SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This evening, 4.62 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 6.69 HIGH WATER: This afternoon, 3.1; to-morrow morning, 3-35

ARRIVALS.

Wellington, s.s., Carey, trom souiuern puria Merlin, schooner, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

Southern Cross, s.s., Sellars, for Tauranga Cambria, schooner, for Wangarei Sovereign of the Seas, cutter, for Wangarei Golden Isle, schooner, for Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Moeraki (Otago): Duke of Edinburgh, scnooner, Saturday __.. For New Caledonia: Colonist, schooner, Friday For Levuka direct: Star of the South, s.s., about Ist Jane

IMPORTS.

s.s. Wellington, from the fcoutn: i box* 1 parcel, National Bank; 1 bale, Martin: 5 cases wine, Millar; 1 parcel, Salomon; 6 cases. 1 bag Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ; 1 bale, McArthur Shera and Co. ; 1 case, 1 bale, L. D. Nathan and Co • 2 bales, McLaughlan ; 1 truss, Cos grave • 4 cases chicory, Brown, Barnett and Co • 516 sacks barley, 35 do malt, order ; 1 package 1 bag, H. Kohn; 4 bales, 24 cases, 10 bales, Tisdall; 1 box, Lyon; 14 boxes, Telegraph Department; 1 box, Key. K. ±1. Codrington; 3 cases butter Osborne Bros; 5 do do, Bennett; 4 do do, A. Barnes; 6do do, Hood; 3do do, Veale.-Combes and Daldy, agents.

The s.s. Wellington arrived from the South to-day. The Wellington left Port Chalmers on the 13th ; Timaru, 14th ; Lyttelton, 15th ; Wellington, on the 17th; Picton, 18th; Nelson; 19th; and Taranaki on the 20th ; arriving at the Onehunga wharf at nine o'clock this morning. She brings the fol lowing passengers :-Saloon : Mr and Mrs Millar, Mrs Edmonds, Messrs Sutton, Dud ley, Douglas (2), Gresham, and Hill. Steer age : Miss Jones, Messrs Fortune, Cranston, Jackson, Hamilton, Wood, Goddard, Man ning, and three Maoris. ._.._. ~ , The baraues Amateur and William] Ackers, and the brig Nile, have cleared outwards for Newcastle in ballast, and will leave this after Boon. Mr John Walher is a passenger by the The schooner Merlin arrived this morning from Russell with a cargo of coal. The p.s. Paterson arrived at Nelson early this morning from New Plymouth. The barque Feronia and brigs Jane and Albion took their final departure yesterday. They had anchored outside the harbour for a few days waiting the change of wind. The fine barque Woodville is open for freight or charter to any port of Europe. The s.s. Go-ahead is announce to leave the Manukau for Taranaki, Wanganuiand West port to-morrow at 9 a.m. The s.s. Wellington is announced to leave the Manukau for Southern ports on Monday next at 9 a.m. The new schooner Belle Brandon will leave for Dunedin wharf on Monday next. The three-masted schooner Duke of Edin burgh will leave for Moeraki, (Otago) on Saturday next. She has room for a few tons of cargo. The cutter Vivid, belonging to the Fijian Government, has.been taken on Niccol's slip, North Shore, to undergo repairs. The schooner Colonist, Captain Lewis, will leave on Friday next for New Caledonia. The brig Rita left the Manukau yesterday for Newcastle with 110,000 feet timber.

The p.s. Takapuna has been laid up for repairs. She will run again to-morrow. The s.s. Star of the South is announced to make her first trip to Levuka direct on or about the Ist paoximo. The Star of the South has undergone extensive repairs, and altera tions to fit her for the Fiji trade. Special attention has been given to her passenger accommodation, which will be replete with every comfort. The providoring arrange ments have been entrusted to Mr Edward Perkins, of the Occidental Hotel, and are sure to be well looked after. The steamer will run at regular intervals, and will be the means of developing the trade with the Fiji Islands. Her freight for goods is fixed at 35 shillings per ton, and rates for passengers as follows: Saloon, £10, return £15. Steerage £6, return, £10.

COMMERCIAL.

At Messrs B. Tanks and Co.'s sale of City Endowments to-day first-class rentals were obtained, thus showing the faith people have in the prosperity of the city. There was a good attendance, and bidding spirited. Lot No. 7, situate at the corner of Queen street and the approach to the new market was knocked down to Mr T. W. Marsh for £92 per annum; lot 8, A. Bell, £40 per annum; lot 12, corner of Cook and Grey streets, H. W. Stebbings,. £40 per annum; lot 27, corner of Albert and Wellesley streets, J. Grey, £32 per annum. The remeinmg lots were withdrawn.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 6.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. For Coromandel, on Friday, 23rd inst., at 1.30 p.m. For Taranaki, Wanganui, and Westport, per Go ahead, to-morrow, at 7 a.m. For New Caledonia, per Colonist, on Friday, 23rd inst.. 2 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Bras, Chief Postmaster.

DEATH.

Bree.—At Home Bay, Adela Berth* Bre»; aged 28 years. . • The funeral will leave rer late residence at half past two o'clock on Friday, the 23rd inst.

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 1878.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

We have now a distinct view of the position assumed by the Maori King. That Purukutu was his emissary and his agent in carrying out his bloody policy was suspected, and even believed. Now Tawhiao has not only openly avowed it in declining to surrender him, but he has legally become an accessory to the murder, for which he should be held responsible. It is all very well to talk of the sacrifices that must be made in upholding the law. We assert without any hesitancy that if this murder is overlooked it will cost us more to retain our position in the island than any loss that could be sustained in open war. Sullivan's murder is admitted to be butthe regular action of the King policy now about to be put vigorously in force. Friendly natives admit this, aDd see in it the forecast of what is coming on themselves. They naturally say if the pakehas are unable or un willing to avenge the murder of one of themselves, they are not likely to ,put forth any power to pro tect those kupapas who in vio lation of the King's command have been consenting to the survey of their lands. We have it on the most reliable authority that this feeling is intensely agitating the minds of the friendly, natives; that they are in great trepidation respecting possible attacks from the King's immediate party; and that they feel they can place no confidence in the protection of the Q-overnment. Not merely has it been seen that becoming Queenites puts an end to the sugar and flour, but while favours cease, and are only reserved for the hostile and defiant natives, there is afforded no guarantee whatever that the venge ance of the King may not go forth unchallenged against those natives who have been longing for Crown grants*, and in other ways showing themselves kindly disposed towards the advances of civilization. No one can wonder that it should be so; and we do not hesitate to say that, if this murder is slimed over with treacle and paste, if we were a friendly native we should either stand sullenly aloof or join the King. If Maori nature is human nature this must be the course events will take, and even Rewi himself and his Ngatimaniapotos must be confirmed in their allegiance to this bandit power by the cowardly in action of the Government. That the incubus of kingism has been growing intolerable to the natives is evident from every reliable indication; and if only firmness characterised our Go vernment the thing could be promptly snuffed out. Rewi is quite intelligent

enough to know that any advance against the King will be the con fiscation of his land, and even the peaceful continuance of the _ past state of things must have in it for him much cause for fear. The exiled Waikatos who, in the first gush of his fervid nationality, were invited to hislands'with shouts of "haeremai,"h&\e not only been exercising rights of ownership such as will secure them in legal possession according to Maori usage, and according to the prin ciples to be admitted in evidence in future Native Lands Courts, but they have kept him hitherto dur ing their residence in a chronic con dition of embroilment with colonists. But what, he might legitimately ask— what protection cculd he expect from our usual policy if even he thought of shaking himself free from the landless and turbulent gang. There cannot be a doubt that the policy of the Go vernment hitherto has had the effect of shaking the allegiance of the friendly tribes, and making them feel that friendship to the pakeha was neither profitable nor safe. Had this.succeeded by the lapse of time in mollifying the ferocity of the King's followers, Mr McLean's taihoa policy would have lived in history as humane and wise. But this systematic murdering of Europeans proves it has miserably failed, and any further continuance of it will only lead to disaster. An in stant and a decisive change must at once be made, and a bold front pre sented if we are to retain the friend ship of those tribes that are well disposed to live in peace with Euro peans. It seems absurd to think that the exiled Waikatos, whose lands have been for ever taken away, could ever be softened down by soft soap or by sugar or flour, or any thing short of the giving back of their lands, an act which of course no Government would ever seriously propose); andour policy should be to wholly separate the murderous gang who have no thing to lose by war from those whose lands will go mile after mile as our forces advance into the country. As Tawhiao and Manuhiri have connected themselves with this murder, and they are universally by natives believed, and could be proved to be, connected with the murder of Todd, they should be simply regarded as deserving of short shrift and a strong hempen rope ; and Rewi should be given at once to understand that while no interference will be made with him, or his land, if neither he nor any of Ms tribe interfere with the settlement of accounts with Tawhiao, any act of overt sympathy with the defenders of murder will lead to the loss of all his territory just as the Waikato was lost for ever. Oh! if we had a Government with a soul above sugar, Kawhia would at once be seized as a hostage for the neutrality of Kewi, and a blow would be struck that would strike terror into the waverers. and free the'colony from native war at once and for Jever. What the Government will do we caunot tell. If it dares to try to sneak out of the position already taken up it deserves to be pursued with curses to destruc tion and eternal infamy. A reign of terrorism over the friendly native tribes is being established that would, if unchecked soon become a standing menace and a bar to our progress as a colony. That any civilized Govern ment would do anything to confirm such a state of thirgs in a British settlement, and so establish a power of savagery and butchery on our borders, would be intolerable; and if such a course is taken by the present Govern ment, it will be the duty of every good man and true to band himself in a league for the overthrow of the Ministry, and for the exclusion from the Assembly of every man that would lend that Government sup port. Good and peaceable and 1 indus trious natives are just as valuable in habitants of the colony as any others, but for a power to set itself up which tells them that they shall not be peace able and industrious, but must pre serve a sullen attitude, and a posi tion of isolation on pain of death, is a state of things that can no longer be tolerated. All honour to the "Waikato settlers who have so decidedly {expressed themselves as determined to free themselves from marauding murdering gangs or die in the attempt; and all honor to those who have expressed themselves as eager and earnest to rush to their assistance. But curses deep, bitter, and significant on the heads of the Ministry if that Ministry will inter pose between simple justice, backed up by an outraged community, and a savago system of organised murder which has been set up and has existed only through the tolerance secured by our foolish clemency.

From the notice in another column it will be seen that Mr H. H. Lusk, Provincial Secretary, announces him self aa a candidate for election to the Superintendency of the province. Mr Lusk does not specifically pronounce on the public questions of interest to the province, but we do not hesitate to say that his announcement will be received with great general satisfaction. Mr Lusk has two good qualifications for the position. Not only has he youth, vigour, and earnestness, essential qualifications in a young and vigorous and rising country, but the official experience which he has had in a lengthened occupancy of executive benches peculiarly fits him not only for <

the management of the more prominent duties of the important office, but for careful and valuable attention to details. Amid the multitudinous rumours we do not know of course what candidates may be coming forward, and we have little doubt that personal predilections and antipathies, as well as self-interest and political exigencies, will play no unimportant part in this election. But whatever may be the motives guiding the cam paign and the campaigners, we do not expect to see put forward any more suitable candidate, or any more likely to command general confidence, than the Provincial Secretary.

The importance of regarding all natives who are not for us as being against us is insisted upon by our Waikato contemporary, and should be well considered by the Go vernment. Neutral natives can often render more assistance to the enemy than those actually engaged in warfare, by availing themselves of their freedom of access to European settlements to forward supplies of food, arms, and ammunition to their brethren in arms. There is now in town a leading Hauhau, whose present attitude indicates the kind of neutrality which he and his tribe would be likely to observe. This man fought like a fiend against our forces at Taranaki, and received no less than four wounds in an attack on a pah there. He has since been conciliated by Mr McLean, and professes a kind of friendship for the Pakehas. Upon hearing of the threatened war he came from the Upper Piako—where he lives with his tribe—to Auckland to ascer tain what the intentions of the Government are. He says he desires to remain neutral, and would not take any part in impending hostilities ; but he candidly admits that if the Government will not allow him to be neutral he will fight for the King, with whom his sympathies stiH are. Of course, in the the event of war, it would not be desirable to increase the enemy's field force by com peeing natives who desire to stand aloof to take up arms ; but it should be clearly made known to them that the chiefs will be expected to maintain the strict neutrality of the members of their tribe, and that any breach v.". render their lands liable to confiscation. They should ako be closely watched and kept in the rear of our forces ; and all natives, whether neutral or friendly, prevented from travelling backwards and forwards from their settlements to the rebel territory.

A searcher after truth writes to us, which is grammatically correct, to say ' the house ia building' or ' the house is being built,' 'the street is paving,' or ' the street is being paved', Their is a wide diversity of opinion on this subject, but we are inclined to favour ' is being built,' for the followingreasons : Suppose you wish to express another kind of an idea, would you say for instance, ' Johnny is spanking,' or 'Johnny is being spanked V The difference to you may seem immaterial, but it is a matter of considerable importance to Johnny, and it is probable that if any choice were given him he would suddenly select the former alteuiative. You say again that the missionary is eating. Certainly this expresses a very different and much ploasanter idea than the form, ' the missionary is being eaten,' and the sensation is very different to the missionary, too. We have consulted several missionaries about it, and they a" seem to think that two things are somehow not the same, no matter what the grammar says. But it is to be confessed that there are occasions when the difference in form is not so marked. You assert we say, that ' Hannah is hugging,'—which, by the way, would be a very improper thing for Hannah to do ; it would be positively scan dalons, indeed. Precisely the same idea is con veyed if you say ' Hanah is being hugged,' because it is a peculiarity of the act that it is hardly ever one-sided ; there is no selfishness about it. And it is the same with kissing. 1 Jane is kissing'—and her mother ought to know about it if she is—is just exactly the same as if we say, "Jane is being kissed,' and the sensation is the same, although none of the grammars, by a singular inadvertence, mention of the fact. It will not be necessary however for our correspondent to attempt to prove these last-mentioned facts by practice. He must take our word for them. Unless he does so we shall answer no more questions in syntax for him or any one else. Our duty is to conserve the morals of the community, not to start people to playing private games of Copenhagen.

The "Twelfth Mass," by Mozart, was ad mirably performed last evening at the Choral Hall by the Auckland Choral Society, and despite the unfavorable state of the weather a very large number of music-loving persons were present.

The road at Penrose is in a fearful state "or a quarter of a mile, and is loudly com plained of by the Otahuhu settlers. It is, we learn, to be repaired by Mr Brogden, who has taken the old road for the railway line. About a mUe beyond Otahuhu the contractors for making the road appear to have little respect for the safety of Her Majesty's subjects. They have made an embankment nearly four feet high, which they illuminate at night with a tallow candle. Unfortunately Bishops do not often travel this way, or the prospect of a fatal occurrence to one of them might sustain the settlers under their troubles with the hope of an early remedy. At the beginning of the present week a gentleman fell over this embankment, and was so severely bruised that he had great difficulty in reaching home ; but the contractors had complied with the law by keeping a light burning on the excavation, and their consciences were satisfied. Horsemen should be careful in travelling along the road at night if they have any desire to live.

We learn from a gentleman who has re turned from the Waikato that the feeling of disapprobation expressed by the Cambridge meeting regarding the course taken by the Cross in relation to Sullivan's murder is general throughout all the Waikato districts. The views exprebsed by the Star and the Herald have given great satisfaction, and are highly commended by the settlers.

A Provincial Government Gazett* was pub lished to-day, containing the new rates charge able on the Grahamstown wharf, and other notifications re-published to correct the errors of GazetU No. 23, issued on the 19fch inst.

Our morning contemporary the Cross has made a joke this morning, and affirms that Mr Olson, the famous sauce manufacturer has achieved a " saucy renown." This little fact, apparently insignificant, proves that the most solemn of public teachers can sometimes in dulge in a smile, and that even a person can laugh in the presence of beauty and wit.

At the Harbour Board, yesterday, a com mittee was appointed to consider the Harbour Boards Act, and to suggest amendments therein. The Board again rejected Mr Philips' proposal for chains along the wharf. , Ihe Chairman stated that the boring in Cus tom-house-street had reached a depth of 301 feet, and the flow of water was the same as when first struck at 90 feet. It was agreed to continue the boring another 50 feet.

Last nipht the committee of the Devon port Literary Society held a meeting tor the arrangement of a programme for the coming session. The names of a number of popular lecturers who had consented to take part in the course of lectures was given in, and the inaugural proceedings were fixed to take place op Tuesday evening next at the Devon port Hall. These proceedings are to take the form of brief lectures of ten minutes duration, interspersed with glees, duets, solos, and other musical delights. Addresses are to be delivered on the occasion by Mr. lx. M. Reed, President, Rev. Messrs Bates and Mackenzie, Messrs Lusk, Rees and Joy, and the musical portion of the programme em braces the names of several of our most popular amateurs. Arrangements were also made for the formation of an Essay and l>is cussion Class, the first meeting to be held on the following Tuesday, and to be opened by the Rev. Mr Bates, by a paper on tne "Native Difficulty," in whatever form it may have by that time assumed. Altogether the society gives promise of energy, ana its debates may serve an excellent purpose in affording a harmless means for letting on steam to the lively and exceedingly pugna cious inhabitants of that healthy suburb.

The body of Mr R. Morton, who WOiOT tunately lost his life on Saturday last, has rot yet been recovered, although every effort has been made to find it. The coat of the deceased was found floating in the water shortly after the accident, proving that de ceased before he sank had managed to take off that garment.

The Carandini concerts continue to attract hundreds of citizens, and the concerts are equally entertaining in their character. The haJl was comfortably rilled last evening, and the songs met with the usual applause. The programme of this evening is varied. Miss Rosina will sing that very touching ballad, "I cannot mind my wheel, Mother." Madame Carandini will give the "Beautiful Star," and Mr Henry Gordon will give that magnificent sea-song, "Rolling home across the seas." A good entertainment may there fore bo anticipated.

Our readers may have observed from time to time lists of persons who have qualified themselves for masters' certificates; some for home, and others for foreign trade. Many of them doubtless are perfectly com petent, both in theory and practice of navigation ; others have been coasting for years, and familiar with every corner of our coasts. So far, so good; butthere are one or two names who cannot possibly claim certificates on account of wanting learning or experience. When the Act was brought into force there was a considerable outcry against it because there was no board of examiners for Auckland; now we have a board and every facility given for persons desirous of passing as masters— and we expect that parties who are passed will have at least a fair share of the education necessary, for the safe navigation of the vessels and cargoes committed to their charge on the strength of their competency as certified by the authorities.

The steam launch Eclipse now makes regular daily trips to and from Pdverheadand back, much to the convenience of the settlers, who are enabled to visit Auckland and return the same day. Her hours of departure are : Puverhead, 9 a.m. ; Auckland, 3 p.m.

Tenders are required by the contractors for the Mangarei bridge for filling up of the approaches to the said bridge on the Onehunga and Mangarei sides.

W. H. S. sends us an uninspired rhyme about the "monster meeting," with which the muses have had nothing to do. The feet are unequal, the jingle is faulty, the rhythm is nowhere, and the pathos is too " deep for tears." The effusion of W. H. S. has quite overcome us ; its want of merit is startling ; its allusion to Peter's pence is astounding ; its ungrammatical sentences are marvellous, and its Hibernian allusions warlike. We are not surprised that W. H. S. should be in favor of an education rate, and hope he will make use of his opportunities for self improvement, and prepare himself for the sacred circle of the goddess of harmony and poetic numbers.

A panorama of the Holy Land will be ex hibited to-morrow evening in the Parnell Presbyterian school-room. The panorama contains eighteen large views, and wi 1' be accompanied by a descriptive lectura. The proceeds -will be devoted to the Sunday school library. Only a small admission fee will be charged, buo these who desue to aid the school may do so by paying a larger amount at the door than the price adver tised.

The Band of Hope had a very hopeful meeting last night in the Edwardes-street school-room. A large number of adults and juveniles were present. Mr Goldie, the youngsters' friend, occupied the chair, and Messrs Carr and Wood declaimed in the most emphatic manner against the use of rum, beer, and tobscco. Several capital recitations were given by the clr'dren, and a pleasant evering was passed.

At the firing for the Champion Belt, this morning, Volunteer May won with a score of 67. Pairing ton scored 66, and-Morrow 64. i

Mr Ewington read an excellent essay last evening at the Young Men's Rooms to a large audience. Mr B. Cass occupied the chair. The essay was well, delivered, deeply in teresting, and liberal in sentiment. Several speeches were made at the close of the paper by gentlemen of well-known abilities, and the first wet evening of the class was profit ably and amicably spent. The subject of discussion on the 3rd proximo will relate to the Maori King movement, a subject specially interesting at the present moment. It is intended to have a^ review on the Queen's birthday, .and Major Gordon has written to the Improvement Commissioners for leave to use the Albert Barracks for that purpose, and will possibly receive an answer to-day. . . ■■. ■ ' •

The opening services and soiree of the Presbyterian Church, Coromaridel, passed off successfully. The Rev. Mr Tait occupied the chair, and votes of thanks were passed to Mr John Kerr for his gift of £100; to those who subscribed to the building fund ; to the! Evening Star for advertising free ; and to Mrs Boyd for the use. of the hall. In teresting addresses were delivered by the Rev. Messrs Bruce, Tait, Hill, and Williams ; and several musical selectione were well ren dered, by the choir. The Church is a neat edifice, 'capable of accommodating 2CO per sons.

Mr Stafford is right in his determination to oppose the Permissive Bill, as one section of trie community has no right to dictate to the other portion what it shall " eat, drink, and avoid." Let the friends of the Permissive Bill talk and persuade, but not use coercive measures in rational society. Let them rather strive for an hospital for inebriates, and pursue their march of moral progress in duteous order.

The late Richard Dunn, who was drowned in the Waikato at Rangiriri last week was a middle-aged man, and had lost his wife only two weeks previous to his death. He leaves an orphan child. The man saved from the boat says he' does not recollect how he got ashore, and it is generally supposied that he was the worse for liquor. The boat, as will will be seen by our Newcastle telegrams, has been found under peouliar oiroumtttances,

MNotice is given to Waikato settlers and storekeepers that the advertised rates of freight charged by the Waikato Steam Navi gation Company will be doubled on aH goods shipped by outside carriers. Mr Perkins, of the Occidental, and a party of jolly-looking sportsmen, started early this morning in a buggy and pair, duly capped a, robed for a real day's sport. They passed through the dewy lanes of the suburbs m a westerly direction, bent on a pheasant shoot ing excursion, and may be expected home laden with beautiful trophies soon after sun set. Passengers by the Comerang and btar of the South may reply upon the fact that their caterer, Mr Perkins, will be up to the game. The City Councillors have been looking into Pandora's box, andfdiscovered hope for the people in the prospect of a supply of pure water, one of the most valuable of Heaven s gifts to man. Tenders for the construction of the waterworks are required, according to advertisement in to-day's issue, and may be sent in to the Town Clerk at the Chambers of the Council. Five tenders have been sent in for building a Mission schooner for the Melanesia Mission, but no decision has yet been arrived at. m^ders are now required for the construction and fitting of steam machinery on the proposed new schooner. The story of an "mnoo^'.'. from toe Thames, is thus related in a Hokiti-. ■ \^ Qa A person lately returned from the Thau disgusted with Green Harps and such like calamities was so overjoyed at finding him self once more amongst simple, honest, trustworthy, and confiding people, that he indulged so freely aa to be quite oblivious of bis actions. When he recovered him self he discovered that he had lost | his watch, which immediately rose in i his estimation to the value of seventy or j eighty pounds. The police were engaged for : some time in searching for it, and at length i Sergeant Blanc heard news of it from a | watchmaker to whom it had been taken for i appraisal, and who fixed its value at twenty- j five pounds. By this means it was restored j to its owner, and it appeared in the course of > the search that it had been deposited with a ! publican as security for cert? in drinks supplied' to its thirsty ow aer, who has also lost a ring, which is probably disposed of in similar manner but in a different direction.

The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Institute wil! be held this even ing at half-past seven, when some interest ing subjects will be introduced.

" I'm sorry Mr Wilson to see this splendid field of potatoes so seriously diseased," said a sympathising inspector. "Ah I weel it is a great pity," replied the farmer, "but there's ac comfort, Jock Tamson's is no a bit better !

A SUFFERER BY THE LAST WAR.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stak.) Sir,—ln looking over the columns of the Daily Southern Cross, of May 16, 187?, I am astonished at comparing the present liber ality of our New Zealand Government with that of by-gone days. Our worthy Native Commissioner, Mr Mackay, is ho doubt well entitled to the liberality bestowed on him by the Government for the courage he has shewn in all our native affairs, but though un willing to bring my family name forward, yet in justice to my fellow colonists I am bound to enlighten .them as to some matters which sooner or later may come home to our doors. In the year 1863 my brother, William Wor thington, lost his life while fighting for this, his adopted country, at the battle of the Bald Hills, Mauku. He was, if I mistake not, the only Volunteer killed in action throughout that war. His father, together with his young family, had to fly from his home, by which act alone he was a considerable loser. A short time previous to the loss of his son he had taken office as clerk of the R.M. Court, Drury aud Papakura. In 1805, after a hard struggle to support his family, my father applied for an increase of salary, to which application he never received a reply. He therefore felt constrained to resign the office, his successor shortly afterwards receiv ing an increase of salary at the rate of 33 per cent. The business of the Compensation Court then came forward. A proposition was made by Mr Crispe that a) 1, claimants who had lost relatives iv the war should be allowed their claims without further enquiry. My father being a man too sen sitive on these points refused to make any application connected with the loss of his son, and conceiving that any pecuniary losses for which he might make a claim would be tantamount to selling his son's blood, he refrained from making any applica tion. War medals have been bestowed upon many of the Volunteers —my brother's com rades—but the Government have not had the courtesy to offer one to my father, whose severe loss from the date of its occur rence to the present moment has been utterly unrecognised and ignored. I now call upon all my fellow-colonists, and warn them— should they have to enter on a fresh cam paign;—what recognition they may expect for their services. As for myself, should I meet the fate of my departed brother, I leave my father to support himself and family out of the fees of a district registry office, which, in its palmiest days, never exceeded £17 a year, and which, after a servics of ten years, has been reduced to half that amount. — Yours, &c, Richard Jevers Worthingtost.

SUPREME COURT.—This Day.

SITTINGS IN BANCO.

(Before His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston.)

WANT OP PtTNCTtTALITY,

; His Honor entered the Court at eleven o'clock precisely by the Court clock. The clock was ten minutes fast, and there was no counsel in attendance.

His Honor : No counsel present; then the Courtis adjourned. ; .

His Honor then left the Bench,

It was subsequently represented to :his Honor that the clock was fast, and his Honor returned to Court. He said he hoped the bar would take some steps to keep the clock right, jso that there might not occur again what was nothing less than a disrespect to the Bench. MOHI V.. MACFARLANE. Mr MacCormick moved in this case that the Registrar be empowered to take evidence viva vqce. The application was granted, and an order of the Court made to that effect. MORRIN" V. ROPATA. ' This case was further adjourned. GRAHAM V THOMAS. This was a rule nisi for new trial. The case involved the right to two allotments «t Grahamstbwn adjoining the Queen of Beauty mine. The case was tried at the last Nisi Prius sittings, and a verdict was given for the defendant.

Mr MacCormick subsequently obtained a rule nisi for new trial on the ground of mis direction, inasmuch as there was no direction, and that the verdict was against the weight of evidence.

MrHesketh, with Mr Meyer, now appeared to show cause, and Mr MacCormick to make the rule absolute.

The case was argued at length by counsel, argument occupying some hours. The ca^o wag not gonoluded at haji-past three

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before His Worship the Mayor and G. S. Graham, M-. ""^'

DRUNKENNESS. Three men were charged wife til* offence, and subjected to fine or imprisonment BKEACH OF BY-LAW. Thomas Keightley appeared in answer K° * charge of reckless driving in the city o* Auckland, on the 18th instant, and pleaded guilty : also with leaving his express cart unattended and without a proper chain on the wheel, to which he ];kewise pleaded §UThe Bench said that as these were first offences it would be lenient, and fined him but 10s each for the offences.

ALLEGED ASSAULT. John Nicholas was charged with an inde cent assault iupon a girl named Mary Ann MacMillan. Mr Broham stated that from facts which had come to light in reference to this case he must ask that the case be dismissed. Mr Beveridge who appeared-for the defence stated that it had been proved that the girl had told a tissue of falsehoods. The child had been examined by a medical .gentleman, ■who was positive that no offence of tne kind had been committed. - His Worship called the father of the child, and reprimanded him for bringing the charge without ascertaining that an assault had been committed, tending, as it did, to injure the man's character. The accused was discharged. A NEGLECTED CHILD. A poor little half-starved child, named Elizabeth Williams, in its mother's arms, was bought into Court on a charge of being a neelected child. The Court ordered the child to be sent to the Home for Destitute Children for fcmr years, to be brought up in the religion of tAft Church of England. REMANDED DOGS. Henry Adams appeared to-day in answer to the charge of keeping a dog without a col la The accused, who appeared in a confused state, and who could not satisfy the Bench upon the matter of his "poor dog Tray, was fined 10s and costs. Mr Adams objected to pay, and left the Comb expressing his determination to appeal against the decision of the Bench. Robert Alexandra's case was again re manded till to-morrow, that the matter may be fairly investigated, and the real ownership of the dog established beyond a doubt. A DISOBEDIENT SEAMAN.

John Greig, on remand, appeared in answer to a charge of having disobeyed the lawful commands of Captain Henry Cape, on board the British ship Edinburgh Castle, on the 18th install- ,-*■..•% .• Mr Weston appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Beveridge foi* the acciised. Henry Cape, master of the Edinburgh Castle ship, said that the prisoner was an articled seaman, having signed articles m Glasgow on the 2nd of December, 1872. On the 19th inst. the prisoner was on the star board side of the deck, when he asked him who it was that had made some insulting re marks to him as he w£S passing. He then asked for his discharge, w^en upon saying he could give any one his discharge, ho re plied that he would not do anymore work on board the ship. He then m&C c an entr7 into the log book in presence of the Orßt ma™, when he replied " that is correct." by Mr. Beveridge : ship arrived in Auckland on Wednesday Ks^ The accused was an able seaman. He hau been confined1 for insubordination, for refus ing to do his duty, and using insulting lan guage. He ordered him to go up the mizea rigging a little faster, as there was a heavy squall coming on. He said he would not. He then ordered him down. He then told him he should put him in irons on account of his mutinous language. He put the irons on himself. He had to squeeze the handcuffs to get them on. He kept him by the mizen mast about ten minutes, expecting he would apologise, but he did not. Sergeant Baker said he went on board the Edinburgh Castle, when the Captain sent for the prisoner, and asked him if he was going to his duty, when prisoner replied, " No; I will not do any work on board, as I told you before."

Mr Beveridge then addressed the [Court in favour of the prisoner, and contended that he had not been guilty of wilful disobedience of orders, as no specific command had been given.

The Bench reserved its judgment. Captain Henry Cape was then charged at the instance of John Greig with certain acts of cruelty on the said ship, namely, putting him in irons on the 2nd of May, and keeping him in that position for eleven days, during which time the complainant suffered very considerably in having small irons fastened upon him, in being kept in solitary confinement, and fed upon bread and water. The case was at length withdrawn, Cap tain Cape agreeing to pay Greig his wages in full, and all costs, and give him his discharges This settled both cases. The Court then rose.

SOUTH BRITISH INSURANCE COMPANY.—Meeting This Day.

The half-yearly meeting of the South British Fire and Marine Insurance Company was held at the Company's office at three o'clock to-day.

The meeting was largely attended, Albert Beetham, Esq., in the chair. The report was read as fo?l.ows :— " The directors have the pleasure of pre senting to the shareholders their first half yearly repoii and balance-sheet. "It will be seen from the statement of accounts now submitted that the company has received for prenv.ums during the first half-year of its operations the sum of £14,C01 9s 7d ; that the losses incurred amount to £3,159 7s 9d, including £196 15s unpaid at the date of this report, and the sum invested to £21,536 6s 6d.

"After paying the whole of the expenses of forming and establishing the company, and the ordinary half-yearly expenditure, there is a balance to the credit of profit and loss ac count of £7,564 9s. Sd., to be carried to profit and loss new account. It is scarcely necessary to remind shareholders that pre miums received are not profit until the policies on account of which they have been received expire, and therefore there is now no mention of a dividend.

'' The directors congratulate the shareholders on the gratifying' amount of success which has been attained by the Company during the first half-year of its ex istence, and invite your continued co-operation, so as to further extend the business of the Company. "Several important agencies (as those of London and Melbourne) are not yet in com plete working order. An extension of business will naturally follow upon these various agencies coming into full operation. " Your directors, considering the con stantly-increasing business of the Company, took measures for calling an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders to consider the propriety of increasing the capital of the Company. " It is the duty'of the shareholders at this meeting to elect two auditors for the ensuing year, and U> fis- 4 V romixneration whioh shall le gn ya to tl^ut, 'im direotora appointed

fIHI IHfIW I* & MA.% WfiftNESPAY, MAY 31, IW£



Coffee. —Brown, Barrett and Cos. Standard Coffeo is both delicious and strong. Brown, Barrett and Co.'s Excelsior Coffee deserves preference to any coffee on account of purity and distinctness of flavour. Note the brands, sold at almost every grocery establishment in town and province.-—[Advt.] Public taste has decided that the American Pea Nut, when fresh, and newly roasted, is the most wholesome and palatable nnt that is grown, and in riew of this fact Mr W. Marshall; Fruiterer, Queen •treet, has received direct from the grower a ship ment of this nutritions esculent. One trial only is solicited. Sold wholesale or retail.—[Advt.]



fjK WATEEPEOOF MANTLES, FASHIONABLY TRIMMED, 12s. 6d. Each. j ■',"..■■<• a . - , J. COSGRAVE & CO. [Established 1864.] T) STEPELENSON & OO.'s CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAND" "EAGLE BRAND" "CROWN BRAN D," Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and Storekeepers throughout the Province of Auck land. D. STEPHEN SON k CO., WYNDHAM STREET, AUQKLANP, : ..



n M v t i o n. , OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to be the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its high reputation, some unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the same off as " Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRADE MAKK to be Registered under the provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and proceedings will be taken against such persons as may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to ASK FOR OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and Stopper, and wrapped round with his well-known label. "EXPECTED DAILY -^ EX JANET GRAY, IN THE MANUKAU. A CARGO OF GREY COALS. FOR SALE in lots to suit buyers; delivered from vessel's side. JAMES W. WALLER, Timber Merchant, Custom house-street, and Government Wharf, Onehunga. PAPERHANGINGS. PAPERHANGINGS. PAPERHANGINGS. HOLLAND & BTTTLEB Are now Opening, ex Parsee, A LARGE SHIPMENT or PAPERHANGINGS, Of New and Chaste Patterns. Also, OXFORD FRAMES, In Polished <§ak, all sizes. OL E T S & C O. • Have on Sale— 200 boxes Belmont Sperms 25 tons Fine and Coarse Salt 20 barrels American Prime Mets Pork. GREAT SEDUCTIONS TOR THREE MONTHS ONLY AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, queen street, Next Door to Savings' Bank. Hartes-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. Viewa from all parts of New Zealand reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. i Enlargements from Cn.rte3-de-Iri.rite to Life-size, plain or beautifully finished in Oil or Water Colors, also reduced in price. Large Stock of Photographic Goods and Apparatus, Magic Lantern Slides, Stereoscopic Slides, &c, greatly reduced. J. MoGARRIGLE, Manaeer.