SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

cSUN-STIT: This evenin;, 5.5(1 SKTN-RISE: To morrow morning, 5.40 HTOH WATER: 'fhl3 evening, 8.45; to-morrow morning, 8 50

ARRIVALS.

Luna, p. s., Fairchild, from Wellington 'i Qneen. schooner, from Kussell Fiery Cross, schooner, from Norfolk Island

DEPARTURES.

Wonga wonga, s.s , shuttleworth, for Sydney.

IMPORTS. Per Fiery Cross, from Norfolk Island : 86 casks whale oil, and 13 cases wine, order.

EXPORTS.

Pf r Wonga Wonga, for Sydney: 60 doors, Sash and Door Company; 12 bales phormium tenax, J. Armstead ; 1 case boots, Grant and Morton ; 232 pieces timber, G. Holdship and Co. ; I case plants, G. Sibbin ; 30 sacks oysters, A. Watby, 111 bales phormium tenax, C 8 do. tow, J. R. Roberts ; 7 bales empty sacks, W. J. Hurst and Co. For Melbourne : 11 casks hides, 8 bags hair, A. Dorrnvoll; 07 pieces lead, W. J. Marks.

The p.s. Luna left Wellington on Monday, and called at Taranaki and the Waikato, arriving in the Manukau this morning. She had a very stormy passage. The following is a list of the passengers :—Mr Hockworth, Collector Customs Wellington, Mr J. S. Macfarlane, Miss Taylor, Mr White, Sub- Inspector Marshall, and 20 Armed Con stabulary, Mr Pullein.

Mr Niccol has sold the schooner he is at present building at his yard at the North Shore to Captain Urquhart and Mr James McEwen for the sum of £800. The purchase includes spars, &c. The schooner, when fin ished, will be about GO tons burthen, and will be fore-and-aft rigged. She will be launched some time in November.

The schooner Fiery Cross, after a smart Tun from Norfolk Island, arrived in harbour this afternoon. Capt. Short reports leaving Auckland on the 15th July. She made an intermediate trip between Norfolk Island and New Caledonia, leaving the latter place on her return trip on the 3rd September, and Norfolk Island on the I lth. Mr Loverock is the only passenger. The Cross brings a cargo of whale oil and wine.

The schooner Excelsior cleared out to-day for Kaipara with a general cargo of stores shipped by Brown, Campbell and Co., Stone Bros., W. Rattray, Owen and Graham, W. Graham, M. Bradley, and Messrs Porter and Co. She will sail immediately.

The s.g. Wonga Wonga left for Sydney shortly after twelve to day. She takes the following passengers : —Dr J. M. Pugan, Mr W. Pugan, Mr J. Preston, Mrs Presbon and Miss Preston, Mr William Muir, Mr Thomas Watkins, Mr Alfred Harris, Mrs Phillips, Mrs Codlin and infant, Mr. A. Abrahams, Mr P. M. Fergerson, Mr ChristopherKeogh, and Mr John Truton.

The mission schooner Southern Cross left Norfolk Island on the Oth instant on a cruise with Mr Codrington and party. Messrs Sim« and Brown are building a steamer as a tag boat for Napier. Although of small size, she will be fitted with engines of gi-eat power, and. employed in towing vessels in and out of the harbour.

The French man-of-war, the Atalante, may he expected in these waters every day. She left Sydney about a week ago, according to a telegram received yesterday.

The Queen brings (10 tons of coal from Kussell.

The Countess of Kintore has now completed lier discharging. For some time past this has been proceeding in conjunction with the tak ing in of cargo for England. About 200 tons, consisting of gum, cobra, and other colonial produce, is already on board.

The Berar hauled off the wharf yesterday afternoon, and dropped down che harbour to an anchorage, midway between the wharf and the Candspit. She has at present about 250 tons of ballast on board. About 150 in addition to this will be taken in from lighters before she proceeds to sea.

The Fontenaye was lying idle yesterday, waiting for ballast. The trim of this vessel this morning, was very insightly, her stern sticking high in tho air, while she was de pressed by the head.

The following whalers have touched at Norfolk Island during August and September —Hunter, Capt. Holt; Water Witch, Capt. Harrison; Bk'hlander, Capt. Swift. The latter had been very unfortunate, having taken only 30 barrels humpback.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails -will Close as Under :—• For Coromandel, to morrow, at 1 30 p.m. For Kawau, per Wave, to-morrow, at 9 a.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena, on Monday next, at 3 p.m. For Russell, per Kxcelsior, to-morrow, at 9 a.m. For Wangarei. &c, Cumbria, to-morrow, at 9 a.m. For libvuka, Fiji, per Lurline, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For '"jthames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Luna, on Saturday, 27th ins)t., as under :— For India, China, Mediterranean ports, Continent of Europe, America, &c., at 9 a.m. For Australian Colonies and United Kingdom, via Suez, at 10 a.m. For Southern provinces, at 10 a.m. For United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Melbourne, at 10.30 a.m. For newspapers, at 8 a m. For money orders and registered letters on Friday, 26th inst., at 5 p.m. For Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, Waipu. &c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday, !27th inst, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Wellington, on Monday, 29th inst., at 10a in. (Signed) S. E. Biss. Chief Postmaster.

COMMERCIAL.

CALLS Coll G.M.C., Is; October I HUNTER A.YD NOLAN'S REPORT. Horses.—There has been a marked improve ment in the market. The supply has been good, and met a corresponding demand.. The horses from Napier attracted a good deal of attention and spirited competition although comparatively prices were scarcely so high as for the Wanganui horses. The most marked feature in Friday's auction sale was that, notwithstanding there was a large number of horncs entered, the demand con tinued steady, and with one or two exceptions homes were all disposed of. We quote hacks from £9 to £18 ; light harness, from £10 10a to £20 I 0» ; draught, from £20 to £35. . Oittlfe.—There was a very fair muster of moat descriptions, which found steady sale, with the exception of dairy cows, which are mont difficult to dispose of except at prices which vtrjdors are unwilling to submit to. Htoren were fairly represented, and for steers the demand was steady at last week's prices. Heifew were barely ■worth so much money mileisK where breeding was displayed. The fat bea»ta yarded at Newmarket con futed in a great measure of cows, and seyei'flj of the bullocks were not sufficiently up in condition, consequently prices receded, 82* [iuv IOOIbB being the maximum. We quotas dairy-fr:d, j'A f om to £8; yearling Btwi'H, from ill IHh to £iH5s ; two-year-old, £1 17h 0d to £4 1 Oh; tbree-year-old, from £5 12b <id to m ««. Sheep.—Tins marled hasbeen iudiflerontly supplied, and an unsatisfied demand remains at from In <Jd to 3s (Jd j,« ; r fell,, I

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

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do

The seven Loan Bills have passed through the ordeal of committee, and now await the decision of the Legislative Council. It will be seen by our Parliamentary telegrams that considerable modifications have been made in the schedule of the Auckland Bill, on the motion of Mr Sheehan, who has under taken the charge of the measure in the place of Mr Gillies, whose abhorrence of the prin ciple involved precluded him from taking any part in making Auckland become a par ticipator in the general wrong-doing. While we have condemned in unqualified terms the measures now before the Assembly, we think our members would be neglecting an impor tant duty if they failed to obtain the necessary power for our Provincial Coun cil to exercise its discretion in making use of the powers conferred on the provinces by the Government proposals. These debts will undoubtedly at some future time become a charge upon the colony, and those pro vinces that have not availed themselves of the borrowing powers will be compelled to contribute their quota towards liqui dating the debt without having enjoyed any of the advantages. Speculation with re ference to the probable action of the Legisla tive Council is exceedingly vague and un reliable, but we cannot see, if the Council is consistent, how the little Bills can meet any other fate than that which befel the original measure.

We presume everyone knows or has heard that there is su"ch an individual as Mr J. C. Stovin, that gentleman having lost no oppor tunity of giving publicity to the fact by lengthy communications to the local press, bombastic orations at mining meetings, and by his benevolent and disinterested efforts in the cause of |depraved humanity, which he is desirous of reforming. With his tightly buttoned coat, venerable grey hair, and ex tremely genial disposition, Mr J. C. Stovin has become one of the lights of our mining world if not one of the curiosities of our city. But Mr Stovin's reputation is not con fined to the very limited spherojbounded by the waters of the Waitemata on the one side and the mud fiats of the Manukau on the other. He has earned a name for him self on the goldfields of the sister colonies of Australia, and his bounteous hospitality to all and sundry while (dispensing crea ture comforts to the thirsty miners of Victoria will be long remem bered, and with good cause, by many, .vho have tried their luck with pick, shovel, ,nd cradle. Inor is it alone in the colonies hat the honoured name of Stovin is revered, for oven in the great metropolis of the world

we find it figuring very prominently at an in- s flnential meeting of the JSfew Zealand Quartz Crushing Company, and references to our esteemed townsman occupying columns of the leading mining journal. Strange to say that one so much respected here wjis not spoken of in becoming terms of endearment at this London meeting. Vile insinuations and reflections were cast upon his unspotted character, and even his kind-hearted zeal in the cause of his fallen fellow-creatures were , either unknown or were coldly overlooked, j Is it surprising under these circumstances that Mr Stovin should feel indignant? And when the objectionable report was re- j published in this city, and people were hold ing up their hands in horror and indignation at the audacity of—the London shareholders, of course:—what was more natural than that Mr i Stovin should at once sit down and pen one j of those finished and thrilling denunciations i which have before electrified the public and ! annihilated his enemies. Yet would it be ; believed that a venal press actually refused to insert the proffered communication other wise than as an advertisement, and for a time so much elegance of diction and eloquent pleading were jeopardized, and would actu ally have been lost to posterity but for Mr Stovin's characterestic liberality coming ! to the rescue by securing its insertion | regardless of personal cost in one of our morning contemporaries. We give the above unvarnished statement of facts in order to | arouse the public to a full sense of the terri ble corruption that now pervades the whole of colonial society, and that they may sympathise with Mr Stovin in the troubles which he so pathetically alludes to in an advertisement published in to-day's issue. We feel ourselves that we have not acted as we might have done in this matter, and desire to express our contrition, for although a report of the attack upon Mr Stovin did not appear in our columns, and its publication even re mained unknown to us until our attention was drawn to the fact by Mr Stovin himself, yet we freely admit that the reply which might have bequeathed the name of the Star to future generations was offered us for insertion and declined. We even ventured to insinuate that the matter was one too nearly concern ing Mr Stovin to be of any interest to the public. We were alarmed at tho Bight of the voluminous and closely-written foolscap, aided by a keen remembrance of the indig nant remonstrances of a largo section <>f our subscribers, who had been overcome by one of Mr Stovin's former letters. While making this admission of error we must say in ex tenuation of our shortcomings and those of our contemporaries who are denounced by MrStovin as not being/re, that we should have been disposed to listen tot he writer's petitions, which it may be remarked arc not infrequent, if he were content with something le.ss than half our spacer. We are sure Mr Stovin's conspicuous modesty and sense of justice will convince him on reflection that this id not an ! unreasonable proviso, and that aftor all the Coromandel Mail at any rate, which he in cluded in his denunciation, has some excuse, in the fact that there is not such ample room within its pages as to make the editor as regardless- of space as Mr Stoviii seems to be of time and patience. It may perhaps even suggest itself to the advertiser that there are interests ami questions demanding the attention of journalists other than those connected with the name of Stovin. We

know that the loneliness of his life and sad alienation from those soft endearments tend ing st) materially to expand our hearts and help us to look beyond self, may have led Mr Stovin to contemplate with such exclusive

attention his own interests as to greatly magnify their importance to the public, and we therefore freely forgive him. And though he has spoken harshly of ua and reviled us, we say to him. " God bless you, sir, we are sure you don't mean it, with all your faults wo love you still."

The fever on board the unfortunate ship Punjaub seems to be of a moat malignant type. Our Lyttelton correspondent telegraphs that another death haa occur, od at the <[iiu rantine station, making the thirty-second passenger by that vessel who has fallen a victim to the disease.

A serious accident occurred to one of the men engaged on the railway works at Fort Britomart thia morning. The spot where the accident took place was on the western side of the hill, opposite the centre of the wood wharf. The sufferer's name is James Phillips, a single man, residing at Dedwood. He was at the time in charge of a horse occupied in drawing the trucks along the line which here traverses the base of the cliff. Phillips was bringing up an empty truck to attach it to some others which were standing on the line, most fool ishly sitting on the bulfer in front. When £he horse had turned off and became detached the man jumped off the truck on to the line, intending to run forward between the trucks as they met, and couple them. The truck from which he sprang was at this time going at the rate of about four miles an hour. In jumping, he either stumbled, or did not clear the • moving truck. Thej result was lie was knocked down, and the truck passed over both his legs. At first- it was thought both limbs were broken. The injured man was at once conveyed to Mr Fish's, the chemist, who ex amined him, and found very severe lacera tions on one leg, both on the shin and thigh, but neither of the legs broken. Phillips would not be sent to the hospital, and at his own desire was taken to his home in a cab. By the wounds being found on the shin and thigh, it is supposed that the unfortunate man was dragged along by the wheels. It was fortunate the truck was em >ty.

Work has been resumed on the scoria foundations laid some time ago in Custom house-street for stores for Mr D. Nathan. Mr Ehodes has taken the contract and had several men at work to-day. Four large storehouses have been erected, which will contribute materially to improve the appear ance of the street. The existence of un finished buildings in a city is one of the surest surest signs of a depressed state of trade, and the continuance of the shores is one sign among many others which are now being afforded of the revival of business prospects in Auckland. Wo hope soon to be able to chronicle a similar start upon the forsaken foundations in Shortland-street and elsewhere in the city.

The remaining witnesses in the case of Kelly v Keane and Jcnkinson were examined yesterday in the District Court, and counsel on both sides addressed the Court. The business concluded at half-past six. His Honor reserved judgment until next Court day.

About four hundred children connected with the Roman Catholic body assembled in St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday to renew their baptismal vows. After the usual service had been gone through the Bishop delivered a very interesting and encouraging address to the children, who listened very attentively. The service was altogether a most impressive one.

The amateurs of Otaliuhu, assistec^ by some of the best of our local singers, con template giving a concert in the Public Hall, Otaliuhu, on October 8, for the liquidation of the debt on the Convent schools of that settlement. The entertainment will be diversified with recitations, and will conclude with a, screaming farce.

The proposed expedition of an Auckland eleven to the South is now a matter of certainty, and the 11th November is fixed as the day of departure. The places visited will most jirob ibly be Wellington, Nelson, Christy dhttrt'U, aiid Dunedin, bub although each or these provincial capitals have, through their leading cticlceting bodies, intimated their desire to receive a risit from the Auckland team, it ia nob yet finally determined which will be the ports of call. The cordiality with which the whole thing has been taken up by the Southern provinces leads to the belief that a start is but required to make inter-provincial wicket matches all over the colony as regular annual events as the county matches at home. As an instance of the earnest and disinterested manner in which the contest is looked forward to by the Southern Clubs it is enough to state that very liberal promises of monetary support h» ye been made by both Christchurch and Dunedin should the matches be in any danger of falling through from lack of sym pathy in Auckland. Of course it is not the wish of the promoters of the expedition to avail themselves more than is absolutely neeessnry of these generous offers, and surely the friends of the game in our own province will not suffer strangers to outdo them in this respect. The best efforts are being made to secure as nearly as possible a com plete representative team, and now that the wea'her permits practice on the part of those from whom the eleven will be chosen will take place daily. It is probable that the Thames will supply half of the team. The difficulties of communication render it uncertain whether any assistance will be obtained from the up country districts. Wo shall be able to state in a few days the names of the probable players in the Auckland team, and particulars of the Southern representatives will be pub- : lished as soon as obtained. We hear that the N.Z.S.N. Company have agreed to make a handsome reduction in their fares for the accommodation of the eleven. Dr John Lang has reached Auckland by the steamer Wellington, and will preach on Sunday morning next in St. Andrew's Pres byterian Church, and in the evening at St. James's. Dr Lang was one of the early Australian settlers, and some twenty years ago upon his return to London he advocated a "system of emigration in Exeter Hall and other places, and his lectures and works had the effect of inducing many thousands to leave their native .shores with the laudable views of bettering their condition in another clime. l>r Lang will deliver a lecture on his colonial experience next week. The hall is not yet decidfl.l upon, but we believe the Choral Hall will be .selected. The lecture is the same as that given in Dunedin, a tele grnuhicreference to which aroused the indig nation of the missionary party here, and we understand the lecturer is [prepared for his remark's being called in question. It is pro posed to charge a shilling admission, the money to be applied for the benefit of a local charity. Goo 1 Templarism ia budding in the genial atmosphere of Ofcahuhu, and ia likely to be out in flower in that locality ere long. It has been planted for some weeks in the pleasant little school-room of Mrs Burns, and the promising plant is watered regularly on Wednesday evenings by fifteen members. Jt may seem but a small beginning, but it is extremely hopeful.

V court in connection with the Ancient Order of Foresters will be opened in the course of October in the tranquil .settlement of Onehttnga. Persons in the immediate locality who may wish to be initiated must

address ," Forester," at the Post-office, not later than Tuesday next, the ."50th inst. Mr Thomas Robinson, boot and shoemaker, late of AVellesley-street, who was burnt out by the late lire, has re-commenced buainea in Masefield's buildings, Albert-street, where he is prepared to fit the understandings of the people. Mr K. G. Schwartze, jeweller, who was burned out by the late lire, has taken tempo rary premises in Klliott-street, where he con tinues to receive and complete orders with his customary promptitude.

Mr E. Perkins, of the Occidental hotel, intimates to sportsmen in general and those whom it may concern that tickets for the sweepstake on the Melbourne Cup must be taken by the lirst day of October, or their chances will be hopeless. The .sweep will take place on the ISfch proximo without fail The little chapel in Sheridan-street, on the green, unsheltered eminence overlooking Freeman's Bay, is frequently the scene of pleasant gatherings and musical entertain ments, and to-night, according to an adver-

tisement in another column, Dr Hobba will give one of his popular lectures on " Health and Happiness," and we have no doubt that Sheridan-street Chapel this evening, should the weather be fine, will be filled with, atten tive listeners. The subject is one of general interest, and the proceeds of the collection will be given to the funds for repairing and beautifying the chapel. A large meeting of city shop-assistants was hold last night in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, Wellesley-street, for the purpose of forming an early closing and mutual benefit society. Mr Standwick was called to the chair, and in an eloquent speech explained the objects of the meeting, and the necessity of united effort among the various trade assistants of this city, after which Mr McMahon moved, and Mr Cox seconded— " That an association, to be called the Auck land Early Closing Association, be formed." Mr Bland moved, and Mr Coombes seconded — "That the objects of the association be to secure uniform hours of closing." On the motion of Mr Leonard—"That each member upon joining pay a weekly subscription, the amount to be agreed upon at the next meet ing,"wa3added. A permanent committee was then formed, consisting of Messrs Hayes, Cox, Mace, Davis, Odium, Barnes, Plaude, Stand wick, Coombes, Latchfelt, Friend, Leonard, Parker, and White, — Mr Hayes to be the secretary. Votes of thanks were accorded to Messrs Eattray, Vaile, Shalders, and Cass ; also to the press, for their strenuous efforts in furthering the cause. The meeting was then adjourned until Tuesday evening next. " Othello" was produced at the Prince of Wales Theatre last night for the second time. Mr Fairclough and Mr Collier changed charac ters on this occasion, the former appearing as the Moor and the latter taking the part of the wily lago. The remainder of the cast was the same as before. The performance was decidedly an improvement on the first attempt, but we attribute this rather to the fact that the play was butter prepared than to the change above mentioned. Mr Fairclough's Othello is a very vigorously sustained piece of tragic action. Mr Collier's lago was not so powerful as his Othello, which we consider one of that gentle man's best impersonations. His rendering of the '' Ancient" was even, and possessed of merit. It is very objectionable to give good advice, but Mr Collier would improve his elocution very much if he would omit the unpleasant guttural "Ah-h-h" with which he begins so many of his speeches. The rest of the performers were well up to the mark, and the representation was, as a whole, very suc cessful. There was a capital house. To night Mr Fairclough takes his benefit, and the "Merchant of Venice," one of Shake speare's most popular comedies, will be pro duced, with the talented benefipiate <is Shylock the Jew, We anticipate a great treat, ... ■! -.i

We have been requested to correct an error I in this morning's Herald relative to the insur ance on the schooner Buccleugh, wrecked at Hokitika. The loss sustained by the JNew Zealand Insurance Company is £200, not : £20,000 as annonnced.- Messrs E. and H. Isaacs, owing to the very large quantity of goods which they had to offer to-day, announce that the sale will ' be continued to-morrow at 11 o'clock, as per advertisement in another column. The railway carriage frames now being landed from the different English ships in harbour are being carted to the Breakwater, and thence conveyed by rail to the fitting shed at the entrance to the Domain tunnel. Here men are already at work upon those which have been received, and in a short , time we shall have some cars completed, j The action of the Government in sending out ' of the colony for these frames is very gener- j ally condemned. There is no work about ; them which could not have been performed | here. i The Harbour Board are going to re- ■ construct another 100 feet of the wharf | beginning from where the new planking leaves off just below Messrs Elliott and ; Anderson's store. The present state of this important public highway is not satisfactory, and it is well that some measures for its im- i provoment are to be taken. The Harbour Board are not to blame for the delapidations which are now evident. The whole structure came into their possession from the Govern ment in such a rotten state that the Board may be considered to have done very well in the time they have had to effect a refor mation. The cost of the repairs to be now effected is estimated at £1,600.

A concert will be given at the Choral Hall on Thursday, the 9th October, for the pur, pose of raising funds towards defraying the expenses of sending Auckland representatives to compete in the inter-colonial rifle contest^ to be held at Melbourne. Several well known local amateurs have promised their assistance on the occasion, and Mr Joseph Brown lias consented to conduct. The con cert will be followed by a farce. A com mittee for carrying out arrangements has been formed, and further particulars will be .shortly published. The excellence of the object ought to secure good patronage.

A few days ago public attention was directed in this journal to the objectionable water holes, or intake as it is commonly called, between Custom-house and Fort street. We are glad to see that Mr Philips has introduced a motion at the Harbour Board for the consideration of the question of Silling up this eye-sore to the appearance and blot on the sanitary arrangements of the city. We trust that no private ml crests will bo allowed to prevent such measures being taken as will effectually remedy this great public nuisance.

Sir: I have been gratified occasionally with descriptions of local industries in your journal, and as I visited last week the Papakura Tobacco and Cigar Manufactory, perhaps a brief :;kcteh of the same may afford some slight interest to at least a portion of your many readers. I rode to the settlement by Messrs Quicks' 'bus, and was extremely glad to set foot once more upon mother earth. I found Papakura a very dull place, contain ing, as far as I. could see, about fifteen.houses. I saw no church, but I presume that there was a place of worship somewhere in the locality, although there was no resident minister. The schoolmaster was evidently abroad. I had been presented previously with a Papakura cigar, and began to enquire for the manufactory, which I discovered some distance from Papakura proper, hidden in a silent gloom amid a wilderness of ti-tree. 1 was welcomed into the miniature establishment by the proprietor who, with his family and housekeeper, appeared quite happy in the situation. He took' me over his premises and showed me over his work shop and packing-room, which together would only make one tolerably-sized room. These were separated b}' a partition. One was used for making cigars and the other for packing—his little home shanty was close by the factory. He shewed me his screw-press, capable of pressing two hundredweight of leaf at a time. The factory was thatched and weather-boarded, in the rear of his allotment which was devoted to the culture of the tobacco plant, and which was divided into four beds. He .works economically. Ho and his little daughter do all the work in the pickwick and cheroot line. Ilia method of rolling and finishing off cigars appeared to be very simple. After glancing over the estab lishment I retired to the shanty and partook of refreshments provided by the hands of the housekeeper, a jolly Englishwoman. She placed before me some hot potatoes and a family meat pie, which she designated "real Lancashire," like unto the. pies of her girlhood in the North of England. There is not much in Papakura to attract attention beside this local industry, which Mr Albyn Martin some day may sketch. The scene, however, would have charmed a Dickens, with the Lan cashire pie in the centre, and a Papakura cigar; but my powers of delineation are unequal to the task. From what 1 observed and experienced, however, sure am T that Oliver Goldsmith was very near the truth when he wrote— " Man wants but little here below, Nor wants that little long." Havanna.ii. We learn that the concert this evening in the Choral Hall in favour of St. Sepulchre's Church fund will be unusually attractive. Several of our leading amateurs will make their appearance with ballad, music, and recitation. The second part will include the merry farce entitled "A Thumping Legacy." Mrs Mitchell will also take part in the pro ceedings, and sing two of her well-chosen ballads.

After the monthly inspection of the Vic toria Company, Major Gordon, the inspecting officer, addressed the Company, and stated that in the event of the present Artillery Company being broken up, he should en deavour to procure one of the 12 pound Armstrong guns for the use of these, as he considered that the Company was one of the most efficient corps in the district, the re mainder of the guns would if possible be divided among other two efficient Com panies.

The whole of the Cadets of the Auckland district will parade on Friday, at 7.30 p.m., in the Drill-sked for their monthly inspec tion.

To the Editor : Sir, —I wish to call the attention of the proper authorities, whether Insurance, City Council, or otherwise, to the dilapidated state of the lire ladder which for some years has been hanging to my fence in Grey-street. There are many two-storied buildings in the neighbourhood, and should a fire occur fatal consequences might ensue for want of proper appliances for escape. The lad der in question has only about half the original number of rungs, and those very rotten; it is also a most cumbrous and unsightly article. The requirements of the lower portion of Queen-street have been attended to so far as ladders are concerned since the Post-office lire. I think one contract job should have been made of it, and the houses of the citi zens provided for as well as the storehouses of the merchants.—Yours, &c, Francis J. Shortt.

The correct number of fihar«3 in the National Insurance Company applied for was 82,491, by 051 applicants.

The members of the Auckland Harmonic Society will meet for practice this evening in the Wellesley-street, Young Men's room at the usual hour. The selections will be from the "Messiah," sacred anthems, and several part aongs. The members of the Victoria, Hobson, Scottish, and Naval Brigade will parade for battalion drill every Friday, at 7 p.m in the drill-shed. A full muster is requested.

NOTES FROM WELLINGTON.

(From Our Special Correspondent.)

IMMIGRATION. The debate which took place in the House of Representatives on the second reading of the Immigrants' Land Bill was noteworthy. It was not from any very particular eloquence in the ordinary sense of the term elicited, nor yet from the importance of the real question' at issue. But the hon. the Colonial Treasurer therein exhibited a finesse in drawing a red herring across the scent, producing a condition of bewilderment and ! aimless excitement that was all the more^in- | teresting to behold from the perfect freedom imposed on members to talk "all about." As telegrams will have told you, the question was whether the colony should or should not give £20 worth of waste land to every immigrant? It might be supposed that on such an issue there would be nothing but the most painful dulness in debate, and that by no possibility could variance arise between members and Minis ters or among themselves. But it was for this very reason that Mr Vogel selected the occasion for throwing them a rat to worry. Everybody knows that on the subject of immigration public feelings have been pent up to bursting. Mr Vogel knew it too, and it was a happy thought to tap the stream a little at an opportune moment, and allow it to tlow when no par ticular injury could arise to Ministerial in terests. The matter was one of such delicacy that it was confided only to the hands of the great magician himself. Of course an Immigrants' Land Bill bore a rela tion to immigration, but certainly not so close as would the immediately succeeding questions affecting tho granting of supplies for carrying on the work of the Agent- General. So after lightly touching the j details of the harmless measure. Mr Vogel quite innocent-like entered oa the relations I of the Government and their Agent-General,

whom he defended in that apologetic way which tempts attack on the object defended, while exhibiting the amiable qualities of the defender. It is generally understood that the Ministry esteem the AgeDt-General as they do the devil, and would wish him in ■Hades or any other place, only on the floor of the Assembly, where they know he would be found if recalled from his post ; and the tactics of Mr Vogel were at once to avert from his Government the great thunders of the popular wrath, and to havo the Agent-General belaboured by the Assembly to the top of its bent. It was therefore that he brought that gentleman on the stage at this particular moment, and it was therefore that he deprecated attack on an absent man. Mr Peeves, of Canterbury, was the first to dash off on the false scent, and to lead the House a merry dance. For Mr Reeves had been wrought up to a dangerous state of electric tension, having beeu known to be for six weeks in the retirement of sequestered committee-rooms preparing for discharging the accumulated wrath of his countr3 r on the head ofDrFeatberstone. The opening afforded by Mr Vogel's invitation was promptly ac cepted by the member for Selwyn, and for two mortal hours of terrific labour he con tinued to deliver himself of what was really a scathing attack on the mismanagement of New Zealand interests in London. However slow an.l painful in, delivery the speech of Mr Keeves was, it was an excellent exposition of the feelings v\'hich are naturally entertained throughout all New Zealand, save Wellington, respecting surely the most hollow sham in the form of a public officer that ever vexed the soul of a long-suffering people. But old memories were awaked by the onslaught, and there was a movement among the dry bones, and all the spirit of old fogeyism that has hitherto been a, panoply to the Agent- General was arrayed against the daring member who had the honesty to speak the honest sentiments of the country. And ever and anon throughout the debate did member after member of the ancient fraternity wander from the line of argument to have a vicious lunge at the honourable member for Selwyn. But thenceforth the question was, "what is the question?" And how the Wizard of the South must have chuckled in his sleeve at the labyrinth of standing orders and usages of Parliament through which honourable members wildly rushed in the frantic effort to discover the lost scent, expending in the search and struggle all the fury originally intended for the department of Immigration. Bub this was not sufficient embroilment for the mephistopelian spirit of the wizard. He had astutely withheld a despatch, and for an hour or two he tantalised the members by persisting in withholding it, till having wrought excitement and even anger to the highest pitch, through the belief con veyed that this particular document contained the key to all the mysteries, and was preg nant with the fate of the country, he com pletely crushed the life out of the Opposition by letting them have the despatch to find it —nothing. It was a tumble from the sub lime to ridiculous that was made complete by the unmoved countenance of Mr Vogel as he calmly gazed on the House, which was in fits of laughter at its own humiliation. For that House had in the struggle been roused up to a "fine frenzy" in defence of constitutional rights, and by none was it more aroused than by the vener able Nestor of d«bate himself. For under the tantalising iniiuence of the hidden paper Mr Fitzherbert had rekindled the slumbering fires ; and in a strain of fiei'ce aud withering invective had assailed the Governor as the author of the mischief in a manner that aroused the revolutionaiy spirit of the members, and placed the usages and courtesies of Parliament at entire defiance. There is not a doubt that the speech was a vigorous and a good one. But lam told that it was the best Mr Fitzherbert delivered for many a day, aud that it was " just like the way in which he used to speak" in the days of, his youth and vigour. And this being so I regret to say that it puts to rout the last remaining traces of a reverence which I had long ago formed from the trumpetinga of fame in other lands respecting the surpassing ability and brilliant eloquence of the princes of debate in the Parliament of New Zealand. I. do not hesitate to say that had other mem bers in that house, without his years, spoken of his Excellency as Mr Fitzherbert did, every member would have sprung to his feet and cried "Order" I And. for the rest had any other member without his prestige given a speech with the manner'and matter of this, it would have fallen pointless and unnoticed. It was a good speech and a spirited speech, but it was not what I would have exp&Jted as one of the brilliant displays of Mr Fitz herbert. But we had a brilliant display from Mr Webster, the member for Wallace. This gentleman had just entered the chamber fresh from dinner at Government House. IHe was full of Dutch courage, and fought ! for an enemy. There was a genial off handednesa in Ma attacks evidencing that

—. . ... — _— 'i ;gßg!^»> there was nothing rtfalicious in £i s a^ which though sport to hir/v was death toi«. ' frogs. He appeared to have no very 1 conception of the position of tWo^jf?" which in truth seemed to have buz??^ cooler heafa than his ; and this absence t definite ideas facilitated that genera] j__l indiscriminating onset which had sucfi lively effect on the House, and which defi !? all the efforts of Mr Speaker to restrain H , alluded pleasantly to the personal atme ances and various little incidents in tv" career and character of his auditors, referri funnily to old elo' men as being unfitted-f 3 * colonization, and to editors and washerwoa as being very valuable aiid useful members 1 society, but as being utterly unfit to run farm. A brilliant display was also made by Mr T. L. Sheppard, to whose " rotund and obese " form extended at full length on the couch beside him, Mr Webster directed the attention of the House as that of a chosen representative of the working classes. The "Smiler" had himself, in like manhsr returned from dinner at Government House' and hi the blazonry of gilded bnttonj and his Sundaj vest, and under the blaze of , the lovely eyes of a crowded ladies' gallery I raised himself "to the height of his great [ argument" on constitutional rights, and vin. dicated the liberty of the subject, and the inalienable independence of -Parliament There weru others who had also been to dinner, but there is a point at which man is eloquent, and there is a point at which silence is discreet and pleasing. who had been to dinner did not speak, and perhaps it was well. To say that the bill itself was lost to sight in thfe irregular debate on the general question of immigration and the mutual attacks of-_ members, the half - allowed .and half -'disclaimed attacks on Dr. Featherstone, and the general political melee, is to express what' was expected and intended, and when from failing energy in debate it appearedjjtKat' members had expended a due proportion of the treasured wrath against the department of immigration, the Wizard arose, and the Immigrants' Lands Bill had passed its second reading.

POLICE COURT.— This Day.

(Before Dr John 11. Nicholson, and G.% Graham, Esq., Justices of the Peace).;;:

DRUNKENNESS,

Henry Walker, Michael Scanlon, Charles McOabe, and Archibald Chilton were serer ally charged with being drunk last night, and were subjected to the U3ual penalty. |j

BBTDGEE HAWKEY.

This erratic female, who makd her ap pearance at this Court about once a ,week when not in Mount Eden, was brought - up this morning on charges of being drank; an incorrigible rogue, and with indecently ex posing herself yesterday within view of a public street, namely in Vulcan Lane. ■ ■ h Prisoner upon being asked if Bhe wonld plead guilty, said "Oh, yes, I plead guilty - to everything." The Bench asked if there was any possi bility of having the prisoner removed from the colony. Mr Broh.im thought it was possible. The Bench asked prisoner if she Wonld ■ leave the province if the means were pro vided as they had been on a previoMOcca-' sion. Prisoner then went into a rambling state ment about her husband and family. The Bench committed her to prison for six weeks to consider the matter. SAVAGE ASSAULT. James and Catherine Heaton, on remand, were brought up on the charge of maliciously and feloniously assaulting James Watson, at Kaihu Creek, by striking him on the head* with a tomahawk on the Gth inst. Upon the application of Mr Brokam the case was remanded for a week. education; hate. A list of nineteen defaulters was introduced to the notice of the Bench this morning by Mr Alexander, who appeared for Mr Lusk, tenf of which were withdrawn as the rate had!, since been paid, and nine adjourned until the 9th proximo. This was all the business.

SITTINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.

lie ARCHIBALD DAVIS SMITH,

Mr Western appeared for the bankrupt. ; Application was made in. this case under the 1-iGfch. section of the Bankruptcy Act for a sum of money, alleged to have been epn- : veyed by lattlement while the bankrupt was: in a st'ite of insolvency, to be brought into ■ the estate and divided for the benefit of the creditors. \' ■ . It was now stated that the deed of settle- ■ ment had been surrendered, and further pro- * ceedings in the application adjourned.

Me EDWARD THOMAS, CONTRACTOR. The bankrupt was a member of the firm of O'Xeil and Thomas, railway contractors. The firm took two contracts from Messrs ■■•; Brogden on the railway works, one at Mercer and one' at Auckland. For carrying out these contracts a cash credit with the Bank of New Zealand was obtained of £3,400 on the security of bankrupt's per- 4 sonal property and the plant of the firm. ,s In July last this was exhausted, and the bank not only refused to renew it but seized, bankrupt and partner's horses, trucks, &c, engaged on the works. The protection of the Court was sought under these circumstances. At starting the contract bankrupt's accounts, as furnished to the trustee, shewed debt to the extent of £247, and assets L 399 12s 9d. Eventually there was a deficiency amounting to L 377 9s 2d. Bankrupt" now applied for discharge. There was no op« i position. The discharge was granted. Re JKI'FKRY lIOOAN. Proceedings in this case were again ad- , journed till the arival of the bankrupt from Poverty Bay. :« This was all the business.

MYSTERIOUS DISCLOSURE.

A MEETING of creditors in the estate, of\ the J late Mr James Oldham was held at the ofljce ; of Messrs Grant and. Morton yesterday. .Mr G. Sibbin took the chair, and stated that Mr Morton had made an investigation into the affairs of deceased, and with the assistance ofi ; I deceased's son had been enabled to%ake | out a report which he would now read.. | Mr Morton then read the report. This shewed liabilities, £433 9s 5d ; and assets, £GS7*l9s lid, made up as follows :—Open accounts, after deduct- j ing £300 bad debts, £319 4s lOd ; stock, £217 8s lOd; land, £100 ; stock in boud, t,; £51 Gs 3d, shewing a credit balance in the estate of £254 10s 6d. A letter was'bere ii put in by Mr Henry Isaacs, which caused, J ~ great sensation. It ran as follows : — ' /' Auckland. September 15,1873. 1 My Dear Sir. — Had you any idea of the mental, • torture I have suffered for the last two months 7°*- would not be surprised at my seeking relief from .«>» consuming tire within me in censequence ol the posi- c tion I stand in towards my creditors. I know. km, ;• the wrong, but were they to know all Ido fliintt we? 11 could find it in their hearts to pity me Ai»»; , eighteen months ago I found myself unable to PB^™.; , debts in full. I intended to put my affairs into tnejr hands, but was induced by every prospect of fiuccra , to erect a machine for grinding tailinps fit r °roman,(*:J': 1 which cost about £700. I considered I was f"l^, . , rowing, when, by false means, I increaad my auns.

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