SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HiaF WAT 22 : Tlds evening, 7.13 ; 10-monaw morning, 759 dUjN-SET : Tb!g eyisßtrig, 5.81 ; SUH-EI83: Io- MOON'S AGB: Full Moon, 2Stli, 1.7 a. m.

PORT OP AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS. Montana, US. barque, 651 tons, Mudgett, from Newcastle Chanticleer, brig, from Hobart Town

DEPARTURES.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Taranaki and Wanganui—Go-ahead, s.s., to-

morrcrw Fos the South—T.-ranaki, s s., Monday For New Caledonia and Norfolk Island—Dauntless,

schooner, Saturday For Lyttelton—Kio Loge, brig, early For London—Countess of Kintore. ship, early For Melborrne--]Vmtiades, ship, early

VESSELS EXPECTED

Taranaki, s s., from the South, to-morrow City c. Melbourne, s s., from Sydney, about 4th Sept. Macgregor, s.s., from San .Francisco and Honolulu,

about 10th prox 3ity of Auckland, ship, from London; sailed 20th May Lady Franklin, barque, from Newcastle Loch Urr, ship, from London ; sailed 3rd June Femdale, barque, from London ; sailed May 6 Oxford, ship, from London : sailed 7th June Pearl, ketch, from South Sei Islands, early Pacififi, schoe ncr, from South Sea Islands Dauntless, schooner, from the South Waitingi, ship, from London : loading Stanley Castle, barque, from London ; sailed 0 ien Tsin, barque, from Launceston Glimpse, bajqus, from Newcastle Jackson, ship, from London ; sailed Zealandia, ship, from London : sa'led Kenilworth, schooner, from the Islands

IMPORTS.

Per Montana, from Newcastle—7oo tons coal, Henderson and Macfarlane ; 12 trusses hay, 60 bags maize, 4 bales hops, order.— Henderson and Macfarlane, agents.

The American barque Montana, from New castle, was signalled f(as a ship at first) at five o'clock yesterday evening, and came into harbour after nightfall, bringing a cargo of coal for Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane and some sundries to order. Capt. Mudgett reports leaving Newcastle on the 15th inst. First few days experienced variable winds but pleasant weather. Sighted the Three Kings on Tuesday, a N.E. gale blowing at the time, which continued up to Wednesday evening. Light winds and calms down the coast. The Montana was built in Maine ten years ago. She is a fine looking vessel, classed Al United States Lloyds.

The brig Chanticleer arrived in harbour this afternoon, and in spite of the fierce westerly wind and sea beat up the Waitemata in gallant style. She brings a cargo of 80 tons of potatoes for Mr W. J. Hurst, besides a quantity of the usual Hobart Town imports of fruit, jams, palings, &c. She left Hobart Town on the 14th instant.

The barque Thames, we learn from the agents, is to load for London direct imme diately after discharging her inward cargo. She will probably be ready for sea in about three weeks time, as most of her cargo is already engaged. A three-masted schooner, with her mizen topmost carried away, has been anchored at the North Head during the day. It said to be the Policeman, from the Thames, with coal.

The topsail schooner Dauntless left Dune Klin for this port to-day.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr Dowden's sale in the market to-day there was a very large supply of fowls, which sold at Is 9d to 2s Id ; turkeys, 3s 9d to 4s Id ; ducks, 2s Id to 3s 3d. Two splendid Brahma prize fowls, which took the fifteen guinea prize at Christchurch.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :— For Thames, this day, at 5 30 p.m, and to-morrow,

at 10.30 a.m. For Wanganui. per Co-ahead, to-morrow, at. 8.15 a.m. For Mahurangi, Mataknna iVTangawai, Waipu, &c,

per Lady Bo wen, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Whitiangl. Tairus, Tauranga. Opotiki, ami Napier, via Tauranga, per Scut born Cross, to morrow, at 1 p.m. For Taranaki, Somlurn t-ro' "nee», r-nrl Australian

Colonies, per Taranoki, or- Monday rif xt. at 10 a.m. For Norfolk Islam! and New Caledonia, per

Danntle; h, on Monday next, at noon For Russell, Wsncaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena

on Monday next, at 4 p m. For I.evuka, por Star of the South, on Wednesday next, at4p m.

S. B. Biss. Chief Postmaster.

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 1574.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance; Vor the future in tlic distance. Juki the good that we can do.

It is with feelings of much satisfaction tha wo learn tho intentions of the people of Onehunga to present a testimonial to their member of parliament, Mr O'Rorke, in recog nition of the brave and disinterested act in which he flung up place and pay sooner than betray the interests of his constituents. It is not by the people of Onehunga alone that such action should be appreciated and recognised, and even by those who may not think with Mr O'Rorko on the question at issue, an act so unusual in tho history of colonial politicians cannot pass unnoticed. We trust that steps will bo taken by the Onehunga committee to extend the sphere of operations, and we are perfectly confident that in this city and throughout the province there will bo found many who will gladly co-cperato and assist in making the testimonial what it ought to be. Irrespective of tho merits of the question itself, Mr O'Eorke's action gives one example of self -inter est being sacrificed to a sense of publio duty, and it should be shown that while double-dealing and shuffling are ad mitted necessities in colonial politics a manly, honest, fearless and disinterested act finds a genuine and a cordial response in the hearts of the people.

It sounds queerly when we hear of an advance of £60,000 from the General Govern ment to Otago. Yet sucn is the resolution of the Premier, and of course it is endorsed by the House. We question what it is that Mr Vogel might propose •which would not at the present moment be endorsed by the House. The Superintendent of Otago indignantly refuses the gift, and objects to his province, whichis revelling in the luxuries of a treasury overflowing with land revenue, being treated in forma pauper is. But nilly willy the province must have the money. The sop has been given to the other provinces, and it will be forced down the throat of Otago. This is admitted of course to be one of those things which the " Government had to concede for the sake of policy," or, in other words as put by a member for the favoured proviace, in which the Government "hadmade unjust concessions solely for the purchase of support." But a little while ago the Premier in the way of conscience-money offered twenty-five thousand pounds as.a salve to the feelings of our province for being annually deprived of a quarter-million sterling, and which has but a sorry share in revenue from the public estate. But if policy necessitates the forcing of money on those who are fattening on the public estate we can have but little regard for the tender ness of the Premier's conscience, and we fear that policy must have seared it as with a hot iron.

A " Taxpayer "writes from Helensville in quring how it comes that a person holding a Government situation in charge of the Telegraph cutter is allowed to keep aa hotel. If, as our correspondent states, any Govern ment officer is carrying on an hotel business he moßt assuredly should be replaced.

We have received a letter from Captain Elliott in reply to " All Four " on "Lumpers v. Scandinavians," which will appear to morrow.

onr attention has been directed to two letters which appear in this morning's Cross' The one is signed by Mr W. Kirby. the other by Mr George Staines. Both object, and not unreasonably, to the language of the Thames Advertiser inculpating them, and de nonncincj them for complicity in the late popular demonstration which eventuated in the burning of effigies on Saturday evening last. We happen to be in a position to know a little about that demonstration, and we do not hesitate to say that neither Mr Kirby, Mr Staines, nor Mr Greenway, were in any way concerned in the demonstration. The fact that the triumphal car, bearing the political heroes, issued from Mr Kirby's yard has seemed to connecb Mr Kirby with the affair in the most direct way, and we admire the pluok of the accused in making no at tempt te disown sympathy or shell er him&elf, but hitting out hard from the shoulder as is his wont. But in reality although his timber yard was made use of for the purpose of mustering the figures, Mr Kirby was not there, nor had he hand part or lot in the business. As for Mr Georpo Rtainea it is quite true that he was opposed to the burning of the effigies. Considering it, as he stated not to one but many, as being undignified and low. Mr Staines in fact, as appears from his letter, is a supporter of Mr Vogel ; and it was adding insult to injury to thus mis represent him as belying his principles, and doing at the same time an act which he considerers beneath him as the champion of the people. Mr Greenway, who has borne the charge in silence, was also wholly innocent, nor have we any means of discover ing whether his sympathies were with or against the cremation. If there are any others in the community who similarly desire to wash thoir hands of this business we shall be happy to afford them opportunity in our columns, on our usual condition, that their letters are not too long. But Mr Staines has discovered the origin of the whole thing, and says the editor of this journal provided the sinews of war. Really Mr Staines should not have told people this. The soft impeachment makes ono blush. Mr Staines should know that nothing takoth place in the city that our hand hatb not done it, and why should such a thing as a procession of six thousand people have even tuated had wo taken upon ourselves to frown it down. We cannot sec, however, why the people should not amuse them selves if they please with a little harmless fun that breaks no bones, and wo cordially endorse the opinion of Mr Staines, that the editor of this journal and others should be similaily served ; and we promise that wo shall not interpose our authority to prevent it. We believe our editor would burn well and rapidly, if the excess of sul yhureous fumes does not stifle combustion.

To the Editor: Sir, —A ereat deal of unnecessary correspondence has occurred in relation to the unfortunate duck who was sitting smiling in the Hobson-st.reet puddle, and apparently drinking in the blessed rain. As a final clearing up of the matter permit me to state that the hapless man was not rescued either by Mr Hannnford Of Mr Foley. The former gentleman, having made an eloquent speech over his lowly brother, "skedaddled," as ho acknowledged, and Mr Poloy being called in to attend upon a customer who was about to purchase a lump of cheese, the child of P.;iccliU3, dripping wet, was left to the multitude, and the next morning was fined 10s. and costs by tho sitting magistrate.—l am, &c , Sam Slick.

Mr T. B. Hannaford thus retracts : Sir, — T am extremely sorry to find T have given offence to Grocer Foley. I never intended to do so. But I beg to inform him thai; if I did not speak plainly enough to impress him with my intention, I meant WB. Tn proof of which I have to say that if Mr Foley or Mr Any-borly-else paid for the poor fellow's supper and bed I shall have much pleasure in recouping him one part the amount. The night was so wet, and I was so cold and damp that I did not pay that atten tion to Mr. Foley's proposition I should have done if the evening had been fine, and I'd been dry. it appears I was in error in saying that Mr Foley proposed to bo custo dian of the inebriates money, and lot him take his chance. I should have said that the proposition was—the man's money to be handed to Mr Foley for safe keeping, and tho poor fellow put into a cab and driven away.—l am, sir, yours faithfully, T. B. Haxnatord.

The text of the telegram from Mr Header Wood, referred to in last night's Star, was inadvertently omitted. It was received by Mr Baber in reply to a message embodying the resolutions passed by tho Newmarket meeting, and 'S as follows :—" Wo agree generally with resolutions, but it is impos sible to carry the total abolition of provincial Governments now. Mr Vogel's resolutions make that result inevitable. His proposal regarding the land revenue substantially agrees with the Newmarket resolutions. Acting in concert.—PuEAder Wood."

We are glad to be informed that Mr J. Wendell, of Grey-street, has at last firmly established his local manufacture of grape wine. It is pronounced by connoisseurs to be delicious, and especially to invalids and infirm persons. Mr. Wendell's life long con nection with the manufacture of wine in Germany is a guarantee of his ability to make pure wine. He is also growing grape vine specially for the purposes of his business, and has a small quantity of a few years old., which will be offered for sale soon.

The annivei'sary services of St. Sepulchre's Church were held yesterday. In the morning llev MrHassard gave an impressive discourse, and at the evening choral service ; the Eight Rev. Dr. Cowie delivered a sermon from Philippians, chapter 3, verse 13.

Sweeps on the Melbourne Cup Sweep will take place at the Occidental Hotel this evening.

The complimentary concert to Mr James Plunkefc was full of interested listeners last night at the Wellington-street Catholic In stitute. The choir of lady singers trained by Mr. Plunket rendered several glees and ballads in admirable style, such as " Hark, the Lark," " Sweet Home," " See our Oars," and " Beautiful Star." Mr Plunket sang "Sunny days will come again," which elicited great applause ; he also gave one of his effective readings, which was favorably re ceived. The entertainment in all its details was organised with much judgment, and carried out in a creditable manner. Mr l Jiunket was surrounded by the Catholic clergy and most of the ladies of St. Patrick's, and a pleasant evening was the result.

To-morrow evening the Prince of Wales Theatre "will be enlivened by the well-known Vivian Company, when Mr Lancelot Booth's new local comedy "Anew chum in Auck land," will be introduced. The new chum is supposed to arrive by the Miltiades, and goes to various places of amusement—to the theatre, the High-street registry office, and the lock-up, through which dormitory he gets an introduction to the Mayor. The piece is full of adventure and incident, and will doubtless be successful. Missea Melville and Fairleigh and Messrs Vivian, Mason, Franklin and others will taka part in the entertainment.

An old man named Field, 80 years of age, has been sent to prison for a month by the Judge of the Oxford County Court, England, for a debt of thirteen shillings.

The committee of the |Inangural Annual Poultry Show held a meeting this afternoon in Mr Greenwood's office, Dr Home in the chair, at which it was resolved ' That poultry be exhibited in pens of one male and one female birds, and not two females as stated in the third rule ; also that prizes of £1 and 10s be given, provided the funds will admit, and no third prizes." Judges were then chosen.

Instances of gross cruelty to animals requir ing the intervention of the police are by no means infrequent in the neighbourhood of the city. A correspondent furnishes the following account of a proceeding of tho kind in Freeman's Bay. He says :" As I was returning home last night I witnessed an act of great cruelty. A crowd of men v ere gathered round a horse and a dray in Drake street, Freeman's Bay, and were beating the poor animal most unmercifully. Not content with striking him with the whip, in a most brutal manner they used chains and ropes, and kicked him repeatedly, and I am very sorry to say that some of the oldest inhabi tants of Freeman's Bay were tho principle leaders. I wonder if the owner of the horse know how they used him. I cannot believe he was present, or lie ought to bcjjthoroughly ashamed of himself. Kindness goes further than cruelty, and even a horse may appreciate it.—-I am, etc., PkotECTlon qv Dumi; Animals.

It is reported, says a I.evnkacorrespondent, that a party of eight yold-diggei shave recently arrived from Mew Zealand with a view of "prospecting" on some of tho islands for the precious metal. It is said that they intend to try some pait cf T ti Lcvu j but it will b3 au enterprise of very great difficulty, even should their efforts prove successful, which is extremely doubtful. ]n the iirst place, un less they take with them an abundant supply of provisions and other stores, they will, should they be at any distance from the coast, be utterly unable to obtain anything except cocoanuts, taro, and yams, and these they would have to purchase from the natives. There are no means of con veyance of any kind, n< r anythirg like roads throughout the \a hole district, liven horses, it they had any, or could possibly obtain them, would be of no use, as there are noth ing hutinative tracks through the bush, and these are so rugged and unformed that in many places the natives themselves have to crawl up the steep acclivities ; and it would be utterly impossible for any four-footed animal, except ] crimps a dog to pass along them. Kecoudiy, every inch of grouudbilongs to some tribe 01' family, jmd they would nut any consideration allow a stranger, espulally a white man, to dig or settle upon it ; add to which the heart of the country, where gold, if discovered at all, could only be ex pected to be found, the inhabitants are wild cannibals, totally beyond icstraint except by their own chiefs, whom they implicitly obey and wholly beyond the pale or influence of the slightest degree of civilization. If such an enterprise as is re ported has been entered into there cannot be the remotest doubt but that it will prove an utter failure, even ahould the lives of the men engaged in it not be sacrificed.

Of the group of seventeen Ministers who took the oath of allegiance to Queen Victoria on her ascension to tho throne thirty-seven years ago, but two lived to participate in the recent anniversary celebration —Lord Russell, now iv his S2nd year, and Earl Crey, who is ten years younger.

A committee has baen formed at Berlin for the ei'-ction of a great national monument, to cou.sist of a colossal figure of Germania resting upon her sword, holding the Imperial Crown in her light hand It will be placed upon the summit of the Ncidcrwald, the com manding plateau on the Rhine between Asmara hauser and lludersheim.

The Paris Figaro advocates tho introduc tion of " whips" into the French Assembly. " These gentlemen," it explains, " are young members of Parliament who pass their lives in tilburrcea, thrashing their horses and driving abniit to clubs, restaurants, drawing rooms, and other places in search of tho lazy and uudutiful members of their party."

It is just lt'.'i years since professional ballot ladies were iirst been on tho Paris stage. Till then ballet girls were men masked as women.

The old papaljtown of Avignon, France, is preparing to celebrate the live hundredth anniversary of tho great poet Petrarch. The festivities will havo a purely provincial character, fireworks, sham-lighi ;of river fishermen, torch-proce3sions, serenades, illu minations, crowning with garlands, distribu-

tion of prizes, feasts for the poor, etc. In short, everything belonging to a southern French festivity will take place. The statue of Petrach will be solemnly unveiled and adorned with garlands gilded with gold.

Mr John Sceats, for so many years mine host of the British Hotel, Auckland, but now tho proprietor of tho Royal George, New market, gave a houso-warming last night to his Newmarket neighbours and Auckland friends which was of a most agreeable character. An excellent spread of good thing 3 was adequately provided, followed by con viviality of sentiment and song. Mr Sceats at great expense has doubled the size of the Royal George, and it is now ono of the most commodious of country hotels. The usual loyal and colonial toasts were successively given, and some excellent speeches from Messrs. Clark, Kilgour, Sutor, Tate, O'Neill, and Hadrill followed. A juvenile party of thirty or forty children win kept up in another part of the house, it being the birth day of three of Mr. Sceats' children.

It will be seen by advertisement else where that the fouith quarter of the class iv connection with the Mechanics' Institute will commence oa Mouday next. Pupils wishing to enrol themselves are requested to apply to the secretary of .the institute for that purpose. A great fire occurred in Moscow on June 4th. It broke out about 1 o'clock in the afternoon and lasted until nearly 11 o'clock at night, destroying fifty-seven houses. The first tire appeared in the house of M. Igol kine, a small manufacturer, and was oscasioned by sparks from the^tea-urn which the cook was lighting in tho vestibule of the house.

LECTURE ON SUPERSTITION.

Thb eighth of tho winter course of lectures in connection with the Young Men's Chris tian Association will be given this evening by the Rev. C. M. Nelson, M.A., df St. Paul's. The subject of the lecture is " Superstition," which is capable of a varied, interesting, amusing, and instructive treat ment. Superstition has its humours as well as its dark phase, and we have no doubt that the lecturer will take full advantage of this aspect of his subject. It is not neces sary to go into the past ageß to find supersti tions ; they abound on every side of us ; but our modern superstitions are much more of the ridiculous than of the painfully grievous type. We do not, of course, know whether the lecturer will dwell wholly on the past, or confine himself mainly to the superstitions of our own day ; whether he 'will* deal with the superstitions of the Churuh equally with those of the laity; but whatever special view of the subject is taken we are satisfied that it will be dealt with in a maaterly and interesting manner, and that the lecture will prove one of the mogti successful of the series,

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

(From our London Correspondent,)

London, Juno 30, 1574,

MURDER IN ENGLAND. * nother body in the Thames. Another victim to the imbecility of the police. A mutilated woman, the second withm a very few months, has been found floating in the river. No clue has been obtain 3d to the murderers, and no reward has been offered. Human life is setting cheap in England. AA c seem to think nothing now-a-days of a brutal murder. That sort of thing is getting quite common. The horror? in Madame Tussaud s collection quite pale before the modern deeds of unknown criminals. With escaped lunatics from Broadraoor, and a useless police, we hold our lives on a very slender tenure here in England. And then it is getting quite the thing to kick one's wife to death always remembering that magistrates appear to entertain a fellow-feeling for men who are brought before them for that offence, if offence it can be called, which meets with such light punishment. The approved method as adopted in England by the experts is to boot your wife exactly up to that point where you I must leave off if you wish her to recover. It ■is bad form to go beyond this point, because if she died soon afterwards you might be imprisoned for twelve months at most. _Of course it needs several experimental bootings before you can be certain of the point to which you may safely go, so that it is the thine fc o begin with small doses and gradually increase. If after you have reached the extreme margin of safety you find that you really must gratify your feelings a .httle further it is considered the thing to prolong your wife's agonies as long as possible, and not finish her off at a blow, which would be an unpardonable weakness. For instance, an excellent plan is to begin with boots and fists, and after an aim, a leg, and a few ribs are broken, and the features smashed up, to take a rolling pin or some auch convenient and handy instrument and beat her about tTni re«ion of the stomach and heart until b'.ij died in the moat exquisite torturo. If she is likely shortly to become a mother the fun of this plan is greatly augmented. It will be well worth tho three months good food and idleness to which you may possibly be con demned. adulteration of food. The Adulteration of Food Commission has elicited some strange evidence which partly effeots you amd your prospects. After hear ing what somo of the witnesses said it can scarcely be a matter for surprise that many people continue to object to Australian meat and butter. Both of these articles of com merce are it seems largely manufactured in London, and out of very nasty materials. Any horrible greasy material seems good enough for making butter, whilst for tinned meat the maker 3 buy up all the cheap tainted meat they can get hold of. On the whole it seems that «c are better off than we were before the passing of the Adultera tion Act, but we are still so bad that the thought of what we constantly eat and drink is sufficiently sickening. It is in the matter of wines that we suffer mort. TUB MOTIDAUNT DIVORCE CASE. It has been commonly believed that the stoppage of the Mordaunt Divorce Case for so long han been to save the credit of certain of the great ones of the earth. If this is so the effort will be a sad failure after all, for the House of Lords has determined that it shall proceed, and now tho public will be re galed with any amount more of "shocking depravity in high life" details. "Lloyd's Weekly " the " Police News, " and papers of that class are.whetting their beaks in antici pation of a feast of highly flavoured garbage. It would have been of course a gross piece of injustice if Sir Charles Mordaunt had not been permitted to sue for a divorce simply because his wife was insane. Every one says she was only mad on one point, and that was tho point of the whole story. No doubt some of those " noble"men who were so fond of the society of Lady Mordaunt once, and who so heartily joined in tho cry of " mad, mad," will now be shaking in their shoes at tho notion of what may come out next. TUB PERMISSIVE BILL. Your Permissive Bill friends will scarcely be encouraged by the reception the English supporters of that measure met with when they brought their bantling before the present House. It was rejected by 301 to 75, an uuinistakablo hint that the House would not have it at any price. The Licensing Bill leaves tho laws in pretty much the same condition as it found them. The hours are a trifle extended, which was much required in London and other largo towns. Just now a fashion is becoming general of working men's clubs, and very good things they are. I don't mean teetotal concerns, which are also very good for those that like them, but comfortable houses where the men can get beer and sit up any time they like. It is well known that all the heavy drinking is done in the London club houses, but iD the case of working men's clubs it is found that the members do not drink to excess. All men are getting good wages now, and can afford to spend a lot of money, so that it is very important good provision should bo made for their spending it decently and in order. DECADENCE OF RACING. The rapid decadence of racing as a British sport, and the horrid and scandalous con dition of the turf as regards its frequenters has occasioned the enquiry as regards racing — cvi bono 1 For years past the only defence for racing that has been put forward by decent patrons of the sport has been—it improves the breed of horses. That it once had this effect there can be no doubt, but some of the best informed of the horse breeding interest have of late gravely questioned the truth of this assertion, and the Jockey Club has seriously taken up the question and purpose discussing it at their next meeting. Tho fact is, no doubt, in the earlier days racing acted as an incentive to stir up the grazier and breeder to the utmost efforts to turn out an animal very superior to anything that then existed. At that time there was ample room for improvement, but this is not now the case. The horse has, it is thought, reached his maximum of perfec tion. The early age at which horses are run on the course undermines their constitutions, and they in their turn breed weakly animals, and it seems a really doubtful matter whether racing is not actually injuring the breed of horse. One thing at any rate is certain— racing is going out of fashion. With the exception of Ascot scarcely any decent people show up on any course, and when the field is left to the roughs, as in the case of prize-fighting, the sport may be regarded as doomed. SCANDALS ABOUT- THE NOBILITY. The tales of scandal concerning the Upper Ten in England are legion. These things always become numerous about the time of the London season, and no doubt there are grounds for most of the stories. This year they are particularly numerous. The Prince of Wales is said to be deeply in debt, and anxious to apply to Parliament for relief. It may be possible, of course, because lie hag had to do so much public work that even if he were not very extravagant,, he might easily have become involved. Then a certain Marquis of great repute is said to have eloped with his wife's maid j at any rate ha and, the maid have not been seen for some

days. Next comes a Duke, whom I should have given precedence to, and who is said to.have given mortal offence to the Prince of Wales, the causa leierrhna in this case also being a lady of high rank. Then Fir;aro tells a most extraordinary story of the daughter of a banker who was engnged to be married, to a man bearing no less a rank than that or Mirquis The lady, a banker's daughter, discovered that her suitor was marrying her for her money, and broke off the match. Ihe Marquis, however, contrived to decoy the eirl into a disreputable den, and the scene that occurred there could not, of course be s*t down on paper. It was of such a nature that the young lady attempted sell destruction to preserve her honour. An alarm was raised, and tho police entered in time to bring the girl alive to her father's house, where she lies in a dangerous state. It is like old times revived this sort of thing. What grand material for such an author as Mr Reynolds !

THE MILTIADES' CONCERT

Tm.s concert, which has been looked forward to with so much eagerness. during the last week, came off last night, and was a signal success in spite of the very indifferent weather. As we have previously noticed the spacious 'tween decks of Captain Perrett's fine vessel were specially prepared for the occasion, and their grand proportions rendered them eminently adapted for accom modating the largo audience, numbering over four hundred, which assembled to do honor to the courteous skipper as well as to swell the funds of the Merchant Sailors' Orphan Asylum. Ihe gentlemen under whose superintendence the arrangements were carried out may con gratulate themselves on the result of their eideavors. The decorations were most tasteful. They consisted principally of fla^s and evergreen?. To the ample supply of °bunting belonging to the Miltiades was added the set of signal flags belonging to the T'ouutess of Kintore. A stage was erected for'ard of the? main hatch. This wag prettily draped with red cloth, and com fortably carpeted. The lamp 3 and tapers hung round shed a soft, if not a brilliant, light over the scene. Behind or abaft of the stage were fitted up dressing rooms for the performers, for whom access was afforded by a doorway at the back, overhung by a large Union Jack. A large number of chair 3 were obtained from the City Hall, but many of the audience promenading in the rear of the sc:>r.<, The large space between the main and i'tmrnaab were kept clear, _ and although the mason was left very quiet it was too suggesd/e not to be divined by the majority of those present. At the^foot of the rnizenmast Mr G ratten, of the Thames Hotel, had the indispensable refreshment bar, where creature comforts of the best descrip tion were provided. The fine saloon and the captain's cabin were reserved for the special friends of Capt Perrett and the officers, and for the performera. The Engineer and City Band, under Bandmaster Impejr, gave their services gratuitously, and proved of much valuable assistance in giving zest to the pro gramma. Although 9ft. 6in. is very lofty for a ship's 'tween-rlecks it is rather low for a concert room 200 feet long, and consequently the sound of the singing did not travel so well as it might have done, but in spite of this unavoidable drawback the performances appeared to give ample satisfaction. As the performers were ail amateurs we shall not attorupb to criticise. Suffice it to siy that there was not a single hitch throughout the whole of the programme. The orchestral efforts —" Chilperic" (Herve), and " Liecol lections of the Opera" (Dan Godfrey), were given with good effect. A lady sang " Evangeline" with sweetness and good intonation. A little boy acquitted himself remarkably well in " Down by the sad sea Waves," to which a telling chorus lent an additional charm. The comic element was well represented by a young gentleman. Two little girls played a couple of duets very fairly for "such young performei-s. After tho concert a dance was improvised and continued up to a late hour.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(Per Pres3 Telegram Agency.)

WELLINGTON.

This day.

QUESTIONS

In tho TTjuso of Representatives, yesterday, Mr RUsha-dion stated in reply to Mr Kelly that, the (ijvernmeht were obtaining informa tion r_- 'arding the best line of road between Tauranga and Cambridge. In reply to Mr. Fox the Premier said that no doubt in future the judges of the Supreme Court would have an interchange of judicial circuit.

In reply to Mr. O'JSTeill the Prmeier said the Government would obtain all the infor mation possible regarding the working of the Royal mint. In reply to Mr. Murray the Premier said that tho Government would continue to watch over the South Sea commerce ques tion. He did not think Australia was so much interested in it as New Zealand. THE REJECTED RAILWAY BILLS. Mr Vogel stated with reference to the rejection of the Railways Bill that he understood the Upper House was op posed to the bill chiefly on account of the clauses making appropriation for the purchase of the Southland railway. He regretted that owing to their action Otago should be the only province not specially recognised by the Government this session. He proposed to strike out the provisions objected to, and send the Bill back.

Several Otago members spoke to the effect that if the money expected from the purchase of the Southland line was not obtained the Provincial Government would have to sacrifice the public lands in order to meet engagements with contractors. They urged the Govern ment to stand or fall by the measure ; to dis regard the action of tho Upper House altogether ; or to make a special advance to Otago as had been done with Auckland.

The Premier promised to bring down a bill empowering the payment of £60,000 this year on account of the purchase of the railways contemplated in the rejected measure.

The Railway Bill, with the objectionable clauses omitted, was then passed through all stages.

LAST NIGHT.

THE WARD-CHAPMAN SCANDAL.

On the adjourned debate on the interim report of the Ward-Chapmau committee the Premier moved an amendment, which was agreed to, " That the evidence be referred to the Government to take such action as seemed desirable." He did not consider it worth the trouble of appointing a Roval Commission, Better leave the matter in the hands of the Government.

Mr J. L. Gillies concurred in the amend ment. As a private member he could say he was perfectly satisfied with the evidence adduced at the enquiry, especially that part which referred to how Mr Macassey became possessed of the information in the telegrams. Mr Rolleston supported the amendment of the Premier. He could not see the propriety

of appointing a Royal Coramibaion^ case. ' w thjj Mr J. L. Gillies moved for a reb ing the distribution of the million anrt ep> stated by the Premier as having concessions to the provinces to J^k support for the public works and f^S tion policy. lttn\°tv I

EFFECTS OP PROVINCIALMf :\ The Premier presumed the hon *, A meant this as a joke. He ?* 1 when the consolidation of the Island took place they would il^ less of this provincial pressure, m e rj would then represent their constituent* " and would have some regard for the "^ as a whole. -As an instance of the oW tions capable of being made by the pro^' and against which the Government oh?' colony was unable to cope in the Hons*!' % could refer them to the fate of the pi. Works Advances Bill, which passed tW i the Legislative Council while the iS Bill was thrown out. The cause of thj» that in one Bill a number of provinces * represented, while in the other only t wero. - • "

Mr Rolleston referred at length to ft admissions made by the Premier M mjj damaging to him. He admitted that V whole" policy had been one of shift. »7 pediency, and building up a p a Z £ pandering to the needs of those whom Z drew around him to the destruction of Jn ' justice and right. This session he i,2 away from all his political utterances i» j coming down with a policy not his own. % I voice wa3 the voice of Jacob, bat the hind k was the red hand they had seen sooft^ 1 late years meddling in the affairs of th e I

provinces. Mr J. E. Brown said the lasit speaker daw not use such language before his constitnenta, ]>, was fine now to find fault with tha Governraont when they all knew that* on the very threshhold of the public works policy it was throttled by tha:!; whole of the provincial authorities. Hai^ it not been for the Upper House the wholes country would have been ruined by the %J mandsof the provinces. He was sorry M Government could not famish a return to '■ show to what extent the provinces hadforoeil the Government out of their original intea- ] tion. Mr Reid was thankful for the admissions made by the Premier and his supporters tint; they had made unjust concessions solely for the purchase of support. It was in vain for the Premier to attempt to put the respoiii. "' bility of any failure of policy upon theHowe, He must bear the sole burden. Sir Oracroft Wilson made a vigorous de*r; nunciation of the House, finding fault wijj^ the Premier and Government. Theyshoßll recollect that Judge Richmond, the cleanest handed man in the colony, after five years -fa \ office threw it up because he refused to giva some members £300 per year to secure their support. Only a few days ago when- ttw Premier announced that he intended to assist poor provinces which could not assist them selves he was received with cheersfrom-ope, end of the House to thp other. Before t% found fault with the Government they: should see that they were just themselyei^ He protested against men who brought about': such a state of things accusing tha'; Ministry of act 3 for which the House aloneV;; was responsible, for he had consistently, opposed the policy from the first, but kuow^ ins now that its success depended on i being carried out in its integrity he COflid] not offer nnv obstructive opposition.

Mr Vowel replied very briefly. Mr Sheehan said that it was pretty cle«;! ; that the admissions made by the Premier' were open afe least to the term of bribery,; under extenuating circumstances. He conH^ assure the Government that if the province^

were to die they would die game. The motion was negotived on the voices., i ADVANCE TO OTAGO. - I

Mr Macandrew said Otago could get along| without assistance from the Government if. allowed. He objected altogether to-the.s people of Otago being obliged to sue in/oma^ pauperis. He was confident the people would protest against being placed la such* an invidious position. r The Premier then explained that the Bill he promised to bring down made no reference to the question of Otago railways,—it only,; provided for authority to advance £60,000.? to Otago for works. He enumerated ranou*^ amounts of expenditure in the several pw:| vinces which the Government sanctioned 1 solely to prevent the policy coming to a stand still. If hon. gentlemen chose to go^ over the items they would have no difficulty"! in finding how much the Government had tO; > concede "for the sake of the policy. > AiMS some desultory discussion the Premier ta« troduced the Bill authorisine; the expend!- - ture of an advance of £60,000 to Otagofor ; the purchase of the railway from Bluff to* Winton. _ $*■ The Bill was agreed to, and the HoMe* adjourned at 10.5 to 12.20 on Saturday.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before His Worship the Mayor and Dr.| Home, J.P.s) DRUNKENNESS. William Bates, Henry Whelan, / Peter ; Frazer, Thomas Burns, an exceptionally | respectable looking lot of topers, were, con- 1 victed of this offence and punished as usual. * WIFE ASSAULT —WOMBX'S ORDINAET TREATMENT. Fredrick Brett was charged on a wa"an; 1 with unlawfully assaulting his wife Mary - Brett by seizing her by the throat and attempt ing to choke her on the 27th Augnst, 18/4- I Prisoner pleaded not guilty. , Complainant stated that on the nignt in question her husband came homo the worse for liquor, and wanted W get some more rum, and when sne tried to prevent him he seized her by «• throat; and threatened to choke her J» threw hir on the sofa, and told her that if *» put the police on to him he would give ncr something to do it for. , It transpired that prisoner had alwatty undergone a sentence of nine months impri sonment for a similar offence. .. Prisoner to complainant: Did I ever rtru». you so as to mark you like other women are treated ? (Sensation). ~ I Complainant: You are always ill-treating

me. 3 On defendant promising; to go away, ana refrain from again molesting his wife, new let off with sevendays hard labour. DOMESTIC LIFE AT HOWICK. _ Aubery Fitzgerald, apparently a foreigner, appeared to answer a charge of unlawrauj threatening to take the life of Sarah Fitz gerald, liis wife, on the 25th inst, whereDy the said Sarah Fitzgerald was in bodily war. Mr Coleman appeared for the prosecution. The complainant, in giving her evident said that it was not the first time that, wr husband had threatened her. On {£■ occasion in consequence of his bad benavf^ she had told him she wouid get a separation when he said if she did that she shoul. never walk again. . , Constable Hutchinson, located at I*o™ stated that on the day in question defendant* wife came to him for protection, v^-jr^ her husband was throwing bricksitW the windows at her. He went to the houae, and found defendant iix bed. He said it ww all fun. Out of doors Fitzgerald was a very quiet fellow.

HA mmtm if Am, miMf, aWOTH as, mitt



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