SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening, 5.58 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 6.15 HTGH WATER: This evening, 6.33; to-morrow morning, C.52

ARRIVAL. Nil.

DEPARTURES. Mata, schooner, Young, for Rarotonga Sunbeam, schooner, for AA r angaroa Fiery Cross, schooner, for Tahiti

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Wellington: Luna, Government steamer, to morrow For Southern ports : Taranaki, s.s., Monday For Napier : Esther, schoorer, to-day For Honolulu and San Francisco Nebraska, mail steamer, 17th April For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Tuesday next For Sydney and Melbourne: Wonga Wonga, s.s., early For Hobart Town : Bella Mary, barque, early For Cork : Moss Glen, barque, early For Newcastle : Briton, barque, to-morrow

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Edinburgh Castle, ship, from London. Sailed 29th December Parsee, ship, from London. Sailed 12th January Agra, ship, from London. Sailed Zanga, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed Corido, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed 2Sth February Dauntless, schooner, from South Sea Islands Satellite, cutter, from Levuka Ladybird, s.s., from Sydney (in the Manukau) W. C. Wentworth, barque, from Sydney Wonga AVonga, s.s., Brown, from Sydney Velocidade, barque, from Lyttelton. Sailed 24th March Thames, barque, from New York,'via Sydney. Loading Alice Cameron, barque, from Sydney

The s. s. Taranaki is announced to leave the Manakau on Monday next at eleven a.m. for Southern ports.

The cutter Vincent will leave for Tauranga to-morrow.

The schooner Clyde having been detained through stress of weather will sail the first opportunity.

The s.s. St. Kilda arrived at Wanganui at eight o'clock this morning from the Manu kau.

The s.s. Wellington arrived at Nelson at six o'clock this morning from New Plymouth.

The iron ketch Whynot, lately fitted with a centre board, is alongside the barque Bella Mary taking in a consignment of Hobart Town palings and posts for Archard and

Brown

The brig Derwent is alongside the wharf discharging her cargo of coal. The barque Briton has entered outwards for Newcastle.

The schooner Excelsior has cleared out wards for Wangapoa to load timber for Dunedin.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs B. Tonks & Co. held an extensive trade sale of drapery, ex Warwick, yesterday, when the follow ing prices were realised :—Honeycomb towels, Cs to 7s ; 3in. watertwist shirtings, 4d to 7d ; bleached huckaback, 6d to 7d ; light fancy prints, 5d to 7d ; white Marseilles quilts, lis.to lis ; white damask tablecloths. Ss 6d to 7s Cd : 13-16 Union tick, 7_d to 9d ; bleached damask; tabling, ls 3d ; 36in. grey twills, 4sd to 7d ; 36in. grey domestics, 5d te 7d; fancy prints, 5d to 6d ; SOin. grey domestics, 5d ; Turkey and Cochineal handkerchiefs, ss; 36in. Mexicans, 6d; super Saxony shirts, 65s to 87s; shepherd's plaid shirts, 725: 32in. flax sheetings, 5d to 7(1 : 7-8 electoral flannels, ls 5d to ls 7d ; 7-8 scarlet flannels. lOd to ls Id : 32in. and 36in. Horrocks's A, s{d to 6d ; 7-4 French coloured thibet cloths, ls 5d ; ripp winceys, 9d ; imitation silk handherchiefs, ss; raised shawls (squares), 10s Cd to 12s ; AVelsh flannels, ls to ls 4d ; reversible rugs, 15s 6d ; Wigan sheeting, ls 8d to ls lOd.

MINING.

The following are the current call and dividends payable in the companies named below : — _ s. d.

Golden Crown, Mr TothiU's office, Auckland, 11 a.m.,

_.Btli _V-Ts_r_-i John o'Groats. Mr F. A. White's office, Auckland,

3 p.m., 31st March Golden Age, Compiny's office, Shortland street,

Auckland, 2 p.m., 31st March Yon Voltke, Coromandel. 2nd April Lucky Diggers. Messrs Russell and Devore's office, Shortland street. Auckland, at 11 a.m., Bth April Moanatairi Union. Mr F. A. AVhite's office, Shortland

land street. Auckland. 3 p.m., Bth April Daughters of Freedom, Grahamstown, 14th April Bee, Grahamstown, 15th April Nolan's Candlelight, No. 1, 41, Insurance Buildings,

Auckland. 3pm., 21st April Margaretla, Mr A. A. Browne's office, Wyndham street, Auckland, 3 p.m., 23rd April Bank of New Zealand, Bank, noon, 24th April

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mati.s wiLi. Close as Under : — For Thames, this day, at 6.30 p.m., and to-morrow,

at 3.30 p m. and 5.30 p.m. Por Coromandel, to-morrow, at 0.30 p.m. Por Wangarei Heads, Wangarei, and Mai.gapai, per

Clvde r this day, at 4 p.m. For Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, &c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday, 29th inst., at 10 a.m. For Taranaki and Southern Provinces, per Taranaki,

on Monday, 31st inst., at 9 a.m. For Napier and Southern provinces, per Nebraska, six hours after her arrival.

Note. —A Post-office wiU be opened in Wangaroa Harbour on Ist proximo, to be named " Wangaroa." The office known hitherto as " Wangaroa " will in future be called " Kaio." The Ruato office will retain its present name. (Signed) S. B. Biss. Chief Postmaster.

The Southern News says:—"We have to acknowledge receipt of an affecting souvenir from, we presume, one of the theatrical levanters—in the shape of a neat' shillelagh,' weigh ing something less than fourteen pounds. It came up from the Bluff as a parcel, ad dressed, ' Neios Office. Glass, with care.' A label attached bore the following inscrip tion : —'ln re O'Brien. -.ccept enclosed valuable insthrumint as security for amount due—or as payment in full. Dr. O'Toole. Stombird, Ist March, 1873.' We intend to give it a conspicuous place among the articles of vertu that adorn our sanctum." The Post says :—The propriety of abolish ing the Mayor's Court in Dunedin is being considered by the City Council there. The Court was originally established with the view of increasing the Municipal funds, but the net profit to the city last year only amounted to £80. We trust the Council will see its way to getting rid of the Court, for it is a public scandal that Courts of Justice should be constituted with the view of ob taining a revenue from them. It throws a grave suspicion upon the purity of the motives which actuate the decisions of the Magistrates ; and, in this particular instance, many of the decisions given have been grossly unfair, and have evoked severe animadversion from the citizens, ■Dr. Bright's Phosphodyne. —Multitudes of People are hopelessly suffering from Debility, Nervous and !Liver Complaints, Depression of Spirits, Delusions, ■Unfitness for Business or Study, Failure of Hearing, Sight, and Memory, Lassitude, Want of Power, &_., whose cases admit of a permanent cure by the new remedy Phosphodyne (Oxonic Oxygen), which at once allays all irritation and excitement, imparts new energy and life to the enfeebled constitution, and rapidly cures every stage of these hitherto incurable and distressing maladies. Sold by all Chemists and Storekeepers throughout the Colonies, from whom Pamphlets containing testimonials may be obtained. 43T Caution.—Be particular to ask for Dr. Bright's Phosphodyne as imitations are abroad; and avoid piirchaslngs single bottles, the genuine article beine H^ ioI« tn case only. 6

BIRTH.

Salter.—At her residence, Baker street, Auckland, on the 25th March, the wife of Edmund James Salter, of a daughter.

DEATH.

Salmon.—On March 26', at Mossley Bank, near Harp of Erin, Capt. I. Salmon, aged 68 years. The funeral will leave his late residence To morrow (Friday), at 2 p.m., for Church of England Cemetery, Symonds-street.

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance,

And t he good that we can do

We observe that Mr Lemon, the General Manager of the New Zealand Telegraph, is now in Auckland, sum moned to meet Mr Vogel, we presume, in connection with the repeated com plaints against the department. In such circumstances we trust that the investigation will he a searching one, and though we shall sincerely regret if it result in doing injury to any officer, we hope, in behalf of the whole public, that it Avill result in placing the conduct of the service on a satisfactory footing, and prevent in the future the recurrence of circumstances that have made the service to a great extent valueless, because unreliable, in the past. It is not for us to presume in giving any advice as to the conduct of this enquiry, but we do feel at liberty to state certain points on which the public in general, and the consumers of telegrams in particular, Avill wish to be satisfied. And first it is greatly to be de sired that the Honorable the Head of the Department will himself conduct the-enquiry instead of leaving it to his subordinate It may be that the General Manager is in no Avay to blame for the improper conduct of the service; but it is quite as possible that he is, and it will be unfair to himself, aud not satisfactory to the public if he is placed in the invidious position of chief investigator. If he attach censure to himself, self-condem nation will disarm both his superior and the public, and probably prevent the fixing of sufficient guarantees against irregularities in the future. If he do not attach censure to himself we shall all say, " This is just what we expected ;" and if he roll the burthen over on his subordinates, and they are severely dealt with, we shall all have our sympathies awake, and cry out, however unjustly, against the system of placing the sins of the great. on the heads of the harmless scapegoats and chasing the poor things into the wilderness. Mr Vogel is recognised even by his enemies as having percep tive faculties as true as those of any colonist in New Zealand, and in very brief space will lay his finger on the faulty spot; and as he is too great an enthusiast in these matters for any one to doubt his strong desire for the efficiency and success of the service, we believe the decision he may arrive at will be satisfactory, as it will be fair to all concerned.

It will, wC have no doubt, be borne in mind that there are two parties interested in the suc cess of our Telegraph system. The General Manager can give informa tion as to the way, probably, of getting most money out of the wires, but as to what may be suited to the various requirements of the customers of the Telegraph-office none can speak so well as those customers themselves, and on that account the burthen of the several complaints should be weighed, and the cause of so wide-spread dis satisfaction ascertained. These com plaints, we need not say, have not been confined to Auckland, but have been general throughout the colony, and have come with great impartiality through journals supporting, and op posed to, the present Ministry. During the present month we observe the expression of strong dissatisfaction from the Wellington Post of the 20th ' and 21st, Lyttelton Times of the 21st, Taranaki Herald of the 12th, Dunedin Star of<*the 21st, the Nelson Mail, Wanganui Herald, Thames Star, New Zealand Herald, and we feel convinced that we have observed the same general discontent from almost all the other papers published in the colony tha

are sufficiently free to speak on the subject. But if there is any class of journal to which the system is 'specially vexatious, it is the evening papers. Whatever may be the cause of it, it is totally inexcusable that telegrams placed in the office at the Bluff at the moment of its opening in the morning, should not reach the evening journals until too late for their publication, as has been Avithin 1 our experience recently; Avhile the i English telegrams, which are supposed to take precedence, never reach j us, as a rule, within less than four or five hours of the arrival of the steamers. To go no farther away than yesterday, a message of twenty-three words sent to us from Wellington was actually five hours in transmission, and was too late for pub lication. Of course with the influence exercised at head-quarters by the proprietors oi morning papers it is not reasonable to expect special indul gence to evening journalism. But seeing that any time up to midnight is quite the same to the morning papers, and any time after three or four o'clock is quite useless to even ing papers for the receipt of tele grams, it does seem too bad to have the telegrams for the morning papers crowding the wires all day. It is needless to say that if the wires were the property of a private com pany, an arrangement so fair and reasonable as giving such special precedence to the telegrams for even ing papers as Avould prevent their being useless, would be made where no injury whatever could accrue to .the morning journals; but political patron age is not dispensed on ordinary busi ness principles. Mr Vogel, in a spirit of fairness, himself indicated how the increased traffic on the wire could be met by press telegrams to morning papers passing after ordinary office hours; but either he had to succumb to pressure, and revoke the intention, or Mr Lemon, under the ear-wigging process, has evaded in structions. As the evening papers are good customers to the depart ment, ordinary business tact would suggest that their convenience should be consulted instead of piles of useless telegrams being constantly thrown on their hands, a circumstance Avhich can rarely- occur to morning journals. If it is really found on investigation that the department makes the utmost use that is possible of the appliances at its disposal, then such regulations should be framed as would prevent A rexatious and needless delays pending the extension of additional wires. And we think that good would result, also, from some curb being placed on Go vernment messages. There is a general impression, and Aye believe it is vvell founded, that these monopolise the wires to an outrageous extent ; and it has been noticed that during all the peregrinations of our wan dering Ministry, wherever one or two of them are found they sit heavy on the wire. As hitherto con ducted the Telegraph department ap pears to be Avorked for two purposes, first by cheeseparing to make it as in expensive as possible, and secondly to convey Grovernment messages which from their numbers and extent can be little better than Ministerial chit chat. The public benefit and the public con venience are the last consideration. We trust that an end will be put to this. When Mr Vogel works, he is thorough. And while we shall sincerely regret if we learn that the investigation results in loss or injury to any officer, Aye express the wish of many when we hope that prescience, vigour, and firm ness, will characterise the reform, and that instead of our domestic telegraph system being the worst in the colonies it will be made worthy of a country that aspires to lead not only in tele graphic extension, but in mail services, and public Avorks and ever ything that indicates the progressive and deter mined spirit of true colonization.

His Excellency tbe Officer administering the Government accompanied by the Hon. Julius Vogel, the Hon. Donald McLean, and Captain Machell, A.D.C., paid a visit this morning to the Italian corvette Vettor Pisani, and were very courteously received and entertained by Captain the Count de Maria and his officers. The vice regal party were conveyed on board in the police boat, manned by Custom-house officers. As there is no state barge in Auckland it would be more dignified for his Excellency to make use of one of Her Majesty's man-o' war boats on such occasions.

We regret to observe from our obituary notice that another old settler has passed from our midst. Captain John Salmon, who for many years carried on business in Qneen street, under the firm of Salmon and Co., died at his residence yesterday, at the ripe age of sixty-eight. The late Captain Salmon commenced business in Auckland in 1842, and first opened up the East Coast trade. He placed a large ship on the line between Auck land and Sydney, and for several years had the whole trade in his own hands. He continued to conduct business as a merchant until about three years ago, when he retired from active life. The cause of death was natural decay from old age. The deceased gentle man was much respected by all who knew him.

The ferry steamer Takapuna has been to-day undergoing the usual quarterly Go vernment inspection at the hands of Mr Nancarrow, the Government Eneineer-in- Chief.

We have received copies of petitions for men and women favorable to the cause of total abstinence from the Canterbury Tem perance Alliance, through Mr James Coupland of this city, a staunch friend of teetotalism. The object of this alliance is to promote the reform of the laws relating to the liquor traffic, and to petition the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives to pass a law giving power to the inhabitants of any licensing district, by a majority of two thirds, to decide the number of licenses, if any, for tho common sale of intoxicating drinks, to be granted within such district.

The Evening Post of the. 17th instant says that Mr Hoskins and Miss Colville have been engaged for the Theatre Royal, to commence this week.

The friends of the Rev. James Buller, of the Thames, are about to present him with a valuable silver inkstand, as a slight token of their regard, previous to his leaving for the South.

In this morning's papers we find the following advertisement :—•" Takapuna, for sale, a parcel of shares in the North Shore Perry Company ; discount for prompt purchase. Apply to Alexander Saunders, Shortland-street." Knowing that this was a disreputable ruse to injure the company, and to prevent the sale of the new shares being issued for the building of a second boat, we at first thought that Mr Saunders, from experience of the mining sharemarket, and driven by dulness of times had lent him self to a trick that smelt of the Stock Ex change. But not only is such alien from the character and habits of Mr Saunders, but he had been really instructed to. issue the announcement. As the instructions were to announce forty-five shares in one lot, at two shillings discount, enquiry has been made of every shareholder having that number, and each and all have denied that they have placed their shares for sale. We are in a position to exonerate Mr Saunders from any complicity in this. His action has been straightforward and bona fide ; but we think that the public will unite with us in con demning a ruse so contemptible as this for " bearing" the market. The shareholders in that company united together not to make money, but to have the North Shore Ferry Service properly conducted, and though of course each one has a perfect right to adver tise and sell his shares without let and hindrance, yet as each shareholder has denied his authorization of this announce ment, and as it is evidently couched in terms expressly to injure the commercial credit of the Company, the attempt is thoroughly reprehensible. It is idle, however The boat is paying well. The new shares are selling freely. No difficulty whatever is encountered in obtaining the requisite amount ; and the plans for the new boat are being prepared by Mr Engineer Heslop as expeditiously as they can be prepared. This Company got up expressly and solely for the public good has had to contend against deception, falsehood, and underhand tricks of the most contemptible character, not the least barefaced of which is now under review.

The fortnightly Band of Hope meeting was held last night in the Edwardes-street Sun day-schoolroom, and despite the wet weather there Avas a fair audience. Mr Goldie, the chairman, enlarged upon the evils of intem perance with his usual force of language and persuasive eloquence. Mr Waters followed upon tho same ground, and concluded with a temperance story from an American author, and announced that it was the intention of the friends to hold a grand temperance festival in the course of a few weeks.

We observe that there are ninety-two ap plications for renewal of tavern-licenses to be entertained at the next annual licensing Court, a fact for the consideration of Good Templars and friends of moral progress.

The return match betAveen the scholars of St. Mary's and St. Matthew's schools is fixed for Saturday, in the Domain, at half-past two o'clock. A close contest is expected as both sides have had good piactice.

The sale of freehold property, owned by Mr Patrick Darby, yesterday, "realised overL2ooo. The prices obtained were not nearly equal to Mr Darby's expectations, some of the lots bringing leas than was paid for them ten years ago. Having, however, announced it as an unreserved sale, Mr Darby would not interfere either by withdrawing any of the lots put up or by buying in. The sale was throughout conducted in a thoroughly straight forward way creditable to the vendor, and in his strict adherence to a previously announced determination not to take any part in an unreserved sale. Mr Darby has set an example which might be copied with advantage. The sale has had the desirable effect of indicating the present market value of land in the city, and will no doubt regu late to a great extent future private sales of property. A typographical error occurred in our report of the sale yesterday. The allotment in Hobson-street opposite the Governor Browne Hotel fetched £4 Cs per foot, not £45 as printed.

The National Bank of New Zealand will open for business on Wednesday next. The usual banking business Avill bo carried on, including discount of local bills, nego tiations of bills of exchange, granting of cash credits, etc. Drafts will be issued on the Bank of England, and upon the banks' agents in Scotland and Ireland at current rates, also on the Australian colonies. Mr. Reader Wood, M.H.8., and Mr. Joseph Howard, are the local directors, and Mr. David Hean, manager.

A correspondent of the Brisbane Courier writes: —" By the last mail I received the following account from India of lioav a hus band thought to cure his Avife's fear of snakes, and the horrible result. I send it down, thinking perhaps you would like to publish it. The gentleman was very fond of snake hunting; his wife had such an aversion to them that she could not bear even to look at a dead one. He thought this all non sense on his wife's part, and determined to cure her of her fear. One day when he had killed a large boa-constrictor he brought it home, and laid it in the verandah, and went in to dinner (lie was not aware that when a boa is killed its mate always follows wherever it is taken). After dinner he told his wife lie had something to show her, and directly she went into the verandah she jumped back into the room and locked the door. She screamed dreadfully, but he thought she would soon get over it, and be cured of her fear. In a few minutes' time he opened the door, anjcL what was his horror to find his wife quite dead, and crushed by the ' boa' that had followed his mate without his knowing it. It had such an effect on the gentleman that he Avent mad, and is in an asylum at the present day."

An important case will come on for hearing at the Resident Magistrate's Court to-morrow in reference to the right to take water from the stand pipes on the wharf for other than drinking purposes. The lessee of the water pays a heavy sum per month in advance to the Government for the sole right of supplying the shipping with water, and he denies that any one has a right to take water from the stand pipes except what is required for drinking purposes. Water having been taken lately without his consent for' other purposes he has laid an action for trespass, with damages five pounds, against the party so acting.

The Thames Star says :—A great cry has gone up against recent mismanagement in the telegraph department. We, in common with many other sufferers through the care lessness or incompetency of officials in some offices in the department, have raised our voices against the abuses which exist. There is scarcely a newspaper in the colonies, indeed but has had something to say in the matter. The inconveniences arising from the mismanagement complained of have been felt by the gcnoral public as well as by tho press, although not to the same extent.

Eive Chinese were recently charged by the I police at Cadronawith playing in a gambling ; house. Four of the defendants denied the , charge, bnt the fifth, against whom the cvi- | dence was very clear, pleaded that Mr Pyke j had done the same at the Dunstan for an art- j union; that it was a common practice amongst j Europeans at Queenstown for a church ; that j their lottery was only an art-union ; and that while every one who liked could subscribe, only some could win. The Arrow Observer reports that the magistrate explained the IaAV relating to art-unions, and sentenced this "child-like" Chinese to a short term of imprisoment. The others were dis-i charged

A Volunteer Rifle Club has recently been started by the members of the second com pany of the Rifle Brigade, for the purpose of making young volunteers more attentive to their drill-duties, and proficient in the use of the rifle. This new association is call "The Rutland Go-Ahead Rifle Club," and its banner is inscribed with the word "Pro gress," with the lion and lamb beneath lying between the cannon and plough. The Club already numbers fifty members, and many others are waiting for admission. A first class committee has been appointed full of energy and fire, so that if the members keep time, and aim straight, the " Go-Aheads " will soon be at the head of the "Volunteers.

The provision made for education in Taranaki is not at all of a satisfactory cha racter. Mr JET. Richmond lately brought the matter under the notice of the Provincial Council, and during the course of his speech he said that while there were 1150 children in the province between five and fifteen years of ao-e, of whom 225 attended Government schools, as far as he could ascertain there were less than 200 attending any kind of private school; but if they put the number at 225 they would only account for another 22 per cent., so that much more than one-half, possibly three-fifths, of the children of school age in the province were not attending school whatever. He further estimated the in comes of the teachers in the country dis tricts at the following sums :—Oakura, £40 ; Okato, £20 ; Omata, £8G ; Tikorangi, £70 ; Waita'ra, £42 ; Manutahi, £S3 ; Bell Block, £50 ; giving an average of about £45, for, alloAving for a few pupils not entered on the lists, say £50 per annum for the whole in come of a teacher. Mr Richmond concluded by moving, "That in the opinion of this Council, having in view the repeated failures of the General Assembly to pass and Education Act for the whole colony, it is desirable that a bill should be introduced into this Council at an early date, providing for the raising of_ an educa tion rate similar to that levied "in most of the other Provinces of New Zealand, but that no such action be taken until public opinion has been tested' in the matter. That this Council respectfully requests his Honor the Superintendent, before intro ducing any bill on the subject, to call pub lic meetings in New Plymouth and the country districts, with the view of testing public opinion on the expediency of levying an education rate in this province, and on other matters pertaining to education." The resolution was carried.

" One hundred bamboo cages areAvanted!" Such was the form of an order issued a short time ago from the office of the Chow Yang district magistrates near Swatow. The plain meaning was that about that number was beheaded, and the bamboo Avorkers were re quired to furnish the requisite means of con veying the victims to the execution ground. The occasion of this hecatomb was the pre sence of General Pang, who by special com mission is meting out justice to delinquents in the district indicated of twenty and thirty years' standing, as well as to those of quite recent date. During the time of the rebellion, that part of China was thrown into a state of general misrule and judicial confusion. The civil mandarins were often set at defiance, eveu by villages which had not participated in insurrection, but whose clan ties and clan feuds made them unwilling to admit an out side -umpire to regulate their social relations and rights. And so cases went on accum latingr. Murders were committed ; feuds were pursued with bloody strife ; taxes were withheld, and tax'collectors beaten and driven away ; violence and lawlessness reigned supreme. It is, however, a noticeable char-, acteristic of Chinese civil administration that though the civil representatives of the Im perial Government were powerless either to punish or protect, they did not allow them selves to forget these things. A note was carefully made of every laAvless act and of its perpetratars. And when peace was restored elsewhere, a general who had made for him self a name in the north was sent down to his own native district toll" soothe" his old neigh bours and acquaintances. And he has "soothed" large numbers of them, for they have made no disturbance of any kind since they passed under his hands and never will General Pang has been engaged in this task over three years. He has a heavy military force always attending him, and the arrests and executions are really military executions notwithstanding the usual form of trial before the civil magistrates precedes j the tragedy. It Avas a melencholy procession that wended its way to the parade ground outside the city shortly after the appearance of the significant notice above referred to. It so happened that only eighty of the cages were used, the remainder being kept in reserve, for the prisons are yet full. The victims, on arriving at 'the Aceldama, were placed in long rows, the men in each row l being some ten feet apart, so as to furnish plenty of room for the agile executioneer after leaving one to get a good swing of his blade before coming to another. When all were arranged, and relays of swords or choppers were placed at suitable intervals along the line—for the executionner uses a fresh one for every half-dozen men— the horrible work commenced, and the felloAV went bounding and dancing down one row and up another, whaking off a human head at every fall of the bloody cleaver. The scene we have attempted diml\ to shadow forth is more suggestive of the slaughter of hogs in those large American, establishments where they make aAvay with a thousand a day. But for celerity that one Chinaman can surpass any guillotine that ever was made. During the past three years General Pang has beheaded some 3,000 at least, and nearly ' all the work has been done by this one man—a short, stout-built felloAV, with a hawk nose that well befits his calling. His history is curious enough. One day, a year ago, Pang had a file of rebels kneeling before him for execution. The executioner began, and was bungling in a horrible way. The hawk nosed fellow Avas down the line awaiting his turn. He was used to such scenes, and did not quail. He watched the bungler for a few turns, and then called in a loud voice to Pang to know if they were all to be hacked in that manner, and then asked to be released, and he would show them how to do it. Pang was struck Avith his audacity, and ordered his rcquestto be complied with. He went atit and made short Avork of it, then throwing down the sAvord and resuming his kneeling posture, he called upon them to finish him. " "No," paid Pang, "that man is too useful ; I Avant him myself ;" and so he was spared, and a bloody career he has since led. . He prides himself on his horrid calling, and boasts that he never misses his aim, nor takes a second blow.

A crowd gathered in front of the Shakespere Hotel, Wyndham-street, this morning, about eight o'clock, and were evidently enjoying a scene. Curiosity prompted us to peep in, when we beheld a brawny son of Erin and his better half in striking contrast. Biddy was hammering Pat, as he rushed round and round the inner screen of the house. Pat O'Connor, it appeared, went to see the Serenaders last night, and did not go home to Biddy as he ought like a true Irishman to have done. Biddy, with the shrewdness of her sisters of the Hibernian order, was on the look out early this morning, and nailed Pat at eight o'clock " taking a drap o' the cratur" in the " Shakespere," and was leathering him accordingly in the presence of the landlady and a " cloud of witnesses. It appears that farewell demonstrations to departing governors are not always given in a brotherly form. The leading journal of Mauritius thus refers to the departure of the Governor, Sir A. H. Gordon :—The entire community wish his Excellency a safe voyage and employment elsewhere. _ His Excellency has succeeded in making himself so unpopular—has shown himself so anti pathetic to the inhabitants, and has in conse quence drawn upon himself so much aversion that the universal feeling of the colonists at his departure is unfeigned delight. It is fer vently to be hoped that his adieu to Mauritius may be final, for his own sake, for the sake of the Secretary of State who, knowing his idiosyncracies, appointed him, and for the sake of the colonists above all, who are exasperated beyond measure against him.

SUPREME COURT.—THIS DAY.

SITTINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.

(Before His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston.) IN RE AY. FAREY. Mr Brock applied for the complete execu tion of the deed of arrangement made between this bankrupt and his creditors. There was no opposition and the applica tion was granted. IN RE WILLIAM LOGGIE. Mr Bennett appeared in this case, and applied for the discharge of the bankrupt. Mr James Russell appeared on behalf of Mr Thomas Bray, an opposing creditor, and asked for an adjournment. Mr Bennett did not oppose the adjourn ment. He thought the adjournment of the case would enable certain matters of account to be adjusted, and so shorten the case. His Honor said he intended to make itaprac tice to shorten these cases as far as possible, eliminating all questions of account and detail which should be settled between the trustee, the insolvent, and the creditors. An adjourn ment wisely used often greatly shortened and simplified a case. The case was then adjourned until next sitting day. This concluded the bankruptcy business.

SITTING IN BANCO.

LUNDON AND WHITAKER V. R. GRAHAM,

The argument on demurrer in this case, Avhich occupied the Court yesterday after noon, was resumed this morning. The object of the present proceedings was to shake the validity of the deed under which the defen dant claims to hold the block of land known as Kauwaeranga, No. 14. Mr Whitaker argued at length against the defendant's pleadings. Messrs MacCormick and Hesketh opposed the demurrer.

[Left sitting.]

DISTRICT COURT.—THIS DAY.

' (Before His Honor Judge Beckham.) A special sitting of this Court was held this morning for the purpose of disposing of adjourned Gold Mining cases. IN HE COMSTOCK G.M.C. An application had been made in this case for a winding-up order, but was adjourned fqr further proof. Mr James Russell now applied for a further adjournment to enable him to get the requisite proof. Adjourned until next Court day. IN RE EVENING STAB G.M.C. An adjournment had been allowed in this case for the purpose of an application to be made, supported by affidavit, for the accounts of this company to be referred to Mr George Frazer, the official auditor. Mr. J. B. Russell now appeared on behalf of the Official Auditor in support of the ap plication, the necessary affidavits having been lodged. The Official Liquidator (Mr Alfred Walker) was in attendance, and objected to any cash being handed over as he had expended the same on behalf of the Company.

Mr J. B. Russell pressed his application that all moneys, books and papers belong ing to the Company be handed over to Mr Frazer, the official auditor, for . him to examine the same. He produced a request from a large number of the shareholders to Mr Frazer, asking him to ex amine the affairs t>f the Company in his position as Official Auditor, as they Avere, dissatisfied with the manner in which the affairs had been managed by the Official Liquidator. He argued that if the latter had faithfully performed his duties he had nothing to fear in obeying the order of the Court.

The Official Liquidator, in reply, stated that he placed himself entirely in the hands of the Court. He had paid all the mone^- away, and he was still being sued by the creditors of the company. He was quite willing to give up the books - and papers, but he had no money in hand.

Mr. J. B. Russell said he was not asked for any specific sum. He was simply as ked for such money as belonged to the Company. His Honor granted the order, and remarked that if the Official Liquidator had made proper disbursements he would be allowed the same.

Mr Russell remarked that the Official Liquidator would be perfectly justified in paying legitimate debts.

The order was made for the books and papers, and all moneys remaining in hand to be handed over to Mr Frazer, the official auditor, by twelve o'clock to-morrow.| The Court then rose.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M.)

DRUNKENNESS.

John Roach, Laurence McGinley, and John Jones were found out in the rain last night in Queen-street in a state of drunkenness, and subjected to the usual Court treatment.

AVITHOUT A BED

John Walsh was charged under the Vagi*ancy Act with being found on the pre mises of Messrs Holdship & Co. without a bed and Avithout lawful excuse for being thus exposed to the Aveather. Prisoner said he only came out of Mount Eden yesterday, and he did not know Avhere to lay his head.

Mr Broham proved to the finding of the man at one o'clock this morning, that he was a strong man, but unfortunately was, he feared, one of the many loafers who have no particular love of work, but he did not wish to press the charge as there was but one offence against the prisoner.

His Worship said if the accused would promise to endeavour to get work, and not get into people's premises again, he AVOilld give him the chance of liberty.

The prisoner promised to do his beat« the Court therefore dismissed him. ' ALLEGED LARCENY. Walter J. Bardsley was brought up charged with stealing a coat, value £2, from the house of Robert De Wolff, at Auckland, the same being the property of Thomas Woods, on the 23rd instant, Mr Broham said that as the prosecutor was not present he would ask for a remand until Saturday. The prisoner said he was not guilty ; that it was a conspiracy got up against him. His Worship recommended him to reserve his defence until Saturday, when the case would be heard in its details. This was all the business.

AUCKLAND SERENADERS.

The newly-organized band of Auckland Serenaders met with an overflowing response to their first venture last night in the City Hall. The rain poured down during the greater part of the evening with great force and rapidity, but even that did not prevent the hundreds of fun-loving citizens from crowding into the hall to witness the nigger entertainment in favour of the widow Low. The hall was crowded in every part; and many persons, who were "rather behind," were doomed to disappointment. The scenes opened with the following prologue, written for the occasion, and spoken by the author, Mr J. Blackman, which was very favourably received:—

It was the custom in our fathers' time To breathe bright fancies in heroic rhyme, And speak a prologue fitted to the age, Before the actors came upon the stage, And venture sometimes with a vain pretence To reach the spirit though the listening sense; And be it ours to glean whate'er appeals Of worth and beauty o'er those silent years, Sweet thoughts, all glistening in a golden haze, From Spenser's sonnets, Shakespere's sparkling plays, AVith all the beauties of the sons of s»ng Who struck their harps and helped the world along. We would not lose one fair Arcadian flower Nor slight the message of the passing hour, Nor minstrel voices in our hearts despise "When peaceful evening paints the dappled skies, AVhen sun.et deepens down on cottage-e_.ves, And vesper breathings _tir the forest leave:. Sweet is the merry song, the tuneful voice, AVith one whose smile reflects the happy choice, The lively dance beyond the din and strife, AVhich gives a zest to labour and to life ; AVith wit and mirth, and music's genial power, And all the pleasures of the social hour. Amid the changes that our eyes behold, Our human frailties and our thirst for gold, Our transient triumphs and our love of show, The stream of kindn«ss never fails to flow, To cheer the homes where lonely orphans pine, And widows weep at memory's willowed shrine. The Auckland Serenaders have combined To blend amusements with intentions kind, Without a fear that Muscovites or Turks Will stay the progress of the public works, Or pay the interest of our piided loan, Or City A • -abs fondly make their own, 0. take possession of His Worship's chair, Amend our by-laws with a lawyer's care, And scatter death where goats and heifers stray Like ci.ing mortals from the one right way. The Serenaders dread no shadowy things, Whilo'they h„ve resin for their banjo-strings; While they can sound the festive hours along, With blackened faces and the brighter song. But- list! they come, toward the front advance, With ballad, sketch, farce, character and dance. To make their bow to you, their friends, to-night, And _reet your presence with serene delights The first part .of the programme consisted chiefly of senijiniental songs, the pauses filled witt local touches and humourous allusions to passing events. We have not space to enumerate the various singers and their well chosen melodies, but they were certainly far above the average merit. The second part commenced with the golden shoe dance, by Messrs McCleary and Hoggard, which was admirably done. The songs were all encored, arid much credit is due to Messrs McEwen, Walker, Reid, Armstrong, Godwin, and Finlay for their able rendering of sentimental ballads. Mr E. Good was very good in Eliza Cook's "Many happy returns of the Day,"andSporle's well-known ballad, "Let us speak of a man as we find him." We were especially pleased with Master Edward Hill's singing of the " Ettie May," which was loudly encored. This young minstrel possesses nerve and an exquisite command of voice, which is remarkable in a youth four feet high., £ba, entertainment concluded with the " Midnight AppariSan," which kept the house in a continued roar of laughter. We need only add that the enter tainment was a great success, its comicali ties, facial contortions, extravagant utter ances, and local allusions was exactly in harmony with popular taste, and conse quently the City Hall was filled with interested listeners to the entire satisfaction of the Auckland Serenaders.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S EXHIBITION.

The committee of the Horticultural Society determined to act upon our suggestion for keeping the exhibition open to-day, contrary to original intention, and the Aveather, although unsettled, being moderately fine, there was a much better attendance. In our notice yesterday we omitted to mention that Mr John Jones, of Muddy Creek, carried away.a number of prizes for fruit grown by him on his farm. Considering that Mr Jones is only an amateur grower, the speci mens exhibited by him were surprising, and called forth from the visitors special ad miration. We are happy to learn that Mr Jones has determined to grow fruit-for the Auckland market, and we believe his efforts will be crowned with success. Amongst the exhibits those staged by Mr Lippiatt formed a leading attraction. It is gratifying to see all our gardeners coming for ward to aid at the 'show. Messrs Mason Brothers showed a fine variety of foliage plants and ferns. A splendid set of fuschias, staged by Mr Brown, carried away a first prize. The begonias and other greenhouse plants exhibited by Dr. Home are 'also noticeable. The exhibits of native plants were not equal to those of former years, which is to be regretted. Their absence is, however, in a measure compensated for by the increase of other exhibits. The colens made a very good show ; but we think the greenhouse plants and ornamental shrubs were not on the whole equal to the exhibits at former shows. The collection of dahlias and the exhibits ~4f fruits and vegetables were unquestionably thtt" leading features in this year's exhibition. - Mr Seuffert, cabinet-maker, has placed some beautiful specimens of inlaid work on view, to which we would draw special attention as being calculated to set off to the best advan tage the beauties of our native woods. The following are the prize winners whose names Avere omitted from our yesterday's report : — ALL COMEBS. Culinary Vegetables.—Tomatoes, Ist prize, D. Hay. Cucumbers, Ist prize, G. Warburton. Peas, Ist prize, Mason Brothers. Kidney beans, Ist prize, J. P. Sinclair. Broad beans, Ist prize, E. Fiske. Cabbage, Ist prize, .J. Braithwaite. Lettuce, Ist prize, Mason Brothers. Carrots, Ist prize, W. Jaeay. Beet, Ist price, Mason Brothers. Onions, Ist prize, Nicholas ; 2nd, E. Fiske ; 3rd, J. R. Walters. Celery, 2nd prize, C. Turk & Son. Kidney potatoes, Ist prize, IE. Fiske. Round potatoes, Ist prize, Nicholas ; 2nd, T. Parr. Vegetable marrow, Ist prize, J. Braithwaite. Pie melons, Ist prize, J. Hamilton. Collection of vegetables, ■ 3rd prize, F. H. Ibbetson. Extra : Plum I tomatoes, D. Hay ; parsnips, C. Turk & Son; rhubarb, Mason Brothers; rhubarb, 0, Turk

THE EVENING STAK, THUKSDAY, MAItCH 27,1873.



jjiv.iu.ni..

rokatea .. .. —— CALLS Golden Eagle .. 0 0 2 P'lagship <fc Golden Anchor 1 0 Golden Calf .. .. 0 16 Vulcan .. .. 0 10 El Dorado .. .. 0 10 Aurora .. .. 0 10 golden Spur.. .. 0 0 3 Von Moltke .. .. "003 3appo .. .. .. 0 0 1 Key of Tokatea .. 0 0 3 Van 0 0 6 rhames Gas .. .. 0 2 6

Mrch 28 April 9 April 9 April 9 April 9 Ajril 9 April 9 April 9 April 9 April 9 April 9 April 12 May 1



T^ELSON TWEED TROUSERS. ; 15s. 6d. Per Pair, ! AT the i CITY CLOTHING MART, j AND AT '. No. 180, QUEEN STREET, j SAMUEL COOMBES. GREAT REDUCTIONS FOR 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 AVater Colors, also reduced in price. Large Stock of Photographic Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Stereoscopic Slides, &c, greatly reduced. J. M c G A R R I G L E, Manager.