SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HIGH WATER: This evening, 5.59 ; to-morrow morning, 5.19

ARRIVALS.

Phrebe, s.s., Worsp, from Southern ports

DEPARTURES. Mary Ellen, schooner, for Mercury Bay Merlin, schooner, for Jisborne Isabella, ketch, from Opotiki Ocean Wave, schooner, f«r Chatham Islands Princess Alice, brig, for Newcastle Amaranth, schooner, for Kaipara Clio, schooner, for New Caledonia Star of tho South, s.s., for Levuka

IMPORTS.

Per Phcebe, from Dunedin—l case, H. Benjamin ; 1 hhd earthenware, 2 crates, 1 tierce, J. Reid (for J. Phillips &■ Co., Gra hamstown) ; 4 cases hams, G. W. Binney ; 3 cases drugs, 1 keg do, Kempthorne & Co; 1 bale, McArthur, Shera & Co ; 1 cask, T. Boylan ; 1 case, SaTgoorl and Co ; 2 coaches, Quick ; 1 pai-cel, Henderson & Macfarlane ; 2 hhds. ale, Williams and Co ; 1 parcel, Kohn ; 1 parcel, J. Reid. From Lyttelfcon—2o cases cheese, G. Binney ; 9 kegs butter, E. & H. Isaacs ; 1 box 2 parcels, Bank of .New Zealand ; 1 case, Clark and Sons. From Wellington—l parcel, H. Gilfillan ; 2 cases, 1 pkg, Collector of Cus toms ; 1 parcel, Bank of New Zealand ; 24 casks of sugar, Bncholz and Co. ; 1 case, Union Bank ; 1 parcel, Da vies ; 2 boxes, 1 coil of wire, 1 parcel, Telegraph Department; 1 box, T. Kirk. From Nelson—l box god, Bank of New Zealand; 1 case of plants, Wren ; 2 pgs, Sinclair; 1 bale of tweed, Clark and Sons ; 20 cases hematita, Holland and Butler.

The s.s. Star of the South came up from the Timaki this afternoon at two o'clock, having been fitted with a • new screw. She is on the point of sailing fo» Levuka as we go to press. She takes the following passengers :—Messrs A. Wardrop, W. Ait ken, Greenway, J. Lackland, Goodfellow, G. Blair, Dr Clarkson, W. Brewer, Miss M. Whitaker and three in the steerage.

The s.s. Phcebe, Oapt. Worsp, arrived in the Manukau this morning. She left on the 9th, and arrived at Port Cooper at 11. SO a.m. on the 10th ; went outside and towed in the three-masted schooner Duke of Edinburgh, lately ashore at Timaru ; left Lyttelton 11th ; arrived in Wellington on the 12th ; left on 13th, Picton on-the 14th for Nelson When about ten miles beyond Jackson's Head the spindle of one of thi sliding valves breke, and necessitated the vessel's anchoring for some time in Guards' Bay. Having repaired damages, she proceeded to Nelson, arriving at 4 a.m. on 15th ; left Nelson at 4.30 p.m. on the 16th. Encountered strong N.W. wind, with squalls and very heavy aea. Brought on Taranaki mails, passengers, and cargo, i Passengers :—Saloon, for Aucklond : Mrs Martin and infant, Mr J. Martin, Misses Martin "(3), Masters Martin (2), Mrs Nash and child, Mr and Mrs Caiman, Dr. Pagan, Capt. McKenzie, Messrs Mills, Boardman, Wood, Hackling, Pagan, Louison, Laurence. Steerage : Five. We are indebted to Mr H. D. Monk for files and report.

The Paterson will leave for the South via Poverty Bay at 4 p.m. on Saturday. The injury done to the screw of the Star of the South at the Tamaki has taken longer to repair than was anticipated. Her de parture had to be again postponed yesterday till to-day. The new shed on the western T of the wharf is being rapidly run up. Tho frame work is now finished, and the metal sides and roof will be completed in a few days. ;

The ship City of Auckland hauled along side the Queen-street Wharf this morning, and was berthed in the inner side of the new T. She will probably begin to open out-her cargo to-mdffbw. l '

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close A3 Under :— 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 Wellington, Canterbury, and Otago, per Phcebe, this day, at 6 p m. For Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, Waipu, 4c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday, 20th inst., at 10 a.m. For Giaborne, JJap'er, and Southern provinces, on Saturday, 20th inst., at 3 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per Ladybird, on Monday, 22nd inst., as under :— For India, China, Mediterranean ports, Continent of Europe, America, &c, at 5.30 a.m. For Australian Colonies and United Kingdom, via Suez, at 6.30 a.m. For -Southern provinces, at 7 a.m. Ii For United Kingdom, via Briudisi, an* lato letters for Melbourne, at 7 a.m. For newspapers, at 5 am. For money orders and registered letters on Satur day, 20th inst, at 5 p.m. N.B.—lf a later opportunity offers supplementary mails will be foi*warded. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena, on Monday, 22nd insfe. at 3 p m.. (Signed) S. B. Bias. Chief Postmaster.

COMMERCIAL.

PROVISION MARKET.

COLONIAL PRODUCE. .' n Buvino Prices, Corrected by Auckland :■■ DEAXBBSr " s. d. s. d. s d. ». d Butter.perlb. 1 6-0 01 Ducks, pair.. 3 o—s 0 Cheese (new) 0 s—o Ik Geese, each 4 o—s 6 Eggs,perdoz. 0 10^0 6| Turkeys .. 3 ;o—4 0 Lard, per lb. 0 7—o 0 | Canterbury Bacon & Hams Fowls, pair.. 3 0-5 01 (bare) .. 0 Bf-0 9i Good Salt Butter, 7—o 9f Do (in cloth) O B.}-0 9 Canter. Cheese, 6J-0 8 | Auckland 0 5-0 8 Hams, 9d to ls( per lb. • - Retail PRiCEti, Farm and Dairy Produce. s. d. s.: d. s. d s. d. Milk, per qt. 0 OtoO 5 Ducks, per pr. 5 0-e 3 Butter (fresh) 1 3—l G Geese, each 5 0— 6 0 Cheese (new) 0 B—l 0 Turkeys, each 5 0-7 0 Eggs, per doz. 0 10—0 0 Bacon, per lb.- 0 B—l 0 Lard, per lb. 0 0-0 0 Hams .. .. 0 9-10 Fowls, pair.. 4 6-0 0 Salt Butter.. 0 .I—l 3 Butchers' Meat. Beef, per lb. 0 4—o 7 I Pork, per lb. .. .." 0- 6 Mutton .. 0 4—o 61 Veal.. 0 6' BREADSTUFFS: PLOUK. WHOLESALE. >~.,, Millers' Price, per ton—lst quality.. .£l7 Fine Flour-^-household .. .. ..£l4 Adelaide Flour ... .; .. .. .. £18 Canterbury £13 to £14 Seconds, £12. Sharps, £710s ■ Bakers' Price, per lb .. '..'.'..-' •• •• •• •• 2d. Bran, Is Od per bushel. • Bread, per 21b. loaf, 4d to 4jd. Maizo, crushed and whole, 4s6dto 5s JJO if ' d BISCUIT. Cabin Biscuit, per 1001b, '.. .. .. Retail, 22s MAIZE, OATS, POTATOES, ETC. « - WHOLESALE. • ■ Oats, 5s 0d to 0s per bushel. _ Potatoes, £4 10s to 4 15s per ton ; Hobart Town Seed, £7 to £7 10s ■• Hay, £2 to £4 10s per ton. Straw, £2 10s to £3 per ton. Chaff, £7 per ton. . • RETAIL. Maize, 5s 3d to 5s 6d per bushel; crushed, 5s 6d Oats, 6s per bushel. -.' .. .>i .> Potatoes, Gs Gd per cwt. Hay, cwt., 4s to 6s. •, 0 Straw, 4s to 5s per cwt, •/'•ftISVJ Chaff, 7s M to 8s per cwt. .;. ■• . ; . KAURI GUM AND FLAX MARKET. The following are the prices in the Auckland market:— '- ■ ~.;.• U J ,< I» I Gum—Well scraped, best quality ... .. £24 to £25 Ordinary sorts £22 to £23 Flax.- Finest quality £21 to £22 Se-cond ditto"'.. ..' .. .. .. .. £14. to £20 Tow ■. £7 to £8. BUILDING MATERIALS. Timber.—Boards and scantling, 100 f t, 9s to 15s ; planed, tongued, and grooved, lis 6d to 17s; at the mills, f.0.b., lis Gd ... New Zealand palings, 6-feet, 10s; 6-feet, 12s; ti ree Tails, £215s to£3 per 100 ; puriri posts, £5 per 100 ; shingles, 8s to 13s per 1000; HoDart Town palings, 6ft., W»um l,lßs ; Hobartown.rails, 75s COAL AND FIREWOOD MARKET. coal.—Newcastle, on the Wharf, 30s ; delivered,' ikl 111 * -?, ay of, lslandH, on board ships in pert, 25s per ton, delivered 35s ; ditto at the mines, 10s per lelVerToTdeia!' "*•** "^crod; cut

§| HTOTTER AND NOLAN'S REPORT. -. ' ' Horses: A quiet feeling has pervaded the market; The supply has been only moderate, and consisted iv many instances of an un saleable stamp. At auction the bidding was slow, particularly for inferior and weedy stock, the demand for those of a better description being marked. First-class ani mals of all kinds arc still enquired for. The horses ex Go-ahead, from Wanganui, being young, sound, and adapted for light harness, were well competed for. We sold hacks at from £6 15s to £10 15s ; light harness, from £10 H)s to £24; medium draught, from £20 to £21. Cattle.—Supply of all descriptions short, and with the exception of dairy cows the demand has been active. Stores were scarcely sufficiently numerous for prices to form a criterion of ruling rates. Fat beasts were insufficient for immediate wants, and for those well up in condition there was the keenest competition at fully 40s per 1001b. The general impression is that prime cattle will be very scarce for some time unless ship ments come to hand, for which there is a great inducement, as cuerent rates leave a good margin for the importer, but there is great difficulty in obtaining suitable steamers for the conveyance of stock on both coasts. Sheep were penned in limited numbers, and although prices ruled marketly in favor of the vendor, a very much larger number could have been placed at from 4d to Sdperlb. Pigs.—Very few wore yarded, and tho demand remains unsatisfied.

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

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1873.

For the cause that lacks assistance For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, I '

And the- good that wo can do

The old fogeys of the Upper House appear to have been galvanised into life. Probably under the influence of keen criticism and threatened annihilation, the members of the , Council have been much more attcntivo to their duties this session than usual, and by thciractionlastnight they have rendered asubr stan tial service to tho colony. That their powers are extremely dangerous, and may often be made use of to further factious opposition and gratify personal animus, is proved by th e attitude assumed towards the Improvement Commissioners' Bill; but the existence of the Council, if not an unmixed blessing, has at least its good features,'and when lobbying and intimidation- become all powerful in the House we may be tempted to view tho Council, with its non-liability to dissolution, and comparative freedom from ministerial influence, as exercising" a salutary- check on colonial legislation. It is true that in the past the power of the Council has been too 'frequently exercised as a drag upon the wheels of progress, but it has also more than once stepped in to save the colony from the fatal effects of ministerial recklessness and concerted log-rolling. The dilemma which the' honourable members last night placed the Ministry in is one that will tax the Premier's , utmost skill in the art of manoeuvring to over come. Our Wellington special correspondent, in his copious and racy telegrams published elsewhere, refers to .the various courses open to the Government, and gives publicity to the rumours current in the Empire City. That the Ministry are likely to resign, and advise His Excellency to send for Mr Mantell, must surely' be .'accepted, as a joke. The proposal to swarrip^the Cph.l'cil.by.npliiinatipns would no doubt be-most :iii unison with the ministerial taste j but His Excellency the Governor, judging from the indications' of character■ Jwhiich, he has already' given, is scarcely likely ; toj sanction such a mode of ; procedure. Nor is the suggestion of a dis solution, although our correspondent appears to; lay considerable stress uponit—a course that offers many attractions to a Ministry of unreliable reputation, and already possess ing a pliant and puppet house which! they can manipulate at pleasure. We j sincerely hope the deliberations of to day's caucus will lead tho Government to take the step which they have so frequently held as a rod inierrorem over their rebellious foUowers. The purifying influence of a general election is very much required, but we doubt whether it would leave the Minis try in the all-powerful position they now. occupy.- The Government must make some show of resistance in order to satisfy the .demands of their supporters, under pressure from whom the Loan Bill sprang into existence. A committee pf the Lower House may be appointed to confer with the higher branch of the Legislature, but no good result can be antici pated from suph a conference, If the Mm-,

istry are wise they will allow the mawer to drop as soon as possible, and feel thankful" that they have fared no worse." *.•*&.-.

Perhaps it is too-much to expect a'G'overn ment in deep tribulation to heed such a minor matter as the convenience of the Auckland public, but even at the risk of being charged with a want of consideration we must strongly protest against the announced intention of the Post-office authorities to close the mail via Suez early on Monday next. The steamer, with the next Suez mail leaves Melbourne.on October 10th, and the connecting steamer is announced to take her departure from Wel lington on the 29th of the present month. With the mail virtually closing to business then on Saturday night correspondence of the utmost importance will be within a day of three weeks in reaching Melbourne from this city, a distance that, might be accomplished with the greatest ease in nine days ! How ever much reason we may have for cavilling at the existing mail arrangements we do not either ask or expect that a special steamer should be provided for delivering this month's luckland .mails at the Australian terminus of the Suez lino. We only request that a reasonable amount of despatch shall bq used in carrying mails by the present route,: via the South, and that our correspondence shall not be permitted to lie five days in Welling ton. We are quite ignorant of the nature of the Government contract for the conveyance of mails along the coast, but if a haphazard system prevails, under which the Auckland mails are left for trans mission by any chance steamer, the sooner the public bring pressure to bear on the Government for the purpose of securing a more reliable mode of transit for their cor respondence the better. The President of the. Chaniber of Commerce to-day placed himself1 in communication, with the Chief Postmaster upon the 'subject, and urgent telegrams were forwarded to Wellington without eliciting any reply. This utter dis regard of important interests cannot bo tolerated, and a vigorous protest should be entered, without delay. If no modification of the time announced in the postal notice is received before to-morrow , morning, we hope the Chamber of Commerce will hold a special meeting, and pass a reso-1 lution for transmission to the Govern ment representing ' tho imperative ne cessity for an extension of time. This could bo secured either by despatching tho T.una to tho Manukau or by special amuigemont with the s.s. Phcobe.

Tho. adjourried meeting of Nos; 1 and 2 Companies Volunteers, to be held to-morrow evening, is unavoidably postponed, L till, this, evening week at same hour.' At the special meeting of the City Council, held yesterday, Ito take into! consideration the petition of the burnt-out lessees of city property, the original leases were produced by tho Town Clerk. These papers were in the Provincial Government Buildings' when the (ire in Fort-Street took place, autLwere, in a charred and half-ccmsumed condition. Jt; is somewhat singular that the deeds should' be burnt in one place, and the property afterwards in another. Our Resident Magistrate, accompanied by Mr Cunningham, the Clerk of the Court, repaired yesterday to tho Provincial Hospi tal for the purpose of taking the dying depo sitions of lames Watson, the victim of the brutal assault at Kaihu "Creek, Northern Wairoa, on the Gth instant. The two pri soners (Catherine and Jas. Heaton) were present, in the custody of Sergt.-Major. Pardy, who conducted the enquiry. From the evidence of the sufferer it appears that he is a gardener; residing at Kaihu, and that on the day in question he went to prisoners' dwelling in com pany with a man named Harry. Me had previously known the prisoners. A man named Eraser was with them. There had been a dis'jute about money between himself and the female prisoner, who asserted he had £2 of hers. When he went in he ha*l a bottle of brandy, and they all drank of it. The woman then accused him of having her money. He denied it, but asked Fraser if he knew anything about the money. As he turned round he then received a heavy blow on» the head frpin a'tomahawk. The man Heaton was at the time behind him, and the Woman in front of him. He became inscn sible, and knew nothing further. While he was insensible he received other severe in juries. Fraser, at the pirne i the blow was struck was drunk*, and lying oh the bed, and there was no one behind him but Heaton. On cross-examination by Heaton the witness declared he was sober at the time, and was on perfectly good terms with Eraser,' He (Heaton)'never lent him a sovereign, nor did he (witness) ever say to a man named Alfred Coldie that Fraser had the woman's money. Catherine Heaton had a watch which belonged to him, and she had made away with it. : hit ~.■• i. • ■ I The members of the School Teachers' Association will hold their third monthly meeting on Saturday next, when Mr French, of the Mount Albert District School, will read an essay on " Our Children, and how to manage them." We are glad to learn that this society is continued with the vigour and spirit with which it commenced, and that members are on the increase. The essays that have been given display very consider able ability, and exhibit much literary power.— — The following is a list of the immigrants per the St. Leonards, expected early next ! month:—Families;.,.Thomasßrpwnand wife; j Richard • Cahilt and wife; Charles Crozier,. wife, and 5 children ; Frederick Ellisdon,' i wife, and 2 ditto; Edvvard Gumby, wife, and [Vp ditto; Robert McOullurii; wifej and'B ditto; John Philpott, wife, and—6 ditto; Edward Bowles, wife, and 5. ditto ; James Cassidy, wife, and' child1; Joseph 'Skelton, wife, and 4 children; William Baker, wife, and child; Thomas Hayden, wife, and child ; Robert Schofield, wife,- and 4- children'; Roderick McKinnon, wife, and G ditto ; George Good ridge and wife ; Jffenry Griffiths, ; wife, and child ; Henry ' Jones!, wife, and 2 children ; George Jackson and wife ;: George Weaver, wife, and child ; John-McDell, wife,' and -3 children; William H:] Miller and wife; Henry Beal and wife; James ! M^son, wife, and 5 children; Joseph Tye, wife, and 2 r 'ditto; Charles J: McEntee, wife, an 42 ditto; Nicholas Honeycombe, wife,' 'and 8 ditto; JaiheS-Tbyj wife, and Child; Martha Pocklihg ton and child.; WilliamF. .Gaync, wife, and ;G children^'EdwardMasters, wife, arid child. Single THDeri :''James1 Butt, Benjamin Charley,' Malcplm Mclnnes, Alfred Rogers, ..William Plowman, George Onions, William Simpson, Nathan Orton, John Fisher, John J. Burgess, John 'Cameron, Hector McKenzie,', Joseph Baines, John Shan, Benjamin Adams, >lex. ditto, James McGarry, and John Henderson. 'Single'worne'n : Agnes Fiiicn, Hannah Gold smith, Ruth Vidler, Ann McFinnis, CJathe rine;ditto, Martha Badley,: Agnes Joinning, Ellen Croke, Mary A. Kane, Elizabeth McGowin, Jane ditto, Sarah Flory, Harriet Podesta, Charlotte Wright, Jane McKreney, Winifred McEntee,; Eliza ditto, Maude Hbu lahon, Sarah Briford, Christina Cameron, Mary A. Raynes, Elizabeth ditto, Mary ditto, Sarah Aplin, Mary Flynn, Rose ditto, Catherine Atherton, Jane . George, Ellen Chapman, Margaret Garner,5 Mary Gawey, Winifred McGarry, Marian Rountree, Eliza r ditto; Mariiiditto, Jane Kobini6h,'

m The recent I produetio'n';of Shakespeare's i Jtragerly of suggests amongst the masses the old topics of the questionable beauty of Shakespeare's poetry, and whether this play in particiilar is worth seeing or not. , Shakespeare, in numberless passages, shews a I great contempt for the opinion of the; vvjlgar herd; and the vulgar return his contempt with interest. It is amusing to see Jack, Tom, and Hairy, who.have made up their mind to see a play of Shakespeare's, sitting open- i mouthed in the pit, listening with mysti fied curiosity to the language—to them so strange—of the Bard of Avon. Their [behaviour.. is one of the :; greatest" tri butes to the innate excellence of the poet's productions. They may sit for some time in listless indifference, and even yawn, but sud denly the power of the poet takes hold of them, they strain their eyes and ears to catch every word and motion, and for the moment they are elevated out of themselves ; they are compelled to yield the allegiance which none but true genius exacts from the unwill ing, and the result is a burst of cheering like that which was heard on Monday night at the conclusion of the play-scene. —a burst of cheering which was led by no . one, but was taken up by all simultaneously, and came as it, were from one giant mouth. Yet, strange to say, they will never own their conversion; as soon as the fit is off them ihey will speak of the magician whose spell has entranced them in the same slight ing terms as before. A man convinced against bis will Is of tho same opinion still. It may be a subject of gratification to the "groundlings"- to know that one :of the most celebrated authors of the ■ Augustan age of English literature, namely, Oliver Goldsmith, runs concurrently with them in his ideas of some of the so-called : beauties of Shakespeare. To take, for in stance, the famous.soliloqu}', "To be, or not i to be". /This, Goldsmith describes as " a heap of absurdities, whether we consider the situation, the sentiment, the argumentation, • or" the poetry." And he proceeds to give | his reasons. Some of these are very co gent. He thus explains the inconsistency of < tho opening passage : " The question is, to be, or not to bo : to die by my own hand, •or Jive and suffer the miseries of life. He proceeds to explain the alternative in these terms : Whether 'Us nobler in the mind to suffer Tlie slings and arrows «f outrapeous fortune, Or to 'take armS against a sea of troubles, And; by opposing, end them. Here he deviates fro n his first proposition, and death is no longer tho question. The only \ doubt is whether he'will stoop to misfortune ' or exert his faculties in order to surmount ' it." This,, it must be admitted, has in iit the smack of sound sense ; not ho, however, a; comment which he makes fur ther on upon tho line, ! The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's con tumely. |i Ho says, .".according, to the invariable , acceptation of the words wrong and , confumc/i/ it can signify nothing but . the wrongs sustained,.by the. oppressor ; J and the contumely or abuse thrown upon the i proud man." Goldsmith is here oblivious of . that very common signification of tho geni tive, "persona unde vonit," or the person fromwhom anything comes. A great many of Goldsmith's arguments are similarly shallow, and it is difficult to understand how ' a man with his [erudition and intelligence should have penned such a critique. But ■ with regard to our frieiids Jack and Tom we 1 rather admire their honesty iv saying they 'do not like Shakespearo. His beauties ro ' quire to be dug out—very few lie on the surface. ~ To properly appreciate the im -1 mortal'bard requires an amount of study, '. which only one in ten has the time to bestow 1 upon him, and it is better to confess this ex-. '" cusable neglect than to profess an admiration [ for beauties which are not seen. t We have been urgently requested to insort [ tho following :—Sir, —Would you be so kind f as to inform me how it is that tho devel as l trot out his horns so soon after the dostruc t live firo. When I heard about the destruc tion it had made, 1 was not at all sorry about p the four hotels burnt down, and 1 hoped they t would never rise again, but behold when I . came into town on Saturday, the (level had r got his wings spread open for silly Willes to t spend,.their money that ought to feed and . clothe their poor wives and little children. ( Now, Sir, it would not it be a bad plan to . call all the publicans together, and havo a . meeting in the' City Hall on behalf of the ) poor families they have ruined, and get the I good Mr Turner to speak a word of kindness to their hard hearts.. Sir, it. was a happy j day to me when: my poor husband came home j to mo with his pay and said lie had seen » enough of tho publicans, and they would i not get no more of his money, but still I happier Avhen he joined the Good Tcmplers. Instead of my poor children dreading j their fathers pay night, and biding T with their little trembling hearts for foar of his homej coming, they now run , witb their little happy faces to welcome him home to his now happy home again, and instead of staying at. home ..on Sundays j for want of clothes they can go to the blessed Sunday School, and nothing gives me more \ pleasure than to see them going away so ' happy and so cheerful; and as for myself, ; instead of watching the agonies of my poor ' husband caused by that cursed drink, I can ' see him reading his Bible, the best of books ; \ and I hope he will soon hare clothes to go to church. "As for me I can go up to Mr Turner's little—but I hope soon enlarged- -church and i get a quiet though crowded seat and hear the ; blessed truth from that good man's lips. It : seems to me as if he were speaking to me . alone", it gives me such comfort. I hope my husband will keep the pledge as long as he . liyes.: Itwill be a blessing for himself, his ; wijfe and little family, and I hope a pattern . for others. I write from experience.—l am, &c,' A Hater ov Evil. We have' much pleasure in referring our lady friends to an ad vertisement which ap i pears in another of our columns of the Mes dames Hazard and A,tkins. This establish ment is but just opened in Shortland-street, ,but we venture •to predict for it a large and fashionable patronage. It is conducted in a style of seclusion somewhat novel to Auck land, but nevertheless one which has gained immense precedency in the old country, and which', we venture to believe, will not fail to procure for itself some popularity in" this fair city of our Southern Empire. Without any attraction to the common passer-by— without any elaborately - dressed win doivs or display of shining draperies so captivating tp the. soft, eyes •of the fair, and . fashionable of Eve's daughters—in fact, without anything to draw notice until you enter the establishment itself ; —but leaving once done so, the senses are fully re paid by the variety and purity of the art there displayed. The artificial flowers of the most exquisite delicate nature, and the choicest ahd'froit recent of fashions straight from the great city of Paris itself, cannot but win the unbounded.admiration)of even the greatest of critics. Not being women ourselves we can but partially appreciate the many, excellences.! afforded by ■ this establishment. But with our frail knowledge of such things, from the glimpse we have been permitted with, we confidently affirm that the finish, classic eloquence, chastity of design, and simplicity of taste displayed in the work of these fair artistes of the millinery world cannot but secure universal approbation from the fairest.of \ .the fair 'among us. —{Advt. J

The Auckland harmonists will meet this evening in the Young Men's Rooms, Welles ley-street, for their usual weekly practice. The pieces selected will be sacred and secu lar.

We are requested by Mr Farcy to state that he had nothing to do with the charge against Robert Flood, who was committed for six months to Mount Eden Gaol for an alleged act of larceny which was not proved. Mr Farcy expresses an opinion that Flood was not in Auckland at the time of the fire, and therefore ought to be set at liberty.

Mr T. S. Weston, solicitor, intimates that legal proceedings will be instituted against any persons discovered defrauding J. &, J. Tennant's, brewers, celebrated trade mark.

The inquest on the late fire in Queen-street was concluded last evening at half-past five,, and the jury returned a verdict to the effect that the fire broke out beneath the stairs of the shop of Thomas Henry Powley, draper, on the night of the Gth inst., but by what means the said fire originated, whether inten tional or otherwise, there was no evidence to show. The inquiry then terminated.

PARLIAMENTARY.

[By Telegraph.]

Defeat of the Loan Bill.

IMMENSE EXQTTEMENT IN WEL LINGTON. .

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

WELLINGTON. This day.

In the Council last night a long debate en- j sued'oh the second reading of the Provincial Loans Bill, which was thrown out on the motion of Mr Mantell that it be read that day six months. Almost all the members spoke, and the amendment was canied on division by a majority of nineteen to twelve. The gallories were crowded by members of the House of Representatives, including the Native Minister, attended|by Mr Luckie. Tho public galleries also were crowded, and the greatest excitement prevailed. Dr Pollen, in moving the second reading, explained the objects of the Bill. He showed that it was undesirable that local works should be constructed from the colonial re venue. This is a measure looked on by the Government as of tbe first importance, and it had been passed by the Lower House by a large majority. Mr Waterhousc showed that the Bill pro vided expressly for contemplated repudiation by the provinces and colony. He believed the Government introduced the Bill, under intense presure and in their calmer moments would not press it, and he proved that the colony could not escape from the liability on account of Provincial loans so contracted. t The Hon. Mr Mantell simply moved that the Bill be read that day six months. Tbe Hon. Dr. Pollen replied at some length, but plainly his heart was not in it, and he did the unpleasant work in a per functory fashion. On the amendment being put, that the Bill be read a second time that day six months', it was carrie;! by 19 to 12. The following is the division list on Mr Mantell's amendment :— Ayks-19. Noes—l 2. Ackland . Brett Bowan leaser Campbell Grace Chambeiiiu Ushinan :i Edwards McLean Hall Ngatara ■' y Holmes £olleu Johnston Richmond Kenny Scotland Mantell »y],or Miller Wigley Pateroon Hurse Peter • ■Pharazyn Sewell Stokes i Waterhouse . Whit more It is not known what effect this will have on the action of the Ministry. Some of their more mercurial Bupporters mouth revolution and spit wildfire. Mr T. L. Shepherd, commonly known as "Smiler," banished sunshine from his coun tenance, and looked as black as thunder. He had just arrived from the members' dinner at Government House when the d;sastrous result was announced in the House. Under continued excitement he denounced1' the Council under the name of " another place " in teims wild and furious. Desperate efforts were again and again made to repress him. At length Mr Vogel arose, and said the hon. member might rest assured he would have an opportunity of fairly discussing this matter, as the Government would submit to the con sideration of members the position of affairs. It is supposed the Ministry mean to swamp the Upper House. ,'-. '', Many think that the Government are well pleased in reality that tho Bill was thrown put. It served its purpose in binding to gether their followers in the Lower House, and in giving them a lease of life for another year. This, however, is not correct. ' Before the close of the proceedings in the , House last night Mr Vogel said it would be necessary to make a statement with refer ence to an occurrence in another place. It was a measure to which the Government attached the greatest importance. It therefore required the gravest consider ation. He would therefore request that the House would not meet next day, so that tho Government might have time to consider the situation, and on his motion the House adjourned till Eriday. Several courses are currently spoken of as likely. The Ministry may resign, and ask the Governor to'send for Mr Mantell. They may prorogue and summon Parliament in a few weeks, and re-introduce the Bi". in the House, and ' make new nomi nations to the Council ; or they may dissolve, and invite constituencies to express their opinion on the question. The latter courseis not nnlikely, as it is acknowledged that the majority in the; Lower House, described as enormous,- was only gained by I compulsion and threats of dissolution. I shall collect information from .all available sources during the day, r and advise you hourly by wire.

AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT BILL PASSED.

The Auckland Improvement Bill, which yesterday afternoon passed the third reading in the Council, was reported last night in the House, with the amendment reserving the fifteen acres recreation ground from mOrt- The amendment' was agreed to by the House, and the Bill passed its last stage,..

It has had a troubled passage through Parliament as has ever been encountered by * It was met at every point by the most determined spite and intriguing, coupled with bare-faced lying, and would beyond question have perished in any one of a, score of dangers, but for the increasing watchfulness and unsurpassable toil of Mr 11. H. Stevenson, Secretarytothe Improvement Commissioners, who leaves triumphant for Auckland to morrow in the Ladybird. If the Commissioners or citizens do not present him with a testimonial they ought to. CROWN LANDS. In the House, yesterday, the Commissioner of Crown Lands Act Amendment, and Grown Grants' Act Amendment B :il3 were read a first time. IMMIGRANTS LAND BILL. The adjourned debate on the second read ing of the Immigrants Land Bill was resumed by Mr Rolleston, who moved that the House proceed no further with the debate on the subject until the whole correspondents was laid before the House, including the de spatches referred to by tho Premier. It is known that the last despatch from the Government to Dr Featherston was to the effect that he must either withdraw his last impertinent letter or be recalled. Ihe Government has been reluctant to lay this on the table, the Governor having ex pressed unwillingness, saying that it such a despatch was warranted the Government should have recalled ' Featherstone Mr Rolleston's effort is to compel the production of this'despatch. Mr Vogel, inreply, said he wanted to make a ministerial statement relative to the non appearance of the letter, owing to its having been sent to the Governor, and not returned. The Governor had affixed a memorandum, saying that it was unfair to the Agent- General for it to be produced. The Government had the right to discharge the Agent-General or any other officer ; and if the House wanted to take the responsi bility of the production of the despatch it would be laid on the table. The Govern ment was actuated by a desire not to put the Agent-General in a false position. Mr Fitzherbert inveighed against the Min ister for the style of the statement. He pro tested against the interference of the Gover nor in a matter not affecting the Imperial interests. He said the Governor was to blame, and the Ministry was to blame . for allowing the introduction of such improper influence. He spoke with in tense vigor against the Governor's action in the matter, and said the Governor had no business to restrain the House unless he can say to Ministers that imperial rights are at stake. He continued declaiming in most denunciatory terms. He said the sooner the Government showed a little stiffness in the back, instead of parading his tyranny over the miserable members of that House, the better. The Speaker interfered, and a scene took place. The debate occupied the entire sitting. Mr Fitzherbert was exceedingly severe on the Government for its pusillanimity ifl allowing the Governor to interfere with what he considered his | business. The Governor, like a new broom, was sweeping clean. They should not have surrendered their constitu tional lights. The Speaker again deprecated the attack oft the Governor. The Ministry protested, but it was of no use, old Fitz's back was up, and he gave them thunder. It was resolved on division that the dispatch be laid on the table, which was produced on meeting after adjournment and read. It was a severe snubbing administered to Dr. Featherstone, in which he was charged with insubordination and uncourteous con duct, and requested to conduct his corres pondence in- future in a more becoming manner. It complained of his carping spirit, and generally directed him in peremptory terms to»be better in future. Mr Rolleston's amendment was still before the House. He said he would withdraw his motion if the Government would assure him that the terms of the motion had been com plied with. He had asked that the whole correspondence be produced. Mr Vogel said the dispatch the Governor objected to had been laid on the table. The rest had not yet been examined. There wa3 one statement made during the debate in the afternoon by which he had been much impressed. Mr Stafford had said 1 that he had learned by private letters that :Dr Featherstone . thought. .some of his correspoudence was suppressed. He might say that if it appeared that the Agent-General placed himself in communica tion with the non. member in reference to such matters either the agent must be re called or the Government would resign. Mr Rolleston saidho would withdraw his motiou. He was gratified that it had brought out the letter. Mr Gillies would move as an amendment that tho Bill be proceeded with, but that the debate on question between the Government and the Agent-Geueral be adjourned. He would speak first with reference to the Bill, andjthen the challenge thrown out by Mr Reeves. The Bill was similar to one he hal introduced in the Auckland province, and he highly approved of the principle '; there was but one blot in it, that this land, which belonged to the Crown, was to be purchased a second time by the Crown. Were these immigrants no benefit to the province to which they came ? In reference to Mr Reeves's speech. What he had said was, that the Agent-General had proved himself utterly unlit to conduct the management of'immigration, and so also was the Minister for Immigration. He did not think it very gracious on the part of Mr Reeves to tako that position with reference to Mr O'Rorke. Whatever mistakes'he had. made Mr Reeves had made as great. He cited several instances to prove this. He had no doubt it was true that the Agent- General wrote to the Government as an equal. In writing to him they sometimes forgot that he was a gentleman. There were well grounded complaints against the Agent- General's office, but he could not concur in Mr Reeves' charges. Mr O'Rorke, in replying, gave a sketch of the history of immigration for some time past. They had received advices that day that there were now fifteen: vessels afloat on the way to the colony with nearly 4000 souls on board, and fully 10^000 would be introduced during- the year. It was true that he had sometimes to address the Agent-General in terms which he would willingly not have used. There was, how ever, "no animosity between himself and the Agent-General. He proceeded to reply to some of Mr Reeves's charges in detail. Mr T. L. Shepherd wished to speak a few words on the Bill. He .wished to know what use there, was- for them to spend time in -the discussion of r thia or any other measure when :l they found all,,their efforts in the interests of the people defeated by " another place"? 'The Speaker interposed that the member \ was not justified in referring to that subject. - Mr Shepherd merely spoke of " another place." The Government he thought were not fit to continue to occupy their present position if it did not meet the question in a determined manner. . ■■• The Speaker wished to know what question the member was referring to ? (Great laughter.) ;

I |Mr Shepherd was referring to the «< o ij Dlace," which backed up the efforts 0 f imall minority here. It was a pity that thA $S ninority did not go and join them. TV they could abolish them altogether. ]& of laughter.) . ft ™ Mr Vogel' said there would be a' fitter opportunity of discussing the question. ~.f, ' Mr Shepherd was very happy to hear ifc J He would say nothing further at present. ' Mr Fitzherbert could not say he thought much of the Bill. It was a well-intention J measure, but a very weak one. He w6ul#v not divide the House against it. He would/ not refer to other questions raised at present Mr Brandon thought Mr Beeves had failed^ to bring a particle of evidence which proved'f the validity of the charge brought against the Agent-General. The instructions he had' received were instructions which he could not have carried out. _ He read an extract from a private letter from a gentleman jn business in the colony in a very large way M who was at present at home. It wal to the effect that people did not properly ' appreciate the Agent-General. Whatever they did they would not get another, ag satisfactory. That was sufficient refutatfßTp^ of any charges that could be made by amafA - whose business it was to conduct a newg.* paper. Mr Hunter had listened to Mr Vogel'g remarks on the subject of the relations be tween the Government and the Agent-Gene ral, and.admired their kindly tone. He Wag sorry to hear the speech with which Mr Reeves followed them up. It came witha bad grace from him. He thought too much was expected from the A gent-General. H* was expected to be a ship-broker, insurances broker and ambassador. The Agent-General's® best friends might admit that he had made mistakes. What else, however, could be ex.,;, pected under the circumstances ? He was glad to hear the remarks of Mr O'Rorke, and the information he gave them, that the Agent- General was now becoming master of 4 the work. Nothing that had transpired had been sufficient to lead them to believe that a change" * would be desirablell He thought the question should be closed with this discussion. Mr Webster, who had been also to dinner at Government House, made a most amusing "> speech, in which he showed the inutility of '.', giving 20 acres of land to carpenters, shoe'; makers, washerwomen, editors, old-clothes men, and others. He spoke of old colonisers who had been colonising New Zealanjl before,, the Premier had the frills off his breeches!, He spoke of the portly form of the "Smiler.') representing the hard-working and wornandi wasted digger, and generally assailed Minis:' ters and their supporters in a pleasant way. ■■•■■• Mr Luckie felt the gravity of the occasion, /' and defended the Ministry. He said he would make the colony ring during the next twelve months with his battle cry—the land - for the people. (Laughter.) Mr Thomson thought the Bill would be t useful one. As regarded ministers and the "' Agent-General it seemed to him that therei were faults on both sides. - Mr Reid thought much irrelevant'matter' had been introduced into the debate; 'He did not subscribe to the opinion that any interest should be put down, becannj^ " another place " exercised its . legitimate ,\ functions. He had recorded his vote against ' the measure referred to', and he quite con- '■ curred in the remarks that the Agent-General.,/) might well say, " Save me from my friends," 4i if they were. to look upon the Govern-^ ment" as his friends, »He believed .'the;^ appointment of the Agent-General had been a mistake, hut at the same time immigration affairs had been as well con- - ducted 'as- could possibly bo expected. It was the duty at any rate of Ministers to defend him. He examined some of Mr Reevesli charges in detail. He looked upon.the| s Premier's speech as really juite as severe as ; , ; ; Mr Reeves'. He thought the Bill was a harm." less one, and might be useful. Mr Bunny supported the Bill. (v ', Mr W. Kelly,thought itwould be better if ?S so many acres of land was mentioned in the ;,i Bill instead of land of so much value.. Hs'&fa.^ tended that Mr Reeves speech had been I I substantially correct, and no attempt i.'hadl 6* been made to rebut any statement made ift^j it. He thought some members in the Howe'/4 were afraid that if the Agent-General user* to superseded he would come back- and supersede some other officials here. (Hear,,,, hear.) He referred to the -.iportioh of the correspondence bearing on the settle-,, ment of immigrants at Tauranga. If, there was any place Where immigrants were needed,., it was on the confiscated lands, and he was uj surprised that Mr Gillies, being an Auckland™^ member, when minister, should have been a . party to countermanding the instruction for - ■ending immigrants, for this purpose.- He I asked how would any private firm act H towards an agent who refused to carry ottt« ,> their instructions. -IC'i Mr Vogel replied at no great length to the, ;; , ■everal speakers. He said he would be very r&t glad if the provinces would give land for r _ the settlement of immigrants, but the Go-m. vernment could afford to purchase and find - it profitable. - . The Bill passed its second reading, and. was ordered' to be committed on Friday, Mr,,,a Vogel having asked an adjournment till that day to consider what course the Government would take. ~,,■•, - The House rose at 1.30.

Later.

„ I : Government Buildings, |j ' This day, 11.30 a.m. | A meeting of the inner circle of ministerial supporters to-day will be neld at noon to prepare j ideas for a, general caucus of the ministerial party to-morrow at three. i There is great ferment among members, , and they are-buzzing about like bees. ' , V " Every one is enquiring of every one, and » nobody knows; while ministers within their sanctum sanctrium are not to be seen by mortal eyes. The feeling of admiration for the Legislative^ Council is generally felt among all who feared* 1 the headlong race of the colony. It is felt m that the Council exactly fulfils its great fouo- „j tion in putting a curb on the recklessness of the Government when the representatives | were afraid to do so. The following sensible resolution will be moved in the Council to day by the Hon. Mr Miller:—"That in view^l of the large sums, of money accruing and I available from sales of lands in the provinces"' of Canterbury and Otago the amount which the colonial liabilities have already reached, and the necessity for fresh loans injmj order to complete the railway system through- | out the colony, it is the opinion of this Coun-.,• r. cil that the public works policy should be.— modified to the following extent: —Thai the provinces of Canterbury and Otago should be empowered to complete such railways as they ... may require over and above those already m authorised by Parliament, whether main lines ' \* or branch, without any further assistance from colonial funds ; and that, if necessary,- g a special Act should be passed for this pur* gf po3e. ■'-':-'-! "' ■ THE "INDEPENDENT" AT ITS WORK., | i The Independent, to-day, tries to frighten j\ the Governor, as it did for past few days try ■$ to bounce the Legislative Council. It says, j "His Excellency has misunderstood his jjr position, and: failed as yet to ! realise the h spirit and law.of the constitution of the col- „ ony. We aro informed upon good authority \ that it is not long since his Excellency either, i refused !to sign or signified his objection^ j[j

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