SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This ev jQ j ng 05Q sxiN-KISE: To morrow morning, 6. j«; HIGH WATE^'tMs even i n g jo.SO; to-morrow morning, 10,;>2.

ARRIVALS.

Nebr?;.,^ ps ( from the South IJ^^fßowen, p.s., Adams, from Mahurang!

DEPARTURES.

Bowona, s.s., McGregor, for Northern ports Comerang, p.s., Chrisp, for Russell Southern Cross, s.s., Sellars, for Tauranga Prince Rupert, ketch, for AVangaroa

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Southern Ports: Phcebe, s.s., to-morrow, at noon For Newcastle : Nile, brig, early For Norfolk Island: Ivanhoe, schooner, to-morrow For Honolulu and San Franoisoo: Nebraska,, mail steamer, Thursday next For Cork : Polar Star, ship, to-day For Northern ports: Rowena, s'.s., Monday next For London: Harvest Home, ship, and Glenhuntly, barque, early For Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., about 28th instant.

IMPORTS.

Per p.s. Nebraska, from Southern ports : 2 cases Hyman ; 1 truss, L. D. Nathan and Co. ; 1 qr.-cask rum, Lewis Bros ; 1 case cigars, M. Hayman; 3 boxes merchandise, Noiris ; G cases bacon, Jakins and Willcox ; 1 package, Kohn ; 65 bales wool, order. For San Francisco —From Dunedin : 40 bales wool, 20 lambs, 15 bales wool, 1 trunk samples. From Lyttelton : 142 bales wool. From Wellington : 90 bales wool. From Napier :32 bales wool. —Henderson and iVJacfarlane, agents.

The mail steamer Nebraska, Capt.'Harding, arrived in harbour at ten a.m. to-day from the South. She left Port Chalmers at 4 p.m. on the 13th inst., arrived at Lyttelton at 11 a.m. on the I4th, left at S p.m. same day and arrived at Wellington at 1 p.m. on the 15th) left at 4 p.m., and arrived at .Napier at 3 p.m. of the 16th ; left for Auckland at 7 p.m. and arrived in harbour as above. Experienced fine weather throughout the passage. The following is a. list of the passengers. For Aucl>\ an d — frf^Q £ort Chalmers : Mr and Alrs Fitter and child, Mrs Finchon, iVir W< H Hepburn , ?Toto Lyttelton: Son . E> Grey, Hon. Every McLe?- t) Mrs Shirtcliffe and 6 children, -cro;^ Wellington : Messrs. Granger, Shirt- Ciiffe, and Eraser. For Napier* Mrs Robin - son and 3 children. For San Francisco from Port Chalmers : Messrs. F. Williams Brooking, Dr. Millar, Mrs Cox, Mr and Mrs Dowling, and 9 children; from Lyttelton • Messrs. C. Meyers, .7. Saxon, B. Geoffrey Alton. From Wellington : Mr Meadows and son, and 18 in the steerage. For New York: Messrs F. C. Barrow, A. W. Bennett, J. McLennox, For Liverpool: Messrs H. Pi,. Moulter, and C. Birch. The Nebraska wili leave for San Francisco via. Honolulu on Thursday afternoon. The s.s. Lily, Captain Rawson, has cleared outwards for Kaipara in ballast. She will call at the Say of Islands for coa.l. The ketch Prince Ilupert has {cleared out wards for Wangaroa -with a general cargo, ana two passengers. The ship Polar Star, bound for Cork, and the barque Lochnagar, bound for Russell, are lying in the stream awaiting a favorable breeze to proceed to their respective destina tion.

The yacht race between the Fleetwing, Energy, Spray and Gipsy Queen, has been postponed until to-morrow, in consequence of there being no wind in harbour this morn ing. The match between the cutters Phantom and Undine was postponed for the same reason.

The barque Tell will at last have to b» broken up, as^ she is fit for nothing, j^g not been a source of profit to h<^ r i a^e p Ur . chasers.

The following vessels cleared at the Customs to-day :-Vincent, for Tauranga; Bita and Strathnaver, for Russell; Mary Ellen, for Mercury Bay. There is a large brass plate fixed on the after skylight of the good ship Warwick, on which are inscribed instructions how to act in conjunction with, the coast-guard men should the vessel have the misfortune to be driven on a, ice shore. The plate is placed so that che man at the wheel can read it, so that "oy degrees every seaman becomes ac quainted "with its contents, and in case of emergency all would be familiar with the instructions laid down for the preservation of life. The incident has called to mind an •exciting drama in real life enacted on Cherit Beach close to Portland, on 25th November last. Take your stand with the coast-guard men on the beach in the early afternoon and leok out to sea. Do you see that fine vessel out there labouaing in the stream ? She is in distress, the sailors tell you, and it will be a miracle if she makes the breakwater. There is terrible anxiety on shore for it is proved beyond doubt that the ship is the Royal Adelaide bound from London to Aus tralia with emigrants. It is night now and the vessel is drifting to her doom upon the beach. Blue lights are shot up from the vessel in distress. Blue lights are shown from the beach in answer, and pointing the best place to run ashore. Not a boat could live in such a sea, and there is no hope except with the ropes and rocket apparatus. The E,oyal Adelaide at last (says the London JSra) plunged on to shore and gave an awful lurch over, the waives tearing across her with terrible violence ; and it was then that some brave Portland fishermen, in their hurry to save life, dashed into the sea and took a rope. Three men trusted themselves on it; but the ship rolling once more all were drowned. Meanwhile, those on shore were working the rocket-lines, and the cradle was got into play. But the rescue was a work of difficulty, unparralleled. Women were fainting and screaming—too dead to move. Children had not the heart to go into the basket alone. Deeds of valour, noble in the extreme, were done ; but no brave man, un less by sheer strength, can persuade a nervous woman to be brave; and the death-roll of the emigrants amounts at least to fourteen. But there is another more hideous scene still. The vessel eventually broke up with a crash, and the shore was strewed with boxes and barrels of spirits. Instantaneously those on shore turned from plucky rescuers to tipsy fiends. The spirit barrels were broached on the shore by the crowds, and soon scores of people were lying about dead drunk. Some absolutely died of drink on the spot. And so, when the gale went down, the waves washed quietly over the corpses of the drowned and the drunken. The s.s. Phoebe is announced to leave the Manakau at noon to-morrow for Southern ports. A small yacht of five tons, the Marguerite, at present lying in the Seine, at Paris, is about to undertake a voyage to New York. Captain Baillif, who commands her, announces that he is ready to take with him four pas sengers, and that lie proposes to stop a week in each of several places at which he will call in order to taV« in stores and "see the country." In undertaking the voyage, he is, he says, maiuly animated by the desire to show 'that maritime daring is not confined to England and the United States. Messrs Wilkinson and Minnit, of Geelong; having purchased the wrecks of the Sussex | : and Victoria Tower, intend blowing both vessels up by means of torpedoes. They ex pect to obtain a large quantity k of iron and I munta medal. ' ! ■

Two immense icebergs, about 200 feet high, and from 1000 to 1500 feet long, were passed by the ship City of 'Delhi on the 14th instant, in 51 south and il4 east, they being about nine miles distrait from th« ship. The vessel had been going about thirteen knots per hour during the night, with thick weather, and as these were seen at daylight it is probable that she passed others equally large. —Mel- bourne A/je.

COMMERCIAL.

Mrß. Tonks sold to-day : —Candles, lid ; salad oil, 7s 3d ; crushed loaf sugar, 5s 4d ; soap, 23s ; oatmeal, 14s ; castor oil, 11s; rice, 30s ; tart fruits, 9d , walnuts, 4d ; dark Hawaiian sugar, £23 10s per ton ; white Mauritius crystals, i' 37 per ton; English hops, J)-Acl per Ib.

MINING.

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— £ s. d. DIVIDEND. All Nations .. .. 0 4 0 Feb IS CALLS Missouri .. .. 0 5 0 Mrch 3 Coromandel Tunnel 0 10 0 Mrch 10 Otago 0 10 Mrch 12 American Eagle .. 010 Mrch 12 Inverness .. .. 0 0 3 Mrch 12 Royal Standard .. 00 0 Mrch 12 MEETINGS. Bismarck and French Republic, Insurance Buildings Auckland, 2 p m., -21st Kebrsary Tokatea, Coromandel, 21st February AVatchman, Grahamstown, 21st February Central Italy, Grahamstown, 27th February Argo. Mr A. A. Browne's office, AVyndham street, Auckland, 2 p.m., 28th February Pride of Tokatea, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 12.30 p.m., 3rd March

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

MATLB WILL CLOSE AS UNDBU:- For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m. For London direct.per Glenhnntley, this day, at 5 p.m. ' For Tauvanga, per Vincent, this day, at."> p.m. ' For Norfolk Island and Now Caledonia, per Ivanhoe, to-morrow, at f) a m. For Taranaki and SonthPrn Provinces, ar' Islands, per s.s. Phcebe, on We1 .„ uAfttnßHl inst., at 10 a.m. ..uiesday, the liHh For the undermentio-- Thursday, 2°"' -«d places, per s.s. Kebraska. on p or >- -.a inst., as under : — !-■ oandwich islands, British Columbia, United •states of America; British and Foreign West Indies, and Coiitihent of Europe via England, at 12.30 p.m. txtr 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 (id in 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. (Signed) 8. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

DEATHS.

Robertson.- At Mangare, on the 18th instant, Mrs James Kobertson, sen.

The funeral will leave her late residence on Thurs-

day, the 20th. Eriends please accept this invitation. GItATTAN.—On February IS, at C'otele, Kew .North Road, Emily Laura, infant daughter of James Henry and Bona Grattan ; aged six months. The funeral will leave the Mount Albeit Toll-gate at four p.m. To-morrow (Wednesday), Kith iust. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we oitn do

THE telegraphic intelligence from England as published in another column is decidedly reassuring. Koyal speeches are proverbially vague and unreliable| so far as affecting questions involved in political strategy, but a statement from the throne that " A perfect understanding exists between Britain and Russia relative to the Central Asian question" may be ac cepted with unquestioning confidence. This certainly is in accordance with the earlier intelligence which told of British officers being invited to join the Khivan expedition, but whether from the actual development of the story, or from the statements of news paper correspondents, and the dream ings of newspaper writers, darkening counsel by words without knowledge, the later telegrams have been of a character to excite alarm. From the traditional policy of the Czars, and the general belief in the onward inarch of the Muscovite power, nothing appeared more natural than that the hosts of Russia had set out on the march for India. In such cases as this, of the postponement of expected collision, there is a clear gain to humanity, as from the tendency of international policy, and the humani sing influences at work, every day's delay tends to make more difficult the actual collision of nations. Her Majesty is made to say that her "rela tions with Foreign powers are of the most amicable character," and it is not impossible that not only may the terrors of this Khivan expedition have been explained away, but despite the old national policy Russia may have come to a definite understanding for the establishment of satisfactory relations between the two great Western Powers that appear alone running the race for empire in the

East.

In another column will be found the notice of the first race meeting of the newly-organised Jockey Club. We know that there are those who do not patronise race meetings, and fail to see in them any advantage either in the improvement of stock or in the social enjoyment attendant on such events. But that this form of excitement has commended itself to the British people as a whole, and has made its impress on the national character, is one of those phenomena which none but the most obtuse can fail to observe. And irrespective of this there is that con nected with this plucky effort to keep Auckland abreast of the provinces which must commend it to many who j may not in all respects sympathise with : the delights of the race-course. Why our province, with its population, its wealth, its resources, and its many settlers in the enjoyment of means and leisure, should yield to any other in patronage of the nationa

pastime is a question that cannot receive a satisfactory answer. "Where Englishmen are, there will horse-racing be. and any lack of enthusiasm on the subject Hia-y be accepted as a proof that the true British spirit is either dormant or dead, and every other enterprise will be found in a similar state of torpidity. The new Jockey ; Club, which rises phoenix-like from ! the ashes of the Grymkana Club, has, if judiciously guided in its earlier days, a prospect of prosperity and oreat i success ; and it is simply justice to : admit that the whole revival of a : racing spirit in the place is i mainly owing to the infusion of j fresa blood, the benefits of which |we are warranted in expecting to be j felt more and more from year to year as settlement progresses. It is no I ordinary exhibition of enterprise and public spirit when one gentleman signalises his advent by undertaking the total risk in the purchase of a race course at a cost of three thousand pounds, and its preparation and embellishment at a cost of nearly a similar amount. With such an im pulse at the commencement, wo may expect that a generous emulation will he produced, and that our older resi dents for the honor of the province, and the credit of its early pioneers, will not be outstripped in genern^ • enthusiasm in the can 0- ,^o is we are plnrl —»o« As it very "' „— «* learn that a '■ " cordial response has been

given, and about a score have already either enrolled of promised to enrol themselves as life members of the new Jockey Club with the sub scription of fifty pounds each, while a considerable numbei 1 have subscribed the smaller amount of twenty pounds each, with five pounds per annum for ?.\x years which, as we understand, similarly constitutes life membership. A large number of other prominent and influential residents have also expressed the intention of joining in the movement, and we may fairly an ticipate that ere many years have passed Auckland will exhibit as much enthusiasm in matters equestrian as is experienced in any other place with similar population in the colonies. We venture to say that the guidance of this matter is in hands that ensure its success, and we are confident that we express the cordial feelings of the city and the province when we pay " success to the Auckland Jockey Club."

The cases before the Police Court this morning were mostly unimportant. One smartly - dressed daughter of Erin, named Bridget Hawkey, appeared in answer to a oharge of drunkenness, when his Worship

remarked that the accused had been before the Court more than twenty times charged with divers offences. Bridget, with true

Irish humour, replied that his Worship had made a mistake, she had been up many more times than that. It was found that the number to her oV.v-credit was fifty instead of twenty, and that she had only just been released from the Lunatic Asj'lum, to which place her unhappy propensities had reduced her.

At the City Council meeting yesterday it it was moved and carried —" That the market floor be asphalted when the city surveyor shall consider it sufficiently solid, and the Street Committee be instructed to fix the position of the weigh-bridge and house ; also that one square be covered with a corrugated iron roof with pillars for a hay-market, and space for carts, &c, and that the front allot ment in Queen-street be fenced." As anticipated, the " korero" held last night at the North Shore, in connection with education, was of the most friendly character, although the affecting tableau symbolic of the burying of the hatchet indicated by us in our yesterday's issue was not carried out in its literal entirety, probably owing to the fact that there is no platform in the district school-house on which the programme could have been carried out with proper scenic effects. Mr E. Soinmerville was moved to the chair on the proposal of Mr Brown, seconded by Mr Heed, and opened proceedings by a few explanatory remarks. He was followed by Mr Reed, who explained the steps taken by the committee to enable the meeting to elect their successors, pledging the committee to accept of any names elected, and to substitute these for the names of the present committee in conformity with the Act. Mr Brown ad vised the appointment of a committee con sisting of persons that had hitherto had no connection with the district school. This was subsequently moved by Mr Mays, but ulti mately withdrawn. There-electionoftheexist ing committee was also moved and seconded, but several of the members having expressed their desire and intention of not taking a place on the committee, this also was with drawn. Mr Mays, Mr Reed, Mr Brown, Mr Sibbin, and several others having declared their intention of not standing for election, the following gentlemen were at length pro posed and unanimously elected:—Messrs Sommerville, Buchanan, Brown, R.ees, and M. Niccol, after which the meeting, which was a very large and orderly one, closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman. Subse quently a meeting was held at Mr Jervis', consisting of the existing committee and those gentlemen just elected. The members of committee then formally one by one re signed, and the newly-elected were chosen to the places vacant, and it was resolved to communicate to-day the result of the pro ceedings to the Board. >So ended satisfac torily a little rompus that was made too much of by those afar who do not appreciate the idiosyncracies of this peculiar people. Every body did not get married as in the novels, but all warm feeling has pasped away, and if the Cask-o'-Whiskey or any other sea, monster dares approach the har bour, this warlike people will exhibit their united prowess and their martial spirit against the invader. We have been presented with a bouquet of artificial flowers, which, for rare beauty, we have never seen surpassed. They are entirely Avorked from Berlin wool, wires representing only the stalks of the flowers. The flowers consist of roses of every tint, Canterbury bells, and a great variety of other floral gems set in green leaves with the most remarkable vraisemllance. Under a glass shade no class of ornamentation could be more effective, the soft velvet tints of the wool being as different from the sickly waxy look of ordinary artificial flowers as day is from night. The maker of them is Mrs Stott, Castle-street, near the Windsor Castle Hotel, Parnell, whose efforts at honest industry in one of its artistic forms are deserving of sympathy and patronage.

At the Board of Education meeting this afternoon several applications were read from various districts for funds, when the follow ing motion, proposed by Mr. Firth, and seconded by Colonel Haultain, was carried :

—" That the Board of Education at present will not be held responsible for any outlay beyond the teachers' salary."

The Poverty J3ai/ Slanda.nl says:—"The resident magistrate at this settlement seems to be causing some dissatisfaction by issuing licenses and permits to natives to sell, we suppose spirituous liquors, but our informa tion on this point is not so complete as we could wish it. We are informed that the quantity of grog landed on the coast now is simply enormous, and that complaints have been made (we don't kuow to whom) without effect. Pending fuller information we forbear to express our opinion on the system, and that a resident magistrate could be found to ad minister to a system so brimful of vieiousness as that which not only sets the law at defiance, which is supposed to prohibit grog-selling to natives, but gives them a license to sell it, ergo to drink it. The rest we leave to the Customs authorities." Our Poverty Bay cor respondent, alluding to the same subject, says :—"There are already enough licenses for accommodation-houses to sell spirit uous liquors without issuing any more ; but there seems to be no restriction in selling grog in the district of Waiapu, East Coast. The native assessors in this district seem to say that they can get issued as many licenses as they think proper. Now, if this is in the Act, the sooner this power is taken out of the hands of the native assessors the better for the district. The nati^" get a good many per*--"-' " . * assessors the way of i- " , 4 >~isn;e9 on the cheap in h°" .jarirjg at these accommodation _-«sos, besides the Government pay which they receive, and that is something about £50 per annum,"

The model Chinaman lives at the Arrow' and his name is Yee Hop. In aletter to the Arrow Observer, he states that a gambling house is about to started. He enlarges upon the evils of gambling, and the passion of the Chinese for that vice, and urges that the Europeans should co-operate with him to suppress this gambling house. The co-oper jttioii, lie says, will confer an everlasting favor on him. Tt would seem as though the paper in which this letter is published thought Mr. Yee Hop to be rather too "childlike and bland," for it only inserts the letter as an advertisement.

Tt will bo rememberer! that about nine voars ago Charles Taylor, a spruce footman in the employ of Mr John Henry Ourney, of the late firm of Overend, Clnrney and Co., of deathless memory, won the affections of Mrs Gritrney, and subsequently eloped -with her. She was divorced from her husband, and quietly married to her foot man. This lady died recently, and her fortune of £'500,000 becomes vested in the trustee appointed under the liquidation of Overeml, fturney and Co., and will be applied for the benefit of the sufferers in connection with that faithless undertaking. The mourning footman has long since thrown off his liveried vestments, and is weeping over a small annuity,

At the City Council, yesterday, the reports of the Streets Committee and City Surveyor were read and adopted,—the latter relating to the comparative cost of scoria ash and asphalt, which showed a difference of 50 per cent. in favor of asphalt. The general feeling of the Council was in favour of asphalting the streets ; the estimated cost will be introduced on Monday next, and tenders for doing the work asked for. Market regulations in reference to hawkers were submitted and approved of by the Council. Tt was resolved that a suitable address should be prepared and presented to his Excellency the Governor on his departure from the colony. A long discussion on the water supply ensued, when it was finally resolved —"That a special meeting be con vened at an early date to adopt a scheme for water supply." The Council then adjourned.

Mr H. M. Stanley, who has achieved much popularity in connection with his supposed discovery of Dr. Livingstone, has written a volume on the subject, which will coon be in the hands of our citizens. This book was issued by a London house on the !2tli of November last, and within a few days of its publication 0,000 copies were sold among London and provincial booksellers, and by the end of the week £2,000 profit were divided betweentheauthorand his publishers. Verily Stanley is a fortunate man.

The Rev. Thomas Buddie will, by special request, re-deliver his interesting and sugges tive lecture this evening, at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms, on " Courtship and Marriage," which, from the nature of the subject and popularity of the lecturer, will no doubt ensure a large attendance.

The Rev. T. Waters returned in the s.s Phcebe on Saturday from a visit to Welling ton, From the report of a temperance meetingpublishedinthe Wellington papers we learn that the Rev. Mr Waters, in address ing the meeting said, that persons who had been brought up in the habit of usinc intoxicating drinks found it difficult to ima gine how it was possible for others to do without it altogether. But it was now proved that men could do without it. There were men on the platform who had been ab stainers fifty years, and were hale hearty men. He then gave particulars of the drink custom in Auckland. Mr Goldie referred to the progress of the cause in Auckland, and to the operation of the Permissive Bill there, and argued warmly against the holding aloof of ministers of religion and Christian men from the great 'movement.

The chairman of the Newton Highway board notifies that the office of Messrs H. Ashton and Son, 31 Insurance Buildings, has been appointed as the place for the rates to be paid for the current year-

A humorous correspondent of the Canter bury " Press" delivers himself of the follow ing opinion on the subject of rivers :—I like coming to a big river and not knowing where the ford is, and seeing it swirling and growl ing all over the place. I like it better still when you get well over your boots and your horse stops to drink, and after crossing five streams and riding over two miles of shingle, to find you have taken the wrong place and got the deepest stream to cross yet. This is time to tell your companion all about the number of people who have come to grief in in the river—most of them in just such an other place as you happen to be in. These little things make a journey nice and comfort able.

The Auckland correspondent of the Hawhes Bay Herald, referring to the depart ure of the H.M.S. Dido, says:—"ln less than twelve months more than 100 men have escaped from the Dido, which has been des cribed here as "a floating hell," owing to the intensely severe . discipline or tyranny systematically practised on board that ship. A man belonging to her, and wearing several "good conduct" stripes, somewhat hesitat ingly remarked, " God knows, it is only too true that the Dido is a miserable vessel to sail in." Ask any seaman ot the Blanche for his opinion of the Dido—or rather of her captain."

We perceive that Mr Tom Margetts will take a benefit on Friday evening next at the Prince of Wales. The programme is not yet in type, but great attractions are promised.

To the Editor: Will you kindly inform me through your paper what amount the national debt of England is? —Yours, &c, W. Ross. [The national debt of Britain is eight hundred millions sterling.—Ed. JR.S ]

A second entertainment in eormeetibh with the Sunday-school of All Haints, Dedwood, will be given on I'Viday evening next. The evening Will be devoted to songs, sacred and moral, recitations, sentimental and humourous, and several selections of music from the grand old masters of Apollo's school. On the previous occasion the committee was not highly successful, in consequence of the rainy weather, and the absence of the gifted young lady who had promised to take her seat at the harmonium. Some disappoint ment was caused by the young man who had undertaken to sing two songs, but who was so exceedingly bashful that he blushed and pretended to bo taken suddenly ill. Mr Hammond, we believe, has arranged matters better for Friday next, when a most accom plished lady-resident of Dedwood will preside over the musical department.

The monthly inspection of the Hobson Pane Volunteers will take place this evening at the Drill-shed.

A. meeting of the members of the Artillery Volunteers will take place this evening after parade. Every member is requested to attend.

The Harbour Board have advertised for tenders for the extension of Freeman's Ba^ sewer. Also for the > C onstructi f basins for -,«.».... »"*•" "l p*lv •^ueen street sewer-.

Nearly two hundred persons attended the musical and literary entertainment last even ing in the Momingside school-room, for the benefit of the Mount Albert district school, Mr A. It. Taylor occupied the chair, and stated that the object chiefly of their pleasant gathering was the liquidation of a debt of £8 remaining of the £100 borrowed from the Central Board of Education. The entertain ment was sustained by amateurs and young people, and the ballads, musical selections, and readings Were fairly i-eridetecL

The first meeting of the school corri mittee of No. 1, City West, took place last evening in the Hobson-street Academy, and Mr Brabazon was appointed teacher, subject to the approval of the Board, at a salary of £200 a-year. Mrs Brabazon was also appointed a teacher for a girl's school, but the lady's salary was not fixed. A reso lution was passed to the effect that to meet the requirements of the district there should be two schools.

Major Gordon announces that the men-of war's men and Royal marines of H.M.S. Blanche having obtained the use of the Rifle range on Thursday and Monday next, no volunteer practice will be allowed on those days between nine a.m. and four p.m. The Blanche's men also made use of the range to day.

Ward's Minstrels -will give another of their popular negro concerts on Tuesday next, 25th inst., at the Catholic Institute. The entertainment will be under the distin guished patrona,«e of the officers and brethren of the A.0.F., and in aid of the widow and orphans of the late W. Pain. Ward's min strels are always first to come forward on behalf of charity and it is to be hoped their endeavours will again be crowned with success. The programme promises to be an entertaining one.

To the Editor : Sir, —A dreadful accident will happen in Shortland street before many days, and most probably some limbs if not lives will be lost by the fall of a large quantity of pavement into the cellars beneath, so you had better keep your young men on the look out that one of them may be the first on the spjt to report the number of the killed and wounded, unless you can persuade the authorities to exercise their powers to prevent a catastrophe.—A Warner.

There is no work at present progressing on the Thames to which the same amount of interest attaches as that of the Pumping Association. Its object primarily is to drain the surrounding mines, but it has another and equally important one, namely the test ing of the auriferous nature of the reefs of the district at greater depths. There has of late been a good deal of discussion and difference of opinion as to whether it would not be more advisable to drive from the depth which the shaft has at present attained to intersect the Caledonian reef, or to continue sinking until it is met with. Messrs Thomas Russell and C. J. Stone lately visited the Thames for the purpose of consulting with the managers of the Cale donian, Tookey, Kuranui, Imperial Crown and others of acknowledged skill and exper ience. The matter was fairly and fully dis cussed, and the balance of evidence was decidedlj in favor of a continuance of sink ing the shaft in preference to stopping that work, even temporarily, for the purpose of opening out an adit level at the present depth. All circumstances duly considered we cannot but applaud the spirit of enter prise actuating the companies interested in pushing this shaft down, for by and bye it will it is hoped prove a means of developing the wealth of the reefs at a depth hitherto untried at the Thames. There can be no doubt as to the suitability of the machinery for such a purpose, and j,its power of fraising treble the quantity of water at present flowing into the mine is unquestioned. The reef cannot now be any great distance oil', even if it has somewhat altered in its underlie.— Thames- Adxerbiser.

We have received a most beautifully illu minated card almanac, issued by the Norwich Union Insurance Society, of which Mr G. S. Graham is the Auckland agent. The card has a large chromo - lithograph of Norwich Cathedral embowered in trees, while it is embellished by illuminated devices with the usual calendar, and with information as to the position of this exceedingly successful and popular Fire and Life Assurance Company. The card is a genuine picture, and is highly ornamental as a piece of office furniture.

The affectation of being short-sighted is again coming in fashion. Twenty years ago every stylish young lady considered it necessary to gaze intently and affectedly at her intimate acquaintances through a piece of plain glass in a frame.

In twenty-live years the singers Grisi and Mario have cleared £500,000, and Mario is" still as poor as a church mouse.

It is reported that nearly all the opera houses throughout Italy are to be consolidated under the management of a joint stock com pany, whose capital, of course, consists chiefly of notes.

The boring operations being carried on by Messrs Farley and Claske on the Harbour Endowment at the rear of Mr Holdship's timber yard are progressing rapidly. The rods are now down sixty feet. This afternoon they were passing through sandy strata, and rapid progress was made. Two beds of rock have been passed through, but water has not been come upon. If the boring is successful no doubt many private citizens will put down pipes in prefer ence to digging wells.

The Hobson Company commenced class firing this morning, and out of nine members present seven passed to the second class. The highest score was made by Captain Burns (58), and some capital firing was made by Messrs Connolly and Finlay.

Western newspaper paragraphists now' devote their time to remarks On each others' feet, as they are much better endowed with them than with imagination; j

A pupil in oae of the public schools re cently revised an old saying found in his grammar, as follows : —" It is better to give to than to receive—a good licking."

We are glad to learn that Mr E. A. Johnston, of Messrs Whitaker and Russell's office, has intimated his intention of giving a keg of ammunition to be fired for by the No. 3 Company of the Auckland Rities. Such a spirited example will, we trust, not be left uninitiated.

CRICKET MATCH.

LEGAL PROFESSION V. 11.M.5. BLANCHE. lF]the weather this morning was unfavourable for yacht-racing it offered no deterrent influ ences on the game of cricket, and the match arranged between the legal profession and H.M.S. Blanche was proceeded with at half past ten this morning under most favourable circumstances. The former won the toss for choice, and went in first innings to the bowling of Messrs Kay and Davison. The bowling at first .was good, but subsequently relapsed. A change was tried, Horspool going on but without effect, The fielding was loose. Kay proved himself1 an excellent wicket-keeper. Some very good scores were made Barnett nettiuz 38 until stumped out by Kay. .Tames Russell scored 31, including a six, after which he was bowled out by Davison. T. Kissling made a score of It) j R. frown ing, 15 ; and W. L. Bees, 12. The following is the result of the first innings :— Legal Profession, J. H. Hosting, b Davison 7 J. L. Newbury, c Kaye ... ... ••• U Wv L. Rees, c Davison b Horspool ... 1^ J. Russell, b Davison ... ■.< -<< 31 W. Connell, run out, b Davison ... 0 T. Barnett, st Kay ... 3° W. M. Lloyd, bDavison ... 0 ( T. Kissling, b Horspool ... ... ~ 19 G. N. Brassey, Ibw, b Horspool ... <> R. Browning, st Kay 15 A. Fitzgerald, not out ... 0 Wides... ...■ •••• ..-•■ ••• g Byes ... ... • •■•• ••■•■ ••• ' Total Ist innings ITi H.M.S. Blanche : Ist Innings. R. Roots, bßees » R. H. Walpole, b Connell 2 R. Horspool, at Russell, b Rees 17 W. H. S. Kay, b Connell 12 Davison, c Russell, b Connell 6 Festing. bßees ~ 4 Greet, bßees •• •■• 0 Nettleton, runout... ... ... ... 2 Brown, not out ... ... ..-. •■■••■ 0 Jones, b Rees ... ... ... •'• 0 Bruce, b Rees ... ... ... ... 0 Wides 0 Byes O No Balls 1 Leg Byes 0 49 Second Innings. Brown, b Newbury 2 Festing, run out ... ... ... ... 2 Jones, c Russell, b Newbury ... ~t 10 Kay, b Newbury 0 Horspool, b Barnett ... ... ... 5 Greet, hit wicket, b Newbury 0 Davison, b Newbury ... ... ... 1 Nettleton, b Barnett ... .„. ... 2 Bruce, not out ... ... ... ... 1 Walpole, b Barnett 0 Roots, b Brassey 1 Wides 4 Byes 4 Total Ist innings 81 The legal profession were consequently declared winners with a majority of 5(5 runs in one innings. Messrs Alderton and Bellairs acted as umpires.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq. Mayor, P V ,M.),

UHTTNKENNESS

Bridget Hawkoy, Mary Minx, Isaao Bryant, and Thomas King, were severally charged with this offence and dealt with in, the usual way. WAIFS AND STRAYS. Robert Carroll, the owner of a horse, was charged with allowing that horse to. be at liberty in the Parnell road on the 11th day of February. As this was the first offence His Worship said he must pay 5s and costs. aUi John Russell, who keeps an eating-W/ ---in Victoria-street, was charged with allowing" his milch cow to wander in Stanley-street in quest of grass on the 1 Ith February. Mrs Russell appeared, and pleaded guilty to the charge, but some how or other the. cow got through the paddock-fence. His Worship remarked upon the seriousness of the crime, as the cow might be seized and great expenses incurred ; but as according to the constable's evidence the cow had only been at large five minutes, she would have to pay the limited penalty of ss. and costs. THREATENING LANGUAGE. Daniel Cleary, a man of many moods, waa charged witli using unseemly and threaten in^ language towards Ellen Jackson, at Newton, on the evening of the 14th inst. Mrs Jackson stated that Cleary had used threatening words and called her bad names; and that being in a delicate state she went in bodily fear of him. Sergeant-Major Pardy believed that Cleary was a hard-working man.

The accused said that the woman first insulted him, but he was very sorry for what he had said. , His Worship said such eondact could not be permitted. He must be bound over in a £25 bond, to keep the peace towards all Her Majesty's subjects for a term of three months.

This was all the business.

COROMANDEL TUNNEL COMPANY.

The first meeting of shareholders in the Coromandel Tunnel Company was held at the office of Mr Charles Tothill, Shortlancl street, to-day. Captain Daldy occupied the chair. The Director's' report was read as follows:— "The directors submit the statement of receipts and expenditure, and the mine manager's report for the year ending January 31st, 1573. The receipts have con sisted of £2383 7s Gd, from calls made on the capital, the balance of £171 Os. Id. to the credit of the Pukututu Company'on its account being closed ; £250, the proceeds of sale of the call, acquired by that company, and £78 9s. Sd. by sale of iron rails. The balance of expenditure has been met by an overdraft at the Bank of N"ew Zealand of £1907 7s. Bd.

" The expenditure has been in excess of what the directors at first estimated, although the greatest economy has been used owing to the very hard natnre of the country. They are pleased now to hope f from the change that appears where driving is being carried on in the tunnel, and from the nature of the workings in adjoining mines, that this obstruction fco rapid progress on the Coromandel side will soon disappears and the cost of construction be lessened.

"One large item of expenditure was for a parcel of iron rails. An offer of about fifty tons, on advantageous terms, was made to the directors ; of these a few have been sold, and about rive or six tons are in use by the company. The remainder, forty tons, are, at the present value of iron, worth what was paid for the fifty tons. The directors applied for and obtained an Act of the General Legislature, which confirmed the original lease" granted by the Superin tendent with an extension of time from three to four years during which the tunnel baa to be completed. "One of the veins—that called by the mine manager in his report the second—has been proved to be auriferous. An assay at the Bank of New Zealand of a fair sample of the stone gave a return at the rate of 19dwts. 12grs. of fine gold per ton. "The mine manager appears very confi dent it will not be long before payable gold will be found, and to his report the directors refer for fuller information. " The directors had hoped that by this time a considerable number of shares would have been taken up in Great Britain, but at present the applications recently received have been for only 240. A commencement having been now made the directors trust it will extend and provide a part of the neces sary funds for carrying on the undertaking. ' "W. 0. Daldy, "Chairman." The mine manager reported at length on the company's works ; the total draft of tunnel up to date is 6IS feet on the Coro mandel side and 251 feet on the Kennedy Bay side. The reports were adopted. In accordance with rule the whole of the directors retired, this being the first meeting. On the motion of Mr Aitken, seconded by Mr Shepherd—Messrs A. Wardrop, W. Earl, J. Watt, Captain Daldy, and Dr Campbell were elected directors for the ensuing year. This concluded the business.

CORRESPONDENCE.

BILLINGSGATE.

-(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir. —On Monday last my wife, Bridget Henuessy, was committed to gaol for thirty days, by his Worship the Mayor, upon a charge of using improper language inside her own house in Albert-street. I wish to know, sir, whether the police have power and are justified in entering a man's domicile and apprehending an occupant upon such a charge, and have they not exceeded their duty in so doing ? I was away from home at the time, or such would not have happened ; but I think the proceedings very arbitrary and,, unjust.—l am, &c, James Hennessy.

[The police were quite justified in interfering If Mr- H. was disturbing her neighbours by her playful res marks within her own domicile.—Ed E S ]

COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE—WHO ARE THE CHIEF OFFENDERS ?

(To the Editor of the Evening- Stae.) Sir,—With all due respect to Mr Buddie, and the very able and instructive lecture he treated us with on Friday evening last, I would make one or two simple remarks. I must say I gained a good deal of instruction from the said lecture, and should like to have seen it published in full, so that the public might have reaped the benefit of it. But the remarks I meant to make were these :—' The rev. lecturer stated that no young man ever trifled with the affections of a young woman but his sin eventually found him out. With this statement I fully agree ; but let us glance at the other side of the question, for although the rev. lecturer did not mention it, he cannot be ignorant of the well-known fact, that scores—aye, hundreds—of young men have been ruined, both for this life ana the next, through the hollow and deceitful conduct of some young woman, so that I think the young woman who trifles with the affections of a young man is quite as guilty before God as the other is. And now let me add, as one who has had some experience in

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[advertisement. ] Sir, —As contributors of a design for the improvement of Albert Barracks, bearing the motto " Mahomet," we must record our com plaint against the proceedings connected with the award as irregular and unfair. By public advertisement the Board of Com missioners offered a premium for the best plan and sections. If any communication reached other competitors that sections were not required none such was made to us, nor was the advertisement varied. In accordance with the published con ditions—"Plan and sections," —at cost and labour to ourselves we forwarded to the Board a design with the motto above named. The terms used by the Board, plan and sections, were short and explicit, and in honor binding both the Board and compe titors. In discussing the merits of the several designs, and in awarding the premium, the Board did not adhere to its published con ditions. Plans without sections were con sidered on the same footing as the only plan with sections. We complain that this procedure was contrary to the terms published, irregular and unfair. It might be, or it might not be, that we were entitled to the premium, but as it is has been awarded we shall not raise the question. But we look to the Board for compensation for expense and trouble incurred in preparing sections accord ing to the advertised conditions, but of the advantage of which we were deprived by the .Board's departure from these conditions. _ We enclose account, request a fair con sideration, and hope for a speedy settlement. We have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servants, James Baber, C.E. and Surveyor. Charles Palmer, Draftsman. His Honor T. B. Gillies, Esq., Chairman of Commissioners Albert Barracks Reserve. Auckland, 17th February, 1873.



[Advertisement.] To the Editor : Sir,—The following letter, addressed by the resident secretary of the Sydney branch of the company to the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, gives publicity to information that may be of interest —I am, sir, yours faithfully, John Buchanan, Agent. "BOSTON FIRE—LIVERPOOL AND LONDON AND GLOBE INSURANCE COMPANY. "To the Editor ef the Herald : Sir,—As there has been a good deal of speculation amongst the com munity generally, and I am led to believe some little concern is felt by a few respecting the company's loss by the late fire at Boston, I should feel obliged if you will allow me to report, for general information through your columns, that advices were received from the head office by the last mail, that the com pany s liabilities would not exceed £250,000, and that the directors have everj right to assume (for it is im possible to spuak confidently of the result of a year six weeks prior to its dose) that the large fire premium income now in excess of one million one hundred and A ty thousand pounds will fully coyer all the losses and expenses in the fire branch, including the consequences of the Boston conflagration. As your readers may be glad to know the action taken by the company on the receipt of intelligence of the fire, I take the following paragraph from the Insurance Monitor of the ICth November :—' The Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company have directed their American agents to draw upon the home offices at sight for all losses consequent upon the Boston fire. A telegram to this effect was dispatched from Liverpool imme diately on receipt of the message from their agents announcing the fire and asking for instructions '— I am, sir, yours faithfully, "A. Stranger Leathes, Res. Sec."