SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUNSET: This ©vaning, 0.48 STJN-RISE: To morrow morning, h 40 HIGH "WATER; Midnight; to-morrow afternoon,

ARRIVALS.

Nil.

DEPARTURES.

Nebraska, p.s., Harding, for San Francisco andHono> lulu. Ivanhoe, schooner, for Norfolk Island Agnes, cutter, for the Kaipara

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Newcastle : Kile, brig, this afternoon For Cork : Polar Star, ship, to-day For Northern ports: Rowena, s.s., Monday ner^ For London : Harvest Home, ship, early ; Gler,'nu n tly barque, to-day '' For Sydney and Melbourne: Hero, ' g about 28th instant. "'

VESSELS EXPECTED.

ijurnam, snip, rror t £ ondon# Sai ied 29th November Edinburgh Ca? jl)l6) ship) from London. Leading Parsee, shiT^ f rom London . Loading jLanga, D' d , T q Ue) f rom Liverpool. Loading Tnarr, e s i barque, from New York, via Sydney, loading prosperity, schooner, from Melbourne * >orredo, barqiie, from Sydney Drover, brig, from Sydney East Lothian, barque, from New York. Sailed 20th December Emulous, schooner, from Dunedin. Sailed 13th February Dpuntless, schooner, from South Islands Harriet Armytage, barque, from Dunedin Paterson, p.s., from Sydney Coronet, brigantine, from AVellington Satellite, cutter, from Levuka Florence, schooner, from Dunedin Sailed 18th February Mary Millar, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed 11th February Success, schooner, from Levuka Albion, brig, from Newcastle Saucy Lass, schooner, from Napier, Sailed 17th February Tower Hill, brig, from Adelaide. Sailed 2Sth January Flirt, brigantine, from Lyttelton Briton, barque, from Newcastle

EXPORTS.

Per p.s. Nebraska, for Honolulu and San Francisco—l pg, F. W. Stevens ; 2 qr-casks wine, 2 trunks, 1 case apparel, 35 coils rope, and 341 bales wool (original cargo from Southern ports. —Henderson and Macfarlane, agents.

The mail steamer Nebraska, Capt. Harding, cleared at the Customs this morning and left this afternoon for Honolulu a&ci San Francisco with a general cargo and +' Qe following passen gers : Messrs J. McLellan, B. Grogan, Duffy, Duffy, A. Noble, g. Solomons, J. Kenny, W. Williams, P. J. Davey, Him, Chang, F. L. Tuckfield., p. Williams, J. Brosking, C. Meyer dj j. Saxon, R. Geoffry, J. Meadows and Son, F. C. Barrow, A. W. Bennett, J. McLennon, H. R. Moulter, C. Buch, Gargam, 'W. H. S. Eankin, A. Kelly, A. S. Scott, J. Kennar, J. Croft, Brandon, J. Montgomery, Mrs and Mrs J. Fitzgerald and 2 children, Mrs C. A. McCann, Mrs McKenzie Dr Millar Mr and Mrs Dowling and 9 children, Mr and Mrs W. Grove and 2 children, and Miss Jenny Kimball.

The keel of a new steamer, 100 tons burthen, to the order of the N.Z.S.S. Company, has been laid at the building yards of Messrs Niccol & Son, North Shore. The steamer is intended for the river trade, and will be employed, we believe, in the Patea and Waitara districts.

The cutter Rosario, belonging to Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane, has been wrecked at Whangapoua.

Mr. F. W. Stevens has forwarded by the Nebraska the model of his patent paddle wheels to Mr W. H. Webb. In a former issue we described the invention.

The cutter race postponed from Tuesday, took place yesterday afternoon, for a sweep stake of £30, or £10 a side. Three vessels competed, namely, the Phantom, Vincent, and Undine. The course was from the wharf, to the buoy moored in Drunken Bay, and back. Soon after starting the Phantom took the lead, and maintained it throughout, the Undine came in second, and the Vincent third. The Phantom won by 2 mm. 32 sees.

In our yesterday's issue it was erroneously stated that the Saucy Lass left Napier for Auckland on Monday night. It should have been arrived on that day from Auckland.

The schooner Prima Donna {entered at the Customs with 100 tons of coal for Russel.

The brig Nile has cleared at the Customs, for Russel in ballast. She will load coal there for Lyttelton.

Captain Nearing, of the barque Lion, arrived in town late last night from Whanga poua. We learn from him that the barque has not gone to pieces, as was reported yesterday, but is lying hard and fast inside the bar. She has been dismantled, and the crew remain on board in charge of her. Captain Nearing came to town to consult with the Insurance Company regarding the vessel and her cargo. He leaves again for Whangapoa to-morrow with a dozen men, to endeavour to get the cargo out. It is believed that all the cargo will be saved, but it is very doubtful whether the vessel can be got off. It appears that Capt. Doughty was piloting the vessel out of Whangapoa harbour at night, and when crossing the bar the wind died completely away. The strong current then set the vessel ashore.

The s.s. Hero left Melbourne for Auckland, via Sydney, on the 18th instant.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £17 Tokatea-Buyers, 33s Thames Gas —Buyers, 35s 6d Long Drive—los Caledonian—£l4, £13 15b; buyers, £13 10s Golden Calf—los Black Angel—42s 6d to 42s ; buyers, 41s 6d. Bismarck—3os. D. B. Orchaed.

COMMERCIAL.

MI NINO. Tho following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies Darned below :— £ a. d. CALLS Missouri .. .. 0 5 0 Mrch 3 Coromandel Tunnel 0 10 0 Mrch 10 Otago 0 10 Mrch 12 American Eagle .. 0 10 Mrch 12 Inverness .. .. 0 0 3 Mrch 12 Royal Standard .. 0 0 6 Mrch 12 MEETINGS. Bismarck and French Republic, Insurance Buildings Auckland, 2 p.m., 21st Febraary Tokutea, Coromandel, 21st February Watchman, Grahainstown, 21st February New Kakaia, Coromandel, 21st February Central Italy, firsihamstown, 27th February Argo. Mr A. A. Browne's office, Wyndham street, Auckland, 2 p.m., 28th February Pride of Tokatea, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 12.30 p.m., 3rd March

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND.

Blatls win Close as Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. Por Coromandel, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Gisborne, per Comerang, on Saturday, 22ndinst., at 2 p.m. For Napier, per s.s. Star of the South, on Saturday next, at 2 p.m. For Tahiti, per Prima Donna, on Saturday next, at 11 a.m. For Taranaki and Southern ports, per s.p. Wellington, immediately on the arrival of the p.s. Dakota from Honolulu. For Napier and Southern ports, per p.s. Dakota, six hours after arrival. (Signed) S. B, Bias, Chief Postmaster,

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 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

The utter inefficacy of the English prison system as a means of cheeking crime, or of adequately punishing a certain class of criminals, is forcing itself upon public attention in Great Britain and the colonies. Statistics of crime mcontrovertibly prove that per sons are not only trained for leading criminal lives within our prison walls, but are actually unfitted, after under going a term of imprisonment, for engaging in honest pursuits ; or if not totally unfitted, their chance of reform is diminished at least fifty per cent. This must, of course, ever be the case to a certain extent, with the com mission of a first crime and its attend ant punishment, for a life of crime is one which, when once entered upon, leads rapidly downward. But our system of imprisonment is attended with special conditions that accelerate the progress from bad to worse of those who have once violated the law. The punishment of imprisonment depends almost wholly for its effect upon the mental sensibility of the criminal. The injury to self-respect, and the irksomeness of being deprived of liberty, are no doubt sufficiently painful to men who, although upon the whole honest, have under great temptation, or through a combination of untoward circum stances made a false step, but one term of imprisonment removes the keen sense of disgrace felt by an offender for the first time, and robs the punishment of half its power, especially when the first sentence has added to the necessarily injurious associations of a gaol an enforced companionship with men of a low stamp. Nothing can remedy this evil except a more perfect classification of our criminals, and this can only be secured by a central penal establishment, leaving our local gaols for minor offenders. Criminals who are suffering for first offences should be kept distinct, and be subjected to a course of treatment wholly different from that applied to professional jail-birds. "We should make our methods of pun ishment more discriminating in their character, and more in proportion to the heniousness of the crime than it is possible to do by merely lengthening or shortening the term of imprison ment. For those who from previous good character may be deemed to be capable of appreciating purely intellec tual pain, full force should be given to the beneficial influences of mere im prisonment under surroundings free from moral taint. With solitary con finement, hard labour, and various restraints, such punishment can be provided as will be sufficiently deterrent in its character as well as intellectually humiliating. In dealing with the class we are speaking of our prison system fails not so much in the keenness of its punishment as in the moral contamination that attends it, and which requires a better classifi cation to remove. There is, however, another class of offenders upon whom to impose simple imprisonment is per fectly farcical. The men we speak of thoroughly understand what imprison ment is, and infinitely prefer it to honest labour. Imprisonment causes

them no actual pain, either intellectual or physical. It is no doubt made very unpleasant in some of our gaols, although this is certainly not the cagg with all. Such an offender, when he commits a crime, calculates upon the probability of his being found ut j^d judging from dp£ experience of the Puul^aient that will follow, thinks it worth the risk. Our customary treat ment as applied to these criminals is not severe enough ; it is not deterrent. It can, moreover, only be made so in one way. We cannot appeal to either the mental or moral sentiments of such men, and we must apply our punishment to their physical sensi bilities. "When a man has shown by his repeated return to gaol that the prison has no restraining influence and possesses no terror for him, the lash should unhesitatingly be resorted to. Its application to scoundrels who are convicted of brutal offences against the person, whether their crimes be first ones or not, admits of no gain saying. There are in Mount Eden gaol, at the present time, two men awaiting trial charged with criminal assaults upon children. In referring to them we do not desire to prejudice their cases in the mind of the public—the men may, for aught we know, be perfectly innocent; but we allude to them because that class of offence has become alarmingly prevalent in the colony, and judges in the Southern provinces have set the excellent example of applying the cat-o'-nine-tails to the backs of the scoundrels. Robberies with violence in England have been similarly dealt with .to the benefit of society. We trust that a more vigorous system of punishing breakers of the law will be instituted in this colony, notwith standing the opposition that is certain to be offered against the employment of corporal chastisement in our gaols by persons whose sickly sentimentality confounds just punishment of crime with unnecessary cruelty.

The long-looked for proclamation of Whan gamata and Hikutaia, as being open for occupa tion by miners,appearedina'j^o/v'wec'rt/ Gazette published to-day. The notification extends the Hauraki gold field so as to include the block of land known as Omahu No. 1 ; the block known as Whangamata No. 1 ; the block known as Whangamata No. o • the block known as Whangamata No. 3 ; the block known as Hikutaia No. 3 ; and the block known as Hikutaia No. 2 ; as the same are shown on the Native Land Court maps ; excepting out the said lands a town ship reserve at Hikutaia of 321 acres, and a township reserve at Whangamata of 43 acres 3 roods and 28 perches, as the said reserves are marked off on the ground.

About eight o'clock last evening Queen street was in gloom and silence, a few lamps glimmered here and there, and the faint lights of tobacconists' shops shot across the pavement ; but otherwise no theatre or place of public amusement being open, save the temples of Bacchus, the town appeared like the city of the dead. All of a sudden, how ever, heads were out of the windows, and clusters of female gossips at the doors, for there were sudden flashes of fire seen across the shadows, followed by noises as of rever berating thunder. Several agitated women exclaimed in our hearing, "It is the Russians! the Russians!" when again the heavens were illuminated, and the crash, apparently of worlds was heard, when, " Oh dear ! what can the matter be?" hummed a less sensitive Irishwoman. But all this consternation presently subsided when the fact became known that the Itussians were not coming, but that the lightnings and thunders pro ceeded from the 24 - pounders of the No. 1 Navals, who were going through their weekly drill in the Barrack-square, under the super vision of Capt. E. Leßoy, Lieut. Chapman, and Drill-Instructor Broughton, and, though a dark night's work, excellent time was kept, and twenty-four rounds of blank charge satisfactorily blown away.

Mr James Anthony Froude's lectures in America has moved Irish feelings, and Irish men are questioning the accuracy of his history, at least that portion of it which touches more especially upon the past of Ire land. The historian is charged with all the sins and inconsistencies that historians are said to be heirs to, including perversion of text, unjuat inferences, and illogical com binations of facts. One of the loudest of his opponents is Father Burke, who questions the truth of Mr Froude's allegations respect ing the famous bull by which Pope Adrian IV is said to have authorised the conquest of Ireland by Henry 11. Father Burke declares with native vigour that the story is a "thumping English lie." Another Irish critic strives to disprove Mr Froude's account of "Shan O'Neill,," and avows that the popular author and lecturer is either " a Romanist or a dramatist, but not an historian." Mr Froude declares in his history that he loves Ireland, and his history is gene rally accepted as the clearest and most trust worthy of modern histories ; and yet, among Irishmen, '' to this complexion has he come at last."

On Tuesday last Mr Macdonald, one of the District Coroners, held an inquest on the body of William Prior, late manager of the Hauraki Saw-mills, on the Thames, who died suddenly on the previous day. Prior had been suffering for some weeks from general ill-health, and on Monday he was seen to stagger and fall to the ground by a little Scotch girl, named Maggie Craggie, who ran and told Mrs Prior of the circum stance. Upon reaching the spot, Mrs Prior found her husband dead. The jury re turned a verdict " died from natural causes."

We observe that the new market-house is rapidly assuming a goodly shape ; the form is already visible, and workmen are busily engaged in fitting up the interior, and it is said that the market will be ready for useful exchanges in the beginning of April. The market will be a great acquisition to Aiick land, and an agreeable and lively Saturday evening's promenade.

The weekly parade of No. 1 Eoyal Com pany A. R. Volunteer took place in the Albert Barracks on Tuesday at 7.30 p.m. The attendance was small, but we were happy to see that Sergt.-Major Haslem has taken over the instruction of this fine old company, and the members present were much pleased at his once more appearing amongst them, and we feel sure that a revival of the Royal Company will take place, and that there will be a large attendance at the Drill-shed, which will now take place on Monday evening instead of Tuesday, when Sergt.-Major Haslem will be in attendance. The Drill-shed has been placed at the disposal of Captain Burns on Monday evenings until further notice.

Parties of marines and blue jackets belong ing to the 11.M.5. "Blanche" proceeded this morning at an early hour to the Mount Eden Rifis ftange for ball practice ; the morning was favorable for the firing, and the men-of-arma had some capital sport.

A Melbourne exchange advocates public gymnasiums and rational enjoyments found by the State as antidotes for larrikinism. He says :—Nearly every one has a hard word to say against the larrikin, all sorts of punish ments are suggested for his repression, and really if some reformers had their way I believe that no male would come into the world before the age of five and twenty ! But while so much is preached about putting down the larrikin, scarcely a single writer devotes his attention to any other curative agency than bodily torture of some kind or other. The larrikin usually emanates from the poorer classes ; as a rule he has not at tached to his residence either a play-room or recreation ground. He is probably one of several occupants of a single room apart ment. If he wants air or exercise he imtat gG into the street. His family not being in the habit of entertaining company at home, should he feel the need of society he must seek it in the " right-of-way." Some times, it is true, he becomes boisterous and unruly—sometimes even brutal —but the larrikin is after all nothing more than an ill-trained lad, who drifts into bad courses because good ones are never placed in his way. Even our public gardens are practi cally closed against the ill-conditioned youth of Victoria, for if they enter their precincts they must "keep to the gravelled walks," and on no account must pluck a flower. Should half-a dozen of these unhappily born boys congregate at the corneer of a street they are ruthlessly dispersed by the constab ulary and must perforce blow up the pent up steam of youth in any holes and corners they can ferret out. Our well-to-do people are bountifully supplied with public "reserves" for their especial exercises, but the poor larrikans' reserve is limited to the domains of Pentridge.

Mr Samuel Coombes, tailor and outfitter, notifies to the public that after the first of March next he will close his establishment (the City Clothing Mart) at six p.m. daily, except Saturday, when business will bo con tinued until eleven o'clock.

Dedwood and the neighbourhood of Frank lin-road are acquiring notoriety in connection with the art of petty thieving ; and the thieves are not particular as to what they take—they familiarize themselves with the windings of their neighbours' gardens, and help themselves to peaches, cabbage, and whatever else may be near at hand. They have shewn considerable dexterity also in forcing open outside safes, and have actually stolen bacon and jams, and in one case a package of flour. In one instance the wife of a working man inadvertently left his shirt on the lino to dry, and in the morning she discovered that it had passed away, probably on the wings of the wind.

The examination of candidates for certifi cates of competency as teachers will be held at the Education Board towards the end of March.

The Presbytery of Auckland met yester day, when the Moderator, pro tern., thePvev. T. Norrie, in the name of the Presbytery, welcomed Mr ltoot, and requested him to take his seat in the Court, the brethren offering him the right hand of fellowship. The trials of Mr Galloway were sustained unanimously ; and after the usual questions had been put the Moderator, with prayer, solemnly licensed Mr Galloway to preach the gospel. Several othar matters of minor interest were heard, and the Court closed with prayer.

The London School Board has instituted prosecutions under the Elementary Educa tion Act, 1870, for neglecting and refusing to send their children to school. We observe in late English files reports of cases against a batch of these offenders. In two of the cases reported Mr Sydney fiedge, solicitor to the London School Board, appeared in sup port of these summonses, and stated that by the Act the Board had power make by-laws directing that children should be sent to school, and up to what age. One of their orders, made, and allowed by her Majesty in council, in December last, directed that every child under the age of thirteen and not less than five should be sent to school unless some good and sufficient reason (set out in the by-laws) was urged in excuse. The Defendant Cawston, it appeared, had three children. Alice, aged nine ; William, aged eight; and Jane, aged seven. He was also summoned in respect of a fourth child, the daughter of his wife by a previous husband, and the a^e of the child was ten years. The defendant's wife, who appeared for her husland, excused herself on the ground that the children had no clothes to go in. They were nowwithout any boots. Her husband was lame, and earned only 18s. <i-week. Out of that she had to pay 4s. rent, and with the remainder to keep eight of them. Mr Gedge said, of course, poverty could not be admitted as an excuse in these cases. There were free schools as well as others, where the charge was only 2d. a-week, the deficit being made up by a rate, which cost the pai-ishioners about 9d. each. The defendant Byers said that he would be very happy to send his children (two —Thomas and Walter—aged respectively ten and seven years) to school, but he had no wife to look after them when he was out. He had also very little work, and sometimes not the halfpence to buy them bread, let alone to send them to school. Other cases were heard, and the Court ordered one defendant to pay the maximum fine for one child of 55., including costs. The other defendants having in some instances, after a good deal of hesitation, promised to send their children at once, were ordered to come up for judgment in one month if called upon to do so.

Brigham Young, by popular vote, has been continued in the office of Prophet, Seer, and Revelator ; but the Mormon people have also elected two other media to communicate " the mind and will of the Lord" to the Saints. If the significance of this curious election is rightly interpreted by the Gentile papers of Salt Lake, it means that in the event of the death of Brigham, the Mormons intend he shall not be without a successor— that the Church shall never be left without a Prophet." In ancient times, when the Hebrews had their Prophets, these sacred functionaries were thought to be selected and anointed from above. The Mormons, however, please them selves by making their own selection by ballot, trusting to the spirit, doubtless, to control the ballots. The new Prophets are George A. Smith and the Mayor of the city of Salt Lake. Prophet Smith is to go to Jerusalem, on a proselyting errand, at once, and he calls for $3,000 in coin to pay his expenses. The Salt Lake Tribune offers the new Prophets the following advice : —" There is one little fact to which we would like to call the attention of these new-fledged Pro phets, which seems to us of some importance, and that is the responsibilities assumed by them. According to the Mosaic code, which they endorse so heartily, Prophets whose predictions, made in the name of the Lord, were unfilled, were stoned to death as punish ment for their temerity. Hence, we would advise these brethren to 'go slow ' until they can master the situation."

Yesterday a number of men returned from Hikutaia and Whangamata. and soon afterwards left for Auckland. With one accord they pronounce the new field a "duffer." We should be sorry to say one word which might induce men to leave other occupations to proceed to the new field, but those who have gone there should not form an opinion on insufficient evidence or come to a conclusion to depart from the ground with out giving it a fair trial. Were the country well prospected, it is quite possible agoodpay able field might be opened up, but some men if they do not find a golden reef in a few days loose heart, and declare there is nothing in the country. It is to be hoped that when the field is opened by proclamation Thomas Brogan will make some sign, a,nd peg out his reef—if he really ever discovered one. Should he take no steps to do this we may then safely conclude that the whole ot the proceedings are a gigantic fraud, and that the Government and the public at large have been wilfully deceived.— Thames Advertiser. The annual meeting of the Auckland Sunday-school Union will be held in the large room of the Men's Christian Association, to-morrow evening—J. O. t ' irtn, Esq., in the chair. The meeting will be addressed by the Rev. Messrs. G H. Turner Macnicol, Jones, and several gentlemen who take an interest in the progress of bunday schools.

At the meeting of the Auckland Improve ment C ommissioners, held yesterday afternoon, it was resolved to apply to the Government to obtain the Governor's consent to a dedication of a portion of Government House orounds, to enable a road to be formed between Princes-street and Symonds-street.

The Germans are determined that the fortifications of the Fatherland shall be strong enough for all possible contingencies. Formidable works are being constructed around Strasburg, and five powerful fort resses are to be erected around Mayence at a cost of from 20 to 21 million florins for the mason work alone. Then there is the strategic railway of which we have heard f . * ivTeu Brisach to Donau Eshingen, and vC -loc m,,-^ else that might be named besides mw deemed essential there are lastly the w0 Lc! Duri the to protect the German coasu~. - "•■> "fneers last twenty months masons ana e«. o have been hard at work at the mouths of the Elbe and Weser, and in the bay of Jahde. At a certain distance from the sea a whole army of workmen are busily constructing strategic railways parallel with the coast, and connecting again with the great lines of the railway system of the interior. In the opinion of competent persons a landing be tween the mouths of the Elbe and Ems, which might have been possible in 1870, would no longer be so now. With the net work of telegraphs .and railroads along the whole extent the coast which is not directly defended by fortresses, slight detachments of observation wouldj suffice to make a surprise impossible. Yet all this is not found enough by the Prussian Government. It has decided to erect new fortresses in the islands Vanger-Oog and Neuwerk, planted in the sea like advanced sentinels, east and west of the wide entrance formed by the two era bochurea of the Jhade and Weser. Protected by the fire of these fortifications, the Ger man fleet would be able to risk the offensive even against superior naval forces. Works of equal importance are projected for the defence of the Baltic coasts, and it is esti mated will not cost less than 60,000,000 of thalers.

After an interval of eight centuries, says the Fall-Mall Gazette, England is to have another Domesday book. The Government has taken the first step to that end by calling upon the multifarious Local Government Board to undertake the work. The necessary particulars, it appears, are to be sought in the union valuation lists. The union clerks have just been apprised of the part assigned to them in this business. If landowners, in the ordinary acceptation of the term, are the objects of the return —this seems the inten tion of the circuliar —the questions to be ultimately answered are, " Who and how many are the owners in England and Wales that the 530,000 occupiers of land hold under?" "What is the share of each in dividual or corporate body in the 26,000,000 of cultivated acres on this side of the Tweed?" '' What is each owner's portion of the 48,000,000/., there or thereabouts the gross annual value of lands in England and Wales assessed under Schedule A of the property tax?" According to a statement laid before Parliament by Air. Goschen there were two or three years ago about 4,750,000 separate assessments on the English ratebooks ; a number more or less short of this will need separate entry on the contemplated register of ownership in its preparatory stage. In the last reports of the Enclosure Commission ers they reckon the common lands of England and Wales that are still unenclosed at 8,000,000 acres ; an immense territory when we remember that the whole surface of the country is but 37,300,000 statute acres ; that 20,000,000 are under cultivation; that our towns in the aggregate must occupy a very extensive area; that our highways and by ways and water-covered land are measured in the total area ; and that English railways three or four years ago had absorbed upwards of 120,000 acres.

A writer in the Scienific American signing the initials " S. B. L." gives some interesting particulars respecting a mode of taking deep sea sounding by electricity. He says that, by means of the process he describes, a ship running along a coast at night or approaching the land in thick weather may, without "luffing to" or "slowing down," keep con stantly sounding and obtaining the depth of water with rapidity and precision. This is ac complished as follows: The lead line contains a heart composed of two insulated copper wires. The inboard end is connected with a battery, and by means of an armature with a clock. The end is bent to the lead. The lead contains two insulated copper wires passing through its length, the upper ends connecting with those of the line. The lower ends, tipped with platinum, are slightly exposed beyond the surface o£ a false bottom, or upper section of the lead. The lower section of the lead acts as a plunger, with a play of about one-eight of an inch. On striking the bottom, the plunger is thrown up, so that a '' button" on its upper surface conies in contact with the two plantinuin points, thus closing the circuit. This is known on deck by the instantaneous stoppage of thesecond hand of aelock, andthesounding of a gong attached to the clock, the purpose of the gong being to call attention. The clock is an ordinary timepiece, with the addition of a second hand pivoting at the centre, and long enough to reach the peri meter of the face, where are marked the fathoms corresponding to the minutes. Let it be supposed, for example, that a ship run ning along a coast at night should, at a certain hour be, by the chart, in forty fathoms of water. The captain orders a cast of the lead and about forty fathoms of line to be used, the lead weighing say fifty pounds. At the instant of heaving the lead the second hand is set in motion and commences its regular beats ; but insteaGl of passing on to seventeen seconds, whichis seen on the face of the clock to correspond to forty fathoms, the gong suddenly strikes it warning, and the hand is arrested at four seconds, which is seen to correspond to ten fathoms ; the captain is thus warned of his dangerous proximity to shoal water, and at once hauls off.

A public meeting was held in the Otahuhu Public Hall last night relative to the Mangere bridge. There was a good attend ance of settlers from both sides of the Manukau. Mr John Gordon moved the go vernment be appealed to to have a swing added to the bridge on the Mangere side. This motion was opposed by the Onehunga people, who were represented by Dr Purchas, Mr Eastwood, and Mr J. Lundon. After considerable discussion the resolution was put to the meeting and declared by the chairman to be carried. A division was called for, but did not take place. A corres pondent writing to us on the subject says : " I was present and there was unmistakably a large majority against the motion. Ihe eccentric conduct of the chairmanin declaring it to be carried is attributable to his short sightedness, but it was is duty to have granted a division when one was called for. We have received aletter from '« Anthropos,'' vindicating himself from the charge of " reeking with the smell of whisky punch. The publication of the letter might renew a personal controversy, which it is, perhaps, as well to drop.

The usual monthly sitting of the Court o* Petty Sessions will be held on Tuesday, the 25th inst. The following magistrates are on the rota :—Messrs. Thomas [Bannatyne Gillies, George Samuel Graham, Robert Gra ham, William Australia Graham, Thomas Henderson, James Holt, James Herbert Home, Edward Isaacs, Henry Mahon Jervis, Sampson Kempthorne, Thomas Brutton Kenderdine, Colonel William Henry Kenny #

The rector of a parish in Lancashire was indicted at the assizes for unlawfully disin terring bodies buried in the churchyard. The disinternients had been effected with due propriety and with the consent of the relatives of the deceased. The defendant pleaded "Guilty," and the judge allowed him to be discharged upon his own re cognizances.

The Harbour Boards invites tenders for the supply of 150 casks of Portland cement, and if any of our local cements were shown to be suitable for the work no doubt the Board would accept it in lieu of Portland. Tenders must be sent in before two p.m. on the 25th instant. The Harbour Board invites tenders for the "traction of two iron beacons in the har- COlia. bour. • i ii *J ' y of the time of the A considerable portion # ~., near i ng o f Court wasted to-day in tn*. ■ o ncen _ a charge against Mr Friend, draper, ol v^ street. Constable Walker had subpoenaed Mr Friend for allowing water to drop from the eves of his verandah in contravention of one of the City Council's innumerable by laws. After a large amount of argument pro. and con. between Inspector Broham, Mr Brookfield, and his Worship as to whether the water dropped within or with out the verandah, His Worship said that he would take time to consider the matter, and give his judgment on Thursday next. We learn that the Wesleyan Conference has refused to sanction the sale of the Wes leyan school-room, Union-street, to the Free Church Methodists. The latter have received notice to quit, and they therefore announce through our advertising columns that they will be glad to see their scholars at the brick Chapel, Pitt-street, next Sunday. We believe it is the intention of this congregation to endeavour to raise a fund to build a new chapel on the site now owned by them, the present building being much too small to accommodate Mr Turner's rapidly increasing congregation.

TELEGRAPHIC.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

TAURANGA.

This day.

The Southern Cross sailed for Opotiki at ten o'clock last night. A strong easterly breeze has prevailed since.

Sailed : Katie, coastwise,

LATEST SOUTHERN NEWS.

(PER ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAPH

COMPANY.)

THEPOSiTON MAORI FAVOURITISM,

TENDERS FOR RAILWAY LINES

FAREWELL BALL TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE HARVEST IN THE SOUTH, ifi

DETENTION OF THE CHARLOTTE

GLADSTONE

WELLINGTON.

This day.

The Independentto-daj severely attacks the New Zealand Herald for complaints made against the Press Association.

The Post yesterday says it often said there was one law for the Maoris and another

for the Europeans, but hitherto the practice has been to pamper the Maoris and snub Europeans. It does not know on what grounds Maoris sentenced for participation in the Poverty Bay massacre received a free pardon, and compares their case to that O£ Tucker, who was sentenced for murder, and afterwards found to be innocent. The latter was still a criminal in the eyes of the law. The non-arrival of the Suez mail was due to the latter leaving Galle late. The s.s. Taranaki sailed South at three o'clock yesterday. A farewell ball to the Governor will be given in the Public Hall to-night. The Glenora left Mauritius for Wellington on January 6. The Independent says that there is little doubt the chief ground of attack against the Ministry next session will be their manage ment of immigration. At a meeting of the directors of the Coai Company it was resolved toj send home to purchase a steamer or sailing vessel of about 200 tons. Sixteen hundred shares in th e company have already been applied for Mr W. W. Johnston has been elected chair man of directors. Mr Brogden's tender for the Timaru and unadvertised portion of the Moeraki line was sent in yesterday. Tenders for the Brunner line will be sent in to-day. The cargo of the Jessie Readman is valued at £90,595. She will sail with the first north west wind.

WANGANUI.

This day. A grand national steeple-ohsse dub has)

been formed

Mr Low sold half-bred ewes at 8s lOd , half-bred lambs, 6s; wethers, 9a; rama 37s Gd to £8.

LYTTELTON.

This day.

The brigantine Flirt left yesterday for Auckland with 1,162 sacks wheat, 200 sacks oats, and 25 cases cheese, Passengers :— Messrs Waters and Daw.

CHRISTCHURCH.

This day. ,/t- A large sale of station properties tooli 8? place yesterday. Buyers from all parbs of the colony were present. Good prices were obtained. A trial of Malvern Hill coal has given a satisfactory result. It is rumoured that a company to work it will be formed im mediately,

DUNEDIN.

This day.

Owing to the action of the Medical Board in admitting the Charlotte Gladstone to pratique Dr. Burns, who thought she should be kept in quarantine longer, has resigned.

The Otago Daily Times says that although the crops of Otago have proved unequal in their yield, the harvest has on the whole been satisfactory to farmers. The crop o£ wheat will be upwards of a million and a-half of bushels. Barley, seventy thousand bushels; oats, one million six hundred thousand bushels ; potatoes eighteen thousand tons. There yM.I be a scarcity of barley both in Otago and Canterbury, which will necessitate a much larger importation of malt than usual.

The Charlotte Gladstone will be detained in quarantine until Friday by order of the Superintendent and the Chairman of the Board of Health. Some of the passengers are suffering from measles.

Telegrams have been received from Defence Office authorising ten men to be sent to the Colonial Prize-firing at Nelson at the Government expense instead of |seven. The additional are Captain Jameson, and Lieuts. Sham and Pell.

YACHT RACE.

The sailing race between the yachts Meet wing, Energy, Spray, and Gipsy Queen at last came off to-day, the course being from off the wharf to a buoy moored four miles SE. of Tiritiri. The stakes were a sweep stake of £60, or £15 a side. The JJeetwing was of course, the favourite at starting, and next the Energy. The yachts were arranged with the Fleetwing nearest the wharf, Onpsy Queen next, then the Energy, and the Spray fourth. Each vessel appeared to have a large number of hands on board, the^littie Gipsy Queen carrying six. The wind was blowing fresh from E.S.E., and gave evidence of increasing in velocity. lne water showed animation and a heavy swell was discernible off the North Head, and some rough weather was expected by the yachts when outside. The start was: wrfh bare poles and anchors down. Mr A. J5. Anderson acted as starter, and gave the signal at eight minutes past ten precisely, when the yachts got simultaneously underweigh. _ Ihe Gipsy Queen showed the most alacrity in setting her canvas, and stood over to the North Shore, the vessels being compelled to beat out of harbour. The Fleetwing and Energy also stood on the same tack, while the Spray lay on the opposite, by which a foul appeared inevitable between her and the Fleetwine. She however altered her tack and avoided collision. The Fleetwing was to windward, and endeavoured to weather the barque Glenhuntly, but was compelled to go about, being unable to clear the jib-boom of the barque. The other yachts run under the stern of the barque, and stood over towards Emigrants' Bay, the Gipsy I Queen leading, and the Spray considerably to leeward. The Fleetwing first sent her gaff topsail aloft, followed by the Energy and Spray, the Gipsy Queen showing great in decision about this sail, first setting it, then I striking it, afterwards, again sending it up, and finally dispensing with it altogether, by which time she was some distance to leeward of the other vessels. The Fleetwing appeared 'to have the best of the start, and made j considerable progress by her manoeuvring, iby which she gained a lead on the other competitors. After passing the | Cantero, on the port tack, she went I about, and, crossing over to North Shore, 1 joined the others, and took the lead. Short j boards were then made by each of the vessels ' until off the Sandspit, during which the j Spray gained an advantage on the Energy, ■ and took second place ; the Gipsy Queen being unable to stem the current, was some distance astern. The Fleetwing maintained . the lead all down the harbour, the yacht laying well over under the strong breeze. After passing the Devonport wharf the Fleeting commenced to make a long tack, in order to clear the North Head. She was I followed by the Spray, the Energy endeavour ing to get an advance by keeping under the .North Shore out of the current, the tide flowing strongly at the time. After two more short boards, she how ever stood over, and followed in the wake of the two leading yachts. The dis tance between the vessels while they were standing across the harbour was now dis cernible. The Fleetwing appeared leading by a quarter of a mile, and the Energy was astern of the Spray at least half a mile. No alteration took place in the relative position of the yachts, each one following the other and going about in Hauraki Bay. The Fleetwing had so far obtained an advance that she had nearly cleared the Head before the Energy had gone about. The yachts passed the North Head in. the following order :— Fleetwing ... llh. 4m. Spray ... llh. sm. 30secs. Energy ... llh. 13m. Although so many minutes after the others, the Energy appeared to be more to windward on entering the Rangitoto Channel. The breeze at this time freshened considerably. The Gipsy Queen was so farastern that she was not timed in rounding the Heads. She was about ten minutes after the Energy. A leading wind accompanied the yachts to Tiritiri. The Gipsy Queen, after proceeding as far as Rangitoto reef, returned to harbour, and anchored alongside the breakwater, the wind and sea outside being too heavy for her. The yachts in running down Rangitoto Channel to the reef maintained much the same posi tions as those occupied by them when the North Head was rounded. On the return, the Spray rounded the Heads first at 4h. 17m. The Fleetwing followed a few minutes afterwards, nearly a a mile astern of the Spaay. The Energy was still further behind the Fleet wing. The race terminated. Spray 1 Fleetwing 2 Energy 3

vm EYjerNffla s^ab, thtosday, FEBfrtrABY so, is?a,



T COSGBAVE & C O.'S SALE OF DRAPERY & CLOTHING COMMENCED ON SATURDAY, FEB. 1. The Public are requested to GoQ(^g ft 3 the are Genuine. CELLING 0 P F! DRAPERY! DRAPERY! B. C A S S, CHEAPSIDE HOUSE, 22 2, QUEEN STREET, DECIDED BARGAINS. B. C A S S, GREAT SEDUCTIONS THREE MONTHS ONLY, AT THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, 194, queen street, Next Door to Savinc4s' Bank. Cartes-de-visite reduced from 16s per dozen to 13s 6d. Maori Celebrities (largest steck in New Zealand to select from), reduced from 12s per dozen toOs. Views from all parts of New Zealand, reduced from 12s per dozen to 6s. Enlargements from Cartes-de-vlsite 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, &0., greatly reduced. J, M o G A R R I G L E, Manager.