SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

STTK'-SEr: This evemtns, 7.5 SITK-SISBs To» mon-qv/ morning, 4. SO K'lG-H ~<\ ATKR ; This ovoniag, 9.30 ; ic-saosrow fflorning, 0.46

ARRIVAL.

Golden Isle n.nrt (J-jejJi, schooners, and Wild Buck, ■ J-eteli, from Russell Clyde, schooner, from AVangarei Eilie Meikle, schooner, from Poverty Bay Columbia, schooner, from Napier Southern Crors, ss, from Tauranga Atilanta, schoontr, from Napier Jessie Mccol, schooner, from' South Sea Islands _ , IN M.A.NUKA.U. Go-ahead s s, from Wanganui

DEPARTURES.

Paterson. Ps, Kennedy, for Napier, Gisborne, and Wellington

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

tor London: City of Auckland, ship, early Hor New Caledonia : Marir.er, scliooner, to-moirow For Tamanga: Southern Crors. ss, to-morrow For Levuka : Herald, seliooner, Friday .tor Poverty Bay : Eover, schooner, immediately

VESSELS EXPECTED.

innaostan, ship, from London. Sailed September 29 JNaworth, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed Auimst 19 inojbc, as, from Sydney, immediately

IMPORTS.

Per Jessie Niccol, from South Sea Islands : 3 tons eocoanut oil, 1, ton pearl shell, lOOlbs tortoise shell.—Messrs Cruick shank and Co.,' agents.

The p.s. Paterson left this afternoon for East Coast ports and' Wellington with a large cargo and the following passengers :— For Poverty Bay : Mr and Mrs Filmer, Mrs Piekersgill, Mrs T. Brown and child, Mr and Mrs Hill, Messrs Menoa, Nash and George. For Napier :Mr G-. Devey, Mr Caseley, Mrs Pargrove and family (3), Mr Folley, Miss Calbourn, Mr Reed, Mr and Mrs Baker and family, (8) Mr Webster, Mr Kissting, Mr Christmas, Mr E. Smith, Mr Farrell, Mr and Mrs Provo and child, Mr Bentley, Messrs Jordan, Jinker, Styles, Brookes, Smytheman, O'Connell, Noble, Miss Pvaven, Mr Hutton, Miss Motion, Mrs Loury and child, Mrs Beamish, and children. The schooner Jessie Niccol arrived at an early hour this morning from a trip round the islands of the Pacific Ocean. The schooner it will be recollected was purchased some months ago by her present owner, Mr Wood, from Mr JSTiccol, and fitted up at a yatch for her recent expedition. Mr Wood took with him a large quantity of photo graphic apparatus, and has obtained splendid views of the places visited**:which include Samoa, New Hebrides and Fijis. The schooner did not go so far to the east as Tahiti. She brings a small cargo as per imports. The master, Andrew Sloane, re ports the Star of the South, on Saturday, 2Sth instant, 120 miles off Mount Wadino ton.

• The brigantine •• Nightingale has cleared outwards for Melbourne, via Whang.aroa, with 150,000 feet timber.

The s.s. Ladybird is due in the Manukau from the South on Wednesday. The s.s. Southern Cross, which arrived yesterday, brought 125 sheep, 1G horses, and a general cargo of settlers' produce from the East Coast.

The Flora McDonald, from "Raglan, brings the following passengers :—Mrs Graham, Mrs Mason, Messrs Salvan and Vernon. Cargo : Wool, flax, tow, and pigs for various consignees.

The cutter Hero, from Waikatp, brings 12 tons coal.

The Agnes, from Kaipara, brings 190 bags gum for Brown, Campbell and Co. ; 42 bags, and 3 cases gum, 39 hides, J. W. Waller; 9 bags gum, J. VOouplancl j 12 bags gum, Stone Bros. ; 7 bags gum, Owen and Graham. The s.s. Go-ahead, Captain McGillivray, arrived in the Manukau this morning at 11.30. She left Wanganui at 11 p.m. on the 6th; crossed the bar at midnight, and arrived at New Plymouth at 1 p.m. on the 7th; left again at 3 p.m., and crossed the Manukau tar at 9 a.m. this morning, arriving as above. Experienced light S.E. winds to New Plymouth, from thence strong N.E. winds with smooth water throughout. Pas wengers : Mr and Master Jackson, Messrs sGordon and Gilbert. Cargo :40 head cattle and 250 sheep.

The cutter Vincent has cleared for Tau ranga with a general cargo, shipped by various firms.

COMMERCIAL.

At the sale of valuable freehold allotments to-day by Messrs Samuel Cochrane and Son, Fort-street, those of the 17 allotments which were sold, realised the following prices :—Lot 1, 37 feet frontage to Union street, 28s per foot; lot 2, 36 feet, and a splendid well of water, 27s per foot; lot 3, adjoining the residence of J. Way mouth, jun., 26s ; lot 4, with a four-roomed cottage, 20s ; lots 9, 10, 11, and 12, 6s ; lots 15, 16, and 17, 5s per foot. The farm of the 234 acres, near Cambridge (Waikato), fetched 26s per acre; and the block of land at Watamata, known by the name of Hinuera, No. 2, was sold for the sum of £304 11s 4d.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails tml Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Wednesday, at 12.30 p.m. For Kawau, per Sumpter, this day, at 5 p.m. Tor New Caledonia, per Mariner, to-morrow, at 11 a. m. ;j For Whitianga, . Tairua, Tauranga, Opotiki, and Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross on Tuesday next, at Bp.m. For Russell, Wttngaroa, and Mongonui, per Kowena, on Wednesday, at 3 p.m. ' Per s.s. Phoebe, on Saturday, 13th inst., as under :- For Australian Colonies, at 8 p.m. For Fiji, Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 8 p.m.

For the Urited Kingdom and Continent of E\iropß, via San Francisco, at 8 p.m.

For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 5 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Bias. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Bradlkv—Thewifeof Mr .1 osephßradley, Edinburgh street, Newton, of a son.

MARRIAGE

Hah-Cann.-On November 11, by the Rev Mr Nelson, at St. Paul's Church, Auckland Francis Hall, of Staffordshire, to Kosina Cann, of London.

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1873.

-- - -,- - |fo . ~.,,.. , For the canse that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs reslstanco. For the future in the distance, And. the Rood that we can do

We watch with curious interest tho " battle of the lobbies " as now renewed in Auckland over the trust confided to the Improvement Commissioners. Amid all the contemptible log-rolling that characterised the late session

of Parliament in Wellington there was not anything mores contemptible than the character of the opposition that was offered to the Auckland City Improvement Com missioners' Bill. It was mixed up with the Floatage of Timber, the Ngakawau harbour, the cutting down of Rhortland-streot, tho fossicking for coals nt llaglan, and almost all

the other dirty transactions in the lobbies that made Southerns pause in wondor at Auckland's ability in the noble practicoof roll ing logs. We observe now that with remark*

able unanimity our two morning contempo raries, having received the cue, have set themselves to excite the public against

the only attempt that can ever be

successfully made to repair the gross errors committed in the original plan of the city. But we shall hot hesitate to draw aside the veil and show the unworthy motives that actuate, and have heretofore actuated, this opposition. And here we will exculpate the Herald itself from any desire to thwart the efforts of'a commission' whose aims and objects it has hitherto so sfcren-

uously supported. We see the inspiration, and we know the pen. That pen has-been

set in motion because of the opposition

which has been given to the laying off a road intended to benefit merely private interests. We refer to the road attempted to be smuggled in on the south side of the Grammar School reserve. Had that little manoeuvre been overlooked, and private interests been benefited at the cost of the public, the opposition in Wellington would have been purged of three-fourths of its viru lence, and this pen would not now be wagging in the Herald. We do not mean that the Herald, or any one connected with it, • has the slighest interest in the laying off a road along the southern boundary of the Grammar School reserve, but we have been only speaking of the inspiration and the pen that have given birth to the recent articles in the Herald attacking the Improvement Commissioners and their operations. As for the Cross its object is the same as was the object of Mr Vogel, and his henchman Mr Luckie, when in the House and in the lobbies they resisted the Commissioners' Bill at every stage. It appears that one of the streets projected by the Commissioners will necessitate the removal of the Southern Cross printing office in Chancery-lane. This building the Southern Cross Com pany held on a lease, terminating this month, but it was hoped that the owners- of the property would re lease the building if this Act had only been burked. It was therefore of the utmost moment to the Southern Cross Company that the Bill should be thrown out; and so severe was the ministerial pressure on those who usually follow Mr Vogel that several who could not see in this Chancery-street affair a great State question exceedingly resented the pressure, and expressed a determination to kick overthe traces. Even a minister of the Crown, the Honorable Mr O'Rorke, felt the selfish and unreasonable pressure of his colleague so irksome that he launched out in a manner rarely assumed by one Minister towards another, declaring in significant language that "there is a limit to endurance." To his honor be it said, the present Superintendent, Mr Williamson also was one of those who, renouncing his allegiance for the time, strenuously resisted the selfish efforts of Mr Vogel, and one argument used by him had a powerful influence on the House—it was to the effect that with the progress of the railway and t'lo docks if power was not at once given for purchasing buildings and opening out the streets con templated, four times tho amount would not purchase them in a year or two. And the writer of the present article was in formed by a Southern member that imme diately after the bill passed tho third read ing Mr Vogel met Mr Luckie beside the table in the House, and the first remark-was,

"What will we do"" Mr Luckie?B reply! was, " I suppose ;ve must take Hiirst'a place." The question and the reply clearly I showing what was uppermost in the mind, ; and what had been the sole motive in the selfish resistance to the improvement of the : city, hi these circumstances we can very readily understand the sneering articles now , appearing in the Gross on the subject, i Having thus preliminarily drawn aside the '. screen that hides the vile motives in this ] concerted attack we shall reserve detailed reference to the unfounded and simply lying statements that are so glibly made about the objects of the improvement Commission. The great card seems to ' be the assertion that the object of their constitution is principally education, and that the trust is being so abused that there will be nothing left for education. The first assertion is simply false ; the second is mere assumption; and the assumption of people who can see no farther thau the tips of their own noses. The object of the Im provement Commission is, as the name im plies, the i mprovement of the city ; in fact the utilising of the Barrack reserve to undo the evil done by that reserve when the plan of the city was originally spoiled by that reserve in deferenceito military exigencies ; and whether wisely or unwisely education occupies only a subordinate position among its objects as lixed by Act of Parliament. Both of our morning contemporaries, re ferring to the numerous schemes for dis posal of the Albert Barrack Reserve, with which the public used to bo wearied, and speaking in r.r cathedra style, assert almost

in as many words that to raise funds for education is the purpose for which this trust was created. Hcither has evidently ever read the Act of last year or of this ; or if they have read them they have either for-

gotten, or worse still, they Lave wilfully misrepresented them. Last year's Act was intituled "An Act to provide for the im-

provement of the City of Auckland l.y laying out the Albert Barrack Military deserves in Auckland in streets and places of recreation," a title which is fully borne out in the fourth and twenty-first sections and throughout the whole—reference being made

in the end of one clause alone to the "sur plus," which is to be " applied to such edu

cational purposes as may be from time to time directed by Act of the Provincial Coun cil of Auckland." The present existing Act is intituled " An Act for enabling the Auck land Improvement Commissioners to acquire certain lands and houses/<;/• (heformation of new sheets in the City of Auckland and fur other purposes." In the name of common sense what does that mean ? Will our con temporaries say that that means " for the building of schoolb.ou.ses ''." We are really surprised that newspapers will wilfully v rite such stuff and try to force it down people's throats. Throughout the entire eighty-one clauses of the Act the word "Education'i

is not once mentioned, nor the remotest

reference made to it save in the preamble, and in tho 54th clause allusion is made to the Act of last year as providing for the disposal of any "surplus" that may happen to romuin. We are a-hamed to think that newspapers could lend themselves to such wilful mis

representation, and try to rouse up popular feeling against a most commendable effort to iinprovo the oity. That the Southern Cross should try to wreak its paltry vengeance on the Commissioners for being dislodged by them from Chancery-street may be expected ; but we really hope that the Herald will not allow itself to be made a tool of by those who vow vengeance because of a little worthless bit of roadway. We have a good deal more to say on this subject.

As will be seen from our Police Court re port the Pakii*-anga libel case, by some happy misunderstanding, has not been pressed to-day, and accordingly the case has been discharged. We really trust that now kindly thoughts -will supervene on both aides, and that gentlemen who were hereto fore good friends and'neighbours will shake hands over it and let bygones be bygones. All the world over elections excite intense feelings, but all the world over the close of the poll is regarded among right-minded people as the closing up o£ all wounds. Will our friends of Pakuranga allow us to entreat them? The gentlemen settlers there have been good friends and neigh bours before and they will be so again. Then why allow a little electioneering • excitement to keep them at enmity. Just; let the person that thinks he has been most injured reach out his hand to his worst as sailant, and say, " let us befriends," and then let them all go together to host Rogers' and have a big drunk. Wo will undertake to get a dispensation from the Good Templara for the nonce. Rev. Mr Edger is a good friend of ours, and' will be sure to grant it if we ask him, and we shall ask him if our Pakuranga friends will only cement their friendship in Old Tom. Wo sincerely trust that the rival " Catechisms " will be thrown into the fire, and that the residents in that peaceful rural district will hang the trumpet in the hall and study war no more.

It is satisfactory to find a work which we have expended much care and expense upon recognised in such a way as is done by the Bay of Plenty Times in tho following para graph : —" In another part of this impression will be found an announcement of the forth coming publication, by Messrs Reed and Brett, of ' Tho ' Auckland Almanac ' for 1874. Last year's publication was, in every sense of the word, highly creditable to tho publishers, and the Auckland Almanac of 1874, from all we hear, is likely to distance 'Chapman's' considerably in the race for accurate statistic—and tho usual 'useful information ' supplied in a well complied 'Almanac and Stranger's Viulo- Meciun." It was apparent last year, notwithstanding several errors, almost unavoidable in a maiden-attempt—that ' Chapman's ' and the 'Auckland Almanac' would soon be com parable to chalk and choose, and that Mr Chapman's pußlioation would well represent the chalk."

Yesterday being exceedingly sunny jmm bera of persons availed themselves of the opportunity between the hours of divine ser vice of visiting the Domain, that breathing promenade of citizens, with apparently thankful hearts. A walk in the Domain i's I invigorating and healthful; bhe {lowers, many of them, were in full blossom, and the trees in full leaf. The Domain in its way is a summer paradise, with the exception of a lake, -which may be formed by the Domain Board some day when the ' City Council shall have settled the interesting question of the waterworks. In almost every other place of public resort attached to the cities of the world, except Auckland, are to be found shining lakes or sheets of water, and without which any such place is incomplete and imperfect. The domains arc the lungs of cities, and all elassey of the people without distinction walk in them. Free from the toils of the week the toiling thousands mingle together in the shadows of outspreading branches and hold Communion with nature. Every variety of grade, character and educational status are to be found in these sheltered places, and it is interesting to note the varying representa tives of the human family in the full enjoy ment of life. Smith, the chandler, takes Mrs Sinitk to the Domain gaily bedecked with ribbons, and happier than a queen in her gipsy hat as Smith walks proudly by ber side under his white bell-topper; there Brown sits with his partly-buttoned new waistcoat, grey billicock, creased trousers and coat to match, which some evil'disposed person might say Were out /or an airing from Uncle's, who does not fold other people's I'togs" in tailor-like fashion. But Brown is not particular about what may be passing in other minds, as he chats to Molly O'Neill, who laughs at Billy's every sentence. Jones takes his stroll on the grass with his Spanish leather boots, in happy converse with the lofty barmaid, who makes the most of the Sunday out, for it is her opportunity of exchanging the gaslight for the wide sunshine of a"De cember Sabbath, and of becoming not "a show," but one of the people. Robinson, too, has escaped from the counter; and is cogitating on the present and the future, and wondering if a draper will ever become a cricketer when the early closing move ment shall have triumphed over every petty obstacle, and when Friend shall no longer be foe, nor Pearse through the interests of humanity. There may be seen also young persons of both sexes, radiant with joy, at the budding ago of sixteen, revelling in the healthy arms of nature. _ There is no band admitted into the Domain, such as the Queen of England admits on Sundays on the terrace of Windsor Castle, and which is suffered to play thn old hundredth in metropolitan parks, but there are the choristers of the trees whose music no law can stop, and from under the largest tree in the avenue sounds forth the voice of the Good Templar, while around him gather select crowds, who listen to his declamations for a moment, and pass on in quest of other and more inviting objects. The gardens of the Acclimatiza tion Society are also well attended, and here and there are pleasant outlooks upon the distant hills and underlying waters, with the calm of the Sabbath resting upon them, soothing the heart and gladden" ing the eye of the citizen. In imagination tin: new-chum reclines on a velvet couch, where the perfume of llowors is strong and swoet, and as lie gazes upon the beauty teeming landscape he feels that "he is monarch of all lio surveys."

lii passing through tho Market on Satur day we were much gratified upon seeing several new features introduced, namely the placing of extra stalls along the centre of the promenade. One of these) by Mr Fcnton, was loaded with bacon, hams, and a large quantity of fresh butter ; another by the brothers Mason, containing a beautiful show of geraniums in pots ; another loaded with garden produce by a settler of Otahubu ; another crowded with strawberries' in pret tily worked rustic quart baskets ; and another with vegetables, peas, and new potatoes, by Mrs Motion, who has also a large supply of fried achnapper and other lisli, and an abundance of shrimps. There was also a large supply of fowls (living and dead) at the "stall of Mr Clark ; and a line show of beef and mutton in Butchers-row. The Market people are still hopeful, and thero has been a gradual improvement in the Market-trade during the last four weeks. There is hope, also, that Mr Buckland may be induced to hold his hay and other sales at the Market in accordance with the wish of the city.

Oourlay's exhibition on Saturday affords a great treat for the children of the city, and on Saturday nearly a thousand youngsters, with oheir parents and teachers, visited this educational museum. We notice that Mr Gourlay will appear this evening for the first time in the City Hall this season in the petite comedy of the "Rights of Wo man." Mrs Gourlay will represent the Widow, and Miss, Gourlay as Sir Andrew's valet. This pretty comedy will be followed by the usual ballads and character songs.

A return match at quoits was played on Saturday between four from Parnell and four from Auckland on the open ground opposite the Phoenix foundry, when, after some splendid play on both sides, the Auck land men were again victorious. The follow ing are the scores : —Auckland : Stirling and Currie, 30; Drummond and Grubb, 31. Parnell : Smith and Noyles, 31 ; Nixon and McLean, 16. Majority for Auckland, 14. The moonlight trip of the p.s. Golden Crown took place on Saturday from eight till ten o'clock. The evening was calm and beautiful, and the sound of the music on the water was quite enchanting. The ex cursionists evidently enjoyed themselves, gjg Mr Ormiston, of Mangapai, has been elected to the Provincial Council, for the districts of Wairoa and Mangapai by a majority of 18 over Mr Rye, and a larger majority over Mr McCullough, his op ponents. The return at Mangapai was— Ormiston 23 ; McCullough 8 ; llye 3. Four electors presented themselves at Mangapai to vote for Mr Ormiston, but Dueling that their names were not on the roll through some error, they were denied their electoral priAileges, jjaftd entered a protest with the Returning Officer. Waipu was ontirely dis franchised in the same way. /

A little male innocent of six years old picked up a curiosity new to him yesterday by Wellington-street, which proved to be a pair of lady's pads. He took them home in a sfrite of joy to his mamma, who snatched the prize, boxed the boys ears, sent him off to the Sunday-school, while she sat down to moralise on the use and abuse of pads, and wondered what sister had lost them.

The friends of the total abstinence cause, or Good Templarism, have resolved, after three years' deliberation, to issue their own journal. The first number of the moral and social regenerator is promised on the four teenth day of the new year, and to appear in monthly numbers. It is to be carefully edited and free from fanaticism—most ex cellent qitalities in a sectarian publication.

Mr Joseph Osborne, horticulturist of Auckland, informs us that he is not the " Flower Joe" who figured at the Police Court on Saturday ; that Joseph Osborne was the other Joe who was in the habit of selling bouquets and posies at the theatre, and, with whom he has no connection.

Am-nt the ship Chile we haye v receivod the following :—" Ship Chile, Auckland, Decem ber Bth.'—Sir, —Will you kindly permit me tbiongh the agency of your valuable paper to repudiate the most nnwairantable acetisft liniu; that Mr Charles Crinvford has brought against-me iv his letter, which appealed i;i your sheet, dated December Gth, in which he states that 1 confound the innocent with the guilty, and denounce the conduct of the single immigrants as well as th«i' conduct of those whp are married. Reference to my letter of December Dth will prore that I tnade not even the most distant allusion ib tlie single immigrants—whose behaviour I re joice to say was most exemplary—lrat that I most distinctly and emphatically said "the married emigrants," my remarks with regard to them being the result of what was thrust immediately under my own observa tion. I entirely disavow the implication of your correspondent as to my motivein writing fny letter of December 3, and can truly say thatiny only aim was to see justice done, aild doubtless a discerning public will detect in the tone of our letters and the uhfohnded accusations of Mr Crawford the different spirit in which they are written. Without commenting on the near approach to scurrility which Mr Crawford treads in his concluding remarks, I will ask him one question in re tiirn to injury he lias put to me, and which 1 do not answer because1' j-tliat l.alf of bis letter which includes the questions is the result of his incapacity to understand the import of mine. This is the question I ask. Did Mr Crawford take any leading part ill the devotions below when his walk and conversation wliile oil deck or in the forecastle was so diametrically opposed to it 7 I am not (Surprised that my love of justice has made me the object of this attack, or may of any future one, but I am willing to endure all for conscience sake, I will conclude with the remark that although in my former letter I did not deny that Mrs Vesey was kept standing for twelve hours in the broil ing sun, my not doing so arose from a desire not to anticipate, the evidence.—l am, Sir, yours very respectfully, John BIU'iTON. [A portion of otir correspondent's letter bearing on the case against the doctor, which will become the subject of judicial enquiry, has been omitted.— ]&n. U.S.

The importance of the East Coast trade, which Auckland is being deprived of by the unfair apportionment of the General Govern ment subsidy, is shewn by the fact that fifty tons of cargo for Napier were shut out of the Paterson, and a quantity out of the Star of tho South. A schooner is therefore to be laid on to forward this cargo1. We have received the following letter from a merchant doing business with those ports :— " Sir,—J notice in the last issue of the livening Star a paragraph to the effect that a deputation yesterday waited upon the Hon. Mr (J'Korke with reference to a subsidy for a steam service for Napier and East Coast ports, and complaining that the affair was conducted in a hole-in-the-corner sort of style, without a general invitation to the Press of Auckland. Perhaps 1 have, upon behalf of the firm I am connected with, more reason to complain of want of invita tion to assist than has the Slur, as 1 have lately used every endeavour to bring the question before the notice of the Auckland merchants. The history of the subsidy is this : The General Government offered a subsidy of £1,500 per annum for a weekly steam service from Wellington to Auckland, calling at Napier and Poverty Bay, with a clause giving the tender' the option of J^oiug only to Napier and Poverty Bay, returning to Wel lington, for £1000 per annum. Of course the New Zealand Steam Shipping Company, which is a purely local body of Wellington shareholders, tendered only for the service as far as Napier and Poverty Bay, knowing well that this would throw the bulk of the East Coast trade into their hands, and thoy would be obtaining a subsidy of £1000 per annum for a regular communication, which was a splendid paying speculation with out any subsidy at all. I give the Wellington people every credit for their smartness; thoy were too good for us. Having visited Napier regularly for the last four years as representative of the largest import ing house in Uunedin 1 am in a position to speak upon the subject, and I feel sure that the whole of the principal merchants in Napier look to the Auckland market as the best and cheapest one for their outside wants. With an open roadstead like Napier it is difficult to induce vessels to come to regularly, and although many of the merchants there are large importers it is possible for them to supply their wants. The great bulk of their outside requirements may be supplied by the Auckland market had we only a regular communication. The Star of the South upon her last trip shut out a largo quantity of cargo ; and the Patterson now in harbour has shut out over sixty tons cargo. It is perhaps not policy on my part in a business point of view to ventilate this question too freely, but 1 know that an immense amount of business is lost to Auckland for the want of communication with her East and West Coast ports, which no province is in a better position to supply than ourselves. It is quite time that we awoke to the fact, and from my short experience here it appears to me that the Auckland people have been only too ready to subscribe to and support any foreign institutions, such as Insurance and Shipping Companies, got up in: any other province than our own. Hoping the importance of the ques tion will be a sufficient excuse for occupying so much of your valuable space, I am, &c., William Ackland.

In a green hollow between Franklin and College roads, in the vicinity of Freeman's Bay, a work was commenced some eicrht or nine months ago which is carried on Sunday alter bunday comparatively unobserved It is a Sabbath-school chiefly for the "waifs and strays" of society who belong to no particular religious community, and who otherwise, might be left to the winds of time. We looked into this school-house yesterday to see what was going on, when we discovered three rooms nearly filled with the little ones of the neighbourhood, and half-dozen teachers busily engaged in teaching them. The teachers come every Sabbathfrom considerable distances and make much self-sacrifice in order to serve those noisy juveniles, and by so-doing, to advance the welfare of the community. The average attendance at this school is fifty, and the children are edified, amused, and furnished with pictured publications at the close of the hour by friends of the cause. This sim ple, but laudable undertaking, is mainly dependent on the liberality of A'olnntary subscribers for its support. It is customary with many of us, who do little for human progress, to smile at the unselfish labours of men and -women who work perseveringly in bunday-schools without hope of reward ; but how poor in comparison are the triumphs of pride and worldliness to-the labours of those who care for the babes of society, who too often languish on earth's shady side, and too frequently become its thorns and nettles. The sixth monthly meeting of the Auck land Institute will be held this evening in the large room, Princes-street, when Mr Goodall, civil engineer, will continue his paper on "The probability of obtaining a Water Supply at Mount Eden." Mr T. Kirk will also give a description of a new species of cordyline, and some notes on indigenous materials for paper making. The meeting therefore will be of a very attractive char? acter. *

The Queen's Variety Troupe, with its male and female gymnasts, ssrio-cornic vocalists, and negro delineators, 'Ire-/ together .1 large number of spectators on Saturdr»y evening. The performances of this excellent tro?ruo wore loudly appiaiVcied, and gavo unmistak able satisfaction. The programme, with some additions, will bo repeated this evening.

At the close of Mr Eflger's discourse in the new Lorne-fcfcrest hall last evening, on the "Children of Israel in the Pepcrt;" there was a noise like to a breeze passing over ih'S heads of; the audience ; the gas went out, Sntl the congregation were mitte and sitting in darknesS; Upon the restoration of light Mr Edger announced that on Sunday even ing next'; he would discourse oti +,he early closing movement and its importance to the community at largo. I Tow Nature speaks from the lips of chil dren is well exemplified in a little incident that occurred to two gentlemen recently travelling in a neighbouring province. On calling at the house of a friend-they were shown into a bedroom1, whore they saw a littie feliow of six years of age doing a pun ishment f'jr *iofne transgression, part of the punishment being seclusion and the com mitting to memory of some portions of hymns. One of the gentlemen notified that the boy did not move out of the spot. He examined him and found that he was attached with, a rope to the bedpost. Seeing this the gent] email asked the boy "What hymn do you like best '!" "Ah, sir," said the boy, " I like that hymn the best-—' Here we suf fer grief and pain.' "

The journeymen bakers of Auckland are steady moulding themselves into a brother hood of sslf'help, and on Saturday evening they held their'quarterly meeting at Sceat's British Hotel, Mr Bell in tho chair. The report was healthy and promising, and new members were added to the roll. It was mentioned as a matter of regret that two employers had shown the "white feather," and were acting in opposition to the interests of the trade. At the close of trade business, a baker's cricket club was formed, and a bat and ball fund opened.

ACCIDENT AT WAIHEKE.

A NAUl'.ow escape occurred on Saturday evening to a party which went downtd Wai heke for the purpose of " making a Sunddy of it" in shooting and fishing on the island. Theie were eleven in all, and they proceeded in Mr Boyd's yacht "Psyche." When near the island Mr Godfrey Kemp, a youth of some fifteen years, son of Mr Commis sioner Kemp, charged a gun and stood by while young Mr Boycl fired at some seagulls. The barrel flew into bits, considerably r/ounding the mouth and nose of Mr JBoycl, one fragment tearing a bad gash in the left arm of Mr Kemp and knocking Mr Boyd head-foremost down the hatchW.iy. There was great consternation among the party, none of whom, however, were in jured with the exception of Messrs Boyd and Kemp. Being unable to return the same night, the party took advantage of afavorable wind-yesterday forenoon, when they came up to Auckland. We understand that Mr 803 d's wounds arc not severe, but Mr Kemp has received an ugly and a painful wound, which, however it is expected will, under the skil ful hands of Dr Kenderdine, not have any serious results. It is hoped the lesson will not be without its effects.

NGAKAWAU AGAIN!

Wk do not blame the Cross for the leader in Saturday's issue on the Ngukawau coal mines. Our contemporary cannot help it. The multitude of fingers that can there touch the strings must occasionally give forth such music as that uttered on Saturday. It is not difficulttoseethe hand that wasat the strings, and the " managing director" of the Albion Coal Company therein exhibits that irritation Avhich has been naturally caused by our having blown upon the little doings on the "Jloor of the House" in Wellington. This

irritation crops up in the opening words of the leader, and it runs throughout the leader to the end. The writer speaks of "curious and apparently virulent telegrams" which appeared "occasionally from Wellington." " Curious" they were indeed, and we under stand they provoked a good deal of curiosity which, as will appear in the sequel, Mr Beetham promised, but failed, to satisfy. These weai'e also told did "more than onoe provoke comment from the leading journals of the city." What does the writer mean? Does he mean our morning contemporaries ? Leading journals ! Why our circulation is far more than that of both of them taken together. Does he mean the Cross? Our circulation is three times as large as . that of that "leading paper," and as to the "leading" effected on the popular mind, where every one that has his own little objects to serve can get behind the scenes and have inserted whatever he likes by bringing pressure to bear through " the directors," it is wholly needless for us to speak a word. But reverting to our " virulent" telegrams. In turning up our tiles of the Star we observe a letter of a valiant kind with reference to them signed " Albert Beetham," in which the writer said " I have a right to demand that your correspondent disclose his authority for such insinuations." In reply to this we published in full the " Eeport of the Select Committee of the House of Represetatives appointed to con sidor the petition of Albert Beetham." In that report, as published by us, were the following words :—" That the evidence taken by your committee shows that state ments made by the petitioner, Albert Bee tham, before it, on the 25th of August last, as taken down) by the shorthand reporter, were altered by the said Albert Beetham in several material respects when delivered to him for signature, contrary to the ordei-3 of the House on that behalf. That no action should be taken by the Government hased upon the evidence of Albert Beetham without further independent inquiry being made by the Government." As we presume this "disclosed" sufficient "authority" for the " virulent telegrams," Mr Beetham. did not deign to ask for any further information. This disinclination was probably further increased by the fact that the sender of the "virulent telegrams," who had seen the alterations in Mr Beetham's handwriting, and who had listened to the dis cussion in the House on the subject had arrived in Auckland, and was prepared to afford any further enlightenment on the sub ject. With respect to the main question there is no doubt that Westport has a decided leluctance to the formation of a harbour at the mouth of the Ngakawau. But this does not affect the question of the impossibility of fighting against the decrees of Nature, and making an approach by sea to a coal-field that all evidence excepting Mr Beetham's goes to show can only be approached by a railway from Westport. Of course great in dignation was felt at our reference to the purchase of the Conierang. There are some people who have got into their heads, Heaven knows whence, that no one should dare to speak of their doings. A a was anticipated by every one, the Comerang ia totally unfit for the work, being too long

and too Ing every for entering a »A leaving the little crebnified by the of tho Kgnk;.iTv.'ai. :<be sticks is kn to every one, and A position on such a coast can be apprec by any ninny t fact we believe she tuck just now'and we would recommen application of fh "driving" system a.templated throng the Timber Floatage By the crag of a dam and nm in the app,oved style, the Comerang 1-laden, might be driven each tiineSea. We offer the 3'nggestion gratuitoiio the "Manager Director." As for Ngakawau coalfield we believe it to be oJthe finest proper ties in the colony 5 ac prospects of the Albion Coal Compaf it is judiciously guided, are unquestiiy magnificent. But we would recomme lem to go straight forwardly to work ; above all, eschew the habit of getting mpered when their doings are criticisedhey need not think that they can silencticism, and such a leader as that in the 1 of Saturday makes people think that aTe preparing for some move, before eh it woukf be pleasant to have thete gagged.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before P. A. pf Esq., Mayor.)

DRUNIESS.

A sturdy sailor, Ira. as Christopher, was charged with tluence, and upon ex pressing his deep p and promises of amendment was disced. VAfICY. Mary Walton, a yold woman and an old offender, was eed under the Vag rancy Act with beifrunk and having no visible lawful mean&upport. Prisoner pleaded gy and was sentenced to one year's imprisfcnt. LAKY. John .Stephens, au.enrj Wilcox, was charged with stealla cheque, value £4, and appropriating itiis own account, the property of J. Glossof Tamaki. Prisoner said he fl the cheque. Mr Broham statedt it was possible he might have found itfte would ask for a remand until Thursdiext, when he should be in a position to p the matter ia its proper light. Remanded till Thtay. ALLKGJLIEEL. Henry Samuel Ariws, farmer, of Man gare, was charged w, unlawfully writing and publishing, or cahg to be written and published, a certaintse, scandalous, and defamatory libel coming John Wallace, fanner, of Plat Busb,;ll knowing the said libel to be false. Mr Brookfield, for i prosecution, stated that he was very sornhat a warrant had been issued against and that he had been arrested ;hout his'knowledge or instruction ; and Expressed his regret that such a course haeen taken by mistake against a gentleman olr Andrews' position and standing in societ He would ask that the case be adjourned Mr Beveridge objeel to an adjournment. Mr Brookfield sai his client was not present, and it wasnpossible for him to send for Mr Wallac all the way to Flat Bush, some sixteen nis away. Mr Beveridge asketbr costs in the event of an adjournment, nd he hoped his Worship would allow sts. His Worship thout the coats might abide the event. H would reserve the question of costs untili-morrow. « The present case witherefore dismissed. THE CHI] CASE. Merlin Coughtry, shijurgeon, was charged with unlawfully assating Ann Vesey on the ship Chile by putt'g her in irons, tying her up to the capstan \r, and otherwise ill treating her on the 2n6f October, 1873. Mr Richmond appeaid for defendant, and Mr Brookfield for the psecution. Mr Richmond asked hat the case might be remanded until Mciay next, and as Mr Brookfield did not oppoe, the case was re manded accordingly. This was all the busicss.

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

A SPECIAL meeting of te above Society was held this afternoon a^ two p.m. in the rooms of the Auckland Istitute, J. C Firth, Esq., in the chair. Preent: Messrs T. B. B. Gillies, E. B. Owen, W. J. Hurst, Thos. Macfarlane, D. L. Munock, W. Swanson, Dr. Campbell, Burt, iioodall, and the Secretary.

The minutes of preious meeting were read and confirmed.

Several matters arising out of the minutes were discussed.

The Secretary annomced that the grouse, as introduced by the "Society, was bidding to be a success.

The question as to tte registration of the society was answered ly the Chairman, who said that the preliminary steps were being taken, and the matter was in the hands of Mr T. B. Gillies, aM would be perfected as soon as possible.

The chairmaa said that as this waa a special meeting called for a special purpose, viz., the resignation of "their secretary, and gentlemen should confine themselves to that point. He then read Mr Kirk's resignation in consequence of that gentleman having accepted the lectureship of natural science in connection with the Wellington College. The resignation of Mr Kirk was accepted with the thanks of the Council for his past labours in advancing the interests of the society. Some discussion ensued as to the propiety of advertising for a new secretary ; but it was finally agreed that the question should stand over for consideration. The meeting then adjourned until Monday next.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The General Assembly met for business this afternoon, at two p.m. The Rev. Junes Hill (Moderator) presided. It was resolved on the motion of Mi' McNiecol, seconded by Mr Norrie, "That the Rev. J. Elmslie be thanked for his sermon at the opening of th« Assembly, and that the sermon be printed." The Rev. Mr Paterson presented the re port of the business committee, recommend-. ing the subjects for consideration at the next . sederunt. The report was agreed to. The Rev, Mr Macky then proposed, and - the Rev. Mr Paterson seconded, the follow ing motion :—" That meetings of the General Assembly be held annually at Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland in turn." It was then resolved, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Paterson, that the following address be presented to his Excellency the Gover nor :— "To His Excellency Sir James Fergusson, X.C.8., &c, Governor of New Zea land. " May it please your Excellency. . ;. The Ministers and Elders of tljeJPrjf byterian Church of New Zealand^" compai ' Assembly convened desire re/v3£"^ N >-.; convey to you the assurance ' of oiie/?«"S^ / devotion to our most Gracious Sovereign ia»»-- Queen, and our sincere respect for your Excellency as Her Majesty's Representa tive. "We congratulate y..ur Excellency on your being entrusted by Her Majesty ,

ME EVBmraßl*A», MONDAY, BEC.MBBE 8 ltM



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