tribe, which reached the length ot about sixty miles. The meeting came off on the 25th of March, and after a great deal of talking the native chiefs were in favour of the proposal, but the natives themselves were not for putting it through the Lands' Court, as they were given to understand by some one that there could not be more than ten names in the Crown grant. Also, that when it was put through the Lands' Court the Govern ment could make roads through it without compensation to the native owners, and that the expenses of surveying and putting it through would swallow up the best part of the land. One of the chiefs that is receiving a Government salary told them that it was very likely that two thousand pakehas would come to work it, and that made them very timid. One chief, named larairo Ho Kamau, a native assessor who has a share in the kerosine spring not being present, they had to postpone the runanga till Monday, the 31st March, and in the meantime, after a great deal of koreroing they came to the conclusion that the absent' '_ chief should decide, and whatever conclusion he came to they would be satisfied and abide by it. He did not arrive on the 31st of March, but next day, the Ist of April. They all got together and the business commenced. The absent chief agreed to have the land put through the court. And now commenoes the hardest work of all amongst themselves, one gets up and begins to talk about the bound aries, and another gets up and contradicts him, and so on with most of them, on1 after the other, until nearly dark. One of the chiefs, an assessor, got up to inter fere, and immediately after the runanga broke up which was a very good thing for all parties, for had they been kept talking much longer they would most certainly have gone on till they would have fought with the Government rifles. It is a very great pity the Government cannot get all the rifles col ! lected from them, for as long as they are | allowed to keep the rifles in their possessions i they will be very hard to deal with. The : Queen natives have got a great many rifles I which they took from the Hauhaus when j they were fighting against them. Now the , Government could very easily get them by ! paying a small sum for each rifle taken from j the Hauhaus whilst fighting. I was very sorry ito see the time the gentleman had lost rand the expense that he had been put to j while trying to lease the kerosene springs. I He was on the ground for fourteen days, and then he got no satisfactory answer, either ! "yes" or "no" ; and also while stayinghere he | was insulted by a native assessor, who was i half-drunk. 1 believe the gentleman comes ; from the South,- if so, he will have something to tell them of his experiences while staying amongst the Ng&tiporous, and how things are being carried on among the natives in the district of Waiapu, East Coast. It is a very great pity that some gentleman —a member of the House of Representatives would be best—floes not take a private visit among the natives in the distrjct of Waiapu, East Coast, and then he would see how things are carried on. There is plenty of coal in this coast if some experienced gentlemen would visit here and see whether it would pay to work.

THE HOME FOR THE DESTITUTE. _ There are events of frequent occurrence in our midst which forcibly appeal to benevo lent minds for thoughtful consideration, and to none more than the reflective journalist whose pen is more especially devoted to the service of the public. It is true we can only note those offences which come under the eye of the law : nor can we chronicle private vir tues, which usually, like true and beautiful things, grow in silence, and strengthen in the atmosphere of undisturbed feelings, were it otherwise we might have much to say in favour of humanity. The revelations of our Police Court, and the manifestations of the criminal calendar, shew the necessity for such an institution as that referred to by Mr Sto vin in his recently published letter, which is thoroughly practical and worthy the attention of persons whose pecuniary means enable them to aid in the formation of a "Refuge for the Destitute." Few persons can doubt the necessity for such an institu tion when it is known that a portion of the people give way to habits of vice and in temperance, are utterly careless of character and caste, and consequently become a very expensive pest to the community at large. Looking, however, at the Supreme Court calendar, and taking the extent of the prd vince and its population into consideration, the statistics rather shew a diminution in cases' of detected crime than the reverse, while the probity. of the majority of men in public capacities furnishes a cheering fact that we are not so bad as at first sight we seem to be. Of course there will always be individual exceptions ; but generally speak ing, we, as a people, are advantageously progressing. In regard to the diminution of crime a certain statistical proof might be brought forward in seeming contradiction of such a view ; but a little secondary reflection will convince any candid mind of the fallacy of reasoning finally from such surface evil dence. Admitting, however, that such proof possesses some degree of truth, still its statistical value may be questioned, as it presents but one aspect of society, anddoesnot afford a view of those unseen features which would form a sunny , contrast to the darker shades of the picture, and which, were they seen, would tend to foster hope in the breast of the contemplative progressionist. Thej institution suggested by Mr Stovin's letter! would act beneficially both in a preventative and curative sense. Our criminals are chiefly from the unhealthy andless-troddenthorough fares of the city ; from the purlieus of Chancery Lane and like places, and they form- a crime-! breeding structure of a dangerous Society.: which, if allowed freely to flourish, may have a disastrous influence on, society of the future. And this is not altogether an. imaginary view of this budding pestilence. It woulcl be wonderful indeed if crime! were stationary, when knowledge and science are advancing and spreading in all directions. Still with all our physical errors, and moral deficiencies, we are disposed to; refresh ourselves with the fact that nobler agencies are at work amongst as, that a flood; of regenerating sentiment is continually; coming from the press, and in philantlvj-opic and patriotic expressions from conscientious; -public teachers. The newspapers, moreover, j with but a few simple exceptions, are boidj enough to expose error, and are zealous in | the cause of. moral and political progress.! Writers in most instances cherish a sensitive regard for honest principles, and in decisive '• language stigmatise individuals and com-1 panics that in any respect may fail in their just duties to public interest. Hence, above and beyond the shadows of the age appears, like' a bright star above the night clouds, the promise of the "Good time coming," when hypocrisies and shams of every description shall recede from the sunshine of truth, and when feebleness and want shall find other refuge from the wintry storms of life than the oblivious waters of the Waitamata.

MR ARMSTRONG AND THE AUCK LAND SERENADERS.

(To the Editor of the Evening StahJ Sib—Permit me to reply to the letter of Mr Armstrong, the self-styled manager of the Auckland Sereriaders. After denouncing my letter as " the effusion of a frantic light headed mind (whatever that may mean) ot a would-be minstrel," he states that he does not believe the letter came direct from tne cranium of "that extraordinary person, DU. from a prompter." He theu says I made a rambling statement. How all tnese ideas can be consistent one with another I cannot conceive. He then asserts I must have the delirium tremens, repeating the assertion once or twice afier in his nonsensical letter. 1 will simply inform him that he is a contemp tible liar, a gross slanderer, and a deserving object for a horse-pond for his base calumny. Does he think that a personal attack on my sell will remove the opprobium that rests in him self for. having squandered the proceeds of an entertainment given ostensibly for chanty ; but which, according to his own admission, has been wasted in "bitteis"and other refresh' ment. What explanation can Mr Armstrong give of having advertised an entertainment to be given for the benefit of the widow of the late W. G. L. Low, and as soon as the funds are in his possession asserting that he makes it a rule "that no institution, charitable or benevolent society, receive more than £20 from the proceeds of any benefit, the balanoe to go into the benevolent fund of the troupe." A man informed me the other day that -another man told him that his opinion was that it was like obaining money under false pretences, but as I am not learned in the law I cannot say, only this man told me this was the other man's opinion. Again, how does Mr Arm strong accoum. for his letter of the 3rd inst., wherein he endeavours to explain " that if at any time the Serenaders should perform, and their proceeds should just realise their expenses, then they could fall back on this fund, and extract a few .pounds for the object for which they are per forming, and thus not leave the widows and fatherless utterly desolate, as has often been the case in other troupes," while at the foot of the letter a balance-sheet is appended shewing the £20 as paid (accord ing to rule), and leaving as balance in the' hands ofjthe treasurer the magnificent; sum of one shilling and threepence, and this; to provide against some future ".widow and fatherless being left utterly desolate.". If only ls 3d remained in hand, why all the explanation about rules and maxims,. &c,. previously. It looks " fishy" on the face of' it, and .the public should be on their guard how they patronize the entertainments of such people. I would advise Mr Armstrong, the manager of the Auckland Serenaders, to " dry up," and hide his diminished head,; to read carefully the story of Ananias and- Sapphira, and to take the beam out of his own eye before he attempts to, remove the mote that is in his brother's eye.—l am, &c, P. Doran. [There is nothing like free di-cussion for eliciting truth and correcting error, but the disputants in this controversy are waxing so warm as to threaten injury I to their future entertainments, however deserving the object may be. We would adiise them, now that their feelings have been somewhat relieved, to ,drop I the subject, and clor.e the mouths of suspicious people Iby publishing certified balance-sheets after every entertainment s;iven hereafter. If,, however, we are to be paid for any more letter-advertisements by either party we hope they will deal with the question in dispute, and not indulge so largely in personalities.' -Ed. E.S.]

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

GRAHAMSTOWN

This day. There has beea a general holiday to-day in town, but the mines are working. There was only a moderate attend ance at the Eeview and Sham Fight at Parawai.

Henry J. Lee, arrested on Saturday charged with embezzling money of the Odd Eellows, was brought up at the Police Court this morning and dis charged. The trustees declined to swear the information. . j

A good reef has been.struck in the Bessey claim 190 feet in the main tuna el.

The Queen of Beauty have cut the main reef in the 200 feet level. It is _ feet thick, and good looking quartz. The City of London have got some nice specimens in the bottom level. The North Star tribute have started crushing on 100 tons of quartz, which they expect to yield an average of 1^ ounces to the ton. , - I

A Child Poisoned.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT). j

TAUKANGA. This day. A child named "Watson died here this morning from eating poisoned berries. • '

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

The Railways

Deputation to Mr Vogel.

WELLINGTON

This day. ; The Nebraska has been signalled.! She sails- north to-day at 12.30 i She takes a hundred Chinese for Hong Kong, via Yokohama. .... 3 p.m. The Nebraska takes 121 passengers; from the South, thirteen being from Wellington. The Bangatira sails for Napier immediately with the machinery for the new steamer Manawatu. The steamer Patterson sails for; Napier at two p.m. to-day.

NELSON.

This day. J In reply to certain questions by a, deputation relative to the railway: from Eoxhill to Brunner, the hon. „_r, Vogel suggested the extension of the j Canterbury railways to form a, trunk; line through the island. He also sug guested that Canterbury should give a grant of land to the General G-overn jment; and ask the Assembly to I authorise a loan, j

WESPORT.

imsaay. The Molnnui vi in Halcyon claim is five feet thicli and yielding rich stone. £500 ha* been refused for a quarter share. i The Cynthia crjsed the Buller bar at "half tide. She 'ill enter JNgakawau if the bar is practjable.

PORT CALMERS.

This day. The Lady Bird as been placed in ' graving dock for cerhau .

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT.

-VV w —Your letter bs already appeared in another paper ; it therefore inadmissible to our columns exipt as an advertisement.

Auckland Autumn Race Meting.

SlEi-RDS

Hon. C J. Taylof r Pollen Major Walmsley G. Crummer, Esq.

John Corave-, EsQ

Juqe

Captain eck'iam.

Hahdicapper : Capta W. Fraser. Clerk of the Couiu: H. Hardington, Esq. Starter : Kobert Wjyard, Esq.' Clerk of the Scams VV. Marks, Esq. jJon. Secretary : Cat. Burton J. Daveney.

The renewal of theiustom. of holding an autumn race meeting mit be satisfactory to all lovers of the turf, ?he racing spirit in Auckland had sunk solor that .a year or two ago it was difficult fi nisev^- sufccesaful meeting in the year, tut fy the exertions of Mr James' Watt a iette state of things has now commenced, and racing in Auck land has been place! 01 such a footing as cannot fail, by off.ringencouragement to breeders of good .aninals, to secure for the public many"good raethgs. We,dp not regard the meeting of to-dy, or that which inaugurated the altered, sate of affairs, as even:approaching in e_cel-_.ce what we may look for a year or tw hnce. There have ;been many disadvantages ;o contend against, not the. least of whim is .that absence of support from gentlenen who might*have been expected to go inhartily for'the sport. There is a lack of sporiinjspirit in Auckland, which makes it very.dicouraging and up hill work to brings any race meeting to a successful issue, but: th amount of spirit and!determination that vis brought to bear on the present' occasio: could not fail 0£ .success; and the result fully equalled the

anticipations regarding i. v 7 To-day was.observed s a general holiday, and-in the morning tb usual preparations for "going to the rac?" were noticeable in Queen-street and othr *parts of the town. At an early hour the hoses were to be seeu taking their morning spi, the most noticeable of them being Moose wjb. his jockey riding in ■_ colours, probably to acustdm the animal to the same. The weather dd-not lookpropitious, the clouds having an iver-cast appearance that threatened to s<nd a. down-pour of rain before the day ws. far.spent. "This will suit the Kght Teights," was in the mouths of many, hit whether -the light weights would prefer sinking at each step up to their fetlocks i is not very difficult to give an opinioi. Mr Watts' horse has been favorite for the Autumn Handi cap. Some idea may! be formed of the respective vahe of the-.^horses in a betting point d view. by- thtf fellow - ing prices they realized in a Calcutta sweep at Boulter's Atckland Hotel :—Para whenua, £15 10s; Ben Nevis, £10 ilss; Buhdara, £2 12si 6d ; HarceHa,.^!- 10a* The weights for the Weltei being declared-earlier than -was generally erpected, it was freely stated that the race1 would. lay. between "Paramatta and the Paer, with latter for choice, ixanga was first favourite for the Maiden Plate it being believed that Eclipse would not start. Peer was second favorite. Very small value was put upon the other horses. There was the usual excitement at the start for the course. In the vicinity of Mr Har dington's yards especially the crowd was most demontrative. Mr Hardington had brought out his large 'bin for the occasion, and this, drawn by six horses, took the lead on the line of raid amidst a large, .and | miscellaneous I colhction of vehicles of|evpry description. Busses, expresses, jaunting-cars, buggies, gigs, ard indescribable vehicles, which appear to be specially manufactured for 'race days, an- to be consigned' after they have been used t» some obscure place, wheie they remain uniil another race day brings them forth once more into the light of day. The bussWdid not fill up as quickly asusual, ! but,thejgradually becamefreiglv_id». and then! Mr Hardington's NO. 1' setoff, followed by a No..2.,,which seemed to: have Been specially chartered by the police) —a brilliant display of the " gentlemen _h'blue" being observable on the top. A handsome break had been provided by the same spirited coach proprietor for the use of the . .committee, and the owner_ in x his scarlet uniform, as clerk o_ the cpun -\ made his first appearance, and after a fes. turns up and down Queen-street, collecting stewards, &c.,. set out for the scene of action. .The road '*o the course was thickly thronged with pedestrians, who had ;for economy adopted the'cheap although less expeditious mode of locomotion provided by nature. There appeared to be much more speculation amongst the people regarding the weather than oh the events, and the general opinion seemedtobethatif.the rain only kept off the weather would be very line, but if it came on wet'then it would be likely damp the sport. This wise and consolatory con clusion appeared to afford much satisfaction, and conduce to the general harmony and good feeling. On the course, when the bell rang for the first race, the crowd was not very large, but it steadily increased up till two o'clock, and by that time there were about a thousand people on the ground. The grand stand booths, upstairs and down, were purchased by Mr Perkins, of the Occidental, who was joined by Mr Rage, of the Criterion Hotel, Hobson-street. Host Perkins had spread a splendid cold 'collation in the refreshment-room adjoining the grand stand for the use of the CQjnwJttee,

___ iVENiise if aU, moi«m_, Miim____i



DIVIDEND. Golden Crown CALLS. Morning Star John o'Groats Thames Gas .. Waitemata .. Watchman .. Queen of May Una ..

0 2 6 0 0 8 0 5 0 0 2 6 0 0 6 0 10 0 10 0 0 6

April 16 April 14 April 15 May 1 May 14 May 14 May Ii May 14



JTELSON TWEED TROUSERS IBs. Bd. Per Pair, AT THE CITY CLOTHING MART, AND AT No. 180, QUEEN STREET. . SAMUEL COOMBES. GREAT REDUCTIONS TOR THREE MONTHS ONIiY AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, queen street, Next Door to Savings' Bank. Cartes-de-visite reduced from 16s per dozen to 18s 6d. ! Maori Celebrities (largest stock in New Zealand to select from), reduced from 12s per dozen to Qs. Views from all parts of New Zealand reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Enlargements from Cartes-de-visite to Life-size, plain or beautifully floished in Oil or Water Colors, also reduced in prico. Large Stook of Photographio Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Sterooscopio Slides, &jc, greatly reduced. J. MoGARRIGLE, Manager.