SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER: This evening, 6.47 ; to-morrow morning, 7.4 SUK-SBT : This evening, 5.49; SUN-RISK': To morrow morrl. g, 6.19 MOON'S AGE : Full moon, 2nd April, 10.58 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

City/T?f i^ el-- Ijr?c' -Brown, frota San Francisco . (English Mail) Mongol, s.s., Flamank, from Kandavn Rangafara, s.s., 760 tons, Hill, from Sydney Murray, s.s., from Russell

DEPARTURES.

■Phcebe, s . Si) for tlle Soutll Wave, br,g, for Wangaroa WMaK?- tba£ ea,f bi?i M °atgomery, for Newcastle nmt, bngantme, for Lyttelton

IMPORTS.

±-er Kangatira, from Melbourne : 1 case, y- 9- Wilson ; 1 ditto, E. Porter ; 1 ditto, Bank of New Zealand ; 1 ditto, W. S. Jones ; 17 ditto, Sharland; 1 ditto, J. Hart ; 3 ditto hardware, J. Smart and Co. ; Shales, order ; <*pgs cigars, 1 crate pipes, J. Williamson; cases tobacco, 1 ease cigars-, G. Waller; 1 case cigars, 5 J-boxeß tobacco, 2 cases ditto, W. M. Longdate ; 1 box seed, agent Australian Steam Navigation Company ; 2 cases, 1 pge. cigars, 2 cases tobacco, L. D. .Nathan and Co.; 1 case cigars, J. C. Morrin ; 11 case, order ; 1 case cigars, j Solomon and Marget. ;.2.pgs., Lewis Brothers; 1 parcel samples, Engall; 1 case, McArthur, Shera and. Co. ; 1 case, Rev. Mr. Burrows ; 1 pge. ■Key. G. Walters ; 1 case, McArthur, Shera and Co. From Sydney: 1 parcel, Stewart and Anderson ; 5 quarter-casks port, H. S. Meyers; 80 gunnies sugar, order ;21 coils .of rope, J. R. Roberts ; 2 tons rocksalt, order; 7 cases chairs, E. and R. Cotter; 100 cases brandy, 10 J casks brandy. Brown, Campbell and Co; 1 truss, 4 cases, McArthur, Shera and Co.; 2 crates,. 1 cask, 3 cases chairs, Lewis Bros. ; 1 case, H. M. Jervis ; 7 coils rope, J. R. Roberts ; 1 truss, G. T. Chapman; 2 cases, E. Wayte; 1 do. T. Turrell; 3 do., Upton and Co. • 3 cases, R. Lusk ; 1 do., J. Nodder ; 1 do., J. Harris; 19 pkgs, J. R. Roberts; 2 bales paperj 1 parcel type, Wilkinson and Horton; 1 box, Reed and Brett; 1 do, H. M. Jervis ; 1 case stationery, E. Wayte; 6 pgs, Globe Parcel!, Express ; 2 pgs, H. M. Jervis ; 2 do, A. Clarke and Son; 2 bags seed, J. Coup land ; 1 case, J. Wiseman ; 1 box seeds, A. Speering ; 20 cases sardines, 50 casks beer, H. S. Meyers and Co.; 120 hags maize, order ; 2 pianos, do ; 1 case combs, Monta gue ; 1 parcel, Campbell; 1 case, A. G. Bartlett; 1 parcel, George W. Binney; 145 bags maize, order; 12 kegs butter, order; 1 parcel, M. Montague; 1 do, Cook son; 1 do, Combes and Daldy; 1 do, G. Atken; 1 do, Walker; 9 cases wine, Cruick shank and Co. ; :;65 coils rope, a quantity of old rope, 1 half-hogshead, 4 bundles iron, 3 iron casks, 6 pgs, 2 bales canvass, 2 life buoys, 2, bundles leather,: 1 puncheon, 10' bundles, 7 drums, H.M.S. Blanche; 24 oars, 24 boat-hooks, 8 bundles, 28 casks, 60 cases, 21 bundles, 3 hhds, 300 fire-bricks, 2 parcels copper, 5 sails,'s-cases lime;juice, 89 shot and shell, 10 boxes, 1 cylinder, 1 bundle spikes, 5 hhds rum, 30 shot, 3 sheets iron, 1 pkg blocks, H.M.S. Blanche.—H; M. Jervis, agent..--, .... T , T I wq O •-:■*• '

The brig Jane sailed from Hbbartown for Auckland on the 14th ulto. She brings the following cargo: 5500 ft. timber, S, 000 6ft. palings, 20,000 sft. palings, 2800 rails,! 200 bags bark, 1051 cases fruit, 431 cases jam, and 4 bales hops.;*, , . ;r . The barquentine r Prince Alfred and the brigantine Pamilla, are .both loading at Hobartown for this port. ' The s.s. Murray arrived in the Tamaki from Russell at eleven o'clock this morning. Having landed her cattle she came up to the wharf this afternoon. She brings several passengers. ' nA ' ■"■ '

The departure of the s.s. Murray for Tau ranga has been postponed till 5 p.m. to morrow.J ■ '"■' ■-•' '

The departure of the s.s. City of Melbourne ' for Sydney will take place at 12 o'clock to night. The date of the Mongol's departure is not yet fixed, but it will not be before to morrow afternoon. -'■'. i .-.•*: :.'; ,r

The s.s. Mongol arrived this morning. The report of her passage appears in another column. ■■*.*.

- The San Francisco mailsteauier Cyphrenes arrived at Melb^r-iie^ffoih Adelaide, on the *2i04-~iwino. ■v Captain Paddle, late of :the:s.s. Bangatira, has been appointed to the s.s. Wentworth. Captain Hill, who now commands the Ran gatira,. was formerly captain cf the s.s. liady Young. " It will be' seen that no less than three large - ocean going steamers arrived in ojur harbour to-day. . - - — \ , ,_ The s.s. City of Melbourne, Captain Brown, .arrived from San, Francisco .at noon. As ..will be seen from the,,. Cap tain's report in another column,.thel vessel was .detained 8 days at San Francisco: ■'^SheS' left Kandavu 19 hours after.the ■ Mongol. ;She* brings,no. cargo for this port.. ,;,'.., !"*.- "i The wreck.of a schooner on the ißrunswick ; bai-j* N.S.W./ under1' 'circumstances very similar to those'which attended [the loss .of - the Hercules at Kaipara*; Heads, is reported •'in''the Sydney Morning Herald |of March 25th.'.,;; An inquiry was_hfeld, Jand the Marine Board came to the conclusion that there was. •no 7 evidence on-which'to-found a charge - against. Henry Bnshell, the master of the ■ Tessel. ■■■.. I.A <A_ : j ~r -j /*, j .'■•--■ The Wave brig and the ship Qqeen of the Age toOk their departure this morbing. . _, : .The.s,s.'Phcebe,tpok her departure for the ' South this morning early. She takes a general cargo for aU ports and the following passengers :—Mrs Macginity and family: (5),' 3 Messrs. J. Pluett, Gl Martin,! R.i Murdoch, Wm. Craig, Mrs Bush, Mrs Jas. Wallis/ Mr Sneddan, Mrs Duncan and [child, and twelve in the steerage.—Combes and Daldy, ;i ragents.* ,;■- B"SIMHuS[T3

H.M. s. Rosario sailed from Sydney for the Fijis on the;22nd ultimo. •< The following appears in the Sydney Morn ing' Herald of March' 23rd:—"We are in . fprmed by, the. agents of. the Easternand: Australian Mail Steam Company jthat they have received advipe by telegram of the Sun" ,Foo : being ashore-near Hongkong, jto which - port she was: on her way* for the purpose of opening up direct^ communication -between China and the colonies, and it is feared .that she will become a total wreck; .and the: agents for the company in the East-have ; chartered:the/Jeddah. to take her placed so that no interruption to the service will occur. ,TheJeddah is anew ; steamer, of about ol 00 tons larger capacity than the Sun i Foo, and has very superior passenger accommodation. ' The cutter^Fawn brings 41 tons coal from -rrßussell. Tv . j <•*, cr j .....yl'.l. The schooner Ruby brings 30,000'-feet sawn timber; 6 empty'casks, and! 4 kegs.—, EM. Nidcol,: ageht/:; "A BA. "A"a- ! :U'' ' "'"'"'- The ketch Fanny Kelly cleared to-day for- Opotiki with a general cargo shipped by various firms. * — -H^.The: schooner Colonist-has-cleared for Na pier with 30,000 ft:timber and some sundries. The schooner Fortune takes 2000 ft timber, 2,200 shingles, 1 sack seed, 2 boxes pain .Jriller^l pg:drapery, and 200 empty sacks,to, Awanui. ' > - ■ •. ~.i .r_.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will Close as Under:—

For Waiwera and Warkworth, per LadyJSdwen, on Thursday next, at 10.a.m. For the undermentioned) places, per Wellington, on Tuesday, 7th April, asunder:—.; For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 9 a m j For Taranaki and Southern provinces, ar 10 am " For the Australian Colonies, and United King dom, via Southampton, at 10 a m For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Southern* provinces arid Melbourne, at* 10.30 am * ,

For newspapers, at 8 a m - For money orders,* .and registered letters, on Monday, otn April, at spm For the undermentioned places, per; Mongol,", on •- Monday.ilSth March; asunder :—'" ■'"

for Fi. j.Sanri wich Islands.TJnited States of America, Canada; * British Columbia, Central and South* America, and British and Foreign West Indies at 10.30 a.m. For the United Kingdom and" Continent of Europe, via Sah Francisco, at 10.30 a.m. * Letters bearing late fee will be received until 11 am .sr; ..-<.. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 9.30 a m I Of Iv A1 (Signed) 8. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, The Morning News.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 1874.

, For, the cause that lacks assistance, 1 For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, t .A, And the rood that we can !do

Owing to the arrival of three steamers to day and consequent pressure oi news we are compelled to hold over our leading article, also two letters,on the Ponsonby soiree and Cararidihi liberality, together with >::a;i:few Seasonable remarks regarding' the reporter who, "did hear a,portion of the said concert," in which it will be shown what portion he did hear. There are also one or twe observ tipns, on the .charity of doing what you are paid for, and generally upon professional "liberality as lately exemplified in Auckland. These with other items of local news are unavoidably crowded out. "One of your subscribers" -must, {ire accord ance with rule, furnish his name-if* he wishes his-letter-to appear in print. A gentleman who is so good at quiet personal digs should not be so careful of his own patronymic.

We are indebted to Sir James ijergusson's private; secretary for the following informa tion ■:—-His Excellency ''■ the Gbyernor -has received a dispatch from the Commodore ih forming him'that upon the 20th ult. the Fijian chiefs formally requested Her Majesty the Queen to undertake the Government of the Island, although it does not fallow that Her Majesty's Government will accept the > cession.. It is impossible tp remodel the Go vernment on the past basis, and the Com modore has requested the" foreign consuls to advise with the representatives of King Cakobau, to, arrange for a provisional form under which laws can be administered and order secured. His Excellency has also been informed by the Commodore that in the course ofthe enquiriesinstituted by himself and. Her Majesty's consul he has ascertained Mat' during the two years ending December; 31st, ' 1873, the expenditure of the de facto Govern -ment of Fiji had .amounted to £124,000; while the revenue had been only £42,000. The present grand division of the .debt may be thus stated—viz., borrowed on deben tures, £50,900; payable on demand, £36,145. 'The "interest due oh the "debentures amount to £424'35'4d a month, of the payment of i , the■ Commodore can see no prospect, j

The calendar of the criminal sessions ofthe Supreme Court, commencing on Monday, includes the following charges :—John Hos kins, specimen stealing; Henry Kahn, malicious destruction of property ; Martha Grey, stealing from the premises ; John Gudge and James Symonds, unnatural offences ; Hugh McCormiok, uttering base coin with intent to defraud; Lawrence J. Smith, attempting suicide ; Minnie Car lick, infanticide.

The Engineer and City Band will play several musical selections this evening on the lawn in front of Government House.

By the arrival of s.s. City of Melbourne we have received, through the kindness of Mr' Martin, the chief steward, a file of Febru ary and March papers up to date of her departure from San Franciscq. We were very glad to meet with 'our old and esteemed friend Mr Martin, who, for so many years, catered for our comfort in his capacity of chief steward in the Circular Saw line ; and, if he pep-severes with half the eager zeal he used to in our old traders, we are inclined to think the passengers will hardly miss the comforts of home; and, if to be chief steward in one of our mail boats is a' step in the ladder of life; we wish him joy, well knowing that he will meet with tbe esteem of all right-thinking men who may chance to travel in any boat under his victualling supervision. - A flattering testimonial was presented to him on arrival by the cabin passengers.

A meeting was held last .evening at the Criterion hotel, Hobson-street, by the men belonging to the Auckland Harbour Board, for the purpose of presenting the late fore man (Mr. A. Mclnnis) with a testimonial, and to have a pleasant evening together prior to his departure for the South. Mr. J. Tapper was voted to the chair, and Mr. J. Taylor the vice-chair. The Chairman, after a neat speech, read the address, which we shall publish to-morrow. Mr. Mclnnis re plied, and a pleasant evening was spent.

We would remind the friends of St Andrew's choir that the entertainment takes place this evening in tho High School at 8 p.m. ■ ■■--.■

We are indebted to the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company for the following telegram from the above company, dated London, 21st March:—"Wool.—The sales closed firmly. They comprised about 169,000 bales; Five thousand have been withdrawn during the past sales, aud 75,000 have been taken for export. The next sales will commence on 28th April. The market is firmer for lambs, greasy, and cross-bred sorts." - .-••*.

An open meeting of the Hope of Parnell Lodge of Good Templars will be held this evening in the Parnell Wesleyan Chapel, under the presidency of Captain Leßoy. The programme will comprise ballads, recitations, and speeches.

We are informed that the whole of the English mail for New Zealand {comprising over two hundred bags) was received by the s.s. .City of Melbourne unsorted for the provinces. Our Auckland letters will, there fore, be necessarily a somewhat longer time in.reaching their destination. The mails are now being sorted at the Chief Post Office. ' The Auckland Drum and Fife Band in connection with the,. Temperance movement, which had well nigh sunk into oblivion, is not. quite dead,, but intend shortly to come out with musical honours. We understand that the band will take a. musical parade through the streets to-morrow evening, and that another entertainment is contemplated. The Drill-shed last evening presented a lively appearance. The Auckland Scottish Volunteers held their weekly drill meeting with precision and success, under command of Captain Mowbray.' A meeting of Volun teers generally subsequently took place for the purpose of taking the necessary steps for a seemly reception of the representatives of the' different corps on their return from Napier. ..Captain Featon was called to the chair," and spoke at length on the imme diate .business before .them. The Chair man said that'it was not intended to have a costly dinner, but a- luncheon, which would be within the reach of all ; but if. the meeting-were; r^ot: prepared to de cide upon the matter it would lapse, and, consequently bring.disgrace upon:the Volun teers^.' Auckland', arid especially- so as the two champion .belts would be brought to this city. After some discussion it was moved

by Mr Cleave, seconded by Dr Dawson, and carried," ° That the representatives be enter tained, at a luncheon, upcm ,their arrival] and that a committee be appointed to carry out the same..". -~ Fourteen gentlemen were then appointed to form a committee to give effect to thcresolution, and with, a vote of thanks 'to the Chairman the meeting closed. ~; The following,:;:which we extract from the Presbyterian Church News just (published, I will, .interest many. -residents at | the North Shore and Coromandel:—"Rev. P. F. Mac kenzie.—A.meeting of the congregation of St. John's, Paddington, near Sydney, was held in the church on the evening of 25th February for the purpose of • choosing a col league and successor to the Rev. James Milne. The.Rev. Dr. Fullerton having been appointed^ by the Presbytery of Sydney to moderate in-acally presided on the occasion. After "the' usual devotional services Dr. Fullerton gave an address to the', congrega tion, founded" on Eph. iv. 4, concerning; the duty to which they were " called. It was unanimoUslyagreed that the name Oftheße v. Peter F. Mackenzie, late of the North Shore, •Auckland/ b<3 inserted in the call. iThe mem bers of the congregation then signed the call, and appointed Dr. McNish, Mr. Milne, jun., and Mr Begsn as commissioners to pre sent the call to the Presbytery. At a meet ing of the Presbytery on 3rd March the call was presented to Mr Mackenzie, signed by 61 members and adherents. He declared his acceptance of it, and the induction was fixed -for:i3th\March, '. kt. 178p.m.—Rev* Dr. Gil

Christ to preach, Rev. Jas. Milne to induct, 'And Retf. 'Dr. Fullerton to1 address the minister and people.—Rev. A. M. Tait. On the' 10th March* the '-Rev. R. S. Paterson, moderated a call to a minister fori the Pres byterian congregation of Newton, hear Syd ney. There were two candidates proposed : —The Rev. John Kinross, of Kiama (Mode rator of the General Assembly of the Presby %l'iah. Church of New"• South'' VVales), and the Rev. A. M. Tait, late of Coromandel, New Zealand!,'' On a division it appeared that the Rev. A. M. Tait was elected by a majority of 13 to 10. Mr Tait's name was: therefore inserted in the call. A serviceihconnection with the unveiling of the obelisk erected in memory of the late Rev D. Hamilton will,be conducted this evening, in the Whau Presbyterian Church at half past six-, o'clock;. /\Ve ar,e asked to correct a ' printer's error in former advertisement,, which read "a soiree, " -which should'be service. ~,.-> ~,>.;.-■.•.■- ' '.-.'.-■-

Arrival OF THE S. S. "MONGOL"

The s.s. Mongol, Captain Flamank, arrived yesterday at half-past seven, | She brings no English or American mails, the City of Melbourne not having arrived from San Francisco. Captain Flamank has obliged us with the following report: —The s.s. Mongol left Auckland on the 16th March at 6 p.m. aud arrived off Kandavu at 4.30 p.m. on the 20th, after a very fine passage of 3 days 22 hours. The Tartar arrived on the 22nd from Sydney, and the passengers and mails being transferred to her she sailed the same'day at sp. m. On the 26th the City of Melbourne not having arrived, Captain Flamank called upon the agent to despatch him back to Auckland in order to be in time for the next outward mail. Sailed for Auckland on the 27th at 6 p.m., and had strong head winds all the way. The s.s. Macgregor was lying in Kandavu Bay when the Mongol left. Her sides and bottom have been much damaged by bumping on the reef. Some of her plates are completely riddled, and her keel is carried away from the foot of the foremost to the stem. The pumps have to be kept going night and day. It is intended to lighten her still more in ordei-^to patch up the holes, and when the Mongol returns with timber for the purpose, a cofferdam will be constructed" over the injured parts, and she .will be taken to Sydney to be docked. We are indebted to Captain Flamank tor Fiji files to the 18th ult. The following testimonial was presented to Captain Fla mank by the outward passengers on the last trip of the Mongol :— Kandavu, Fiji, March 22,1874. Captain J. Flam auk, S s. Mongol, Dear Sir, —We, the undersigned, passengers by tho s.s. Mongol from New Zealand ports to Kandavu, hereby wish to express our thanks to you for the courtesy and kindness you have shown us throughout the passage, and wo also desire to express our appreciation of the seamanship displayed by you in a heavy gale off the New Zealand coast Wishing you every success in life, we are. dear sir, most sincerely yours, Arch. Barr, Chief Postmaster, Otago, Mrs A. '■ Barr, Chas. J. Richards, A. Gerald Nichols, James i Scawler, George Booth, i.icut.-Colonel A H. Russell, Miss Russell, Miss A. Russell, Mrs Whitmore, Mr JB. I Turner, John Wilson, John Morison, John Cullett, Daniel Hotton. A. McGregor, Jno. P. Watson, i Thomas Tla]], William Innes, Wm. Forest. J. B. ; / Whyte, Mrs Whyte, 0. A. Post, John Robinson, Sidney Beavan, Thomas Little John, Alexander Shcddor.

Later Fijian News.

WBECK AND MISSING VESSEti

Very considerable anxiety is being felt respecting Mr R. Moeller of this town, who has now been absent from this port about nine weeks. The gentleman in question sailed in the Fanny, for Lakemba and the Windward Islands with a half-caste captain and crew of natives after beche-de-mer, ex pecting to return in about a fortnight. She was in company with the Vivandiere when the late gale came on, during which the vessels became separated. The Vivandiere was wrecked at Moala, but the Fanny has never been seen since. A China man, who came down for assistance to get off the Vivandiere, reports having seen a cutter upside down, which he supposed to be- the ill-fated vessel. It was reported a short time ago that a cutter had been seen standing in to Lakeha, but it could not have been the Fanny, as latter advices say she has not been there. A number of Mr Moeller's friends are organizing a search party. TERRIBLE CANOE ACCIDENT.—SIXTY-NINE LIVES LOST. The news was received in town on Sunday night of a shocking accident to a canoe in the Koro sea, resulting in a fearful loss of life. A large double canoe belonging to Na Morai Bay, was on the 15th ultimo, return ing from Wairiki with fifty laborers on board, whose time had expired, which together with the crew made up seventy souls. When between Koro and Taviuni a heavy squall struck the canoe and oyei*-set it. Twenty men were carried down by the sail and never seen again. The remainder struggled hard for their lives, but sank or were taken by sharks one by one, leaving but one survivor, who drifted ashore in an exhausted state after being two days ahd-a half in the water. Among those lost was the turaga-lewa of* Na Koro Tubu. The natives, with a remnant of their old native superstition, say that the disaster was owing to the great shark-god of Tui Cakau, Daku Waqa, who being angry with them pursued them from Taviuni and capsized the canoe, saving one man that he might carry the hews. As might be expected this sad catastrophe has given a serious check to the hiring of native labour for service in Tavinui. .*' • / THE EFFECTS OF THE HURRICANE. This district (Savu Savu) is rapidly re covering the devastating effects of the late hurricane, and nature is once more assuming her holiday garb. Most of the debris has been removed, homesteads re-built, and the country generally begins to wear a more cheerful aspect. Savu Savu seems to have suffered more severely than many of the other districts ; crops utterly destroyed, buildings heretofore considered strong and secure, and on which the last hurricane of 20th March, 1871, had no perceptible effect, hurled bodiiy to the ground, enormous trees torn up by the roots, and in some instances snapped in twain, attest the frightful force of the tornado, which was. also attended by loss of life in two instances among the natives. It is a significant fact that although these hurricanes utterly destroy the cotton crops they do not appear to damage the sugar canes much. REFUSAL OF ANNEXATION" ,BY THE KING. The Fiji Gazette says "The town was electrified last -Saturday afternoon by the news from Bau that the King and Chiefs had declined to entertain the question of cession to England. It \Vas well known that Ministers had, both officially and other wise, strenuously urged annexation;; and it was supposed that a majority of the chiefs had signified their willingness ' for the change.' Altogether hardly! a doubt existed in the minds of any but that the Commissioners would have',received a favor able reply, and the resulting disappointment on all sides, at their failure, hast been great. The causes of this unexpected termination are,difficult to unravel. That a strong feel ing existed among some of the.higher rank Chiefs against Annexation was known ; but it was thought that the influence of the King, and the advice of the Ministers, would have over-ruled any opposition, and that a willing acquiescence would have been given. The night before the final answer was to be given is des^ribdd as; a most momentous one. . Chiefs and people remained up all night, .and many went so far as to say that the King should give up no thing of theirs, and the Kingdom; belonged to them. National, feeling ' seems' to have • suddenly been aroused, and what I was once looked upon as a question of comparative un-, importance, suddenly and thoroughly appeared in its true significance. We think that the charge of fickleness or falsehood should be carefully weighed "before ~ .1 , -.: ..... 'I ■ ."■ . " ° ... Juß-K-lrf?

it .Is laid to their doors. The i influence which w'fis brought to bear on j each individual Chief led him seemingly to acquiesce in a question of which he neither weighed nor understood the true import, was of no avail when brought to bear in a National Assembly consisting of men to whom rank and its privileges has long been of paramount importance. That underhand influence Was at work, as has been freely, alleged, we utterly disbelieve. . Ministers, it is known, went so far in support of Annexa tion that, on itsrefusal, their resignation as a Cabinet became a necessity. It is evident that the desire of the Chiefs to hold their own country has overridden, any aippreheh sion they may have felt as to their power to govern it. . • ; ; > '; ■■*•" i •'£ i v rilE FLOATING OE THE'MAqGREGOR.

By the arrival of the Pearl we have the ■ welcome news that the Macgregor has been* t got off the coral patch oh which she struck t on the 26th ultimo. The divers of, the. Pearl have been down, and reported (that she had _ worked herself in quite a trough in the coral, t but that no obstruction appeared to her being drawn off. Various effortswere made to pull her off, her cargo was all. discharged, and \ she was lightened in every possible way, and 1 at length on Saturday last she yielded to *| persuasion and slid some fifteen'feet, and the ; following morning with the■ rising tide she quietly floated herself off. Every exertion is ( now being made to get in ballast to enable , her to proceed to Sydney for repairs. The damage done is said not to be so great as was ', at first feared. " . \ .'..''. THE GROWTH OE SUGAR. We have been shown a splendid sample of syrup from the Suva mills, which is denser than the ordinary molasses and most delicate and delicious in flavour. Mr. Smith informs us that this was crushed at their large mill from a quantity of cane which' was blown down by the late gale, and which it was necessary to save, but owing to the non-com pletion of the vacuum pan the -juice was simply boiled into an extra-dense syrup with a view to its preservation. Tho complete plant will be erected in about two months, and they will then continue planting and. cropping all the year round with, the excep tion of the three cold months. The manager, a gentleman of very large experience in cane* growing and crushing, says the juice of the Fijian cane is richer in saccharine matter than the West India cane, and he has little doubt of being able to make better sugar. - He also informs us that the soapstone, about which so much has been said, is as easily worked as most ordinary ground, and can be without difficulty subsoiled by a plough,; and when thoroughly broken up forms from its chemi cal constituents the best-* of cane-growing soil, which will last many years without manure. ACTION OF COMMODORE GOODENOITGH. , Commodore Goodenough and Consul Lay ard had an interview with, the! King Bub sequent to his refusal to accept annexation. The Gazette says, "The issue,of- the meeting,, though nothing definite was settled, has yet a grave significance to.all the white'race. The position.;taken by Commodore Good enough is very plain and distinct. He, states openly that the King cannot govern the white population without extraneous aid—to use his own words ''the weak*must go for help to the. strong"—and that he shall recommend that no step shall.be taken in the direction ,of the framing a system of Government without consulting the Foreign Consuls. The natives (says the Commodore) must be governed by their own chiefs, and the whites', by theirs. This would seem ..to imply-'the' construction 'of two separate systems of Government and jurisprudence, one for each colour, both, however, probably; re-' cognising the King as the head whether real or nominal. In case this form-of Government is adopted it is- probable that the present law courts and police force with some modification will be retained, but this is a matter of detail which will 'doubtless 7 -be considered hereafter. The idea of .a purely consular Government as mooted a shott'time ago seems not to be entertained ; bUt; what the scheme is which will be submitted to the King and Chiefs to-day is ~a: matter of doubt, aud the issue of the meeting., will, be looked for with intense anxiety, as'"upon it in a great measure rests the ■ immediate future of the country. The question of annexation seems.to have been dropped,.but we are assured it.has only been for a time. In the meantime the agitators;have the satis faction of knowing that their (..precipitancy has—at least for the present—defeated their most cherished aim. The only Course now for the advocates of annexation to pursue is ' to wait and watch the course jof~revents, \ which, we are confident, will bribe about the desired end even sooner than is.i,magined.,. ....

Latest.

ANNEXATION OF THETSfiANDS TQ

GREAT BRITAIN, j

A special issue of the 'Fiji' Gazette dated March 20th has the following:—!

At the interview' ■ between the! King and the British Commissioners this morning, the King stated that, after consultation,;Ttie ahd the chiefs were willing to cede .the| islands to Great Britain.'' ' ' - A"' IS ..* - at. • f^ cr . The Hon. J. B. Thurston, Sir Charles St: Julian, and several of the leading Chiefs have been appointed to confer'; with, the Commissioners and Foreign Consuls/'^re specting the formation of ■■: a Government pending a reply/from England. ' 1[ I '';.■..*'

ARRIVAL OF THE RANGATIRA FROM SYDNEY.

The s.s. Rangatira, 750 tons, Wm. Hill, commander, arrived at Auckland yesterday. She left Sydney on the 25th" "March, at c-7.40' p.m. Passed Three Kings oh the 3|lst March' at3a.m., x Noi'th Cape at 9 a.m., apd arrived in Auckland at 10 a.m. yesterday. Ex perienced- ,fresh • easterly; /winds land, fine weather to Three Kings and strong S.E. winds the remainder -''of • the j passage. Passengers : Messrs'C. Diore, RC. Ewing, M. Strackah,.J.'Fernoville, Capt. Morris, J. Bennet, T, R. Crowley, Mrs Billings, Miss Billings,'Mr~S. ;Kehhoh, Mr'J. White, Mrs Sale," Mrs; Jones* and child.; 12.in jsteerage/'

LATER ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

THE OPENING pF PARLIAMENT,

THE; QUEEN'S: SPEEC^H;;

conteivipla^kdt'eelealse oi.

EENI^N;JBKISONERS. J

HOME ■ ;,IBf[,iaß:;VMbTipN' ■■"-bSecpb©: ' a

-,*..,.*: .--,*-. •*.„...••.-••• ~h.L;oNDox, March! ( J-)'!v^. The new Parliament, which assembled-fon. the 6th- instant; and"adjourned dhring-the' Ministerial re-elections, met again to-day, when,i,t was opened with the ursirai formali- ■ -ties.;, '.....A,.,, ~f . v . ;.f : ~*?*.-.- ~»„.■-, ' <\'y I ■—— In the speech from .the-Throne her Ma jesty made special,reference to~\th6 j relations of Great Britain with Foreign Pow4rsv:A She,; described them as being 'cordial; au<i' T:Jsaid• -..that the Goyernment,wouid,exejrcise,VitsT.:in'' fluence with_a view to the 'maintenance^ of

peace and the faithful observance 0. Jnfcer- < national obligations. I i The Parliament* is congratulated'on the successful issue of the Ashantee war, and the speech contains expressions of eulogy in • regard to the conduct of the expedition under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley. i Sympathy' is expressed for the Beflgfilese, who are suffering in consequence of the failure'of the rice crop, and Parliament was informed that the Governor-General of India (Baron Northbrook) had been instructed to spare no expense to mitigate, asfar. as.possi-. ble, the distress caused by the famine. • '" It is also announced that, amongst the bills to be introduced during the present session will be a measure to facilitate the transfer of land. March 19. ' •' Warwick, the Coursing Judge, has left by the mail, under engagement for a season to the Melbourne Coursing Club, | The Benchers are instituting aiv inquiry into the conduct of Mr Kenneally in connec tion with the trial of the Claimant., March, 20. The Rojal speech state that1 foreign rela tions being friendly, Her Majesty's Govern T [j taent will not fail to exercise its influence for the maintenance of peace by a faithful ob servance of international obligations, 'ihe marriage of the Duke of Edinburgh with the Grand Duchess Marie of ltussia is a pledge of friendship between the two great empires. Her Majesty trusts that the negotiations ' entered into with the King of Ashantee will lead to a more satisfactory; condition of. affairs on the West Coast of . Africa, and warmly eulogises the conduct of Sir Garnet Wolseley and the force under his command. Measures are announced for; simplifying the transfer of land, the extension to Ireland of the re-arrangement effected last session in the Judicature Acts, and a reform in the appellate procedure of Scotland. ; .■„ .*••■.* A Boyal Commission is to be appointed to consider and report upon the. Acts relative to masters and servants. ... j ~,-.-. A bill is to be introduced to amend the present Licensing Act; and the attention of the Government will be given to the laws relating to Friendly and Provident Societies. The P. and O. steamer Baroda left Galle ;for Melbourne on the 16th March. a-.aaa 1 ' The Bangalore, from Melbourne, arrived' at Galle on the 19th March. ~ The Premier, Mr. j Disraeli, has stated that the Government intend to advise her Majesty to release the Fenian prisoners. : -;.;,,; ■■'"■ The House of Commons will iadjourh on the 21st February to the 13th April, and the Budget will be brought in on the; 16th. The .Marquis of Salisbury, Secretary of State for India, has announced; _a Famine Loan of ten millions sterling," "three millions of which are required immediately. , v.,.* - < -,'-,, March 21. ;

On motion being made for the adoption of an address in reply to her; Majesty's speech from the throne, Dr. Butt, one of the mem bers for Ireland, put, forward a resolutipnf iii favour of Home Rule. - He proposed to add words to the effect that the House of Com mons was favourable to Irish self-govern ment, but on a division the; amendment was rejected by a majority of 314 to 50. Sir Garnet Wolseley has returned from his 1 expedition against, the Ashlantees. He has arrived at Portsmouth. ■ -. r •. r [ ,<. • .'.,.,;;. ■,''-:*;•• *..':' '~*.* nmo/-) March*22. The Money market is tightening. The market rate of discount is 3J per cent, a - < r The Stock markets are depressed "owing r ta. an apprehension that money will be dearer. The London wools'. les are closed. 164,034 bales were catalogued. 75j000 were taken for the Continent. Homebuyers purchased reluctantly to, keep:their, machinery 'going, and prices closed easier. ! It is expected that 240,000 bales will be 'catalogued for the April-May series. - *.j tasih^snat The price of wheat is drooping owing to large expected-,arrivals. There haye been sales at 67s to 68' per 4961b5.; A million quarters are en route.from California. There has been \k relapse in the coppei. market.- Present cash quotations for: Aus tralian copper are £S7 to £88. " The tin market is steady ai; recent quotai; tions. | Australian is quoted at £89 16 £92. Australian tir. ore has been sold by tender at prices ranging between £37 and'£so per, ion. ~.....'.„ ; j.jniTo ' . .Hemp is steady at an advance.!

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

[PER S.S. RANGATIRA.*]

THE PALMER RUSH, .in

QUEENSLAND.

70 r L * 5 Townsville, March 23.- '-- Favorable news has been received here from, the Palmer goldfields.: It ik, reported,, that several reefs have been discovered with a good fehow. There is no flour at Cboktown;r and nea_-ly ; .three,thousand men are! said' to be on the road between., Cooktowh and the Palmer.. A number have come down, and' are waitihg at Cooktown for stored. ■{botimiJ

COOKTOWN.

A,.,A-- ■■Ai.Ay March 20^,' Hundreds,aire,leaving almost daily for the Baimer. x The newlyrdiscoyered reecf has been traced for nearly, two .miles. It is iestimated that some Of' the stone will yield ounces to the t.onr~Some. splendid.picked{specimens have been sent down 'by 'Mr LKirby, late member rfor-Gympie.' He says that bullock teams could traVed -'nbvr'; by Reading the Normanb^ißiver. '■ "Several deaths; have occurred through dysentery, and the blacks are troublesome on the road. ' I,lo'- 4

Ac A- ■ -A I Via Rockhampton. j bMuodota'V Information received from Cooktqwn via Townsville, dated Wednesday last,1; states • that the v first issue: of a new bi-weekly journabhasbeen publishep/-. It is called the CooJctowirHerald'. a^a-aa »«,.»*?, m. j The road tp the Palmer is now! open for horsemen. News from the goldfields is .highly, encouraging. It; is. said that reefs have ' been discovored equal in richness, to those of Gympie. Eighteen pounds of quartz exhibi ted at the Joint Stock Bank are estimated to yield at the ; rate,of 60*ozs. to the ton. .1 Provisions'are • scarce at Cooktown. A large'quantity of food is being forwarded by" packhorses -to the Palmer. No; flour butchers' meat is obtainable. g' The weather is beautifully cool, in consequence of.the. • trade wind?; and thfe* public health as good;-' . The.total receipts from, the Palmer since' 'the establishment of the,township amount to 2Q,-0oo;;ozsl;,;; -.'; %*;s AH '■ a? aia ..' A Government party-fare hard at'work! opining up a dray road from Cooktown, to1 the Palmer.''*^ HkiMOQ JAYOJI,,!.' "'•i '-'^

People are foolish to come here' until the work-has been' completed. " * i ':( <i -•*■ . : •■.'js: :<<-<rr ■■•.-•-.-r tult t>ttA . nl R -1"

" __-ha CEORGETOWN;f '|m q * ''P.v''t O:.V'- r:' '-''•' i'y'%-': '•*, .-March 21^8/ -ijv.^>Chhiamaii; v ,waa stabbed- by another at Charters Towers!on Saturday. .'j r — ""'Five crushing machines are how working. • Miners are leaving daily for thel Palmer.' 'SOOyozS'of gold' are" awaiting escort. The -prosjracts-of tbe-field- will - revive when reef*-! ers are obtainable. TA The demand for rations on the' diggings 1 is j*§,. g .?at;that .the. hdrseV!qn the roaid are,hot / ~equal.to;supplyingat..!;!.Everything is quiet' and'!orderly .*';*'•->-if.-;:rr ".-■- j f *M__ -' >rf- iw»n .b'Vi.y.'.'.'T."...■;•.'!.':*.v~**»o'X r".j-/c-y '/, ~wf>,.A "jub-^og <*v

Company has been issued. Canitai*^^ in £10 shares, £9i),000 to,b^StJ.W twelve months The cornpanTSk commence with four new screw i* et'J I three of them costing £60,000 a*,, one. £12,000. • The directors 'ate .°v dents in Queensland. Cff •* resi-

MELBOURNE.

V The Melbourne Meat VteujA, ]o- have been compelled to stop 0 n pacy owing to the high price of-stock perations Captain Hall, of-the R.M.S.s! &• been fined £5 for allowing work to v' on." board his vessel on Sunday. 6 The Melbourne Regatta, which h . taken place, was. a decided success u l^ well attended. ""■'' Carter won tW'pwJu ** Sculjs,_i The Melbourne crew ®fc Junior Fours Race, the Civil* S P -rvi n „ being second. *,? r?.°* VMß.|% Damages of £100 have been Uehn* ,_■ the Bank of New South Wales for iff honouring of a cheque. * Over £2230 was subscribed yesterd.,, t the completion of-St. Patrick's Cathedral J r The population of the colony at the ' t December was 790,458. ' "doE The Australasian case is causing sew*., comment. The Judge summed up strli in favour of the plaintiff. » P on§ly , ,Thfl-{^ tcheM have raised the price of w X. ,p f ?• -, OWmStO" an adva^? iattfiJS of fat stock.,!' ->*-•'■* ''v r**

An accident has occurred on the Castle maine railway line, and obstructed it Tl damage done is estimated at above £400 In the Country Court a girl named Hurl*. has obtained £150 damages for the loss If an eye, caused by a boy throwing a piece _\ earth at her. ." ' In the case Degraves v.* M'Mullen » Inspector of the Union Bant, the for.* obtained some months, agosia verdict of £10,000, whereupon the latter made applies tionior-a- new trial. The application^ •heard to-day, aud judgment has been given it, favour of Mr M'Mullen. &m

An accident occurred on the railway at Castlemaine, caused by the collision of two goods-trains at the station. One engine was thrown off the line. No one was injured but the line was blocked for some time.

The' All-England Eleven played eighteen Yorke's Peninsula Cricketers. The result was York's Peninsula first innings, 43- {_]_ England, 63. /The highestscpre was Green wood 22 ; Gracermade only's,Vand Jupp 10 The rest of the scores'were five and under. ' A girl, five years of age, haa received con cussion of the brain from being hit by acrietet ball, with which some boys were clavin*? in the street 7 : •'' ' .aaiW " ' s

I A fire broke out at Kichmond this morn ing on the premises' of Mr Onnond, grocer who had insured the property. Very little business is doing. 1000 boxes Brandon's candles sold" at 9|'dT Oats 5s 5M to 7s 7id;.branls 4Jd. , Large parcels of woolpacks have been sold to arrive. Hen nessy's case .brandy, 28s. 9jd^ The Jarcfj shipment of teas has beensoliby auction at ilOfd to Is 3^d, Large trahsadttons arepend ingi.in sugar." Wheat; 6s ;,4d tolls 8i

GOULBURN.

' Al *'!■: ; - .*: *.'• 'rr .ys'A fol M.l(ik_\, I Intelligence has just beenreceived from Queanbeyan that a determined attempt to made to murder ..two female?, named Bono hoe, 'at Biihgendbre, oh night •Their.hdUse was broken into, they wen frightfully wounded about the head and fas while in'bed. : The womeniare in a pit carious state. ~ Three men named Bichail Boyd,, Patrick Foley,..and, Charles Thorn are charged with the offence; *atid have bea arrested by. Senior- Constable M'Keown id Constable Bragg. They are now in Quean 'beyan gaol.

NEWCASTLE.

March 21,

The ihihers of the varibusCcollieries com memorated, 'the, agreement ft masters,' and, men 'by a".grandrcjirocession d demonstration.in the Asylum grounds. Tiro thousand* miners, headed by_four"bandsof music, ~ marchecT through the town to to hill, where a concourse of people, t»j!« number of about five thousand, assent Speeches were made by the delegates suit* to the occasion; The trains for the coHj«! townships were crowded., JBjindreda w the, hill and beach, enjoying the cool sea* breeze"' 'Everythihgnassedoffj&atisfacWj -*••:•■. .V-..*;i-;'.'.' U-.s-* .*.*_*.*..& "aA a-.J*^"™ ' - - o.|,i.M*'...in. 7- rr- ' t vtonr.

ADELAIDE.

v* " [A AH' .WB3MAT. March 34,' The exports of the colony for the last yea amounted to £4,285,000, and the import" ,£3,527,000, being.an increase of nearly" iniilion; I P '"-'- •-- > : rv , ■A 'William Moore, ;; at a coroners ia_n«" his; yfife,_has r been-, committed, to take&s trial for manslaughter. - "** , . . Wheat is dull.' TO.OOOrb'usHels of wM •freech-board, were sbld[:dntlie^thatb3W> ordinary quotations; "6s. 'Oh tHe 23rd iW was dull at f 5s lid.

ARRIVAL OF THE CITY OF MEL BOURNE WITH THE SAN FRAN CISCO MAIL.

THE:chartered A. and A.R.M.-s,s. .Gjfj Melbourne^ ; J.; Wi Brown; conMaSder, «BJ in harbour <at ■■ twelve'- hooh fm*® -J&'ahcisco, with the-New Zealand F tidir* of- the • English mail. . Ttos J. known vessel, one of the A.S.A> colonial fleet, has since ■ her ml ;,p,earance ih,this harbour and her conn* wjith-the vmaii service undergone^-cany change in her machinery* ThOla tk •knd^bOilers'h'ayihgbeen rejmpM an°j compound:engines,'withj^bbiler? to fitted in their stead,' she is HoWbon»^ oof >the 'best and fastest steamers;* the e» trade, as weU'as'cOmmahdedbyageD^, well known and appreciated by" our land community, from whom we i«, the follbwing report of the fastest P» mj -record from San Francisco.yia^^ % Fiji--Captain.,, Brown reportgjihanß^ San Francisco8 on^the 7th Marches °^ hind* ebht'ract rtime,- owing to the no ■rof mails at New Ybrfr through W£g* of the-Atlantic^teainer^'H^xper ffs 'settled yariafcie-weathepnte was reached, ins eight i days; ■Am a . ;of twenty-four hours to coal WfflF do\ proceeded,again oh his" voyage, » „■■] moderate and fine passage of ten (Fi j twelve hours arrived off .i^?,.,, j ß yli_» where the vessel had to *•»*-. °|i '^ and. was detained in all. 13, .f f r'j,;. M thence 'he, made-;;the; besfciKL te Sf :.to.-,*Aucklkhdr, against .: a '« por t t wind nearly ahead, and »^^ ssag e ■# three day/r22'h.hfs:;:Tk?,g| l l^ VSkn'.Francisco" to Aucklan^W| per fo^ a distanceiof^liam^fSer^.1! in 22' steaming days, giving* h oJ 27.* miles per.dVoriylUo^ on some occasions'the vessel -f o r mil-esr-Onarrivin^atKandavui j^ * that'the non^rrival ofetheiCi|yf J cric JJ ' had.baused spme^uneasiness, » Sjgjjgg prehensions-were felt that so d -jjw befalleh her,''sb"the -Mongoll^gg to New Zealand. M#.fc» "S ;^hs-;hpbhi ;\the J«|M| 5 .;,bbatT-whiGh W predicted- 'Would: k ■tbiin' 'such^a-;jbur#yOT^,W' . Vgetm f haib'our I^^ ;;" ...5i ,..,f*,/.:-,?.i io-.jiwoj^- i

IHIB AKimmOt STAB, WBDNBSfcA*, APIEL i iffl



Coffee.—Brown, Barrett, & Co.'s Standard Coffee __ oth delicious and strong. "■, | Btown, Barfett,,&Co's Excelsior Coffee deserves preference to any coffee-ro e, accountof purity and;distinctness of flavour. Note ,lj. brands. Sold at almost every-, grocery establish-' «c. tiatown and province.-[Advt.] ■ - ; ~ .-;« . . 0 '' ' -.'"A ■' A,rti*st",rrr'.<~!



150*000 ?B E T TIMBER FOR SALE, AT MY YARDS, GOVERNMENT WHARF, ONEHUNGA. . JAMES W. WALLER. HHHE A.PSIL NUMBEE 03? THE i APRESBYTEPJAN CHURCH NEWS IS NOW PUBLISHED, PBIOE—THR E E P E N C E. May be had of the Publishers, Messrs Upton & Co. TJETIRING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE & CO. Are giving up their Retail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will be held TO-MORROW, the 14th of March, and will continue until the entire Stock is disposed of. We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr Cosgbave from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Sold at UNPRECEDENTED!/? LOW PEIOE3. No credit will be given during the Sale.



TJUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE R. HOBBS),* Aio now opening up, and have to arrive EX NOEHAM CASTLE, IIYLTON CASTLE, INVEEALLAN, and ROS LI N CAST! E,' ::' ' A Very Large and Choice Assortment or AUTUMN AND WINTER DRAPERY GOODS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT, To which they respectfully invito attention. These Goods coming direct to their own order from the first Home Houses they are prepared - ■ to dispose of at i LOWEST REMUNERATIVE RATES. Further particulars in future advertisement.' RU SHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholesale and Retail Drapers, Clothiers, &o '",.•' JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,)' : Upper Qtteen-sireet, Auckland.



We beg to call attention to the sale of' "leaseholds at Devonport to-morrow, at 12 o'clock, at Mr G. Sibbin's, mart; 21 year's lease—not bound to build. Any house' J 'erected' to cost not less than £200, j one-third, : returned at end of.lease. A-guarantee that no 'householder shall be"annoyed by iany dis agreeable trade on any of the allotments. These conditions are expected to secure a superior class of tenants. The allotments are well situated, with, frontage to the sea, l&Q,— [Advt.] a a"'