SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening, 7.5 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 6.41 HIGH WATER: Midnight; to-morrow morn ing, 0.27.

ARRIVALS

Opotiki, schooner, Baker, from Opotiki Mavis, schooner, Palmer, from Lyttelton Lady Bowen, p.s., Adams, from Mahurangi

DEPARTURES.

Nebraska, p.s., Harding, for Southern ports Rowena, s.s,, McGregor, for Northern ports Prima Donna, schooner, Norris, from Russell Clio, schooner, for Russell Steathnaver, schooner, McKay, for Russell Saucy Lass, schooner. Smith, for Napier Challenger, p.s., Edwards, for Wargarei Clyde, schooner, Anderson, for Wangarel Magellan Cloud, schooner, Millar, for Russell Lily, s.s,, Rawson, for Mahurangi Southern Cross, s.s., Sellars, far East Coast Bella, cutter, for Tauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Southern ports: Wellington, s.s., Wednesday For Honolulu and San Francisco: Nebraska, mail

steamer, 20th inst. For Boston, Mass. : Ayr, barque, early For Cork : Polar Star, ship, early _ For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Monday next For London : Glenhuntly, barque, about sth it^ For Sydney aud Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s., about $th Inst.

IMPORTS.

Per schooner Mavis, from Lyttelton : 354 sacks wheat, 20 do barn, 108 cheeses, 47 pieces bacon, order.—Master, agent.

EXPORTS.

Per Nebraska, p.s., for Southern ports : - 1 parcel, D' l'Eau and Diethelm ; 100 cases vestas, E. and H. Isaacs ; 1 case, 1 pkg, Henderson and Macf arlane; 3 boxes coin, Bank New South, Wales ; 2 rocking horses, 1 case, M. Montague ; 5 cases, John Redd"; 1 box, J. Soppett; 140 pkgs original cargo, 4 cases and 2 hhds. Williams' fire kindlers, B. Tonks and Co.—Henderson and Macfar lane, agents...."

The following are the Customs returns for the week ending Ist mst:—Duties, £2123 17s Id; lighthouse dues £12 13s sd; merchant shipping fees, £9 2s 6d ; arms fees, £6 18s j gold duties, £516 2s 6d; miscellaneous, £218s; pilotage and port charges, £23 13s 3d.— Total, £2695 4s 9d.

The schooner Magellan Cloud has cleared at the Customs for Russell with a general cargo and three passengers, — Messrs J. Williams and Muir, and Mrs Millard.

The schooner Mary Ellen has cleared at the Customs-for Mercury Bay with a general cargo.

The barque Glenhuntley is filling up her cargo for London and will soon be ready for sea. She offers, excellent opportunities to passengers. - ■_-. () •" < The s.s. Wonga Wonga may' be expected on Thursday : next. '■ The schooner Charybdis is alongside the wharf discharging her cargo from Fiji. The schooner Esther is transhipping her cargo for Boston, U.S. The ship Polar Star has already two thirds of her cargo of guano on board, and will leave for New York in course of a week. To anyone bound thence this is a good opportunity, as she has excellent passenger accommodation for a limited number.

A very clever.invention of a paddle-wheel has just been patented, by ■Mr Francis W, Stevens, of West Queen-street, and a mode'

of the same is on view at his office.. ■ It is a great improvement, and the invention is likely to revolutionize the old system of

paddle-wheels. The model may be described as follows : —ThepaddlefloatsArefixedsQasto enter obliquely into the water, and are held in position by means of a strong arm in tbe centre, and supported by rods and diagonals running crossways. The floats, ■_'. consequently, enter the water without concussion obliquely, at an angle of 45 degrees, on the' revolution of the wheel—thus avoiding the resistance in striking the water at ah angle of 90 degrees, as the present paddle:in use. Again, on rising from the water it releases , itself gradually, and avoids lifting up a1 body of water, which only lessens the force. The action is, in fact, nearly similar to the ordinary marine screw, with a. greater in crease of power, and a deeper grasp of the water. The trembling and vibrations notice-

able in all paddle-stea_iers,; .especially in rough weather, is avoided by adopting this invention, and the vessel glides : noiselessly

and smoothly through the water, leaving only a ripple in its wake. It is computed that the adoption of the system would give'ah increase of speed of 25 per cent; There is no 'com plicated machinery ; no eccentric; wheel to get out of order, and the floats are fixtures and less liable to meet with damage; in con , ta6li with any floating- substance than: the ordinary paddle. The depth of the dipls estimated at from a third to half the semi diameter of the wheel. The invention has been patented both in America and the colonies, and only requires to be made known to be taken into general practice.' The in ventor is in treaty with Mr W. H. Webb, of New York, for adoption on board . the San Francisco mail boats.

The schooner Magellan Cloud left this afternoon for Russell.

The schooner Opotiki arrived this morning from Opotiki with three passengers. '•'.'-; The mail steamer Nebraska is announced to leave Auckland with the next outgoing San Francisco mails on Thursday, the 20th instant, a:1 -: '•'*■

The p.s. Nebraska left for Southern ports at half-past - six o'clock this morning, with the following passengers :—rSaloon : Dr and Mrs Hathaway, Dr Tucker, J. Chiarini, F. H. Troupe, Hon. J. L. Dunn, Mrs Dunn, N. Inglis, Mrs Casey, Mrs Williams, Mr and Mrs Nathan, Mrs Hughes^ E. Pearce;' Mr and Mrs McGrace, J. C. Young, J. P. Hamlin, Mrs Oilman and son. Fore-cabin: Mrs. McCullock and;fourteen children^ ■'_s_. Downey, Mr and Mrs Leary, J. A. Lyons, T. Parker, Mrs Dalton, T. M. Meredith,. Mrs Champion, and James Champion. ' ; A "A The s.s. Wellington will leave the Manu j kau for Southern ports, to-morrow.

The p.s. Lady Bowen returned last evening from Mahurangi. The brig Moa is alongside the wharf dis charging cargo. The schooners Duke of Edinburgh, Prima Donna, and Strathnaver, and :the ketch Clio,? left yesterday for Russell. . - r j J The schoc-ner Mavis arrived in harbour this morning from Lyttelron with a cargo of wheat, and one passenger—Mr W. Ballan tyne. She left Lyttelton on the 26th ult. The new. paddle.steamer Black Diamond built at the Thames arrived;h&_ yesterday ahe will leave for Russel .tomorrow. •

The s.s. Wangahui left Wanganui for Auckland at 1. 40. p.m. yesterday. The cutter Mary Eliza will leave for Cabbage bay this evening to load.itaber for Napier. ' . ' .'.,

COMMERCIAL.

Fiji.—We have files to. January 11. H. Oliphant Paton & Co..report :—Hennessy's brandy 465; champagne vineyard, 40s and 41s i j JDKZ gin, 365; key brand, 3.5: port and sherry, superior, 45s j claret, 345. Australian red wme, 26 ; rum, lf ß , per gallon ; port wme 12s ; preserved meats, lOd per lb j'buttar, ls.6d! T-umalas, M 1 10s yer.ton.j maize,,3s per bushel, v ■■■ A T'

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, fat 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, A at 10.SO a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, to-morrow, at 2.50 p.m. . For Taranaki arid Southern provinces, per s.s. Welling ton, to-morrow, at noon For Tauranga, per Vincent, to-morrow, at 8 a.m. For Wangarei, Wangarei Heads, Waipu, &c, per Challenger, on Thursday, eth inst., at 8 p.m. (Sighed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

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

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 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

We have much pleasure in giving pub licity to the following letter upon the sub ject of a reformatory. Our correspondent has always taken an active part in move .ments for social reform in Auckland, and his remarks have therefore a special value. We append his letter: —Sir,—-I was much pleased on reading in a recent issue of the Star the Urgent appeal you made to the public in reference to the establishment of a Teforma-

Tory in Auckland. This question is of the greatest importance as affecting the future interests of this community. Many of the boys and girls sent to the gaol at Mount Eden are of necessity compelled to asso ciate with adults hardened in crime, con sequently their habits will be confirmed during their incarceration by becoming familiarised with the lives of those whose boast.it is to set at defiance the laws that

regulate and govern society. Justice ! The justice we boast of as Britons aims not so much at punishment and inflicting suffering as by adopting such a course which shall not only deter the guilty from a repetition of crime through fear, but shall also be tempered by that influence which will in duce the transgressor to see advantage on the side' of right doing. How few hardened criminals are reclaimed. Some not altogether lost to,the claims of reason, return to the path of integrity and industry; let such be encouraged. But it is to those who are only just commencing a course of evil that we must direct our efforts by removing them from the temptations and influences which daily being strengthened, will in a few years become' confirmed, and before they are wedded to a vicious life place them under such restraint as will teach them to submit

to rule and authority, which eventually they will learn to respect .as having fitted them to occupy a position in life which otherwise would have been closed against them i This, combined with.industrial pursuits, will lead them to feel how superior a life of useful labour—honestly earning their own living— is to a life of vice and idleness., The want of a reformatory has for many years been felt

in Auckland ; and in 1862, when many of the then leading-merchants and others inaugurated an effort to establish an Industrial School, the result of which was the erection of .the building in Freeman's Bay,' subsequently used as the Immigrants' Home, and now as the Home for Destitute Children. At that time the population in Auckland was much smaller'than at present, but the result of an investigation shewed a large amount of im morality and destitution. About sixty chil dren were then receiving Government aid ; their parentis were either dead, confirmed drunkards* had absconded, or were in gaol. Considerable sympathy was felt with the object, and large donations were made, in addition to which about £200 a-year was promised as subscriptions/ If I remember aright the reason that it was not carried out, as intended by private subscription, was, that. Sir George Grey, who was Governor in formed the committee of management1 that when he was previously Governor, he set apart and granted valuable properties to certain religious bodies, to be used for the purposes sought to be realised, the proceeds of which would be, anrble'to meet the neces sary expenses ort-.e-n^^ School, and that by applying to the Government they would be made available. After considerable; trouble it was found that the various proper ties were vested in the respective religious bodies,' consequently could not be diverted for the Industrial School. After this followed

the native war, succeeded by depressed trade and ruin to many, which led to the abandon ment of the project. The Provincial Govern ment took back the land formerly granted ;with the buildings thereon. My only excuse for trespassing on your space is the import-

a nce of the question, and in hope that some of the gentlemen who formerly- assisted in this work, and who are still influential in the community, will aid you in pressing it's claims on the Government, and I am sure the result will be " success." I am looking forward with the deepest interest to the new Education Act, as in proportion to the num ber of neglected childi-en you can educate so will the number be lessened of those who otherwise " must" be educated in a reforma tory. Let us educate all we can ; '' preven tion ia better than cure." — I am, &c, Citizen.

One of those oft-recurring accidents, namely of little children catching fire, happened this morning at a house in Aber crombie-street. The mother had gone out to see a friend off by the Thames steamer, and during her absence the daughter, a little child of five and & _alf years old, approached the ___ to replace some burning embers which had fallen from the fire-place, when her clothes became ignited. Her shrieks of terror attracted the attention of Mrs P.yan's lads, who forced their way into the house, the door being locked. The child in her agony immediately ran into a neighbour's house, who promptly extinguished the flames by rolling the child in some sacks, but not before she was fearfully burnt. Drs Stock well and Dawson were sent for, and attended shortly after. They administered remedies towards alleviating the little sufferer's pain, but she still lies in a very precarious condi tion, and doubts are entertained regarding her recovery. The little girl is a daughter of Mrs Boulster. The angler's occupation is gone, at least so far as the wharf is concerned. This morning the following placard appeared posted m conspicuous places on the wharf:—Auokland Harbour Board.—Notice. —Notice is hereby given that any person obstructing the traffic on any wharf, jetty, or public landing place by fishing therefrom will, in accordance with amended clause No. 66 of the Harbour Regulations, be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds.—W. C. Daldy, Chairman. February Ist, 1873. — Shortly after Sergeant Baker, of the water police, made his appearance, and calling attention to the notice warned off all those who were engaged in the Waltonian sport. The anglers picked up their lines, bait, and schnappers in a reluctant manner and sorrowingly took their departure. A fall of earth occurred yesterday at the works of reclamation of land, Freeman's Bay, by which one of the workmen received some slight injuries. Others engaged on the spot saw the falling earth in time to avoid it or the consequences might have been serious. A recent weekly return of London pauper ism showed the total number of paupers to be 101,054, being a decrease of 16,596 from the same time of the previous year. At the sitting of the City Council yester day a letter was read from Mr Holdship, requesting that he might be permitted to re move a certain building in Custom House street. Councillor Dargaville thought it would be a bad precedent if they allowed one of their own number to infringe the Building Act. The request was not allowed. The apj)lication of Mr Knight, respecting the laying down of asphalt, was referred to the Streets Committee. The usual monthly accounts were ordered to be paid. The Mayor was of opinion that when the Market by-law comes into operation persons should no longer be allowed to hawk fruits and vege tables about the streets. He referred to a by-law in force in the city of Melbourne which compelled, such persons to occupy stalls in thejmarket-place, and said that it would be for the Council to consider whether or not a tax should bo im posed upon hawkers of vegetables. The Council promised to consider the matter at a future meeting. The im portant question of a permanent water supply for the city was again introduced. Councillor Tonks thought the question might stand over until the people could see the necessity for the supply. Councillors Dargaville and Cosgrave were of opinion that something should be done in the matter. It was at length agreed that it should be postponed. The usual quarterly accounts were passed, and the meeting adjourned. Fire has again broken out in the Kawarau coal pit (Otago), which had to be flooded to put out the flames. The Carandinis will visit New Zealand again shortly. Mr "Walter Sherwin, their agent, is now in Hokitika for the purpose of making arrangements on their behalf.

i Racehorses are beginning to arrive at i. Greymouth for the forthcoming races. The ; chestnut mare Defamation has been taken overland from Christchurch, and Mozzell and r Eacenfeed are both in training. Mr Walters, i with Yatterina and Slander, went to Grey mouth from Nelson by the last trip of the . Charles Edward from that port. ; An announcement is made that the exhi bition of the Auckland Society of Artists 1 will be held about the end of the present '_ month. The exhibition will consist of oil and water colour paintings (local and for : eign), crayon and pencil drawings, etchings, designs,. architectural plans, photographs, and statuary. Works of art of the above description will be received from the 24th to [ ; the 28th instant. Mr Whitaker applied at the Supreme Court yesterday for leave to move for a rule nisi for a new trial in the case of K.eir v. Green Harp Gold Mining Company. A simi lar application was made in the case of Angus v. Hewin. His Honor granted leave in both cases, and argument will be heard at the-first sitting in Banco. The interminable case re Machattie again occupied the Court in Chambers, and judgment was deferred. The sum taken for entrance money at the Christchurch Exhibition, amounted to within a shilling or two of £120. A musical and literary entertainment will take place on Friday evening in the Free Methodist Chapel, at the junction of Pitt and Hobson-streets, under the presidency of the Rev. G. H. Turner. The Board of Education have appointed meetings of the resident householders of Auckland West (No. 1) at the Carlton Academy, Hobson-street, February 6th ; and of Auckland West (No. 2) at the Catholic Institute, Wellington - street, on Friday, February 7th, for the purpose of electing school committees. ; i : The Magnet Variety Troupe went through a very excellent and amusing programme last evening, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, in the presence of a large audience, as usual. The company are, if anything, increasing in popular favour, and the various songs introduced go down with a relish and meet with an ap plause seldom accorded. Lottie and her brothers Frank and Victor continue to ex cite the admiration and wonder of the spec tators by their sensational performances on ] the trapeze bar. The two latter also went through several clever performances with the trapeze rings. This evening Lottie will ap pear on the flying trapeze. The price of a wife in the Zulu country, South Africa, is fixed by law at ten cows. The purchaser can give more if he chooses, but the seller cannot demand more. This law was passed in consequence of a speculator having once bought up all the young girls and demanded exorbitant prices for them.

In another column, will be found the amended time table of-the new'ferry/steamer Takapuna. The time table during the past ten days has been only tentative in order to find out the capabilities of the boat, and was framed at a time when it was believed that the boat would run at the rate of ten miles per hour. Although the Takapuna has not this pace she can at least easily overhaul and pass both the Devonport .and the Enterprise, having done so on every occasion during the past week when happening to get running with them. Still it has been found that she is not able to do the work of two boats ; and a time-table, which she can keep with un varying regularity, has been now.submitted to the Wharf Committee of the Harbour Board and approved, and will come into force with the first trip to-morrow morning. It will be observed that the night trips have been suspended for a time, and the public are invited to patronise the opposition boats at night for a few months until the Ferry Company have a second boat on the line. The fares being now very reasonable no in convenience will thus be felt by those desirous of a night trip. Some diffi culty was feared in the matter of the conveyance of horses, which has been satisfactorily removed. Owing to the de fective construction of the wharves horses cannot be placed on the portion of the lower deck specially prepared for them. As a pro visional arrangement the forward part of the upper deck was set apart for the purpose, but as the Harbour Regulations forbid horses being '' carried on the bridge" of ferry steamers, pressure was brought to bear on the Harbour authorities to show that the upper deck of the Takapuna, being sixty-five feet long and sixteen wide—much larger than the whole of the Enterprise, and nearly as big as the Devonport—is a " Bridge." It has, how ever, been resolved to not interpret the word in this sense, and subject to certain condi tions prescribed by the Wharf Committee horses will in a few days be carried regularly on board the boat instead of having to be sent as heretofore round by Riverhead. The new time-table will be observed on and after to-morrow.

An official enquiry was opened this morn ing in reference to alleged misconduct by Thomas Beckham, Esq., in his judicial capacity. The enquiry is before Messrs Joshua Strange Williams, and W. S. Reid, commissioners appointed by the Government, and is held in one of the General Govern ment offices, at the Supreme Court. Mr J. E. Macdonald, of the Thames, is retained as counsel for Mr J. B. Russell, the complainant, and Mr Weston will, watch the proceedings on behalf of the Resident Magistrate. The enquiry is. of a private nature, and the par ticulars and result will not be made public until they have been submitted to the Government and confirmed. The proceedings are likely to last some days, several witnesses having been subpoenaed to attend. !

The rnanjPeter Carroll, accused of a serious crime upon a little girl of tender years, has been captured by Detective Jeffrey. He was brought before the Court this morning, but on account of the dangerous illness of. the child, the accused was remanded until Thursday morning. Carroll has followed the business of a fruit and orange seller by the wayside, and he is not a stranger injthe by-ways and thoroughfares of this city, and especially well is he known in the immediate vicinity of the Police Court. Carroll, as he appeared this morning in the box, displayed great anxiety, he was nervous and agitated, and his eyes exhibited either an in sane or guilty restlessness. He is under the ordinary height, apparently about five feet four inches, and about fifty years of age. His itinerant calling has not been entirely profitless ; he has saved money, at least to the extent of £30, as his Savings Bank book testified, which, upon the application of Mr Bennett, has been restored to him. The little girl, who is suffering in bed, went to borrow a little salt of Carroll on Sunday morning last, when was alleged the assault took place. Carroll being a small, spare man, easily leaped through the window, and having but little flesh to carry found no difficulty in escaping to Dedwood, where he hid himself for some time. Detective Jeffrey was soon on his track, and traced his man from spot to spot until he discovered Carroll's last hiding place in the house of a man named Gibbons, in Mechanics' Bay. The vigilant detective at once forced open the door, and pounced upon Carroll in the very act of writing out an order for hisown daughter to draw the £30 from the bank. Detective Jeffrey captured the prisoner, and conveyed him to the station, where, at intervals during the night, he exhibited signs of insanity, which were scarcely insane enough to favour the belief he desired to impress upon those around him. Great credit is certainly due to Detective Jeffrey for his perseverance in tracking and ultimately securing the prisoner. The girl Knox, we are sorry to learn, lies in a most precarious state from injuries caused through the assault.

The Japanese utilise their condemned. Two Yeddo policemen, sentenced to death for murder, were lately set up as targets on the Yeddo rifle range.

Thirty-two thousand seed we're once counted in the head of a poppy.

The treasurer of Martin's Bay Relief Fund acknowledges receipt of £1 from Mr E. Mann; £1, no name; and ss. from a friend. .

We are sure our readers will be glad to learn that the Provincial Government have acknowledged, in a tangible manner, the in valuable, services rendered by Di\, Philson, Provincial Surgeon, during the outbreak of small-pox in this city. We understand the Superintendent has written a letter to that gentleman, on behalf of himself and his Exe cutive, expressing their appreciation of the zeal and attention displayed by him in his capacity as Provincial Surgeon during that anxious and critical period, and their opinion that the speedy and effectual extinction of the terrible and destructive epidemic was largely owing, to his self-sacrificing efforts ; during the continuance of the disease. Accompanying the , letter was a cheque for the siim of £100, awarded by; the Government in recognition- of the great services done by . Doctor Philson durihg the period referred to. We feel certain that the public will unite with us- in approval of the . act done by the Provincial Government, and His Honor the Superintendent, and in their estimate of the services performed by the Provincnil Surgeon in staying the progress of the disease in our midst—services rendered at much personal sacrifice on his part and from a sense of public duty.

■ At the request of various residents in the. city who have adopted the' earth-closet system we call the attention of the City Council.to, the serious inconvenience they are causing by their delay in dealing with Mr Fletcher, the contractor, for the removal of night-soil. Various complaints have been lodged against Mr Fletcher and Mr Goldie, Inspector of Nuisances, has reported unfavorable of him, the Council therefore postponed the renewal of his license. The result is that Mr Fletcher has not been discharging his usual duties during the past month. Many closets are now full, and the people are at £i. loss how to dispose of the contents. In this sumnier. weather it is necessary that such a matter should not be neglected, and the Council o ught to settle it at once one way or the other, . ■:• A. ': '"'

A cricket match was played on Saturday last on the Onehunga grounds, between the Onehunga and Mangere Clubs. The Mangere team won by five wickets, the score being Mangere, 56; Onehunga, 51....The return match will take place at Mangere on the 15th instant. The services of St. Matthew's will be con ducted on Sundays, the 9th and 16th of the present month, by Rev. Wm. Martin, Vicar of Steeple Morden, and Fellow of New Col lege, Oxford, in the place of Rev. David Jones, who has been for some time in a state of ill health. We have to acknowledge receipt from the Government Printer of the Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives for 1872. The amount of timber to be sold by Mr Sibbin to-morrow, at the wharf, was .in yesterday's advertisement erroneously printed 2,000 feet. It should have appeared 20,000 feet. . . :. : ■

TELEGRAPHIC.

'FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.J «..—:—

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

GRAHAMSTOWN

This day. Bessy Claim.—A crushing of five tons of stone from this claim yielded 4 ozsls dwts of gold. _ ; ,; No Name.—The late crushing has yielded 50 ozs 19 dwts 12grs. The District Court adjourned to-day in consequence of the unavoidable absence of Mr Beckham. The Court was opened by Mr Stoney, Clerk of the Court, and Mr Tyler applied for leave to avail himself of the pro cess against a man named Bramley, who had filed his schedule, it was stated, to evade payment of £167 contributory calls in the Shooting Star Gold Mining Company. Leave was granted, and the Court then adjourned until the 18th instant. West Coast.—A small trial crushing has given 2_oz. of gold. Caledonian.—The yield from 95 tons of tailings is 60_oz. of gold. Long Drive.—The return for the month is 328 ozs. 15 dwts. Moanatakai. —860 tons crushed during the month have yielded*462 ounces of gold. Waiotahi.—The tributers have had 37 tons of stone crushed, which yielded 29 ozs. 10 dwts. of gold.

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

(PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH COMPANY.) .

THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS OF WELLINGTON, DUNEDIN, AND CHRISTCHURCH.

DR. PEEBLES AND MADAME CORA

IN DUNEDIN.

WELLINGTON

This day. Stewart, charged witr_rape upon'a patient in the Lunatic Asylum, has been remanded until Friday. The Crown Prosecutor will prosecute in the case. The Gas Company has declared a dividend of 10 per cent. Free schools were opened by the Education Board yesterday. They were completely rushed, more applications for admission having been received than could be ac commodated.

BLENHEIM.

This day. They Eyes enquiry closed. Twenty-one witnesses were examined for Mr Eyes. The decision will remain unknown until Commis sioners have reported to the Government.

DUNEDIN.

This day. The Customs revenue for Dunedin for the month amounts to £20,909. Opinion is more in favour of the cricketers sent to Christchurch than formerly. Madame Cora, the magician, and Dr ! Peebles, spiritualist, are drawing large houses. . The Secretary to the Education Board has requested schoolmasters to obtain books that would give the least possible offence to Roman, Catholics. '••'.. - Thirty Leicester rams, twenty ewes, seventy-one Lincoln rams, and forty-one ewes have been received by the Australian and New Zealand Land Company. They are spoken highly of, and will be distributed, amongst the company's stations in New Zea" land. A letter has been received from the captain of H.M.S. Dido, which states that the Otago preserved meat is far superior to that supr plied to Her Majesty's navy. The company will commence operations for the season at. once. .:'

CHRISTCHURCH.

•. This day. His Excellency the Governor returned yesterday from a visit to Mount Cook. He left for Wellington in the s.s. Taranaki.

LYTTELTON.

;,..... This day. The people have taken up the question of sending a crew to the inter-provincial regatta very strongly. . , . Bishop Morah, in an address, very strongly condemned the educational system here. No one has qualified for the Colonial firing out of the Northern companies.

NELSON.

This day. The anniversary of the province was cele brated yesterday with a Foresters and Odd fellows' fete. There were 1500 persons present at the former.

PROVINCIAL IGNORANCE.

[To the Editor of the Evening Star.] Sir,—The population returns which have recently been received from Wellington present some information that cannot tail to be of considerable interest at the present time. I find that in the province of Auck land there were at the last census 6792 males and 6523 females under fifteen years of age who could not read and write ; and 901 males and 604 females of fifteen years and upwards who were labouring under the like dis abilities. These 14,822 individuals repre sented about twenty-four per cent, of tne total of the provincial population whick numbered in 1871 62,335. In addition to the above there were 4766 persons who could only read, being 7_- per cent, of the whole of the inhabitants. Those of fifteen years ot age and upwards who could only read numbered 1505 male and female, being 2_ per cent. In comparing these latter returns with those of similar ages in the province .of. Otago, the per centage of ignorance bore greatly against Auckland. In Otago the number of persons of fifteen years and up wards who could not read and write was 588, being somewhat less than one per cent., whereas in this province it was 2_ per cent. These results prove the necessity of a general system of education for Auckland, and I trust that the scheme which has now become law will have a fair trial, although I am opposed to the uniform tax which is sought to be levied upon each householder. I think this portion of the scheme will fail, and I regret that the Government abandoned its original graduated scale of taxation. In order to obtain a fair chance of success for the educational measure I would recommend the calling together of the Council for the purpose of altering the plan of taxation. If that course could not be accomplished, then it will behove the various constituencies to return representatives at the ensuing election who will pledge themselves to do justice in this matter to the poor as well as to the rich. —I am, &c, A Householder.

LATER FROM FIJI.

By the Charybdis we have files to January 11, from which we make the following ex tracts :— Several merchants and. leading men of Levuka have met with a view of initiating a bank in Fiji. They. determined to estab lish a co-operative company with a capital of £100,000, half paid-up, and the company to commence operations within three months. Shares £10 each. The Fijian Government have decided upon forming a Parliamentary library. - <■- Sheep brought from Melbourne by the Nil Desperandum were sold for 365. per head. The Lakeba natives are somewhat dis satisfied at the prospect of having to pay for the purchase of a large schooner for their chief, in addition to paying the taxes im posed upon them by Act of Parliament. It is "hard lines " indeed for the poor creatures to have to bear the two burdens in place of one, as of old. Mr March, H.B.M. Consul, has succeeded in recovering the girl Kate, who was ab ducted some time back from the British Consulate. She has some important informa tion with reference to the Carl.

The trial of Mr Pfluger, who was arrested on board the Pride of Viti, Ba River, charged with high treason and obstructing the police in the execution of their duty, has been heard in Levuka. Only one witness was called, and the evidence was of the most trifling character. Mr Pfluger was dis charged, although Mr Warden Brougham insisted on his committal, but was ultimately over-ruled by his brother magistrates. The disgraceful circumstances attending Mr Pfluger's arrest were thus described at a meeting of Nadroga settlers by an eye-witness :— He said that the action of those who arrested Mr Pfluger was unnecessarily severe and barbarous, that while five Fijians were ill-treating Mr Pfluger when down, tearing him by the hair and whiskers, the sergeant-major got a red scarf, wound it round his (Mr Pfluger's) neck and deliberately choked him. He (the speaker) interfered to slacken the scarf, but Thurston turned on him, and presenting a revolver threatened to put him ashore in the tiri if he said another word. ThUrston also in the most overbearing manner, said to Mr Pfluger after the handcuffs were on him, and who was simply expostulating at the treat ment he had received, '' Hold your tongue sir, or I will have you gagged, and put down the f orehold." When Mrs Pfluger was alongside in the whaleboat he distinctly saw two or three of the Fijian soldiers lift their muskets to club her. Altogether it was one of the most harrowing scenes he had ever witnessed."

SUPREME COURT.—In Chambers.

This Day,

(Before his Honor Sir G. A. Arney, Knight,

Chief Justice.)

' THE NORTH SHORE WHARF CASE. This case has been before the Court in various forms. It arose out of the construction of the lower wharf, at the North Shore. Messrs Cochrane, Duder, and other residents had guaranteed the cost of the wharf to Mr Beddoes, the contractor. A portion of the money was paid, but a balance still remained when Mr Beddoes left the colony in debt. A representative of Mr Beddoes sued Mr Cochrane and other trustees for this balan.e, and obtained judg ment. All the trustees, except Mr Duder, of the North Shore, had either got rid of their responsibility or were unable to pay. The whole weight of the judgment, there fore, fell on Mr Duder. He was on the point of settling the claim when Mr J. B. Russell, one of Mr Beddoes' creditors, stepped in and obtained an injunction of the Court restraining Mr Duder from paying the amount to Mr Beddoes's representative pending the settle ment of the claim he had against Beddoes's estate. Hence arose the anomaly of tbe arrest of Mr Duder for an infringement of one judgment of the Court while obeying another. The Chief Justice, upon his return to Auckland, however at once ordered Mr Duder's release, and the whole merits of the case were gone into. ~ Mr J. B. Russell applied that the amount of judgment in the case of Beddoes v. Cochrane should be paid to him in satisfaction of his claim against Mr Beddoes. This was opposed by Mr SUmmerfield on the ground of another claim against Mr Duder. His Honor gave judg ment upon the > whole question to-day. He disallowed Mr Summerfield's claim, and ordered that the whole of the guarantee fund, after deducting Mr Richmond's cost as coun sel in the case, should be paid to Mr J. B. Russell.

The Christchurch papers report a fatal case of larking having occurred there lately. It appears that a man named Thomas Henley and another named John Vickery were playfully trying their strength against each other in a hotel bar when Henley fell, and it was found, on attempting to rise, that one of his legs was broken. The sufferer died four days afterwards,

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., Mayor.) DRUNKENNESS. ■-. -o^*;. Two persons were brought up charged with being drunk and dealt with in the usual way. ..-.. VAGRANCY. Mary Napier, a miserably-clad creature, was charged under the Vagrancy Act with making use of obscene and disgusting lan guage last night in the public street; also with being drunk at the same time. Prisoner stated that she had only three glasses of beer, and it made her rather noisy f If his Worship would let her off she would leave the city. A Mrßroham stated that the prisoner had been charged twelve times at this Court for various offences, and was a bad character. Fined £5 and costs, or three months with hard labour. RAPE. Peter Carroll, a man about fifty years of age, Was charged with committing rape on a girl named Mary Fisher, she being under the age of twelve years, on Sunday, February 2. Mr Bennett appeared for the prisoner, and asked that the Savings' Bank deposit book might be restored to the prisoner, as it was in no way connected with the charge, which was granted. As the child, Mary Fisher, was too ill to attend and give evidence, the prisoner was remanded until Thursday next. ...., * STEALING. . • • a John Williams was brought up on re mand charged with stealing the sum of £23 from the person of Wm. Powell, at Auck land, on the evening of the 29th of January. Wm. Powell deposed that he was. a store keeper at Raglan, and at the time of {j&W- gatta was lodging at an hotel in Victoria street. On Regatta day he went onboardl .he Golden Crown with £48 in notes and gold, which he placed in his right-hand pocket. He had some liquor on board and fell in with the prisoner who was very familiar although a total stranger. On landing the prisoner still stuck to him, and induced him to go to Mrs Cromwell's shop, in Queen street, where he fell asleep in a, back room; when he awoke prisoner was no where to be found. He was conducted to his lodgings by Mr HarSent, when he searched to see if his money was right ; the money,was aU : g<pe except two notes and sixteen sovereigns, which were lodged in another pocket;, he allowed three pounds which he might have spent on the spree, so that he considered he had been robbed of £23; one of the £5 notes he had marked with red ink ; the note pro- I duced was the note that he marked.

Cross-examined by Prisoner : He did not first ask prisoner to keep to him, and be his friend. He did not say he stole the money, nor did he give him the money too. take' core of. He could not tell what took ;p_rtie~at Cromwell's shop, because he fell asleep^jHe allowed £3 for shouting and expenses. He had a vague recollection of going into a pub lic-house near the wharf. He believed it was Coupland's, but could not positively say. Mary Cromwell deposed that she was the wife 6_ John Cromwell, confectioner, Queen street, and that about seven o'clock on the evening of Regatta day the prosecutor and ac cused came into their shop and wanted tea, which was provided for them. They Were to gether in the room about half-an-Jiour.; iThe prisoner paid for'the tea and left prosecutor behind, who was under the influen«e of li quor. .Other persons were in the room all the time. Prisoner paid for the tea with a florin. No one was sitting near the prose cutor after prisoner left the room. Detective Ternahan deposed that he.went to the prisoner's house, at the bottom of Grey street, on the evening of the 31st of January. He found the prisoner there, he told him that he was charged with stealing £23 from Mr Powell ;■ he said he' knew nothing about, he denied having being with Powell in Crom well's shop ; he then told him to consider himself a prisoner, and proceeded to search him ; he found fifteen shillings upon him, i which he said was the remaining portion bf his week's wages ; he then took him to Mrs Cromwell's, when he admitted that" he had. been there with the prosecutor. Mrs; Crqitt well rcognized him at once as the man who paid for the tea. He took him towards the station, when he said if the detective wqulct not lock him up he would give Powell a cheque for the amount. Upon being .told' that would not do, he stated that Powell hadl given him the money. He did not steal it, and if the detective would go with him. tos his home in Grey-street he -would give up the* notes. He went accordingly, when prisoner* put his hand into, a hole in, the ceiling and drew out ari old sock tied with black , rag, which contained £15 in notes concealed in' a match box, which had been identified by Mr Powell as his property. The prisoner was then committed for trial. BREACH OF BY-LAWS. William Wells was charged, at the instance of Mr Goldie, with plying for hire as a porter without having a license. -, •:"*,/" Defendant stated that' he merely carried '(_]_ parcel for a lady who had been very kind,to-, him and for which he would not accept pay- ; ment.. , ■ ••-.'; . Mr Goldie not being able to contradict this . statement, his Worship dismissed the case,.:; i Thomas Lett was fined Is and costs for., not complying with the Cab Stand Regula tions. : . Thomas Mackie was charged with keeping pigs on his premises contrary to law, but upon promising to. turn them into pork at once, and to discontinue . the practice in future, he was fined the nominal sum i-ot'_M T| and costs.', ,;,:,-'•:•' Ci. This concluded the business. V r__„-_afi_

TO ARMS!

I To Arms !To Arms ! Ye working men ■ George Staines commands you so ; His proclamation shows you when And where to meet your foe For life, forget not Tuesday night, . " The Champion's ". charging speech ■;' He 11 cheer you on to glory's height, By gesture, howl, and screech ! To Arms ! against a tyrant band, Nor be with vengeance slow, For mercy never guides the hand When tyrants strike the blow. - But ere ye arm let ye be sure Which is the wrong and right; Which those who seek to raise the poor? Which those who dread the light. Are they the tyrants ye behold Who seek to educate ? Or those who grasp their hidden gold, And grudge the poor a rate ? Are they philanthropists who deny The light to darkened souls ? .','■ And patriots, who incessant cry Let each man pay his tolls ! . Are these your leaders? such a crew ":- As Olphert.i-Staines, and Co'»■ Auckland ! such men Will never do ! , Tr . They'h^ring thee endless woe. .' Where are thy brightly shining stars ? Thy ministers of grace ? Is this no time to win their scars And gain a higher place r This boasted Britain-of the South With ignorance is rife t Then close thy ever boasting mouth, Or strive for nobler life ; For wealth lies not in golden mines, _, Nor yet in diamond beds ; llie wealth which far beyond them shines Is found in thoughtful heads. .No tyranny like ignorance, . No heroes like its foes. Awake ! New Zealand's sons, advance, And not for ever dose. Awake ! to-night your friends will meet, George Staines will be your guide; a j y round i nls presence greet, Md in his views confide.

i?hi ev_-kiko: m&% immMT>s&&w&sft ______ji ; - * - 1 1 —



pA N AM A HATS PANAMA HATSi! Just Eeceiyed, 72 SUPERIOR REAL PANAMA HATS, Will he sold at lGs 6d each. SA.MUEL COOMBES, CITY CLOTHING MA& _, .No.. 80, QUE_ j ;- r s T REET,



CAN T^jj. BEST MOLESKIN TROUSERS iN NEW ZEALAND BE SOLD FOR 6s. 11d.? NO! DRAPERS AND OTHEES outside the Clothing Trade may offer such baits to the public, but as THE CLOTHIER OF THE PROVINCE, and the only one whose business is exclusively confined to the manufacture and sale of Men's Clothing, 1 maintain that it cannot he done. I can, however, offer to the Working Men GENUINE BARGAINS, being prepared to sell a pair of Moleskin Trousers, equal in every respect to the 6s. lid. article, FOR ss. 11d. And a pair of GENUINE Crown Moles, FOR 6s. Hi). And the best in New Zealand, ; FOR Bs. 110. SAMUEL COOM BE S, MANUFACTURER & CLOTHIER, 80 & 180, QUEEN-STREET. T COSGEAVE & CO.'S SALE OF DRAPERY & CLOTHING COMMENCED ON SATURDAY, FEB. 1. The .Public are requested to Inspect the Goods as the Reductions are Genuine.