SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HTT^aitT: Thia evening, 7-.20 BUN-RKE: To, moiTow morning, 1.09 FIlaH WAi'klt ; T]iis evening, 8.44 ; to-morrow moninig, a. 63

STEAM TO THE THAMES.

Colden Crown, this cv.min:r, at eight o'clock

ARRIVALS.

Jj'.'icntali, mail f.toamer, from Honolulu ;>", Ut.i-.jue, from i.yU.-Hmi Aniiu'iinMic, ■■fiic-.D:•■,.-. .Marks, from Oomara

DEPARTURES. NIL.

r PROJECTED DEPARTURES. Pot IViamngn,: Vincent, cutter, to-morrow >■<•£ Napier, via East Coast: Colonist, schooner, r nday For Sftutliorn ports, via Napier: Dacotah, p.s., en arrival ' ]-,""' ,\ V;l. n«'»"'i & Westport: St Kilda, s.s,, Thursday Bjor Kaipnra: Agnes, cutter, this evening tor San Francisco, calling at Honolulu: Nevada, _ maiJ steamer, 3rd January For .Southern ports: Taranaki, s.s., to-morrow, at noon. For Northern ports : Eowena, s.s., Monday ; Come ,, l;tnK.,.l'-.s-,, Friday next I'fii- Wlittiarrga, Mercury Bay, and Tfiuranga : Southern Cross, s.s., Saturday tor London : Queen Bee, ship, early in January I;or Sydney'and Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s. l Otli January ; Hero, s.s., 23rd January

VESSELS EXPECTED.

uuiucerro; ship, from London. Loading Polar Star, ship, froni Melbourne sontliuni Cos:;, schooner, from Sydney i rosperity, schooper, from Molbourno Chili, ship, from London. Sailed 13th September Harvest Home, ship, from London. Sailed 29th Sept. JJBblniiupir, ship,.from London. Sailed 13th October Lieu, barque, from Sydney Moa, brig, from Melbourne Yiira, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed 17th Nov. iielJa Mary, barque, from Hobart Town ■L-ißtitfa, schooner, from Lyttelton. Sailed Dec. 21

IMPORTS.

.lev Amaranthe, from Oamaru—7s tons Hour, 7 tans bacon, G. Binnev.

■ ..The p.s. Golden Grown will leave for the Thames at eight o'clock to-night. J'he brig Albion will leave to-morrow for Newcastle. ' he mail steamer Nevada will leave on Saturday; for Honolulu and San Francisco. The St. Lviida will leave tho Manukau to-morrow for Waiiganxii and Westport. 'i he schooner Colonist will leave on Friday for >..;ij)ier via the East Coast. We observe that Captain Lewis has resumed command. rhe harcjiie Ayr arrived In harbour early this illuming from Mauritius, via Lyttelton, bringing a cargo of sugar consigned to Messrs Owen and Graham.

The schooner Amaranthe, Captain Marks, arrived iu^harbour this morning from Oamaru. She sailed on the 17th, and brings a cargo of flour for Mr (i. W. Binney. The new steamer Lily made a trial trip yesterday afternoon. She accomplished the pleasured mile against wind and tide in 12J minutes; with wind and tide in her favour, S minutes.

Successful experiments have" been made ■with the view of lighting ocean steamers with gas.' The trial was made in one of the

great which ply between Liverpool and New York ; it has answered admirably although the vessel encountered severe weather. The saloon is said to be lighted as brilliantly as any ball-room. The first chapter in a Western novel has tho following :—" All of a sudden the girl continued tvjskjw*Jto.i!^-giaa&t&.<am %s> J^^^SSS^im 'whose heaving bosom the tall went merrily by, freighted with —ah ! who can tell with how much of joy and sorrow, and pine and lumber and emigrants and hopes and salt fish."

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. Tho following are tho current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— £ s. d. ■TUVIDTNP. New Zealand.. .. 0 0 C Jan (5 . CALLK Margaretta .. .. 0 0 6 Jan 3 Qu'cen of the May .. 0 10 Jan 0 In;:. .. ' .. .. 0 0 0 Jan 10 Thames .Gas .. 0 5 0 Jan 23 Italian.. ... .. 0 0 G Jan 30 MEETINGS. Rpna of Justice, Mr R. Home's office, Shortland ■"street.. Aucklaiid, 2 p.m., 3rd January. Yovuift Qrieen, Hrahamstown, 7th January Queen of the May, Ch-ahamstown, 2Sth December WindsOT Castle, Moclianics' Institute, Auckland, 3 p.m., 19th December •Scotty's Hill, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 11 a.m. 3rd January C'lirn.atic, E. Home's office, Shortland street, Auck "' (land, 3 p.m., 13th January

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

For Ooromandel, on*' Friday, 3rd inst, at 1.30 p.m. For Tauranga, per Vidicent, on Thursday, 2nd inst., at 0 a.m. For Wanganui. per St.%NjCilda, on Thursday, 2nd instant. ■ \ i*or Napier and Southern provinces, per Dacotah, six Ucmrs after arrival. > For 'i'tiranaki, Southern pfovinc&s, Victoria, South Australia, and. Tasmania, immediately after arrival of the .Dacotah from Honolulu ; iQr if tiat vessel should not arrive previously at 10 a.tfo.ou Thursday, ■ Jan.. -2. .t ..For the midcriiventioned peaces per/p.s. Nevada, on Saturday, 4th Janu&xy, as follows :-^- For' Sandwich Islands, United Spates, Britiah Gen trul, and South America, an> J eUnitedlCingdoni, at 10.30 a.m. V /

. \ ' Late letters bearing an/additional fee ofjOd ■ will bo. received uniJJ 11 a;iF-3'*nd by the Mail .Asent on board.the steamer tfmtil time of saili'* N.U.—The mails which are/isually made.»P at the oitico on Wednesday, will be (posed to-dar (Tuesday), at 7 p.m. " ' . Private bo?;-holders are informed that new boxes wiUbe allotted to theinon replication at this office. (Signed) ,t>. B. f^SB, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

•Sioxk. —On Dec. SO, at Avon Farm, Waipti, AVaikato, the wife of Mr R J. Stone of a son.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1, 1873.

Vot the cause that lacks assistance, i'or the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And tho good that we can do.

; A colored woman die<l lately in Tennessee !of " religious paroxysms." jAn Indianapolis lady advertines for '' sealed j proposals for marriage." The largest room in the world is said to be ! the room for improvement. : The Auckland G arrack Club gave a very successful entertainment at the Wliau on : Monday evening. i A £100 handicap is to be one of the events !at the Papakura annual races on Boxing Day, 1873. £51 have already been, subscribed, The Thames quoit players kave challenged Auckland to play a match for £16 or i'2J a side. Distance, 21 yards. j A sample of steel obtained, from Tarannki iron-sand by Messrs Element, Galder, and Sutton's process is on view at our oifiee. A raffle of the race-horse Count, at Ooro mandel, resulted in Mr H. Kirkwockl be coming the owner of the horse. There are forty-two children in the orphanage of the .Sisters of Mercy, at the Convent, Mount St. Mary. The steamer Golden Crown brought up 7470 ounces of gold last evening, shipped by the Bank of New Zealand. Among other miltcary works determined udoii by the R-oneh Minister of War is the forc3fc.-«6ti*n of Solseons upuna large scale. The usual preliminary catalogue of Yate College shows a roll of 838 students, not in cluding the medical school. Mention is made in the WaikaLo Times of a Masonic dinner held at Hamilton on St. John's Day, when the officers of Lodge Beta, No. 450, 1.C., were installed. A German named Beck, at Teviot, Otago, has tomahawked one of his neighbours in a tit of jealousy. The victim is dangerously woxxnded, and the German is in gaol. The new rates of postage come into force to-day. Newspapers may now be sent to any part of the colony for id. The half penny stanvp must only be used for news papers. A girl named McCarthy, of Hamilton, who went out into the sun on Boxing Day without any covering over her head sustained a sun stroke, which rendered her insensible for two hours. The correct thing now-a-days for lady promenaders is to carry one arm bent at the elbow, the hand sticking straight forward, and allowing* it to bob up and down like a dislocated pump handle. A flash of lightning from a clear sky hoisted a Cincinnati alderman and a fireman, with whom he was talking, twenty feet from where they were standing. They were taken honxe in pieces. The Provincial Hospital returns for 1872 show au increase in the number r>f patients treated as compared with the year 1871. The for this year : —Admitted, 502 ; 'discharged, 436 ; died, 66. A young man named William Sutherland was drowned on Sunday morning last while ■ bathing in the Waitangi Creek. The creek ! lias been dragged, but the body of the young I mani?> 1»ot been found. f A man who has x red-headed sweetheart, ; addressed her as" " Sweet Auburn, lovoliest 'of the plain." In a fow seconds he found that a chair was considerably liarder than his head. Economy ia wealth. A well-regulated Newark family ate hash for breakfast in 365 different styles last year, and the mother is, in consequence, enabled to display a $90 lace handkerchief. The prevailing dulness. of items in Chicago has driven the reporter of an evening paper to counting the number of horses in the city for a paragraph. .He finds there are 25,000 of them. Mont Blaise has been ascended by thi»3 English ladies —aged respectively twenty-one, seventeen, and fourteen years ; —they were accompanied by their brother. Such an | a»cent, i* is said, has not been made ffcr several years. A gallant rescue from drowning was effected last night about'twelve o'clock, by a young man named Mark Richards, who jumped frpm • lie, V3«een-street wharf, and succeeded in j . oing up an old man named Robert Gale, ' , bad fallen into the water. j i *:.s the worst year that has ever been j j \a Kansas for pulling guns out of j muzzle first. A woman in Jewell ■ 1 just nulled o^e, and now has to ! ""'-■' Je that her only arm ! J ,aking in England ! i \rty appreciation of ' ( / a moans of uniting notable part of his ! an eulogium on good ! \ f ■'.chines, exhibited \ I \ was fixed to : t T*jPapetoitoi, 8' *, .*.. "lape, with o ines, cam« n pLQ worked, p ir

It will be seen by our 'Wellington tele grams that the Government have commenced to make reductions tix the civil service. The hours of labour are also to be increased.

We are glad to learn that the Rev. D. Jones has so far recovered that he contem plates removing for after weeks to the Xorth Shore. It is hoped that the change and the fine invigorating breezes of Devonport will restore the rev. gentleman to health.

The interesting performances rvttho Prince of Wales" Theatre were repeated again last night witli the same satisfactory results. As this week will be the last of the Japanese and the trained monkeys wo advise our readers who have »ot witnessed them to take the opportunity of doing so before it be too kite.

I The annual report of the Home for Neglected and Destitute Children shows the number of scholars admitted during the year to have been .32 ; discharged, 3 4 ; total of inmates remaining, 14. The health of the children has been good, and the management under Air Stickley very satisfactory.

| The Mayor attended at the Police Court this morning for the purpose of dealing with any offenders who had spent New Year's morning in gaol. Only two inebriates were brought forth, and his Worship, no doubt judging that they would be sure to turn up for punishment to-morrow morning, set them at liberty without exacting the fee usually charged v,t the Police Court for the privilege of sleeping at the station when intoxicated. ; An example worthy of imitation by New i Zealand politicians has been set by Midhal ; Pacha, the new Grand Vizier or Prime Min j ister of Turkey, who though poor in purse, seems to be honest. He began a course of i retrenchment by reducing his own salary : from 90,000 francs (£3750) per month to 1 17,000 francs (£710). He now hopes to get ! along with a small harem.

The District Registrar's returns show the number of births during tho year 1872 to have been 1277 ; deaths, 507 ; marriages, 252. As compared with 1871, those returns show—births, increase, 18 ; deaths, increase, 71 ; marriages, decrease, 47. The bachelors of Auckland must bo getting extremely cautious, or tho young ladies very *ickle, to have permitted such a large decrease in the number of votaries at Hymen's altar.

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

Give a call.—Advt. The Emperor Francis Joseph has, within the past few months, expressed to Hub IX. hia sentiments of devotion to the church, with an assurance that in case of the next conclave not being able to meet at Koine, Austria will pluce Trent at the disposal of the Eieiiibers of the Sacred College. England has offered the Island of Malta for the contingency fa question, and M. Thiershaa suggested Monaco as a suitable spot for the assembly. The largest brewery in the world is that of Perkins and Co., London. They use an nually 18,000 bales hops, and make over 1,000,000 barrels of ale and porter. Their place covers twelve acres in the heart of London, for which they recently reused tho sum of £4,000,000. They have mx k" l U ~u-J fc "^onobtoio," which. ti<;na 3,601 barrels each. They are 50 feet higl i and 30 feet in diameter. Their draft hore <* are the marvel of all London. The beneficial influence oxeroisi 9d by re formatories on the criminal classes is shown by statistics recently publish* *d. _ The commitments of adults in Emjlau d in 1870 were 147,2-25; in 1871 they were •> 140,127. The commitments of offenders uudtir sixteen years of ago showed a still larger decrease. They were 10,314 in 1869; 9,998: in IS7O ; and 8,977 in 1871. This decrease is wholly attributed to the well-managed reformatories, of which there are fifty-three in Eng'laud and twelve in Scotland, containing 5,4H9 boys and girls, with an additional 1,04'J out on license preparatory to discharge. These children but for reformatories . would doubtless have grown up confirmed criminals, whereas it is estimated that seventy per cent, of them return to society good citizens. With such facts as these to guide the Government continued neglect of reformatory institutions in this cofony is inexcusable. The London Times, of September 21st, says: " There is every reason to believe that the Pope has been seriously affected by the death of his brother, Count Joseph Maatai-Ferretti. His holiness himself has left hia eightieth year behind him, and, although he springs I from a long-lived family, he cannot bo m, ' sensible to a warning that comes from so near. It must not be forgotten what deep anguish took possession of his soul when, in July, 18G9, he lost another brother, thn Count Gabriel Ferretti. On that occasion the Pope gave a public exhibition of his sor row by ascending on his knees the Scala Santa—that flight of steps near the Lateran, which the tradition says was conveyed to Rome from Jerusalem, where it is said to have led to Pontius Pilate's judgment seat. The criminal sessions of tho Supremo Court commence on Monday next. Tho calendar, which is made up, with two exceptions, of prisoners convicted by magistrates out of Auckland, is as follows:—Henry Cuthbertson, 18, convicted last session of embezzlement, to come up for sentence ; John McVilley, 44, arson ; John Nott, 40, boastiality ; William Odium, maliciously killing a horse ; Alex. Milne Sidey, 39, stealing a horso, bridle, and saddle; James Anderson, stealing quicksilver; Thomas Henry Barclay, receiving stolen pro perty ; Francis Conway, 79, rape ; William Wrigley Moffat, 37, obtaining monoy and goods by false pretences ; Edward McAdam, 33, manslaughter ; Alexander McMillan, 30, forging and uttering (two charges); John Trimble, forcible entry ; John TrimWe, jun., 30, forcible entry; William Trimbo, 18, forcible entry; James Trimbe i 4» forcible entry; William Krushka, 9f, forcible entry; John Arthur Abbott, if, stealing from the premises ; Pani (aboriginal native), 30, horso stealing ; William Bridger, 25, stealing from a vessel ; Francis Walker, alias Frank Walter, 25, cattle-stealing ; Harry Brooking, 32, obtaining money and goods under false pretences. Four of the prisoners are married, one a widower, and sixteen single. Their creeds are : Church of England, 12 ; Roman Catholic, 2; Presbyterian, 2; who don't jprofess any religion in particular, 4. The concluding business of the Education Board yesterday consisted of fixing a house hold rate of twenty shillings. Mr Lusk's motion on the rate rolls was carried, viz., ! that the secretary be empowered to procure ; from the various highway boards copies of , their rate rolls, tho expense" to be defrayed out of the funds In hand. The question of capitation for children was allowed to stand ; over. The report of the Finance Committee ; was read and adopted. A letter was read j, from Mr Korr, of Panmure, offering the' Board a house and ground at Panmuro, con taining 10i acres, for the purpose p/ a school; also a house with eight acres, /"his offer was made on very liberal ten?** and referred to the Finance Committee,? Several other letters were read, after whteJ'the meet- ■ ing adjourned until Wednesday, Bth mat. >

j The Thames Advertises" devotes over.- a i column of its space to a review of Messrs j Heed and Brett's Auckland Almanac, and ! concludes its remarks in the following terms :

—" Reed and Brett's Auckland Almanac is the most perfect annual we have yet received, alike creditable to the compilers and printers. We have no doubt it will take rank as the leading annual, at any rate of the North Island,"

We have received a letter from "Metis sibi conscia recli," upon the Water Bill. He fails to see why a Bill affecting Only the ratepayers of the city should have been made subject to the sanction of an assembly comprising only eight city members and thirty - two country j members who are in no way interested. He s,ays the principal arguments used against the measure were want of knowledge oi the Bill and its powers, refusal to be rate/ for a water supply, and a want of inforu* tion as to the source ; ignorance of the jto visions of the Bill he regards as inoxcussjle, as every facility was afforded for beaming i acquainted with the scope of the m^sure. The number of those who ohjecter'to be rated for a water supply does not, h/asserts, amount to one-fourth of the cenmunity. With regard to rating, our corespondent remarks that the Amended /orporations Act, 1871, gives power tcsrate,one shilling for a water supply, and wi# it to pay in terest on such amount as thsX rate would cover, so that all the additional powers con veyed in the Waterworks i3ill (beyond spe cifying what the outsife rates for water should be) was some threepence in the £. There were only few sources to choose from, and the relative merits of these had been reported upon by competent engineers and frequently discussed in the Council; there could not, therefore, be any secret respecting them. Our correspondent concludes :'' The true ground of opposition was more political and personal than from any desire to prevent the citizens from having water. City coun cillors and all such small fry jnust be made to understand that out of the mouth of pro vincialism they may hope for all tilings, otherwise nothing, not oven water, even if they are content to tax themselves to pay for it. It was simply a small party triumph for the understrappers of the ultra-yrovin cialist party and their hangers-on, and a snub for those who dare to differ, ivnd an in timation there i? no peace for them or hope for water. Outside a Provincial Council of forty members—fourteen of whom set the. citizens of Auckland at defiance—one of the most determined opponents of tlo measure was neither a resident nor ratepayer of the city, but one who left the decoraiing trade to follow in the footsteps of his naater the patriot, who cried aloud in the vilderness and none would hear !"

CRICKET MATCH.

OfITRD OTjIJB V. KODSEY. A cricket match between the above clubs took place in the Albert Bai-racis to-day. Considerable interest was taken in Iho game. The Rodney team won the .tosn, and sent their men to the wickets with the follow ing result : —John Wilson, 2 ; (}. H. Brookes, 43 ; W. Day, 0 ; G. H. VVhitaker, 0 ; J. B. Jordan, 4 ; W. Shaw, 2 ; Marcroft, "] ; King, 5 ; Withcford, 0 ; Denham, 0 ; James Wil son, 4; byes and wides, 11; total, 78. Tho first imiinija terminated at half-j>ast one, and the United team went to the wlokete. Tho following are the names of the Vsis, Clinton, A. Whitakir, F. A. Wliitaker, Lincoln, Aldurton, Jackson and C-Tiinell.

WESLEY AN SUNDAY SCHOOL ANNUAL FETE.

At an tarly hoir this morning the children i bolougi-ajr to tk> various Wcafoyau Sabbath schools ot yit c.ty aud suburbs were on the qul vie. Ei U t7 ohild, teaohor, aud friend wore a holkl.-.y 1 ,p I>ca , railC e t and in particular tho children, wi^ little faces beamed forth with fulness of joy, telling .in language un mistakable whit an amount of happiness dwelt in thoir youig hearts. The number of children belonginj to this connection was in all about 500, aLrl teachers 50, oonsi&ting of—Higji-strect, Pit.street, Parnell, Orafton road, and Whan-ro«i schools. These all mustered at Pitt-stree. comer, and each i» order marched (headedby thtAr teachers) to that beautifully retired spot known as the Surrey Hills estate, kindly placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr F. Lawry, the much-respected lessee. On tho ground there was provision made for the good things of this life, which wero iv such abundance that the children were jft a lose how to dispose of them. Tho pleasurable department was ably watched over by the committee, and carried out with such care that up to the tinio of our going to press not a scratch or an accident happened to any. and wo are sure that tho whole day passed off without a single mishap. The day-was one of the loveliest we have vitneaaedfor such gatherings, for had the sua shone but aa in the past few days many would no doubfc have suffered from sunstroke, and their enjoy ment marred. One charming .'eature of the programme was the hiring of v couple o!— though wandering —yet, efficient ministrd^ who, all the day, with few restt, discoursed such sweet mualc as at timea io stop the children in their play ; and ths elder oueo found it hard to resist the tejnptation U move their toes in time to the hdppy strain of the violin and harp. There -v^as running foot-ball, cricket, and games without number kept up all tho day. The coimnittee had provided against heat by orating large tents and awnings; to these the ohildre* retreated when they becamo wearied. The balance of stock of tho late Christinas Tree was formoci into a bazaar, an<l was wo! patronised. When our reporter left all wers at their meridian height of mirth, and wt bade them good-bye for another year.

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor of the Evening Staji.) Sir, —The Auckland people arc proverbially slow in recognizing merit and cejebrity, vide tlie departure from their shares of Mr Anthony Trollope without a sigfo o f a public demonstration. A splendid / opportunity presents itself now for estfe em i n g our character in the approaching departure from I these shores of our talented felloe-townsman ' Mr Alfred E. Isaacs, who, as y^ ur morning contemporary informs us, is abjout to letve us for a time by the Norham Cas'|i e to regiin health and strength sacrificed Willingly for tlie benefit of his fellow-townsmen md women at the shrine of " Thespisi » a com mittee should at once be formed to dead* on the moat desirable steps to jbe taker to offer a suitable farewell teßtimo,. m " a i tQ (n P talented and energetic felloM-.townsmui. Trusting this bint wUI not be too ,'i a te. —I »m, Slfi., MOMXTS.

The school feast in oonuectioiii with St. Sepulchre's Church will take place ; fat Mot\ihi tomorrow. p> . A /• ' - -V\' "-j Complaint was very prevalent oi', V>,he-r)|e course to-day regarding the want, \.* watr. Anyone taking out a good supply i ,;aoraw would probably reap a handsome re. 'tn^

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

The early dam of the new year with the customary solids of merriment opened into the first dafof another circle of time. The silence of lidnight was broken by the ring ing of beX dancing, and other demonstrations of i)leai<re. As the bell of the town clock struekcwelvc shouts of joy were heard from mairdircctions. The lively drum and fife

bansplayed merrily along the thoroughfares; rpkets were seen blazing upwards from the dips in the harbour j the Nevada ailnottnced ;hc opening year by the firing of a gun; in some of our churches hundreds were seated silently watching and then welcoming the

new era with invocations, prayers, and hymns. A few hours of refreshing sleep followed, and again the people were astil' busy dressing and preparing for the Ellerslie races, picnics, excursions, cricket match, and other amusements in connection with the general holiday.

To-day has been observed as a close holiday. All the business premises in town, with the exception of those whose special vocation is the furnishing of supplies to holiday-makers, have been closed, and the good people of Auckland have given themselves up entirely to pleasure. The weather has been favourable for the-full enjoyment of al fresco sports. The summer heat was nicely tempered through out the day with a splendid breeze, which, —although in the early part of the day rather too strong for water-excursions —was most refreshing to the crowds upon the race-course, and the large assemblages that gathered together in connection with the various school feasts. Unlike most other holidays

the scene in Queen street tins morning was remarkable for its busy appearance. Busses, cabs, spring carts, and vehicles of every conceivable and inconceivable descrip tion were being driven hither and thither, apparently without any particular object, exceft the gratification of an idea which had seized Jehu's mind that he nruikt keop moving. Their real object, however- soon became apparent, for receiving a passenger here and there the conveyances , gradually became freighted, and then, aban doning their previously erratic movements, headisd for the Race-course direct. The side walks in Queen-street were crowded with holiday-makers of everjf-class, a very fair proportion of thsm being excursionists on iheir way to tho wharf with the view of joining in one or other of tho many steam boat excursions announced to leave. The chief event of the day was, of course, tho Gynikana Club's ■ f= tt*»- i . K c«.« U n.—~-~^ ANNUAL RACE M EETING . Tho splendid weather ca lged tuQ attend ance to be quite up to expectation. From a comparatively early horn the stree t s o f Auckland I>ecain6 alive wtti j e to wnom the Ellerslio races appeared^ attractiou# The scene outside Hardington i would a i moa t bear comparison with Gracec.au-.i 1 . s t ree t on a Derby morn. Before ten o clocF a etart was made for the course by thoso whoh tlovi( ] ently determined to take time by tl, f ore lock, and tho streets became alive wit veu i c i CSj tho inmates being on pleasure bei^ Horses andvehioles had bothbeon.inman. i us t auC es, improvised for the occasion, an f or tunato for both tho distance was not gro^ Later in the day better appointee "turns out " made their appearance, auc i a \\ wended their way Ellerslie-ward. Amongst these were six and four - m . K \ "i^eaks from Hardington's yard ; th Quick's and Crowther's all tooled by skilful hands. Rai^dvagton's mammoth coach, drawi^y s j x horses, was also in requisition wi tt Mr White in command of the ri)bons. There was no long journey to peform, the distance being under five miles, sofchat it was unnecessary to bait horses on tht road perhapß to the dissatisfaction of w V side hotel-keepers. Many on their way ht^ever made a break of their journey at eith r the Captain Coot, the Newmarket Hotel, - or the Junction Inn, and indulged in a sov^, and brandy, or perhapa a sherry cobbler. Arrived on the course all was bustle at an early hour. The police were mustered in force, having been conveyed out in one of Crowther'a 'busses. Detective Jeffrey made known his presence on the course by overturn ing the tables of one of tho under and over seven gentlemen, by name Blouse, who thereafter disappeared. A large trade has already be«n transacted at the booths, first of which, next to tho saddling ground, waa Mr Corcoran'e of the Greyhound hotel: next to " Michael's" stood Mr Lynch's, of the Clanricarelo, then W. Lundon, of the Harp of Erin hard by, and lastly a bar of the Globe Hotel. Ihe duty of catering for tho committee, and supplying liquors and refresh ments under the Grand Stand was entrusted to Messrs Page and Perkins of the Criterion and the Occidental hotels. Amongst the most noticeable features on the omirse before the races commenced was the vaiiety of games which, so long as they were conducted fairly, were unmolested by the police. There W!^ the American Pigeon Pool, tho Circular"; Billiards, Rouge et Noir, and numberless other games of chance j a shooting gallery and Sallys were of course there, and fruit stalls in abundance. The first incident of inipoi'tanoe gathered on arrival at the scene of action was that Mag nolia had been scratched at 12.28 p.m. for the Maidon Plate, and that Malvina had been scratched previously for the Ellerslie Handicap. The stewards all put in an ap pearance. Mr Joseph Bennett was allotted the onerous duties of Starter ; Mr W. Marks made an able Clerk of Scales, and Mr Henry Hardington vas in all his glory in his old capacity of Clerk of the Course. The course was in as good a condition as constant care and attention could make it, but being new "the grass had not had time to grow in those places which had been levelled. The dry weather had caused cracks in the ground, atd there was con sequently not that elasticity so necessary for spoed to race-horses. Considering all things, ' however,' the ground was in as good a con dition as could have been expected. Next year, however, we may look forward to having aB fine a raoe-oourse as any in the-colony. The grand stand is a substantial building, built with every regard to tho wii'ats and requirements of the public. Du^ atfysntion has been paid to the convmiicttca of IWies. The Gymkana Club-may be congratulate^ on having succeeded in erecting a structure of which they may justly feei proud. We have

neither time nor space to give & description of the stand, suffice it to say that every one who made use of it to-day has ex pressed his satisfaction «it the arrangement. By half-past tAvelve a large number of people had assembled, and the "process of clearing the course (a no very easy matter generally) commenced. A double line of vehicles was drawn up opposite the Grand Stand, and amongst their occupants were a large number of the fair sex. The Clerk of the Course, mounted on a dapple, grey was at his post. The process of weighing having been performed, the horses wore saddled, and proceeded out on the course for the preliminary canter amidst great excite ment, their numbers having been previously run up, Magnolia being conspicuous by her absence. Thomas Beckhain, Esq., R.M., had consented to allow his name to be put down as judge, and very ably did ho fulful this arduous post. The Grand Stand was well patronised, the ladies mustering in force. Ihe betting ring, however, in front of the Grand Stand, was occupied solely by members of the Press ; and until a Tatter sail's is instituted amongst us we cannot expect a veiy large assemblage of the betting fraternity, and are perhaps better without them. At one o'clock the bell rang for the start in the first race, and after a short interval occupied in getting the horses into position, the start was made. We must not omit to mention in connection with this year's meeting the exertions of Captain Daveney, acting secretary, whose activity and ex perience in racing matters have largely aided m making the meeting so great a success, as it unquestionably is. "We should estimate the numbers present at between five and six thousand. We give below the events :—

1 p.m.—MAIDEN PLATE; £100. Weight for age ; one mile and a half. Entrance, £5. Open to all horses that have never won an advertised prize. Mr W. Walters's, jun, b g Ben Nevis (French) .. 1 Mr George Cuttsnsbf Ranga (Lyford) .. -.2 Mr Atkinson's g m Minna (Hoskins) .. .. 3 Major Walmsley's bm Atalanta .. .. ..0 Mr 0. J. Taylor's blk g Long Drive 0 Mr J. Heath's Eclipse 0 Mr J. Lennard's b g Bandarra 0 Betting 2 to 1 on the field. Seven horses weighed out for this race, Magnolia being scratched this morning. Ben Nevis, Bandarra, and Atalanta were most fancied when stripped in the saddling paddock. After one false start, caused by Eclipse breaking away Mr Bennett des patched the lot to a fair start at about one p.m. Ben Nevis jumped off with the lead, never was collared, and won the race with the greatest ease by ten lengths. Ranga who laid in the ruck till reaching the back of the course, came through her horses there but failed to reach Ben Nevis (who never was extended), and obtained second place; Minna third. Time, 2m. 545.

2 P.M.—VOLUNTEER CAVALRY PLATE ; £50. Welter weight for age. Once round the course. Open to all horses that have been regularly ridden on parado, and that have been the pro perty of any member of any corps in the pro vince during the last three months, to be ridden by members only. Entrance, .£3. Mr Walters's, jun. bg Ben Nevis, C yrs .. .. 1 Mr J. A. Chadwick's Paramatta, aged .. ..2 Mr Thomas Eoberts's bg Daybreak, 5 yrs.. .. 3 Mr T. Brown's eg Blaze, aged .. .. ~4 All the horses entered came to the post and stripped in good condition. After his easy win in the Maiden Plate Ben Nevip was made a hot favourite, and odds ranging from 2 to 10 to were laid on his winn|ng the J fancied for second place, and some email wagering took place between him and Para matta For places. At the first essay the horses got away, Ben Nevis following thej same tcatics as in the Maiden Plate, and be fore a quarter of a mile was traversed was holding a good lead and giving his owner somo work to keep him back to his field. Daybreak maintained second place till half way round, but shut up as soon as he was challenged by Paramatta, who came in second about 20 lengths behind the winner. Daybreak third, about the same distance in rear of the Tauranga horse. Time, 2m. Bs.

8 p.m.—ELLERSLIE HANDICAP.

A Swocpstakes of 10 soys. cadi, h. ft, with 150 soys. added. Two miles. Entrance closed. Mr Atkinson's big g Black Baglo, aged, Bst 21b .. 1 Mr Sutherland's b g Maori Weed. agod. Cst 51b .. 2 Mr Paton's b m Marcella. aged, 6st .. .. 3 Mr H. .Redwood's b t Malvina, 8 yrs, 7st 121b .. 0 Mr Walters's b m Yatterina, aged, 9st .. .. 0 Mr Gwynno's b g Flying Jib, aged, Sst 71b .. 0

All the horses on the card came to the post for this event, the Jib appearing in bandages, and extremely tender on his bad leg. Yatterina' looked well, and was the most fancied of the lot. The Weed and Black, Eade also attracted attention, but _ the latter was put down as being consider ably below his form. Still, notwithstanding this theownercarriedßlbsoveivwcight, thereby showing that he endorsed the public opinion in kis boing too lightly treated by the handi cajJpor. Marcella looked iealthy, but had few friends. Punctual to the time the horses were at the post, and the flag dropped to an apparently first-rate start, but to the conster nation of the friends of the favorite srjs re mained at the poat and would not budga if lithe i other horses had got a quarter of mile-^Way. Black Hagle soon assumed the lead, wiwh the j Jib being a fair second, followed by the Weed and Marsella. Before getting half-a mile the Jib broke fewn badly, and was passed by Maori Weed, who tried his beat te wrest tho lead from Black J&tgle, but c<mld never quite collar hi-n. At the baok of the course the second time round the Taranaki horsf had the race in hand, and comi^ away from the Maori by a dozen ltigths about the same distance between secctd and third. Yatterina ran well when ones started; and had she got away with the Jther horses would un doubtedly have ma* a good race, although the issue would mat probably have been the same. Betting,at start1: even money, Yatterina; 2 to I Black Eagle ;5 to 1, Maori Weed; 6*l, Marßella; Bto 1, Flying Jib.

At the termimtijn of the above race our reporter left the course.

[PEI PIGEON EXPRESS.] 4 p.m. -RAILWAY STAK3S ;■, £50. Weight for age; once round tlie cause. Entrance, £3. >\ Mr W. Walters's bin Slander, aged .-••.. Mr Thomas SneU's Nero, C years .. .. .. 2 Mr Charles Dunster's Argylo, 5 years .. ..3 Mr W. Walters* b.to Yatterina. aged 0 Mr W. Marks ns bg St Patrtok, aged—by St Aubyn ; dam. Euphony (\ The race was at to Slander. (/A The following iacea remained to be run when our pigeon left the course. 5 p.m.INNKEEPERS' PURSE ; £75. Weight for aW: onco round the course. Winters of public nonoy amounting to .€IOO to cany 71b extra. Entrance, £3. Mr George fbtt ns b g Parawhenua, 3 yra ■Mr O. McOee's Crooping Jenny, aged Mr AY. W/lteis's b m Slander, nged Mr W. "Ualters's bin Yatterlua, aged Mr J. Ejf ns S S Paramatta, aged 6 P.m.—PONY RACE. Gf 10 so^-> f°r all Ponies of 14 hands and umlei; onco rtind the course Weight for tithes: Top vdght, 9 stone 7 U>; allowance, |b »adi lin ; pest entrance, 1 aov.

EXCURSION TO AND FROM THE THAMES.

The fine steamer Golden Orowp left tho wharf at G. 30 a.m. for tho ThtoatfJ, return ing shortly before eleven, in tiino to convey excursionists to the Kv-,< ■; The foip to Tararu and back waa mad.- under tali steam, and accomplished in remarkably fast txcae. She brought about 250 passengers to -.viiness the races at Ellerslia ; an equal K6m!»r cam« up last inght, so that there* could not be less than 500 visitors from J '»'co fl"°m Merciu'j" -k- z'Hii 1.,,.,! tf . ( t., v V Prv tf ' destroying Intestina AVorms. landto-rtay. fC^J ' Juloe and Glycerinf prevent Auckland to the .1 )•< o ff j an( i imparts to it a beautiful

UNKNOWN.

The "people's excursion' to the Kawau au<P^ ty back in the line steamer i rolden sJrov •'■:■.■.> \ the great attraction at the wharf', and \ robbed the others steamei's, which had been advertised to leave for t'r.e Lake sawS Motuihi, of many intending gassens^re. By a quarter-past eleven o'cV Merciiiy'r* Extract 450 persona (many of tbfc^ eat pleasure instating packed kits) had assenM-tf .Antibyfciv, and steamer. The order vr.*s gijrnn to cast off, and the steamer went gaily down the harbour to the strains of nx^U' discoursed by the Auckland Naval Ban^jvvhicli went with the excursion. The fres?v breeze had made tlie water rather move lianri'y than was pleasant for those who wore not good sailors, and before the vessel had got far down liangitoto Channel symptoms r nceasinees ; began to manifest themselves in divers in dividuals, who however did their best to assume a nonchalant air. The ruee did not succeed, and several were missing during the passage,:,but reappeared upon landing h vthet f than ever. Anchor waa dropped shortly before two o'clock in the beautiful little bay below Sir George Grey's residence* Too excursionists proceeded on shore, and scattered aboutiihe island. Amusements of various kinds were extemporised, and the day passed merrily. The steamer Royal Alfred was advertised to leave for Lake Takapuna ci cry two hoars. Owing to the roughness oi the' water it was feared a landing could not be safely effected: The destination of the steamer was there fore altered to Kawau, and a considerable j number of persons availed 'themselves of the opportunity for visiting Sir Geo. Grey's beautiful island. .o ■--■-

EXCURSION TO RIVERHEAD.

The Royal Mail Steamship GeminijTvith its accustomed regularity, steamed up the river with a number of passengers on board, who could not fail to enjoy a trip made under such favourable circumstances. The lofty saloon and smoking rooms on the steamer were taken full advantage of by the excur sionists.

THE HARBOUR.

Although a fresh breeze prevailed through out the day numerous boating excursions were successfully carried out. liui karbouf presented quite a pictuiysone appearance, its surface being dotted witn pleasure boats of various kinds, including eeveraa of tlio yachts connected with the Auckland Yacht Club. So far as we have learned no serious accident happened to any of the parties who had chosen this method of recreation i.

THE NORTH SHORE.

is always a favoxirit© place of resort upon holidays, and to-day was no exception to the s&iki/ -31hfl steamers -Davenport ae<l Enter prise conveyed a large number of passengers to Devonport a±\d back during the day. The majority of those who chose this spot as the* scene of their holiday-making were picnicers, and many pleasant little " gatherings " were formed on the grass in the vicinity of Flagstaff Hill and Mount Victoria.

THE DOMAIN SCHOOL FESTIVALS.

At ten o'clock, at the top of Wakefield street, a number of schools in connection with the Sunday-school Union met under the superintendence of the teachers and friends, each school bearing its well-wrought banner with appropriate device. | The schools then formed a procession, and walked in a very orderly manner to the Domain. BAPTIST SCHOOLS. The Wellesley-street school had its tent fixed in a shady spot, and tin; childjcii. numbering 180, were enjoying themselves in a variety of ways among the trees ; and in the tent we observed that an abundance of good things were provided. This school, in connection with the Rev. Mr Cornfatvl's Church, is in a flourishing condition under the supalint«nd«ice of Mr Battlay. The Mount Eden school was sifruaton. aus X in order, and numbers »nly 70 scholars. Mr Samuel Wells is superintendent,- am? wa* evidently doing his best to amuse the children under his care. PRI2SBYTERIIN SCHOOLS. •"■ . The Parnell branch of the Presbyterian school, in connection with St. Andrew's Church (Rev. D. Bruce), 110 children, mci? under a very nice marquee well filled with refreshments. A large number of tb.6 parents , and friends of the children were in attend ance. The music and singing of the child ren were highly attractive. . '•: The children, teachers, and friends of the St. James'a Presbyterian . school, Wellington - street, had made choice . of a very pleasant spot for their- meeting j there were 250 children and 28 teachers present. The children appeared delighted with the holiday ; the singing of the children . was very good. When our reporter left they were preparing for twelve races for prizes, consisting of books, illustrative of scripture' history. St. Andrew's Sunday-school held their, feast in a paddock at Mount Eden. Mr Peacock superintended the various arrange ments, which were admirable. The usu^l amusements were indulged in by tlu> children, who evidently enjoyed themselves thoroughly. CONGREGATIONAL SCHOOLS. The High-street Congregational-school had a very interesting banner with fehe name of f^neiphool inscribed thereon. The children, numbing 150, were enjoying themselves at various games. Mr Seabrook, the superin tendent, in connection with Measi Vif;* ~ gerald and Potter, were exening the in favour of their juvenvile pai%. The Newton Congregational """'I sohool, under the superintendence^ , Elliott, formed an interesting party. .*.-.-. children, 180 in number, have made consi derable advancement under the judicious training of such teachers as tb'-' Messrs . Wood. The children sang several hymaa, which showed that the musical part of tkeir. training is not neglected. PRIMITIVE METHODIST &OH.QQX;; The Edwardes-street school li^cl alse iW little canvas house under the *i£!'3, &i«l the children were fully' prepared for a hchday,, 4nd were enjoying the treat with tgjfie ciukt like hilarity. This school has 13* ajkhidnxd whose general progress reflect 'tuutib crt'-ii;; on Mr Goldie, the superintendont, and tlv-n aachera The Sheridan-Btreet school, thvagiu small hi number, beinJ only 70 : i.f'<?cfed in every respect very%}reditably *y- &li* li -T'f"!r iateiulent, MrF. H^^p*o* md ■yt\&U.i*eb^xAi- "'

fflfi KVKts rm& stab, Wednesday, January i, 18W.



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