SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

fIIGH WATKSK ; TSiU evening, 6.16"; Kwaonro* morning, 6 29

SU^vJSI rhis snmat 6.41 ; aITST-RlBB; To mari-aw t/oramg, 6.12 MOON'S AGE: New Mcon, 11th, 549 a.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS.

DEPAKTUKES,

PROJECTED DEPARTURES,

For Newcisthi-Memento, and Montana, barques,

soon for Sydney—Heltsn Malcolm, barque, early For London—Conn tes3 of Kin tore, ship, and Thames,

barque, early For San Francisco, via Honolulu—City of Melbourne,

doubtful Tor Sydcoe and Melbourne—Victoria, s.s., three days alter arrival

VESSELS EXPECTED.

City of Melbourne, s.s., from Sydney, doubtful Macgregor, b.s., from San Francisco and Honolulu.

a,b iut 14th instant Victoria, a.s., from Sydney, about 4th September "Magellan Cloud, from Chatham Islands, early Loch, Urr, barque, from London ; sailed 3rd June Pearl, ketch, from South Sei Islands, early

THE SHIP OXFORD.

The Oxford, which arrived yesterday, is & smart and commanding vessel of 1,281 tons register, commanded by Captain Beaven. She was built; in.Sunderland in ISG9, and is owned by Messrs Temperley and Co. Her class is AM at Lloyds. The following is the captain's report of the passage :—Left East India Docks on June 5, and discharged the pilot in the Channel on the 11th. Experienced foul weather until crossing the Ebuator in longitude 20deg. 30 mm. W. On 6th July spoke the ship Cathcart, bound from London to New Zealand with immigrants. Rounded the Cape of Good Hope on August 2nd, in latitud i 43 deg. S. Had fine and pleasant weather in running the eastings down, witn very unchangeable winds. Ban the eastings down in latitude 45 deg. Passed the S. of Tasmania, and arrived off the Three Kings on Sunday, the 6th September. Was off the Cuvier on the 7th. Had favour able weather all through the passage. The ship Oxford was. towed up the harbour to an anchorage just below the wharf eai-ly this morning. The ship comes into port in a very cleanly condition, which reflects great credit upon those under whose charge she comes, more especially upon Dr. Goode, who will be recollected here as having come out last year as doctor of the St. Leonards with Capt. Petherbridge. All the immigrant depart ments are roomy and well-ventilated. The ves sel's 'tween-decka are nearly as lofty as those of the Milti3des. Dr. Goode has supplied for publication hi 3 reply to the testimonial sent him by the passengers, but pressure on our space precludes it appearing to-day. Captain. Beaven has received a very gratifying ac knowledgment of his kindness and consider eration for their comfort from the single women on board. We are sorry to state that the relations beiwaen the captain and the doctor have not been of the most satisfactory nature The doctor has preferred a number of charges against both the captain and chief officer for various alleged breaches of the immigration regulations. These charges will form the subject of a Government enquiry at an early date. Dr Goode complains very much of the very defieieiif supply of medical comforts and milk which was placed on board the vessel. He is under the impression that the supply was overstated to the. emigration inspectors at Gravesend. This is a matter of great moment, and deserves im portant consideration. The Takapuna was engaged by Messrs L. D. Nathan and Co. to land the immigrants this morning, but the Immigration Commissioners decided that the landing had better not take place till to morrow. Some dissatisfaction was expressed on board at this as no arrangements had been made for cooking for the day, and most of the bedding had been packed up ready to go ashore. In the event of the afternoon proving fine the single girls were to be landed at four o'clock. The immigrants as a body appear about up to the average in point of physique. As a whole they look healthy. The following births and deaths occurred on the voyage : — Births— July 15, Mrs McLean of a girl; September 2, Mrs Roche of a girl. Deaths—June 23, Patrick Eoche, aged 1 yeai and 8 rnonohs, diarrhoea ; Jane 24, Margate; Buike, 8 months, capilliary b.-oachitis ; July 29, Mrs McLean's baby, 13 days, capilliary bronchitis ; August 14, Robert Given, 10 months, diarrhoea, teeth ing, and general debility ; August 31, Ivate E. Stan, 1 year and 2 months, capilliary bronchitis; September 5, Susan Murray, whooping-cough and diarrhoea.

REPORT OF THE FERNDALE.

We are obliged to Captain Wigrell of the barque Ferndale for sending iis the following report of his passage : —Left the Downs May sth; passed Lizard. Point on 11th, and Island of Maderia on the 24th ; crossed the equator June 13 th ; lost S.E. trades in 1G deg. S. and 32 deg. W. ; July 17th passed meridian of Capo of Good Hope in 40 deg. South, between which and meridian of St. Paul's experienced hard easterly gales for 14 days. From meridian of 95 east 44 south to Tas mania encountered very severe weather from N.E. to S. W. Rpruag foremast head ia a gade. From Tasmania to Three Kings had moderate weather. On New Zealand coast had very unsettled weather to arriving. During the passage from the Cape of Good Hope to about 110 deg. east and. 44 deg. south saw a comet in the S. W. eky ; some nights it was very bright. The Ferndale is coming up the harbour as we go to press.

The ketch Fanny Kelly cleared out to-day for Opotiki via Mereui-y Bay with the follow ing cargo :—2 ton sugar, J. C. Morrm; 40 bags flour, Lewis Bros.; 1 piano, Mr Bates. The schooner Queen has cleared in ballast for Russell.

The barqne Memento has cleared in ballast for Newcastle.

The. s s Ladybird took her departure for the South yesterday afternoon with the following passengers :—Saloon : Miss Martin, Mr Fraser. Steerage : Messrs Hill, Crow, and LoDgthemen, and 6 immigrants. The schooner Atlantic left Jsapier for this port on the Ist insfc. Owing to the timely precautions taken by the harbour authorities yesterday, the fierce westerly gale blowing throughout the day was productive of little or no damage unoog the shipping. The ketch Speedwell waa at one time in peril of being again swamped where sho lay on the western aide of the wharf, but by means of a warp run out to one ot the dolphins, the dangea was averted. The ship City of Auckland and the brig Wave, which were, to have been brought in to berths at tho wharf two or three days ago, are still in the stream. The barque Harriet Armitage drifted some distance down the harbour during the afternoon, but .was at last brought up half-way down to the North Head by a second anchor.

The schooner rj ..nalteiT yesterday and supposed by on<? of our morning contempo raries to be the Ryoo from Lyttelton, turned out to be the brigantine Resolution which left here for Wangaroa the previous day, and wWch finding the state of the weather outside anything but favorable, had run back for shelter. She was at anchor last night about midway baleen the Lake and Gall Point.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows:— For Thames, this day, at 5 30 p.m , and to-morrow,

at 10.30 am. For Wanjja'ei, &c , per Wanearei, tLu dny, nt 5 p.m For Coiotnandel, per Hauiaki. on Friday next, at

11.30 am. . For Whitiangi, Tairua, Tfiuranpa. Opotiki, ana Napier, via Taunmga, per Southern Cross, on Saturday next, at 1 p.m. For Glsborno and Nspier, ptr Pretty .lano, on Friday next, at 11 a.m.

S. B. Brss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Bnr.HANAN-Ori September?, at P tt-street, the wife of .lair.es B. Buchanan of a daughter.

DEATH.

Haour— m September 0, "William Thomas Hague ; a?The funeral will leave the late residence, Victoria st'eet, Kind's Buildings, at 1 p.m.. To morrow (Thursday). The late passenirerH per Queen if the Age, and members of the Harbinger of Peace LoJge of 1.0.G T. are invited to attend.

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

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the wrong tliut needs resistance. For the future in the distance, Aai the stood that we can do.

We trust that the excitement consequent on the Waitcinata election will not be followed by indifference respecting the election of City Councillors which is to take place to-morrow. Yielding as we must the superiority of honor to the representation in the supreme' council of the colony, it cannot be questioned that the results of a choice of City Councillors at the present moment will more immediately and directly bear on the personal interests of the great bulk of the residents in our city. Works of very great magnitude are on the eve of being undertaken in connection with the city, and it is of the first importance that care should be taken that these should be guided by intelligence and principle, so that they may result in the real improvement of the city and the benefit of ratepayers rather than be made a by-word and a burthen through bungling and incapacity. There are before the electors the names of four aspirants to civic honours. It is not our intention to criticise them individually or comparatively. The work would be one of supererogation, for each being well known in the city, citizens are quite capable of forming a just estimate of their characters and capabilities without any prompting. Against not one of them have we a word to say. They have each one his own claims, and each one would be useful in his own sphere of work. What alone we protest against is any return to the old apathy which in days gone by made our civic proceedings the laughing stock of New Zealand. Our City Council has been stead ily progressing in respectability and worth, and we do not hesitate to say that for intel ligence, ability, public spirit, and everything else that conduces to respect for a deliberative body, the City Council of Auckland com pares most favourably with any representa tive institution in .New Zealand. Wo say this with the more pleasure from feeling that with the pen of ridicule we have had a large share in purging pur civic proceedings! and in gradually turning the bear garden of the City Board into the lcspectable and orderly Council that for some time has pre sided over the affairs of the city. We do not say that there is any immediate danger of a return to the old disgraceful state of things, but any manifestation of apathy on the part of our citizens will be sure to have the effect of tempting again from retirement those who would restore to us the old state of things. The City Council is an institu tion that should attract from time to time the very best of our citizens, and a seat in it should be regarded as an honour by the fore moat among us. It depends on the conduct of ratepayers whether (thisj character ia to *

cont|fte, and never shcdßi 'one election be ailowed to pass without there beirg so larg( a roll-up of voters as to show that none but men ©f worth need ever presume again to solicit the suffrages of our people. We trust therefore that to-morrow will show no exception to the rule, and we would urge that every citizen who has any interest in property or in the progress and welfare of the city will to-morrow make the small sac rifice of five or ton minutes in walk ing up to the polling-booth at the Mechanics' Institute and recording his vote for the three out of the four candidates whom bo may consider to be the best deserving of the honour and of being entrusted with the expenditure of the large sums of money that will soon be passing through the hands of the City Council.

The result of the polling in Waitemata is quite as we expected ; indeed there must be few, if there were any, who anticipated any thing different. The electorate has simply endorsed its former choice, * and the ill advised attempt to unseat Mr Yon der Heyde has been foiled as it deserved. As before we have no desire to exult in the vic tory. We have taken an active part in the struggle, as we ever do when we think the public welfare is at stake ; but i\o;v that victory has crowned the efforts of those who fought the fight of purity of election, and honesty of representation, wo feel in clined to be silent. It is difficult though. For never have we known an election in the colony in which the corruption and bribery were so unblushing. Several distinct and positive cases are now ready for any necessity arising to bring them forth before the public. Money was received and pocketed as a de liberate purchase of votes, which were given accordingly, and the actual coins are yet re tained to present themselves in evidence. No necessity will probably arise, but we cannot refrain from denouncing in the name of all honest men proceedings so thoroughly disgraceful to representative institutions. We hope we have now heard the last of Waitemata election. We make all allow ance for the belligerent instincts of Mr Mac farlane, but we believe that he h;is been as much sinned against as sinning. His tempera ment has been taken advantage of by a lot of needy seedy hangers-on who have been bleeding him profusely. Some of these to our knowledge are licking their hungry chops iv anticipation of being able to excite Mr Maofarlane to another effort at unseating Mr Yon der Heyde. The new cams belli was intended to be the question of Mr Yon der Heyde's name having been placed on the roll when still in the eye of our laws thatof an alien. The distinct deliverunce of the Attorney-Geneial, backed by the opinion of Mr Gillies, was not enough to satisfy on the point, but now another ground is suggested in the interruption of the polling at the Wliau consequent on the want of voting papers. This is said to be seized as n pretext, and another contest is reported to be threatened. We trust that some real friends of Mr Maofarlane will save him from his false and interested backers, and that he will be prevented from entering on a course which will rouse the indignation of the whole people as against a peisecution that will scum to never have an end It is really sad that Mr J. S. Maefsrlane, who has iv former years exhibited a spirit of enterprise which people would like to remember kindly, should enter on courses which so set him in opposition to public feeling. We can hardly think that this style of thing brings happiness to his own mind, and it unquestionably bars against him every avenue to placo and in fluence which depends on the public will.

There appears to be a doubt in the minds of some ratepayers as to their light to vote in City Council elections. Wo believe there are some who think that though ratepayers, the fact of their not having made forma' application to be enrolled as voters deprives them of the franchise. This is not so. Of course in relation to elections for the House of Representatives and the Provincial Coun cil electors are obliged to make such formal application through the various returning officers for enrolment. Not so under the Municipal Corporations Act. The city burgess roll is compiled in the offices of the City Council, and on it is placed the name of every ratepayer, whether man or woman, who has paid his or her rates. There fore if any are ratepayers they may rest assured that they are on the roll and can vote to-morrow, unless indeed they have neglected the work of paying up their rates.

We are obliged to shut out until to-morrow a leader on the very satisfactory meeting of Mr Gillies and his constituents last night at th c Mechanics.

The service of song given last week at the Grafton Road Chapel will be repeated at the same place by special request on Friday even ing. The proceedings will be in aid of the gallery fund, a gallery being much wanted in the chapel.

The number of co-operative societies in England and Wales is 740 : the number of members, 300,587, of whom 60,000 were admitted, and 32,000 withdraw in 1872. The share capital amounted at the end of 1872 to £2,784,000, and the sums of £10,17G,100 were paid, and £11,379,000 received during the year in cash for goods. The disposable net profit realised from all sources amounted to £807,748.

A movement has for borne time been going on in Victoria which bids fair to produce most beneficial results. This movement has for its object the breaking down of some of the barriers which have so long separated the Presbyterian and Episcopalian sects. Some months ago the Rev William Hender son, of Ballarat, preached in one of the Episcopalian churches in Melbourne. Since then interchanges of pulpits have been made pretty frequently, and it has not been found that any bad consequences have followed. Then again the members of the two denominations have formed an associa tion called "The Church of England and Presbyterian Pastoral Aid Society of Vic toria." The object aimed at by the society is to provide funds to help to support a minister of either denomination in districts which are so thinly populated as to be unable to maintain two ministers.

If; our Representatives, says a Southern journal, were chosen for any business capacity or common sense qualifications they might possess, rather than for wealth or claßs in fluence, there would be less cause for constant ipprehension of their being led or driven like a flock of sheep when or wherever interest, caprice, or spleen, might direct their leader, and we might reasonably expect that most subjects would be dealt with on their merits, and receive the attention we have a right to demand, that our Representatives shall bestow , on a,U things affecting our interests.

There is room for the display of a man s skill even in managing a semi-detached hat. Said garment is connected with us by a piece of elastic stretched to its utmost limit and the wind is high. Query : how get it m ? This was the harrowing situation of a gentle man on board one of the North Shore steamers yesterday. His perplexity of mind was sad to contemplate. He couldn t pull it in straight off because the elastic was sure to break, and it was too much for human nature to stick there for any length of time with a hat which ought to be in re pose on a not too thickly haired head, per forming Catherine wheel evolutions in the air at a distance varying from 12 to 15 feet according to the strength of the blast. But it is said that providence never sends trials without also sending a way out of them, and the saying was verified in this instance. Among the passengers was^a fervent disciple of Isaac Walton, who seeing the difficulty rushed to the rescue like a god from a machine. "Give him line, sir, give him line ; let him run. Don't pull him or you'll lose him sure as fate. " Line indeed, it's all very fine to say give him line ; there ain't any line to give him" "Don't be angry with him then ; he'll come in presently. Have patience and don't swear or you'll never make a fisherman. There now, easy does it. Quickly sir, quickly now he's weak ; look out he's off again; give him line, for heaven's sake give him line. Dash the thing, I tell you there isn't any line to give him. " Good gracious ! fancy a man without a Nottingham reel ! Never mind, stick to him Good ; he's coming now. Not quite yet; all in good time. By Jove !he pulls like a 101b trout. Now he's done, (here the wind lulled) in with him sharp ; hurrah ! What is he ? Blow me, why its only a billy cock.

The mortality statistics of Christchurch prove that city to be the most unhealthy in the colony. The correspondent of an Otago paper thus comments on the fact :—"I may be allowed to question the wisdom of the founders of Canterbury in that they thought fit to lay out the area of their metropolis in a swamp. It strikes me very forcibly that even now hundreds of fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and relatives in numerablo, while; mourning for the dead, are cursing the memory of these said founders for ever having made such an egregious blunder as the present site of the city of Christchurch. In fact the multitudinous attacks of bronchial and other affections arising out of the pestilential miasmata of the place, that are laying so many low, lead to the question of the possibility of shifting to higher gronnd l>efote the population is decimated, and before too many Rachels re fuse to be comforted. If, on the; contrary, vested interests nre already too strong, then all I can say is, lot the people die. I have only to arid, while on this subject, that those who would be loudest in their protesta tions on what they might be pleised to call mv extravagant notions are those who are in affluent—or, at any rate, comparatively affluent—circumstances, who, while attend ing to their business matters during the day in the city, are enabled the afternoons to drive out to their suburban retreats, safely removed from the deadly influences of the noxious vapours that they are only too glad to lonve to those who are left to inhale them through circumstances of sheer necessity."

The dark-coated rooks which Captain Petherbridge broueht from England in 1870 by the Countess of Kintore seem instinctively to retain a love of English scenery. Sk. Matthow's Ohnrch nnd the parsonage beside it are partly surrounded by trees, which impart a rustic aspect to that Hobson-street noo'c, and the rooltß have twigged it, and are seen there day by day busily engaged in building their nrsts. St. Matthew's accomplished choir will therefore bo assisted shortly by the treble of the English rooks. Mr K. H. Dickson writes cautioning the public against destroying or interfering with the birds.

Tomorrow evening the inaugural meeting of the New Zealand Keform League will take place in the Choral Hall, Symonds-stroet. His Worship the Mayor will preside. Tho principal business of tho league will be the abolition of the provincial system of the Government. A reform league bas long been wanting in Auckland, and is worthy of support, a^ a people's welfare greatly depends upon fair government and equitable laws-

The treasurer of the Orphan Home ack nowledges with thanks the receipt of the following sums as donations to the Masonic Orphan Fund :—From Lodge Ara, £1;"5 15s ; W. Eastwood, Esq. £2 2s.

The attendance last evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre to greet the appearance of Miss Maggie Knight was complimentary in point of numbers, and her reception flatter ing. This young debutante ia an Auckland native, to which fact, and the versatility she exhibited in the varied role she assumed, may be attributed the repeated encores. Her opening song, "Beautiful Love," was rendered with marked vivaciousness and expression, while her " Very Aggravating " was given with excellent mimicry. Miss Knight possesses a sweet although not very powerful voice, and her powers were some what overtasked in having to respond to a third encore. A Dutch character song, " Don't give the name a bad places," fairly carried the audience with her, as did the double song and dance with Mr Mason. A comic recitation by Mr Johnny Gourlay, of "Eichard the Third," was given with con siderable dramatic power, and was applauded, as also were several songs. Mr Vivian, as usual, was effective in his character persona tions, especially in " Soda and Brandy" and the " Happy Old Man," and if applause is a criterion he is a favorite. The entertainment terminated with the comic drama of " Nan the Good for Nothing" by the company, the part of Nan being enacted by Miss Knight with an archness and vivacity which we have seldom seen thrown into the character, and in the most natural manner. The subordinate parts were well sustained by Messrs Booth, Vivian, Gourlay, and Mason. The same programme will be repeated this evening.

The Horticultural Society will hold the annual general meeting on Friday afternoon at two o'clock, in the Museum buildings, Princes-street. The business of the meeting will be the election of officers, and to receive the report of the committee.

At the Wellesley-street Mutual Improve ment Class last evening Mr Battley read an essay on Wickliffe, and Mr Cooper gave one on John Knox. The papers were interesting, and gave general satisfaction.

I If we may form a fair criterion of the musical taste of the Newton people by the numbers in attendance at the periodical con certs of Mrs Tomes at Newton Hall we may safely conclude that the people of Newton are deficient in their appreciation of sweet sounds-—in fact that they have no music in , their souls. It is a singular fact that the sound of a piano is rarely heard in a Newton home, and that there are only six violins and three concertinas from one end to the other of Karangahape road. The programmes include some very good selections, and the singers acquit them selves creditably considering that the audi ence is composed of about two dozen per sons. We hope Mrs Tomes' next venture will be more successful.

A public meeting of the holders of remission certificates under the Volunteers' Land Act of 1865 will be bald this evening at the Criterion Hotel, Otal^hu.

. A meeting of the mflßfl&ers of the Eden derry Cricket Club was held last night in the Edinburgh Castle Hotel for the purpose of forming a new club, Mr Eaton in the chair. The first business of the me eting was to alter the name of the club to that of the Waverley. Mr F, J. Biggs was again' elected secretary. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

From an English Educational journal to hand by the last mail may be gleaned a few interesting particulars of the progress of education in the mother country under the new Act. The year's expenditure for edu cation amounted to £1,172,796, or an increase over that of the previous year of about £217,000. Of this sum £830,000 was paid grants in aid after inspection, £111,000 was given as building grantg for voluntary schools connected with the Church of Eng land. Schools under Boards received £14,287, church schools £758,000. So far, therefore, from the system being; secular it is exclusively favourable to one sect, and that the Episcopalian, from which fact we may the more clearly understand the bitter opposition of the Nonconformist party to the scheme. Following in these figures, there are 10,735 certificated teachers in Eng land, at average annual salaries of £(52 and £103 respectively, the lowest salaries being paid ia the Church of England schools. Nearly one-half of these teachers live in resi dences found for them and attached to their schools, or rent free elsewhere by arrange ment with the managers. There are 78 Go vernment inspectors, who visit and examine 11,846 elementary schools. The rate of annual grant per child in average attendance is 12s 2id in the day schools, and that of expenditure £1 10s lfd. In Scotland the salaries of certificated teachers and mistresses are respectively £110 and £58 per year.

The monthly parades for the present month will be held on the dates specified below, when infantry corps and cadets will attend without arms or accoutrements aud in undress uniform : —Monday, 14th instant, 7.30 p.m., Artillery Company, Drill-shed ; Wednesday, 10th instant, 7.30 p in., Engineer Corps and Scottish Drill-shed ; Friday, ISfch instant, 7.30 p.m., Naval Brigade, Drill-shed; Monday, 21st instant, 4 p.m , Auckland Troop, Epsom; Tuesday, 22nd instant, 7.30 p.m , Victoria and Hobson Companies, Drill shed; Thursday, 24chinstant, 7.30 p.m , Nos. 2 and 3 A.R.V.; 12.30 p.m., Grammar School Cadets, Drill-shed; Friday, 2.3 th inßtant, 7.30 p.m., Engineer and Sir George Grey Cadets, Dri'l-shed ; Monday, 28th instant, 2 p.m., Otahuhu Troop, Otahuhu ; Wednesday, 30th instant, 12.39 p.m., Artillery Cadets, Mount Hobson School ; Wednesday, 30th instant, 8 p.m., Otahuhu Company, Otahuhu. The class-firing badges for past year will be distributed on these para'dts.

The following is the list of subscriptions ia aid of Mrs Newman, who, with her family, v. as left unprovided for by the death of her husband :-Receipts :J. B Braith waite, Esq , £3 3s; W. L. Ree3, Esq., £2 2s; 0. Mays, Esq., £2 2s; Mr ft Wilson, Tititiri, £1 10s; Mr Charlton, £1 Is; Messrs Holmes Brothers, £1 Is ; Mr F. J. Somerfield, £1 Is; Captain Burgess, £1 ; Mr H. Niccol, £1 ; Mr J. J. Swinnerton, £1 ; Mr W. Holmes, £1 ; Mr J. McEwen, £1 ; Mr H. M. Jervis, £1 ; MrW. Buchanan, £1 ; Mr R. Somerville, £1 ; Mr VV. Cochraue, £1 ; Mr M. Niccol, £1 ; Captain Rattray, £1 ; Mr Yeoman, £1 ; Mr Woodham, 10d ; Mr Tanner, 10a ; Mr Inglis, 10s ; Mr Robertson, 10a ; Mr W. H. Brown, 103 ; Mi Cameron, 10s ; Mr Nolan, 10s ; Mr Bass, 10s ; Mr Fendelow, 10s; Rev. J. Bates, 10i j Mrs Hurst, JOs ; Mrs Menary, 10s; Mr Harp, 10s ; per Mr Oxenham, 10s ; sundry small amount*, £5 4s. Total, £3G 4s. Expendi ture : By payineut of rent in advauce, £20 ; purchase of furniture, &c, £13 8s 2d ; freight and cartage, 3a ; cash to Mrs New man, £2 12a lOd. Total, £30 4s. —Benjamin Tanner, J. J. Swinnerton, trustees.

The next edition of " Vicissitudes of Noble Families" might be supplied with an instance from Victorian life. The Baochux Marsh ilvprrss, in its ladt issue, writes as follows : —" Our readers will notice with regret the announcement in another column of the death of Mrs Farmer, or, more correctly, Lady Farmer, although herself nnd husband abandoned the title duiing their residence in Bacchus Marsh, as their circumstances were not in accordance with it. The de ceased was striving to pass an examination as telegraph operator, as the office at Bacchus Marsh had been promised her, and it was over-anxiety to effect this object, by attend ing lectures when suffering from a severe cold, that caused inflammation of the lungs to take such hold of a somewhat weak frame that Mrs Farmer just lay down, after return ing from one of these lectures by a teacher of telegraph operations, and never rallied, but died three or four days afterwards, leaving four children, aged about eight, four, and three years, and fourteen months. Her husband has suffered for years from weakness of sight, and is now all but blind. The case is a sad one, as Sir George Farmer has not an income, although we believe there are family expectations of some value."

W. J. Crichton writes to us further affirm ing his statement regarding the treatment he received while connected with the corps of armed navvies near liaugariri. We have already given publicity to his complaint, it is therefore unnecessary to occupy our space further with the subject. He says he has not yet received his pay notwithstanding repeated applications.

To the Editor : Sir,—The gentleman (?) writing in last night's Star under the norn de plume of " Simon Bumble" can, I have no doubt, by applying to the Secretary have the '' tanner " he (in a fit of generosity after re pented of) put in the plate at the Harbinger of Peace Lodge 1.0. G.T. for the benefit of the widow (Mrs Gribble). Perhaps Mr Hannaford and Mr Staines will between them recoup this disappointed individual the shil ling he paid for admission.—l am, yours, etc., Maria.

Those who are led away by the assertion very often repeated in Sonthern journals that Auckland is behind the citiea of the South in point of the available employment for work ing men and the rate of wages, should take note of the fact that there are now a large number of persons out of work in Dunedin. In Wellington a correspondent of the Post, writing in answer to the complaint of a " New Chum," remarks :—" Contractors believe 7s to be equivalent to eight hours' work, and being of opinion that the supply of labour is quite equal to the demand, they hesitate not to believe that plenty of men can be got at that figure. 7s per day is the usual wage throughout New Zealand, and why wages in Wellington should exceed that of other provinces perhaps ' New Chum' may be able to demonstrate. Contracts are taken considerably cheaper here than in any of the other provinces." The available house accommodation is much greater and at a more reasonable rate in Auckland than in any other part of the colony. In Dunedin many of the new comers have scarcely been able to find shelter for their heads, and have had to pay enormous prices for the use even of a stable

At the Supreme Court sitting in banco this morning his Honor the Chief Justice gave judgment in the case of Duder v. Richmond, argument on demurrer. His Honor was of opinion that the demurrer must be over-ruled. This decision is adverse to Mr Duder.

The election of three gentlemen to sit in the Council will take place tomorrow at the Mechanics' Institute. The polling will com mence at eight o'clock and close at four.

The members of the Auckland United Crick, t Ohio will hold their annual meeting for general business this evening at the club room, Thames hotel, at half-past seven.

The Good Templars of the Union Lodge held an open meeting last evening in the Union-street school-room. Mr Atkin occu pied the chair, and made an excellent speech, lull of sound advice and generous sentiment. Mr Edwin Wood also spoke well on the true position of woman. We understand that this was Mr Wood's maiden speech, which certainly did him credit. We regret to state that the majority of the songs and recitations were not of a character to improve the audience, and drew forth a well-merited rebuke from the Chairman. We hope Mr Salmon on the next occasion will fish for a better programme, and that the .committee will exercise more literary judgment in the selection of pieces. Seve ral of the songs were of an exceedingly low type and offensiye to good taste. The aim of Good Templars should be not only to make men sober, but intelligent, and to elevate their minds with the best thoughts of the best thinkers.

The promenades on the wharf were en tertained in no very edifying manner at noon to-day by the eccentric antics of a man named O'Brien. Under the influence of some chaff from by-standers, the man who appeared more like a mad man than a drunkard coolly divested himself of his upper clothing and jumped into the water. He said he intended swimming off to the Oxford. In the coolness of the water he seemed to alter his mind, for after swim ming a few yards he got into one of the waterman's boats. Somehow or other his unmentionables had now become very much torn, and he was in a disgraceful plight. Standing up in the boat he next tried to pii3h it in to the steps by the boat-hook, but the kedge being down he did not succeed. He then jumped into the water again and swam for some distance under the surface corr.ing up close to the steps. He did not, h-wever, land at once, but srlashed about as if enjoying the fun for some time. At this point his pranks were rudely interrupted by the arrival of the water police, who forciblyjrescued him.Jand ascertaining his im becile state, packed him off to his home.

We are requested to call attention to the sale to-morrow (Thursday) of household furniture and effects, at the residence of Mr E. W. Walker. Ponsonby road. The sale commences at 11 o'clock sharp.

APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT PILOT.

At a meeting of the Pilot Committee of the ITarbiur Board to-day, a large number of ap plications for the office of assistant pilot were received. Capt James, formerly of Kaipara, was appointed.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., E.M.) OVBRDUATTOHT3 Two anti-templars with wan faces, ripe noses, and shadowed eyes, in the persons of Catherine Heatou and William Gilham were fiaed 10s each, or subjected to .24 hours under the hill.

arms Mackenzie's t>oc<

Thomas Johnston, a youth. wa3 charged with stealing a dog, value £1, on the iith instaafc, the property of Elizabeth McKenzie. Mr Laishley appeared for the lad, and asked for a remand until to-morrow, as there wa3 some animus in the matter.

Sergeant-Major Pardy said that the boy acknowledged the theft, and also that he had sold the dog to Mr Robinson, of Wyndham street.

The dog was said to be a very valuable one, and much prized by Miss MaoKenzie, who had since felt her loss very keenly. His Worship acceded to Mr Laishley's request, and remanded the case until to morrow, when Miss MacKenzie will appear and claim her pet, which was so much admired in the market show last week. NKOLECTED CHILBRBIf. Annie and Mary McConuell were charged with being neglected children within the meaning of the Neglected and Criminal Children's Act of 1867. These poor children belonged to the man McConnell, who was sent to gaol yesterday for drunkenness and riotous conduct. Constable M ulville stated that the children had no mother, and that the father had been continually in the habit of getting drunk, and the children were constantly hunting him at the public-houses in the neighbour hood, and then he would beat them.

His Worship said that he was certainly misled by the character he received of McConnell yesterday; had he known the facts yesterday the man would not have got off so easily. It showed how easy it is to get a good character in Auckland.

The children were of nine and ten years, and were ordered to the Institute for four and five years, to be brought up in the Catholic faith. DRINK AGAIN. Robert Andrews appeared in answer to a summons charging him with deserting his wife, Catherine, and leaving her without means of support, on the sth inst. in Auck land.

It was shewn to the Court that the woman was an habitual drunkard, and in the habit of clearing out her husband's home while he was at work.

The husband said he was in irregular em ployment, but he would allow her as much he could possibly afford. He was ordered to pay a weekly sum of 7 s towards the support of his wife. ,

THE WAITEMATA POLLING.

The whols of the returns with the exoeption of those from Helensville and the Wado were received per carrier pigeons last night, and published in late editions of the Star. The Helensville returns are now to hand, and are given below, from which it will be seen that Mr Yon der Heyde has a majority of 71, as against 57 (before the scrutiny) at the last election. The only return to come in is that from the Wade, and the delay in obtaining it indicates to what an extent the public are indebted to the Star carriers for .the other returns. Rumours are afloat of further petitions and objections, one of those being based on the closing of the Whan polling place for an hour in order to get the necea sary voting papers from Auckland, the num ber originally provided having run out through the unexpected influx of voters from Auckland to that usually quite settlement. In order to make up for the hoar lost in the day the polling place was kept open till five o'clock at night, both of which proceed ings it is contended are illegal. We cannot, however, believe that any further attempt will be made to defeat the ■wishes of the oontitueooy on a legal quibble,

The result of yesterday's polling is a fite^ commentary on the petition p^seflji which resulted in Mr Yon 6er &~&£i^-® unseated and Waitemata disfranchised fo last session of the Assembly. or The following were the polling places •-. Yon d«r jj^ Devonport 166*' '"ft* 6" Stokes* Point 6 g^ Riverhead 7 26 Huia ... .. ... •■ 4 40 Whau 35 4 Henderson's Mill 33 |j*S Lucas' Creek 14 13 Helensville ... ... ... 9 g Wade — _ Total """"" Majority for Mr Yon der Heyde — 71

MR. GILLIES' ADDRESS TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

According to announcement Mr Gillies met the electors of City West at the Mechanics' Institute last night for the purpose of ad dressing them on the events of the m^ session. W. C. Daldy, Esq., was voted to1 the chair.

Mr Gillies in commencing his speech alluded to the absence of anything like an organised opposition to the Govern ment at the beginning of the session. - The Government, confident of the success of their schemes, and assured by the prosperity of the colony, thought they could nofc have a more favorable op. portunity for the dissolution of Parliament. Those who opposed the Government felt J that it would be unwise to give the Govern, ment the opportunity of going to the country under these circumstances unlesa some large ; question should crop up which would be, j sufficiently important to appeal to the eoun.:f try upon. There seemed to be amonjj the' Opposition a feeling that no hindrance should be placed in the way of the measures of the ministry until the approachof the dissolution,-1 It was thought that as bhe present Govern-,, ment Jiad inaugurated great schemes of': borrowing, immigration, and public workgj v> they should have a fair chance of working.* out these schemes—of enjoying the credit of

success or bearing the disgrace of failure,

It was much to be regretted that daring the past session a large amount of political apathy had existed He did not think he should be contradicted when he asserted that

the session had no sooner commenced than

every one took it for granted that it would be V;, over in about six weeks. There seemed to be. no feeling about any one subject to be brought , forward. Dunn? the 56 days which the 1 session lasted no less than 100 bills had been brought forward, and no less than 86 had been passed into law or reserved for, her-. Majesty's consent. Eighty-six laws in fifty-1 six days was rather sharp work. He pnt it J to them whether they thought thattheseis measures could have received proper atten tion. He could not avoid the reflection that . it was on'y that political apathy to which he I ha-l alluded which could explain so much legislation with so little consideration. (Hear, hear.) Then the estimates of revenue and expenditure had passed"" in two sittings without a single division. The Financial Statement made by the Colo-i... nial Treasurer had failed to produce a debate. - Immigration, and the statement of the Min isetr of Public Works, were in the same way unproductive of discussion. He would now,, proceed to review the events of the session.;;^ It began on the 3rd July. The Governor's^ speech announced that among other important measures there would be introduced the Polynesian Scheme ; a bill for providing an additional electoral qualification ; the State * Forests Bill ; and a bill for improving the relations between the House of Represent*- -■• tives and the LosisLative Council. His Ex-

cellency was made to say " His advisers did I not invite legislation on questions which did not press for immediate solution." It-was assumed at once that no very important.:; topics would be brought forward, anfe. that all would be over in about six weeks.

In spite of these expectations they all knew that the famous resolutions had been brought before the House. He believed that it was-! entirely owing "to the strong expression oft public feeling that the resolutions had irotH been followed by a Bill. A word as to the fate of the measures just referred to. Thej Electoral Bill was a Bill to provide for man- , hood suffrage. This under ordinary circum-/ stances he was in favour of. In fact it was:' nothing more than the present system with-! out the clog of registration. But the action of the Government with regard to this Bill was anything but hearty. The first reading • was passed and the second reading moved, after which the thing was shelved and. nothing more was heard of it. That was the? fate of the first Bill. (Laughter.) The next:, Bill was the States Forests Bill. For the present he would simply state - that upon the second reading there . was a long debate. Then before it got farther it was virtually eviserated. i (Laughter.) The inside was taken out of it M Nothing was left but the right of the GovenKv. ment to spend £10,000 per annum, creating forests, and sending home for three or four foresters at a salary of £400 or £450 a year each. As to the Bill for removing the mis-, understanding between the two houses of the Legislature the fate of that was soon told, the Legislative Council threw it out" summarily, only five members giving it sup port. So much for those three measures. But some good things had undoubtedly been done. The barbarous custom of imprison ment for debt had been discussed, and he was happy to tell them that daring the present year that custom would be abolished.

(Cheers.) The next important measure was the Licensing Bill. Mr Fox's Bill of 1873 was so altered in committee that its author scarcely recognised it. During the past session the Government had brought up an. amendment, the effect of which was really to upset the previous Bill, and to favor mate rially the publicans. Although he did not speak against that message he consistently paired against it throughout. He believed that although Mr Fox's statements might at; times be wild he had a good object hi view, and therefore he supported him. Another Bil 1 which was remarkable as exhibiting a a complete reversal of the Government policy was the Excise Duties Bill. Some years ago a bill was passed allowing dis tillery throughout the colony, and fixing the duty of the colonially distilled spirit at about one-half the duty of the imported article. On the faith of that act the Dune-

din and Auckland disbilleries were, started.

The ciy was, "Let us encourage native industry," but it now altered to " Let us get all the revenue we can." It suddenly became necessary that the duty on colonial spirits should be brought up to the same figure as imparted spirits He (the speaker) was no protectionist. Ho did not believe in forcing industry in any way. At first th© Government had promised protection for an indefinite number of years ; then they W* versed their plan and came to the conclusion to give compensation to gentlemen who had been induced to go into distilling in the colony, so thatthose who at first were induced by an Act of the Assembly to start a local indusfc^i. fflagj eventually paid to go out of it., (Laughte*>^ In regard to the papers laid before the House on the subject of the South Sea Islands traded he vas of opinion that the thanks of the country were duo to the Ctew nawat to

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