SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HI'JH WATE i : 1 bis evening, 0.54 to morrow morning i-.gf SUN ABI : This e^eni-jg, 7.1 * ; SUN RISK: to morrow morciii-', 4-49 MOONS* HE: i ast Quarter. Jwrnaty 7,1875

Ringleader, Revenue cutter, fn-ai * cruise

DEPARTURES.

i-acinc schoonnr, for Kuip.ra Go-ahead, ss, for Waitara (<rom theManukau)

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Pr Southern por'B—Phcehe ss, Friday For UivukH-Btille Brandon, schooner early For I y teiton- <» aitaniri, ship, early ; Albion, hrie shoitly ; Mary King, schooner, and Flirt, brigan tine. e»r;v

For -«rot nja—Blanche, scho Ber eaily Fur Shu Frarcis» >—Coudor^n ship early For London-City of Auckland ship, isth Jan For a *>vise- Southern Cross, Missionary barauentfne eady

VESSELS EXPECTED

«7«ro, 5.8., irom Sydney, about sth January next MtCiiegor, s s, from San Francisco, about sth Jan Clematis, ketch, from Napier Papua, schconer, from Rarotonga, early Cospatrick, ship, from London ; sailed Bth September GJlenlora, ship, from London ; sailed September 26 Duharee, barque, from London ; sailed October 2 Warwick, '.hip, from London; sailed October 11 Inverene, ship, from Xondon ; sailed October 30 Anazi, barque, from London ; sailed October 28 Eapido. barque, from New York.via Adelaide, loading Edith Rose, barque, from New York; sailed Sept. 18 Chanticleer, brig, from Hobart Town, early Vision, brig, from Dnnedin, early ITdith, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Dauntless, (2), schooners, from New Caledonia Europa, barque, from Sydney, early Kenilworth, schooner, from Samoa, early

EXPORTS.

Per s.s. Go-Ahead, Captain Dale, for Waitara:—2 drays, BucMand; 20 bags salt, 11 cases, H. B. Morton ; 50 packages iron and ironmongery, T. and S. Morrin; 8 doors, Holdship; 1 ease piano, D. Bayley; 1 case, MoArflmr, Sliera and Co.; 1 portable engine, H. Brown.

Per Condoren, ship, for San Francisco : '1570 tons coal, 2 cases trees, original cargo; 1 plough, 1 seed sower, Henderson and Macfarlane (agents). Per Kate McGregor, for Napier: 257,G00 shingles, 27,469 feet timber, D. M. McKenzie.

The schooner Eifie Meikle is now loading for Gis bome. Ske is advertised to sail in a few days. She ■will receive cargo for the intermediate ports on the coast.

The barque Otago is now engaged in putting out lier cargo of sugar. The schooner Charybdis arrived at Onehunga to day from Port "Waikato.

The cutter Mercury cleared outwards ot Onehunga to-day for Port Walkato, with 20,000 feet timber, shipped by J. W. Waller; and the Dawn, cutter, for Eaglan, with a general cargo and three passengers. The schooner Advance is transhipping the wool she brought from Proverty Bay into the City of Axick land.

The ship Condoren cleared out to-day for San Francisco, with her original cargo and two or three articles shipped by Messrs Henderson and Macfar lane. Saturday next is the day appointed for her de parture. The s.s. Star of the South is to tow her out to sea.

The schooner Golden Isle has cleared in ballast for KusseH.

The. schooner Kate McGregor has cleared for Napier with a cargo of timber, &c, shipped by D. M. McKenzie.

The barque Annie Lisle crossed the Kaipara bar on Tuesday last. She is bound for Dunedin with 270,000 feet timber, loaded o^ Aratapu by Mr John Reid. The ship Assaye was to have been brought along side the wharf this morning, but owing to the force of the wind the effoi'ts to bring her in proved unsuc cessful, and she is still in the stream.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr R. Arthur's mart, Queen-street, to-day, fowls were soicl at 2s to 2s lOd; small, 10c! to Is ; turkeys, 4s 9d to 5s 3d ; geese (fine),' 4s. Fruit, ex Cyphrenes, from Sydney:—Apples, Is to l?.£d; pears, %d to lj£d; oranges, 10s 9d to 12s, and lemons, 8s to 8s 6d per case. Potatoes sold at Cs to 7s, and onions Id to l^d.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 pm, and on Saturday nest, at 9.30 am Per Coromndel, this day, at 5 30 p m For Kawaa, per Star of the South, this day, at 5 p m For Mahur-mgi, Matakana, Mangawai, Waipu, <&c., per Lady Bowen, on Saturday next, at 10 a m For Whitiangi, Tairua, Opotiki, and Kapier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, on Saturday next, at 1 pm N.B —It is hereby notified that the New Post office in Shortland street lsnow open for transaction of pnblic business. S. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster

MARRIAGE.

He-win —Collins. —On the 29th December, at St. Matthew's Church, by the Eev. It. H. Hansard, incumbent, Henry, youngest son of Mr. Edward Hewin, of Harborne, near Birmingham, England, to Isabel Rachel, second daughter of Mr. S. Y. Collins, of this city.

DEATH.

Weight.—On Sunday, 27th instant, at 10 p.m., at the Royal Hotel, Napier, Annie, daughter of William "Wright, Esq., Hocltley House, Armagh, and sister of James Wright, Esq., merchant, Belfast, and of John, William, and Richard Wright, of the Province of Auckland.

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

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1874.

For t'nu cat)f>e that lack!- asolgtsnoe, Vox the wronj; tliat needs resistance For the f Rtuie In the distance. ItaA. f&a stod that we cnu de.

We are often told of the advantages of a "strong Government," but it requires only brief experience of the results of an over strong Government to learn a few of its dis advantages. It is not that the Government itself may act with arbitary insolence, for there are generally in those that rise to high power, mental qualities that command their recognition of what is just. But unfortunately the. sense of security descends to the underlings who have nothing in them to restrain the exercise of arbitrary power, and the spirit of the bumbailiff asserts itself. We have already referred to the tyrannical treatment which has been meted out to the enterprise of Mr Robert Graham, at Ellerslie. But it is right in connection with this, and as further illus tration to bring public attention to bear on another and even more gross instance of spitefulness. When the railway was first projected, Mr Graham gave at an exceed ingly low price—portion of the grant not. even being paid for — three acres of land as a site for a station on the express condition that the station-house and platform should be located on that aide of the line, and that a site should be reserved for a hotel to be built by him adjoining. This condition is sustained by the very parties who negociated the matter and concluded it on behalf of the .'>ui£oniuii^'oTbe.ian^b«S;b.^h'aco^t9di'>nd* is retain^by the Goverß|Wenti; but. the sta* tioh house ha* beefr. erected on the opposite »id« of jthje line. . Not thisalone., -.but;drders have been issued .bjy'M-riFranK-JJ. PasamOre, that a fence should, he* huit£ : right in front of the;hotei fi:6: as to' exclude travellers 4>y: the jail ff om baying to■.■the .hotel; and a,. threat -ia,,.:-"held oafc;, fiiat ; a •'. gate keepers' lodge also; 3© built in the sams place so as to completely obstruct l^jlPoaob.; Any thing more insolent and d«fi*ot of ail olaims of justice we can hardly imagine. . That Bnch a stupid pieco of brutal ■■j*fg*>r : will-■ *!*#"''pTowptly checked. ■by - ■ Sir

land, and is not a man to wink at the malicious spitefulness of hi 3 sub- we are quite confident jbai^tr^

we trust that the m 3 &k*~~—~~~ r*m*.: V in the AssejP^r^dnt least an opinion wiJl hfi-^Xwh as to whether a public officer -capable of even intending such a gratification of personal malevolence, is fit to continue iv charge of the railways of the colony. With reference to the position of the station we have seen a strong and most influentally signed petition, bearing the signatures of all the principal people of the district. As the station is at present located, the passengers intending to go to Panrntire, Ho wick, &c, as well as to the Ellerslie Gardens, which are likely to be an exceedingly attractive place of public resort, must cross the line while the train is standing at the station and the engines running to and fro along the line > and if the hair-breadth escapes which have been of constant recurrence riming the past few weeks, are not followed by fatal acci dents, the position will prove an exception to all previous expeiience of railway traffic. An eye-witness has told us that a very old man within the past few days was barely rescued from being run over by the'engine, being forcibly dragged .off by the by standers ; and a man accompanied by his wife entering the train on the farther side from the station — contrary, we presume, to order, but very nafair ally—was carried on by the train start ing while his wife was left behind. The danger to women and children, flustered and frightened by moving crowds and hissing engines, does not require to be imagined, but may be seen ; and as to-morrow will be a holiday, we ask such of our readers as may travel tbat way to simply take note of the position of the station, and the incidents transpiring in consequence, and we shall be happy to receive from them their opinions on the subject. Mr R. Graham we presume is pretty well able to look after his own interest ; but entirely irrespective of him or of his interests and rights, this is a case in which the public interest is concerned, and we do most vehemently protest against a Government officer assuming the right to compromise that interest for the paltry and contemptible object of gratifying personal spite.

Ik a copy of the Dunedin Evening Star just to hand, we observe sxn announcement by that journal that it has a " Weekly circula tion of 24,000 copies." If this is intended to bo accepted without further explanation than that conveyed in the announcement itself, then we concede to our Dunedin cou temporary the position of having the largest circulation of all the papers of New Zealand. We were under the impression that the cir culation of the Dunedin •' Star " was 18,00(1 per week, and that consequently its ciicu lation came next to that of our own. This im pression or rather conviction we formed from the report of a well known trial which occurred some six months ago at Dunedin, during which Mr Cohen, the sub^editor of the Dunedin " Star " declared on oath that the circulation of that paper was then 3000 per diem, or at therate of 18,000pcr week. We admit that it is quite possible for our spirited contemporary to have taken this spurt, and neither envy nor jealousy v/ill prevent us, if this is so, from cordially rejoicing in his success and willingly yielding him the first place. But we are under the impression that in this computation the maximum of a day's issue must have been taken and made the basis of calculation. On such a basis formed from extraordinary and exceptional issues we could declare a circulation of con siderably over that announced by our con temporary. But taking the minimum and ordinary circulation, we are prepared to prove a steady weekly issue of 22,000 copies per we?k for the past two years and at the present hour; aud still we think we surpass our Dunedin contemporary. However, we are prepared to enter on a friendly test with him. We know and admit that, next to ourselves, the Dunedin Star has by far the largest circulation in New Ztsaland. And if he can prove to 113 that his circulation sur passes that of our own, we shall most cordially and cheerily render the meed of praise. We are prepared to enter into nege ciations with him to test the matter, and while we shall be prepared to appoint some person in Dunedin to make examination, we shall be happy if our Southern contemporary will appoint any person or persons in Auck land to satisfy him in any way he pleases as to our circulation. There need be no rivalry or jealousy in the matter, for we are too far removed from one another to stand.hi each other's way ; and though we should like to still retain the honor of the leading circu lation in the colony, we shall feel no annoy ance in yielding it to our Dunedin namesake.

To-morrow, the first day of 1875 will, ac cording to usual custom, be observed as a close holiday. The great attractions of the day are the Ellerslie gardens and the races. At the former a very well arranged programme of sports as per advertisement will be gone through, 1 while the grounds will doubtless be thronged with many pleasant picnic parties. The fare by rail including return ticket is only one shilling. The races promise to be a great success. Various Sunday-schools will hold their annual ,feasts on the day, and. the Domain will therefor be alive with the pleasant laughter of the youngsters, while Mr. Brighton's gardens and re freshments will no doubt receive a fair share of patronage. The North Shore Ferry steamers will make their regular trips, and Mr. Allison's strawberry beds must inevit ably be punished, while the sheltered glades of Vauxhall will be aroused from their usual quietude by the Engineers, who hold their annual picnic there. We do not notice any excursion trips announced, but with so many attractions near home, any others would be superfluous, and probably a failure. The icheap fares by rail will be a great inducement to families.

> -The weather to-day has looked very •threatening... A strong and increasing easterly breeze has been blowing, and the igiftSß falling very fast. The word was ;passed thijs afternoon to the masters of the [different craft lying to Ihe eastward of the wharf to prepare for dirty weather, and most of them hauled off to their anchors at once. At: present the prospects of the holiday are not' reasßiTring. If the wind shifts a point %x two to the northward, a heavy sea in the harbour maybe expected.

% We would draw (pointed attention to the .risksiincurred by pic-nic parties and othars tending at Motu Ihi, the Island. \ As wip.be seen by notice in another columnl any trespassed will be promptly involved i& the meshes...of the law. J

Jd\eci^^r^n^Tbe Standard of jLspSc&bility." On perusing it by the light of another day we really think it is too severe ; and as we feel that the gentleman chiefly referred to is more deserving of our pity than our auger, we believe we must withhold it. We are very much obliged to a number of correspondents who have written to us on the same subject, but they •will pardon us for also witholdmg their letters. We have said "jfea.ce to his slumbers."

Services will be held at midnight this evening in all the Episcopalian Churches in this city, and also in various other chapels, where it is the practice to devote to prayer the waning minutes of the Old and the first ones of the New Year. Many will be tramp ing the streets to the music of bands, and there will as usual be the ringing of ships bells, and the firing of rook« ts> Each after his own notions of propriety, whether in prayer or. rejoicing, is entitled to mil liberty to spend as he pleases the intervening time between 11.30 and 12 30, so long as he does not do so to the detriment of his neighbour. We hope that this year the bands of music, while passing any Church lit up will supend their playing as some very unpleasant contretemps resulted last New Years Eve from the interruption of prayers in the churches by a loud blase of "Yankee Doodle" and "We wont go home till morning.

We think the prettiest specimen of litho graphy that we have ever seen issued from any office in the colonies is the " New Zea land Herald Almanac" for 1875, which has this day come forth from the office of our contemporary over the way. For cbastene3s and tastefulness of design and execution, the border is a very marvel of printing in colors. It contains the Commercial and the Auck land codes of signals in colours, and with ex planations accompanying ; together with information postal, tidal, and commercial, and all the other usual contents of such an annual. As a card almanac is is the hand somest we have seen, and as a piece of office furnishing it is ornamental in the highest degree. It is nob only a credit to the office that has produced it, but we do not hesitate to say that anyone might send it home with pride as a specimen of what New Zealand can do.

An alarm of fire was raised this morning at half'pasfc eleven by (he vigoious ringing of the lire-bell, and "there was a general run towards the spot where the fire was said to be. The facts are simply these. At the house of Mr Lincoln, at the corner of Symonds-street, afire was burning for cook ing and large sparks were issuing from the chimney and falling among the titree and scrub in the immediate locality of the house. Ml at once, a bunch of titree was observed by Mr Stickley, of tile Industrial Home for neglected children, who happened to be pass ing at the moment, and who ran to the well, and with two' buckets of water put out the fire. The ringing of the fire-bell caused groat commotion among people* many of whom expressed a wish that every future blaze might end in the same satisfactorj and innocent manner.

We have received the January number of the Church Gazelle, which, as usual, is replete with interesting information respect ing the Church. Ono of the main features of the present number is the discussion of Ritualism and its bearings on the Church and people. On this subject Mr A. Board man contributes a well-written letter, and there are many extracts from Mr Gladstone's recent essay on the subject. "A Sunday, among the Maoris " forms a pleasant read able chapter. There ate two good articles — one on " Congregational Responses," the other on a " Board of Theological Studies.' The Parochial intelligence is very complete. With this number is published a supplement giving the first series of Sunday-school lessons, prepared by the committee appointed by the Dioceaan Syaod for the purpose.

The members of the Enniskillen Lodge of Orangemen will hold their regular monthly meeting, for ordinary business, to-morrow evening, in the Young Men's Kooms, Wel lesley-street. Wo understand that for the reduction which has taken place in the fares between Auckland and Ellerfille the public are in debted to Sir Donald McLean. It appears that Mr Stewart, the acting manager of the line, telegraphed to Mr Frank B. Paasmore urging the gross unfairness of the tariff, and that to this representation that gentleman did not deign to reply. That thereupon Mr Stewart renewed the request by telegram, and received a curt reply that no reduction would be made. We learn further, that on the matter bein» brought under the notice of Sir Donald McLean, he at once saw the un fairness, and then and there, without any reference to Mr Frank, ordered the reduction to be made. We trust that Sir Donald will not rest content with this interference, but will pursue his investigations into the con duct of our railway business. It is to such as he the public look for protection from the freaks of petty understrappers. A man named John Higgins, who had been suffering mentally for some time past, was this moraine; committed to the Whau Lunatic Asylum, on the medical testimony of Dr. Goldsboro' and Dr. Hooper. The Ellerslie sports, the fol'owing are the entries which have been received .for the closed events to come off at Ellerslie gardens :—Hurdle Race, 120 yds. Abra ham Good, Edward O'Hare, Hugh Bryan, John Renwick, J. Donovan, R. Peacock, E. Davy, E. Lowe, D. White, Thos. Tanner. T. Henderson. 200yrds Handicap (amateurs.) R. Peacock, E. Davy, E. Nolan, James Regan, \ Thos. Henderson, G. Jennings, John Renwick, J. Donovan, D. White. Quarter Mile Handicap- J. Donovan, E. Davy, E. Lowe, E. Nolan, A. .Kelly, C Hopkins, W. Tanner, E. O'Hare, D. White, R. Peacock. Mile Handicap — Edward Sewell, CJhas. Hopkins, Fagan, Abraham Good, Thos. Tanner, J. Clark. The other entries wHI be received on the ground. A bycicle race is included in the programme. The sports will commence at 11 o'clock punctually. It will be saen by advertise ments appearing elsewhere, that the railway authorities have reduced the return fare to one shilling ; and also that passes will be procurable enabling visitors to go to and fro between: the Gardens and Racecourse during the day ; without being charged more than one admission to each place. The Hobson's Band is? again to enliven the proceedings. Athletic sports will we understand be held on Satijirday at the Gardens, entrances for which twill be taken on the ground. The nature of the contests will be determined by the wfish of intending competitors as ex pressed at the Gardens to-morrow. A magnificent display of fireworks is to take place in the Gardens' tomorrow evening at half-pspst eight o'clock. For the convenience of visi/tors who stay to see them a special train [is to leave Ellerslie for Auckland at nine o» clock. The price of the carda of the races] giving the names of the competitors and »he starts in the handicaps has be«n redu'Ped to 3d.

A 'charge of refusing to deliver up a railway tickffefc to the authorized collector on the Auckland and Onehunga railway ; also with usin/g abusive language, were heard this mor/ning before Mr. Beckham, at the Police Coipfc. For the benefifrof railway travellers genjerally we call attention to the 17th clause of jche Railway Act, which provides that any peifson refusing to go out of a railway car riaige when requested to do so by an author isejd servant of the company, shall be liable to{ a penalty not exceeding £2, and in accord ance with clause 25 of the same Act, any pjrson using blasphemous or indecent lan guage in any carriage or upon' any railway, (platform, or premises, shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £5. We acknowledge'from Mr Lowe 2a 6A on behalf of Mrs Irwin. .

The wrongs of bank clerks do not call for any large amount of commiseration as a, rule. Their work is not very laborious, though perhaps it is irksome from its monotony. The institutions whose business 19 admin istered by their aid, are, to judge by the large dividends they pay, generally very paying concerns. The managers are not obliged to cut and contrive to show a balance-sheet with a respectable overplus on the right bide. It affords us pleasure to notice that more than one ot_ tlie banks have inaugurated the system pi allowing their employees to participate m their prosperity by giving them a. bonus on their salary at the end of the year, lhis .is as it should be, and shows that a proper spirit animates the bosoms of the managing directors. There is one respect, however, in which the clerks are badly treated by one or two of our local financial establishments. We allude to the practice of making them return in the evening and woikon till nearly midnight. Allusion is not made to the exceptional extra work caused by the half-yearly balances; In every branch of commerce business men expect a pressure at certain times, and prepare for it witn cheerfulness. But this is entirely a different thing from the regular overwork exacted as often as three for four days a-week from tne clerks, even in ordinary seasons of the year, in some of our banking establishments, lhe practice is not more conducive to a healthy condition of affairs in the working of the in stitution than it is to the physical well-being of the clerks themselves. Men cannot rise day by day with refreshed and vigorous powers to their work unless there is a proper recurrence of periods of relaxation. Apollo does not always keep his bow on the stretch was Horace's version of the proverb All work and no play, &c" The principle is a universally admitted one, and we wom.er that it should be so frequently neglected. We would suggest to the bank authorities whether it would not be better to go to the ex pense of one or two new clerks instead of continuing to impair the health ot ttie existing staff. Depend upon it the usually large dividends would not materially sutler from such a humane alteration.

It is very clear (says the Otago Guardian) that the railway authorities must fence in their line 3or take the consequences, and the sooner tbey come to understand this the better for all parties concerned. A man named Macfarlane was yesterday summoned for allowing his horse to stray upou the railway line, but as it was proved that the authorities had removed a portion of the embankment, and had not put it up again, the magistrate dis missed the case, stating that the law laid it down very clearly that the railway authori ties must not only put up a sufficientfence in the first instance, but must also maintain it in repair.

An application was made to the City Council yesterday by the inhabitants of the locality of Willow-street, praying that cer tain necessary repairs might be made to the said street, which is in a dangerous condi tion, especially in Web weather. Willow - street is in a direct line from Sheridan-street towards Freeman's Bay, and comprises ten houses, in which reside thirty-seven souls. The house at the entrance is now occupied as the City West police station, and the sight of the worthy official who " take 3 his solitary rounds" in the neighbourhood has had a beneficial influence. .Since his appear ance a little band has been disbanded known as the "Pot and kettle" band, whose prin cipal dej/jt was in Willow-street. The active members of this band were always on the look-out for a wedding, when the Willow-street and Freeman's Bay raga muffins would march to the spot and com mence inharmonious music until the suffer ers within bowed to the wishes of the band without, and the urchins were invariably successful. The sounds of music, however, have not wholly passed from Willow-street ; the sounds of violin, and concertina, and sometimes of a big drum, are heard from this rural spot. One gentleman is really a good fiddler, and it was ill-naturedly said that he had hung his violin on a willow tree, but the sweet strains of "Kathleen Mavourneen" lass evening proved that the statement was untrue. In consequence, however, of the unseemly state of the street, with its deep cuts aud dangerous passes, the inhabitants have be come a distinct community, with a character of their own. A large number of fowls and geese are kept there, and you will always find fresh eggs and pure unadulterated cream in Willow-streefc, which street is sadly out of repair, and last night, on the appear anc3 of the EVEHING STA.K, the news ran from house to house that the City Council, or the ;-treets Committee, were about to make Willow-street a respectable thorough fare, and there was much joy among the people.

We have received the following :—" To the Editor of the Star. Sir,—The following petition, presented to the City Council this morning, tells its own tale. We, the under signed inhabitants of McKerras's Buildings, Upper Queea-street, Auckland, beg most respectfully that you will cause the removal of the heap of rubbish in, front of Mr Staines' premises, as it is a great hindrance to our business, as also a disgraue to the whole neighbourhood. —W. Oulton, R. Chalmers, J. Penny, Thomas Dallon, Jos. Emile Le Griffon, X- D. Sykes."—[Our correspondent says that the petition "tells its own tale," but we are not aware what the tale is. We do not know what is "the heap of rubbißh " referred to, for surely it is not meant to designate the stock-in-trade of the People's Champion, by that disrespectful appellation. However, we shall wait and see what light may be thrown on the subject in the City Council.—Ed. E.S.]

To the Editor: Sir,—Referring to your practise of occasionally omitting items of news because " they have already appeared in the morning papers," is not this rather hard upon those who, for different reasons, do not see the morning papers ? I, for in stance, am an invalid, and, not being " re spectable," have to becoatent with the Star alone, yet I like to see all that is going on. A word to the wise is enough, and, &s I cannot elaborate, remain yours obediently, Plebian, as all youv readers, it seems, are.

The following remarks on "Auckland's True Enemies," are undoubtedly suggestive :- Sir, —I observe a good deal lately in the Press about the present railway mismanage ment, " coupled with the name of Mr Pass more," as the toastmaker puts it at public banquets. Now, although that gentleman is a friend of mine, I do not write to-day with the object of defending him or his system in any way whatever; but as perhaps as close an observer of the signs of the times as anyone in Auckland, I desire to direct public atten tion to the palpable fact that for some time past a continued effort has been made to throttle and extinguish any latent spark of enterprise that may have had the audacity to survive in Auckland the reign of monopoly or terror of some years back. One has only to look at the disgraceful delay in opening; the Waikato and Kaipara railways j the pro fessed difficulties at Ohinemuri, which Mr Puckey could tell a lot about; the sudden stoppage of the Barrack Hill improvement ■works; the humbugging over the dry dock, &o. I say one has only to compare these muddles with the progress reported every where from the South, to feel instinctively that there is a screw loose somewhere. Kay more, I go further, and state for a fact, that while secret instructions have been issued to " starve Auckland," the would-be assassins are acquiring property where and how they can at reduced values ! May not poor Passmore and Stewart then be mere tools in the master's hands ?—I am, &c, F. H. Troup.

The Fountain of Frendship Lodge, I. 0.0. F.M.U. hold a ball in the Lome-street Hall to-night, which promises to be most success ful, i

ftJZ C Sidney Xt wi also announced floated in feyaney.. ■ fc f fart her sales that there is *j^££gg£« is very safcis bemg made, j£ e % will be no delay rSSclTt^ on which the posi tion of our port bo largely depends. Badness i» the b*w V^ffc It ZtX entering from ShortteLd^, HoX S^£j£ occupation. We are requested t > state that at the ordinary delivery window. The following additional tenders have Bros • orovision for Lunatic Asylum, l. iewinfCs. j bread for Lunatxc Asylum, T. Teasdalc ; meat for Lunatic Asylum, Geo. Garretfc. -

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beekham, Esq., KM.) BREACH OF RAILWAY ACT. Mr John Adeaa appeared in answer to a summons, wherein be was charged with a breach of No 10 by-law of the Auckland and Onehurga Railway Act, by refusing tourer up his ticket to the porter authorised to col lect the same, on the 26th inst ; also, with a breach of the 25th bylaw of the same act, by using insultiog language to James Stewart, railway manager on the same_day. Mr Thome appeared for Mr btewart and wished the case adjourned, as Mr Stewart had not yet made his appearance. Mr Adean pleaded not guilty ; he lost or mislaid the ticket, and could not find it at the moment when demanded. His Worship said that Mr Stewart should have been here, and it would be unfair to deMr dThorne said that Mr Stewart would be able to put a very different aspect upon the affair, and he would ask for an adjournment, "T r GTeJ^lrf^ZTZ Court, and deposed « he was manager of the Auckland and Onehnnga railway. He saw defendant on the 26th instant, near the Ellerslie race-course He heard the collector ask Mr, Adean for the ticket, which he refused to give up He kept chaffing the porter about it, but be did not hear him say that he would pay again. He appeared to him to want to cause a delay, as the train was then in motion To Mr Adean : He could not say that he was in the same carriage. He saw hnn lacing up his boot; he was not sure whether he heard the porter ask for the ticket. Mr Adean: Your Worship, I wish the collector to leave the Court, as I shall want to examine him. His Worship made some valuable sugges tions to Mr Stewart, in order to prevent overcrowding trains. Only a certain number of tickets should be issued; if for example, the carriages would only hold 1000 persons, only that number of tickets should be issued. He had witnessed scenes on the railway at the recent race time, which convinced him, from his own observations, that something serious would happen some day, if precau tionary measures were not taken. _ Aaron JEyes, ticket collector, said he was acting in that capacity on the said railway on Boxiog Day. He saw Mr Adean on that day in the railway carriage. He de manded his ticket, but he would not give it np. He afterwards said he had lost it. _He then pulled out half-a-sovereign and held it up to him. He (witness) said, "_ Let s have no nonsense about it; please to give me the ticket." He replied, " I'll see you d—-d first." He refused both the ticket and the money. Mr Stewart then came up and begged him not to hinder business, but either give up his ticket or the money. He then com menced to abu-ie Mr Stewart.

Mr Adean : Did you not see me stooping down to unlace my boot ?

Witness : I don't know. Bis Worship : What was your object in unlacing your boot ? Mr Adean : To see if the money was m the boot your Worship. His Worship : What, do you make a Savings Bank of your boots ? Mr Adean : I thought the money or the ticket might have slipped through my trou sers into my boot 3. His Worship ; Well there are strange things happening certainly. Mr Adean here" began to address the Court in a vehement manner in contradiction of Mr Stewart's statement.

His Worship said that Mr Stew art's state ment was upon oath, and he must call wit nesses to prove to the contrary. John Filmer, a cook by profession, deposed that he was going to the Ellerslie raoes, and was in the same carriage ; there were about twelve persons in the carriage. He heard the porter ask for the ticket ; saw the boot operation, and heard Mr Adean promise to give up the ticket when he could find it. George Banks proved that Mr Adean pur chased the ticket, and got into the railway carriage for Elleralie. Mr Adean having addressed the Court at considerable length, the charge of abusive language was preferred against defendant. Mr Stewart then gave evidence, and de posed thnt Adean squared up to him, and put himself in a fighting attitude, he expec ted that he would have struck him. He said, "Who are you, you may go to h—l, direct."

Amos Eyes corrobated the statement of Mr Stewart. He heard the language used, and told defendant that the gentleman he was talking to in such violent a manner was the deputy manager. Constable Naughton deposed that defend ant was very violent. He heard him recommend Mr Stewart, in a peremptory tone to go to a strange place; he himself did not know the way to the regions below. Mr Adean here began to address the Court, when his Worship said he had already made a long speech, and could nob be permitted to make a second oration. He evidently possessed a marvellous tongue. Mr Adean : I simply want to supplement my previous speech. Hia Worship : You cannot go on; you must be silent, Mr Adean. His Worship proceeded to notice the different clauses of the .Railway Act ; and remarked that every one of those Acts were broken the other day, and it was impossible1 for officials to do their duty where people acted in such an uncivilised way. Mr Adean again solicited the Court for the privilege of speaking on Ihe conduct of railways in England in comparison to those of Auckland.

Bis Worship : You must be silent, sir, or I must commit you. It is quite clear now to the Court that your tongue has got you into trouble. You must pay Is and costs for the first offence, and 40s and costs for the more serious offence of using language which was disgraceful to a man of education and respectable standing in society.

THE HIBERNICON.

This very pleasing entertainment having re turned from the Thames after a very success ful season, will open in the Lome-street hall to-morrow night, under the patronage of his honor the Superintendent. It will form a very pleasing addition to the holiday attractions.

THE CASE CRUELTY TO A CHILD.

It was not considered necessary \ r inquest on the body of the iK a O-*** «t Susan Wilkinson, LtbecVniSt^^' for some Tveeks in consequence r,^aili'? constitution, wh:ch had prXhiJpM^ bilitated by the course of $uZf- V the infant had been subjected ' I / have made every possible enq sirtet , !£ matter tut cannot find mfS^'th, warrant them in pursuing an eE^. ca^flt a in the end must prove futile f^^H therefore, wiJl be spared fr om J-J^e, which are ever painful a C d unpleS^ which could oniy serve a morbid o! •*■ H u-,VWQBi^

THE RACES TOMORROW.

The contribution of our snortW " Blair Athol" on to morroVs tte '? W too late for insertion. We rnav v!^ 111*8 jast give his leading tips antT^' Isleman and Mount have been * ote >. for all events, the Mount yesterdav^^ thrown his rider and bolted cut birnVpif^ much in a wild chase over fences lat- Vei* before him. The cut received by it] g jumping one of the hurdJes on BoxhX 11 has been discharging ever since, and Lfi, y the horse for running. ' a mtm The following are " Blair AtholW'ti™ Derby Stakes-Rangi. 8 ~ Hurdle Race -Arrow or Golden flrrv* Grand Stand Handicap-Temp^' Sailing Race—Never Miss. The capital racing on Boxing Day affowr some guarantee that to-morrow's moot will be a good one. ™eeH

FIJI.

(From our own Correspondent.) ' - Levttka, December 17 EFFECT OF ANNEXATION. — STaW OF THE COLONISTS. . Annexation, so far, has not effected rnucV in the way of improving business, commercial or agricultural, but we live on in hope of better days and brighter prospects so soon as the regular governing staff arrives f rom England,.and our land titles are made secure by Crown grants. At present the Fiji Bank ing and Commercial Company decline to advance on deeds of freehold land, and thus If many who possess very extensive ,and valuable landed property are, in consequence of the failure of the. cotton speculation, and the difficulty of effecting a loan, reduced to a position of comparative helpleesnesa and commercial idleness. They reside on the land, grow their own food, and are lords of all they survey, without a shilling in coin, except when they send for sale to Levuka a few bushels of corn, a few fowls or pigs, to enable them to renew their exhausted stock of tea and sugar, and to replenish worn out garments. In this way many hang on wait ing to have their land titles quieted, so that they may either sell at a fair price or obtain the necessary pecuniary assistance to enable them to go into sugar, coffee, tobacco, opium, rice, oil, fibre, cobra, and tbe many other productions for the growth of which these, islands are so admirably adapted. BEAUTY AND RICHNESS OF THE' COUNTRY. -

Few, very few, of those who have visited Fiji from the Australian Colonies and Sew Zealand, know scarcely anything of the beauties of the country, the extent of land available for cultivation by- the plough, the richness of the soil, and its prolific nature; they have chiefly contented themselves with a short sojourn in Levuka, od a stony beach, which reflects the heat of the morning sun . about them, and duriDg the greater part of the day keeps strangers (unacclimatised) in : a perpetual state of perspiration, notsomiich from intense heat as from continual warmtli, and a moist atmosphere combining to impirt the sensation of a vapour bath. Atthe, hotels they meet residents from various parts of the group, and thus pick up such reporta as tho peculiar circumstances of those resi dents might, at the time, influence them to give ; and it is in this way that conticUijg accounts of Fiji appears from time to time in the newspapers.

AN EARTHLY PARADISE. • But those who have had the time and opportunity to visit the more important islands of the group, and to examine for themselves the capabilities of the soil,; and the numerous natural productions of the country, confess with one accord tbafc it is the nearest approach to their conception of Paradise which they ever witnessed. Fancy a new arrival from chilly New Zealand being landed in warm Fiji, say on the banks of the Rewa river, where all nature is for ever blooming, calling at the hotel for refresh-^ ment, and being served with turtle soup, > fish, beef, mutton, venison, and poultry, with a variety of vegetables, and adessert of oranges, Fiji apples, pine apples, melons, bananas, and other fruits of delicious flavotir; then taking a walk along the b?nks of the river, viewing the broad acres of splendid rich alluvial flat land, orange groves, and banana plantations, interspersed with" thousands of .pine apples, imparting 3»: delightful fragrance, so grateful to the senses while taking a lounge under the cool shade of majestic native fruit trees adorning the scene, with the river, and it* beautiful fish leaping joyously in all direc tions, fancy this, and imagine the dwenp tion such a visitor, to such, would be likely to give as opposed to the description, wmen would be prompted by an exclusive visiti w Levuka. i"

THE WANTS OF THE GROUP. ; That Fiji possesses all the elements^ot future prosperity is beyond question,,trat they await capital and energy to. develop them. That money, bone and 6inew,_ are essential to the accumulation of wealth uv Fijis, as in other places, is perfectly true, but the results, for the more moderate ex penditure of those essentials in these islands, would, without doubt, prove unmeasaraWy. ■• greater than could be obtained at double the oublay elsewhere. All we want isaspeedy settlement of the land titles to give to* colony a stimulus, which would start «, ahead, independent of any external aid, so long as looal banking offices will accept ; the security of the soil for moderate adr.. vances to promote cultivation and obtain mechanical appliances. We have climate -; and soil the most salubrious and proliX in the world ; we have now British law^na British rule, British money, British institu tion, which seems to impart a more refresh iag atmosphere to our judicial proceedings. Already there is a healthiness in the adminv istration of affairs which is quite » relifi from the former usurping tyrannical system, of Government which will, fortunately, aooa be buried in oblivion and we shall ™"J ' realise the benefits of annexation to Gmb^

Britain. IMPROVED TONE OP BUSINESS. . Renewed hope is evinced by the spiritof . improvement which is noticeable at LevuKß: the pulse of the colony; the merchants^ storekeepers and traders, wear more cheernu countenances than they did before w*eX" tion, mutual conGdeace is being restored*^ money is decidedly easier. Aew places «*;, business are being started by enterprising; Auckland houses, and new stores are m course of erection for others. Imports ana exports are increasing. Eighteen for«ng going vessels, namely—Tellus, barque, from Hamburg, 450 tons ; schooner, from London, 100 ditto; Staghound,-- schooner, 150 tons, from San Francisco,^ 150 ditto ; Nil- Desperandum, ™rf*' ' from Melbourne, 200 ditto ; Bel^ Brandon, ■ . schooner, from Auckland, 80 do ; John VV» ley, barque, from Sydney, 320 do;. Motooj ? barque, do do, 2flO-do"; Ariel, brigaatinj do do, 154 do; Western Star do^O,2OU do; James Pafcerson, s.s., do do, */ «»' Star of the South, s.s., do Auckland Trading voyages-Lady Ahci», ..Jatjg:* Marion Kenny, barque ■ Lurlme, "Jj^. Mary EUza, cutter; Ringdove, cutter,

lEEE WHENISG BTAB. TFTTmsmY. i&tSS^^*"^-^



•JT' O T I C E. The Bants will be CLOSED both on let and 2nd January. TTNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. [Established 1837-] PAID-UP CAPITAL £1,250,000 '• 'RESERVE'FUND £400,000 "THK HIGHEST CURRENT RATE OF INTEREST ALLOWED ON FIXED DEPOSIT. J. B. BRATHWAITE, Manager. : TWT E W O A S T L E COAL. NOW LANDING, Ex Dbrtvent, : FOR SALE ALONGSIDE VESSEL, In lots to suit buyers at 4 s PEE, T ON, CA S H JAMES W. WALLEE, CUSTOM HOTJSE-STKEET. TTT E HAVE OPENED Per Ship Hyoabfbs; t:22C A S E S or MEN'S AND BOY'S CLOTHING, PANAMA HATS, FELT DO, in Men's and Youth's Sizes. J. COSGRAVE & CO., IMPOBTEBS. mHE NATIONAL BANK OT NEW (ZEALAND), Limited. CAPITAL... ... ... £2,000,000 SUBSCRIBED ... ... £1,000,000 BATES,OF INTEREST ON DEPOSIT l^gJfejAtoPtPodto toed for 3months', Bj% ff annum . fiffitlflJcif iutt**"^, § % $ annum f I , i * ' v : ■ :: ■ ■ ■-. ■ ''■<„■



|^ LW SUMMER Di-ESS GOODS We have just opened a very choice lot^ NEW SUMMER DRES'S/-^ 001^ y C mprisinp' NEW PRIN^ MUSLINS, m^^EAT VaBIBTY. / GRENADINES. PLAIN BLACK, BLACK STRIPED, and COLOURED STRIPED GRENADINES. VrHITE SATIN, STRIPED MUSLINS, CHECK MUSLINS, Etc., Etc., Etc. The above are NEW GOODS, just landed, and worthy of special attention. RTJSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE B. HOBES.) Wholesale akd Retail Dbapbrs, Clothiebs JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Queen - stkeet, Atjckxand. EDWIN HOLLOWAY AND J. TONSON GARLICK Beg to inform the inhabitants of /urkland they bare purchased the Stock and Premises known as THE CUT HALL DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND CARPET ESTABLTSFIMRKT, UPPER QUEEK-STEEET, From Messrs Cosoravb & Co., AT A LARGE DISCOUNT OFF ENGLISH COST. A SALE OP SHE GOODS Will be held When that Few, Extensive, and recently-imported tock, purchased from tha Manufacturers of England FOE CASH, will bo offered to the public at IMMENSE REDUCTIONS.. Drapers and Storekeepers are invited to attend this great Sale, as it is the intention of the proprietors to CLEAR OUT THE PItESENT STOCK, In order to xntlie eitf-nsivo alterations in th Euildicg. A splendid opportunity for Count-y Settlers to purchase at LOW RATES. HOLLOWAY & GARLICK, CITY HALL.