SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HI(? H "^ A-T^S : -This evening. 6.22 ; to-wones morning, 6 45 SUN-SET : D.hl» evening, 630 ; 3U£kRISE: To morrow morning, 6 31 MOON'S AGE: Full Moon, 23th, 1.7 a.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS.

Fleur de Maurice, barque. 33S tons, Captain Gallichen, from Newcastle

DEPARTURES.

Pretty Jane, 5.p.," Fernandez, for Gisborne and Napier Southern Srcss, (A.S.T Co's), Holmes, 'or Napier ■Luna, p s., for Wellington (Suez Mail), (from the

Manukan) Wellington, s-s., for the South (from the Manukau^

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Wanganui and Taranaki—Co-ahead, to-morrow

St Kilda, Thursday, noon For New Caledonia and Norfolk Island—Daunflless,

schooner, Saturday For Lyttelton—Kio Loge, brig, early For London-^Countess of Kintore. ship, early For Melbourne--Miltiados, ship, early

VESSELS EXPECTED

City of Melbourne, S.s., from Sydney, about 4th Sept. Macgregor, s.s., from San Francisco and Honolulu,

about 10th prex City of Auckland, ship, from London; sailed 20th

May Chanticleer, brig, from Hobart Town Lady Franklin, barque, from Newcastle Loch Drr, ship, from London ; sailed 3rd June Ferndale, barque, from London ; sailed May 5 Oxford, ship, from London : sailed 7th June Pearl, ketch, from South Sei Islands, early Memento, barque, from Newcastle, e«rly Pacific, schrcner, from South Sea Islands Dauntless, .schooner, from the South Waiting!, ship, from London : loading Stanley Castle, barque, from London ; sailed Resolution, brig, from Warrnambcol; sailed 9th

instant Tien Tsin, barque, from Lannceston Glimpse, barqus, from Newcastle Jackson, ship, from London ; sailed Zealandia, ship, from London ; sa'led Montana, barque, from Newcastle Jessie Henderson, schooner, from Oamaru

IMPORTS.

Per Eleur de Maurice from Newcastle 511 tons coal.—Messrs Stone Bros., agents.

The barque Thames was brought alongside the wharf yesterday, and commenced dis charging her New T'ork and Adelaide oargo this morning. The barque Fleur de Maurice arrived this morning from Newcastle with a cargo of coals. She left port on the loth instant, and has consequently made a rapid run of between ten and eleven days. Experienced strong westerly winds on the passage across till sighting the Three Kings on the morning of Sunday. Had very heavy rain with easterly winds down the east. Passed the barque lady Franklin, which left two days before the Fleur de Maurice, on the 17th. The Fleur de Maurice comes consigned to Messrs. Stone Bros.

HThe A.S.P. Co.'s Southern Cross left this morning for Napier. She took a large general cargo, and the Royal English Opera' Company (35) as passsngers. The Pretty Jane left for Gisbome and Napier lato this afternoon. She conveys a full general oargo.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :— Tor Thames, this clay, at 5 30 p.m., and to-morvow, at '10.30 a.m. For Coromandel, on Friday next, at 11.30 a.m. Fcr Taranaki and Wanganui, per Go-ahead, to tTmorrow, at 10 a.m. For Wanganui, per St Kilda, to-merrow, at 10 a.m. For Waiwera and Warkworth, per Lady Bowen, to morrow, at 10 a m. For Taranaki, Souihtrn provinces find Australian Colonies, per Taranaki, on Monday next, at 10 a.m. S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE

Simov—Kikoat». —On th» 20thinst, at theresideneeof Mr Wm. Pettvs, Ponsonby, Auckland, by the Itev P. H. Cornford, Mary, second daughter, of .Tames Kincaid, Esq., Iron Founder, Dunodln, to Sir John Sitnon, of Auckland, formerly of Dunodin.

BIRTH.

9n,isr.s.-On Jane 17. at The Shrubbery, Sutton Croon, Surrey, Encland the wifeot H. J. B. Sellers, Esq., late of Auckland, of a daughter.

DEATH.

Kexly—On Augusts29tb, at Onehunga, Cathrine Kelly. The funcfi'.l will leave her late resid< nee, to-morrow, .it 3 p.m. Priencis will p'eise attend.

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 1874.

& Fof\the pause tfiaflaelcs assistance, For the wroiitf that needs resistance, Fbi the future in the di'liuiee. Ami the good that we can do.

If Mr Vogel's now famous resolutions have no other good effeot they will serve a useful purpose in awakening an unusual and com mendable interest in publio affairs among tho masses of the people. It is surprising to see the extraordinary indifference to great Public questions which characterises the great body of tho people of New Zealand, or at least our portion of it ; and as great constitutional changes are unquestionably pending, and could not have been much longer with safety delayed, perhaps it will result in good that : tho first symptoms of coming changes have | been presented to us in their most insulting ; and unpleasant form. We see it telegraphed from Wellington that from a caucus of the , Opposition minority has emanated a Consti tutional League. What its principles arc We know not, neither the particular objects which it proposes to compass. But whatever these may be if it awakes the dormant feelings of the people, and leads to intelligent political antagonisms throughout, the whole body of colonists, a good end will be served. There are troublous times com ing when every man may be callod on to gird himself for the struggle, and no better pre paration can there be for this than that political education which will come of the plat form and pamphlet discussions Which usually accompany the organization and progress of such " leaguing." While this Constitutional League has thus suddenly started forth in Wellington it is known to many that steps are steadily and successfully being taken among ourselves for the enrolment of mem bers in an organization which may possibly have kindred objects. It is a time for every one to have an intelligent idea of the position of affairs, and to be able to render ■ a reason for the faith that is in him. It may be admitted that the element in our peculiar constitution known as "Provincialism" is doomed, but it will be our duty to see that in the change ' our own interests are not unfairly prejudiced, and that we do llbt bind ourselves by an unequal yoke, under which in future years we may groan in vain. If the land revenues from Crown lands which-now constitute the wealth and strength of certain Southern provinces are not made the common possession of New Zealand at the very time when the change comes, it will be a dark prospect for the Northern provinces. If all our lands and other interests are to be administered by the Central Government we may rest assured that they Will bo sacrificed to the exigencies of the hour whenever tho pressure comes. Whereas with the lands of the South still confirmed to the provinces no embarrassment of the Central exchequer can ever reach those local endowments. Ad ministered by the provinces, and secured as proposed by Mr Vogei by an Act that like those of the Medes and Persians altereth not, the Southern land fund can never feel the screw put down by the publio creditor on the central authority. Our lands, as well as taxes, being assets in hand, will of course be realised to meet the liabilities now accruing in the formation of Southern railways. These are things that no man can afford to ignore. And it is the duty of every one who dous not desire revolution to bo wise in time, and make provision against the perpetration of injustice which will be tolerabto to no free man.

In passing through tho market this morn ing we noiiced at the stall of Mr Robert Brewin, florist and seedsman, a splendid oluster of fine sweet oranges, grown on the estate of F. Whitaker, Esq,, at Lake Taka puns ; also, a quantity of oxcollcnt lcmonw, full-flavored, from tho grounds of Mason Bro?,'

f A Napier correspondent writes :—The re solutions now bern? discussed in the House, respecting tbe abolition of the Northern pro vinces are looked upon with great disfavor hero by all but the Government " ring." Should a dissolution ensue Mr McLean will find his seat warmly contested. While every person admits his great services as Native Minister, yet a3 a representative on other matters no one has any faith in him ; and it is thought the wisest step for the Govern ment to take would be to make him a Legis lative Councillor. The large landholders in the southern part of the province are alarmed at the borrowing policy of the Government; they say that Vogel has no stake in the colony except in one or two unprofitable newspapers, and if his " bubbles hurst " he wiil have little or nothing to lose. They state their determination to bring Mr Ormond to book for his votes, and if he will not pledge himself to oust the Government, to look out for another candidate to oppose him for the Clive district. The Herald of course supports Vogel's schemes, and takes every opportunity of vilifying the province of Auckland.— Nothing is too bad. The people as a body > arc stated to be totally unfit for free insti tutions, and are wild and reckless political gamblers. The articles are penned, it is re ported, by an individual well-known in Auckland (to distinguish him from "Snyder") as " penny-a-liner Brown." The Times is opposed to the Vogeliail policy, and the Telegraph hits out right and left against the Ministry ahd the Hawke'a Bay Represen tatives. An article this evening appeared, strongly condemning the action of Mr Onnoud in voting against Mr Sheehan's motion for a re-adjustment of representation. There is no doubt about it that both McLean and Ormond are mere puppets in the hands of Mr Vogel, who makes them dance to his pleasure which is not a very dignified position for the representatives of a province to place thoui selvea in.

A member of the police forco has been detailed for the purposo of enforcing in Hokitika the provisions of the Females Employment Protection Act, carried through the Assembly last year by Mr Bradshaw. By it shop and factory girls,'dressmakers, &c, aro prohibit* d from working more than eight hours a day, but it has not been regarded at all hitherto in Hokitika. It will in future bo strictly insisted on.

The second concert of the third season of the Onehunga Society took place on Friday last. The concert, we think, was not quite as successful as the last, which can be ac counted for by the wretched attendance at practice on two or three occasions, togr-thci' with the substitution of songs and vocalists 'at the last moment, rendered necessary from absence and severe cold. " Swiftly from the Mountain's Brow," "Awake, Jiolian Lyre," " Rnpian's National Hymn" (newly arrived, in honor of the Puke of Edinburgh's man ia»e with the Grand Duchess), were rendered with much precision and effect by the choir. The instiumental pieces, " Fantasia, from Faust," tho " Royal Bridesmaid," waltz or piano duet, both with violin accompaniments, ap peared to give very great satisfaction. Mr Beale gave a violin solo unaccompanied, rather an unusual proceeding, but rendered necessary from circumstances unavoidable. We are really much surprised to find these i interesting concerts so badly supported by the 'public of Onehunga'; doubtless from some cause requiring an explanation to remove. Mr Beale conducted.

The anniversary concert of the Temperance Drum and Fife Baud last evening at the City Hall was a great success. The band played several selections of choice musio, also the beautiful overture " Come whore my love lies dreaming, " and the " Queen's March." Mr Doran gave the " Belle of the Ball," which was encored. This gentleman also sang " Down by the old mill stream," which met with a good reception. Miss Jessie Woods sang three songs in excellent style. _ A gentleman amateur created quite a sensation with his song and dance and stump speech on the incidents of the American war. Master Hill was loudly applauded in two songs. Mr Keesing gave Ingoldsby's " Little Vulgar Boy "in character, but scarcely distinct enough to bo heard over the hall. Tho "Vulgar Boy," although written by a clergyman and very popular, is not a high-class production. A recitation was given by Miss Froudo with care and taste, and was listened to with wrapt attention. No 2. of tho Drum and' Fife Gazette was read and received with much satisfaction. Mrs Hertz presided at the pianoforte with her wonted ability, and sang tho sweetly plaintive ditty "Thy voice is near." Miss Hertz was encored in the " Gipsy's warning." The whole wound up with the farce of " Eagleton, the Barber."

"Mother, lam going to die, and when I am no more I wish the doctor to cut me open and look at my stomach." The maternal mind was filled with awful forebodings, and the maternal heart asked what it meant. " I wish it to be known," he answered, '-'that I died of starvation." The small bey is trium phant, and retires to his little bed gorged.

The Auckland Harmonic Societys concert was held last evening in the Lome-street Hall, and was well attended. This society has made great progress during the two years of its existence considering that week by week the society has been confined almost to the same selections from two or three masters of tho saored lyre. It was remarkablo, therefore, .that the singers were as efficient as they proved to be last night. Wo have noticed a great deal i of musical enthusiasm among the members of the Harmonic Society, and they have been very regular in their attendance at practice ; henco we looked for a successful concert. The members number about eighty, includ ing a preponderance of young ladies with sweet voices. The concert generally gave satisfaction judging from the liberal applause which followed the pieces presented to the audience. Mr Lambert opened the proceed ings with a fine selection on the harmonium, I after which the programme of the evening ' was represented by the choir and separate singers with fairness. Several comic songs were given at intervals with credit, which touched the humourous part of the listeners oven to tears. Madame Moller was very suc cessful in her rendering of several good selections from the German composers. The '"ABC" duet created great applause. I Without going the minutiro of the r6!e, we may affirm that the concert was a good one, | and the conductor and harmoniumist may be 'complimented on tho achievements of the society.

Before the Southern Cross left with the English Opera Troupe this morning, Mr Stoneham, the cornet player of the orchestra, was presented with a very handsome ivory and gold baton by Mr Mitchell, one of the company, on behalf of tho choristers and orchestra. The gift was presented and acknowledged in suitable terms. The baton was manufactured by Mr Pensholtz, of Victoria-street.

An entertainment was given last evening by the members of St. James' Presby terian Sabbath-school, assisted by several of the teachers. Despite the inclemency of tlio weathor tho church was well filled. Several dialogues and recitations were _ very well ronderod by the senior scholars, inter sporsed with solos and duets by the choir, and a vory pleasant evening was brought to a cloho by tho Roy. R.F. MaoNicol pronoun cing the benediction.

We publish to-day a number of letters that have been lying over for some time past. There are several other commmunications on hand, among them a long one from " Autkropos,"on "The North and South, which we are compelled from lack of space to reject. Correspondence ha 3of late made such large claims upon our space to the exc*u' sion of matter of more general interest that we again beg of our contributors to make their letters brief and pithy. _ We always feel pleasure in giving publicity to such communications, but long windy essays should in all cases bo sent to our morning contemporaries, the dreary columns of which they are much better suited for than the pages of-tbe Star It is stated that France proposes to submit to the Brussels Congress serious charges against tie German Government, for acts committed by the army which lately invaded France, and Germany contemplates present ing counter chai-ges. The departure of the English Opera Com pany took place this morning. They left for Napier in the s.s. Southern Cross at half past eleven o'clock. There was quite an animated scene on the wharf when the mem bers of the company went on board. Miss Alice May takes with her the good wishes of the citizens of Auckland. She is undoubtedly the most talented operatic artiste that has appeared in New Zealand, and has won golden opinions by her pleasing affability and freedom from conceit no less than by her professional merit. We have already ex pressed our hierh opinions of Mr Allen and the company, and will content ourselves now with wishing them success.

We regret that through a misapprehension on the part of one of our reporters, an erroneous paragraph with reference to the services at St. Mary's Church in connection with the now organ, found its way into our columns last night. Those who intended to be present and wore deterred by the notice referred to may make amends by forwarding their intended subscriptions to the organ fund to Mr R. C. Dyer.

To the Editor : Sir,—A letter appeared in this morning's Cross commenting upon the charge of assault the other day, in the Police Court, preferred by James Lamb against George Cook. That letter implies that Cook was mulcted in £1 15s. coats, and suggests that the false accuser (the police man) should be fined. These are grave errors, and should not pa.s uncorrected. First, the police had nothing to do with the case, as it was brought by Mr. Lamb's solicitor, and as it was withdrawn the costs fell upon Lamb, rx4B- not upon Cook.— Yours, &c, Justice.

Mr Hoskins engaged with the management of the Academy of Music, Chicago, to play for one week in a round of old comedies. He found a poor company prepared to support him, failed miserably, only played for three nights and gave it up as a bad job.

Mr T. B. Hannaford thus delivcis himself: —Sir,—Be kind enough to oblige me by giving a thump on the nose to the pudding headed Megatherium who wrote that asinine local about me in last night's Star. The facts ire these : The inebriate, as your correspondent stated, was lying on his back in a fuddle looking skyward, with a meaning less smile in his face in the pelting rain. When 1 came up, Mr. Foley, the grocer, proposed that his pockets should be emptied of what cash ho had about him, of which he would be custodian and allowed to take hi 3 chance. I moved as an amendment that in addition to h;s being custodied we give the poor fellow a supper and bed, and that I would see him early next morning. To this ho demurred. Eventually two stalwart young fellows volunteered to take him to his home, which I believe they did, and as I was thoroughly wet through I skedaddled to mine.— Yours.

etc., T. B. Hanxakord.

Queen Victoria, released from tho re straints of Court If*, is enjoying herself in the midst of her faithful Highlanders at Bal moral Castle. A few nights after her arrival there was a servants' ball, and her Majesty gave countonance to it by being present and taking part in the dancing. She danced with her grandchildren, the sons tff the Piince o( i Wales, and afterwards took pait in a reel with her attendant, John Brown, for a partner. This is the first time the Queen has danced since the death of the Prince Consort. Away from Balmoral the Queen never attends balls or even concerts.

A meeting of members of the Lodge United Service will tako place this evening, in the lodge-room, Masonic Hotel, at the usual hour.

An entertainment in aid of the St. Mary's Organ Fund is to take place on Tuesday next, the Ist proximo. A varied programme of music, readings and recitations has been arranged and will be published at once.

THE SUEZ MAIL.

The s.s. Albion with tho Suez mail arrived at the BluiF to-day, five days before due date. She brings English dates via Rrindisi to July 10, ten days lator than those brought by tho Tartar.

THE SAN FRANCISCO MAIL.

We leaan from a telegram received by Mi H. M. Jervis, Auckland agent of the A.S.N. Co. that Auckland people will have an opportunity for sending correspondence to England via San Francisco next week. The City of Melbourne, which leaves Sydney under contract with the New South Wales Government on the 29th Instant, will call at Auckland if nc^connecting steamer arrives at Sydney from Auckland prior to that date. The City is announced to leave here on the 4th September.

ST. MARY'S PARNELL.

OPENING OF THE NEW ORGAN,

The inauguration of the new organ of' St. Mary's, Parnell, took place last night, when a special service was held in honor of the occasion. Tho church was well filled, and the " choir was strengthened by the attend ance of several members from the other Anglican Churches. • Mr Joseph Brown played the voluntary, after which Mr Geo. J". " Brown officiated at the organ. The evening service was read by the Rev. C. M. Nelson, the choir chanting the versicles and responses. Barnby's "Te was introduced into tho singing portion of the service. The Rev. Dr. Kidd read the first lesson, and the Rev. B. T. Dudley tho second. Mendelssohn's "Sleepers Wake was selected as the anthem. It was capitally rendered by the full choir. The Rev. R. S. Hassard preached the sermon , from the fourth verso of the 150 th Psalm— "Praise Him with organ." This took the form of a short address on the subject of church music. The preacher enlarged upon the fact that the worship of God was more fitly carried on with the accompaniment instruments of music giving out a glad sound than in the melancholy fashion of the Puritans. No instrument was more suited for the Church than the organ. The solo, "Oh, rest in the Lord," by a young lady, followed, and afterwards a collection was mado in aid of the Organ Fund. This amounted to £13 3s 7d. The new organ is a very beautiful instrument, manufactured by

Mr Jones, the great Brompton organ-builder. It was brought out from England in the Miltiades, and has been effectively set up by Mr Hewlett. The cost, including freight etc., was £340, of which aum about £30 remain unpaid.

LUMPERS V. NEW CHUMS

(To the Editor of tho Evening Stat;.) Sic —Will you kindly give insertion to the following letter in your valuable paper, _it beincr the only impartial means of advocating a poor man's cause. I beg leave to refer to a statement which appears per Evening Star of 20th ult., made by Captain Elliott, whether the regular wharf lumpers are worth Is Gd an hour, or whether it pays dis chargers of vessels to employ them at that rate better than to engage raw hands at Is per hour. Under these circumstances he (Capt. Elliott) gives the result of a test said to have been instituted on board s.s. Victoria. In the first place allow me to in form Captain Elliott, as well _as the public interested therein, -that nis state ment was nothing short of a gross misrepre sentation to the public of above-mentioned test. In commencing, he says there were six new chums, or Scandinavians, employed at the coaling of s.s. Southern Cross. Now I say there was no less than seven, which fact I am prepared to substantiate by over twenty witnesses, and that the said seven men had not a single stoppage during tho two hours, whilst tho four regular lumpers had a stoppage of thirty-five minutes in their two hours, which easily accounts for the Scandinavians being fifty baskets ahead. The following is a correct account of lumpers stoppages :—They commenced work at two n m., worked till three p.m., and then com menced weighing baskets, which occupied fifteen minutes at the least ; resumed work till they were knocked oil, waiting for orders at 3.40 p.m., time taken by chief engineer's watch. local stoppages, 35 minutes. . . Thereby making the time worked by lumpers 1 hnrn- -> minutes, which, upon any other oc- ■■■-■ than above-mentioned unknown test, would he called an hour and a half (although upon this occasion we got paid for two hours), and each man at Is Gd per hour would be entitled to 2s 3d, and there being four men would amount to 9a. However, the result of the so-called test, is evidently in favour of the lumpers when the above facts relating to time are proved, which we are ready to do at any moment. In fact we calculated on something strange going to happen on account of being paid for full two hours. If four lumpers can put out 150 baskets in 1 hour and 25 minutes (which they did), at a total cost of 9s, -is it not cheaper than seven men, raw ones at that, putting out 200 baskets at a total cost of 14s, besides having the advantage of using small baskets (averaging 14 to the ton) for over half-an-hour, until stopped by the chief officer of Southern Cross, whose partiality for Scandinavians ceased to exist when he found out his loss to the tune of four baskets to the ton, the usual average of big baskets being nine and a-half to 10 to the ton. No doubt the small baskets were a great encouragement to the poor Scans., kindly suggested no doubt by then worthy upholder Captain Elliott in the the shaps of keeping the baskets going. I should think in future the A.S.P. would prefer the big baskets to the test. And speaking of the test reminds me of the most important: item, namely, tho question of the time employed with regard to testing work of that description. Any ordinary man might do two hours coaling at a push, but put our Scandinavian friends—the sever* of them alongside tho same four of the regular coaling gang for a spell of 3G or 40 hours of a stretch, or even 12 hours, and note the result. Far from putting out the same quantity at equivalent costal '11 guarantee that neither of the seven would show up at the ninth hour, which would never do for mail boats, &c, requiring coal with despatch. However, if Capt. Elliott likes the Scandinavians better than the old hands we wish him luck if he cannot see tho mistake regarding cost. But there is one thing I must mention before closing this letter, that I, as well as the largest portion of men who work on the wharf, can't help thinking that it was a very poor return on his part to us consider ing that whilst he was patron of our club we unanimously agreed to discharge the s.s. Wonga Wonga at reduced wages, so as to secure for him the monoply of the work to the immediate discomfituie of the other employers, who it seems now are our only supporters.—l am, <feo., An Four.

NORTH SHORE SCHOOL.

(To the Editor of the EVENING Star.) Sir, —In perusing Wednesday's Star I met with a paragraph which intimated that the Devonport school was re-opened under Mr Goertz, and trusting that the school yfould soon regain its former high reputation. Now, sir, presuming that the people of Auckland havo little to do with the writer's hopes or fears, and taking his remarks in connection with my late resignation as teacher of that school, I cannot but think " that he is one of the few who would attempt to malign my character. Romembering your motto, and how often and con sistently you have defended those who have received unmanly and cowardly stabs in the dark, my hopes rise that you will insert the following information in reference to the above subject :—About the Ist July last I was asked privately by the chairman of the district to resign. In surprise I re quested his reason. After consideration he said " Not acceptable." (What number the word acceptable referred to he either could not or would not explain.) In reply I stated that I had too much spirit to remain in a position where even a small portion of the parents were dissatisfied. I then re signed, giving a month's notice. My syllabus of instruction did not differ materially from that of the former teacher. I paid the greatest attention to the mental and moral culture of the pupils under my care. No faults were found with my system of tuition by either parents or committee, except once, when the latter enquired whether I gave the elder pupils so many homo lessons, as formerly they had none. I explained that many of them would soon bo leaving school for work or business ; it was therefore important that they should study according to ability. The remainder of the class who could not oompete with them were leniently dealt with. The writer of the paragraph alluded to states that the pupils of Devonport had a good name. Granted. But compare the four pupils who followed me to Devonport from High street and you will find them almost invari ably at the head of the school. If this be doubted I challenge the writer to prove by examination in English and Roman History, geography, writing, grammar, composition, and arithmetic, and will stake my reputa tion on the result. I was head-master for four years of a large denominational school in Ballarat, Victoria, with four teachers, and have documents from Inspector Bonwick and Superintendent. I was also master at St. James' Presbyterian School, Auckland, for five years, and hold testimonials from , Superintendent and Local Committee ; and j when last visited by Inspector Taylor he was pleased to classify the senior boys for general proficiency with the best of the denominational schools in the province.— I am, sir, yours, etc., William Macintosh.

THE PRESENT CRISIS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star. _ | Sir,—lt has occurred to me after perusing, your graphic account of the first case of ''cremation" in Auckland on Saturday evening last that there are other phases of the ques tion which require further explanation. For example the Herald on the Gth inst publishes the following from its special correspondent at Wellington: "Mr. Thomas Russell, of Auckland, is the moving spirit here for the consolidation of the Northern provinces. Ul course every one in a free country has a perfect right to think as he pleases upon the leading social or political questions of the day • but when it is further borne in mind thkt upon this subject the public voice had spoken almost unanimously against Mr. Voxel's scheme, and had taken the precaution of having its decision transmitted to Welling ton long°before that farce of a division took place, I think Mr Russell owes his province some explanation or contradiction of the pas sage already quoted. The " cremateoV members will doubtless be fuither " roasted on the hustings ; but when a private indivi dual earns for himself the reputation of being " _ moving spirit" in any movement he can only bo brought to the bar of public opinion for the simple reason that spirits of tins des cription won't burn.—Yours, etc., F. H. Troup. ___

SUPREME COURT.—This Day.

In Banco

(Before His Honor Sir George A. Arney, Knight, Chief Justice.) Dudkr v. Richmond.

This argument on demurrer, which was postponed from the last sitting, was continued this morning. Mr MacCormick, for the defendant, has occupied the day in replying to Mr Rees. The argument had not concluded up to the time of our reporter leaving.

PARLIAMENTARY

(From our Special Correspondent.)

Mr Richardson stated on the House meet ing that the j Tararua would be detained till Saturday to enable members to go South, and the Luna and Taranaki go North also on Saturday. THE EXCISE BILLS. The i rovision in the Excise Bill relating to the "ckland Distillery is as follows :— Messrs ■ kwell and Co. can distil before : June 30 n '- year such quantity of spirits as, together ith the quantity distilled by them since tne Ist July, shall not exceed 25.000 gallons. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the last section of the Act the duty to be levied, collected, and paid upon every gallon of spirits So to be made and distilled before 30th June, 1575, and upon every gallon of spirits heretofore distilled at his distillery shall be a duty of one-half that charged for the time being upon a gallon of spirits imported into the colony, such duty shall be paid upon the gallon standard measure of spirits of strength of proof of Sykes' hydrometer, and so in proportion for any greater or less strength than proof. There may be issued and applied out of the consolidated fund during the period of two years from the Ist. September, 1574-, any sum or sums to W.G. Cawkwell and Co.; £7,500 to be paid in monthly in stalments, provided always, that if prior to the 30th September, IS7O, a snfficient sum shall not be received from duties paid or collected on such spirits in the colony to pay the whole of the said £7500.

(Per Press Telegram Agency.)

PAKIRI BLOCK

In reply to Mr Sheeban the Native Minister said the Government were doing their utmost to complete negotiations regard ing the acquisition of the Pakiri block, and expected that next sitting of the Native Lands Court would remove all existing dilliculties. KAIPARA HARBOUR. Mr Sheehan asked when the Government intended to cause a survejr of the Kaipara harbor as a new one was exceedingly desir able. The present surveys were utterly unreliable, and they might any day have another Orpheus case, i Mr Reynolds said theharbor3 of the colony required carefully looking after, but it was impossible for the Government to take any steps unless they had first some representa tives fromt h e Provincial Government. DI *r RTO THE GOVERNOR. B5 ouses entertain his Excellency at a fai. ell dinner on Friday night. PAYMENT OF MEMBERS. A good deal of discussion ensued upon honorarium to members of the House. It was ultimately resolved: "That, after this year, the allowance of members by the Assembly be regulated by Act, but that during this year the allowance shall be 150 guineas to all members of the Assembly residing beyond three miles from the place of meeting of the Assembly, and 100 guineas to all members of the Assembly residing within that distance." BILLS PASSED. The Poverty Bay Land Titles Bill, Taimaro and Waimahano Grant Bill, and Outlying Districts Sale of Spirits Act Amendment Bill passed their final stage. THE EXCISE BILLS. On the House resuming upon the second reading of the Excise Duties Bill, Mr Macandrew recorded his protest against the principle adopted by this Bill. Mr O'Connor also had his misgivings. He was afraid it would lead to the springing up of numerous illicit distilleries, and requiring special force for their repression. Mr Hunter hailed the Bill as a decided step against tho pernicious system of pro tection. Sir Cracroft Wilson approved of the action of the House in this matter. Mr May also regretted that the House should pass such a Bill. It was pouring into one bucket and taking out of another. Mr McGlashan supported the Bill, which passed through all its stages. DISCUSSION ON GENERAL GOVERN MENT MANAGEMENT. Upon moving the House into committee Mr J. S. Gillies wished to record a few figures in support of the statement he made during a recent debate with the object of showing the lesser cost of the management of provinces as compared with the Colonial Government administration, and which figures had been controverted by the Minister of Public Works.

Mr Richardson pointed out that there wa3 such a wide disparity between the figures adduced now and those given before that he need not say a single word in refutation. Mr Cuthbertson characterised the act of the member of Waitaki in taking up the question when bi3 figures had been so outrageously incorrect as silly in the ex treme.

On the motion for going into Committee of Supply, Mr Murray made a long speech, in which_ he found fault with the financial administration, and regretted that the fathers of the House did not take the matter up. Mr Thompson made some remarks in the same line, in course of which he made refer ence to the mode of carrying out the Immi gration policy in the immediate future, He j

intimated that he would cause the aLj | of the Department to be more tiirnS?^_ > direction of nominated immigra' - r I would also endeavour so to reguf TlSj t shipments as so arrive here in favourable r portions of the year. | ESTIMATES. The emigration and supplementary egH. mates passed through committee without opposition, including estimates for unautho. * rised expenditure. * i THE LICENSING ACT. I The Licensing Act came down from tha I Legislative Council with the followina amendment in the thirteenth clause 'H E " Provided that new licenses shall be granted only at the quarterly licensing meetings to be held in the month of June of each year" - The Premier did not think it wise to peril the Bill by rescinding the amendment which had been fought twice over in the Council but he proposed to amend the clause so as to make it apply only to houses not previously licensed, the amendment to be referred back ! to the Council along with other amendments jj disagreed with. 1 NATIVE LANDS ACT.

Mr Sheehan pointed out upon the com mittal of the Native Lands Act Amendment Bill that its expensivenoss _ and complication of machinery must render it practically use less.

Mr Rolleston disapproved of the Bill. Mr Takamoana would prefer no Native Land Act at all, but would desire a Bill circulated amongst; the natives.

Mr Wi Parata said that no Maoris opposed the Bill, but merely some details. The Bill was committed and passed. The House adjourned at 2.15.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

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

THE PLEASURE AID THE PENALTY.

Two women named Christina Wilson and Eliza Hart were charged with drunkennesgg. Christina said she was not exactly tipsy when found in Mill Lane, as she had only had two . glasses she was very sorry, and if his Worship would let her off she would go to the Thames without deUy. / His Worship : This is your third offence in the course of a short time you are liable to a long imprisonment. Do you not see that you are travelling on the way to perdition? Yes your Worship, I do, I do, but I will go away and try to do better. Sergant Major Pardy said he should be glad to withdraw the charge if there was any hojw of prisoner leaving the city, but he had Ma doubts about Christina's promises. Sentenced to seven days' imprisonment. Ellen Hart, who was picked up in the Karangahape road in a state of insensibility, was fined 103 and costs. CITY RATES. Peter McAtthur was summoned for city rates, £3. Mr Joy appeared for defendant, and; produced a receipt to show that the claim had been paid. Mr Philips, Town Clerk, said that the claim was for other property. His Worship said that Mr McArthur, if he really owed the money, should pay it. Defendant said that on a previous occasion, two years ago, he paid one rate three times over ; he denied owing the present demand. His Worship suggested tha,t the case should be withdrawn, and defendant see the Mayor in the meantime, and try to arrange the matter. It appeared that the Council books did not disclose sufficiently clear, the separate rates, hence it was possible th«re was some mistake! and Mr McArthur bad paid but £4 13s. in stead of £7 13s 'J he Town Clerk, however, was not in a p .sitiou to define the matter, but would aceepi a veedict without costs. Mr 'Joy could not consent to this. It was finally resolved that the ease should stand over until the 3rd September in order that a settlement might be effected if possible. This concluded the business.

THE ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY.

CONCERT AT THE CHORAL HALL.

Probably the last opportunity that Auck« k?nd will have of hearing Miss Alice May and Mr Allen's fine Opera Company was presented last night at the Choral Hall, when the company, in conjunction with the Choral Society, gave a farewell concert. The first part of the programme was devoted to the amateurs assisted by Mrs Mitchell. All acquitted themselves remarkably well, espe cially Mrs Mitchell and Miss Leaf. Of this half of the concert suffice it to say that the part songs, although somewhat weak in tone owing to the absence of many of the member* through the bad weather, were sung with good expression and in. capital time and tune. A duet by Mrs Mitchell and a well known amateur basso was very noticeable. Mrs Mitchell sang " Esmeral *a \ with all her accustomed sweetness and pathos. Miss Leaf was encored in " My soul is an enchanted boat." The second part was introduced by the combined orchestras of the Society and the company, giving the grand "Der Frieschutz" overture. This was a fine performance and keenly appreciated. Following this Miss Alice May, who was still suffering from the aeuident alluded to in our columns on Mon day, gave the operatic pearl from Weber's "Der Freischutz," the scena " Softly sighs the voice of Even." The effect given to this by Miss May was something to be remembered. The audience listened intently and applauded vociferously at the conclusion. The opening was vexatiously marred by an inaccuracy on the part of one of tho violin accompanists. _ As an encore the lady gave " Within a mile of Edinbro' Toun. " A rich vein of humour was imparted to the singing of this beautiful ballad, but we must confess to preferring Miss May in efforts requiring deeper feeling. Mr Rainford sang Calcott's famous composition " The Last Man " so well that he was compelled to repeat the latter part. Then came Miss Lambert with " Leve's request, " and so piquant was the rendering that she also had to respond to an encore, when she substituted "By the Sad Sea Waves.' Mr Hallam gave in his now well known clear and ringing tones " The Anchor's Weighed," following it in response to a demand for something more with the much admired ballad, " My Pretty Jane. The trio from Maritana, " Wine, wine, wine," suceeded, and was given with ex quisite harmoniousness by Messrs Vernon, Templeton, and Rainford. Miss Florence Howe gave "The Maid of Athens" in a style far superior to anything else we hare heard from her. This lady has a really good voice, and evidently was more in her ele« ment at a concert than in the opera. To an imperative demand for' a en core she answered by singing "The Merrie Greenwood," to which was ap pended a flute obligato by Mr Stoneham. This was followed by a duet, which afforded as much pleasure to the audience as anything during the evening. This was "Ye Banks and Braes," by Miss Alice May and Mr Hallam. It was splendidly sung without an accompaniment, and rapturously applauded. Here an interesting ceremony took pla3e. Mr Jos. Brown came on the stage as the last sweet strains of the ballad died away, and on behalf of that lady's admirers in Auckland presented Miss Alice May with a

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