SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HIGH WATKR : This evanlng, 7.51 ; lemons morning, 8.6

BCTN-&8T : ThJi eveni'i?, 520 ; STTJf-BTjjjg: To ittOWOTf mo. ;iio&. 6 48 MOON'S AGS: First Quarter, 20th, 6.32 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Ladybird, s.s., from the South (in the Mamikau)J

DEPARTURES. Murray, s a., Palmer, for Wanganui (from the Manukau) Thomas and Henry, brig, for Kaipara

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Ladybird from the South :— 1 box Mrs McAuliffe; 1 case, 16 cases wine, E. & H. Isaacs ; 6 cases brandy, G cases ■whisky, 3. Hancock ;10 boxes tea, 1 do tobacco, Combes and Daldy ; 1 parcel, Na tional Bank ; 1 horse box, W. Watt; 5 kegs lard, Townsend Bros ; 1 parcel, Combes and Daldy; 5 rum, H.S. Meyers and Co.; 2 boxes, Telegraph Department; 1 case 1 parcel, A. Barnes ; 10 kegs butter, M. Jones. — Combes and Daldy agents.

The s.s. Ladybird, H. J. C. Andrews, com mander, arrived in the Manukau early this morning. She left Port Chalmers at 2 p.m. on the 6th, Lyttelton on the Bth, Wellington on the 11th, Picton the same, and Nelson at 9 o'clock same evening; Taranaki on the 12th, and arrived here as above. Had to anchor at Manukau Heads for two hours owing to thick fog. Experienced calm weather throughout the passage, Passengers :—Miss Kincaid, Miss Gray, Mr and Mrs Morgan and seven children, Messrs J. P. Simon, Mahoney, Shepherd, Collins, Pitt, and eight in the steerage. We are indebted to Mr Wm. Dougherty, purser, for files and report. The ship Queen of Nations cleared out this morning in ballast for Newcastle. The ship hauled away from the whari to-day and lies at anchor in the stream. She is appointed to sail on Friday. The barque Briton has cleared in ballast for Newcastle.

COMMERCIAL.

AtMrL.W. Eaton's fruit sale to-day, ex Victoria, from Sydney, oranges sold from 6s. to Ss.; lemons, 7s Gd.; .mandarins, 125.; navals, 11s Gd.; pine-apples, 8s to Ss Gd. *■ We noticed at Mr James Coupland's store several tons of very fine potatoes, from War nambool, Victoria, the finest sample we have seen for some time.

At Messrs E. and IT. Isaacs' boot and shoe sale to-day, a large number of boots and shoes were sold at average prices.

AUCKLAND STOCKLAND MINING REPORT.

Business done — Bank of New Zealand. £17 15s ; buyers £17 12s6d; sellers, £17 15s. National Bank—Sellers, 725. South British Insurance, 51s Cd; buyers. 51s.

National Insurance—Sellers, 303. Standard Insurance—Sellers, 14s. Thames Gas Company, 35s Gel ; buyers 35s 6d. Bay of Islands Coal Company—Sellers,i£lo, City of London—29s 6d. . Crown Prince—3os Cd.

Moanatairi 42s ; sellers, 435. Thame.s G.M. Co.—Sellers, 50s. Alburnia (paid up)—3ss ; sellers, 3Gs, Caledonian—Sellers, £9. Vanguard—3s 4d. Bird-in-hand—3os. Golden Calf (double) —Buyers, 10s. Old Whau—Buyers,| 475. Cure—Buyers, lla. Ruby—Sellers, 3s.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :— For Thames, to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. For Newcastle, N.8.W., per Qaeen of Nations, to morrow, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki, via Waitara, per Go-ahead, to-morrow, at 10. a.m.. For Mahurangi, Matakana Mangawai, Waipu, &c, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday next, at 10' a.m. For Tauranga, Opotiki, and Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, on Saturday next; at 1 p.m. For tho Australian Colonies, per Victoria, oh Satur day next, at 1 p.m. For Gisborne, per Opotiki, on Saturday ; next, at 3 p.m. For Taranaki ar-d Southern provinces, per Ladybird, J on Saturday next, at 5 p.m. For Nelson and the West Coast, per Murray, im mediately after arrival of Tartar, from X andavu For Napisr and Southern provinces, per Cyphrenes,, immediately after arrival of Tartar For'the undermentioned places, per Phoebe, on Saturday, 22nd instant, as under :— .Tf'For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at — For Taranaki, Southern provinces, Australian Colonies, and United Kidgdom, via Suez and Brindisi Should a later opportunity offer, [Supplementary Mails will be forwarded. S, B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

Bennett.—On August 13, at Graf ton Road, the wife of Joseph Bennett of a son.

DEATHS.

McKeli, Ait—-At Wellington, on the 12th instant, af tera short illness, Maria Russell, wife of H 8. McKellar, E3q., Collector of Customs. Bart —On August 2, at Sydney, New South Walen, * ose Hart, the beloved mother of Mr3 Edward Is3acs, of this city ; aged 68 years.

Harrison—On August 12, Arthur, only son oi Joseph and Eliza Harrison, late of Tararu, Thames ; aged four years. The funeral will leave the father's residence, corner of Wakefield-street, to-morrow (Friday); at 3 p. m. —Thames papers please copy.

MCPjke —On 12thinst, at Onehunga, J, McPike; aged 76 years. The funeral will leave his late residence at 4 o'clock to-morrow afternoon. Fr.enda will please accept the invitation.

The Auckland Gymnasium re-opened last night ia Princes-street, and will be opened regularly to members on Monday, Wednes day, and Friday evenings, from eight to ten o'clock.

The Grammar School Cadets underwent their monthly inspection yesterday afternoon in a very satifactory manner. The officers in command, Major Cooper and Sergeant Wainhouse, expressed their pleasure, at tha marked improvement of the cadets,

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong Mint needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

Mr Vogkl has announced that he will stand or fall by his new scheme of constitutional amendment. That scheme is the abolition of the provinces of one island, and their re tention the other ; the permanency of the seat of Government at Wellington, and the confirmation forever of the grant of the lands of the South Island to the South Island pro" vinccs. The scheme when first sketched did 1 not create great excitement. At the an nouncement by the Government of the inten tion to -prc&u its in nicdiafi; rccq tirce (the House and Country, and to stand or fall with it people are what is familiarly stj'led " flabbergasted." As a "feeler"theproposal seemed rational and possibly politic. As a bona fide idea of constitutional alteration the scheme appears wholly incomprehensible. Why provinces should be retained and their position made impregnable in the South, while they are voted out of place in the North, would be difficult for any impartial judge to determine. One would naturally ask Avhat can have caused the distinction. Is it latitude and clime, or difference in the characteristics of their inhabitants, or in the physical features of the country. If the difference has been caused by previous legislation one would naturally say then amend such pre vious legislation ; and if such previous legis lation was intended for the " more equitably adjusting the public burdens," one would natuially say let the same result be achieved by repealing such previous legislation. But no. To him that hath shall be given, and he shall have it more abun dantly ; but from him that hath not shall be taken away, even that which he ; hath. Perhaps it is wrong to pronounce precipitately on Mr Vogcl's proposal We may have it but in imperfect outline. We can hardly believe that it is as represented, for so utterly repulsive would it be to every one in Auckland province, and we should think throughout the North Island, that no man would dare to appear at the hustings and announce himself a supporter of such a policy. If it is deemed wise that provincialism should be abolished throughout the length and breadth of the islands such proposal will meet a hearty recognition from thou sands of electors. But a scheme so palpably unfair, so grossly insulting, will only arouse a dormant feeling in the North that will be difficult to allay. Auckland has borne tamely with the most gross and scandalous robbery. Her revenues have been gathered in, and a pitiful dole has been grudgingly handed her in charity. There is a limit to forbearance. That limit can be passed. Eight and justice demand that all revenue, whether from land or from imports; should be saddled with the common burthen. In the South they say they are prepared to defend their lands from such burthen by force of arms ; it requires but the lion to be roused for the North to say "And we defend our Customs." And it is not a visionary dream to see in the future our Volunteers and our citizens standing to arms around our Custom House ; and what forco could dispossess them ? Mr Vogel has now, unless we mis-road his words, thrown down the gauntlet to the North. It remains to bo seen if we shall take it up.

Mr Johnny Gourlay arrived by the Victoria from Melbourne en route for Honolulu, where he will join the family. The Austra lian press speak in the highest terms of his versatility of talent, and he will be remem bered by many persons in this city as' aa infant prodigy in the role of characters whioh he assumed in connection with the Gourlay entertainment some years back. He then evinced unusual histrionic powers for his years. Should Mr Johnny Gonrlay give an entertain ment in the city ere his departure for Hono lulu we can predict for him a warm and hearty reception.

An important addition to the railway works at Foii Britomart is tho new tarn table which, is being constiucted close to the station. This is a very necessary adjunct to a railway, and will when put to use greatly

diminish the chance of accidents to trains,

Engine-drivers in the old country are not al lowed to drive their engines hind-side fore most, and it is desirable that the practice should be prevented as soon as possible here.

The commercial travellers of Dunedin have presented'Mr James Goldsmith, on his leav ing that city for Europe, with a handsome gold chronometer watch which contained the following inscription : —" Presented to James Goldsmith, Esq., Commodore of the Flying Squadron, by the commercial travel lers of Dunedin, on his retiring from the road, as a mark of their esteem."

The Circus last evening was fairly attended and the representations of equestrian figures and the gymnastic and other associations equally successful." The programme of this evening will present entirely new features, and the renowned South will unfold to the astonished audience his new budget of jokes, witticisms, and puns rip? and full-flavored as February peaches. To-morroW he take his benefit, and will exhibit his rido to '' Donnybrook Fair" from the famous city of Dublin ; will ro-deliver his speech to O'Connell, and relate his history of Ireland, from the days of Shan O'Neil to those of Smith O'Brien. He will also review the Miltiades arbitration caße.

John O'NeJl, of Onehunga, appeared before the Resident Magistrate Mr Barstow on Tuesday on a charge of cattle-stealing. The case was remanded until Tuesday next in order that the necessary witnesses may be in attendance.

The recently established local industry of lemon marmalade manufactured by Messrs Brown & Co., confectioner, Queen-street, has proved a great success. We are informed that the supply is nob equal to the demand. There is little doubt that the manufacture of preserves, if persevered in, will well repay the enterprise. The marmalade is well preser ved and very palatable. It will upon a single trial commend itself. The wholesale agents are Messrs Brown and Barrett.

The Oddfellows of the Loyal Parnell Lodge announce their anniversrry ball on fcfie 27th inst, in the lodge-room

- The wharf labourers yesterday refused to unload the s.s. Victoriaunder Is 6.. per hour, which was refused them, and other hands were engaged at one shilling an hour. une of the regular lumpertfwrites to us under the signature of " Water Rat " denouncing this proceeding on the ground that the labourers receive Is 6d from the Hero and other steamers, which he contends is not more than sufficient, considering the irregularity of the employment, to keep a staff of experienced labourers constantly about the wharf. He then enters into a graphic description of the mishaps that have attended green hands in their endeavours to unload the vessel. He says:— " The first occurrence of any note was the bursting of some cases of fruit, which was occasioned through a want of knowledge in landing them from the slings, but which ap peared to be the source of great satisfaction to a number of hungry-looking new chums assembled there, who rushed one and all to the scene of breakage, while it required all the officers' vigilance to prevent their becom ing possessed of the tropical fruit. The next and principal occurrence was a narrow escape from death of a young lady who was walking past looking at the steamer when a sling of cases came flying over the gangway, and through neglect of the man stationed at the guy in not checking the boom in time, a.m\ the man on the wharf in not attempting to put his hand to them, swung with violence far beyond the usual radius which the boom commanded, thereby knocking the young lady nearly senseless. Had any of the cases come out of the sling whilst she was down it would have certainly killed her. I have not heard to what extent she is injured; but she was unable to walk without the aid of Captain Williams, H.M.C., who kindly assisted her to a cab."

Mr Robert Brewin, of stalls 38 and 30, market houße, has brought a nursery into the centre of the city. He will to-morrow have on sale a very large stock of trees and plants of every description, offered at very low prices. He has also every kind of seed which the gardener, amateur or professional, could desire.

The education rate of£l per household, and 10s. for each unmarried male of 21 years of age, has been made payable at the Pro vincial Treasury, Auckland, on the 14th September. It is to be hoped that the de mand being inevitable, will be responded to with a good grace.

This morning the marriage took place of Mr John Cruikshauk, of the firm of Cruik shaiik and Co., an.'l Miss Rose Foray th, daughter of Captain Forsytli, late of the brig Wavcrly, The wedding was celebrated by thn \U.v. David Brucfi, at the residence of Mr and Mrs David Cmikshank. The occasion was made one of unusul re joicing by the employe's of the firm, who wcro regaled with a champagne lunch this morning. Throughout the harbour and city bunting has been flying all day in honour of the auspicious event. The bride only arrived from England a few weeks ago in the ship Countess of Kintore. We notice that this favorite vessel has Jbeen literally buried beneath her joyous emblems. Mr Cruickshank is one of the most deservedly popular smenin Auckland, and we wish him and his bride long life and happiness.

Mr Matthew's, the contractor, is busy upon hi 3 now block of buildings which are to form part of trie railway works on the re claimed grounds in Mechanics' Bay. This block which is the largest and most impor tant sot of buildings connected with the terminus is now nearly completed. It is to comprise a repairing and general workshop, a blacksmith shop and foundry, au engine pit, with carpentering shops aud general office The main building is 100 feet long by 25 feet high and 49 feet wide. Attached on the Northjside is a skillion ."50 feet deep by Gl feet long. The blacksmith's depart ment is 45 feet long by 18 feet high, and 41) feet wide. Adjoining this is a boilcr sh^d 31 feet high by IG feet. These workshops, when finished and in. working order, will givo employment to a large number of hands. We understand the fit tings are to be very complete. Above the engine pit is being constructed a powerful travelling crane with which to place heavy machinery in position. In the blacksmith's shop an old friend is to find a resting place, namely, the hugo punching machine, which caino out from England in the ship Countess of Kintore on her last trip, and for landing which Mr Morton Jones got the nice little Bum of £120. The main building is finished all but asphalting the floor.

PARLIAMENTARY.

[Per Press Telegram Agency.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

THIS AFTERNOON.

J.S. Macfarlane's Petition Rejected.

[From our own Special Correspondent. ]

WELLINGTON

this day, r 3.30 p.m.

Mr J. S. Macfarlane's petition was pre sented again this afternoon by Carrington. Mr Wood moved that it be not received, which was carried unanimously by a very full house. Nothing can be done now for this session. THE PREMIER'S RESOLUTIONS.— GREAT EXCITEMENT. Mr Vogel ia rising to move his resolutions about abolishing the North Island provinces. Everybody is greatly excited. The gallaries are crowded.

THE NORTH ISLAND PROVINCES A MINISTERIAL QUESTION.

Mr Vogel yesterday made a statement to the effect that Government would proceed with resolution regarding the abolition of the provinces, which would be taken the first thing to-morrow, and continue the debate ou Monday to a conclusion. The Government would stake its position upon the result. If the House and the country were against them they would retire. He would not push the Poly nesiau Bill beyond the second reading this session. PHEASANTS IN AUCKLAND. The Protection of Animals Act 1873 Amendment Bill was called on for second reading. MrT.B Gillies opposed the bill as giving power to Superintendents to say that phea sants or any other kind of animals are not game, thus over-riding all the Protection to Animals Acts, and the powers of the As sembly. Mr Atkinson showed the necessity of grant ing such powers, as in some districts pheasants had become so thick that if people are not allowed to kill them the settlers will be un able to grow any grain. Several members corroborated the state ment that in many parts of Auckland it was not birds but settlers that wanted protec tion.

Mr Bluett suggests that there should be

a law of trespass, that game should be con sidered to belong to the person upon whose land it was, and allow him to kill them within certain months of the year on pay ment of a small fee. Mr T. B. Gillies, who, doubted the ac curacy of accounts of the destructiveness o pheasants, moved that the clause be amended by inserting the words " with the consent of the Acclimatization Society." This was negatived. A clause was added making it penal to sell or purchase. The Bill was reported with amendment.

THE FOUR MILLION LOAN. On the Immigration Public Works Loan Bill in committee considerable discussion en sued upon the sixth clause of the above measure, which gives power to the Govern ment to raise the whole of the four million loan in short-dated debentures. Mr Fitzherbert thought the power of raising on short-dated debentures should be limited to one million. The Premier urged that it was economical for the colony to entrust the Government with discretionary power as to whether they should raise the loan in short-dated or long dated debentures.

Mr Reeves urged that it was a dangerous power to grant. He had perfect confidence in the prudence of the present Treasurer ; but it afforded opportunities for reckless dealing with finances to the Treasurer who might follow the present one and be less cautious and reliable. Mrßolleston wanted information as to the cost of raising the last loans, and whether the Government had made any permanent arrangements for that object. The Premier said the Agent-General had acted when he left England ; but as to £120,000 which had been negotiated by Mr Julian he had been allowed a thousand pounds, as he was not a recognised Govern ment official. Neither Mr Sergeant nor the Agent-General had been allowed anything. Mr T. B Gillies would shrink from em barrassing the Treasurer in the slightest degree in any legitimate operation, but no necessity existed for the powers asked for. Mr Cuthbertson pointed out that last session two loang amounting to £2,750 000, not a small sum a3 compared with four millions, were allowed t=> be raised on short dated debentures, and at the discretion of the Government without opposition. He could not reconcile that with the present opposi tion. ■

Mr Johnston insinuated that the last loan had been floated in a manner not in accord ance with tho usual practice, and although he was prepared to vote for the clause if the Premier said the money was an absolute necessity, he would like more information than that vouchsafe'! them.

Messrs Reeves and Fitzherbert insisted that the Premier last evening gave a pledge that he would be guided by the wishes of the Opposition as to the limit of short datod debentures.

Mr Reader Wood thought it strange that after the House agieed unanimously as to the necessity for four millions loan such feeble opposition should be offered to the progress of the Bill. Mr Cracroft Wilson felt bound to say, for the honor of the House, that they did not understand the Premier to have given any pledge on the question. The clause was passed, and the Bill went rapidly without amendment.

The House adjourned at 1.40.

(From our own Correspondent.)

AUCKLAND IMPROVEMENT ACT AMENDMENT.

A bill is to bo introduced amending the "Auckland Improvement Act 1873." It sots forth that "doubts have arisen whether under the existing Acta debenture-holders or mortgagees would be enabled in case of non payment of interest to sell any of the said lands even not appropriated as streets or public reserves for purposes of recreation or amusement, in consequence of which doubts the Commissioners are unable to sell the said debentures in manner contemplated by the baid Act. And it is expedient to make such further provision in reference to the premises as shall enable the said Commis sioners to dispose of their debentures." %he Act then proceeds to provide that if at the expiration of five years from the passing of that Act any intorest in any debenture shall be due and unpaid it shall be lawful for the debenture to apply to the Supreme Court for the holders of a rule niai to sell all the lands vested in the Commissioners under the Auckland Improvement, or so much thereof as shall bo deemed necessary to discharge the interest and principal, and the Supreme Court may make an order for the sale of all or so much of the said, lands as the judge shall think necessary, and the Court may extend its order so as to include the whole of the debentures then extant, or such of them as it thinka fit, and the Registrar of the Court shall then cause the same to be sold by public auction, subject to such limitations, stipulations, and conditions as shall be con tained in the order of the Court. All mofiey shall be received by the Registrar of the Court and paid over to the de benture-holders, any surplus to be handed over to the Commissioners to be applied by them as money received under tho Act. The Bill further contains a clause empower ing the Commissioners to sell the freehold of the piece of land which was formerly under the management of the Domain Board, ad joining Government-house grounds. The land to be sold in such lots and subject to such conditions as the Governor shall ap prove, the proceods to be applied to the reduction of the amount authorised |to be borrowed by the Commissioners j provided that a drill-shed be erected in some other place approved by the Governor.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.) THE PENALTY.

Henry Baniagton, a seamaa, was fined 10s and costs for being drunk last night in Durham-street.

A .stow-a-way.

George Henry Holraas appeared in answer to a charge of being a stow-a-way iv the Victoria from Melbourne.

As defendant had paid his passage money this morning Captain Derroll said he did not wish to press the charge.

Defendant urged that he was a poor schoolmaster, and intended from the first to pay his passage.

His Worship reminded him that a certain place was paved with good intentions, and he had clearly committed a breach of the law. Taking the fact into consideration, however, that the captain was not willing to press the charge, and that Swanson, who had paid £4 6s of his passage money on board, when two days out, and who had liquidated the remainder on reaching this port, Swanson had been allowed to go without being fined; he (Holmes) would also be discharged this time upon paying the costs 9a. His Worship remarked however that this patching-tip business would not succeed in any future case, but that the penalty of £5 would be enforced.

The teacher of youth bowed his acknow ledgments to the Court, paid the costs, and withdrew,

NATIVE LANDS.-A VIEW OF THE PAST.

A few days ago, for the purpose of shewing I the true character of the system of land purchasing advocated by the author of a communication in rthe- Herald, we gave_ a very much abbreviated history of a, claim from its inception to its extinction, as far as the Blue-book extends. We showed four able and zealous gentlemen, labouring, writing, journeying, and diplomatising, and tribes of natives assembling in the country, threatening each other, annoying the settlers, alarming a judicious bottleholder, and visit ing Auckland in mobs to demand further payment. Our history extended over five years, and only ended with the date of the Blue-book. The district where this hap pened was most peaceably and favourably disposed, and there dan be but one opinion that the patience and care of the Govern ment officers engaged, are'remarkable, and worthy of better employment. The men were not to blame. It was the system that was hopelessly bad. We propose now to show the several results of these transactions, not giving any statements of our own, but sim ply quoting the testimony of the. Land Purchase officers themselves. And it will be seen that awed by the universal collapse and disaster, tbese gentlemen themselves sugges ted a change in the system. The staff, at the time when thesa letters were written, was considerable. Messrs Kemp, Johnson, Preece, Maclean, Hay, Halse, Paris, Sear ancke, and Cooper, represented an establish ment almost as formidable in numbers as capable by knowledge and experience They occupied stations fairly distri buted over the island. Mr Kemp writing from the Bay of Islands—7th Jure, IS6I, says : "In noticing the cause which has led to this deficiency, I should briefly state that the differences which have unavoidably arisen between the Government and the natives in the South connected with the ex tinction of native title have been the perman ent subject; of discussion with the natives here. * # * I think that the natives here would be glad to see some modification in the present mode of extinguishing the native title " He writes again to the Chief Com missioner three days later. "On a subject involving so many interests, and a fruitful source of dispute and litigation, as between the natives themselves, it became necessary to be guarded and watchful, lest those annoyances should be entailed on the Government or the settlers. I desire at the same time to be allowed to express an opinion that some modification in the present mode of extin guishing native title would be acceptable to the Natives, under which individuals as well as tribes might convey portions of land to persons of the European race." Mr Johnson writes respecting the Waikato district :—" 7th October, 1854. I have now returned from an attempt to perform that service, which I regret to state has not been attended with success " (to purchase land), and he advises the location of a permanent commissioner in Waikato to "dispel the erroneous ideas of the result of European colonization, and conciliate the adverse party whose difference with the parties disposed to alienote their lands to the Crown is gradually assuming the aspect of a bitter quarrel which, unless carefully watched, may terminate like that which took place at Taranaki so I fatally." He alludes to the slaughter of Rawiri'fl people by Katatore, which had occurred two months before the date of his letter.

In a letter printed further on, but of a day's earlier date than the last, Mr Johnson k'ives a gloomy picture of the state of affairs in the Waikato as far as land purchasing is concerned: —"All the other purchases are encumbered with the second class of diffi culties, viz.: the tapu of the country by the Waikato chiefs. The sellers to the Govern ment have all valid claims more or less, but they arc to blame, inasmuch as they knew at the time of sale that they were unable to givo possession of the land. The whole of the south bank of the Waikato from Taupo, and the north bank from its confluence, with the Whangamarino, and up that river to its source, is placed under a tapu. - Our party wero followed by the \Vaikato tribes to the number of 150 men, and were absolutely prevented crossing the aforesaid boundaries Their arms were left at Meremere, and, as I had good reason to believe that our proceed ing to take possession of the lands would have ended seriously, I at once desisted from the attempt." Mr Johnson goes on to explain that this movement was mainly to be attri buted to the anger of the Waikatos at their relations on the banks of the Manukau having sold land which was not their own. Such conduct was a general cause of com plaint from one end of the island to the other. Mr Johnson adds—" A bitter quarrel is gra dually rising between these two parties, and unless carefully guarded against may end in an appeal to arms." There are no more letters about the Waikato country. The department seems never to have recovered fr»m the false step pointed out by Mr Johnson, and on the whole of that country right up to Taupo the foot of the land purchase Commissioner did not leave its mark.

We now pass te the Coromandel peninsula where Mr Preeca had been stationed as local officer of the department. On the 6th May, 1858, he writes :—"The difficulties with which I have hitheito had to contend were of no ordinary character. Had it not been for the influence that I had with the natives, and tke confidence that they place in me, nothing, I believe, would have induced them ta have sold any land." Similarly Mr McLean addressing the Goveruor in June 5, 1857, aays : —" There is at present a geaeral indisposition on' the part of the natives to alienate their lands at Coromandel kar bour. * * * * As far as I can ascertain it is not so much a question •{ price that uill weigh with them in this matter as a national feeling -which prevails among many of the New Zealand tribes by whioh they eater into leagues and confederations against the sale of their country."

The Thames district of country was repre sented by Mr D. Hay, wkose reports are most poetical in their eloqnent descriptions of the difficulties of his position, and the despair which has taken possession of his embarrassed soul. On August 31, he ra poibs : —"The Ngatimaui have always been opposed to selling their lands, but their oppo sition, without being violent, is more deter mined than ever. * * * I attempted to negotiate with them the other day for land on the West bank of the Thames, near the Aroha, but was told to consider their decision as final; that they would never sell a single acre to Government south of the mouth of Piako and Waihou." Again on the 20bh September Hie writes:—"Amongst the natives who sfcandupon the land league, and insist upon its being carried «ut in this distriot, there are two classes : the large landowners who have not and will net for the present at any rate cedo one acre, and the tribes termed Manene by the natives," who seem by his explanation to comprise every one else. We next come to Taraaaki. CJnder this head the Blue-book commences with. Colonel Wakefield's despatches in 1839, andfurnishesa very complete history of the land operations there down to the final extinction of the whole question by the guns of Waitara. Difficul ties seem to have continually increased around the Commissionera until on the Bfcli of August, 18§4, Mr Cooper, the BisfciQli Qom«

missioner, had to report a fatal ! amongst the natives about the sale of of laud to the Government, in w hi if '■: were killed and more "wounded va°J misery seems to have ensued amorm-.*' 11 entire population, but through the « efforts and remarkable skill of theG ment officers things went on in « fo^' until January, 1858, when Mr HaW vT* report the killing, " under very at rH circumstances, of Katotore, the lead" 510118 the previous attack. His relative iwV* - at the first volley, and was literally vT . " ; to pieces." Matters went o» v agaJn- uneasy way, the Government- .^Li,.?* 11 prohibited aa far as possi* fU?" 1'! European laud until the pu ~'' .\{ 8 on. piece of land at Waitara. Wttemn?? • survey this produced on Fe ur^ 20 100, r the following letter from 3V, „ irria 'J*, Murray, the commanding^ Officer o f t? forces : "I have the honor to inform, that on arriving at Waitara that mor£ : with a surveying staff for the pnrp 0 J 1 ' surveying the block of land sold to 11 1 Government we were met by a party . from sixty to eighty of William KiJ I natives, who refused to allow us to p roee ?! | with the work. I have now the honors fe intimate to you (in accordance with my;. I struetions from the _ Government) that Z ! assistance of the military has become n ece sary." The remainder of this history known to everyone, and thus terminjy the land-purchasing at Taranaki. Turn,, now to Wellington district. The simegrw opposition seems to have prevailed here. j. May, 1858, Mr Searancke, District Con,. missioner, called the attention of the Chisj - Commissioner to " the numberless clainj, made by the natives on lands already 4 | nated to the Crown ; also the vague no tj 0111 entertained by some of the natives that W sums of money are still due to them on tig, lands." And things do not seem to hj Te much improved in 1860, for in February o j that year he writes : " Purchases of 1^ from the natives are from the following causes proceeding but slowly," which caosej may briefly be summed up as the jealousy 0 | | natives as to ownership ; the necessity $ the consent of all parties ; ana other reason ;: of similar character, which exist still and an quite natural and proper. The difficulty ' seems to have arisen fromthe_ system of prf, vate and secret diplomatising instead of p a ]j. lie authoritative judicial investigation. Jf, Searanebe goes on:—"This constant com. I munication with the Europeans, while lead. X ing them to put an exorbitant value on theb lands, has also rendered it more difficult to arrange about the price so as to bring it within the limits of my instructions. Their I demands, however high, are invariably backed :-: up by the most determined obstinacy and ? perseverance, and supported_by unblushing . effrontery of falsehood. We remember Solomon's proverb, "The buyer saith itU I naught." Mr Searancke seems to think tint the. seller should say so too."' He goes on depicting his troubles :—" The last and I greatest difficulty in the way of purchasing I land is the Maori King or Runanga party, H whose principles have taken a fatal hold on U the imagination of the Wairarapa natives, a I large party of whom now openly question the I- Queen's "authority over the Maori people, and p have organised a determined" opposition to I any further alienation of land to the Crown." i The Maoris naturally are unable to be de- I voted to her Majesty as a Queen, and at the I same time suspicious of and hostile to her as I a land-jobber. In the April following Mr I Searancke writes an apologetic letter for g having given-higher, prices j&nan he was tj authorised, and naively laments that this p liberality was rendered necessary by "the I increase of knowledge among the natives." | By June of the same year We Searancke I seems to be thoroughly disheartened, and in- Ej clined to give the whole concern up as a bad j job. "I had the honor in my letters of 29th j March and 2nd April (not printed) to suggest ! to you the necessity of suspending for the present all negotiations for the purchase of native lands in this province. I did not re ceive your sanction for this suspension of pnr- | chases. I therefore consider it my duty to | lay before you my reasons," &c. Mr Searancke | is a reflective person. He sees that there is t I screw loose somewhere, and by November, 1 1861, he has discovered it. " I believe, he 1 write 3, that ill-feelings and many difficulties 1 between Europeans and natives,' and among I natives themselves have been caused and I aggravated by unsettled land" questions 1 inthis district (Wellington) particularly. Individualization of title will tend to remove this, * * * and I also believa that the issue o? Crown grants, where practicable among them, will tend to remove one of the great lines of' demarcates between the native and European, and | every difference removed will be one cause less for jealousy and dispute." The lapse of three more months confirmed Mr Searancke in his views of the determination not to sell to ] the Government. " There cannot be a doubt, fie Wi'ites in June, that there ,is, notwith standing their outward professions of loyalty, a deeply-seated undercurrent of sympathy with the principles of the Maori King move ment, which is directly opposed to any further alienation of land to the Crown. The generally unhappy results of the system of land purchasing in the natives as a people is described by Mr Searaneke with some eloquence, and "the passage is worth publish ing. " The leading chiefs of Wairarapa hare sold nearly the whole of their available land: they are now in a helpless state of debt and poverty. The lived on, or rather wasted m a thoughtless and prodigal display, we capital derived from their lands in place et laying it out to advantage,.and living on its interest. Flattered by storekeepers ana others, with whom they wasted their money and who seemed to have listened with eager credulity to their description of their land as boundless, they were able to obtain credit w an extent almost inoreditable, considering that they had to overreach European sagacity. But a small proportion,ol tbew liabilities have been liquidated, and.thwsttM of debt and poverty has paved the., way «J discontent and jealousy against both w Government and Europeans generally, fie- We now come to the remaining district <» the colony—Hawkes Bay. Mr Cooper was the Commissioner here. There war not m the public service a man more fit for m office, and if his work came to grief no one would suppose for a moment that any W>m» skill or diligence could prevent it doing; aW* wise. In November 1856 he reports tw formation of a" new organization amongst* Maoris by which "it is proposed to pu*^ immediate stop to all sales of land to wj Government, and to use every possible mean to induce squatters to settle withflocksMW herds upon the extensive plains WfWfT;, rior.'? Further on he says : " A 'good dew has been said about returning the money 1 Okawa, and about resuming possession «■ part of the Ahuriri Block, in consequence" the low price paid for it. I do • think that threats of this sort are wortny ■» much attention, or that those who> m» them seriously imagine that they'could can? them into effect. But I deem it my f*> to bring them under the consideration «" Excellency as an indication of the unsetue" state of the Native mind." Things went ou in this fidgetty manner until Augus. i°-"' when Mr Cooper reports that the quW£V long existing between Te Hapukuand .* Moananui had at length broken oat into op hostilities, and that an engagement had »* place which resulted in a loas I sf 7K»» aud 2Q wou^a. We QW^Wfgtf j

fHI ttiitsti ita#t TKffiftmA*. At^fftr n, liM.



ONE HUNG A PEEPETUAL LAND, BUILDING AND INVESTMENT BOCIETY. Investing Shares £20 each, by payments of One Shilling per week, be»ring eight per cent interest, with profits. Money advanced without delay on approved Mortgages, repaid by weekly instalments of piincipal and interest. Offices—Onehnnga. J. D. JACKSON, Secretary. X C OS G E A V E & CO. AKB ABOUT DISPOSING OF THEIR BUSINES3 ■ IN QUEEN-STREET. ALL GOODS WILL BE SOLD AT COST PRICE FROM THIS DATE. TH7BLIC NOTIFICATION. '■ ■■ :' ;:___ By JoHtf ■Williamson, Esquire, Superintendent of the Province of Auckland. I 3^■'.-■■ Whereas the Board of Education under the " Edu. cation Act, 1872," and " The Education Act, 1872, 1 Amendment Act, 1871," has fixed a Household, Hate of-Twenty Shillings and a Bate of Ten Shillings for every male person ef 21 years and upwards residin within the P< ovinco of Auckland, who shall not be liable to pay tho said Household Bate, as the Hates, to be levied for the year 1874 ; <I do hereby appoint EGBERT BAILLIE LUSK, Esquire. v the person to whom such rates shall be paid; and I do hereby further fix Monday, the fourteenth day of September, 1874, to be the day, and the Provincial Treasury at Auckland to be the place, on and at which' such Kates shall be payable. Given under my hand at Wellington, in ihe Pro vince of Wellington, this eleventh day of August, 1874. J. WILLIAMSON, I A jlO AUCKLAND HABBOUR BOARD. LEASES OF ALLOTMENTS. Harbour Board Offices, | Auckland, August 8.1874. The Leases of Allotments Nos 14 to 19 in Fort street,and Allotments Nos 50 to 60 betweenJFort-street and Custom-House-street, for a term of 84 years, will be sold by Public Auction on or about the 30th September next. Conditions of Leases may be seen at this office. WILLIAM. C. DALDY, Chairman. J O. 57 ¥, M. |U. LOYAL PARNELL LODGE, No 4750. The Anniversary of the above Lodge will be cele brated by a BALL, to beheld in the Pamell Lodge room on THURSDAY EVENING. Augutt 27. Tickets 10s 6d, to be had of the Stewards. W. H. PIVOTT, P.G. ) P. BRYAN, N.G. >• Steward*. . 880. J. McCONNBLLj



BETVING MACHINES at Eeduced Prices for one month. Inconsequence of my having received notice from the Insurance Companies that at the expiration of the present policies they decline to renew them, I have determined to reduce the prices considerably in order to Clear Out my present larpe Stock, consisting of Thomas's, Singer's, Howe's, Wheeler and "Wilson's, Britannia, i ittle Stranger, Wanzer, and Little Willcox. Each machine guaranteed 'Jne only establishment in town devoted entirely to cne Pale and Repair of Sewing Machines.— G. W. BjSsLOP, the Fitting Shop, Vuloanlane. pRINCE OF WALES THEATSE. ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY. MILLION PRICES! DRESS CIRCLE, 4s ; STALLS, 2s 6d ; PIT, Is. Positively the JOst Two Nights—Farewell Perform ances—Thursday and Friday, August 13 and 14. THIS (THDTESDAY) EVRNTNG. ATJGTT&T IS, WiH be produced, Bellini's charming and most fascinating cf all Operas, LA SONNAMBULA. AMINA. MISS ALICE MAY Cast or Character : El vino .. Mr ITenry Hallam Count Rudolpho .. .. Mr T. H. Rainford Allessio .. Mr Howard Verncn Kotary .. .. .. .. Mr Wilkinson Dame Theresa .. .. .. Miss F. Howe Lisa Miss E. A.Tambert AMINA MISS ALICE MAY. To-morrow Evening, August 14, last performance, as the Company appear at Grahamstown on Satrr day, when will be repeated, by request, Fiotow's Grand Opera of MARTHA! LADY HARRIET .. .. MISS ALICE MAY NOTICE. — The Opera is over in time to enable North Shore residents to meet the last boat. J?pJi.crAL Notice—The inhabitants of Grahams town are respectfully informed that the Royal English Opera Company -will appear at the Academy of Music nn Saturday Evening, when will be pre sented Balfe's charming Opera, "MARITANA." Maiitana, Miss Alice May. ■pELNCE OF WALES TBEATE . All ACCOUNTS against the Management of the Royal Pnglish Opera Company are to be sent to the Box Cilice, Theatre, before twelve noon, on FRIDAY' August 14. WILLIAM EVANS, i Bus'lcss Manager. MAMMOTH PAVILION' MARKET RESERVE. SIAMESE AND CIRCUS! Notice —In consequence cf the Government not avowing the p s. Devonport to take the above Circuit to the Maori Feast, through her < nginea hung out of repair, Mr Kin? has been inrhi-eil to give th co fini-l performances prior to his positive d< partaro for the Miranda on Monday next. TO-NIGHT ! TO-NIGHT ! New Feats of Horsemanship. Th-> Lust Grand Change of Siamese Wonders ! New Jokea ! New Eccentricities ! New Witticisms, New Pues, and Fun for Evciybody South, the New Zealand Clown i TAIHOA ! TATHOA ! TATIIOA ! TiIHOA ! Don't read this, if you do you are hound to come to SOUTHS BENEFIT, TO-MORROW NIGHT. Come and see South on the Giraffe. Come and see South go to Donnybrook. Come to hear Soulh's Stump Speech, bristling with Loca's. Came and hear Souths History of England. Come and hear Smith's Opinion on the Casey- Miltiades Case. COME ONE ! COMK ALL ! NUF CED—DVM VIVO VIVAS. SATTJEDAY AFTERNOON, LAST MID-DAY PERFORMANCE. TTNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. [EsTABL»n*D 1837.] Paid-up Cipttal £1,250,000 . Roservo Fund £400,000 NOTICE TO PROPRIETORS. Telegraphic advice having been received that a Dividend at the rate of 14 per cent, per annum for the half-year ending the 30th June, 1874, on the paid-up capital of this Eank, was declared at a meeting of Proprietors held in London on the 13th instant. Proprietors registered in Chiistchurch at the former date will receive their dividend warrants on applica tion to the Meiager. JOSEPH PALMER, Chief Officer for New Zealand. Christchurch, 25th June, 1874.