SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HIGH WATER: This evening, 5.57 ; .o-mowcv tnoiaing, 6.17 SUN-SET : This evening, 4.57; SUN-BIBE i To morrow morning, C.54 MOON'S AGE: New Moon, 16thinstant, 9.56 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Murray, s. s., from Tauranga Golden Isle, schooner, from Russell Sonthern Cross, s.s , from Tauranga

DEPARTURES.

Pretty Jano, s s., for Gisborne and Napier H.M.S. Blanche, for the North Ruby, schooner, for Wangaroa Herald, schooner, for Wangaroa

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London —Anazi, barque, early ; Hylton Castle, barque, early Norfolk Islands—Southern Cross, Mission vessel, shortly

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, s.s., from Sydney, early Rose M., barque, from Oamaru, early Southern Cross, s.s., from England Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 Jubilee, skip, from London, Sailed January 21 Rouparell, ship, from London. Sailed February 19 Bella Mary, from Hobsrt Town. Sailed 24th ult. Briton, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed April 22 Paterson, p.s., from the South, 10th instan Huntley Castle, ship, from London. Sailed Feb 21 Annie Lisle, barque, from Newcastle. Sailed 24th nit.

Mary King, schooner, from Adelaide, early Serene, barque, from Wellington. Sailed 6th instant Augusta, .schooner, from Sydney, early Edith, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Excelsior, schooner, from Dunedin, early Clematis, ketch, from Lyttelton, early Dauntless, schooner, from Lyttelton Charybdis, schooner, from Lyttelton

The trial trip of the mission vessel South ern Cross did not pass off without a trifling mishap. An accident happened to one of the blades of the screw, which compelled the barque to put back early in the afternoon. The s.s. Pretty Jane, Captain Palmer, left for Gisborne and Napier last night, with cargo, and the following passengers : Messrs McKenzie, Osborne, Gplding,? Caldwell, Wrigg, Scarfe, Miss Hogan, and 7 in the steerage.

The yachb Blanche, whose departure for the North we announced yesterday, took his Excellency the Governor and suite for a tour round the Northern settlements. H.M.S. Blanche followed the vice-regal party this day. The trip is likely to last about ten days. ■,

The barque Bella Mary, Captain McArthur, left Hobart Town for this port on the 24th ult. Shelbrings as usual a cargo of fruit, jams, palings, etc. The schooner Golden Isle has arrived from Bussell nearly laden to the water's edge with coals for the A.S.P. Company. The cutter Bose brings 21,000 feet timber from Wangapoa for J. S. Macfarlane and Co. The cutter Catherine brought 800 bushels of lime from Kawakawa; and has now cleared with 6000 bricks and half of her original cargo for the Thames. Steam was got up on board of H.M.S. Blanche early this morning, and between eight and nine she hauled up her anchors and started for the Kawau.

The new schooner Atlantic has been got ready for sea on the spot where she was anchored after her launch. All her sails are now bent, and we shall shortly hear of her departure for the South.

The s.s. Murray brings a general cargo from Bussell with the following passengers : —Messrs F. Wrigley, Wray, Yates, Floyd, Grace, Coates, Ogilvie, Mrs Floyd, and Miss Began. The s.s. Southern Cross brings cargo and passengers from Tauranga.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Nelson, this day. The" Phcebe arrived this moraine. Lyttelton', this day. The s.s. Albion left for Wellington at half past six last night.

COMMERCIAL.

CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST,

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below:— Calls. £ s. d. Date .Windsor Castle 0 0 6 May 16 National Bank of N.Z. .. " .. 010 0 July 1 Bed Queen 0 0 6 July 13 COLONIAL PRODUCE. BtrriKG Prices, Cobrected by Auckland Dealers. s. d. s. d. s d. s. d Butter, per lb. .0 o—l 6 Ducks, pair.. 2 o—4 0' Cheese (new) 0 &—0 7 Geese, each 2 6—4 0 Eggs, per doz. 3 o—3 6 Turkeys ..1 6 —4 0 Lard, per lb. 0 7—o 0 | Canterbury Bacon & Hams Fowls, pair.. 2 o—4 6 .bare) .; 0 8— 9 Good Salt Butter Is—l 9 Do (in cloth) 9—o 10 Canter. Cheese, 6—o 8 Auckland 0 6—o 7 Hams, lOd to 13d per lb. Retail Peices, Faem and Daisy Peoduce. s. d. s. d. s. d s. d. Milk, per qt. 0 o—o 6 J Ducks each 5 o—6 0 Butter (fresh) 12-1 9 | Geese, each 5 o—6 0 Cheese (new) 0 B—l 0 I Turkeys, per 5 o—7 3 Eggs.per doz. 3 6—o 0 I Bacon, per lb. 0 B—o lo Lard, per lb. 0 6—o 0 I Hams .. ..09-10 Fowls, pair.. 4 6-5 01 Salt Butter.. 1 -3—l 6 Butchers' Meat. Beef, per lb. 0 4—o 71 Pork, per lb 0 Mutton .. 0 4—o 61 Veal 0 BREADSTUFFS. FLOUR. WHOLESALE. Millers' Price, per ton—lst quality .. £16 Fine Flour—household £14 Adelaide Flour £18 Canterbury £12 to £15 Seconds, £12. Sharps, £710s Bakers' Price, per lb 3d Bean, Is 9d per bushel. Bread, per 21b. loaf, 4d to 4d. Maize, crushed and whole, 7s BISCUIT. Cabin Biscuit, per 1001b, Retai 22s MAIZE, OATS, POTATOES, ETC. WHOLESALE. Maize, 7s 6d good ; very scarce Oats, 5s 6d per busheL Potatoes, £5 to £5 10s Hay, £2 to £4 10s per ton. Straw, £2 10s to £3 per ton. Chaff, £6 10s per ton. Onions, scarce, 2_d to 3_d lb retail. Maize, per bushel, crushed, 7s 6d Oats, 6s per busheL Potatoes, 6s 6d per cwt. Hay, 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 .. .. £26 to £28 Ordinary sorts £26 to £26 Flax.—Finest quality £13 to £16 Second ditto £10 to £14 Tow .. .. £7to £8.; BUILDING MATERIALS. Timber.—Boards and scantling, 100 f t, 9s to 16s ; at mills, lis 6d; planed, tongued, and grooved, lis 6d to 17s . New Zealand palings, 5-feet, 10s; 6-feet, 12s; ti tree raij3, £215s to £3 per 100 ; puriri posts, £5 per 100; ] shingles, 8s to 18s per 1000; Hooart Town palings ] 6ft., 175;,6ft., 193 : Hobartown rails, 75s COAL AND FIREWOOD MARKET. Coax..—Newcastle, on Wharf, nominal; delivered 15s per ton.

Firewood.—Uncut, 14s 6d per ton, delivered cut 17s-per ton. delivered.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING RPEORT.

RPEORT. Business done this day — Bank of New Zealand—Ruyers, £17 ss. National Bank—Buyers, 66s 6d ; sellers, 655.

South British Insurance, 50s 6d, 51s. Bay of Island Coal Company—Buyers, £5. Standard Insurance—Sellers, 16s. New Zealand Shipping Co.—Sellers, 245. Auckland Steam Packet Co.—Sellers, £4. Alburnia (new)—47s Gd; .buyers, 465; Sellers, 50s. Cure, 14s6dto 15s; buyers, 14s 6d ; sellers, 15s 6d. Thames G. M. Co.—Buyers,. £3 7s 6d. Ruby—Sellers, 8s 6d. Italian, Is 7d ; buyers, Is 6d. Nonpareil—os 6d, 6s ; buyers, 5s 6d ; sel lers (5s Old Whau—£6 10s, £6 12s Gd, £6 15s ; buyers, £6 15s. Union Beach—2os, 17s 6d, 18s 19s ; sellers, 19s.

Caledonian—£lo ss; buyers, £10 ; sellers, £10 10s. City of London—Sellers, 22s 6d. Central Italy—Sellers, 4s. Crown Prince—Sellers, 17s. New Pacific—Sellers, Is 4d. Margaratta—Sellers, Is 6d. Golden Calf (new issue)—Bs, 7s ; sellers, Bs.

Quen of the May—Buyers. 12s 6d ; sellers, 13s 6d. Otago—Buyers, 14s. Queen of the Thames—4s sd.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Und__:—

For Thames, to-morrew, at 10 30 a.m. and 5 30 p.m. For Coromandel, to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m. For Whitiangi, Tairua, Tauranga, OpotiM, and . Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, to morrow, at 3 p.m. For the Australian Colonies, per Wonga Wonga, on

Saturday next, at 11 a.m. For Norfolk Island, .per s.s. . Southern Cross, on

Saturday next, at 4 p. m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Welling ton, on Saturday next, at 5 p.m. (Signed) S. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

Dean— McD ermott—On May 5, at St. John's Church, Napier, by the Rev J. Townsend, Horace Dean, only son of J. Dean, to Mary Jane, second daughter of the late Maitin McDermott, both of Auckland. - Dunedin papers please copy.

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

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1874.

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

And *he good that we can do

A happy instance of that gootlfellowship between Judge and accused, which we hear about in connection with American Court proceedings, occurred to-day. At the close of the proceedings in tbe charge against Mr. J. S. Macfarlane the Court withheld its decision until after the ad journment. Mr. Buckland, one of the Jus tices, and Mr. Macfarlane/then walked to Canning's and lunched amicably together. They returned to Court and took their re spective positions on the Bench and at the bar, aud the case was dismissed.

A meeting of the members of the Board of Education was held to-day at noon. Present: Dr. Campbell (chairman), Col. Haultaiu. Messrs Luckie, Prime, and Lusk. There was nothing of special importance before the Board beyond the ordinary business of grant ing applications. A letter from Dr Kidd was read, which want of space prevents us from publishing to-day. The writer protests against the arrangements made by a commit tee of the Board with reference to the even ing classes supported by the University of New Zealand. The Secretary was instructed to acknowledge the receipt of the lotter.

Hard hitting with fair play is excusable and even commendable at times, but the same practice accompanied by foul play whether in journalism or fisticuffs is generally reprobated. In yesterday's report of the debate on the Education Bill, as contained in the Cross; the mover of the second reading of the Bill is reported as saying that it was intended that " the details of education would be worked out at first as at present by the indefatigable and most excellent secre tary to the Board, Mr Mo.s." The insertion of the words which we have italicised in a re port which in almost all other respects is a faithful and fair one, might have seemed acci dental, —for they were never used on the occasion nor any others calculated to convey the same impression,—but that an editorial this morning in "the same journal lays stress on the words and therewith wings an arrow. It is quite certain that the reporter never heard the words, and there are grounds for moral certainty that he never wrote them ; and it is difficult to repress the conviction that they were purposely inserted in prepara tion for the remarks of this morning. The writer in the Cross asks " what does this at first mean ?" And in reply we would say that he should himself know best.

The paragraph, which appears in the Herald this morning, with reference to Mr Vesey Stewart is wholly inaccurate. Mr Stewart remains in Auckland pending the sattlement of the difficulty that has arisen regarding the biock of land which he has pointed out to the Government as suitable for the pur poses of the special settlement of the Bel fast farmers, of which he Is the pioneer.

We understand that the English correspon dence received yesterday per Wonga Wonga was forwarded from London by the Torres Straits route ; the usual Suez mails will be received in a few days, via the South.

In. the Provincial' Council yesterday a motion by Mr Goldie to the effect that a sum sufficient to cover the cost of maintain ing children sent to the Industrial School by the Relieving Officer and Police Court was agreed to. The Provincial Secretary stated that in future most of the boys so committed would be placed on the training ship, to be established at Auckland by the General Government.—A motion by Mr Carpenter for the production of correspondence relative to the Thames foreshore was agreed to. — Some discussion ensued on Mr Darga ville's motion relative to the special settlement, of which Mr Vesey Stewart is the pioneer. During the debate the Provincial Secretary stated that Mr Stewart had not in spected the lands which the Provincial Go vernments have at their disposal. The dis cussion was ultimately postponed, notice being given of the appointment of a committee to inquire into the matter. Mr Sheehan, in a good speech, moved the.second reading of the Highways Bill. Tbe debate thereon was postponed until Friday, and the Council then rose.

The Dunedin Waterworks Comnpay con template applying during the next session of the General Assembly for increased borrow ing powers. This has evoked active opposi tion from the public, and a largely-attended meeting was held to protest against it. The Mayor presided, and in opening stated that for the last few years he had been con nected with the City Council and they had to struggle during that time for cheap gas, and he was proud to say that they succeeded in securing cheap^gas for the citizens. They had also tried to get a supply of good whole some water, but he was sorry to say that the efforts of the Council had not been met in the same liberal spirit as by the Gas Company. After giving a short history of the negotiations between the Corporation and the Company up to the time the Corpo ration refused to go to arbitration, the Chair man went on to say that the Councillors had not been asleep since. It had been said that nothing had been done by the Council this year with reference to this matter. But he could assure thejmeeting that should no amic able arrangement be made the Council was now almost in a position to carry on the works. They had plans and everything prepared— they had secured water rights, and a place for a reservoir, which would be able to^supply Dunedin for many years to come with abun dance'of pure water. jThe purchase-money intended to be given to the Waterworks Company in the last offer made was £112,050; the Company's paid-up capital was only £58,050, so there was a very large margin. If the citizens could not get possession of the works they should, at least, see that the Company got no further powers. Resolu tions were then passed to the effect that the powers possessed by the Water Company were oppressive to the citizens, and request ing their representatives in the Assembly to oppose the granting of any extended powers.

The Claus-Rekel Company, who during their brief sojourn amongst us have delighted thousands of our music-loving citizens, gave one of th eir high- class concerts in the Ponsonby Hall last evening, the last, we understand, which this talented company will give in Auckland previous to their departure for the sunny shores of New South Wale 3. The hall was not so largely filled as it should have been upon such an interesting occasion, but the audience was a select and an appreciative one, and the ballads and selections were of a genuine character. Mendelssohn's "Greet ing," by Mdlle. Jennie Rekel and Mrs Mit chell, was truthfully and beautifully ren dered. Mdlle. Rekel also gave in her charm ing manner an English song, which elicited great favor; also, the pretty, witching ballads, "You and I," and "Scenes that are Brightest." Mrs Mitchell, with great pathos, sang "Only For Thee," and the ever-welcome Scotch song, "Jessie's Dream/ also, "I know an Eye." Signor Cecchi, who possesses a wonderful voice, sang several pieces with power and feeling. Mons. Rekel also displayed his musical abilities on the pianoforte in the most successful manner; but the central attraction of the concert was Mdlle. Jenny Claus' performances on the violin. As we have frequently had occasion to write of this artiste's exquisite powers on this delicate instrument we need not enter into a repetition of our sentiments on this head, but simply say that this lady's solos last night were delightful and quite equal to those of preceding evenings. The concert must be considered a great success, and closed with " God save the Queen." The company will appear at Onehunga this evening.

A meeting of the Improvement Commis sioners was held yesterday, but no business of special importance was brought up. The resignation of Mr Stannus Jones as a member of the Commission was accepted.

A frightful catastrophe is related by the Hongkong Times of the 13th February :—A small steamer named the Weu Loong, run ning between Hongkong and Canton, capsized at about seven o'clock a.m. the same day, just as she was starting from the wharf of the first named place. She had at the time be tween 200 and 300 passengers on board, over 100 of whom were drowned within a stone's throw of the quay. It appears from well founded reports that very little ballast was in the boat at the time, and she was over crowed with passengers on deck, who had taken advantage of an advertised cheap run between the two ports. In turning round on leaving the wharf she lurched about a good deal, and in one of her swayings the pas sengers were pitched all to one side. This prevented the vessel righting herself, and she toppled over and sank in a few minutes. The cries of the drowning Chinese and the howls of the spectators on shore are described as heart-rending. Many of the immersed were saved by boats promptly lowered from the Hartford and Princess Charlotte, two vessels lying in tbe harbour. It is said that the bulk of the passengers were visitors from the interior returning to their families. The grief would be therefore keen and widespread.

To the Editor : Sir,—lt behoves those who value their right to exercise the elective franchise to carefully examine the lists of objections published in last night's STAR. On hurriedly glancing over the lists of objections to persons whose names appear on tho roll for the Electoral District of Parnell I find that I am objected to by Mr Emelius Leßoy on the ground that I have " left," and that my qualification to vote was not still that of a householder, living in a wooden building in the district. If the objector, in his anxiety to purge the roll, had made tho least enquiry (if indeed en quiry on his part in my case was at all necessary), he could easily have ascertained that such an objection was groundless. I observe that objections are taken by the same person to the names of other electors being retained on the roll which are equally invalid, and cannot possibly, in truthfulness, be sustained. It is well that a little light should be let in upon this wholesale process of purgation ; and that is my reason for ask ing you to insert these few lines in your valuable paper. —I am, etc., Parnell Elector.

The burlesque of " Ixion," and the " Loan of a Lover" were the performances of last evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre, which were agreeably and acceptably rendered by the company. Miss Stephenson appeared as Gertrude, and Mr Collier as Peter Pyke, with much credit. The house was well at tended, and the utmost satisfaction (some times noisily) was exhibited.

The monthly inspection parade of No. 1 Royals, Nos. 2, 3, and 4 Companies A.R.V., will be held in the Drill-shed, Princes-street, this evening at half-past seven o'clock.

The examination of the children of Wel lington-street school, under the tutorship of Mr Harrison, will take place on Monday by Mr Lusk, after which a musical and literary evening will be passed in the school-room.

We have much pleasure in submitting the following communication to the public :— "Sir, —I have just heard that the girl who fell down the well at Mr Kane's hotel has received some internal injury that may pre vent her ever being able to earn her own living. "For the cause that lacks assist ance" could you not suggest in your valu able paper that .a subscription might be raised for her ? I think that Mr Greenway should head the list with a considerable sum, as he was partly to blame for having the well in that condition.—Yours, A Servant Girl.

A Choral Society " At Home" will be held this evening in the Choral Hall. Tickets at "Messrs Uptoil and Co.'s.

To the Editor : Sir,—Your reporter gave anything but a correct or flattering account of my evidence at the inquest yesterday. I did not say I had very great experience at fires. Mr Broham asked that question. Detective Ternahan had my evidence in writing two day before. —Yours, &c., James Dwyer.

Some temporary alarm was caused last evening in the neighbourhood of Freeman's Bay by some small boys crying "Fire," which brought several persons to their doors, when a great blaze was discovered, and shoutings heard in the direction of Sheridan-street. As the people of this district had narrowly escaped a fire on the previous night, some of them went towards the spot, when they found to their satisfaction a-man attending to a fire on the green sward with the view of preparing boiling water- for a Good Templar tea-party in the Sheridan-street Chapel, where mirth $nd happiness seemed to prevail. The meeting was of a social character, and after a quantity of good things had vanished from ordinary sight Mr. Warburton took the chair and opened the proceedings with a speech. He then called upon Brother Han naford, when the company rose en masse with waving of handkerchiefs and cheerings, which awoke the spirit of enthusiasm in the speaker's breast, and brought forth an elo quent and highly poetical oration. Messrs Smith and Booth followed. At intervals thfl young ladies present, who are devotedly attached to

. The cause that lacks assistance, Not to grog that needs resistance, ■ But to homes at no gre»t distance, With their husbands smil'ng through. sang several ballads and amused the audi* ence with humorous recitations.

The ordinary sittings in bankruptcy for the hearings of unopposed bankrupts was held this morning in the Supreme Court. The only case was that of Dennis Kelly, of Renmera, who was unopposed, and dis charged.

After the acquittal of Mr J. S. Macfarlane on the first charge of inciting to commit murder it was decided to bring on the two other charges for hearing next Monday,

At the Provincial Council this afternoon the debate on the Education Bill was re sumed, and will probably last some hours.

The' following are the batting averages of the All England Twelve during their late tour in the colonies of Victoria and New South Wales :—W. G. Grace, 35.11 ;G. F. Grace, 33 4 ; H. Jupp, 1G.13 ; A. Greenwood, IG.IO ; W. Oscroft, 15.19 ; M.Mclntyre, 9.18 ; W. R. Gilbert. 9.13; J. Lilly white, 9 ; R. Humphrey, 8.3 ; J. Sodtherton, 6.2; J. A. Bush, 3.14; F. H. Boult, 4.G. In the bowling averages the runs per wicket were as fol lows :—Boult (132 balls), 3.1; Mclntyre (1,220 balls), 4.1G; Lillywhite (3,556 balls), 5.31 ; Soutberton (2,95G balls), 5.94 ; W. G. Grace (1,306 balls), 6.G5 ; G. F. Grace (559 balls), 8.18 ; Gilbert (132 balls), 8.3.

We have been requested to remind the members of the choirs of Anglican churches that a general practice for the approaching Choral Festival of the Association will be held at St. Matthew's Church this evening, immediately after the service, at seven o'clock.

We beg to draw the attention of our One hunga readers to the concert by Mdlle Jenny Claris and Company at the Institute this evening when a special programme will be suqmitted, and a good house ought to be ex pected.-

Letters are lying at our office for the fol lowidg advertisers :—" J. Morrison," "Mar tin," "X.L.," " W.H.," "E.," "M.E.," "H. 8.." '-Wanted to EenC a House," " WaDted by a young Lady Board and Resi dence," and "Parker."

A very large audience assembled last even ing in the City Hall to listen to the melodies of Scotland by the talented Kennedy family. The entertainment was introduced by pre fatory remarks by Mr Kennedy, and the " Auld Scots' Sangs" from the poems of John Bethune, one of the amiable brothers Bethunc whose life-story is one of the most affecting and beautiful among the biographies of Scotland. The domestic sketch of John Grumlie was well received with his views of the marriage state and the equalization of labour. " A man's a man for a' that," with its noble sentiments, thrilled the heart of the audience, and many persons, unacquainted with the effusions of Burns began to feel the secret of the universality of his writings. Several other songs from the same source were given in a telling manner. The Misses Kennedy performed a duet on the pianoforte with true effect. Miss Helen sang " Old Robin Gray," and Miss MaTJory gave " Ca' the "yowes to the knowes" very prettily. Mr. David Kennedy sang the " Blue Bonnets over the Border," from Scott, in excellent taste, and Mr James Kennedy gave "Loudon's bonnie woods and brae«," fromTannahill, in amasterly style. Themuch admired " Watty and Meg," from the works of Wilson, the Paisley poet, abounding in humour, showing how a scolding wife was cured of her habit, was richly brought out by Mr Kennedy. "Auld Lang Syne" fitly closed another " Twa Hours at Hame" with this interesting family. There will be a change of programme this evening, and among other ballads we notice that Moore's " Meeting of the Waters" will be sung.

The nuisance in Parnell mentioned in our Tuesday's issue has drawn forth the follow ing letter:—"Sir, —There is no street in Parnell to equal Cat-street. No other street has such a filthy cesspool, which is the re ceptacle of three or four yards combined. Conveyed to the outer edge of the footpath by a wood culvert is a constant flow of filthy, stinking drainage, intermixed with various kinds of refuse in every stage of decomposi tion. When the culvert gets choked—which is often the case—a well-known occupant clears it with a spade and forms a drain with the above-named refuse. Several ladies have been so annoyed and disgusted by the horrid, deadly smell of this putrid cesspool that they have repeatedly enquired why the local Board do not interfere? One lady was made so ill from the smell as to keep her bed several days. Our worthy Inspector of Nui sances not long since presented for my signa ture a requisition to make him Inspector, to enable him to enforce the Health Act in all its entirety. Well, sir, he obtained the ap pointment, and on his receiving it led us to believe he would dream miracles and perform wonders. But, alas ! it's all dream and no performance, and he coolly tells us he has no power to perform because the Health Act is so imperfect. Here's a fine state of affairs. A local Board, a Health Officer, an In spector, with their hands tied. But is this really the case? Can no one rid us of this abominable, health-destroying cesspool? From the deepest recesses of our hearts, in wailing accents of despair, we cry '0 Govern ment, send us help !'—Yours, _c, A Suf ferer. [P.S. —If any one doubts my state ment let them pay Cat-street a visit.]"

Josh Billings' literary career has been singu lar. Until he reached his forty-fifth year he had no more idea of writing for the news papers than of applying for the professorship of dead languanges at Yale College. He now ranks as one of the funniest men at large.

Among the passengers who went away by the Cyphrenes yesterday was Mr Jamqs Allen, a gentleman in the General Govern ment employ at the Supreme Court offices, who goes to England on a twelve-month's leave of absence on half pay.

The Engineer Company met last evening in the Drill-shed in goodly numbers, and went through their exercises with credit.

The members of the Harmonic Society will meet for their usual practice this even ing in the Young Men's Rooms, Wellesley street. Selections from Boosey's National glees and Mozart's Twelfth Mass will be given.

The Prince of Wales Lodge of instruction will be held at the Masonic Hotel this even ing at half past seven.

The papers from the city of Mexico are now-a-days much more interesting than they used to be. They publish extracts from the official reports, and show some real progress in arts, sciences, and new discoveries.

The area of the British Empire comprises about one-third of the surface of the globe, and is divided into thirty-eight colonies, or groups of colonies, for administrative pur poses—three in Europe, eleven in America, ten in Africa, seven in Asia, and seven in Australia.

Two thousand three hundred and ten miles for a small prize, and that by a girl, too. This is what our Spring Bay, Tasmania, cor respondent relates. He states that at the annual distribution of prizes at the Triabunna Public school on the 2nd instant the special prize for regular attendance was'given to Miss Fox, who had during the year walked 2310 miles to obtain it; she had aotually walked twelve miles a day to and from sohooL

THE TARTAR ON A REEF.

We learn from a correspondent that the R.M.S. Tartar, which left Sydney on the 14th of March, reached Honolulu on the 4th of April, the passage from Sydney to Kan davu occupying seven days, and from Kandavu to Honolulu thirteen days and ten hours. Strong head winds with a heavy sea were encountered nearly all the way from Fiji to the Sandwich Islands, in consequence of which the Tartar fell short of her usual speed, and was _ day and a-half behind her contract time in reaching Honolulu. She was to leave Honolulu on "the evening of the day on which she arrived, and the cap tain was confident of making time at San Francisco. On the second day out from Kandavu, about seven miles from Biva Is land, off the Yasawa group, the Tartar had the good fortune to discover a sunken reef, hitherto, it is presumed, unknown to naviga tors, and the still better fortune to get away from it nothing the worse for the contact. On the morning of tbe 23rd ult. the man on the look-out at the masthead announced a reef not far from the vessel's bow. The captain instantly stopped the engines, but the uncertain foe of navigation among the Fiji Islands had too effectually hidden itself to be entirely avoided, and in a few moments the vessel struck gently but firmly on a coral bed. After a short pause she struck again, but continued the even tenor of her way (not without difficulty, however) until to our intense delight we found ourselves in deep water again. Had the vessel been a little deeper, or had the reef been a very few feet nearerthe surface, or had the sea been half as rough as it was further on in the voyage, the Tartar might have met with a still worse fate than the Macgregor's. There seems nothing whatever to be feared in the new mail route from Fiji to Sandwich Islands, but future voyagers would not do amiss to give a wide berth to a certain point about seven miles off the Yasawas.— S. M. Herald.

BRIDGET RYAN'S SONG.

Sir,—l see by the papers that a very large haul of herrings have been made at Picton, so that we may expect a supply of these deli cate fish shortly in Auckland. Oh, Mr. Editor herrings remind me so much of old times that I have written a song about them. Pray insert it, and oblige poor Bridget Ryan:—

I've been here in New Zealand some ten years and more, And 'tis more than ten years since Heft Erin's shore ; And I sweer by St Pat ick, the saintliest of men, I've not had for breakfast a herring s'oce then. Then sing : JPVn-go-brsgh, Heiiings, he-rings, hurrah !

The news comes from Pf eton that herrings are caught; The dear Picton bloaters are sweet to my thought. Three tons have b'en taken of those darling fish ; Faith. Bridget will soon have a de'icate dish. _hens:ng: E.in-go-bra~h, Picton henings, hurrah !

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Dr. Home and W. Buckland, Esq., Justices of the Peace.) DRUNKENNESS. John Knox, for a first offence, was fined 5s and costs. ASSArLT. I Michael Ke'ly was charged with violently assaulting Fra i is Bergin on the 13th inst. From the evidence of the prosecutor, who is a labouring: man, it appears that he had been absent for a time in the Waikato dis trict, aud when he returned he found the prisoner living with his wife. Last night he went to the house, which is in Edwardes street, and knocked at the door. Imme diately the prisoner opened the door, and hit him savagely over the head with an iron bar. Constable Norton detailed the circum stances of the prosecutor coming to the sta tion-house, and making the charge. Seeing that the wound Wa-3 a serious one he went to Edwardes street and took the prisoner into custody. The Bench dismissed the case. THE INDUSTRIAL HOME. Matthew Carroll was brought up on a warrant charged with failing to pay the sum of £1 19s for the support of his children in the Industrial School. The prisoner making out some yarn that he had either paid the money or intended to tso (it was difficult to make out which,) c Bench ordered the case to stand over for a month. If the accused did not stump up in that time he would catch it hot. EDUCATION RATE. Mr Beveridge stated that there were seve ral summonses for non-payment of this rate set down for hearing to-day. Most of them were being arranged, and he should ask that they might be adjourned till the 12th of June. - Adjourned accordingly. BREACH OF NAVAL DISCIPLINE ACT. Henry Mills was charged with a breach of the above Act by assisting one of H.M.s sailors to desert from the man-of-war Blanche lying in the port of Auckland. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Inspector Broham conducted the pro secution, and Mr Joy defended. Mr Broham stated that the principal witnesses were on board the Blanche, which had sailed North this morning. He should, therefore, ask for a remand for a week. , Mr Joy demurred to the remand. He thought the Bench should have at least some show of the prisoner's guilt. After some discussion The case wa3 remanded for a week, the prisoner being allowed to enter into hi 3 own recognizances to appear in that time. THE CHARGE OF INCITING TO MUR DER AGAINST J. S. MACFARLANE. This case being called on the defendant was again absent, and his name was called outside the Court by the Constable in attendance. Mr Rees called the attention of the Bench to the fact of this being the third time defendant had kept the Court waiting. He thought such conduct was most disrespectful to the Court and deserving of censure. When the defendant came in Mr Rees said that, before the case proceeded any further he had another observation to make in refer ence to Mr Buckland, and his position on the Bench. He had been informed* that that gentleman had been in actual partnership with Mr J. S. Macfarlane in the purchase of Government land in the Waikato, and that at the present moment he was concerned with the defendant*in some land purchases now pending on the East Coast. He should like to know from Mr Buckland that the rumours were unfounded, as in the event of their being true he could not think that gentle man would remain on the Bench. Mr Buckland said he should decline to gratify the curiosity of the learned gentle man as to his private affairs. He had sworn to do his duty on that Bench, and he should continue to do it.

Mr Rees said : Having made that observa tion he had to direct the attention of the Bench to the 12th section of the Petty Sessions Act, which provided that all justices who failed to attend the Court of Petty Sessions at least twice in the year should be removed from the Commission of the Peaoe. Now he had discovered that Mr Buokland had not sat on the Bench for two

years, andL that Dr Home, althom^Tf 5. quahfied himself m 1874, yet half .a j3^ do so in 1872 and 1873. He?(_§„ * therefore presumed that the Govern™T. 68' done his duty and had removed X ** present Justices from the Commissio_!rf !_* Peace. yu°'the Mr Buckland: We are not removed v' can t prove it. (To Dr Home) Proce' d 5? the case. - "^Tnfl. Mr Rees : I object to the case proceed;, until I have it on proof that the two_S g men on the Bench are competentto mt Dr Home (indignantly)VbiJSffig. tome as well as^MK#land? - "^ Mr Bees : I did,-/#_»y that altr.™- attended .in )ss&s& tL? W did not in 1872 m^^P'. Z^ *«* Dr. Home:' TJSke Z^lsArotegt' to *w proper place. We cannot attend. to it W 8 Mr Bees : You may ■ dejMNipon a T shall without permission from.^tmr W n «v I still want to kno#ai_________S^ the Commission ? . .jp£ |'. *0n Dr Home : It is A-to^!M__^™jm raise the objection befoT^-/_| 1$ Mr Bees said that'he sh*__K_ll|i|j.i . ficient time be given him,to JBB-^e_]i j{ <f Act had been complied "with. Both Tw? Home and Mr Buckland must be aware <__i it was a serious matter for them if they^ not in Commission, and the law p_4__v that every officer of the Crown didhigaJr Dr Home said he was not in t_e to apprehensive of the result. J Mr Hesketh rose at this point and asked that the case might be allowed to proceed Mr Rees persisted in his objection. Mr Hesketh said he might be permitted to make a reference to the section-fcjdicated by his learned friend. It was to' Wt effect that if the justices failed to appear t_e! Go vernor was to remove them. He had not done so, and it appeared to him there was an end of the objection. '***>$$& ■., Dr. Horns asked Mr Rees if he wanted to remove all the justices. Mr Rees : All who don't do their duty, Dr Home : Then you will have enough to. do. And now the case must proceed. Mr Rees : I shall with the permission of the Bench decline to go on till I have aecer« tamed whether you have been removed or not. Z . Dr Home : Have you* finished yowxjjfo'.' Mr Rees : No. I would ask that'Mjjj.. ther hearing be postponed till the afternoon, ' ' so that I may find out, both from enmiiries in Auckland and by telegraphing to milling, ton, what I want to know. _j Dr Home : Your answer would lie in the affirmative. I have been only r&ently in communication with the Government^ and I 1 know lam on the Commission "oTtie Peace. " Besides, the present Governor was not here in the year you mention. Mr Rees : He was not in your case, hut he has been in Mr Buckland's ease; "*-_ • Mr Hesketh said he really must take ex ception to the counsel on the other side pb-' jecting to either of the gentlemen on the Bench being qualified to sit there. Having directed their Worship's attention to the ■ clause of the Act he had done all that was possible in the matter. He took it that the answer of the Bench was that they felt the_T> selves perfectly justified in sitting where they did. Mr Bees said his difficulty was that he was forced to the conclusion that his Excellency had not done his duty. Mr Hesketh said he had no doubt his Ex cellency would excuse huh.. Besides,-they might have been excused for non-attendance and had notice to th_*-flgict. ?I ''M . Mr Ree3 said that was what he wanted to see. The last commission was issued in 186& In that a great many were put on and a great many taken off. The only intimation a great many had of their being taken off was con tained in that list, so that Mr Hesketh was wrong in point of law. Mr Hesketh said that he took it thjt the Bench had ruled that the case proceed. He thought it high time that the unseemly dis putation of the learned counsel should be put a stop to. , ■ Dr Home : I have tried to stop him, bnt he won't stop. Mr Hesketh presumed the Court had only to exercise its proper powers. Mr Rees : Well, in spite of this decision of the Bench, I shall proceed with the c^se, but I am compelled to say that I take ft as another manifestation of the same feeling which has been already expressed more than once. Dr Home (indignantly) : I have no feeling,; in the matter. lam no friend of Mr J. t B. Macfarlane. He and I speak, but nothing more. I have never even put my foot inside his house. I scorn the insinuation* which you are continuaHy making. . Mr Rees : When such an expression as you made on Monday, "That the case would » dismissed if Major KeddeU did not appear, are used, there is no need of insinuations. Dr Home: You know nothing of tne , kind was meant. ~ Mr Rees : Indeed I know nothing of tne The subject of dispute was then aUowed to drop, and the taking of the evidence was continued. Major KeddeU deposed: lam the Resident Magistrate at Coromandel. In October, IWJ, a charge was laid before me against Mr JJ» Craig, senr. T received a letter from Mr J- S. Macfarlane after a warrant had beejjgjj against Mr Craig, which made ***<*»? . that charge. I have not got the Wjjj-J although I searched for it where I exweteu to find it, I could not, and I betovjrfJJ been destroyed I have »g* other letters from ., .Mr ***£■ with reference to Mr Craig. Aftese xj» duce. I was at Grahamstown wVJTv ceived the summons and «»•♦ fifiS required were at Coromandel. * na" •% fore to make the search through mj jj* Between the issue of the warrant Hfg^ Thomas Craig and the hearing at tne w- I saw Mr J. S. Macfarlaneat &«£% He was with a lady and £ e>u d . Macfarlane said he had sent »'«6s™i_o »» I went and got the letter w^id being destroyed. The letter was «gji with a pamphlet called " Craig* ggg* ■ I was annoyed at getting it, and Deu had some reference to a case , me I put it on one aide, i ~ $ read the letter, not knowing JJ^.' was about. It was a short note. Jg^tly farlane and myself were not on ■^•oflCS intimate terms to write tome on m* ig sions. I believe it commenced Dy*^ herewith forward you a Cra# s pamphlet," meaning the one c^; tbe letter troubles." So far as I remember^ w said « * I advise you to he very g^ you adjudicate on the matter Wg!** % and Ciaig." ?? "V TT£ «£ **£ Macfarlane I did not l^^J^lT^t think Mr Macfarlane did. Nothing ance was said, or it ****<$,„ tg an impression on my mmo..-. , #B m P^esenLt the time I think t^^ Tuesday of the week when the^ against Craig. I knew there* % tSS^m of things between the mills *^-B*s§ By Mr Hesketh : I mean ' J*J^»*f and^raigthe V^net^oi^ Whangapoua. I certainly, ■» . ■ was amutuaim-feehng. . leVtf re^i^, Re-examined : I *"J*g^*fr« * , a letter from. Mr J. S : ?*__" ___. ' one in relation to (Wtfj«£..* This coaoluded the owe i« ____. i

______ !_YEH-Nft 81\Q,,^TTB8D£Y,MAY 14,1.74



"OOYAL INSUEANCE ■*-+> COMPANY. NOTICE OF REMOVAL. The Office of this Company has been REMOVED from No. 15, Shortland-street, to Hobson's Buildings; _____* °PPoßlte dde ' immediately adjoining the Post tGEO. WM. JONES, Auckland, May 8,187*. Agent" ]



[Established 1864.] T\ STEPHENSON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAN D," "EAftLE BRAND," "CROWN BRAND," Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and Stortkeepers throughout the Proi "nee of Auckland. D. STEPHENSON _ CO , wyndham street, Auckland. T>USHBROOK & BRIDGMAN *5. i_ Have great pleasure in announcing that they are NOW OPENING UP THEIR SHIPMENT Ex'Norham Castle, Hylton Castle, and Dorette, Consisting of— 56 CASES AND BALES OP NEW WINTER GOODS, And resp--Hfn'ly Invite attention to the same. GENTLEMEN'S CLO",HINtt, BOYS' AND YOUTHS' CLOTHING, HATS AND CAPS, HOSIERY. Children's New Felt Hats, lacTes' Black Straw Rats, Flowers, Feathers, Ribbons &c FANCY DRFSS GOOD?, FRENCH MERINOS, WINCEYS. WOOL PLAIDS, "FLANNELS. LADIES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS. CHILDREN'S AND LADTES' WATEPRROOF TWEED MANTLES. UMBRELLAS, Etc., Etc., Etc. FURNISHING GOODS, And a complete New Stock in every Department. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, *0 JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper. Qtteen-s_i?_et, Auckland. f*i A U T I ON. 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, som« unprincipled persons have 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 TKADE 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, Bud wrapped round with his well-known label. XI ETIRING FROM THE RETAIL J. COSGRAVE & CO. Are giving up their Retail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods w?U 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 CosaßAva from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Old at TJNPR-OEDENTEDLY LOW PRICES. No credit will be given during the Sale. TO H. LEWISSON Begs to inform his numerous frienes and the public at large that ha\_uj been success ful in disposing of all his old STOCK at the recent CLEARING-OUT SALE, He has determined to RE-OPEN with an ENTIRELY NEW SELECTION OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OP JEWELLERY, WATCHES, &c, And is resolved to offer to the Public Goods of the best Quality at the LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. I t&" Extensve Alterations are about to be made in 1 the Business Premises, which when completed wttl make them second to none in the Colonies. The Manufacturing Branch of the Business will be cirried »n as usual, and aU Repairs or Orders for Cutting and Mounting Greenstone and Quartz will be executed with promptness, F. H. LEWISSON, OPPOSITE UNION BANK, QUEEN-STRB-H. AffOKLAKD.