SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening. 7.17. SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 5.4 HIOH WATER: This evening, 844 ; to-morrow morning, 9.1

STEAM TO THE THAMES.

Golden Crown, to-morrow morning at eleven o ciock

ARRIVALS.

Bella Mary, barque, McArthur, from Hobart Town Challenger, p.s., from Wangarei Clyde, schooner, Anderson, from Wangarei Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

Dantzic, schooner, for Wangarei

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Kaipara: Tauranga and Zior, schooners, to-

day For Hokianga: Janet. Grey, schooner, Saturday For New York : Glenhuntly, barque, early For Tahiti: Energy, schooner, to-day For Adelaide (from Wangaroa): Amateur, barque.

20th inst For San Francisco, calling at Honolulu: Dakota,

mail steamer, 23rd in3t. Eor Northern ports: Cimerang, p. s., to-morrow

Rowena, s.s., on Monday Eor Whitianga, Mercury Bay, and Tauranga; Southern Cross, s.s., Saturday Tor London: Queen Bee, ship, 20th inst Eor Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., 23rd inst

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Lochnagar, barque, from London. Sailed 13th October Caduceus, ship, from London. Loading Durham, ship, from London. Loading Moa, brig, from Melbourne Nebraska, mail steamer, from San Francisco Hero, s.s., from Sydney Briton, barque, from Newcastle Sea Gull, schooner, from Levuka Warwick, ship, from London. Loading Southern Cross, schooner, from Sydney Prosperity, schooner, from Melbourne Ivanhoe, schooner, from New Caledonia Jessie Niccol, schooner, from Tahiti Nukulau, schooner, from Sydney H.M.S, Blanche, from Sydney

IMPOSTS.

Per barque Bella Mary, from Hobart Town :11 bales Lops, 1 bundle rugs, H. S. Meyera; 120 cases jam, Cruickshank and Co ; 80 cases jam ; 23 cases tart fruit, G-. W, Binney ;90 pieces (3,104 feet) bluegum; 2 pieces light wood, Cousins and Atkins ; G4 pieces blue gum (200 feet), A. Mackay ; 444 pieces blue gum (fi, 908 feet), Captain McArthur; 140 cases jam, H. S. Meyers and Co. ; 1 package, Mrs. Burrell ; 40 half cases green fruit, 1000 bags, 23 tons bark, 5,000 palings, 3,400 rails, 5,120 feet timber, 40 cases jam, Stone Bros. ; 22 tons bark, order.—-Stone Bros., agents.

The Comerang will leave on Saturday at 1 p.m., instead of Friday, as advertised, on account of her repairs not being completed. Passengers by the Queen Bee are requested to pay balance of passage money before noon to-morrow to Messrs L. D. Nathan & Co.

We learn that the ship Warwick sailed from London for Auckland on the 4th November with 120 immigrants, including a number of workmen under engagement to Messrs Brogden & Son. The schooner Clyde arrived in harbour yesterday evening from Wangarei The p.s. Challenger will leave at six o'clock this evening for Wangarei and Wangapai. The p.s. Comerang will leave for the North to-morrow at one o'clock.

The cutter Bella has cleared outwards for Tauranga, via Whangamato, with a general cargo, and one passenger, Mr C. Finlay. The regular trading barque Bella Mary arrived at the Heads last night from Hohart Town, having left on the 31st December. Capt. McArthur reports having experienced strong northerly winds until the 3rd inst., thence westerly and light S.E. and easterly weather ; sighted the Three Kings on Sunday last, and was becalmed all that day. N.W. and SW winds down coast. Capt. McArthur brings a number of fancy birds and fowls. The vessel came up harbour this morning and dropped anchor off the wharf. She will be hauled alongside this afternoon. The Bella Mary has, since her last visit, re ceived a thorough overhaul. The barque Ayr, having discharged her cargo, hauled into the stream yesterday. The s.s. Southern Cross left Tauranga for this port at eight j>.m. yesterday. The ship Queen Bee will haul away from the wharf on Saturday, preparatory to her departure for London. Accommodation still remains for three or four steerage passengers, and there is one vacant cabin in the saloon. Captain Williams, her commander, is a gentleman well known in the trade, and has a character for doing everything condusive to his passengers' comfort. This is a great recommendation with a distant voyage. The Queen Bee is noted for her rapid passages. She takes a large and valuable cargo, and is in perfect trim for her voyage. Nautical.—lt is not generally known that the famous anchorage off the Deal Coast derives its name from the downy way it lures many an ill-fated ship to the Goodwins. And yet nothing can warn off seaman, for it is known to all that the Downs are precious deep and full of craft.— Fun.

COMMERCIAL.

MINING.

MEETINGS.

Nonpareil, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m. 20th January Conquering Hero, Company's office, Insurance Build-

ings, 3 p.m., 20th January Union Sash and Door Company, Mr White's office.

Shortland street, Auckland, 5 p.m., 20th January Bank of Tokatea, SO, Insurance Buildings, Auckland

noon, 20th January Russell Quartz Mining and Crushing Company, Mr Tothill's office, Shortland street, Auckland, 2 p.m.,

21st January Quebec, Company's office, Shortland street, Auckland, 23rd January Shotover, No 1, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m. 23rd January Watchman, Grahamstown, 24th January Nil Desperandum, Coromandel, 24th January Dauntless and Sink to Rise, Grahamstown, 27th

January Eed Queen, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2.30 p.m., 28th January Yon Tempsky, Company's office, Queen street, Auck land, 3 _.m., 30th January Una, Shortland, 30th January Ruby, Grahimstown, 31st January Durham Ox, Grahamstown, 31st January Morning Star, Grahamstown, 31st January Central Italy, Grahamstown, 4th February Green Harp, Imurance Buildings, Auckland, 3 p.m., 10th February

DEATH.

Blajkie. —On the loth inst., at his father's residence, Victoria street, after a lingering illness, James, eldest son of Mr James Blaikie, aged 10 years and 5 months.

The funeral will take place to-morrow, at 3 p.m. Friends will please accept this invitation.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 1873.

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

And the good that we can do,

A notice has appeared in our columns signed by Mr John Williamson, an nouncing his intention of again enter ing the arena of political strife as a candidate for the Superintendency of the province. We are sincerely sorry ; and we believe all the true friends of Mr Williamson will be the same. This we are for reasons affecting both Mr Williamson and the province. We may say that nearly every one that knows Mr Williamson likes him. He has not only been distinguished for public spirit anc comprehensive views of public polity, but he is gifted with that bonhomie, which, above and beyond almost every thing, is indispensable in a public nun in the colonies. But there will be few to deny that the time has arrived when Mr Williamson should retire from political turmoil, and from such grave and onerous duties as will be imposed by the Superintendency of a provinces in pecuniary difficulties, and struggling to keep up with the other proyince in the race of progress on vrhich New Zealand has entered. The support to Mr Williamson would be one of personal friendship ; and it is really too much for him to strain the friend ship of his friends so far as would induce them to belie their own con victions. We know that Mr William son feels that he has a vested interest in the Superintendency. But a little insight into the history of New Zealand shows that the same feeling or rather political principle has been baleful in our history. If" Fox is thrown out we have only Stafford; and if Stafford is thrown out we must turn to Fox ; and if Fox again retires, all eyes revert to Stafford; and when he resigns he recommends to send for Fox. There are " governing classes " among whom the loaves and fishes must be kept, and all the rest tacitly admit that they have at once no right, and that they are incapable of governing. The same

narrow principle is not unknown in/, our more restricted public life in the 1 province. Because new blood in M; i Gillies has beeu a disappointment, th ] minds of some revert to Mr W llian . son. How are we ever to develp ! ability for public affairs in our youg ( and rising men if their laudale I ambition is to be stifled by this rq'st ; unreasonable and senseless princip? ? We sincerely hope that the true fricids ; of Mr "Williamson will induce hi_ to , withdraw from the step he has t^en, and permit the province to raise t the j chief magistracy some one witl the vigour and the energy of manood, , unbroken by long bearing the bvthen and heat of the day. W c have etered on an era of progress, and th chief officer of the province should b<a man, whatever his other qualities, _iot un able from infirmity to grapple ->ith the work before him. It is quite true it is in the service of the publicchat Mr Williamson has .spent his stregth and rigour ; but while this may b, and in deed is, the strongest argument why adequate and liberal provisin should i be made for him in the pubc SP"' viee it is not a reason why +1 ■ nrn ~vi*i fm ' should be m a^ S ac[g him in a P OBI^01:, .he duties of whih would be ,* Durthen to him, and forhe perform. ance of which, with e'iciency, he would be unquestionably ncapable* Mr Williamson is th? only gentle man who has yet publicl notified his intentions on the subjet; but it is time that public attenion should be turned to the subject. It is not an easy matter to point t<alarge number from which a judiciousselection might be made. We are peculiarly circum ■ stanced in this resect; nor would , it be easy to find a community of the same nuiber possessing so few "public mn." Those who have the ability aid the means to take a share in phlic life stand so apart from the litVof the people, and take so little intrest in ordinary - movements, that hey will not "go down" with th people; and Mr Williamson's grea forte has been that lie has so identicd himself with the people that the .mblic regard him as J a personal frieri. This peculiarity, c which is to be regarded as a c rarity here, 3 common enough r elsewhere in tlu case of public men, c and generally creates elsewhere a I difficulty in seection among eligible c candidates for public honors, while here the difficnty is to find one. On a former oco-sion, when, owing to political ehaiges at Wellington, the Superintendeicy was thought to be on the cv( of vacancy, the name of Mr H. H. Lusk, the present Provincial fecretary, was mentioned as that of an eligible candidate. 3 It was certiinly favourably received ' generally, and it is a question : if any oth<r name will be brought for i ward likeb to 1 • received with more general fa'our. It is generally under . stood thatMr Sheehan will not stand as a caniidate. The name of Mr . O'Eorke, the Minister of Im i migratioi, has been canvassed, but it is needless to say that from past experi ence the two offices must be regarded as incanpatible. It was the pre sence O Superintendents in the late " superabundant" ministry that mainly dragged it down, and we venture to say that J_fr O'-Horke's colleagues are not goingto be drawn into a similar trap. Mr Lisk is in the prime and vigour ot yoith, and bis unimpeachable char acter his ability, culture, and earnest devoion to public business point him out as one eminently suited to " take the higher seat." Mr Lusk has stocd aloof from party strife; he can not be identified with any party, and as such is more likely to command the coifidence of all; and the circumstance of his having obtained and so long hdd an honorable position in the Pro . viicial Council is a testimony to his fitness for the higher office. He has , rot indeed yet won his spurs in (he higher arena of the General Assembly, but the political history of the colony does not prepossess us in favour of" the flags of the Assembly; nor do we hesitate to say that if the besom were applied to the political platform, and all the?old strugglers for place and pay were swept out into the Pacific, and their places taken by young fresh blood, uncontaminated by political corruption, New Eealand would be all the better. What ever may be the names of can didates for the Superintendency, and whether or not a better man than Mr Lusk may be proposed, we shall pro test against the assumption of any vested rights in the public service, or any such idea as that of " governing classes" and againstany attempt to repel any man because he is fresh and young and unskilled in the dodges and scheming that are taught by long years of political life. What the province wants is vigour, conscientiousness, and efficiency ; and we venture to say that the time is come when nothing else will commend itself to the people.

Some capitalists are soon to make Rome much more attractive as a place of fashion able resort. A whole quartier is to be built in the grandest style of architecture, and two canals are to be cut to bring the salt waters of the Mediterranean to the city, so that there may be sea baths, and a racecourse is also to be established.

The Bella Mary, which arrived this morning from Hobart Town, has brought a consign ment of fancy fowls, consisting of black Spanish bantams and other species, all of which will be offered at public auction by Mr R. Arthur, to-morrow, at his mart.

Perm Van, N.Y., has a young lady who nails up 400 grape-boxes a day.

Public feeling in the colony is steadily tend- ' ng to the conviction that for a certain class '< )f criminals—those hardened by frequent . .mprisonment—nothing biit flogging is ; likely to have any effect in checking Crime. Alluding to the case of the man Thomas recently sentenced to twenty-five lashes in Wellington the Tost says:—" Til- man evidently did not care for imprisonment. '' Hard labour" is no novelty to him, and the red shirt a customary dress. To sentence him to these was to do him no harm. It could not degrade him. He had no feelings to be hurt by such a course. He had made up his mind for a term "in the jug," and the i jury would only have earned his contempt had they given a verdict that would have - prevented his incarceration. But the " cat " is another matter. At its mention he turned pale, and the feelings of his mind Were Very clearly expressed on his repulsive face. His Honor had not only sentenced him, but ' ordered him to be punished in the only way I such a brute can be made to feel." The . same paper describing the flogging says j— , '•The surgeon arriving, the man stripped to his waist, and placed himself ii) a position to be flogged. To two legs of the triangle his feet were secured, about twenty-four inches apart, his chest rested on a narrow I". ar _. ' fastened across the leo-s of t>" •_. 1 i his arms were tie^ °\V° i slightly hi- 1- A .- ha£„ S t tU g bo'l- _"er tnan lus head. The whole _y was inclined forward. His back bore the marks of previous severe whippings quite plainly. The surgeon having felt his pulse, the turnkey commenced his work. The first blow left a purple streak about two inches wide across the man's shoulders, and at the eighth small drops of blood drawn by the knots appeared. The whole twenty-five lashes were administered in about two minutes. They must have been severely felt, because though the man did not utter a sound, his body quivered all over, and the muscles stood like bars. On being taken down he quietly picked up his clothes, and asked for a piece of linen to put over his back. Thomas is an old Tasmaniau convict, and says his real name is William Thomas Fogarty." The annual meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held this after noon. The report was adopted, and the following officers elected for the ensuing year :—Mr G. Yon derHeyde chairman ; Dr. Campbell, deputy chairman ; Messrs Darga ville, W. Grahame, A. Heather, T. Morriu, T. Macffarlane, J. M. Shera, Geo. Thome, jllil.i committee; Messrs D. B. Cruick shank and O. W. Owen, auditors. The following gentlemen were proposed and unanimously elected as new members : — Messrs E. and H. Isaacs, H. P. Barber (H. D. Itolfe & Co.), Stewart and Anderson, Grant and Morton ; Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ; Ireland Bros, 11. B. Morton, and Stone Bros. Share business is so dull at the Thames that the Advertiser anticipates, unless the trade improves, that very few of the eighteen brokers there will renew their licenses next year. The whole business effected by the licensed sharebrokers of Grahamstown on Tuesday was the transfer of five scrip in the Black Angel G.M.C. In responding to an address presented by the Caledonian Society of Dunedin, on New Year's Day, Sir George Bowen said : — '' Permit me to congratulate you on the na tionality of the gentleman appointed to succeed me in New Zealand on my promo tion to the Governorship of Victoria. Sir James Ferguson has many personal as well as official claims to your respect and confi dence. He is a soldier who has seen active service in the Crimea, and was wounded at Inkerman. He is a statesman who has for several years been a member of the House of Commons, and has filled more than one ad ministrative office of importance. Finally, he is a Governor of large ability and experi ence, whose manifold qualifications and ac complishments will not be the less popular in this community because they are united in a Scotchman.

The jury, after deliberating for three quarters of an hour, returned with a verdict of guilty in the case of Thomas Henry Barclay, at the Supreme Court yesterday. His Honor reserved sentence until the deci sion of the Court of Appeal shall be known upon the point in Mr Beetham's evidence.

A bevy of ladies in a Michigan town lately paid £10 for the privilege of demolishing the stock of a newly established saloonist.

Mr W. H. Clarke has been instructed to survey the Waikato railway from Mercer to Upper Waikato, and to examine the channel of the Waikato river.

The directors of the Cure G.M. Co. are thus dealt with by the Thames Advertiser in a review of their recent "smiling" defence : — "The explanation is very much after the style of an attorney who has taken up a bad case—abuse of the opposite side. The gene ral public are inferentially charged with specimen-stealing from the mine, and the re porters with " false reporting;" consequently the mine had to be closed. Let the directors show that there has been "false reporting," and if they cannot do so they will certainly de serve to be branded as wilful peverters of the truth. We are quite certain, also, thatthere is no wilfully false reporting on the field. We are not going to discuss the question of whether the representatives of the Press have any right in mines or not, because there are very few of the Cure directors fitted either by education or experience to grasp the merits of such a controversy. The directors assert that they will do as they like, and they are " content to smile" at the charges brought against them. There is one circumstance, however, which will perhaps make others smile, so that the laugh will not be all on one side. The directors were about the last of the large holders to hear of the gold having run out, and were con sequently buying shares when others were clearing out. They had sealed the mine, so they thought, so that nothing should be known to the outside world except through themselves, and until after they had operated in the market, and yet they'were "let in." The mining reporters have their revenge, and may be "content to smile."

Chiarini's Circus continues to draw im mence houses, and it is a pity the company cannot perform longer than this week in Auckland, for they would certainly draw full houses for at least another week. They however go to the Thames after Saturday, and the ground they have been occupying is required by the contractor for proceeding with the erection of the market, so that it is impossible for them to remain there longer. This evening, to-morrow, and twice on Satur day, will conclude the performances of this highly popular and talented troupe. The performance last night was in no way inferior to its predecessors, and gave universal satis faction to a house crowded to the doors. Fresh novelties were introduced in the programme as usual, and were heartily ap plauded. To-night the famous performing monkey will be introduced. Signor Chiarini has been requested to give a treat to the children belonging to the Orphan Home, .by admitting them to the matinee on Saturday. He at once consented, through his obliging manager, Signor Agrati. A very good pro gramme will be presented on the occasion, and the children are sure to enjoy them-

selves,

A navvy named Chas. Palmiter> employed on the Waikato Railway at Mercer* has sus tained a fracture of the left leg, above the : ancle joint, with dislocation of the foot and other injuries) through an embankment, upon which he and others were working, suddenly giving way. Dr. Corbett, of Mau kaii, set the injured limb. Here is a curious advertisement from the "agony " column of tlie 'Times .- —" Who art thou '! ~ _ __d Skull, the son of Skeleton,* tribe oi the bloodless, and native of Ghost land. Bertram. —Further information of, etc. According to a statement just issued by the city of Paris authorities the expenses of the war and the insurrection, as affecting the capital, are set down—the former at 1,628,000 francs, and the latter at 3,082* 730 francs. The "butchers' assistants , held another meeting last njght *.t Q'ceats' hotel, with a series of pr^p"_Srcions for the amelioration of their present condition. The men seem very fair in their request. They wish to have their day's labour limited to twelve hours from six a.m. to six p.m., Saturday's hours to be left for settlement by masters. Mr Wood considered the request a fair one, and believed there would be more work done in the twelve hours than under the present sys tem. Several persons having spoken favor ably upon the matter, it was finally moved and carried that twelve hours should be the recognised day's work, and that the masters' signatures as far as possible should be secured to the proposal. It was further resolved that Saturdays should be left open. At the request of the meeting Messrs Wood, Fenton, and Ludlam agreed to wait upon the master butchers to obtain their consent to the spirit of the motion. The meeting then adjourned for a week. We have received from Mr E. Wayte a copy of Mr A. Domett's poem "Kanolf and Amoiiia—A South Sea Day-dream," which was composed in the after-leisure of an active political life. A poem consisting of twenty five cantos may be pronounced a marvel in this fast-going, unpoetic age. The subject matter of these cantos belongs to New Zealand, but many of the themes which have moved Mr Domett's muse to melody are of general interest, and treat of speculative philosophy, theology, love, and politics ; and these differing themes are wrought out in every conceivable variety of measure, — , from the ethereal flights of Shelley to the | mediocre wanderings of Southey—from the ; smooth couplets of Scott, to the hexameters !of Tupper. Our author says, in a Sheiley-like mood— What need of temples ! All around Through Earth's expanse, through Heaven's profound, A conscious spirit, beauty-crowned, A visible glory breathes and breaks, And of these mountains, moors, and lakes A Holiest of the Holies makes. And are Aye not reminded of the '' Lady of the Lake " in such rhymes as these— ITer mantle flung upon the ground, Her graceful arms behind her bound ; With shoulders bare, dishevelled hair, There stood a maiden of the land ! Space alone prevents us from entering criti cally into the merits of this poem, which extends over four hundred pages. We have '' seen enough, however, to assure us that the author deserves great credit for his ample volume of accumulated thought. He has given shape and colour to a variety of inter esting subjects ; he has wrought together a garland of fancies and philosophies, luminous with occasional flashes of poetic fire ; and as a work of very considerable merit his " South Sea Dream" should be favourably received by the public.

By the barque Bella Mary we have late Hobart Town papers, from which we learn that a tragical and melancholy occurrence took place at Westbury, 35 miles from Laimceston, on the 21st instant, by which Mr Thomas Lyndsay Field, son of Mr Thomas Field, of Westfield, the well-known agriculturist and stock-breeder, was killed in a fight by Mr Seton Williams, son of the Rev. Montagu Williams, Episcopalian minister of Westbury. It seems that some ill-feeling had existed between the two young men for some length of time past, and this culminated in the fight which has just taken place with such a lamentable result. The fight seems to have been a most determined affair, lasting over two hours, and being con-. ducted with all the formula of the prize ring. A Mr Charles Watson, also a clergyman's son, acted as second and time-keeper to one of the combatants. The shocking affair has created a profound sensation in the district and at Laimceston on account of the position and large connections of the parties impli cated. At the coroner's inquiry as to the death of young Field the jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Seton Williams, and he was committed to take his trial, bail being refused by the coroner. The young man who met his death in such a dreadful manner was universally esteemed, and the funeral, which took place on the day following the inquest, was the largest ever remembered in the Launceston district. The members of the Parnell Croquet Club will hold a general meeting on Saturday next in the Eastern Academy for passing the accounts and electing a committee of manage ment. A musical and literary soiree will be given by the members of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Methodist Mutual Improvement Association in the school-room, Pitt-street, to-morrow night. An admirable programme is an nounced, including songs, readings, and recitations ; and those who attend will, no doubt, spend a most enjoyable evening. A few historical statements not to be found in the works of any of our great writers of history appear in the calendar of a locally published almanac. From this publication we learn that during last year, 1872, Christopher Columbus was born, and the great reformer Knox died, in his 67th year. These two great events appear to have been altogether overlooked by the ordinary re cords of last yesr's occurrences. The Union Li)dge of Mark Master Masons, No. 154, under the Grand Lodge of England and Wales, was opened last night at the Masonic Hotel by Brother Hay ward, P.M. The scene vas especially interesting to masons. After the consecration and opening of the Lodge upwards of twenty-five mem bers were advanced to the sublime degree of Mark Master Masons. The following brethren wereinvested: —Brothers Hayward, Savage, Atkii, Ibbetson, Doual Macready, Sloane, Batt, Wade, Hurrell, Avey, and Porter. The brethren then sat down to a banquet prepared, by the host, Mr Avey, and a very agreeable evening was spent. We remember when in the neighbourhood of royal Windsor some twenty years ago a little anecdote of small worth in connection with Prince Albert, and which caused many a laugh in the castle-circle. The Prince one day called at the farm house of one of his tenants ; the farmer was not at home, and a lad opened the door and asked the visitor's name. The Prince replied " Never mind the name, I will call again." But I must have your name, said the lad, " My orders are to take the names of gentlemen who call when the governor's out, or I shall catch it." " Say Prince Albert called," rejoined the Prince. The lad immediately put on a rustic grin, lifted his hand, lodged his thumb upon his nose, extended his fingers towards the Prince, and exclaimed "Hookee!"

We would appeal to the kind-hearted in behalf of the loser of a sum of money noti fied in our advertising columns. She IS a very poor woman, and she had been gather ino-*p u this money for her rent. The case is really a painful one, We hope the money will have fallen into the hands of someone having a conscience and a heart. But it the finder keeps it, may it buy the rope that will hang him,

Of the four designs for the improvement of thd Albert Barracks ititd Brfrraek Hill sent in -esp-iiS. to the* |)re__i_m oi »30 Offered by the City Improvement Commis sioners, it wag found, on examination to-day, that three dealt with land not under the control of the Commissioners, by laying oil a dortion of Government House property, which is part of the Ddmain trust. lhe design wbicli did hot extend beyoild the Barrack estate was that bearing the motto of "Bus in Urbi." This design seemed to be most approved of by the Commissioners present. It contemplates a square central park of fifteen acres area, with a walk all round, flanked by a green sward and plantation. The present wall would, ol course, be thrown clown and a portion ol the enclosure, together with the whole of the Barrack hill, laid off in allotments suitable for villa residences. A footpath is laid ott from the top of Wellesley street across thepark to Symonds-street,on this walk it is suggested two fountains should be erected. The site of a monument or observatory is marked off a short distance from where the Princes street gate at present stands. The design of "Mahomet" suggests a monument m honour of the Mayor, a recreation ground, &c. " Floret's" design takes its main road from Wellesley-street, across the green to_ Sy monds-street, with an avenue commencing at the present Princes-street gate, and merging into the cross road from Wellesley-street. On the Symonds-street side of the reserve he proposes to erect a public library and museum. "An Placet's" design pro poses a continuation of Princes-street to Symonds-street, and a cross road from Wellesley-street to near the Music Hall ; also a curve road from Wellesley-street to the junction of the Princes-street continua tion with Symond-street. In his design pro vision is made for garden reserves on both sides of the main road, and he proposes a racket-court, cricket ground, etc., on the west side of the Princes-street continuation. Captain Heale and Mr Anderson, City Surveyors, will go over the plans to-morrow to ascertain the levels of the various pro posed streets, and then the committee ap pointed will adjudicate upon the designs, and report to the next meeting of the Com missioners.

Monsignor Capel asserts that the next Pope has already been fixed upon in the per son of Cardinal Antonio Panebianco, _a Sicilian, who is said to have made a vow to restore the Society of Jesus to its former greatness.

The Episcopal Church has gathered more than fifty congregations in the principal cities of Mexico, which are mainly ministered toby those who were lately priests of the Roman Catholic Church. Dr. Riley, formerly of the city of New York, is the head of the mission.

A cow has been poisoned by eating peach leaves in Alexandria, Va.

Signor Chiarini kindly offers, through his Worship the Mayor, to admit the children from the Neglected and Destitute Home on Saturday afternoon next. We are sure this will be a great treat to the boys and girls, and we are glad to see the proprietors of the Circus so mindful of the poor and destitute.

We understand that an application was made to the Kingite natives for permission to administer the estate of Louis Hetit, the well-known Pakeha-Maori, who carried on business in the King's country, beyond Alex andra. Manuhiri replied that Hetit was a Maori and not a pakeha, and they would deal with his estate according to their custom.

The engineer and fireman on a Tennessee railroad had a fight the other day while the train was at full speed. The fireman came out top, and reversed the engine so quickly that three cars were smashed.

The Bank of France will issue £10,000,000 of ten-franc notes to avert any monetary crisis, and to provide a substitute in paper money for the specie circulation, of which the payment of the indemnity to Germany has drained the country.

At, St. Louis, Miss M. Pike, a maiden of 86 summers was married lately to a civilised Indian, aged 67. During the ceremony the lady looked pale and anxious, and finally fell weeping on the breast of her bridesmaid.

It is stated that last year's profits derived from several large collieries in the Sheffield district exceed £100,000 each, while the rate for the last quarter is even greatly in excess of that amount.

By the decision of the Emperor William in the San Juan Island matter, Washington Territory gains about as much land as is em braced in the State of Road Island, and an addition to her population of about SOO per sons, among them 250 voters.

The French poet, Victor Hugo, has written a drama, entitled '' Cromwell," illustrating the leading events of the Commonwealth, which is about to be played on the London Boards. The performance is a refutation of the character of the Protector from the pen of Mr Wills.

The Sir George Grey Cadets will be inspected this evening in the Drill-shed at seven o'clock, under Major Gordon. We hear that these youths are making great progress.

The nisi prius sittings at the Supreme Court will commence on Monday next, before His Honor Sir G. A. Arney, Chief Justice.

General Kirkham, the English director of the army of the King of Abyssinia, has supplied to the London Daily Telegraph some valuable information respecting the traffic of slaves still carried on between the interior of Africa and the Turkish Empire. He says : The Abyssinian Envoy estimates the number of slaves annually carried off from Africa to the Arab and Turkish markets at 80,000 to 90,000. These unhappy beings are taken away at ages ranging from seven or eight to sixteen years, older men and women being found more troublesome than valuable to the dealer.

In reply to the request for information as to the manner of planting cocoanuts trees we have been furnished with the following :— " Sib, —I see by the last evening's Star that a gentleman is desirous of obtaining infor mation as to the growth of cocoanut trees. During my stay in the Islands of the Bay of Honduras, where cocoanuts form one of the staple productions, the cultivation of the same was a part of my occupation. The way I managed it was to obtain nuts that were sprouting, to dig a hole sufficiently deep to admit the nut, leaving the sprout just above the earth's surface, planting them about eighteen or twenty feet apart. As to care they require none ; whatever care they may require here I cannot say, and I dare say there are very few here who do, as I have not seen any growing in New Zealand. If these remarks are of any service to the gen tleman I am most happy to tender them,— I am, &c, W, Smith, Newton.

POLICE COURT.—This Day

[Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.]

VAORANOY. An old man named Patrick Lynch w-as charX on remand with having no lawful visible means of support, and byorder of the Sench, was sent to gaol for three months, to be kept to hard labour. A THUMPED UP CHARGE.. Michael Sheehy, landlord of the Alexandra Hotel was charged, on the information of ££_ S, *& __ppLying one Jane Rent Salcohalfeliqtl-r, whose faculties (accord- S to his testimony) were affected by alcoholic liquor on the Bth inst. The informant deposed that be- was a churn and cheese vat-maker and was co habiting with the woman Reid. On the day h question -he had a bottle of gingerbee^ With a little brandy in it at the defendants house. He told the landlord not to serve her as she was drunk. The defendant said she was not drunk. Witness deposed that she had been drunk for three months. He himself gave her a nobbier of brandy to drink. Two or three hours after she had drunk the ginger beer the police took her in charge for being drunk. Previous to her going to the hotel she had sat m a chair at home for four hours and a half, and had a little gingerbeer and brandy. Did not see her go into the hotel, and could not swear whether it was brandy or ginger wine she was supplied with, but saw the liquor poured out of a brandy bottle. . Michael Murphy, a labouring man, residing with the informant, also swore that the woman was drunk. The defence was that the woman was not the worse for liquor when she applied for the glass of brandy. She was therefore served as any ordinary customer would be. Jane Reid was called, and swore that she had only had two drops of brandy all day before she went to the defendant's, and these were given her by Rolfe. She had lived with Rolfe four years, and he had promised repeatedly to marry her. It was because he had failed to keep his promise that caused her to take a drop occasionally. She was sober on the day she had the brandy, but felt unwell, and ate nothing all day. -Ro«e ill-used her on the evening, knocked her down and struck her repeatedly, and after wards fetched the police to her. She had more to drink after she left defendant's house, but could not say where she had it, except that it was in Victoria-steet. Several witnesses, customers of the defen dant, proved conclusively that _ the woman was sober when she went into his house for brandy. They contradicted the testimony of Rolfe in its details. His Worship said it appeared that if the woman was drunk, the informant Rolfe had made her so. He gave her brandy ; why did he not give her jallap ? She would not have required a second dose of that. He (His Worship) was greatly deceived if Rolfe was not as bad as she was, or his appearance belied him. Why, he could hardly stand in the witness-box this morning. The man swore that she had not drunk the brandy when he warned the defendant, whereas respectable witnesses had sworn that she had, therefore the warning had come too late. Considering the contradictory evidence he had come to the conclusion that the case could not be sustained, and must therefore be dismissed.

This concluded the business,

AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT COMMIS SIONERS.

A meeting of the Auckland Improvement Commissioners was held in the City Council offices this morning. Present: Messrs H. H. Lusk, P. A. Philips, F. D. Fenton, T. Macready, S. Jones, J. M. Clark, and Capt. Heale.

The minutes of the previous meeting and correspondence sent since last meeting were read by Mr W. Mitchell, acting-secretary. The minutes were confirmed. LETTERS RECEIVED. The acting-secretary read a letter from the Colonial Secretary, stating that the plans applied for by the Commissioners were not in the possession of the Government, but would be forwarded as soon as received. A tracing'was enclosed. THE POLICE QUARTERS. A letter from the Colonial Secretary was read, stating th?t the police were living in the Barracks on the sufferance of the Board. The letter was accompanied by a request that the Commissioners would allow the police to remain there until other quarters were provided by the Provincial Govern ment. Mr Fenton moved, and Capt. Hale se conded—"That any action on the question raised in the letter be deferred."

Mr Jones moved as an amendment —"That the Colonial Secretary be replied to, to the effect that the Board will not disturb the police until the ground is required, but it it was probable that the ground would be required forthwith.

The amendment was put and carried, PROPOSED EXHIBITION.

A letter from Messrs Millar and Percival to the Hon. Dr. Pollen, intimating their in tention to hold an Interprovincial Exhibition, similar to the Christchuch one, on the 31st of January.

On the motion of Mr Jones, seconded by Macready, it was resolved that the applica tion could not be entertained.

CHEQUE FROM CALEDONIAN- COMMITTEE.

A cheque for £15 from Mr Mowbray, for the use of the Albert Barracks on Boxing Day, for holding the Caledonian games, was re ceived.

DESIGNS FOR CITY IMPROVEMENT. There were four designs received for the improvement in the Albert Barrack square, with the following mottoes : — No. 1, "An Placet ;" No. 2, "Mahomet ;" No. 3, "Floreat," Auckland; No. 4, " Rus in Urbe."

On the motion of Mr Macready it was resolved that Messrs Heale, Fenton, Clark, Jones, be appointed a committee to examine the designs, and report to the next meeting of Commissioners.

APPOINTMENT OF SECRETARY. :?\-* It was announced that applications for Ue ~. office of secretary had been received f__t§t~J Messrs J. Browne and R. H. Stevenson.

On the motion of Mr Fenton, it was re solved that a secretary be appointed for three months at a salary at the rate of £100 per annum.

Mr Fenton moved, and Mr Macready se -1 conded, that Mr R. H. Stevenson be elected secretary. The motion was put and carried unani mously. OFFICE ACCOMMODATION. On the motion of Mr Clark it was resolved , that Messrs Philips and Lusk be appointed to secures offices for the Board in the Bar racks, and have the same fitted up. BUILDINGS IN THE BARRACKS. On the motion of Mr Fenton • it was re solved that Messrs Philips and Lusk be ap pointed a committee to examine the build ings in the Barracks and see what buildings can be let. RULES OF THE BOARD. Mr F. D. Fenton moved that the Mayor and Provincial Secretary be a committee to draw up rules under the 10th section of the Act, and that it be an instruction to such 3 committee that the rules shall provide thai?

«m_a w_fiKiw wk% totj^sdat, janitauy ie. iß7£



The foUowing are tbe current calls and dividend! layable in the companies named below :—

£ s. d.

CALLS Golconda .. .. 0 2 0 Due Lincoln Castle .. 0 0 6 Jan 22 Aurora .. .. 0 10 Jan 22 Coronet No 1 .. 0 16 Jan 25 John O'Groats .. 0 5 0 Jan 27 Thames Gas .. .. 0 5 0 Jan 28 Italian 0 0 6 Jan 30 Central Italy .. 0 0 6 Feb 12 Mary Ann .. .. 0 0 6 Feb 12 Hope of Coromandel 0 0 6 Feb 12 White Rose.. .. 0 10 Feb 12 Flagship Golden Anchor 0 10 Feb 12 Carnatic .. .. 0 0 3 Feb 12



NEAL'S KFW Z.EALAND UUCE Neal's Chutajy Neal's Orients Pickles Neal's Tomato Sauce Neai's Carry Parte. These New Zealand Mantfactures are found to be eaual to the best and superior to mo3t imported articles, and are sold at a Lehs Piug_ than Inferior Foreign Goods. Sold B ail by tbe Grocers in town und coantry j "v "Who__s_x_ by 5, TONKS & CO j



__U„_- l'usx-uPKIOE, AUCKLAND. j Mails will Close as Undbb, :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, » at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. , For Coromandel, to-morrow, at 1.30 p.m. For Rorotonga and Tahiti, per Energy, this day, at 5 p.m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Comerang, to-morrow, at noon. For Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, &c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday, ISth inst., at 10 a.m. For Whitiangi, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Southern Cross, on Saturday, 18th inst., at 3 p.m. For Gisborne, per Tawera, on Monday, 20th inst., at 11 a.m. Per p.s. Dakota, on Thursday, 23rd inst., as follows :— For Sandwich Islands, British Columbia, United States of America, British, Central, and South America, British and Foreign West Indies, and Continent of Europe via England, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdon via San Francisco, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 11 a.m. Late letters for the United States of America and United Kingdom, bearing a late fee of Od in addition to the postage wi'l be received by the mail agent on board the steamer up to the time of sailing. Mails for Australia and United Kingdom, via Mel bourne, will close at Hokitika at 6 p.m. to-morrow. N.B. —It is notified for the information of private box-holders that from this date the Box-room will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. (Signed) S. B. Bess, Chief Postmaster. CAN THE BEST MOLESKIN TROUSERS IN NEW ZEALAND BE SOLD FOR 6s. lLi>.? NO! DRAPERS AND OTHERS outside the Clothing Trade may offer such baits to the public, but as THE CLOT li lER OF THE PROVINCE and the only one whose business is exclusively confined to the manufacture and sale of Men's Clothing, I maintain that it cannot be done. I can, however, offer to the Working Men GENU IN E BARGAINS, being prepared to sell a pair of Moleskin Trousers, equal in every respect to the os. lid. article, FOR 58. 11D. And a pair of GENUINE Crown Mote 3, FOR 6s. 1 Id. And the best in New Zealand, FOR S.s. 11d. SAMUEL COOMBES, MANUFACTURER & CLOTHIER, 80 & ISO, Queen-stbeet. TXTILL- L, e Published To-morrow, THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH NEWS. UPTON & CO., Publishers. EDUCATION RATE. FATHERS AND MOTHERS, LISTEN ! YOU are told thatthe new Education Kate is oppressive. Hearken !II itherto you have paid school fees for your children. Under the new Act instead of school fees you pay One Pound per annum household rate in quarterly payments of live shillings each. You pay also five shillings per year for each child of the school age; but not tor more than four in the family-the rest are free. Compare the old with the new, and don't be misled by trading politicians. The following table shows the fees payable per annum in the past and in the future for one chUd or more :- Number of Chil- F r Cost I New Act . dren. ! 1 I £2 12 0 £15 0 2 | 5 4 0 1 10 0 3 7 10 0 1 15 0 4 ! 10 8 0 2 0 0 | (13 00) sto 20 \ to )■ 2 0 0 I (52 0 0) Or viewed thus : the cost per week for the education of one child by the new Act wi'l be under Cd ; two children, it will be under 3.Yd each ; three children, under 2]d each ; four children, a little over 2',d each ; five children, 1 11-13 d each ; six children, about l^d each, and so on. The cruel tax! The grinding tax !