SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7. IS. SUN-RISE : To morrow morning, 4.57 fTIGH WATER: This afternoon, 2.14 ; to-morrow morning, 8. IS

STEAM TO THE THAMES.

Golden Crown, to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock

ARRIVALS.

Comerang, p.s., Clirisp, from Northern poris.

DEPARTURES.

Sa\icy Lass, schooner, for Napier, via East Coast Amaranth, schooner, for the Kaipara

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Rorqtonga : Mata, schooner, early For Tahiti : Energy, schooner, early For Napier : Star of the South, s.s , Fr'day For Southern ports : Phoebe, s.s., to-morrow For Adelaide (from Wangaroa): Amateur, barque, 20th inst For Samoa,» Dauntless, schooner, early For Saij Francisco, calling at Honolulu: Dakota, ma\l steamer, 2;3rd inst. For 'Northern ports : Rowena, s.s., on Monday next For Whitianga, Mercury Bay, and Tauranga ; Southern Cross, s.s., Monday n«xt For London: Queen Bee, ship, 20th inst For Sydney and Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s. 11th inst; Hero, s.s., 23rd inst

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Cadttceus, ship, from London. Loading Polar Star, ship, from Melbourne. Sailed 21s1

December Southern Cross, schooner, from Sydney Prosperity, schooner, from Melbourne Harvest Home, ship, from London. Sailed 29th Sep Lochnagar, ship, from London. Sailed 13th Octobei Durham, ship, from London. Loading "Warwick, ship, from London. Loading

Shipping business was entirely suspended to-day owing to the inclemency of the weather.

The p.s. Comerang arrived this afternoon from Russell with 40 tons coal coal, sundries, and 12 passengers. She left Russell at 1 p.m. yesterday, and encountered a heavy gale .during the night from S.S.W. Captain Chrisp reports the Amaranth, Speedwell, and two other vessels lying at the Kawau.

The following vessels were loading at Russell yesterday : —Forest Queen, Magellan Cloud, Clio, Wangarei, William and Julia, Maid of the Mill, Policeman, Rowena, Isabella.

The s.s. Star of the South will leave for Napier on Friday next, at 3 p.m., instead of on Thursday, as announced in advertisement published elsewhere.

The schooner Saucy Lass left last evening for Napier.

The schooner Amaranth took her departure for Kaipara yesterday.

The s.s. Phcebe will take her departure for Southern ports from the Manukau at 4 p.m. to-morrow. She will leave the Onehunga wharf at six in the morning, and anchor at the Bluff until the time of her departure. The cutter Dido will sail from the Manukau to-morrow for Kaipara, calling at all stations.

The schooner Energy has bsen put upon the berth for Tahiti, and will leave in course of a few days.—Messrs. L. D. Nathan and Co. are agents. The smart cutter-yacht Foam will be disposed of by way of raffle on Saturday evening next, at six o'clock, at the Occiden tal, Vulcan lane.

Advices from Itochefort state the Rhin steamer, just arrived in that port, has ac complished one of the most rapid voyages known. She left Toulon for New Caledonia in the beginning of February, and has thus made the tour of the world in seven months and a few days. The Jura, which preceded her by six weeks, is still at sea. If the Rhin does not stand in need of repairs, she will immediately re-commence her service in conveying convicts.

A strange ocrarrence was witnessed by Capt Nash and his men in taking the little steamer Milagro from Callao to Eten. On Monday, the 12th of August, just after leav ing the Guanape Islands, a shoal of large fish came crowding into the screw of the little steamer in such numbers as actually to stop the engine, and the engineer had to reverse the engine to clear the screw before pro ceeding.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING. f^The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below ;— & a. d. CAXLB Queen of the May .. 0 10 Jan 9 Una .. .. .. 0 0 C Jan 10 Buffalo .. .. 0 0 3 Jan 12 Lincoln Castle .. 0 0 C Jan 22 Coronet No 1 .. 0 16 Jan 25 JohnO'Groats .. 0 5 0 Jan 29 £j Thames Gas.. .. 0 5 0 Jan 28 * Italian 0 0 C Jan 30 MEETINGS. Carnatic, E. Home's office, Shortland street, Auck land, 3 p.m., 13th January Crown Prince, Queensferry Hotel, Auckland, 2 p.m.. 13th January Auckland and North Shore Steam Ferry pompany, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 3 p.m., 13th Jan. Bank of Tokatea, 39, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, noon, 13th January Emily, Mechanics' Institute, Auc^.and, 5 p.m., 13th January Shotover, No 1, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m. 23rd January

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., ana to-morrow ai

10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Friday, at 11.30 a.m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Phoebe, on

Thursday, 9th inst., at 1 p.m. For Whitiangi and Taaranga, per Southern Cross, on Monday, 13th inst., at 3 p.m. (SJfhed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Allender.—At B fi street, Parnel!, on January 7, Mrs John Allend r of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

Graham- Sheehan.-- On Janua.y 7, at Ct. Patrick's C-.th'dral, by the Rev. W. McDonald, and : " o at the Bishop's Church, Paiel', by the K'.iht Reverend B:=hop Cove, Jam B:nnat; ue Craluun, Solicitor, son of Mr Cfeorge Gr> hail, of this c".ty, 'o Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr Dav'd Shcehan.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY, 1573.

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.

To-dat the Evening Star enters on the fourth year of its existence. On this day three years ago it commenced to twinkle in the Auckland heavens, nor has it suffered eclipse, nor been shorn of its beams. On such an occasion we shall be pardoned if we indulge in a little self laudation while acknowledging the kind and generous and liberal treatment which we have received at the hands of the people of Auckland. It is not our object to review the somewhat stormy life of the Auckland evening journal. There are some plants that thrive best in the little sequestered nook where the pleasant sunshine enters and the boisterous winds can never blow; ours, on the other hand, appears to have sprung to a vigorous maturity owing to the wild storms with which it has been lashed. Three years ago, when it first ventured to present itself before the public of Auckland, it was without friends, or resources, or prospects, such as war ranted the hope of its dragging out a miserable existence, even for a short period, in opposition to an established and successful competitor; now it has swallowed up all its opponents, and occupies the proud position of having outstripped all the other journals of New Zealand in the extent of its circulation and the number of its readers. This success it has honestly achieved without fawn ing or flattery to any man or any party and while boldly denouncing abuse and wrong, whether in friend or foe. "We can confidently state that this journal has been threatened with more lawsuits than any other journal in New Zealand; but it is a significant fact that though we have never yet dipped our colours to any legal bragga docio, and have hurled back defiance to every threat, not one has ever yet brought his complaint before a jury. In the cause of the public

good we have assailed abuse, and we

desire to record our cordial acknow ledgment of the fact that on every occasion, when involved in a struggle, we have received not only the sym pathy, but the tangible and increased

support of the people. We do not assert that we have been invariably right, but we have always intended what was right; and, if in error, we have felt as much pleasure in acknow ledging it and making reparation, as in running abuse to earth. It has been the aim of the conductors of this

journal to achieve the alleged impossi ble feat of steering a course perfectly independent of party, and we do not hesitate to appeal to our columns in proof of our assertion that we admit allegiance to neither party, person, or interest, and that with perfect impartiality and fearlessness we have assailed wrong under what soever protection it may have been sheltered. This course we pursued when it was with the Evening Star the day of very small.things, and when but little might have quenched its rays in darkness, and this independent course !

we shall continue to pursue now when there is not a power in the province with which we need fear to grapple. Our commendation and censure we have distributed with great impartiality, and we believe there is no public man or institution in the city but has shared in both in accordance with merit and demerit in the particular circum stances in question. The kind and, generous reception which we have always had at the hands of the people we have endeavoured to reciprocate, extending and improving the character of the paper in proportion to the increase of its circulation and improve ment of its prospects.

We need scarcely add that it is our determination for the future to con tinue the same independent course which, in the past, has brought this journal to its present position. As it will not be our interest, neither will it be our desire, to be allied to any party or section of the community. Our party is the people; what is their interest is our interest, and by their cause we shall stand or fall, ever ready to unsbeath the sword For the came that lacks assistance, Fov the wrongs thr.t need resistance. For tho future in the districts, And the good that we can do.

" Justice " addressees us as follows :—" Sir : Could you please say if the advertised prices of the Circus, in your Saturday's isone, were correct or not ? An answer through your columns will greatly oblige." [The adver tisement was printed literally as furnished us by the manager of the Circus, to whom we would refer our correspondent for the information he requires,—Ed. E.S.]

The City Council are unfortunate with their pumps. The old one, which dated its existence from the year 17S0, took two men two work it. The new Californian pump, rigged yesterday, was invented somewhere about a century before the "Christian era. It resisted the united attempts of .four men to set it in motion. It has now been unrigged and consigned to the lumber yard of the (Jity Council. We believe it is the intention of the city authorities to substitute a force pump to fill the tank now erected for the supply of water carts. This tank is capable of holding nearly one thousand gallons, but is placed in such close proximity to the fish stalls as to render four out of six almost useless for exposing h'sh in them for sale. While there is so much room on the T it is unaccountable that this spot should have been selected for the tank.

A tornado in Osccola, Arkansas, a village of about 300 inhabitants, recently either blew down or unroofed every house, school, and church in the village. Trees were car ried by the winds like straws ; cattle, horses, and mules were blown about the streets, and becoming wild with fright ran helter skelter in all directions. Fences were torn into kindling wood, hoases carried entirely from their foundations and roofs and part of the roofs were whirling in the air like autumn leaves. Eighteen persons were either killed or badly wounded.

'• Inflatable rubber bustles" are announced. They are said to impart great buoyancy to the movements. In case of shipwreck they would, undoubtedly be advantageous, although a girl floated by one of them might be taken for a buoy, and be passed by unnoticed.

A girl in Jersey City, United States, only thirteen years and eight months old, rccentl}' gave birth to a child weighing eight pounds.

A memorial in favor of an improved form of London government is being signed by many leading owners of property in London, and many commercial houses. It is pro moted by the Metropolitan Municipal As sociation.

The first general meeting of the share holders of the Auckland and North Shore Steam Ferry Company (limited) will be held in the large room, Insurance Buildings, on Monday next, at three o'clock in the after noon.

In consequence of the unfavorable state of the weather there was no performance at the Royal Italian Circus last night. The programme will be introduced with its new and attractive features this evening.

The dog nuisance is rife at Coromandel. The Mall urgestheProvincialGovernmentto enforce the dog tax stringently, and remarks : —" On Sunday about midnight the ueigh borhood to the Bank of New Zealand was a perfect rendezvous for dogs of every breed and no breed at all. Whether they had met to protest against the Education household rate we cannot say—for kennels we believe do not come under the tax, but this we do know, that the opponents of Education them selves could scarcely have held a more dis orderly and riotous meeting than did our canine friends, fighting, b;.ting, and tearing about in a perfectly reckless manner."

The amount to be run for at the March Dunedin i*ace meeting will be £1100. It is the intention of the Jockey Club to institute a Derby for 1874, and a large yearly handi cap, on the same principle as the Melbourne Cup." Mr D. M. Luckie, who has for some years been part proprietor and editor of the Nelson Colonist, has disposed of his interest in that paper to his partner, Mr Collins, and has also given up the editorship. This is in consequence of Mr Luckie having accepted the editorship of the Dally Southern Cross. He is expected to take up his residence in Auckland and enter upon his new duties s hortly. The daughter of Mr Shields, residing at Mount Eden, was kicked on the face yester day by a horse with such force that four of her teeth were knocked out and severe injuries to the bones of the face caused. The poor girl was picked up in a state of insensibility, and a medical man was sent for, who sewed up the wounds. The girl's sister lost two of her fingers a short time back in a chaff-cutting machine. His Honor the Superintendent has left town for a few weeks' holiday. A green puriri tree at the Thames was struck by lightning during the thunder storm on Sunday, and was so dried up that it at once ignited and continued burning throughout Monday. The Thames Gas Company's works are being rapidly pushed forward. At the meeting held at St. Andrew's Church yesterday for the purpose of arranging for a bazaar in aid of the Presbyterian Sustentation Fund, the liev. D. Bruce occupied the chair. A letter from the Rev. Mr Barclay, intimating that £300 worth of goods would be forwarded from England shortly, was read. The meeting resolved that foxLv stalls should be supplied by the local congregations. One each by St. Andrew's and St. James's Churches ; one by Otahuhu, North Shore, and other country churches ; and one by th.c Thames and Coro mandel Churches.

The well-known Maori chief Topine, of | Wanganui, is indignant at the Hon. D. Mac Lean neglecting to visit him. He has come out heavy in consequence. He says the Government wanted everything from the Maori, and were not willing to give the latter anything in return, not even the privilege of buying powder to shoot pigeons with. When it was hinted pakeha shooting might perchance also be included in the intended use of the powder, he indignantly repelled the insinuation, and said that if the pakehas got their roads and railways through the interior the next thing they would do would he to shoot the Maoris, He was very caustic in his remarks about the missionaries, who, he said, told the Maoris to be good and not have more than one wife at a time, or they would go to the bottomless pit, while they themselves robbed the Maori right and left.

The Polish Gazela Torunha publishes a manifesto inviting witnesses to report the name'j of such Poles as have taken part in the Prussian centenary rejoicings._ As the Polish party considers these rejoicings as a commemoration of its own defeat, those persons will be branded as traitors and possi bly punished by a secret tribunal.

Mr Arthur Helps, author of " Companions of my Solitude," has recently produced a biographical sketch of the life and labours of the Jate Thomas Brassey, the successful Railway contractor.

In our notice of the Gymkana meeting yesterday the Produce Stakes should have read oue-and-ahalf miles instead of half-a -mile. The new Tay Bridge, at Dundee, now in course of construction, will be the longest bridge in the world —longer even than the Victoria Bridge, Montreal. The Victoria Bridge is 9,194 feet long, while the Tay Bridge will be .10,321. If the Tay Bridge were eighty yards longer, it would be two miles exactly. It will have ninety piers and eighty-nine spans. The work is to be finished in three years from May, 1871. The quantity of cast-iron reqmi-ed. for the cylinders is 2, GOO tons, while the super structure is all malleable iron, 3,600 of tons which is required. The contract for the whole bridge was taken by Mr Deßergue for £17,000.

Charles M. Thomas, a negro lawyer, grad uate of Howard University, a few days ago made the first plea ever made in the Criminal Courts of Washington, in defence of a negro who is on trial for killing his wife.

The official JVb^/z. German Gazelle remarks that if the Queen of England did not join in the meeting of sovereigns at .Berlin, it was simply because she did not want to do so. It is inexact, the Gazette says, to speak of the exclusion of England. The hope is sub sequently expressed that the English press wiil return to a more amicable disposi tion toward Germany, such as prevails there toward England.

The battery and band of the Artillery Volunteers met for parade last evening in the Gun-shed (adjoining the Albert Barracks), and considering the rainy state of the weather the meeting was well attended. The follow ing gentlemen were nominated for the post of first lieutenant in place of Lieut. Isaacs, who resigned, viz.: Messrs. Devore, Skinner, Scccombe, Davies, and Foley. The refusal of Capt. Fcaton to allow discussion on the fitness of the candidates caused much dis satisfaction, and the men at length retired denouncing the proceedings on the part of Capt. Featon as tyrannical and arbitrary in the extreme. The election will take place on Monday evening next.

A ruffian in Brooklyn stabbed his daughter and nearly killed her on account of her keeping company with a young medical stu dent against the father's wishes.

A hose-reel has been made by Messrs Gee and Potter, to the order of the Insurance Companies, for the purpose of facilitating the laying ami jointing of the hose at fires. It is intended for the use of the Insurance Companies' Brigade, and is capable of hold ing GOO feet of hose.

A young man lately attempted to shoot some tender verses into his sweetheai't's window, but her papa intercepted the cor respondence, catching one of the letters in his ear, and the young man has not been seen in that neighbourhood since.

Mr W. Brassey was yesterday admitted to the bar, by his Honor the Chief Justice, at the Supreme Court.

Mr Woollams, of Coromandel, having in timated his intention to resume possession of his building hitherto used as an hospital, the local committee have applied to the Provin cial Government for new premises.

" Kerosenility " is the latest characteriza tion of the women who are continually ig niting themselves with kerosene oil.

After a great orthographical discussion in England, it has been decided that " Shakes peare " is the proper way to spell the name of the great bard.

The change proposed in the hours of the civil service is that the clerks shall attend at half-past nine o'clock in the morning, instead of ten, as heretofore ; and, instead of leaving at four in the afternoon, remain at their desks until dismissed by the heads of departments.

their desks until dismissed by the heads of departments. The Customs' revenue collected at the port of Auckland during 1872 amounted to £148,401, showing an increase of £23,652 14s 2d over that of 1871. During last year 104,870 ounces of gold, valued at £330,404 19s sd, was exported from this province. The Fiji cannibals call a roasted man "long pig." One of the chiefs has helped to eat 100 of these " long pigs." An accident with a reaping machine haß occurred in the Waikato district. Mr Shaw, the owner of the machine, while woi'king it, had his fingers so severely lacerated that it is feared he may lose some of them. An Indiana man has mixed things dread fully by marrying his son's step-daughter. Iron manufacturing has started up in Brazil, being promoted by several Americans. The wheat crop in the Waikato district is likely to prove a good one. The yield of oats it light. A correspondent under the signature "Clique" writes:—"Sir, — Would you please inform me through the columns of your paper if the s.s. Southern Cross is ' bound to carry fresh water for her boilers by law." [The law does not require that boilers belonging to marine engines shall be supplied with fresh water.—Ed. E.S.] The following parades will take place during the present month:—Tuesday, 14th, 7.30 p.m., No. 1 Co. A.R.V., Victoria Co., and Scottish Co., Drill-shed ; Wednesday, 15th, 7.30 p.m., Engineers and Hobson Co., Drill-shed ; Thursday, 16th, 7.30 p.m., Cadets of Engineers, Victoria, and Sir George Grey Cos., Drill-shed ; Monday, 20th, 4 p.m., Auckland Troop, Domain; Tuesday, 21st, 7.30 p.m., Ai*tillery Co., Artillery Drill-shed ; Wednesday, 22nd, 7.30 p.m., Otahuhu Co., Otahuhu ; Thursday, 23rd, 7.30 p.m., Rifle Brigade and Cadets, Drill-shed ; Wednesday, 29th, 7.30 p.m., Naval Co. and Cadets, Fort Britomart; Thursday, 30th, 7.30 p.m., Onehunga Cadets, Onehunga.

The Waihato Times in noticing Messrs Reed and Brett's Auckland Almanac re marks :—"lt is a very creditable production indeed, and the low rate at which it is to be sold will ensure it a large circulation. It contains a large amount of information, with out which every settler would often be at considerable inconvenience and trouble. It pretends-—and justly so—to be something more than a work of reference to the settler ; it gives very useful information with regard to the resources and trade of the province calculated to disabuse the minds of intending immigrants of the false notions they have imbibed from the mouths of the immigration agents of other colonies. It is to the inter est of every settler to purchase one at least to forward home to the friend most likely to diffuse its contents through the greatest number of the population."

The Waihato Times welcomes the refresh ing rains that have fallen lately. The same journal also notices the fact of Quick's coach passing across the river for the first time on the jMgaruawahia punt.

The report of the City Relieving Officer shows that during October last the number of persons in receipt of relief was : Sick and infirm, 116 ; with children, 75 ; widows with families, 35; children, 149; deserted wives, 18 ; children, 44 ; wives whose husbands are in prison, 9; children 24; women with families (not described), 2 ; children, 7 ; out of employment, 2 ; children, 8. The foUowing are the ages of the re cipients of relief : Between 80 years and 90 years, 10 ; between 70 and SO, 20 ; between (>0 and 70, 10 ; between 50 and (50, 1(5; between 40 and 50, 44 ; between 30 and 40, 4(> ; between 20 and 30, 14.

We learn from a private source that Mr Sims Reeves, the great English singer, has lately had frequent and severe attacks of gout, and that he is getting corpulent.

Alfred Tennyson, the English poet, has at length published the last of his mythical stories of the knight of the " Hound Table," and now having concluded the great poetical work of his life, he has retired to finish his course in one of the most lonely spot in his native land, to Blackdown-lrll, in the county of Hants.

DESTRUCTION OF THOMAS & CO'.S STAR MILL.

The city fire-bolls rang out an alarm about one o'clock this morning as if the whole town were on lire. A number of slumber ing citizens were induced to forsake their virtuous couches and venture out into the drenching rain. The rival Fire Brigades, under Superintendent I Asher and Matthews respectively, also mus tered at their engine-sheds. It was soon discovered, however, that the fire was some miles from town, and most of those who had been foolish enough to come out returne d to their respective domiciles. Inspecto Broham proceeded some distance towards the scene, and despatched Mounted-constable Bullen to the spot. The fire was found to be in the tiour-mill of Messrs Thomas and Co., on the Great North Road, about a quarter of a mile beyond the Lunatic Asylum. The building was a six storied one, and was built by the late Mr Thomas some thirteen years ago. We learn that the fire was first discovered by a carter named John Loundes, employed by the firm, who sleeps on the premises. He was lying on the third floor of the building, and had been engaged reading by the light of a sperm candle until nearly twelve. He had then extinguished the candle and had fallen into a doze. About half-past twelve o'clock he was awakened by the sound of the mill stones going more rapidly than usual, and got up to weight them, when he felt the smell of something burning, and on looking round noticed a glare of light shining down from the floor above. He at once ran upstairs to the fourth floor of the mill, where about 100 sacks of wheat and five or six dozen empty sacks were stored. There he discovered the whole of the empty sacks ,in a blaze, and the flames were extending rapidly to the bags of wheat and the build ing itself. Finding it impossible to extin guish the fire, Loundes ran for Mr John Thomas, who lives a short distance from the mill, and both returned in less than two minute's. By this time the whole of the fourth floor was one mass of flames, and wheat out of the sacks was falling on to the lower floors. The men, therefore, di rected their efforts towards saving some of the flour and wheat in the lower store. The fire spread with such rapidity, how ever, that only three sacks of flour out of the fifty stored were got out uninjured. About one hundred sacks of wheat were also saved. The mill was reduced to ashes within an hour, the waterwheel and all the flour-dressing machinery being totally destroyed and the stones damaged. There were in the mill, at the time of the fire, 3 tons of flour, 400 sacks of wheat, 8 sacks of maize, 8 sacks of bran, 1-i tons of wheat meal, and 15 bags of sharps—estimated as worth £600. The whole of this stock was uninsured. The building and machinery was valued at about £700, and was covered by insurance to the extent of £400 in the Royal Insurance Company. There was no other insurance on the property. It appears that Mr John Thomas had been with M^r Loundes in the mill up to half-past ten o'cl&ck. He then went up to the fourth storey of the building to see that everything was safe. He had a sperm candleinhis hand, but feels confi dent that no spark fell from it upon the empty bags, although he passed close to them with the light. There was no sign of fire when Mr Thomas left the premises, and he is at a loss to account for its origin. Heavy rain was falling almost the whole of the time that the building was burn ing, but it had no effect in staying the flames. The building being detached there was not, from the first, much danger of its extending, and it gradually burned itaelf out, until little remained but a heap of charred embers.

CORRESPONDENCE.

CHURCH MUSIC

(To the Editor of the Evening Starl) I Sir, —Knowing you to be a reformer of abuses can you not say a word in favour of a reformation in the Trinity Church Choir, North Shore. Now-a-days almost every one has more or less a knowledge of music, and it is certainly anything but agreeable to be compelled to attend a Church service where the musical portion of it is rendered in such a manner as to be offensive to good taste. Many persons, both residents and visitors,' either stay away from Church altogether, or go Sunday after Sunday to some one or other of the town Churches because they will not endure the present state of things. I know not with whom the management of the choir rests, whether with the minister or the churchwardens, but it is certainly incum bent on the governing body of the church to reform their music. Surely the North Shore is not so destitute of professional talent as the present state of the church choir would seem to imply.—l am, &c, Amateur, * I

To the Editor of the BVRNINa Stae. Sir, —Will you kindly allow me sufficient room in your paper for the following obser vations on one of the clauses of a letter which appeared in your issue of Saturday last, under the heading of "Auckland Col lege and Grammar School." The particular remark to which I would draw attention is this: "There is no necessity whatever for the present vexatious fortnightly examina tions by the Principal," (Principals is the word as it appears in the letter, but that I take to be a misprint). Your correspondent alludes here, I presume, to the practice of periodical revision of the various classes of a school by the Head Master. Now, since he is responsible for the success of the school under his charge ; that is, for the successful training of each boy in the school, itjis highly necessary that he should be brought into personal contact with each individual pupil, and no means attain that end better than the system of periodic examinations. Nor is this the only object gained. Both master and scholars derive much good from it : to the former it affords an unerring criterion of his success as a teacher, while to the latter it gives practice in the very useful art of reducing their knowledge to a methodical form. It may be asked, however, could not this latter advantage be gained by examina tions held by the master of the class himselt i I answer the exercise would lose the greater part of its value if the same mind which educated the boys were also to test them. I do not at all agree, therefore, with your correspondent when he describes these ex aminations as "vexatious." .In the case where, owing either to incompetency, or to a want of tact on the part of the master, no progress is ever visible, but rather a retro gression, they may be, nay are, vexatious, especially to the examiner ; but where a steady progress is apparent they not only are not vexatious but are extremely gratifying both to master and examiner.—Yours, &c, Vindicator.

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS.

YESTERDAY—(Contin ukd). (Before His Honor Chief Justice Sir G. A, Arney.)

FALSE PRETENCES

Mr J. S. Macfarlane was subpoenaed as a witness in this case of William Wigley Moffatt, but was not present at its commence ment. Mr Brookfield stated that Mr Macfarlane would not attend. Detective Ternahan proved the service of the subpoena on the 14th ult. Mr Joy askod for an adjournment of the trial, which was granted. Mr Macfarlane then entered the Court, but no further proceedings were taken. A man named H. L. S. Brooking was arraigned for a similar offence. He was charged with obtaining refreshments to the amount of £5, and £1 7s in money from Mr Morrison, hotel-keeper of Tauranga. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.

HORSE STEALING,

Pani, an aboriginal native, was arraigned upon an indictment charging him with steal ing a horse at Tauranga, but as there were a great number of native witnesses, His Honor adjourned the case until this morning.

THIS DAY.

His Honor took his seat at 10 o'clock. The jury were then empanelled. RAPE. Francis Conway, an old man described as a miner, aged 79, was arraigned upon an in dictment charging him with committing a rape upon a child of tender years, at Short land, on the 13th day of November last. Mr Brookfield appeared for the prosecu tion, and brieiiy stated the particulars of the case. He then called Mary Anne McGinty, aged seven years. His Honor questioned the child respecting the nature of an oath, which being satisfactorily answered the oath was ad ministered. The child stated that she lived in Mackay-street, Shortland, and that her father and mother were employed at Bar nett's Hotel, Shortland. She knew the prisoner at the bar, and was in the habit of going daily to the hotel after leaving school in the afternoon. She remembered the night of the Volunteer Ball. She was in the kitchen of the hotel, and Frank Conway was there, who asked her to go with him up stairs and have some lollies. Her mother was up stairs, and her father was in the pantry at the time. She went up stairs with Conway. (The details of this part of the evidence are unfit for publication.) The prisoner put several questions| to the child, but failed to shake her testimony.

To His Honor : Her brother worked in the hotel; he was head cook there ; and Mrs Barnett was sometimes there. The prisoner took liberties with her when she was alone. She did not like to tell Mrs Barnett nor her mother. Her mother was not at Barnett's every day. Prisoner was also employed at Barnett's.

Catherine McGinty, wife of William Mc- Ginty, and mother of the child, deposed that her daughter Mary Anne was born in 1565, and is now seven years old. Her husband is pantry-man at the hotel, and has been em ployed there three years. She has two sons employed there also —one as cook, and the other as head waiter, —Conway was assistant cook. Her business" at the hotel did not take her to the kitchen. She was at the hotel on the night of the 13th November, her child was there also. Her child came home and complained of the ill-treatment she had re ceived from Conway, when she examined the child. * * * The child was so ill in con sequence of the abuse that on the suggestion of her husband she took the child to Dr James Kilgour, under whose bauds she has been during the last six weeks. Dr. Gilgour, a qualified medical practitioner, of Shortland, deposed that on the 20th Nov. the child was brought to him by her mother, and in consequence of what she had commu nicated he examined the girl, and stated the result to the Court; but it should be re membered that his examination was made seven days after the alleged offence had been committed, so that certain appearances in the interval might have been obliterated. To Mr Brookfield : Examined the prisoner on the following day in the gaol, and found that he was suffering from a disease which must have been upon him for a month.

The prisoner upoi£ being called upon for his defence stated that he had no witnesses in his favor, and had only to say that the statements of the mother and child were contradctory, and that Dr. Kilgour could not prove that the child had been injured through his agency; he had nothing more to say. His Honor then proceeded to address the jury on the case, and read over the depositious of the witnesses, which occupied nearly an hour, when the jury retired to consider the verdict. After a quarter of an hour's delibera tion they returned with a verdict pf guilty. His Honor asked the reason why the prisoner was placed on the calendar at the extreme age of seventy-nine. The Governor of Gaol replied that that was the age the prisoner himself gave.

His Honor then passed judgment upon the

prisoner, saying that he had been found guilty by the jury, after careful considera tion, of the crime for which he stood con victed, and lie thought the jury had clearly done their duty according to the evidence before the Court, and the Court must inflict a very severe punishment, which would be that he be kept in penal servitude for a term of five years.

HORSE STEALING. Pani, an aboriginal native, was arraigned on a charge of stealing a gelding, six years old, at Tauranga, on the 31st July, 1871, the property of Alfred Sauuders. Mr Brookfield appeared for the prosecu tion ; the accused was undefended. Alfred Sounders, on being sworn, deposed that he was a settler at Tauranga, and that the horse was his property. He th^^W^^/i scribed very minutely the appearance ot /". animal, and several brands on the shouts . He first missed the horse in 1871, but? ther the ears nor the tail had then 'ft. i cropped. The prisoner lived close by, and lie was frequently in the habit of seeing him. Had asked the accused several times about the horse, when once he said he had seen the horse at Maketu. He sent there to make enquiries, but got no satisfactory reply. He did not again see the horse until last Novem ber, when he saw him at Teteko, about sixty miles from Tauranga, near the Government paddock

[Left sitting.]]

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

Before G. S. Graham, Esq., and G. B. Owen, Esq., Justices.

DBUNKENNESS.

Only one name adorned the drunkards' list this morning, and that person forfeited his bail.

BOUND TO THE PEACE. Frank Walker, alias Walters, was charged by George Dreadon with threatening his life on the 17th December by stating that he would rip him up with a knife. The prisoner denied the charge. The prosecutor deposed that he was a settler in the AVairoa River, and special constable for that district. On the day in question he went to apprehend the prisoner on suspicion of killing a neighbour's bullock, when he become very violent, and made use of the language complained of. Richard Masefield, another settler, gave corroborative evidence.

Inspector Broham said that all the settlers in the district had been for some time in terror in consequence of his violence. He could scarcely believe from his behaviour that the prisoner was a sane man; but he had yesterday been examined by medical men, and was by them pronounced in his right mind. The Court ordered the accused to find sureties to the peace for a term of six months —herself in £50, and two bondsmen of £25 each.

This finished the business,

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

B.C.G.P. —Your letter having appeared in another paper we cannot insert it.

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY.

The usual quarterly meeting of the Presby tery of Auckland was held this morning at St. Andrew's Church Present :—Rev. T. Norrie (Moderator#ro tern.), Rev R. F. Mc- Niccol (clerk) ; Revs. D. Bruce, J. Macky, A. McD. Tait, J. Hill, and D. Hamilton; and Messrs Whitson, Thompson, Rattray, and Sommerville (elders).

The Sederimt was opened with prayer, after which the clerk read the minutes of previous meeting. These were confirmed. Commissions in favour of Messrs Whitson and Thompson were read, authorising them to represent the congregations of St. And rew's and Otahuhu respectively in the Pres bytery as elders for the next 12 months. The Rev. D. Bruce introduced the Rev. Neil McCullum, lately arrived in the colony from Scotland, and his credentials were read. He was cordially received by the Moderator, on behalf of the Presbytery.

The ministers of St. Andrew's, St. James's, Otahuhu, Papakura, Onehunga, North Shore, and Thames gave in their reports of the stipulated collections for the Aged Ministers' Funds and the Home Missions.

Mention was made that some congregations had neglected to make these collections, and it was agreed that those members who had made the omission should be waited upon for an explanation.

A letter from Dr Cruickshank was read. It alluded to the subject of the Matakana school site, and had been written on behalf of the School Committee. The settlement of this question had been referred by the Presbytery to the Matakana church authori ties, who now wished the matter settled by the Presbytery, as no agreement could be arrived at by them on the subject.

The subject was discussed, and it was finally decided to write to Dr. Cruickshank that the Matakana church authorities must settle the question, as the members of the Presbytery were ignorant of the merits of the case.

The next subject brought forward was the constitution of the Home Mission committee. After consideration, the Rev J. Macky pro posed that the whole of the members of the Presbytery le members of the committee ex officio, and that Messrs Clark, Brock, Steven son, Peacock, T. Macky, Sibbin, M. Nicol and W. Graham be added to the committee. Mr W. Rattray seconded the motion and it was carried.

The Rev D. Bruce was appointed convener, and the treasurer of the Presbytery to act in the same capacity for the Home Mission. Mr Brock was re-appointed secretary. The Rev. D. Bruce moved that instructions be given to all Presbyterian congregations to pay to the treasurer forthwith the clerks' fees. This was carried.

The report of the Committee of Supply was read. It had reference to the supply of ministers to the out districts of Coroman del and Waikato. The Rev Mr Tait had been appointed to the former, and the R|&S Mr Stewart to the latter district. "n

The Rev Mr McKenzie moved the adop^Sl of the report, which was carried.

The Supply Committee was then dis solved.

The Rev. D. Bruce, in alluding to the late meeting of the General Assembly at Christ church, spoke of the regular attendance and the active part taken by the commissioners appointed by the Presbytery in the business of the Assembly. The meeting of the As sembly had resulted in very agreeable and useful results, and would, he believed, be productive of much good to the whole church.

The Rev. Mr Mackay endorsed these re marks.

A letter from Mr ,T. M. Fraser was read, offering his services as missionary at Mercury Bay for £100 par annum. The Rev Mr Tait considered that it was highly desirable that such a person should be appointed for that district. Discussion, was ensuing when our reporter left, p v

(THE EVENING STAB, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8/ IS?3



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AUCTIONEERS' NOTICE. nPHE Undersigned having this day -*- commenced business as Auctioneers' Brokers, Valuators and General Commission Agents, are pre pared to receive consignments of General Merchandise for sale by auction or private contract, and advance on the same when required. Sale of Land Estates, Furniture, &c, undertaken on terms advantageous to Vendors. Account sales promptly rendered. GRANT & MORTON, 123, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND. I' January 1, 1573. i _ — ___^ . t B. H 0 B B S ' T>"EG-S to inform his customers and JD the public that he has retired from the business in favor of MR WILLIAM RUSHBROOIC, who has How been SEVEN YE.' RS in his employ, and who is so well known to most of his customers as to render it unnecessary to make any introduction or recom- t mendation further than that he has succeeded to the \ business, and that His customers may rest perfectly satisfied that they can do business with him with , every confidence. I R.H. takes this opportunity of sincerely thanking I the public for the very '. 'beral patronage they have | awarded to him since he has been in business in Auckland, and begs to solicit a continuance of the same on behalf of his successor. WILLIAM RUSHBEOOK, m succeeding to the GENERAL DRAPERY \ and CLOTHING BUSINESS carried on byMitHoiißS | in this city, begs respectfully to state that no effort , on his part will be wanting to give satisfaction to all j who will favor him with their patronage. His aim will | be to secure the CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC, I and by buying in the CHEAPEST MARKET, EITHER IN THE COLONY OR IN ENGLAND, and by keeping a large and well-assorted Stock of tho newest and best Goods, and by strict attention to business and civility to customers, he hopes to secure a continuance of that support so liberally bestowed on Mb Hobbs. W. RUSH BROOK HAS PURCHASED THE LARGE AND VARIED STOCK OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING ON VERY ADVANTAGEOUS TERMS, and is prepared to give the public the full benefit of getting their wants* supplied at reasonable rates. A large lot of NEW GOODS will be opened during the week, and no opportunity will be lost of buying, either at auction or privately, Bargains which will be offered on the counter at a small advance. W. RUSHBEOOK, HOBBS' DRAPERY ESTABLISHMENT (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel), Upper Queen street, Auckland.