SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening, 7.4 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 5.25 ■;.HIGH WATER: This afternoon, 12.49 ; to-morrov? morning, 1.29.

ARRIVALS

Wanganui, s.s., Linklater, from 'NVftDgaiuii

DEPARTURES.

Mary Eliza, cutter, Jones, for Napier, via Cftbbags

Bay Vincent, cutter, Austin, for Tauvanga Mary Ellen, Rawliiigs, for Mercury Bay

PROJECTED DEPARTURE.

For Wanganui: Wanganui, s.s., Friday For Honolulu and San Francisco: Nebraska, mail

steamer, 20th inst. For Boston, Mass. : Ayr, barque, early For Cork : Polar Star, ship, early For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Monday next For London : Glenhuntly, barque, about stn inst. For Sydney and Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s., aboiit Ctli inst. ; Hero, s.s., about 28th inst.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Warwick, ship, from London, isauea hisi uctooer Durham, ship, from London. Sailed 29th November Edinburgh Castle, ship, from London. Loading Langa, barque, from Liverpool. Loading East Lothian, barque, from New York. Sailed 20th December * Thames, barque, from New York, via Sydney, loading Parsee, ship, from London. Loading Briton, barque, from Newcastle Sea Gull, schooner, from Levuka Southern Crc?s, schooner, from Sydney Prosperity, schooner, from Melbourne Rita, brie, from Sydney Wonga Wonga, s.s., from Sydney Harriet Arciytage, barque, from Dunedin

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Wanganiui—23 kegs butter, 13 bales wool, 1000 sheep. W. Brewer. —Cruiok- shank & Co., agents.

The s.s. Wanganui, Capt. Jjinklater, left Wanganui at 2^45 p.m. on tho 3rd instant, and arrived in the Manukau at 3.30 p.m. on the 4th ; experienced strong S.E. wind and heavy beam sea first part of the passage ; latter part, fine weather. Passengers —Mrs Rica, Mrs Pearce, Miss Dewar, Miss Hume, Miss Good, Misses Patterson (2), Mrs Wil cox, Messrs Pearce, Brewer, Guagiou, King, and Carle. The s.s. Wonga Wonga may be expected to arrive from Sydney and Melbourne to night or to-morrow. She will leave on the return trip three days after arrival. The cutter Mary Eliza left yesterday afternoon for Napier via Cabbage Bay. The cutter '.Vincent sailed yesterday evening for Tauranga. The schooner ~ Mary Ellen took her departure last night for Mercury Bay. The s.s. Wanganui will leaveJthe Manakau for Wanganui on Friday afternoon at two o'clock.. 851; The barque Lochnagar has discharged her cargo in forty-five hours. It has all been turned out in excellent condition, including her bulk cargo and liquids, which give evidence of careful stowage. Our attention has been called to the fact, that 700 tons of cargo have been landed from her by means of a 5 inch New .Zealand made rope. This rope is not chafed in the least where it has been •worked in the engine gin and is quite capa ble of doing service for more than twice the weight already turned out. Tho Lochnagar is now open to charter. The vessel is iron • built and contains three watertight compart ments in her hold ; she has a larger capacity for stowage than many vessels of her tonnage owing to her. peculiarity of build. Her excellent sailing qualities are well known. The cutter Waratah has cleared outwards ■ for'theWhangamata goldfielda with a large general cargo and five passengers. She will leave this afternoon.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr L. W. Eaton sold to-day, at his mart, 200 dozen oranges, at 6d per doz. ; 100 bags maize, 3s per bushel.

MINING.

The following are the current calls and dividend! payable in the companies named below :— £ s. d. .

MEETINGS. Mutual Mining Investment Company, Young Men a Christian/Association Rooms, Auckland, 8 p.m., Green Harp, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 3 p.m., New Golden 1 Pa, MrR. Home's office, Shortland street, Auckland, noon 12th February Masonic, Coromandel, 15th February Bonshaw, Mr Baber's office, Insurance Buildings, Auckland. 2 p.m., 13th February _.•..•*.■ Coromandel Excelsior, Mr Browne s ofhee, Wyndham

street, 13th February Tokatea, Coromandel, 21st February ( South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company s office, Auckland, 3 p.m., 24th March . Shotover, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m.

Bismarck and French Republic, Insurance Buildings Auckland, 2pm., 21st Febraary 'J i ]/ i Tokatea, Coromandel, 21st February- Watchman. Grahamstown, 21st February . , Central Italy, Grahamstown, 27th February South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Company'B office, Queen street, Auckland, 8 p.m., 24th March

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Matlb will Close ab Unpbb. :— ... . - . "or Thames, this day/'ats.3t> p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30, p.m. For Coromandel. on Friday, j7th insfc., at /2.30 p.m. For Wangarei, Wangarei Heads, Waipu, &c, per t Challenger', on Thursday, 6th inst., at 3 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Comerang, on Friday, 7th inst., at noon. For* Wanganui and Southern provinces, per s.B. Wancanui, on Friday, 7th inst., at noon. (Signed) S. B. Biss. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Myers.—On February 2, Mrs A. F. Myers, or Mount Pleasant, Parawai, of a daughter.

DEATHS.

Boonstre. —On February 3, at her fathev's residence, Barrack street, Gustina Olive, daughter of Alfred and Margaret Boonstre ; aged 5 years and 6 months. Tne funeral will leave her father's residence to morrow, at 3p m. Friends will please accept this invitation.

Schopielb.—On February 3, at his father's residence Karaka, Randolph, son of Mr Samuel Sohofteld, aged 2 years and 10 months.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 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

The Directors of the South British Insurance Company have notified by advertisement that a meeting of the shareholders will be held in March to consider the propriety of increasing the number of shares, and the capital of the company. The timely notice given to the shareholders will afford i them ample opportunity for the full consideration of this important ques tion. It appears that the proposal has the unanimous approval- both of the directors in Auckland and the local directors and agents at the various branches in the other provinces of the colony, and these are the largest share holders in the company. We presume that the objects sought to be obtained are, an increase in the number of shareholders among property holders and insurers, and increased security to the insured ; to form a reserve fund at once from the premiums received on new shares sold, and to make it prudent for the directors, through in creased capital and the reserve fund, to extend their business by taking somewhat larger risks than they feel justified in doing at present, preferring to act prudently and lose some business ratherthantaketoolargesumsinanyone risk. A large number of shareholders in an Insurance Company means a large number of persons who are directly Interested in the success of the com pany; it also means a large number of persons who are security that losses incurred will be paid. But an addi tional number of shareholders in an unlimited liability company like the South British diminishes the risk to each shareholder of unlimited liability. may be a heavy responsibility to a few persons becomes comparatively light to a much larger number, and hence many persons who would or dinarily shrink from investing in an unlimited liability company feel that they can do so without misgiving when there is a large number of per sons with means to share, and to lessen. therefore the common responsibility. The advantage which the South British already possesses in this respect, from its numerous proprietary, will be increased as the number of its share holders is increased.

We are not aware what may be the exact nature of the proposals in re gard to details which the directors will make to the meeting; indeed it is obvious these could not now be made public, but as they are the largest shareholders in the company it may be assumed that they will not propose any change which, in their opinion, would have the efi'ect of depreciating the value of their present large pro

perty in the company. It will be reasonable therefore to conclude that the new issue would be put upon the market at a fair market pried, and that the market would not have too large a number of shares thrown upon it, but only sufficient to satisfy the legitimate demand of the public for them. The premiums re ceived by the company would form the start of a reserve fund, and be the property, of course, of all the share holders. The want of a reserve fund in an insurance company cannot be too speedily supplied. Such a fund adds security and gives stability to a company; it is ready to meet an ex traordinary loss without calling upon the shareholders to subscribe more capital for that purpose, and without putting too great a strain on the ordinary revenue''of the company ; while a well-invested reserve fund also' adds to the income of the company. Every insurance company which de sires to proceed on a sound basis, and to carry on its business with prudence, is ever anxious to have an ample reserve fund ready to meet emer gencies. We are glad, therefore, to be able to think that the directors of the South British see the importance of having capital paid-up in fair pro portion to the business they are doing, and of at once making a substantial beginning in the formation of a reserve fund. Thinking men, who consider before they either invest or insure, will doubtless view with satisfaction these features of the proposals. Of course a young company, like the South British, with a small paid-up capital, could not, with prudence, take as large amounts in single risks as a company with larger paid-np up capital, and a reserve fund. The amount of particular risks in the South British are, in practice, limited to a sum considerably below what is taken by older offices, but some of the busi ness thus prudently, under present circumstances lost to the company, might be taken were its paid up capi tal iucreased, aud had it a reserve fund. To carry out the proposals made would be to enable the directors to increase, where prudence dictated, the amount of any single risk. The business of the company would _ there fore be increased in this direction, as well as through the new business which would be brought to the company, directly and indirectly, by new share holders. So far as we have been able to gather opinions upon the project under consideration, some, and those by no means the least capable of taking a comprehensive and clear view of the subject, look upon it as a bold, yet prudent and far-seeing policy, calcu lated to largely benefit the company, and improve its standing and posi tion amono1 those whose confidence it is desirable to have. There are others, however, who think that to increase the number of shares will be to de crease their value to some extent. Possibly this might be the case, but only very temporarily. There are pre cedents enough to show that increase of capital in well managed joint stock companies is soon followed by a rise in the market value of the stock. This is so common an occur rence that we need not specify in stances of it. "We presume that what ever may be the number of shares issued they would be allocate^, as was the original issue, among the various provinces of the Colony, and thus only a limited number would be put on the market in any particular province. The entire question will no doubt be calmly and carefully considered by the share holders, and rash and precipitate con clusions avoided. The company has been well and prudently managed so far; it has met with a gratifying amount of success; the directors in Auckland and the local directors and agents in the" other provinces must clearly have worked cordially and har moniously together to bring about the results obtained ; while Auckland has grounds for feeling an honest pride that this company, originated in the city, has supplied and designed to supply to the colonists another oppor tunity of managing an important branch of their own business, and of proving how dealing with one another rather than with strangers may result in great mutual benefit, and in a general and complete success.

Last night's meeting, on the Education question, affords an excellent commen tary on our local public opinion, and on the intelligence of the mob. The long continuance of the " dark ages " in Auckland, during which education was under a ban, must be expected to bear fruit, and some of that fruit is gleaned when the people assemble to discu&s any question of general interest. At one meeting of " the people " an overwhelming majority declares fir education, and at another meeting, a few days after, in the same place, and probably, to a large extent, of the same people, an overwhelming majority declares against education. Wh^ c people have only their animal inst^ ts guiding them we can expe^ ? n the impulsive action that char^®™ 618 savages, and if we desired t, Pomt * moral as to the ele^ in/ and guiding and benefice?' influences of education on the inds rX *hJ masses we require »v* /' & : to the ill-directs E 1 conduct of our nattered , most important^ m* the %£ bj t question. To n reason throw . with Buch tfould t> Beo bu £ . before swine- •»■"? "

thing at a time, and feeling the medi cine to have rather a bitter taste to the tongue they prefer to let the malady run its course. It is very evident that there was a beat up of the canaille for the occasion, and the poor stupid wretches blindly led by the nose to bellow out against a measure that is specially and in the highest degree beneficial to the work ing classes, did homage to George Staines, who told them that he would not send his children to school with theirs for fear of catching ring ; vorm. It would be waste of words 1o show the fallacies that seemed to darken the minds of those who would if they could resist this Education A.ct. There seemed a general consent that it would be in the highest degree equitable if the money had come from the general revenue, but grossly in equitable when taken by a household tax. Any one witli the merest scin tilla of political intelligence knows that so far as the pressure of the tax is concerned it would be just six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. The fact is the agitators, who are more

knave than fool, see that direct taxa tion is distasteful, and mischievously use the fact as a means to bamboozle the unreflecting mob. George Staines, with his usual pot-valour, would treat the tax-gatherer "as a thief; break his head, and kick him out." Like all braggarts he did not show this valour when the trustees of thoY.M.C. Asso ciation pressed their daim, and his threats of resistance wer; like mist. He knuckled down when it came to action, and he will do the same again. And really now that these threats and in citings to resist the law have been fully and publicly made, we call on the Provincial Government to put the matter to the tost by promptly sending the tax-gatlerer to Mr Greenaway, Mr Chem, Mr George Staines, Mr Olphert, aid a tow others who are going to resit to tbo death. There is no doubt as ti tho legality of the rate ; that matter lay been settled. Then once for all lebthe other ques tion as to payment of the rato be solved. It is a favouite remark with those that are striviugto rouse up the mob, when e 'they use the term " all constitutional" mean of resistance. Let us see what this is. If it means employing counsel in the R.M. Court, wel; if it means resistance by force, eqtally well. Let the matter be put to tie test. Great mischief was done by i pusillanimous government in the mater of the poll tax for the "Sick ad Destitute." Either an impolitic taf hould not have been imposed, or wbn imposed it should have been enarced. By the cowardly conduct oftiose at the helm of affairs some have leen led to believe in this good city of Auckland that " constitutional resistmce " to law — that means threats of " kicking and breaking heads "-4s sufficient to paralyse the action c the law If this is what Provincialisi has taught them, perish the cursed tbng ! If the mis chievous lesson is ;o be unlearned, now is the time or Provincialism to show what it is nde of. Give us to see whether a fer of the vilest of the people can hurldefiauce at the law with impunity, andr\hether we are to live in future uner the reign of bombast; or whel.br reason and in telligence expendedn the passing of beneficent laws wil.not prove to have been idly wasted. 1 mooting, that in ita sapience resolvd to do away with all taxation foreve: and introduce the political millenniui, resolving that "we refuse to sanctior that or any other rate levied upon v," bears its charac ter on the face of ts resolution, and it now devolves on tie Provincial Go vernment, acting for the Education Board, to suppres this bunkum, and enforce a law thatbxs the sympathy of all the intelligenc and worth of the province.

An attempt at incrliarism was made last night about 12 o'cloa but was fortunately discovered in time fc prevent the completion of the diabolical det. The suspicions of Messrs Wrigley arl May,' who reside in Newton Road, wer iroused shortly before midnight by a, souilevidently caused by a person striking matae man adjoining cottage which was newly )uilt and unoccupied. They at once ruael out and saw a man running away. E£it would have been made to capture him, iz smoke was observed to be issuing fromhe building, and it was thought better to tinguish the fire before it obtained a firm )ld. Upon entering the building Messrs Mgley and May found, in one of the room a quantity of shavings covered with tarwhich had been ignited; Water was immiately procured from a neighbouring weland the fire extinguished in a few minutes ithout having caused any material damage The perpetrator of the mischief escapcduid there is no clue re garding hia iderfcy. The house belonged to Mr Wood, fccher, of Symonda-street, and was not q unfinished, carpenters being still employed un it.

Irishmen goneily will feel sincere sorrow at learru'ng thatiother of the patriot band, Mr J'hu FranoiVlaguire, is dead. He was one-^f the most edfast friends of the cause w -uh which the same of Daniel O'Connel is ■^separably assorted, and which, whatever ■may be the persjial and political feelings of individuals or p|fcies, has resulted in repair ing many wrongjunder which the "Green Isle" had long groaned. Not only as a member of Partoasnt, but as the unflinching and ■■ eloquent'adfocate on all occasions of national rights, Ir Maguire had endeared kimsetf to the Ksh heart, and the sixty thousand people, deluding every rank and ■denomination, w\ o swelled the funeral cor^ge, bo.-c tesdmony to the belief in f ia Seapine a,d coasistent and unswerving rt« *hls co.ntiv. Mr Maguire died on the first of NovemUr last, at Dublin, and like many another disnterested public man has left a family destitute ; but we believe that the appea which is low being made in their behalf will meet a wa*n response from every part of earth wherever, heart is found that first began to throb in "Quid Ireland."

The butchers' assistants have issued hand bills with the view of enlisting public sym pathy in their "cattse. "Don't shop after six," is the burden of the prayer pitt forth, and we are sure every one will admit its rea sonableness when they consider that for twelve hour's each day the butchers' assist ants give their services willingly. Every hour that shops are kept open beyond six necessitates the attendance of this over worked class for more than half the day and nifjlit. With the exception of three or four butchers all the trade at once conceded the employes request, and it is in order that the more liberal masters may not be placed at a disadvantage through their concessions that the butchers' assistants now appeal to the public. No doubt those masters who hold out consider that the removal of op position by the liberal course pursued by neighbouring tradesmen will throw more custom into their establishment. They will, we trust, be mistaken, and we hope that the public will not only mark their sympathy with the moderate request of the men by refusing to shop after six, but also by with drawing their custom before six from those masters who persistently insist upon the slave-driving system of demanding sixteen and seventeen hours' labour from their em ployes.

Another full house greeted the Magnet Variety Troupe last night at the Prince of Wales' Theatre. The songs produced were highly entertaining and met with vociferous applause. The Angell family excelled all their previous performances by their wonder ful exercises on the trapeze. Lottie, for the first time, went through a variety of tricks with the flying trapeze, which were watched with intense interest. The troupe now per forming at the Prince of Wales Theatre have never been excelled in Auokland, which accounts for their enthusiastic reception nightly. On Friday evening a grand per formance is to be given under the patronage of Capt. Montgomerie and officers of H.M.S. Blanche, when a special programme will be provided.

The bazaar in aid of the Sir George Grey Cadet Corps will be held in the Auckland College on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thurs day of next week. A subscxiption ball will take places on Friday evening, the 14th inst.

A New York merchant recently became insane as he had about to lead to the altar a wealthy young lady.

On Monday night, between the hours of .11 and 12 o'clook, a ease of gin was ab stracted from the premises of Mr.Tagger, hotel-keeper, Freemans Bay. The rirst inti mation of the robbery was made by a news paper boy, who discovered the case with the lid torn off. Two bottles only were stolen from the case, which was found on the green at the back of the hotel. Two men have been arrested on suspicion of having been concerned in the theft.

At a special meeting of the Board of Edu cation, yesterday, an application from a native school, in the Hukutaia district, for a grant of £30, was not entertained. Mr Firth stated that the deputation appointed had waited upon the Superintendent and repre sented to his Honor the condition and pros pects of the Board, and that his Honor had promised to seriously consider the matter, and that £2000, voted by the Council, would be placed at the disposal of the Board.

The adjourned meeting in opposition to the Education Ra,te was held last night at the Mechanics' Institute, and the hall was crowded to. excess. Mr Olphert occupied the chair, supported by Messrs. Staines and Greenaway. The meeting was less boisterous than on the previous occasion, antl the speeches less stirring. The " Poor Man's Friend " made a speech, chiefly a' repetition of his former one, recommending that the '' eddikashun " tax-collector should be treated as a thief ; that they should break his head, and kick him out in real Wat Tyler fashion. Mr Greenaway gave an account of his visit to Mount Eden, and hoped to see Mr John Williamson in his true position shortly. Mr C'arr made the best speech of the evening,, and although he did not agree entirely with the views of the JEoening Star on the question of education, he was in favour of the rate, and would have the various endowments for educational purposes utilised. Mr Edwards failed to get a hearing. Mr Swanson spoke at great length in favour of the Bill, and Mr Cherry denounced the rate as a matter apart from education—simply as a desire to get money out of the people by subterfuge. A motion condemnatory of the rate was carried.

We are pleasorl to learn that since the re opening of the Auckland College, under the superintendence of the Rev. W. Taylor, there has been a large influx ofpxipils, seventy-five new ones having been admitted during the past three weeks. There are now two hundred and one pupils in attendance. The junior department of the College is quite full. The high department and the ladies' school have both considerably increased, as well as the number of boarders ; but there is room for considerable additions to these three elements which only can make the undertaking remunerative. The College will be closed next week on account of the bazaar to be held there in aid of the Sir George Grey's Cadet -Corps, but the work will be resumed on Monday, the 17th inst., and then carried forward without interruption. The night school classes have commenced, for the better accommodation of which, as well as for the approaching bazaar next week, the pi'incipal is having gas laid on. We have been asked to make it known that the College is at all times open to the inspection of the parents and any others who may be interested in the cause of education.

In Bunyan's County, Bedfordshire, there are many fields blooming with chicory, or wild endive, and for many years the, plant has been freely cultivated there, expressly for the use of coffee-drinkers ; and an experi ment is being tried in the.'same line in New Zealand. On a fai-m at Templeton, Christ church, there are about one hundred acres of chico'-y under cultivation, but whether or no the experiment will prove successful in this tea-drinking age remains to be seen.

A project is on foot in Christehurch to open an Artizans' Industrial Exhibition. The Presx says : —" So far as we can learn it is in tended to go xxpon the principle of endeavor ing to obtain for the purpose of exhibition the many interesting models, &c, manufactured by mechanics, arlizans, &c, in the leisure hours, such as models of engines, mechanical:, contrivances of 'various kinds,'which would no i doubt prove highly interesting to the the general public, and also stimulate others to come forward in ' a similar way on future

occasions

A good story is told of a dame who' was sorely distressed with her servants. She had tried a dozen, but each one, as she became useful, was carried off to the altar by the young men of the neighbourhood. Deter mined to put an end to further annoyance, the good lady engaged an elderly servant, of anything but comely appearance. Their first appearance at church was as usual hailed by the sparks as their -opportunity for getting a peep at the : new .lass. A little knot of youths waited for the old lady and her charge as they came out, and one of the most eager was so taken aback on getting a good view of the new charmer that he could not repress the excla mation, '"Eh,.ma'am, but you've got a rie!stf egg now," -, ■■■ • i

The murder and shocking mutilation of a negro by a Professor West, of Dover, Dela ware, and the unusual character ot tne attempts to conceal the crime, has occasioned considerable excitement throughout the State. Mr West was formerly a professor of a school at Dover, and is a person of con siderable scientific attainments, lor over a year past he had been experimenting witn a new and peculiar kind of gas, the pro perties of which are not known to anybody but the manufacturer. About the time he be*an his experiments he had his lite in sured for £5,000. He caused one report to be spread that one peculiar property ot tne gas was the removal of the skin from tne body, and to prevent all possible identifica tion, or even to ascertain the complexion. On Thursday morning there was a terrible ex plosion in the Professor's laboratory. A man supposed to be the Professor was found on tne floor. His head, feet, and hands were missing, and the skin had entirely disap peared! The explosion had set the budding on fire, but it was saved from destruction. Shreds of clothing were found on the dis figured body, which were identified by the Professor's wife as belonging to her hus band. There seemed to be no doubt that the Professor had been experimenting witQ his gas when the explosion occurred, ana that he had lost his life. A strict search ot the building resulted in the discovery ot a quantity of powder underneath the noor where the body was found, enough to have blown the body to atoms if the flames had reached it. A further examination indicated that the head, feet, and hands of the corpse had been cut off and not blown irora the body, and that the skin had been peeled from every portion of it. Some days before this the Professor had hired a coloured man as a servant. The man was missing and people began to suspect that he had murdered his master, mutilated his body, plaoed it upon the floor of the laboratory and caused the explosion. When it was known that his life was insured for $25,000, suspicion was aroused, and the authorities went to work. The Professor was caught in Mary land and brought back to Dover. It was discovered that the coloured man had not killed him, but that he had killed the coloured man. He admitted the murder, but said that it was comiiutted in selr defence.

The Emperor Alexander of Russia has been an enemy of France ever since his visit to Paris during the reign of Napoleon 111. His life had been threatened in the Bois de Boulogne by a Pole, and his assassin had simply been condemned by a French jury to penal servitude. When he visited Samte Chapelle and the Palais de Justice young barristers insulted him with cries of "Vive la Pologne." He returned to Russia disgusted with France and with the Imperial Court. The disaster of Sedan he hailed with joy. He was shooting with some friends when he received the news of it, in a small estate where he likes to live like a private gentle man. The evening of that day he drank the health of his uncle, the King of Prussia, broke his glass, and told his guests to dp likewise. All the pieces of glass were collected and remelted into the form of a cup, on which is engraved the word Sedan, and which is now on the chimney of his bedroom. Berlin Correspondence of th-e Nation,

A musical, literary, and dramatic enter tainment 'is announced to be given at the Catholic Institute on Monday evening next, in aid of the funds.

The German Ambassador at Washing ton has explained the position of the Prussian" Government in relation to emigration to America. The German Ambassador'says': "There was a time when the population of Germany had attained such proportions numerically that the Government found itself obliged to favor immigration in every way, and it was ordered at that time that emigrants should receive railway transportation at lower rates than other travellers. Two great wars meanwhile had their unavoidable effects upon the population of Germany, and an emigration which deprives a country of its labouring force, and the army of its material, can no longer appear desirable, and can therefore be no longer en couraged, as it formerly was, by the Government. There is, however, I think, a,n evidence of difference between the discontin uance of a temporary encouragement of emigration and a direct prohibition or pre vention of the same. Fifteen female students in telegraphy at the Melbourne Industrial Museum have re ceived certificates from the Board of Exami ners. , " A soft, warm, pliable hand has great power."— Social Philosopher. It has. Such an one is the hand of Mrs Town Crier. Applied to the ear, it is capable of inaugura ting a hum which sweeps the diapason of resonance for many hours. A pair of boots, wielded by those pliable paws will- beat a tattoo upon an unprotected pate, which has been repeatedly mistaken by neighbours for a crash of crockery. Upon Master Towne Cn/er, jun., a brief application of that warm hand produces an elevation of tempei-ature to which contact with a glowing stove-lid imparts an unpleasant chill. In fact language exhibits ridiculous impotence when used to illustrate the "great power" lurking in a soft, warm,, pliable hand, in the possession of a healthy female, at the extremity of a shapely and muscular arm.— B.F. News Letter.

The Wanganui Herald regrets to learn that many of the most nnmerous and powerful tribes, residing on the Raugitikei, Mariawatu, Waikaiiea, and Otaki rivei's, are being literally decimated by sickness of various kinds. ".''"'.,

The special correspondent of the WaTcatip Mall who accompanied the Government expedition to Martin's Bay, is our authority that Jamestown is the only Government township in New Zealand where grog is not to be had for love or money, i

j A strange hallucination is reported in a jChristchurch paper. A farmer named Elija 'Smith brought a man named Edwavd Sales Sin a cart within the precincts of the R.M. Court under the following circumstances :— It appears that Smith, while out in a swamp at the River Styx, obsei'vecl a man's head above the flax. He called out for the purpose of ascertaining who the person was, and, re jceiving a very fault response, he proceeded to the spot, and found Sales in a perfect state ,of nudity. Astonished at this strange dis covery, Smith put a few interrogatories to Sales, and ascei'tained from him that lie had been :there for seven days and nights in the same condition, under the delusion that he was an inmate of the hospital. Sales was so weak from exposure and want of food that he could not rise from the ground. His to the magistrate, when brought into Conrt, were quite intelligent, and he was .ordered to be conveyed to the Christchurch hospital.

I There is some sad fatality connected with Mr Feist, of Wairarapa. The Wa/rarapa Standard reports the burning to death of one of his children. Some few years ago his wife was drowned in crossing a river, and only the other day we had to announce the melancholy death by drowning of a settler's wife and child on their way to attend one of his meetings.

Sir George Bowen's stock (A oratory ha* .apparently run out, and he is furbishing up his old speeches. The Australasian, com menting upon the speeches recently delivered by Sir George at Dunedin, says : —" Our Governor-designate will probably be a safe man He won't commit himself to daring fliah'ts of fancy often. At Dunedin, N.Z., lately, he made a complimentary speech in which occurred these passages ;—' I have seen during my recent journeys large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep overspreading the valleys and forests, which, within the memory of persons who have as yet scarcely attained to the prime of manhood, were tenanted only by wild animals ■ and a few wandering tribes of savages.' ' I have beheld nourishing towns arising in spo^T where hardly 20 years back the foot of a 7 white man had never trodden the primeval wilderness.' 'Assuredly I have observed dtiring the last few weeks very remarkable illustrations of the proverbial genius of the Antflo-Saxon race for the heroic, the noble, and truly imperial art of colonization.' Unfortunately a Queensland journalist with a good memory has turned up a number of All the Tear Bound, dated 22nd June, IS6I, in which a speech of Sir George Bowen's at Darling Downs in that year°is preserved; and it shows His Excellency's economy of his talent for com position that he spoke the same speech (almost word for word) in two different places. Perhaps His Excellency keeps his speeches as the old-fashioned parson did his germons-in a barrel. When the barrel got full he headed it up, took the bottom out, and then preached the barrel right through again." At the recent Hokitika regatta the most exciting event was a ladies' skiff race, for five soys. The contest lay between Mn M'Kenzie and Miss Bradley. Themamed lady was the winner. The king of Bavaria's refusal to take part, in the festivities at Berlin wasduetolia aversion to meeting the Princess Fredenca Whilhelbumma, whom she jilted 111-March last. '. > V -7

A young married woman in New York wears a breast-pin which excites., great admiration. It is apparently a beautiful carved inisome dark, glossy stone, of a hona head heavily set in red gold. In reality it is front of a favourite meerenautn belonging to her husband. He was an inveterate smoker, but to please., hei-gave up the, and she wears this peculiar ornament as a trophy of her victory, lenders are invited by the Harbour Board for a ioan of £100,000 on 5 per cent deben tures under the " Auckland Harbour Docks Act, 1371." The Board has published a" circular containing information for investors', in which it is stated that the security,for the loan is the whole of the foreshore of the harbour, comprising 783 acres of valuable unencumbered' land. It is stated that the annual income of the Board last year was £12,498 2s 11 d, which, after deducting de partmental expenses, left an available bal ance of £8,970 8s 3d. The Act provides that within five years of the issue of the debentures a sinking fund equal to one per cent, on all the debentures shall be set apart for the repayment of the principal. The security offered by the Board is good ; and with the large amount of capital lying idle in our banks for investment there should ba no difficulty in floating the- loan within this province ; or at any rate, a large portion of it. Tenders must be sent in no later than the Ist of July.

A movement is on foot in New Plymouth for getting up a bazaar to provide funds for the support of a missionary to the Maoris. The pious lawyer who started the happy idea has not yet decided whether he is to be a Pakeha or a Maori.

The education tax has not called forth any serious opposition in Wellington. There are however, a few grumblers. A settler and storekeeper in the the Waitotara District complains greatly that his neighbours are old bachelors, arid sayS that they are growling bitterly at the education tax.

A Wellington, correspondent of a Wanga nui paper " Writes : — " I saw the brute Thomas, who was convicted last week of an indecent assault upon-a little girl, get twenty-1 live lashes. It was mere child's playfoiL him. His back showed the scars ofprevious whipping administered years ago when he was a Tasmanian convict, and he evidently laughed in; his sleeve at the authorities while ( he was receiving so mild a licking as twenty- • five lashes from the hand of an inexperienced whip. Why, I have seen a scientific', drummer so " flick "—not merely " lash "'— a man's back as to draw blood and almost' cut out pieces at each administration of tlfehj '' cat." Parsimony was the . cause of they gentle dose. The authorities offered an ex-: > perienced hand 10s to do the job, &v.d he re- ! fused. He'd have done it for twd'notes. 'A , novice did it for nothing. False economy I that." ■..'■::■..:.■:,■,: ■ ■

The little child Knox, who was criminally assaulted on Sunday last, lies in a very pre carious state. There is little likelihood of her attendance at the Police Court to-morrow to give evidence? against the man Carroll.

The Wanganui Herald, of January 25, announces that "Mr John Williamson, formerly Superintendent of the Auckland i Police, intimates his intention of again be coming a candidate for that office at the approaching election."

The Detroit Post describes a serious ac cident which occurred to a trapeze performer named William Forepaugh while going through a series of break-neck performances at the Theatre Comique. In company with his wife, whose stage name is Miss Alice Napier, he had performed a hazardous double act upon a trapeze, suspended over the stage. Upon its completion the lady retired behind the scenes, and Forepaugh mounted a single bar suspended from the dome of the theatre, about on a level with the first gallery, where he went through a variety of very dangerous feats, such as standing upon the bar while it was rapidly swinging to and fro, without touching his hands to the side ropes ; stand ing upon a ladder and sitting in a chair balanced on the slender bar, and a.* variety of similar highly exhiliratin^ea! and cheerful performances. All •' theseV^ being accomplished in safety, the per former essayed the most foolhardy and dangerous feat of the evening—that of turn ing a somersault from the bar while it was in full swing, and catching a rope suspended from the ceiling of the proscenium. Every thing being in readiness, Forepaugh grasped the bar with both hands, and after swinging the length of the theatre half a dozen times, let go his hold, at the sam-i instant turning a somersault, ; but, through some mistake in i his calculations, he failed to catch the rope, as intended, and fell heavily to the stage, & distance of six or seven feet. He fell squarely on his back, his head also striking the boards with great violence, and was rendered sense less by the fall. Upon seeing that he did uot move the audience rose to their feet with almost one accord, aud then followed a scene of the wildest excitement, amidst which two of the stage hands dragged the insensible gymuast behjnd the scenes, and the curtain was rung down. It was ascertained that no bones had been broken, but the shock was very severe and the injured man was deliri- .; ous for a long time after,

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Dr Bmoht'sPhosphodyne. —MultitudesofPeople are hopelessly suffering from Debility, Nervous and Liver Complaints, Depression of Spirits, Delusions, Unfltness for Business or Study, Failure, of Bearing, Steht and Memory, Lassitude, Want of Power, &c., whose cases admit of a permanent cure by the new remedy Phosi-hodynb (Oxonic Oxygen), which at onoe allays all irritation and excitement imparts new energy and life to the enfeebled constitution, and rapidly cures every stage of these hitherto incurable and distressing maladies. Sold by all Chemists and Storekeepers throughout the Colonies, from whom Pamphlets containing testimonials'may.be obtained. oga- Caution.— Be particular to ask for Dr. Bright s Phosphodyrie as imitations are abroad; and avoid purchasing single bottles, the genuine article being sold in cyses only. To gentlemen requiring first-class tobacco and cigars, if they would only visit Mrs Sharpe's Tieat little American Tobacco and Cigar Divan (next.Bank New Zealand) they may purchase the same cheaper than in any other house in the city. M o inferior goods kept in stock ; 'would not pur chase such for the public at any price. One trial is suffi cient to guarantee a continuance of custom. ■ Give a call.—Advt.



Panama hats panama hats!! Jtjst Beceiykd, T2 SUPERIOR REAL PANAMA HATS, Will he sold at lfls 6d each. SAMUEL COOMBES, CITY CLOT H ING MAE T, No. 80, QUEEN STREET, CAN THE BEST MOLESKIN TROUSEES IN NEW ZEALAND BE SOLD FOR 6s. llu. ? NO! DRAPERS AND OTHERS outside the Clothing Trade may offer such baits to the public, but as THE CLOTHIER OF THE PROVINCE, and the only one whose business is exclusively confined to the manufacture and sale of Men's Clothing, I maintain that it cannot be done. I can, however, offer to the Working Men GENUINE BARGAINS, being prepared to sell a pair of Moleskin Trousers, equal in ever}' respect to the Cs. lid. article, FOR ss. 1 Id. And a pair of GENUINE Grown Moleg, FOR 6s. 11». And the beat In New Zealand, FOR Ss. lit). SAMUEL COOMBES, MANUFACTURER & CLOTHIER, SO & 180, Queen-Street. T ■"COSGBAVB & C O,'S SALE OF DRAPERY & CLOTHING COMMENCED ON SATURDAY, FEB.. 1, The Public are requested to inspect the. Goods a3 tho Reductions are Genuine.