SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH "WATER ; This evening, 8.53 ; t^-raorcoi. teornmg, 9.7 SUN-SET: This evening, G.2S; BTJN-RI8E: Tc morrow moin'ng, 555 MOON'S AGE : Last qu?rter, 11th, 9.13 p.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS.

aoutnern Cross, s.s., from Tauranga

DEPARTURES.

Tower Hill, brig, for Newcastle

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Mongol, s.s., forKandavu (San Francisco Mail), I6th instant Hindostan, ship, loading

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Victoria, ss, from Sydney, early : Star of the South, s s., from Fiji, early Mongol, s.s., from the South ' Norham Castle, ship, from London. Sailed Dec 3 "W. C. "Wentworth, barque, from Sydney Albion, brig, from Newcastle, early Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 Hylton Castle, baraue, from London Magellan Cloud, schooner, from Lyttelton lone, ship, from London. Sailed Dec 20 Carl, brig, from Dunedin,'early Queen of the Sea, barque, from Adelaide Phcebe, s s, from the South Colonist, schooner, from Napier

The s s. Southern Cross, Captain Sellers, arrived from Tauranga last night, -with the following passengers :—Messrs Pye, John White, Butt, Graham, Carpenter, Booth, Prouche, Devize, Flower, Brown, Hawell, Kingsfor, Conliffe, Huddleston, W. Owsan, J. Brown, Clinton, Hooper, Cullimore, Miss Davis, Bishop Cowie, Miss Vivian.—J. S. Macfarlane and Co., agents. She also brings cargo as follows : —IOO bags wheat, 84 sheep, 2 horses, 31 bales flax, 50 bags potatoes. The Anazi enquiry is to take place to morrow morning at the Police Court, before the Resident Magistrate and a nautical assessor. The repairs to the barque Lauderdale are being rapidly pushed on by Mr Gowk". When they are completed the vessel will clear for Newcastle in bsllast. The barque Margarita, having taken in 270,000 feet timber at Te Kopurii, was to sail on Thursday Sth inst. for Melbourne. The schooner Belle Brandon has arrived at Dunedin from Kaipara. After unloading! her cargo of timber she will load for Auck land. The ship. Scimitar from Pylmouth to Port Chalmers just arrived at that port, has made .the fatest passage on record for a sailing ship, viz., 70 days. The brig Tower Hill took her departure for Newcastle in ballast early this morning. The schooner Pacific has been doing some good work on the West Coast. She started from Aratapu for Taranaki with a cargo of timber on Monday week last, reached that port, unloaded, and was hack in Kaipara harbour by Friday last. She has since been loading for Lyttelton. The barque Anazi having dischrrged her powder came up the. harbour yesterday. She attempted to come alongside last even ing, but was unable owing to the falling of the wind. She was berthed outside "the main T this morning. The yachts of the Auckland Yacht Club will go out for a cruise to-morrow afternoon. They assemble off the Wharf at 2.30 p.m. Orders will be given by signal flags.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.— This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.) JUDGMENTS FOR PLAINTIFFS. Gideon Smales v. R. C. Mainwaring. W. Laishley for plaintiff. Claim £17 lis ; use and occupation.—Brown, Barrett and Co. v. Thomas Moore. Mr Brock for plain tiff. Claim £19 12s 7d, balance of account. Robert Hampton v. Joseph H. Williams. Claim £2 18s Od, goods.—Frank Pascoe v. Wm. Kelly. Claim £2 2s, money lent.— Jamieson Bros v. Thomas Flaherty. Claim £1 13s, shoes. —G. W. Hard wick v. Thomas Aldridge Claim £7 lis, 10s a month.— Wm. Stanford v John Walding ; claim £4 13s6d. Mr Laishley for plaintiff; Mr Armstrong for defendant. This was a claim for board and lodging ; but defendant claimed a set-off on account of Mrs Walding, who nursed Mrs Stanford in her confinement. William Stanford deposed that on Sep tember 1873 defendant and his wife and son came to lodge at his house. Defendant then got employment at Wangarei, and left his wife and son at his place until he was in a position to fetch them away. They, stayed eight weeks, from the loth September to about the same date in November. He pro mised to settle when he came up to town. During the time of their stay Mrs Stanford was confined, and Mrs Walding attended upon her in return for her kindness. The services of Mrs Walding were understood to be gratuitous, in consideration that he only charged 15s a week for Mrs W.'s board. : To Mr Armstrong : We came out in the same ship, the Berar, but made no arrange ments about the future j they all went to the bkrracks for a time. (Counsel for defendant here asked the defendant a number of questions of a frivo lous nature, not immediately connected with the case, and which the Court bore with re markable patience.) Emma Stanford, a smart young lady, wife of plaintiff, corroborated the statement of her husband. She made no arrangement herself, but left the matter to her husband and Mr Walding. John Walding gave evidence to the effect that plaintiff was in great trouble on board the ship on account of his wife's condition, she being very young, and solicited his wife, as a woman of experience, to attend upon her. Mrs Walding went to plaintiff's house lat some inconvenience, and had his wife not i asked for £1 lis. 6d., which Mrs. Stanford borrowed of her, this action would not have been brought. His wife might have stayed in the barracks during the time free of charge, where she could have done her own work. Maria Walding, wife of defendant, deposed that she went to attend upon Mrs Stanford upon the understanding that she was to be paid for her services. Gaorge Walding and Mrs Whitford having given evidence, Mr Laishley addressed the Court. , His Worship then reviewed the whole of the evidence, and gave judgment for plaintiff £3 18s Od, with costs £1 lfis Gd, \ (Left sitting.)

BIRTHS.

Rowk- On March 5, at EdinbuTgh-street, Newton, the wife of Mr C. Rowe, of a daughter. Robertson—On the 6th instant, at her residence, Mrs C. A. Robertson, of a daughter.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails wmi, Close as Under :— For Opotiki, per Fanny Bell, this day, at 5 p m For "V. hangarei, per Do'ly Varden, this day, at 5 p m For Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, Waipu, &c, per Lady Bowen, to-morrow, at 10 a m For Whitiangi, Tairua, Tauranga, Opotiki, and Napier, per Southern Cross, to-morrow,"at 3pm For Russell, "Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena, on Monday next, at 3 pm. For the undermentioned places, per s.s. Phoebe, on Thursday next, the 12th instant, asunder :— For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 11 a m For Southern Provinces and Australian Colonies, at 12 noon For the United Kingdom, via Suez (for letters specially addrpssedl, at 12 noon Por the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Sydney and Melbourne, and Southern province^, at 12 SO pm For money orders, and registered letters, and newspapers, at 9.30 a m For the undermentioned places, per Tartar, on Monday, 16th March, as under : — For Fiji. Sanfi wich Islands. United States of America, Canada. British Columbia, Central and South America, and British aud Foreign "West Indies, at 10.3u a.m. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, at 10.30 a.m. Letters bearinglate fee will be received until 11 a.m For money orders, registered letters, and news paper at 9.30 a m Signed) S. B. Brss. Chief Postma^r.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance,

And +h« food that we can do

We know the difficulty of exciting a local interest of a practical kind in anything tend ing to develop the resources of the province. It is therefore that with great satisfaction we learn of the probability of tho Wharekawa, or as it is commonly known, the Thames Coal field, being speedily pushed into a pro minence to which it has not hereto fore attained. A delegate or agent from the head-quarters of the Company in England is at present in this city, and as he is possessed of great practical experience, a clear head, and plenty of "go," and repre" sents unlimited capital looking for such in vestment, his visit is likely to lead tospeedy and practical results. Many a time and oft have we descanted on the advantages which would arise to the whole community from the development of a coalfield so near to the Thames batteries ; and on the benefit to the Waikato and the Thames from a rail way tapping the stream of Waikato's trade at Mercer, and bringing agriculture pro ducers in that magnificent valley into proxmity to the consumers on the gold field. Both a railway and the coal field are embraced in the project, and it would be difficult to say which would be less beneficia^ to the province. We are quite aware there

are many in Auckland city who will look askance on this scheme. To those

who can only look at things in the narrow est way of simple self interest any connection formed between the Waiketo and the Thames or any other place will be only so much taken from the trade and pockets of residents in this city, but it is hateful to reason with such. We hold that any thing that will advance these two districts will' be of immediate benefit to the city; and for this, if not on more general grounds, should it command our. sympathy and support. There are those, again, who from interests vested elsewhere—and these are very powerful—view this Thames coal field-cum-railway scheme with detestation, and will do all they can—and that is not little—to thwart its realisation. But feeling, as we do, that this is a matter of the highest moment to the province, we would put it to the Thames people if this " cross country" railway with a magnificent coal-field lying on either side of it for a fourth of the distance, is not deserving of interest at their hands ; and if in the circumstances it might not be more within their reach, and more to their immediate advantage than even the favourite and justly praised "Thames Valley . Railway." .

1 The arbitration case of Winks and Hall and the Improvement Commissioners respect ing the amount of" compensation to be paid by the Commissioners to the firm for taking possession of their premises in Shortland street has been finally settled without com ing into Court. The terms of the agreement are as follows :—Messrs Winks and Hall ha/ye power to remain in their present pre mises for any length of time not exceeding two years.: In. the event of the Com missioners finding suitable premises for Messrs Winks and Hall, the firm to move into them at the expiration of three or six months' notice. In the event of Messrs Winks and Hall finding premises for them selves they are to be recouped the price of the premises and the cost of moving, the total sum not to exceed £4,500, the ques tion of. suitability to be referred to four arbitrators, two from each side. We, understand that the progress of the Commissioners' works in this direction will not be retarded by the fixing of a period of two years.for the maximum term of Messrs Winks and Hall's stay in their present building. The street will be proceeded with independently of the arrangement, and as •the premises have only 34 feet frontage, and the street is to be 66 feet wide, there will yet remain a thoroughfare pro tern. of 32 feet. '-<:■■•'• The building for the National Bank Branch Agency here is rapidly approaching,; com pletion. The contractors, Messrs Hardy and Co., state that it will be ready for occupa tion by the end of this week. 'We have inspected the interior, which is completed, and it certainly reflects great credit on the builder, the whole being finished in a work- / manlike manner, without too much attempt at outside show. . The workmen are at present engaged in removing a bay and corn store, lately occupied by Mr O'Neil, in order to build a fence round the Bank.— \ Coromandel Mail t . " .-. : . ;

An accident occurred this afternoon to a lad named Peters, son of Mr Peters, baker, of Kyber Pass. The lad was sent with the journeyman for the purpose of being with the horse and cart during his absence in the delivery of the bread. While sitting on the top of the load in' Queen-street, by the Bank of New Zealand, the boy in the heat of the sun fell asleep, and rolled off in front of the cart. The horse immediately moved on, and the wheel, though chained, passed partly over the boy's chest. -.He was at once taken into the shop of Messrs Hamilton, chemists, when it was found upon examina tion that no bones were broken, and shortly after the boy was able to walk ; fortunately he escaped with on a few slight bruises.

A very interesting moonlight trip is to take place to-morrow evening on board the Takapuna. Some ten or lifteen gentlemen have clubbed together, and having chartered the' steamer on very reasonable terms, and provided the refreshments requisite, intend issuing free invitations to their friends. The arrangement will have all the advantages and pleasantness of a private party ; and when we learn the small individual expenditure neces sitated on the part of the donors of the treat, we wonder that the plan has not suggested itself before. The boat we understand v. ill leave the North Shore wharf at a quarter to eight, and Auckland wharf at eight. But it is to be borne in mind that none only bub those invited by card are admissible.

There are halfpennies in the world worth £14 ss. That was the pi'ice which a speci men of King Alfred the Great's coinage fetched at the sale of the late Mr Bergne's collection, and collectors may be of opinion that such a halfpenny was cheap at the figure. A double sovereign of Edward VI. changed hands for £1(55, and a silver six pence of Queen Elizabeth for £41. A Queen Anne's guinea went for the very respectabie sum of £42 10s, and two of the farthings for £5 and £7.

The monthly meeting of the members of the Loyal Enniskillen Orange Lodge will be held this evening iv the lodge-room of the Wellesley-street institution, on which occa sion the rev. chaplain will deliver an address.

The interesting diorama of the war scenes and the Nile scenery was exhibited again last evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre to an attentive audience. . This evening the grand distribution of one hundred costly gifts will take place, consisting of tea and coffc services, and a variety of plated goods, glassware, and groceries. To morrow a mid day exhibition will be given to the children of schools and young persons, commencing at two o'clock.

A loving couple, recently man led in City West, retired early to rest on the night of the late destructive storm, when the young wife, being rather timid, roused her husband at midnight with the exclamation " Alexander, I think the day of judgment has come." The sleepy husband replied, "Lie still, my dear Kate, p.nd go to sleep; the day of judgment cannot come iv the night."

The Grand Combination Troupe of Artistes and Minstrels have taken the City Hall for six nights only, and will open on Thursday next with a magnificent programme. The names of the artistes and minstrels are a sufficient guarantee for tho genuineness of the entertainment, among whom may be men tioned Miss Blanche Fane, Messrs Harry Seymour, Frank Verten, David Fox:, J. Reid, and F. W. Cullimore, the famed local pianist.

The ladies of the colony have free use of their tongues, but they rarely attempt to make a public speech. One or two Auck land, ladies were wont to address audiences, but they have passed to other scenes. In the States of America women orators are common and allowed to talk upon any subject and to any length. A few years ago Mrs. Bloomer went in for trousers, and now Mrs. Logan denounces them. At a pubHc meeting in Brooklyn this lady said, "I reject the trousers with contempt and scorn. Men cut a sufficiently ridiculous figure in them themselves. The truth is they don't like their owncostume, and are en vious of our laces, jewellery, frills, and dresses. ' Trousei's, forsooth, trousers " Shake, not the ridiculous garment at me. No!; so long as we can have our silks, satins, and shawls, we repudiate your absur"d'bifurcated unwhisperables. Look at your swallow-tail coat, stovepipe hats ; and your wear your hair so short, some of you, that you look precisely like monkeys. And I don't wonder that one of your number has written a book shewing that animal to be the .father of his race.' " ' '■- "-' ; '■■ ;".

1 The Acclimatization Society of Auckland will hold its annual general meeting on Wed nesday next, the 11th instant, for the .pur pose of receiving the report and accounts for the past year and electing", officers for the coming year.

The musical trip by moonlight last evening on board the Golden Crown was a great success. The steamer was crowded, over seven hundred being on board, and hundreds who could not find room were obliged to stand on the wharf and sigh—"Alas, there is no room for me !" The members of the Harmonic Society did their best to interest the passengers, and their music and singing were very effective. About fifty of the members were present, and the glees and part songs given were "Hark, the Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings," in , Fairyland,"; "Come, let us all a-Maying go," " Come live with me and be: my.love,"," St. Michael's town," and similar effusions. The trip was exceedingly pleasant, and on the rising of the moon, as she made her silver pathway across the waters, the hundreds of smiling moonlit faces presented a scene worthy of the '' Mid- Summer Night's Dream." At ten o'clock the party landed evidently much gratified with the treat they individually had experienced. .A good story comes from the North. It seems that in a certain Scotch country parish a church officer filled the office of gravedigger for the long space of fifty years. Suspicion had long been entertained that he was in the habit of helping himself out of the collection plate whenever opportunity per mitted. It was difficult, of course, to prove (■is. At last, however, the sum of £1 was Abstracted from a missionary box which stood in the vestry, and everything combined to point out this man as the culprit. Bonds were not considered necessary until the examina tion. The elders told the minister that some thin? must really be done. The minister said, " Leave him to me, and I'll see what can be done." The following Sunday, after the forenoon service, the minister was taking off his gown and bands, and being alone in the vestry with the suspected man, he thought the opportunity was too good. to be lost, so he said, "Andrew, have you heard of the money that is amis^ing from the box." "Oh, ay,' said Andrew, " I washearing something about it." "A_ndrew," continued'the oi her, very i gravely, "the matter lies between you and I me. We are the only two who have access to the box. Either you or "I must be the thief." .'"Deed, sir," rejoined the imper turbable Andrew, " it's just as you say.; we're the'ohly twa that' has had access to tha box, and I think the best way'll be for you to pay the tae half and I pay the tither, and say nae"" mair aboo*fc it," — licensed Victualler siGitarc/ian.

It is notified in the Gazette that Mr Henry j Clapcott has been gazetted as travelling , Government insurance agent ; Mr J. P. Dv ' Moulin as valuer under the Auckland Im provement Act of. 1873 ; and Mr John Mills , as warehouse-keeper for the port of Auck- j land.

The Good Templars of Auckland held their anniversary meeting last night at the Choral Hall, consisting of a tea, provided by Captain Emilius Leßoy, music and singing by the Temperance Melodists, and speeches by several well-k own orators of the order. The chair was taken by Mr H. H. Lusk, supported by the executive officers of the Provisional Grand Lodge and a number of the sisterhood. The Chairman regretted the absence of his Honor the Superintendent, who was unable to attend in consequence of an appointment at the Thames. He requested that the audience would listen attentively to the subjects which would be brought before them, and recommended the practice of unity and self-sacrifice in order to make Good_ Templary universal in this com paratively new country. Mr. E. Carr then addressed the meeting in his eloquent and impressive manner, and Messrs. Edger, Cass,_ Hemus, and Lamb also interested' the listeners w'th elaborate speeches on the advantages of temperance to the general community. The temperance melodists,, under the direction of Mr Probert, gave: between the •'speeches, the " Battle-cry of Temperance," and several other pleasing pieces. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed a very .gratifying entertainment. It was considered that not less than 500 persons were present.

The_ prompt action taken last night by Mr. Richard Davis and his brother John, in extinguishing the fire at Messrs Brown and Barrett's premises, in High-street, is, in our opinion, deserving of great praise. Many instances might be given of people who, upon discovering a fire, run away to ring the alarm bell, and the premises are burnt to the ground, but in this case the '' correct thing" was done, viz., Messrs Davis, without any fuss, tucked up their sleeves and poured on some water, and before anybody else knew there had been an accident the fire was out.

The premises of Messrs. Brown, Barrett and Co., in High-street, had a very narrow escape last night from being destroyed by fire. A sound like the crackling of flames was heard by two men named Davis, at 1] o'clock, as they were passing along the street. On looking about them to see where it came from they observed a red vd&re at one of the windows of the building, and a closer inspection revealed the fact that fire had broken out among some boxes inside. The prompt action which they took on making this alarming discovery is very commendable. Quick as thought they broke open one of the windows, and while one of them procured a bucket of water, and was busy endeavouring to check the flames, the other communicated with the police and soon brought Sergeant-major Pardy on the spot. More water was fetched,' and the outbreak not having gained a firm hold was soon subdued. It is wonderful what may be done by prompt and cool exertion in such cases. Had not those concerned in tho suppression of the fire been sensible fellows it is possible we might now have to lament another serious conflagration in our midst. The origin of the fire is at present involved in obscurity.

A special parade of the Hobson Rifle Volunteer Corps will take place this evening atthe head-quarters, Wellington-street, under command of Captain Burns".

There was a very interesting race on Thursday last between the war schooners Alacrity and Renard. The former bound for Auckland, the latter for Suva. Their course would probably lie together for some sixty or seventy miles. The Alacrity weighed first, and when outside " lay to" awaiting the Renard, which immediately followed. When abreast of each other they squared away before a fine northerly breeze. Each had all canvas spread, and looked very smart. In sailing they were nearly equal, the Alacrity having gained a very slight advantage when they wero last seen. The schooner Lurline went out with them, and showed the racers a clean pair of heels.— Fiji Times, January 31.

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

(From our London Correspondent.)

London, January 13,

England's da:ngeb,

This is my first letter to you by the new route, and I don't think it will be at all too early in the day to congratulate you upon your " new connexion." Every one at this end thinks that there is every prospect of its entire success, and in New Zealand at 1 any rate the name of Mr Thomas Russell j will be remembered for long as the principal | negotiator of a scheme which will do more for the future of New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, than many other projects which have made more noise in the world. At the present time every link which tends to bind us closer with you is of importance, not only to you as a colony, but to us as the head quarters of that vast empire upon which the suns never sets. It .is not too much to say that the British Empire is threatened with a danger which, for the very reason that it has been hitherto in a large measure unsuspected, has insidiously been marshalling its ranks in direct opposi tion to the future safety of her liberty and independence. It has been only within the. limit's of the past year that the danger has been realised, and perhaps even yet only a small portion of those whose minds are in terested in the welfare of the British Empire, have thoroughly comprehended the vast extent of the peril that menaces her. The warning was given years ago, but it fell comparatively unnoticed. Long since Arch bishop Manning, in addressing his fellow clergy, used these remarkable words in allusion to England and the Anglo-Saxon race. " It is good for us to be here in England. It is yours, Bight Rev. Fathers, to subjugate and sudue ; to bend and break the will of an 'imperial race.'" And as if to prove that these words were no vain babbling, but practically a synopsis of the programme of the Ultramontanists in this country, at a later date the Archbishop used almost the same words. He said " I shall not say too much if 1 say that we bave to subjugate and subdue, to conquer and rule an "imperial race." We have to do with a will which reigns throughout the world as the will of old Home reigned once. We have to bend or break that will, which nations and kingdoms have found invincible, "and inflexible." _vnd the condition of affairs in England at this time give great weight to these even to be remembered words. The efforts now being put forh by the Ultramontanists, or Jesuits if you like it better, are stupendous—aato uncling There is not a public office or department, trade or profession, guild or society, in which they have not more a less a strong hold. In the newspaper press they are im mensely strong. For years the Jesuits in I'.ngland have been carefully training pupils for the offices of Editors and reporters, and what is the consequence ? Why, there is not a newspaper worth naming in the Metropolis, which has not upon its staffoneor more Roman Oatnolics. The same school has been educating young politicians, and its pupils are to be found in every public department and office, working carefully and cautiously but all the more surely towards the great end. It is now patent to all that the Jesuits were at the bottom of the late attempt to disintegrate i he Empire, that attempt which so nearly succeeded, when Canada, New Zealand and Australia were each and all told that they were welcome to their indepen dence, it is unity of the Empire that the Ultramontanists fear, and it is this very unity which we must preserve at all hazards if we wish at the same time to pre serve our civil and religious liberty. And you must help us to preserve it. No thought of secession or disintegration must be per mitted to enter your councils. " The Queen aud a united Empire" must be your watch word and ours. America affords a terrible instance of what the Jesuits have done, are doing, and will do if they are permitted to carry out their sinister designs. The Demo cratic party, the party that upheld Tweed and Co., and will uphold everything that is underhand and rascally is the Ultramontanist party. What is the Democratic power but the "Irish vote?" What is the Irish vote but the Roman Catholic priests? America knows it. The thinking people in the States are moodily regarding the pestilence which they see approaching them. They see no way of escape. The Society of Jesus, like some huge Octopus, has its tentacles spread over the Union, and there seems no future for the Republic except a Hierarchy, and that of the worst and most tyrannical kind. Was not Mr. Gavan Duffy a tool in the hands of the Society when he did his miser able best to foment misunderstandings be tween his colony and the mother country Canada is already -helpless and lost in the hands of the priesthood. All the English speaking races must be brought low if possi ble. A gigantic effort was made in Germany, but Bismarck arose as the saviour of his country, and raised the cry of "United Germany," and the foe was vanquished. The Jesuits could not face the Protes tants of Germany in union, and therefore they attempted to incite a desire for disintegration of the German Empire. It is well that the attempt has failed. But now it is England's turn. Everything, every circumstance points to England as the next arena where liberty of conscience and the Papacy are to have their next struggle. And Rome is buckling on her harness and preparing with a will for the tug of war. Through the press, the pulpit, the theatre, the platform she is preparing her way before her. Even in the guise of Rationalism she is working a sap underneath the Protestant truth. Con servatism is bribed, Liberalism is ap plauded. All things to all men. Rome is moving heaven and earth for England. Truly she is a prize worth striving for. Lis ten to what one of her special organs says on the great question :—" It is in the power of the Catholic vote of the 19th Century to achieve a consummation such as perhaps saints and prophets have dreamed of but never seen." The question is the great one of the day. It is generally acknowledged now that a great struggle is impending. It Will be for England and the English to show whether or not they are the Britons who never will be slaves, and of what character has been their boast of freedom. AFFATES IN SPAIN

are in a more extraordinary state than ever. Senor Castelar, who seems to have been an honest man (extraordinary, if true, in such a miserable country of idiots and knaves) is so much disgusted with the Cortes, and no wonder, that he has washed his hands en tirely of any active political partizanship, and his moral influence p.nd energy is lost to Spain. If we look back upon the history of Spain and remember her ancient pride and lineage, her once grand position as mistress of. the seas, and, as far as her light extended apostle of civilizition, it is difficult to con ceive how she can have fallen to such depths of degradation as those in which she now wallows. No sooner does there seem to be the faintest prospect of a revival of some thing like order than the genius of misrule appears to rebel against the notion, and we have what was before better than confusion —worse confounded. Senor Castelar was not the man that Spain required, it is true At least he did not seem to )}? ablt

to maintain any show of strength on ] the part of the Government against , either Carlists or Intransigents, but then with the mepns at the disposal of the Re publicans it may easily be doubted whether any one else could have done better or indeed as well. One great disadvantage he had, the Cortes would not support him. And yet the Cortes, it is plain, did not know its own mind. For when, after passing a vote of want of confidence in Castelar's Government, Castelar resigned and the Captain-General of Madrid dispersed the Assembly at the point of the ba.> onet, the members implored Senor Castelar to again resume office._ He certainly cannot be blamed for emphatically refusing to again place himself in so equivocal a position. General Pavia has managed to form a Government with Marshal Serrano at its head, which, backed by the nxmy, will have a considerable show of power. But "this same Serrano is an adventurer, brought to the front in former days as a favourite of Isabella the Second, which is no recommen dation to him, and it seems very unlikely that he can maintain his position long. The Carlists are making more headway of late, but even if Don Carlos should reach Madrid his establishment there could only be for a few months. Another coup d' etat would most certainly dislodge him before he had been there a year. Good sense is the element at present chiefly want ing in Spain, and there seems every reason to fear that it will be wanting for a very long time. BURNING THE DEAD. I think I said something in a former letter about the process of incremation which just now is attracting a good deal of notice, and is being pushed under the noses of the public by its supporters. Sir Henry Thompson has been writing extensively in favour of the plan. He maintains that by burying our dead we are not only wasting good material, but are sowing the seeds of disease and death for future generations. He seems to look chiefly at the question in an economical point of view, and argues that if we were to reduce our friends to ashes they could be utilised by the tillers of the soil in the pro duction of crops for the maintenance of the living. By burying them he allows that they are also utilised; but then he very truly adds the process of decomposition is so slow that it is not until generations have passed away that the benefit is felt in the increased productiveness of the land. This is indeed a utilitarian view, even in a utilitarian age. In reply to the argument that to burn all dead bodies immediately after death would afford increased facilities for murderars, Sir Henry Thompson replies that he would have the stomach and in testines of all corpses removed, bottled, labelled and stored in Government office established for the purpose, so that they would be ready for analization at any moment. A new Government billet! Registrar of stomachs ! Delightful situation ! There are arguments, good arguments to be used in favour of incremation ; but Sir Henry's way of putting the matter is to say the least of it repulsive. THE CONSERVATIVES have had another great victory. They hay c returned Mr Dorington for Strand by an enormous majority. On the occasion of the last election the same gentleman having been defeated by a still larger majority. There is no mistake about such a victory as it. But it is worth noting that the Conservative re action, as it is called, has really no existence. The Conservatives have not been making many proselytes as tbey fondly suppose, but their ranks have been temporarily rein forced by discontented Liberals, who are thoroughly dissatisfied with Mr Glad stone and his Cabinet. Whatever the Liberals may say to the contrary there can be no doubt that the present Cabinet is a moribund Cabinet, and it easy to see that its component members are fully alive to their position. An able writer puts it thus : "Every one knows right well that the Ministry are dying of the commonest and most fatal disease to which Ministers are liable, that of universal unpopularity and distrust." I firmly believe that no Con servative Cabinet that may succeed the present Government, can stand long, because Liberalism is too firmly implanted in the minds of the people to admit of it, but a change is healthy in political as well as social life. But by Liberalism 1 must not be un derstood to mean anything like Radicalism, because I believe the latter to be as distasteful to the bulk of Englishmen as the Devil him self, and certainly Conservatism would be far preferred before it. The distinct conviction of every rational man in this country is that on the whole the Government of England is a good solid and substantial Government, capable, no doubt, of much improvement in detail, and requiring a great deal of jogging, but of inestimable value notwithstanding.

MR PLIMSDLL is in hot water again. This time he is threat ened with an action by Messrs Houghton, Smith and Co., owners of a vessel called the Satellite, who consider they have been libelled by some passages in " Ship, ahoy !" the Christmas number of Once a Week. Mr Plimsoll declares that no libel was contem plated, but says that, as he finds-it rather expensive employing a solicitor and as actions seem plentiful as blackberries, he will in future be his own solicitor and defend him self.

PAPAKURA.

A concert was held on Friday evening in aid of our library, and it was in every res pect one of the most successful which has been given in this or the surrounding settle ments for some time past. The programme Was strictly adhered to. Music, songs, readings, and recitations (grave and gay), glided along in succession to the delight and gratification of an appreciative audience. The following is an extract from the nrnutes of the proceedings of the Papakura Literary Institute Committee held on Tuesday, March 3. Proposed by the Rev. T. Norrie, seconded by Mr Robert Willis, and carried unanimously, "That the secretary be de puted to convey either orally or in writing the special thanks of the committee to Mr Simms (Mr Simms having.voluntarily given the hall, furniture, fittings, etc., gratis so as to forward the object in view), and that a cordial vote of thanks be given to the ladies and gentlemen who kindly gave their assist ance." The sum of £12 17s 6d was then handed over to the treasurer, all expenses having been paid.

ONEHUNGA R. M. COURT.—Wednesday.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) CHIMNEY ON TIRE. George Melford was chatged with allow ing his chimney to take, fire. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s and costs. ABUSE. William Tole was charged on a warrant with using threatening and abusive language to J. A. Brain, on a public throughfare. Mr Keetley was for the complainant, and Mr Hesketh for defendant.

The charge arose out of a disturbance which took place at the Royal Oak Hotel a month ago. Defendant then had bailed up complainant for some rent which was owing. He afterwards followed him out of the house and abused him very much. Plaintiff admitted ©wing the rent, Mr ELesketb *fa.

tended that there was no prooTirfHT^ turbance taking place on a public t!re^' His Worship dismissed the^f^' 4 the plaintiff costs, £1 11 8 . e> a*Md_Bg f

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before P. A. Philips, Esq., j^, DRUNKENNESS ' M J f^ mes Hull, Mary Robinson, Maf _ McCann, Michael Fitzgerald, and J_ Bitet Graham were convicted of this offen** 11' 161 received punishments account* 4**.?^ deserts. ' s l 0 %ir

A PRECOCIOUS THIEF James le Basi, aged 9, was charged 4 the larceny of /d in coppers from Wa% G. Keynes, at Parnell, on the 2nd m! 5 1874. M«4, The boy's father and mother were'™-.** _ and his Worship gave them a severelm1 for allowmg their child to grow up alf 1 On the father's promising to take Z ,." care of the lyoungster for.the iututti* charge was dismissed. ™*6 CITY BATES. James Clerson, £10. Defendant did i. _ appear. v n °t The City Collector having provi the Way 'JUdgmentWaSret^S UTTERING COUNTERFEIT COIN The charge against Hugh McCormiekl f„ uttering counttrfeit coin at the Aucthn,. hotel was proceeded with. Mr Inspector Broham prosecuted, and W. Hesketh defended the prisoner. . / Clarissa Boulter, a little girl, a daushb of the landlord, gave evidence of havV taken a coin, which appeared to her aS one, from under a glass on the fl behind the bar- and g.ving it to her father He said at once it was a bad one. ..••.••

(His Worship here remarked upon the noise which was going on outside the Ccit_t It was impossible to hear the evidence. ' Mr. Inspector Broham concurred with jji a Worship. From the thousand and one noises going on continually the place wag more like a bedlam than a Court of Justice' The witness was cross-examined by Mr Hesketh, but nothing of importance was elicited.

Joseph .Boulter, proprietor of'% hotel, was the next witness examined, He merely corroborated the evidence" of the previous witness.

By Mr. Hesketh :He could not sweartle I coin produced was the same, hut it \y?. a 1 exactly like it. ' Colin Mcintosh, barman, recalled f deposed to showing the coin to Detective Jeffrey on Sunday morning, the 22nd Feb ruary, and giving it to him on Monday, the 23rd. The coin produced was the same. * He knew it by a mark he had made on it By Mr Hesketh :He would not swear the I coin given to him by the prisoner was not a sovereign; nor would he swear that the coin he saw now was the one he received froinihe prisoner. Detective Ternahan deposed to arresting \ the prisoner in Victoria-street on the 24th ! ult. in the morning. On telling the prisoner! 1 'what he was charged with he said he was drunk at the time and did not know what he was doing. When he searched prisoner j at the station-house prisoner said it was no j use, he had no more of them ; he only had three, and he got them from Mr Marks'ser vant in Hobson-street. He said he hadgiven two to Lynch, and one to the barman of the Auckland Hotel. The coins were not gold, but brass. This was the case for the prosecution, . >- Mr Hesketh addressed the Court for the. defence. He dwelt principally upon the. absence of any direct evidence that the coin received by Mcintosh from the prisoner was not a genuine sovereign. On the contrary the barman stated that he believed at the time he received it that the coin was genuine. His Worship was of opinion that ,a prima facieca.se had been made out. The evidence being read over the prisoner was committed for trial: bail being taken in two sureties of £150 each. THE CHARGE OF BROACHING CARGO.... ' '* Frederick Archer, William White, James Lambert, William Evans, Thomas Howy, John Thomas Dines, Robert Lloyd, and Rudolph Klunder, seamen, were charged with broaching the cargo of the ship Queen of the Age, on or about the 14th January, on her voyage from London to Auckland. y Mr Inspector Broham said that through a,) mistake the date on the warrants had been put down as to-day. The prisoners had been remanded until Monday. He should re quest a further remand till that day. Prisoners, who were all laughing in.the, dock together, were further remanded ti" Monday. BREACH OP IMMIGRATION REGULATIONS. Patrick Jones was again charged upon two. indictments with committing the above offence in two ways, viz., by remaining in the forecastle with the sailors, contrary to" section 21 of the Act, and again by retaining in his possession on the 7th January a re volver when ordered to give it up by the Captain, contrary to the 23rd section. To the first charge prisoner pleaded guilty,*, to the second not guilty. , r Mr Brookfield prosecuted and Mr Joy defended the prisoner. Henry Ellis, Immigration Commissioner'1 for the port of Auckland, deposed to haying laid the information in his official capacity. Martin Henry Payne deposed he was a duly qualified medical practitioner. He had been' the surgeon-superintendent'ou{board the ; Queen of the Age in'her late "voyage from| from London to Auckland. Defendant was I one of the passengers. Witness was aware, j of one of the regulation, providing that aLL : firearms should be given up the Captain. • > j A question here arose as to whether* 7 copy of the regulations produced by Mr. Brookfield could be put in evidence/ Even-' : tually the document was admitted. : ! The witness produced his log to show that on the 11th December both he, himself, ana the 'first mate demanded all firearms to^be 7 ! given up by the passengers. Prisoner then said he had no firearms. The demana. had been made in consequence of a repon having been spread that one of the passen gers —a Frenchman—was carrying about a loaded revolver. Copies of the regulations I were posted about the ship, and the passen- 1 gers' attention was called to them in case 01 , j any irregularity, such as the single meU' coming aft after the women, etc. ~, By Mr Joy : He made no entry at tne time of the demand of the prisoner in person having been asked for firearms. He «**-, aware that prisoner had acted on board as » baker. * Mr Joy : Was not the prisoner's name on • the ship's articles ? ;.-...;> 7 Mr Brookfield objected. . «ns ■ After some discussion the question w<» admitted. - 'A. Witness 1 replied that he did not *n°!V He believed it was. He knew that be oiu bake on board, and baked very badly. : By Mr. Brookfield : Prisoner came 0 board as a passenger. f t w ß Charles Robert Cooper, chief officer ot w , Queen of the Age, deposed to asking . prisoner personally if he had any A He replied he had not. Some time y w.\ e -Sw a passenger named Clifford to'-l him »»_ prisoner had a revolver. A, in-' By Mr Joy . tie made tin, dernau 0 ' corapsy* with tho <Msr,. W m® '" ;

mßivgyiy^^Aß, fbiday, march s\m



O N SALE, v EX TIEN TSIN. '-_ i'i';\ ' Hobartown Paling "'/' ; ~ Hobartown Rails. G. W. BINNEY. T 9 O,S GRAVE 7 ft.*- CO HAVE JUST RECEIVED PER SUEZ MAIL : 1 case Self-eolonred Gros Grains 1 ~ ' Black „ „ 1 „ Best Paris. Kid Glove 3 • : " 1 '_, Be3t Assorted Colors. 150000 FEET timbee FOR SALE, AT MY YARDS, GOVERNMENT "WHARF, ONEHUNGA. JAMES W. WALLER. Jj""l"".T S! HAT S! SUMMER HATS AT REDUCED PRICES. i \ IN ORDER. TO EFFECT A CLEARANCE I RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN j have decided to Sell the Balance of their Summer. Stock of Children's and Ladies' Straw Hats at COST PRICE. . A Great Variety to select from. ■ — RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE R. HOBBS), * Wholesale and Retail Drapers, C__ot___er3, &o | /JUNCTION sDRAPERY- WAREHOUSE, j (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Queen-street, Auckland. I ri A U T [ O N OL S 0 N'S TOMATO S A UC E. Connoisseurs pronounce- this Sauce to be the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its high reputation, som« unprincipled !- persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon and pass the same off as "Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused J his TRADE MARK to be Registered under the | provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and 1 proceedings will be. taken against such persons as I may forge or counterfeit such mark. . The public are | cautioned to < ASK FOR OLSON'S SAUCE, h and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and | topper, and wrapped round with his well-known ! abel. I * •* ■ J^" O T I C E. INATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY I OP NEW ZEALAND. Shareholders can obtain their Scrip by applying at the Company's office, 25, Queen-street. j ANDREW G. MILLER, \ Manager. i Coffee.—Brown, Barrett, & Co.'s Standard Coffee is I oth delicious and strong. Brown, Barrett, & Co's I Excelsior Coffee deserves preference to any coffee on J account of purity and distinctness of flavour. Note he brands. Sold at almost •very grocery establlsh ,| ment }n town and province.—fAdvt.]