SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND-

HIGH WATER -• This evening!, 1.63 i to-nronow morning, 2.42 SUN-SBT : This evening, 4.45; SUN-MSB; To morrow morning. 7.13 MOON'S AGE: New moon, 14th, C3O p.m.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES.

Rowena, s.s., for the North

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Wangarut—St. Kilda, to-morrow, 2 p.m. For Levuka—Belle Brandon, schooner, at onco For Sydney and Melbourne—Hero, s 8., about the 12th

Instant For Lyttelton— Helena, schooner, early ; P.C.E., barque, early ; Prince Alfred, barqueatine, early For New York—Serene, barque early .London—Anazi, barque, at once ; Hylton Castle,

barque, early For San Francisco-Jubilee, ship, early For a Cruise—Albion, whaling barque, early

VESSELS EXPECTED

Hero, s.s., from Sydney, about 9th June Wonga Wonga, from Sydney and Melbourne, about

the 9th Jure Isabella, b:ig, from Newcastle, early Eleanor, barque, from Newcastle, early Luna, p s., from tho South, at once Taranaki, s s , from the South, to-morrow William Gilford, barque, from New York, via Dunedin. Sailed Feb 15 Countess of Kintore, ship, from London, sailed 6th

April Heather Bell, brig, from Newcastle Loch Awe. ship, from London, sailed April — Ferndale, barque, from London City of Auckland, ship, from London James Wishart. ship, from London, sailed 18th March Queen of Nations, ship, from Liverpool, via Belfast, sailed 17th March

EXPORTS.

Per Serene for New York: 1994 cases kauri gum, 139 bags do do, R. Walker & Co.; 1041 cases kauri gum, 142 bags do do, 807 bales flax, H. D. Rolph & Co.—Master, agent. Per brigantine Helena for Lyttelton : 78,884 feet timber, 43 doors, J. W. Waller ; 1,624 drain pipes and tiles (23 tons), M. H. Roe; 15 doors, 108 do, Union Sash and Door Company ; 60 J-barrels sugar, 10 cases Williams' fire kindlers, 1662 empty sacks, G. W. Owen.

The ss. Taranaki is due from the South in the Mamikau to-morrow morning. The s.s. Ladybird with the Auckland portion of the Suez mail is due on the 14th inst.

The Luna left Wellington at half-past five yesterday afternoon for the Manukau. The fitting-out of the three-masted schooner Emu is now very nearly completed. The U.S. barque Florence has taken the terth at the outer T lately occupied by the City of Adelaide. She is discharging part of her cargo into the baiquentine Prince Alfred for Lyttelton. Mr Lamb's new steamer has been towed into the Mechanics' Bay intake to receive her engines. . The schooner Mary Webster sailed yester day from Lyttelton for Port Waikato. The brigantine Eyno is expected to leave Lyttelton for Auckland to morrow. ; The barque'farene, Capt Segerman, cleared out at the Customs this morning for New York with a cargo of kauri gum and flax shipped by Messrs D. H. Eolph and Co. and Messrs It. Walker and Co. The shipment of the latter is entirely gum and valued at £6,600, while that of the former firmjeonsists of gum valued at' £ 5.8C3, and flax £2,200. Value of cargo £14,600. The Serene will take the first opportunity of sailing. The Clio is undergoing a complete over haul alongside the Queen-street wharf. She has had 5 feet of her foremost cut off to begin with. This has the effect of converting her into a schooner instead of a ketch. It is not anticipated that this will make any differ ence at all in her (sailing capabilities. The only decrease' in her spread of canvass will be that one reef will be taken in in her mainsail, an alteration which will be probably an advantage, as before the vessel made very bad weather in a heavy sea, and she will be now far steadier. When the rigging has been set up again the Clio will be taken round to the gridiron and have her centre-board seen to. It is not expected that she will proceed to sea again for more than a month.

The'schooner Queen has cleared in ballast for Russell; the cutter Coralie with general cargo for Tairua ; and the schooner Gem in ballast for Whangapoua. The brigantine Helena has cleared for Lyttelton with timber. She has already hauled off into the stream, and will sail at once.

ENGLISH SHIPPING, VIA SUEZ.

[By Tblegbaph.] . The Countess of Kintore passed Swanage on April 9th on her voyage to Auckland. The Loch Awe, for Auckland, passed Deal on April 7th.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Nelsotsv this day. The Wellington arrived early this morn ing from New Plymouth. Nattier, this day. The s.s. Pretty Jane left at noon for Auckland. . . Lyttelton, this day. The Lady Bird (Suez mail) arrived at 11.15 a.m. from Dunedin.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Hails will Close as TFndeb :— For Thames, to-morrow, at 6.30 p.m. For Coromandel, to morrow, at 11.80 a m. For Taranaki, via Waitara, per Co-ahead, to-morrow, at 7 a.m. For levaka, Fiji, per Belle Brandon, to-morrow, at 10 am. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Taranrkl, on Friday next, at lOnm. For Gisboine, via Merer j Bay, per Effie Melkle, on Saturday next, at 11 a m. (Si ned) S. B. Ems/Chief Pottmaiter.

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1874.

For the cause that lr.ika assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance,

And tha good that wo can do

The small-pox on board the ship Northamp ton at Lyttelton has developed itself in fonr new cases since the arrival of the vessel. The passengers may therefore prepare them selves for a long detention in their hospital quarters, with the prospect — a by no means reassuring one —of possibly becoming deceminated one by one by this most loathsome and fatal disease. From Dunedin we learn of the arrival of the s.s. Atrato with nearly six hundred immi grants, among whom during a short passage of 59 days, thirty-two deaths and 120 cases of measles, besides other complaints, have turned the vessel into a hospital and place of universal mourning. Such a statement is positively alarming. Every second day must a little one have been dropped into the surging waves, finding a grave in the ocean bed without a mound or mark to • indicate to those who have loved and cherished it the place where it sleeps; The sorrows of bereavement, deep enough under any circumstances, are intensi^ lied by the sad surroundings of a burial at sea, and we cannot doubt that a wail of sorrow will go home from those who represent the lost ones by the same mail that advises the safe arrival of the steamer at our shores. Nor can we believe that a more favourable report will be conveyed in the letters of the immigrants by the Northampton. The voyage across the ocean which, under favor able conditions, may be made a pleasant relief from the monotonous drudgery of shore life, will Boon come to be regarded with feel ings akin to horror by those who contemplate leaving for our shores. With the invariable exaggeration that accompanies these stories of ocean suffering simple country people in England will soon form the impression that it is quite problematical whether they would ever cross in safety the weary waste ef waters. The length of the passage has always operated against immi gration from Britain to this colony, and viewed by the experience of the past (in the records of which, the dangers of shipwreck are eclipsed by the horrors of disease) these

fears are not altogether groundless. It is needless to say that with proper precautions and efficient inspection the breaking-out of i nfectious disease on board immigrant ships might, as a rule, be prevented. Of course in exceptional cases tho strictest precautions will fail in securing perfect immunity, but the complaint against our immigration management is that freedom from disease ia now the exception rather than the rule.

It ia notable that during the great influx of immigrants in the years 1862, 1863, and 1864 we find no parallel to the extraordinary amount of disease that has developed itself on board the ships sent out under the direc tions of Dr. Featherston, and it is very desirable that a satisfactory explanation should be given of the reason why.

The petition against increased taxation for education at present being signed in various parts of the city is calculated to mislead many persons unacquainted with, the result that would be accomplished were their wishes acceded to by his Honor the Superin tendent. We have no doubt that householders will be found willing enough to put their names to the petition under the impression that it will relieve them from taxation (or at any rate that it will ten their load), who would scout the of allowing bachelors to go scot free in order that the married folk may sustain the whole burden of taxa tion for educational purposes. It is neverthe less a fact that if the Superintendent were to comply with the petition and exercise his powers of disallowance over thcEducation Act Amendment Act passed this session the effect would not be to relieve in any way the house holders of the province (except so far as the capitation tax on children attending school is concerned) ; married people would still have to pay their £1 under the Act of 1872 ; but it would take from off shoulders which have already very trifling rrsponsibility compared with that borne by other members of the community, tho impost of ten shillngs, which is defined by the Amendment Act aa their contribution towards the support of a public selirol system in this province. Now there should be no mis understanding on this point. If the bachelors desire to petition for the purpose of obtain ing specific relief, by all means let them exer cise that right par excellence of all Britons, but they should not attempt by raising a false issue to entrap the householders of the province into aidinp their cause. The Education Act, 1572, has been sanctioned by Mr Williamson's predecessor in office, and will never come before tho pre sent Superintendent for approval. The Act can only bo repealed by the Provincial Coun cil, and the petition as against it, therefore, is worthless ; let houselderstako note of the fact, and act accordingly, nndnot be led into a trap by tho free and easy gentry who crack their jokes at tho expense of benedicts, who already have to sustain the great weight of State burdens.

A telegram appears elsewhere from onr own correspondent at Dunedin partly ex plaining the non-amval of the Hero at this port. She left Melbourne on the 27th ult., and must havehad a rough passage to Sydney, as she only reached that port on Sunday, the 31st ult. Allowing her two days at Sydney, and supposing she left on Tuesday evening, she is now seven days out, and should certainly make her appearance to night or to-morrrow morning.

A telegram reaches us from Lyttclton which brines us bad tidings about an old Auckland identity. Captain Ifwerson, of the barque Velocidade, is well-known as one of the oldest skippers trading to this port. He has had his present command for several years, and has ingratiated himself on all sides by his universal gentlemanly bear ing. To the representatives of the Press he was always most considerate, and readily afforded them what sources of information he had at his command. We learn therefore with regret that great fears are entertained for his safety. It appears that the barque Velocidade left Newcastle for Lyttelton thirty-two days ago, and has not since been .heard of. We have recently had a case in the P.C.E. of a barque arriving safely after a thirty-five days' passage, but the appre hensions as to the fate of the "Velocidade are rendered better founded by the fact that the barque is noted for the smartness of her runs across. We trust they will turn out to be baseless. Captain Ifwerson it will be re membered lately had the medal of the Royal Humane Society and a gold watch from the Home Government awarded him for rescuing the crew of the Belle Isle at Newcastle.

Mrs Davis, who appeared at the Police Court the other day, and was fined 20s and costs for allowing her cows to stray, informs us that our reporter must have misunderstood her in portions of her speech to the Bench. She did not say she expected more children, but that she respected her children'and took care of them. She also declares she is per fectly willing to give His Worship the Mayor a character whenever he comes to her for one, but she stoutly'maintains she will never give our reporter one, and recommends him to pick the wool out of his ears when he comes to take a report of her next case. A mistake also crept in our report in regard to the expression " Why don't you get your self a perambulator?" used in reference to the Constable. This should have been "Why do you go perambulating the streets looking up petty charges ?" meaning n<6 doubt '* instead of attending to your proper duties." We apologise to Mrs Davies for these little lapsus penncn nimis properantis, and make this explanation at her request.

A telegram nas been received stating that the re-construction of the wharf at Tararu has been set about, and will soon be ready for use. \

The concert given and conducted;by the Hon. Captain Egerton, Captain Le Patsurel,1 in "aid of the funds of the Orphan Homej Parnell, on the 2nd uJt., realised net £28 11s 6d.

The punctuality of Captain J. W. Brown, of the a.s. City of Adelaide, was shewn most, conspicuously yesterday in the departure o£ the mail boat exactly to her advertised time J There are some people who always make it a practice to be behind time, and we believe; tl at '■•his class was not altogether unrepre sented yesterday. Two persons are spoken ol Who suffered in consequence of not being up to time. Captains of these boats arej part ally to blame for these misfortunes, for how often is it that the time fixed Is iot enlarged by at least half-; an-houi! If not over an hour? Sometimes some cargo) arrives just as everything else is j ready. A.t another time the ballasting or coaling is not quite finished. There is of course always some very good reason for the delay, but how is it that the select few, of which Captain Brown is an example, never want excuses ? If the, gentlemen who have the control of the new service were actuated by as keen a sense of the value of punctuality wo should get our letters something leas than a week after they are due.

The members of the Shipwrights' Protec tion Society held a meeting last evening in the Albert-street Temperance Hall, and elected officers for the ensuing year. The carpenters and joiners also met at the Wellesley-street Young Men's Rooms, and drew up a subscription list and obtained a a considerable sum in aid of two members who were sick and unable to work.

The demand for labor at Napier continues unabated. The Telegraph states that all the single girls that arrived by the Schiehallion were engaged almost simultaneously with the opening of the barrack gates, and the single men have all found employment.

Excessive drinking and typhoid fever are doing their deadly work amongst us, and one by one persons of all ages are being struck down by their fatal strokes. The most effectual" remedy for drunkenness is the ex clusive use of pure water applied inwardly and outwardly, and the surest preventative against the encroachments of fever is a pure house apart frorrreverything that is offensive to the sense of smell. Men are endowed with this excellent detective, and wherever stagnant water and bad drainage exist from which unpleasant odours arise, the sense of smell with its still small voice says to the inhabitant, "remove the source of disease or get ye hence."

The English and Continental Troupe of Star Artists now performing at the Prince of Wales Theatre will close their series of en tertainments on Friday evening next. There remains therefore but four more nights. The house last night as usual was nearly full, and the variations of gymnastics, asrial flights, ventriloquism, and song, were re ceived with clapx>ing of hands and other manifestations of pleasure. The feat of the renowned Airec, who walked across the ceil ing with hia head downwards, was terrific, and attracted the silent and almost fearful gaze of the audience. The monkey-trick of the Dc Castroa was very remark able, and the performance, with the suspended bar was perfect in its way. The songs and duets of Mdlle. Montebello and Mr St. Vincent were capital, and met with well-deserved applause. We notice that to night the Dc Castro family will take their benelit, for which occasion a large bill of fare is provided. We may mention also that Young England will appear in the character of the " Little Sweep," and will sing " Put mc in my little bed "j and Mr St. Vincent will sing the characteristic song of tho " Poor Little Sweep."

The tradesmen's return ball to the em ployes of Government House will be held to-morrow evening in the Cboral Hall, Sy uionds-atreet, and is likely from the number of tickets disposed of to be well patronised.

The little band of seekers after substan tial knowledge, associated with Mr Cornford's chapel, will meet this evening in the school attached to the chapel, and discuss the merits of a paper, by a member, on Carlyle's great subject, viz., "Frederick the Great." We are glad to learn that these young philoso phers are progressing with their faces to wards the light.

The Kennedy family will appear for the last timo in this part of the colony at Pon- Ronby JI all this evening, and consequently this will be the last opportunity the people of Auckland will havo of listening to these iirst-class interpreters of Scottish song. The performance includes some of the choiccat of the ballads of Burns, Tannahill, ami other North Hritish poets, and to those who can understand and enjoy Scottish minstrelsy a rich treat will be afforded. We affirm con scientiously that "Twa hours at barao" is one of the beat entertainments that has been offered to the Auckland public for some years past. The humbler clashes, or bees of society, need some kind of pleasure, and it ih important that their evening entertain ments should haven refining intluence. Such wo believe is the tendency of Scotland's ballad literature, and to diffuse this genial influenco is the aim of the Kennedys. The people of Ponsouby have the credit of being a musical people, and their now hall to-nit?ht will prove unmistakably that the term is not mis applied. A writer long ago said something to this effect, but whether it was Sir Philip Sydney or Walsingham, of Elizabeth's time, we know not, but tho idea is a true one. Let mo read the songs of a nation, and let who will read its history. Poets of tho Burns class, and they are few in number, before they writo the people's songß, must read them in a nation's heart, and so read nnd so written they become a nation's history. A sariea of struggles is the history of the Scots for national independence, for the predominance of their views of religious truth and mate rial prosperity. Their patriotism burns in their tongs from tho time of the Bruce to that of the Stuart, aud it is curious to observe how, in the Jacobite lyrics, this Bpirit takes the place that in the modern ones is given to the Bonnie Prince Charlio sentiment. Their p-alms aud hymns show the religious life of the natio.i in a purity and elevation which make us forgive and almost forget the bigotry that.has often narrowed and distorted it, and never since labour came on earth has it walked hand in hand with song as in Scotland.

Victor Hugo is said to have received 120,0C0 franca for his new book. This only accords the privilege of issuing 100,000 co pies, after which the work again is to become the author's.

The usual monthly meeting of the Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 1, will be held this even ing at half-past seven.

Mr Collier, announces that he has made arrangements with the talented tragedian, Mr H. N. Douglass, and Miss Mainwaring, and that they will appear, in connection with a number of old favourites, at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the " Marble Heart," a high-class drama which had a long run at the leading theatres of New York and Boston, on Monday evening next. The lovers of the drama, therefore, may con gratulate, themselves in the fact that they will still be provided for by Collier and company.

In the action yesterday in the District Court before Judge Beckham, .Rogers v. Grant and Morton, after hearing the evidence of Mr Grant, who stated that at a sale of December 30, 1878, plaintiff bought goods which he never cleared, and which were subsequently sold at a loss, and that then he told .Rogers that in future he would not accept his bids, the jury found for plaintiff, damages £5. Mr MacCormick then moved for a new trial,: as he considered that the jury had acted perversely against the evidence, and in oppo sition to the direction of his Honor. The application was adjourned until next Court day..

A soiree and dance will take place on Thursday evening in Panmure in aid of the funds of the institute.

Thursday next, at halfipast four, are the day and hour fixed for the drawing of the Art Union prizes, consisting of paintings of New Zealand scenery by Mr Hoyte, our eminent local artist. The drawing will take place at Mr Upton's establishment, Queen-street.

The second annual meeting of the Auck land Permanent Co-operative Building and Investment Society ■will be held this even ing in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association for the purpose of electing officers and receiving the annual accounts.

The attention of the Provincial Council this afternoon was occupied for a consider able time in debating whether or no they should appoint a permanent Chairman of Committees. Nearly »U tb-e mem bers spoke on the subject, and some warmth was displayed in the discussion owing to the opinion of the Council being pretty nearly equally divided for and against. Mr. Sheehan, who moved the motion for the appointment of Mr Hamlin to that post, made a powerful speech in reply, but in deference to the divided opinion of the Council, begged leave to withdraw tho motion.

Two friends, Alexander and Newton, went out on a shooting excursion far beyond Otahuhu, but the morning was cloudy, and rainy, and dull, and they shot no pheasants. Their fowling pieces either missed fire, or if they fired the shot missed the birds. They attributed their ill-success to the unfavorable weather. They could not aim straight; it was all owing to the weather. Dr Johnson would never admit that the condition of the atmosphere had any effect on men, and many a time Bos well looked up to and admhed the fine fortitude and stoicism which rendered Johnson impervious, not alone to rain, but to the mental or physical consequences of a drenching. When Boswell had been in dulging in "toddy" over night, and next morning attributed his lowness of spirit to the gloominess of the weather, Johnson became indignant over such un manly puerility. He did not believe in man being so much a creature of the elements as to get miserable simply because the sun did not shine. With all due deference, however, to the opinion of Johnson, we hold to the belief that the weather has much to do with human cheerfulness and melancholy, and that it is a subject which has not beeu suffi ciently studied.

Dr Wallis will deliver his lecture on the "Unjust tax, and secular education," this evening at the Mechanics' Institute.

A young girl in Newtonville, Mass., who had become deranged by religious excite ment, left her home late at night, telling her little brother that she was going to kill her self in order to get quickly into heaven. The boy informed his parents, the neighbourhood was aroused, and a thorough search was made for the body. At last it was found in her own bed, quite warm and healthy. She had climbed in at a window, after wandering half the night, and was slumbering peace fully. Cases of religious mania, however, resulting more seriously, are now common. A man in Peoria, 111., and a womenin Charles villo, Mass , are the latest converts who ,have killed themselves.

To the Editor: Sir, —Please give this room in your journal. Your published re port of the injuries received by George Tay lor on Friday evening, the 3rd instant, is in every item false and incorrect. I never was his partner. He never crossed the bridge ; neither was he in my house. I did not go for the doctor. The time as to when the accident happened is also incorrect. , The proper authorities have without delay made their investigations, which will probably appear in this day's papers. —I em, &c, John August Hyorth, Toll Collector.

His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair last evening at the special general meeting at the Mechanics' Institute, which had been called in accordance with clause 2 of the Institute Sale Act. As six subscribers only were present the Chairman expressed his regret that so much apathy existed in respect of the Institute. The committee's report was then read, which recommended the sale of the property for £2,500. The reasons assigned for fixing this sum were these :— They could not erect a building giving the same accommodation as the present one under £4,000, as the Building Act forbids tho erection of a wooden building within the city, and because it would bo difficult to obtain a sufficient site in a central position for an Institute. Mr Wm. Aiken's estimate respecting the value of the land and building was also read. " I estimate the value of the land and building exclusive of any other consideration at £8 per foot, equal to £564 ; for building, £750. Total, £1,014. Mr Wrigley moved the adop tion of the report, when Mr Moss moved as an amendment, ''That £2000 be fixed as compensation, or damage, for the loss of the building, and that a suitable site be obtained from the Commissioners, or at least £1000 in lieu thereof." The amendment was carried. Mr James Sieve wright then moved, "That a notification be given to his Honor the Superintendent that he is authorised by the members to sell the property of the Mechanics' Institute, in terms of clause 2, of the Mechanics' Institute Site Sale Act." This concluded the busi ness.

In the Council, yesterday, Mr Sheehan told Mr Peacock, in answer to a question, that the Government were prepared to grant £100 to the settlers in the Piako district for the road between Hamilton and Tiau provided the settlers were willing to advance a simi lar sum. A return of the expenditure on public works at Coromandel was laid upon the table, also a statement of the amounts received for capitation and special allow ances during 1871, 1572, and 1873. Mr Crispe's motion for the placing of £50 upon the supplementary estimates as an in crease in the salary of the Relieving Officer was not carried. In regard to the report of the Select Committee on tolls, Mr Sheehan stated that the alterations suggested were mostly concurred in by the Government, and intimated that it was iutended next session to bring in a bill to provide otheir means of raising the money for keeping the roads in repair. The Education Bill was re-committod for the purpose of inserting a clause to fix the precise time of a dei faulter's liability. The bill was ordered to bo read a third time to-day. The new Impounding Bill was read a second time This Bill gives power to impound cattle for trespass ten mfles from any pound on the premises the impounder cannot claim damages unless the land is well fenced. The estimates were then resumed, and a large number got through, the amounts voted nearly in every case agreeing with the original figure. The Maioro Road Bill was read a second time, and the report of the Audit Committee having been read, the Council adjourned at 11 p.m.

THE LATE FIRE AT NEWMARKET.

An enquiry into the origin of the recent fire at Newmarket is being held at Mr. Cunning ham's, Newmarket Hotel, before Dr. Philson, Coroner, and a jury, as we go to press. Mr. Broham appeared oa the part of the police, and several representatives of the Insurance Companies were present. From the evidence adduced 4 it appears that the fire originated in the workshop of Mr Witheford and extended to Mr McNeill's bakery, proceeding in its course to the estab blishments of Mr Morgan <and Mr Jenkins, where the fire was fortunately suppressed. The parties were, fortunately all partially insured, Messjs Morgan aud. Jenkins in the New Zealand, Mr Witheford in the South British, and Mr McNeill in the Norwich Union. As the cause of the fire is a mystery the result of the enquiry majr be safely an ticipated.

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

[FROM OTTR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.]

THE PRINCE IMPERIAL'S MAJORITY;

On St. Patrick's day there was a grand Im perialist demonstration at Chisel hurst in honor of the Prince Imperial of France, who that day attaint his 18th year and became Napoleon IV., orthe Pretender as the Royal ists call him. There was an immense assemblage of admirers of the Napoleon dynasty. For days trains and steamers had been loaded with pilgrims on their way from France, all anxious to testify their enthusiasm for the young Prince. Amonst them were all the well-knowri namea in connection with the late Empetor. A speech had been prepared beforehaad for the youth, who read it in rather a tame sort of way. It contained nothing much more than a declaration that he was quite reidy, if called on, to go over and take the rfeins of French Government. And just now it would seem as if ( the mercurial natipn would be very likely to make some/call of the kind. Perhaps it is hardly fair to place this to the account of French fickleness, unless in this light, that her ruleis are of course Frenchmen, and, as such, accountable for their present line of conduct, which is weak and foolish in the extreme. They are practically disfranchising a third of France, which act alone must render them exceedingly unpopular. In all their attempts al^legislation indeed they seem to be retrogading instead of advancing, and this at a time when indeed they need all the light that they can get. It is but a few months or weeks since that there seemed every likelihood of the Count de Chambord being elevated to the throne, now it is a restoration of the Napoleon family—any thing but a continuance of the Septemate. Frenchmen have made up their minds pretty decisively to have nothing to do with the Marshal and his coadjutors.

MONSTER -VOLUNTEER DEMONSTRATION IN

FRANCE,

There is to be a grand meeting of Volun teers in France this year, and invitations have been sent over to the English amateur soldiers to come over and take part in the sports and feastings. It is likely that a large number wiil accept the invitation, net nationally but individually. There is a most friendly feeling just now between France and England. Any ancient sores that may have existed and have been opened out from time to time by injudicious persons seem to have completely healed over, and the relations not only of the Governments but of the peoples themselves are undoubtedly of the most pleasing kind. I believe that this is largely due to the kind ness which has been so warmly extended to the Empress, who is even now personally most popular in France.

NEW ENGLISH OPERA.

Mr Macfarren gained great glory the other night at Exeter Hall on the occasion of the performance of his new oratorio "John the Baptist." English oratorios have of late years multiplied exceedingly ; but in numer ous instances they are heard only to be relegated to the lumber-closet or perchance the butterman. This will not be the case with Mr Macfarren's latest produc tion. Indeed his former works, as " Charles II.," "Don Quizote," and notably " Robin Hood," are regarded as well worthy of places amongst standard England classical music. In John the Baptist the subject is peculiar, and would riot seem promising, but it contains glorious melodies as well as some very peculiar passages, unusual, even abnor mal, which attract and please the educated ear. I was at once struck with the overture and its singular opening. This consists of an imitation of the of sounding of a sonorous ram's horn, a custom amongst the Jews at the approach of the new year. The principal characters are John the Baptist, tlurid, FJerodiag, and Salome. The latter is the daughter of Herodia3, who danced before the King, aud here was au opportunity which' the composer has ably grasped. The dance measure is of a peculiar kind, stately, but voluptuous, and highly oriental in its quaint melody, if melody lit be called. There ia a good deal of dialogue between Herod and John, which is well sus tained. There are one or two anachronisms, but these are hardly noticeable, and it does not do to be hypercritical. The principal parts were taken by Madame Semmens, Miss Sterling and Mr Santtry, and the composer was obliged to come forward and return his acknowledgments. The oratorio was per formed last year at the Bristol Festival, but this was the first time it had been rehearsed before a London audience. The Sacred Harmonic Society's chorus and band per formed on the occasion.

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARMY.

An alteration has just been effected in the Queen's regulations which has caused great satisfaction iv the, army. Hitherto, private soldiers for small offences were put uuder arrest and kept in idleness, their comrades meanwhile doing their work, until their cases

be heard. Now, however,, they are to be allowed to be at large within the barrack, as it were on parole, and are to attend drills and perform their usual duties. This is one of many improvements which have been effected, and although the authorities are finding considerable difficulty in recruiting sufficiently fast, the class of men who do come forward are very superior to those who used to be enlisted formerly. In fact the army is, as regards the rank and file, improving in tono daily, and there is not now the current belief which existed formerly that all soldiers were worthless fellows, who were fit for nothing but food for powder.

can

TIIE TRAFALGAR SQUARE LIONS,

You will be sorry to learn that those glorious trophies of art, the Trafalgar Square lions, designed by Landseer and moulded by Maronchetti, are rapidly falling into decay i There is something in the atmosphere of London which acts chemically upon the metal, which is pealiug away in flakes. The, Government have ordered a survey to be made by Dr. Percy, one of the greatest metallurgists of the day, and every one is anxiously waiting for his report.

THE OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE BOAT BACE.

Like most otherpeople I was of course silly enough to go to the Oxford and Cambridge boat race on the 28th March. On the whole I look upon it as rather a hollow affair. From the outset of the J training it had been evident that Oxford had not a chance. The crew, did not pull together nearly as well as Cam bridge, and through the occurrence of certain; unforeseen and unfortunate events they! were under the necessity of changing; places in the boat almost up to the day of the race. Cambridge' did not pull by any means as well as usual, > and " bucketed ' horribly. Oxford showed' a lot of pluck, so that the race was closer' than any one had anticipated, and Cambridge, only beatfby two lenghts. Should they win another year the sum total of victories will be equal on both sides. The raco was pulled about eleven o'clock in the morning, so that although the day was exceedingly fine, the i sun shilling glorious, there was nob quite I such a muster on the banks as was the case last year. But still there were enormous crowds of spectators, and the dis play of dark and light blue was amazing. | Ah usual the coxswains of the boats have bean remendously pitched into by the papers *nd I should say very causelessly. The {act a i

is somebody must be hW.^ >*B*

FIRE IN THE KAIPARA DISTRICT.

Intelligence has been mm** of the destrudion'bVaT^to^ tage and out-house on J in the Kaipara district. ThS «H Messrs Edward 2?t*£ Witheford, two young men wwtM up land under the Homestead^«tj been remarkable for the eSJy^^ clearing the and bringgLfflW in vation The fire occurred whiS!£f ** at work, and consumed thecotS^ 0"* which a heifer was fastened, :i£LMi» animal to death, and desttiZS tte clothing utensils, etc., possiS.sl «» young men, except the clothes Si?* % in. Great sympathy is felt in mj^ 'p their misfortunes, Jas their fflj*«! been observed and commented on k neighbouring settlers. It is rather* circumstance, illustrating the m^aT 0? 1 fortunes never come alone," tU^T fire followed so close upon the aiZ»? oleo a similar character which befelTS 60! the same f am% in Newmarket' of

SUPPOSED LOSS OF THE CUTTER AGNES WITH ALL HER OREW.

The gravest apprehensions are felt 1,. ing the fate of the cotter Agneg, iKaTiT the Manukau for Port WafkafciSi eft week. It will be remembered that on hJ Saturday following very heavy ifow • which, beginning from the tf.E 3, down into a hurricane from thaw i 8. W. The gale was felt in fearful iS on the West Coast, and we hear of 3 havoc made by the storm oa-]Ju the WaikaW Heads. Js? f Waikato Times we learn that 5 | JJ standing south was seen off th« Head, Sunday, the 31sfc ulfc., at three o'clocthth afternoon. Whether this was the Asm or not is uncertain. The time wOnld be about an hour before the maximum strength of the gale was reached. The Agnes,-irlien she left the Manukau, had a cargo of -timber, thinned by Mr J. W. Waller. Her ere* coMisffi her captain, F. Brew, and two brothers, Fred and John BarkJP Mr Waller ; hiw not given up all hopes of the vessel's return to port, as he thinks it highly probable that she has been driven away far north and been unable to get back, fhirnmyliave been the case up to Sunday last, « till then the wind outside was blowing continnomly from the southward. Since that, however the wind has been fair, and should nothing be heard of the cutter within the next day or two we shall be compelled to accept the meat melancholy explanation of her non-jppjar ance. , . T-, > r \i m'-J--%

DISTRICT COURT.-This Day.

(Before His Honor Judge B&] HOLLAND V. BLEWDEN.

Claim, £30. Mr Joy appeared for plaintiff iuM Mr MacCormick, instructed by Mi Brock, ap peared, for defendant. \ : ' s* This was a claim for extra work, material, and loss of time in connection with the build ing of six houses and shops at the comet 4 Elliott and Wellesley-a tree ts, of whick de fendant was contractor and plaintiff 'sub contractor for the brickwork, t < According to the agreement between the parties plaintiff was to receive money fortnightly during the progress pf the wotkjiehichwaa to be executed according to certain- plans and specifications prepared by the architect, —. HoUand, the plaintiff,""dep6*ed that he entered into an agreement to do certain brick work for defendant, and tint in addition to the sub-contract he had to find extras, iroa hoops, from5; T^Hiiaw1 fee kimJtler establishment,' 0610*95, " f 4c. f which were not included in the contract. He also had to employ Mike Kelly in fdtchiag mkt because the well was dry,, and tort three ■days' work, which constituted Hie mm in the. p resent action. . \ . } x Peter Joseph, ptiton, 'WxaM'mnijw, gave evidence to tn6 effect thatht measured the brick work.which had Jbeeoudou jointly by the parties in this action in their pwence, and the measurement for labour amounted to fifty-seven roods. This was made out cuttle 14th of March. William James Dalton corroborated to brother's statement. He also measured, the brickwork, and found that his brother! figures were correct. „ ~ William Gird, a bricklayer of considerMß experience, gave evidence to the effect w as a contractor he should have made » extra charge for fetching water beyond» reasonable distance, . and, :; would have; pan pleted the -work according to the fP«iß{*" tions, but the extra brick work of the b* ings, such as ;pillars ; ;*nd cisterns, ougMW have been added to the measurement. .. Michael KeUy, labourer, testified to .U* ing sundry buckets of water from defenau" premises, and when the well *«•";£ could not tell how far he r| w_enVr-rt g"j beyond Paddy's mile. He mighty>Wg a hundred buckets, but he ¥***& about numbers. His.busjnesa.wasiogetw Wwsliam Blewden, «wtnßtovJjrf the measurement. He checked_^ the number of bricks, and iound th»«J brickwork was only 48J roods; A - "JJf oß { to allow Mr Holland extra for gP^ the foundation. The .MM^g[ materials in the claim would .onWJ, man one day. He had been »!>gV -contractor for thirty years in Lowlf^j rf bourne, and Auckland, and f&JT* extra charges for fetching water .""Jl^, The evidence, of Mr, GmM-g^i Williamson, Mr Jas Mantell; f^. rJlat' Partridge having been also taMOU 3 was given for plaintiff for *W »"a costs, £10 15s. >: ,^. f! >,

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before J. M. Dargavilie "jj^j Esfiuires, Justices •Ew?,^ Matthew Meax Mre gj*'£*> Fox were charged with being .«* night, and fined 5s and cos%, / g< ' STREET JtrVJagß- , d JohB Samuel Smith Stephen flolto^ 0 Kennedy were charge^M*^ pass counterfeit coin on the DJU^ e { the P Mr. Broham f^a'fa 1'1 police j Mr. Laishl^f^&^ "Connolly found *bf "XtSr^S shewed, to Smith,, who tQ* itJJ Mr Laishley asked that .flj^ .^ ft» Mr Broham considered » |W» o ask for a remandi •»*" t

rane vraonire BtAB, Tuesday, jtxite s,i&H.



"DLASEETS! BLANKETS. . RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Beg to notify that= they have <now landing | Ex Eoopabkll, And to open up in a few days, 10 BALES SUPERIOR BLANKETS IN ALL SIZES. To which they invite particular attention of intending ' purchasers, being to their order direct from the manufacturers, and will be sold at the LOWEST LIVING PBOPIT.| Also, ILARGE STOCKS ON HAND, AND TO OPEN IN Flannels, Crimean Shirtings, ■ _~ rt ;< ~;■ Winceys," . French Merinoes, vrpvswjL New Fancy Dress Goods, White and Grey Calicoes, Plain and Twilled White and Grey Sheetings, White Toilet and Marsella Quilts, Toilet Covers, &c. II --. IL. ; L; . Childrens', Girl's, and Ladietf Winter Hosiery, i New Black Straw Hats, Flowers, Feathers, and Ribbons, New Fancy Wool, Collarettes, Ties, Scarfs, Infants' Turbans, Hoods,_ v Boots, Bootees, &c. A SVLENPID STOCK 6v NEW CLOTHING, CRIMEAN SHIRTS, and GENTLEMAN'S HOSIERY. HEAVY TWEEDS, Suitable fox Winter Wear, &c, <&c., &c.. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE E. H0BB3), WHOIi-RBAL* AHD EKTA.IL DrAPEKS, CLOTHIBKS, *C. JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) *JrPß* Qt/kbn-swokt, Atxcklakd.



JUST RECEIVED BY F. H. LEWISSON: Russell end Sod's Keyless Gold Hunting Levers, . Rotherham's Gold Hunting Independent Stop Watches, Rotherham's Gold Hunting .Ladies' English Levers, Rotterham's Gold Hunting Levers, large size Gold Presentation "Watches, Silver English Hunting Levers, Gold Hunting Genevas, best quality, Gold Open-face Genevas. BEST ASSORTMENT IN AUCKLAND. F. H. LEWISSON, JEWELLER, QUEEN-STREET. ROYAL INSTJEANOB COMPANY. NOTICE OP REMOVAL. The Office of this Company has'been REMOVED from No. 15, Shortland-street, to Hobson's Buildings, on the opposite side, immediately adjoining the Post office. GEO. WM. JONES, Agent. Aucl-'and, May 8.1874. -QETIRING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE 4 CO. Are giving up their Retail Bi'slness In Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods mill be held TO-MORROW, the 14th of March, and will continue until the entire Stock is disposed of. We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr Cosorav^ from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Od at TOP X ECKDKNTKDXT LOW PRICES. No credit will be'given'during the Sale. |£STABLISHFD 1864. T\ STEPHENS ON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAN D," " EAOLE BRAND," "CROWN BRAN D," Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and Storekeepers throughout the Province of Auckland. D. STEPHENSON k CO., WTNDHAM STREET, Auckland.