SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening, G. 49 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 5.39 HIGH WATER : This evening, 11.12 ; to-morrow morning, 11.42

ARRIVALS.

Prima Donna, schooner, from Russell. Wellington, s.s., Carey, from Southern ports

DEPARTURES.

Phoebe, s.s., Worsp, for Southern ports Lochnagar, barque, Kelly, for Russell Rita, brig, for Russell Lily, s.s., Rawson, for Kaipara Strathnaver, schooner, for Ru'sell Mercury, cutter, for MereAlry Bay Vincent, cutter, for Tauranga Mary Ellen, schooler, for Mercury Bay

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Newtastle : Nile, brig, this afternoon For N-rfolk Island : Ivanhoe, schooner, to-day For Honolulu and San Francisco: Nebraska, mail steamer, to-morrow, at 2 p.m. For Cork : Polar Star, ship, to-day For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Monday next For London : Harvest Home, ship, early ; Glenhuntly, barque, to-day For Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., about 28th instant.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Dutham, ship, from London. Sailed 29th 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 Co;rredo, barque, from Sydney _)rover, brig, from Sydney East Lothian, barque, from New York. Sailed 20th December Emulous, schooner, from Dunedin. Sailed 13th February Dauntless, schooner, from South Islands Harriet Armytage, barque, from Dunedin Paterson, p.s., from Sydney Coronet, brigantine, from Wellington Satellite, cutter, from Levuka Florence, schooner, from Dunedin Sailed ISth February Mary Millar, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed 11th February

EXPORTS.

Per barque Glenhuntly, for London : 1193 cases, 33 casks, 5 bags gum, 9 cases preserved meat, 2 bales sheepskins, 3 casks tallow, 107 hales wool, Brown, Campbell and Co. ; 5 cases copper, H. B. Morton; 10(5 cases gum, Must and Co. ; 5 bales wool, New Zealand Loan Co. ; 142 cases gum, Stewart and Anderson; 2 cases effects, H. Engall; 170 cases gum, Captain AY. Butler; 2S bales wool, OS9 cases gum, 105 bales flax, Combes and Daldy ; 1 parcel, Mrs Pittar; 1 keg beeswax. J. Reid ; 405 cases gum, H. D. Rolph and Co. ; 530 cases preserved meat, 12 casks tallow, 1 box shells, 3 cases metal, 900 horns, 930 shankbones, J. Roberton and Co. ; 22S sacks cobra, 187 bales flax, J. S. Macfarlane ; GO pgs wool, 53 bales cotton, 69 bags candlenuts, 871 bags cobra, 19 double bales flax, 151 casks oil, 34 bags whalebone, 7 casks copper, Cruickshank and Co.—H. D. Rolph and Co., agents. Per schooner Ivanhoe, for Norfolk Island : 21 bags flour, 150 pgs groceries, 50 ditto ironmongery, 100 shooks, 6 pks powder and shot, Cruickshank & Co. ; 92 pgs mer chandise, 3 pg3, S. W. Hill; 5 pgs oilman's stores, 20 bags salt, Brown, Barrett & Co. ; 40 ditto merchandize, 2000 bricks, 17,000 feet timber, Capt Tilley; 7 cases drapery, A. Clark & Son ; 4 cases brandy, 8 boxes candles, 5 bags sugar, 7 half-chests tea, 7 kegs sugar, 1 case currants, 8 bags sugar, 4 boxes tobacco, 1 case whisky.—Cruickshank, Smart & Co., agents. Per s.s. Phoebe, for Southern ports : For New Plymouth : 1 case, J. Edwards ; 2 cases, 1 sack, E. and H. Isaacs ; 9 drums oil, 1 cask putty, 3 boxes glass, 13 kegs paint, 1 parcel, Phillips and Son ; 5 doors, 3 pgs sashes, Goldie; 1 case stationery, Lusk ; 2 cases, Brown and Co. ; 4G sheep, Buckland. For Nelson :}1 pkg sashes, 1 chest, Sash and Door Co. For Wellington : 1 warp, Combes and Co. ; 1 case, Lusk ; 1 parcel, Jervis ; 120 sacks potatoes, Russell. For Lyttelton : 1 case, Farquhar ; 2 drums carbonate soda, 1 piano, Brown and Co. ; 1 box, 1 parcel, Bank of New Zealand. For Dunedin : 36 cases, Stephenson and Co.; 3 cases stationary, Lusk ; 1 parcel, Jervis ; 1 case, Macready; 65 lambs, A. Buckland.—Combes and Daldy, agents.

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Wellington, from the South : 1 case, 5 pots, 1 keg, 1 bale, Phillips ; 4 cases drapery, order; 3 hhds. ale, Williams; 2 cases, Prosser & Co. ; 40 sacks oats, order ; 6 kegs butter, Stone Brothers ; 19 kegs butter, Binney ; 233 sacks barley, order ; 5 kegs butter, Close Brothers; 5 cases bacon, 13 kegs butter, 19 cases cheese, Coupland; 8 cases cheese, 5 kegs butter, Bell Bros. ; 10 cases cheese, Jakins and Wilcox ; 1 case, order ; 3 cases bacon, F. Hewin ; 10 cases cheese, Jakins and Wilcox ; 24 cases apples, Solomon ; 2 boxes butter, Osborne ; 7 boxes butter, Barnes ; 3 boxes butter, Binney ; 5 boxes butter, 1 box eggs, Veale; 10 boxes eggs, Hood.

The N.Z.S. Go's s.s.r Wellington, M. Carey, commander, arrived at Onehunga this morning. She left Port Chalmers at 3.40 p.m. on the 12th instant, and arrived at Lyttelton at 3.30 p.m. on the 13th ; left at 9 15 p.m., and arrived at|Wellington at 5.45 p.m. on the 14th; left Wellington at 2.10 p.m. on the 15th, and arrived at Picton at 8.152 {p.m. ; left again at 11 p.m., and entered Nelson harbour at 10.15 a.m. on the 10th; left at 0.30 p.m. on 17th, arrived of Taranaki at 8.15 next morn ing; left again at 4.30 p.m., arrived at the Manukau Heads at 8 a.m., and reached the wharf at the hour above mentioned. Ex perienced strong N.W. wind with heavy cross sea during the upward passage as far the Kaikouad peninsula, and from thence lio-ht easterly winds with very fine weather. The s.s. Phoebe sailed from the Manukau for Southern ports to-day with the follow ing passengers : —Mr Laird, Mr Bennett, Mr Samson, Mrs Samson, Miss A. Hoskin, Messrs Davie,. Rogan, Walker, Lipstein, Clarkson, Rogan, Earley, Bonnington, Richards, Rev. Buddie, Mr Stobo, Mr Worden, Mr Hopkinson, Mr Turnbull, Mrs TurnbuLl and iive children. Passengers :— Saloon : Mrs Moller, and 2 children, Mrs Willcocks and family 4, Mrs Hadfield and child, Mrs Press and child, Mrs Light, Mrs Edmonds, Miss Haddon, Mrs Prosser, Miss Cornford, Mr Perriman, Mr Kelly, Mr Blundell, Mr Hickson, Mr Haddow, Mr Cross, Mr Handyside, Mr Watt, Mr Prosser, Miss and Master Longdill. Steewe : Messrs Robinson, Laing, Wright, and Powell. . The Agnes left the Manakau for Kaipara to-day with a miscellaneous cargo. The barque Glenhuntly hauled away from the wharf yesterday, and cleared at the Customs this afternoon for London with a full cargo, ' valued at about £62,000. She has been 'loaded with great dispatch by the well-known firm of H. TJ. Rolph and Co., and will sail to-morrow morning. The Glenhuntly takes no passengers, her saloon cabin being rilled up with cargo. The s.s. Hero was to leave Melbourne for this port via Sydney on the 13th inst. She may therefore be looked for on Sunday next. H.M.S. Bosario left Sydney for New Zealand on the 9th inst.

The schooner Florence, 54 tons, Captain Beaton, left Dunedin yesterday for this port with a full general cargo. The schooner Saucy Lass left Napier for Auckland on Monday nfglvfe.

The schooner Ivanhoe has cleared the Customs for Norfolk Island with a full cargo and the following passengers : — Messrs Jacob Christian, Francis Nobbs, John Young, Alfred Roberton, John Buffett, H. Kenny, Benjamin Branker, Rev. Mr. PalmOS -Vi and Mrs Nazer and five children. Total—ls.

The cutter Bella has cleared at the Cus toms for Whangamata with a general cargo. The s.S-. Southern Cross arrived at Tau ranga at eight o'clock last evening. The ship Polar Star and barque Glenhuntly and Lochnagar will all take their departure for London to-morrow morning. Messrs Chapman and Cheeseman have commenced business as Custom-House agents on the wharf. They also manage a registry office for merchant seamen, an agency very much required in this port.

The barque ToAver Hill, 182 tons, Captain Harless, left Adelaide for this port on Janu ary 25, with 150 tons Hour, JITS <jrs. wheat. The Camilla left the same day for Nelson with 254 tons flour.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the oompanies named below :— & s. d. CALM Missouri .. .. 0 5 0 Mrch 3 Coromandel 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. Bismarck and French Republic, Insurance Buildings Auckland, 2 p.m., 21st Febraary Tokatea, Coromandel, 21st February Watchman, Grahamstown, 21st February New Rakaia, Coromandel, 21st February Central Italy, Grahamstown, 27th February Argo. Mr A. A. Browne's office, Wyndham street, Auckland, 2 p.m., 2Sth February Pride of Tokatea, Insuranoe Buildings, Auokland, 12.30 p.m., 3rd March

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.80 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Friday, 21st inst., at 11.30 a.m. For Russell, per Nile, this day, at 5 p.m, For Gisborne, per Comerang, on Saturday, 22nd inst., at 2 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Nebraska, on Thursday, 20th inst., as under :— For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at 12.30 p.m. For United Kingdon via San Francisco, at 12.30 p.m. Late letters for the United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of Cdin addition to the postage will be received at this office until 1 p.m., and by the mail agent on board the steamer up to time of sailing. For Money Orders, Registered Letters, and News papers, at 11 a.m. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1873.

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

And the good that we can do

An advertisement letter appeared in our columns yesterday relative to the decision of the (Jity Improvement Commissioners upon the designs for the improvement of the Albert Barracks reserve. We refrained from com menting upon it until careful inquiry had been made regarding the merits of the complaint ; but we now feel satisfied, not only that Messrs Baber and Palmer have been unfairly dealt with, but that the whole business looks decidedly fishy. Ac cording to the conditions upon which designs were invited, it was necessary that the plans should be accompanied by sections. Messrs Palmer and Baber, whose design bore the motto " Mahomet," went to the expense of taking levels, and preparing a most elaborate plan with sections. None of the other designers did this, and every plan but Mahomet's was disqualified by the Com missioners' own conditions. In adjudi cating upon the plans, however, the Commissioners rejected " Mahomet's" design on the ground that the street required

by the Act frottiCobUrg-street to Priiices-I street was on an impossible gradient) while they accepted a, miserably ihc.irlplet- plan, admittedly inferior in execution to any one bf the four others because, according to the report of a committee, it afforded a practical way of making the road in question. We find, however, that the Commissioners never attempted to ascertain the levels of any one of the plans ; but after a most cursory examination of the ground, rejected Messrs Baber and Palmer's statement that the road laid off by them, after talcing levels, was on a gradient of 1 in 15 as false. The designers are prepared to prove that the road laid off by them is a perfectly practical road, and the Commissioners have never attempted to show that it is not. Mi' Fenton pointed out at a late meeting that in the plan for which the award was given, the road commenced and terminated at precisely the same pointsas in another plan, but with a determination that savoured strongly of a foregone conclusion his remarks were talker! down. The real secret of the award may not improbably be found in the fact that Dr Shortland was the designer of the plan bearing the motto "Floreat," and that he had "friends at Court." Con trary to all rule in such cases the name of the designer was openly disclosed at a meet ing of Commissioners before the award was made. These are simply the facts of the case, and the public can draw their own conclusions therefrom. It is a matter of considerable importance as affecting future decisions on plans publicly called for. We maintain that the Commissioners have no more right to break their own conditions than than have dosigners, and that whether " Mahomet's" plan of streets was altogether approved of or not, if it complied with tho conditions, and other competitors never at tempted to do so, "Mahomet" would be entitled to the prize, the others being ab solutely ineligible. We are glad to learn that thequestionwillbesubmitted to the "London Architect," the best authority on the subject. Messrs Baber and Palmer are justly entitled to make a claim for theirexpenses in preparing sections.

On Monday last the wife of a man named Hawks, cook on board the Wanganui, was taken ill while riding in an omnibus from Onehunga to town. She was assisted from the bus into Mr Porter's dining rooms, where Dr Kenderdine attended her. He found her suffering from heart disease, and recommended her removal to the hospital. She now lies there, and in spite of medical skill very little hopes are entertained of her recovery.

We understand that the members of the Auckland Amateur Excelsior Minstrels are about to give one of their serio-comic, comic, and side-splitting performances in the City Hall, about next week, for the benefit of the company. These minstrels deserve to be well supported, as this is the first benefit the troupe have taken, all the other performances having been given in aid of our local charities.

We have much pleasure in calling atten tion to the letter of " H. 8.," which appears in another column. The suggestion is one that might be acted upon with great advan tage, and while assisting the deserving poor would protect charitably-disposed persons from impostors.

The yacht race was again postponed until to-morrow morning, in consequence of the absence of wind at the time appointed for starting. The cutter match was also post poned,

The Exchange may be solitary, the Prince of Wales Theatre closed, and the city gene rally dull, but the wheel of life in the Police Court never stands still—round and round in slightly varying routine go the cases before his Worship amid their attendant spirits, like the faithful hands of a well-oiled eight-day clock. The clock never fails in its unconscious duties unless the owner fails in his regular attentions, and so is it with the Police Court, if the mainspring is out of order by over straining the works are silent. The Resident Magistrate, the Mayor, or some lesser magnate in the school of justice must daily wind up the life-clock of the Police Court, to keep the machinery among the skirts of society in motion. Previous to the daily winding up business a buzz of human voices is about the Grecian entrance, and about a score of plebeian noses are nearly flat against the -wire-blinds or windows of the Court, which are cleaned by contract once in six months. His Worship invariably takes his seat in the high-backed chair, facing the unshaven multitude exactly at half-past ten ; but if some other justice is to preside he will be ten minutes later. The Court doors open as if by some magical influence, and in walks the people at one door, and at the other bob the noble heads of five or six full-grown policemen, while between them appears the white summer hat which herald'sthe approach of the young reporter. The Court is not parti cularly inviting. It was shaped for use, and not for ornament ; for persons in rude life, and not for princes. Its furniture and pro perties consist of tables, seats, hat pegs, insurances almanacs, a few leather bound authoritative volumes, and an honest clock. His Worship having taken his seat with a due sense of the gravity of his position, calls for the cases ; and one by one come the drunkards, and in the space of five minutes their business for the next twenty-four hours is fixed. The reporters who represent the the sheep are on the right; and the prisoners who represent the goats are on the left of the magistrate. Crime and innocence, therefore, as they ever were, are in direct opposition. During the progress of the business, the clerk, a gentlemanly man, is busy with his pen noting the honeyed words of the Court for the archives of the Supreme Court, while his companion-in-arms is meditating at the table below in a half circle of patient solici tors. The police Court is the correcting shop, where drunkards are duly fined ; noisy women pacified ; keepers of refractory cows taught the catechism of the City Council by laws, and people credibly informed that the tongue was given for good uses and not for swearing at each other. But one of the most noticeable characters of the Court daily appears on a seat in the Court, is an elderly man who seems to have no particular business there beyond that of an ordinary observer. This old colonist 'takes his seat where the sunshine falls, close by the elbow of the young reporter, as though waiting for the realisation of some forlorn hope, or, with his eyes on the clock, musing on the pauseless passage of time, until the stentorian voice of a constable startlingly exclaims, " the Court is over," and that motley assembly pass away.

Our attention has been called to the un soldier-like and dangerous manner in which our Volunteers traverse the streets at night with their firelocks. They are in the habit of parading Queen-street in groups of four and five, carrying their guns " slope " fashion, at the risk of knocking the eyes out of passers-by, which danger is frequently added to by their unsteady gait. We recommend that they be either directed to take the road when they give their clothes an airing, or be compelled to " trail " their guns when wend ing their way along a crowded footpath.

Messrs. R. H. Stevenson and H. Ridings have been appointed valuers of rateable proporty within tho city.

We see that Our contempOt&fy the Herald is awakehiiig to the fact which every One else long ago noted, that the telegrams sent by the Press Association are rubbish. Our morning contemporaries are daily under ob ligation to us for their Southern news, which we must do them the justice to say they openly acknowledge. All the subscribers to the Associotion have, like the __«»«__ a Bay Herald and our local morning doiitemporttryj raised a despairing wail at the twaddle which they are compelled to pay for, but the overshadowing influence of two Min isters and one M.H.R. on the directory secures the existence of the effete organisa tion. The Otago Daily Times, the leading morning paper of the South, and not under Ministerial influence which formed the Press Association in the outset, has thrown it up in disgust, and become a subscriber to the Anglo-Australian Telegram Company. We were enabled, through the activity of our agents, to publish the Queen's speech yester day several hours before our two morning contemporaries, who depend for their tele grams on the Association, knew that a steamer had even arrived at the Bluff. It is needless to say that this is only done at great expense, each message landed at the Bluff costing £8 or £9 for expenses in bringing it from the ship to the telegraph-office alone. We have spared no expense to obtain the fullest and earliest news by telegraph, and shall continue to make our telegraphic columns the leading feature in the paper so long as we vooeive the large and encouraging amount of support whi oh has hitherto been accorded us, Teha,r_ aw required by the secretary of the Auckland Improvement Commission for the purchase of a portion of the barrack wall, The Provincial Government require tenders for the erection of bridges in the Great North road. A return issued from the Agent-General's office gives the list of vessels and the number and nationality of the emigrants despatched to New Zealand from the 29th July 1871, to the 17th November, 1572. During this period 112 ships sailed from the various ports of the United Kingdom, one from Christiana, and two from Hamburg, with a total number of emigrants amounting to (i, 510 souls, two ships of the number .being still due at Wel lington—the Glenlora with 72 passengers, and the Forfarshire with 408. The emigrants despatched were distributed amongst the various provinces as follows : —Otago, 1,721 ; Canterbury, 1,(104; Marlborough, 138 ; Wel lington and adjoining provinces, 1,452 ; Hawkes Bay, 795; Auckland, 80b' ; their' nationalities being—English, 3,(>9S ; Scotch, 570 ; Irish, 842 ; Welsh, l>4 ; Germans, 3G7 ; Lanes, 403 ; Swedes, 11 ; Norwegians, 535 ; other countries, 26. Of the G,SIG souls despatched 2,057 were Messrs Brodgens' emigrants, of which 1,953 were English, 9 Scotch, 79 Irish, 12 Welsh, and 4 foreigners.

The first "contract under the Auckland Improvement Commission has been com menced, ft consists of the formation of a road between Symonds street and Wellesley street. Very considerable progress appears to have been made during the first two days.

Mr Severn, the artist of the Thames, has been taking views of scenery in the district of Whangamata, which will be exhibited shortly in the Thames Mechanics' Institute, and may possibly grace the walls of the coming Auckland Exhibition.

The Lev. T. Buddie, by special request, re-delivered his excellent lecture on " Court ship and Marriage," last night, in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Associa tion to a large audience. Mr Henry Ellis occupied the chair, supported by the Rev. Mr. Lewis. A report of this lecture ap peared in our columns of the 15th inst., and we need only add that the lecture was given in a clear and distinct manner, that it was full of wise suggestions for the conduct of courtship and married life, teeming with timely anecdotes, useful ([notations, and sage remarks, and received deep attention.

At a meeting of the householders in the Dedwood district last night Messrs A. Board man, G. W. Owen, A. Stewart, S. Jones, and the Rev. E. N. Bree were elected a school committee for the k district.

At the meeting of the Board of Education yesterday the time was chiefly passed in listening to and discussing applications from district committees for moneys and teachers, salaries. The following resolutions were carried :—(1.) " That with a view of securing a uniform system of education throughout the province it is desirable that a uniform system of text or class-books be adopted as soon as possible ; and that an application be made to Victoria for a list of books in use there." (2.) "That the Education Rate be collected half-yearly." (3.) "That the In spector be requested to prepare a list of schools existing throughout the province, under tho late Act, with the number of scholars in attendance during December, 1872 ; and the teachers, male and female, specifying the salaries paid to such." (4.) "That Sir Oeorge Grey having set apart certain endowments for educational purposes, inquiries be made by the Reserves Com mittees as to the conditions on which the said reserves were set apart, and how they have been fulfilled." It was agreed to ad vertise for a classical master for the Grammar School in place of Dr Kidd, the salary to be not less than £800 per annum.

The rates of exchange and discount, pub lished in the summaries of our two morning contemporaries, are cither intentionally or by inadvertence incorrect. A reduction of the rates of bank business was made on Monday, and we are in a position to state that three of the Auckland banks, those connected with Australia, are doing business at the following rates: — "On London, payable at sight, 1 per cent. ;30 days' sight, per cent. ;00 days' sight, at par. We can also state that the current discounts are H per cent, lower than those quoted in this morn ing's papers."

One of the most brutal of those despera does who infested the Border states during the war, robbing and murdering, their hand against every'inan, was Fr'ankJßarton, whose hiding-place was in the Ozark mountains in Missouri. Five thousand dollars were offered for his capture. He is known to have murdered over one hundred persons, both Southern and Northern, and when his cave was examined, after his death, there were found in it a large pile of arms of all descrip tions, a number of watches, a large sum of money, and over fifty suits of clothes that he had stipped from the bodies of his victims.

j This is the manner in which a Californian | shipping reporter notes the arrival of two or I tliree coasters : "The commerce of Sacra mento is developing to unprecedented pro portions. On one day this week three schooners from the port of San Francisco and two scores from Marysville arrived impart ing to the water front an air of unwonted bussle and activity. The roar of traffic, the crashing of loaded teams, the cries of their excited drivers, the screams of struggling horses, mingling with frenzied shrieks of the steam whistle, swept in widening circles from the busy city till they broke in hoarse murmurs upon the slopes of the distant Gierras, and the blue foothills of the Coast Range." To this is appended a footnote by the editor, with the following terse remark : —'' Drunk again. —Ed, "

The well in Queen-street, opposite Mi- Combes' outfitting establishment, is now undergoing repair. Many complaints have been made against the impurity of water in this well of late, and it has been discovered that the drainage from the road instead of going down the channel has found its way through a crevice in the gutter to the well. This is being repaired, and the well emptied but not before it was required, as it contents consist of a black putrid collection of filth.

It speaks well for the popularity of the educational district of City West, No. 1, that not an empty house can be found in it. The School Committee recently appointed have endeavoured to secure a site for their boys' school, and have failed. It is intended to "make the school-house in Hepburn-street, owned by Mr Harrison, a girls' school; but a place is wanted for the boys. If any one has a four-roomed house which he is pre pared to rent as a school he should communicate with Mr Shanaghan, chairman, or any other member of the committee. A site between the top of Wellinton-street and Franklyn-street, with ground attached, would be the most convenient.

Dion Boucicault's new spectacular drama " Babil and Bijou," is having a great run at Co vent Garden, London. The author says it is intended to represent the revolutions of this age in poetry and art; but the audiences, which applaud for five hours the five acts and eighteen " spectacles " of which the play consists, probably trouble themselves little about any meaning that may underlie the gorgeous panorama. The music written by Herve, Clay, lleviere, and Sir Jules Benedict is, of course, good ; and what acting there is, well done. The magnificence of the ap pointments may be seen from the care taken in a few minor details. The armour of the knights is made of electro-plate, at a cost of £2000. In the " fern scene " the ferns are of floss silk; and in the "orchard scene" the many fruits are fashioned of wax. A s every thing of this sort seoma to pay, we shall probably, ere many years, rival the barbaric magnificence of the spectacles exhibited by the later Emperors of Borne.

William Fish, of Ellershouse, Hant county, Nova Scotia, blacksmith, has discovered a method of creating steel from quartz rock amalgamated with iron, and obtained a patent therefore at Ottawa.

The proprietors of the quack medical in stitutes in New York station men near the <diis' schools in the city about the hour of dismissal to distribute their abominable circulars to the pupils as they pass out.

A canal, to connect the Tennessee river with the Atlantic ocean at Savannah, Ga., is proposed, in furtherance of which the project tors desire Government aid to the extent of £18,000,000. Whew.!

Now is the time to register claims to vote, The qualification under the Constitution Act is as follows :—"Everyman ofthe age of twenty-one years or upwards, having a freehold estate in possession, situate within the district for which the vote is to be given of the clear value of fifty pounds, above all charges and incumbrances, and of or to which he has been seized or entitled, either at law or in equity, for at least six calendar months next before the last registration of the electors, or having a leasehold estate in possession, situate within such district of the clear annual value of ten pounds held upon a lease which at the time of such registra tion shall have not less than three years to run, or having a leasehold estate so situate, and of such value as aforesaid, of which he has been in possession for three years or up wards next before such registration, or being a householderwithin such district, occupying a tenement within the limits of a town ( to be proclaimed as such by the Governor for the purposes of this Act ) of the clear annual value of ten pounds, or without the limits of a town of the clear annual value of live pounds, and having resided therein six calendar months next before such registration as aforesaid, shall, if duly registered, be en titled to vote at the election of a member or members of the district.

The stage-coach is being largely re-intro duced into travel to and from London.

The students on the Michigan University concluded not to pay Henry Ward Beecher $1,000 for one lecture, seeing that said sum would purchase 20,000 glasses of beer and other brain making material.

It is not generally known that the leaves of thecofl'ee plant are coming to be used like the berries, and in some coffee-growing lands, .lava, for instance, are preferred by the natives to the choicest berry for making the favorite decoction.

A Detroit man had a fever, during whichhe frequently asked for pickels and cider. When he had become so ill that his death was considered only a question of a few hours, his wife gave him the much desired viands, and he recovered.

The Italic of Rome says that another pre cious discovery has been made at the Pratorian camp, namely a fine head of Juno, almost intact, and with a remarkable purity of outline. The nose is nearly perfect, a remarkable occurence, having received only a slight knock from the pick of the workman who lighted on it, but the little chip sprung off near the root and does not destroy the beauty of the face. This valuable relic, brought to light in the excavations now going on for the enlargement of the Via San Lorenzo, appears to belong to the end of the second century of the beginning of the third.

This one lived in Lexington, Mo., and he knew the pistol was loaded, but he persisted in manipulating the thing and his sister now walks with crutches.

A pair of old breeches with £160 in the pockets went through a destructive machine in an lowa paper-mill the other day before the operative discovered the funds.

After seventeen years of litigation a case between the manager of an estate and the Prince Edward's Island government, has closed with a verdict of £5,000 against the government.

Treatment of an Impostor—For some months past a woman styling herself the honourable Mrs. Treherne has occupied the judges' lodgings at Devizes. She patronised the various tradesmen in the most extensive manner, obtained professional assistance from doctors, got her will made by a lawyer, or dered a stained glass window for the Roman catholic chapel, and promised 1,000/. for a new chancel. This aroused the attention of the Catholic bishop, who remembered a similar circumstance in connection with Scarborough ; and from communications made by the police, it was soon discovered that the " Honourable Mrs. Treherne" was known at several gaols. Tradesmen discovered that their properity was sent off in large packages to London confederates. Lawyers were then consulted, but no mode was discovered by which they could take effective action. On Saturday morning it was found that the lady was about to leave the town, and the fact being generally made known, rotten eggs were collected, and a large crowd assembled at the railway station. ""No sooner had the imposter made her appearance, than some eggs were thrown and broken over her head and face, filling the air with perfume. She was then hustled, knocked down and tramp led upon, being finally rescued by the police and allowed to depart, but not until she had been considerably bruised and frightened,

TOTAL WRECK OF THE BARQUE LION.

By telegrams from Coromandel we learn that the barque Lion, Capt. Nearing, has been totally wrecked on the Whangapoa bar. The Lion left Auckland for Whangapoa on January 22, being chartered by J. S. Mac farlane & Co. to load timber at the fflffl* for Adelaide. She reached Whangapoa on the 24th lilt., and after taking in 100,000 feet of timber, took her final departure for Adelaide. In attempting to leave Whan gapoa harbour the vessel struck on the bar, and all efforts to get her off proved un availing. A heavy sea broke over the vessel, which soon went to pieces. The crew escaped in the ship's boat. Immediately upon the news being known in town the New Zealand Insurance Company made ar rangements for sending the steamer Royal Alfred to the wreck to-day, but a telegram came from Coromandel this morning intimating that it would be useless to do so as the Lion had com pletely broken up, and there was no hope of saving the vessel. A large portion of the timber will no doubt drift ashore and be saved. The vessel was insured in the Aus tralian General Insurance Company, but we have not learned for what amount. The cargo was insured in the New Zealand In surance Company for £400.

AUCKLAN IDMPROVEMENT COM MISSION.

A special meeting was convened this after noon at the request of three members of the commission for the purpose of considering the expediency of defining the road (if any) to be made between Princes street and Symond street, and applying for permission to fence and take possession of such part thereof as now forms part of Government House grounds. . Present: P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M.,mthe chair, Commissioners Fenton, JMacready, and Captain Heale. . This number not being sufficient to form a quorum, the meeting was delayed until later in the afternoon, until other members could be prevailed upon to give their attend ance.

PRIZE FIRING.—THIS DAY.

The representative practice took place this morning, at the Mount Eden Range, in the presence of a number of spectators. The following are the scores :— Rapidity. Sergt. Soall, R.B 40 2 11-53 Vol. Mills, Vict 28 12 13—53 Sub.-Lt. Kitchen, Engs.... 32 S 12—52 Sergt. Warren, Vict. ... 2S 10 12—50 Vol. Payne, Vict 32 4 10—46 Vol. Hay, A.8.8 24 2 7—33 Running. Vol. Mills 24 8 10—42 „ Hay 20 8 9-37 Sub. Lieut. Kitchen ... 10 S 8—32 Serg. Warren 10 6 7 —29 Vol. Payne 10 2 5— 2:1 Sergt. Soall 8 10 7—22 Skirmishing. Vol. Payne 44 4 13—61 ~ Mills 32 S 12—52 Sergt. Soall 36 4 11—51 Sub-Lieut. Kitchen ... 32 6 11 —49 Sergt. Warren 10 16 11—41 Vol. Hay 16 16 1—33

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING. REPORT.

The following are to-day's quotations :—

South - British Insurance — sold at 29s ; sellers, 30s. Thames Gas—buyers, 355. Eldorado—buyers, 3s. Long Drive, £9 15s.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

THE NATIVE DISTURBANCE AT ROTORUA.

TAURANGA

This day,

The Southern Cross arrived at eight o'clock last night, and will sail for Opotiki to-day.

The refractory natives from Rotorua say that Mr Jordan, the contractor, owes Jthem £70, and that was the cause of the recent disturbance there.

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

(PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH

COMPANY.)

WELLINGTON,

Yesterday,

The Government have instructed the Attorney-General to draft an Education Bill, which will be introduced early next session. The Bill will embody the main features of the Bill previously before Parliament, aud will take the form of an Empowering Act only. A communication has been received from the Superintendent of Canterbury reporting the presence of the foot and mouth disease amongst the stud sheep imported per Cissy. At the Executive Council to-day it was decided to send orders to the Collectors of Customs at the various ports to prevent the landing of any sheep or cattle from Great Britain except with the consent of the locai authorities. His Excellency the Governor has given on hundred guineas to found a scholarship in the New Zealand University.

Messrs Brogden and Sons tender for the Brumner Coal Mine railway will be sub mitted in a few days. Their re-considered tender for that portion of the Waitaka and Moeraki railway is not included in sections offered to the public. The tender is not yet received, but is expected to be delivered in a few days. This tender will include that portion of thejlinefroro Oamaru southwards.

In reply to a communication from the Go. vernment to the Agent-General, respecting a discussion which took place in the Honse last session, relative to Dr Featherstone's name and that of Mr Morrison appearing amongst the directory of the National Bank of New Zealand, Dr Featherstone has given the (Government *° understand that he will resign his sea* in the directorship, but will in a fntw-e communication justify his con duct and deprecate the aetipn of the Cabinet in the matter. The captain of the Christian McCausland has sent in a report complaining of the low physique of the immigrants sent out'f ars:_i states that if any medical inspection had taken place it must have been of the loosest description. The Government attributes the sickness on board the Charlotte Gladstone to the want of proper ventilation. The Hon Julius Vogel and Mr Reynolds are expected back in the Hero. The Taranaki has arrived from the North and sails South to-night. This day. The following entries have been made for the Inter-provincial boat races on March 3:— N o< ].__Champion Four-oared Outrigger Eace. Ist prize, £150; 2nd prize, £10 10s. Cure Boating Clnb's boat Cam, Heathcote Rowing Club's gig Heathcote (this boat is likely to be withdrawn), the Christchurch Representative Club (boat not named), Lyttelton Amalgamated Club's boats Water* lily and Fernleaf, H. S. Logan's Stella, Wei lington Rowing Club's gig Wellington, and Dolly Varden. The No. 2 (Whaleboat Race) prize (£7O) has been withdrawn, there having been no entries up to the time for receiving the same, No. 3.—Four-oared In-rigged Gigs (any length or description). Ist prize, £50 ; the second boat to save stakes. Christchurch Representative Crew (not named), Lyttelton Amalgamated Club's Fernleaf, Telegraph Boat Club's Spark, Star Club's Queen Mab. No. 4.—Pair-oared Race. Ist prize, £20; second boat to save stakes. Cure Boating Club's Kiwi, Christchurch Representative Club (two boats, names not given). No s.—Sculler's Race. Ist prize, £20 . second boat to save stakes. Heathcote Rowing Club's Sunbeam (likely to be with drawn), Christchurch Representative Club (not named), H. F. Logan's Moa. The s.s. Taranaki, which sailed last night, broke dowii off Kaikourus owing to a tem porary disarrangement of the cylinders. She sails again at two o'clock this afternoon. The Independent to-day believes that the Intercolonial Conference will terminate with out any practical result owing to the jealousies of the colonies.

LYTTELTON.

This day. The Glen Moss brings 8,700 pockets of sugar, 1,054 being for Nelson. Sailed: John Knox, for Sydney. The Rangitoto sailed for Dunedin at six o'clock last night. The schooner Flirt has sailed for Auckland with the first cargo of new wheat this season.

NEW PLYMOUTH.

This day.

The members of the Provincial Council interviewed the Hon. D. McLean yesterday relative to immigration and cutting a track to Tuhua goldfield. He promised to communicate their wishes to the Minister of Immigration. It was suggested that the Provincial Government should telegraph to England for immigrants to be sent by the vessel bringing railway iron for the Waitara railway. Regarding the Tuhua goldfield Mr McLean said it was not advisable to cut a track there. It was doubtful whether there was any gold in that district. Mr McLean met the natives again. His attitude was firm, and the natives acquiesced in his views. His visit is considered satis factory.

DUJNEDIN.

This day.

The cargo of sugars, ex Iris, was sold at auction. The whole of the yellows, com prising half the cargo, sold at full prices; only one line of whites sold at £3S 15s per ton, the rest was passed in ; yellows, £33 7s 6d to £33 15s 5d ; • yellow crystals, £34 7s to £35 10s; finest ditto, £35 7s 6d to £36 2s 6d.

The Otago Daily Times, commenting on the native meeting at Maungatautari, of which it gave a full report, says that if w» are to judge of the effects of the meeting the report before us we must conclude that '' Rewi and his colleagues were endeavoring to strengthen their hands before making a new demand upon us. They may not want to fight, but they still want to coerce us int

returning the confiscated lands, and the difficulty is no nearer settlement thau it was

long ago,

PORT CHALMERS.

February 18,

The schooner Florence, 54 tons, Capt. Beaton, sailed this afternoon for Auckland, with a full and miscellaneous cargo. This day. The sick on board the Charlotte Gladstone have been landed at Quarantine island, also the single men. The ship was admitted to pratique to-day, There are no fresh cases f sickness),

««__tiNiN_ «tAa,.wi»_rt^* l M_______________-



T COSG-KAVE & 0 O.'S SALE OF DRAPERY & CLOTHING COMMENCED ON SATURDAY, FEE. 1. The Public are requested to inspect the Goods as the Reductions are Genuine. CELLING- OFF! DRAPERY! DRAPERY! B. CASS, C H E A P S I D E HOUSE, 22 2, QUEEN STREET. DECIDED BARGAINS. B. CASS. GIHEAT EEDUCTIONS I FOB THREE MONTHS ONLY, AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, queen street, Next Door to Savings' Bank. Cartes-de-visite reduced from 10s per dozen to 13s 6d. Maori Celebrities (largest steck in New Zealand to select from), reduced from 12s per dozen to Cs. Views from all parts of New Zealand, reduced from 12s per dozen to Cs. Enlargements from Cartes-de-wxite to Life-size, plain or beautifully finished in Oil or Water Colors, also reduced in price. Large Stock of Photographic Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Stereoscopic Slides, &c., greatly reduced. J. McGARRIGL E, Manager. BIRTH. Leoobtt.—On Feb. 10, at her residence, "Wellesley street, the wife of Mr 13. W. Lcggett of a daughter. DEATH. Robertson. - On February 18, at Mangare, Mrs James Robertson, sen. ; aged Cfi years. The funeral will leave her late residence To morrow, February 20, at 2 p.m. Friends will please accept this invitation.