SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATTSR ; This evealng. 7.18 : to-moreo* ttoruiny, 7 38 3UN-BET : TbJa evening, 5.42 ; BHST-BI3S: To morrow morning, 6.9 MOON'S AGE: New Moon, 11th, 549 a.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARR VALS. Loch TTrr, barque, 716 tons, Captain Samuel Murdock, from London, 94 days East Lothian, barque, from Lyttelton Ryno, brigantine, Campbell, from Lyttelton Southern Cross, s.s , from Tauranga Phoßbe, s.s., from the South, (in the Manukau)

DEPARTURES.

Memento, barque, for Newcastle Waitara, s.s., Dale, for New Plymouth, (from the Manukau)

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Norfolk Island and New Caledonia—Dauntless,

topsail rchooner, early For Newcastle— Montana, barque, soon For the South—Phoebe, s.s., Monday For Samoa—Suzanne, brfg, early For Sydney—Helen Malcolm, barque, early For London—Countess of Kintore. ship, and Thames,

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

doubtful For Sydney and Melbourne—Victoria, s.s., three days after arrival

VESSELS EXPECTED.

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

about 14th instant Victoria, s.s , from Sydney, uncertain Magellan Cloud, from Chatham Islands, early Pearl, ketch, from South Sei Islands, early

IMPORTS.

Per ship Looh Urr, from London:- -2 butts sherry, Brown Campbell and C 0.,; 8 tanks, 30 qr-easks, Combes and Daldy ; 10 qr-casks order ; 1 case, 1 parcel, H. Vercoe ; 2 casks 2 cases, order; 11 cases, T. Peacock ; 56 trunks, 8 bales, 1 truss, 6 bales, Lewis Bros.; 61 cases, H.S. Meyers and Co.; 60 ban-els, 19 cases, order ; 1 case, Blaydes, Evens and Co.; 30 cases, 1 parcel, J. Cosgrave and Co ; 9casf&. 1 bale, R. W. Dyson; 6 cases, order; 175 cases E. and H. Isaacs ; 6 casks, 2 cases, B. Gittos; 7 hhds, 1 cask, R. Cooley; 2 cases, Goodwin and Co.; 1 case, J. R. J. Selwyn ; 14 pieces, 1 bundle, 5 boxes, Icask 159 stamp heads, 55 stamp grounds, 135 heads, "82 grounds, New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company ; 1 case G. M. Laird ; 1 case, Rev. H. Lloyd ; lease, 1 bale, F. C. Tilly ; 1 case, Mrs Hall ; 2 cases, K.D. Sykes ; l'cask, 18 pgs. E. Wayte ; 2 cases, Ireland Brothers ; 100 cases, 60 drums, Brown. Campbell and Co ; 3 cases, order; 229 cases, 45 balf s, 45 packages, 1 crate, A. Clark and Son ; 7 esses, E. Porter and Co ; 11 cases, 5 casks, R*. W. King ; 15 cases, order; 111 cases, E. and H. Isaac?; 38 pgs. Lewis Brothers ; 14 pgs., 20 cases, Kemp thorne, Prosser and Co ; 3 cases, order ; 1 case, McArthur, Shera aDd Co ; 100 boxes, order ; 4 cases, J". Bailey ; 34 pgs., 8 casks, order ; 1 bale, Byan Bell and Co ; 50 cases, Henderson and Macfarlane; 0 tanks, 3 crates, 1 case, 13 pgs., order ; 16 casks, W. B. Rhodes and Co ; 150 cases, order ; 9, bales Ireland Brothers; 2 sheep, New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company ; 3 cases, Coombes and Daldy ;86 pcs, 1 case, 3 cases, order ; 2 cases order ; 27 casks, 6 bales, 08 bundles tubes, 17 tubes, 42 cases. 4 pgs., T. S. Morrin ; 64 pgs., order; 69 packages, 1 cases, Brown Campbell and Co; 22 packages, E Porter and Co. ; 6 cases, II.W. Dyson ; 104 kegs, 2casks 114 ovens, 114 covers, 13 bundles spades, J. and J. Dickey; 4 cases, 5 kegs. 50 boxes, 300 bag 3, 107 cases, 20 barrels, 41 cases, 1 cask, order ; 22 packages, Ireland Brothers ; 10 cases, J. Smith ; 67 pgs., Barnett and Levy; 1 case, 17 bundles, E. and H. Isaacs ; 36 pgs., 1 case, Lewis Bros. ;63 pgs., 36 bars, 11 bundles, Auckland Gas Company; 3 cases, 4 bales, 100 barrels, 58 boxes, 60 bags, 1 cask, E and H. Isaacs ; 1 case, printing machine, Reed and Brett, Evening Star ; 159 cases, McArthur, Shera and Co. ; 41 casks, 1 barrel, 1 case, 8 packages, W. Phil lipps and Son ; 80 kegs. 11 casks, 4 cases, 3 hhds., N. Williams and Company; 18 packages, Charls Woolgar ;34 cases, 1 bale, Sargood, Son and Ewen ; 115 iron plates, 10 machines, 80 cases, 9 packages, 30 stoves, 50 bundles, 16 casks, 7 kegs, 5 anvils, E Porter and Co ; 2 cases, Stewart and Co. ; 20 casks, Whaxton ; 200 boxes, order ; 17 packages, 2 chain?, 4 anchors, J. Watt ; 136 cases, order ; 2 cases, George Revell; 1 box, 5 bales, 6 packages, 4 bales, 4 cases; 1 truss, 4 rams, 5 ewes, 1 chest, order ; 12 cases, Henderson and Macfarlane ; 3 cases, Stuart and Co. ; 605 bags, 500 casks, Brown, Campbell and Co — New Zealand Shipping Company,agents.

Per Phcebe from the South : 3 cases, Kempthorne, Prosser & Co ; 1 do, J. Wil liamson ; 1 do, Lewis Bros. ; 2 do, Sargood & Co; 3 bottles quicksilver, Clark & Garlick; 50 sacks malt, Bedell and Co, ; 1 parcel, Combes . and Daldy ; 1 trunk, Lewis Bros. ; 1 bundle plants , Hay; 1 parcel, Lusher ; 1 case, Collector of Customs; 1 case, Gilfillan; 1 box, Kenderdine; 1 parcel, National Bank ; 2 boxes, Telegraph Depart ure nt; 5 cases hematite, H. F. Anderson ; 5 ca°ks beef, Gibbons & Co.; 1 parcel, Palmer ; 1 pge trees, Wren ; 1 parcel, hop plants, R. Lusk ; 5 bales wool, Nathan and Co. ; 3 sacks seeds, Hurst and Co ; 1 case plants, Cruickshank and Co. ; 1 case plants, Owen ; 2 boxes butter, T. Veale ; 4 boxes butter, Hood ; 3 boxes onions, Castles ; 1 theodolite and stand, Peacock. —Combes and Dalcly, agents. Per brigantiae Ryno, from Lyttelton : G34 sacks wheat, 377 sacks potatoes, 30 sacks malt, 5 sscks bacon, and 130 sacks oats. — D' H. Mackenzie, agent. Per East Lothian, from Lyttelton : 20 tons of potatoes, 20 tons flour, 3 tons of bacon, ljton of cheese, 400 sacks of barley, and 9 bags of oats. J. S. Macfarlane, agent.''/

The brigantine Ryno, reported by the Dauntless as in company with the East Lothian about five days back off the Kawa kawa, made her appearance at the North Head this morning early. She came up the harbour this afternoon. The Ryno brings a cargo of Southern produce consigned to Mr D. H. MacKenzie.

As our shipping reporter was rowing off to the Loch Urr this morning his boat passed a splendid cock pheasant floating dead^ upon the surface of the water. Apparently it had been alive a few hours before, for it was perfectly fresh, and its feathers were quite unruffled. How it came in its strange position it is impossible to tell. The s.s. Southern Cross, Captain Sellars, arrived from Tauranga late last night with several passengers and a general cargo.

The City sf Auckland has taken advantage of the fine weather to make a good inroad into her 'tween-deck cargo. It could not be turning out in better condition.

Messrs L. D. Nathar & Co. have advertised for tenders for discharging the ship Oxford. The little steamer Waitara has taken her departure for New '"'lyrnouth. With a con tinuance of the .present fine weather she will make a pleasant run round.

The s.s. Phoebe arrived in the Manukaa this morning xrV- h th's following passengers : —Mrs Atkinsyu and family, Mrs Graham, Mr and Mrs Downie, Miases Wooley and Gib bons, Colonel Kenny; Messrs Turncliffe, Barrand (2), Hare, Bertie, Drake, Wicks, Naples, Gavin, Great Califomfan Minstrels (14), and 21 in the steerage. The barque Harriett Armitage has come alongside the wharf and is discharging her Dunedin cargo of grain, etc. It appears in excellent •onditlon. .

The Helen Malcolm has hauled to the west side of the wharf, where she will load for Sydney. The Montana is still in the stream, but will come alongside at once. She wlil return to Newcastle and probably load thence for San Francisco.

The barque Ansdell cleared away from the wharf this morning and anchored in the stream. She is to sail for Newcastle at once.

The barque Memento sailed for Newcastle in ballast at noon to-day.

The barque East Lothian arrived' this morning from Lyttelton. She was seen off the coast some days ago by the Dauntless, and has been expected ever since. She rounded the North Head between ten and eleven o'clock, and had to anchor owing to the strong ebb and adverse wind. At one o'clock she again got under weigh and came up, anchoring off the Wharf. She left Lyt telton on the 28th ultimo, and has tlms been fourteen days on the passage.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Wavoantti, this day. The St. Kilda left for Auokland this morning.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr George Sibbin's grocery and produce sale to-day, at the Corner Mart, potatoes sold at £7 to £8 5s per ton; maize 5s 6d; oatmeal, 23s 6d ; kerosene, 2s to 2s 6d per gallon ; oats, 5s 9d; cheese Sd; hams 7^d to Is; candles ll^d ; and tea 32s 6d per box. At Mr Arbhur's poultry sale fowls realised Is lid to 2s 3d; ducks, Is lOd to 2s 6d; geese 4s ; turkeys, 3s 2d to 4s 2d.

At Mr Dowden's sale a quantity of Canter bury hams and bacon realised ll|d all round. The other goods fetched average prices.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as ipollows :—• For Thames, to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m. For Mahurangi, Matakana Manga wai.Waipu, &c,

per Lady Bowen, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Newcastle, N.S.W ', per Ansdell, to-morrow,

at 1 p.m. For Giaborne and Napier, par Pretty Jane, to morrow, at 11 a.m For Whitiangi, Tairua, Tauranga. Opotiki, and

Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, to-

morrow, at 1 p.m. For Napier and Gisborne, per Southern Cross, on Monday next, at 10 a m. For Taranaki. Southern provinces, and Australian

Colonies, per Phoebe, on Monday next, at 8 a.m For Wanganui, per St. Kilda, on Monday next,, at

10 a m Far Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonni, on Monday

next, at 4 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per Wellington, on Saturday next, as under:— * For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 5 p.m For Taranaki. Southern provinces, Australian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton, and United Kingdom, via Brindlsi, at 5 p.m. For meney orders, registered and letters, at 6 p.m. |

8, B, Bias, Chief Postmaatw,

MARRIAGES.

POOL*?—NiobniE.— On Ist instant, at the residence f of the Rev Mr Macnicol, William Pooley to Ro3e Harriet .Niddrie, both of this city.

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

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1874.

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

Stntfrtt.y as -we believe in the necessity for a League which may rally around it public opinion, and give to that opinion a useful direction, we do not augur much from the League which was launched last night. Its failure, if it fails, will be simply from its not presenting to the people something fto fight for, something that will arouse dormant energies, and above all not honestly stating what cannot be concealed as the main objects of its promoters. If, as we have already said, the League boldly declared war against the continuance of the unjust monopoly in revenues derived from the lands of the colony which is enjoyed to our great detriment by certain Southern provinces it would have struck a chord that would vibrate through the hearts of our people. The mere enrolment of leaguers to secure the abolition of provincialism will not be found to awaken any very great enthusiasm, and much as we may regret it we do not antici pate that the life of the new League will be a very long one. It was a marked and singular circumstance that every speaker, without one exception, gas'e exceeding pro minence to the great wrong in the financial

I relations of North and South. Every one dccl aimed against the land revenues being locally applied, and every one expressed the belief that the success of the League would be the rectifying of this wrong. And yet instead of placing this promi nently and distinctly on the card of the League it was kept entirely away from the foi mal resolutions, for fear as we have said of " Alarming the South." In giving so much prominence to the abolition of the Provincial system without the softening feature of the confiscation and equal distri bution of the land revenues the League, quite unnecessarily, will have the result of placing our provir>cialists and centralists in hostile camps. Where all might have been v nited in the one great object of protecting the interests of the North Island provinces, and indeed of all the provinces, against the greed of Canterbury and Otago by boldly enunciating a policy, the League will begin its work with weakness and division at home. We are told that the abolition of provincial ism throughout Now Zealand must necessm Hi/ be followed by the absorption of land revenues in the common fund. For how, it is asked, can the land revenues be appropri ted by the Southern provinces if the Southern provinces are extinguished ? But it seems forgotten that local institutions, as county boards, Ac, are to take the place of the provinces, and if as promised by Mr Vogel land revenues are to be localised and locally expended we fail to see that any ad vantage to the North and to the colony arises from these land revenues beiug appro priated and used by Southern county Boards any more than by Southern provinces. If the real object of the League is to place all New Zealand on one level platform, and its revenues in one common purse, it would have been wise as it would have been honest to say so, instead of taking a leaf from what is said to be Mr Vogel's book, and saying one thing while meaning another and far greater thing. We admit the people of the South are very soft, and are easily duped by such clever people as we are ; and no doubt keeping the land question out of our resolutions and expressed objects, while putting it forward in our speeches, will lull them into a false security and entrap them into the League. But we speak of this in firmity of pm-pose as affecting our own people, and we do not believe that the programme of the League as announced last night will meet with a public response. We go farther, and say that this half-hearfcedness in its initiation is the bane of every such public move ment in Auckland—the grave of Leagues. If the Reform League will reform its own ex pressed objects, and give the public some thing worth fighting for, shoulder to shoulder together, it will do well. At the former monster meeting at the Choral Hall the people asked for bread, and the' Leaguers have given them a stone, and the one chief result that we observe from last night's meeting has been the drawing ojf a wet cold blanket over the enthusiasm awaked at the former meeting in the same place. The first subscription paid last night, that of Mr John Mason, is a true commentary on the value and character of the League, as an organisation intended to subvert the un just and tyrannical resolutions of Mr Vogel. It is said that v hen the devil cannot capsize the coach he gets up on the coach-box and

drives,

. To the Editor : Sir, —Could you inform me why it is that the police do not prosecute those unprincipled employers who deliberately ignore the Female Employment Act. I could mention one diaper in Queen-street who prides himself upon his Sunday preaching, and who thinks it no sin to keep his employes to half-past five o'clock, and sometimes as late as,eight and nine on Saturday night, some of them having to go a distance of two miles unprotected to reach their homes. Hoping that you will give this cause that needs assistance the aid of your able pen. —I remain, yours, Pannie.

" J.A." asks what ia the matter with the city lamps ; they give a light in some places equal to a mould candle, and suggests the attention of the City Councillors, particu larly the new brooms. Our correspondent adds perhaps the Coporation dont pay their gas bill, and half the light is cut off. We must certainly say the present lights in the street lamps are wretched, whosever fault it is. Ther3 is also a general complaint re garding the poor quality of gas now being supplied from the works to shops.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of £2 from Mr Hale on behalf of Mrs Gribble.

The Original California Minstrels have re turned to Auckland after a successful tour in the South, and will commence a series of their entertainments at the Prince of Wales Theatre to-morrow evening, including songs, sketches dances, and comicalities.

"We Yeaiji that Mr Biordan was the caterer at th^ Bakers' ball on Wednesday evening, and not Mr Wright, as stated in the morning journals. The mistake occurred simply through a reply being given to one of the reporters who wanted a feed that it was " all right," and a Mr Wright being present, his name was innocently pencilled down as the caterer.

There have been many straight-laced persons with limited religious notions who have spoken and written disparingly of dancing, as persons might do against any other amusement. We hold the opinion, however, that an occasional dance is calcu lated to benefit young persons, and it is with no small satisfaction that we heard an Auck land minister the other evening speak favour able of this and other innocent exercises It has been truly said, as beauty of color to the eye, as sweet sounds to to the ears, so is the luxury of quick and easy motion to the healthy frame. All young things delight to skip and dance. When it hears lively music the child must dance; it is an irresistible spontaneous instinct as much as to use its young voice and shout and laugh and sing out its merriment. Whatever gives us highest enjoyment is most appropriately connected with religion and as physical enjoyment comes before mental, dancing formed a part of religious ceremonies before more recondite rituals or more abstract ideas superseded. The gloomy views of the Puritans and other religious communities were too unnatural to retain the world long in bondage, so dancing became again the enjoyment of thousands ; and when Nature's pre-eminent right of guidance is more and moi-e recognized dancing will assume its place among the arts which add beauty and joy to human existence.

Mr Salmon wishes us to state that he had nothing to do with the getting up of the Union-street programme for the open lodge meeting, held on Tuesday evening, his term of office as W.C.T. having previously expired

The Service of Song illustrative of Banyan's allegory will be repeated this evening in the Grafton road Wesleyan Chapel. The Rev. A. Reid will read the selected passages and the intervening melodies will be given by the Sunday-school scholars connected with the chapel.

The shareholders of the Auckland Per manent Cooperative Society held a special meeting last evening for the purpose of elect ing a trustee in the place of Mr Heather, who is absent from the colony. Dt. Nicholson was called to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the met ting, and Mr C>. B. Owen was appointed to (ill the vacant office. The trustees of this flourishing society are Messis W. C. Wilson, John Roberton, and G. B. Owen.

A correspondent sends the following :— At the election of a member for Waitemata a cabman was inspired with a bright idea. He somehow possessed himself of an electoral roll, selected five names, went with them to J. S. Macfarlane stating they were electors, offering to drive them out to the Whau (they objecting to going to the North Shore the water being rough). The bait took, he received his demands for cab hire, and had in addition a handsome sum placed in his hands to stand treat to the voters. Of course when they arrived at the Whau they recorded their votes—but it was over Palmer's counter.

The grand amateur entertainment for the benefit of Mrs Cribble and family will take place this evening in the Prince of Wales Theatre under the patronage of the Auck land Volunteer forces. The programme, an extensive ouo, will include a number of songs, au ethopian sketch, and the lively farce, entitled " The Mischievous Monkey." We notice that Messrs O'Hare, Brooks, Smith, Cummins, P. Doran, Almaz, and other amateurs will take part in the representa tions. Mr J. Reid will sing " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep," and the " Holy Friar." The Boneless Boy has also volun teered his service. The entertainment therefore will be worthy of public patronage, and as the special object is one of benevo lence, the house Bhould be filled.

To the Editor : Sir, —Sympathising deeply as I do with that large hearted patriot, J. S. Macfarlane, in his latest and most thorough defeat, I am naturally anxious to help him as far as possible in his commendable efforts to nullify the verdict of a benighted electo rate. If the voters of Waitemata are so obstinate (not to say ungrateful) as to reject that self-sacrificing candidate, they must be lost to all feelings of regard for—for—for his best interests. Therefore I desire to point out a most cogent reason for up setting the recent election — one which, strange to say, has escaped the notice of J.S. and his lynx-eyed henchmen. It is this : The pigeons which conveyed the returns from the various polling-places were not licensed carriers under the Act in that case made and provided. I do not like to mention this to J.S. personally, as he has such a lofty scorn of employing any means whatever to upset an election which has been decided on the actual merits of the candidates, but, nevertheless, I think it only right to call p*blic attention to the circum stances.—Yours, &c, Antwerp.—P.S.—l am grieved to learn that some of J.S.s agentsproved guilty of a flagrant derilection of duty, but such is electioneering life.

A farewell supper was given to Mr J. W. Rountree last eA'ening at the Nevada Hotel, Queen-street, previous to his departure for the South. The guests presented him with a watch and purse of sovereigns in token of respect. Mr Rountree formerly carried on an extensive business at the Thames, was a large dealer in cattle, and an active promoter of racing, holiday fun, and field sports.

The first rifle match of the season will take place at the Mount Eden rifle range to-morrow at two o'clock sharp. The match iS open- to all, and a large muster of our ci-ack marksmen is expected. The ranges chosen are 400, 500, and 600 yards ; five shots at each range. Competitors should be on the ground by half-past one o'clock. If the weather proves to be anything like that of to-day an interesting match may be anticipated.

•A. "Newmarket Ratepayer" writes ex pressing the satisfaction felt by himself and fellow-ratepayers at the publication of a skit in our columns regarding the conduct of the affairs of the district by the board of truuteea. The letter is so illegible that we can make very little of it out, but it seems to be chiefly occupied with a complaint against the late chairman, Mr Clayton.

On Monday next Messrs Cochrane and Son will offer for sale at their land mart, several valuable freehold allotments in Fort-street and at Hokianga, the latter situated at the confluence ;9f" the Waihou River with the Totara Creek ; ,^lso, other properties at East Tamaki, Taupifi, and Hamilton West.

Miss Maggie Knight was again successful at the Prince of Wales Theatre in her varied programme. The performance opened with the comedy of "Irish Assurance and Yankee Modesty,"in which she enacted the part of Nancy Stoker with considerable dash and humour. Messrs Vivian, Gourlay, and Mason contributed several songs and dances, which were encored, and the performance closed with an Ethiopian sketch entitled "The School in an Uproar," which sent the audience home in excellent humour.

Th§ members of the Auckland Cavalry Troop met for drill exercise last evening in the Drill-shed. A large number of men were present, and creditably performed their exercise under the command of Capt. Isaacs.

The Acclimatization Society of Auckland sent 206 fine young trout to Riverhead yesterday by Mr John Lamb, to be placed in the streams of that locality.

" Caustic " writes :— " Several peison have writttn suggesting a substai-tial testi monial to Mr Asher for his Jong »iixi zealous services. These writers must he »<w eiin-rs, certainly not old hands. Whoever ki.e« ay public man to get any recognition for at rvi ■» s in Auckland unless he be very wealthy or possessed of such political influence as.may tend to benefit the pockets of those who net up dinners aud so forth ?. No, no ! Let poor unobtrusive meiit go hang—wealth and power alone deserve recognition here." [Uur correspondent is evidently suffering from an attack of bile.]

An entertainment was given in the One hunga Choral Hall on the evening of the 9th inst. by the Excelsior Sable Humourists, in aid of a distressed family, and by the manner in which it was responded to by the inhabi tants, as the'; hall w&s literally crammed should be an* inducement to this talented company to devote a little more time for practice. The acting on the whole was very creditable. Mr John Brierly, on behalf of the distressed family, begs to acknowledg jfroin Messrs Leahy, Blakey, and the members of the Excelsior Sable Humourists, the sum o £12, proceeds of ths late concert; and also on behalf of the company to return their sincere thanks toF.M.P. Brookfield, Esq , for his kindness in giving the free use of the Choral Hall for the occasion; as also his donation of £1 towards the same purpose.

Mr Pringle met with an accident this morn ing on the wharf. He was stepping on board the barque Harriet Armitage, lying on the west side of the wharf, when he either mis calculated his distance or slipped, for he suddenly disappeared between the barque and the wharf piles. Fortunately he came in contact with nothing but the water in his fall. On rising to the surface he clung to some timber, and held on till a rope was low ered from the barque, and he was taken on board. Being an elderly man, and only ju3t recovered from an illness, the shock was very trying to Mr Pringle, and although) appar ently uninjured time must tell the result of the shock to the system.

THE REFORM LEAGUE.—PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting, convened by the Reform League of Mew Zealand, was held in the Choral Flail last night. His Worship the Mayor presided. The attendance was not very large, no doubt owing to the frequency of political meetings of late. The Chairman explained the objects of the meeting and ex pressed regret at the meagre attendance, Captain Daldy ro3e to move the first re solution, and in doing so sketched the objects of the League It would not con fine its efforts to the question of pro vincialism, but would also agitate for a redistribution of the representation. The necessity for this was indicated by the one fact that while Taranaki, with its small popu lation, had three members, the lhames had only one. The League also desired an extension of the franchise. When large question were being dealt with there was a necessity for such a League, whose views would be disseminated throughout the colony, and would grealy assist their repre sentatives. He would move "That the time has arrived when the Provincial institutions of the colony should beabolished throughboth both islands, and this meeting pledges itself to support the League in en deavouring! to accomplish this object." He bad for years held the conviction that no strong central Government could exist under the present system. The power of Auckland in the Assembly had been annihilated by the different views entertained by its mem bers. Captain Daldy then commented on the unequal expenditure, and said it would notbe tolerated in any other part of the world. The idea of one province having more than a million sterling, while another had only a few thousands. Was New Zealand a whole colony or a lot of petty states. The rights of the province of Auckland and of the other Northern provinces generally should be as well guarded as the rights of the Southern provinces. And the same system adopted in regard to the North should be carried out likewise in the South. (Prolonged cheering.) They were told that, the Southern provinces were too powerful yet for the Government to attempt at present their abolition. This he did not believe. He believed there was a sense of honour amongst the Southern provinces of that island,—a sense of honesty amongst the intelligent portion of the population of the South—and a sense of fair play—which would confute the opinion that the Northern Island could be funfairly dealt with. South ern people would say that such treatment was unfair and unjust. (Repeated cheer ing.) The League would serve to im prove the condition of the settlers in the country districts of the South, who were not contented with Provincial Governments. Would not the poor provinces of the Middle Island also do all in their power to forward the objects of the League ? He thought the change that had evidently come over Mr VogeFs views and those of some of the members who supported him might in a measure be traced to the public meetings held in Auckland and surrounding district, and this gave great encouragement to the League. It was unnecessary to ask what would be substituted for provincialism. It was the , duty of the Ministry to draw up measures, and the League would not be backward in expressing its views on any question brought before it. The League would also result in the awakening of a more general interest in political affairs. He hoped to see the young men of the colony come forward and take an active part in guiding its affairs. (Cheers.)

Mr H. H. Lusk seconded the motion. He thought that although recently a candi date for the Superintendency he was the proper person to second such a motion. He had predicted that the province would soon ' require an undertaker, and his expectations were likely to be realised sooner than he exected. (Laughter.) The real object,of Mr Vogel's resolutions was to save money. He said the General Government were spend ing too much money in the North Island, and desired to check it. The people here did not find much of the publio works expendi ture, and they ought to bring large pressure to bear on the Government or the province would be despoiled. He thought the South Island provinces should go with the North, or they would not be likely to give up the land revenue, and would rapidly dispose of the public estate. Mr Lusk spoke at some length in favour of the work done by Provincial Governments at a small cost as .compared with that of the General Government. The representatives did not in all cases represent the views of their constituencies, and part of the duty of the League would be to secure the return of suitable men.

Captain Daldy's resolution was then put to the m eeting and carried.

MrJ.M. Shera then moved, "Thatthemem bera of the Reform League be enrolled on a

yearly Bubscription of 55., and that«nexecn tive council be elected by the members so soon as 100 members have been enrolled." He thought the League should be made a colonial affair, with committees in all the provinces. He thought it was not desirable to continue longer the farce of nine little Houses of Commons.

Mr T Peacock, in seconding the proposi tion, spoke hopefully of the awakened interest in political affairs, and the desire of the people to take advntage of their privi h pes. Mr A. Black spoke in support of the eolation, a>id said the small fee for member shio place I the League within the means of all uc rking men.

The resolution was carried, and a number of gentlemen enrolled themselves as members of the i eague, aftt-r which the meeting separated.

Arrival of the Loch Urr.

The fine iron barque Loch Urr arrived from I ondon this morning after being signalled the greater part of yesterday. She rounded the North Head at seven o'clock, and meeting the ebb and a westerly wind was forced to anchor half way up the harbour. The Loch Urr comes with a large general cargo consigned to the New Zealand Shipping Company, who have chartered her for the voyage from the owners Messrs D. & J. Sproat, of Liverpool. Our representative boarded the vessel soon after she had an chored, and'obtained fromJCaptain Murdoch the following reporb of the voyage, which we may remark is the fastest run out made by a barque for some years, lasting only 88 days from land to land, and 94 from Gravesend:— "Left Gravesend June 7th. Had light variable weather at starting. Lost the Lizard on the 12th. Prom thence fine weather till crossing the Equator on the sth July, having picked up the N.E. trades on the 23rd June. Steady weather crossing the line. Met the S.E. trades in 2 N., and lost them in 27 S., havmg strong southerly winds for ten days after wards, beginning on the 19th July. Rounded the Cape of Good Hope on the 2nd August. Ban down the eastings in 45 S. ; squally unsteady weather while crossing the Southern Ocean. Passed Tasmania on September Ist. Sighted the North Cape on Monday, the 7th inst. Rounded to off the Poor Knights, after having one of the topsails blown away. Had dirty squally weather till yesterday. Arrived in harbour and anchored at eight o'clock this morning. On Saturday, the 29th August, Henry Carlson, A.8., fell from the main rigging, a distance of about 14 feet, and alighting on his head sustained fatal injuries. He bled profusely from the left ear, and died within four hours of the accident. Deceased was of a stout plethoric frame He was a Swede and single. Spoke the ship Edith Warren of and from Liverpool bound to Calcutta, on the 7th July, in 5-40 S., 28deg. 50min. W. On the lSnh June spoke the ship Sir John Lawrence, bound for Sydney from London, in 34° 15 mins. N. 18° W." The Loch Urr was built at Port Glasgow in 1871 by Messrs Patterson, McCulloch, and Co. for her present owners. She has made before the present voyage three voyages to Sydney. Captain Murdoch joined her before she started on the last of these. She is of a very powerful build, and possesses in addition well-turned lines and shapely spars. Her appearance betokens great sailing capa bilities. Her condition on coming into port is faultless. Taken altogether we should put her down as the most likely looked barque-rigged vessel we have seen here. Het length is 190 feet ; breadth of beam, 30 feet; depth of hold, 18 feet 6 inches; tonnage, 716 register. She is classed A.A.I. for twenty-one years at Lloyds. Among vessels not specially intended for pas senger traffic we have seldom seen one having such handsome fittings in her saloon. The Loch Urr's cabin is a veritable little palace. Without being very large it is roomy and comfortable. The woodwork is of teak, mahogany, and bird's-eye maple. Around the cabin is a gilt cornice, with brackets at intervals. The maple panelling is arranged on the new ventilating principle. The knobs of the doors are silvered, and flanked with glass finger-plates. The ceiling is white; enamel. The skylight is of a very orna mental description, being of a tasteful design in stained glass, on which is conspicuous the owner's coat-of-arms and motto, "Nunquam. dormio." A handsome semi-circular couch, of crimson velvet, extends across the after end. This is topped by a gilt rail. On the transomes are a number of handy little cup boards or repositories, the doors of which are of the same pattern as the main wood work of the saloon. The cushions to the table seats are of crimson velvet A hand some chiffonnier with glass assists to set off the fore end of the apartment. Fore'ardof the saloon there are two smaller state-rooms, in tended for intermediate and steerage pas sengers when required. Besides her general cargo the Loch Urr brings four splendid prize rams and six well-bred ewes. Two of the rams are for Mr Thomas Russell. Five rams were originally shipped, but one, the largest of the lot, died a few days after sailing. After putting out her cargo the Loch Urr will either sail for San Francisco or Portland, Oregon, to load grain for home.

HAMLEY GUN CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Hamley Gun Club took place this afternoon at the Occidental Hotel. Mr W. J. Marks occupied the chair. The report and balance-sheet, which were favourable, were read and adopted. The foßowing gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year:—President: R. Wynyard, Esq.; Vice-President, J. Russell, Esq.; Sec retary, S. Morrin, Esq.; Treasurer, Thos. A. Brown, Esq.; Working Committee, Messrs R. Wynyard, T. A. Brown, J. Russell, J. S. Reid, S. Morrin, W. J. Palmer, Captain Braddick, Captain Wheeler.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before His Worship the Mayor and Dr. Home, J. P.) DRUNKENNESS. Ann Garman, Henry Haseman, Charles Brown, and J.B. McAdam were fined for this offence. ALLEGED LARCENY. Robert Golding was charged with the larceny of a silver lever watch and gold chain value £5, the property of Alexander Cham bers, on board the Militiades, at Auckland, on the 20th August. The prisoner pleaded guilty and was sen tenced to three months hard labour. A WAYWARD APPRENTICE. Edward King, an apprentice to Mr George Hemus, was brought up on warrant charging him with absenting himself from his employ ment on the 2nd August. His mister not wishing to press the charge, the defendant was set at liberty after being duly cautioned by the Bench. WIFE-BEATING. Anthony Nicholson was charged with un lawfully assaulting his wife on the 11th inst. but she relented and the charge was with drawn. WIFE DESERTION. Allen Marshall was brought up on the charge of deserting his wife and leaving her without any means of sunport on the 31st August. i

The case was remanded until t\ ■*,* lunacy. :&|n liff» Stephen Dobbyn was commit '&f. V Lunatic Asylum on tho testii^Lf % Bayntun and Dawson. ...-<§*■. £l$ This concluded the .business.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATES COURT.- This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq. ]jir. TO, OLIVER V. THOMAS CAMPBiIT* :* Claim, £9 9s 3d. ■*"■■ Mr Oliver proved the claim, which w« t balance of account. M™*?

Judgment fou Plaihtht. John davis v. c. maddox Claim £6 10s. Mr Joy and Mr Rees for plaintiff-J Mr J. B. Russell for defendant. ' m This was a claim for damages under the! pounding Act. The plaintiff i 8 knownT city west as a cowkeeper, and a neighbor Mrs Frances Holmes, drove plaintiffs*!' cows to the Ded wood pound, which she^td to Maddox she found in her enclosed iw? dock. The plaintiff urged that the land S not fenced, and paid the fees under protest The case was full of points which elicited a large amount of discussion. m His Worship said that it would he neces sary to have the facts of the case full"' before the Court before they could be armliJi , i ITWSC to Jaw. The case was at length adjourned until Friday next, when all parties concerned yM be examined. JOHN WPATKR'K V. NEIL LLOYD Claim, £2 14s. : . The plaintiff in this case claimed f ( , r balance of a week's wages. He deposed that he was engaged by defendant as clerk at % per week, hut was dismissed without notice, Mr Lloyd said that he employed plaintiff at six shillings a day, and not by the week. He told him on applying for employ. ment that he had nothing regular for him' but would give him a job to make up hjj monthly accounts, but he could not give him more than he gave his workmen, which was at the rate of 3fls a week.

James Crawford, rope maker, of eleven experience, deposed that there was.no lay,'" among rope-makers; if a man wanted to leave at any hour in the day his wages would be paid to the hour. Mr LlojTd said that colonial rope-makeft. were strange beings, and if he did but listen to their demands he should be continually jj Court

Wm. Anderson, engineer, stated that sach was really the state of things in a rope factory. His Worship : Then if you get the steta partly up you can leave if you. like—take your wages, and leave some one else to get up the steam. Witness : Yes, your Worship, such isths state of affairs in a rope factory.

Mr Lloyd said he was often obliged to employ men at piece-work, and when the particular job was done he paid them, and there was an end of the matter. Mr Rees said this mode of dealing wa3 all very well with labouring men ; but in the case of a clerk it was contrary to common sense. The lad had sworn that he was en gaged by the week, and he did not receive his money day by day. ; -

His Worship remarked upon the opposition in the evidence, and thought that Anderson must have a very poor opinion of his abilities as an engineer to enter into such an unsatis factory engagement. The fact that Mr Lloji did not pay plaintiff daily indicated thai it was understood to be a weekly engagement. Judgment for plaintiff, one week's wages. Adjourned—Jame3 Peacbey v. John Trim mer ; claim £20, short delivery.

This was all the business,

THE CITY COUNCIL ELECTION.

Our reporter in noting the events of the election yesterday gave wings to his imaguuß tion, which may perhaps—we only hazard the surmise—have been stimulated to unusual] activity by the excitement of the day. So* far from being the first and most active inJj the field Mr Hurst, who was, we under- 1 stand, very unwell, did not put forth,. anything like his usual energy, and having: dispensed with cabs he may be compli mented on the position he held at the close of the poll. Mr Holdship, owing to family affliction, was also absent a great part pf;fl|Bf; day, although his friends carried outlay contest with vigour in his interests. Mr Kirby rested bis claim to election on the fact that he was a large property owner andfratfr payer, and did not use those aids to success,,,. which are usually associated with electioneers, ing. The polling of yesterday was literally! a triumph of printers' ink ; posters and cafe" carried the day in the precise extent to which they were used, and candielates for the suf frages of the people should take the useful' lesson to heart. Conspicuous in the stir werM Mr Brett's posters on cabs and omnibuses— and mark the result. Mr Holdship's banners-, equal innumberwaved upon the breeze, andthe\ second place on the list is achieved. ■*JThy favours of the " free and independent" nmajt^ be wooed otherwise than with promises, and"" in nine cases out of ten cabs and printers'.;: ink will carry the day. A happy feature.iiip yesterday's contest is the fact that three out| of the four are successful, and we are sure tM' fourth is not the man to be daunted by ?ne failure. The figures exhibited in favour of the candidates shew that each has a support of which he has no reason to be ashamed. There was none of that marked failure which we have seen in some civic elections, and on the whole the total numbers indicate an encouraging amount of interest in the election, as the votes represent a fair propor tion, of the burgess roll. The result of the election yesterday was announced in a late edition last night as follows :—Brett. 812 ; HoldShip,| 7(35; Hurst, 648; Kirby, 427. The first;: three are therefore elected.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting oftl^is society took pI»W in the Museum Buildings this afterhoofc Seven members were present. Mr G. J.Firtn i took the chair, and called upon the secretary, i Mr Thomas Macffarlane, to read the report* the past year. This was not very favourable.- It spoke of the last November-show as a failure, and alluded to the abandonment ot the M arch show. It spoke in regretful terms of the loss of Mr Kirk's services, and assigned the expense of erecting a permanent marquee as the cause of the Society being in 4?M The balance-sheet showd receipts £78 ~i'm disbursements, £99 19s 6d, leaving an over draft at the Bank of £21 19s 2d. The liabil ities of the Society were set forth as.*Wi 18s, and the assets at £75 16s Id. Mr D. Hay and the Rev. Mr Bree spoW against the excessive expenditure. ■ '''"''"' . The report was afterwards put to the meet ing and passed. i, * Mr On suggestion being thrown out that J»r Firth be elected Vice-President that gentle man excused himself on the plea that he W»» ; j: not a flower man. Mr Murdoch : Oh, Oh ! . Mr Firth : I may be a flour man, tut not a flower man- (Laughter.) -255?) The following gentlemen wew^ectfflJflS.rj serve as the officers for the ensuing y*"*SSWH P. 1 :i\ Mr C. J. Firth; vice-pi^aenj|? Alv ;\ >: jrrin; non-professional conmu** 6*!

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