SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

"HIGH WATER: This evening, 9.13 ; to-mowo* mirninir, 9.33

SUN-SET: Thl« evening, 5.6; BTTNT-BI8B: Tr morrow morning, 6 47

MOON'S AGE: Last Quarter, 9th instant, 6.51 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Ryno, brigantine, Johnson, from Lyttelton Dawn, cutter, from Raglan (in the Manukau)

DEPARTURES.

Aiiay vrmkim, barque, for Hoklanga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Newcastle—lone, barque, for Newcastle, to-

morrow Tor Levuka—Star of the South, s.s., Friday London—Anazi, barque, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Eangatira, s.s., from Sydney, about Bth May Southern Cross, s.s., from England Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 Jubilee, ship, from London. Sailed January 21 Rouparell, ship, from London. Sailed February 19 Bella Mary, from Hobsrt Town, eariy Hunt.ley Castle, ship, from London, loading sabella, brig, from Newcastle. Sailed 14th ult. Anr.ie Usle. barque, from Newcastle. Sailed about 20th ult. Mary King, schooner, from Adelaide, early Ocean Wave, from Oamaru, early Rose M., barque, from Oamaru, e3rly August*, schooner, from Sydney, early Edith,_ schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Excelsior, schooner, from Dunedin, early Serene, barque, from "Wellington Clematis, ketch, from Lyttelton, early Dauntless, schooner, from Lyttelton Charybdis, schooner, from Lyttelton

IMPORTS.

Per brigantine Ryno, from Lyttelton : 277 sacks oats, 885 sacks wheat, SO sacks brar> 20 kegs butter, 50 cheeses, D. H. MaFL enz ie'

The brigantine Ryno an-ived in harbour from Lyttelton late la.s'c night after a passage of six days, during the first part of which sro had northerly winds, and during the latter S. and S,E. winds. She brings a cargo of grain consigned to Mr D. H. McKenzie.

The brigantine Flirt has hauled off the wharf and anchored in the stream, having completed the discharge of her cargo. There are the gravest apprehension of some calamity having happened to the cutter bwift during the last gale. She left this port for Mahurangi on the 21st inst., oyster fishing, and has not since been heard, of. Three men were on board, consisting of lhomas Lockwood, master, David Nasmyth and John Jackson, seamen. The new mission vessel Southern Cross made a trial-trip in the harbour this after noon. The day was beautifully calm. Her i rate of speed under steam appeared to be about 3 to 3J knots an hour against the last of the ebb. The official trial trip will take place on Saturday.

The brigantme Flirt has hauled alongside the Breakwater to load another cargo of timber for the South.

P The s.s. Star of the South has undergone a thorough painting and cleaning on the gridiron.

The schooner Merlin, having 'unloaded her cargo from the South, has hauled alongside the Gore-street jetty. The schooner Gem has cleared for Wanga poa with 60 cheep. m The barque lone has cleared for Newcastle in ballast. She has hauled off the wharf, and anchored in the stream previous to sail ing.

The schooner Mary Eliza takes 20, COO timber to Levnka.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Wangantji, sth inst. The St. Kilda left late last eveniug for the Manukau.

Wellington, This day. The Phoebe sails North to-morrow. Napier, May 5. The s.s. Cyphrenes arrived at six o'clock this morning, and left at 7.45 a.m. for Wel lington.

COMMERCIAL.

CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST,

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below: Calls. £ a. d. Date Auckland Whaling Co 210 0 May 9 ?. üby, „", 010 May 13 Lincoln Castle .. .. ..010 May 13 Queen of the May .. .. 0 10 May 13 £ na 0 0 6 May 13 Royal Oak 0 10 May 13 Pride of Tokatea.. .. ..006 May 13 Windsor Castle 0 0 6 May 16 National Bank of N.Z. .. 010 0 July 1

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails win, Close as Under :—

For Thames, to-morow, at 10.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandeli to-morrow, at 12 30 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Ladybird, on Wednesday next, at 10 am, For Levnka, Fiji, per Southern Cross, on Friday next, at 3 p m. For the places, per Cyphrenes, on Monday next, 11th instant, as under : — For Fiji.Sandwich Islands.United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 10.30 a.m. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10.30 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 9.30 a m. Late letters bearing an extra fee of 6d will bo received by the Mail Agent on board up to time of sailiDg. (Signed) 8. B. Bihf, Chief Postmagter.

BIRTHS.

Beaumont—On May 5. at her residence, Colilng wood-street, the wife of Mr William Beaumont, of a daughter.

DEATHS.

Harbiss—On 4th instant.at Willow-street. Freeman's Bay, Mary, youngest daughter of Samuel Harrlss ; aged 18 months.

The funeral will leave her father residence at 1.30 p.m. A.DAMS— On March 4, at 3ier residence Elliot street, Joanna, the beloved wife of Henry Hopper Adams: aged 50 years.

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

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And tibe good that we can do

Another block of wooden buildings in Queen-street burned down is an announce ment which will neither cause very great surprise nor deep sorrow to those who have no special interest in the losses and misfor tunes of the sufferers. Beyond all doubt in the case of fires in Auckland what has been a private loss is a public gain, and one can not walk through the city and note the class of buildings that are taking the place of these destroyed without feeling a sense of satisfaction at the architectural improvement that has followed in the wake of the fiery element. But, after all, this is far from a satisfactory way of renovating our city, and valuable buildings are imperilled by their

proximity to the old tumble down erections that are being steadily cleared away at the cost of the Insurance Companies and the unfortunate tenants. It would not be difficult to point to many blocks of buildings in Queen-street which have paid for themselves over and over again, and should now be pulled down; but so long as they command the high rentals at present being paid for shops that are scarcely habitable they will, we fear, remain a standing menace to the surrounding proper ties. While insurances to the full amount, an d sometimes to a fancy value, can be ob tained on these buildings, owners will ever be content to let and tradesmen to occupy them at the risk of the Insurance Companies; but if the various companies doing business in the city resolved to taboo some of the more dangerous of these blocks, and by com mon consent refused to issue policies over them, no matter how high the premium offered, the owners of the buildings most assuredly would never get any sane person to risk a valuable stock in them, and. pay a high rental with the certainty sooner or later of losing all by fire—for it has been reduced to a mere question of time now. Owners of property will find it. to their ultimate interests to pull down these shanties and put up good shops. With the rapid improvement made in the city of late years the wretched buildings which still disgrace Queen-street must be diminish ing in value, and their occupants losing caste, which every far sighted business man must perceive.

The occurence of a fire is a never-failing text for discussing the questions of water supply and an efficient fire brigade, but we are not going to do anything of the kind just now, we shall simply

place two sets of facts in contrast and leave our readers to draw their own g onclusions. In the early stages of the Queen-street fire this morning a very mode rate supply of water at the command of a well-organised brigade would, beyond all question, have saved the block —the water was wanting, and the Insurance Com panies' Brigade disbanded a few day's ago— *he result is fifteen buildings destroyed,while even the property saved was recklessly and inexcusably smashed by the disorganised efforts made to remove it. At Grahams town this morning there was also a large fire in the very centre of a block of wooden buildings, and in the heart of the town, but the water was available, the Fire Brigade was not behindhand,and the result is that the fire was confined to the building where ifc originated. Let the Insurance Companies and all others interested ponder these matters.

Nearly every immigrant ship that enters our harbour brings its own peculiar ta^ y J misconduct or mismanagement, ]) or ette's detention in n- mtltme se r ved to draw special a^; ntiO n to that vessel, but a feature in connection with it has developed itself which is likely to occupy the attention of the Police Cour and public during the ensuing week. Ten men belonging to the crew of the vessel have been arrested for broaching cargo, and will bo brought up at the Police Court on Monday next. The detectives have been busy during the last few days collecting the stolen goods, which comprise almost every variety of clothing, from a boy's cap to a gentleman's pants, besides sundry articles of ladies' attire which are beyond the power of a masculine scribe to define. These have been collected from places of concealment in dif ferent quarters of the city, the bulk of them having been found at Newton. They now lie piled in glorious confusion at the Police station. All the goods are new, and were consigned to various soft-goods houaes in town. Rumours are also rife regarding a want of proper discipline on board, which these wholesale robberies ceitainly seem to indicate, and the novernment, if not already taking action in the matter, should at once institute some inquiry for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of the reports now very freely circulated in town.

In conjunction with other journals in New Zealand we have received a Government telegraphic memo, from the Commissioner of Telegraphs relative to the order recently issued by Justice Chapman in the case of Macassey v. Bell, for the production of cer tain telegrams. The memo, intimates that the Government had declined to comply with the order, and were prepared to resist it by all legitimate means, and that the Government are determined to guard the interests of those who use the wires. This is satisfactory so far as it goes, but the memo, only shows the uncertainty of the law in re lation to the secrecy of the Telegraph department.

An article in the Tyrone Independent of February 2S has attracted some attention in Auckland during the last day or two. The Cross led off by re-publishing so much of the article as suited its purpose, omitting, however, with characteristic unfairness, its very pith and substance, namely, an extract from a leading article in the Auckland Evening Star some months back. The Herald to-day corrects its morning contemporary by re-publishing the extract, which throws quite a new light on the sub ject ; but our contemporary also fails to in dicate in what journal the remarks originally appeared. The simple fact of the case is that the leading article which appeared in our columns relative to Mr Farrall'a dismis sal by the Agent-General was read and cordially approved of in Ireland, and was made the text for an article in the Tyrone Independent, denouncing the action of the Agent-General. The Independent expres sivelysummarizesthecauseofthe failureof our immigration scheme when it remarks that " unfortunately for New Zealand the gentle man who now represents her interests as her Agent-General seems remarkable only for his supineness and inactivity." The reasons that led to the supression of the extract by our contemporary are not difficult to understand. The attention commanded by the Star in places where the Cross is never dreamed of must damp the " thousand beacons," but we really cannot help that. Honesty and fearlessness in the public interests will meet with approval everywhere, and if our contemporary followed in the wake of the Star by looking at public ques tions from a colonial point of view, and not through Government spectacles, its fame might even reach Tyrone. As it is, the emigrant from Britain who first receives the Star from the bundle that is put on board nearly every emigrant ship leaving the London docks learns' Something of Auckland months before he reaches our shores.

The first monthly meeting of the Auck land Institute was held last evening in the , Museum Buildings, supported by a con siderable number of members. In the absence of Sir George Arney, who has gone to Wellington to attend the Court of Appeal, Captain Heale gave the introductory address. Papers were read by Mr David Hay on the planting of trees in the avenues of towns, which elicited an interesting discussion between Mr C. O'Neil, Mr Gillies, Dr. Purchas, and Messrs Baber, Barstow, and Lodder. Mr T. F. Cheeseman then read a very instructive paper on " The Fertilisation of the New Zealand Orchids." In con sequence of the long discussion on Mr Hay's paper "the subject of Science of Probability," to be introduced by Dr. Kidd, was postponed until the next meeting. j Several donations of curiosities were acknow- I ledged as having been received since the last meeting. The following gentlemen were admitted members of the Institute :—J. Adams, B.A. ; Rev J. Bates ; E. B. Dickson, B.A. ; F. J. Lambert, F.R. A.S. ; Eev C. M. Nelson, M. A. ; and Rev Gideon Smale. A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting. We learn that Mr George Bennett, sharebroker of this city, met with an accident yesterday through the bursting of his fowling-piece while on a shooting trip in company with Mr George Godkin, hotel keeper, of. Drury. It appears that the fowling-piece burst and injured Mr Bennett's wrist and left hand rather severely. His arm was at once bandaged, and he was con veyed to Papakura. A telegram was sent 'to Auckland for a conveyance, in which Mr Bennett was taken to Auckland, where he had the immediate attention of Dr Philson, who amputated a portion of the little finger of the left hand and dressed the wounds. We learn that Mr Bennett is still in a weakly state through loss of blood, and it is to be hoped that he will not lose the use of his hand, although it will take a considerable time to complete his recovery from the un fortunate accident.

A grand miscellaneous entertainment will be given on Thursday evening, the 7th inst., in the Devonport Hall, for the benefit of the widow of the l?te W. Newman. A good and amusing programme is in preparation for the occasion.

The members of the Newmarket Literary Institute are proceeding week by week in the path of progress, and deal with questions of philosophy, morals and politics in a manner which is commendable and emi nently calculated to improve the minds of young men. We have a few similar classes in Auckland, but apparently without the critical acumen of the Newmarket Institute. Thi3 evening the secretary announces by way of a change a series of glees by the choir, and readings and recitations by the members from the choice works of the poets and prose writers of Great Britain, and an agreeable evening will be the result.

A stranger in glancing through our daily advertisements, and noting the number of daily losses, would be led to believe that the population of Auckland includes a large pro portion of very careless people. In last evening's issue, for instance, he learns that a lady left her brown rupian leather bag on Constitution Hill, an excellent place for an airing ; that another person, probably a lady, lost her Post-office Savings' Bank book, and that another person lost a pair of boots on the wharf, but whether from the feet or hands we are not informed. We cannot but sympathise with the losers, although their losses may be others gain. " 'Tis an ill wind that blows good to no one."

We learn from advertisement elsewhere that there is a Mutual Improvement Class in connection with the Wellesley street Chapel, and that this evening there will be a discussion on the comparative characters of Cranmer and Latimer, to which the public will be ad mitted without charge. Meeting to com mence at half-past seven.

The Anglican Bishop and the Rev. C. M. Nelson will proceed South to-morrow to attend the General Synod of the Church.

The re-opening of the Prince of Wales Theatre by the dramatic companyj including Miss Stephenson, Miss Tilly Andrews, Mrs Searle, and Mes3rs Collier, Booth, South, and Searle, was equally successful as on the previous occasion. Thn performances con sisted of Miss Braddon's dramatic adaptation of her famous novel "Aurora Floyd," which was represented in a smart, truthful, and sensational manner. Miss F-tephenson, as tho heroine of the piece, displayed all the characteristics of Aurora with her effective ability. Mr Collier, as Stephen Hargravcs, Mr South as Harrison, and Mr Searle as Wilson, pive life and vivacity to the motley performance. The burlesque of "La Son nambula" was also well put before the audience, and the parts sustained with vigour and vivacity. Miss Clara Stephenson hit ofF the character of Alcssio with re markable cleverness, and Miss Tilly Andrews personified the beautiful Elvino with striking truth ; her pretty song, " I fancy 1 have seen you before" afforded rnueh p'easure to the audience. As a whole the pieces were well performed and justly applauded.

A sale of Waikato lands took place at the Waste Lands office to-day, and was marked by unusually 4 spirited bidding. The Te Awamutu village allotments sold at large ad vances on upset prices. The following |were the chief sales .- —Lot 5, 20p, £56, W. Kirby ; lot G, 20p, £55, T. Holden ; lot 7, 20p, £53 ; lot 8, 20p, £-20, J. J. F. M. Grace;lot 22p, £07 10s, G. Wilkinson;lot27, 22p, £61, W. Aitken; Other allotments brought large advances on the upset prico. Te Awamntu : Suburban allotments 1, 2, 3, 9, brought from £32 to £50. Town of Kangiriri allotments were sold at upset prices. Lot 48, Cambridge East, 1 rood 32 perches, realised £150, the Bank of New Zealand being the purchaser. The other parcels offered at the sale at tracted less attention, and there was no bidding fjor the Tauranga lots.

A meeting of the members of the Harbour Board was held this afternoon. Present: Messrs Daldy (chairman), Macfarlane, Casey, Niccol, Hill, Boylan, and Eaton. The business consisted in receiving the resigna tion of Mr E. C. Jones, Engineer, a letter from Mr E. iiichardson respecting a dock site, which has already appeared in the journals, and a letter from Mr Edwin, of Wellington, upon weather reports. The accounts were brought up which shewed balance in bank £319 5s 3d, cash in hand, £9 Is lid accounts or dejed to be paid £777 (5s Gd leaving a debit balance of £34S 9s 4d. The remaining business was of minor im portance.

The case of George Taylor v. William Lundon and Benjamin Greene was resumed to-day in the District Court before his Honor Judge Beckham, being a claim of £50 damages for assault and false imprisonment. Mr Joy appeared for plaintiff; Mr John B. Russell for Mr Lundon, and Mr Brookfield for Constable Greene. The case will occupy the whole of the day, and as his Honor will have to consider several technical points judgment will probably be reserved until next Court day. As the case is somewhat romantic we shall give the new story of the Harp of Erin in to-morrow's issue.

The Choral Hall was not quite so well filled last evening, although the Claus- Etekel Company gave a very excellent concert. Lady Fergusaon and a number of ladies were present, and the performers received that kindly applause which they so well deserved. The violin solos of Mdlle. Claua were truly exquisite, and especially effective was this eminent artiste in the soffcly-stirring duet " Kreutzer Sonata" in company with Mons. Rekel. Thecavatina "Traviata," by Signor Cecchi, elicited great praise. Our local singers, Mrs Mitchell and Miss Leaf, added variety and grace to the concert. Mrs Mitchell sang " Only for Thee," a sweet bal lad, in her own sweet style ; and Miss Leaf rendered the pathetic Irish ballad "Kathleen Mavourneen" in her best manner. The con cert musically was a great success, adding another leaf to the Claus-Rekel laurels. The Rev. Dr. Croke, Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland, has written announcing his safe arrival at San Francisco, having landed there much to his satisfaction on St. Patrick's Day. His Lordship is in good health, and intended to remain in San Fran cisco until the arrival of the following mail steamer, and then proceed on his journey to Europe. We are requested to state that the enter" tainment to be given at the Devonport Hall, o n Thursday next, is not the re-opening of the hall, and that it is ouly by the extreme jjindness of D. Burn, Esq., who, taking into consideration the circumstances, has allowed its being used in an unfinished state. The Choral Society met last evening in the Wesleyan Church for practice, preparatory to the Claus-ReU el concert in the Choral Hall on Thursday night, in which the Society will take part. There were about sixty mem bers present, and several choruses from Der Frieschutz were gone through very successfully. The anvil chorus from " II Trovatore " was also rehearsed with marked effect. This will form a striking feature in the evening's entertainment, and will be performed in a way never before equalled in Auckland even by the Opera Troupe. Arrangements have been made for firing a cannon by electricity from the hall, and all the arrangements are made with the view to giving the piece with the effect contemplated by the composer. The Claus- Rekel Company have not received the sup port they merit, and we hope some compen sation will be made on Thursday by a crowded hall. Their kindness in assisting the Choral Society at their last concert deserves ample recognition in this way.

"TWA HOURS AT HAME."

The lovers of Scottish melody and song are about to enjoy a real musical treat, and which is not often to be had in the city of Auck land. On Monday evening next Mr Ken nedy, the celebrated Scotch vocalist, assisted by his two daughters and three sons, will commence his series of entertainments, in cluding the choicest songs of Scotland, from the works of Burns, Hogg, Tannahill, and others, with pianoforte accompaniment by the Misses Kennedy. These entertainments are of a high-class character, and have estab lished the fame of the Kennedy family, not only in the colonies but in Edin burgh, London, and the principal cities and towns of Her Majesty's dominions in both hemispheres. There are numbers of Scotch men in this city who will keenly appreciate the musical memories of the land o' cakes, and who will not fail to patronise the efforts about to be put forth, not only for their pleasure, but for the gratification of all persons who have souls for the trUe, the manly, and the beautiful in horic music associated with harmonious numbers. Scotland assuredly has won an enduring position among musical nations, and if she has not eclipsed Germany in musical art, she has surpassed that country in her lyrical productions, and wherever the strains of Handel are heard, or the songs of Uhland sung, there are also heard the songs of Burns and the music of Thomson. We are bold enough to affirm that Scotland has more reason to be proud of her pleasant poets than any other nation in the world. We gather from Kennedy's handbook that Mr Kennedy has made a very judicious and acceptable selection frem Scotland's cabinet of minstrelsy, which includes such world wide and universally-known songs as "A Man's a Man for a' that," " Auld Lamr Syne," " Auld Robin Gray," " Bonnie Prince Charlie," "Highland Mary," "John Anderson my Jo, John," "Logan Braes," " My Nannie O, " " Scots wha hae wi' Wallace blerl !" "The Macgregor gather ing," '* Ye Banks and Braes o' bonnie Doon," "There is no luck about the house, " and some forty others, illustra tive of Scottish life and manners. The man or woman of poetic tas'e, in listening to these songs, must feel in the language of one of her obscure minstrels that these songs are— Sweet ss the skylark's early strain Whan Spring walks tip-toe o'er the plain ; Soft as the breeze at evening's close When dew hangs on the blushing rose. And exclaim— Enchanting strains ! rude, simple, wild, I've loved you from a very child ; I And wedded to the poet's song, Your trilling tones are all divine— The mingled strains my Joys prolong. The happy f)ast • gain is mine i I live in days of Auld Lang Syne. In one of the late Lord Lytton's novels, " Night and Morning," he speaks of the songs of the Ayrshire peasant as the music of nature, and his reference is just. Burns felt that to touch the heart was the great work of the poet, and that to do this he must embody, in all their purity and power, the feelings and sentiments of the age in con nection with the manners and customs, the natural scenery and historic incident of his country. Hence in one of his poems we find such words as these :— die me a spark o' nature's fire, That'll a' the learning I desire : Then, though I drudge through dirt and mire, At p'ongh or cart, My muse, though namely in attire, May touch the heart. Burns did touch the human heart, and therein lies the secret of his universal influence, especially with the wealth-producers of the world. It was natural genius alone that guided his spirit when he wrote that wonderful wierd poem of his, "Tarn o' Shanter," and threw into it that beautiful description of the evanescent nature of earthly pleasures, and pictured the flower of the poppy, the snow fall on the river, the borealis, and the rain bow, and wove them by the magic chain of poetic analogy into a garland of beautiful imagery. Not only will the picturesque, love, and historical songs of Burns be intro duced night after night at the City Hall by the Kennedy family, but other highly meritorious poems from the pen of the gifted Lady Nairne, the authoress of that universal favorite the " Land o' the Leal," "Will ye no' come back again, "and the well-known Scottish fish-wife's song, " Caller Herrin'; " also, the sweetly plaintive ditty " When the kye comes hame," by generous-hearted Jamie Hogg, the "Ettrick Shepherd," and the "Auld Scots's Sangs," by the amiable John Bethune, one of the brothers whose lives have been so eloquently written by the auld Scotch minister. Mr Kennedy will at intervals give such admired recitations as " How oor John sochfc me for his wife," Wilson's " Watty and Meg," and other quaint stories ; and perhaps the pub lic may be treated to one or other of the five humourous Scotch poems of Eobert Leighton - one of Scotland's last and best poets, the reading of which charmed and drew forth eulogies from Longfellow, Emerson, and other writers of eminence. We believe, from what we know of the Kennedy family that their entertainments cannot fail in giving satisfaction to the majority of the people of Auckland and its musical suburbs.

THE PRESBYTERIAN MAGAZINE.

Owing to pressure of other matters we have been compelled to delay from day to day our notice of the Presbyterian Church News for May. The number is a very good one. It opens with a well written leading article on the necessity for a travelling secretary for the Church, and with practical suggestions for se curing one. An unspoken sermon by the late Dr Candlish, composed by that able minister shortly before his death, and never preached, will be read with special interest as embody ing the matured thoughts of one who has occu pied such a prominent place in the Church. The remarkable revival proceeding in Scot land at present forms a chapter which will interest the Church in all parts of the world. The Rev R. MacKinney, of Mahurangi, con tributes a paper on "Henry Cooke, D.D. L.L.D., of Belfast," which will we are sure be hailed with satisfaction, and cordially ap proved of by the North of Ireland Presby terians, who are all familiar more or less with the influence exerted over the Church by that celebrated minister. In another contribution of the "Church Decorum " series the writer shows that he is not afraid of dealing with the faults of the parson as well as those of the congregation. The Rev. Dr. Wallis furnishes a paper on "Woman's True Beauty," written with his well-known freshness and vigor of style. This is the prospect he holds out to the maids of Auck land : "O, women, maids, and matrons ! ye may be all beautiful. Abide in your own sphere : be kind-hearted, dutiful, true, patient, and self-denying; and let your whole character be rooted and grounded in faith in Christ; and then I can tell you that, whether ye be black or white, whether ye be homely or comely in feature, ye are beautiful before God and His angels; that whether ye be horny-handed toilers for daily bread, or the highest lily-handed of the land ; whether your abode be the kitchen or the drawing-room, the poor-house or the palace, there rests upon you something of " the beauty of the Lord our God himself." The remainder of the number is made up with well-compiled colonial and foieign church news. «^^,.,

ANOTHER LARGE FIRE.

FIFTEEN HOUSES BURNT IN QUEEN STREET.

MORE VALUABLE PROPERTY

SACRIFICED

About half-past twelve last nighb the now familiar fire-bell was heard once more dinging out its alarm notes in the clear night air, and as the warning sound was taken up from street to street the usual commotion attend ant upon a midnight conflagration became apparent. To the suburbs of Ponsonby and Parnell the fearful clang travelled, being rendered louder and more penetrating in the crisp autumnal air, striking awe to the dis turbed sleeper, and rising many a one from his cosy sleep to rush forth into the midnight scene of woe. The writer of this sketch was pursuing his lonely way to bis lodging in the last named outlying district when the start ling notes first came borne across the valley of the Strand, causing him to arrest his steps and eagerly scan the horizon for the unfailing red index of the direction of the outbreak. Right over the Choral Hall was seen a thm column of black smoke slowly ascending from a dull crimson glow, which seemed at first but the reflection of an insignificant bonfire of rubbish. But as minutes passed the ruddy glare became intensified, and presently thick bursts of fire and smoke told that the affair was more serious than at firpt supposed. Just at this moment a frantic individual came rushing up, shouting "The bell! the bell!" The writer had not thought of tak ing up the signal, although the fire-bell was within a few yards of him. Quicker than thought the man swarmed up the ladder, and then the cracked old bell took up the story in an excruciating manner. " Where is it, my man?" "Top of Queen-street somewheres, I thinks. I'll just give one more ring and hook it;" and then he kept his word, for he nearly knocked down the bell, and darted off like a lamplighter in the direction of the fire. Following in more dignified manner the scribe, whose antici pated night's rest has vanished like the—— no, not like the smoke, for that was doing the reverse of vanishing—like the Insurance Fire Brigade would be better, descends the Fuse, and strikes out his course for town. By the viaduct two old gentlemen, muffled up to the ears, stood watching the reflection, and at the same time keeping up a running conversation with another man who stood upon the line above, the subject being the wonderful fires each of them had seen or been present at. Away across the the Strand We run, and up Constitution Hill we walk. As we gain the top the mighty shower of sparks that is now whirling aloft tells plainly that the conflagration is a serious one, and moreover still spreading. And now Symonds:street is gained, and here a beautiful yet dreadful spectacle greets the eye. The body of the fire is still hidden by the Choral Hall. Only every now and again a higher shoot of flame than usual shows the forked tongues above the roof, but away up the street the effect is grand. Every house on the left stands out in bold relief with its front like burnished gold. At nearly every window are peering faces, and as we look now and again a door opens and forth rush men and even women to swell with us the crowd of excited spec tators. Passing the Choral Hall we turn into Park Place, the new unfinished street connecting Symonds-street with thecontinua tion of Princes-street, for now we see the flames are darting from the hollow at the foot of Upper Queen-street, and " its the Army and Navy Hotll" is the first expression that rises to our lips. But here our course re ceives a check. Bright as the moon is and brighter still the burning pile, the illumina tion extends itself wholly aloft. The surface of the earth is dark, and the glare upon our eyes renders objects close to us nearly in visible. It thus happens that coming sud denly upon a pile of boulders to be used for flagging the kennel of the street, we all of a sudden find ourselves involuntarily using strong language at full length on the other side. Experience makes us careful, and we turn at last into Wellesley-street east, in full view of and in close proximity to the fearful scene. For a few minutes it is uncertain in what street the frontage of the burning building faces, It is obvious that several houses are on fire, and that much damage has already been done. Taking in the position at a second glance, we see that the flames are issuing from houses at the junc tion of Queen-street and Wakefield-street. The fire must by this time have been burning neatly twenty minutes, and from the appear ance of affairs it seems probable that the height is not yet reached. On either side are wooden buildings, while a number of miser able tenements stand trembling in the rear looking as if they did so wish they were brick. If they didn't their uninsured owners did at any rate. All these it was obvious must go. But now let us get round into Queen-street and look at the aspect of things in front. Before we move from our commanding position we cannot help giving another look at the wonderful glow which rests upon every thing around. To the south, east and west the land rises, and the houses are seen towering above the flames, which as they alternately sink and rise, impart a fainter or richer depth of colouring to their emblazoned fronts. The sight is inexpressibly grand, and the position ren ders it more impressive than any coup d'ail afforded by the previous fires. Making our way through the crowd of onlookers which, late as is the hour, swarm, buzzing and hum ming like bees, around the outskirts, Rut land-street is gained, a thoroughfare from Wakefield-street into Lome-street, which it seems will probably bound the devastation in that direction. Here we lose the general effect, and details become apparent. One sight that strkes our eye simply makes our blood boil. One engine is pouring, or no, it would be exaggerating to call it pouring, is dribbling a feeble stream into the flames which are about as much affected by it as a regiment of soldiers would be by a popgun. People are busy in all directions moving furniture, and saving what property they can in the time afforded them by the onward advancing flames.. In Queen-street the crowd is very great and there are the usual features of such a scene. The piled up goods and chattels hastily removed to the other side of the street, the hose stretching along the street sending as much water out of its leaky joints and cracked skin as out of the jet at the end, the open space immediately in front of the I 1 burning structures, which does not re quire clearing by the police, the gaping crowd, the firemen, and last, but not least, the police are all in their usual positions, and a description of a fire a year ago will do for this one. Bat we must make our en quiries as to the origin of the outbreak ; and now leaving our feeble attempt at picture painting let us see what are the facts of the calamity. The fire was first observed in a nar row space about ten inches wide left between the premises of Mr Francis' crockeryware shop, and those of Mr Giles, the butcher. Here flames were seen issuing forth by several people about 35 minutes past mid night,* and efforts j were at*[once made to extinguish them. One} ruan.£nanied Butter-

f nil of water were, however all o^ V at the moment be obtained anVu Co^ quence was that the opportuSL as usual. Not long afterth? los* the fire had taken possession of ifflß*- mises, and it was clear that £r pte" doomed. Fortunately there was Ktf **» wind, and the sparks were not cmSV*»o distance; but still as the flames Sr^ created a mighty rush of air mStyS themselves into more vigorous il?** Up and down the street on eiSS there was the usual rush to cW Kde property and the usual senseless ta?*? and wilful damage on aU sides.SSlo e steadily the fire moved in its career*,' struction. Mr. Evitt, at the first aW- c" removed his stock of gunpowder toa 1 of safety, and so removed a fertile ■ «*&• apprehension. About twenty minutest the beginning a Mr. Williams ofT Thames, was standing on a verandah Jr it gave way and precipitated him ifo 5? street, inflicting severe injuries to higv, 1? A cab was called and the sufferer • taken to the hospital. We understand i was not seriously hurt. The course of ik struction continued right and left j about an hour and a-half five houLf the north and no less than eleven t the south or on the upper side » consumed, nothing but the chiauS being left to mark their sites, NothinenT curred during the destruction to call* special comment. After the first klf.U/ it was evident to all that all that were bomS must go. The question was would the fee be stopped by the Pacific Hotel to the north and Rutland-street to the south. Thef or ' mer is a substantial brick-built structure and after Easdown's bakery had caught (this was after McMaster*s and DaltonV^Jj gone) its south wall was exposed to intense heat for upwards of half-an-hour. The sama may be said of a stone-built storehouse in the rear. The flames licked both and curled round about them 'with menacing fierceness but the good bricks held out, and though they cracked and fizzed as the water was thrown over them amid the flames, both bnildinsa came out of the trial of strength victorious This was in a great measure to be ascribed to the efforts of several gentlemen who worked like Trojans passing water in bnckets along the adjoining roofs. Among these we noticed the Captain of the lone, Mews A. E Isaacs, Philson, andßrigham. The houses destroyed on the other side were those belonging to Mr Aley, watchmaker (burnt out in the fire opposite some months ago); Mr Woodward, baker; Messrs French and Co,, grocers ;Mr Travill. watchmaker; Mr Bed fern, photographer (burnt out in the last fire lower down the street); Mr Brooks, boot maker (burnt out twice before); Mr Hop kins, chemist; and Mr Daffy, grocer, The stocks in trade were mostly secured, but the process of removal was to some nearly as destructive as the fire would have been. The dough sponge on Mr Woodward's bakery was ready for the oven, and as at tempt was made to rescue it. Such a mess was, however, made of it that it was ultimately left in the street, and afforded great fun to the army ef small boys about, who showed themselves very clever at hitting persons in the eye wiii pellets of it, and then dodging pursuit. The efforts of the firemen became at last concen trated to preventing the spread of the flame* up Wakefield-street. This they were success ful in doing by keeping Mr Sandafl's pre mises and those adjoining in Rutland-street well deluged with buckets of water, though the heat was so great that the steam ponred off in volumes. Capt. Simpson, of EM.S. Blanche, and some of the officers and crew rendered great service in pulling down an old bakehouse in the rear of the main row of houses. By this means, undoubtedly, another larger building close handy was saved. A cottage belonging to Mr. C. J. Stone, in Rutland-street, and closely adjom ing Mr. Daffey's store, was included in the ruins. It was not till close upon three o'clock that the flames were got under in any noticeable degree. By half-piwt to all danger was removed, though a blocfc ot firewood behind Mr. McMaster's premises still burn*; merrily. This was not extin guished till four o'clock. The following is a list of the insurances:- New Zealand Insurance Company- Daffy and Hopkins, stock... ... $00 Redfern, stock "' Z Francis, do. ... - _^ • ."£6OO Royal Insurance Company— m £ afff; • ..; 200 Hopkins "• 7j|) French ■•• •"■ 1( w) McMasters, stock - ,£2,300 South British Insurance— French, stock ... ••• •;* McMasters, building ... •••■ ___ £650 Victoria Insurance Company— Francis, buildings ""200 Dalton do " y$ Easdown, stock ... — "* j& m Norwich Union Insurance Company- Brooks, stock '" j25 "Woodward, stock ... ••- "' __ r : -: r £375 National Insurance Company— ggj McMaster ... ••• - Liverpool London and Globe— g-j Giles, stock... — ••• "' 400 Costly, buildings ... —■ '" \~ -0 _ Scottish Commercial Insurance <W^jj, Aley, stock Imperial Insurance Company— p j Pacific hotel... -•- - J."

THE LOW LEVELS AT THE THAMES.- DEPUTATION TO THE SUPERIN TENDENT.

A deputation from the Tham , Jj of Messrs Jamea Maoky, « So per- Kennaa waited upon intendent and the Provincial em g morning with a view to obtMNjg Government a loan of &W£ prosecuting the drainage of^ ■ J the mines on the Waiokara^J nt J deputation were «rih^£Z tbe?irj" Bright Smile, the o^l^^ in-Hand, City of Exchange, Queen of May, VMJj d of Thames, City of YorK, ::; , England mining companies. g^juJJ or twojaymg «. T^ upon tb<lfX j no objection to a smaU t»^ _. , taken out. j,. by bi» f f gg^i. I In answer to questions j{, w^J Smile cost about f-I^^, E:lf Queen of Beauty abou^^ works were 0* 'w^ald b*** 11^ the intended works wwu°

ma atgynra a*a», tubst)a.i. may b i«ri



TJUSEBROOK & EEIDGMAN Have great pleasure in announcing that they are NOW OPENING UP THEIR SHIPMENTS Ex Norhata Castle, Hylton Castle, and Dorette, 1 Consisting of— 56 CASES AND BALES OIP NEW WINTER GOODS, And respectfully invite attention i . .. to the same. GENTLEMEN'S CLOTHING, BOYS' AND YOUTHS' CLOTHING, HATS AND CAPS, HOSIERY. Children's New Felt Hats, ladies' Black Straw Hats, Flowers, Feathers, Ribbons, &c FANCY DRESS GOODS, FRENCH MERINOS, WINCEYS, WOOL PLAIDS, FLANNELS. LADIES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS. CHILDREN'S AND LADIES' WATEPRROOF TWEED MANTLES. UMBRELLAS, Etc., Etc., Etc. FURNISHING GOODS, And a complete New Stock in every Department. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholf.3a.l« and Rkta.il Drapers, Clothiers, &o JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) TJpper Queen-siheet, Auckland. JJBTONPOET HALL. A GRAND MISCELLANEOUS ENTERT AINMENT Will be given in the above Hall on THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 7. For the benefit of the Widow of the late W. Newman. ■ksS^ 6861™486^'885 Second Seats, 2s;



"QETIRING FROM THE RETAIL xw J. COSGEAVE & CO. Are giving tip their Retail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will be held TO-MOEEOW, the 14th of March, and will continue until the entire > Stock is disposed of. We ara now landing THIETY THOUSAND POUNDS "WOETH of DEAPEEY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr Cosgravb from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Old at TJNPKECEDEETEDLY LOW PKICEB. No credit will be given during the Sale. [Established 1864.] T\ STEPHENSON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAN D," " KAGLE BRAND," "CROWN BRAN D," Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and Storekeepers throughout the, Province of Auckland, D. STEPr/tfNSON & CO., "W V N D, ft A M STREET, Auckland. /CAUTION. 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, som<> unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, »nd pass the same off as "Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRADE MARK 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 FOE OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and wrapped round with his well-known label.