SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATEU : Ihi3 evening, 0.29 ; to morrow momiiig i o SDTST SST : This evening, 6.59 ; SUN RISE: to anorrov \aorninsr, 4-3£> JWOOIST'S AGE : Last Quarter, December 1, 6.8 a m.

ARRIVALS.

xaranakJ, us., from the South (in the Manukauj

DEPARTURES.

■Kowena, g.s., for the North Queen, schooner, for N spier Southern Cross, s.s . for Tauranga Omaha, schooner, for New Caledonia

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Lyttelton—Waitanpi. ship, early For New York— Stanley Castle, barque, at once For San Francisco—Coucor--n, ship, early; Cyphrenes,

EMsi,, 24th December For .London— City of Auckland, ship, early For Sydney—Hjdaspea, ship, early ; Hero, s s.,

early For a Cruise—Southern Cross, Missionary barquentine early

VESSELS EXPECTED

xiero, s.s , irom 30tn instant Cyphrenes, s.s., '^English Mail, via 'Frisco), about sth December Assave. ship, frsm London : sailed September 3 Glenlora _ ship, from London ; sailed Taran^gj, s.s., f rO m tne oouth, Tuesday next, (Suez t ''A ail) Ap'ne^ schooner, from Lyttelton Pomelo, barque, from New York.via Adelaide, loadinpr JJditb Rose, barque, from New York ; sailed Sept. 18 Chanticleei, brig, from Hobart Town, early Euroi a, barque, from Sydney, early Kenilworth, sc ooner, from Samoa, early Ivanhoe, nchooner. from Levnka Pacific, £ chooser, from Samoa, early Hebe, brig from Tasmania ; sa led 7th instant Ben Ktvis, brig, from N- wcastle ; sailed 17th inst Stir of the South, s.s., from the South, early Moneynick, barque, from Dunedin, early Dilharee, ship, fr'>m London ; sailed October Inverenne, ship, from London ; sailed October Warwick, ship, from London ; sailed October Cispatrick, ship, from London ; sailed Bth December Helena, brigantine, from Dunedin, early Otago, barque, from Melbourne, via Dunedin, early

The Wild Duck left Greymouth for One hunga yesterday with a cargo of coals for Mr J. W. Waller. The Fiery Cross left Napier in ballast yesterday for Tairua to load timber for Moeraki. The brigantine Omaha, after being de tained several days by contrary winds, made a start for New Caledonia this morning at six o'clock. The wind at the time was still from the N. E. and the vessel had to beat her way out of the harboiir, The Rowena, s.s., left for the Bay of Islauds at tier usual hour last nieht, with a full complement of cargo and passengers. The s.s. Southern Cross, Captain Sellers, left this morning early for Tauranga. The s.s. Hero has been anxiously looked for during the day, but up to the time of going to press had made no sign. It seems now as if she had been detained at the other end beyond the day she was announced to sail. Perhaps his new Excellency hadn't finished packing-up. The barque East Lothian, after discharging her cargo is to load timber and sleepers for Lyttelton. Mrs La Trobe and five children, Messrs J. Jones and Cowell were passengers by the D&wn from Baglan yesterday. The barque Harriet Armitage is advertised for sale, freight, or charter. Mr G. W. Binney is the agent. Mr Carr the boat builder advertises two thr«':e-ton yachts for sale. The well-known flag of the "Circular Saw " Line of vessels was hoisted to-day at the mast-head of tbe Eyno, in token of her change of ownership. She entered outwards to-day for Rotumah Island, one of the So ciety Island. Ihe barque Stanley Castle has been pro vokingly detained at the wharf by the strong N.E. winds of the last four or five days. C'apt. Ellis hauled her away this af terno >n, and she willl take her departure for New York at once. The cutter Wanderei, having discharged 19,000 feet timber from Cabbage Bay, has cleaved for the same place with G head of cattle, 6 bags rice aud 2 axe handles. The cutter Ellen brings 12 bales wool from tauranga. The cutter Wangarei, from Wsngarei, brings 27 bales and 14 bags wool, 70 do "sum, 30 do fungus, 20 kegs bxxtier, 22 bags bran, and 30 boxes eggs. The cutter Tay, from the Hot Springs, brings 15 spars, 37.000 shifigles, 1000 palings, and 1000 feet of timber. A sailing match has been arranged to come off shoatly between the cutter Staffs and the cutter Euphemia, for £25 a-side. The course is to be icund Tirifciri and back. The Staffa was launched about six months ago at Co;o ---mandel, and belongs to Mr. McAlaster, while the Euphemia is a Kaipara boat, and belongs to Mr. McDonald. Both vessels are about 1G tons register.

A new cutter arrived this morning from the Barrier, where she built in Blind Bay by Mr Richard Smith. Her length of keel is 46 feet; beam 15 feet 6 inches ; depth of hold 6 feet 2 inches. Her registered tonnage will be about 28 tons.

The A.S.P. Co.'s s.s. Pretty Jane has been chartered by the Immigration Com missioner to bring up the immigrants now in quarantine at Motuihi. The vessel is to go down for them on Thursday morning.

CALLS.

£ s. d. Date. OUgo 0 1 0 — Dec 9 New Pacific 0 1 0 — D«c9 Albion (2nd issue) .. .. 010 0 — Dec 16

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :—

For Thamei, to-morrow, at 5.30 p.m. Kor Coromandtl to-morr.iw, »t 10 30 a m. For Wang«rei, Ac,, per Wangitei, to-morrow, at

2 pm. For Gisbnrne and Napier, per Pretty Jane, on Thur3

flay next, at 9 a in For Waiwera arid W'arkworth, per Lady Bowen, on

Thursdi* next, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki, and Southern provinces, per

Tartnaki, on Thursday next, at 1 p.m. ForLevuka, Fiji, per Star of the South, on Saturday

£ ext, at 9 a. m. For N»pier and Gisborne, per Southern Cros3, on

Satur^ ay next, at 1 p m. For Whitiangi, Tairua Tauranga, ard Opotiki, per Southern Cross, on Saturday next, at 1 p.m. S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

I Flower—On November SO at her residence. Fear-

borough Terrace, Parnell, Mrs J. W. Flower of a son.

MARRIAGE.

Penzholz— Sehunrpel. On the 27th inst, by the Rev G-. H Turner. Herman Penzholz, to Augaate fcehnurpel, both of Auckland.

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER, 1, 1874.

For ftp cause that lackd assistance, For tl:e wrong i rial needs resiHttaoa, For the future hi the distance, Ar.d fcba saod that we can do.

We yesterday referred to the sweeping changes which the newly fledged Manager of Constructed Railways is introducing in the conduct of the Onehunga branch. We are pleased to see that our morning contempora ries are not afraid to take the same course, and that in this morning's issues they both vigorously denounce the penny wise and pound foolish system introduced,, which cannot but prove dangerous to life and limb to the travelling public. Mr Passmore has not been very long in charge of our railway, but he appears to have successfully caused the very result against which he is endeavouring to provide by his cheese paring policy. Most people will be surprised to learn that under him the line has been losing £150 per month. It is very well known that while m charge of the Messrs Brogden, the line not only paid its expenses, but realised such a profit that the Govern ment were impelled to take it over by a desire to nett the gains. Bat they had ap parently not taken into account the differ ence caused in the results of management when that management was transferred from an experienced firm to the hands of a

young man, who, though no doubt very de serving, had no experience at all in this particular business, save indeed during the few months during which, at the expense of New Zealand he had gone home to England to see the running of trains. We yesterday referred to the falling off ia receipts in the matter of monthly tickets from £50 to £5. Our morning contemporaries speaft: of Several firms who Had it their interest to resume dray traffic for the Conveyance of their goods; and we were to-day informed by the manager1 of an extensive establishment in the practice of having large quantities of freight transported between Auckland and Onehunga, that the relative advantages are in favour of carrying by drays. The cost in this case is the same by truck and by horse vehicle, but whereas ill the one case there are three separate loadings, on to dray, from dray to truck, and from truck to dray again, and hours for transmission must be punc tually kept; in the other case, with but a single loading, at any hour of the day or night, with not nearly so much chafing or injury to the goods, and at precisely the same cost, the goods are taken from the yard and delivered. If these are all the advantages to be derived from our public works policy, then it is about to be as precious a bungle as has been the conduct of immigration. Both were nobly conceived, and both will be ruined, it seems, by incompetence. Instead of developing the duties of the employes on the railway, by opening up the traffic along the line as it extends towards the Waikato, which could be fully carried out by the same staff ; without in the least impairing their efficiency, the simpler process is adopted of sacking the employed, so as to bring the cost within a certain limit. But there is an aspect of this business that should force itself especially on public attention. The diminution in the number of the railway staff concerns the travelling public. Messrs Brogden, who are not likely to throw money away for nought, and who should not be ex pected to be so solicitous for the public safety a3 the Government oueht to be, found it necessary to maintain a certain number to work the railway to Onehunga. This number has been materially decreased, and the rem nant arc miserably paid. This is nothing less than a public dan«er. The raising of fares and freight will be its own cure, but travel lers are all unconscious of the peril that may be momentarily hanging over them in the fact of there being an insufficient number in the control of the trains and line and traffic* to guard against danger. Those travelling by r ailway at present are unquestionably doing SO ac their own peril ; and ou public grounds ifc ia to bo hoped that the coaches will be resumed, aud that those at least who desire to avoid the possibility of being smashed up in a collision, may ha\e the opportunity of indulging the instinct of self-preservation. No accident has occurred to passengers since the Hue was opened. This will possibly dispel fe.irs from intending travellers, but i should ofc be forgotten that the circumstances are wholly alfcereli and that the sufficient and efficient staff which hitherto gave safety to travellers on the line is now scattered. We regard it as a positive danger to now travel on the One hunga line under the conduct of that line by Mr, Passraore, ami we earnestly hope that the Government will try to give better guarantees of safety to the public, or that the public will sec to its own safety by refraining from the railway until, in the appointment of a sufficient and sufficiently-paid stalF, such guarantee of safety is afforded.

It cannot be itemed that there has been a very widespread idea that the large sum of money spsnt on the; silt basins has been wasted. At a meeting of the City Council some months ago this opinion was plainly expressed by one of the Councillors, who might be expected to know something about what he was saying, and the public, perhaps taking their cue from this authority, have been largely of the same way of thinking. When the basins were put in operation the objection raised by fault-tinders was that the nuisance caused by the outfall of the main sewer had not bean abateel. This, however, could not long be maintained, when it became strikingly apparent that a great improve ment in this respect had been effected. Then it was asserted that, however the smell might be lessened while the basins were being filled, the change for the better would be more than counterbalanced by the fetink caused by the periodical empty ings. The silt basins, we believe, were first suggested by Mr Higginson, C.E., and the suggestion was taken up aud elaborated by Mr McDonald, the present clerk of Works to the Haibour board, under whose superinten dence they were constructed at the order of the Board, who were not slow to perceive the advantages which would would arise from their system of working. The basins have now been in use for nearly a year, and although few persons may be aware of it one of them is now being emptied. Sufficient time has elapsed to allow of a fair teat of their efficacy ; and we should not be doing our duty as public censors if we did not give credit where credit is due. There can be no doubt whatever that the silt basins have proved a complete success, in the first place it is quite the exception now if any smell at all is noticed where formerly an overpowering stench was the rule. In the next place, we now have a decent fore shore, where, till last year, we had nothing but a putrid, reeking bed of slime and filth. The change is very marked indeed, and can not fail to be noticed by the staunchest opponents of the system. The most telling evidence of success is the complete deodorisa tion which has been effected in the silt. Mr Peckham has undertaken to empty the eastern basin for the sum of £125, and has already done part of his work. The silt is brought up through the man-holes, and heaped on the top of the basin before it is taken away. As Captain Daldy expressed himself the other day at the Harbour Board, the refuse is little more than scoria dust and small stones. Tne continual action of the water seems to have entirely taken away, and that too, so insensibly, as to cause no nuisance in the harbour—the whole of the offensive matter. So entirely has this been done that it is actually a matter of dispute whether the silt is of use as manure or not. The latter would seem to be the general opinion, for the bulk of the contents of the basins is to be employed to fill in the Custom-House-street intake. We understand that a gentleman at Riverhead intends trying a few loads in some stiff clay soil, and at Dedwood we believe an experi ment of a simiiar kind is to be made. We do not profess to determine how these will turn out, but we cannot refrain from tender ia<r our congratulations to the Harbour Board for having perfected at least one great and useful work.

We have received to-day the December number of the Auckland Church Gazette, which, as usual, is full of readable and well selected matter affecting the Church. Else where in our columns will be found various extracts from the number. It is intimated among other announcements, that the Bishop will hold an ordination at St. Sepulchre's Church on Sunday, the 20th, at 11 am.

In connection with the transit of Venus, a well known gentleman of this city has re counted to us an Unlucky misadventure that has just fallen to his lot. It appears he is in training for the coming astronomical event, and when the sun's rays this morning shot athwart the horizon, he levelled at the orb of day his telescope with the shade properly ad justed, and everything en regie. But the shade appears to have been insufficient to in tercept the powerful rays, alii he must have cot a species of sun-stroke in his right optic The way in which it manifests _ itself is by a nervous and involuntary twitching amounting now and then to complete closure, being to him both unpleasant and excessively awkward. The affection itself will doubtless pass away, but it has produced a result that is exceedingly embarrassing. We may pre mise that he is a man of irreproachable character, and not even subject to suspicion of impropriety in any form. This fore noon, however, in coming down the street, he met a lady at whom he looked —a3 is usual with gentlemen awaiting the gracious signal of recognition which is to be fol lowed by the raising of the hat—but in that unlucky instant the nervous affection of the right optic supervened, and the lady who is the model of her sex in all that is worthy evidently supposing that he had winked at her, straightened up her grecian bend and raised her bonnet ribbons looking daggers at him. To call after her and explain was the thought of an instant ; but he could not resolve in his perturbed stat9 of feeling. To hesitate was to be lost. She had passed, and long will it be ere his mind is dispos sessed of the painful associations connected with the "transit of Venus."

Yesterday t<vo youg men were brought up charged with uttering a valueless cheque. The charge has been withdrawn to-day, as it was found that it had been laid entirely in error. The cheque it appeara had been oiiginally the printed form of the Bank of Australasia at Auckland, and had been altered in the usual way by the drawer, one of the accused, so as to be drawn on the Bank of New Zealand at Ida, in Otago. . In «rror it was presented at the Bank of New Zealand in Auckland, and of course payment was refused. The mutter was represented to the police as a case of "no account," and the two young men were arrested. The whole thinu, however, was merely an unfortunate mistake. On a telegram being sent to the Bank at Ida, a reply was received to the effect that the account was good, and instruc tions wore given that the cheque should be cashed. On the receipt of this information, and the error being discovered, the young men wore at once set at liberty, aud the charge withdrawn.

Mr. 11. .T. Smith, Permanent Secretary of the Good Intent Lodge, writes with reference tn the letter of Mr. Roberts, a sick member of that lodge. Mr. Smith considers thai the letter casts a reflection upon him as the person appointed to transmit all money in connection with the lodge, and states posi tively that he " has not received any money for the party in question." Beyond this, Mr. Smith vouchsafes no explanation of tbe caso, on the ground that "the matter is a purely lodge affair." He futther expresses his ODinion regard ing what letters should and what should not be inserted in a journal, a matter with which we are probably better able to deal than Mr Smith. While we have every confidence in the general management of the Old Fellows' .Society in the city, we cannot but regard the course pursued by the Permanent Secretary in this case as extremely unsatisfactory, and calculated to dannge the Order in the esti mation of the public. The proceedings of the Loyal Good Intent Lo'lge, and every other branch of the Benefit Societies regiHfered under tin "Friendly Society's Ac;." arc not merely " lodga business," as Mr Smith plea<u-s to term it, but public business, amenable to the law, and to the critichm of public opinion. >\nd cvenj if it were not so, every member of the community is entitled to appeal to the I'reiß, which represents the bar of public opinion, against any injustice, public or private, which ho may fcid he has been sub jected to. We n?irrfl inquire into the case of Itobarts, but ho'ore the matter goes any further, we would advise th; Permanent Secretary, or some officer of bis lodgg, to vouchsafe some more lucid explanation than that which has been given as yet, if they desire to appear in a good light before the public. With reference to the statement that insinuations were con veyed in the letter implicating Mr Smith individually, we would draw attention to the paragraph itself to show the absurdity of such an assertion ; and that an emphatic denial should have been considered necessary is much more likely to bo regarded by the public as an instance of the adage that "a guilty conscience is its own accuser," ratber than as a proof that. Roberta has not been subjected to some hardship.

The Presbyterian Church News, for Decem ber, is published punctually to date, and we have much pleasure in commending this well conducted religious periodical to the atten tion of our readers. In an article on " Special Services," it is announced that, in accord ance with a resolution of the Presbytery of Auckland, with the view of creating a reli gious revival, there will be an interchange of pulpits and two week-day prayer meetings, by the united congregations of St. Andrew's and St. James', extending over three weeks, early next year. The number contains a well-written article, by Delta, on "Religious Instruction," and by Gamma on " The Sab batic Institution in its Old and New Testa ment Aspects." " The Character of Revival Fruit" forms an interesting chapter on this topic, which is at present engaging a very large amount of attention. "Advanced Thought" is especially a topic of the day, and interesting to all. There are readable chapters on the '' American Temperance Movement," and " The Christian League." Also, full information relative to the proceed ings of the General Assembly of the Presby terian Church of New South Wales, and of the New Zealand Church in the various provinces.

We notice as an evidence of that good feeling and liberal spirit between the various Protestant denominations, which we should like to see more widely diffused, that during the Bishop of Auckland's recent pasboral visit 1 o the Northern districts, he was invited by the Rev M. Macßae. Presbyterian Minis ter, to preach in the Kirk at Waipu. If a combination of churches in the work of Home Mission throughout bhe various scatterred districts of the province could be secured, bhe religious wants of outlying settlers would be much better supplied than they now are.

We find that the information furnished us concerning the supposed purchase by Mr Edson, chemist, of the premises owned by M r Short, draper, of Queen-street, for £3,500, is wholly inaccurate. MrShort has not disposed of his property, and considers the sum'named was not representing the value of the land alone on which his fine brick structure

stands.

It is really very unfortunate that some o* the collectors of the Education tax should make their office more unpleasant to the people than it need be. We have a com plaint from a householder, who has paid his rate, but whose house was since called at during his absence, and his wife and children subjected to what he considers impertinent questions. We are also informed that one or more of the collectors quietly walk into houses without so much as saying "By your leave." All the collectors understand perfectly well that they have no right to do this, and they should not presume on their position. We do not wish to refer invidiously to any individual collector, and therefore withhold names that have been furnished us, but we hope that care will be taken to avoid these little un pleasantnesses.

Notice is given that the meeting of the Junction Lods?e, 1.0.6. T.. is changed from Thursday to Monday.

Our correspondent "E," writing from Whangarei, oa "Mercantile Co-operation, ; says :—" Sir,— deferring to the leader in i your issue of 31st ult., I am pleased to find i that all the editors of newspapers in Auck land are not ashamed or afraid to advocate the cause of co-operative stores, nor ignorant j of the success that has attended their estab- j lisblilent in Great Britain, and other coun tries. It seems to me surprising that this mode of doing business has not been tried in j Auckland years ago, considering the advan- | tages that would h*ve accrued to working men generally, as well aa to all persons re ceiving a steady income. Strange to say, instead of first taking root in such a | large centre of population, it has been began in, and spread from a rural village. ! The success attained by the Whangarei ; Pioneer Society, whose members have in creased tenfold in less than three yea-s, has induced the formation of other societies ia the north and elsewhere, all of which, I believe, have been successful. As a pioneer of the co-operative system in this province (I may say in this colony), and having full confidence in its universal success, I believe the time has arrived for establishing a head central establishment of this kind in Auckland in j connection with those already in operation, and others that may be opened in the country for their mutual benefit, the town store supplying the country stores with general merchandise and disposing of dairy and other produce consigned to it by those in the country. Your limits will not suffice for a particular statement of the advantages to be derived from this town and country inter change, I shall, therefore, probably, take an early opportunity of laying my views oa this subject before the public of Auckland in a lecture, which is now in course of preparation. —I am, &c, R. The Good Templars and old topers alike will be interested in the observations which have recently been published in the Lancet, the leading medical journal of Great Britain, upon the relative values of tea and spirituous liquors. A medical writer, who accompanied the Ashantee expedition, says : —" The main thing appears to be to avoid alcohol altogether except at meals, and then, of coarse, only to consume it ia strict moderation. To "use a listle wine for thy stomach's sake " is old and very safe advice, we suspect, for men who work hard With their brains or muscles, especially in the case of those who have reached middle age. In the case of young men, or in those wLo are leading an active out-door life and possesses a vigorous appe tite, alcohol is quite unnecessary as a rule, and only useful under exceptionable circumstances. One of the greatest requirements of the pre sent day is a cheap and pleasant beverage, free from alcohol, of which persons engaged in urbsn pursuits can partake ad libitum dur ing the summer in this country. No practice is more injurious than that of having re course to what people please to term " a nip" of brandy in the interval between meals. The appetite is impaired and the digestion seriously cl ranged by such a practice, to say nothing of the fact that " it grows by what it feels on," and a constaut craving for alcoholic stimulants is soon engendered.

With reference to the shipwright McCor mick, who deserted his child in che strange way recorded in a recent Liuae of the Star, we learn that he is working on the steamer Lily, in the Kaipara district. The child's mother is absent in tb.3 country, and proba bably knows nothing of the remarkable desertion of the child by its father. Mc-

Cormick's conduct seems quite unaccount ab'e, no intimation whatever hiving been given of hia intended departure, and but for the kindness of neighbours, the jjoor child would have fared badiy. The following is an account of an accident that befel little Willie Cummings, who !os; an arm by being ruu over by the cars : When tin; lad was taken home his arm was broagit after him. It; was thrown into a pail, wnen the poor little fellow screamed with pain. The severed limb waa then placed in a box and buried in the garden. bhortly after, little WMlie complained of a pain aad a queer feeling in tha severed hand. "3 He said thit something was crawling on the inside of the hand. The limb was exhumed, when a large worm was dis covered in the palm of the hand. A large jar was then obtained, and it became necessary to crowd the arm in, when the sufferer fairly went into a paroxysm of pain. The limb was placed ia a jar partly filled wiih alcohol, and then replaced in the ground. The little fellow complained that his arm and fingers were in a terrible cramped position, aad that the little linger and the next one were growing together. The jar was then taken up, wLen the limb was found crowded and cramped as described. This is remarkable, although such instances are often related. In this case the little nine-year-old lad was ignorant of what disposition was mide of the limb. The lad is very low, and some doubts are entertained of his recovery.— lf. Y. Times.

The complimentary, concert to J. H. Beale, Esq., will be given this evening in the Choral Hall, the particulars of which appear in the programme in this evening's issue, consisting of overtures, choruses, duets, and part songs. Miss Lindsay will sing the beautiful song, "Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead." Mr. Beale and family will perform the charming overture, the "Prince and Peasant." The pretty sone:, "The Night Darkens In," music by Topliffe, the blind organist; of Trinity Church, Southwark, will be sung with other equally musical productions. A real vocal and. instrumental treat may there fore be anticipated. The duets to, be per formed this evening will include " The Manly Heart,'' from Mozart, and " O'er Shepherd Pipe and Rustic Dell," composed by Balfe. The chorus of the " Russian Hymn," nearly new, and "Hail, Ye Initiate," will form a pleasing part of the concert. We would also call attention to the splendid " Anvil Chorus" from " Trovatore," music by Verdi, which has only been given once before in this city. Should the Hero arrive in time, Lord Norminby (the new Governor) will probably be present.

The district of Newmarket i 3 coming to the front with inventions. Mr Taite, chemist, Newmarket, offeis to housewives a new preparation, which is to do away with the ancient process of boiling clothes previous to washing them. By means of the chemicals used in the mixture, the dirt is thoroughly extracted. One lady affirms that she washed nineteen dozen clothes in the morning by the aid of the same, and got dinner ready by 12 o'clock, a feat which reflects equal credit on tha virtue of the preparation, and the ability of the person using it. If Mi1 Taite would further discover a method of cleansing clothes without the aid even of water, he would be a still greater benefactor to his district, Newmarket being sadly deficient of that important element during summer months. Last season Mr Witheford supplied seventeen families and on c baker with water from his private well. "Mute" speaketh at last. He says: — " Sir, —A recent lecturer on the abolition question seems, in the excitement occasioned by dealing with a large subject before a crowded and enthusiastic audience, to have omitted that reason which of all others must have been uppermost in his own mind in favour of the proposition—namely, that the good people of Auckland declined to employ him as " undertaker" at the cremation ceremony. It is not the first time it has happened thus with that ' vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself,' for many a one who has aspired to be master of ceremonies has been relegated, like the lecturer, to the com paratively harmless and obscure position of a Mttte."

Mr W. L. Eees will deliver a lecture this evening, in the Beresford-street Hall, at half-past seven; subject: "The evident destiny of the Anglo-Saxon race." The lecture will be given in connection with the Beresford - street Congregational Church Christian Institution Society, and the pro ceeds will be devoted to the new building fund,

Mr. A. Dornwell, butcher, of Queen-street, purchased the oxen which secured the prizes at the last Agricultural Show, and has been supplying his customers with splendid beef. He announces another prize animal at his establishment to-morrow. Brumagem half-sovereigns clumsily made are afloat in Wellington, and many rind their way up here. The " smasher" is described as a man of middle size, fresh complexion, sandy hair, moustache and. beard of the same colour, and trimmed off, and. dressed in a blue cloth suit. The performances last night afc the Prince of Wales Theatre, by the members of the Garrick Club, attracted a considerable audience, and gave general satisfaction. " Ben Bolt" and "the " Pride of the Village," were represented with much fidelity, and for amateurs was quite up to the mark. Miss Maggie Knight played in her usually interest ing manner, while her songs and dances won the applause of the house. The characters were all well sustained, and the Garrick Club deserve encouragement. The half-yearly meeting of the Auckland Permanent Co-operative Building and Invest ment Society will be held tlm evening, in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Associaiion, to receive the committee's report and baZance-sheet. A gentleman who has just returned to Wellington from England gives us an amusing account of the way in which work is done tbe Agent General's office at Westminster. There is a maguificent suite of rooms. Dr. Featherston himself occupies some chamber upstairs ; our informant was at the office half-a- dozen time 3, but was never fortunate eDOUgb to see him. Dr. Buller, while Secre tary, was accessible, obliging, and fall of in formation about the colony to all who met him. But the clerks—half-a-dozen or more of them—down stairs are the amusing part of the business. They are arable, exceedingly jolly, and ready to do anything they know, but unfortunately they know nothing—at least nothing about New Zealand. An immi grant wishes to ship for Wellington ; they complacently put him down for Otago. Our friend pointed out a special case to them, as one of hardship. They were sorry—thought it wa,3 all the same-New Zealand, they supposed, was one and indivisible -the places were all stuck together, if there were so ma,ny places (which they appeared to think was exceedingly doubtful)-but could they do anything? Perhaps they could transfer the immigrant from an Otago ship to a Welling ton one. " Oh, yes, with the greatest plea sure imaginable." They would transfer half a-dozen or half-a-score, if our friend wished it. It was done accordingly And then came the cream of the joke. With a merry twinkle of the eye, one of these clerks asked this New Zealander how long this " little swindle," this" do," would last? How long, did he think, they should hold their billets. Their billets w-^re very nice—easy work and fair pay—they hoped the thing might continue for a year or two, although it seemed too good to last so Ion;*. The impres sion conveyed to our informant was that they regarded New Zealand as a sort of conveni ent name under which to borrow money,

and to relieve England of a portion of its re dundant population—that immigrants were g.nng away they knew not where, and it was wittftheia a question of sink or swim—the former most likely—that the affair, in so far as these officials knew anything of it, was that of a wonderful or prolonged joke, very good while it lasted but not likely to last

long. — Tribune. The Central Board 3of Heilbh, constituted under the Public Health Act, are, it is con tended by the Christchurch Press, practically powerless, because while tho Act imposes on thorn multifarious duties, ib gives them no money to carry out their functions. The Dunedin Council does not seem to hold with Mr Passinore's views of economy. AnoSher clerk ha 3 been engaged by the Corporation at a salary of £300. The legal rate of an auctioneer's valuation commission on stock has been determined by the Christchurch Resident Magistrate to be live per cent, for the first £1000, and two and a half per cent, for anything over that amount.

The sixty-seventh conference of the New Jerusalem Church in England, Svvedenbor gian, has just been held in London. There were present seventeen ministers and tifby three lay delegates. The place of assembling was near where Swedenborc died, March 29, 1772. The topics discussed were the New Church day-schools, the colleee, missionary institutions, etc. The revised liturgy, which has been on hand for several years, was announced as completed, and was adopted.

The forcible kidnapping of labour in the South Sea Islands is referred to in the inter esting account of the cruise of the Missionary schooner Southern Cross, published in the C7iurc7i Gazette to-day. It oceura in the notes on the visit to Ambrym Island as follows : —" At Ambrym it was a much more important advance that Mr. Kenny went to spend a month ashore. He was found very well, and he had apparently enjoyed his stay, though there was fighting all the while, and an old scholar of the Mission was killed. Not a very great deal can be done in a first visit, but a first visit is an important step. There the Missionaries found at anchor a well-known Queensland trader, and it gives some notion of the way they get their labourers, to witness what was seen. They had got sixteen men from a place some little way down the islaqd, and these men had escaped the night before. The Jason's boat were pursuing them, and the missionaries were on shore for some time getting our party together, and arms were seen from our vessel being put into their boats, and some fighting was expected. They were signalled for to come on board. The missionaries heard th^.y had got four on the first expedition ; how they managed the second time they did not learn, but it doesn't look much like peaceful engagement of labourers. The reason given for their escape was that the traders had shot two men in the neighbouring islands, and the Ambrym men were afraid to stay. That was the second Queensland trader seen at anchor, and from the first also people had swam away in the night.

LATE FIRE AT NORTH SHORE.

THE GIRL'S CONFESSION.

We understand that the young girl (Cecilia Allen) now in custody on a charge of setting fire to the dwelling-house of Mr. Howard, on the Takapuna road, has made a confession, or part confession, this morning to the police. She has stated with some hesitancy that she set fire to the stable which was destroyed about a fortnight since. She intimates moreover that she set fire to the house which was destroyed on Friday last, and that she had attempted to fire other places in Auckland, but was prevented from carrying her diabolical plans into execution through the interference of neighbours. The girl appears to be about thirteen years of age ; but as she is small in stature, she may be a year or two older. She is very guarded in replies to the officers of the police, and is deficient eifcher in shrewdness or intelligence. She is a native of Auckland, and about eight months ago, lived with a person in Elliott-street, where she first began to exhibit her mischievous proclivities. It would seem, therefore, that, incendiarism is a kind of monomania with this girl, as she cannot assign any reason for her wilful misconduct, beyond that of seeing a blaze. The case will be heard before the Police Court on Monday next, when it is expected some curious revelations will be made, which may be of service to the phreno logist, and the friends of educational pro gress.

Shobtt's H* ing Saloon, three doors below the Greyhound First-class Attention, Civility and Cleanlipesa.

THE TKAININO SHIP ANDo^ AT KOHIMARAMA Cfio%

We have repeatedly referred to the t • . I ship and school at Kohimaramara ?? I commenced operations to-day. Six b' *^4 I this morning drafted to the train™" *e^ from the Industrial School by M r & J , 8% The removal of the boys was volant y' their part and in accordance with^a 0? expressed desire. Pome additional fact, T\ cerning the new institution are publioO^* 1 the Church Gazette to-day, which * reprint:—" The fitsfc Naval Training s v* 6 in New Zealand, at Kohimaramara, will ih °°l ' the good wishe3 of all who feel an'intei»a ' the ' Neglected and Destitute ChiHxen?,* whom it i 3 specially intended. gi nc ' |* visit of the Honourable the Commisaio Qer * the Secretary of Customs to Auckland tf buildings at the old Mission Station atRnV marama have been thoroughly repaired \ fitted up for the purposes of the SeWi accommodation has been provided for (60) boys, but it is intended to begin about twenty (20) from Auckland; the 2 batch being from the Howe Street Industa School of such boy 3as wish to be trait* for the sea. Tho full number will be g^ ally made up t.uni the different provinces «i ;he Colony as the institution gets into worl ing order. This it is- to be hoped will son be, for apparently much interest is ahewif and many enquiries have been madeabouti? One part of it will be found to differ som what from the received idea of a \J?\ Training School, in that it provides for ft! acquiring of buildings and grounds as Jn as vessels. Training ships are from theji large size stationary, and, to be complete i». quire small tenders in which to.gfre'^' boys actual sea training. In most cases this is not practicable, and boys are hired or sent oufc for short cruises in fishing vessels, 4 0 Such an institution as that at Kohimatanj will combine the advantages of a well-coj. ducted school, good play grounds, ]^ for agncultural purposes, and sea frontage and beach for learning to swim and boating, with the tender close afc-handfin. the practical part of seamanship, al^ go far to make the place very popu]^ tending to remove the feeling of restraint and confinement, necessarily felt by yo^ boys always cooped up in a ship, jf tender—the old Southern Cross— will |, rigged as a bri<;', and will have a spleu^ summer cruising ground within the Banij Tslanda, or for still shorter cruising, between Auckland and the Sandspit. As othei schools are established in the Southern ports, she will also be available to visit them, gsj take boys to the different schools tfol may require them. For the present the staff consists of a < manager, school master, cook, and sbipkeeper. A boats wain or instructor is on board, and others will be added as wanted. The main objectofthe institution is to rescue some of the neglected and destitute children from the life tint would otherwise be before them, and to endeavour to tura th m into what is so much wanted in a maritime country like this good seamen and respectable members of society. The boys are specially intended for this ; but for any who may not be fit for the sea or may dislike it, provision will no doubt be made for teaching other trades, and (as staled in the Act) for appieQfcicing them to such. This will bs, at Auckland, turning to a worthy account the buildings and the vessel so long used by the late Bishop Patteson f< r missionary work oi a different character."

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Joseph May and G. M. Mitf<t( Esqs., Justices of the Pease.)

THK HEAD WRONG. _ 1 Charles Stewart was charged mth. being 1 drunk last night on the wharf. _ , ' Prisoner pleaded guilty, h« iead was wrong:, and his legs refused to perform their | natural functions. Fined us and costs. BEARDING A CONSIiBU. _ Thomas Burns was charged mtii \>emg drunk last night on the wharf, ani while in that state savagely assaulting constable Sampson and depriving that officer oi a considerable portion of his beard. Prisoner pleaded gailfcy to both chaiges, Mr Broham said that the prisoner's con duct was very bad, he was lying on thewhatf in a disreputable state ; and when the const able remonstrated with him, he made a sw age attack upon him, and tore away a coa siderable quantity of his beard. The bench fined prisoner 10a for being drunk, and 20a for the assault, or seven days imprisonirent with hard labour. COMMENCING BUSINESS. Henry Devoy was brought up on two charges of felony for stealing a horse value £2, on the 21st of November, the property of George Cook ; also, two cowp, value £25, on the 27th inst , the property of Robert George. Prisoner made no reply to the charge, and in accordance with the request of Mr. In spector Broham the case was remanded for* week. BOOTS ! BOOTS ! . James Wilson was charged with stealing a pair of new boots on the 30th ultimo, value 10s. 6d., the property of Samuel Morton Green. Prisoner pleaded guilty. MM Mr. Broham stated that prisoner had been convicted in this Court before on charges d larceny. He went into Mr. Green's shopW stole the boots. ■ „ Mr. John Sheehan said he did not appes for the prisoner, but he knew something« the man, who, from a severe accident in® head, had since been prevented fromgeW a livelihood. . A The Bench committed him to prisoi* one month.

A MOTHER IN DISTRESS. JH Thomas Kelly was summoned for»W to contribute towards the support of hisf mother, Harriet Richardson. , -j-'v Mr Sheehan asked that the case migW" adjourned until the beginning of the p. he did this on behalf of the drosecutiofli■ £ consequence of certain facts which && his knowledge. „,« Adjourned until the sfch of January, «'3'

STREET HAWKING. , ;".£ Mrs McLean was summoned for comta tiDg a breach of the Bye-Laws No. 1, •* having sold turkeys in Queen-streefy Saturday, without a license. Mrs McLean did not appear in answer Mr Greenwood, Market Inspector, pro«J the charge. He was always willing to ass persons, so far as he could, who "r0 Jjjj poultry and vegetables into the city, »n they came into the market, and paid we 1 in accordance with the market regular > and did not sell out within two hours, gave them permission to hawk them rou the town free of charge. _. , iu-j The Town Clerk informed the Bajch J* he did not wish that a heavy fine sbouia inflicted in this case. The case w**™"^ forward as a caution to others thattney not break the city by-laws with The Bench considered that the Dy must be enforced, and as Mrs. McLean treated them with contempt, she muss y ; fine of ss. and costs.

John Hiegins was charged with J and upon the medical testimony oi m. t big derdine and Dr Lee, who considered va temporary affliction was the result m drinking, he was discharged. THK ARCHILL KCISANCB. ~ . ,i His Worship, previous opemS{. t Licensing Court, proceeded *» TOJ^j tbe on the Archill nuisance, and saia boI ; D g, City Council had evidently h*™ under a misapprehension ; tney » ,; ceng mg to do with the matter beyond the f. of of the vehicles. Looking at the^, the Act, the Council had nopo^ ( their deposits at Archill. He apP_.,^-tf that this case was brought as a the question, and he felt under t^ jfoe stances that he must convict, D« .^, f <f would be m«relv hrim'inl. « |

THE EVEttlttG STAB, TUESDAY, T>ECEMBi£ft 1, \s7l.



9( )OO SUMMER VESTS, 2s 6d EACH. SAMUEL COOMBES, CITY GLOTHING MART, 92, QUEEN-STREET. TI7E AEE NOW SHOWING OUR MAIL GOODS Received per s. s. Hero, Consisting of ' COSTUMES, PA.BIS BONNETS, TRIMMED HATS, MANTLiES, FJBATHER3, FLOWEBB, GLOVES, &c, &C, &0. ; Also, 72 CASES PSE ZX. A.LANDIA, Comprising— PRINTS, DRESSES, and MANCHESTER GOODS J. COSGRAVE & CO. potPULSOEY SALE AT THE CITY HALL, (Lath A. Likabuby and Co. A SA LE O.F DRAPERY, MEN'S & BOYS' CLOTHING, CARPETS, FLOOR CLOTHS, MATTINGS FURNISHINGS Of ev>ry description WILL TAKE PLACE AT MB T CITY HALL, ON SATURDAY, 24th OCTOBER, And will continue for ONE MONTH, Affcrwhich the residue of theJSTOCK will be sold by x en uer.



LATEST THAMES NEWS. THE OHINEMURI NEGOTIATIONS. GBAHAMSTOWN. (From our own Correspondent.) This day. The latest Obinemuri news shows that Messrs. Mackny and Te Moananui are de bating the liability of Ohinemure lands for Kaihana, [and very little progress has been made yet. A number of visitors from Shortiand waz present. Tne natives subscribed £300 for the church, which they erect without any other aid. Mr Mackay said he wanted the question settled of payment for advances. He wanted them, to meet him with as pleasant faces as when they came to him for advances. Moananui claimed 10s an acre for the lands of Waifcara and Colville, and said that some of the flour supplied at the Tarariti meeting was vile stuff. Considerable recrimination ensued. At the meeting held yesterday Mo'nnatiui addressing the natives, recommenced them to unite in brotherly love against a common enemy the Pakeha. The Keel, White, and Blue tribute crushed 69 tons for SOozs lldwts. The Golden Calf tribute is looking up for a splendid average. The big pumps resumed this afternoon. The repairs are now completed, and steam getting up. The native church at Kirikiri, six miles up the Thames river, was opened by Bishop Cowie, the Revs. Messrs. Sfcuart, Cross, Maunsell, Lush, and three native parsons yesterday. The Exchange has got gold in the stopes to-day. Market very quiet, no sales are reported. Buyeis : Golden Calf, 10s Gd, new issue, 4s 3d ; Queen of the Thames, 2s 9d ; Van Guard, 2s. 'j he O'hinemuri excursionists stuck on the mud bank, and was detained till 4 o'clock this morning. CAUTIONT TO THE PUBLIC. Do not suppose the Governor has arrived when the cuinon are fired in the " Anvil Chorus " to-night. DSTEPHENSON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, EXHIBITION BRAND, UAGLK BRAND, CROWN B ft A N D. Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and storekeepers throughout the Proviiict* of .Auckland. . Tj. STEPHEN SON & CO., W V N 1> H A M STREET, AUCKLAND. TWT E HAVE OPEN E D Pjsß Ship Hydaspks: 22CA S E S OF MEN'S AND BOY'S CLOTHING, PANAMA HAW, FELT DD, ia Man's and Youth's Sizes. J. COSGRAVE & CO., IMPOIITitUS. A. LIN ABURY AND CO. Having taken those CENTRALLY-SITUATED PREMISES (Three doors below the City Hall), Lately in the occupation of Mr S. Smith, Chemist, WILL OPEN On TUESDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 27, With an ENTIRE NEW STOCK of SPRING- AND SUMMER DRESS GOODS AND GENERAL DRAPERY. Full particulars in future advertisement.