SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HIGH WATEE: This evening, 11.2 ; ta-morrow inorning, 11.30 SUN-SET: Thi* evonlns:, 4.52; BUN-BISK S To morrow morning, 7.0 MOON'S AGE: Full Moon, Slst, 6.25 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Southern Cms?, P. 8., from Tauranga St. Kilda, s.s , fiom Wanganui (in the Manukau)

DEPARTURES.

Go/don Isle, schooner, froni Russell Dawn, cutter, for JRaglan (frunthe Manukau)

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

lor New York—Serene, barque, about Ist Juno Northern Wairoa— Excelsior, schooner, 23rd instant For Wanganui—St. Kilda, Thursday, noon For Gisborne and Napier-Pretty Jane, s.s, early For Newcastle—Dorette. ship, early London—Anazi, barque, early ; . Hylton Castle, barque, early For a Cruise—Albion, whaling barque, early For the South—Taranaki, s s , to-morrow For Wanganui and Taranaki—Go-ahead, to-morrow For Wa'kato Foads— A gnes, cutter, to-morrow

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, s.s., from Sydney, early Rouparell, ship, from London. Sailed February 19 Huntley Castle, ship, from London. Sailed Feb 21 Southern Cross, s.s., from England Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 Pakeha, brig, from Lyttelton Pretty Jane, s.s., from Napier and Gisborne, early Paterson, p.s., from the South, early P.C ¥-~ barque, from Newcastle. Sailed April 18 Florence, barque, from New York Sailed Feb 14 Wonga Wonga, s.s., from Sydney, about lth June Mary King, schooner, from Adelaide, early Augusta, schooner, from Sydney, early Edith,.schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Clematis, ketcb, from Lyttelton, early Charybdis, schooner, from Lyttelton James Wishait, ship, from London, sailed 18th March Queen of Nations, ship, from Liverpool, via Belfast,

sailed 17th March William Gifford, barque, from New York, via

Dunedin. Sailed Feb 15 Thames, barque, from Boston, loading Hylton Castle, barque, from Newcastle, early

Three vessels have sailed from Lyttelton this week for Auckland with the following cargoes :—The Prince Alfred, for Auckland, with 850 sacks of potatoes, 200 bags of wheat, 25 bags of grass-seed, 100 bags of bran, 3 tons of cheese, and 1 ton of bacon ; the Emperor, with 2,500 sacks of wheat, 570 sacks of oats, 470 bags of potatoes, and 550 sacks or barley; the Dauntless, with 54 sacks of barley, 200 bags of florir, 400 bags of oats, 611 bags of potatoes, and 280 packages of produce. The N.Z. Shipping Co.'s ship Waikato, Captain Hodder, sailed from London for Wellington and Auckland on the ISth March. She took a large number of im migrants on board at Plymouth. Her pas sengers all told consist of Mr and Mrs Sin cox and family, Messrs C. Hawkins and Smith, and 310 immigrants.

The New Zealand Shipping Company's ship James Wishart, 775 tons, Captain Groundwater, left London for this port on the ISth March. She-brine's 222 immigrants, and Dr and Mrs Warner.

The ship Queen of Nations, 846 tons, Captain Smith, sailed from "Liverpool for Auckland on the 17th March. She put into Belfast next day to take on board immigrants.

The ships Countess of Kintore, 737 tons ; Loch Awe, 1053 tons ; and Miltiades, 1452 tons, were on the berth in London loading for Auckland when the mail left.

Instructions to mariners have been issued by G. P. Heath, Commander R.N., Port master in the Department of Ports and Harbr.urs at Brisbane, relative to the cautions to be observed in entering the Endeavour River. A copy of the instructions is posted at the office of the Auckland Harbour Board.

The whaling barque Splendid, owned in Dunedin, which lefb New Bedford late last year had a very bad time of it. We nave already heard that the Splendid was obliged to put into St. Thomas's for repairs. A letter from the agent at New Bedford, dated 31st March, has now reached Mi Elder, one of the owners, and extracts from it are published in the Otago Daily Times of the 9th instant. The writer says :—" The weather in the North Atlantic since the middle of last Pecember up to the present date, March 21st, has been the worst on record both as regards the number and violence of gales and their extent, no part of the Atlantic north of the Equator seeming to have escaped. Near the last of February I re ceived a telegram from Captain Millen to the effect that he was at St. Thomas, in the Weßt Indies, in distress, and asking urgently for assistance. I instantly notified the Boston Board of Underwriters, had a meeting with them next day, and they at once sent out an authorised agent with funds to make the needful repairs. . . .1 have received a letter from the Captain, giving an account of hia damage, and how it was received. He took a gale, the heaviest he ever met with, on the 21st January, and whilst laying-to on the 22nd—the vessel previously having ridden, the tremendous seas like a duck—she was struck on the star board bow by an enormous wave, which car ried away the rail and quick work, all new, from the after-side of the fore-riggina to the knight-heads, tore away the plank sheer (covering board), and (I gather from his letters) the heads of a number of timbers ; opened all the seam 3 for some feet below the plank sheer, and started a number of the butts of the planking. Sweeping across the deck the wave carried away the forecastle scuttle, and a lot of the deck load, with the spare davits and some other of the coarser whaling gear ; took the lee rail, staunchions and all, from the fore to the main rigging, and went off to leeward, having bruised the mate and "broken a seaman's arm or leg—l forget which. This terrible blow made the ship leak so it was with difficulty she could be kept afloat, and the captain bore tip for Barbadoes, where he landed, but found he could not get repaired, and conse quently shaped his course for St Thames, where he now is. I received a note from him yesterday announcing the arrival of the underwriters' agent, and that the latter was satisfied with all Captain Millen has done, and that he has so far acquiesced in all his (the captain's) suggestions as to what else needs to be done. The ship has been light ened several feet and the leak which was in the topsides stopped, one side stripped to water, caulked and re-coppered, and he was engaged at the time he wrote on the other side."

The whalingjjbarque Albion, having had her hull thoroughly overhauled, was hauled away from the Breakwater this morning and taken over to the Queen-street wharf to have her fitting-out completed. The barque Tasso was brought alongside this morning. She takes the berth astern of the Ahazi lately occupied by the mission barque. The cutter Agnes is advertised to leave the Manukau for Waikato Heads to-morrow.

The s.s. Go-Ahead is to leave Onehunga for Taranaki and Wangarmi to-morrow at noon.

Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane advertise that the fine steamer City of Adelaide, chartered by the Australian and American Mail Steamship Companj, will leave this port for Napier, Wellington, Lyttelton, and Dunedin a few days after her arrival from Kandavu, which is expected before Monday next.

The schooner Daphne has entered outwards for Levuka. Captain Lamb is to take com mand of this vessel in the place of Captain Lanty, who has received the command of the brig Syrene.

The barque Serene has entered outwards for New York

The s.s. Taranaki leaves for the South to-morrow at 2 p.m.

The following vessels have entered in wards at the Customs to-day : Tay, cutter, from Hot Springs, in ballast; Tasso, barque, from Lyttelton, with cargo of grain, &c, variously consigned ; schooner, Rover, from Poverty Bay via East Coast, with cargo of wool, grain, hides, &c. The s.s. Southern Cross, Captain Sellers, arrived from Tauranga at 10 a.m. to-day.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Napier, This day. The s.s. Pretty Jane left for Auckland at 11 o'clock to-day. Melbourne. Arrived : 12th, Nightingale, from Hoki anga. Sydney. Arrived : 7th, Wave, from Auckland ; 11th, Car], from.Kaipara. Newcastle. Arrived : Bth, Wild Wave, from Auck land ; 10th, Moa and Hylton Castle, from Auckland. Sailed 6th, Augusta, for Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr R. Arthur's fruit sale yesterday there was a very large attendance, and every line of fruit was sold except one. Over 2,600 cases of fruit were disposed of, varying in price—apples, from Hd to 4Jd per lb. ; pears, 2Jd to s£d ; walnuts, Is 2d. A large quantity of Taranaki butter was sold at' Is 4}d to Is 6d per lb.

COLONIAL PRODUCE.

Buvino Pjuces, Corrected by Auckland

Dealers. s. d. s. d. s d. R. d Butter,per Ib. 0 o—l C Ducks, pair.. 2 o—4 0 Cheese (new) 0 s—o 7 Geese, each 2 6—4 0 Eggs, per doz. 3 o—3 C Turkeys .. 1 6—4 0 Lard, per lb. 0 7—o 0 | Canterbury Bacon & Hams Fowls, pair.. 2 o—4 Gl (bare) ..0 8— 9 Good Salt Butter Is—l 9| Do (in cloth) 9-0 10 Canter. Cheese. 6—o 81 Auckland 0 6-0 7 Hams, 10c! to 13d per lb. .Retail Pricks, ■ Fakm and Dairy Produce. s. d. s. d. s. d s. d. Milk, per qt. 0 0-0 C I Ducks each 5 0-6 0 Butter (fresh) 1 2-1 9 I Geese, each 5 0-fl 0 Cheese (new) 0 B—l 0 I Turkeys, per 5 0-73 Eggs.per doz. 3 6—o 0 I Bacon, per lb. 0 B—o 10 Lard, per lb. 0 G—o 0 Hams .. .. 0 9-1 0 Fowls, pair,. 4 6-5 0 | Salt Butter.. 13—16 Butchers' Meat. Beef, per lb. 0 "4—o 7 I Pork, per lb 0 Mutton .. 0 4—o 0 I Veal 0 BREADSTUFF 3. FLOUR. WHOLESALE. Millers' Price, per ton—lst quality £16 Fine Flour—household £14 Adelaide Flour £18 Canterbury £12 to £15 Seconds, £12. Sharps, £7 10s Bakers' Price, per lb 3d Bran, Is 9d per bushel. Bread, per 21b. loaf, 4d to 4£d. Maize, crushed and whole, 7s BISCUIT. Cabin Biscuit, per 1001b itetail 22s MAIZE, OATS, POTATOES, ETC. •WHOLESALE. Maize, 7s good ; very scarce Oats, 5s 6d per bushel. Potatoes, £5 to £6 flay, £f< per ton. Straw, £2 10s to £3 103 per ton. Chaff, £6 10s per ton. Onions, scarce, 2sd to 3Jd lb RKTAIL. Maize, per bushel, crushed, 7s Gd Oats, 6s per bushel. Potatoes, 6s Od per cwt. ETay, cwt., 4s to 6s. Straw, 4s to 5s per cwt. Chaff, 7s 6d to 8s per cwt. KAURI GUM AND FLAX MARKET The following are the prices in the Auckland market :— Gum—Well scraped, best quality .. .. £20 to £27 Ordinary sorts .. £25 to £29 Flax.—Finest quality .. £17 to £19 Second'ditto £10 to £14 Tow £sto£sloa BUILDING MATERIALS. Timber.—Boards and scantling, 100 ft, 9s to 15s ; at mills, 11s Cd ; planed, tongned, and grooved, 11s to 17s New Zealand palings, 6-feet, 10s: C-fcet, 13s: ti tree rails, £210s to £3 per 100 ; puriri posts, £5 per 100 ; shingles, 83 to 14s per 1000 ; Hooart Town palings sft., 16s; Oft., ISs : Holmrtown rails, 75s ' COAL AND FIREWOOD MARKET. Coal.—Newcastle,' on Wharf, 47s Gd ; delivered, 15s per ton. Firewood.—Uncut, 14s 6d per ton, delivered cut 17s 6d per ton. deliverad.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Maim will Close as TJkdkr :— For Thames, to-morrow, at 10.80 a.m. and 5.50 \>.xd. For C'oromandel, to-morrow, at 11.30 am. For Wanganul, per St. Kilda, to-morrow, at 10 a. in. For Tarnnahi and Southern ports, per Taranakl, to morrow, at noon ForLeA jka, (Fiji), per Daphne, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, "Waipu, &c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday next, at 10 a.m. For Whitiangi, Tairua, Tauranga, and Opotikl, and Napier, via Tauranga. per Southern Cross, on Saturday next, at 1 p. m. For the undermentioned places, per , on Monday, Ist June, as under : — For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, Con tinent of Europe, Southern provinces, Austra'lan Colonies, land United Kingdom, via Southampton and Biindisi. Shou'd a later opportunity offer, Supplementary Mas \il" be fo: .varde*. Mai's for Austra"an Colonies, \la Melbourne, will close at 10 a.m. on Saturday next. I Signed) . 8. B. Bias, Chief Postmartor.

BIRTH.

Wa^moubth—On May 20, at Union-street, Mrs J. Waymouth, jut., of a son.

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

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For th« wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance,

And tba good that we can do

The rating clauses of the Education Bill were passed throuc;h. committee last evening with some alteration, and .the tax is now deter mined upon as follows:—For every dwelling house of the annual value of £20 (or under), a rate not exceeding £1; exceeding £20 and not exceeding £50 annual value, £2; exceed ing £50 and not exceeding £100, £3 ; every house exceeding £100 annual value, £4 ; on unmarried men of over 21 years of age, £1. The latter part of the rate, although a good deal of exception has been taken to it, is we think the most unobjectionable. Single men as a rule are in quite as good a position to bear taxation as are their married fellow colonists, and they participate equally in the benefits which accrue to the community from the spread of enlightenment and an im proved educational status. But the rate as a whole is not satisfactory. The Council seems wedded to free education and house hold rating, but this is at best a clumsy system, and often unjust in its operation. A uniform household tax is manifestly unfair, because it falls heavily on rich and poor alike, and a sliding scale although somewhat better is but a poor expedient, inasmuch that a person may be compelled •to rent a large house, not because he has large means, but, in consequence of his numerous offspring, the expenses in connection with whom render it a more serious matter for him to pay his way than it is for a man who lives in a small house. The tax is too large as an uni versal rate, and would, no doubt, if rigidly enforced press with crushing severity on widows and elderly persons with small means, who, having educated their families, receive no relief from the cheapness of education, and who do not care to expose their poverty in order to escape the rate. We regard wholly free education in the present financial condition of the

province as a luxury wd cannot afford. The levying of school fees as proposed in the original Act of .this session, which the Council shelved, was a much more equitable adjustment of the burdens of education by making those pay most who receive the greatest benefit. But the majority of the Council, and sections of the Press, pronounced so strongly against school fees, while the de mand for maintaining a public scheme of edu cationis universally recognised, that there was nowayopenforraisingthefunds butthe means adopted,—unless by a property tax, which would never be listened to by a majo rity of the members of Council, and the justice of which, with the present burdens on property, is open to question. The party collusion in the Council against the Govern ment Education Bill, which caused the shelving of that measure without any proper consideration of it 3 good features, has driven the whole subject into an apparently inextricable muddlp. We do not hesitate to denounce the tax carried by the Council last night as a most unbearable one. That it is the only form of taxation which the Council would have agreed to is proved by the debate and the division, but we are nevertheless convinced that our Pro vincial representatives are in total oppo sition to their constituents on this question, and that the tax never can be collected. The General Government guard so jealously their control over the Customs duties that there is no hope from this quarter, and an export duty, as pro posed by Mr Dargaville, would be an im post on the industrial resources of the colony, which, if it were wise, must be unequal in its pressure. The only feasible way of raising the revenue necessary for education without making the tax an unbearably oppressive one was by school fees, and to these the Council will yet have to accede. A public meeting to protest against the tax has been called for Mon day next, and carrying with it the weight of public sympathy, which we are assured it does, the result cannot be doubted. In the moantimo wo hope that no attempt will be made to force the bill through the Council with tho view of defeating opposition. On the contrary, the Council should gladly avail itself of the expression of public opinion to guide it in assessing tho burdens necessary to carry on the work of the Government.

Our contemporary the Cross having re fused to iusert Mr Rees's reply to their attacks on him, wo should in fulfilment, of our promise ye3terday have given him the publicity he desired in to-night's Issue, but as he was unable to obtain the manuscript from our contemporary in time to get it in type we are forced to deferitspublica tion until tomorrow. As Mr Kees has notes of the letter he will, in the event of not being able to procure the manuscript from the Cro.it, furnish us with a copy in time for to-morrow's paper, in which case we shall afford the publicity which is offered by the Star to all.

Messrs Cruickshank 3r Co. have received a telegram per the Otaqo, which arrived at the Bluff to-day, stating that the s.s. Hero has been docked in Melbourne for repairs since horariival. She is to leave Melbourne for Sydney about tho 23rd inst., and conse quently will be due hereabout the 2nd June.

In summing up on the Dunedin libel case, Macasscy v. Bell, Mr .Justice Chapman said : " Every man in a public position was un doubtedly liable and justly liable to more severe comment —his acts were—than a pri vate person. If a hostile criticism appeared a public man should boar it—if it was only a hostile criticism. But if it was very sensi tive he should not come forward as a public mrji, or he should F>y training endeavour to correct that extreme sensitiveness." The issues submitted to the jury were put and answered as follow : —1. Did the defen dant falsely and maliciously print and pub lish of and concerning the plaintiff the article in the declaration mentioned and tet forth ? No. 2. Are the statements of fact contained in the said article true in substance ? Yes. 3. Was the said article fair and bona fide comment upon the several matters and pre mises therein contained and referred to, printed and published by the defendant with out any malicious intent or motive whatever ? Yes. Is the plaintiff entitled to recover any, and, if any, what amount of damages from the defendant? No."

In the Council, yesterday, the subject of setting aside Asylum endowments was dis cussed, and it was resolved that his Honor's message referring to the advisablencss of providing such reserves be concurred in by the Council. The question of moving our toll-gates came on the tapis next. It ap peared to be the general opinion that things should be left as they are till it is seen what effect the cpening of the railway will have upon the traffic. Ultimately, on the sugges tion of Mr Taylor, the matter was relegated to a'select committee. On the Council going into committee on the Education Bill, Mr Reed moved the insertion of several cLv c \ These were, all what are called' finanical clauses, and provided the following method of levying the rate. All houses of £20 annual value and under, to pay £1 per annum, not exceeding £50, £2, not exceeding £ICD, £3, exceeding £100, £4. This scale is calculated to yield a revenue of £16,7 CD a year. This added to £4,500 the estimated product of the bachelor tax, and £2,003 receipts from endowments gave an available income of £22,000 after deducting expense of collection. The debate on these clauses was kept up to a late hour. Eventually the rating clauses as amended were carried upon a division by 26 voices against 13. There was also a division upon the question whether bachelors should pay 10s or £1.. The latter amount, which was proposed by Mr Oimiston, was carried by a majority of 13 against 10. This will provide another £4,500 per annum.

When the Mikado arrived at San Fran cisco Chief Cockrill, acting on a letter from JVr H. P. Barber, American Consul at Auck land, announcing the shipment of Sullivan, detailed Officers Bainbridge, Keyser, and Langford to board the vessel before she was made fast to the wharf. The officers carried out their instructions, searched the steamer, conversed with the captain and passengers, who assured the officers that the ex-convict had been left at Auckland, the passengers objecting to his continuing on the voyage. A Californian paper, commenting on the pro posed export of this ruffian to California re marked, "We are not quite sure that it would suit us to have this State turned into a penal colony under the most favourable circumstances ; but to have Botany Bay make us the recipient of its convicts is doubly objectionable."

A meeting to protest against the education tax is convened by. advertisement for Mon day evening next, at the Choral Hall. Mr Reader Wood, M.H.E., has consented to oc cupy the chair.

Lately, on the beach near Riverton, five cows were found lying dead under a large red pine tree. The animals were lying huddled together, and had evidently been killed by lightning. The tree was marked as if it had been struck. The cattle were marked in a zigzag manner from the flank to the shoulder as if they had been seared with a hot iron.

To the Editor: Sir,—Pure disinterested ness is so rare a virtue that any exhibition of it amongst us should be duly recorded. For this reason I trust proper notice will be taken of Mr J. S. Macfarlane's effusion in Tuesday a Cross, in which he modestly confess s having sent the celebrated letter to Major Keddell from the sole desire to save that gentleman from getting into trouble. Says this poor persecuted man, '' I scorn the idea of attempt ing to tamper with judicial decisions ; but, remembering how Yon Stunner and others had got into trouble through not having a kind friend at hand to advise them, I simply gave a caution which might save an honourable gentleman from their fate." Now this is very noble, but the question arises in mrny minds " Why did this gushing impulse of generous feeling come upon J. S. exactly at that particular time, and why was his ' caution ' given or'y in that particular c?se?" Really persons at a distance would imagine that this J. S. Macfarlane was a sort of "Admirable Crichton " —bub then this is the era of popular delusions. —Yours, &c. X.

We notice that Mr Robert F. Webster has commenced business in Queen-street as a wholesale saddler and harness maker in the shop recently occupied by Forster and Son. Mr Webster has long been known in Auck land as a young man of active and persevering habits, and there is little doubt of the ultimate issue of his venture.

The following justices will preside at the Petty Sessions Court on Tuesday, May 20 : —Messrs J. Baber, A. Beetham, J. B. Braith waite, W. T. Buckland, rl homas Cheeseman, J. M Dargaville, P. Dignan, J. Dilworth, H. Gilfillan, J. A. Gilfillan, F. N. George, Wm. Crush Daldy (chairman).

We notice one instance in which the ex cellent new system of telegraphic weather reports is being used in a very absurd man ner. Till last Monday a notice was posted each day at the Telegraph-office giving the state of the Manukau bar, and the weather at the Manukau Heads. This was expressed in plain English something after the follow ing style: —"Bar clear of break; wind, light from the W ; cloudy." Instead of this, during tho last few days the notice has appeared indeed, but in a perfectly incom prehensible form. Yesterday's notice for instance was to this effect :—"S.W. L.b.E. ZY 8," while to-day it runs, "N.E. Bile. Zy S." The experienced may possibly under stand this, but to the general public for whose use it is intended it is simply so much Greek. The fact is the message is received in tho new cypher code, and posted up without being translated. We are informed by the telegraphic authorities that they have no key supplied them by the Government. It is ridiculous putting the reports up in this manner. The cypher code is intended to facilitate dispatch in transmission, and was never meant to be used to mystify people in this manner.

The Kennedy family had another success ful entertainment last evening despite the other numerous attractions in the city. The first pait embraced the beautiful glee, " Hail, Smiling Morn," the "March of the Cameron Men," and several other pieces, which were executed in a truthful and highly creditable manner. The second part was de voted entirely to musical illustrations of Sir W. Scott's beautiful story of Jenny Deans, tho dauntless heroine of the Heart of Mid lothian. The songs were entirely in harmony with tho spirit of the novelist's conception, each song being introduced in an intelligent manner by Mr Kennedy. The " Twa Hours at Hame " was pleasantly spent and equal in merit to those of preceding evenings. Other songs and scenes will be presented this evening.

The Auckland Harmonic Society will try their powers this evening, and no doubt suc cessfully, in the Lome-street New Hall, on the (Jccasion of their second grand concert. The performances will consist chiefly of selections from tho " Creation" and " Twelfth Mass," to bo followed by lighter pieces from English song-writers and poets, termed secular music on account of its livelier char acter. The concert will be a very interesting one, and from the nature of the programme cannot fail in winning approbation. The members of the Harmonic class have been most attentive on practice night 3, under the guidance of Mr Cooper aad the music of Mr Lambert, and a gradual improvement in singing has been apparent.

Australia, and we hope, New Zealand, is about to receive a visit from a distinguished soldier. Prince Frederick Charles of Ger many is about to make the round voyage, and include Australia in his travels. It will be remembered that it was Prince Frederick Charles who so signally distinguished him self in the late Franco-Prussian war when in command of the second grand army. He was in command at the siege of Metz, and also at Koniggratz, against the Austrians.

£90,000 per acre ! It was at about this rate that the freeehold on which the Oriental Hotel, Princes-street, Dunedin, stands, was sold recently to Mr Braithwate.

The Rev. Dr. Begg who recently visited Otago has, since his retutn to Scotland, delivered a lecture on New Zealand, which, although based entirely on Otago laws and institutions, which the rev. lecturer errone ously treats as if universal throughout the colony, ia nevertheless very favourable to New Zealand as a field for immigration. Dr. Begg also states in a private letter that " If the Otago Government adopts active measure 1 think you might soon get plenty of good emigrauts from Scotlaud. I have been drawn into much communication on this subject from all parts of the country in con sequence of my lecture."

From our Wellington telegrams it will be seen that a tragedy has occurred at New Caledonia in which a nymph of the bar, not unknown in Auckland as having once pre sided at the Greyhound hotel, and also at the Occidental, is concerned.

To the Editor : I. see that a Thomas W. Seaman, junr., in your issue of the 19th, begs to excuse himself from making frivolous and factious objections to myself as an elector of the Waitamata district by saying that "I gave him to understand that Mr ' Empie had purchased the land, &c." I beg most distinctly and positively to contradict such an assertion, and to prove the fallacy of what he says by exhibiting at the Royal George Hotel, Newmarket, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., to any Good Templar or any good fellow legal documents which will prove what T say.—John Sceats. To the Editor : Sir, —In answer to the inquiry about the key of the liemuera School not being forthcoming last Sunday I beg to send the following reply :—I undertook to leave the key of the Mount Hobson School each Saturday at the parsonage for the use of the Sunday-school. On Saturday last I went to town, was very busy, and to my great regret forgot to leave the key. This is the explanation, a very simple one, of the missing key.—Yours, &c, Harold E. W. Sutton, Seoond Master Mouut Hobson School. i

The Cubian insurrection has cost the Spaniards 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers, and 140,000,000 per year since the opening of hostilities. In other words, in the last five years, Spain has wasted $200,000,000, and lost between 50,000 and 75,000 troops by bullet and disease in a vain effort to subdue the Cubians.

Messes Clarke Brothers, photographers of Queen-street, have executed a large photo graph of the obelisk erected in -the Whau churchyard to the memory of the late D. Hamilton. The photograph is remarkably clear in outline and forma a pleasing memento of the labours and death of this unfortunate clergyman.

The residents of Mount Eden and Mount Albert Highway Districts are invited to attend a meeting to-morrow evening at the Eden Vine hotel for the purpose of consider ing the advisability |of removing the toll gates.

A special train for passengers per s.s. Tar anaki, &c , will leave at 1 o'clock to-morrosv.

To the Editor : Sir, —I observe with regret that a correspondent in your yesterday's issue imputed " offensiveness of manner" against the Mayor as the presiding magis trate on the occasion of the hearing of the case of arson. I further observe that " Victim" alleges that he was "snubbed. " Inasmuch as I was present when " Vic tim " asked for his expenses, I am in a position to state that the Mayor simply said, in reply to his application, that he must give his evidence, having been called as a witness by the prosecution, although his expenses as such might not have Leen paid. According to the practice in all indictable cases of that nature the magistrate has no power whatever in the matter of such witnesses' costs at that stage. This was " the very front of his offending." —I am, &c, C. Ludlow H. Joy.

The members of the Naval Brigade will muster at 8.30 on Saturday evening in Custom-house-street to proceed by the Golden Crown to the Thames.

To the Editor : Sir, —Allow me to correct a slight inaccuracy in your report of the ex hibition of the "Coal Mines" panorama at All Saints' Sunday-schoolroom on Monday evening. The accident at Hartley Colliery is referred to by you as an "explosion." The lecturer wen very careful to explain the nature of the accident, which wa3 not an ex plosion, as is frequently (but erroneously) stated, but was caused by the breaking of the large beam of thepumpingengine, which, falling down the shaft, prevented the egress of over two hundred men and boys, and caused their death.—l am, &c, Tyneside.

English capitalists are beginning to under stand that the rental of London is pretty fair security for a moderate loan. On the 18th inst. the Metropolitan Board asked for £2,G00,0C0 at 3J- per cent. By four : o'clock the same day, the loan having been pre viously advertised, £21,236,750 had been applied for at 94£. The distribution made wn therefore pro rata, each applicant getting only 12£ per cent. ; and the price on Friday was 96A, the bonds being in fact the next dearest to Consols.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Messrs. Dargaville and Graham, Justice of the Peace.)

AN OLD SOLDIEB,

John Conn was charged with larceny of a colonial oven, value £3, the property of Thomas McMaster, of Queen-street, on the 7th inst. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Sergeant-Major Pardy stated that on the night of the fire the oven was removed to the house of Mr McMaster's mother-in-law, Symonds-street. The next night the oven was missing. It was subsequently found at prisoner's house, who, upon being taxed with stealing it, told a number of falsehoods. Ihe Bench : Is anything known of the prisoner ? Sergt.-Major Pardy : Your "Worships he has never been convicted before, but has for some time been under police surveillance. The Bench : Prisoner, it is well for you that this is the first charge that has been brought against you, otherwise you would be visited with a very severe punishment. The sentence upon you will be one month's imprisonment with hard labour. WHAU NEIGHBOURS. Two brothers, named Joseph and Frank Guilford, were charged with threatening to shoot and pointing a gun at Walter McOaul on the first of May at the Whan. -: Mr Laishley appeared for defendants, and pleaded not guilty. Mr McCaul deposed that he was a settler at the Whau, and, on the day in question, between seven and eight o'clock in the morn ing, as he wa3 leaning against his fence, looking through his spy-glass to see if there were any sportsmen about, lie saw the two defendants ; one was on horseback, and the other was on foot with a gun in his hand. They were about forty yards distant from him, in an adjoining paddock. He heard Joseph say to his brother, "shoot at his eye-glass," when Frank immediately lifted the gun and pointed it at witness. The elder brother said, «" fire ! fire !" H<s called the attention of Mrs McOaul to the circum stance, when the lad turned in another direction, walked a few paces, and fired, apparently in the air, and then Jaid down the gun. To Mr Laishley r He could not speak as to the exact time. It might have been about eight o'clock. He could distinctly hear what the boys said". He believed he knew the reason why the boys had acted thus. They were instigated in their bad feelings against him by their parents. Mrs McOaul and Mary Ann McCaul cor roborated the statement of the previous witness. Mr Laishley addressed the Court, and said that the case was of a very trumpery nature and the second of a series, the former of which was very properly dismissed. Mrs Guilford, mother of the defendants, deposed that on the day in question her son went to work before eight and the younger son went to school, and they were not together during the day. There was a gun in the bedroom, but it was not used on the day mentioned, and she could swear to her knowledge that her boys neither had the gun nor rode the pony ; she was positive of that. The boys had no ill-feeling towards Mr McCaul. They had never been charged with an attempt to murder before. There were both of a very mild disposition, and would not hurt a worm. Her sons were not of a diabolical turn of mind. The Bench stated that the evidence before it was quite sufficient, and hoped Mr Laishley I would not tax the patience of the Bench any • longer than necessary. Mr Laishley remarked that he had only | three more witnesses to call. ' The Bench said they were unnecessary as j fts mind was made up upon the case. It must . be dismissed each party paying their own costs. ASSISTING A SEAMAN TO DESERT. Henry Mills, on remand, was charged with a breach of discipline by assisting James Higgins, a seaman, to desert from H.M.S. Blanche on the 13th May. As the evidence in this case was inconclu sive defendant was again remanded on bail for a week.

ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

REUTERS SPECIAL TELEGRAMS \ [PERS.S. OTAGO^ATTHEBLU^^

The New Australian Arch bishopric

The Two-Thousand Gu^ Race. ? ea

The Gold Coast.

Great Strikes in Carnarvon

BLUFF,

The Otago, Captain McLean, left ft, bourne on the 14th, and arrived at 10 \T on the 20th, reaching the wharf thismJv at 7.30. She brings 430 tons of eSS horses, and 94 passengers for all ports sv sails at 3 p.m. for Dunedin. • 8

London, May \ The Pope has raised the Melbourne <LL to an Archbishopric under Dr. Gould th present bishop of Ballarat, and formed! Bishopric under Dr. O'Connor, and Sad hurst has also been made a Bishopric nndt Dr. Fortune. w

Dr. Redwood has been appointed te.i,« of Wellington. *

May g In the race for two thousand gnineaa -fc Newmarket, Lord Falmouth's Atlantic »» first, Colonel Carleton's Liberation second and M. Lefevre's Ecossai3 third.

May 7 The South Australian Loan is all sib. scribed at 90§ per cent.

May 8. The Lord Chancellor has introduced Bills in the Lords amending the judicature of Ire. land and Scotland, and constituting one final Appeal Court for the United Kingdom and Colonies. The Lower House of Convocation hag adopted resolutions adverse tothe Archbishop of Canterbury's Bill to restrain clergymen from introducing irregular practices into the Church.

The strike of colliers at Durham has terminated. The men accepted a reduciaon« of wages.

There is a prospect of a (settlement of the agricultural lock-out through the medium d members of Parliament.

May 9. There is fair enquiry for moneys Tin Bank of England reserve is stronger. The stock market is improving as appreheniion of the dearness of money is subsiding,-; In the wool market prices are without noticeable alteration. 80,000 bales lave been sold.

Wheat is quoted at 57s to 62s per 4961k Flour, 45s to 47s per 2801bs, accordjng.to quality. The April trade returns show a decrease of exports of £1,900,000;' increase of imports, £419,000. Arrived: Douglas, Mendoza, Ben Ledi, Ben Nevis, Airey Force, Celestial Empire. May 8. The French press, in commenting on the recent debate in the Lords, arising ont of Russell's questions as to the prospect oknaia taining peace, and Derby's reply, affirm the earnest desire of France that peace shall be maintained. It has been ascertained that recent frosts have done very considerable damage to French vineyards. May 12.- The Lords passed the Land Transfer Bill, and the segoud reading was agreed to of Archbishop Canterbury's Bill for the sup pression of ritualistic practices in ihe church. The new Licensing Bi!l has passed ifa seconds reading in the House of Commons. ■ There are renewed difficulties in the North of England in the iron and coaL trades; Eight thousand ironstone worker* struck yesterday in Carnarvon. It has been decided by the Government that it would be impossible to abandon the Gold Coast, and it is intended to consolidate it with the Lagos under one Administration. Colonel Warburton, of South Australia, gets the Victoria medal of the Boyal w graphical Society for his recent explorations. Galijb, May 12. The Nubia left for Australia yesterday. The Baroda arrived to-day. .

UNPUBLISHED SPECIAL TO QUEENS CLIFFE.

LONDON. ■:_■:- •, Msyll- The Brindisi mail was delivered in I*n' don on May 12. - ■, __ The French Assembly m«t, but tw pro ceedings were only of a formal nature.

CALCUTTA.

May 13. The Government are* relieving .two :-mu ttons of famine sufferers. Three hundrej thousand tons of grain were served ootoy the authorities. Piece work is entorcw from able-bodied men.

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

[PER OTAGO AT THE BLOTf ■]

MELBOURNE, j. \ May I*-, A shocking case of infanticide" frjPgg A servant girl threw a newly-born w»u down the closet. , _ i..^ Considerable departmental •chmffijg,,. occuired in the Lands Office. M'-jgfJ sons, Assistant-Commissioner, has retire* * MrfTrcher, Registrar-General,**j& appointed Secretary for Lands at a saiaiy £1200 ■ a ' Other minor changes have been *«• -- Mr. Sargood, warehouseman,^**, returned to Parliament for a c»fV& vince by a large majority over «r, * SDCst Kilda election takes place^ row, and is exciting a**6ll*lo^.,,^ bar three candidates, Webb and WJ- risters; and Mr Dixon, a Protection^ .^ Webb is considered J^^taiß^ Attorney-General will probably Dew fc unopposed. Mr McMahon assp^^ thought improbable that an amen<ime» be moved to the address. ~ Dr Bromley retires from J^^aal^ ship in charge of the English >w School at the end of the year. ,^ t gydoef The California mails which m,^ 51 in March were re-delivered at Lono< matches tave .iwwjjf gjS Mr Warrick, who arrived per vow, judge. ' jfnrMelboll* 116' The ship John Kerr, boana>rJ* was spoken dismasted. •■, _v £ jWjjJ Arrangements have been mm^ of the the transit of Venus m several p Gibbe, «-jgjU* has been appointed Kegs e^^ vice Air Archer, and Mr Hay*B, on the 25th will be »f aai ; , About 7,000 wiU trJ» P^

MtE WIKIN& STAft, THtTBBDAir, ISAt SI, IWi



DUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Have great pleasure in announcing that they are NOV/ OPENING UP THEIR SHIPMENT Ex'Norhauo Caatle, Hylton Castle, and Dorette, Consisting of— 56 CASES AND BALES OP NEW WINTER GOODS, And respectfully invite attention to the same. GENTLEMEN'S CLOTHING, BOYS' AND YOUTHS' CLOTHING, HATS AND GAPS, HOSIERY. Children's New Felt Hats, Ladies' Black Straw Hats, Mowers, Feathers, Bibbons &c FANCY DRESS GOODS, FRENCH MERINOS, WINCEYS, WOOL PLAIDS, FLANNELS. LADIES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS. CHILDREN'S AND LADIES' WATEPRROOF TWEED MANTLES. UMBRELLAS, . Etc., Etc., Etc. FURNISHING GOODS, And a complete New Stock in every Department. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholesale and Retail Dkapxbs, Clothiebs, &o JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Quben-sireet, Auckland. pa v to £o jsr. OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to be the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of' its high reputation/somn unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stumped 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 provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and proceedings will be taken against such persons as may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to ASK FOR OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and wrapped round with his well-known label. ROYAL IN SUE AN OE COMPANY. NOTICE OP REMOVAL. The Office of this Company has been REMOVED from No. 15, Shortland-street, to Hobson's Buildings; on the opposite side, immediately adjoining the Post office. GEO. WM. JONES, Agent. Auckland, May 8,1874.



JUST RECEI YE I> BY F. H. LEWISSON: Russell and Sod's Keyless Gold Hunting Levers, Eotherham's Gold Hunting Independent Stop Watches, Rotherli \m's Gold Hunting [Ladies' English Leverp, Rotbcrhain's Gold Hunting Levers, large sizo Gold Presentation Watches, Silver English Hunting Levers, Gold Hunting Genevas, best quality, Gold Open-face Genevas. BEST ASSORTMENT IN AUCKLAND. IF. H. LEWISSON, JEWELLEK, QUEEN-STEEET. . [Established 1864. T\ STEPHENSON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAN D," ' KAOLE BRAND," "CROWN BE AND," ' Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and Storekkkpkus throughout tho Province of Auckland. D. STEPHENSON & CO., W V N D II A M S Tj E 2 X E T, Auckland. TJETIRING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE & 00. Are giving up their Betail Business In Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will be held TO-MOEROW, tho 14th of March, and will continue until the entiro Stock is disposed of. t I We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr CosaKAva from the Fnglish and French Manufacturers, which will be Od at UNP KECKDENTEDLY LOW rjtlOKS. No crod t will be given during tho Sale. |VT O T I C. ,E. The BANKS will bo CLOSED on MONDAY next, 25th instant, Queen's Birthday.