SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

POST OF AUCKLAND.

HIGHWiTKB; This evening, 4.21 : ta-ttioreo«= mBU&ST*! 2 Tbi* evening, 6.15; BUK-SI8S: Tc taorrow morning, 6-42 MOON'S ASE: Full Moon, 2nd May, S.4S a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Taranaki, s s., from Southern ports Mercury, cutter, from Mercury Bay Coronet, schooner, from TahitilS!

DEPARTURES.

Allahabad, ship, for San Francisco Derwent, brig, for Kaipara Wild Wave, brig, for Newcastle Ivanhoe, schooner, for Whanparoa and Samoa Wellington, s.s., for the South

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Opotiki—Fanny Kelly, ketch, to-morrow For Hokianga—Lady Franklin, barque, at once Newcastle—Hylton Castle, to morrow For Russell— Rowena, s.s., this evening For Tduranga—Murray, s.s-, this evening For Gisborne and Napier—Pretty Jane, s.s , early Southern ports—Taranaki, s.s, Ist proximo (Suez

Mail) Levuka, via Wangapoa— Daphne, early Napier and Southern ports- Cyphrenes, s.s , early London—Anazi, barque, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Uyphreres, s.s., Mail Steamer, from aanuavu Eangatira, s.s., from Sydney, 28th instant Southern Cross, s.s., from England Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 Jubilee, ship, from London, Sailed January 21 Roiu aTell, ship, from London. Sailed February 19 Bella Mary, from Hobart Town, eply Mary King, schooner, from Adelaide, early Edith, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Excelsior, schooner, from Dunedin, early Serene, barque, from Wellington Clematis, ketch, from Lyttelton, early Rprald, schooner, from Lyttelton Merlin, schooner, from Lyttelton Ryno, schooner, from Lyttelton Flirt, briganfcine, from Lyttelton

IMPORTS.

Per Taranaki, from the South:—l case' Boylan; 9 hhds., R,eid; 1 case, Union Bank > 1 pge., Murray; 20 sacks, Coupland; 1 parcel, Levy ;• 1 case, Saunders ; 3 cases, 1 keg, Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ; 13 casks Arthur; 15 cases, Binney; 10 cases, Coup land ; 7 cases, Brown, Barrett and Co. ; 20 kegs, Binney ; 1 case, Combes and Daldy ; 2 quarter-casks, Lonedill; 1 case, Barber; 3 cases, Sir George Ferguson ; 1 case, Kemp thorne, Prosser and Co. ; 106 bags barley, Seccombe ; 7 coils wire, Telegraph ; 1 case, Stovin ; 1 case, Kennedy ; 3 packages, Dan ville ; 7 casks, Payne; 4 cases, 3 kegs. Hall; 1 box, Dennison ; 9 cases, Hoskins ; 7 cases, Barnes.

Per Coronet, from South Sea Islands : 126 bales cotton, 20 casks lime juice, 14 tons cotton seed, Messrs Owen and Graham.

The barque Lady Franklin is to leave at once for HoHanga to load timber for Melbourne.

The schooner Julius Vogel has hauled alongside the Gore-street jetty, where she is engaged in unloading her cargo from Poverty Bay. The ship Dorette was this morning laid alongside the western T of the wharf in the berth occupied recently by the Hylton Castle. She will broach her cargo to-morrow.

The ship Allahabad got under weigh at day-break this morning, and dropped down with the tide, what little wind there was be ing from the S.E., and so unfavorable to her until after clearing the North Head.

The schooner Daphne has entered out wards for Levuka via Wangapoa, where she is to take on board a cargo of timber. The flags of most of the vessels in harbour ■were hung at half-mast this morning out of respect to the memory of the late wife of Isaac Eggerton, well known in the firewood trade in this port. The same token of re spect was yesterday paid to the deceased Father Norris.

The. critter Mercury ..y.esterday^rGught The s.s. Taranaki arrived in the Manukau to-day. She left Dunedin at 5 p.m. on the 20th, arrived at Lyttelton at noon on the 21st ; left at 6.30 p.m. on the 22nc'l, arrived at Wellington at 11 a.m. on the 23rd ; left at 2.30 p.m. on the 24th, arrived at Picton at 8.45 p.m.; left at 4 a.m. on the 25th, arrived at Nelson at 1.30 p.m. ; left at 3 a.m. on the 26th, arrived at Taranaki at 5.30 p.m.'; left at 6.30 p.m., and arrived in One hunga early this morning. Passengers : Saloon—Messrs. Ghing, Hamilton, Quiggins, Mr Ellis and family, Messrs Brenner, Carl ton, Ackland, Martin, Harrison, Captain Lloyd, Messrs Parker, Grace, Zelmon, Staite, Claus-Rekel Troupe (5), Mr and Mrs O'Rorke. Steerage—Messrs Kane, McCombie, Iverson, Hodge, Parker, and Tambourini. We are indebted to Mr C. J. Edmiston, purser, for files and report. The barque Rose Mis loading at Dunedin and Omaru. She will sail in a few days with a cargo of breadstuff consigned to Messrs B. Tonks and Co.

The barque Tasso is alsoloading at Dunedin with, breadstuff for Messrs Tonks and Co.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Melbourne. Arrived, 15th: Naworth, barque, from Auckland via Wangaroa. 20th: Glimpse, tiarque, from Kaiparajj Newcastle. Sailed, 18th: P.6.E., barque, for Auck land. The barque Rose M is loading at Dunedin and Oarnaru. She will sail in a few days with a cargo of breadstuff consigned to Messrs B. Tonks and Co. The barque Tasso is also loading at Dunedin with breadstuff for Messrs Tonks and Co.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Lyttelton, This day. Arrived : Tararua and Paterson. They have sailed South.

The Millard, barque, has also arrived, 126 days out; all well. No passengers. She is consigned to the Shipping Company.

COMMERCIAL.

i?LThe freehold property and dwelling house in Hobson-street, offered for sale to-day by Messrs Cochrane and Son was passed, the highest bid being only £380.

CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST.

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in tho companies named below :— - Calls. . £ s. d. Date Auckland Whaling Co 210 0 May 9 Buby ..010 May 13 liincoln Castle 0 10 May 13 Queen of the May .. ..010 May 13 National Bank of N.Z. .. .. 010 0 July 1 Dividends. OldWhau 010 0 April 29

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails whj, Closb as Under :—

For Thames, this day, at 6.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 10,30 a.m. ForKapier and Southern provinces, per Mikado, six hours after arrival For Kawau and Matakana, per Lady Bowen, to morrow, at 10 a.m. For Whitiangi, per Mercury, to-morrow, at 3 p.m. For Tauranga, per Vincent, on Wednesday next, at 6 p.m. MaiLs for Australian Colonies, India, China, Mediterranean ports, Continent of Europe, and, United Kingdom, via Brindiai and houthampton, will be made up at this office per s.s. Taranaki, on Friday, Ist proximo. Should.a later opportunity offer, SupplementaryJMails will be forwarded. ■ (Signed) S. B, Bibb, Chief Postmwrter.

BIRTHS.

Wok MR-On the 27th instant, at Newton lload, Mrs Samuel Worms, of a daughter. Bio-NKiT-On tho 20th instant, Mrs F. J. Bennett, of a son.

DEATH.

FnoirGTON—On April 2(5, Mary Ann, tno ueiovuu ■wife of 7saac Fppintton, aged 41 years. The funeral will leavs her late residence, Coburg street, at three o'clock p.m. to-morrow. Friends are i espectfully invited to attend.

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

MONDAY, APRIL 27, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future Id the distance, And Mm good that wo can do

It seems evident from the course of recent events that colonial journals vill have to fight a costly battle for their independence or quietly accept the position of mere mouth pieces for individuals or parties. Witbin the past few months libel suits have been entered against several New Zealand jour nals. At present actions are pending against the Dunedin Star and ourselves, and an in dictment for contempt—arising out of a libel action— threatened against the Guardian, while even the Good Templar Standard in its brief career has already brought down upon it the threats of legal processes with which every journal of any independence of spirit is well acquainted. With respect to the case against the Star judicial rule requires that we shall refrain from making any com ments upon its merits, and we do so the more willingly because the public aro already well acquainted with the nature of the charge, and will no doubt become more so as the case proceeds. But as touch ing the struggle for independence now before the press we may observe that few persons beyond the limits of journalistic circles are aware of the influence'! brought to bear upon newspapers to poctito their support or close their mouths. Chief among these, 1 perhaps, is tho promise or withdrawal of subscription and advertising support, but no less potent is the threat of an action for libel. Every experienced journalist knows that in the majority of instances the main object of an action for libel, whether civil or criminal, is to cripple a paper with expense. The end in view is attained by criminal processequally with civil, when only a nominal penalty is imposed, so long as the expenses of trial have been piled up as lawyers well Ifnow how to pile them. For these reasons we find in many cases two and three counsel engaged, wholly unneces sary witnesses brought up and paid, and the processes of lawmade as expensive as possible. It is needless to say that every successful libel action has a damaging influence on the press by rendering journalists not only more loth to rush into the exposure of abuses in high places, but less unwilling to wink at questionable proceedings Ffli^canJ^madn interests. We feel pride in saying that the colonial press, as a whole, has maintained, in even greater measure lhan could have been expected in a small community, that freedom of thought and action which have in Britain rendered the press the bulwark of the people's liberties, and the great enemy of the wrong-doer. We venture to assert that such a state of affairs as that which prevailed in New York under Tamanny rule, when news papers and judges alike were in the pay of an unprincipled clique, could never have arisen in a community where the press was not venial and hireling ; yet it is equally true that the combination of robbers who had laid their hands firmly upon the vitals of the city was overthrown by the fearlessness of one or two outspoken journals that would neither be bribed into silence nor terrified by thteat3 of libels and processes before the corrupt judges whose very souls were sold to the Ring. The English and American journals, however, are rich, and have a wide scope of action, while colonial papers are, as a rule, poor, and to a certain extent at the mercy of any powerful and wealthy combination. It depends, therefore, in large measure upon the people themselves whether the purity and independence of the press shall be preserved, flow important it is that it should not suffer will be evident to every man who for a moment reflects on the corruption and evil ; that would follow a suspension of journalism for one year, or how doubly bad would be that state of affairs if the colonial press pandered to and aided the evil. The criminal process for libel, like imprisonment for debt, is a relic of barbarism, and a blot on the English statute-book. Under any circumstances it is so, but as it haa been administered in some cases we could point out within this Colony, it is a disgrace to the name of justice. To be deemed guilty of a crime a man's intention must be shewn to have been criminal. A man is not a murderer because he has killed a fellow-creature, but because he did so with " malice afore thought." In order to justify a Court of justice in branding a person as a criminal surely it is not sufficient to shew even that his zeal in a cause has outrun" his discretion, but should not proof of personal malice and vindictiveness be re quired ? Many wise judges in dealing with libel have held such proof as absolutely neces sary to constitute a crime, but on the other hand there are not wanting, even in New Zea land, instances where the action of a journalist, approved to a very great extent by judge and jury, unquestionably animated solely by a desire to advance the public good, and even effective in serving important pub lic interests, has led to gentlemen of honour and sensibility being condemned as criminals for some supposed excess or trans gression, of a vague imaginary boundary line -limiting the language which a journal may legally employ. Such are the evils that surround a journalist's labours, and such the nature of the forces that are gathering up against the press. What the issue will be the future only can reveal. But there are, we doubt not, those on the list of colonial journals that will prefer to die fighting rather than live to become miserable hirelings ofjparty.

It is quite evident from the action taken by Mr Justice Chapman in the Supreme Court, as reported by telegram from our Dunedin correspondent, that if confidence m the ad ministiation and secrecy of the telegraph is to be preserved, legislative enactment upon the subject must be no longer delayed. It appears from our telegrams that the learned judge referred to has granted an order tor the production of certain telegraphic mes sages," which may or may not have a direct bearing on a case now before the Court over which'he presides. That the Court should have heard an application for such an order in Chambers without any opportunity being afforded for the opposite side to oppose is almost as singular aa that the order should have been issued at all. We do not, of course, presume to call in question his Honor's administration of the law; on the contrary, we must assume that Mr Justice Chapman lias acted in accordance with the spirit of the legislation at present in force with respect to telegrams. But admitting this, then we do say most emphatically that public interests demand tho immediate interference of the legislature to render im possible such gross violations of confidence as that committed by the Government in delivering up, even under order from the Supreme Court, messages entrusted in all goud faith to its custody. Wo maintain that the contents of a telegram should bo as inviolably sacred as those of a posted letter, and should, like a letter, be assumed to pass from the custody of the Government immediately on delivery. This has been insisted on in England, and since Mr. Scuda more, the head of the department in Britain, was reprimanded for taking knowledge of and acting upon a telegram in which a man threatened to commit suicide, the principle has been generally recognised. It is not difficult to see how this right of parties to a suit in the Supreme Court to call for the pro duction of telegrams might be abused ; nay, we go further, and say how it has already been abused, and we consider that our con temporary, the. Dunedin Guardian, is fully justified in the tone which it has assumed towards the recently issued order. It is im portant that our representatives in the Assembly should, take knowledge of the matter with the view of effecting a remedy during the approaching session of Parlia ment. The Parliamentary inquiries into the management of the Telegraph Department hitherto have been eminently unsatisfactory; but we trust that the remarkable step taken in the case of Macassoy v. Bell will bring about a practical reform.

His Excellency the Governor and party left (ihinernutu for Kotomahana on Sunday morning. Ho will probably leave to-night for Auckland. A soiree and concert is announced for Wednesday evening next in the Agricultural Hall, Waiuku, in aid of tho Trinity Church building fund. The animal meeting of the friends of the Home for neglected children will beheld this evening in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association—His Honor the Super intendent in the chair. This institution has been one of the most successful and useful in the city. The committee, by extraordinary exertion?, have succeeded in keeping the Home free from debt while improving it in many important respects. The revenue of the institution this year has been between £800 and £000. We liopo a largo attendance to night will testify the sympathy of tho people with the good work. A library of live hundred volumes of books will be offeied for sale to-morrow by Messrs Cochrane and Son, at their auction rooms, Fort-street, the property of a gentleman who is leaving thecolany.^ steliEocn ue- KvereSiniinpressive discourse last evening in the City Hall from St. Matthew c. 18 v. 20, ' Wheie two or three are gathered to gether in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The discourse was listened to with apparently devout attention. The col lections for the day were £18 13s Gd. Tho singularity of a minister of tho Church of England preaching for congregatioaalists no doubt helped to swell the congregation. The theatre waa crowded on Saturday evening on the occasion of the presentation of the "Flowers of the Forest." The per formers generally were equal to their parts Miss Stcphenson and Mr Collier played admirably. Tho piece contains some fine passages, and some of the scenes are really beautiful ; but tho liveliest feature of gipsy life are the sylvan dances. Tho tableau was splendid, and the musical arrangements almost perfect. Mr DeLias announces that the company will appear again in Auckland after their return from tho Thames.

The annual meeting of tho Congregational Church (Rev Warlow Davies, M.A., minis ter) will be held to-morrow evening. We understand the programme is of a very interesting character. After the introduc tory speech by the Chairman the reports of the charch|will be read by the Secretary, and addresses will be given by the Rev. B. C. Butland, of the Thames, on "Weekly Storing ;" by the Rev. David Bruce, on "Hospital Sunday;" by the Rev. P. H. Cornford, on the "Churches and our Immi grants," and by the Key. G. H. Turner, on the "Manuscripts of God." A large and efficient choir will be in attendance, and will perform at intervals selections from Handel's "Messiah" under the management of Mr. Cooper, with accompaniments of Mr. Lam bert.

A lecture on Milton will be delivered this evening in the schoolroom of All Saints' by Mr Black man in aid of the Harmonium Fund. The choir will sing several appro priate hymns and anthems during the evening, with accompaniments on the piano. To the Editor : Sir, —Your reporter ap pcarsj'to have ?ot into a fog altogether con cerning|the annual licensing meeting. In the Star of the 23rd he stated that the Queen's Head Hotel was adjourned in consequence of the house not being in a cleanly state, and now, sir, to get over the difficulty you say in Saturday's Star that it waa a mis-applica tiou of your reporter, and that it was the license of the Crown Hotel, Grey-street, kept by John Adams, was adjourned, leading the public to suppose that it was my license that was adjourned in consequence of the un cleanly state of my house. Now, sir, such was not the case. My certificate was merely withheld in Court in consequence of the Inspector deeming the amount of bedding insufficient. There was no adjourned cases until that of Samuel Brown, which was the first. So that the fpublic may not be mislead I attach a copy of Mr Broham's report of the Crown Hotel, kept by me. There is a vast and I may say a very signifi cant difference between want of cleanliness and insufficiency of material. Dirt does not refer solely to soiled linen but to certain noxious insects as well, and as I have been favoured ever since I have kept the Crown Hotel, Grey-street, with the custom of a highly respectable set of lodgers, some of whom are away for the time, and who prob ably will see the Star's statement, in- com mon justice I ask you to publish this, my letter, as widely as you did the erroneous statement of Saturday last.—l am, &c, John Adams, Crown Hotel, Grey-street. Inspector Broham'a report—Contains three bedrooms and three sitting rooms for public use. The bedding was found clean but insufficient, and the house itself clean and orderly. No complaint against the manage* meat.

The inhabitants of Newton were alarmed last evening by the ringing of the fire bell and the cry of fire, when it was found that smoke and flame were issuing from the little grocery store in the occupation of Mrs Dillon. Constable Clark was soon in possession ol tne facts, and with the Newton Fire Brigade was promptly on the spot, and fortunately before the fire had got the mastery they suppressed the flames. The fire broke out between the front room and the kitchen; no one was in the house at the time, and the origin of the fire is a mystery. I beg to acknowledge with thanks a con tribution of £1 in aid of the destitute widow and child of the late Joseph Redshaw, who ended his life by suicide, from Rev Mernck Lally. T. B. Hannaford, High-street. To the Editor : Sir,— I wish to make known to all who have been interested in the case of '• re Self v. Dornwell," that that gen tleman has done all thaflays m his power to make reparation for the past; for on his release he came to me and expressed his deep regret for what had occurred between us, and held out the hand of friendship. I trust this noble action will be acknowledged by your readers, so that this last act will forever overshadow the former one. I fully believe that the generous sympathy expressed to me by all classes will now be bestowed on Mr Dornwell, who I trust will long continue to merit such esteem and confidence and live amongst us with honour, viz., as a good citizen and friend. Accept, dear Mr Editor, my best thanks " for your bold and impartial remarks on this and other causes that require the aid of your pen." I am, &c, Sydney Stidolph. Auckland, April 27, 1374.

The Provincial Government of Otago has purchased a lighter for the purpose of con verting her into a prison hulk. The idea is not a bad one, and is deserving of being copied by our magnates of Auckland. There is plenty of work of different kinds that could be found up and down the harbour, such as dredging, buoying, &c, while in any important emergency such as a Btrike, the prisoners would come in as a use ful dernier ressort.

The congregation worshipping under Mr Edppr has considerably lessened since he;left the City Hall, so long does it take to turn human faces in an opposite direction to that in which they have been accustomed to look. Last evening, however, Lome-street Hall was literally crammed by the waifs and si rays of society, good and indifferent templars, and persona who have no settled religious convic tions, all anxious to know in what manner of speech the lecturer would strengthen his position as the iconoclast of Bacchus. This was the first of two lectures in refutation of two discourses by a preacher of Birming ham belonging to what has been termed the " narrowest and most bigoted of religious sects," the Plymouth brethren. These dis courses by the Birmingham fcrother ; would show that Christianity and Templaris-m do not harmonise, and consequently a Christian cannot be a Templar. Mr Edger in his two discourses intends to shew that they are entirely in harmony, and his first lecture last night if not very convincing was certainly very clever. We have much pleasure in givinginseition to the following explanation :—Sir, —You have been misinformed with respect to my dog, lam sorry that he sbould have bitten Mr Keefe, but he is net allowed to run loose. On the contrary he is always either on the chain or locked up within my fence, and only escaped into the street by accident, on the occasion referred to, through a broken paling. He is a very old dog ; hasn't a tooth in his head worth calling one, and has never bitten any one before that I am aware of.—You™

Tlie attention of the authorities is much needed in reference to the state of the mains and stand pipes. Our attention [was drawn today to a stand pipe opposite the Waite mata Hotel, from which jets of water are emitted over the footpath to the inconven ience of passers-by and loss of the element itself. There seems to be neglectjsomewhpre, as latterly these casualties are of frequent occurrence. Complaints have reached us of the great hardship and inconvenienc exper rienced by the inhabitants of Albert-street owing to the stand pipes having been dry for tho last two or three days.

BY RAIL TO ONEHUNGA.

The Saturday half-holiday affords an oppor tunity to a large portion of the working people of visiting districts lying out in the greon bosom of the quiet country. The station at Britomart, the steaming engine, and the surrounding works in course of rapid progress call to mind many similar scenes in the old. country, and makes us for a moment almost fancy that we are once more at Exeter, or Derby, or Birmingham. The bustle is not so great certainly as at the stations connected with those English towns which we have named ; but there is the representative Derby station in miniature at Britomart, with its figured porters, ticket-takers, and sunny pas seengers. The ride to Onehunga is re freshing and soothing to the spirit. The outlooks from the commodious carriages em brace such scenes as Parnell, Newmarket, and Ellerslie racecourse, and the Onehunga terminus terminates pretty nearly in the centre of the settlement: To persons who havo eyes for the picturesque and rural, and can ad mire a simple poetic landscape, Onehunga presents features of special interest; but we are not aware that any of our local artists, excepting perhaps one who resides in the neighbourhood, have done anything in ( the way of sketching the scenes of Onehunga. The roads of the village (we suppose it is a village) struck us as being in excellent re pair. On the right from Railway Hotel we noticed an||excellent§sfootps>,th, level, and in capital trim; but to the left towards the wharf there was no path, which appeared somewhat singular. We would point out this apparent incongruity to the notice of the gen tlemen of the district Highway Board, so that uniformity of design may be estab lished. We were accosted by Constable Green, a civil officer of the Constabulary, who pointed out to us many objects of in terest and quiet beauty, such as the home of Mr. So-and-So, the peculiarities of the new bridge across the water, and which is in course of erection. The railway unques tionably ia doing much for Onehunga, and will do much more in a brief space of time. The wharf presented a lively appear ance, and a considerable number of persons were on board the Tarn o' Shanter sto&ming pleasantly out of the harbour. A group of intelligent persons were in busy conversation near the wharf, among whom was Mr

Thomson, the active agent and lecturer of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, who will lecture this Monday evening in the Onehunga Hall, where the flourishing Choral Society of the district frequently hold their musical entertainments. Opposite the wharf conspicuously stands the Manukau hotel, recently taken by Mr Hardington, who for more than a quarter of a century has been among the most active Auckland settlers and promoter of healthful sports. This hotel is an ornament to the place, and for general accommodation is second to none of the hotels in Auckland. There is ample stabling for a large number, and indoor conveniences, bed and private rooms, &c, for a shipload of passengers. Mr Hardington has evidently been at great expense in fitting up the

Manukau hotel; not so much for show as for use • still the alterations not yet complete are executed with due regard to taste. On entering the place by the principal entrance, or the way of the bar, you feel immediately, P s by instinct, a comfortable, homo feeling, and in your heart arc at once at home. Ine hotel is well situated, and commands from the verandahs on each side of the house magnificent views of the whole of the undula ting country around. Everything m the hotel is subject to rule and regularity, and an excellent ordinaire is provided at one o clocK, so that no one needs to go without a dinner on reasonable term?, or thirsty for the want of a good glaes of beer. Mr Hardington deserves well of the public and travellers generally for supplying a desideratum wiucn had long been felt in Onehunga ; and when a steam company shall be established id. the locality, Onehuuga will become one ot the most thriving, as ib is one of the most pictur esque, of Auckland settlements.

THE CLAUS-REKEL COMPANY.

Mdij.e. Jenny Claus, the distinguished violiniste, Mdlle. Jeanne Eekel, a vocalist of very high talent, Signor Cecchi, the eminent tenor, and Mone. Eekel, a pianist of threat ability, accompanied by the director (bignor Biscaccianti), arrived in the Taranald to-day after a most successful tour in the bouth, and will open for a short deason with their brilliant entertainments at the City Hall to-night. We have from time to time given extracts from the leading Austra lian journals relative to the merits of this company. They come to us with unexcep tional credentials, and we hope they will reserve the support they merit. As the season will in all probability extend over only a very few days no opportunity for hearing them should be lost by those who are capable of appreciating high class music. We hope this evening to see the hall crowded to overflowing.

FUNERAL OF THE LATE REV JAMES A. NORRIS

The funeral of the late Rev James A. Norris took place yesterday, and was one of the most "imposing ceremonies of the kind ever seen in Auckland, the full and splendid ritual of the Romish Church being employed on the occasion. The body of deceased had been brought into town late on Friday night, and soon after midnight was laid in Sfc. Patrick's Cathedral. At 2 o'clock yesterday morning a solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated by the Rev Father Lonergan, the pastor who has succeeded Father Norm at the Thames. The reverend celebrant was assisted by the immediate com panions and class fellows of the deceased, namely : Father" O'Reiley, who acted as deacon ; and Father Golden as sub deacon. Father Walter McDonald officiated as master of the ceremonies. After the High Mass the solemn absolution was pronounced by Father Lonergan, assisted by the other clergy at the catafalque. It ought to be mentioned that the Golden Crown and Enterprise had brought up on the previous night nearly 200 mourners from the Thames. These comprised representa tives from nearly every corporate body, political, religious, and social, at the gold fields, an evidence of the wide-spread regret felt at the lamented father's decease. At two p.m. the members of the Hibernian Societies at the Thames and Auckland met at St. Patrick's Hall, Hobson-street, and having been invested with the regalia of their orders walked in procession to the Cathedral. At three o'clock the funeral service of the Roman Catholic Church was performed by very impressive address, in which he re ferred in affectionate terms to the past car reer of Father Norris. The church was crowded to excess, a large number being un able to gain admittance. Among those pre sent we noticed his Honor the Superinten dent, Messrs Sheehan and Dignan, of the Provincial Executive ; Warden Fraser, from the Thames ; and several of the leading gentlemen of the Thames and Auckland. The procession left the church at about four o'clock, the following being the order of the cortege :—Processional Cross, girls carrying wreatha, girls from St. Mary's Orphanage, boarders from the Convent and different other Schools, members of the Catholic In stitute, members of the Christian Doctrine Society, from the Auckland Branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, also from tbe Thames Branch of the same Society; Sanctuary boys, the clergy, the Very' Rev. Father Fynes, the Rev. Fathers W. McDonald, Paul, Bobieux, O'Reilly, O'Hara, Loner gan, Golden, and O'Dwyer. Then came the hearse and general public. Follow ing the official mourners a large num ber of private mourners in carriages and on foot joined the procession as it passed along. Various indications of respect to the deceased were noticed in the appearance of the houses in the streets through -which the funeral passed. The house of Captain Casey, in particular, was deeply draped in black. Nor were the ordinary passengers in the street wanting in their tokens of reverence. The arrested foot and raised hat told at every yard of the way the high esteem in which the deceased was held. When it ar rived at the church the procession had swollen to an enormous length, and the mourners could be counted by thousands. Father Fynes completed the service at the church and grave. When the body was lowered to its last rest ing place visible signs of emotion were general among the vast assemblage. The carriages returned to town by different routes. This morning the leading representatives from the Thames were hospitably entertained at the Presbytery in Wyndham-street previous to their departure in the Golden Crown. The resident Fathers thanked the visitors for the solicitude for their pastor's fate conveyed in their attendance at his funeral. We may remark that some errors have crept into the papers relative to the death of decease. vVe are requested to state that Father Norris died at the house of Mrs Robertson, to which he had been removed a few hours previous to his death. The reverend deceased was between thirty and thirty-one years of age, and it is one of the reflections connected with the death of deceased that he was taken in the inscrutable wisdom of the Almighty in the summer of hislifeand usefulness. The funeral procession was marshalled and all the secular arrange ments completed by Mr W. G. Connolly, aided by Messrs Mahon, Morony, Flynn, Haslem, and some others.

"ISRAEL IN EGYPT."

The performance of this magnificent oratorio by the Choral Society, which was post poned for a week in order that His Excellency the Governor might be present, will be given to-morrow. The Claus-Kekel Company will furnish the latter part of the entertainment. The oratorio has been prepared with especial care, and we antici pate that it will be attended by one of the most brilliant assemblages that has ever gathered in Auckland. Only members of the Society will be admitted. Tickets of mem bership, however, may be obtained to-morrow from Mr Upton, stationer, entitling the holders to admission to all the Society's con certs of the season. The opportunity of hearing the Claus-Rekel Company in con junction with the Choral Society to-morrow alone is full return for the moderate aub seripfcion4f.ee. .

SUPREME COURT.-This Day.

(Before His Honor Sir G. A. A ,'* ft Justice.) ' vtljj P contractors' liability jop I TRACTOEB' DEBTS. i Hi 3 Honor gave judgment in «. Carlyle v. Brogden, and CoW» ft* 1* of I which have been argued on prevj § Mr Eees appeared for the atmH Mr MacCormick for Messrs X i • a»d Son. - Wen and I His Honor gave ju%ment'at Som(ll X and confessed his inability to a • 1 satisfactory interpretation of the lm 6 a' 5 1 of the Act, on which Mr Eees rested h'" 88 I He could not, however, altogether «v -^ I it and regard it as inoperative. H tr" 3' 4 then proceeded to review the various - f of the Act bearing on the case, and t" 1113 to the conclusion that a contractor^^ responsible for the wages of the wrJ* OJ'7 ployed by a sub-contractor to tto "^ e!D' due by him to the sub-contractor 'p0"1' quently when the full amount hasW ." the contractor's'liability ceases, andth must look to the person who emDWoA? 61 for the payment of their wag e8 j^ ment, therefore, was gj Ten f ot Jp"'. defendant in the case of Carlvl Brogden with costs of the case and/ ment for the defendant also inthe J i Colgan v. Brogden with £15 costs. His H* however expressed a hope that, as the j° f was one affecting workmen in all parts ofn 6 colony, and as the Act' was so obscure ft matter would be brought for final decision before the Court of Appeal.

ALLEGED LIBEL.-CRIMINALINFOR MATION AGAINST THE STAR.

Mr. Gillies, counsel for Captain F^ R. M., Thames, moved the Court fora rule nisi, calling upon George McCullagh fieed and HeDry Brett, printers and publishers of the Evening Star, to shew cause whya criminal information for libel should not'be issued against them upon grounds set forth inalfi. davits filed in Court. He proceeded to state thatthe'defendants were the printersandpnV lishers of the paper mentioned wag proved by the affidavit of John Richmond, solicitor who deposed that he was witness to the $%.. natures of the defendants made in the Eep. trar's office in accordance with the provision, of the Printers and Newspaper Act, 1860. This was prima facie evidence of the publication of these newspapers, ?id was confirmed by the imprint attached to the papers. Ihe motion was made on I*, half of Captain Wm. Fraser, R.M., Thames, with respect to certain libels, published in tbe issues of the Star of the 9th, 10th and 11th April. Mr Eraser's affidavit stated that he had seen the papers conn ing certain articles calling in question % administration of his duties as a ; magistrate, He saw his solicitors with reference to them, and had not lost any time in taking jctiSa since be was advised by his counsel to dona, Mr Gillies proceeded to state that it was onrj necessary for him to read those articles to show that scandalous libels had been com. mitted. (He here proceeded to zead the let ter signed " A Thames Miner" andthefoov note "appended in the Star of the 91 which formed the first ground of action.) His Honor : I suppose the correspondent does not feel aggrieved. ■ I -thought perhaps he might not like the reference to specu» stealing and " his experiences." (Laughter.) (Mr Gillies then read the second articleot

£118 Honor assumed that there was much I in tbe articles which Mr Gillies did act I rely upon. Of course the action of gentlemen I administering the law, as for instance himself k or magistrates, was open to criticism by tie I public or the press. They had to trust to the I good sense of the public not to go to excss Jt in their criticism. He presumed that it was p the imputation of motives in the articles ■ that Mr Gillies relied on. If a Court in ■ passing sentence made remarks which were B commented upon by the press and {eta-, 1; terisedasa "weak homily" that would not I constitute a libel. I Mr Gillies admitted that that was the case || so long as the remarks were not calculitedfo | bring the judicial office into contempt and to | in jure the position and character of a mage- ■ trate which he contended was done by the |; articles referred to. It was the imputing o ■ motives in the articles that formed the cM p ground of action. , P (Mr Gillies then read the" article of the M Mr Eraser's affidavit proceeded' to '#c . ■ that he believed the articles refeipdtow? fc intended to damage himself and the Govern-, ■ ment, to bring them into disrepute, andtocaU, I in question the judgment given by him. IK affidavit related at length the circumstances of the case upon which the articles ,com- . plained of commented. The case was onein which the evidence had clearly established a breach of the Quartz-Crushing BeguMM* ■ against Thomas Manning, and in passing sentence he said to the best of his behei:-- ---"I have now been Resident Magistrate iw five years, and this is'the first time I ha™ known the police to lower -themselves by condescending to this method of gfttog w a case. I much regret that the police found !it necessary to resort to this step. I snouia i have been much better pleased to have fflW.. i on as Resident Magistrate without such a; ! thing having occurred. It 1? contr^w the spirit of justice, fair play, njfrtW'Tj feeling. I consider that the business pi thelpolice is toj deter or preventcrime,-g not to induce people to commit crime fortne purpose of making a case against tnenv He had made these remarks because Ug. who took the specimens to be crushed at w request of the police, was.. g^sMJ.* ! offence, by not giving his name ««g™J by the Act, of the same character a* the m it was desired to convict. He dewed -tn» he wished to win plaudits, but acted as felt called upon in the discharge of ■JjMflW !He had no sympathy ™f.s£%>■■■ stealers, but had ever exercised tMJ" vested in him by law in such a way_^r^ repel any charge of the kind. •»*- .. j e having either written or instigated tie arw in the Thames Star, or that he any other means of redress than tnep action. He had throughout acted as Be believed and still honestly felt it ?*> , duty to do. _* with Mr. Fra.ser's affidavit was snPP°"% a7 its reference to the remarks made, by a .^ from Mr Macdonald, solicitor, and w „ Robinson, Advertiser reporter. - hri ■ the Mr Gillies submitted that XZpAe, . ■ affidavits the Court ought to grant tne for while it was perfectly true tnai^-j^ trates and others holding judicial G"^.^. * open to have their judgments tfffj s mented upon by the public and tney d was intolerable that motives «»£■&* imputed likely to bring the are contempt with unthinking Pe°P"L pres ent easily swayed by such articles. 18-w^j case "it was not even one a™"^, j^gfe*' expression but several, onaxg^g $& trate with deliberately pandering showing sympathy with crime., i His Honor said it was rather ■* r j thing that the Attorney-General w^ f recently, in bidding farewell J»J» T& W tin on that learned J^J^lSUjd® said " he*would not call him a.pen for heihad no doubt therel were <gj t0 when||.his mercy gbw

wra mmm® wtA\MomK% AffftffijTjgg*



[Established 1864.] T\ STEPHENS ON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BEAN" D," "KAGLE BRAND," "CB.OWN BRAN D," Are to be procured'at all respectable Grocbbs . and Storekeepers throughout the Province of Auckland. - T>. STEPHENSON & CO., WYNDHAM STRB E T, Auckland. """*" mmmm i



SPECIALTIES FOR THE SEASON. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE B. HOBBS), Are 1> toav Opening up their WINTER SHIPMENTS SX. NORHAM CASTLE and HYLTON OASTLE Comprising— SILK AND ALPACCA UMBRELLAS LADIES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS, CHILDREN'S, MAIDS, AND LADIES' WATERPROOF TWEED MANTLES, In Great Variety and Newest Styles. CHOICE NEW DRESS GOODS In Greatly Variety. FRENCH MERINOS in all shades COBURGS, WIKCEYS', FLANNELS All Wool Plaids, Union, and All "Wool Crimean Shirtings STRONG TWEEDS. GA.MBROONS . WATERPROOF TWEEDS In Great Variety. Furnishing Goods, Blankets, Sheetings, white and grey White Linen Damask, Loom Damask Window Muslins, Muslin, and T,eno Curtains Victoria Table Covers, Printed Cloth ditto Druggets, White and Red Matting, &c, &o. ALSO, TO ARRIVE EX DORETTE— 34 CASES AND BALES OF GENERAL DRAPERY GOODS, CLOTHING, Etc., Etc., Etc. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholesale and Retail Drapers, Clothiers, &o JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) TJPPER QUKEN-SIREET, AUCKLAND. TJETIRING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE & CO. Are giving tip 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 CosaitAYJS from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Old at TJKFRZOEI'KNTIDLY LOW riUCEH. No credit will be given during the Sale. ~A TJBTEALIAN MUTUAL PRO XJL VIDENT SOCIETY, ONEHUNGA HALL. THIS MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 27, 1874, MR. W. A. THOMSON, Lecturer to the alcove Pocietr, will delivers Lpcture on .Life Assurance in the above Hall, a vocating (he superior merits of the Mutual principle, when William Stevenson, V.sq , will take tlie chair. liif-grams illustrate each distinctive feature. All aTe invited to attend. Front seats reserved for Ladies. Admission FREE. Commence at 7 o'clock. AUCKLAND CHOEAL SOCIETY. THIRD CONCERT OF & THE SEASON. ON !sTUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 28. Pabt T. HANDEL'S " ISRAEL IN EGYPT." llornan'za, "Non over" (Miit.teil- Sigror Cecchi " Wenn die Schwalben Ueimwiuts Ztchen"—Mdllo Jeanne t ekel Duet, for Violin and Pianoforte, "Sonata 111. G" (Haydn)-Mdlle Jenny Ulaus and Mons ilekel Canzonttta :." La Donna c Mobile" (IligoleHo) Verdi — Signor Cecchi Grand air from " Faust" (Gounod)—Mdlle Jeanno Rekel Violin Solo, Grand Fantasia on "I Lombardi" (Vieuxtemps)—Mdlle Jenny Claus Duet (Compana)—Mdlle Jeanne Eckel and Signor Cecchi. Tjt H. LEWISSON Begs to inform his numerous frienes and the public at large that having been success- _ ful in disposing of all his old STOCK, at the recent CLEARING-OUT SALE, He has determined to RE-OPEN with an ENTIRELY NEW SELECTION OF EVERY DESCRIPTION 01" JEWELLERY, WATCHES, &c, And is resolved to offer to the Public Goods of the best Quality at the ™ LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. &£T Extensve Alterations are about ;;o be made in the Easiness Premises, which when completed will make them second to none in the Colonies. The Manufacturing Branch of the Business will be carried on as usual, and all Repairs or Orders for Cutting and Mounting Greenstone and Quartz will be executed with promptness, F. H. LEWISSON, OPPOSITE UNION BANK, Queen-street, Auckland. r\ a v t i on. OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCE. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to be the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its high reputation, som» unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottle 3 bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the same off as "Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRADE MARK, to be Registered under the provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and proceedings will be taken against such persons as may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to ASK FOR. OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and wrapped round with his well-known lalinl.