SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 5.37 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 6.26 HIGH WATER: This evening, 5.37 ; to-monow morning, 5 54

ARRIVALS.

Go-ahead, s.s., from Wanganui Kenilworth, schooner, from the Friendly Islands Swallow, schooner, from Mercury Bay Bella, cutter, from Tauranga

DEPARTURES.

Corrido, barque, for Wangaroa and Adelaide Sea Gull, brigantine, Moreton,.fof Levuka Duke of Edinburgh, schooner, Bowton, for Russell Queen, schooner, Veala, for Russell r, .

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Fo- Honolulu : Nebraska, p.s., Wifcinsfe For INew Hebrides : Eagle, ke^n, early For Taranaki : Go-ahe;wl.!d.g., -to-morrow morning For Southern ports : Wellington's s., on Saturday For Adelaide : Durham, ship, to-morrow. For Hokianga : a)erwent, brig, to-morrow ITor Northern, ports : Rowena, s.s.,' Monday next For Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., shout 21st

instant For Cork : Moss Glen, barque, early , • • « For Levuka: Mdrion Reriny, schooner, Saturday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Edinburgh Castle, ship, from. London. Sailed 29tb

December Parsee, ship, from London. Sailed 12th January Agra, ship, from London. Sailed Countess of Kintbre. ship, from London, Sailed Woodlark, ship, from London. Sailed Hylton Castle, barque, from London. Sailed City of Auckland., from London. Loading Hero, s.s., from Sydney j . i Zanga, barqve, from Liverpool. Sailed 17th January Thames, barque, from New York, via Sydney. Loading Akbar, ship, from Boston, yia Melbourne J [p| Satellite, cutter, from Levuka ' , Mary Webster, schooner, from' Adelaide.' Sailed 21st March (for the Manukau) Alice Cameron, barque, from Newcastle, Sailed 29th March Tpurariga. schooner, from Dunedin. Sailed 4th April Rangatira, s.s., from Southein ports Amateur, barque, from Adelaide TJpolu, schooner, from Samoa .' ' Dauntless, schooner, from Samoa ■ *V U ■ Esther, brig, from Newcastle. Sailed 80th March

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Go-Ahead from Wanganui: 24 head cattle, 400 sheep, W. Frewer, 4 kegs butter, Combes and DaMy ; 4 ditto ditto, McArthur, Shera and Co. ,

EXPORTS.

Per Durham . ship: for'; Adelaide : 203 bales phormium, 16 casks whale oil, 2 bales sacks, 1 case apparel,. 115 cans turps, John Robertson, and Co. Oruick'shank., and Co., agents.

The cutter Vincent has cleared for Taurailga with a general cargo. ...._,;. ■? The schooner Kenilworthi Capt McKenzie, arrived last night from the Navigator and Friendly Islands. She left' Samoa on the 14th ult., and the Friendly Islands on the 26th. She brought the following passen gers : — From Samoa — Messrs. Dickson, Parker and Shanks; from Friendly Islands —Mr and Mrs Moss and Capt. Rae, of the ship Alsager, and twenty-eight of the crew of the samevssel, which was scuttled on the high seas on the 3rd ult. On arrival in harbour of the Kenilworth the police nag was hoisted, and on the vessel being boarded three of the crew in irons were handed over to the custody of the police on a charge of scuttling the ship. The HawJces TSay Herald says :—The steam launch Eclipse left Wellington at noon on Saturday, 22nd inst., and came to an anchor in White's Bay the same night. Got under weigh the next morning, and proceeded about eighteen miles on the voyage, wh«n she had to put back owing to a strong north-east wind and head sea. Remained at anchor there until Monday night, when she again got under weigh and proceeded on her passage. Had south-east wind and heavy sea. At 4 p.m. the same day made Castle Point; ran into the bay, but could not lay-to owing to the heavy sea rolling in. Proceeded on the passage, and made Cape Kidnapper at daylight on Wednesday morning. Had north-west breeze up the Bay, and arrived in port at 11 a.m.on Wednesday. The Eclipse is a very prettily-Tnodeliedlittleboai; of about twelve tons register. Phe is fitted with a double cylinder highpressxire engine, with a tubular boiler, and in smooth water can at tain a speed of from nine to tpn1. knots "an hour. She was built in Greenock, and trans mitted by rail from. Glasgow to London, whence she was brought out to Wellington by the ship Forf arshire. It will be seen by the foregoing that the launch was intended for Napier, and not Auckland as previously stated. The T.S.N. Co.'s s.s. Go-Ahead, Captain McGillivray. arrived at Onehuriga this morn ing at 6 o'clock. She left Wanganui at 6 p.m. on the Bth, and crossed -the bar at 7 p.m. ; arrived off Manukau heads this morn ing at 2 a.m., and crossed the bar at 3.30 a.m., arriving as-above. Experienced light head winds with moderate weather through out. Passengers :—Miss:.Raven and Mr Robertson. We are indebted toMrNewmari, purser, for prompt delivery of' filds.! :: The fine iron ship Durham, Captain Sex ton, hauled into 'the' stream this morning, and cleared outwards at the Customs for Ade laide with a few consignments. She will Bail to-morrow. The schooner Swallow has reported at tlje Customs from Mercury Bay with 17,000 feet of timber. The cutter Mercury has cleared outwards for Mercury Bay with a general cargo. The barque Corrido left this morning for Wangaroa, to load junk timber for Adelaide. The schooner Kenilworth has reported at the Customs, from Samoa, with 79 bales of cotton, and 20 tins cobra, consigned to Cruickshank and Co. The schooner Mary Ellen, from Tauranga, . brings 150 bags potatoes, 1 ton bones, 5 ba^;s wheat. The schooner Mary Ellen has cleared fcir Mercury Bay with a small cargo. The schooner Saucy Lass has cleared f6v ITjipici vi.i the East Coast with a full general cargo, including 20,000 feet timber to be shipped at Mercury Bay.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs S. Cochrane an^Son sold at the|r mart to-day tT> semidetached houses in Pitt-street, erected on 10t'49, of, Lawriefs Bubdivision, for'£32o. Mr E. W.'.'Morrison was the purchaser. ■.;•:/.■- . :) tutu :-' '• i - At Messrs E. and H. Isaacs' sale of hard ware and tinware, to-day', there was/a moder ate attendance of the trade. . "Bidding w dull and very little of the goods sold, except the damaged portion, which was quitted at' low rates. Mr R. Arthur sold at his sale to r day :-P Fowls, Is to 3s each; ducks, Is lOd to 2s 4d ; turkeys, 2s 8d to 4s 8d ; geese; 4a(; potatoes, 4s 6d to 5s 6d, cwt ; onions, |d to Id 1b ; cheese, 4d to <)d. ; j i p,o . ; o The improved farm on the Cabbage Tree Swamp Road, offered by auction t"-day, by Messrs S. Cochrane and Son, by order of the J Kegistrar of the Supreme Court, was bought by the mortgagee for £370. :';';:;'.' ' j

MINING.

The following are the current call and dividends payable in the companies named below:— £. a., d.

MEETINGS.

Working Miners, Coromandel, 9th April Scotty Hill, Company's office. Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 3 p.m., 14th-April . Daughters of Freedom, Graharastown, 14t April Bee, Grahamstown, 15th April „.,-." Nolan's Candlelight, No. 1, 41, Insurance Buildings. Auckland, 3pm., 21st April _..,.. A v Nolan's Candlelight; 41, Insurance Buildings, Auck land, 3 p.m., 21st April Flagship, Shortland, 22nd April Ma?garetta. Mr A. A. Browne's office, Wyndham street, Auckland, 3 p.m., 23rd April Bank of New Zealand, Bank, noon, 24th April Ne Plus Ultra, 41, Insurance Buildings, Auckland 11 a.m., 28th April _^

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :—■ | For Thames, this day, at 5.80 p.m., and on Saturday, at 10 30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Cororoandel, this day, at 5.30 p.m. For Taranaki and Wanganui. per Go-Ahead, this day, ■ Fo^Mahw-anßi, Matakana, Mangawai, &c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday, at 10 a m For Whitianga, per Srucy Less, this day, at 5 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, Mongonui, &c, per Rowena, on Monday, at 3 p.m. For Tauranga, per Vincent, this day, at 5 p.m. For Newcastle, per Veloddade, on Saturday, at 11 a.m. For the undermentioned places, per Wellington - Saturday, 12th inst., as follows :— , «« For Taranaki and Southern pro- For India, China, Meditf- - • »aceS at 6a. m. tinent of Europe, at p m -»-a»ean ports, and Con v^S^etw^uoo"l"ls6B and United Kingdom, vS tv Southampton, at 6 a.m. ■""*■ united Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Sydney and Melbourne, at 7.30 a.m. For money orders and registered letters, at 5 p.m. on Thursday, 10th inst For newspapers, on Friday, 11th inst., at 10 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Biss.Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

McDonald —Russell.—On April 9, at the residence of the bride's father, Cpburg street, by the Rev. R. F,. Macnicpl,;D. JJ. JfcDonald, Coromandel, to Isabella Cameron, eldest daughter of Mr Johji Russell, formerly merchant of Glasgow and Mel bourne. J - ' i. .1 j

DEATH.

Porter.—On April 9, Edward Henry, son of Mr Wm. Porter, aged four years and six months. The fup.era'lto-'leave his father's residence, Sea field View, To-morrow, at half-past 2 p.m. Friends . please accept this invitation.

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1873.

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

I Judging from the communications which havp .recently, passed between the Minister for Immigration and the Superintendent !of this province, it would seem that the General Government are reduced to gredt Straits with regard to promoting immigration to thia colony. We understand that a few days ago a telegram was received by the Su perintendent from the Minister of Immigra tion to the effect that in order to increase the facilities for obtaining applications for , nominated passages the Government pro posed to employ the local police to canvas for applications, and to allow them remune ration at the rate of Jive shillings for each statute female whose nomination they re ceived ; the "fee," as it is called, to be : payable on the arrival of the immigrant. The.Government desired to know whether the Superintendent would allow the police in this province to act in the matter. The proposal was, of course, remitted to the Inspector of Police, and that officer re ported , that it was impossible for the police to act as immigration canvassers without neglecting their proper duties. His opinion was at once reported to the Govern ment. It would seem that the proposal was not received with favour by the heads of the police departments in the other provinces. A further telegram was received from the Minister for Immigration, stating that in consideration of the difficulties suggested by

the several Provincial Governments thi W vernment had abandoned the idea oi employ* ing the police in canvassing for nominauxk passages. We think that the public will be gratified to learn the decision which has been come to, as we do not know of any proceeding which would be more reprehensible than to entice or hold out an inducement to the police to neglect their legitimate duties of conserving the peace and detecting crime by constituting them a sort of sub-immigration agents throughout the colony. Of course the men would be fully justified, in view, of the premium or "capitation grant" to be allowed, to devote as . much of _ their time as possible in canvassing for nominated passages. The proposal above referred to is one of the many objectionable features connected with tfie; carrying out of th immigration policy of the Governs clearly indicates that the 1-- It screw loose" somewh p* must be "a able expedient _^tj when such question to encon"' .% are resorted to with a view T- -*ge immigration to this colony. We _u*y Congratulate the Government upon having abandoned the "idea," which, to say the least of it, does not speak much for the wisdom of those who conceived it.

We are again on the eve of Good, Friday, a clay which has been held sacred by Christians for more than eighteen hundred years. This day, however, is not now spent as it was spent in earlier years, when Christians passed its hours in devotion, and to a certain extent in fasting. The celebrated Dr Samuel John son was in the habit of regarding Good Friday as. the most solemn of days, and invariably put on his best wig and most serious counte nance. It is quite amusing to read of the good doctor's peculiarities, as chronicled by Boswell. We can picture him in the Temple on the morning of Good Friday, clean and shaved, eating his butterless hot cross-buns, and taking his tea (his favorite beverage, of "which he usually drank twelve cups) without either sugar or milk, and then reading over one of his excellently-written prayers. Then we see him, with his big walking - stick, coming out of tHo Temple gateway in answer to the sound of the bells of St. Clement Danes, and joining reverently in the services of that fine old church. Such was the way in which not only Johnson kept Good Friday a hundred years ago, but mcst of the people of England. But now much of the strict sanctity of Good Friday has passed away. The hot-cross-buns are still devoured, but nobody thinks of taking tea without milk and sugar ; and instead of going to a place of worship the people are off at merry morning tide by steamer to some sunny island to enjoy a picnic. Modern societies dance under green trees, and the friends of temperance jingle ab stinence melodies on gingerbeer bottles, while the few keep up the old custom of going to church. Good Friday, instead of being a sacred festival, has become, especially in the colonies, almost as merry a holiday as any in the course of the circling year. The Provin cial GoverDinent offices and banks give notice of their intention to close, and nearly all the business premises in town will follow the good example. The Star for one evening will cease to twinkle in the literary heaven and to shed its luminous re ys upon the benighted public. The secretary of the Band of Hope announces a procession to the Domain to morrow, and no doubt large numbers of people, not so hopeful, will also find their way there, and to other places of resort usually patronised on holidays.

Last evening the choir of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church gave a musical and literary entertainment for the benefit of the Sunday-school in connection with that place of worship. The entertainment was held in Mr P. M. Eraser's school-room, which was comfortably filled by a highly respectable audience. The Rev. D. Bruce was called upon to preside, and in a brief but suitable speech explained the object of their social gathering, and stated that as some persons had murmured because of the secular character of the pieces about to be submitted he might say that a concert was in contem plation to be held in the church, which would be entirely of a sacred nature. The choir opened with the chorus " Norma Cometh." which we must honestly say was not given in a very harmonious manner. It was clear that the choir want closer practice. We hope the members will kindly take the hint. The Orpheus Glee Club gave several glees, and Miss Somervell delighted the audience with several English, Irish and Scotch ballads, and especially sweet was the old song "Sweet Home," which in two words expresses the immortal charm of Howard Payne's household ditty. Mr Culpan sang "Stonewall Jackson," in memory of the con scientious warrior who fought in a measure against human freedom, which was favor ably rendered. Mr James Armstrong sang Fitzl all's rustic ditty, "My Pretty Jane," but not in his best manner. Mi- Armstrong possesses the compass of voice for the due performance of such ballads, but he surely overdid this rustic nymph last night. We hope this gentleman will try to manage his voice on future occasions that he may give true and natural effect to his songs. We were somewhat dis appointed in not hearing the " Warblings at Eve," by Mrs Young ; but the omission was unavoidable, as Madame Moller was not prepared to play the accompaniment. The principal attraction of the evening was the Gipsy Quadrilles, by the Misses Hayles, whose fairy-like performances on the piano forte were truly wonderfpl ,for such pretty little girls under ten years. 'The entertain ment closed with the " German Fatherland" and the " National Anthem." Mr Peacock returned thanks on behalf of the schooli; and a gentleman, whose name we did not catch, thanked the audience for the choiij. Mr Fraser, head master of the High Schoo}, who gave two humourous readings in a distinct and clear tone, is also to be con gratulated for the tasteful display of flaga|, pictures, and flowers, which decorated his commodious school-room. Madame Moller, assisted by Madame Winter and Mr J. G. Culpan, presided at the pianoforte. Ihe emergency meeting of the Grand Black Chapter of Ireland, Preceptoiy No. 149, will be held this evening. The Rev. J. J. Lewis will preach in Pitt street Wesleyan Church to-morrow morning (Good Friday) at seven o'clock. The firing for prizes presented by Messrs S. Coombes; T. Waters; J. Henderson ;D. Campbell ;J. Howden ; G. Aicken ; and j. Harris, to be competed for by the less skillful shots connected with the Artillery Corps took place yesterday with the following result :— Gunner Kimsley, Ist prize ; Bombadier R. Mann, 2nd prize ; Gunner Hood, 3d prize!; Gunner Dawson, 4th prize'; Gunner Bowring,, sth prize ; Sergeant Featon, 6th prize ; Cor poral Hamilton, 7th prize ; Gunner Gatland, Bth prize. A vote of thanks was passed io the donors for their liberality. The members of the Artillery Rifle Club held a competition yesterday afternoon, when Gunner Skinner won the first prize with a good score ; Gunner Watson, second prize ; and Driver Davis, 3rd prize. (^iThe members of the Artillery Rifle Club will meet at the rifle range on Saturday after noon at two o'clock for their last monthly competition this season, it being considered advisable to discontinue _ during the winter months. One target will be used by the Artillery Club, and the other by members of other rifle companies who have been invited to attend.

• HiiH >nor Mr Justice Johnston yesterday quashed he conviction of Jamea Macintosh, ■i*(U'.:: btdiivan, sentenced to twelve months' ■imprisonment by Mr Warden Fraser, on the ground that the Warden had exceeded his powers. It is almost melancholy to learn the num ber of applications that are being made for the position of Market Inspector. On what principle councilors mean to decide we know not. We sympathise with them in the posi tion, and can'forgive them for endeavour ing to make matters as gentle as possible x applicants. But it may possil^ 1- the indulgence* Of base]^ _^- prevent state that we hay* - ~,_.*», t hopes when we by, at 1p- -' j jjef^enally^'eeninterviewed ■'"" -~«sc Seyen,- each of whom, has been -iscle the victim of the delusion that he is absolutely certain of the votes of a majority of the Council. Mr Justice Johnston gave notice to the gentlemen of the jury that the Court would sit on Saturday, and that' their services would be required by nine o'clock a.m., his Honor expressing a wish to clear the calen dar as early as possible consistent with justice. ... • ; ~.., i ~,.,.

At a meeting of the District School Board at Eemuera, held yesterday afternoon at five o'clock, Mr C. B. Cholmondeley Smith was elected teacher. The school will be opened after the' Easter holidays, and so soon as necessary alterations are made in the build ing, and will, we understand, have a depart ment for Grammar School instruction.

Surely it might not be unworthy of the thoughts of the City Council to undertake the watering of the streets and especially of Queen-street. To-day the dust nuisance has been simply intolerable.

To the Editor : Sir, —A few days ago there appeared ia the Cross a Socinianised sceptical letter signed "Truth," the appear ance of which in such a place took some people by surprise. By to-day's Cross the insertion of said latter has evidently been reckoned by the manager unlucky, for he notifies a refusal of replies, and has with reference thereto inserted a weak milk and water deprecation of theological discussion. I am, &c, Fate Play.

A. very pleasing and entertaining per formance was given last night at the Prince of Wales Theatre by the Garrick Club to a well-fi]led house. The performance, as pre viously stated, was for the benefit of Mr Solon, the mechanist attached to the theatre, and consisted of the two-act drama of " Ben Bolt," and the farce " A Case of Pickles"— the interlude being filled up with a dance by Mr H. Graydon, and songs by Messrs B. Heath and C. Hill. The drama was very well placed upon the stage, the scenery being effective, and the make-up of the actors good. Mr A. Smith, as Ben Bolt, and Mr D. Smith, as Ivan Ironlink, met with a considerable amount of applause by their clever acting ; while the representation of Reuben Rags, by Mr T. Williams, kept the house in a constant roar of laughter. The lady amateurs per-1 formed their parts well, and the remainder of the characters were efficiently sustained. At the conclusion the curtain had to be run up, in addition to which Mr Williams received a call before the curtain. The farce was exceedingly well played, and the evening's performance gave general satis faction. Mr Cullimore, who has earned for himself a good reputation as a cunductor, presided over the musical department last night, and executed a number of musical selections with great brilliancy.

The regular m-mthly meeting of the Prince of Wales Lodge of Freemasons wfll be held in the lodge room, Masonic hotel, this evening, at half-past seven.

The members of the Hebrew persuasion held their promised meeting last night at Brown's hotel, Shortland street, but as the proceedings were of a strictly private nature tve are not at liberty to give them publicity.

We have a short and simple tale of sor row, none the less sad that the bereaved is in the strength and vigour of manhood. There has just arrived in Auckland a man who was once the popular steward on board an Aus tralian coasting steamer, and was known many years ago to the writer of this para graph as an industrious and trustworthy man.1 The savings of many years to the ex tent of £700 he invested in the erection of a comfortable little hotel and boarding house in Brisbane, leaving it in charge oi his wife, who, with their three • children, not only managed to earn a livelihood, but was in the way of gaining a competence and indepen dence. Meantime the man himself continued at work in a coasting trader. From one of his trips he was suddenly recalled by tele gram, and on his return found that in one of the great tires which not long since occurred in the metropolis of Queen-land his whole property (uninsured) had been burned to the ground, and in the ruins were consumed his wife and three children. The savings of years and his entire family had gone in one fell swoop of destruction. After trying again to get on he accepted an invitation sent some time ago from his brother, then doing well at the Thames, and has come here to find that the brother has gone to California. He is now in quest of work as a steward, waiter, or storeman, with the duties of all of which he has been long familiar. He is a brother of the Mystic Tie, and if there is any one in Auckland that would like to lend a helping hand io a brother who has suffered sorely, but has risen bravely over suffering, it will afford us extreme pleasure to have been' the means, through this simple tale of sorrow, of having befriended "a oauue that lacks assistance."

THE REPORTED NATIVE DISTURB ANCE NEAR TAUPO.

With reference to the threatened disturb ance regarding a road near Taupo, reported in yesterday's Herald, we have received the following letter :—

[translation.]

"Auckland, 10, 1873

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) , "Friend:—Salutations.—Will you please print this, my letter. I have seen the letter sent to you by the wire, which, was printed in the Herald newspaper, of the 9tk April, and which states that some of the Nativje tribes are going to fight about a road at Taupo.

" Now, Friend, I say that that statement }s false ; there will not be.any fighting about that road. The roads and bridges across th|e rivers Waikato and Atiamuri are finished^ I am the man who has conducted the work on those rojuls ; .anda.number of my people are at this time employed on another roacj, which is being made between Rotorua, Cam bridge, and Waikato. What we desire is), to have roads made, and also to lease our lands; for by so doing it will benefit us— the Maori people. We, the chiefs of Rotorua, Taupo, and Patetere have given our consent to road-making, and the leasing of our lands. You white people must not listen to those lying statements—perhaps your correspon dent, from Alexandra, had nothing better to do than to write those lies. Sufficient from yqur friend (signed) "Arekateba Te Weba Opuni."

SCUTTLING ON THE HIGH SEAS.

The British ship Alsager, 1210 tons, Capt. R. G. Eae, belonging to Melbourne, loaded at Maiden Island with guano, and sailed on the sth February last for Hamburg. She had a crew of twenty-eight hands, all +-1J ' vtS wSakt™? 1* T o^Vt£ ! and the Lp" , > n?* ?? armed ' On ■ L 1 ._»s course altered for Melbourne, u u6 26th February the leak inorea>.ed, and the vessel was found to bo making from three to four feet of water per hour. Things getting thus serious it was found that it would be imr ossible to make the Australian coast, and the course was again shifted for the Island of Tongatabu. The leak still increasing the captain gave up all hopes of being enabled to strand his vessel, and resolved to abandon her altogether. Previous to this an examination was made, which convinced the captain that the vessel had been scuttled, for three large holes were found bored with an auger through the sides of the vessel, below her water line, and under the fore-chains. 1 One of the holes was on the starboard side, and the remainder on the port side. .Seeing that nothing could be done to save the ship and cargo the boats were lowered and all hands ordered into them. At this time the vessel was 60 miles to the westward of the Island of Eoa. A few provisions, chrono meter, &c, and ship's papers were placed m the boats, and'the vessel was abandoned on the sth March last, about 40 miles from Tongatabu, for which island the boats were steered. On arrival the captain ordered the arrest of three of the crew, and they were at once placed in irons. They were brought to Auck landby the schooner Kenilworth, and were this morning charged before Capt. Beckham, R.M., with feloniously scuttling the ship Alsager. A remand was granted for one week. In the meantime Mr McKellar, the Collector of Customs, will apply to the Bench to have the case heard under the Enquiring into Wrecks Act," which will necessitate a nautical assessor to have a seat on the Bench. The charge is a very serious one, and it is stated that there is a deal to come out in the enquiry. Capt. Rae is unable to Btate whether the ship or cargo are insured.

EASTER SUNDAY.

We have to express our indebtedness to an esteemed contributor for the following in teresting solution of the difficulty raised in our columns respecting Easter. It Will; be recollected that we drew attention to the circumstance that the moon being full on Sun day morning next at 9.30, Auckland time, and the ordinary rule being that Easter Sunday should be kept the Sunday following, never theless it is fixed for same day :— In a recent issue of the Evening Stab the suggestion was made that Easter Day iii Auckland should be celebrated on April 20th, and not on April 13th. Such a course will be seen to be unnecessary and improper from what follows. What takes place here in 1873 occurred similarly in England in 1845, when Easter Day . was observed on the very day of the full moon which fell after 21st March, and not upon the following Sunday. The present rule for determining Easter is that laid down by the 24 Ges. ii, cap. 23, a.d. 1751. The object of this Act (as we learn from a very valuable little book en titled " the Prayer Book Interleaved ") was the fixing the true time of the celebration of Easter, so that the same shall agree, as nearly as may be, with the decree of the Nicene Council, and -with the practice of foreign countries. This object was effected by the tables annexed to the Act, which were taken from the Gregorian Calendar. But the tables were inconsistent with the rule which the Parliament added in explana tion of them, and -which now stands in our Prayer Book. The followingpoints concerning this apparent discrepancy are* established in a paper "On the Ecclesiastical Calendar," which Professor D. Morgan contributed to. the "Companion to the British Almanac for 1845":— "1. The law which regulates Easter in Great Britain declares that whenever the full moon on or next after March 21 falls on a Sunday, that Sunday is not Easter Sunday, but the next. It also prescribes rule for determining Easter. "2. In defiance of the precept, though in accordance with the rules, the Easter Sunday of 1845 is on the very day of the full moon next following March 21. " 3. One part of the reason of is this that the British Legislature misunderstood the defini tion of Ea&ter, used in the rules which they j adopted, thinking that it depended upon the \full moon, whereas it depends upon the: \ fourteenth day of the moon, the day^of new moon being counted as the first. Now full moon never happens before the fifteenth day of this reckoning. "4. The other part of the reason of this discrepancy is that the legislature supposed the moon of the Calendar to be the same as the moon of the heavens, which neither is nor was intended to be the case, the moon; of the Calendar being not only made to vary | from the moon of the heavens for convenience of calculation, but also to prevent Easter Day from falling on the day of the Jewish Passover.

"5. These two errors very often com-j pensate one another, for though the fourteenth clay is very often a day behind the Calendaij full moon, yet the Calendar moon is also very, often a day before the real moon, so that the fourteenth day of the- Calen-j dar moon is frequently the day^ of the real full moon. But they do not always do so ; and it should never be matter of surprise if Easter fall on the Sunday of the full moon, whether real or calendar.

"6. It is not correct to say that Easter is made to fall wrongly in 1845 : it falls where the legislators, who correctly copied the rule of the Roman Church, intended it should fall, though they did not correctly give the explanation of the rule they intended to use.'? As was stated before, the case of Auckland iri 1873 is just that of England in 1845 ; and it will be seen that, upon the high authority of Professor Dr. Morgan, it is not incorrect to observe April 13 as our Easter Day. Fof ordinary purposes the rule laid down in th£ Prayer Book will stand in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred ; but the hundredth case is the English 1845, and the New Zealand 1873.1' Another simple rule for determining Easter is to fix it as the first Sunday following the first day of the Jewish Passover. Except in leap-years this rule may be depended upon. Now, the first day of the Hebrew Festival this year, is Saturday, April 12, and con sequently our Easter should fall as it does—r full moon, or n© full moon, on Sunday, April 13.

HOW NEW ZEALAND IS SLANDERED.

We have muck pleasure in submitting the following reply to our striatures on the con duct of Mi- John E, Sanderson in slandering -t colony" in the Alliance News, and we ask the careful attention of all to the eommuni cai&Gli, which b,«trt) it? true character im printed on its face $— (To the Editor of the Evening Stae.) giu,—l have read your remarks on my letter to the Daily Southern Cross, which you were kind enough to publish in your valuable paper, and beg to thank you for the honest manner in which you have evidently striven to deal with me. "Xou are "quite right" when you assume that I regard you as being "a worthy representative of colonial journal ism," and I do accept in "good spirit "the remarks you have made. Indeed, Sir, it is like water ori a duck's back—quite refreshing. And allow me to say that you are just as incapable of touching me with the " cat," as you are of disproving my assertions with your pen. Of course, seeing we are such good friends, we are at liberty to speak our minds to each other as friends should.

I am quite willing to admit that your in terpretation of the dignified (!) attitude of a Government does not warrant them in taking1 any notice of my letter, or running the risk of soiling their '' pure hands by any attempt to pick me up out of the mud of Coromandel;" nor would it answer their purpose to dignify my " false and feeble pen with the honor of a disclaimer." And lam also'satisfied that your criticisms on my letter, and your very, friendly castigation of myself, is only a round about-way of endeavouring to elicit from me more information in reference to the system of •' truckism" between the Government and the Maories, which I have so well succeeded in exposing. I observe you admit lam " quite right" in defying all bullies and unscrupulous writers, and did I not more than ever believe that you write '' For the wrongs that need resistance " I should find it difficult to escape the conclusion that the somewhat blustering style of your concluding remarks was intended to frighten me into the infor mation which I am sure you are so anxious to obtain. But then those who know you best know you can't help it, for "what's bred in the bone is bound to come cut in the skin." We cant forget the school-boy saying "every cock crows best on its own dung-hill," and it is only upon the basis of this truism that I can account for your wonder ful discovery and nntisu'al daring in character ising my statements as gross and malicious falsehoods, and myself as one of the most consummate scoundrels to be found in the pro vince." Well, suppose I am, I know where to-find the other. " Set a rogue to catch a rogue." Now for your information, Mr Editor, allow me to tell your that I have abundance of evidence in Coromandel to sub stantiate the statement contained in my letter to the Alliance News. On another occasion, besides the one to which I have referred, a steamer arrived fry.m Auckland at the Coromandel wharf, carrying passengers, as usual ( some of whom have been to see me since reading this correspondence), and besides passengers, also carrying a considerable quantity of " fire water." (One of the great est men England ever produced calls it '' dis tilled damnation".) There was a consider able number of Maoris on the end of the wharf awaiting the arrival of the steamer, and exclaiming lustily, " Kapai tewaipero." These Maoris were at the time under the supervision Jof a great man who ' can tell you more about it than I can, and who superintended the distribution of the " fire water" from the steamer, together with a considerable quantity of the same " stuff," and other goods already lying on the whart. The distribution satisfactorily arranged, the whole was shipped in Maori boats waiting to receive it, and the Maories, exulting in their possession, sailed away to their destination. Now, sir, from your extensive and unerring knowledge of every transaction between the Government and the Maories you will perhaps oblige your read ers (many of whom might tell you to stop the paper if you did not) by contradicting this also, though the fact can be corroborated by persons whose veracity I think, did you know them, you would be little inclined to dispute, because they have read what you say about the triangle and cat. And with' regard to the case specially referred to in any letter to the Alliance News I will now give you just a little more information. It would not be at all a difficult matter to produce persons who were present on the occasion, and who imbibed very largely of the "firewater," so bountifully distributed, by our immaculate Government through their then agent. A hop stride and jump from where I am now sitting would bring me very near to some of them, and by a similar effort1 on your part from where you may be now sitting you might obtain similar evidence.! And yet with all this cumulative i evidence there are those who can dare to say that ithej Government is '' slandered" and the colony calumniated. And now, sir, if you want any further information rest assured that! when you come to Coromandel I shall be| most happy to meet you, and ba good enough; to bring your " cat" with you, and we will see which has the best. I am, yours, &c, John R. Randerson. -1

Coromandel, April 7th, 1873.

It were quite •unnecessary to speak one word in reply fco the foregoing, but as some people read without marking, learning, and inwardly digesting we shall bring out a few points in relief. With reference to personal allusions as between Mr Henderson and the Stab, whether complimentary or vicious, the public perhaps are not particularly interested. But we desire special notice to the fact that Mr Randerson still skulks away from enquiry, and has not even the moral daring to tell what are the occasions on which, as he alleges, these offences were perpetrated by the Government. To the occasion on which he bases the former slander when, as He said to the teetotallers of England, many hundreds of gallons of grog were paid away by the Go vernment to the natives in payment for land, he alludes in the following fashion :—" It would not be at all a difficult matter to pro duce, persons who were present." But does he do so ? Nothing of the sort. He cannot, and he knows he cannot. He adds, "A hop, stride, and jump from where I am now Sitting would bring me very near to some of them. ' Then why in the name of truth does he not hop, stride, and jump ? Or if unwilling to go through this athletic feat in the streets of Coromandel, why does he not tell us the names of some of these individuals that we may call them in evidence ? He does not because he dares not. He goes farther and says to us that by a similar feat of hopping, striding, and jumping from where we are now sitting we "might obtain similar evidence." Thep why will he not tell us in which direction we are to hop, stride, and jump ? Is it up the street, or down the* street, or across the street ? We declare ourselves perfectly prepared to go hopping, striding, and jumping up and down Queen-street for half a day if he will only tell us the name of any person on whom we can lay hold to whom Mr Randerson is willing to refer as a person who was present on this mythical occasion. But he dares not, and he cannot, or he would have done so, and again we brand him as a public slanderer of the colony. But Mr Randerson is not satis fied with what he has already done,

he tries to lead off on another scent by describing "Another occasion," which for aught we know to the contrary is equally Untrue. He says "On another occasion, besides the one to which I have referred, a steamer arrived from Auckland at the Coromandel wharf, carrying passengers as usual, and, besides passengers, also carrying a considerable quantity of fire-water." Very remarkable circum stance indeed ! We question if this occasion cotfld be very readily singled out from all other occasions of a steamer's arrinvg at Kapanga. But Mr Randerson will not condescend to particularise it, simply ga we believe because he .has only imagined and trumped up the case. On this " other occsfsicrn'ithe fire-water was welcomed " by some natives, which does not seem remark able either. It appears the '' fire-water" was? distributed among the natives, a circumstance which does not a~ppear to have any peculiar features, but the "point" which Mr Rander son means to make is, that it was "under the supervision of a great man." The in sinuation is that this "great man" was a Government Agfcflt on the occasion, but Mr Randerson will eof dare to say so plainly. We need not say what any one will see, that this case is coined for the occasion, or at least embellished with "the great man" by Mr Randerson, who, knowing that the former case of the " hundreds of gallons," reported in the Alli ance News, can bear no further investigation? seeks to beat a retreat under shelter of another fabrication, forgetful of the little nursery hymn which says, " A lie to hide it makes it two." It is perfectly evident that this correspondent, taking advantage of his opportunity, and thinking he never would be caught, deliber ately and maliciously for the benefit of the craze or cawse of which he is a devotee, in tended that the English teetotallers should have their souls excited with holy horror at the belief that the lands of this colony were being 'brought from the aboriginal holders, and the natives themselves by the Government of New Zealand by the direct instrumentality of "distilled damna tion. " That such a statement is false as it ia fiendish every colonist knows ; but really the rabid section of teetotallers are so accustomed to tell lies that they do not know when they are speaking truth. We never thought nor said that the Govern ment is " immactflate." On the contrary W9 believe that neither more nor less than the Governments preceding them? they are about as black as the ace of spades. But let us give the devil hi» due. It has never bean, and it never will be, the deliberate policy oi' the Government of New Zealand in its most disreputable condition, to annihilate the natives \ty diabolical means ; and though the Government cannot any more'than a private individual control the expenditure of money when once passed into the hands of natives, it has not purchased any native lands with grog. As for Mr Randerson, we think he should .now .retire. He has disgracefully shirked our challenge to produce his proofs, and we reckon him no longer worthy of printer's ink ;. and though we have pummelled y him, pretty severely we will give him a word of parting advice. Practice temperance and even tee totalism. Commend it in every legitimate way to others. Seek to extend a cause that would, if successful, be the greatest earthly blessing that could be conferred by Heaven on the colony, but never again attempt to advance it by weapons that are not lawful, nor Beck to do evil that good may come.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.)

DRTTNKENNESS. One solitary drunkard was fined 10s and costs. [.. . i

AN INCORRIGIBLE WOMAN.

Eliza Lestrange was charged under the Vagrancy Act with making use of obscene language in the public street.^ His Worship read the prisoner a severe Jecture, remarking at its finish, that he was afraid^ sh« was an incorrigible. Sergeant-Major Pardy said that although prisoner was a young woman she was an old criminal, this being her thirty-fourth ap pearance in Court. The Court felt inclined to be lenient this time, and ordered her to pay a fine of 40s and be imprisoned for 14 days with hard labour. CHARGE OF SCUTTLING A SHIP ON THE HIGH SEAS. . Alfred Etherington, George Green, and Richard Moore, seamen of the British ship Alsager, were charged that they unlawfully and feloniously whilst the said ship was sailing on the high seas, near unto the island of Eoa, in the South Pacific Ocean, did scuttle the said ship, the said act so done by the said prisoners as aforesaid then tending to the immediate loss and destruction of the said ship, conti'ary to the statute. Sergeant-Major Pardy stated to the Court that as : the prisoners had;only arrived in harbour last night lihe prosecution had not had sufficient time to.prepare the case: He would ask for a remand for a week. The- prisioneri feejen j3aid that they had been in irons twenty-six days, and had received bad treatment. He_considered it unfair to keep them in confinement without some evi dence being brought forward,;•-,-.- His Worship asked if the Captain had con clusive evidence agairistlth'e. pjAsdners. Captain Rae replied that he had. Green :: It is unfair, ydui-Worship, that we should be picked out from the rest of the crew. His Worship : But this is a very serious charge against you, and I should advise you at present to hold your tongues. , t ■' Prisoner Etherington : 'The1 ship,'sir; had been on a coral reef, off Maiden Island, and althoughnonly a 1,200 ton ship she had 1,500 tons of cargo in her. His Worship : You had better say nothing now, you are remanded for a week, and in the meantime if you wish any witnesses on your behalf you can signify the same to the gaoler. The prisoners were then remanded until Thursday next.

BREACH OF KERRY REGULATIO^.. William Lindsey, master of the' ferr*' steamer Devonport, was charged, by th^ Deputy-Harbourmaster with a breach of thy ferry regulation of October 1872, clause 7 by carrying two horses on the bridge of said steamer. On the defendant's name being called he failed to answer. Captain W. Ellis also did not appear to support the complaint, and the case was ordered to be struck out. This concluded the business.

Mr Joseph Browne, the eminent Auckland musician, proposes to afford the citizens a series of opportunities for; hearing choicest selections from the grand old masters of the high art of musicial composition. He intends to give "fortnightly vocal and instrumental concerts at the Choral Hall. The first concert will take place on Monday next at eight o'clock. We wish Mr Browne success in his laudable undertaking. The result of the inquest on the body of the late Mr Young, of the Grange, who lost his life under circumstances with which the public are famijar, was "Accidental Death."

THB EVENINO BIAK. TBf BUDAf. Af&tL 10. mi



Coromandel Beach.. 0 1 6* April 10 Z* 51 , •■ a . •• '' ° ° « -^Prfl 12 Morning Star .. .0,0 8. AprU U John oGroats .. 0 6, 0 AprU 16,., Thames Ga S .. .. 0 2 6 May 1 Watchman .. .. 0 10 Mav 14 Queen of May ,jQ u Va* " •• m 9 0 ,8 Mar 14



il& TT 0R HOKIANGA M|O|V -L , DIRECT. wfflviOfiSr The Bri<; Derwent Will sail as above on SATURDAY AFTERNOON. 12th inst. For freight or passage apply to MUST & CO., ■• Agents. T^i TTOft KA IP AB A Jjj^W^., -*- -DIRECT. **|^f*fr The favorite Schooner .■&>*&**&» Tauranga, Capt. C. F. Mann, will sail as above on WEDNES DAY, mh instant. For freight or passage'apply to MUST & CO., Agents.



I i AUTUMN RACES. A CALCUTTA SWEEP and Sale fif Horses will take place at the Auckland Hotel Cfub-room on SATURDAY EVEMING next, at eight o'clock, J. BOULTER "M^ELSON TWEED TROTJ SEES 15s. 6d. Per Pair, AT THE CITY CLOTHING MART, AND AT No. 180, QUEEN STREET. SAMUEL COOMBBB. GREAT REDUCTIONS FOB THREE MONTHS ONLY AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, queen street, Next Door to Savings' Bank.



Cartes-de-visite reduced from 16s per dozen to 13s 6d. Maori Celebrities (largest stock in New Zealand to select from), reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Views from all parts of New Zealand reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Enlargements from Cartes-de-visite to Life-size, plain or beautifully finished in Oil or Water Colors, also reduced in price. Large Stock of Photographic Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Stereoscopic Slides, &c, greatly reduced. J. MoGARRIGLE, Manager. • "DANES will CLOSE on G-OOD FRIDAY and EASTER MONDAY, 11th and 14th instants. •



NOTICE. fpitE Insurance Companies' Offices will be Closed on the 14th inst., being Easter Monday. Auckland, April 10,1873;



NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. P, DcJran's and other letters are unavoidably held over. ,



Coffee. —Brown, Barrett and Cos. Standard Coffee is both delicious and strong. Brown, Barrett and Co.'s Excelsior Coffee deserves preference to any coffee on account of purity and distinctness of flavour. Note the brands. Sold at almost every grocery establishment in town and province.—[Advt.] W, Marshall, fruiterer, Queen-street, has just received, per Nebraska, a shipment of new season American Pea Nuts, the nutritive and stimulating properties of which are now universally acknowledged. When fresh roasted these nuts act as an excellent tonic, and can be indulged in witty impunity. -[Acvt.] " - '