SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET : This evening, 7.11 SUN-RISE : To mo*row morning, 5.10 HIGH WATER: This evening, 7.9; to-morrow morning, 7.30

ARRIVALS.

Star of the South, s.s., Holmes, from Napier H.M.S. Blanche, from Wellington

DEPARTURES. . Rowena, s.s., for Russell Southern Cross, s.s., for Tauranga Bella Mary, barque, for Hobart Town Challenger, p.s., for Wangarei Kenilworth, schooner, McKenzie, for Norfolk Island

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Napier and Southern ports: Nebraska, p.s., on arrival For Boston, Mass. : Ayr, barque, early For Cork : Polar Star, ship, early For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Monday For London: Glenhuntly, barque, early For Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, s.s., on arrival of Nebraska ; Wonga Wonga, s.s., Gth Feb. For Southern ports: Phoebe, s.s., on arrival of the Nebraska For Norfolk Island : Nukulau, schooner, to-day

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Warwick, ship, from London. Sailed 4th November Caduceus, ship, from London. Loading Durham, ship, from London. Loading Moa, brig, from Melbourne Sailed 9th January Nebraska, mail steamer, from San Francisco .„ _

EXPORTS.

Per s.s. Hero for Sydney : —ll6 bales flax, Stone Bros.; 90 do do, L. 1). Nathan and Co.; 37 do do, J. S. Macfarlane; 11 boxes gold, Union Bank of Australia ; 11 do do, Bank of New Zealand ; 3 do do, Bank of Australasia ; 1 buggy, 20 bags tow, Brown, Campbell and Co.: 12 coils rope, J. Craig ; 9 boxes private effects, F. Scherff; 54 bales tow, 4do fungus, 169 cases whiskey, 595 cases old torn, 19 qr. casks whiskey, Cruicksbank and Co.; 2 boxes oold, Bank of New South Wales.

The s.s. Hero, Captain Logan has, cleared outwards for Sydney and Melbourne with the following passengers :—For Melbourne : Saloon—:Mr and Mrs Smith and child, Mr and Mrs Kay, Mr and Mrs McCrea, Mrs Nobili and infant,. Miss Nobili, Mrs Solomon and three children, Miss Christin, Messrs Varcoe and John Wigton ; steerage—Mr and Miss Hardy, Mrs Lindsay and son, Messrs W. Hagley,. Solomon, and Jas. Hagger. For Sydney : Saloon —Mrs Sheman, Mrs Philips and child, Messrs Thos. Foley, H. Wade, and Lovell ; steerage —Mr and Mrs Jas. Greenfell, Richard Greenfell, W. E. Hall, John Willis, and P. Connolly. Total, 37 souls. .... The s.s. Star of the South arrived this morning from Napier with: a cargo! of cattle and sheep. .: • Mi" »*i / The barque Bella Mary took her departure this"morning for Hobart Town. She rounded the North Head at half-past ten. The s.s. Southern Cross left yesterday for Tauranga. The s.s. Rowena took her departure yester day for Russell and Mongonui The departure of the s.s. Phoebe from the Manukau will not be delayed later than ten o'clock on the morning of Thursday provided the Nebraska has not arrived.

The cutter Agnes is announced to leave the Manukau for Kaipara to-morrow evening. She will call at all stations on the passage' up. ■ . The brigantine Flirt has completed her repairs and hauled into the stream. The new cutter Fanny has been brought up from Wangapoa to compete in the regatta to-morrow. Numerous schooners and cutters are lying in harbour awaiting the sailing races to morrow in the annual regatta. The ship Polar Star is taking in her cargo of guano as fast as it can be brought along side. . She will sail in the course of a week. We yesterday substituted the name of Mr Edmiston as purser of thePhcebe, instead of Mr Pririgle. The error was a clerical one. The schooner Tauranga has cleared out wards for Kaipara, with a full cargo shipped by Must & Co. , : '1. . . The schooner Queen has cleared for Russell in ballast. The brigantine Flirt has cleared outwards for Lyttelton with 3317 pieces white pine 3,500 pieces dress and lining, 432 bundles empty sacks, 436 pieces doors and moul dings. Another sad ; story of the sea is related. Out of a crew of about thirty only one remains to tell the melancholy tale. The ship was the " Newcastle," which sailed from Liverpool for Havana, on the 7th ult., under the command of Captain Wilkins, and was wrecked off Tuskar while passing down the Channel. ( The crew took to the boats when the vessel struck, but these were capsized and the men drowned, with the exception of John Berry. This man supported himself on a piece of wreck for three days, when he was picked up by the steamer Castillian, on her way to Lisbon. During three nights and nearly four days he had no food, and the only means of quenching his thirst was applying his tongue to a piece of rusty iron on the wreck which supported him. He had just been landed in Liverpool.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr George Sibbin held a sale of damaged maize ex Nukulau, for the benefitof whom it may concern, at the stores opposite Thorn ton and Co.'s flour mills, this day, when the following prices were obtained :—ll bags maize, much damaged, 2s lOd per bushel; 31 bags maize, slightly damaged, 3s ; 21 bags, damp, 3s 4d ; 200 bags, at 3s 4d. Mr L. W. Eaton held a sale of fruit at his mart to-day. Apples brought from 2d to 3£d per lb. ; pears, l£d.

MINING.

The following are the current calls and divldends Bayable in the companies named below :— £ s. d.

Yon Tempsky, Company's office, Queen street, Auck land, 3 p.m., 30th January Una, Shortland, 30th January Ruby, Grahamstown, 31st January Durham Ox, Grahamstown. 31st January Morning Star, Grahamstown, 31st January Auckland AVhaling Company, Insurance Buildings, noon, 31st January _~__, Hauraki Saw Mill Company, Mr Bennetts office, Shortland street, Auckland, 2 p.m., 3rd February Coromandel Tunnel G.M.C , Mr Tothill. office, Auck land. 10 a.m., 3rd February Central Italy, Grahamstown, 4th February Green Harp, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 3 p.m., 10th February New Golden Pa, Mr R. Home's office, Shortland street, Auckland, noon 12th February , i . Masonic, Coromandel, 15th February Bonshaw, Mr Baber's office, Insurance Buildings, Auckland. 2 p.m., 13th February Shotover, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 2 p.m. , J7th February ' v

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, on Thursday, 30th inst., at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For the Australian Colonies, per s.s. Hero, this day, at 7 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Phcebe, immediately on arrival of the p.s. Nebraska, or not later than 8 a.m. on Thursday, 30th inst. For Napier and Southern Provinces, per Nebraska, six hours after arrival. For Napier, per Star of the South, on Thursday, 30th inst., at 1 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

DEATHS.

McDermott.— At Christchurch, on January 22, the infant son of L. C. McDermoott. G-lberd.—On the 28th inst., George O'Brian, son of George Gilberd ; aged 19 years. The funeral will leave the residence of his father, Conquest Place, Parnell, to-morrow, 29th inst., at 3p. m. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 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 meeting is be to held this evening in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute to consider the question of Education. We do not know the nature of the " Committee" by the authority of which Mr David Olphert as " Chair man " convenes the meeting, but the subject is one of such importance and of such immediate interest that we feel much satisfaction in drawing atten tion to it, and siucerely hope that it will be largely attended, and that the subject will be treated with that fairness becoming its importance.

We observe by the notice convening the meeting that it is specially "to consider the Education Hate in its bearing on. the working class." We trust that this aspect of the question will be kept steadily before the minds of those assembled. The bearing of the Act on the wealthier need scarcely in this matter be taken into account, for we can hardly conceive of any person of reasonable means, and with the least spark of public feeling, who will object to pay his pound a year for such a cause as education, even although he never derives the least advantage directly to his own family from the expenditure. The bearing of the rateonthe so-called working classes, or rather, on those of limited means, is that which should alone be considered. And recognised, as we are, to be the friend of that very class, we do most earnestly hope that they will not per mit themselves to be led away by the clap-trap of professional agitators who seek only for personal noto riety, but that those present will consider what is the actual bear ing of the rate on those of limited means. And be it borne in mind that the question is not now whether it should be one pound per household all round, or whether it should be gradu ated from five shillings to fifty shillings according to the means of the payer. The time for that discussion was when the Bill was passing through the Pro vincial Council. Tbe G-overnment wished it to be graduated, but the Council: overcame the wishes of the Government, and fixed the rate equally for poor and rich alike And the time will again come round for discussing i this when candidates come before the ! public in the approaching election of I a new Council j and this evil, if evil it I is, can be rectified with the utmost j ease in next session of Council. But let the meeting recollect to-night that Mr Lusk, the Provincial Secretary, and father of the Act, strove, in company with his colleagues, to have the rate graduated according to the means of the people, so that if any one has bottled up his anger he had better open it out on some one else, but not on those who are now administering the Act. But in considering the " bearing of the rate on the working classes" the people should compare the position of a poor family under the new Act with its position under the old. A man with a family of four children or upward will be required to pay at the utmost two pounds per annum, or about ninepence farthing per week. Eor this he will obtain for his whole children, no matter how many, not a pauper education, but the best general education that the State can afford, and for which he will be regarded as having paid in full as an honest man. We are not considering the case of the childless, or those whose children are grown up and off their 1 hands. These are the exceptions, and fcheir case is not a hard one. But we ire thinking of the "working man," .vho, as a general thing, by the blessing )f Providence, is provided with a goodly number of young chicks. If

be is a man with a man's heart he wishes to see his sons better men tban he has been himself; and under a free constitution he can, as he looks on his child, picture to himself the day when that son may be the Premier or Attor ney-General of New Zealand. No social barrier stands in the way, and he may realise the force of the old doggerel—

For learning was the only thing That made poor Pepin's son a king. To such a°man as this — a man with small means but plenty of little mouths to fill, and little minds to be taught, the new Education Act will be an un mingled blessing. Eor the smallest possible sum he will obtain the best possible education. It is true that instead of sending the fee in the boy's hand to school he will have to pay it through the Provincial Treasury, and if he thinks it worth his while to make a row about this circumstance and to regard it as an outrage on his rights as a Briton and a freeman he can do so. It will have no effect, how ever, as the rate will be collected no matter how great the row. At the same time under the bad advice of foolish men aiming at notoriety he may join in making such a noise as will embarrass and retard the collection of the rate and the opening of the free schools. If the agitators had only meant to prevent the rate the time for action was during the many weeks in which the measure was passing through the Council. Now, when it is embodied in the law of the land, any efforts to resist payment will only result in trouble to those who listen to foolish advice. And right well the agitators know this. But their purpose is served if they can only get themselves associated in the popular mind with the defence of popular rights. We would seriously warn the people from being led off on a wrong scent by such -would-be demagogues. It is very easy to get up an excite ment against a tax, but fathers and mothers we presume want education for their children, and are willing to pay for it; and they should resent as an impertinence the interference of busy bodies who are seeking to rouse up an opposition to the only system of education worth the name that has yet been offered to the people.of Auckland.

We are in receipt of two severe letters— one signed "N.Z," and the other " Anti bunkum"—and both having reference to the affairs of St. Paul's Church. The points complained of are bowing to the East in ser vice, and the payment of seat rents in advance. But as a rule we are reluctant to assist any one in dragging the affairs of any church or re ligious organization before the public. Sacred things should not be touched with carnal weapons, such as newspaper correspondents' pens, save in extreme and exceptional cases, and church affairs are best kept within their own sacred bounds.

Mr R. T. Ebborn fell from his horse yester day afternoon, and was severely cut about the face and head.

We have received a copy of the '' Taranaki Almanac," printed by W. H.JJ. Seffern, at the Taranaki Herald office. The work is a com prehensive one, and reflects great credit upon its compiler and publisher.

A cricket match between the Zingari eleven and Mr Rice's fifteen colts will be played in the Albert Barracks to-morrow, commencing at ten o'clock. The following are the teams :—Zingari : Messrs W. L. Rees (captain), Bowen, Swansen, Howard, Humphreys, Barnett, Alderton, Leggett, Boilers, Putinan (sen.), Moonoy, Putmau (jun.), Lincoln, G. and A. Brooks, and Payne; umpire, Mr Snell. Mr Rice's fifteen colts : Messrs. V. E. Rice, Willoughby, Boulton, X,. Gilfillan, Morrow, Mason, Taylor, Ryan, Garland, Connell, Jacksou, Barnard, Morrow, Gray and choice. Umpire— Dr. Nicholson. It will be seen that the Zingari team com prise some good men who have been absent from the turf this season, especially Mr Rees.

Several householders were summoned this morning for leaving their dust-boxes out on the pootpath. As these were the first cases of the kind a nominal penalty was inflicted in each case; but Sergeant-Major Pardy stated that it Avas the intention of the police to compel householders to keep within the by-law, or take the consequences of their negligence. The practice has been to leave the empty boxes out on the pathway all day, and the sooner it is stopped the better.

In England, where the Caucasian race has attained its greatest physical perfection, it is the custom to remain daily many hours out of doors. Among boys all sorts of field games are encouraged. The Universities have their boat and cricket clubs, and nowhere is muscular strength more prized ; and it cannot be denied that a natural activity of the muscles is one of the richest sources of human happiness, in the exercises of which health, beauty, and strength are developed. The young Germans nearly always belong to the Turners' society, where their muscles become like iron.

The programme of the Auckland Annual Regatta for to-morrow is published in our advertising columns. The first race is for trading vessels round Tiri Tiri, and will be started at half-past nine a.m. The next is for trading cutters, over the same course : the start for this will be effected at ten o'clock. The remaining nine events are sailing and rowing matches for different descriptions of vessels and boats, to take place at half-hour intervals. The entries for the races were received at the club-room last evening, and were quite equal in numbers to those of last year. A very good day's aquatic sport may be anticipated. Captain Alexander has kindly placed the barque Glenhuntly at the disposal of the Regatta Committee, and she will there fore do duty as flag-ship, for which purpose she will be moored in mid-stream, opposite the wharf.. * Last year the only vessel in harbour available for that purpose was the schooner Kenilworth, and her accommodation was in no way equal to that which the barque can give. Lunch and refreshments will be procurable on board, Mr Grey having been appointed caterer for that purpose. A large number of sailing craft, in racing trim, were out from an early hour this morning testing their sailing capabilities, while the various crews intending to compete in the rowing matches have been practising with a will for the events of to-morrow.

The Government offices, banks, merchants' offices, and warehouses will be closed to morrow (Wednesday), in consequence of the day being the anniversary of the colony.

-', Plana for the re-construction of the Govern- J ment buildings are being prepared by Mr.. > Mahoney, the- architect, who has been for ' some time in communication with the princi- ' pals of the different departments respecting the. projected offices. When Mr Mahoney is in full possession of the required details a general plan will be prepared which will include the whole of the departments. They will then be submitted to the Colonial architect at Wellington, and if they meet with his approval he will forthwith call for tenders for carrying the work forward. We believe that the general convenience of the public will be taken into account, and that the new post-office and other offices will be a great improvement on the offices of other days. The peach season is now beginning. A large quantity of fruit has been brought down from Orakei and other parts bythe Maoris, and is exposed for sale on the wharf. Business, however, does not appear to be very brisk with them, probably owing to the high price they are demanding. In former days the kits now offered for a shilling could be obtained for sixpence. Oysters have been in abundance the past few days.

After a fair week's work at the Thames the members of Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus reopened at the old spot last evening. The entertainment presented the usual eques trian and gymnastic varieties, with a few interesting changes, which we have pre viously noted. The strong man, Mr Fellom, exhibited his feats of strength, and La Petite Emilie, on her pony chargers, was one of the most prominent attractions of the evening. The altitudinal gyrations of the company, led by Messrs Gonzale and Holland, were novel and complete, and elicited the applause they merited. Miss Kate Hollaway went through her equestrian exercise with ap parent ease and winning gracefulness. Mdle. Gracie, the lady with the iron jaw, in her performance on the double trapeze was loudly applauded. The " Shepherd Lovers,"by Mdlle. Bridges and Mr Holland, was a new feature, and one of the prettiest scenes of the circus.

A grand concert will be given to-morroAy (Regatta) night at the Onehunga Institute, by the Electric troupe, assisted by Ward's Minstrels. A novel and extensive programme is promised, and a very enjoyable evening's entertainment may be expected.

A French correspondent of ail English paper says that there is at Paris a manufac tory of damaged china, which is marked "N," and Avhich is sold as part of the Imperial dinner service saved from the ruins of the Tuileries. There is quite a brisk trade done in this business.

In our edition of Saturday last we stated that a tradesman of Melbourne, Avho some years ago had failed, had recently paid off all his creditors in fall. We have now to refer to another of those pleasing facts, but in this instance it is one of our own townsmen. It appears that in or about 1861 Mr J. W. Carr Avas carrying on his business as a boatbuilder, in Official Bay. At that time he had finished a small iron steamer, which he sent South, and there sold her—not for cash, but for promissory notes. The steamer subsequently Avas wrecked, and Avas uninsured, and the purchaser became a bankrupt. None of his promissory notes were ever paid, and only but a small dividend was realised from his estate. The loss to Mr Carr Avas about £1,100. During the heavy gale which swept the NeAV Zealand coast in 1861 Mr Carr lost also three coasters, and as such small craft Avas uninsurable, he sustained, of course, a total loss of the value of those vessels. Mr Carr then finding that as a business man he had himself become commercially Avrecked, assigned all his property over to two trustees, Avho realized sufficient funds to pay the creditors about 12s. in the £. After the lapse of tAVO or three years Mr Carr recom menced business. Avhich has prospered suffi ciently to enable him during the last month to pay all his creditors the full amount of their demands upon him. As these facts speak for themselves Aye need make no com ment upon them, but merely add that not only his creditors but also his personal friends are highly pleased at his success in life.

Bismarck's cigars are said to cost him 10s a day, and his beer and wine 17s, all for his oavii use.

Baron and Baroness Rothschild have sent £4030 to the poorer members of the JeAvish community who suffered by the recent fire on the Bosphorus at Kouscoundjouk.

Notwithstanding the strong counter attrac tion of the circus, the Prince of Wales Theatre Avas patronised last night by a large audience AA-ho testified their approval at the various items on the programme in a most demonstrative manner. Miss Fanny Sara has established herself as a favorite with the public, as nightly they vociferously applaud most of her songs. She Avas compelled to come fonvard for the third time again last night and repeat a portion of "Good-bye Charlie," in which a greater part of the audience lustily joined. Nothing can exceed the ease, grace and dai'ing in Avhich the A'igell family go through their clever trapeze performance. The comic songs of Mr Clifton are highly amusing and provocative of roars of laughter, while Messrs Buckley and Holly are immense in their various negro characters. Mr Heiman is a musician of no ordinary merit, and his performance on the violin meets nightly with the applause it deserves. A word of praise is due to the orchestra for its efficiency. The perform ance to-night will possess fresh attractions.

The annual meeting of the members of St. Andrew's Church, Symonds-street, was held last night. The Rev. D. Bruce occupied the chair. After prayer the Clerk of the Deacon's Court read the annual report, -which shewed a fallin^-off in the revenue from several sources. The balance due to the treasurer, therefore, had increased £61 10s lOd over the balance due on the year, 1871. The total revenue for the year, including £174 5a 7d due to the troasurer, was £829 19s lOd. The deficit Avas attribu table to extra expenditure, which Avould not occur again for some years. The Sabbath-school contains eighty-five scholars and fourteen teachers, and their library has been greatly improved. Mr Keir moved, and Mr Macdonald seconded, -—"That the reports and accounts as read be adopted;" also—"That a special effort be made by the congregation to liquidate the balance due to the treasurer, and. that the Deacon's Court be requested to take steps to carry out the above resolution." Both these motions were unanimously passed. The following gentlemen Avere nominated to the office of elder :—Messrs A. Bell, T. Keir, T. Peacock, W. Anderson, Dr. Kennedy, and — Kennedy ; Avhile Messrs Macdonald, McLaughlin, Sinclair, Dingwall, G. Praser, J. M. Fraser, J. Hay, and A. Miller Avere nominated to the office of deacon. The rev. Chairman announced that the names of these gentlemen would be placed in printed schedules, and the election would take place by ballot at a future date. The singing of Keble's beautiful hymn and the benediction brought the evening's proceedings to a satis factory close.

Probably the finest museum of paintings in the world is that of Madrid, containing over forty original Murillos, ten Raphaels, sixty Rubens, forty Titians, sixty Valesquez, &c.

W A of shareholders in the Red ! Queeh Gold Mining Company was held this 'afternoon for the purpose of hearing tbe "Directors' half-yearly report and balance sheet read. The latter showed a balance of £29 14s lid, and the reports submitted having been adopted on the motion of Mr G. Williamson (chairman), seconded by Mr J. C. Davies, the meeting separated. : Describing the Inebriate Vsylumat Ward's Island, the New York Tribunes-Ays : "Within the past four years about One hundred j women have occupied rooms in the asylum. ' Of these nearly one-third have been . ladies moving in the highest circles of society. They were all middle-aged and nearly all had been married. To-morrow evening a grand negroic con cert will be given in the City Hall by the • Grahamstown Hauraki Minstrels in aid of a j local charity. The programme is full of j promise, is in three parts, and consists of I overtures, comic and sentimental songs, j duets, solos, and dances. From what we I know of these rising minstrels we believe ' the entertainment in all its parts will be j ably sustained, and will prove a treat to those who have a taste for melody and song.

A special parade of the Auckland Volun teer Engineers is ordered for to-morrow morn ing at nine o'clock, at the Market square, Queen-street. The company will proceed to the North Shore in the new ferry steamer Takapuna for a day's picnic, starting from the wharf at ten minutes past ten.

We find tbat we are supposed to have used a very naughty word with reference to his Honor the Superintendent in the term " sardonic " as applied to his laughter when performing a particular duty. We have been gravely told that it means "Satanic." If people' that do not know the meaning of English will not take the trouble of looking into their dictionaries it is not our fault. The term simply means " sarcastic," and has nothing in the world to do with his infernal majesty. On looking into our dictionary we find its derivation and intention thus, — '' denoting primarily a kind of convulsive involuntary laughter said to be produced by eating the Herba Sardonica, a plant that grows in Sardinia." Another dictionary merely tells us '' forced, convulsive ; " while another tells us " involuntary ironical, scoffing." The schoolmaster is evidently abroad.

The Paris correspondent of the Warehouse men, and Drapers' Journal writes : —" The great improvement there has been in the matter of dress in England has been very favourably commented on in one of the most fashionable journals here. This concession is a very significant one, for Parisians have been so long accustomed to look upon them selves not only as the autocrats of fashion, but as the only people Avho really know how to dress, that much indeed must have been accomplished before one of their number Avould go so far as to praise the ' aristocratic elegance' of Englishwomen. That Paris is the stronghold of fashion, no one, of course, denies ; but the great step gained is that new modes emanating from Paris may be executed almost as Avell in London as here, while the imitation of good models has raised the scale of taste by several degrees, so that the difference iioav between well-dressed Eng lishwomen and Avell-dressed Frenchwomen is but trifling, Avhereas some years ago it Avas very considerable."

We understand that his Honor the Superintendent has convened the first meet ing of the members of the Central Board of Health, appointed under the provisions of j'The Public Health Act, 1872," to be held at the Superintendent's office on Mon day next, at twelve o'clock noon.

They utilize the students of the scientific schools at Dartmouth College in laying out railroads. The senior department of that class is-now engaged on a line from Hanover to Lebanon. Some of the Dartmouth boys were also taken out by Professor Quimby during the summer on his Government surveys, thereby having a fine opportunity for a practical application of their mathe matical knoAvledge.

Mark Twain, who has just gone abroad, contemplates Avriting a third book, it is said, devoting himself this time to the oddities and eccentricities of the English people, among whom he expects to reside for the next twelve months in order to take their mental photographs. ..'

A deep and painful sensation was aroused in Sandhurst recently when it became known that Mr Robert Currie, draper, Bridge street, had been found dead in the closet of his yard with his head all but severed from the trunk, and beside him a razor covered with blood, indicating the instrument by which the dreadful act had been committed. The Avhole circumstances of this sad case tend to show the action of "a mind diseased," brought about by the intense ex citement consequent on heavy mining tran sactions, and fall in the mining market. These, combined Avith the anxieties in con nection Avith his ordinary business, and a seeking for relief in stimulants, appeared to have completely unhinged the mental balance of the unfortunate man, and in his paroxysm of madness made him take his OAvn life.

The Rev. P. Mason -writes :—" Allow me to thank you for your discriminating review of my little work on the ' Geography of New Zealand.' Discriminating especially, allow me to say, Avhen you write : 'It is, notAvithstanding its defects, a very creditable and useful school-book, far superior to any other of a similar class ever published in NeAV Zealand.' Your opinion is especially valuable, inasmuch as you seem to have read the production Avith a critical—l might al most say microscopic—eye, detecting the misspelling of words at once that in other parts of the work had been correctly spelled tAvo or even three times." Our correspon dent then points out the difficulty experi enced in securing absolute correctness where the compositors are unacquainted with the Maori language, and remarks that if tbe word " on" had been printed " in," as written, the Upper Waikato settlement would have been correctly described. He thinks the settlements near Auckland scarcely need any lengthy description as the geography is chieiiy used in this province. We believe, however, if Mr Mason were to extend the scope of his work a little, as suggested in our yesterday's notice, it would be used throughout the colony, the arrangement he has adopted being Avell adapted for:schools. A good geography of the colony is much re quired, and, while Mr Mason is deserving of high praise for the effort he has put forth to supply the want, he would be conferring a still greater benefit if he would undertake the task of compiling a larger and more com plete Avork on the subject. It was in the hope of inducing him to undertake this task that Aye yesterday pointed out a few defects to show how much must necessarily be omitted from a geography on so small a scale as the " Outlines." .

SAVEET innocent There was a young lady of Tenby, Who Avrote to her Confidante, " N. B. I don't want to Aved, No such thoughts in my head ; But where can the eyes of the men be ?' Some sage has said it really requires more delicacy of touch, * better acquaintance with the inner emotions of heart, and a grander pathos of sentiment to make a declaration of love than it d.es to put up a stove.

KURANUI GOLD MINING COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETING

A meeting of the directors and shareholders of the Kuranui Gold Mining Company (Registered), was held this morning, at the offices.-Shortland-street, Mr Whitaker in the chair.' The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Mine Manager's and Directors' reports and the balance-sheet were then read. The Directors' report as follows : — "Your Directors lay before you a state ment of the receipts and expenditure for the year ended the 31st December, 1872, .and a statement showing the assets and liabilities at that date, exclusive of the mine, battery, and plant. '' Although there has been no great success the position of the company is improved and satisfactory. On the Ist of January, 1872, the cash balance in favor of the company was £404 15s Sd ; on the Ist of January, this balance had increased to £3147 7s 9d. A still further increase during the early part of the month of January enabled your directors to declare a dividend of 2s 6d per share, and still have a sufficient sum of money in hard for future operations. "As will be seen from the Manager's report a great deal of prospecting has been done during the past year, involving a large expenditure. In addition to this an arrange ment, was made with the Shotover Company to contribute a portion of the cost of sinking their shafts, with a view to explore your mine in depth, and under this arrangement the shaft was deepened to nearly 400 feet. After the Shotover Company had prospected their mine for some time at this level without success they declined incurring any further outlay, and the whole cost of pumping the water had to be borne by your company, iAn arrangement was then made for the ' extension by your company, for the purpose of exploration, of the Shotover drives into : the Long Drive and All Nations' mines, each ! of those mines paying £2 10s per foot for the I distance;driven into its mine.

"This arrangement was continued until the water from a lode cut in the All Nations' became too heavy to be mastered, and all work through the Shotover shaft was necessarily discontinued. The distances driven were :in the Long Drive 200 feet; in the All Nations', 155 feet, and in the Kuranui, 208 feet; but no discovery of any importance was made.

" A new lode has recently been found in your mine in the 20 fathom level, which although small, not averaging a foot in width, has yielded and is still yielding moderately well. This is specially referred to in the Manager's report. " Upon the whole the prospects for the future, though not brilliant, are encouraging, and the directors hope during the current year to declare dividends. "Fred. Whitaker, " Chairman."

Mr James Kernick, mine .manager, re ported as follows :— i, ■ "January 13, 1873. " To the directors and shareholders of the Kuranui Gold Mining Company (Re gistered). "Gentlemen, —In presenting you with a report of our proceedings at the Kuranui mine during the past year I beg to inform you that a good deal has been done in that period in prospecting for veins and runs of gold near the surface. In the former part of the year we found several payable veins to the west of Barry's leader, but those veins became poor about the 60 feet level. " We have also discovered veins to the east of Hunt's leader with a little gold in them. We are yet working on one of those veins, Avhere Aye see a little gold occasion ally. ' ' Last August we struck a small patch of gold in the 25 fathom level, to the north of the Deep Lead shaft ; but it did not extend in any direction. We did a deal of driving and rising to look for some connection with it, but failed to find any in sinking. Below it (10 feet) we came on the main slide, which cut off the vein altogether. " Near the end of the year we found a new vein at the 20 fathom level, to the south of the Deep Lead shaft—about 70 feet. That vein runs in an easterly direction, or nearly at right angles with the principal veins in the mine. Wo have driven near 50 feet on the vein, and it has shoAvn pretty well that dis tance. We have commenced stoping the back of that drive, and the vein looks very Avell at present. We have about 100 feet more to drive on the vein before we reach the boundary. Nothing has been done on this vein in the Kuranui mine, above or below, where Aye have opened on it.

"We have also recently opened on some small payable veins between Hunt's and Barry's leaier, which, I believe, will give us a good deal of work, so that our prospects are better at present than they have been for some time before.

'' The machinery has again had a thorough overhaul, and sundry repairs effected, and is at present in a state of great efficiency.

" We have also driven a crosscut from the Shotover Avorkings at the 400 feet level; 164 feet in that crosscut we struck Hunt's leader, and have driven on it 44 feet. The leader is small and mullocky ; it did not show any gold. It is similar in character to Avhat it is opposite the Shotover shaft at the same level. " Yours obediently, "James Kernick." The balance-sheet showed the Com pany's receipts for the year 1872 amounted to £18,188 13s Sd ; and the expen diture on the claim, £9989 12s Sd ; expen diture on the battery, £7051 13s 3d, leaving a balance in Bank of New Zealand of £1147 7s 9d. A letter of a very encouraging nature was read from Mr Kernick, the mine manager, respecting the present condition and pros pects of the mine. Mr Whitaker moved, and Mr Isaacs seconded, —"That the Directors' report be adopted," Avhich was cai-ied. It was also moved, seconded, and earned, —" That the retiring directors —Mr Whit aker and .Dr Campbell—be re-elected, and that Mr Boardman be re-elected auditor. The meeting then separated.

COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS.

THIS DAY. [Before Messrs. Joseph May (chairman), and T. Cheeseman.] DRUNKENNESS. Six drunkards, including two Maoris and one marine, Avere fined as usual. Samuel A. Weston, an incorrigible rogue and habitual drunkard, was sent to gaol for one month, to be kept to hard labour. PETTY OFFENCES. William Havill, for not preventing his chimney from catching fire, was fined 10s and costs. John Shiels allowed three cows to wander, Ava s fined 5s and costs. James Ferguson, for leaving his dust-box on the public footpath longer than necessary, so as to cause an obstruction, was fined Is and costs. - George Chigwell, William Young, John McDonald, and Henry Brittain^ were all similarly dealt with for the same offence. Hugh Gamble McCrea, for not renewing his hawker'i-j license two days after time had expired, was fined, one shilling and costs.

Bis plea'l was that the license being only on common paper it became worn out and illegible before many months, consequently he was n ot aware the license had lapsed. John Stewart and Chas. Sutton, for failing to register their carts within the time proscribed, were fined one shilling and costs. James Gatherer was charged with not affixing sufficient light to an excavation made by him in Wyndham-street. The defendant pleaded ignorance of the

by-law. Fined five shillings and costs. Edward Hill, landlord of the Scotia Hotel, Hobson-street, was charged with a breach of the Licensing Act, by supplying alcoholic liquor to one Flora Johnson, the same not being a honujide traveller. r The case was remanded until Thursday, jl Malcolm Clow, of the Carpenters' Arms, ; was charged with a similar offence, by sup plying one Margaret Hamilton with drink on a Sunday. , This case was also remanded until inurs day. TRANSFER OF LICENSE. The following applications for transfer of licenses were entertained by the Bench :— Army and Navy Hotel, from Ann Freer to Michael Dinnin ; Eden Vine Hotel, Wiiham Galbraith to James Poppleton ; Whau Hotel, James Poppleton to James Palmer. This concluded the bussiness.

DISTRICT COURT.—This Day.

(Before His Honor Judge Beckham.) UNITED KINGDOM G.M.CO. Mr Warner, Official Agent, applied through his counsel, Mr Rees, for confirmation of the schedule of the above company. Mr Meyer objected to the name of Mr George Bull being retained on the list, he being bankrupt and deceased. _ - The schedule was confirmed, with the exception mentioned. CITY OF ST. ANDREW G.M. CO. There was no opposition in this case, and the schedule was confirmed. GOLDEN PAH G.M. CO. Mr Hesketh appeared for Mr R. Home, the Official Agent, and Mr Wool Lams ; and Mr James Russell to oppose for Messrs Copland and Morrin. Mr Russell ojected on the ground that the directors had borrowed £229 from the Bank of New Zealand without the authority of an extraordinary meeting of shareholders. The Bank had not received notice of the objection. Mr Hesketh said it had been decided re-. peatedly in the Australian Courts where the" clause in the Act bearing on the question was precisely similar to the New Zealand one, that it was not incumbent on a bank, or other outsiders to inquire whether the pre liminaries prescribed by the Act had been complied with. They were justified in presuming that the provisions of the Act had been conformed with, and the directors became to them practically the company. He cited cases in support of this view, and remarked that the question would be argued before the Supreme Court shortly in. the case, of Keir v. the Green Harp Company. His Honor said the case would have to be adjourned in order to give the Bank time to be represented. Hearing of the case would, therefore, be adjourned until next Court-day. This concluded the business.

ADJOURNED INQUEST.—This Day.

The enquiry into the cause of the death of John Mallay, who died on the 23rd inst. in the Provincial Hospital, was resumed this morning, at eleven o'clock, before Dr. Goldsbro', coroner, and a select jury of sixteen. On the jury being called John Lee did not appear, and. was subjected to a fine of £5. »

Dr. Philson, on being sworn, deposed that he examined the body of the deceased, John Mallay, on the 4th inst., and found a lacerated wound over the left eye, which had destroyed the sight; his head and face were very much sAvollen ; there was a large contusion on the left side of the chest; there were also numerous lesser contusions in various parts of the body. He made a post-mortem ex amination the day after his death. The body was much emaciated'; the left eye collapsed, extensive denudation on left side of skull, caused by accumulated matter on the scalp ; the third, fourth, and fifth ribs were fractured ; there Avas a large mass of putrid effused abscess on the back of the hips; he believed death to have resulted from bodily injuries, and subsequent expo sure to cold.

To Mr Broham : The cut over the eye must have been produced by a direct blow. The ribs might have been broken by kicking or leaping upon him. He did not think that; falling on the rough metal could possibly .. have caused those injuries. The wounds in - the back, he considered, were caused by kicks" or heavy blows. He was bruised all over the . body ; in addition to these injuries he must' ,;' have caught a severe cold. He appeared to ■■) have been a wiry, strong man, between thirty ' and forty. To Mr Joy : He appeared to be in a con- " fused state, but in three or four days he recovered his recollection. The wound over the left eye might have been caused by a ? kick from a heavy boot, or from a fall on the - metal road. The Avound over the eye would . not have produced death. ("[ William Carter was next sworn, and stated that he was a coach driver, in the'employ of Messrs Quick. He remembered seeing John Mallay on the 31st December last in the bar . of the hotel at Drury about five o'clock pVtti./ He Avas then knocking about the house in __:_ rough manner. He was outside of the house about eight o'clock on the same day. Hia : attention was called to a row, and he saw some men fighting. Deceased was one of them ; but he could not swear to the men with whom Mallay was fighting. He fell heavily, and was invariably under, the others.

It was dark at the time. . There were three different fights with deceased r which lasted • , together about half-an-hour. The;deceased had the best of the two first fights, and ; after the third encounter, though beaten, he said he would tackle them again. , He told, them not to kick him when he was down; He was kicked severely—he could hear the kicks distinctly. He could not say who gave £ them. Still the deceased would fight, he in-■_« sisted on fighting with somebody, and Avhen it was over the men with whom he had been ***• fighting went away. He then Avanted to get some one eke to fight with. Meanwhile the hotel was closed and there was no more fighting that night. He saw him the next morning lying in Mr Godkin's taproor_ Avith his hat over his face, but he did not disturb him. .. r To Mr Joy : The row was on the Jnghf road,-quite away from the hotel. Mr God : * kin Avas not in the croAvd, but talking inside, > of his own fence.

Luke Brien, carter, working on the Great. South Road, stated that he first saw John'! ' Mallay at Mr Godkin's bar, on the 29th" 1- December last, about one o'clock in the day.''

He was drinking Avith another person. He 10 j saAv him on the next evening about 10 o'clock, with his eye severely cut and face much swollen. He saw him agaii on Wednesday —New Year's day—at the hotel bar. He knew nothing of the fight. James Smith, a driver in Messrs Quicks'\ employ, deposed that he first saw the d#".7 ceased on the 3rd January. He did, PPti,. t bring Mallay to the Auckland hospital.

TOD BY-j-NXNQ STAR, TUESDAY^ JANUARY 28. iSfe.



CALLS Thames Gas .. .. 0 5 0 Italian 0 0 6 Central Italy .. 0 0 6. Mary Ann .. .. 0 0 6 Hope of Coromandel 0 0 6 White Kose .. .. 0 10 Flagship Golden Anchor 0 10 Carnatic .. .. 0 0 3 Multum in Parvo .. 0 17 Golden Spur.., .. 0 0 6 Key of Tokatea .. 0 0.3 Buffalo .. •• 0 0 3 El Dorado .. .. 0 10 Working Miners .. 0 0 6 Watchman .. .. 0 10 Crown Prince .. 0 0 6 Pride of Tokatea .. 0 10 Goldfinch .. •• 0 0 2 Ballarat and Rising Sun 0 0 3 Twenty-third of June 0 0 0 Van 0 0 6 Imperial Crown .. 10 0

Jan 28 Jan 30 _eb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 12 Feb 14 Feb 17

M-KTINGS.



CAN THE BEST MOLESKIN TROUSERS IN NEW ZEALAND BE SOLD EOR 6s. 11d.? NO! DRAPERS AND OTHERS outside the Clothing Trade may offer such baits to the public, but as THE CLOTHIER OF THE PROVINCE, and the only one whose business is exclusively confined to the manufacture and sale of Men's Clothing, I maintain that it cannot be done. I can, however, offer to the Working Men GENUINE BARGAINS, being prepared to sell a pair of Moleskin Trousers, equal in every respect to the Gs. lid. article, EOR ss. 11d. And a pair of GENUINE Crown Moles, EOR 6s. 11d, And the best in New Zealand, POR Ss. 11d. SAMUEL COOMBES, MANUFACTURER & CLOTHIER, 80 & 180, QUEEN-STREET. npHB Banks will Close on Wednes day, 29th inst., Anniversary of the Colony.