SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

FOB? O? AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS

Governor Elackall, ss, Saunders, from Fiji Albion, brig, Robinson, from Newcastle southern Cross, ss, from Tauranga Merlin, schooner, from Napier and Giabbrne Columbia, schooner, from Napier Ruby, schooner, from "Wangaroa Mary Ellen, schooner, from Ttfercury Bay sunbeam, schooner, from Mercury Bay

DEPARTURES.

Wentworth, ss, Brown, for Sydney Labybml, ss, for tlie South ' Papua (late Mat/a), schooner, for Rorotonaa Golden Isle, -schooner, for Russell

EXPORTS.

rev City of Auckland—6s casks talletv, Watt Bros, : 356 cases kauri gum, B.olphand C 0..; 92S do. do., 29 sacks do. do. dust, Mast and Co. ; 10 bales wool, L. O'Brien • 9 do., Scott Bros.; 10 do., W. Scott; 2 do., iN ew Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company • J do., Cruickshank and Co., 8 do., W J Cawkwcll ; 2 do., Capt. A. Walker ;7do ,J. Crawford ; C do., Alex. Cruickshank ; 13 do., • B. Gittos; H bales flax, Must and Co.; 1 case, 4, do. curiosities. F-. W. Hill; 4J bales wool. J. S. Graham 5 597 cases kauri gum, R, Walker & Go. ; 20 kegs butter, G. VV. Bmney ; 6 bales cotton, L. D. Nathan ; / bales wool, John Wallace ; 10 bales frodL A. Wallace ; 6 do do, B. W. Hales ; 10 do do', Jas. JSorrie ; 60 do do, W. .T. Taylor j 14 do do, J. Wallace ;85 do do, Cruickshank; 16 cases tallow, G. 23. 'Bead ; 7S bales wool, Watt Bros. ; IB do do,' Duncan McNicol : 17 ditto ditto, N. Z. L. and M. Company ; 481 bags, M. Niccol ; 43 ingots zinc, 24 ingots lead, 1 case nmntz metal, 29 casks old iron, A. Smart; 8 bales wool, Daniel -Bocketfc ; 3S do.. 400 bags and a quantity of cobra, Cruickshank and Co. > "2 bales wool, N.Z,L. and M. Company; 6 do., John Dow ; 7 pqc-s., Owen aad Graham; 29 bales wool, N.Z.L. and M.A. Company ; 102 do., L. D. Nathan and Co. ; 59 do., E, Walker and Co. ; 2 tanks oil, H. F. Anderson and Co. ; 2 cases, J. C. Sharland ; 13 casks tallow, 37 bags bones, W. Phillips and Son j 2 bales pocket woo], Cruickshank and Co. ; 9 bales wool, N.Z.L. and M.A. Company.—Messrs, Cruickshank and Co., agents. ffcThe following cargo additional to that already published was taken by the Went worth:—For Sydney : 27 bales phormium, J. A. Roberts; 1 bale leather, Ireland Brothers. For Melbourne : 4 boxes Bank of New Zealand. 'The A.S.N. Co.'s s.s. Governor Blackall, C. E. Saunders, commander, arrived this morning from Kandavu. We are obliged to Mr Drew, chief officer, for following ro port:—Left Auckland Monday 22nd December, 6.30 p.m. ; anchored at Kandavu at noon on Saturday DeCGinbei 27th ; passage four days twelve hours. Had strong head winds first twenty-four hours, then light and | moderate trades to arrival. Spoke cutter Lselia, from Melbourneto Fiji "4th December, lat. 30-51 S., long. 17C»'i? E,, sixteen days out—H.M.S. Pearl v Commander Goodenough, sailed from Kandavu for Levuka on Tues day, 30 th December. Transhipped mails and passengers to s.s. Macgregor Monday, 29th December, at 10 a.m. The Blackall left Kandavu Tuesday, December 30, at noon ; made Cape Brett, Sunday noon, January 4, and arrived Monday, 5.45 a.m., after a pas sage of five days seventeen hours. Had* strong S.E. wind at leaving.' Wednesday, December 31, crossed S.W. circle of a hurri cane with fearful lightning and heavy sea bar. 29.10. JSToon, gale moderated. Thence till arrival light head winds and sea. The s.s. Lach/bird left the Manukau for .the South to day with'the" folio wing,-'pas senger.-? :—Miss Waymouth, Miss Powley, Mrs Whitley, Mrs Powley, Mr and Mrs and Master Stevenson, Mr Sanderson, Mr Hen ton, B,ev J. Hill, llev It. McKinney, Mrs Baum and two children, H. Martin, Mrs Seager, Mrs Stewart, Mrs Meyers, Mrs Drake, Mr and Mrs Holdship, Messrs Dixon, Ackland, Lynch, Macky, Croewill, Philips, Macintosh, Carr, Variety Troupe (8),! Bell ringers' Troupe (7), and fifty-two in the Steerage. The brig Albion arrived in. harbour this afternoon". Captain Robinson reports leav ing Newcastle on the 18th i'nst. ■ The brig has a cargo of 367 tons coals and 72 tons coke, consigned to Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane. ■ • ■ The following is the report of the Magregor's voyage to Kandavu : — Left Sydney 5 p.m. December 20th, 1873; ex perienced 3trong breeze and heavy sea till 22nd ; from thence fresh giles and heavy sea till arrival. Sighted land at 9 p.m. 28th, and proceeded easy during night, arriving at 9.30 a.m. 29th. The Magregor proved her self a good sea boat, but the coal on board •was bad and unsuited to the furnaces, which were constructed for English coal. The Magrogor at starting had on board 2,250 tons of coal and 10.0 tons general cargo. The Governor Blackall was boarded on the Saturday morning of her arrival at Kanda vau by a boat from H.M.S. Basilisk. The Basilisk, it transpired, had struck upon a reef at Levuka, and sustained severe injuries to her bottom. The vessel was en route' for Sydney to be docked and repaired. The skip Hindostan has hauled alongside the wharf, having taken the berth vacated by the City of Auckland. The Golden Isle, schooner, left on Sunday in ballast for Russell. . The s.s. Southern Cross arrived in harbour •yesterday from Tauranga with a cargo prin cipally of sheep and a good complement of passengers. • The schooner Columbia, from Napier, arrived yesterday evening. Captain Con "way reports having passed a barque bound ■in off White Island on Thursday last. : The ship City of Auckland having finished, ■loading has hauled • off'*the 'wharf, and. ■attchored4n tHt stre'anY."' She will probably jMftil;f6r Ldiidofli to-morrow. ;" 'The schooHejr'.Papina, late Mata, sailed; iyesterday for Ra'rotonga with a small cargo <of furniture, drap6ry and spirits. ~. The schooner. Coronet has hauled along side jtho ship Chile/into' wH,ich she is dis charging her' * cargo - for ' transhipment to London. •.- ...„., . r , .. ..... ; ■."', ;.;,\ ' .'" The schooner" Merlin brings a cargo wool from Gisbornep It will be transferred.; to.the Chile. ." , v .' 4. .

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND.

Mails -will Close A3 Under :— | tfor Thames, to-day, at 5.30 p.m., and to-morrow at 10 30 a.m. and i>.ZO p.m For Ooromandel, on Wednesday next, at 12 :?0 p.m. For Kawaa, per Sumpter, to-day, at 5 p.m. For Whitiangi, Tftiruai, Tauranga, Opotiki, and Napier, via,Tauranjja, to-uiot.row, at 3 p.m. For Wh'itiarigi, per Mary Ellen, to nmrrow, at i p.m. For Gjsborne, per Hover, to-morrow, at;"ip m. For Wanstaroa, per Kub'/. to-moivow, at f> p.m. For the undermentioned places, per Governor Black all, on Thursday, l">th instant, as under :-- Var Sanlwich Islands. United SUtes of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South Ameiica. and British and Foreign West Indies, at 10 30 a.m. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, ut 10.30 a.m Letters beaiingl-ite leo will bo received untill 11 a.m For money or.ler3, registered letters, and news papers, at 9.?»0 a.m. N. B.—The m^ils for Tokatota, .Aratapu, Hanga whare, &c , will in future close at this office on Monday, at 10 a.m., and the return ma'ls will arrive on Thursday, at 6 p.m. , Mails for Paparoa, J'ort Albert,'&c.,'will close on Wednesday, at 10 a.m., and tho return mails will arrive on Saturday at C p.m. The mail for Puhoi will, close on Wednesday, at 7.30 a.m., return Friday, at:'. p.m. (Signed) S. B. L'rss. Chief Postmaster,

BIRTH.

BAcir. —On Dccfimbur 31, at her residence, Nelson '■■ -street, the \»ife of Mr Thomas li.ich of a son.

DEATH.

Long-will— Died at Sea on Thursday, January 1, - 1574, John Lontrwill, fireman s S Governor Macle an, in lat. 21555., long 177.-J3, native of Ayre, . Aryeshire, Scotland ; aged 37 years. Ar.ciiEß. —On Jfumary 4, at Wellington Plnce, Ilobson street, only daughter of E. Archer : aged 2 years and 4" monts

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 5, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs jesistance, "For the future in the distance, And **»« cnod that we can do

The criminal calendar of the Supreme Court this session is very light, and his Honor's charge to the grand jury to-day was one of the briefest ever delivered in Auck land on such..an occasion. Brevity, due to a lack of material for comment, is a most gratifying characterestic when applicable to a judge's charge. His Honor announced that tho two cases for breaches of the Arms Act at the Thames had been very wisely with drawn by;the Government. These charges, as some of our readers are no doubt aware, were of a very peculiar character, two res pectable; persons having been committed to take their trial for breaches of the law committed through, the erroneous direction of a Government officer, to whom they had applied for information. The cases have now been properly withdrawn ; but in reality they should never have been brought .into Court. The six personation cases 1 on the calendar have also lapsed in con sequence iofjthe{decision ofjfche Appeal Court that penalties provided for the punishment of offenders at general elections do not apply to provincial elections. This is a matter re quiring the immediate attention of the Legis lature, and no ..doubt,, as•• the, Chief Justice ', observed, it will be rectified dnring ; the r ensuing session, pf; n the : . Assembly. j His' Honor had again occasion to ; remark upon ?the 'connection between drunkenness and crime. It is indeed very seldom that the quarterly calendar does not include instances im which criminal acts are not merely associated with, crime, but are its j direct fruits. Such unquestionable facts should attract the sympathy of all lovers of law and order towards any well-considered scheme having as its object a reformation in the drinking habits of, the country. §£ It will be a source of satisfaction to those taking an. interest in the cliildren. of our charity to learn that in future these little people can travel at all times free of charge to and from Stokes' Point, Flagstaff, and Devpiiport.! A resolution was to-day passed by the directors of the Ferry Company in structing the manager to write to the con ductors of the Orphan Home, Parnell, of the orphans of the Sisters of Mercy, and of the Destitute ; Children's Home, inviting the children and their teachers to accept free passages at all times by the company's boats.. We learn that Mr Waldie, who unfor tunately broke his leg in Hobson-street on Thursday last, is going on favourably under the careful treatment of Pr Plulson, at the Hospital.

Those persons who called for copies of the Auckland Almanac on Saturday when the supply bound up had run out are respect fully informed taht a new lot is now ready, and copies may be obtained at the Star office, or from any of the city stationers, price one shilling. The attention of members of the legal profession is drawn to the complete list of the colonial statutes and amendments ; amateur gardeners and farmers will find the work of en eh season laid down by a competent authority on such matters ; and the full description of our city and the various districts of the province must prove of interest to all. We would re mind country subscribers that on the receipt of Is 3d worth of postage stamps a copy will be forwarded through post to any address. Persons living on a line of road traversed by a 'bus may have the Almanac delivered by hand, and save the postage on forwarding the necessary instructions and Is worth of stamps to this office. We announce to those of our readers who entertain fears that Auckland will bo barren of amusements for some weeks to come that Messrs. Collier, McGowan, and Compaq', who have been performing most successfully to crowded houses at the Thames for some weeks past, will re-appear for a few nights at the Prince of Wales Theatre in that witty, funny, and exceedingly taking pantomime " The House that Jack built," of which the public will be duly apprised. The dedication of St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, took place on Sunday, 24th August. The ceremony was a very imposing one, no less than fifteen archbishops and bishops, and four hundred priests, taking part in the proceeding. The church is the most capacious in Ireland, having sittings for over eight thousand people. It waa crowded, and thousands were unable to gain admission. An obituary notice appears in out columns to-day of the death of Jno. Longwoll, fireman of the Governor Blackall. The circumstances connected Avitli the death of the man are of a very tragic nature. It appears that about nine o'clock on the morning of the first of January, on the voyage back from Kandavu, he was engaged at his usual duties, and had opened the furnace door for the purpose of raking the fire. The day was intensely hot, and this and the heat of the fire to gether overcame the poovr fellow, and he was seeu by his fellow fireman, who hap pened to be looking down the stokehole, to drop down with his rake in his hand in a fit. Assistance was procured, and the man was brought on deck and laid down upon the poop under an awning. Every remedy that could bo devised was used to restore him but without avail, lie lay insensible till past one o'clock, when he died. The funeral took plaoe thn next day. Deceased •was 157 years old, and was a native of Ayr shire. The Bellringers gave their last entertain ment on Saturday evening to a full housel, and the various musical performances were gracefully executed and received with pro longed cheering. At the close Mr Lynch, son., came forward and expressed the grati tude of the family to the people for the kind and considerate reception they had received, and hoped at some future time to repeat their visit to this city. The enter tainments .'.if this musical family of Lynch, with the assistance of JSlr Vcrton, will be acceptable to persons generally who can ad mire sweet sounds and a high-class concert. After a prosperous career of twelve weeks Mr Gourlay closed his Royal Exhibition on Saturday evening, but we understand at tlio request of a number of persons who wish to see " Mrs McGregor's Levee" in its complete ness the Gourlay family will re-appear at the Prince of Wales Theatre on Thursday evening, of which due notice will be givcu. We learn this morning that Agnes, the second daughter of Mr Samuel Harris, of Willow-street, Freeman's Bay, who was speechless for some time in consequence of a sun stroke on Friday at Matuihi, has re covered her speech, and ia gradually recover ing. We are glad to learn' that one or |two gentlemen are endeavouring to secure the necessary subscriptions for sending a crev to the Canterbury inter-provincial regatta, which takes place in March next. It is confidently believed that Auckland can produce a crew capable of beating any in the colony, and whether this is the case or no wo should at least vindicate our reputation for pluck by trying to win. We sincerely hope the efforts of the movers in this matter will prove successful. A sum of about £200 is required. To tho Editor: Sir,—Will you kindly allow us through the medium of your widely circulated paper to.return our sincere thanks ( to the ladies and gentlemen of Auckland'for' the kind reception we have received here, arid to assure them that wherever we tra vel we shall never forget the hearty feeling and tho enthusiastic applause which have greeted us on every occasion we havo had the pleasure of appearing at the Oddfellows' Hall. It is alway gratifying to those who cater for the amusements of the public to know that their efforts to amuse are fully recog . nised and appreciated, and as such each member of the family will look back with! pleasure, (whan perhaps far away in a foreign land) to their brief sojourn in this city. To the Press our thanks are specially due for their very liberal criticisms, and in wishing farewell to Auckland we wish it every suc oess; may it alway be, what it now undoubt edly is, tho metropolis of Now Zealand. Yours respectfully, The Lvxch Family. The children of the Orphan Home, Parnell, were kindly welcomed on Saturday afternoon on board the Chile by Captain William Thomson, and were pleasantly entertained: with a supply of small luxuries, which were greatly enjoyed by the orphans, as their merriment and plump faces indicated. Previous to sitting down to tea the orphans sang several hymns and glees to the delight of the witnesses. The children were in chargo of their thoughtful matron, Miss Burns, to whose devotedness and kindness, and systematic care they owe so much; Miss Burns lias been at great pains to teach them the art of singing, and the creditable way in which the orphans sang their glees : and the National Anthem reflects favorably upon the abilities of their teacher. The children had the run of the ship, and amused themselves; according to their disposition, and returned to the Home by coach at seven o'clock. The united and well-disciplined Hobson Company marched yesterday morning from their head-quarters in Wellinton-street to St. Patrick's Cathedral, headed by, their splendid band of music. The scene was very effective, and attracted numbers of persons. The wharf last evening was crowded from end to end with nature's worshippers. It lias been computed that at nine o'clock, upon the rising of the moon, there were not less than six hundred passable young ladies on the wharf. It was not strange, therefore, that at the same time there should have - been seven hundred young men lingering .'near. The fruit shops were all open, and the reflection of the lights gleaned across the rough wooden walk. There was no music except the ripple of the silvered waves and the voices of chattering maidens,

After the train which left to connocb | with the Ladybird at Onehunga had landed . its passengers at the Manukau ifhari 10-day ' the engine went round to water ami change j position. In doing so it ran off the line i through the neglect of one of the pointsmen, i who had left his place for the purpose of ' taking a load down to the steamer. Fortu nately, the locomotive being unattached, no one was injured, but like carelessness when the train with its line of cars was in full swing might have resulted very seriously. The men are new to their work, and no doubt will acquire caution with experience. After half-an hour's labour the engine was re-placed on the line arid the train returned to town. The proprietors of the "Hairless Hor c" were unfortunately disappointed on Saturday in. not securing the place they have hitherto occupied at the corner of Victoria-street, and consequently were reluctantly compelled to disappoint the public. They are compelled therefore to delay the exhibition of Caoutchouc for a day or two until proper quarters can be obtained for the reception of this wonder of nature. We have been requested to insert the fol lowing : —To the Editor—Sir,' —As youprofess to aid the cause that lacks assistance I would bring under your notice a case of suffering, and, as it seems to me, of wrong. Some time ago a man employe.! as master in one of our small coasting craft died leaving his wife and children utterly destitute. His "owner" at once busied himself in getting up a sub scription for the relief of the widow and orphans, and raised promptly about thirty five pounds. Instead, however, of handing the money to her, or investing it for the orphans, he went to the unhappy woman in the first few days of her heart-broken widowhood, and placing papers before her of which she knew nothing, aud in her misery did not care to enquire into, he gut her to sign orders for the pay ment away of the greater part of the money. Afterwards on enquiry she found that these orders, which she thoughtlessly signed, were for the payment of debts incurred by her late husband, and merely relieved his "owner" from liabilities which he would otherwise have had to discharge. As the money was subscribed for the relief of the widow and orphans, and not for the payment of debts of the vessel, and as the widow is very badly oil' and so delicate—in fact so ill that she can do nothing for herself, I think you would be doing a good service in draw ing attention to this case of hardship. I think, sir, there is a good deal of wrong done among us under the garb of charity, and it tends to harden people's hearts aud make them unwilling to subscribe when they have no guarantee that the money will go to the objects intended. If any man now wishes to get up a little money all lie has to do is to get hold of some afflicted person, when by proper appeal the money will come in plentifully, and by constituting himself trustee and executor he can apply the money for the "relief" of the afflicted in a manner quite legal, saying nothing of the morality. I wish, sir, for the wrong that needs resistance you would expose this class of charity, as it appears to be on the increase. The case I have alluded to ia one of great hardship and gross wrong, and if yon can get back tho money paid on the vessel's account, and have it handed over to the poor sick widow, you will have (tod's blessing.—l am &c, Humanity." In reply to the above we have but to say if our corres pondent will only inform us of the namo of the "charitable" collector referred to, and we : find the case is as stated, we shall have the greatest pleasure in doing our duty, We have received the Presbyterian Church \ Xcivs for January. This excellent periodical i is, we are glad to learn, steadily increasing in': circulation i\a it is also improving in appear ance. The editor in entering upon tho new year indulges in a few congratulatory re marks upon the success that has attended the efforts of the promoters of the News. Ho also points out that although published in the interests of Prosbyterianism the ITei'M is not the organ of that ecclesiastic organization, but is free to criticise any movement connected with the church. The present number contains an article on the late Assembly at Auckland, together with a condensed report of the proceedings. The usual sermon is supplied by the liov. R. McKinney, "On the Sacrement of the Lord's Supper." A very able article on the "-New Year " fills an interesting column. " lota " contributes a practical article on " Church Decorum," a subject that certainly calls for some animadversion at the present time. The Church News is full and interesting, and a brief epitome of the now-celebrated Knight case completes an admirable number. Samuel Edger, 8.A., delivered a thorougly practical discourso last evening on the character of Joseph, as a study for young men. Unfortunately, however, few young men Averc present to hear the very ex cellent admonitions of Mr Edger, who urged that honesty of purpose, undeviating recti tude, and steady adheronco to right princi ]Dles formed the secret of the prosperity of Joseph. He : made the circumstances of his life serve his principles—he moulded his own destiny, and bore his prosperity nobly. Mr Edger remarked that Joseph was not a loafer on Providence, but a man who by his integrity of conduct, and purity of motive, strenuously endeavoured to deserve tho laurels he wore, as ruler over the laud of Egypt. .;;■ We learn that Mr Lodder, the manager for the Auckland Steam Packet Co., has just returned from, his visit to the country dis tricts, and that he has been most successful with his mission, all the large run-holders having promised their support to the efforts now beiog made for the establishment of a regular steam service between Napier, Poverty Bay, and the port of Auck land. We are also informed that the direc tors have purchased from Messrs Watt Brothers their new steamer, now on its-way out from England, and which will probably arrive in Napier in February next. This with the Jight draught boat, which will constantly run between the two provinces, and which Mr Lodder will have here in a very short time, will afford ample facilities for carrying on thn import and export trade of Hawke's Bay and Auckland. We therefore confidently look forward to an eight-day service being at no distant date established between Auckland, Poverty Bay, and Napier. There is no doubt that the undertaking will prove a profitable and lucrative investment for capitalists, and one which willgreatly benefit the commercial and pastoral interests of both districts. The Auckland Steam Packet Co. are to be con gratulated on having engaged so able and energetic a manager as Mr Lodder, who is well and favorably known in this province and to whose enterprise much of the success attending the allotment of the shares may be attributed.— Sa mice's Bay Her aid. The old familiar faces of the advocates of total abstinence were again in the old spot, old Market-square, on Saturday evening engaged in their mission of mercy to the fallen sons of Adam. The moon shone brightly at the time, and gave a moonlight picturesqtioness to the scene. The speakers had lost none of their powers of oratory during their recess, but spoke with even more earnestness, if possible, than on pre vious occasions. Mr Beswick occupied tho rustic, and Messrs. C. Robinson, E. Carr, and H. Waifco were the principal speakers,

From a resolution passed to-day by the di rectors of the Ferry Company it appears that they have determined to take a stand with regard to the petty annoyances to which they have lately been systematically sub jected by the Harbour Board. An order trom the Harbour Board was given by the Har bour Master on Saturday to the masters ot the steamers forbidding the sounding of the steamers' whistles on Sundays. By direction of the manager no attention was yesterday paid to this order, and a resolution was passed by the directors to day ordering the masters to sound the whisles on Sundays as heretofore. A request was.also forwarded to the Harbour Board that in future all orders in relation to the boats should be given through the directors or manager of the company. An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders in the New Golden Pa G.M.U was held to-day at Mr. R. Home's office, when the following resolutions were agreed to :—lst. That the New Golden Pa G.M.C. (Eegisteied) be voluntarily wound up with out resort to the Court. 2nd. That the j Directors be authorised to sell or dispose of the Company's mine and all other property of tho Company either by private sale or public auction to any person or company, and at such price, and on such conditions as the directors may think fit. Two other resolutions were passed embody ing the usual proceedings as to debts, effects. &c, ofga company in process of being wound j up. All the resolutions were carried j unanimously. Mr George McLeod occupied the chair. The Grand Variety Troupe, after a capital evening's entertainment on Saturday, made a farewell bow to the audience with half a promise that players and people might yet meet at no distant period. The holidays are now virtually over with the useful portion of the people, who will return to their work with lighter hearts, if not with heavierpurses, and assist in building up the Britain of the South.

BOAT ACCIDENT AT THE KAWAU.— NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWN ING.

TITE little cutter Sumpter, Greenwood, master, which arrived from the Kawau on Saturday evening, brought particulars of one of the most remarkable hair-breadth escapes from death by drowning or exposure which "wo have had to chronicle for a long time. The person whose. life was endangered was Dr. Smith, the resident medical man at the Kawau. It appears that this gentleman had occasion on Friday morning last to go over to the Hot Springs to see a patient. He took one of Sir George j Grey's open sailing boats, and being well used to the management of a boat put off by himself. He arrived safely, and having finished his business set sail to return to the island. On his way back, however, a sudden squall caught his little vessel, and before she could be brought round to the wind she capsized. The doctor clung fast to the boat, which floated bottom upwards. The anchor and fifteen fathoms of chain fell out of the craft and prevented her to a great extent from rising to the waves, thus ren dering Dr Smith's position a very precarious ono. The tide was setting out at the time, and even if the boat continued to float there was the greatest danger of it being swept out to sea and lost with its unfortuna:e occupant. Tho accident took place early iv the after noon. At about six iv the evening the cutter Sumpter was about midway between (".'handler's Island and Whangaproa passage when a man named Morgan on board espied an oar floating on the water. He called . the skipper's attention to -it, "arid proposed they' Bhould "pick"" ib up. While they were talking Morgan mounted the rigging to see whether thtrj was anything to be seen near from which the oar might have come. At this moment a faint cry was heard to windward, and directly after another. Both looked anxiously round suspecting the true state of affairs. At length a boat with a person clinging to it was made out nearly a mile to windward. The head of the cutter was laid in the direction of the object, and on approaching it Dr Smith was recognised by the two men, to whom he was well known. A rope was let down from the cutter's chains to the exhausted sufferer, but he was so far gone, either from exposure or the revulsion of feeling at the sight of assistance, when escape had appeared hopeless, that he was unable to lay hold of it. Morgan then succeeded in making it fast to his body, and the doctor was hauled on board in a com pletely insensible condition. He recovered shortly afterwards, and was able to give a few particulars of the accident, but shortly afterwards a collapse took place, and de lirium set in. Fearing that death might intervene before the cutter could arrive in Auckland Greenwood stood back for the Kawau, and the sufferer was landed there, still in a raving condition. The boat was obliged to be left to its fate. Dr Smith is well-known, having been resident at the Kawau and Mahurangi for a great many years.

Wreck of the Ship Surat.

270 EMIGRANTS ON BOARD. The Surat, a fine ship despatched from London by the New Zealand Shipping Com pany, has become a. wreck at Oatlin River, in the province of Otago. She left Graves end for Dunedin on the 2Sth of September, and the Pilot was landed off Portland on the 29th, all well. She had a valuable cargo, three chief cabin passengers, and 271 Govern ment emigrants. All appears to have gone well until she reached the New Zealand Coast on Friday last, when she struck on a sunken rock, and was afterwards beached. The Surat sailed down the English Channel in company with the Star of India, another powerful ship, chartered by the same company, with immigrants, and both vessels made the coast about the same time, the Star of India reaching Lyttelton on the afternoon of the 31st December, and the Surat early on the morning of the new year. Our agent has forwarded the following brief particulars of the wreck:— The ship Surat struck on a submerged rock ten miles north of the Dog light. Her speod carried her over the rock ; the captain put to sea ; the crew and passengers, includ ing the women, pumped all night. Distress signals were tried to a passing steamer, but were hauled down by the captain, who threatened to shoot any one who signalled, and stopped the women from waving shawls, &c. The chief mate was disarmed by the seamen ; he was about to scuttle the boat, and ultimately the captain beached the ship and landed 60 passengers, when the vessel drifted again. She was beached at the mouth of the Catlin River. The passengers have all lost their luggage, etc. When found in the morning she was sinking in the sand. She is likely to breakup. The chief part of her cargo is railway iron and plant for the Kaikoura woollen factory. 2 p.m. The Vire, French man-o^war, arrived with the shipwreoked immigrants from the Surat. All were sent to the barracks by the train. The Governor visited the Vire to-day,

TIMBER DRIVING.

We regret that by oversight the following letter has been held over : — "To the Editor of the EvrcNiNa Star. '' Si r> —I desire to say a few words in answer to a letter addressed to the Nrw Zea land Herald by Captain W. C. Daldy on the " timber trade of this provinco. Captain Daldy is of opinion that if driving-dams are not allowed two-thirds of the mills in the province will be closed, and also expresses an opinion averse to tramways. My opinion is that if the same amuunt of money had been spent in tramways that has been spent in dams mill-owners would now be indepen dent of freshes, would save a lar^e expendi ture in their rushes, and have a more certain supply of logs, to say nothing of the loss sustained by the worm ; and if the evidence of Mr Thomas Henderson, M.H.R., and Mr William Swanson, M.H.R., given before a committee of the House of Representatives is referred to, it confirms my opinion. With regard to the legislation of the last session being ambiguous, as Captain Daldy assorts, , this I beg leave to contradict, and to refer him to Mansard, page 520. Mr Vogel, in introducing the Floating Bill (not Driving Bill), expressly states that driving was not intended; but. this question was finally settled by the Hon. Captain Baillie (in order I believe to test the point), proposing the addition of the following words to Clause 4, "or erect any dam across any part of a stream or creek." [See liansard, page 1223, when a division took place.] The result was seven for darning and driving, sixteen against. Nor is this all. The Bill was referred to a select committee, and I believe I atn rightly informed when I say the first resolution of that committee was averse to driving and claming. I hope that the learned counsel who made the application to disaolve the injunction in a case recently tried in Auck land was not acquainted with these facts ; if ho was, I might with more justice use some of the harsh expressions towards him that he used to me when addressing the jury at the trial of the case referred to. I might refer Captain Daldy to a drive that recently took place in the Kaueranga Creek, when the booms were carried away ; and I will ask him if the p.s. Lady Bo wen or p.s. Enter prise had been at the Shortland wharf what would have been the consequence ? Would they not have been sunk, and would any Insurance Company have paid for vessel or cargo ? In short, is this a risk that can be covered under any policy ?—I am, Sir, C. A. Harris. Auckland, December 29, 1873.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., E.M. Z> RtTS KEITXESS. Isaac Bryant, an eccentric little old man who has pursued the railing of a shoe-black in Chancery Lane, and known as the Pub lican's Friend, was brought up on a charge of drunkenness; and as he had been con victed of the same offence many times before, and had nothing to say in defence, he was fined 10d and costs, or spend forty-eight hours in durance vile. Another old offender, in the person of William Lestrauge, was also fined ten shil lings or the alternative of forty-eight hours. Mary Hawlcy, alias Rogers, for being drunk, was subjected to the same penalty. A FAITHLESS TEMPLAE. Michael Skerry was brought up on two charges—lst, with striking Joseph Craig on the faca on the 3rd January; and 2nd, for j assaulting his wife, Bridget Skerry, in a ferocious manner oh the 4th. Pi-isonor said he was not guilty. Joseph Craig -stated, that on Saturday evening at eleven o'clock the prisoner was kicking up a dreadful vow ; his wife and daughter were screaming for fear, and when he went to see what was the matter prisoner struck him two or three times in the face. Bridget Skerry deposed that she was the wife of the prisoner, but she had a protection order, and they were separated. She was getting her own living, and he came to her house and used violent language and beat her. She unfortunately had been manied to prisoner twenty-four years. Prisoner, who had been a Good Templar, but had relapsed, said he was a hard-working man. The Court sentenced prisoner to pay a fine of 20s and costs, and to find two sureties of £25 each to keep the peace for six months. STEALING A PTJRSK. Robert Leary and John Shiera, two well known characters, were charged with steal ing a purse containing twenty sovereigns from the person of Patrick Murphy on the 4th instant. _ Sergeant-Major Pardy stated that it had since been shown that prosecutor had not £20 fco lose, and the case could not be sub stantiated. Prisoners were therefore .dismissed. sailors' troubles. Alexander Murphy, John Gartrall, Nicholas Cochran, John Russell, Richard Scudder and John Duffery were charged with disobedience of orders on board the ship Hindostan on her passage from Auck land to London. Mr Hesketh appeared for the prosecution ; the prisoners were undefended Captain Robert Peek, commander, deposed that on Sunday last hearing » disturbance on deck he went thither, and found prisoners quarrelling with the officers, when he ordered them to desist and go to their places. They paid no attention to his orders, but repeated the disturbance. They were using very abusive language, and threatening to punish the boatswain. He remonstrated, when Cochran said that was nothing, they would draw blood yet. He ordered them to their places, and promised to set matters right, and to_ ascertain where the supposed wrong existed. Frederick William Gardener, second officer, deposed that he saw the row from the commencement, that the boatswain was squaring the yards, and gave orders to several of the prisoners to go on with tho work, when, Scudder in particular, began abusing him, and called him a moulded headed old , and began squaring up to him as thongh he meant to fight. Witness then "ordered them forward, when they refused and swore at him. All six of them then put themselves in a fighting attitude, and continued it for half - an hour. They had disobeyed erders on several occasions during the voyage, and had been cautioned. The captain tried to pacify them, but without avail. Gartrall was the leader of the row on the Friday. He was compelled to strike Gartrall in self defence, when five of them surrounded him, and had it not been for prompt assistance he might have been settled. Robert Towar, chief officer, deposed that the boatswain could not hear his orders on Sunday on account of the noise among the sailors ; also to the general discontent of the men. All the crew were on tho quarter deck. They had no business there. His Worship remarked that according to the log the ship had been in a Btate of mutiny from the commencement of the voy age through these men. Witness continued thathehadbeen twenty three years at sea, but never came in con« tact with such a riotous crew before, Edward Ross, boatswain, deposed that he received orders to square yard-arms. He

ordered the men to the full extent of V voice to their fluty. They heard hinj^J^ tinctly, but refused to work, and called hV dreadful names. Cockran put his fist jV witness's nose and promised, in very stor language, to have his liver out ; and he wonjil riot be long about it. Russell swore he won 5 have witness's life. Pilcher Austin, able seaman, saw the on Sunday. The boatswain struck Sciidrt* twice, when Scudder began to act on Vk defensive, but was prevented as the capta camo out at the time. 15 The Magistrate made some very seve remarks upon the conduct of the wi ni( , Dickson, who he thought should be in f? dock with the prisoners. l: The witness referred to here atternptyj'f justify himself, but was stopped bv-'iv" Worship with .in intimation that if heinf/ rupted the Court again he would be com mitted for contempt of Court. His Worship said that the conduct nt Duffy did not appear to have been so bad the rest of them, and suggested to Captaj Peake that he should ask for his discharge" Captain Peakc said he was unable consci entiously to do so. Murphy, Gattwell, Cochran, Uussell, and ; Scudder were then each sentenced to'.fon 1 weeks' imprisonment with hard labour, a J Duffy to fourteen days. This was all the business.

SUPREME COURT.

QUARTERLY CRIMINAL SESSION. (Before his Honor Sir George A. Arney Knight, Chief Justice.) ,-. I The Criminal Sessions began this mornim at the Supreme Court at eleven o'clock before his Honor Sir G. A. Arney [\ Chief Justice. His Honor having taken]™ seat the names of the Grand Jury ffet , called over as follows : —William Aitkeu^y T. Bassett, Albert Beet-ham, James Thonui Boylan. William C. Dalrly, J, ]\J,jj ar , ville, H. Gilflllnn, E. Isaacs, S. Jones. Job, Lawford, Albyn Martin, Joseph May J, p Dv Moulin, J. S. Macfarlane, C. Koskruoe A. K. Taylor, J. Wallace, J. Watt. %: Albin Martin was chosen foreman, andHlis gentlemen, with the exception of Messa Gilfillan and Dargayille, sworn. / THE JUDGE'S CHARGE. . •!, The Chief Justice then proceeded to dt liver his usual charge to the Grand Juif His Honor in commencing hia charge aaii that most of the .cases which would cow . under the consideration of the Grand Jim were of a simple character, and would nre sent no points of difficulty. In only one'dH they require any direction from the Court They would find that there were eight cSsti upon the list which would not come befctt them. They were cases involving a breaiiii of the Arms Act, and the circumstauca as they appeared upon the depositippi ; were such that the Government had defc mined not to press the prosecution. ; His Honor thought that the Government had in this instance exercised a ■wiae'and-niercilnl discretion, as ho was of opinion that even ii a conviction were obtained the Court wonU feel bound to recommend the case to thi favourable consideration of the Crown. Su other parties had escaped prosecution up. other grounds. These were accused of ptt sonatiug voters, but the Court of Appd had determined that the Act relating \h such offences did not apply to the Gledtiot of members of the Provincial C'ouM They might rest assured that at au earlj date this caxtis owissus would be suppM The cases generally were hot of avetj heinous character, 'and nearly all turned upon mere questions of fact. , In one agaimi a man named Forester, accused- ii embezzling certain stores which wer^um! hia control as an. officer- in H.M. service, some direction of the Court was necessary. After quoting the Act under which :th offence came, His Honor proceeded' t< say that it would be for the Grani Jury to ascertain that .the goods •ii question did actually come into it! possession of the accused in virtue of to office according to the tener of the Act. % was clear that some irregularity had occuitk in the supply. of the oats, which were.tli goods in question; but itipwas not da whether the oats actually been.'« trusted to or come into the possession of ti accused. If thatf'wai* proved to their aati faction they would be bourn} to return a tin : bill. It was mainly a question of fact. 1 . regard to the other offences against properi? there were two charges of cattle stealiii against two persons, in one of which ii the offence was for the actual stealing, am the other for receiving. There were this indictments against persons'for stealing sptci mens. As to oue there was no question c ownership that would arise, but in & others it might turn out that the speciniei were the joint property of the persffl accused, and of others. By a recent Acti had been determined that even in this ct! persons might be indicted and convicted i stealing the property of their co-partner There were three oharges of offences against ti j person. Two of these which were attempt* suicides, were lamentable results of the abu of drink. It appeared that two attend had been made while the accused were in half-wild state from this cause. In thetliiit which appeared as No. 19 on the list, ami was accused of wounding with intent! murder. The facts were abundant, but f state of mind of the prisoner at thetiufc would be a matter for grave inquiry by £ Grand Jury. Without detaining the further he would dismiss them to tte duties. At half-past eleven the Grand Juryretin to their room, and at 11.45 a.m. return' into Court with a true bill on three chai? against William Smith for obtaining gd on. false pretences. Ten minutes later li< returned with a true bill against CW Stewart Ramsay for a similar offencs.. OBTAINING GOODS UNDER. FALSE PBETENCJ - William Smith, aged 19, was then plat* at the bar. and formally charged upon p indictments with obtaining goods at;,? Queen's Redoubt by means of cheques M 12th', 15th, and 17th November,: upon the Bank of New Zealand, at wbt Bank he the prisoner had no account.'; M Prisoner, who is respectably connect* pleaded guilty to each charge, and recef? a sentence of two years imprisonment ,ff'l hard labour tor each offence., ANOTHER CASE. Charles Stewart Ramsay wasthenarraigf upon an indictment charging him 'W . • obtaining goods and money to the extent; £1 15s, from William Rose, on the pretei ho had money lying at the Union Bank Australia, and that a cheque tendered wa! good cheque, and would be. duly honour, on presentation. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Hi 3 Honor in passing sentence made sol , strong remarks upon the foolish conduot tradesmen in taking cheques from men the position of the prisoner without mak enquiries. It was a direct temptation crime, and such persons could not.expf that the Court would visit such encouraj crime with a heavy penalty. ],' • • The prisoner would be imprisoned W . ' hard labour for nine calendar months.^ ,• l|j TRUE BILLS. "M,V' The Grand Jury found true bills agif^- Jame Dick for obtaining money under fo pretences j James Bradshaw, larceny. bailee; Edward Thornton, attend suicide ; Thomas Taylor, for sheep stea^

fHI. ITMim M AIt, MONDAY, JANiftAItY 5 1874



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