SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT Off AUCKLAND.

SUNSET:* This evening, f1.r.l SUN -RISE: To morrow rooming, 6.37 STOW WATER ; This evening, 9.53; to-morrow mornfcig, 10.9

ARRIVALS.

"Vincent, cutter, from Tauranga Star of the South, s.s., Holmes, from Napier Columbia, schooner, McLeocl, from Poverty Bay Challenger, p.s., from Wangarei Bella, cutter, from Whangamatta Flora, McDonald, cutter, from Ruglan

DEPARTURES.

"Wonga "Wonga, s.s.. Brown, for Sydney Dante, cutter, for Port Waikato

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Norfolk island ; ivanhoe, schooner, to-morrow For Honolulu aivf t g an 'Francisco: Nebraska, mail

steamer, Thursday next For Cork : T'olar Star, ship, to-day For Northern ports: Rowena, s.a., Monday next For London : Harvest Home, ship, and Glenlmntly,

barque, early For Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., about 2Sth instant. For Kaipara : Lily, s.s., "Wednesday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Durham, ship, from London. Sailed 20th November ■Edinburgh Castle, ship, from London. Loading Parsee, ship, from London. Loading _ Langa, barque, from Liverpool. Loading Thames, barque, from New York, via Sydney, loading Prosperity, schooner, from Melbourne Corredo, barque, from Sydney Drover, brier, from Sydney East Lothian, barque, from New York. Sailed 20th December Emulous, schooner, from Duuedin. Sailed 13th February Dauntless", schooner, from South Islands Harriet Armylage, barque, from Duuedin Patiirson, p.s., from Sydney Success, schooner, from Levuka Albion, brig, from Newcastle Coronet, brigantine, from Wellington Satellite, cutter, from Levuka

The schooner Columbia arrived yesterday evening from Poverty Bay with 27") sheep consigned to Messrs Hunter & Nolan. The sailiug race between the yachts Fleet wing, Energy, Spray, ancl Gipsy Queen, will take place to-morrow. Great interest is evinced in the event.

The following remarks of Captain Badcock, of the Nassau Boating Club, the inventor of

the sliding seats, may interest and prove useful to the clubs about to use them. After a season's fair trial he is convinced that it requires more skill to use the seat properly than it does the oar, thus making it doubly difficult to perfect a creAv. The tendency of the beginner is to slide too much and at the wrong time, for the simple reason that to use the slide improperly is easy and plea sant, while to use it correctly is difficult and fatiguing. Ii is fully, if not more impor tant, that the crew should slide together, as it is that they should row together, and it is doubly more difficult to do it. The conclu sion he has arrived at notwithstanding con trary opinions of oarsmen generally, is this, that the slide properly used is a decided ad vantage and gain of speed, and the onhj objection to its use is its complication, and almost impracticable requirement oi skill and nnison in a crew, rather than any positive defect in its mechanical theory. When we take into consideration what the best oars men in the world, "the Tynesiders," glidtt, when spurting, from 4 to 6 inches on a fixed seat, the movable seat can only be consi dered as a mechanical contrivance intended fora better accomplishment of the sliding movement in rowing. The pith of the fore going remarks appears to be that a crew who can row well together will find the slid ing se>i'cs an advantage, but to anything but afivst-classteam they would prove just the reverse.

The cutter Bella has reported at the Cus toms with oO bags gum H. D. Piolph and Co. from Wh rngrunata,

The mail steamer Nebraska left Napier for this port at seven o'clock last evening. The ship Warwick broke bulk this morn ing. Her cargo is in first-rate condition.

The cutter Dante left Onehunga this morning for port Waikato with a cargo of timber and sundries.

The cutter Flora McDonald arrived in the Manakau this morning from Raglan with 52 bales flax, A. Barnes ; 3 pgs, 1 pg, 2S pgs, ft. Gilmour ; 5 tons luggage, R. Nazer ; and two passengers.

COMMERCIAL.

The following are the Customs' returns for the week ending Saturday last: —Duties, £4142 4s Id ; lighthouse dues, £39 13s lOd ; Merchant Shipping fees, £3 5s 3d ; Arms fees, £2 17s ; miscellaneous, £3 ; poilot and port charges, £47 4s 7d. Total, £4238 4s 9d.

MINING.

The following aro the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— £, 8. d. DTVIDT>:ND. All Nations .. „ 0 4 0 Feb 18 CALLS Imperial Crown .. 10 0 Feb 17 Missouri .. .. 0 5 0 Mrch 3 Coromanrtel Tunnel 0 10 0 Mrch 10 Otago 0 10 Mrch 12 • American Eagle .. 0 10 Mrch 12 Inverness .. .. 0 0 3 Mrch 12 Royal Standard .. 0 0 6 Mrch 12 MEETINGS. Coromandel Tunnel, Mr Tothill's office, Auckland. 10 a.m., 18th February Bismarck and French Republic, Insurance Buildings Auckland, 2 p.m., 21st Febraary Tokatea, Coromandel, 21st February Watchman, Grahamstown, 21st February Central Italy, Grahamstown, 27th February Pride of Tokatea, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 12.30 p.m., 3rd March

To gentlemen requiring 'first-class tobacco and cigars, if they -would only visit Mrs Sharpe's neat littie American Tobacco and Cigar Divan (next Bank New Zealand) they may purchase the same cheaper than in any ether house in the city. No inferior goods kept in stock ; would not purchase such for the public at any price. One trial is suffi cient to guarantee a continuance of custom. Give a call.—Advt.

Dr. BjtioHT'sPiiosrnoDYNE. —Multitudesof People are hopelessly suffering from Debility, Nervous and Liver Complaints, Depression of Spirits, Delusions, TJnfltness for Business or Study, Failure of Hearing, Sight, and Memory, Lassitude, Want of Power, &c., ■whose cases admit of a permanent cure by the new remedy Pjiosphodyne (Oxonic Oxygen), which at once allays all irritation and excitement, imparts new enertjy and life to the enfeebled constitution, and rapidiy cures every stage of these hitherto incurable and distressing maladies. Sold by all Chemists and Storekeepers throughout the Colonies, from whom Pamphlets containing testimonials may be obtained. jtST Caution.—Be particular to ask for Dr. Bright's Phosphodyne as imitations are abroad ; and avoid purchasing single bottle 3, tho genuine article being sold in cases only.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Maiis wixl Ci-osrc as Ukdsf. :— For Thames, this clay, at 5.80 p.m., and to-morrow, at I'J.SU a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Kapunga, on Wednesday, 30th inst., at 2.30 p.m. For Norfolk Island, per Ivanhoe, to-morrow, &tsp.m. For London direct, par (llenhuntiey, on Tuesday, the IStli inst., at 11 a.m. For Whitianga, per Mary Ellen, on Tuesday, the 18th inst., at 11 a.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, and Chatham Islands, per s.s. Fhceße, on Wednesday, the 10th inst., at 10 a.m-. For the undermentioned places, per s.a. Nebraska, on Thursday. 20th inst., as under :— For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, TJnited States of America, British aurt Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at 12.30 p.m. For United Kingdon via San Francisco, at 12.30 p.m, Late letters for the United States of America and United Kingdom, hearing a late fee of Gdin addition to the postage will be received at this office until 1 p.m., ami by the mail agent on board the ster.mer up to time of sailing. (Signed) S. E. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

DEATH.

Brittain. —On February 17, Harry Marmaduke, in fant son of Henry Brittuin, chemist, Gf>, Victoria street; aged 0 months.

The funeral will ltave his father's residence to morrow (Tuesday) afternoon, at 3 o'clock.

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, Vov the future in the distance. And the Rood that CM do

A new political organization is in quest of a head like Japhet in search of his father. We are requested by Mr B. Tonks to state that he waives the honor conferred on him in the Presidency of the political union recently launched. He was not consulted on the subject, and feels the pressure of his other public and private duties, and in consequence begs to decline the position.. With reference to this new Association we plead guilty to a slight haziness of idea, and as it may be possible that it may elect tha Editor of this journal to the honorable position of President now vacant, we respect fully ask for a little " more light." in its conception it appeared a congress of " Mid land Counties' men." whatever in all the world that means. The peculiar social and political grievances of "Midland Counties' men " being found difficult to dissever from those under which groan the poneral body politic, the Union &o\v° made embraces in ad^ ltion << Auckland colonists irrespective o f c i an or class." By such a Sen.-ral aggregation, and by the consequent generalization of the objects contemplated, there is a great vagueness* about this young political aspirant ; and having a wholesome though dreadful recollection of the blows re ceived in consequence of our curiosity and mistaken kindness to the Colonists' League in its e&v\y days, we feelexcruciated to know distinctly against what evil primarily and mainly the crusade will be launched. It is complained, we observe, that members of parliament seek their own things, not the things of the people, and the Union of the " Midland Counties' men " contemplates the supply of purely disinterested statesmen. In this we wish the Union the very greatest success, Next the '' Midland Counties' men " contemplate reforming the Press, and they hazard the opinion that '' the Press, which ought to be the leader of the people, was not free here ; but followed those who were called leading men." This is a grave charge, and if the Union will have the kindness to show us what leading man or leading men this journal follows, we shall not only accept the Presidency of the Union, but give say ten guineas to the funds. Failing this, we, desiring to be on the most friendly terms with the new political union, shall feel obliged if they will tell us what they understand by a " Free Press." We have ideas on the subject, bxit we should like theirs. Is it a press that will freely and fearlessly attack when requisite all other classes except the " Midland Counties' men," and when it attacks any abuse among them will it cease to be a free press and become a low scurrilous publication ? Such has been our experience of ideas entertained respecting a '' Free Press," and we shall be happy to learn from the new light what is the particular course to be taken to earn from it the appellation of a "Free Press." It must be borne in mind that there are individuals connected with every cause, however vicious, and these individuals if not believing, at least affect to believe, that they are workingfor the general weal. Who then is to be judge of what is a vicious cause ? Is it those identified with that cause, or those without ? And if those without are to become identified with another vicious cause, who, again, is to be judge as to their deserts ? Is it themselves, or those now without their ring ? And what will be the position of the " Free Press ?" Will it associate itself with one of the parties and attack the other, defending its own party even when wrong ? Or will it stand aloof, and attack equally abuse and wrong, wherever found ? In this latter case, of course, it must be abused in turn from both sides as being low and scurrilous ; and when it sees abuse in the "Midland Counties' men" they will say " stop my paper," and adjudge that it should be put down by all decent men. Or will the " Midland Counties' men" include only those of so unexceptionable moral and political purity that they can indicate what should and what should not be attacked in the political and social system? And shoiild the "Free Press" then be the* exponent only of this most pure and upright organization? The "Midland Counties' men" would probably think this was truly the duty of the "Free Press ;" other people would say that this would be exercising the functions of an "Organ." With the most sincere and kindly feelings towards this incipient though somewhat vague political organisation, and with the desire of in no way running across its path, having in our mind's eye its advertising, and the possible presidency now vacant, we would respectfully invite the Midland Counties' men to be precise in their terms. We have been alterna tely beslavered with praise and furiously attacked, declared deserving of un bounded support, and deserving of being crushed out of existence by almost every party and every leading man in the province, and all in the endeavour to work out the problem of a " Free Press." If the '' Midland Counties' men" will do us the favour of solving the difficulty ancl defining how we shall exhibit a " Free Press," and at the same time deserve the commendation of all men — themselves included —we shall be prepared to sacrifice ourselves on the altar of our country, and accept the presidency of the i' Midland Counties' Association."

The possibility indicated by late telegrams of England becoming involved in war should arouse attention to the completely defence less position of New Zealand ports. Papers have been laid upon the table of the House of Representatives bearing upon this subject, but no action has yet been taken, and any hostile or piratical cruiser, after ascertaining $he whereabouts of the men-of-war upon the

Australian station, might steam into any of our ports and demand, under threats o! bom bardment, considerably more money than would if expended on fortifications render eveiy port in the colony impregnable. A few years ago, after the amicable settlement of a threatened rupture between England and Russia, it was ascertained that a large section of the Russian fleet was actually under orders to make an immediate descent upon Australia and New Zealand in the event of war being declared. The extent and scattered nature of England's colonies render the British Empire extremely vulnerable at those points, and although England would doubtless recognise the duty of protecting her dependencies to the'utmost extent of her power, it is not difficult to forsee that the defence of the British coast, and other services near the scene of the conflict, must absorb the greater portion of the navy, and that this colony I would be left to depend mainly upon its own resources for protection. We do not think it at all probable that any field force would be despatched for the purpose of making an : attack upon the colony, but nothing is more I likely than that advantage would be taken of our defenceless position to levy blackmail upon the city at the cannon's point. It is n fact disgraceful to the Government—and never would have been tolerated but for the apathy of the people—that one well-armed vessel could steam into our port and set the whole city at defiance. This, too, when the formation of the the t^ust-llftS at the entrance to vXlv Harbour offers excellent "Ca'itionS For defence. The efficiency of well-equipped coast batteries was demon strated in the late war between Spain and the South American Republics, where the Spanish fleet was driven off with considerable loss by vigorously manned small batteries. The importance of this matter cannot be over-estimated, and the Govern- I ment should take immediate action by placing | itself in communication with the Imperial \ authorities for the purpose of procuring from I the English arsenals guns of a suitable class for coast defence and torpedoes to be placed at the disposal of the authorities at each port ready for use in the event of any real danger ! arising. The members of the Armed Con sta'niLiry might moreover be exercised in j gun-drill,'and rendered capable of manning the i forfca in cases of emergency. We do not wish to bo alarmists, nor is there in the character of the English advices anything to create alarm, but the duty of providing protection ! for our ports has been too long neglected, 1 and the present time, when the possi bility of such a means of defence | being actually required is prominently | before the public- mind, is perhaps la. hotter time than any other for pointing out oiir utterly defenceless condition. It is the duty of our local authorities to represent the matter to the (General Government in a forcible way. Lyttelton has already done .so, although that port is perhaps the least likely of any in the colony to be made the object of an attack.

The Auckland Provincial Council during its past session passed an ordinance readjust ing the representation in the Council and repealing a former Act relating to represen tation and election. But this new act pro vides that the elections under it should not take place until the new electoral roll for 1872-8 comes into force—that is to say not until October next. If Mr Gillies should ask for an earlier dissolution no election could possibly take place until the time just mentioned. What may not happen before that time to disturb all the calculations of the present aspirants for the Superintendency. Eight or nine months, with a session of the General Assembly in the meantime, may very much change the position of both pro vincial and general political parties. Besides it is too early now to attempt to get up any excitement on the subject unless the election was shortly to come off, and if any enthusiasm is excited now it will die out altogether be fere the time of election arrives. Mr Williamson and the others whose names have been mentioned have commenced stumping too soon.— ifeUitif/tou Independent

The Auckland correspondent of the Lyitellon Times- furnishes some additional particulars regarding the groat native meet ing at Maungatautari : —A profound impres sion and great dismay was created among the Kingites when Kewi Maniopoto stood before the representatives of all the Maori tribes and freely confessed that he, the most renowned of Maori fighting chiefs, had made a grievous mistake in waning with us, and hoped that remaining differences between the races Avould be settled by amicable nego tiation. If any one who reads these lines imagines that the meeting at Maungatautari was a matter of small importance, let me advise him "to clear that nonsense out of his head," as Talleyrand (slightly altered) observed to Napoleon the i('irst. Certainly the Maungatautari meeting was not imme diately of political impoi'tance ; but who can estimate the ultimate effect of llewi's speech ? Surely much has been gained when the most powerful of Maori chiefs admits publicly that he has been in the wrong, and leads to under stand that he has for ever sheathed the sword. This season's wheat is now being delivered in Canterbury. The Wellington Independent says: —"Mr Gillies we are informed told the Minister for Lands and Immigration that 800 immigrants was far too many, and appeared to think generally that immigration was not much needed in Auckland. Since then, owing to the pressure of public opinion, which was in an exactly opposite direction, Mr Gillies has shifted his ground, and is anxious for a large immigration to the province. But he should not have thrown the blame of the small immigration so far upon the Govern ment.

The agricultural statistics of this island are being collected by the members of the Armed Constabulary Force.

Mr Hoskins has telegraphed to Napier, engaging the Odd Fellows' Hall for a month, to give performances with Miss Colville, another young actress, and Mr Douglass. He is to be assisted by some Napier amateurs, some of whom are said to be equal to those in any part of New Zealand.

Complaints have been made to us of acts of larrikinism in the neghbourhood of Newton on Sunday morning by persons who ought to know better. It is said that the greater the truth the greater the libel, at the same time it is quite true that the man, or ",hobble-de-hoy," who enters people's gardens and steals vegetables for a " lark " is a thief. It is a pity there is no treadmill in our common gaol to teach these young gentlemen better manners.

The regular monthly meeting of the Lodge Waitemata, No. 689, E.G., will be held this evening in the lodge-room of the Masonic Hotel.

The entertainment at Morningside school - house, Mount Albert, will be open at half-past six o'clock this evening.

The great case Law v. Ocean will be decided to-morrow in the Albert Barracks. The lawyers for one day have determined to lay down the quill and handle the bat, and the seamen of the '' Blanche" consider that when on shore they have a legal right to exert their physical powers against those of the lawyers. The match will be an exciting ne, stimulating and useful to both parties,

A popular amusement association is in full work in Christchuroh.

A piiblic meeting is announced for Wed nesday evening, at Otahuhu Hall, for the purpose ot hearing objections to the building of the proposed Mangare bridge.

We notice that the Jockey Club have fixed upon April 14th for the holding of the Auckland Autumn races at LUerslie, The programme of the sports is already before the public.

We are glad to observe that a stir is being made in the right direction amid the moral gloom of Coromandel, for in no part of the colony is there greater need for reform than this unruly settlement. The Bechabites have done well in calling the people together in order that they may listen to well seasoned advice from earnest ministers like the Revs. Messrs. McNicol and Tait. A few months ago every third man you met in Kapanga-street was up to his neck in colonial beer, and con sequently unsteady in gait. Mr Williams, the Wesleyan minister, we understood, was then the only teetotaller in the place, hut now he is not the only straggler for social reform beneath the ranges. On Thursday last a great meeting was held in Kapanga, and in addition to the aid afforded .by the before mentioned Presbyterian ministers, Messrs Wilson, Moore, and Cara.aU spoke long and loud in the cause of temperance ; but the most convincing and the most eloquent of the speakers was John Brame, a man of very considerable talking powers, like most Birmingham men, for it is a notice able fact that according to the comparative number of its inhabitants, Birmingham has produced more working-men orators than any other English town. The Heehabites are awaking to the necessity of a new crusade against gin and beer and bitters, and the time is coming when the ugly name of teetotaller and its ungrammatical vestiges will lost under the widening banner of rechabitism, and buried beneath its secret tricks and myst e ;: OUH si °ns- The kingites have a large are* ° ® v-i sown with wheat which promises a splontuv. yield. The crop near Maungatautari is especially good. We understand that the kiugites have made application through Honana to the Government for the removal of the Hour mill at Mangero formerly owned by them to Tt) Kuiti. Some time ago the Government presented the Princess Sophia with one of Cases's admirable hand mills which was so much approved of that Honana when last in town was instructed to procure another for Manuhiri. The potato crop in tho king country is also said to be very good, being free from the disease which has attacked the native plantations along the East Coast,

Intelligence has been received in Auckland that His Excellency tho Governor will probably arrive here about the 12th of next month, and will remain in this province three weeks. As yet no preparations have been made for according His Excellency a hearty token of public appreciation of tho services he has rendered the colony during his residence here. We trust, however, that Sir George Bowen will not be allowed t:> leave our shores without a public demonstration in his honour. He has, during his residence, acquired great and well-deserved personal popularity, and the administration of his office has been careful and thoroughly constitutional. Sir George Bowen may be accepted as a model Governor, —one paying the utmost deference to the wishes of his Parliament and Ministers, but possessing sufficient decision of character to enable him to act promptly when occasion requires. We trust that in welcoming the coming we shall not forget to "speed the parting guest."

The Wnikato Time.? says : —"An Auckland contemporary we think it was which first mooted the question of the inadequacy of the rates of pay awarded to telegraph clerks. The matter has since then been pretty gene rally taken up by the press of the colony, which on this point have been wonderfully unanimous, Ministerial and Opposition jour nals alike condemming the parsimoniousness of the Government in the payment of this class of public servants. Economy in admin istration of public funds cannot be too highly commended, but when that economy degene rates into stinginess it is no longer economy."

To the Editor : Sir, —Your correspondent " Laconicus " is mistaken about the citizens of Auckland being deprived of the recreation ground in the Albert Barracks, as the Act gives sixteen acres for a recreation ground, and the Improvement Commission cannot plant gardens in various spots, as stated by "Laconicus," unless they are in addition to the aforesaid sixteen-acre plot.—l am, &c, Football.

We publish three telegrams received on Saturday from Wellington—the first a few minutes before five, the other shortly after, and the third after six o'clock. They were despatched from Wellington respectively at 11.40 a.m., 12.22 p.m., and 1 p.m., and yet did not arrive in time for publication on that day.

An island containing 400 acres of good soil, and a residence, situated within ten miles of Auckland, is to be let for a term of years by Messrs John Koberton & Co.

The usual monthly inspection of the Hobson Rifle Volunteers will take place at half-past seven to-morrow evening at the Drill-shed.

Onions three pounds in weight and 19h inches in circumference have been grown in Canterbury.

This season has been the driest seen at the Chatham Islands for many years past, still the crops look well.

The llev. Mr. Root, who arrived by the ahip Warwick, preached an eloquent and impressive sermon yesterday in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, from these words : (Thess. c. iv., v. 3) " For this is the will of God, even your sanctincation." The rev. gentleman has an excellent and distinct delivery. His discourse was plain and practical, and was listened to with close attention.

The sacred order of priesthood was con ferred upon the E.ev. James Simpson yester day, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, in the presence of a large congregation. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Croke, assisted by the lievs. Walter Macdonald and T. J. Dilworth.

There is in every community a section of persons who, though having no home of their own, have a strong objection to being sent to a public hospital in case of sickness. The inter ests of these people have been studied in Christchurch, where a private hospital has been established by Dr Prins, a prominent member of the faculty iil that town. In this establishment two very serious cases have already been successfully dealt with. One patient was a laborer named Allen, who had been suffering from cancer in the right cheek for some months. The cancer was increasing rapidly, and there was no other resource but to remove nearly the whole of the right cheek and about the third of the jawbone, which was successfully accomplished a few weeks ago. The second operation was on a person whose tongue was so extensively affected with cancer that the whole of the tongue had to be removed. This was attended with ! equal success, and the patients have not suf fered pain since, whilst the wounda are now almost healed,

Considerable attention has been directed of late to the rows among the people of North Shore, and one gentleman, in a prominent i position in public life and of large and lengthened experience, has remarked that "if the people of North Shore had peace they would die." Now, there is great truth in this remark, and it explains what has been a total misapprehension among outsiders respecting the peculiar development of social movements on the sea-girt peninsula that shuts in our Waitemata harbour. By the unreflecting it has been thoughtlessly assumed that this remarkable social feature arises from something culpable, if not even bad, in the disposition of the people, whereas it has been found that it i-e owing to the peculiar climatic and atmospheric conditions under which they live. The excess of' free ozone in the atmos phere of that district is well known, and it pro duces a hilarious state of animal spirits that leads to a certain friskiness of disposition as natural to tho people, as it is for a kitten to j j run after its own tail. Besides the contiguity : of the sea has also developed a large excess , of iodine floating, mechanically or chemically j combined in the atmosphere, which, while ; contributing to a high state of physical ' health, has as a powerful irritant an evident \ j influence on the nervous system, which tends j ■ to divert the animal spirts of the inhabitants ; !in the direction of pugnacity. This we have found by having a bottle of the North Shore atmosphere submitted to chemical analysis by Mr Pond, who has made the foregoing dis coveries. It is not, therefore, owing to any defect in the mental or physical constitution of the people that the district is perodically subjected to excitement ; quite the contrary. It is the ozone does it ; and it is because any restraint imposed on the social characteristics of tho people would suppress this healthy eruption that Mr Boylan's statement is correct, "If the people of the North Shore had peace they would die." One of the periods of heat has just passed away, and the people of the district are suffering a recovery. A very amicable meeting was held between the belligerents at the district School-house on 1 Saturday evening, and it was resolved IfWT/ .-.. -' ' ~i, e t and to make this even to bury tho tiam,^ ■ ■ .:,, ;l j o f peace a nd ing's meeting a high festi<. ' Mice of mutual goodwill; and after the viv..-. the recent malady it is anticipated that to- > night will bo witnessed the affecting scene of Mr Mays and Mr Heed falling into each other's arms, and on each other's loving buzzum weeping the tears of everlasting reconciliation. The Boston Werald relates a ease of inhuman treatment of a woman of 8.3 by her daughter of GO, from the result of which the woman died. A prosj>ero\is merchant, a well informed contemporary says, has for his motto:— Early to bed and early to rise ; never get tight and advertise, It has been very distinctly laid down in a Melbourne police court recently that a member of a benefit society has no right to claim the services of the medical officer of the society for gratuitous attendance upon his wife. Professor Nigel, of Tubingen, has published reports of oases in which he has, by the use of strychnia, restored sight to patients suffering from decay of vision or from blindness. Strychnia, as is well known, is a flendly poison, but it has a wonderful effect in stimulating the nerves ; and Professor Nieel found that in diseases of the optic nerves, whether functional or organic, its operation was alike speedy and efficacious. The quantity used is, of course, exceedingly small one fortieth of a grain, mixed with water, and this solution is not to be swallowed but it is injected under the skin of one of the arms, which seems to render the result more remarkable. This remedy has also been tried by oculists elsewhere, and with marked success.

This evening at 7.30 o'clock, in the Pitt- Street Wesleyan Chapel, the Eev. Thomas Buddie will fas is customary annually) give some reminiscenes of the General Australian Wesleyan Conference lately held in Sydney. This annual account of the proceedings of the conference is always looked forward to with pleasure by the members, and an abundance of interesting matter will ba recited ; and possessing as Mr Buddie does, graphic, descriptive powers, even if it were ordinary matter of detail, would be told with good effect, we may expect a most interesting account of the proceedings which must prove instructive to all.

Our telegrams have already announced that the finding of M'Cloy in the Lyttelton Gaol for indecent assault upon a little girl was a farce. The preparations having been completed, the culprit was summoned from the inner yard, and on making his appear ance showed every sign of extreme fear. He was seized up to the apparatus spoken of, and his back bared. Even before the com mencement of the flagellation he seemed to have a wholesome horror of what was to come. The first three strokes were given very light indeed a portion of the cat not touching the back at all, but falling on his trousers, The culprit, however, began to cry lustily, and continued to do so until the end. Some of the strokes after this did not strike him, and he only received about seven fairly upon the back, no signs of the effect of the Hogging being visible until afterthe sixth stroke, when some slight marks appeared. When the dozen was completed these signs were exceed ingly slight, and, as we have said, altogether the punishment was not nearly so severe as that received by many boys at a public school. When cast loose M'Cloy was in a fainting condition, or appeared to be so, not certainly from the severity of the punishment, and it was some miniates before he was able to walk to his cell.

The operative bakers of Melbourne are endeavouring to secure an amelioration of their condition by advocating the following reforms in their trade :—Ten hours labour to constitute a day's work ; a more uniform rate of wages to be established in Melbourne and its suburbs ; and no operative baker to board or sleep on the premises at which he is work ing. Mr J. A. J. Macgregor, solicitor, formerly of the Thames, has died at Queenstown, Otago. He pleaded in the District Court, till within a very short time of his death, and was, therefore, as Judge Gray said from the Bench, almost struck down by apoplexy in the very sight of the Court. A subscription was raised for his family. The deceased gentleman must be well remembered by many, both in Melbourne, at the Thames, Dunedin, and elsewhere. The Agent-General has reported that the ship Durham sailed for Auckland on the 29th November with seventy-five assisted and free immigrants for this province. A foot parade of the members of the Auck land Troop Royal Cavalry Volunteers will take place at half-past seven this evening, in the Drill-shed. It will be seen by advertisement published elsewhere that Mr B. Cass, of Cheapside Bouse, 222, Queen-street, is holding a clear ing off sale. The low price at which Mr Cass's large and well assorted stock is being offered should not be lost sight of by those i who appreciate a bargain,

The tombstone for Tamati Waaka'a grave arrived in the Phoebe on Saturday, and was shipped for Russell to-day, with instruction to the Government officer stationed there to have it immediately placed in position. An accident occurred at the Onehunga wharf just as the s.s. Taranaki was leaving at noon on Saturday. A lady who had been seeing some of her friends off waa standing at the end of the T, and as the steamer was moving oft' a rope was hauled along to fix on to one of the mooring piles for the purpose ot giving the vessel a slew. The lady was standing in the way, and the rope caught her feet and threw her gently down. iShe got up at once, and, being rather light in the head, or, as it might be better called, top heavy, no doubt caused by the fall, or by parting from her friends, her legs refused to stand still, or at least to keep her body on the perpendicular, for she quietly staggered side- . ways over the end of the T into about 20 feet of water. A young man standing by gallantly j jumped after her and held her head up, when j a spectator, who had a long stockwhip in his hand, threw the end of it to the man, who at once took hold of it. While the two were being brought up to the wharf, partly by aid of the whip and partly by the young man swimming, another young man also .lumped in to give what help he could ; he also took hold ot her, and she was brought close up to the wharf, where all three were held up by the whip. A life-buoy was then thrown m, which skimmed away from them a little bit. and one of the men swam a few strokes and brought it back. This also helped to sustain them in the water. The tide being full in, and therefore within four or five feet from the wharf, two men bent down and each took hold of one of the woman's arms and held her up until a boat came, when all three were taken in. By the time the boat reached the steps the lady was able to walk up them, and stood on the wharf apparently none the worse for her ducking except being thorougly wet. One of the young men was a singer connected with the Japanese Troupe. The Masonic brotherhood are about erect ing a new hall at Timaru at a cost of £850. The bricklayers of (Jhristchurch have formed themselves into a bricklayers' society. We have much pleasure in being the means c relieving the public mind from the horrible 01 - • of a Russian invasion. We are nightmare Sends and admirers that glad to inform our *.. ca ptured by the Auckland has not been . ~ and v Russian ironclad with the horrlDiu *-. nouneeable name as related in soul-harrow .^ terms by our contemporary, the Cross of this morning. We do so with the greater pleasure from learning that a large number, not merely of the softer sex, but of hard-headed men have been thrown into a state of violent excitement and dismay at the announcement that our principal citizens had been carried captive to Fiji. From our Southern telegrams it will be seen that the Charlotte Gladstone has arrived at Port Chalmers with immigrants, and that no less than seventeen deaths occurred during the passage, while twenty of the passengers are still suffering from illness The nature of the disease which has caused such fearful mortality is not stated. An interesting account of the Pariaka native meeting is also given amongst our telegrams.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

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

DRUNKENNESS.

William Anderson and Philip Mulligan were fined 5s each for this offence. Patrick Murphy and George Johnson, for being drunk on Sunday, were fined 10s each; PeterFinne.a hale old man of 52, also got drunk yesterday, but declined to disclose the name of the publican who supplied him, was sentenced to seven days' imprisonment with hard labour, this being his third offence. Kate McPher aon, a poor woman, lame, and an evident ill-health, was charged with being drunk, but this she positively denied. She was re turning home, she said, and being ill snd lame, was resting on a door-step m West Queen-street, when she was unceremoniously taken into custody on the charge of drunken ness.

Mr Broham spoke in favour of the invalid, and stated that she was in a very delicate state of health, and not in the habit he believed of excessive drinking.

His Worship dismissed the case, and or dered the woman to be sent to the hospital.

THE MISERIES OF COW-KEEPING

Patrick Ryan was charged under one of the hydra-headed city by-laws with allowing three cows to depasture on a vacant allotment in Symond-street; also, with permitting three other cows to wander on the Barrack Hill.

Mrs Ryan appeared in lieu of her son Patrick, and with difficulty restrained her tongue ; but upon the kindly persuasion of Mr Cunningham she became calm, and in timated that frequent fines took the cream entirely from her milk, and she had in con sequence disposed of her cows. His Worship, as the defendant had sold her cows, dismissed the case.

FALSE VRF.TENOF.S

Thomas McLean was charged under the Vagrancy Act of ] 800, with soliciting snb scriptions on false pretences, representing that they were for the benefit of the widow and orphans of his deceased son. The accused pleaded guilty. Mr Broham stated that it was true the prisoner had lost his son, but he was a single man ; prisoner had gathered several pounds and spent them in drink. Prisoner stated that his son was married, and left a wife and two children ; he paid a shilling on Friday to go to the theatre, and lost the money he had collected for them; he was in Col. Balneavis's regiment. Col. Balneavis said that he knew the prisoner in the 58th, but could not testify favorably to the prisoner's character; he had been duped by him and had given a subscription. • Six months' imprisonment with hard labour. ASSAULT. Lewis Kelly was brought up on remand, charged with assaulting Joseph Walshaw, on board the Golden Crown, steamer, on the Ist February, 1873. Mr Cornford appeared for complainant, and Mr Joy for the defence. Joseph Walshaw, carpenter and second mate on the Golden Crown, steamer, stated that on the Ist February he went, at about a ; quarter-past six o'clock to inspect the passengers' tickets. He saw the accused, who exhibited his steerage ticket. He was on the saloon deck, where he had no right to be. He then requested a half-a-crown from him—the difference between the fares. He was exceedingly civil to prisoner, but he refused to pay the half-a-crown and would not leave the deck, but commenced to callhim ugly names too numerous and too vulgar to repeat, and threatened to knock his brains out. He then bearded him, and tore out a portion of his whiskers. [Witness here produced the severed portion of his beard.] He was knocked down by the accused. He had witnesses who saw the assault.

In answer to Mr Joy the prosecutor said the accused attacked his whiskers first. Kelly fell down stairs, but he could not say how ; he did not strike him; he had no hand in tumbling him down. He did not hear him moke an oxeuso that he wa« waiting for two

classes from two women ; he saw the two women, who were also steerage passengers. Richard Riordan, x>roviclore of the Golden Crown, remembered the scene in creation, when occurred on the Ist February. He wag standing on the lower deck, and saw com* plainant go on to the saloon deck and speak to Kelly ; he heard him ask for Kelly's ticket ' which was shown. He then asked' for the half-a-crown, when prisoner profusely showered a volley of epithets upon Walshaw, and then snatched at his whiskera and struck him over the chief mate s head. He then laid hold of Kelly to prevent further blows Mr Walshaw's nose was skinned, and blood was drawn from his face. The passer^ .... cers interfered, or Mr Walshaw might ha^ , been severely injured. Mr Walshaw wa* invariably a polite and courteous man. He advised him to strike Kelly, but he would not do so. The accused fell down stairs 'he believed through a slip ot his toot. ;He heard Kelly call Walshaw "a b- I importer," &c, and at the same tune he ! threatened to displace the carpenter s brains. He certainly extricated a considerable quan tity of the carpenter's whiskers. George Baker, first officer of the Golden Crown, deposed to the truth of the evidence of the previous witnesses, and very minutely detailed the murderous attack on Walshaw s whiskers. He helped to pick up the scattered beard, and restored it to the carpenter. He waa sure that Walshaw gave Kelly no pro vocation. Walshaw was a man of quiet habits. He was positive that Walshaw did not push Kelly downstairs. Mr .Toy at great length drew a graphic picture of the scene, depicting the bearded carpenter demanding the half-a-crown, the sounding words which ensued, whicn reach ing the ears of the burley first; mate, and the little providore who popped out of his crib at the lucky moment, and if these auxiliaries had not pounced out no disturbances would have occurred, he believed that partly through fear and partly through excitement, seeing such warlike characters around him, he grasped almost unconsciously at the carpenters whiskers, and it was remarkable that none of the passengers were brought for ward as witnesses in this case. Hecontended also that the demand of half-a-crown under the circumstances was unjust, and tor the liberty of the subject lfe hoped that the Court would note the discrepancies m the case, and give the defendant the benefit ot the doubt, especially as this afiected con siderably the privileges of passengers. Joseph Walshaw was then charged witH assaulting Lewis Kelly, who deposed tnat he 'wasa-Bi'^keeperatthe Thames, and duly paidforhistic^t as a steerage passenger Ha ordered drinks for two female friends at their request, and was served by the pwmdaw. He took the liquors on to the poop. He had not brought them forward ™tnes»^ backward* and was very much ,Jjf^™* was the beginning of the row. The ladwsat the time of the mote were sitting He would swear that the evidence of the first mate and the providore was false. Me was cross-examined by Mr Cornford. Thomas Smith gave similar testimony. His Worship remarked that it was clear that a violent assault had been commits, for which Kelly must pay 20s and coats. , s The counter charge was dismissed. This was all the business.

SHOTOVER G. M. COMPANY.

An extraordinary meeting of the share holders of the Shotover Gold Mining Com pany was held this afternoon at two o'clock in the Insurance Buildings, Mr John Leok U1 Mv White, the legal manager, reatt tHe" advertisement calling the meeting and the objects of it, also the minutes of the last half-yearly meeting. iv The Chairman said that if any shareholder had any remarks to make upon either of the' courses to be adopted he should be glad to hear them ; they had no quorum, but he suggest the propriety ot disposing of and Mr Garlick seconded «t£? the direct be empowered to sell lhat the dneu.. fl pumping plant to the battery, engine, P } the ground the best advantage and WoT 1- °™ „ k [d on which the battery stands. Carried unanimously. The meeting then separated.

CITY COUNCIL.—This Day.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the City Council was held this afternoon at the Council chambers. Present :P. A. Philips, A«q., KM. (Mayor), in the chair; Councillors Isaacs, Cosgrave Hurst, Williams, Prime, Dargaville, Hobbs, and Jones. The Mayor complained that several of the committee meetings had met with difficulty in forming quorums.

CORRESPONDENCE.

A letter from Mr Abel Fletcher was read, requesting that a license be granted him as a night-soil contractor. It was agreed to grant him a licence providing he per forms his duty under the supervision of the Inspector of Nuisances. A letter from the Auckland Improvement Commission, casking for the assistance of the City Surveyor, was read. His Worship the Mayor considered that Mr. Anderson had quite sufficient work.of. his own to do in connection with the Council. After some discussion Councillor Prime moved that the City Surveyor be permitted to co-operate with the Improvement Com mission so as to guard the interests of the city. Councillor Hurst moved as an amendment —i"That the request of the Improvement Commission be acceded to." The amendment was put and lost and the original carried. A letter was read from his Honor the Superintendent stating that Mr Kirby haciee received notice to quit the allotment he now * holds in Grey-street in fourteen days. DEFALCATIONS.

A letter was read from the Town Clerk calling attention to the fact that several sums of money had been paid to Mr. Diddains, the late collector for city rates, which had not been accounted for. The defalcations already amounted to £259 Bs. 2d., and there was reason to believe that the amount would be increased. It was proposed that the sureties of the late Mr. Diddams should be notified of the fact, and applied to make good the de ficiency. Councillor Dargaville took exception to this, on the ground that the Council had been remiss in not looking after Mr Diddanis accounts while he was alive. The Mayor stated that Councillor Hobbs had persevered from the first day on which he entered the Council in insisting on a super vision of accounts. A lively passage of arms then took place between Councillor Dargaville and the Mayor on the subject, and recriminations were indulged in. The motion, after some discussion, was carried, (Left sitting.)

WEfe BtIMKS WAB, tttfl»l>Ai\ ElBOTAlff 19, Iffi



T COSGKAVE & C O.'S SALE OP DRAPERY & CLOTHING COMMENCED ON SATURDAY, FEB. 1. The Public are requested to inspect the Goods as the Reductions are Genuine,