SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

STTNSET: This evsrjri;;, 8.1 SUN-EISS: Tb worrow mornint:, 7.10 v.xo-u WATER: This afternoon, 6.1"; to-morrow, wominjj, 0.37

ARRIVALS.

Welllagtan, s.s., Carey, from. Pouthurn ports PEPARTURSa, . . T,an\*i)"t<.l, s.a., Lloyd. .'•.u-Snatliamports PJmibfi, ».s., vVorfep, for Southern poitF! EdcKllo, Eciiooner, for Hokitwsa

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Southern ports: Wellington, s.s. .Monday Kor Kaipara : Florence, schooner, to-morrow , , For Poverty Bay, Napier, and Wellington : Mana watu, p.s., Thursday , .. /' For Sydney and Melbourne-) .Wonga Wonga, s.a., about 2(lth inst. ; Hero, a.s., about Ist August For London: Woodlark. ship, 20th lust. ; flylton Castlo, barque early ■ For Now York : Lyttclton, barque, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Cou'htess of Klntore, ship, from London Sailed Ist May City of Auckland, from London. Loading Jterar, ship, from London. Sailed 15th May ■Fontenave, ship, from London. Sailing Wonga Wonga, s.s., Brown, from Sydney Hero, s.s., Logan, from' Sydney Akbar, ship.1 from Boston, via Melbourne Stfirof the So\ith, r.b., from Levnka Belle Brandon, schooner, from Dunodin :

IMPORTS

Per s.s. Wellington, from Southern ports : ■ —1 case, 1 hkcl, 2 boxes, 1 vyce, 4 bdls, 1 pkg, 1 bale, Combes & Daldy ; 1 box gold (12^|,pzs. IS dwt.), Bank of Few Zealand j 1 parcel, Dewsbury; 1 parcel, Miss Williams; 1 cask, lease, j". Smart & Co. ; 12 plates iron, Fraser & Tinno..; B.plates iron, Yeoman ; 10 tons pig-iron, 5 bars iron, Pric6 ; 1 parcel, Stephenson & Co. ;, 1 parcel, Nathan & Co. j I case, Kohn ; 1 piece iron, Masefield & Co. ; 5 ■kega'hufcter, Eiicholi; & Co. ; 10 boxes pipes, G. Williamson; lease, Collector of Customs ; 1 pkg, Gilfillan; 1 bale tweeds, A. Cox; 200 sheep, Bayley ; 1 case butter, Bennett; 1 case^ butter, Osborne; 6 cases, 3 kegs butter, 1 case eggs, Yeale; 1 box, Lewis Bros, j 4 cases, 10 kegs butter, Hood. — Combes and Daldy, agents.

Tho N.Z.S. Co.'s s.s. Wellington, M. Carey, commander, arrived at Onehun^a at 8.43 a.m. to-day. She left Port Chalmers at 10.15 a.m. on the 13th instant, arrived at Lyttelton at G. 30 a.m. on the 14th ; left at 2 yj.m., and arrived at Wellington at 9.20 a.m. od the 15th ; left Wellington at 2 p.m. on the 10th, arrived at Picton at 8 p.m. ; loft at 9 p.m., arrived at Nelson .at 5.30 a.m. on the 20fch ; left at 4 p.m. on the 21st, arrived off New Plymouth at 9 a.m. on 21st; left again at 5 p.m., and arrived as above. Experienced variable winds from Port Chalmers to Wellington, and from. thjbnc.o strong S:W. breeze with Heavy cifoss sea to arrival. —Mr and Mrs Kennedy and family ((>), Mr and Mrs Ewen, Miss Horgan, Mr Mould and family (-3), Messrs Bonning ton, Wilson, Hawker. Graham, Axup, Tinne (2), Qarlick, Shera, Black, BoiUe, Webster, and Lechner. Steerage—Mrs Nicholson and family (3), Messrs, Harper, Jones, Oallaghan, Fenton, and Keilley.

Ihe schooner Florence cleared outwards for 3£a'i]sara to-day with a miscellaneous "cargo.

', The ship Agnes Mm'r, from Auckland via Otago, arrived in London on the 2nd of July.

Tho ship Endymion came up harbour this morninjj and received a berth at the wharf.

The new steamer Manawatua is announcod to leave for Napier and Southern ports on Saturday next.

The Wellington will leave the Manukau on Monday for Taranaki and Southern ports.

The Wonga Wonga is expected here to morrow evening or early on Friday morning. The cutter Hope, of Dunedin, was blown to sea about three weeks ago. from Oamaru, and was yesteVday found drifting :up the coast by, Capt. Kennedy, of the Patterson. The master of the cutter stated that his pro visions had run oiit. three days ago, and that none of tfyecrewj had eaten anything since Saturday last., ,Capt..Kennedy .supplied the cuiter with'pfovlsionsf and gave the master a chart, there being none on board the cutter.

A gentleman recently arrived from the South informs us that the brig Moa has been floated off from the place where she stranded at Oamaru, and is now lying in Lyttolton harbour undergoing repairs. Very< sever*, woather been' encountered during the past week aij the Southern ports. The steamer Paterson arrived at Lyfctelton this morning after a severe passage of forty houTS. The usual time occupied would be about eighteen hours.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. The following aro the current calls and dividends payable li^ttie companies named below :— rT>rvn>lENi!.' ■ Bright Smile.. .. Jaly 23 ... g.ujLH. ij / / Ml/ / ■' ■ : ■•i'WfrkTffcll "!.•.-• .;''•(> 0 6 Ang 15 Yon Tempsky .. 00 3 A tig 13 - Queen of tho May ; - % j :J0 I 0; ;6 Aug 13 MEETTNOR. Inverness,. Mr T. L. White's pffce, Canada Buildings, Quodn street, Auckland, no6n, 25th July Boyal Standard, Mr A., A, Browne's office, Wyndham street, Auckland, 2 p.m..' 28th July IS Dorado Mr F. A. White's office, Shortland street, Auckland, 2 p.m., 28th July All Nations, F.A. White's office, Shortlind 'street, Auckland, noon, 28th July "Whaling Company, 49, Insurance Buildings, 8 p.m., Thames Goldmining Company, Exchange Hall, noon, 28th .Italy/.' :: =: ' ■ ."<>£*') JM Auckland Gas Company, Company's office,-2 p.m., Mlddle'star, Mechanics' Institute, 3 p.m., 29th July New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Company's office, Auckland, nooni 29th! July "Waitemata, Governor Bowen Hotel, Grahamskown, 3p.m., 30th July , ■ ... ~ i Durham Ox, Orahamstown, 30th July Red Queen, Mr Garland's office, Vaile's Buildings, Wijmdham street, 2.30 p.m.,' 30th July •,'!,!. »■! UrJ TJna4ua-r*z- Giahamstowu, 3Lst July ~ ~,., j Mary, AnpiQrahamstown, 31st July . ;,, ;, . Morning Star, Grahamstown, 7th August . ~; l ~ ~

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

MajxS Will Clo)?e as Under .:— . , .. ~ Fof'ThliWie^ tfiW d>iy, At 5.30 p.m., and to-morroy, at 10.80 <i.m. find. 5.30 p.m. " ' For Coromandol, on Friday, at 1.30 p.m. rorrMviii.porXlop. this day, at .4.30 p,m. . , For Gi«T)oin9,lpEi-Wilfl r>ttck r this day, at4.3op.m. I For'Taranaki and Wauganui, per Go-ahead,? tot* njbrrcnv, at 9 a.m. Por.HonolulUy por Magellan-Cloud, on Friday,.at 430 p ra. , ■ i . ■ ■ . ■ ■ ! ■. ■ : ; i (Signed) ASu S. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

Barber—Whit it.—On' Tuesday, July 22, 1873, at Tfinlty Church, North Shore, by the Itev. Mr Bates. Mr Fredmick WMliam, only son of Major-Gonoral F. C. Barber, late of the .A.E.I C. Service, to Lavinla. third daughter of the late Thomas Wnlte, Esq., of tho County of Whiskliu, Ireland.—Home papers please copy.

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 1878.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tho wrongs that need resistance, J?or tho future In the distance, ' And the good that wo can do,

It appears that- in saying " Oh, be joyful" over the expected renovation of. our House of Lords we were crow ing before being out of the wood. Wp haVe* before us a copy of the bill intro duced by the flourish of trumpets at tjie opening ,of; Parliament, as, intended to " initiate a fe-'construction of the Constitution of the Legislative Coun cil." Certainly the peculiarly stilted style in which the reform was touched might have led to the belief that the delightful' Vagueness of the idea was intended to mislead. /. i Sut it was so natural to think that reform of a nominated Chamber w6uld -be its 'im mediate conversion into an elective one that the whole. Colony ap pears to have been unprepared for the abortion that-has now been sub mitted "to the Assembly! i!" 'Dmitfihg the preamble*. (i w/hicjti!; after:sie,fashion, of a tadpole, is the major part, we come t<j> the body ''6f 'the1 • 'bill,:!which is' as .follows :—

i Every member of the Legislative Council, who shall hereafter be summoned thereto, sliall hold his seat therein until the thirby fiistjdaj^of December, one] thousand-eight hundred and seventy-eight, and not for life. Ttovided, however, that if no Act be passed previously to tie said thirty -first day of December, one -thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, repealing, amending, or alter ing this Act, every member of the said Council who shall be summoned thereto, after the said thirty-first day of December lalst named, shall hold his seat in the said Council until the thirty-first day of Decem ber, one thousand eight hundred and eighty, and not for life.

The,bill ia thoroughly characteristic of a Ministry that after unlimited bravado has struck its colour to the Maori King and his chief executioner, Puru kutu. The Government is afraid to grapple with the Legislative Council, and intends that thG present old women there ensconced shall doze o lit the allotted span of life in tfte enjoyment of an honour that is more to be regarded than the best interests of the colony. The ultimate object is that in course of time, when

these raon have rotted away, young and vigorous blood may bo elected to succeed them. There is a vague hope concealed, but yet shadowed oufc, that they may all be dead in five years, to wit, by the last day of 1878. In case a few linger on there is brighter hope that they shall have died out within two years thereafter. If not dead then, it is probably the intention of the Go vernment to kill them, as it does not seem within the plans of the Ministry to " consummate" the reconstruction initiated until the last man has dis appeared from the scene of his life., long honours. As one by one they drop into the grave the Government pro pose to appoint temporary Councillors to keep the remaining ones in coun tenance and comfort them iv their declining years, but when the day of doom arrives, to wit, the Jlast day of the year of grace 1880, then heaven have pity on the survivors, for there is no provision in the bill for them, and' they must be left to the uncovenanted mercies of the country. But why subject the Couacil to this slow and lingering process of dissolution ? It very much reminds one of the un happy dog compelled with merciful intent to similar reform in the matter of hia caudal appendage. His agen ising cries day after day drew the attention of the neighbours, who on enquiry found that the kind-hearted master was cutting off the animal's tail, but desiring to hurt as little as possible was removing the appendage at the rate of an inch per day. Surely it would be kinder to the old ladies in breeches iv the Legislative Council to give them the coup de grace, and by the simple process of " swaaiping," as in a sister colony, to carry at once through the Council as well as through the House of Representatives athorough reform of the Constitution of the .Upper House. That this absurd-bill will be despitefully treated by our representatives may be fully expected; but that the Government has notbeon deterred by a feeling of self-reapoct from presenting such on abortion to the Assembly may be accepted as illustrative of the old adage, . that "when shame is gone all virtue is gone.' 5

A half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the Nil Desperandum Company, in accord ance with rules, was convened to bo held at Mr It. Home's office to-day. There was not a quorum present. The business was purely of a formal character, consisting in the pre sentation of the directors' half-yearly report. This had been printed, and showed that in March last the battery being fully and pro fitably employed, tho directors decided to commence mining operations on tho com pany's ground, under the management of Mr K. Bond. Owing to tho limited success that attended tho working of the claim they had purchased tho Murphy's Hill ground for £57 143 (id. A parcel of 100 tons from the face of Murphy's Hill ground was being put through, and it was expected that 4 dwts. per ton would pay all expenses. This would fiecure profitable employment for tho battery. The battery receipts amounted to £750 15s 4d, leaving a profit of £288 14s lid from the btttery. The claim showed a loss 6f £211 12s Id. There was a mortgage of £225 on the plant. The accounts were duly audited.

The committee of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Improvement Class announce a musical and literary entertainment, to take place on Fri day evening next, in the schoolroom attached to the Chapel. The proceedings will bo of an interesting character, including music, recitations, and speeches. Itefroshments during the interval. The programme appears in our colunvis.

i The grand variety entertainment, to which we called attention in our last issue, will take place this evening in the Choral Hall, Symonds-street. As the object is laudable, especially for the benefit of a lady in reduced circumstances, and as our first-class amateurs will be the performers and singers on the occasion, it is to be hoped that a large number of citizens will take the opportunity of Witnessing a great treat, and thereby ren dering timely assistance in a case of extreme need.

The ratepayers of Ponsonby-road held their annual meeting last night in the district school-house.: Mr Rees in the chair. Mr Boardman produced the financial statement, Which showed total receipts, £572 12s Id; ex penditure, forming and metalling roads and cartage of scoria, £505 14s; other sundry expenses absorbed the balance of revenue abd left an overdraft of £4 17s sd; on light ing account £83-lls 3d had been received, and after for pillars/ lamps, and gift, a balance of £22 10s 7d remained. The accounts were passed, a rate of a penny in the ppund struck, and Messrs W. Owen, F. Quick, Stewart, Staddart and Macdonald were elected trustees, and Messrs Morton and Bullock auditors. iA lighting rate of one farthing in the pound was struck. 1 We are at a loss to understand why re cipients' of gushing love-letters should so often forward them to the Slar, and they would greatly heighten the effect by sending their own names als.o for publication. We might then judge of their charms as pictured and as -they* exist in life. What a fancy pic ture is conveyed of the young gentlemen to whom the following letter was addressed, "ijwoiild be well to know how far the res! Adonis bears out the loving fancy of his "Venus,,:— ''Auckland, July 21st. Dear, Willie, —It is with much pleasure that I now Italce the; opppprtunity of writing these few lilies ( tp you, hoping to find you in good health" Dear Willie, you need not be so proud when you meet any one f you know, for I am sure I never did you any harm. Yjou will wonder whatever made me write tllis letter, but I am getting to like you better every time I see you ; but I think it! is quite the reverse with you. But there is'yet hope. I will not sign my name to the end of this, but leave it for you to guess,: hoping you will guess the right one. Good bye for the present. !O, happy, happy, happy be thy dreams, Bright be the vision that before thee lies ; I Dream of the radiant hills and sunlit streams, Dream of the bright and blue unclouded skies. Come whore the moonbeams linger, I • ■ Come to the fairy scene ; Come where the pale light fallfith With soft and silvery sheen. There will I softly whisper ■ j My heart's fond love to theo, • That fading years can never change, Wh/ito'er my lot may be.

The TaranuTci Herald apologises for the late issues of its paper on the ground that Lfor the past month they have been combat ting against difficulties, owing to an epi i demic prevalent in New Plymouth, one after the other of their hands being laid up ill,

A meeting of the Union Beach Gold Mining Company is proceeding as wo go to proas. There is a large attendance, Captain Daldy in the chair.

The petition for a grant from tho Assembly for a free public Jibraiy is in the hands of Mr Keesing who has undertaken to. get it signed, and of whose success we feel no doubt whatever. Wo hear that sheets will also 'be loft for signature at the banks and other publio places. The object is -of such manifest benefit to the province,' that no one can re fuse his support. We wish however to point out that its success is defendant in a very great degree on the number of sig natures obtained, and that there are only three days left to get the signatures, as the petition is to be sent by Monday's mail. We therefore urge all who intend signing to lose no time in putting their signatures to the sheets at the Banks ; or if they neglect that, not to oauso unnecessary trouble or delay to Mr Keesing, by asking him questions, »nd seeking explanations which have boon .already given in this and others papers. The idea is to get £10,000 for a building, and to purchase books as a nuoleus for the library. The building will serve also for a museum or lecture hall, while the books will sent to affiliated institutions in the country districts, after the fashion of the Melbourne and Sydney publio libraries. All are interested, and all should put their shoulders to the wheel with energy and with out delay to support tho noble work which the Meohanios' Institute have so vigorously begun.

1 >We have received the following letter aiicf substantial token of sympathy : —" Sir, —111 answer to your appeal on behalf of Mrs Mann I enekxo 10a, and the same amount towards the expenses of the unfortunate little defendant ia the perambulator case. I trust that your remarks on the latter subject will have the effeot of putting a stop to any more of this tomfoolery. As perambulators are allowed on the footpaths in London, they may surely be tolerated on the miserable apologies for footpaths in this mudhole. If, as you suggest, a fund is raised to defend actions brought under some of our tyrannical by-laws, I shall be happy to contiibute. Some time back one of our respectod Coun cillors said he thought they would have to read the Riot Act soon if they went on as they were doing, and I think that our civio nabobs are doin^ their best to verify his an ticipations.—Yours, &c, Titos. B. Kender- DINE."—We have also received Ids from ''J. M. F."and 7s. from " A Friond," for Mrs Elizabeth Maim, which aho oan rooeivo on culling at our office.

Mr Gwynneth, 'C.E., formerly of Auck land, and at present agent for Messrs. Brogden and Son, at Marlborough, is, wo learn from the Marlhorouyh Express, about leaving for Taranaki to commence tho works for the New Plymouth and Waitara .railway. Ho will bo succeeded on the Picton'line by his son Mr Gwynneth, jun.

By the Wellington, which arrived in the Manukau this morning, we have Taranaki fi'es to Saturday last. The Taranaki Herald of that day contains the fo^owiug in regard to Tito Kowaru :—"A native meeting at Pariaka is now being held, and from the num ber of Maoiis to be met along the coast road it is to be presumed that it wil' be wel 1 at tended. Tito Kowaru and about twenty of his people wiU be at the meeting. He has not been at Pariaka since the timeho wont armed, when he caused such a feeling of uneasiness throughout the ccttlemont, that the Govern ment considered it necessary to st'.tiou a man-of-war hero for a time. What a change in native affairs since then ; Tito Kowaru now goe3 quietly and without arms, and ex hibits no fear at meeting Europeans on his journey."

A temperance sheet, modelled upon the British Workman, ha? been issued in Dune din. The new publication is called "The Temperance Advocate."

In the letter signed "Pro Bono Publico," yesterday, an error occurred, by which it was made to ap|J|Bar that the revenues from fines were saved to the Corporation " by a trick." It should have read " by this means."

The Victoria and Scottish Companies of Volunteers performed their weekly parade last evening in tho Drill-shed in a satisfac tory manner. There was a very fair muster. The Victoria Company subsequently held a meeting, when a report was read which showed tho Company to be in a nourishing condition.

" Fairer Play" writes in reply to " Fair Play," and states that Mr Woollams did not boar the whole cost of protecting the Venus claim, our correspondent and other share holders having contributed.

The subject of a school forDedwood, under the: Education Act, was discussed at the annual meeting of ratepayers last evening. Mr Boardman explained the action of the School Committee, and the refusal of their application by the Board of Education. It was resolved that a resolution bo sent to the Board of Education to the effect that, as £300 is contributed by the district in rates, they are fully entitled to the £IGO applied for by the School Committee.

I Benjamin Franklin, one of the fathers of quaint sayings, always advocated advertising by saying let everybody know who you are, where you are, and what you are doing/ Host Perkins/ of the Occidental Hotel, must certainly be one of his followers, from the great expense which he has gone to, and; the manner in which ,he adver tises in another column the re-opening of his house. We would advise everybody to be at the opening, especially as h» advertises on . that occasion no sells.

• As it is most desirable that the ratepayers should take an active interest in the election of City Councillors, we would suggest that a meeting be called. to discuss the relative qualifications of the candidates offering for election in place of Councillor Cosgravo. At such a meeting the candidates might state* their views upon tho leading city questions, and answer such queries as tho ratepayers choose to put.

We draw attention to a sale of fruit, &c, by H. S. Meyers and Co. The fruit is laindkd in first T rate condition ; and aa ihis ia probably the last opportunity that will pre sent itself for ao me time, buyers should avail themselves of it. The sale commences at 11 o'clock. """■

An inquest was held this afternoon, at the Governor Browne Hotel, before T. M. Phil son, Esq., M.D., and a jury, to enquire the cause whereby John Burnett came to his death ; Mr Hannaford, foreman. Anne, Bur nett, wifeof George lledpa';h Burnett, deposed that the deceased was her son, and was nine years of age. He had been poorly for several days with a cold at his ohest, but she did not observe any appearances to call for alarm. He had always been a delicate boy. He seemed restless, but not particularly ill, on Tuesday night. About five o'clock yesterday morning his elder sister thought he was in a fit, and called witness, who went and found him in a state of unconsciousness. She at once sent for Dr. Dawson, who came at once, and pronounced life to be extinct.—George It. Burnett corroborated his wife's testimony, and Dr. Dawson gave evidence, when the jury returned a verdict, ."Died from natural pauses,"

At a meeting of Parnell ratepayers, held last evening, it was•■ resolved _by 01 against 14 that no lighting rate be levied.

The entertainment given in tho Grafton road chapel last evening was a great success. The Rev. Mr Oliver occupied tho chair. Mr T. L. White recited "Beautiful Snow" with good effect. The dialogue between Brutus and Cas'siuS'Was well rendered by Messrs Stone and Mears. Other reoitations were given with good effect, and the musical selections by the choir contributed greatly to tho success of the gathering. Mr W. Cooper*;of Auckland, has passed his examination by the Civil Examination Board,

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

Ob, Home Jottings by our Lonpon CoKRfiSPONPENT,

1 Slmul et Juounila et idonea dicere vitro. Allena nogotia centum Per caput et cireumsaliunt latua.

London, May 8. j Peodablt you imagined, Mr Editor, and j ■with some reasonable sliow of justice, that I I had forgotten or neglected the oaths and promises made over that parting drink with regard to writing you an occasional few lines from this modern Babylon. But imagine; the reluctance with which one puts pen to paper, after an interval of some four or five months of extreme and enforced' idleness, and you will realise a small, portion of his difficulties. By no means the least of the bars to making a beginning was'the awful question—what shall I oall it ? .Home cor respondents, whose names are legion.seem to have exhausted the English olassios in their effoifca to attain success in this par ticular. I suppose it is everything to eatoh the publio eye and " tioklo the ears of the groundlings," (for this last 'figure overhaul leading articles in New Zealand Herald and Daily Southern Cross, and when found make a note of), and if you don't think anchovies and toast will do the business j in this case, alter it to something more highly , seasoned, say, deviled bones or grilled devils, j But for Heaven's sake spare my mottoes. | They look so remarkably well you know ; | give a classic tone to. the whole thing, and ; go few people will know what they mean. : Let me see ; what was it you said you wanted j to know,about? I know your instructions ' were very elaborate, almost as inuoh so as my own get up when we two parted, but at : the present moment I can't, recall them. I j suppose it doesn't matter much, though.Now j Zealand affords ample ground for writing and immigration. AX APPEAL TO THE STOMACH. Tho colony is in everybody's-mouth in the form of preserved beef, which is, generally speaking, much, better than the productions in that line of Australia. I must confess to liking the Dunedin preserved meat very well. Not that it is what our friends across the Atlantic would oall reliable for a square meal, but it is I should imagine much better than nothing; of course people who can afford an abundance of fresh joints will j never eat tinned meat except as an j occasional change and consequent luxury. Nothing can come itp to a fresh cut alice from a hot joint, still with a judicious combina- j tion of sauces a meal of New Zealand beef is by no means a despicable adjunct to an English breakfast table, and may frequently bo seen decently enveloped in a white nap kin on many a sideboard. The item of meat is really vory serious in English house keeping, being out of all proportion to other demands upon the purse. THE COST OV LIVING. Notwithstanding the hiyh price of meat and coals, however, I do not agree with those who say that living is cheaper in the colonies. For the labouring classes such no doubt ia the case ; but I am of opinion that for professional aud other men of small. in comes England is much cheaper than New Zealand. With the exception of meat, every other article is much cheaper, and most articles are much less expensive, and in finitely better. Rent, clothing, groceries, travelling, servants' wages, are all much lower than in Auckland, and earnings, ex cept in tho case of labourers, are much larger. - POLLY PLUM AND THE SERVANT GIRTS, i It is rather amusing to come suddenly and unexpectedly ufon an old face in a new posi tion. And who do you' think I stumbled across the other day whilst turning over the columns of the Times at breakfast ?—who but my old friend, fair, and fat, and forty-three^ and blooming as a peony, '' Polly Pium," — not under that soubriquet though, so sug gestive of a sweet exterior and a stony heait, but in her own name, and with evident good ness of mind, anxious to do good. Her let ter, published in the Times a few days ago, was on the subject of female immigration, and was intended to warn servant girls who might contemplate emigration to New Zea land that all was not gold that glittered. That although wages were better than in England there were on the whole fewer com forts and advantages, and that there were quite enough domestic servants in Auckland already, Ido riot agree with the Times cor respondent on this last point, quite the con trary ; my small experience in Auckland leading me to the belief that domestic ser vants were scarce and very expensive. What say you? : .. . > i .. - HOME VIEW OF COLONIAt POSTAt SERVICES. ' The Timis itself has been reading the Australasian colonies a solemn lecture all round on the question of the Postal routes. The; news received by the last mail of the unsatisfactory result of the Postal Conference afforded the Thunderer its text. The Times thinks it a great pity that the interests of Melbourne and Sydney'should clash and prevent the union of New South Wales ana Victoria in the arrangement of a satisfactory line; and goes on to say that such little Peddlington ideas will not die down until the colonies have become muoh older and more populous, or words to that effect. How; true, this is, you will all admit, in Auckland, for. you know by bitter experience how selfish^ > n^ss and petty interests are for ever stand-' ing in your light. You know how Tomkin'a stands in the way of a waterworks, and Jobkins in the way of a line of railway, because they think they won't be able to make enough out of .the jobs if they are honestly executed. And Tomkins and Job kins are great men with you • at least, they at e supposed to be, which is. all the same, and there is not sufficient force of public opinion in a new country to bring'these nabobs to t? their proper levet—the gutter. The Times writer evidently understands these things thoroughly. ■'' ■

THK POI.SO.VINa ON TnE CITY OF AUCKLAND. I see your files in a good many hands in Lon don, but am sorry you don't publish a monthly summary, containing what would more especially interest Home readers. A weekly edition would I think be a good idea. I met Captain Ashby a day or two since. He had hegsaid been amusing himself by a perusal of your files. Ashby looks all the better for his residence ashore. I thought when he landed he looked careworn and ill, and. when he told me what had transpired on the voyage I was scarcely surprised. It appears that some attempt was made by one of the passen gers, a settler from the North, to poison the whole of the saloon passengers., Some diffi culty was fonnd in procuring conclusive evi dence which I am told prevented a public prosecution.g£l have also beard thai? tfce

passenger inquestion was compelled to leave the colony at the time he did in consequence : of his having Keen detected in an attempt to comn.it a crime of a grossly immoral natutc in the neighbourhood of his own settlement. i V TJlNATrc'ri JOURNAL. _ L AWosity in matters literary fell into my it rely by the pftdonfa at the \ ork County : Asylum. I ronS V>" tho copy in question as a « curio." Thorn appear to have been a series of article published on the question of i the disintegration or otherwise oi the Injure, and tho fast concludes this number, the writer expressing his very sane conviction that "what remains to England is that she should dovelopoand consolidate her Empire by strengthening her relationship with har colonies and dependencies " So it seems there is more sanity inside tho walls of # a Lunatic Asylum, on Rome questions, than in the world outside.

INQUEST ON THE BODY OF THE REV. DAVID HAMILTON.

Tue inquest on the body of the Rev. David Hamilton has been delayed until tlus day in consequence of the difficulties which have had to be surmounted in bringing the corpse to this city. • There is something heroic m the conduct of the men who underwent the arduous labour of bearing it over the formi dable Waitakerei ranges, through 15 miles of wild untravelled country. VVnen it is considered that the task which these men performed was voluntary, and of their own free will, the fact proves that m cases of ne cessity the human heart is not radically bad, and that the old heroism whioh lights up the pages of history is not yet dead. The rev erend gentleman was a young man, soarcely thirty, out off possibly from a life of public usefulness by an aooident or mishap. He was lost in tho wilds, fid perished in soli tude. The- inqueat on the body was held this morning in St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, before T. M. Fhilson, Esq. M.D., and a select jury. . The'body, lying m a neat eomu in the precincts of the church, having been viewed by the jury, witnesses were called. James Davis, labourer, deposed : I work in the bush, and on Sunday morning last I proooe;led about half-past eight with two men, named Ready and Dunn, in searoh of the body of Mr Hamilton ; and about a mile and a-half up the oreek I discovered the remains of the .body. lat once recognised it as that of Mr Hamilton, fs I had known him previously. _He had been 'mis'sinp since the 10th inst. I and my companion went expressly for ■the purpose of searching. I had known deceased for several months, and had seen him in oompany with the Rev Mr Bruce. I first heard of deceased being missing on Tuesday, the 15th ihst. Word was sent to me and the other men by Mr Gibbon to go and search for the body. On Wednesday, the1 16th instant, I traced footprints in the direction of the creek, and tried several waterholes. I found the body in a sitting position, in a waterhole near the creek. The face was downwards. A white handkerchief was tied around the head, in consequenoe possibly of having lost his hat, which was missing. I did not discover any marks of violence on the body. The skin of the body was sodden, as though it had bsen in the water, or washed by rain. I think tho distance from the Whau to the place whero I found- the body was 20 miles. It was a most difficult route, almost impassable in some places for a horse. I have never heard of any other person being lost in that part of the bush. My impression is that the deceased had been walking in the night, and had fallen over a rock to the place whero the body was found. I did not find the horse.' Constable Thomas Bullen deposed: I heard of deceased being missing on the 15th inst., and proceeded to the Cornwallis Mill, about fifteen miles from Auckland, and on tho followipgday I called at the house of. Mrs Bates, where I learnt that Mr Hamilton had slept on the ,10fch inst., and left at one o'clock on that day for tho Heads. He spoke to two sawyers working by a hut on a hill about an hour afterwards. He was then on a very dangerous track; where a horse might slide down for a hundred yards or more. He was inquiring about the track, and was subsequently seen by them in the distance leading his horse He was not seen alive afterwards. This was about half-past two in the afternoon. I then fell in with the search-party, and on the following day I went ' with Mr Archibald to the spot where the horse had been found on the previous Monday tied to some supple-jacks. I found the bridle rein near the spot. I returned on Friday by the Waitakerei route, considering that he must be dead. I knew deceased very well; he always appeared to be in a deep study, rather absent in his manners, and was a very bad iidcr. I have often conversed with him.

Constable! Bernard Green, stationed at Onehunga, was examined, and corroborated most of the evidence of the previous witness, but did not know Mr Hanrlton. Went in search of deceased, and fell in with the two sawyers who had last seen deceased alive at the entrance of the bush. Continued to search up >to the Saturday evening, and saw the body after it had been found. Found a silver hunting watch vx the side pocket, marked 8.H., also a white-handled, pen kbife,, white handkerchief, but no money nor, purse.; His clothes were not torn, but saturated with water.

! Rev. David Bruee, mic'sterof St. A ndrew's, : I have known deceased about two years. His age was twenty-nine. He was a Presbyterian minister, stationed at the Whau. He was: not robust, but generally healthy. . lilast-salw him alive on the evening of the Bth insfehtj at the Whau. He ,toid me that hp was about,to start on the following morn-: ing on <a journey to the Manukau Heads, and that tie hoped to meet me in the cotrrse of the following week in town. I believe he ,\vas in a sound state of mind, but very un , observant as a traveller. I first heard oh the 14th instant that he had not returned. On. Wednesday, in company with Mr John Buchanan, 'I. commenced a search, and met one of the searoh party at Gib bon's mill, and learnt from" him that traces of the deceased had been found. We offered a reward of £25 to any one finding him alive or dead. We prosecuted our search with Constable Green., I conclude that darkness must have come upon deceased before he reached a certain point, and that consequently he went astray. Deceased kas left money in one of the banks of Auckland, and some books. I have seen the body, and identify it. _ : This being the whole of the evidence the jury returned the verdict that "Deceased was found dead on the 20th in the Whatapu Creek, without any marks of violence on the body, but how he came by his death there was no evidence to show." THE FUNERAL. | The pulpit of St. Andrew's was hung with black. On the coffin-plate was the simple inscription "Rev. David Hamilton. Died July. 1873; aged 29." Previous to the start ing of the funeral cortege the Rev. D. Bruce, the minister, read a chapter from the book of Revelations, and delivered a brief but appropriate address, in which he touched upon the character and melancholy death of

deceased, saying that he had been eallefl away while-doing his !\la*tfi% V« work, and his latest words were in evi^noe of thn faith, he ; possessed!, and though his f.vmvi'^ sorrowed \ at thoir loss they sorrowed not as r.hose with- V [ out hope. A large numbers, c.i .n^aons werg '" present in testimony of their oft teem For tfia^ deceased, among wbo:n WR| not^edi Vcit, Archdeacon Maunsell; Key?. 'Mrtssrs Bnice, MacNiccol, Mason, MacKenae, Macky,,- Norric, Batos, Watters, and a considerable number of other gentlemen and ladies. Tho procession started for the Whau agfacy minutes after one o'clock.

UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.

The first anniversary in connection with the above cause wr<t celebrated last evening in the City Hall. Six hundred persons sat down to one of the most sumptuous teas we have seen for years. The usual public meet ing was hold as soon as tho tables were re* moved, the Key. G. H. Turner presiding.,> The Chairman said that it was their first an niversary, and had now arrived to a year old. Although young in yeara they were getting old in strength. The school was first com* menced in Union street, and had now risen;:*, to a position of importance, and stood in nor humble place with similar institutions in. the"" city. The seed sown in weakness was now blooming in power, and the after harvest to be gathered in would be great. The motto of the school was, " Work on Earth ; Rest in Heaven." Although a large amount of success had attended their labours, yet there was something wanting. The' friends of the cause had helped them nobly financially, but they were short , of teachers, men and women whose hearts.! were lit up with the pure flame of the gospel, *j persons in earnest for the spiritual safety of 'I the children, and who will make it their Ufa work—these we want, and our future welfare is thus secured. He (the Chairman) said that after aH it was not Free Methodism alone which they meant to extend, but cause to be thrown around the whole earth the ennobling influences of Christianity, and assist all in their power to save mankind. > The Secretary read the report, which showed , the school financially and numerically to be ; in a nourishing state. The Rev. Mr Corn ford made a moat eloquent appeal, in aid of Sabbath schools in general. Mr Glanville, in .;. his usual lucid and earnest style, addressed .', theaudience. Mr Cole, a new arrival from England, spoke for half an hour earnestly on', behalf the cause, and was at various times.//, during the speech loudly cheered. Mr Wood was splendid in his instrumentation upon the j harmonium, and the singJng was without/; a fault, , The usual vote of tfranks was carried.with acclamation, and the meetiic; closed with the benediction.

PARLIAMENTARY.

[BY TELEGRAX'H,]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. -

[Per Anglo-Austral"an Tjelkqram GoMPAjnr.f -

LAST NIGHT.

A bill for constituting native councils and .defining it 3 functions provides for a bill to be permissive at the opotion of a majority of the natives, where a majority or parb of the inhabitants of any distiict ate natives who36 title to ]and is not extinguished. The^ Governor may alter of extend the boundaries of districts. He may alco define a district affected by the regulations under the Act.'!'.' A mixed population may , retolve to ba brought under the operation of the Act. ! All land over which the native title hasbeem extinguished to cease to be part of the dis trict. The Council to consist of not less than six members, and not to exceed 12. The term of office to be three years. The Govei'nor may at any time prorogue or ,dis- -■?, solve the Council. The resident magistrates v* to be ex officio members. All native males who have atta;ned their majoiity to be quali fied to vote. The rolls to be made up by a resident magistrate, ' and posted up. The resident magistrate to act as returning officer, but the Governor may appoint others. The Council to elect a president, subject to the '"A Governor's approval; He may be either a native or European. The majority to decide all matters. TKe Councillors F to be entitled to xemuneration to be fixed' by the Governor, the salary of the President ' being paid put of the consolidated funds. The W'! Council to have power to inquire intopetitions ■:■ regarding land disposes, and to facilitate^'1 amicable settlement^, 3^3judication in such. J.;!'. cases to, be recognizable at Native Lands''-^ Court. The Council* to < report to the Go-■ ' vernor relative to the observance of native ', rights and customs'^- The Council may .i frame regulations for health, cleaning houses, :! nuisances, drunkenness, public property, ' prevention of fires, dogs, cattle, branding ,' cattle, trespass, and boundary fences. The .regulations may. impose penalties. When the Act is brought into operation in native districts the Provincial Ordinances to cease-to be in operation. t <, ■ . > ;?t In the Lower House, yesterday,.Mr John!1/ Williamson presented the petition, of Hote-. ,\.. rineTaipari, praying fora rehearing in the;I y' ■.case Karaka and Hape blocks. " 1,,. In the Lower House, last night, a debate ~ took place on the District Courts Act Amend- jr inent Bill. ' ' ; Mr Bathgate explained tha,t the Bill was ' intended to increase the jurisdiction of the District Courts up to.three hundred pounds. This would decrease; the cost of litigation. ' Mr Brja ( ndoii opposed 'thp H3Bill. Mr Luckie supportedijthe measure. The latter hoped the power o£ prolonged litigation would be prevented frifthe new Bill. | iAir Gillies considered, the Bill retrogres sive and not a legal.reform. It was drawd under the erroneous impression that all change was reform. It would render the office.... of,; judges of >. the Supreme Court C a sinecure. To combine in District Courts "■' part of the work of Resident Magistrates and ~; of Supreme Courts would render the appoint ment of more District Judtje? necessary. The: •' District Judges were' overworked, and".;! Magistrates had scarcely' anything to do.!^;'.» The Bill would make provision for lawyers j requiring to be provided for. The Bill raised , a distinction between law and equity which/^j it had always been sought here to amalgamate^ VJ The distinction as'towhat would come within '! ithe jurisdiction, under the new Bill, and.',/ what was beyond, would-be difficult to define. ,i He objected .to a new and expensive ma-<;( chinery while the existing machinery was ~ not, fully worked. There were already tos»V. many courts. What was wanted was one : New Zealand Court. Reform should dis-' X courage litigation. •• He would not oppose ' the second reading, but hoped the objection able points would be cut out of the Bill.

Mr Reader Wood said the Bill instead of , appealing to the broad-minded in the Hou3P ,t did the opposite. There were no petitions ■■ from persons desiring alteration. It spb? better to let well alone. Mr Bathgate. instead of floundering in efforts to become » legal reformer, he had better find somethim,, useful to do. ' ' ' ;unk The second reading was carried on h'w voices. ' . »*?

The GoldminiDtf Bill passed its second reading, algg; the Canterbury Waste Laud?

THB BVIWIirg BTAB, WftNESBAY. Jtflfr



i; ■-■>~ ■ ■ - • ••■ ■ GItS AT REDUCTIONS ..' FOR THREE MONTHS ONLY AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC 194, queen street, Nbxt Door to Savings' Bank; Cartcs-de-vinte reduced from lCs per dozen tal3s6d. Maori Celebrities Oargest steck inNewZealand to Eolect from), reduced from 12s per dozen Views from all parts of New Zealand reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. ~ Enlargements from Cartis-de-visite to Life-sira, 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, MoO ARRIG LB, ilanacor, :. : . ,



q ;.;a v Mr i o n OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. 1* 'M ':■';■. i- Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to bo the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its hiph rep.ttation, some unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the- Bame off as *'Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in conseqiience caused his: TIiADE MARK to bfi Registered undor the provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 180R," and i proceedings will be taken against such persons as may forge o" counterfeit such mark. Tho public aro I cautioned to ■ < ■: ASTTT'OB OLSON'S SAUCE, j and sec that the naino is Stamped on Bottle and j Stopper, and wrapped round with his wol! known labol. C. LEYS & CO. HAVE ON SALE— £)f\f\ BOXES BKLMONT SPERMS j£l\Jr\-f 25 tons Fine and Coarse Salt 20 barrels American Prime Mess Pork FURNISHED APARTMENTS. A LADY living in a pleasant and convenient locality would be glad to accom modate two or threo Gentlemen with Board and Residence. A men Drawing-room and Bed-room, with use of Piano, and every possible attention givon to ensure the comfort of the boarders.—-Apply for oard of address to Star, office.. ■ . HATS! HATS! ETTSHBEOOK & BEIDGMAN ARE CL^AEINGr OUT * BALANCE OF GIRLS' AND WOMEN'S BLACK STRAW •HATS, FROM Is. EACH. Also, a Lot of CHILDREN'S WINTER JACKETS, WATERPROOF CLOAKS, ' * FEATHERS, TRIMMINGS, ETC. , • VERY CHEAP. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMANI JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, ■ (Opposite Army and Navy Hotel), UPPER QUEEN STREET, AUCKLAND. [Established 1864.] f\ STEPH^WSON & CO.'s" I CELEBRATED COFFEES, i ~,,, r =" EXHIBITION: BRA NE^' ■ " EAGLE BRAND " "CROWN BRAND." Aro to bo procured at all respectable Grocers and Stoiikkkkekhb throughout the Province of Auck land. " I)? STEPHENSON & CO., WYNDHAM-STREET,



JfJl/'l ::.; . AUCKLAND. T OOSGBAVB- & CO Aro now holr"ng an extraordinary cheap sale OF DPvAPETtY ANT) CLOTHING At their rromlsos, CANADA BUILDINGS, QUEEN STREET.