SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

11. HI?H WATES : This ovening, 6.3 ; to-morrow ; ;| morning, 6.24 a STJN-SET : This evenine, CIS; SUN-BISS: Tc «a°*row morning, 6. d : I MOON'S AGE : New moon, 18th, 4.41 p.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

|>r ' ARRIVALS. I Mongol, s.s., 3000 tons, Mamank, from Southern I ports | Tawera, schooner, from Kaipara (in the Manukau)

DEPARTURES.

• i'iuugoi. s s., tor San Francisco 11 Rangatira, s.s.. for Sydney Saucy Lass, schooner, for Napier J "js Star of the South, fov Napier Kover, schooner, for Poverty Bay Dauntless, schconer, for Kaipara lannie, cTitter, for "Wangapoua

VESSELS EXPECTED.

i;-;i,, xaranaki, s. s., from Southern ports, "Wednesday || Hero, s.s., fram Sydney, abo'jt 22nd instant 'i ; j.■ Clio, schooner, from New Caledonia '.; East Lothian, barque, from Dunedin = if "^' ®~ Wentworth, barque, from Sydney '■ iJs Empre^a, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 ;. j \ Hylton Castle, barque, from London. ki | lone, ship, from London. Sailed Dec 20 i| Carl, brig, from Dunedin, early i;l Nightingale, brigantine, from Newcastle. Saileu $ ip February 25 ; \ Porette, ship, from London. Sailed January 14

EXPORTS.

%M Per Mongol: For Honolulu—l7s coils |■ ™ l-ope, J. S. McFarlane; 2 oases plants, C. T. '/ Wren. For San Francisco—2l bales flax, J. ::; S. McFarlane, The s.s. Mongol, Captain Flamank, ar -i-ij rived from Napier at mid-day yesterday, ;j; l'| anchoring off the wharf at about half-past !;4 two o'clock. There was plenty of room for I] ■* her at the wharf, as the main T was quite || clear of vessels, but the captain preferred re ! I maining in the stream. Of the voyage from |j I Napier (not Du'neclin as the Cross says) : I Captain Flamonk reports as follows :—After IJP leaving on Friday experienced strong jj| I winds which increased to a heavy gale, and }|'b was at it height at midnight. This was ac |j a companied with rain and a heavy cross sea, j "■/. so much so that the engines had to be slowed f|| I: clown to half speed, at which she was kept |jj!:;.: for 18 hours, thus materially interfering with i|| the quick passage she was expected to make. •| ; :i The Mongol brings cargo as per imports, and "jp v the following passengers : For Auckland— WM Mr J. K. Anderson, Mrs and Miss Sutton, HH Mr and Mrs J. K. Turfcon, Mr and Mrs !j;■.■•: Anderson,' Mrs and Miss Rich, Mr Biddeley, \H: Mrs Evans, Miss Neal, Mr Caldwell, Mr J. Si] V G. Anderson, Mr H. H. Palmer. For San \'i'-' Francisco and England—Mr Osgood, Mr A. jj::. G. Nicholls, Mr Booth, Mr Port, Colonel wM and Misses Russell (2), Mrs Whitniore, Mr m$ Tanner, jun., Mr J. Watson, Mr J. Scouler, jv Mr Morrison, Mr Blundell, Mr Richards ; JH and 6in the steerage. —Henderson and Mac- WtA farlane, agents. I 1 The schooner Dauntless sailed for Kaipara j!! yesterday with a general cargo. The claim jllj against this vessel for damages inflicted on ji| the p.s. Challenger during the gale of the J4 7th ult. has not been adjusted; but security t j I has been given by the owners of the schooner It ;■ for the full demands of Messrs Holmes Bros. It I During the last week several attempts were {j j I made to settle the matter by arbitration but [ they were unsuccessful, and there is now I every prospect of the case making a very i; : pretty appearance in the District Court. The s.s. Rowena is not going to the Bay I.' of Islands to-day. Her owners have de r; cided on giving her a general overhaul, and I j! | she has accordingly been placed, upon the |jji gridiron for the purpose. Besides under |j •' going a thorough renovating an important iU{ addition is to be made to the steamer in the l;[ ■ shape of a steam-winch, which is to be ?L | placed forward between the cabin and the r.;.: ; foremast. The mast, we understand, is to |f| be shifted further fore'ard to allow room for HII it. The engines are to be cleaned and re ||;i paired under the superintendence of Messrs p Fraser and Tinne. It is expected thab the ■|| repairs will take three days, and it is in j| tended should they take no longer to send i'i| the steamer on her usual trip on Thursday v ii next. .... ..

The barque Anazi, having finished her unloading, hauled off from the wharf on Saturday, and after sending down all her top gallant masta went alongside the Gore-street jetty early this morning, preparatory to being placed upon the gridiron for being surveyed by Captains Clayton and Hugh Anderson, for the purpose of discovering whether any injury has been sustained by her bottom during her temporary lodgement in the sands of Mackay's Bay. The schooner Mary Thompson, which has been lying for the last few days in Shoal Bay out of the way of the gale, moved down to her former anchorage off the North Head yesterday. Two anchors which had to be slipped during tbe gale were recovered during the day and tha vessel is to sail at once for the Bay.of Islands., , , The schooner Rover sailed for Poverty Bay this morning, with a large general cargo and the following passengers :—Messrs W. Collier, Dugdale, H. Wilson. Tho s.s. Star of the South and the schooner Saucy Lass, both of which had been detained in harbour by the weather beyond their lixed sailing dates, took their departure with a southerly breeze yesterday. The brig Albion hauled alongside the s.s. Mongol yesterday, and has been discharging part of her cargo of coals into her. The schooner Columbia arrived at Napier from Auckland on the 10th instant. The brigantine Helen left Napier for Wa> ngapoa on the 11th instant. The heavy gale of Saturday proved the final burst of the unsettled weather of the last week. When the wind hauled round to the N.W. on: Saturday afternoon it was feared by many that the lull which then took place was but the prelude to a heavy blow from the W. The shipping anchored up the harbour made every preparation for such a contingency. Extra anchors were put out, and moorings were looked to carefully. ,-.;■ Towards evening the aspect of the i weather looked anything but promising.' At seven o'clock the wind was well from the dreaded quarter, and coming down the harbour with unpleasant force, making the rigging of the ships lying at the wharf whistle again. The captains of the Queen of the Age and Hindostan were just beginning to take anxiqns sights up the harbour to ascertain if any wandering brig or vagrant coal hulk was likely to pay them an unwelcome visit/ when about eight o'clock the wind chopped round into the south-west, and the high land of Ponsonby interposed its protecting influence. After this the wind continued to blow with considerable violence all night, but the shipping being well under the lee of the land did not suffer. Towards midnight-'the sky was clear of clouds, and the stars shone out brightly; the glass also began to rise. Going further round the wind by yesterday mornin? was blowing from the south with every appear ance of a return of fine weather. This was verified later one for the sun shone out brightly, and a magnificent day followed The steamers Eangatira, for Sydney • Star of the South, for Napier ; Lady Bowen, for MahurangijLalla Eookh, for Coromandel, all of them detained on account of the gale took their several departures in the morning A large number of coasters have also taken SiKjSSS^ movtwii? of makine

The brigantine Magellan Cloud is 'unload ing her cargo of grain alongside the Gore street jetty, while the Ryno is doing the same from h^r berth on the west of the Queen-street wharf. Both vessels, in spite of the heavy weather experienced during their voyage from Lyttelton, ars turning out capitally.

The cutter Bertha has cleared out in bal last for Puhoi.

The cutter Rose takes 2 ton & potatoes and 10 bags maize to Wangaroa. The schooner Otatauta, from Kaipara to Onehunga, arrived in the Ma liukua, brinsine 20,000 foot of timber. .

The ship Wave Queen and the barque Tien Tsin are still ab anchor in the stream. The former has been detained Tor the adjustment of some disputed claims* and the latter has been taking iD water. They will shortly take their departure for Newcastle and Kaipara respectively. The s.s. Rangatira took: her departure for Sydney yesterday at an early hour. Her cargo and passengers have already been published. The following additional "passen gers were booked after we obtained our list from the Custom House on Saturday :—For Melbourne—Saloon : W. Bartley. Steerage • For Sydney—John Wright, John Locke, W. Ptowley, John Smith, Vincent Brabazon, Thomas Black, Joseph Adhill, Andrew Stewart, Wm. Richardson, John Nudick Thomas Goldsboroug, Jacob Doull, Mr and Mrs George Doull, Wm. Giblet, Peter Swanston, Duncan McCaul, Joseph White, Thomas Oonsidance, Chas. King, Tommy Dodd, Antonio Savage, Patrick Costigan, A Quinn, A. Jacobs. For Melbourne : Henry Hodge, Thos. Griffin. J

The cutter Agnes, which arrived in the Manukau from Waikato on Friday brings 78 bales flax, Buckland ;" 3000 feet timber, J. W. Waller; and 1 bundle sheepskinsj G. Vance.

The s.s. Mongol took her departure for San 3?raneisco at 4 p.m. with the outward English mail. She takes the following pas sengers in addition to those brought with her from the South. Passengers : Prom Auckland for San Francisco and England : John Robinson, Mr and Mrs Wm. White, Mr Barr, James Wilson, John Cullett, Archibald McGregor, David Robinson, Wm. James, Mrs Howe, and Mrs. Williams.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs B. Tonks and Co. sold at their mart this day, by order of the mortgagee, two allotments situated in the Newton Road at £15 15s each ; also, by order of the trustee, 4 allotments at Glenburne, at L 2 103 each ; also two allotments in Herne Bay, at £5 each ; also 40 bundles of iron wire, more or less damaged, ex Anazi, at £10 10a per ton.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Maiis -wilt, Oi,oss! as TDkdek :— For Thames, to-morrow, 10.30 am mo^roSYo'am 11' 1 *™&n' Pei" ™ 7 E°Wen ' to' For Taranaki and Southern provinces.per -WelliDgton i/O-morrow, at 7 a m . For Wangarei, por Clyde, to-moirow, at 4pm liMgned) S. B. Bibs. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Bdlughte"r oU the Uth ißStant> Mrs Bctta "r. ofa

DEATHS.

rfuTiw Mlw!' ll'J- Pealrico KUwi, infant daughter of ft.v Ilioniiis Uooko : :iued 11 months. LufHANAN-On Warch 16. .at Hopcton-atrcet. New ton, Walter Buchanan, youngest son of Joseph JBuftlianan, boiler-triiikev, aged i years The funeral will leave his father's residence to morrow, l/th instant, at 3 o'clock p.m. Friends wuj please accept this invitation to attend.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 16, 1874.

Vnr t.hn p MIS (, tlmt laoka asalatar.ee, For the wrong that needs resistance, .tor the future in the distance, And Mm food that we can do

A horse and cart with a load of white lead belonging to Mr Canham was proceeding up Wyndham-strcet this morning, when the horse slipped on one of the numerous pro jecting blocks of scoria, and came violently down, cutting its ne?ir knee, and otherwise slightly injuring it. The harness being taken off the animal soon regained its legs and re sumed its journey. The load was not a heavy orje, and the necirlent was solely attributable to the disgraceful srate of this important public thoroughfare.

At noon to-day John Flamont7^st:e"r~of the s.s. Mongol, appeared at tho High-street Police Court before his Worship the Mayor in answer to a charge of having wrongfully landed at Port Chalmers one John Williams, a passenger, instead of landing the said pas senger at Auckland, thereby committing a breach of the stipulations of' this complain ant's passenger's contract-ticket, and on account of which said breach of contract ticket the said passenger claims by way of compensation the sum of £15 for loss and in conyeniece occasioned thereby. The charge having been introduced was adjourned until Monday, the 30bh instant.

■ It is needless for us to direct attention to the detailed report, which wo furnish in an other column, of tho progress of our annual Tir Federal proceeding in Hawkc's Bay. Our arrangements for obtaining the earliest and tho fullest information are very com plete, and we are glad to see that they are proving very effective. Our special agent, pn arriving at Napier, found that the Eange is located seven miles from the Telegraph station, and that no arrangements existed as at Nelson formerly for receiving messages at the Range, and transmitting them at inter vals during'the day. Our special agent accordingly organised a system for himself, and mounted couriers are started from the range for Napier at short intervals during the day, conveying our agent's messages to the Telegraph-office for transmission. We shall therefore be enabled during this week to give each day's principal events in that day's issue, and in order to give _ the latest possible wo shall in addition to our ordinary edition publish a second edition at five o'clock, when requisite. We are aware of the deep interest felt among our community in this inter-provincial struggle, and it will be our duty, as it will be our pleasure, to bend all our energies to gratify that interest, seeing that it is of a character so conducive to the welfare of our defence force, and through that to tho safety and independence of the country.

The Hobson Company, with their excellent band, attended a Church parade yesterday morning, starting a little before service time from the Catholic Institute. There was a fair muster, under command of Captain Burns, and they presented a decorous and picturesque appearance as they marched down Hobson-street to St. Patrick's, behind the cluster of musicians who played several lively airs. The happy group attracted much attention as the band played " St. Patrick's Day. in the Morning."

The Oxford Combination Troupe had a capital attendance on Saturday evening at the City Hall despite the wetness of the evening. This entertainment is growing in popularity, Miss Blanche" Fane receiving some applause fpr her skill in manipulating the various sleight-of-hand tricks in the Japanese portion of tho programme. Mr Frank Verten sang that soul-thrilling song, " The Death of Nelson," with much effect, and had to respond to an encore. The second por tion of the entertainment comprised tricks of the black art, in which a number of cleverly executed illusionary deceptions were effected, Scotch ballads by Mr Reid, danc ing by Messrs Verten and Fox, and a laugh able farce, in which the company appeared, concluded a capital night's entertainment.

The disappointment of tho public was very great yesterday at the s. s. Mongol not being brought alongside the wharf. A larger number of persons than usual visited the Queen-street wharf and had a good look at the monster vessel as she lay at her anchor age in the middle of the stream. The verdicts as to her appearance were somewhat varied, Many preferred her massive proportions to the long, low build of the Mikado, while others freely expressed their admiration of the graceful outlines of the Tartar before either. All three are imdoubtedly magnifi cent specimens of the science of shipbuilding, and their presence at regular intervals in our waters is one of tho most striking signs of the advancement of the colony.

In illustration of the pervading charms of music on some minds we may mention the fact of an elderly gentleman in Symonds street, who is rather deaf, was anxious to consult Dr. Rosenthal on his affliction, be cause, as he said, before he was deaf, although he suffered from mosquito bites, he was com pensated somewhat by their beautiful moon light serenades about his ears. He was anxious therefore for this reason to recover his sense of hearing.

The HaivJces Bay Herald states that Kakapo has been sold to a Southern gentle man for £400 with his Southern engage ments, also that the Maoris were so .pleased with his performances that they have since offered £600.

The house at present occupied by Dr Nes bit/R.M., together with the ground surround ing it, we hear, has been leased by Mr Whit son of Auckland, from Capt. Head, for a term, of forty.years, with the view, on the part of the former gentleman of establishing a brewery there The brewery, we are happy to learn, is to be constructed on a scale fully adequate to meet the great and growing re quirements of the district as regards the drink that cheers but not inebriates. The plant and buildings will cost) we believe, not less than from three to four thousand pounds, — Hato7ees Bay Herald,

Ahttleboyaboiitnineycarsof age. thesonof' Frederick Brgwn of Gegedzerick, (says the Moiiare Mercury.) had mounted a horse at the station, the boy having his feet in the leather to which are affixed the stirrup irons. The little fellow had not gone far when a dog rushed at the horse, which unseated his rider, and the boy's feet got fastened, in which position he was dragged by the horse. In this manner he must have been bumped about for half-an-hour at least, when he was perceived by a free-selector named Morgan, who had great difficulty in catching the horse. Taking the unfortuuatc lad in his arms Mr. Morgan conveyed him to the home stead at Gegedzeriel? station. The iwjnries though not yet fatal, arc very shocking. The lad has depression on the brain ; most of the .skin on his face, head, sholders, and a "real; part of his body, has been stripped off ; both his eyes are very much swollen and discoloured. There is a'large wound, deep to the bone, across the back part of the skull. Strange to say no limbs were broken, and the medical gentleman in attendance thinks it probable the unfortunate lad will recover.

One of the most terrible crimes, or rather series of crimes, it has been our sad duty as journalists to record was discovered to have been committed on the 6th instant at Bung Bong, near Maryborough. James Porter, the man whose guilt has thus been disclosed, was a shoemaker residing there with his three children (a boy and two girls), aged seven years, four years, and fifteen months, and is said by his neighbours to have been a temperate hardworking man, but since the death of his wife, which occurred about a year ago, it was observed that his mind became somewhat affected, though not to such an extent as to justify his seclusion. Among other subjects to which he turned his attention was that of spiritualism, and he was never tired of impressing his neigh bours with the importance of its doctrines ; but whether or not his mind became un hinged from this cause we are unable to say. From what we have heard, it appears that the crime which he committed was not the result of sudden frenzy, but was planned and carried out with the greatest deliberation. On Tuesday, the .3rd instant, he wrote to a gentleman in the Crown Lands Office, Mel bourne, with whom he was acquainted, stat ing what he intended to do. He said that ho was going to cut the throats of his children, and then commit suicide. The gentleman who received the letter at once made its contents known to the chief commissioner of police in Melbourne, and the superintendents of police at Maryborough and Avoca were directed to send constables to Porter's house to make inquiries, but unfortunately they arrived too late to prevent the intended crime from being committed. At about 11 o'clock on Friday morning cons-table Quirk set out from Mary borough for Bung Bong, and at about the same time constable Hurley was despatched to the same place from Avoca. At about two o'clock in the afternoon constable Quirk reached the house and there found a notice on the door, to which the attention of the neigh bours' had been drawn about an hour before his arrival. It was written on a piece of paper, and was to the following effect:— " Don't come in, but send for the police." By this time constable Hurley had arrived from Avoca. He and constable Quirk proceeded to burst open the door, when a horrible sight presented itself. Porter was found hanging quite dead from the " collar tie" of his dwelling by a new hempen rope, and in an adjoining room wero his three children, each undressed, in a separate little bunk or bed with its throat cut. On the table there was a knife with blood on it, with which the crime had evidently been committed, and a piece of paper, with the following words, "I would have set fire to my house but fearing T would injure my neighbours." The poor children were last seen alive On Thursday evening, when they took tea at the Bung Bong post-office. The murderer him self Avas seen about three hours previously. Tho children, it is supposed, went homo after tea, and retired early to bod, but little did any of them ■ think that before the morning's dawn their lives would have been taken by one who should have been the first to shield them from outrage. Porter was aged about 45 , and was a native of Lancashire, of about 5 feet 10 inches in height, of fair complexion, and of slight build. He had been living at Bung Bong for some years, and was generally respected, and wa3 one of the last men that would have been thought likely to commit the atrocious crime of which we have given the particulars. — Maryborough Standard. ■

To the Editor of the Star.—Sir,—Will the Evening Star afford its light to its con temporaries of this morning? The Cross speaking of the wants of Coromandel, is evil dently in ignorance of facts, and therefore makes misstatements. The wants of Coro mandel are great, and the field has been grossly neglected for the Thames. But this is no reason why facts should not be stated. There is a made track from Coro maadel to the Thames. It commences at a point on the Waiau River, about three miles south-east of Kapanga Township, to which point there's a good road. It follows the valley of the river for several miles and then ascends the range,* keeping along it to Upper Tararu, Thames. It was made some three years ago under the supervision of Mr Aitkin, theKesidentEngineer, atconsiderable expense. It has been very little used, and it is now grown over in parts, but is quite passable for pack horses or on foot, although capable of improvement and wanting re-clearing of bush in some places. It might have been better in some respects to have followed the coast line, but all who know the locality must be aware that the difficulty of making a good track over the quicksands at Manaia although not insurmountable, are much greater than carrying the road at the higher level. There is, moreover, the "native difficulty " in making a road through Maori land near Manaia. It was only after the expenditure of much time and trouble that the natives allowed the telegraph poles to he put up. A track from Coromandel to Cab bage Bay and Cape Colville, and also to Mer cury Bay, are undoubtedly much wanted and would tend to open up valuable country. If possible these works' should be carried out. As to the track to the Thames there is one alreadyjwhich, with very little expense, could be made available without incurring the very large outlay required for a road along the coast. So much for the Cross and its facts as to Coromandel. Now as to the Herald; that paper evidently possesses a writer who thinks he knows a little law, and he has given as a specimen of his knowledge in a sub-leader in reference to a civil action lately adjudicated upon by Mr Barstow, KM. A glorious jumble he has made of it. The points raised were that the plaintiff did not state on the face of his particulars that there was an abandonment of excess, and even if' there had been such statement the claim, being made up of several items, for which credits were given, amounting to £85, the'lt.M, could not adjudicate upon the case. It was not a question of set off at all, nor was any equity principle acted upon by tire R.M., as stated in .the Herald. Trusting that the Star will lighten the dark ness of- its brotherhood a little in these matters. —I am, &c, A Late Resident op Coromandel,

Coffee.—Brown, Barrett,'& Co.'a Standard Coffee s oth delicious and strong. Brown, Barrett, & Go's Excelsior Coffee dcsorves preferenco to any coffoo on account of purity and distinctness of flavour. Note ho brands. Sold at almost every grocery establish ment in town_and province.-^ [Adyt.J

The following story conies to us from West minster on the authority of the Standard, and may be worthy the consideration of some of our law - loving citizens : —Two coster mongers had a dispute about the ownership of a donkey, and went to law to decide it. The morning was occupied in hearing evidence, but when the time came to adjourn for luncheon the judge addressed the suitors, and said that the case was a very trivial one, and the time of the court very valuable, and therefore he hoped to hear "when they re assembled in half-an-hour that the disputants had settled the question out of court ; which, thanking his lordship, they promised to do. After luncheon the defendant glecfuly rose, explained that it was all right, the donkey was his ; and jerking his head towards his opponent the judge was horrified to see that the plaintiff's eyes were much swollen and discoloured, and that he was a <£ood deal smeared with blood. The defendant went on to explain that they had found a quiet yard to settle it in, as his lordship had kindly suggested ; he was afraid he had been rather rough on plaintiff, but he could not help it because they had only been al lowed half-an-hour to pull it off, and the plaintiff was a toughpr customer than his lordship might think by the look of him. The judge gasped with horror at the thought that he had been inciting suitors in his court to commit a serious breach of the peace, but they had evidently received the suggestion and acted on it in perfect good faith, an ap peal to arms being the only method of settling the matter out of court which occur red to their minds.

The death of Mr R. S. Anderson, surveyor and draughtsman, occurred on Saturday last. Mr Anderson was in his forty-first yeai 1, and generally respected. He was formerly of Somerset House, London, and had subsequently been employed under the Sydney Government, and since has been fol lowing his profession iv New Zealand.

The steamer Golden Crown left for the Thames to-day at two o'clock, but she will not return to-night, and there will probably be no steamer to the Thames to-morrow in consequence.

The inhabitants of Onehunga will have the opprlunity to-morrow (St. Patrick's Day) of sharing in the varied amusements of the finest holiday that has ever been permitted within the parish boundaries. A number of gentlemen desirous of keeping the healthy spirit of Celtic manliness in full glow have produced funds and arranged for a succession of ten races in the Royal Oak paddock, Onehunga. The first race will take place exactly at eleven o'clock, and ample facilities will he afforded by the railway for Auckland people to visit and fraternise with their neighbours of One hunga. The passenger trains will run as on Sunday, and return tickets at single fares will be issued. A plentiful supply of pro visions will be provided for visitors, and everything that can conduce to a genuine people's holiday. There will be, as we have said, ten races—the first a hurdle race of a mile and a-half in length, over nine flights of hurdles, for which a prize of £G will be awarded to the best horse; the next, a settlers' race (£G), will be confined entirely to Onehunga settlers who have possessed the running horses for at least one month ; the next will be the pony rsce fa most interest ing one), open to all comers, £5 ; then comes the handicap race, distance two miles, in which there are two prizes, one of £7 nnd the other of £3. Then comes the consolation stakes, for beaten horses, for prizes of certain amounts, which will be governed by the state of the fluids. The trotting race of two miles will also_ be open to all comers. The foot racing will comprise four races, the maiden, the mile, and two for the younger of the holiday-keepers. The prizes for the winners of these races vary^ from 5s to' 20s. At the close of the races, after necessary refresh ment, a friendly ball will be held at the Royal Oak Hotel ; dancing to commence at seven o'clock. If the weather should be propiteous to-morrow, St. Patrick's Day at Onehunga will be kept in a manner which will he most acceptable to the settlers, and worthy the genuine smiles of the saint.

We have received a very long letter from " A Builder " on the case of Devlin v. Wood recently under adjudication in the 11. M. Court. The question is doubtless of deep interest to the parties concerned, but really it argues very little common sense to suppose that the public value the matters at issue by the worth of a straw. That the valuable time of the Court should have been taken up by such a paltry case is sufficiently annoy ing, but to attempt to bore the public further by asking them to read half a column of rot on the subject is simply insulting. It is muchjto be regretted that the Resident Magistrate has not some way of punishing both plaintiffs and defendants jin cases which manifest bull-headedness purely Our correspondent oils us down by calling this journal "impartial and honest written," but if we wrote on this still pending case as honestly as our inclinations dictate our correspondent would probably call us coarse and scurrilous. We say nothing to prejudge a case on which judgment is deferred,— which is a very different course of conduct from that which our correspondent intended. But this much we can say without detriment' whatever way His Worship may decide we sincerely hope that if he can he will pile on the costs to twenty times the original sum in dispute.

We have often been amused with efforts of some of our contemporaries in catering for the necessary supply of' information for the public, but for coolness in gauging what the people can swallow commend us to the Southern Mercury. Its last issue has enter tained its readers with a learned disquisition on what ? Cabbage leaves I Ye gods ? Were ye aware of the therapeutical, not to say magical, virtues of "cabbage leaves?" Go to the Southern Mercury. It will tell you what action. cabbage leaves have on in teguments infected by farnuculous in iiamation and tissues in a moibid condition, of the affinity they will have for vitiated secretions,.and what they do when tegumen tary affections are general, of their harmony with the vis medicatrix naturso, & 0 but though proving in a most satisfactory manner that the real elixir vita)-has been at last dug out by the editor of the Southern Mer cury, lot us remind him and his readers of what appeared to be lost sight of, that after all has been said, the melancholy fact re mains that cabbages are cabbages still.

The following is the return of sick treated at the Provincial Hospital during the week ending Saturday-March 14,1874:—Remained last return, ,61;-' admitted since, 2- dis charged,7, ; died, 2; remaining, 64. Males, 55; females, 9. Arrangement of cases- Dysentery, 1; rheumatism, 7 ; syphilis 3 • stricture, 1 • fungus hcematodes, 1 • phthisis' 4 ; paralysis, 8 ; blindness, 1 • aneurism 1' heart disease, 1 ; bronchitis, 2 ; asthma' 1 • pleurisy. 1 ; pneumonia, 2 ; gastritis' 1 • dyspepsia, 1 j colic, 2 ; fistula, 2 ; obstip'atis' 1 ; cystitis, 2; hyorocele, 1 ; caries and necrosis, 3 ; ulcer, 5 ; whitlow, 2 ; hare lin 1 ; general debility, 3 ; fractures, 4 : scald 1; amputation 1. Two men died during the week, the first on 13th instant, James Hood, aged 50 years, of paralysis; second, it. is. A., aged 41 years, of dysentery. 1 hanks are returned to Mr. W. Mitchell Parnell, for a large number of " The Eclectic Magazine" a,nd •• Household Words,"

We have received a letter from " A Pro testant and a Christian," being a theological discussion on the sanctity of the Sabbath. It is full of scripture texts, and altogether is more suited for a religious than a secular publication. It is of course an offshoot of the Sunday train question, but it is going to the root of the matter in such fashion as would start us on an endless controversy, and bring us into the midst of ecclesiastical combatants whose ire would wax too fierce for us. Newspaper controversy will not settle the question as to whether Friday, Saturday, or Sunday is the right ful Sabbath, and our correspondent's letter would be bub au apple of discord thrown to no practical purpose. We arc nothing loath to enter on a row with any one, or on any subject, saving ouly on sacred things and questions ecclesiastical. For these there is too much vinegar in our ink. In other quarrels people can fight vigorously, and then shake hands, and that is what we like. But on religious matters when people quarrel they must hate one another like the devil, and they must keep it up for ever. It is therefore we eschew such strife. Let our correspondent send his grenade to some of the religious papers. It will burst with a bang, we arc sure, and he will have the pleasure of seeing people made unhappy, hearts bleeding from the violation of their cherished convictions, and people set a-quar rel ling with one another who should be working hand in hand in friendship for the welfare and happiness of their fellow-men.

We gather from the Gazette that Dr Goldsbro', of Parnell, has been appoi n t e( j medical officer of health for the distri c t of Newmarket under the Public Health A c fc o f 1872; and that Mr Thomas Bird has k een gazetted collector of rates for the K ara k a highway district.

A public meeting will be held this even ing in the Newmarket Hotel for the pur pose of arranging the projected athletic sports. Persons who take an interest in the holiday recreations of the people are specially invited to attend.

It is notified that the annual distribution of prizes to the scholars of the Auckland Hebrew school will take place on Thursday evening next, in the Oddfellows Hall, Cook streefc. His Worship the Mayor has kindly consented to take the chair, and will dis tribute the prizes to the successful com petitors.

We should imagine that there are a largo number of persons in Auckland who believe in the proverb Tloni soil gui trial* y feme judging from the attendance nightly at the Prince of Wales Theatre. On Saturday evening the attendance in the stalls and pit was large, although tho dress circle presented empty benches. To-night is an nounced as the last night but one, when Le Grande Quadrille de la Belle Venus will be p resented.

The Good Samaritan Lodge of Good Tem plars will hold an open lodge meeting this evening in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, when speeches will be made recitation given, and melodies sung by members of the brotherhood. The Har binger of Peace Lodge will hold a meeting at the same time in the Cook-street Meet ing-house.

To-morrow is the great day of the year with Catholic Irishmen in every part of the civilised world, although not universally ob served in the happiest manner. St. Patrick's Day will be a merry holiday in many parts of New Zealand, and " St. Patrick's Day in the morning" will be the early song of his votaries. At the Thames there will be music, dancing, and activities worthy the great occasion ; at Coromandel there will be horse-racing, foot-racing, and other sports ; at Onehunga there will be races in the Royal Oak paddock, hurdle races, handicap, trot ting, settlers', and boys' races, and the best of it all, there will be consolation stakes for slow riders and beaten horses. In Auckland, after the going down of the sun, the members of the Auckland Branch of the Australasian Catholic Benefit Society will celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a grand ball in the Lome-street Hall, to which all the pretty (laughters of Erin are heartily invited. The distinguished missionary, ;,or, as he is usually termed, the " Apostle of Ireland," was born according to tradition in or about the year 377, but the place of his birth is uncertain. Some writers affirm that he was born at Kilpatrick, the modern Dumbarton, in the estuary of the romantic Clyde, hence he might have been by birth a bonnie Scot; others say at Boulogne-sur-mur, hence he might have been a polite Frenchman ; but not one among his warm-hearted sons believes that St. Patrick was really an Irishman. According to his own confession, his father was a small farmer near Bonavern Tabernite. His mother-was sister to St. Martin of Tours. We know nothing reliable of St. Patrick's youth and education ; but it is highly probable that, like Virgil and many other great men of past ages, he followed the quiet pursuits of pastoral life. It was among such scenes that the majority of the world's greatest men, especially true reformers, have been nurtured. It is clear that a recent authority holds the same opinion. The very Reverend Thomas Bourke, of the order of St. Patrick, in his lectures on "Faith and Fatherland,", says that "St. Patrick was of noble birth, born of Christian parents, reared up with tenderest care, and surrounded with all that could make life desirable and happy. In his sixteenth year, just as life was opening and spreading out all its sweets before him, he was sold as a slave, and sent to tend cattle upon the dreary mountains of the far North of Ireland." This picture may be slightly exaggerated, a little over-drawn perhaps ; still the life of a lad of St Patrick's temperament, even in those far back days, and in a rural situa tion might have been comparatively peaceful and happy. In Mr Todd's biography of St. Patrick, published in Dublin in 1563, we are told that the saint was seized when in his sixteenth year, and while working on his father's farm at Bonavern, by a band of pirates, carried to Ireland, and sold as a slave, where he remained for six years, until he made his escape into France and became a monk,; first at Tours, and then at the once famous monastery of Lerius-. Subsequently he visited Rome, and won the favor of the Pope, whoseuthim as a missionary to Ire land, where he preached with great success, founded 3G5 churches, and baptized more than 12,000 persons. He is said to have ordained a very large number of priests, and blessed countless monks and nuns. He spent twenty years in labouring to spread the Christianity of that age in various parts of Ireland, and finally fixed his see at Armagh. He died at a place known as Saul, near Downpatrick, where his relics were preserved until the period of the Reformation. The date of his death is much disputed. Some fix it in the year 460; others in 493. The traveller in Ireland hears quaint stories everywhere about St. Patrick, and is' led to suppose that St. Patrick visited the Green Isle for tho benefit of witty guides, and to promote mirth in wet weather instead of converting the natives. But the good Catholic mildly rebukes such levity"of mind, leading to wrong conclusions. St. Patrick's portrait stands beyond the reach of sixteen centuries almost faultless, and if he is still permitted to take an occasional peep at our world, and especially on his day, he' would holdup his tapering finger and shake'his serious head at the doings of many a < child Of his.. ..: '

The journeymen shipwrights win v ,\ their weekly meeting this evening ;„T* Temperance Hall, Albert-street for tC secution of gtneral business in • connl?* 0" with the trade. ; nnec^n We learn that notices to repair and m.i good a number of leaky verandahs a S broken spouting are being served at tC? n , stance of the City Surveyor, and unless Js tended to will probably cost additional! pense. - er

A special committee meeting of the An c t land Cricket Club is now being held, to tat" into consideration the best means'of Im viding a first-class cricket ground for IV city. One or two projects are under con? I deration, and it is more than probabW shall shortly hear of some definite arrant : ments being made. 8 A case of considerable public interest w a opened this morning in the District Com+. before his Honor Judge Beckham, viz th New Zealand Gold-mining Company.?) J P ! McKellar. The claim was for the sum of £100 due on a number of shares said to W ' held by that gentleman. Mr Eees appear^ on behalf of the Official Agent S H. N. Warner ; and Messrs GillW and Hesketh for defendant. The defendant Mr McKellar, acted as legal manager to tha Company in 1870, and in consequence of there not being a quorum at several meeting of tha' directors, certain shareholders agreed to! transfer their shares to the legal, manager for the purpose of getting a legally constituted' meeting, upon the understanding that after the company had been thus served, fche shares were to be re-transferred to the original shareholders, and that the wages' due to Mr McKellar had been accepted in lieu of ■ money for the shares he really held m his name. The defence was that Mr McKellar having held the shares for -the ; time being was not responsible for the pre. sent claim upon them, but that the share-: holders to whom they had been re-transferred should be called upon to liquidate the demand and not the defendant in the present action The case will occupy the Court during the : whole of the day. We are compelled there fore to hold over our report until to-morrow.:

The Sir George Grey and Engineer Cadets met at the range on Saturday for the purpose of firing for a keg of ammunition, tie . distances being 100, 200, and 300 yards ''^U with the following resultss:—Sir- Gebrqa ■• Grey Cadets—Cadet flanna, 48 ; Corporal Trenwith, 44 ; Cadet Goodwin, 37 ; total 129. Engineer Cadets — Sergeant Mears, 46 \' " Lieutenant Russell, 39 ; Lieutenant White* 38 ; total 12». The regular monthly meeting of the masons of the Lodge Waitemata (689) will be held this evening iv the Masonic Hall at half-past seven.

THE RIFLE CONTEST.

[From our Special Correspondent.]

[By Electeic Telegraph.]

NAPIER.

Saturday, 5 p.m. ;/i The weather was very disagreeable, for ~: firing, heavy rain falling during the day,' The Governor visited the ground during the ; . afternoon, but remained only a fewminntes. Firing was discontinued after three o'clock, it being almost impossible to see the targets. Napier has shown up well at the commence-J"' ment, carrying off the first and third prize.:,, It is not expected, however, ..they . ; will stand much chance of ■winning the belt. In this match, the Napier r men were much better acquainted with tie.'' ground than the other representatives.; Hos-ji i kins,' the Champion, made a bad start by'? t missing the target the first shot. His.Second ' hit the target, a little to the,right,of the ;, centre, his third a centre, close to the'bull's-, 1 eye, and his next two shots dead on, His sixth shot was almost on the line oHhe bull's-, eye, and his last right in the centre ofifc. ?When?'■■'■.. firing at Nelsoa last year HosMns made only.', 17 points in the first match, so ;has :r plenty of room yet to give a good account of ■■■( himself. Most of the Auckland representa- , A ; tives are well to the front, Alderton*, Leigh, and Bowden being within two"■'•points of the winner, and several others close up. ? Thames men have also commenced well,/ i Grundy taking the fourth prize. Gordon, , of the Thames, was disqualified, the weight .i,; 1' of his trigger being less than 6 lbs. The following :is a full score of the.'-; firing : — INFANTRY MATCH. , , . <r '/« .. FIRST MATCH.—JTOGING DISTANCE.' [! |-f 1. At such distances, not exceeding 600 ' yards, as may be appointed by the officer in • command. ' .:.;■■ ■*' ■[ i: '■'.' ) IP. ■!.".'■>.'-' 2. Seven (7) shots in the whole to befired by each competitor, who will judge his own distance. 3. Targets, 6x6 feet.; centre,. 4 'feet ">;■■< square ; bull's-eye, 2 feet square, ' "ik. ' ';" Ist Prize £10 4th Prize ... ,i, £5;; 2nd Prize 8 sth Prize ...... " 3rd Prize 6 6th Prize 2

mgjgmmQ B*£mmj>m. MABOH lS im



x Hits. XL Greer, Napier (1st prize) ... 4344442-25 \ Liddell, Rangitikei (2nd prize) 4234443-24 : Renouf, Napier (3rd prize) ... 2434443-24 • Prowse, Wellington (4th prize) 3442434-24 |§£ Grundy, Thames (5th prize)... 3444432,-24; , Kebblewhite (6th prize) ... 3434442—24- . ; Crossman, Nelson .4034444-23;, J. D. Leigh, Auckland 3324443-23 Humphries, Taranaki ... ... 4044443-^3*. Brown, Thames .... 4233434-23 J. Buchanan, Otago 4233443-23 . Alderton, Auckland. ... ... 4243442-23 /, McKensie • 4224434 r 2^, Bowden, Auckland ... ... 3343433—23 Blatch, Otago ...3433442—23 ;. Galpin ... ... ...... .: 3034444^22. , ; Partington, Auckland' ... ... 3433333-23 r Eliott, Taranaki ... .3342343-22 :; Perrin, Canterbury ... ... 4323433—24 : McOredie, Wellington ...-. .:.".- 3434440-;" ' Bayley, Taranaki ... "2243442-21 Fenton Thames ..' ... ..; 3433422-21 .; Elder, A. C. ...... "<S044S't Crawford, Waiuku... ... ... 2333424-^1. J D.Buchanan, Otago ;..'... 3242433-^ McConnell ... ... ...... 4342440-2 Burn... .;. :.. ...:V.. - 3044433-2 ; Hazard, Thames ...,, I , 3323433-J McCreagh, Otago ..; ... ...: 3332442-^ PurneU, Rangatikei .., "3422442-20. Coleman, Waikato... ... ... 3332432-^ r. Davies, Westland ..?... ... 2334440-2W I Wilson, Otago... .:. .:. -.3034433-^ I Hoskins, Thames ... •■•••• 02^Slo I Pox, Canterbury : ... I 1 McCaw,Tauranga... '^ ■» JgggJ I Guy Napier ...; ... ... .... f***^ I Clark, Thames..., ... ■.•>■• I Cameron, Auckland ... ■ U, ®**~j.q ofl I Blythe, Taupo...- ...... .» "Jg^: ' ! Boardman, Auckland WMJgJj, | Day, Thames .... ..: ... • SS^-l3 fe Keys, Taupo •• \' SZ-W I A. Thomas, Thames ... v , S^ 19 I Richardson, Otago • ffi^ w | W. Campbell, Thames ... .. fS^tf § Somerville ... v S^ 1 Syke 3j ;.Thame S [.: Jffi-JD | Hamlin, Waiuku ■• gSS-19 i^*- Gavin, Thames ...... K:JJSfe-l8 fe Armstrong, Wanganui .... .. jSSoo-18 ■ i| Williams, Waiuku !• f&-l8 |j May, Auckland ... ... I. -JjE&Uj 1; Lieut. Greer ? Wellington" .'. $®!W fe



T3 TJSHBEOOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE B. HOBBS), Aie now opening up, and have to arrive EX N ORHAM CASTLE, HYLTON OASTLE, INVERALLAJST. and EOSLIN CASTLE, A VERy Laeoe and Choice Assortment or AUTUMN AND WINTER, DRAPERY GOODS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT, To which they respectfully invito attention. These Goods coining direct to tb eir own order from the first Home Houses they are prepared to dispose of at LOWEST REMUNERATIVE RATE 3. Further particulars In. future advertisement. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN V7HOLBBAX.K AND RETAIL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &<J JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE^ (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) TJbrer Qtteen-siheet, Auckland. T3ETIRING FROM THE RETAIL J. COSGRAVE & CO. Are giving up their Retail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will 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 Cosgrave from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Sold at UNPRECEDENTED!/Y LOW PRICES. No credit will be given during the Sale. THE AMERICAN PHOTOGRAPHIC ... . . COMPANY, Photographers to the AMERICAN, MEXICAN, AND NEW ZEALAND -GOVERNMENTS, In consequence of increase of business have REMOVED to more ' EXTENSIVE PREMISES (Corner Queen and Wellesley-street), Adjoining B. CASS, Draper, Cheapside House , Where Photography in all will be carried on as usual _____ c - JOHN McGARRIGLE, . *J .:■■:,!•:„■ i MANAGER. 15O 9 000 ■FEET TIMBEE _ FOR SALE, AT MY YARDS, GOVERNMENT WHARF, ONEHUNGA. JAMES W. WALLER. Jyfi o• t. i o c. BANK HOLIDAY. The BINKS will be CLOSED on TUESDAY NEXT, 17th March (St. Patrick's Day).