SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HlftH WATER : This evening, 5.35 ; tr morcow morning 6.0 SUN" SET : This evening, 7.14 ; SUN RISE: to rn orr >w morning. 4.44 MOOX'd AiiJi : *ull Moon, 23rd, 4.35 pm

ARRIVALS.

Dement, hrtg, Bow*r, •, (m - ewcastle Pacific, choo er from -at.,r island «ol,len I>le sohooaor, fro^n Ruwll Onwsr RRhnoner. from * an * r ■*. Mary Melville, schooner. f rom Russell , _ , . 'n tha Manuka >i . Taranaki, a.s, from ;h« South

DEPARTURES.

Agnes, schooner, f r Ly tert m

r jNewca-,T<e '■ ement.... '^rq- e erlr *<T -rut n, »-B)an.-.he sib-- ;er c rtv r■y te to.. « Aitßtiti.aM; early; Wi)l=;m GirT< r early P" --in Frat ci^f - Coi <or n shi)> 28 h insta t * .hrene>, KM » ».. 2 ih btc mber (fcn^li I For i. ►on-Of yof Auckland sh; , e.irly £ oi h raise—Souihwn C<oss, Missionary barquentiu early '

VESSELS EXPECTED.

«"J lueinoarne, ss. or Cyphrenes, s.s, from bydney, 28th instant Hero, s.s , from Sydney, about sth January next R>Jir of the South, ss, from Levuka, due M-.c regor, ss, from San Francisco; sailed 10th Dei Caematii, ketch, from Napier Papua, schooner, from Karotonga, parly Assaye, ship, frem London : suited September 3 Cospaiick, ship, from London ; sailea Bth September femora ship, from London ; sailed September 26 Dilharee,barque fr m London; s^ila.i October 2 inverene, ship, from London ; sa 1 d October Warwick ship, from London ; sailed October wjHl^?, bar4ue> frotn New York.via adelaide, loadin ( .Haiti]i Rose, ba-qae, from New York; sailed Sept. ii Wi.nti(-.leer, brig;, fOm Hobart Town early tun, bri^antine. from L> ttelton, early vision, brig, from Dnneiii-i, eaily BeDe Hmruu.n, schsontr, fr->m Levuka ■ >ditb schooner, trom Sooth S^>, Island's, early Dauntle.s», (2), shooners from New Caledonia Aurora, barque, froai Syduey. earjy JlenUworth, he ooner, from Samoa, enrlv utago, barque, from Melbourne, via Dunedin, early

IMPORTS.

"Per Derwent, from Newcastle : 329 toit oals order.

Per S(hooner Pacific from Eva, (Friend! Group) : 4 cases brandy, 5 boxes tei, 5 cas s flowers, 3 c«ses beer, 1 case schn*ppes, 1 case perfumery, 2 cases handkerchiefs, 2 trunks samples, Owen and Graham ; 2 cases Pn jXatf'aQ ard 'o ; 2 cas s, .». Smar and Co. ;10 bundles hoop.iron. 1 case curio , 10 casks oil, 42 bales wool, 2Si tons cobr«. Uwen and Graham.

The Golden Crown arrived at Melbourm on the 6th instant

The ship Zealanrlia entered outwards foi -London December llth. Captain Sellars ba received a complimentary letter for hi promptitude in lowering a bost to the assist ance of two men capsized from a boat in bydney. The men were saved.

The brig Derwent arrived from Newcastle yesterday morning after a good run of elev-n days, daring which she carried moderate westerly winds. The Three Kings were sighted on the 16th. The Derwent bring 3 a cargo of coals to order.

The schooner Agnes left yesterday for Lytfcelton.

The schooner Pacific came in from Samoa and other South Sea Islands on Saturday night last. Captain Crisp reports leavim Eoa on the Bth and having fine weather throughout the trip. The Pacific brings » cariio of Island produce for Messrs Owen aad Graham. Mr J. Gilfillan comes as a passenger.

'.'lie s.s Claude HamiKon leftHokitika foi Melbourne early yesterday morning The s.s. Taranaki arrived at Onehungs from the South yesterday morning with general cargo and a very large number of passengers. Saloon — Meadame3 Mitchell, Jones, MeGowan, Brewer, Kissline, Gavin, Veale, Morey; Misses Eowel, McKonzie. Trftwin, Stephenson, Brent; Messrs Prince. E 'wards. Carrick, Kisaling, Christie, Will*. Biury, Martin, Bond, Hobinson, Wills, Butler, Hill, Orsborne, Hill, Roberts, Vea'e Davis, Krippner, Buscke ; and 14 in the steerage. Captain Carey commands the Taranaki this trip to relieve Captain Wheeler, who takes a holiday at H elson. Mr Evans will take charge of the Wellington during her next round trip. The Golden Isle, schooner, brings 110 tons coal from Russell. She came in on Saturday night. The schooner Onward brings 26,000 feet timber from Wangaroa for Messrs G. Hold ship and Co. fc»he arrived Snnday morning The following are the latest advertised dates of sailing of Messrs McMeckan, Black wood and Co.'s steamers, from Melbourne, fir the South : Alh^mbra, 19th instant, via Hokitika ; Otago, 23-d instant, via Milford Bound and the Bluff; Oraeo, about 30th instant, via Bhiff. '! be s.s. ladybird left for the Pouth on Saturday. Passengers—Saloon: Missee His lit^g. Davidson. Ko&kruge. O'Halloran, Lodge, Messrs. Guvett, Ru.-ham, Litchtield, Tom linson. Hcare, Lethbiiige, Raymond, Atkin son, Turrell, Hale, Mugin, Hales, Way, AnsUy, tlotk ns, and 25 in the steerage. The c s. W cnj.a WVnga is to leave for Sydney at noon on Wednesday. The bngantine Augusta left the Thame? for Lyttehun, with timber, on Sunday, the 13 h inst

'lhe schooner Mary Melville, Captaii' I'rquharr,, anived laso night f>ora Kusseli, with 100 tons coal, for Mr M. Niccol. She the B.y on Friday night, and had light Westerly and N.iN.E, winds duiing the passage.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ENTERED INWABDS,

The cutter Mercury arrived from "Raglan on the 19Dh, with 35 pigs, ord<-r ; 4 cases bacon, 2 hides, 1 bale woo', Barnes ; 5 bales Wool, order.—J. VV. Waller, agent.

The cutter idem, from Kaipara, arrived on the 20ib, wita 22,400 feet timber, W. S. Graham ; 3 hidts, 9 bags gum, Rolph, St; ny and 00. — Names, a^ent.

The cutter Hero, now in the Manukau, brin.s a general cargo trom the Kaipara for Mes-rs Shirley Hill and A. Barnes.

'i he schooner Merlin its being loaded with timber at Onehun^a, by Mr J. W. Waller, for Waitara.

Toe schooner Florence is detained in the M«nukau by contrary winds.

COMMERCIAL.

Mess-rs Tcwks & Co. sold to-day, at their mait, by order of Mr P. Darby, six valuable hous^ at the coiner of Durham and Hobson- Btre«-t-s for £855. The leases of the tolls realised per month as under: Newmarket slaughter house, £82 ; Panmtire Bridge, £12 o-i; Nevimarket toll, £205 ; Otahuhu do, £67 10s; Arch Hill do, £13 ss; Mount Eden Eo^d do, £70 ; New North Roa 1 do, £41 ; Water Supply, £40; OneLunga Wharf £71. These were the terms per month for a letse of six months. At Mecars Cuchrane and Sods', the dwell ing house and property in Hobaon-street were passed. At Messrs Arthur's fruit sale to-day, ex Wonga Wonga, a good business was done in fruits. Bell and Gargonal Pears, sold from Id io 2Jd, according to sorts. Scotch, and Nelson apples fetched 2<i to s£d. Black Plums 2Jd to 4|d, and cases of oranges 10.* to 10s 3d.

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

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1874.

For the c»ns» Shut lack? snni*t,ance, I'OT the wronif ti.at needs re ; ;i»taae,\ fror tou is.wvs in the distrtnee, t.it-4 tin ftfofi •ih.nt wt> c*i: o!o.

Some weeks ago we pave an extract from a Sydney paper, which th-it journal had pub lished as illustrating " Woman's Infidelity and Man's Shame," to which also we ap pended the. subsequent coming of the parties in question to New Zealand. The account, as given, plaoed the man in the more favor ab'e light. W e have to day been furnished with the following account written by the 0 her side, which we have much pleasure in publishing on the fair principle Audi atteram part.am. Although the writer appends her signature, we withhold it, as no names have boeu hitherto mentioned, and as her state ment -will serve all the purposes intended without such unnecessary publicity : "To the Editor of the Star. Sir, —Pro- bably you will allow me a small space in your journal to answer the strange story that came from Sydney—'A woman's infidelity a,nd a man's shame.' So far as the marriage the statement is tolerably correct, but the 4 old salt' could not tell the truth. That would have condemned him, for I understand 1 it was by his direction that this scandal has* been published. Why not tell the whole truth, that I had married the husband of another, a man whose wife is now living. All this 1 have lately found ont. Let him force me to reveal his secrets in a court of justice, where I must seek redress eventually. He said nothing about his tyranny and knock-down-blows (when unbridled), which was often the case, or the obscene language he usud continually to me. Believe me, sir, I could relate a very melancholy tale. W:is it to hide my shame he came to Auckland? Oh, yea ! Sydney gob too hot for him, so we came to Auckland. 1 lefc him my wardrobe, taking with me my jewellery and a few pounds, which I bad a perfect light to. Since landing here J have not been found in any of the places old 'salt' pointed out as my likely haunt, through a satanic wii-.h to bring me down to the lowest depths. He never saw anything very wrong with me. and never had need to be jealous. I can appeal to thousands who had opportuni ties of judging of my character and conduct, since the period of our iirat unfortunate meeting."

Relative to the Parncll common school "A Parent" writes :—" Sir : Gan you or any of the powers tha' be inform me how it is that, the above school is a^ain the exception as regards there being no public examination prior to the break-up for tho L.»Ka«yo. In it because that the gentlemen on the committee are so strongly denominational on the one hand and careless on the other, through having no children of their own, that they systematically neglect the interests of those who think differently on matters of faith, and who really have children attending tho siiid common school rendered commonest by neglect. I have been looking for an explana tion from Mr Leonard, but have not yet teen it. This is a cause that lacks aa&i.stance, and s such 1 ask you to insert it.

The ladies and gentlemen forming the choir of All Saints' church have gradually fallen away of late, and yesterday morning not c single tinger appeared to assist in tha musical part of the service, even the organist had a sore throat. We learn that there has been no efforts made to keep the All Saints1 choir togeiher, and for some time no practice meeting has been held ; hence the intt-rest has died out. The members of the congre gation did their best to compensate for the loss of the choir, but without the singers the seivice was somewhat monotonous. We regret to hear also, that Mr Hammond, through whose exertions chiefly the new school-house was erected, lias resigned his position as superintendent of the Sunday school.

Baker's excellent entertainment at the City Hall, descriptive of the Green Isle, was largely patronised by the people on Saturday evening last. The melodies of Moore were ren iered with peculiar sweetness by Mr Baker, and the life and vivacity of Mr John and Miss Moran met with a warm reception from hundreds of Irish and English hearts. Several new features will be introduced this evening, and Wednesday night will be the last oppoitunity of seeing this really good entertuiument.

The school teachers monthly meeting on Saturday afternoon was but thinly attended in consequence probably r>f the fine weather. Dr Kidd occupied the chair. Mr Worthing ti>n, the secretary, was absent through in di-po&i.ion A letter was read from Rev Dr i owie, Bishop of Auckland, promising an address at the teachers' annual meeting on " Training," a subject on which the bishop is well qualified to speak. The annual meeting will be held on the 30th inst, when the teachers will take an excursion to tiler slie.

The committee of the New Zealand Reform League announce the second of their course of lectures for Wednesday evening next, by W. L. Eees, Esq. The object is the Land Fund and the taxation of a people, a question of great importance at the present time, es pecially to those persons who have the future welfare of the colony at heart.

The notice that the s.s. Taranaki has brought up a large crowd of sporting men. Although we have no wish to disparage the votaries of the " National pastime :" we rather like them : but we dont like the "rag tag and bobtail" of shady characters who come in their train. We have heard of the little games of some of these gentry at Wel lington and we inform them in confidence that special preparations have been made in view of their advent. We might publish a few names of those whom it behoves to be careful but a word to the wise is sufficient.

We are sorry to hear of the death of poor Joe Noyer, the waterman. Joe was an honest and straightforward man, marked by a few eccentricities.

The Choral Society have decided to per form the "Messiah" on Wednesday next, and will, we believe, be strengthened on the occasion by the assistance of Mis 3 Christian, the distinguished contralto. There will be_a lull practice to-morrow night.

The opinion of the Australasian having been taken on the point raised in connection with the last Occidental sweep, and being decisive as to the non-legality of the first drawing, Mr Porkina promptly announces the payments this evening of the money due to the Bturters and non-atarters obtained at the second drawing.

" Observer" writes thus of "The Govern ment dominie iv. New Zealand":—"The most useful, the worst paid, and the most ill treated member of society, I believe, jtp be the " dominie " or schoolmaster. Di* Ividd, late of the Auckland GraJnma'r School, and Mr Hawthorb> late doctor of the High School, Dlinedin, are remarkable instances of this. Both these gentlemen are admitted to be first-rate scholars, and devoted to their profession, yet on 'one pretext or another they have been worried to death almost, and have resigned their situations in disgust at : the treatment they have met with. I read the report of the Government Commission appointed to examine the Dunedin High School, and it, struck me strongly than Mr Hawthorn was in the hands of the Philis tines* He was obviously smarting under a sense of ungenerous ;aid unfair treo/menr, a . treatment which appears to litive injured his^'/ tiealrh <,r en-laug^red his life —and ac all/ events, has resulted in bis resigning his situation. After thit, who, with i-he feeiinys of a gernleman, would be a Government schoolmaster in New Zealand, unless con- ■ nected with some dominant party. In | schools, as in everything else, we ought to j have open and fair competition, and no bolstering up of one school by Government money and patronage, while others are left to their own private resources. The result of such a system must be favouritism and jobbery." Attention is drawn to the stock of jewellery kept by Mr G. I. Alexander, selected at the best English and Continental houses. Mr Alexander is a thoroughly practical jeweller : and knows what he is ordering, having oa : his last trip on the Continent made himself , acquainted with the firs,t manufacturers, j now that the holidays are coming, and with j them the season of gift, an inspection of his | f-tock will repay intending purchasers of this i class of goods. In reference to the case heard in the Police Court, on Saturday for firiug cannon within city boundries, we arc requested to state that no permission was given to h're cannon on a j late hour of the night. So far from this be- j mc the fact, trie breach of the bye-law was brought under the notice of the police by the officers of the City Council. Sergeant Brough ton some time since, obtained permit for Artillery practice during the early part of the evening, and imagined no other permit was necessary. On the latter occasion he called and explained at the City Council offices, after receiving the summons. The police were then requested, under the circum stances, to use their discretion in either with drawing the charge, with a caution, or to ask that merely a nominal penalty might bo in dicted. The by-law which reads, " Dis charging any firearms within the city of Auckland without the consent of the City Councd," 13 a copy of a by-law in existence in every other town, and of course it is abso lutely necessary there should bo such dis cretion allowed when there are large numbers of Volunteers who may, on certain loyal anniversaries, require to use firearms. We would draw attention to the list of city :ind suburban agencies of the Star, pub lished in another column, where copies of this ; journal may be obtained by five o'clock any evening- 'Ihe agencies are stationed at points along the main outlets of the city and in the suburbs, ko that persons desirous of obtaining copies before the hour at which the runner can reauh th<-ir neighbourhood may do so. Owing to the number of papers which the runners have to deliver, it is often very late before they get to the far end of thesnburbs ; but a messenger on horseback delivers bun dles of papers at each of the agencies men tioned immediately after publication, so that early copies can bo obtained within easy distance of the residence of every inhabitant of Auckland. If there are any central dis tricts not yet supplied, we shall be obliged for informa'ion on the subject, left at our office, and the want will be supplied. We exceedingly regret an error which appeared in an advertisement notice in Saturday's issue, respecting the funeral of the young lady who had met with her death by the late accident at Par null. The notice which stated that the funeral would Imvo "at 2 p.m. to morrow," viz , Saturday, was brought to this office on Friday for insertion in that day's issue, but in the burr}' of making-up was omitted ; but worse still, it was inserted iv Saturday's issue without alteration, and led a large number to believe that, tbe funeral was to take place on Sunday. The fault was entirely within this otiioe, and we are exceedingly sorry that such a circumstance should have occurred, especially in connection withan event invested with such painful associations. The members of No 2 Company meet on Wednesday morning at Mount Eden range at half-past live fharp, for first monthly com petition for .Mr llobinson's medal. Mr. Alison, propi-ietor of the Willow Grove Strawberry Gardens at the North Shore, has made arrang- ments for opening the orchard adjoining the gardens, which will add an acre to those large and attractive grounds. Picnic parties should drect. their attention to this admirable rcsortduriDg the Christinas holi days, as they cai there obtain shae'e, plenty of ripe fruic, mlk, and all the necessaries for such occasiois. The half-yeary meeting of the directors and shareholdes of the Windsor Castle Gold Mining Company was held this after noon, Mr McKinstrey in the chair. The directors'report was passed. The balance sheet shewed a dsbtor balance of £190 11s 3d, against which were due, in calls, £101 14s 6d It was mjved and carried, " That the directors call for tenders for letting the mine, or any pcrtion of the mine, on tribute." The sbipwrightsof Auckland will hold a meeting for geueri business in connection with the society, mis evening, in the Albert street Temperance Hall. The Auckland Branch of the H.A0.8. Society during a brief existence of twelve months has infeased in numbers to a re markable extejt, and now numbers 130 members, most of whom are active and zealous in the tork of the Society. At the recent half-yedy meeting, there were no less than eiglty members present. The following offices were chosen for the ensuing six months : j- James Clark, president; Joseph Little,! vice-president; B. Hamill, secretary ; MJDervin, treasurer ; M. Gal lagher, warde ; H. P. Hayden, guardian. In consequenc of the pressure of business, the election < the remaining officers was postponed unt the next fortnightly meeting. As will be pen from another column a public meeting will be held to-morrow even ing in order tojake steps for assisting those who are to be ade the first martyrs of the Education ta We understand that the People's Chaipion is to be up, with several others beforeJMr JBsckharn, on Thursday next; and wttever may be our opinions regarding thefcducation rate, honesty com pels us to sayjhat those who feel with Mr Staines shoul stand by him on the occasion. Mr Staines i not fighting his own battle merely, but that of all who dislike and wish tojsist the tax. When defeated last y ear in Carfc, he paid his rate like a man, and at preset differs in no way from the thousands wi h<ve not yet paid this year's rate, save making a prominent position in refusing. Jwill be unfair, therefore, as it will be cowjdly for any person holding the same views j stand quietly by and leavejhim to fight the Lttle at his own cost. We do not really tmk that the resistance will lead to much prjtieal profit, but we do say that it is unfair r Mr George Staines to have to bear tbe sij of all the others while they quietly see m made their scapegoat. The adjoined meeting of the co-operative Meat 3upplj Company will be held at St. Mungo Caf jo-morrow; at 7 30. p.m. for the purpose of tcting a committee of manage ment and liring Mr Dornwell's exposition of affairs,

"Senex" takes the Grammar school ex- s aminera to task thus : Sir, I had the pleasure t to-day of beiiig present at the examination of ] fcoiiieof the pupils attending the Grammar j school and was much, pleased with what I <■ saw and heard. In one, class however, I s fancy I heard the word " LacKrymabimdus" translated " full of tears." May I ask the ( professor through you, would not ( " Lachrymosus" be the word for "full of ( tears" and should not "Lachpmabundus" be translated "about to weep 'I" x The Prince of Wales Theatre was well ] filled on Saturday evening, and the interest- £ ing drama, "The Wandering Heir," one of i the many productions of the author of ! " Never too la c to Mend," was well leceived. | Tbe piece i« full of adventure and hair-bread h escapes, and to tins character Mr Coilierdid ' Jml justice, wh.ie Miss May Howard a-s j 'Pr.illipi.ia ( ht-ster, acted the part of the : - loving maiden, whose iuti-nse l<-ve for the wandeer sa^ed him fr.in imp^n liug ruir and disaster. The leading pwrlonners were several times cajled before the curtain by the delighted audience. Miss Collier represented the youthful heir, in the first act, with much ability. Mr Poole took the character of Jep, Mr Deering that of Jedidiah j Miss Patty Holt that of the Irish nurse, whose character with all native enthusiasm was a fine performance. The scenery and view of Dublin B&y wa3 faith fully painted by Mr Tom Kemp. The " Wandering Heir" will be performed again this evening. In addition to the handsome testimonial presented to Mr Worthington by the scholars of City East School on Friday last that gentleman received on Saturday the following from the young ladias forming his training class, accompanied by two very use ful and handsomely bound volumes, "Book of Days "— " The members of Mr Worthing ton's class have great pleasure in presenting to him this small token of their gratitude and esteem, for his unremitting attention to their studies, in prospect of the coming examination." In replying to the young ladies Mr Worthington remarked that " the highest gratification he could receive would be' to know that they are successful and competent teachers." The Rev. Father Bourke in his publishe . lecture gives the following : —"There was ad poor fellow down in my native county of Gal way I dersay some of you know the pUce—he was standing in his corduroy breetches, and grey stockings, and thebrogues that he wore were not worth mentioning, because they had neither soles nor uppers. As he stood in the door of his little cabin, the pig was inside playing with the children. An Englishman was passing and saw the pig in the man's house ; and he said to him— " Now, my good man, why do you allow that pig in your house? It does not look quite right." " Why," says the irishman, "has not the house every a ccomodation that any reasonable pig would require?" Oh! the light heart of the Irish race ! If on this platform there were now an Irish piper, or an Irish fiddler, and be struck up an Irish jii^, do you imagine, priest and friar as I am, that I would not feel the heels {^ing under mo ? There was a man died in Galway, and his friends brought a. bottle of whisky to the wake. It was bad stuff, anS the tradition of the town goes that one of the fellows was about to take a horn of the whisky, when the corpse sat up. :< Jemmy " said he "that is not the real stuff; that will give you a headache as sure a3 God made little apples and put them on the trees." We have received a full report, too leugthy for our columns, of the Ohinemutu grog case heard before F. B. Hamlin.Esq It M. The case was : —Kigina, on the information of Hone Werahero, v. Thomas Bennett, for a breach of the 45th clause of the Licensing Act, 1871, adjourned from the 18th. instant. It. was again brought before the Court, Mr Naden acting as Crown prosecutor, and Mr Piercy as Jnterpretor. Evidence was taken for the prosecution, after which a large number of witnesses wei-e examined for the defence to show that Arihia, the Maori woman, who was subsequently raided iv the hot lakes was not aruuk when she left defendant's hotel, or any time that day. The Resident Magistrate, iv giving judgment commented very strongly upuii some portion of the evidence adduced, and dismissed the case with costs against the informant to the amount of £G4 lGs 2d, —rather a warning to persons who, without sufficient grounds bring serious charges against others. Return of sick treated at the Provincial Hospital for the week ending Saturday, December li), 1574 :—Remained last return, 71 ; admitted, 11 ; discharged, 0; died, 2; remaining, 74 (males, G2 ; females, 12). Arrangement of cases : Zymotic, 11 ; consti tutional, 10 ; local, 35 ; developmental, S ; violent, 10. Two deaths occurred during the week, viz., Ist, W. W., male, aged 40 years, on 14th from abscess of liver ; 2nd, A. hj. 8., female, aged 12 years, from con cussion with fracture of the skuO. Thanks are returned to Mrs Putnam, Mrs Leaning, and D. L. Murdoch, Esq., for books and illustrated papers; to P. A. Philips, Esq., for American and English illustrated papers. A seizure of smuggled tobacco was made by detective Jeffrie isn Official Bay on Satur day last. An investigation is likely to be madd into the affair by the Customs author ities. We have to acknowledge half-a- crown from Mr C. H. Smith, of Parnell, in aid of the Irwin family, in behalf of whom we made appeal on Tuesday last. And we would renew that appeal earnestly. The bread winner of the family is prostrate with rheumatism, which has succumbed him to a lengthened confinement in hospital, owing to his ieg having been broken by an accident at Freeman's Bay ; and an effort is being made to procure a mangle for Mrs Irwin, by which it is hoped she may be able to support her fire children and her husband, Avho is now utterly helpless. It will afford us great pleasure to receive and transmit any sums that may be kindly given for the purpose, and the donors may have the satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing to relieve the burthen of one sorrowful Christmas tide.

CHRISTMAS SPORTS.—ELLERSLIE GARDENS.

The Ellerslie Handicaps closed ou Satur- j day with the following entries :— ELLERSLIE CUP. (Half Mile Handicap)— Peacock, Edward Sewell, Charles Hopkins, Fagan, Edward Nolan, James Whisker, Edward O'Hare, Abraham Good, Thomas Tanner, J. Clark. 300 Yaeds Handicap (Amateurs only) — Peacock, Manukau CO. ; E. Eorder, Edward Nolan, James Regan, Ponsonby C.C. ; Thos. Henderson, Auckland R C. ; John Ranwick, G. Atkinson, J. Donovan, Manukau C.C ; Robert Long. 1 Mile Handicap— Edward Sewell, Chas. Hopkins, Fagan, Abraham Good, Thomas Tanner, J. Clark. 200 Yards Hanmcap (Amateurs only)— Peacock, Manukau CC. ; Edwin Davy, Manukau C.C. ; Edward Nolan, James Regan, Ponsonby C.C. ; Thos. Henderson, Auckland R. C. ; G. Jennings The entries for the other events at the Ellerseie Gardens close on Wednes day at noon, according to advertise ment -which appears elsewhere. A capital day's sport may be expected. An early hour, 10 o'clock, is named for the commencement on Saturday, and a short programme has beeu arranged in order, as we are informed, to give visitors the opportunity of witnessing the horse-racing in the afternoon. Great preparations are being made on the course. The track has been improved by a straight finish of 100 yards having been made opposite the Grand Staud. This will he bounded on the outer side of its whole length by a fence 3ft. 6in. in height.' Ropes will extend from either end of this fence half way round the course. All spectators will ' be required to keep outside these bounds; i the object being to secure for all an unob-

itructed view of the Taces, and for the run- pi iers themselves a clear course. The Hobson at Band has been engaged by Mr Robert Gra »> lam for Saturday, and their strains will no in loubfc enliven the proceediDgs consider- R tbly. A charge of two and sixpence iviil be made to the Grand Stand. The baadi- & ;aps are to be ready for publication on Thurs- h lay. The gardens will hold otic emjcnerable p jther attractions bebides (he sport* TJh« 8 ;rees are now in beau ifui fol ag , tue tv f «v y uhe dancing lawiiS is green »iid ela^iio fruixi \< ihelate weiiiai r-<ius, whili the s rawberry berix L ire ia their pririie and the flo*-eraenchaur,mg. 1 A larue ciowd is sure bo [i ,ck to t-he «ardena a if toe weather is propi-r-us Tenders for a r,hv; booths, c, arc to b«; s^nfe 10 Mr >■. • Gr-itiam's offi;e by co-morrow, accuidm^ to A a uerti^i meur. a

MADAME GODDARD-. FAREWELL CONCERT.

Fok Madame Arabella God lard's last Concert, | ( to be given iv tue Chotal Hall i.his eveuibg, i: the programme is highly attractive. In the 2 first part the gifted artiste will perform that ( sonata of Beethoven to which, for its peculiar * beauties, the title of " Moonlight" has been ( given. The second part Madame Goddard ? will open with Brissac's brilliant fantasia y " Bonnie Scotland," in which several popular 5 Scotch airs are introduced, and for her tinal ' solo she has selected Thalberg's " Home, sweet home,' a well-known piece, but which will be played this evening in a style which j has never been equalled, and could never be , excelled. When Madame Goddard was in ( England, thousands of her countrymen and ■ countrywomen travelled sometimes hundreds j of mi.es to hear her play this one composition. . The numbers set down for the other artiste?, ■ which include two or three novelties, would , form a good conceit programme of themselves, and suificieut to attracts large audience ; but as this evening the greatest musical artiste < that ever came amougst us makes her last . appearance in Auckland, even the capacious Choral Hall ou^ht not to be large enough to contain the audience that should assemble.

SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND GRAMMAR SCHOOL, PARNi^LL, AUCKLAND. The annual distribution of prizes took place on Friday, at 4pm., His Lordsnip the Bishop of Auckland in the chair. The Bishop called upon the Head-master for an address, who gave an acconnt of the school during the past year. He said that the attendance of the boys was very regular and punctual, and this was the more rematkable since there are between 70 and SO boys, many of whom came from long distances. Tnac it is only when a boy regards his school duties as paramount to every other considera tion that he makes satisfacdory progress. Ihe boys can ea ily be known who stay away on account of rain or slight illnesses. They steadily fall behind the regular attendants at tbe periodic examinations, 'i hac the public examination at the end of the year is only one of a series. There are monthly, quarterly, and more especially half-yearly examinations conducted in the same way as this final oue. At the final examinations the masters take no part ; the examiner is appointed by the governors of the school, and the account of the work done during the year in the school is sent to him. The examiner was for nearly a fortnight engaged in ascertaining the knowledgo of the boys. The upper classes by printed papers, and the lower division by papers aud oral examination. The examination papers de serve the attention of the friends of th" school, some of them are quite masterpieces for unity aud harmony, 'lhere is noc suffi cient attention paid generally to the import ance of appointing a good examiner. That there are five hundred good teachers to one good examiner, althougti the former are not plentiful. A gross injustice is done to the most intelligent candidates for examination where the examiner is Si> incompetent that he does not know the difficulty iv drawing up a proper paper. The Head-master said that by actual experience he found prizes had a most beneficial effect. The boys who fail only work the harder, as there aie some boys who are very successful this year who did not get a piize before, although they have worked hard for several years. Of course, unless there is a proper examiner and exami nation, it would be a gross injustice to give prizes, for then mere cram would be pre ferred to real knowledge. He said that it is part of the education of a boy to know ho<v to bear success and to bear failure just as the feeling of the great importance of school duties gives them in earjy .lite that higher sense of respectability, which is the backbone of a good character. Air. Adams called attent on to some neat plaus of about seventy acres ot tne J>orx,ain, which was one of the new subjects of study during the past year, a subject in which the boys took a very great interest. He hoptd soon to have mixed mathematics taught, and also the modern languages conversationally, aad that as we have an excellent botanist here that the schoola ought to i..duce him to cake a part in the educaaon of the>outh. He hoped that in course of time every subject that a boy should learn would be taught in connection with the school. Mr. Adams spoke highly of the conduct of the boys, and of their eager ness to excel in physical as well as in mental exercises, and he hoped ttu.t the proceedings of the school would be fully investigated, as such schools are at present out of favour, | although they do their work well without ! any large endowment. The Key. C. M. ISelson conducted the examination. As the ! prize list has already appeared iv our morning contemporaries, it is unnecessary to iepeatio here.

MRS. HAMMOND'S SEMINARY, PONSONBY.

At Mrs Hammond's Ponsonby Semirjary on. Friday evening the prizes were dis tributed to the young ladies, several of whom gave evidence of great progress since the commencement of the school in 1870. Miss Varnom took the leadine prize for tha highest position in general study, music aod draw ing. The second and third piizes were awarded Miss Harris and Miss Kate Hammond, and seveial other young ladies in the second, and third divisions also won prizes. Miss Matthews ai d Miss Fletcher were successful in needlework, and rewarded accordingly. Miss Trip received a book of tiavels in acknowledgement of her assiduity as a pupil teacher. The pupils presented to Mrs Hammond a very handsome work-box as a token of esteem. The evening was passed in a very pleasant manner, with music, singing, and dancing, and the school broke up tor a vacation of three weeks.

EPSOM HOUSE.

The closing of this school for Christmas holidays took place at Epsom House, One hunga, on Friday, the 18th instant. Mrs Lewis, when delivering the prizes, admonished the pupils to strive to do well all they attempted, and then, though their progress might be alow, success would ultimately crown their efforts. She had great pleasure in highly commending their general good conduce and kindness shewn to each other especially to the young membeis of the establishment. Mrs Lewis said she was very pleased with the advance made by the pupils in all their studies, particularly in needle work, writing, drawing, and mapping. She thanked them for their handsome pie sent, but hoped for the future they would cease to give one. The subjoined s a list of the recepients of the prizes : - Fibst Class (under 18 years).—Early Attendance, Ciphering, and .Music : Miss Brown, Ist prize. Heading : Miss A. Davy, Ist prize. Good Conduct : Mus Mossman, Ist prize. Writing and Keedlewoik : Miss Kells, Ist prize. Lessons and Clasics. French and Singing : Miss J. May, Ist prize, -fcixercises : Miss Richards, Ist prize. Good Conduct, Dancing, and Exercises : Miss Brown, 2nd prize. Lessons, Writing, Dan cing, French, and Music : Miss A. Davy, 2nd

rxze Early Attendance, Classe^R^ id Drawing : Mi ßa MossmS \^ l% eedl,work; Miss May, 2nd prize 0 M*. ig. Drawmg, and Sunday ILJW lichards, 2nd prize on» Mi 88 rwiOND UiASs (under 15 years\ v, . Seadiugr Good Conduct: Mm GarS^' •r z,. L. 8 011s, . iwses, and Wr^'if* •ynion Is, Ist prize. Cyphering \T 8 r.« -, JJrawn.it, an P encu : MisflJavL , ••I**. Kxe.ci-*,, Dancing, and v *»..»> VUsH./niss Is pri z ,. E^J J.mc.n* : M.BB * laWer, 2nd prize cT" 8" .nd Mu-ic : M,,s Gill, 2ud JL- rT^ ,ud Fench: Miss SyrnoncU, 20.d Jeedlework: Miria Longley.^dprfe. R Lttei.danoe, Lessons, ( yphennff v,« l? ~-Mus.cj Miss Yate ß , 2nd p.S fe> v.d G-...d fomincfc: Mi«* H0,,i.« 2ndn,lDS Third Class ( un der 10 years of VT' S.rly Attendance, iNeedlework, and V ;..n.lnc«.: Miss A. Gardner, l s ? r^ yph.riD-: Master Br.tt, 1« pvize. fij Ugs Master Cawkwell, Ist prize. Danrin Master Walker, Ist P r lze Lessons Jj Jlasses : Master Flood, Ist prize. Dano,v Master Brett, 2nd prize. Writing : S'' Cawkwell, 2nd prize. Lessons and'ciasgef Miss A. Gardner, 2nd prize. Readin Writing, and Good Conduct: Master B<^f' 2nd prize. Needlework : Miss L. Keaned7 2nd prize. *i, GRAFTON ROAD SCHOOL. The annual examination of pupils attend ing the Grafton Koad School on Friday w very successful. Mr Batger, Chairm an * f committee, spoke of the resignation t Mr Martin, and wished him success bis new undertaking. He hoped ft ' pupils of the Grafton Road Sc^i would keep up the reputation the school hA obtained. —Mr Lnckie, M.H.R, who di tributed the prizes, spoke very highly of M Martin's system. —Mr Wayte also made a few appropriate remarks to the pupils. As the prize .lists have already appeared in our ' morning contemporaries, it is unnecessary to repeat them here. j

SPR INGVILLA SEMINARY.

The prizes were presented to the yonn» I ladies of Springvilla Seminary, bytheßer 1 E. X. Bree, on the evening of Wednesday 1 16th instant, viz. :— I _Lxami>-at.on, First Class. -lat pr j» 1 Mis 9M. Leighton ; 2nd prize, MissHinnv 1 3rd prize, Miss Collins. I jfl Second Class. Ist prize, Miss Mook- 1 2ad prize, Miss Bowden; 3rd prize, Mia I Lipscombe. ' J Third Class. —Ist prize, Miss Evans •hi 1 przs, Miss A. R, Leighton; 3rd prize, Miss I Cunningham, ij General Improvement.— Misßesi.owen and F. Faircbiid. f French. Miss H. E. M. Lanpsford. ! MUSIC —Five ties -Misses Hanna H E M" Langsford, Mook, A. Owen, "and' Fairchild. " ■ The essays were examined by Mr. Bree I and three prizes given, viz.: Ist, Hj^ 1 Hanna; 2nd, Miss Home; aad 3r£ Miss 1 Fowley. || The most scrupulous cannot fail to approve II of the impartial manner in which the prizes i are distributed at the above establishment 1 The examinations are publicly conducted,' 1 and Mr and Mrs Addey take this opportunity ft of inviting tbose interested in the education 1 of ibe young to visit their school and see for j themselves whether the tuition imparted is I thoroughly efficient and worthy of. their I support. 9

TEACHERS' EXAMINATION.

TnK annual examination of teachi|rs -who H wish to qualify for tbe Government'schools, ■ commenced this morning at the Mechanics' ■ lusciiute. There were thirty lady catidi- » dates aod fif<een gentlemen who offufi B themselves for examination, of whom sa !B are competing for teacher's certificuteM ' some for assistant teachers and pnpu I I teacber3. 'She number shows anincrease oa I last year. One holder of a second class ce> m tificate is tryir g to obtain a first. The ex- 1 amination, it is expected, mil be finished by ■ to-morrow. Mr O'Bullivati, the Inspector of I Schools, is conducting the proceedings. 8

CRICKET.

Several cricket matches were played on ■ Saturday afternoon, but owing to the arriyal I of the Wonga Wonga with the Suez M«il I news, we were too fail of weigh'l! r matter to give our young friends of the wilowtbeir due prominence. The following is a brief epitome of the various contests :—' ! HAUHAUS V. THAMES. j This match was commenced at thePanwai Gardens, Thames, on Saturday morning, about half-past ten o'clock. The Haiflim took their innings, and adjourned to/lunch, when a thunderstorm Bet in, and prewited the match being resumed. The "rebtls put together 95 against the trundling of no less th^n seven of the Thames team. Sm {anglice, Mr W. L. Rets) made a fine score of 42 by some beautiful and dashing pl«y» his best manner. Buckland and Masebela (Pakarana and JSiehipira) also made pm Btands. What the Thames men wooldl ton dove we cannot hazard a guess,; UpmioM vary. Appended are the scores, the. nan* being translated into English :—. Davies, run out ... • ••* . Nolan, b Burgess - i v>wanson, <; Curtis, b Burgess •••,"•;' 1 Rees, b Kobinson ... ... ••• ."'ia ' Masedeld, run out - ••■ , 1 Jackson, run out ■•• ... j Waierhouse, c Crump, bSteadman ••■ • Buckland, c Burgess, b ttteadman :»| Mason, b Steadman ... ...■•• W. Philson, not. out "'| Colson, bSteadman , ■•/( Byes, 2 ; leg bye, 1; wide, 1 -'4 •" -:; J Boioling Analysis.

MANAKAU V. CARLTOff. (BETCBity I This game was played at •OnehuDg';^ I was won by the Cariton boys M%r I innings. Scores : Manakau, first innlDi I stcond innings 47 ; Carltao, first inning ■ Fwr Uarlton Meara made 16, and U WW.^ ■ Wears also bowled well, taking tbfrW* I of the Manukaa wickets. 1 WAVERLEY V. PONSONBT. .^ I This match was played in the [V?^ I and was witnessed by a lar^e pa j ß j I spectators. rJhe totals made J» ' »vj_j, | innings of each club only differed by » ■ unit, the Waverley men putting togew_ ■ and the Fousonby 43. For the fitf"^^ I Pollen 13, and for the latter n^^i I M'eie the ony double-figure men ~n go{ I 2ad innings of the Waverly theW'Vfy I Wil is and Regan made sad havoc w^ i timber. When a beauty from wuii ■ the last man, the small addition oi I had been made to the previous scon*- ■ gave the Funsonbys an easy ,t*''.»»/ I ihey accomplished without, fiowe* ■ brniiant display of batting.. I NOB.H SH SET. WJ*ST END S"00^/ 8- $!t\ The JNorth Shore ground : "^.{ji* 1 re«iue scene of this interesting & w'• v el,m.. was cut short by the " enemy » ftaj ■ mteresting phase. Jn the "le Shore men mad« 31, aft" , c jforW* Eud 38. In the second ™]$.g l fr»/&W Shoienes put together 7U % fi T a ,i<!»V.| pJay, in /hich W. Cochraoe, 1J I Siccol and Gerrard, 11 ef, ch: f S^M cuons. When time was called tne ijjj ■ men had three wickets jfc^gnW^J , The>st^amed non on the am | i seven runs. I

thel evmnyQ stab, Monday, becembee si, vm.



Name. Burgess ... Kobinson Lankham Brassey ... Paul Hewitt ... JSteadman

u I 22 22 9 7 5 8 17

1 2 f 0 0 0 0 4

i



J^EW "CASTLE COiL, NOW LANDING, 5x D»rw -nt, FOR SALE ALONGSIDE VESSEL, In lots to suit buye 'a at 3 : 4S P E Jft TJ^ Nf ' OAs H . JAMES W. WALLER: | OU3TOM HOTJ3fi-3TKBET.



VTEW SUMMER KKESS GOODS We have just rpened a very choice lot of NEW SUMMER DRESS GOODS,- Comprising— NEW PRINTED MUSLINS, in great variety. GRENADINES. Pi, IN BLACK, BLACK STRIPED, and COLOURED STRIPED GRENADINES. WHITE SATIN, STRIPED MUSLINS, CHECK MUSLINS, Etc., Etc., Etc. The above are NEW GOODS, just landed, and vorthy of special attention. RUSHBROOK & BPJDGMAN, (LATE R. H0BB3.) VHoiiESAii and Retail Drapers, Clothiers JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) UPPER QUEET* - STREET, AUCKLAND. iIT E ARE NOW SHOWING OUR MAIL GOODS Received per s. s. Hero, Consisting of COSTUMES, PARIS BONNETS, TRIMMED HAi'a, SIAVTLTCS, FBaTHERS, FLOWERS, GLOVES, <fee, &c, &c. ; Also, 72 CASES PE R ZISA.LA.NDI A, Comprising— PRINTS, DRESSES, and MANCHESTER GOODS J. COSGRAVE & CO. Orr £ HAVE OPENED Per Ship Hydaspes: 2 2 CASES or MEN'S AND BOY'S CLOTHING, PANAMA HATS, FELT DO, in Men's and Youth's Sizes. J. COSGRAVE & CO., IMPORT HRS. EDWIN HOLLOWAY AND J. TONSON GARLICK Beg to inform the inhabitants of Auckland they bave pxirchatied the Stock and Premit.es ftnown as THE CITY HALL DHAPKRY, CLOTHING. AND CARPEI' iiSTABLISHMEN'r, UPPER QUEEB-STEEET, From Messrs Coso-.ave & Co., VT A LAJItfE DISCOUNT OFF ENGLISH COST. A SALE OF 1 HE GOODS "Will be held When that New, Extensive and recently-imported tock, purchased from th« Mam.factureis of England FOR CASH, will be offered to the public at . IMMENSE REDUCTIONS. Drapers and Storekeepers are invited to attend this great dale, as it is the intention of the proprietors to CLEAR OUT THE PRESENT STOCK, n order to msike eit*n:-ive alterations in th Building. A splendid opportunity for Country Settlers to purchase at LOW tiATifiti HOLLOWAY & GARLICK, CITY HALL T\HE NATIONAL BANK or NEW (ZEALAND), Limited. CAPITAL £2,000,000 SUBSCRIBED £1,000,000 RATES OF INT E 3 H ON DEPOSIT On Deposits fixed for 30 days', 5 % $ annnm On Deposits fixed for 3 months', 5 J % & annum On Deposits fixed for 6 months', 6 % 18 annum DAVID HEAN, Manager. Auckland, 17th December, 1874. TTNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. [Established 1837.] PAID-UP CAPITAL £1,250,000 RESERVE FUND £400,000 THB HIGHEST CURRENT RiTE OF INTEREST ALLOWED ON FIXED DEPOSIT. J. B. BRATHWAITE, Manager. A



CHIEy POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND. Majxs will, CcnsK ah i-oLT.owa: — For Thames, this day, s at 6.30 pm, and to-morrow at 9 30 a m For Coromandel. on Wednesday next at, 5 pm For Kawau and Matakana, per lady Bowen, to morrow, at 10 a m For W»nß»rei, etc,, per Sovercisu of Seas, to-morrow, at 2 p m For Australian Colonies, per Wonga Wonga, on Wednesday nest, at 11 a m For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, a.t 1- a m Late letters for Si dney an/1 Melbourne, will be recived till 11 30 a m For Twanaki, Southern province* and Australian Colonies, p«r Taranatri, on Thursday next, at S a m For the unde--niei.tioi.ed pip. es per Cyphrenes on Monday, 28th instant, as follows :— For Sandwich IsUnds. United State* of America Canada, JLJrltish Columbia, Central and S uth Mwrica, and British and Foreign west In lies at 5 p m "or thi Hutted Kingdom and Continent of Fnrone. »t 5 p.m. Far money orders, registered let'eis and news pnptirs .t 4 |i m F.ate letters bearing an extia fee of Gd will be renege i by the iVtail on board uu to time of sail.nti i-.t-vl rii ■'fwKlnni Postal Guides can be ob tained at this office Price, 6d fc. B. Bias, Chiel Postmaster