SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HIGH "WATBB: This evening, 6.48 ; to-nconow toorninp, 6.4 SUN-SBT : Thlg evening, 6.11; BTJK-RI8B: Tc inorrow morning, 6.45 MOON'S AGE: Full Moon, 2nd May, 3.48 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Ocean, schooner, from Mercury Bay

DEPARTURES.

nyiton Castle, barque, for Newcastle Moa, brig, for Newcastle Belle Brandon, schooner, for Lyttelton Mary Melville, sehocraer, for Lyttelton Vincent, cutter, forTauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Kus;cll—Kowena, s.s., Monday I"or Poverty Bay— Jvtlius Vofiel, schooner, at enco For Holtianga— -"Lady Franklin, barque, at ooce Southern -ports—Taranaki s s , to-morrow (Suez Mail) Levuka, via Wangapoa—Daphne, early Napier and Southern ports— Cy phrenes, s. a, early London—Anazi, barque, early

EXPORTS.

Per Belle Brandon for Lytteltoa 290,000 ft timber,|4o doors, 42 pairs sashes, 6 pairs case ments, G. Holdship and Co.; SOO empty sacks, Thornton, Smith, and Firth.—Master, agent.

The schooner Belle Brandon will sail for Lyttelton to-morrow. The schooner Daphne hauled into the stream this morning in readiness to proceed to sea. She goes to Wangaroa for timber.

The Coronet has moved away from the Anazi, and been laid along the west side of the wharf to complete the putting out of her cargo.

The schooners Merlin and Herald, as well as the brigantine Flirt, are all discharging grain at the wharf. Their cargoes are in splendid condition.

This morning the weather appeared to have settled down again. The wind at daybreak had hauled round to the north-east, and had subsided into a fine easterly breeze. Early in the day there was a general move among the shipping. Those vessels which had been lying ready to sail, but weather-bound, began to shake out their courses and haul up their anchors. By 8 o'clock the Hylton Castle, barque, and the brig Moa were under weigh and backing down to the Heads on the ebb. Later on the Fannie Kelly began to spread her wings, followed by the Mary Melville. All these have left the port during the day. The ship Allahabad left her anchorage out side the reef yesterday, and sailed for San Francisco.

The schooner Swallow has entered in from Mercury Bay with 3,500 feet timber, 17 tons gum, and one passenger. The Ocean brings 24,000 feet timber from Mercury Bay. The cutter Wangarei arrived from Napier this morning. She brings 32 bags maize.

COMMERCIAL.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Business done this day— Bank of New Zealand, £17' ss ; buyers, £17 ss.

National Insurance—Buyers, 34s : sellers, 355. _ _ | JUnion Sash and Door Co.—Buyers, £8 10s. Nonpareil—Buyers, Cs. Italian—Sellers, 2s.

Old Whau, £4 15s ; sellers, £4 15s Coliban—lls 6d; sellers, 11s fid. Cure, 11s 3d. Thames G.M.C., £3 10s. \ Tookej (double), buyers, £0 ; seller?, £7. Ruby, 9s 6d ; buyers, 8s Cd ; sellers, 9s. Alburnia, (paid up) —Buyers, 455; sellers, 475.

Ditto (double)—£4 10s ; buyers, £4 10s. Caledonian—£9 10s ; buyers, £9 ss; sellers, £9 15s. City of London—2ls ; buyers, 22s Cd. Crown Prince—Buyers. 17s Gd ; sellers, 19s.

CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST.

r The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below:— Calls. £ b. d. Date Auckland Whaling Co 210 0 May 9 Knby 0 10 May 13 Lincoln Castle .. .. ..010 May 13 Queen of the May .... 0 1 0 May 13 Rational Bank of N.Z. .. .. 0 10&0 July 1 Dividends. OldWhau 010 0 ApiH 29

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close ah Ukder:—

For Thames, thi3 day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow,

atlO.3J a.m. For t> apier and SouJhern "provinces, per t Mikado, Bix

hours after arrival For Chatham Islands, per Ocean Wave,--to-morrow For Mahurangi, Matakarta, Mang&pHi, "VVaipu, &c, per Lady Bowen, to-morrow,*at.lo a m. For the undermentioned places, per Taranaki, on Saturday, 2nd Mnv, as under :— For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 0.30 a m

For Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, fit 7.30 a m

For the United Kingdom, via Suez (for letters specially addresEed). at 7.30 a m For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Southern provinces and Melbourne, at Bam For newspapers, at Cam For money orders, and registered letters, on Friday, Ist May, at 5 p m For Wnitian(,r, tier Ocean, to-morrow, at 11 a.m. For Taranaki, via Waitara, per Go-nhead, to-morrow,

at 5 p.in For Tauranga, per Murray, on Monday next, at

3 p.m. For Russell, Wangarca, and Mongcnui, per Eowena, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. (Signed) 8. B. Bibp, Chief Postmaster.

DEATHS.

Gallagher—At her late residence, Brewer-street, after a protracted illness, Jane, the beloved wife of Feirigle Gallagher ; rged, 66. The funeral will leave her late residence at S p.m. on Sunday, 3rd instant, friends are requested to attend.

Wats-u—On May 1, Sarah, tho beloved w'.'.e of P. W. Walsh, at Albert Barracks; in the 24th year of her age. The funeral will leave at 3 p.m. to-morrow (Saturday).

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

FRIDAY, MAY 1, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And +J»e good that we can do

The recent cases of typhoid fever, and the ill-health generally prevalent in the city, call for a very stringent inquiry into its sanitory condition. Any one passing through Auck. land on a still night cannot fail to remark the very Btrong effluvia observable in Queen street, Hobsoii-street, and other closely popu lated parts of the city. It has been sug gested, and perhaps not altogether without reason, that since the construction of the silt-basins, which close up the mouth of the main sewer and collect the offensive matter in a receptacle that remains unemptied for months, the stench from the sewer gratings has been greatly increased. It was ascer tained in the case of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales that the attack of typhoid fever was induced, not by the want of drainage, for the system of sewers was carried out to the greatest perfection, but that it was [due to the fact that the tide, entering the mouth of the sewer, prevented the deleterious effluvia from escaping, and drove it out of the various escapes communicating with the general drainage system. The matter collected in the silt basins must give off foul gasses, and it is a question worthy of inquiry whether these are driven up the sewer into the city, and in this way contaminate the atmosphere.! It is observable that the strong draught of air must proceed from the sea ward up the sewer and f out at the various escapes, and it will no doubt carry with it i such gasses as may have collected injthe lower compartments. We only throw out these ideas suggestively in the hope that the City Council will act upon them, and cause the neccessary examination and enquiry to be made. That the atmosphere of our city is polluted with noxious vapours of the foulest kind scarcely requires demonstration, as it is . patent to every one who walks through our streets atjnight; that this stench must be very injurious to public health is equally true; and it remains for the authorities to ascertain the cause and devise the remedy, which we trust will be.done without delay.

The" Star" Libel Case.

CAPTAIN FRASER FUNKING

We read the following telegram, from the Thames in this morning's issue of the Southern Cross: —

"A meeting of Captain Fraser's friends was held to-night. The Mayor occupied the chair. There was a

large attendance. The meeting was in reference to the libel case. Mr Fra ser read a letter from Mr Richmond, stating that he thought nn ample apology woulri be offer'd, and rsldng if Mr Fraser would accept such if offered. Mr Fraser said he had determined to be guided by his friends. After discussion, a resolution was proposed.by Councillor Brown, to the effect that if the Star would make ample apology, and paid £50 to the Thames Hospital funds, Mr Fraser ■be recommended to accept it; if not, to go on with the case. The resolution was agreed to."

Such action taken on thepart of Cap tain Fraser end his committee, acting under the advice of Mr Richmond, solicitor, shews that they are prepared to treat. We therefore make the following counter proposal, to wit:—" If Captain Fraser will make ?n ample apology from the Bench, and publish it in the Thames and Auckland papers, expressing to Constable Brennan and the police his extreme regret for the gross insult given to them when in the faithful discharge of their duty, and if he will pay the sum of £50 to be divided in equal proportions between the Parnell Orphan Home, the Destitute Children's Asylum, and the Orphanage of tho Sisters of Mercy, then we shall be prepared to permit him to drop this case." While we make this proposal we honestly state that we are sorry to see the false position in which Captain Frasor has allowed' him self to be placed. Wo do not blatno him for the stupid course he has taken. We are quite aware that it was not of his own option that he entcrod on this action, but that he was impelled to it by a number of persons whoso names we have, and who from the manner in which we have spoiled their games, have vowed that they will crush the Star. Their head centre and adviser is Mr Richmond, solicitor, who we understand hold? a general retainer for all who aro inclined to proceed against this journal. We can un derstand tho sense of humiliation which Captain Fraser must now experience under the guidance of this gentleman. It was this same Mr Richmond that once led us into in the cause celelre of tho " Rollick *ng Rams." We fought our way out of that difficulty bravely and well. But small thanks to Mr Richmond for it. Whether from spitefulness against the parties in question, or from stupid gossiping negligence he gave us the.names of gentlemen as having taken part in that midnight raid who were wholly innocent, and who naturally felt indignant with us. Mr Richmond managed to keep his own skin sound, having bound us by the vow of secrecy till the trouble had passed. And thus it is, and thus it always has been with Mr. Richmond. Burrowing in the dark of his office, and never coming forth in tho light of day to contend with men in open Court, he evolves his plans. It is thus he was tho chief inciting cause in inducing Captain Fraser to rush upon the thick bosses of our shield, and now when he. knows that we are preparing a defence that will make New Zealand ring again, he, with out any warrant from us, delivers a message to Capt. Fraser which induces that gentle man to lick the dust before us. We are sick and weaiy of these stupid threats of action, which neve* come to anything- People are like the little boy who writes " No Popery" on the wall, and then runs away and hides himself. But we wish now, once 'for all, to say that neither bribery, nor threats, neither damages, nor fine, nor imprisonment shall ever have the effect of paralysing our pen, fyliich ever moves— For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, And the good that wo can do.

It ia a hard thing that city by-laws should interfere with the recognised tokens of mar riage rejoicing, but so it is. As we men tioned yesterday, the daughter of Mr. Thos. Macffarlane'was wedded to Mr. J. B. Hay, of Papakura, and Miss Jeanie Wright to Mr. J. Whifco. In honor of Miss' Wright's wedding a flag was hoisted on Mr. Smart's house and a line of flags stretched across the,, street far above the. heads of the people" from Mr. Smart's shop to that of Mr.. B. .Cass, leave having been pre viously given by his Worship the Mayor thus to celebrate the happy event. While the flags were being fastened a burly member of the police force rushed through'the shop of Mr Cass with a small diary in his hand, one of Lett's nonpareil edition, and roarched to the top of the house, where he accosted the young man who was tying the marriage strings, with, .the words. " Do you know what you are about; you are breaking section 57, sub-section .119 of number 216 of the city by-laws. Give me your name." "My name is John;" said the young man, "but we have the consent of his Worship." "Beg pardon," said the active officer, touched his cap, and returned to the busy street. , , The dawn of May has a very differenn aspect in New Ze/iland to what it wears it England. Here it means the introduction to the wet winter season, there it signifies the advent of spring, when children roam the meadows and forests, and gather their beau ties which they weave into garlands, and go from house to house telling the indwellers of cottages that Spring has come ; whilst here in Auckland'we luxuriate in sage and onions, and every little man, from the milkman to the :volunteer, goes a shooting if he can slip away with his musket on his shoulder; in fact in these localities the first of May is shooting day, when every host and sporting man knocks down a pheasant if he can; which calls to mind the lines of honest Richard Grigg, the poet of North Devon :— The morning wakes lightly among the erey hills : The noontide shines brightly on Devon s fair rills ; While pop go the guns, and the pheasants fall down, Which are bagged by each sportsman, and brought To be °cookeV by the cook till they're tender and , brown. I

The members of the Grand Lodge of the Orange Institution will hold a special meet ing on Wednesday evening next at the lodge-room, Wellesley-street, when members are requested to be in attendance.

It is proverbial that we must go from home to hoar news about ourselves. An illustration of the truth of the adage is given in a recent issue of the most wretched little print in the province, a paper called the News, issued at Coromandel. Under the heading "From ' Our Special' Correspondent at Grahams town " this rag says :—" It is said that Eeed has resigned the Provincial Treasurership. If not the people here say he must do so.— Brett was up here Friday and Saturday pleading with Captain Eraser to spare the Star." We were not aware of this before, but coming from such a good authority of course it must be true..

The Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, Auckland district, and more especially the members of the Fountain of Friendship, will hold their grand anniversary ball in Lorne-streefe Hall on Monday evening, the 25th insfc.

There will be an open meeting this even ing in connection with the Fraternal Home and Pioneer Lodge in the Temperance Hall, Albert-street. The temperance choir will perform, and the brothers and sisters will give recitations and ballads. The public will be admitted free to the entertainment, which will, we understand, be of an amusing and interesting character.

Mr Williams, who has obtained a colonial reputation by bis curious but very useful fire-kindlers, has hit upon a very happy plan of advertising, which cannot fail in being successful. Tho inventor considered awlr'e on the best means of advertising his kindlers, and came to the conclusion that tho Even/.)}// Star was the best medium of conveying the knowledge of his kindlers to the people, and next by means of conversation lollies, which have just been issued. The mistress would con the evening journal, and the maid would read, before digesting the question ingeniously stamped upon the lollies, manu factured specially by Mr Waters, of Queen street, for the inventor, "I)o you use Wil liams' fire - kindlers ?" We notice these kindler-lollies as something original among tho many modes of advertising in these fast days.

We are glad to notice that Mr. W. Rat tray, draper, of JNcw Zealand House, has announced his intention of closing his estab lishment at half-past fivo during the winter months, and on Saturdays at the usual time.

Tho members of the Albert-street Congre gational Church will hold a meeting this evening in tho largo room of the Young Men's Christian Association.

The annual meeting of tho members of the Auckland Football Club will be held this evening at the Thames hotel for the trans action of the general business of the Order.

Maories have a great penchant for soirees if wo may trust the testimony of the Raglan correspondent of the Waikalo Times. Speak ing of a soiree bold in connection with the Wesleyan Church in that settlement last Monday this correspondent says : —"Tea meetings seem to be popular with the abori ginal race, the Maori being somewhat like the heroes of Homer and Virgil—not fit for much until he has had a good feast —in this instanco not of fat venison and old wine, but cake, &c, with the permissive beverage as prescribed by the publican's friends ad libitum. Some of our dusky friends stowed away from four to six cups of tea comfortably. After all had feasted the mahogany was re moved and the chapel again filled to excess for the purpose of listening to a lecture on " Genesis and Geology," which-the Rev. A. Reid had consented to entertain us with. In consequence of there being so many Maoris present, one or two of thorn wore called up on to make speeches."

Mr Eclger announces his intention of giving hia second lecture on Templaryin the Lome street Hall on Sunday evening, in which the rev. gentleman will endeavour to shew its* close connection with Christianity, in answer to the second lecture by the Birmingham preacher. The title of the lecture will bo " The Spirit of Christ in the Good Templar Brotherhood."

The members of the Devonport Literary Society, North Shore, held their annual meeting last evening in the Sunday school room, Mr W. S. Cochrane in the chair. The financial statement shewed that the income, including previous balance, £18 lAs 3d, which amount had been expended in various ways. The committee expressed their appreciation of the services rendered on the occasion of the opening entertainment by the Steam Ferry Company in placing a steamer at the disposal of the society free of charge. They also desired to acknowledge the kind ness of ladies and gentlemen who assisted in making the concert a success, also the liberality of Messrs. Reed and Brett in fore going their usual charge for printing and advertising on that occasion. The following officers were then elected for the forthcoming session :—Rev. J. Bates, president ; W. S. Cochrane, Esq., vice-president j E. W. Buil- gess, Esq., secretary and treasurer ; R. H. Nolan, Esq., librarian ; and Messrs. Wor thington, M. Niccol, Thome, Brown, H. B. Morton, Buchanan, and O. Mays, members of committee. At the close of the general business votes of thanks were passed to the retiring officers, and the meeting separated.

Mrs Buckley directed her son Samuel, a lad of fourteen years, to take a turn at the churn. Now as Samuel had set his heart on i going a-fishing at that very time, " he got his back up " and flatly refused to agitate ■ the cream. The curvature was promptly taken out of his spine by a slipper, and with " tears in his eyes " he went on duty with the dasher. In about an hour, and during the brief absence of his mother, his eye fell upon a plate of fly poison, and a bright, smart thought struck him. Just before Mrs B. came in, Samuel lifted the fatal platter to his face, and as she entered he put the poison from his lips with the dramatic exclamation, " There, mother, I guess you wont lick me no more 1" Now what did. the Spartan dame do ? Did she shriek foi* a doctor and fall into hysterics ? Not much. She simply shook Samuel by the nape of the neck, lifted him deftly into the pantry, beat the white of six eggs to gether and told him to engulf the same instanter ; he refusing, she called the hired girl, and in a twinkling Sam found himself outside the albumen. Then Mrs B. began preparing a mustard emetic. Seeing this Sam's pluck and he commenced begging, Baying " I was only trying to ;3keer ye." But the stern mother was not to bo softened, and Samuel had to swallow the mustard. He was then forced to take a dose of .painkiller, ! and had his back rubbed with « Vigour of Life," and his stomach with the " Oil of Gladness." Then ha vomited everything but his boots and socks. This being over he took seven Ayer's pills, two spoonsful of castor oil, a teaspoonful of salts, and a blue pill. That boy will not try to " skeer" his mother again this; season.— American paper.

The v hole of the business at the Police Court this morning consisted of fining two persons, named Jno. Wight and Henry P. Hayden, for neglecting to comply with the provisions of the Dog Nuisance Act. His Worship the Mayor was on the Bench. The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society will be held on Tuesday next at the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu. The acceptances for the handicaps at the approaching^ Autumn meeting close at eight o'olook to-morrow night. J

A gathering of the friends of the Sunday school associated with the new United Methodist Free Church, comer of Pitt and Vincent-streets, presided over by Key (x. M. Turner, will be held this evening at halt past seven. The entertainment will consist of a new service of sacred song, from Jonn Bunyan's noted book, the "Holy War, showing the most striking parts of that re markable allegory, interspersed with illus trative melodies. Bunyan is unquestionably the prince of allegoryists, as Milton, of the same age, was the prince of poets. These men lived in the same thought-stirring a»e, and they stand forth in the republic of letters as examples of the great truth that genius is not the offspring of any theological school, or grade of worldly condition, but that its divine light irradiates alike the prisoner-cell of a Bedford tinker, and the London abode of a Latin secretary. " During the latter half of the seventeenth century, wrote Macaulay, "there were only two great creative minds. One of these pro duced the Paradise Lost, the other the Pilgrims' Progress." The minister and teachers of the Pitt-street United Methodist Free Church have exerted themselves and have won a considerable measure of success. They have established a Sunday-school, and have about two hundred boys and girls in regular attendance ; but at present the school library is small, and unequal to the growing demand for books. It is, there fore, with the view of making some additions to the library that this evening's service of son" is to be given, with pictures from Bimyan's "Holy War." Mr Tudehope will lead the singing, and Mr Trigg will preside at the harmonium. The Rev G. H. Turner will read the descriptive passages.

The disbanding of the Auckland Artillery Corps is tlius referred to by the Thames Advertiser :—" We understand that the Artillery Company of Volunteers in Auck land is to be disbanded, and that appli cations have been sent in to the officer commanding the district for the Armstrong guns attached to the company by the Auck land Naval Brigade and the Hobson Company of Volunteers. We would suggest that an application bo sent in for a share of the guns by the Thame3 Naval Brigade, and have no doubt the result will be their division amongst the two Naval companies. What claim tho Hobson Volunteer Company can make out for the guns we are at a 1033 to undcrs'and. The two Naval companies, we understand, muster stronger than all the other other Volunteers of Auckland put to gether, and yet the Thames company, which outnumbers that of Auckland, meets with little support. The Auckland company meets in a drill-shed provided by the Government ; tho Thames in one erected at their own cost. Auckland possesses a pinnace; the Thames company, after several appeals for one, is about to commence building two at their own cost. Of the four guns in the possession of the Thames company two are useless, and this appears to us to be the best reason for making application for the guns of the dis banded Auckland Artillery corps.

A Bpecial meeting of the Onehunga Per manent Land Building and Investment So ciety was held in the Choral Hall on Wed nesday evening, Mr Waller presiding. The rules and by-laws, as revised by the com mittee and Mr Laishley—the society's solicitor —were held as read, and adopted by the meeting. Mr J. D. Jackson, the secretary, intimated that the society had been two months in existence with live hundred shares on the register. There are some funds in hand, and we may say that the society is fairly and successfully started. An inquest was held before Dr Philson, coroner, and a jury, with Mr Codlin as fore man, on Thursday, in the Royal Hotel, Oue hunga. It appeared in evidence that a child, some 17 months old, belonging to Mr and Mrs Taylor (recent arrivals in the colony) had eaten the heads off some wax vestas sorats days prior to its death on Wednesday. Mi's Taylor and Dr Purchas wero the witnesses, and the jury returned a verdict of poisoning by phosphorous. There has been recent and repeated cases of death from the same cause, and parents ought to be careful how they leave vestas about, or else use those matches that are both non-poisonous and safe from casual ignition. We refer to the safety matches of Bryant and May. An emetic ought to be promptly administered as soon as it is known .hat any of the heads of vestas have been o aten.

Before the football season sets in for good would it not be as well that the question of uniformity of rules should be again ap proached with a view to settlement ? Admirers of football who would set up the claims of their fine and manly pastime against those of cricket will always labour at a disadvantage in the argument so long as cricketers can taunt them with having no recognised system of play. " Cricket," said a famous authority, "is an institution, not a game," and so it is. It has its laws and law-givers, and no true disciple dare call their power in question. But football, in spite of the efforts made to harmonize its contending factions, is still divided against itself. English players are indeed gradually settling down into two divisions— the one consisting of the followers of the "Association," and the other com prising the players who accept the Rugby Union rules. The difference between the two codes is well known, and it is not worth while now to discuss their respective merits. In addition to these there are the Melbourne rules, which have been unaltered since 1860, a fact which speaks very strongly in their favour. These rules have the merit of great simplicity and brevity. In the Melbourne game there is no "off" and "on" side. A player can lag behind if he pleases, but to do so is not thought the correct thing. Carrying is allowed, but the ball must be bumped on the ground every five or six yards. It has often occurred to us that more tone would be introduced into the game of football if there existed a lex non scripta or traditional code in addition to the written rules. This would result no doubt from the continued use of an univer&al system. It would in time become to be thought "bad form" to do certain things, and the fact would be quite sufficient as a restraining influence without any legal in junction. " Potting the white "at billiards may be instanced as an example of play which among amateurs is not considered, gentlemanly unless mutually agreed upon, although there is no law against it. The idea of Auckland Clubs making rules, especially for themselves ought at once to be discarded. It ia absolutely necessary for the welfare of the game that the tendency should be towards assimilation. We hear of several new clubs being started. Con spicuous among these is a Parnell club, which is to be incorporated next week, and which already numbers over twenty members in prospective. The adoption of rules will be the first business of these new clubs. A meeting of the Auckland Club takes place to-night, and we would recommend to the committee consideration of the subject j which has been touched upon. The tirat thing to be done is of course to bring about a meeting of representatives from all the i clubs. The matter might then be discussed, and we doubt not good results would follow. Those, however, who attend Bhould be pre pared to submit to the opinion of the majority and not be bound to gain their point or withdraw, •-

Miss Clara Stephenson, and the company now playing with her at the Thames, wil 1 re-appear at the Prince of Wales Theatre o n Monday next, in the drama of "Aurora Floyd," followed by the burlesque of "Sonnambula." The company have been very successful at the Thames, and will, n o doubt, be welcomed back to this city.

Our contemporary the Cross has appro priated to-day without acknowledgment the telegrams of our special correspondent at Rotorua. This is not the correct. thing to do, as we have before poiuted out.

The census returns are now complete, and show the population of this province to be 08,509 souls, exclusive of aboriginals.

CLAUS-REKEL CONCERTS.

It is certainly somewhat a reflection on the musical taste of the public that the concert last evening was not more fully attended. Mdlle. Claus, however, has the satisfaction of having, if not the largest audiences, beyond a doubt the most appreciative that have ever assembled in Auckland ; and looking at the exceptional character of the performance, and the wonderful manipulation she displays on the premier of all instruments —the violin—it is not surprising. It is no disparagement to the other artistes of this company to say that the chief attraction centres in Mdlle CJaus, while at the same time we must not forget the clever instrumentation of Mons. Rekel on the piano, which forms a fitting accompaniment to the playing of Mdlie. Claus. It were superfluous to go through the programme in detail as given last evening. A few gems, however, call for special remark. The fantasia from " I'Lom bardi," as also the well known airs in "La Traviata," were most delicate pieces of in strumentation, and elicited continuous ap plause. The agility with which the violiniste performed pezzacato and s»rco passages in quick succession took the audience by sur prise, whilst in the " Reverie" her pathetic notes were the nearest possi ble approximation to the human voice. Signor Cecchi sang in capital voice the cavatina "M'appari." Mdlle. rlekel'srender ing of a German song was certainly a difficult piece of vocalisation, but not appreciated by the audience, who prefer to hear the words as well as the air. This lady has proved her self, although aj foreigner, quite capable of rendering English ballads in a surprisingly accurate manner, her enunciation being so pure as to render it almost impossible to detect that English is not her native tongue. We must not omit to mention that ever popular song, "When the Swallows Homeward fly," by Mrs Mitchell, which was warmly received. As only two more performances are announced at the City Hall we would advise all lovers of music to take advantage of th 3 opportunity.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES' COURT.— This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq , R.M.) Judgments for Plaintiffs, c. porter and co. v. carder bros. Claim, £2 lCs. 3d., goods. Adjourned Cases. FREDK. "W. GEORGE V. J. R. LEIGHTON. Claim, £3 Is. 4d., rates. JOSEPH AND ELIZABETH RYAN V. W. SCOTT. Claim, £20, damages. JAMES 0. SHARLAND V. W. SCOTT. Claim, £7 75., damages. J. E. EITZGERAVD V. JOHN MATTSON. In this action, which was heard last Conrt day, and was a claim of £20, warranty for a horse, his Worship said that having con sidered the evidence carefully, he thought it was insufficient to establish plaintiff'd claim. Mr Bees, therefore, accepted a nonsuit for his client, with costs, £7 14s. JOnN C. STOVIN V. HORATIO N. WARNER. Claim, £17 10s. Mr. Brookfield for plaintiff, and Mr Rees for defendant. This was a claim for £17 10s, plaintiff con sidering that he had suffered to that extent in consequence of defendant's negligence in not making certain collections in proper time.

Mr Brookfield said his client had made a slight error, and had consented to take a nonsuit.

Mr Rees suggested that it waa a stove in before a proper launch. His Worship remarked that Mr Stovin had clearly made a blunder. Nonsuited.

jonisr knox v wm. motion. Claim £10 lGs. Mr Joy for plaintiff ; Mr R-aes for defen dant. John Knox deposed that he was master of the fishing-boat Venture, and that' on the 31st March he was beating out of the har bour. The wind was south-east. He was at the helm steering, and watching the vessel closely. The defendant was on the cutter Elizabeth, but not on the deck. John Hutley was steering for Mr Motion. Witness here very minutely described the position of the boats, and stated that Hutley was taking it easy, and instead of standing up he was sitting down ; when a collision took place. Mr Motion then popped from below, and ren dered what assistance he could. He tried to haul in the main-sheet, but waa too late, the damage was done. Witness then spoke to him about the damage, which he promised to see him aboixt. He found that the stem head was split, and the head gear carried away. He had her put into repair, which cost £3 6a, and the loss of iive days' work, which he estimated at 30s, making £7 10a. He paid £1 a week rent for the boat, and was responsible for her. He had sustained damage to the amount of the claim. To Mr Rees : He was quite sober. He had finished his breakfast. He saw the Eliza beth passing his bows. He could not have avoided the collision. He was not three sheets in the wind. He had nothing but ginger-beer and coffee on board. William Warne, mate of the Venture, deposed that he had just woke up at the time of the accident, and ventured on deck. Mr Rees: Knox was doing nothing, I suppose, and you were helping him. Witness : No, sir, I was on the look-out, but 'twas after the collision. William Knox, Charles Lucy, William Motion, and Alexander Lincoln, having given evidence, the Court gave judgment for plaintiff £3 6d with costs.

CAPTAIN FRASER AND LEGAL PRUDENCE.

(To tlie Editor of the Evening Star.) g IE _I trust that, having taken up the cause of shareholders in opposition to the wholesale robbery carried on at the lhames mines, you will not draw back and accept the extraordinary offer made by Captain Fraser and his friends as reported in the Thames telegrams of the Cross this morning. Can you explain on wbat principle of juris prudence the Thames magistrate proceeds when, after placing his case in the hands of the Supreme _ Court by bringing a ; criminal charge against the pro prietors of the Star, he convenes a meeting of his friends, with the newly-fledged Mayor as chairman, and tells them he leaves the case entirely in their hands, either to go on or withdraw. These, wiseacres, with Captain Eraser's approval, then resolve to withdraw

the case for £50 and an apology tTT v words-a matter which e ap &^o^ \} few days ago deemed so heinous™t!■**" tr' him in asking the Supreme Court to .J??3? persons for trial as criminals by B 4Wo their countrymen, he now thinks *2Pot an apology would make satisfactory for. A much less gross contempts v^ m connection with the Tichborne » Uttt suited in Mr Whalley, M.P ESJffi * imprisoned. Under what Act, I tZ? *n<l has Councillor Brown and his friZ T^ substituted by Captain Praser for hiaTr* 11 the Chief Justice, to whom he had nil' 01"* appealed for redress.—Your, &c Er^ [Our correspondent and others inW*: will find our reply in another colurmv $ leave Captain Fraser and his "friend*l'» explain their own action.—Ed. U.S.] ..

THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The re-assemblage of the Provincial Com, -i after the adjournment, took place to-d»» / three o'clock. " at About twenty memberswere present «a the Speaker, .the hon. G. M. O'Korke t! v biß seat. ' oofe Prayers haying been read, the minutes f the last meeting were read and approved f petition. ' A petitioa was presented by Mr Swansn and laid upon the table. »

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPEBIWiW DENT. . m' EEVIEW OF THE PAST.

The Superintendent desires at tj^ te assembling of the Provincial Council after ifa adjournment to present to the Council ahrief statement of the proceedings of the Govern ment during the past four months, together with a summary of the principal mattew which will be submitted in due course for consideration during the present session. Bat first the Superintendent would thank the Council for its liberal vote of snppHea whereby he has been enabled to meet the re' quirements of the public service during the recess. Having in December last agreed to accept from the General Government the charge of receiving and locating theimroi grants sent out by the Agent-General for this province, the Superintendent considered it expedient to visit as far'ag practicable the various settlements of the province, accompanied by his Executive Council and officers of the Government, in ofoi to ascertain by personal enquiry 'and observation the extent of the facfliKa afforded by each district—in the posßesjion of suitable blocks of land, and in demand for labor—for the location of immigrants as well as for the prospect of promoting special set-' tlements. The Superintendent also took the opportunity of inviting the settlers to mccV him and give expression to their views npori the operation of the existing Highway Act and other kindred matters, and alsojn re gard to the more particular requirements of each district. By this means the Government acquired much valuable information, which ia mainly embodied in the reports of the Commissioner of^ Crown, Lands and the Provincial Engineer, copies of which are enclosed for the information of the Council. ;, •■

LANDS FOR SETTLEMENT. At the Say of Islands and Mongomri there are large blocks of land, ibme of them already purchased from the native owners, and others yet to be -acquired, which are eminently adapted for settlement. At Whangarei^ the unappropriated lands might with advantage be made available for free selection and occupation under the pro visions of the Homestead Act, 1870, ;At Tauranga there are large blocks of valuable land which the General Government is din posed to hand over to the province for Bpedal' settlement. The Superintendent is glad to in form the Council that already one Boheme" of a special settlement is likely to be initiated under the leadership of a gentleman frpatthe I North of Ireland, who has recently visited Auckland with the view of selecting a bloefc of land for the location of a large body of, immigrants, which, upon ;his assurance of land being available for settlement, may after a reasonable time be expected to amy« in the province.

WANTS OF THE BAST COAST. i- At Poverty Bay, the most distant settle ment on the East Coast of the proyince; the Superintendent and the ruembsn of the Executive who accompanied .him, were strongly impressed with the evident necessity for taking prompt and - active measures to divert the trtc* to Auckland, and generally to supply as far as possible the increasing de mand of this already rich and rising disbwfc A pilot establishment is urgently ieqW« for the port, and the Council will be »lwo to make provision for this service, .m W for a similar service proposed to be lished at Tauranga; There is*a presnng_:new of public buildings for the Government*^ vice both at Tauranga and Poverty JJJfr Those at Tauranga are already in course # erection by the General Government,.*J» Gisborne! the necessary buildings -will «« to be erected by the Provincial GovenuDg The extension of the telegraph line 1» uw borne when completed will supply ,™ c T| serious want now existing. of. direct! »« ready communication with Auckland, ri the Council ..will be glad to. learn JJ» the attention of the General,,QpW3 ■ has been engaged in the direction o! «JJJ ing telegraphic communication to "^ \ of gthe Bprovince. At; all the L ««*0 visited by, the Superintendent iti was WJ tamed that many important. worklW ■ ~ required for the immediate •d^noflg* the districts; and for the. promotion *£ ment, (works of too great a magmtude^ undertaken out of *2fjß the localhighway rates), and a general agj was expressed in favor of p««J*g madeinaddition to any «*Sg!*l Government might -be able t^g&Wf power the local authorities %£^U for the commencement and «eg such undertalangs otherwise than DJ gg to of immediate heavy rates. 1 *j. which have already accrued toj^ northern districts from the PU^cWo^ centlv undertaken and no* JK tftbe on by the Ctanoral'«ovw«m«J gj orlj vote of the Assembly forroad^Ww north of AuckUnd we evident as to lead «i»*S^ believe that the further V%**™S<»P .$ worts in various parts of tne pru atfen ded manner here indicated wwuagj ofe with immense advantage w w» districts. . i , ntl^,w • , Having visited the f^f%^ ascertained the requirement^ jt .dflS the Superintendent considered^ able to P proceed^ Welunf^ Go to confer personally with f^WpM vemment on these and «***!£*#*& the welfare of the province, so^..OflJ. position in the re-assemblwgj^p^ lo submit definite, and gj^ls£g consideration, which hji-WJ^jAjg unable to do if "the dealt with in P^&igtpn with the authorities « "SsiJ). ■ 4 WOKKS QN THE QOIV ofafaf Immediately "fflflggiVg I

«M STBimffl BEAU, PRIDA*. MAY I 1874



SPECIALTIES FOR, THE SEASON RTJSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE B. HOBBS), Abe yow Opening up their WIKTB'B SHIPMENTS SX NORHAM CASTLE and HYLTONj CASTLE 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. WINCEYS', FLANNELS All Wool Plaids; Union, and All Wool Crimean Shirtinps ' STRONG TWEEDS, GA.MBROONS WATERPROOF TWEEDS In Great Variety. ta •;'. Furnishing Goods, Blankets, Sheetings^ white and grey White Linen Damask, Loom Damask Window Muslins, Muslin, and "Ceno Curtains Victoria Table Covers, Printed Cloth ditto Druggets, White and Red Matting, &c, &c. ALSO, TO ARRIVE EX DORETTE -34 CASES AND BALES OF GENERAL DRAPERY GOODS, CLOTHING, Etc., Etc., Etc. '■'> RTJSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRAPERS, CLOTHIERS, &O JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite tho Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Queen-shiest, Auckland. TJETIRING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE & CO. Are giving up their Retail Business In Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will beheld 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 Cosgrayji from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Old at UNPRKOEDEHTEDLY LOW PPIOES. ' i ■ __ No credit will be given during the Sale.



[Established 1564 ] T\ STEPHENSON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAN D," "RAGLE BRAND," "CROWN BEAN D," AreJ'to be procured '»t all respectable Grocers and Storskeepers throughout the Province of Auckland. D. STEPHENSON & CO., WYNDHAM STREET, Auckland. Tjl 'H. LEWISSON |TBegs to inform his numerous frienes sndjthel public at large that havin? been success ful in disposing of all his old t STOCK at the recent CLEARING-OUT SALE, He has determined to RE-OPEN with an ENTIRELY NEW SELECTION OF EVERY DESCRIPTION OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, Ac., And is resolved to offer to ihc Public[[Good3 of the best Quality at the ™ LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. ItST Extensve Alterations are about to 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 en 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, Quken-stheet, Auckland. F^~ A U T [ ON. OLSON'S TOMATO SAUCR Connoisseurs pronounce this Satice to bo the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its hiph reputation, som» unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the same off us "Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused liis TRADE SIARK to be Registered under tho provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 18G6," 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 narr.e is Riampc-d on Bottle and stopper, sud wrapped round with his well-known label.