SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATE a : This evening, 130 ; to morrow morning 158 SUN SET : This evening, 7.0 ; SUN RISE : to morrow mornin-?. 4fc9 MOON S AGE : New _ioon, 9th, 11.45 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

DBPA^TCRES. Christina,, schooner, for Gisborne

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For LytteltoD—Waitangi. ship, early For New York—Stanley Castla, barque, at once For San Francisco—Condor.-n, ship, early; Cyphrenes, R M S s,, 24th December For .Loudon— Ciiy of Auckland, ship, early For Sydney—Hydaspes, ship, early ; Hero, S s., early For a Cruise—SaatV'rn Cross, Missionary barquentine early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, 8 'a % from Sydney 30th instart Cyphr «nes, s.s., (English Mail, via 'Frisco), about sth

iVeceoober Asp.aye, ship, from London: sailed September 3 C'jspatiick, ship, from London ; sailed Bth September 'Alenlora, ship, from London ; sailed September 26 "Dilharee, barque, from London ; sailed October 2 Inverene, ship, from London ; sailed October Warwick, ship, from London; sailed October Agnes, schooner, from Lyttelton Rapido, barque, from New York.via Adelaide, loading Edith Rose, barque, from New York ; sailed Sept. 18 Chanticleer, brig, from Hobart Town, early Europa, barque, from Sydney, early Kenilworth, scuooner, from Samoa, early Ivan hoe, schooner, from Levuka Pacific, schooner, from Samoa, early Hebe, brig, from Tasmania ; sa led 7th instant Ben Nevis, brig, from Newcastle ; sailed 17th inst Star of the South, s.s., from the South, early Moneynick. barque, from Dunedin, e.wly Helena, brigaDtine, from "Dunedin, early Otago, barque, from Melbourne, via Ounedin, early

The barquentine Falcon arrived at Port Chalmers yesterday. Our to-day's telegrams contain a reference to this vessel.

The s s. Taranaki arrived at Onehunga late yesterday afternoon with the Suez mail, a general cargo, and the following passengers : — Saloon : Mesdames Tizzard and Jones, Miss Badcock, Captain Ellis, Messrs Fagan, Hint, Mackay, Smith, Churton, Walters, Harris, Heale, Hunter, Donne ; and 10 in the steerage. —Combes and Daldy, agents.

The European Mail states that on September 26, Messrs Robert Duncan and Co. launched from their shipbuilding yard at Port Glasgow, an iron clipper ship of 1,250 tons register, named the Wellington, for Messrs P. Hender son and Co.'s line of New Zealand emigrant ships.

The barque Moneynick, according to the " Otago Daily Times," has been taken off the berth for Auckland and laid on for New castle, where hue is to load hard Australian wood for Moeraki.

Tbe brig Alexandra left Port Chalmers for Kaipara on November 17. She was to load there with timber for Dunedin.

The ship Waikato has been docked for tbe purpose of having her bottom cleaned, at Port Chalmers.

The brigantine Helena was to leave Dun edin on tbe 23th ult. ; and the barque Fleur de Maurice soon aftarwards, both for Auck land.

g|The topsail schooner Agnes sailed from Lyttelton for Auckland on tbe 24th nit., with the following cargo :-9 casks, 30 tons flour, 40 sacks bran, 190 do oats, 2 cases, 300 sacks oatmeal, 1 ton bran. Shipper. Tqe barque Serene arrived at New York from Auckland on tbe I2th September. The ship Huntley Castle arrived at Astoria from Auckland on tbe 20th August " Tbe s.s. Pretty Jane is to leave at 6 a.m. to-morrow for Motu-Ibi, to bring up the Hydaspes' immigrants from the quarantine station.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Wanganut, this day. The Go-Ahead left for Onehunga at four o'clock yesterday afternoon.

ENGLISH SHIPPING.

The ship Glenlora, Captain Le Visconti, left London for Auckland on the 26th Sept., and passed Berry Head on the 29th. Tbe barque JDilharee, chartered by the Now Zealand Shipping Company, sailed ftom London for this port on the 2nd October. The Locb Erne, ship, was loading at London for this port when the mail' left.

The ship Cospatrick, chartered by Messrs Shaw, Savill and Co., left Gravesend on her voyage to Auckland, on the 10th September. She is a vessel of 1199 tons, commanded by Captain Elmslie, and in addition to a general cargo she brings four steerage passengers and 424 Government immigrants, under Dr. Cadle. The Cospatrick passed Deal on the 12th September, and the Start on the 14th September.

CALLS.

£ s. a. Date. Otago 0 1 0 — Dec 9 New Pacific 0 1 0 — Dec 9 Albion (2nd issue) .. ..0 10 0 — Dec 16

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow,

at 9.30 a.m For Gisborne and Napier, per Pretty Jar:e, to-

morrow, at 9am. For Waiwera and "Warkworth, per Lady Bowen, to

morrow, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki, and Southern provinces, per

Taranaki, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For Levuba, Fiji, par Star of tho South, on Saturday

next, at i) a.m. For N»pier and Gisborne, per Southern (.'ross, on

SatrnMay next, at 1 p m. For Whitiangi, Tairua. Tauranga, aid Opotiki, per

Southern Cross, on Saturday next, at 1 p.m. For Taranaki and Wanganul. ucr Go-ahead on Satur-

clay next, at 10 a.m. For jßussell, per Maud, to-morrow, at noon S, B. Biss, Chiet Postmastor.

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1874.

For the cause thut Incks rvsslstunce, For the wrong i l.at. uecis fesii-laiico, Ye? th,? fp.ture in th*_* distance. Anil tii« esod thfct vi- can in

As with the progress of public works the Government will soon be the great carrying company of the Colony, it will be interesting to* know in what relations legally it will stand towards its customers, the public. In tbe course of nature, and with the best of conduct, it is possible that accidents may some time or another occur on our railways, and men will lose their arms and legs and women will lose their husbands. If such occurred through tbe negligence of a private company the proprietors would of course be responsible for damages, and the widow would be awarded as much pecuniary solace as a jury of practical men would deem sufficient, and the maimed man would have his legs and arms assessed, and the company must pay the cost. But how will it be as the law now stands, should maiming or death occur through lack of diligence on the Government 1 railways. What will the widow, what will tbe orphan, what will the mangled victim of reckless driving or negligence receive ? No thing. Ah actionfordamagescannotbe brought against the Government. There is no p ecu. niary responsibility whatever attaching to the Government or its officers, and that which is regarded as the great safeguard of the public against the greed and tbe reck lessness of private railway companies and steamboat proprietors, is, in tbe case of our great railway monopoly, entirely removed. By law, no action whatever can be brought against the Govern ment, unless — strange condition — the Government itself is a consenting party, and first grants permission. We know how such a bar to action would operate as between private litigants, and we may feel quite con fident that if a collision or other casualty in cident to railway travelling occur, and some scores of people are killed or wounded the Governor will not voluntarily open the door for lawyers and legal processes. The state of things now existent in New Zealand has been also existent in the sister colonies, and is the remnant of a system in which tbe welfare of the people was of leas account than the unruffled comfort of the Govern ing circle. In some of the colonies, to ou r knowledge, and in others we believe, this most inequitable rule has been abolished ; and if New Zealand, which, in the Ballot > Imprisonment for Debt Abolition, Marriage with Deceased Wife's Sister, and other socio political reforms, hangs in the rear of colonies is to be regarded as deserving the position to which she aspires, the sooner this barbarous and tyranical law is altered the better for her fame. If the Government is to have the monopoly of our inland carriage, —and the extension of our railway system pjnoqs m 9ins ualN —sl lW o^issooon ft— accept the responsibilities attaching to all other carrying companies. And if through the negligence of its servants damage is done to a citizen, it should not be necessary for

lim or his widow or his orphan to come miug like a helpless suppliant, pleading that ;he Governor will permit an appeal to tho egal courts of the colony for redress. "][_ o existing condition of affairs r s0 an omalou* and so un&i: that we ', AUOy j w are aware of lkX) existence ; and we trust that public attention being directed to it will lead to the removal of what is nothing less than a disgrace to the administration of our laws.

The delay in the arrival of the s.s. Hero with his Excellency Ihe O-overnor is the more unaccountable from the fact that the steamer is known to have left Melbourne on the appointed date. Mr Walter Sully, who was a passenger by tbe Mikado, and is now in Auckland awaiting the arrival of the Hero, informs us that on the day bo left Sydney the Hero was telegraphed as off Wilson's Promontory. She left Melbourne at 2 p.m. on Thursday, and should conse quently have been in Sydney last Sunday week.

A gentleman residenb in Nelson, signing himself a " Friend and Admirer of Indepen dent Journalism," has forwarded to us a leading article and a contributed article, both clipped from the Colonist, one of which he alleges was written in Auckland, and the authorship cf the other he also indicates. As such there is something so inexpressibly grotesque in the communications that we feel half inclined to publish them. At all events we shall " return to the subject." Wo can believe our correspondent that " all Nelson is in one broad grin of amused, amaze ment," We confess we are at a loss to understand the 'quotations of New Zealand flait tele graphed to us from the South a fewdavs ago. In the papers via Sues, to band by the s.s. Taranaki yesterday, "We find "no evidence of improvement. Under date October 1, Messrs JDevitt and Hett, report fair competition and a prospect of an advance by the reduction of stocks, but there was no improvement in prices, nor do we see how there can be so long as Manilla hemp is quoted as low as £34 to £39, the rates quoted m the same circular. Tho prices of gum, as telegraphed to us, were perfectly correct, and, as we before stated, fully justify the large advance in the buying prices hero. Messrs Devitfc and Hett, on October 1, report.—" Gum, Kauri, is firm, and at auction 718 cases and bags chiefly sold at 9s to 3s per cwt. advance ordinary dark and ; sofb 37s 6d to -12s Gd, chips 4-O.s' to 41s middling to good middling scraped sorts at 45s to 535, fine middling to good bold 58s to 77s Od, fine clean scraped 05s to 100s." We have to acknowledge receipt from Mr W. K. E. Brown, Registrar-General, of ths volume of statistics for 1873, which are admirably compiled, and contain many valuable additional tables anil returns. We hope however, that arrangements will be made for publishing these returns in future at an earlier date, as much of their value to the public is destroyed by their late issue. We have also received from the Government printer several Parliamentary papers and returns.

Major Gordon bec^s ns to stite for the information of the Volunteers that they are to continue to bold themselves in readiness to turn out to-morrow or on any following day. when the signal guns indicating his

Excellency's approach are fired

The annual soiree in connection with the Wellesley-street Young Men's Improvement Class, was held last evening in the school room. The meeting was well attended, Mr F. Battley in the chair, who in a well con structed speech detailed the history and literary doings of the class during the year. The entertainment consisted of readings, recitations, music and ballad's, and was of a very acceptable character. The members of the class presented to Mr Battley a number of volumes in testimony of their esteem which were gratefully acknowledged. The proceedings closed with the loyal anthem in which the whole audience joined.

Mr W. L. bees delivered a highly eloquent and instructive lecture last evening, in the JBeresfard-street chapel, on " The Evident Destiny of the Anglo-Saxon race." There was a full attendance on tho occasion. The chairman, .Rev Warlow Davies, M.A., intro duced the lecturer in a short but well-formed speech, and upon the rising of Mr Roes, he was greeted with applause. The lecture was of a most instructive character. Tho rapid, but; picturesque sketch of tbe growth, battles, and triumphs of the An^'lo-Saxon race, and the general pro gress of tbe people through the ages wero graphic and picturesque, and reminded the intelligent listener of Macaulay'a splendid introduction to his history of England. The historical portions and deductions which formed the body of the lecture were full of hints, which could only result from study and observation. After reviewing the various signs of tbe advancement of the race and the widening of tbe language which Shakespeare wrote and Milton sung, Mr. Rees considered that the Anglo-Saxon people had a glorious destiny before them, and which was due to their industrial habits, stability of character, Christian institutions, love of order, and religious faith. At the conclusion of tbe lecture, a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr Barton, seconded by Mr Lyon, was unanimously accorded to the lecturer. In thanking the audience, Mr Rees announced his intention of giving a lecture at no distant period, on the " Materialistic School of Thought," as illustrated by Darwin, Tyndall, and other modern thinkers. The chairman stated that this was but the first of a series of lectures on subjects of general interest at the present time. The proceedings closed with the benediction.

Tbe members of tbe New Zealand Agricultural Society will hold their quarterly meeting on Friday afternoon, at the British Hotel. After the preliminary business, Mr Calvert will read a paper on the " Foot and Mouth Disease."

The " stricken poet " in the Cross must be some relation to Cameo ; at any rate both are very shaky in their classics. The latter thinks that Hero swam tbe Hellespont to Leander; and now the former calls the angry god of the winds yEolus, with the o long. We should recommend both in future to cut it short.

Mr Avery who was burnt out in the late Wakefield-street fire, desires to express his thanks to Mr Joy, for 10s kindly sent to him through the Evening Star. We have also much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of 10s from Dr Kenderdine, towards tbe same object.

The quarterly meeting of Auckland branch No. 81. of tbe Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society will be held to-night at eight o'clock at St. Patrick's Hall, for the election of officers.

A remarkable instance of somnambulism occurred last evening in tbe neighbourhood of Freeman's Bay. A youth, we believe, a member of tbe Sir George Grey cadets, or who was recently one, arose from his bed at tbe time of the firing of the battery, after tbe performance of the " Anvil Chorus " at the Choral Hall, and put on his regimentals, took down bis sword, etc., and marched into the garden, and fired into a peach-tree. He then went through his positions, and returned into the house, undressed himself, and got into bed. His mother was aston ished at what she saw, but made no attempt to wake him. He knew nothing of the cir cumstance this morning on coming down to breakfast, but that something of the sort was on his mind seemed evident, as his first question was, " The Governor's come, is"he not ? I've been dreaming that he was come." "Yes, John," said his mother, " I believe you have been dreaming." ' Mr Hoyte's Art Union drawing took place last evening at the shop of Mr Upton. The ten leading prizes were won by Messrs W. A. Ryan, John Taylor, E. D. Willcox, R. Carr, John Cosgrave, John Vaile, Michael Corcoran, I A. Boardman, Holland, and Buttler, and J T. S. Evans. r

We ai\s aorry to ie-rn that the young , man, Thomas White, sustained a fracture of the skull and concussion of the brain, by bis accideut at the Solid Rock Bath, yetserday. He now Hes in a precarious state at the Provincial Hospital. Referring to •tV subject, a correspondent write" ; "„ s - "^_ I cannot allow the bj£ accident '^ g b ' nd Rock, joatftjj to tbe young man Thomas White, which appeared in your issue ol yes terday, to pass without bearing my testimony to tile dangerous arrangements of the baths, as a similar accident happened to myself last samme'ri but did not terminate so seriously^ owing, fortunately, to my not having taken a dive off the spring-board with greater force. To my surprise T was iufornVed by a gentle man present that I w&'S hot the only one who bad met with .such a fate, one unfortunate individual having previously come against the rock with such force that it caused the blood to flow profusely from his forehead. I deemed it my doty on public grounds to represent the matter to one of the directors, who happened to be present, and suggested that a notice should be posted up cautioning bathers of the risk they incurred in diving too deep as the depth of the bath would not admit of it,, but judging from what occurred yesterday, it has not been adopted.—l am, &c, William O'Beirne.

Accomodation for visitors is so scarce at present in Picton that a respectable female, with an infant in her arms, who arrived there from Nelson the other day. could not obtain accomodation, and would have had to pass tile night wiohout shelter, had nob a resident kindly taken her under his roof.

It was not in the race for the Melbourne Cup alone that Lurline failed to distinguish herself on the Flemington course. She ran also in the Royal Park Stakes, which were won by Dagworth, who beat Goldsbrough by a neck, with Protos third. Lurline started at six to one against her. For a time she shewed with a chance in the race, running third. When half a mile from home (the race two miles) she dropped back beaten. The time was 3 mm. 43 sec. In the Flying Stakes (three-quarters of a mile, which was run on one of the days following the Cup, Haricot was fifth, though at starting the betting about him was even.

The fifth yearly meeting of the Auckland Permanent (Jo-operative Building and Invest ment Society was held yesterday, Dr. Nichol son in tbe chair. The report shewed a large increase in transactions, although the deposit receipts have been unfavourably affected by the many facilities for investments in other ways. The receipts, including an overdraft of £7,035 lis 2d, were £23.739 10s 3d. Messrs J. Roberton, and G. B. Owen, had accepted tbe office of trustee in conjunction with Mr W. C. Wilson ; Mr.). Potter bad filled a vacant seat in the committee. Tho repayments of borrowing members have been kept up with remarkable regularity ; and notwithstanding the greatly increased amount at risk, the committee think that their loan 3 are all amply secured. The reports were adopted ; and after some remarks by Mr Smallfield on an irregularity in the election of officers, tbe meeting terminated.

A narrow escape from fire occurred on Monday night last at the railway station. The night watchman in going around fortu nately looked into the engine-shed in which were at tho time three valuable locomotives, and found a joiner's bench on fire, a large bole in it still showing how nearly a confla gration had occurred. It is difficult to know bow it may have arisen, possibly from a piece of waste used in cleaning tbe engines having been thrown away. Such a thing could hardly be won dered at when we know that under the cheeseparing system now introduced the engine-eleanors have been taken away, and those engaged in working the locomotives during the day are obliged to clean their own engines. As tbi3 necessitates their being at work between three and four o'clock in tho morning, it would not be strange if these men should feel tired and drowsy between six and seven o'clock in tho evening, or even if they began to nod on tho engine when dying along the rails. It is a fortunate circumstance that this fire was arrested before we had to record the injury, if not destruction, of three valu able engines, but it ought to be taken as a warning, for unquestionably unless there is some sense brought to bear on the arranging of the conduct of this railway business, we shall ere long have a serious catastrophe to

record

The first meeting of creditors in tbe estate of Harry Hay ward, of Remuera, farmer, was held to-day at the office of Mr Thomas Macffarlane, at tbe Supreme Court Build ings. Tbe latter gentleman was appointed Provisional Trustee, and two supervisors were fixed upon.

Some sad disclosures were made to His Worship in the Police Court this morning, in reference to the parents of three neglected and destitute children of Chancery Lane. Une little boy, with a fine rosy face, who had been fed chiefly by constables and friends, was the illegitimate child of a notorious character, now suffering a lengthened term of imprisonment for her misdeeds in Mount Eden. Tbe father of the poor boy, whose name is George Ray, a fish-hawker and noto rious drunkard, was said to be cohabiting with another person of low character, aud who has been in tbe constant habit of beating and ill-using the boy. His Wor ship called the reputed father forward, and he replied to bis Worship's questions in a somewhat impertinent manner, "who knows that I am the boy's father? Let it be proved." He said be had always attended to the boy ; he washed him and dressed him regularly, and the boy had the full benefit of the fresh air at least sixteen hours a day. If the boy was his, be would keep him. Detective Jeffrey shewed clearly that Ray was not a fit and proper person to nave charge of the boy ; he not only left him without proper food and clothing, but allowed him to run wild, day and night. He had been seen a few days since, when in a state of drunkenness, to drag the poor boy along tbe pavement by the hair of his head. It was also shewn that his model parent could earn at least two pounds a week, but that the greater portion of his earnings went in the common way. H? was ordered by tbe Court to pay five shillings a week towards the maintenance of his child, and was made to understand that he would be compelled to pay it. He went out of Court grumbling, and vowed he could not and would not pay it. The father and mother of the Dougherty's were also described as persons of vicious and depraved habits, and who were now suf ering long terms of imprisonment, and that the children had been left to the care of an elder sister, who was living a life of immorality. These children were all sent to the Industrial Home, where they will be better cared for, and be brought up in the Catholic faith, the professed faith of their vicious parents. About thirty children have been thus rescued from a life of degradation and misery in Chancery Lane : chiefly through the instrumentality of Detective George Jeffrey.

Gold, it appears, is known to the aborigi nals of Central Australia by the name of Lamarra. Some of the natives near Tennant Creek station on the telegraph line were lately shown a sovereign, and on seeing it, named the mineral, and pointing to the west ward made signs that there was plenty of it to be had there. The locality, Jhowever, is reported as being arid, water being very scarce.

A Wesleyan Minister—the Rev. Mr Ing ham, of Ballarat, Victoria — was lately accused of preaching as his own, a sermon by Mr Talmage, an American clergyman. Tbe charge was investigated by the Wesleyan ministers at their late district meeting at Ballarat, and was found proved. They recommended to Conference that Mr Inghae. should lose a year's standing in consoquencm

We put in the following. We believe the I insinuation that the lady was ngly is all "in my eye." His wife found on* flo 6 utile fiaine> and^gaje him » ~ lgghlft t _j»f o t he Editor : | ir". -j-riat p„_&gr&ph in YOUr issue of yoater, | day inferring to the novel effect oi the solar i"ays iipttn the hiiritaft eye has produced much iihcbariliable comment. I was much pained at overbearing a remark to the effect that "tbe party 'ad bin takin' hobservations through the bottom of a tiiriibler, and no doubt 'ad let hisself stay tod long in the sun." Now, as I happened to be present wheb the solar observations were taken, and also during the street adventure, I may claim the right to explain the matter, Which was thus wise : Being anxious to inspect, the sun, my friend, in order to Obviate any injury to his optic iiervri, attached ft coloured eye piece to tile instrument. Notwithstanding thi3 precaution, however, tbe result was, as you have stated, a spasmodic twiching of the right eyelid. While placidly meandering down Queen-street, quite a pdroXySm of twitching set in just at tlie ptecise biometit when he encountered the gaze of a female passing by. Being a perfect stranger, [she was very naturally indignant at what seemed to her a succession of winks of the boldest ane most aggravated type. The stony glare of indignation and surprise with which she resented the apparent familiarity, caused my friend to collapse miserably, and forcibly recalled what I had read of tbe late lamented Mrs Hominy's power of eye. What causes my friend some anxiety is whether, in the event of an information being laid against him tbe Bench would smile sardonically and say tbe defence was "all in my eye." I might state, as proving the absence of motive, that the female in question has a physiognomy which it would be tbe grossest flattery to call merely plain. Not to put too fine a point upon it, the pass ing her in the street could hardly be called a " transit of Venus." If tbe possession of beauty were a crime and she were charged with it, any jury would acquit her without leaving the box. Really, sir, it would seem that any humble prowler after science is liable to cruel misconstruction, although he may be a°, circumspect a Benedict as ever priced a cradle, or trudged through storm and mire in search of the periodical Sairey Gamp.—l am, &c, W.

The committee of tbe Citizens' Ball are making great preparations in order that the ball may be eminently successful in its every featuie. The arrangements for decorations, music, supper, and wines, are complete, and a large number of tickets have been issued. Tbe ball promises to be one of the grandest that has yet been given in Auckland. The members of the committee will meet in tbe Stranger's room, Northern Club this evening, and report progress, number of tickets sold, &c.

At tbe invitation of tbe members of the 1.0. G.T. Hope of the Manukau Lodge. One hunga, the brass band of the order put in an appearance at our usually quiet little village, on Monday evening. After being paraded through the streets upon Mr Crowther's large coach, drawn by four horses, and piloted by that gentleman, arousing the neighbourhood with their martial music, the band proceeded to the Choral Hall, where, with the assistance of some young ladies and gentlemen who kindly gave their services, together with the vocal talents possessed by some of the members of the band, a very pleasing, and judging from the applause, highly satisfactory impromptu concert was performed. Among the most effective were two songs by Miss Wood, a lady amateur of great promise ; a recitation, by Miss Froude, was also well delivered. Messrs Keesing and Millar with their dialogues and recita tions, Mr Gatland with his humorous song, and tbe band under Mr McComish, with their pleasing melodies, altogether contri buted to render the evening's amusement highly satisfactory to a numerous and respect able audience assembled to hear them. At a quarter-past ten, the party returned to Auckland, delighted with their trip, and the kind reception given them by brethren of Onehunga.

THE SUEZ MAIL.

By tbe Suez mail which arrived yesterday we have lengthy letters from our London correspondent, '* Greenstone." We make tbe following brief extracts to-day:—

RU.IIOUHKI) APPOINTMENT OK MR. THOMAS

RUSSKLL AS ACKNT-CENERAL

By the way, we hear rumours of a change in the Agent-General's office. Is it true that Mr. Thomas Russ *U is to be appointed ? He would be a great loss to Auckland in one sense if be came permanently to England, al though in another be would help her muchly. Auckland is not fairly represented now. Everytbingand every body is sacrificed habitu ally to Wellington, and without doing any injustice to the other provinces, a new Agent-General might improve your out-look materially. Mr. Russell is such a thorough man of business that I should think there could not be a better selection for the office. MR DISRAELI. Was to have visited Ireland this month for the purpose chiefly of selecting a place for a royal residence, but he has been attacked by gout and bronchitis which makes the idea of the tour quite impracticable. It is a thousand pities since the Irish had set their hearts and expectations on tbe promised visit, and he would have had quite a royal progress through the country. Like the late Liberal Premier, the old gentleman is rather feeble and failing, and his bodily powers are not equal to those of his mind. Should anything occur, which Heaven for fend, probably Mr Gatborn Hardy would be his successor. SOCIETY OP FRIENDS IN AUSTRALIA. A detachment of Quakers has departed from this country for the Australasian Colo nies with a view to look after the interests of the Society of Friends at the Antipodes. It seems tbe relations of the body in the far off dependencies have not been of a very amicable nature of late, and the governing body at home have determined to make an effort to remove the irritating influences if possible. DELIVERY OF NEW ZKALA.ND MAILS. The mails which left Auckland on August 3 were delivered in London on September 17, which is very good work indeed. If the steamers could always accomplish such pas sages we should have nothing left to be desired. Unfortunately it is the exception and not the rule when we get our mails to time. The Williams and Guion boats have hitherto brought the mail from, New York, but henceforth the Eagle Company's boats are to bring them, which will be a saving of time, as they come direct to an English port instead of putting into an Irish poet. The last mail consisted of 163 bags from New Zealand and Australia.

THE "TIMES" ON THE RELEASE OF CRIMINALS

We don't intend to allow either Mr Gar diner or Mr Sullivan, to land here if we can help it, and the Americans are determined that you must find some other dust hole to shoot your discarded rubbish than the States. The Times says the freeing of these wretches does not evince a very high standard of local morality, but it adds, that " bearing in mind our own clemency to wife beaters and kickers in England, we have no right to be too exact ing in this sense as to our Australasian pro geny."

ENGLISH SHIPPING.

(from our own-correspondent.)

London, October 1, 1874. During the month of September shipping to all ports of New Zealand has been exceed ingly brisk. Nearly all the ships on the berth have been short of dead weight, and in many instances the New Zealand Shipping Company's vessels have had to take in ballast. On the whole, light freights have been active. Auckland appears to take the lead in vessels loading; they fill in less time and with less difficulty than to any other port in New Zealand. I have do doubt you

observe an indication of this in the large j, ships that are being despatched by both • houses in London. Quit© a reaction haM taken place in shipping to Auckland during ■ the last eight months. The New Zealand Shipping Company's , fine new ship Waitemata leaves Sunderland for London to-morrow, where she will load for Canterbury and sail on the 15th October, with 350 emigrants and sixteen saloon pas sengers. She is 1156 73-100rh gross tons. She° is a sister ship to the Waitaugi, and in fact similar in every respect except the Waitaogi was longer buildiDg, and the finish on her somewhat better. The fiae iron ship Assaye sailed from Gravesend ou the Ist of September, but was detained in the Channel for some time through strong adverse winds. She was spoken on the 14th September, )at. 49 30 N. long. 930 W. The fine composite barque Dilharree, which arrived from Canterbury, under charter to tbe N.Z.S.Co., in 83 days, will be your next Auckland vessel. She sails on the 2nd. timlAi DISPATCHED BY THE NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING COMPANY. For Auckland—Ship Assaye, Captain Mc- Ritche Ist September, from Grave3end, with 354 adults. 14th, spoken lat. 49 30 N, long. 9 0 W. ; all well. For Canterbury—Geraldine, Paget, 15th September, from Gravesend, with 320 adult emigrants, and six saloon passengers. For Napier—Clarence, 23rd September, from Gravesend, with 298 adult emigrants, and five saloon passengers. For Picton—Ship Oarnatic, Captain E. M. Moon, 2Sfcb September, from Gravesend, 250 adult emigrants. Captain .Ruck, of Auckland, school-master on board, arid seven saloon passengers. . . For Auckland—Dilharree, Captain B. M. Neily, 2nd September, Gravesend, 330 adulc emigrants, and nine saloon passengers. 29th September—Barque Jungfrau, for Wellington. Six private passengers, 1 horse, 1 calf, 20 rams, 19 ewes. 2nd September—Sophia Joakim. Five saloon passengers, 10 second cabin, 19 steerage, 2 horses 16 rams, 16 ewes, for Mr Buchanan, of Napier. A. NEW IRON SHIP FOR THE NEW ZEALAND TRADE. Messrs John Blumer and Co., of Sunder land, are building a fine iron ship for Mr JR. V. Parrett, tbe owner of the Ferndale. She will be ship-rigged, and about 850 tons nett register. Her dimensions being as follows : — Length of keel, 185 feet; benn, 32 feet; depth of bold, 19 feet. She will have a full poop and forecastle, and will be able to accommodate fourteen first-class piS3engers. Her saloon and cabins will be fitted up in a very similar manner to the new ships belong ing to tbe New Zealand Shipping Company. She will be launched on tbe 24cb of October, and named the Fernglen. She will be com manded by Captain W. F. Feretzer, many years in command of the Ferndale, who has been superintending tbe building of the vessel, so I have no duubfc she will be a faithfully-built Bhip. The Fernglen will be chartered by the New Zealand Shipping Company for a December ship, I have no doubt, to Auckland. She will be the seventh new vessel that has been despatched by the New Zealand Shipping Company during its short existence from April, 1873. A greater number never were despatched before or since New Zealand became a colony. So much for competition. Tbe New Zealand people have to thank the merchants of Auckland in first starting an opposition, and getting a superior class of vessels to their port.

THE FOUNDER OF THE NORMANBY FAMILY.

A REMARKABLE CAREER,

Samuel Smiles, in tbe chapter of bis well known work, " Seif-Help," entitled " Indus try and tbe Peerage," gives the history of William Phipps, tbe founder of tbe family of our new Governor, His Excellency tbe Marques of Normanby. Mr Smiles says : — " William Phipps, tbe founder of tbe Mul grave or Normanby family, was a man quite remarkable in bis way. His father was a gunsmith, a robust Englishman, settled at Woolwich, in Maine, then forming part of our English colonies in .America. He was born in 1651, one of a family of not fewer than twenty-six children—of whom twenty one were sons—whose only fortune lay in their stout hearts and strong arms. William seems to have bad a dash of tbe Danish sea blood in bis veins, and did not take kindly to tbe quiet life of a shepherd, in which be spent bis early years. By nature bold and adventurous, be longed to be a sailor and roam through the world. He sought to join some ships, but not being able to find one he apprenticed himself to a shipbuilder, with whom he thoroughly learned his trade, acquiring tbe arts of reading and writing during his leisure hours. Having completed bis apprenticeship and re moved to Boston, be wooed and married a widow of some means, after which he set up a little ship-building yard of bis own, built a ship, and putting to sea in her, he engaged in the lumber trade, which he carried on in a plodding and laborious way for the space of about ten years. It happened that one day, whilst passing through tbe crooked streets of old Boston, be beard some sailors talking to each other about a wreck that had just taken place oft tbe Bahamas, that of a Spanish ship supposed to have much money on board. His adventurous spirit was at once kindled, and getting together a likely crew without loss of time, be set sail for Bahamas. Tbe -wreck being well inshore, be easily found it, and succeeded in recovering a great deal of its cargo, but very Httle money ; and tbe result was that he barely de frayed his expenses. His success bad been such, however, as to stimulate his enterpris ing spirit, and when he was told of another and far more richly laden vessel which bad been wrecked near Port de la Plata, more than half a century before, be forthwith formed the resolution of raising the wreck, or at all events of fishing up the treasure. Being too poor, bowever, to undertake sucb an enterprise without powerful help be set sail for England, in the bope that be might there obtain it. Tbe fame of bis success in raising tbe wreck off tbe Bahamas had already preceded him. He applied direct to tbe Government. By his urgent enthusiasm he succeeded in overcoming the usual inertia of official minds, and Charles 11. eventually placed at bis disposal the Rose Algier, a ship of eighteen guns, and 95 men, appointing himself to tbe chief oemmand. Phipps then set sail to find tbe Spanish ship and fish up the treasure. He reached tbe coast of Hisponalia in safety, but how to find tbe sunken ship was tbe great difficulty. Tbe fact of tne wreck was more than fifty years old, and Phipps bad only the traditionary rumours of the event to work upon. There was a wide coast to explore, and an out spread ocean without any trace whatever of tne Argosy, which lay somewhere at its bottom. He set his seamen to work to drag aiong the coast, and for weeks they went on fishing up sea-weed, shingle, and bits of rock. No occupation could be more trying to seamen, and at length the men broke into open mutiny. A body of them rushed one day on the quarter-deck and demanded that the voyage should be relinquished. Pbipps, bowever, was not a man to be intimidated. He seized tbe ring leaders and sent tbe others back to their duty. It became necessary to bring tbe ship to anchor close to a small island for tbe purpose of repairs, and to lighten ber, the chief part of tbe stores was landed. Discontent still increasing among the crew a new plot was laid amongst tbe men on shore to seize the ship, throw Phipps overboard, and start on a piratical cruise against the Spaniards in the South Seas. But it was necessary to secure the services of the chief ship carpenter, who was consequently made privy to the plot. This man proved faithful, and at once told the captain of his danger. Summoning about him those whom he knew to be loyal, Phipps had the ship's guns loaded, which commanded the shore, and ordered the bridge communicating with the vessel to be

drawn up. When the mutineersWdTHT^ appearance, the captain hailed thpm , toid the men he would fire upon them if tH approached the stores (still on landf it ? they drew back j on which Phip pa ij^ stores reshipped under cover of his L The mutineers, fearful of beiog left H * the barren island, threw down their 2* x and implored to be permitted to retnwZ \ their duty. Th e request was granted^ £ suitable precautions were taken a *lz future mischief. Phipps found it ° a w! lutely necessary to proceed to England fZ the purpose of repairing the ship. He hll now, however, gained more precise inform* tion as to the spot where the Spanish treT sure-ship had sunk; and, though as Jl baffled, he was more confident than ever of the eventful success of his enterprise. Re. turned to London, Phippsfreported the result :of his voyage to the Admiralty, who pro i fessed to be pleased with his exertions • but he had been unsuccessful, and they wouH not entrust him with another King's shin James 11. Was now on the throne, and the Government was in trouble, so Phipps aid bis golden project appealed to them in vain. He next tried to raise the requisite means by a public subscription. At first he was laughed at; but bis ceaseless importunity at length prevailed, fund af:.er four years dinning of his project into tbe ears of the great and influential—during which time he lived in poverty-be at length succeeded, a company was formed in twenty shares, the Duke of Albermarle, son of General Monk, taking the chief interest in it, and subscribing the principal part of the necessary fund for the prosecution of the enterprise. The ship arrived without accident at Pott de la Plata, in the neighbourhood of the reef of rocks supposed to have been the scene of the wreck. His first object was to build a stout boat capable of carrying eight or ten oars, in constructing which Phipps used the ad2e himself. It j g said that he constructed a machine for the purpose of explo.ing the bottom of the sea similar to what is known as the diving bell He also engaged Indian divers, whose feats for diving for pearls, and in submarine oper ations, were very remarkable. The tender and boat having been taken to the reef, the men were set to work, the diving bell was sunk, and tbe various modes of dragging the bottom of the sea were employed continuously for many weeks, bttt without any prospect of success. Phipps, however, held on valiantly, hoping almost against'hope. At length one day, a sailor, looking^ over the boat's side down into the clear water, observed a curions sea plant growing in what appeared to be a crevice of tbe rock; and he. called upon an Indian diver to go down and fetch it for him. On the red man coming up with tbe weed, he reported that a number of ships guns were lying in the same place. Search was made, and presently a diver came up with a solid bar of silver in his arms. When Phipps was shown it he exclaimed, " Thanks be to God ! we are all made men." Diving-bell and divers now went to work with a will, and in a few days treasure was brought up to tbe value of about £300,000, with which Phipps set sal for England. On bis arrival, it was urged upon the King that be should seize the Bhip and its cargo under the pretence that Phipps, when soliciting his Majesty's permission, had not given accurate information respecting tbe business. But the King replied that he knew Phipps to be an honest man, and that he and his friends should divide the whole treasure amongstj them, even though he had returned with double tbe value. Phipps's share was about £20,000 ; and the King, to show his approval of bis energy and honesty in conducting the enterprise, conferred upon him the honor of knighthood. He was also made High Sheriff of New England, and during the time he held the office he did valiant service for tbe Mother Country and the colonists against the French, by expedi tions against Port JRoyal and Quebec. B I also held tbe post of Governor for Masst chusetts, from which he returned to England, s and died in Loudon, in 1695."

MR. BEALE'S CONCERT.

The taste for good music musthe declining in Auckland when a concert of such merit as that of last night only succeeds in attracting half an audience. Mr. Beale had prepared a first - class programme, and it was gone through spiritedly and correctly by the per formers, both instrumental and vocal, who were mainly membeis of the Choral Society, of which Mr. Beale is the new conductor. The concert was given by the Society as a complimentary benefit, to Mr. Beale, and it would therefore have looked better if the friends of the singers had turned out in something like the numbers in which they attend their regular concerts. Mr Beale himself took the arduous task ol conducting, and acquitted himself with con spicuous success. If any preference can be given, the instrumental portion of the enter tainment was of a higher order of merit than the vocal, which in cases was rather of a robust than refined nature. The chorus was well practised, and sang well together. As worthy, of special mention, we may select the two overtures " Zampa," and "LM ana in Algieri;" Miss Leafs song, ''Thou art so near, and yet so far ; tne performance of the Beale family on Ist and 2nd violins, two tenors, two vioUncellos, and piano, the double quartette, "The Sea hath its Pearls," the quartette for two violins, viola, and violincello, "Eaydns Hymn to the Emperor ;" and the march ana chorus from "Tanhauser." Miss Leaf was encored, and gave in response " Evangeline. This young lady was in splendid voice, ana we are glad to notice that in point of expres sion she has very much improved. A W who sang " Home they brought her warrar dead," made a favourable debut asasoloij In answer to an enccrs she gave a m ballad. What was intended to ha™,J the feature of the concert, viz,, J3 Anvil Chorus," was a comparjj failure owing to tbe absence of thei exF* effects—the anvil and the guns. TheJS* were not missed, but the omission of them feature from which the chorus takes its a*£ was, to put it mildly, eccentric. Asawnj Mr. Beale's concert was an excellent one,** those who were not there missed a*» We are informed by Mr Goodall that ■» cause of the guns not beiHg fired as nounced, was insufficient priming. appears that an attempt was made to them by the conductor, but the electric <*> tact only caused a flash in the pan. 'the guns been set off in the ordinary W the priming would have been sufficient.

SUPREME COURT.— This Day.

SITTINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.

(Before Sir George A. Arney, Knight, J&* Justice.) jjjli A special sitting of the Ooud; ™%kss this morning for the purpose ot m investigation of the case of George^ Jun. »/iloct) His Honor took his seat at e*s JJ(jor and the case having been called, Mr '» mick commenced to cro3S-exatnme_tn & rupt as to certain transactions d himself and Mr Thome sen.,^hicn vx the commercial position of botn, i j 25th December to January 4. A««.* ffa3 of tin plates, the bankrupt ahoW sent to Sydney, consigned to" 1?' t hosß the 11th November. So far as he know, { goods weire not realised at tM» 0 declaration of bankruptcy. W ** 2 nd, < in the accounts under date_ Jaiw . I 1874, as unclosed ventures. He v wit h ' i his father' with the goods, ana a Ued money supplied on account ot a ds ff ere | the Patan.a Farm. Part of the g Ot i, on account of the occupier, S^ o k tt» In the agreement Sandford• »£fL m at» , management and making of tne , salary from Mr. Thome, sen.. clause of the agreement whicn * ; Sandford to trade. this clause, ig His Honor remarked upon t^&sfatf uggested that it might Pf 1' hi disput«!d liability for the goods W

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