SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HIGTT water - This evening, 5.40 ; .o-mo-sotj morning, 5.57 SUI.-SET : -__b ovoning. 5.13; SUN-RISK i To morrow morr'<ng, 6.44 MOON'S AGE: Full Moon, 2nd May, 3.48 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Phantom, cutter, from Whangarei

DEPARTURES.

Nil

IMPORTS.

Per schooner Atalanta, from Kaipara: 320 bags gum, Brown, Campbell, and Co. ; 132 bags gum, 4 hides, 23 casks, Must and Co.

EXPORTS.

Per Eiery Cross, for Lyttelton : 52,000 feet timber, 30 pair sashes, J. W. Waller. Per Mary Melville, for Lyttelton—s6,ooo feet timber, to be shipped at Wangaroa.

Captain H. Elliott, of this port, has been appointed marine surveyor to the Standard Insurance Company. The sailing of the s.s. Pretty Jane has been, postponed on account of the weather till 12 o'clock to-morrow.

No departures have taken place to-day owing to the East gale. Messrs Sims and Brown are ouilding at their new yard at the Nor^ fl Shore a three masted schooner for Messrs Watt Bros., Napier The vessel is to be completed by July next. The following are to be her dimensions:—Length, 114 ft.; beam, 23ft.; depth of hold, lift.; tonnage, about 162 tons register, 300 tons builders' measurement.

The p.s. Hanraki was this morning towed over from the North Shore by the p.s. Lalla Rookh and taken into the Mechanics' Bay intake, where she is to receive her machinery alongside Messrs Fraser and Tinne's wharf. The ship Jubilee is now 9S days at sea, and may therefore be expected to show her number shortly. ' The ship Allahabad, after working through Rangitoto Channel yesterday, was compelled, owing to the heavy easterly gale blowing outside, to anchor off the Wade, where she remained all night. The schooner Mary Melville has cleared for Lyttelton via Wangaroa, with a cargo of timfcer and a small quantity of general stores.

The brig Moa has cleared in ballast for Newcastle.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Nelson, April 29. The s.s. Wellington arrived early this morning from New Plymouth.

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ARRIVALS. Atalanta, .chooner, 31 tons, T. Abrams, from Kaipara

DEPARTURE.

Agnes, cutter, for Port Waikato.—J. W. Waller,

agent. Fiery Cros3, schooner, Grundy, for Lyttelton.—J. W. Writer, .gent. Ta*vera, schooner, Church, for Kaipara, in ballast

COMMERCIAL.

CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Business done this day— Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £17 ss. National Bank, 75s ; buyers, 70s j sellers, 725.

S.B. Insurance, 52s ; sellers, 525. National Insurance —Buyers, 34s ; sellers, 34s 6d. Exchange—Sellers, 16s. Golden Calf (paid up)-Bayers,lis Nonpareil— 6s . buyers, 6s. Otago, 13s ; buyers, 12s 6d Italian, 2s ; buyers, 2s ; sellers, 2s 3d Old Whau, £4 12s 6d; buyers, £4 15s j sellers, £417s 6d Windsor Castle—Buyers, 3s ; sellers, 4s 6d Caledonian—£9 ; buyers, £9 . sellers, £9 2s 6d. City of London—2ls 6d ; buyers, 21s ; sellers, 21s 6d. City of York —Buyers, 2s. Crown Prince —Buyers, 19s. Bird-in-Hand—Buyers, 22s Gd. Ditto (paid up)—24s. Standard Insurance —Buyers, lCs 6d . sellers, 18s. Tookejf, (double) £5 5s ; buyers, £5. Bright Smile —Buyers, £5 2s 6d, Alburnia, (new) 48s ; buyer, 48s j seller s, 525. Coliban — 10s. Cure—los ; buyers, 9s 6d; sellers, 10s 6d. Thames G.M. Co.—Buyers, 62s 6d. Ruby—Buyers, 7s . sellers, 7a 6d.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under _— For Thames, this day, at 5 30 p.m. For Napier and Southern provinces, per Mikado, six

hours after arrival For Waiwera and Warkworth, per Lady Bowen, tc~

morrow, at 10 a.m. For Russell, per Murray, to-morrow, at 2 p.m. For Wangi.ni", per St. Kilda, to-moi.ow, at 5 p.m. For Wiiitian-.i, Tairua, Tavranga, and Opotiki, per

Southern Cross, on Friday next, at 3 p.m. For Chatham Islands, per Ocean Wave, on Friday

next For the undermentioned places, per Taranaki, on Saturday, 2nd May, as under :— For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, end Continent of Europe, at C.30 a m For Southern provinces, and Austrrlian Colonies, at 7.30 a m

For the United Kingdom, via Suez (for letters specially addrers- d), at 7.30 am For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters fo_ Southern provinces and Melbourne, at Bam For newspapers at 6 a m

For money orders, and registered letters, on Friday, Ist May, at 5 p m (Signed) 8. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29, 1874.

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

We would draw special attention to a very hard case related in our Thames telegrams to day. A poor fellow, after getting his hard earned contribution in retorted gold from the pockets of those bloated aristocrats called shareholders, had put it in a quiet place until he could get it changed into money, when some inquisitive people ferreted it out, and carried it away. There seems to be evi dence that the man had grown honest of a sudden, or had perhaps obtained a lucrative appointment 'at some mine, when it would have looked very suspicious if he were seen trying to dispose of retorted gold. Yet, notwithstanding these satisfactory proofs of a reformation in character, we learn that the Thames police are preparing to hound the man down, to rob him of his character, expose his little failings to the rude public gaze, and possibly remove him from a sphere in which he is beloved and admired to land him in Mount Eden Gaol. And all for what? A paltry twenty ounces of gold which a shilling call will more than cover half-a-dozen times over. Is it possible that the Thames police can lower themselves to such a thing ? Is, it in accordance with fair play, honour, justice, manly feeling, righteousness, high sentiment, refinement of thought, and judgment to come, that a man thus perhaps on the road to repentance should he pursued with a vindictive justice and dragged from his peaceful home to

police dock ? We lift up our voice against it, and with a howl of outraged virtue and righteous indignation cry '** Stay." Is it not sufficient that the gold has been found—at any rate twenty ounces of it—(there may have been a hundred originally) ? Is it not enough that the shareholders who 'owned the gold have, with uncom plaining meekness, paid their calls and said nothing about it, but these miserable police, who have nothing to do but take the public money and then prey upon society, must meddle with what concerns them not. We urge them to beware and take warning : an eye is upon them before wbich they may yet qu.il and shrink back abashed. It is time enough for them to move when i they see a man put his hand in some one's pocket, or until a vagabond is caught and brought to them. The impu dence of those people called "shareholders" is becoming something unbearable. One oi them writes to us thus:—"Sir, —I wish to draw your attention to a statement that has been made over and over again. It is this : That twice the quantity of gold finds its way into the market than share holders get. paid for. If this is true one can imagine that many persons, and even public institutions in this pro vince, may be interested in the continuance of specimen stealing, inasmuch that stolen gold, no doubt, is bought cheap. Try and obtain a return of all gold bought by the banks, and another of all gold sold by com panies, tbe proceeds of which has found its way into the pockets of shareholders, and let the public learn the truth. —lam, &c., Shar eholder." Out upon your avarice! Onyourown admission one-half the gold obtained is given up to your class, and think you that the hard-working fellows who get it from the earth at your expense are not fairly entitled to the other half? Is your's a cause that lacks assistance? Away with it, and give place to liberal sentiments, honour, fair play and manliness—we'll have none of you !

Mr. W. J. Cawkwell, the manager and leading proprietor of the Crown Distillery, has issued a pamphlet relative to the pro posed increase of duty on New Zealand spirits, to which we referred in a recent issue. We endeavoured to show on that occasion the in justice of the course contemplated by.the Government, and the evident insincerity of Mr Vogel's protectionist theories. Mr Cawkwell, in ihe pamphlet before us, proves clearly that even a shilling increase-of duty would close the distillery ; and a few simple figures will demonstrate the fact to our readers beyond all question. The chief product of the Auckland distillery is rum. The distillery price for that spirit is 13s a gallon, d.p. ; the price of imported rum IGs to ICs Gd, shewing a differ, nee of at least 3s a gallon against the distillery on sales, a margin which is absolutely nccn ssary to secure con sumption in tbe face of the existing prejudice against colonial crog. In addition to this a duty equal to 2. a gallon is paid on the mollass-s imported from Honolulu for the production of the spirit ; this, with the six shillings chareable on colonial spirits, makes a handicap, if wo may so term it, of lisa gallon as against 12_ a gallon on imported rum. The cost of wages, fuel, and other expenses of production is. of course, immensely greater here than in Britain. The Cross, in review ing tbe pamphlet this morning deals most unfairly with it. Our contemporary states : —"We find from the correspondence that in May, 1870, when Mr Cawkwell applied for his license, that he was distinctly warned by the Chief Inspector an increase in the duty was even then contemplated." The writer in the Cross must, if he read the pamphlet, have noticed that this warning was only given when Mr Cawkwell, after many consultations with the Sub-Inspector of Distilleries at Auckland, had im ported the whole of tho plant and leased premises. The first intimation by the Inspector was, moreover, very much modified by the Government in reply to a remon strance from Mr Cawkwell. The Inspector of Distilleries, on behalf of the Commissioner of Cu. .toms.jin his subsequent communication, stated distinctly that '* the Government have no intention whatever of proposing anything to the Assembly which would have the effect of withdrawing from persons who may em bark capital iri that direction the advantage which the Legislature evidently intended to confer on them ■" and further went on to explain that his warning was only to be un derstood as applicable in case of a reduction in the duty on imported spirits, the Go vernment being of opinion that the duty on colonial spirit was already so low that no further reduction could be made, even if the excise duty on imported spirits were lowered. In this it will be seen there was no intima tion of any contemplated increase of duty, and therefore no warning applicable to the present unjustifiable action of the Govern ment. The Cross further endeavours to support its position by calling in question the quality of the spirits produced by the distillery : "A better brew," our contem porary remarks, " would probably overcome that prejudice." This sentence itself maybe regarded as a sample of that unreasoning prejudice which still exists against the distillery. Apart from the commenda tory notices which have appeared in the Cross from time to time when there was no end to serve, attention may reasonably be drawn to the fact that at the great European exhibition held last year in Vienna a prize medal was awarded the Crown Distillery for the excellence of the Auckland manufactured spirits. There the judges were unprejudiced, and capable of forming an opinion. We understand that in order' to test the question of prejudice a number of Crown distillery bottles some time ago were filled with the best brands of im ported liquor, and submitted to several of the recognised connoisseurs of Auckland, when the spirits were with one voice condemned as "raw," *• harsh," and generally unpalatable. It is also well known that there are publicans who purchase at the Auckland distillery and retail as English spirits to those who would look with horror at a bottle labelled ** Crown Distillery." In doing so, although transgressing strict rules of fair dealing, they undoubtedly vend a purer and much better liquor than the bulk of the imported stuff is. Mr Cawkwell has succeeded in es tablishing a case which he can with confi dence submit to the public and parliament. His conclusions are so well put that to re produce them will convey better than any words of ours the nature of the grievance for which he seek 3 redress. We make the following extract from his pamphlet :—

'• The Government have reminded me that they have the power to make laws, and un make them if they choose to do so, and as they turn a -leaf ear to every remonstranoe,

and show such a determined opposition to my business, it would be vain and fruitless on my part to contend with them. To say that an extra 3s per gallon could be obtained is simply absurd. I am quite willing to produce my books, point out and prove that in its first stages the introduction of a new industry entails a frightful loss, and that it was only about two months ago that the profit and loss account of my business indicated a very small balance on the right side for the capital invested four years ago. Thus we have been quietly wiping off the loss of the first two years, and my partners and myself, not having received one shilling profit on our capital up to the present moment, congratulated ourselves that as we were in the position in which we originally stood the coming j-ears would give its our profit and reward for which we had so long and so patiently waited, and it is somewhat strango that at this particular stage of our business the Government should step in. My position is that I have lost my time, my money, and my former business, and, after great anxiety and trouble shall be in about the same position as when I came to the colony sixteen years ago. There is at present no local industry in New _- ealand that contributes one penny to the revenue except the Distillery, and why this should be specially selected for increased taxation is a matter of surprise to me. I may here incidentally mention that our disbursements during the four years amount to £00,000, and this large sum has hitherto left us no profit, clearly indicating that there is no margin for extra duty, nor would the consumer pay it, the difference in price only overcoming the prejudice against the locally manufactured article. My chief trade is iv rum manufactured from Honolulu molasses, on which the Government firßt charge me one penny per pound (or about two shillings per gallon on the spirit made) in addition to the six shillings on the manufactured article. It stands to reason that if every article now imported were made in New Zealand there would be no import duties, but this would not indicate a want of prosperity in the country. It is not my business to enter into the political view of the subject, having the one patent fact before my eyes that the Government called my industry into exist ence and now propose to destroy it. The increasing demand for revenue may soon become exacting. Brewers, maltsters, sauce makers, tobacco and cigar makers, and every other colonial industry must deprive the revenue of large sums of money as their business extends, and therefore they will naturally feel interested in my case, indicating as it does that they will soon be visited with a demand for contributions to the revenue."

Among other important business tran sacted at the annual meeting of justices yes terday was the passing of a resolution, moved by Mr T. Macffarlane, and seconded bj Mr Graham, " That the attention of the Govern ment be drawn to the repair of tho Police Court clock, etc." We sincerely trust that the man to whom is committed the task of bring ing this weighty matter under the notice of the legislature will do it with becoming gravity. A correspondent insanely suggests that the subject should be attended to by the lords temporal, but he forgets there are none here. Wc uuderstand that there is a probability' of the question being made use of to tost the relative party strength of the Opposition and the Government. The Oppo sition will, it is said, opppose the vote on tho ground of economy, and it is not unlike'y that a recent candidate for legislatorial honours will follow out his cutting-down tactics and make this a splendid opportunity for advising retrenchment. As the struggle is likely to be a long and bitter one we must -reconcile ourselves in the interval to the prospect of allowing Time to run about in the Court without any check on his movements. Time does some queer things, and if he i 3 taken no notice of he is apt to do queerer things st:ih Magistrates, beware !

The annual meeting of members of the Artillery Corps was held at the Provincial Hotel, Princes-street, last evening, Capt. Featon in the chair. Lieut. Devore and a fair number of member.'-, considering the pre sent reduced strength of the corps, were pre sent. The balance-sheet was read by the treasurer, who stated that at the last annual meeting accounts were owing to the amount of £72, which had all been paid off, and that the expen diture for the year had been very light. The balance at the bank was £29 3s, which, with the past year's capitation, left the corps (financiallj) in a very satisfactory condition. Votes of thanks were passed to the secretary — Lieut. Devore, and trea surer —Driver Davies, who were both re-elected as wasjalsofthe retiring finance committee. A little discussion took place with reference to a present of £10 10s given some time ago for gun prizes by Dr Lee, and it was thought by some of the members that a resolution should be passed or a letter sent to Dr Lee informing him that the amount had not been firad for or obtained from Cap tain Featon. The matter was settled, how ever, by Captain Featon stating that he would arrange it with Dr Lee.

In Mr Cornford's speech last evening at the City Hall that minister strongly censured professing christians of Auckland for making no christian effort for the comfort and infor mation of immigrants arriving here from other shores. The reverend gentleman was unusually hard upon the good people of this city, who, it must be owned, evince a great deal of practical sympathy with every charitable object. Mr Cornford surely could not have been ignorant of the fact that for two years past the committee of the Young Men's Christian Association have engaged a paid missionary for that special _ pur pose, who goes on board every immigrant vessel that comes into the harbour, and furnishes immigrants with information about lodgings, &c, and puts into their hands a printed memorandum shewing the different places of worship in the city and every other particular, he giving the names and addresses of ministers. Immigrants are also invited to the rooms of the association, where they are treated with marked kind ness by the librarian, who keeps a list of various works in progress, and of employers who may want hands. They are also allowed the use of the reading-room free for one month after their arrival. It is strange, therefore, that Mr. Cornford should have overlooked this fact in making his eloquent but sweeping censure upon the christian people of the city.

An entertainment of a pleasant character, consisting of Bunyans "Holy War," with appropriate selections of music by the choir, will be given on Friday evening in the United Methodist Free Church, corner of Vincent and Pitt-streets, in aid of the Sun day-school library.

We notice that his Honor Sir George A. Arney, Chief Justice, will be among the passengers for Wellington on Saturday next, by the s.s. Taranaki.

Mr S. E. Hughes, jun., advertises that he has lost a brown retriever dog.

The Vivian Royal Comique Company appear to-morrow evening at the Onehuuga Institute under distinguished patronage. A special programme has been provided, and a good, house,!ought to reward the efforts of the company,

The City Hall was filled last evening on the occasion of the annual meeting m con nection with the Congregational vr I cft ' recently of Albert-street. Rev. Warlow i Davies occupied tbe chair, and gave an ex cellent and telling speech in reference to his own personal affliction and the condition and prospects of the church of his pastoral caie. He spoke of Archdeacon Maunsell, who had preached for them on Sunday last, as the friend of all the churches. In preaching tor them he had broken the ice which he trusted would never again be closed. Alter a very eloquent address the rev. gentleman called upon Mr Warner, deacon, to read tne report, from which we gather that on April 29th last a meeting of the members was held to consider the advisability of selling the Albert-street property, and it was resolved that it should be realised on forthwith, and also that a new church should be built whicU should be entered free of debt. Subscrip tions were promised amounting to over ±_IUUU. Shortly afterwards the chapel and site on which it stood were sold for £750, and sub sequently the remainder of the property was disposed for £950. These sums, together with the subscriptions premised, would give £2 000 towards paying for the new building. The plans of the new building had been pre pared by Mr Herapath, and the church would be 71ft. long 43 wide and 28ft. high, and would be capable of .eating 520 people. There would also be a gallery capable ot holding 280 more peisons. There would also be a schoolroom attached to the chapel. The Sunday-school was in a flourishing condition. The Treasurer's report shewed that the re ceipts and expenditure nearly balanced the current account, and there was also the sum of £2000 9s lid received from various sources m hand to meet the expenses of the new chapel. Captain Daldy then gave an interesting ac count of their labour in a pointed and pithy speech. The Rev. David Bruce then spoke on the subject of an "Hos pital Sunday," and recommended that all the churches of the various denominations should give one Sunday in the year for the benefit of the hospital, as they do in Aus tralia and other parts. The Rev. B. O. Butland, of the Thames, spoke next on " Weekly Storing," and occupied the atten tion, of the audience for more than half-an -1 hour with something like what newspaper people would call facetia, which resembled a column of anecdotes such as we see occa sionally in a San Francisco journal, coming ' at last in a few sentences to the subject of ' " Weekly Storing." It was with some re i gret that a large number of persons patiently ; listened to Mr. Rutland's absurdities, who i had come especially to hear a carefully ' prepared oration on the manuscripts of God, which could not be given owing to the almost intolerable and inconsiderate length - of Mr. Butland's selected budget ol anec - dotes. The Rev. P. H. Cornford spoke on

" Churches and Immigrants," and tbe choir sang between the speeches some of the more touching passages in the "Messiah," when the meeting separated with the benediction.

A social gathering of the employes at Ellerslie was held at the Harp of Erin Hotel on Monday evening last to shew in the best manner that circumstpnces would allow their respect and good feeling towards the general manager of the works, Mr Kirkwood (well known at the Thames and Coromandel), prior to his leaving Ellerslie. At seven o'clock those assembled sat down to a most substantial supper provided by the pro prietor, Mr Wm. Lundon, and after doing justice to the viands, upon the cloth being removed the usual loyal toast of "Her Majesty and the Royal Family" was proposed by the Chair, with the remark that as the meeting was held entirely for an object the toasts usual upon such occasions would, with the exception of the circle present, be omitted. The next toast proposed was the " Guest of the evening, Mr Kirkwood," and the Chair man, in giving it, in a few words conveyed to Mr Kirkwood the good wishes of the company, and their sense of regret at his leaving. Mr Kirkwood responded in most suitable terms, expressing his regret at leaving, and concluded with the remark that he was glad that although not long resident with those assembled his connection with them had been appreciated by the employes at Ellerslie in the kindly manner shewn by the present meeting. The health of the Foreman of Works (Mr Pardie) was also well proposed and responded to. After a few other toasts of a local nature, the meeting having enjoyed themselves with some sing ing, separated at an early hour well satisfied with themselves and all tho world.

We notice that Messrs Phillipps and Son' of Wyndham-street, have received from London a large series of most beautiful chromos in the first style of art, which are extremely pleasant to the eye of the lover of nature and art. The pictures represent scenes of Bradgate Park, and the favorite haunt of Lord Byron, Sherwood Forest ; also, marine views, at sunrise and sunset, mackrel fishing at Dunkirk, and shrimp catchers on the coast of Devon ; also, sketches of haymakers, reapers, gleaners, and children, and the golden haired Lavinias of English cornfields, with drawings of sheep and lazy cattle by brawling streams. We observed more over a number of sketches of lake-scenery of Cumberland, including Grasemere, Greta bridge, and the mountains which circled the homes of Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey, De Quincey, Shelley, and professor Wilson, one of the jolliest men that Scotland ever produced. There were also a quantity of Swiss mountain views, and rustic portraits of primrose and fern gatherers, and many etchings of English and Scottish peasant life.

To the Editor : Sir, —I was instructed by Mr Rubie to write a letter to the Cross about the late fire (the said letter has appeared in this day's issue). Mr King called this morn ing and instructed me to hand the money to a gentleman he introduced. I drew out the enclosed receipt, and proferred the money to the party. He positively refused to receive it back and sign such a receipt. As an in correct statement of the matter might appear in print I think it only right to publish the true facts of the case.—Yours, &c, T. B. Hannai-ord. [April 29th, 1574. Received of Mr T. B. Hannaford the sum of £2 placed in this hands for delivery to Mr King, chemist, the which £2 was handed by Mr King to Mr Rubie, as his contribution to wards the compensation for the destruction of his premises by fire.].

To the Editor r Sir, —Last Monday morn ing I met aMr Pubic, who kept an oyster shop next to me in Queen-street previous to the late fire I asked him if he had obtained another place ; he said No, and he feared he should not be able in consequence of having no money, and he said he had "also a sick wife. It put my hand in my pocket and gave him £2, for which he thanked me. To my surprise I found a letter in this morning's Cross, written by a person too well-known to most of us, namely T. B. Hannaford, stating that Mrs Rubie wished to return the money, and I may have it back as soon as I choose to fetch it. I, with a gen tleman, waited on Mr Rubie this morning, and after on this illustrious T. B. Hanna ford, requesting that the money may be given back to Mr Burtt, and handed over to the Orphan Asylum where, no doubt, it will be thankfully received and more worthily applied.—l am, etc., J. P. King,

Tbe Victoria, Scottish, and Hobson Com panies of Volunteers underwent their usual monthly inspection last evening in the Drill shcd with general satisfaction. The com panies went through their exercises under command of Captain Derrom, who subse quently gave the members some seasonable advice on attending to their battalion exer cise v-ith regularity, as Major Gordon will be very strict at their annual inspection. At the close of drill, the Victoria and Hobson companies passed through the towD, the Hobson band playing some lively tunes in their march, which brought numbers of persons to their doors to listen to the very pleasant strains of the efficient Hobson band. The annual meeting of the Hobson Company will be held at their head-quarters, Catholic Institute, Wellington-street, on the evening of the 6th proximo.

At the Supreme Court this morning Mr MacCormick obtained leave to postpone the next stage of the proceedings in the case ot Eraser v. the Proprietors of tbe Evening Star until the return of the Chief Justice from Wellington, where his Honor goes at once to attend the Court of Appeal. This will defer the further hearing of the case more than a month. _ The meeting of members of the Devon port Literary Society will be held to-morrow evening in the school-room attached to the Church of England, when the report a,nd balance sheet will be submitted for adoption to the meeting, and other business mtro- We notice that the musical and literary entertainment at Newton Hall will not take place until the 7th of May, when a number of first-class musicians and amateur vocalists will assist in rendering the project success ful. . , . . . We learn that another musical society is in course of formation, and will shortly be commenced under the appropriate title of the Apollonian Society, and its members will probably meet for weekly practice in the Lome-street new Hall.

THE CLAUS-REKEL COMPANY.

This distinguished company will appear again at the City Hall to-night when an ex cellent programme will be gone through. We have the greatest confidence in urging atten tion to this clever company, as it is seldom that the public of Auckland have an oppor tunity of listening to musicians of the same high class.

THE NEW MELANESIAN MISSION VESSEL.

The auxiliary screw barquentine Southern Cross (No. 3) has been alongside the wharf during the past fortnight being fitted out for sea. Every day during that time some ten or a dozen workmen have been busy about her fixing rigging, bending sails, setting up the engines, or decorating and furnishing the 'tween deck compartments. Aloft everything is now complete, and any one can now form his opinion of the new vessel's appearance in sea-going trim. The general verdict is that the barquentine is no beauty. Her masts have a somewhat squat appearance, an im pression which is strengthened by the size and strength of her shrouds and stays. The hull is likewise somewhat heavy and plain, and is wanting in the beautiful curves which distinguish the generality of our Auckland built schooners. This is no fault of the builders, Messrs Niccol and Son, who have adhered closely to the design they were fur nished with when they received the order. If however the outline of the vessel is want ing in lightness and elegance the deficiency is made up by the extraordinary durability of everything brought into use about her. In this respect the rigging corresponds to the hull, which for a vessel of her tonnage is the strongest built we ever recollect to have seen. It is a question whether this solidity of build will not detract from her buoyancy, and make her rather wet forward in a heavy sea. Messrs Niccol and Son are confident that this will not be so, and we ought to take their word till it. is proved otherwise. The work of constructing and fitting her engine has been undertaken by Messrs Fraser and Tinne, and is now perfectly complete, the engineer's trial working having taken place to-day with satisfactory results. Owing to the small space at the disposal of the engineers the engine has had to be built with an eye to compactness being one of its principal requisites. When at full pressure it will work up to 35 horse power, but being fitted with expansion valves the steam can be cut off at any portion of the stroke —a consider able economy of fuel thus being effected. The boiler, which is an upright one, is furnished with field tubes and two safety valves. Attached is a surface condenser permeated by 300 condensing tubes. The cylinder is 10 inches in diameter, and has a stroke of IS inches. With all steam on 70 or SO revolutions of the screw per minute will be accomplished, which it is calculated will drive the vessel in a calm about four knots an hour, but this will be known more about after the trial trip which is to take place next week. M essrs Fraser and Tinne have also supplied the vessel with one of their patent valveless donkey engines for filling the boiler. The rigging and blocks are from the store of H. F. Anderson and Co. As we have already remarked, strength is here the dis tinguishing characterestic. Everything supplied is of the very best quality, and calculated to stand for years. The running gear to which the same observations apply is supplied by J. S. Macfarlane and Co. Mr Williams, ship chandler, furnishes the sails. These are of best quality canvas, and fit remarkably well. They have been sub mitted to the supervision of Captain Tilly, the agent of the Mission, who has expressed himself as perfectly satisfied. We must not omit to mention that the schooner is fitted with Cunningham's patent for reefing the topsails, an arrangement which effects a great saving of time and labour. This apparatus was imported from England es pecially for the Southern Cross. Along each side of the deck we notice six brass ventilators, things which are absolutely necessary for the hot climate in which the vessel will spend the greater part of her time. Down below, the school-room has assumed somewhat of the appearance it will present to the dusky scholars it will shortly accommodate. Down the centre are three reversible tables which are fixed on a pivot and secured by straps. These have their fair weather side and foul weather side, the latter being furnished with lee-boards, and the former when turned upwards shewing a per fectly smooth surface suitable for taking writing lessons upon. Round the apart ment are seats or bunks, the space under neath which is utilised for the biscuit and rice tanks. In one corner is a railed id yam bin. Under the floor are tbe water tanks which are capable of holding a large supply of water, and are together with the biscuit tanks already filled in readiness for sea. Foreward in the compartment are two sail lockers and a warp reel, round which the warp is coiled when not in use. Light is afforded in abundance from above by three skylights. An iron companion gives access from the deck. To Messrs Niccol and Son belongs the task of finishing off the school room, and the work is now all but complete. The saloon, which is being fitted by Messrs. Winks and Hall, is painted white and gold, with cedar fittings, book-oases, &c, and is

ranged round with cushionsTTh^Q^"^ with which the compartment is _m._ "* W green rep. In the centre is a l_ri_ Bre,o- table. The berths, of which fi <#* dozen, measure six feet by two feet a T a so arranged that the greatest privacY %? secured, the curtains completely Sena* one from another. The height UrF* decks being nearly eight feet, the bZt? airy and commodious. Aft of the __v? ! 5 the ladies' cabin, which is fitted up Zo:\ *' the saloon. Every convenience is vtolS* In fact the internal arrangements aWa reflect the greatest credit upon the deaf!, of the vessel, while the workmanship §1^! worthy of commendation. The fitt_L of the saloon-and ladies' cabin will b e^ nP pietcd by to-morrow evening, when t?" vessel will be worth inspecting. The ß tn having been already partly taken on'Sr there will be little to do when the worka leave the vessel before she proceeds-mu voyage to Norfolk Island. . * her

SUPREME COURT.-This Day.

IN BANCO.

(Before His Honor Sir Geo A. Arnev Iff Chief Justice.) ''*_%

QUEEN V. LINDSAY. —APPEAL, Mr McCormack, on behalf of the appji^ Lindsay, who appeals for the qnaehina of a conviction, asked that the caaeinidS stand over till the first sitting in Banco after the return of his Honor from Wellington. Deferred in accordance with application. Be PATRICK DONNELLY.

In this case, which was also a g_t f or quashing a conviction in the Thames Conrt whereby the applicant alleges he was im' prisoned illegally, a rule absolute was oh. tamed by Mr McCormack.

The facts of this case are somewhat singv.. lar : The wife of the applicant was summoned and convicted of an assault. In the place o{ inflicting a fine or term of imprisonment on defendant the P.M. at tiie Thames bound over the husband to keep the peace on his wife's behalf, and condemned him in costs, which he did not pay. In default Donnelly was imprisoned for 14 dayg. The appeal to quash the conviction isfmerdy preliminary to an action against Captain Fraser R.M. for false imprisonment.

APPLICATION.- THE ACTION FOE LIBEL AGAINST THE "STAR."

Mr MacCormick lose and stated to hi* Honor that by arrangement between the counsel on both sides it had been agreed to ask that the matter might be allowed to stand over till the first sitting in Banco after his Honor's return from the Court of Appeal at Wellington. Sir Geo. A. Arney replied that he had con sented to sit on Monday at some inconvenience to himself, as he thought it but right that the defendants having a criminal infor mation laid against them should have the earliest opportunity of being heard against the rule. As, however, both sides concurred in the postponement, the case had beiter he set down for the day mentioned. ■■ , Mr MacCormick intimated that it had also been agreed upon that any affidavits which the defendants wished to make use of in the trial should be filed not later than the 15th May. This being all the business the Court then rose at a quarter to twelve*

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M.) BEYOND THE LINE.

Robert Featherstone, with his hair stand ing on end like feathers, of " quills upon the fretful porcupine," confessed that he went beyond the line, and got drunk. He was fined 5s and costs. 4 _ John Kenny was charged with a similar offence, and with being disorderly, and was fined 20s and costs. CRIBBING A SKIRT*. Catherine Douglas, an unhappy-looking woman, was charged with stealing a skirt, value ss, the property of Mrs Emma Lang ley, of Symonds-street, Auckland. This unfortunate creature had heen con victed eight times for acts of drunkenness, eighteen times for acts of larceny, and several times for injury to property, and had spent seven years and two months in prison. _. Prisoner began to shed tears and 'said she had a great wish to get into theEefuge for women. . . , Mr Broham asked that the case might be remanded as there were other charges against the prisoner. Remanded until Saturday. * - CAPTAIN" LOCKER. " -' . George Skates, alias the Bush Lamb, am Captain Locker, was brought up under J_e Vagrant Act of 1866, section 4, sub-section 3, with obtaining from Alfred Moir, by false pretences, the sum of 5s on the 27th inst. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. , , Alfred Moir, a young man, deposed that no was from Mile End, London, and had jns reached this country by the ship PoreW. He and his friend McNamany were wanaer ing about the city and were standing out side of the Terminus Hotel, kept br mi Fernandez, when prisoner came up to• tnem and enquired if they wanted work: n» replied that he did, when prisoner sawjg I would employ them if they would accept 25s and their food and W_?«M? ■ begin with, pointing at the »» itime to a cutter lying in th«»-_WJ which he said was his, and^ WJJ bring him in £200 when the timlw «J delivered, but he had left his d* and money and grog on board, m ajid his mate accepted prisoners very sonable terms, and at his him five shillings for temporary poiF^ and paid for sundry glasses of w-^ i& His Worship : Coming b°?.*?Fm so London I wonder you should have been* easily taken in by the capfeun! Your Worship : I should.not "^ ' so green at home, but I was Victor, i the gland. He said he was a great wg*Jj ! and commander of the Ocean wav» several other large vessels. _ w y His Worship : Prisoner have .°» questions to ask this witness ? .. _ Prisoner: No your Worship W he'll swear to anything. -New cnuu» stretch to any length. , h &&. Edward McNamany stated tnw « by tbe Dorette from London wna witness, and though P^?. ,£-_*_».'*•■ any money out of him he tola un»-. (the captain) had a narrow escape. Superintendent of the Colony ; been the Chief Harbourmaster °* f los .J_s but unfortunately g°M/ u.f* billet. Since that period, having thousands in hand, he.had P"^-, ft ing of shipowner and $X_o-i# » ' he was just down from to+Wg&Oif 1 load of timber. He was captain g Wave and owner of the N^g^ * and he pointed to the suppojaTjJ [^m would give him constant f . he suddenly became very thirsty rf witness to shout, which ™™J **>*& cious. He wanted him fto (>^ their boxes of clothes on boara ~<, Wave, when he " tjunUf.,. . fh 4 His Worship: MyoniaU- . % t J jj Witness : No 7™ Sffftb b°*S u P to snuff, **i£s_A2B board. They went togjg« *fysM J . when Captain Looker W»4 jfrj* friend, S<juire Ji-*** . °

IBS jTWjllMlrfr JAI t tWtbWifltlit, Af?Mli _a& i£94



The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below :— Calls.

£ a. d. Date Auckland Whaling Co 2 10 0 May 9 Rubv .. 0 10 May 13 Lincoln Castle 0 10 May 13 Queen of the May .. ..010 May 13 National Bank of N.Z 0 10 0 July 1 Dividends. Old Whau.. .. * .. .. 0 10 0 April 29



SPECIALTIES FOP THE SEASON. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE R. HOBBS), Are Now Opening up their WINTER SHIPMENTS EX NORHAM CASTLE and HYLTON CASTLE Comprising— SILK AND ALPACCA UMBRELLAS ..LADIES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS, CHILDREN'S, MAIDS, AND LADIES' WATERPROOF TWEED MANTLES, In Great Variety and Newest Styles. CHOICE NEW DRESS GOODS In Greatly Variety. FRENCH MERINOS in all shades COBURGS, WINCEYS'-, FLANNELS All Wool Plaids, Union, and All Wool Crimean Shirtinus SI-BONG TWEEDS, GA.MBKOONS WATERPROOF TWEEDS In Great Variety. Furnishing Goods, Blankets, Sheetings, white and grey White Linen Damask, Loom Damask Window Muslins, Muslin, and Leno Curtains Victoria Table (JoveTs, Printed Cloth ditto Druggets, White and Red MattiDg, &c, &c. ALSO, TO ARRIVE EX DORETTE— 34 CASES AND BALES OF GENERAL DRAPERY GOODS, CLOTHING, Etc, Etc., Etc. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholesale and Retail Drapers, Clothiers, &o JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite tho Army and Navy Hotel,) TJtTBR QVEBN-SIREET, A TJOKIoVND.



[Established 1861,] ] "jT| STEPHENSON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COEFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAN D," " EAGLE BRAND," "CROWN BRAND," Are to be procured 'at all respectable GROCEE3 -and Stoj- .keepers throughout the Province of Auckland. D. STEPHENSON & CO., wyndham street, Auckland. EETIRING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE & CO. Arc giving up their Retail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will bo held TO-MORROW, the 14th of March, and will continue u.Tiill the entire Stock is disposed of. We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND T-OUNDS WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr Cosgrave from the EngJish and French Manufacturers, which will be Old at UNPRECEDENTEDLY LOW PRICES. No credit will be given during the Sale. Tj. H. LEWISSON Begs to inform his numerous frienes and tho public at large that having been success ful in disnosing of all his old STCCK at the recent CLEARING-OUT SALE, He has determined to RE-OPEN with an ENTIRELY NEW SELECTION OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OE JEWELLERY, WATCHES, &c, And is resolved to offer to the Public Goods of the best Quality at the ~ LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. S £3T Extensve Alterations are about to be made In the Business Fiemi.cs, which when completed will make them second to none in the Colonies. The Manufacturing Branch of the Business will be carried on as usuiil, and all Repairs or Orders for Cutting and Mounting Greenstone and Quartz will bo executed with promptness, F. H. LEWISSON, OPPOSITE UNION BANK, QITERN-KTP.RET, AUCK LAND. .-' — /CAUTION. OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to be tho BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its high reputation, som- unprincipled persons ha*, c been induced- to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the same off as "Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRADE MARK to be Registered under the pro*Msions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and proceedings w". be tanen against such persons as may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public aro cautioned to ASK FOR OLSON'S SAUCE, and sr. that the name is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and wrapped round with his well-known label.