SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WAT__S : ___ avan__g, 8.10 ; „o-__o?ifo miming, 8 34

rfUJ.-SET : ___, evening, 5.53 ; SUN.RISE: To B_ irrovr- momSug, 6 28 MOON'S AGE: L a_t Quarter, 3rd prox, 4.33 p.m

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS.

Rowena, s s., from the Bay of Islands Lady Franklin, barque, from Newcastle Queen, schooner, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

Go-ahead, s.s., for Taranaki and Wangatiui

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Fes the South—Taranaki, s.s., early For ".ew Caledonia and Norfolk Island—Dauntless,

schoon-r, early For Lyttelton—Rio Loge, brig, early For London—Countess of Kintore. ship, early For .Melbourne--Mlltlades, ship, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Taranaki, s s., from tho South, early City of Melbourne, s.s., from Sydney, about 4th Sept. Macgregor, s.s., from San Francisco and Honolulu,

about 10th prox Oity of Auckland, ship, from London; sailed 20th

May Loch Urr, barque, from London ; sailed 3rd _"une F.rn. ale; barque, from London ; sailed May 5 Oxford, ship, from London ; sailed 7th June Pearl, ketch, from South Sei Islands, early Pr.cifin, schor ncr, from South Sea Islands -iauntless, schooner, from the South Waitangi, .hip, from London : loading Stanley Castle, barque, from London ; sailed _ien Tsin, barque, from Launceston Glimpse, barqu., from Newcastle Jackson, ship, from London ; sailed JZealandia, ship, from London ; sa'led Kenilworth, schooner, from the Islands

IMPORTS.

Per Lady Franklin, from Newcastle : 3SO tons coal,—John Beid, agent.

The s.s. Rowena, from Northern Ports, arrived at three o'clock this morning in the Tamaki, where she landed 24 herd of cattle. She experienced strong westerly winds down the coast. A few hours later she came up the harbour and was laid on the gridiron, where a new blade is to be affixed, to her propeller, under the superintendence of Mr Coutts, the engineer. Passengers—Messrs. Hickton, Ford, Barker, Sleeper, Fitzgerald, "Williams ; Mrs Cross, Mrs Norris, and three steerage. Cargo—24 head cattle, A. Buck land ; 49 bags gum, Arnold, Hines and Co. ; 17 bag 3 gum, H. D. Bolph and Co. ; 30 bags gum, Stone Bros. We are indebted to Mr Stoddart, the purser, for report, &a. The brig Chanticleer, whose arrival we announced last night, did not leave Hobart Town till the 18th instant, so that she has made a very fine passage of ten days. She experienced S.W. winds till the 22nd when northerly weather set in which ksted the remainder of the passage across. She was off the Three Kings on the 27th, and had strong W. winds down the coast. She anchored off the wharf at four o'clock in the afternoon. Passenger—Mr Stanton. The Chanticleer was assigned a berth at the west of the wharf, between the Thames and the Ansdell. She was hauled in this morning, and has already put out a portion of her cargo. After discharging she will sail direct for Hobart Town.

gjThe barques Fleur de Mar.rie, Montana and Helen Malcolm will all of them discharge in the stream The last named is to go along side the hulk Cantero ; the cargo of the Fleur de Maurice has been sold to the Auckland Grs Company, while the Montana's coals will probably be transferred to Henderson and Macfarlane's coal-hulks.,

The Lady Franklin came up the harbour late this afternoon.. She has had a rough passage of 16 days, during which northerly and westerly winds have prevailed. The barque Memento came alongside the outer main T of the wharf this morning. She will there discharge her cargo of coals.

The schooner Queen bring 3G6 tons of ooal from Russell, and the cutter Fawn 43 tons.

The s.s. Ladybird arrived at Lyttelton, from Dunedin, with the Suez mail yesterday. The brig Jane arrived at Hobart Town on tha-i£«- i~»4- — . , . The barque Bella Mary had not arrived in Hobart Town when the Chanticleer left. She left here on the Slst ultimo.

The barque Lady Franklin, Capt. Carver, arrived from Newcastle this morning, anchoring off the North Head at eight o'clock at the beginning of the ebb. She brings a cargo of coal for Mr Jno. Beid. The brig Vision was to leave Mercury Bay with a load of timber for Dunedin to-day.

TheA.S.P. Co.'s steamer Southern Cross, with the Royal English Opera Company on board, arrived at Napior yesterday morning. She is to leavo again for Auckland at six o'clock this evening. The steamer Taranaki having be6n de tained at Wellington will not arrive at One hunga till Wednesday. The steamer Effort has been purchased of Mr Smyth by Messrs Preece, Howard and Co. She is to be used as a tug-boat at Tairua, in which capacity she wiU prove most useful. Often and often as much time is lost by sailing vessels waiting to get out and come in as is taken by the whole trip beside, in addition to the passage over the bar being liable to such accidents as that which has befallen the Onward. All this loss of time and danger will now be averted, and tho increased dispatch and security given to vessels ought soon to re-imburae the purchase money. The Hawaiian schooner Dauntless is now nearly filled up with timber. She will, sail early next week for Norfolk Island and New Caledonia.

The Jessie Henderson has now put out all her Southern cargo. It has been landed in first-class condition. The schooner will probably load timber for Dunedin at once. The barque A nsdell has now received her new bowsprit and fore-topmast. The Star of tho South left Napier for Auckland at 5 a.m. yesterday. She is con gequently due here to-morrow morning.

PORT OF RUSSELL.

OmwAnns Coastwise.

August 20—Blanche, 10 tons, • Hansen, for coast, with general cargo ; Fawn, 28 tons, Dam, for Auck land, with 43 ton- coal August 27- Julia Price, 41 tons, Queen, for Thames, with 70 tons coal ; Ebenezer, 24 tons, Skinner, for Thames, with 43 tons coal : August 21-Queeo, 40 tons, -Veale, for Auckland, with 66 tons coal No vessels loading.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Lyttelton, this day.

The Phoebe, with .he San Francisco Mail, arrived from Wellington .at eight this morning

Westport, this day.

The Murray left last night' at midnight for Greymouth", with the San Francisco Mail.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr R. Arthur's poultry sale, yesterday, there was a good show, of poultry, which averaged as follows :—Fowls, Is 9dto2s lOd; Poland, 3s 6d; Dorkings, 2s 6d; game, 2s 6d ; ducks, 2s 3d ; pigeons, 9d. Produce :— American oats, 4s 6d per bushel; barley, 4s 6d ; flour, £13 per ton ; wheatmeal, 14s per 100 lb. : Waikato cheese, 8d; Canterbury, 6_d to Bs. ; butter, 6d to 6£d. # The bacon was not'sold. Some inferior onions went at i 4dperlb. Onions, both good and bad, are] very scarce, and are retailed at Is per lb. J

DEATHS.

Smith-On August 28, 1874, at Parnell, after a long and painful i'lnose, the beloved wife cf George Smith ; aged 55 years. The funeral will leave.her late residence on Sun day at 3 p.m. Friends are respectfully invited to attend. - LoviGßOvE—On 28th inst, at Otahuhu, Esther Jfanny, 4th child of George Lovegrove;; aged 1 year and 9 months.

BIRTH.

Dotji__—On August 29, _t George-street, Brookvi'le, Mrs Jamas Doull, of a sob.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Letters from "H.J.5.," "Ex-Artilleryman," and " Long-stop" are unavoidably held over.

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

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

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1874.

The Waikato railway is now complete as far as Papakura, and might be opened for traffic by the Government any day they chose. It is very desirable that no time should be lost in making this section available for the use of the settlers of Otahuhu, Papatoitoi, and Papakura. The districts which will be tapp.d by the'line as far as it is now con structed are the most thickly populated parts of the country between Auckland and the Waikato, and if this section in itself willnot pay, then we fear the prospects of the whole line are very unpromising indeed. We believe, however, that the railway to Papakura. will not only pay bat will leave a ! good margin of profit as a set off against districts giving a small _% amount of support to tho line. A short time ago the settlers urged upon the Government the necessity for opening the line, but were met by the j Minister of Public Works with an insur- I mountable- difficulty—the want of locorao. P

tivos. There are, however, now two engine_ lying idle in the depot which would be ample for the present requirements ot the traffic. This obstacle being removed it should need no further agitation by the publio to secure the immediate utilisa tion of the line. If a private company had undertaken the work we should doubtless have had trains running to Otahuhu months ' ago, and the traffic, carried along with the i progress of the work. £200,000 must have been expended on the railway already, and common business prudence would suggest the employment of every con ceivable : effort to obtain some return for the money. The Government, however, work in such devious and peculiar ways, and, as was found in the case of the Onehunga railway, it requires such an enormous amount of pressure and agitation to move them even in the matter of making available for the people the works for which so much is claimed, that we are not going at all beyond the pale of past experience in hazarding a surmise that the engines may bo loft to rust in some out-of-the-way shed unless the settlers again take means to bring the existence of the necessary power under the notice of head quarters. We are in a position to state positively that there is now no reason whatever for delaying the step which the settlers have been looking forward to for years with pleasant anticipa tions, and we sincerely tiust that further inaction in a matter which is so plainly desirable will not be added to the many failures and short-comings chargeable against the administration of tho public works scheme.

The Auckland portion of the Suez mail may be expected here by the Luna on Fri pay, that vessel having been detained in Wellington until to-morrow in order to bring it. The mail will then be delivered in Auckland on the date when, according to time-table, it is only due at the Bluff. The P. snd O. Company are putting forth all their energy to keep up the reputation of tho chief colonial service.

A very interesting sketch of the chief Bawiri, whose remains were recently ex humed at Te Ranga, and conveyed by his relatives to Omamutua, where a largo num ber of natives had congregated to lament over him and otherwise honour his memory, is given in the Bag of Plenty Times. The writer describes the old chief as the most influential man of his time in Tauranga. He was a christian up to the time of his death, which took place at the attack on Te Ranga, and for long refused to join the rebels in the Waikato war. When tho Im perial forces wero stationed at Tauranga, however, Bawiri was goaded into- rebellion by the insults offered him. He still acted in a straightforward manner by writing to General Cameron intimating his intention to treat tho wounded merci ful, and not to injure unarmed Europeans. This promise he carried into effect in a striking manner during the attack on the Gate pa, which Bawiri built, after refusing to allow his party to build a pa on the mission property. The assault on the Gate pa was led by Colonel Booth and Captain Hamilton, R. N. The latter was shot dead ; tTio Colonel fell mortally wounded within a few feet of the parapet of the pa. Rawiri carried him, or had him carried, to a place of safety out of reach of the bullets, and, to the best of his power, administered to his wants himself, going down to the stream at the risk of his life to allay the thirst of the sufferer ! 1 That night the pa was abandoned by the enemy. Before leaving it there was a wish expressed by some of Rawiri's allies to despatch ihe wounded. Rawiri's reply was what you might have expected from such a man : " Not a hair of their head shall yon touch. You may take their fire arms with you, but touch nothing else." The following day Colonel Booth was brought to Te Papa, and before his death he repeat edly spoke to General Cameron and his brother officers about the noble and humane manner he and the other wounded men had bee a treated by the enemy. After the de sertion of the Gate pa the natives retired to the woods until the month of June, v hen Bawiri again wrote to the officer commanding the district, telling him that in a few days he would try his strength with our troops. The natives accordingly commonced entrenching themselves at Te Ranga, but wero discovered by the troops before they had completed their pa. They were immediately attacked. The loss of the enemy was great—over a hundred were left dead on the field ; amongst their number was the chief Rawiri. The following day he was buried on the battle-field, several of the neutral chiefs being present, also the officers of the different regiments thenin Tauranga, who expressed their appreciation of his noble character by saying "Kapai Rawiri." . Divine service to-morrow (Sunday) at Newton Kirk, by Rev. Dr. Wallis ; morn .injf, " Prophecies concerning Nineveh ;" evening, " Darwinism, or the Go.pel of- Brutality,"—Union-street Wesleyan Sunday school services (anniversary) ; sermons, morning, by Bey. Alex. Beid ; evening, by Rev. W. Tinsley; the annual address, at three o'clock p.m. by Rey. W. Oliver.— Baptist Church, Wellesley-street, by Rev. P. H. Cornford j morning, " The Humilia tion of Christ; evening, " The Value of Christian Baptism." — United Methodist Free Church, discourses morning an! even ing by. the minister, Rev. G, H. Turner, (see advertisement). —Services at Edwardes, Cook, and Sheridan-streets, and Newton Hall, at tho usual hours.—There will be service at the High-street Independent School-room, at 6.3o.—Beresford Congrega tional Church ; services at the usual hours by the Bey. Warlow Davies, M.A. The Naval Brigade underwent their 1 weekly drill in a highly creditable manner, under command of Major Gordon. The men were in excellent order. Captain Le Roy, Lieutenant Chapman, and Sub-Lieut. Parker, wera present. At the close of the parade a collection was entered into on behalf of the unfortunate young man Brown, who lost his arm by an accident at the Sash and Door Company a few weeks ago, and the sum col lected at present amounted to £24. The list will not be closed until after th_ next month ly inspection of Jihe Brigade, when subscrip tions will be received from members. Such conduct reflects great credit upon these pro mising young men of war. The Sir George Grey Cadets and Engineers met for drill at the same place and were successful. The Prince of Wales Theatre will be re opened this evening by the Vivian Royal Coniique Company with new songs, duets, and a new local farce for the first time, entitled the " New Chum in Auckland," in which the new arrival will give his opinion on things in general, j The settlers of Onehunga are a political i people, and on Monday evening next they purpose holding a meeting in the Onehunga Choral Hall for the purpose of taking into consideration the recent resolutions for abolish ing the Northern province s. ,~fi ..

A correspondent sends as the following strange case : Sir,-I write to all and whom it may concern. A poor man, a blacksmith, died. The widow sold everything previous to support him in his illness. I visited them to see what could be done. The widow said Dr Kenderdine was doing what was necessary to bury the dead, " which no doubt was not the' only trouble that gentleman takes with the poor of this city." However, the coffin was bough., but in less than an hour the corpse was taken and brought back to the widow, which, for a time, drove the poor woman half mad. The next day I comforted the poor widow by taking the trouble the next morning to have the body interred next day. Now, Mr Editor, in case of such an oversight should there not be a dead-house to put the body in instead of bringing it back to.a friendless widow living in a one-roomed house. Further comment is left in your hands.—Yours truly, A. Pulling.

David Burnside's creditors met yesterday in the office of the Provisional Trustee in bankruptcy. The liabilities were £595 18s 7d; assets, £178 Bs.- 6d. Mr Burnside is an hotelkeeper at Papatoitoi, and was the defendant in a case recently heard before his Honor Sir George Arney, and was unsuccessful. Mr Thomas Macffarlane was chosen trustee, and Messrs Thomas "Morrin and David B. Cruickshank supervisors.

A dog well trained is a very useful animal. An instance of this was seen this morning. A man in the employ of Mr Craig was walk ing down the wharf about noon to-day, when his hat, apparently a new one, was blown off by a puff of the strong westerly breeze blow ing, and carried off to sea. The tide was setting out at the time, and the bereft owner was bewailing his loss, and at the same time watching his fast receding property with elongated face, when at the opportune moment, just as in the fairy tales we read of the gallant knights coming to the rescue of fair damsels just as thoir destruction seems imminent, a gentleman named Mr Dungate appeared on tho scene with his fine dog "Bock." A word was sufficient to explain the situation. In less time than it takes to describe, the animal was in pursuit of the now distant and more than half-immersed headpiece. A fow minutes afterwards the moist but otherwise undamaged hat was restored to the owner.

Iv the Graphic, of April 4th, we read :— According to the New _"ork Herald there is a singularly-conducted Sunday-school in Philadelphia. The proceedings open with an overture on the piano and violin ; after this a poem is read, then gymnastics begin to a musical accompaniment, which increases in rapidity till the gymnastics turn into a jig ; a speech then follows, addressed to the children, and "of such a nature that none but children understand it," and the whole closes with a grand procession and a perform ance with Hags.

The service of song in the Grafton-road Wesloyan Chapel last evening was of a very interesting character. ' The subject was Bunyan's famous allegory of " Pilgrim's Progress." The passages from that immortal work were read in a clear manner by Rev A Reid, and the intervening hymns were sang by the children of tho school, about Hfty in number. The evening was pleasantly passed, and Rev. Mr Oliver announced that the pro ceeds would bo devoted to the advancement of the school, whioh appears to be in a favourable condition.

The Opera Company has arrived at Napier, whore there i_ every prospect of a most suc cessful season. Tho season tickets have, we mam, been takon up vory rapidly.

Madame Lind Goldsohmidt and Sims Reeves havo each a child that is a musical prodig}.

One chorus in Balfe's Talismano is said to strikingly recall in tho first few bars tho comio song, " Ten Little Niggers."

Balfo's now opera, "ll Talismano," still draws large audiences, and continues the success of its first presentation at her Majesty's Opera, Drury Lano, in spito of several adverse critiques from London week lies. The strictures, however, aro upon tho libretto rather more than the score. Already the favourite airs or gems of the new opera havo begun to be given at tho great concerts, where they are rapturously applauded aud encored.

Dinner to Sir James Fer gusson.

Speech by his Excellency.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRArit.]

WELLINGTON.

This day. His Excellency was entertained at dinner last night in the House of Representatives chamber. Major Richardson occupied the chair. A large number of both branches of the Legislature were present.

In responding to the toast of his Excel lency's health the Governor made a long speech. He said it was with considerable misgivings that he resigned the dignity and ease of Governor of this oolony, but having once felt the attractions of a parliamentary career he longed to return to that oareer ; still if he thought any interest of the colony would suffer from his retirement no personal consideration would induce him to leave. He referred to his successor as one possessed of ability greater than his own, and equal to any position he could be placed in, and who must secure their confidence and regard. It would always be his most anxious regard to serve the colonies with which he. had been connected far the last six years, and especially New Zealand, for ■which he saw great future from the uni form and comprehensive plan with which railways were being constructed. The Gover nor of Tasmania wrote to him when leaving for New Zealand, and after having seen a great deal of the country in a short time he could not doubt her works of intercommuni cation justified almost any expenditure. He considered the land in the colony, taking relative productiveness into acoount, much cheaper than in the Australian colonies. He believed the prospect of the North Island at no remote period will be brighter than those of the Middle Island. Referring to the policy of the country, he said sums which Beemed alarming to a new community were small when the community doubled in popu lation. Who in 1535 could have thought of an expenditure on railways in England of sums comparing with the National debt without alarm and disquietude, though now regarded as a matter of course. He spoke in the highest terms of the dignity of the Parlia ment and ;the dispatch with which business was conducted. $ New Zealand could look 1 with respect and pride upon the conduct of her Assembly. He dilated upon the dignity and independence of the men of the colony, and even new-comers, after a short residence, and attributed it to the high wages and short hours. He was certain they would build up a nation of a character higher and more sensible of their responsibilities because not •crushed down by poverty. They must not be surprised if their agents experienced difficulty in attracting the best of England's working men here. They were wanted at home, and were difficult to get at any price. He thought on the whole that the colony had

no reason to be dissatisfied. Of his own know ledge he had seen men of an undesirable class turn over quite a new leaf in a colony. He spoke deprecatingly of our system of gaols and lunatic asylums, and dealt with emphasis upon the great importance of improving our educational system as the only true panacea against class jealousy, and safe-guard against national corruption. The speech was received with numerous bursts of applause. The gathering broke up at ten o'clock.

REV. C. M. NELSON, M.A., ON SUPERSTITIONS.

The Rev. 0. M. Nelson, minister of St. Paul's, delivered an interesting, amusing, and instructive lecture last evening in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association to a full and attentive audience on the popular superstitions of our ancestors. The chair was occupied by Col, Haultain, supported by Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, Rev. R, Hassard, and Rev. W. Taylor. The proceedings opened with prayer. Tho lecturer commenced by remarking, that he feared his discourse would not prove so interesting as he could have wished, as it had been written in such spare moments as he could gather from his more important duties. The lecture, however, was both amusing and serviceable, and elicited frequent manifestations of approval. Mr Nelson, in introducing the immediate subject of his discourse affirmed that man is ever prone to believe the false and to disbelieve the true, and he had no hesitation in assigning the cause of this to ignorance Ignorance, said the lecturer, is the fruitful parent of superstition, the subject on which he had engaged to speak. _ Addison, the great essayist, defined superstition to be the excess not only of devotion but of religion. If we add to this definition somewhat, and characterise superstition as the excess of ignorance with respect to religion and the supernatural, we have a tolerably fair statement both of the meaning o£ the term and of the most frequent origin of the tld g itself. In tbis light it is not difficult to conceive that Pagan nations should have been always prone to superstition and superstitious practices. In fact all Pagan religions, those which now exist and those which have passed, are found to be one mass of superstitions, deserving to be entitled themselves per se as gross though grand superstitions. He would omit alto gether tho consideration of the old and extinct mythological systems, as well as the existing * false religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Parseeism and Felichism, each brimful of superstitions and superstitious prac tices, and deal solely with the superstitions of our ancesters and ourselves. Mr Nelson proceeded to state that life has so many diseases which the uninstructed mind cannot remedy or avert, and encourages so many hopes which every age and condition burn to realise, that it is not surprising to find a large portion of mankind the willing prey of impostors, practising on their credulity by threats of evil and promises of good, greater thantheusnal courseof nature would dispense. Such delusions, frauds, and absurdities have exorcised sovereignty in all places under the form of what, we will term generally magic and ivitchcraft. Even men of education had not been exempt from follies which have their foundation in the heart's anxiety about futurity in its impatience for good greater than it enjoys, and in its restless curiosity to penetrate the unknown and meddle with tho forbidden. The rev. lecturer then con sidered superstition in tho following order : 1. Ghosts ; 2. Magic, or wonder-working ; 3. Witchcraft. The belief in ghosts, which happily we think is almost at an ond, arises j doubtless from tho universally adopted opinion that a living principle survives tho death of the body. The idea of a pure spirit, as we understand it, cannot be said to have existed among pagan nations. The soul, we are told, was conceived by them as some sort of emanation or exhalation from tho body, of a thin, filmy, corporeal consistence, and might under certain circumstances be seen as it issued from tho mouth. From this gross pagan conception or*.he spirit wo get the origin of ghosts aud tho innumerable stories connected with them. Further, as we all know, ghosts havo beeu mostly asso ciated with church-yards and the hour of midnight. But as Locke says in his essay on "Human Understanding," "The ideas of goblins and spirits have really no more to do with darkness than light ; yet let but a foolish maid inculcate these often on the mind of a child, and raise them there together, possibly he shall never be able to separate them again so long as he lives, but darkness shall ever after bring with it those frightful ideas, and they shall be so joined that he can no more bear the one than the other." The superstitious belief in ghosts, remarked the lecturer, at one time so common, may be accounted for ir about every case by referring it to ah erroneous conception of the nature of spirit, a disordered imagination, and purely natural causes. Mr Nelson then related many examples of a lingering belief in ghosts in obscure English districts, many of which were told with considerable humour in the peculiar dialects of tho counties of the haunted houses where the grisly night spectres were superstitiously sup posed to pass the midnight hour. The lecturer then vividly described ghost haunts, such as gloomy churchyards, ruined man sions, and resorts for solitary birds, whan echoes may be heard amid surrounding darkness. The famous will-o'-the-wisp was pleasantly adverted to, and the locale of its luring light which appears in marshy tracts of country, with vegetation in a continual state of decomposition. by physical causes you will geb will-'o-the-wisp. The ignition of carburetted hydrogen spon taneously will produce these effects, which were at one time associated with so much superstitious terror. The deeds and doings of giants, dwarfs, and fairies were also a frightful source of superstition. Now, however, no credence is allowed to the vagaries once accredited to them. In some parts of the old country there are still to be found persons who believe in fairies. The feats' of the giants and dwarfs are mostly relegated to our nurseries, and right funny tales they make. There was one great objection however to them : they seldom contain any lesson of real good. The lecturer then referred at some length to magic or wonder working, which he characterised as a general name for wonderful effects produced in some mysteriots way. The term was derived from the magi, who were the priesfc casto among the ancient Medes and Persians, corresponding to the Levite_ among the Israelites. The magi were great astrologers and wonder workers. Medicine was also intimately allied to magic, and so we find many superstitions, both ancient and modern, connected with its practice. Even the poor moon had been pressed into the service of superstition. Mr Nelson then detailed many of the old superstitions con nected with the moon, which created a great deal of merriment among the audience, such as ' ' take care that you don't look at the moon through glass, or woe betide you, for that is unlucky." At the first sight of the new moon turn your money, if you have any, in your pocket, for that brings good fortune. Farmers must not kill pigs in the moon's wane, or the v pork will waste in boiling; gardeners should look after their young plants when the moon

is red, as she means mischief and is a?|r^' Many other sayings of the idle-headed old,, in reference to Cynthia, were related to the de light of the listeners. Mr Nelson next pro ceeded to superstitions in connection with diseases. As the laws of nature were but litwe known one thing was not more incredible than another, and effects were assigned to causes in tbe most arbitrary and accidental way. Numerous illustrations of this part ot the lecture were then given in connection with draughts, pills, the hanging of charms about the neck, and the recital of rude verses. Several anecdotes were given, which met with great approval, especially tha anecdote of a Dorsetshire girl who was troubled with the rising of the lights and took a heavy dose of shot to keep them down. Incantations Were also dealt with in relation to broken limbs, sprained ancles, etc, speci mens of which were recited. Divination and augury in former times was another developed form of superstition. The princi pal upon which the different rites in connec tion therewith rested was doubtless a desire to be guided by the Divine will, and therefore to discover it, a hope that this was possible, and a belief that the means selected and hallowed by their religious faith or popular fancies would be the channel through which the superior direction or com munications would be imported. So our early ancestors, in common, with the people of ancient nations, scrupulously marked, in order to discover indications of the Divine council, the pecking of chickens, the appear ance of eagles, and the directing of a flight of birds. Mr Nelson proceeded to give a most interesting account of the un lucky days of the year ; and lastly the subject of witchcraft was ably handled, which the lecturer believed had passed from the realm of civilization, or if any such belief existed, it was only among the grossly ignorant. The universal spread of knowledge, the spirit of the age, the explanation of the quondam mysterious and supernatural by physical and natural laws, have all had the effect of loosening the hold of superstitions on the mind, and the belief in witch e_ and witchery. The torture and cruelties to which supposed witches were subjected were represented from the historical pages of the past, when such exemplary men, as Bishop Jewell, credited their existence. The lecture throughout was of a most entertaining character, and many of the most striking passages were applauded. The lecture evidenced great research and labour, and concluded with a lucid explanation of the scriptural ;;' ry of the raising of the prophet Samuel by _1.» vitch of Endor, and the follow ing remarks : The less credence we give to any of these superstitions and superstitious follies the better. If we get to have a firm persuasion and conviction of the all-controll ing, all-pervading influence of a divine Pro vidence they must vanish away. Let us leave futurity and the supernatural to Him and concern ourselves with doing our Christian duty at the present, content to know, that as His crowning mani festation to a fallen humanity, was the sacrifice: of redeeming love, so to those who truly love and serve Him, will His every manifestation be one of love too ; aye ! of love everlasting. The lecture was listened to with great interest, and a vote of thanks was given by acclamation to the talented lecturer.

LUMPERS V. NEW CHUMS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir, —The lumpers, or rather the Lumpers Accident Benefit Society, hotter known on the Queen-street wharf as the "Union"' men, have found a champion in " All Four,' whose letter appears in your issue of 2Gth instant, but I am afraid he has fallen into bad company, for if he had been informed of the true facts of the coaling of the Southern Cross ho would not have ventured to con tradict so flatly the statements in my letter on the subject in your paper of 20th instant. In the first place he asserts that seven Scandinavians were employed. This is simply a falsehood ;.there were only six, as I can prove to the satisfaction of the Editor of the Stab, if necessary. Neither were the lumpers stopped for 35 minutes, as alleged by "All Four," for the purpose of weighing. About five or seven baskets were weighed, occupying about 10 minutes only at the most. The new chums were set to work at 11 a.m., discharging 200 baskets by 1 p.m.—dinner time, — including several short delays for fixing stage and tarpaulin, &c. The experienced Union men were put on at 2 p.m., and dis charged 150 baskets by 4 30 p.m., according to the time rnven to me by their foreman (Crawley). Mid included the stoppage above referred to for weighing. The latter men worked with the same tools and baskets used by the new chums. Will "All Four" deny that his experienced lumpers demanded and received from me, for their 150 baskets in 21 hours, 3s 9d each, or 15s in all ; or that the other men asked, and were paid, 2s each, or 12s in all, for their 200 baskets ? As stated in my first letter, neither men knew that a test of their relative qualities was being made. The reason for not making it known is obvious, the result is shown above, and is anything but favourable to the professional lumpers. The statement of working under wages to secure for me the monopoly is also untrue and ridiculous. The facts are as follow :—When the rise in wages took place Captain Hero, of the s.s. Logan, declined to pay the exorbitant advance demanded—viz , 50 per cent., —and he very soon obtained non-Union men at the old rate of Is per hour. Mr Jervis's clerk, hearing from the mate of the Hero, a very satisfactory account of the working of these men, obtained a list of their names, and promised employment on the next A.S.N. Company's steamer at the same rate, which they readily agreed to accept. Upon the arrival of the Wonga Wonga the list was handed to me with in structions to employ none but those men whose names appeared on the list. This I showed to the foreman of the Union men, who, rather than let the outsiders be taken on, off.red to work at the old rate of Is per hour. "All Four" makes a great show of the wonderful powers of endurance of the pro fessional lumpers, viz, 36 to 40 hours at a stretch. Why his men were tested the last trip of the Wentworth, and were " done up" at the end of 12 hours, viz, 8 hours day work at cargo, and four hours at night, coaling, charging for the latter 2s per ton. *' All Four " states only a part of the truth in saying that when I was a " patron " of his club. He does not inform the public that I was—a. patron of the club so long as its object was—confined to the assistance of sick or disabled lumpers, as its name implied, and that my connection with it ceased upon the members continuing to extort unreasonable demands from their employers. There can be little doubt that if " All Four" was prepared to substantiate his statements he would have had the manliness to sign his real name, instead of writing anonymously. But I will be charitable towards him, and assume that he -was merely writing what he has been'told, and therefore is merely the mouthpiecs for others who have not the courage or are ashamed to give their names to the public. Should he, however, think proper to write again upon this subject I decline to take any further notice of it unless he signs his real n<u__e.—l am, &c, Henry Elliott. [This raußt close the correspondence.—,Ed, ■3S.S.} - • '

Frightful Accid.

Ak accident, which it is fea^o^"^;. . tended with a fatal result, ocrLetv ° %, ' ** the ketch Clematis soon afte£ ftt W-.. ; ff*g this morning The tatthA^ ._£ discharging her cargo into f. ounfcgjj Kin tore, had been anchored, about,- 2$ yards out in the harbour, off «? Gore-street jetty, where it was in tended to effect some repairs to her centre board. At daylight this morning a paitvof shipwrights, in the employ of M* >%$ went on board for the purpose, aj_ o n„ them being a man named Wm. Gribhle a stepson of Mr Bacon, once landlord tftha Oddfellows' Arms in Chancery Lane. T fl » manner of the accident was very simple Gribble was working at the winch, by which the centre-board is lowered or raised..^ first he was assisted by another man, _,«» hand being wanted somewhere else Gribble told his companion he could manage the winch by himself. The assistant then left him. As soon, however, as the weigh'tof the centre-board —nearly l 1 tons, .'we under stand— came on the winch, Grribble; wag unable to bear the enormous stiain. Knock ing him backwards the iron handle flew from his grasp, and whizzing round struck him before he could get clear a fearful blow on the left temple completely battering in the skull. The sufferer, bleeding profusely, was imme'. diately taken ashore and conveyed to the " Sailors' Home," boarding-house in Custom house-street. Here he was soonattendedby Dr Hooper and Dr Watson, who pronounced the bone to be extensively fractured, and expressed at once but little hope of arecovery. The patient was afterwards conveyed to his home. He is a married man with Beven children. Mr Gribble was a most indefatigable member of the Edwardes-street Church,; and a prominent adherent of the Good Templsm, Late enquiries elicited the informatioji that the sufferer is sinking fast. He was __t ex pected to last till sundown.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Business done— £'£ „_-•■,-_ Bank of New Zealand—Sellers, £17 Is_.y National Bank—Sellers, 70s. |}*g South British Insurance— Buyers, 52s 6d. Thames Gas-Buyers, 36s 6d. aot* Albion (first issue)— Sellers, 61s. Alburnia (new)— Sellers, 335. Bright Smile—Sellers, 80s. Caledonian-£9 8s 6d; buyers, £9 10s. City of London—Buyers, 26s 6d. ..!, Crown Prince, 235. Union Beach, 12s. Bismarck—Buyers, ss. Old Whau—Sellers, 47s 6d ... City of York—Sellers, 10s 6d ; ',' Queen of May—Sellers, 10s 6d Otago, lis 9d ; Sellers, 12s. ,:%■> Pride of Tokatea—Buyers, Is -, sellers, ls6d. ' : =

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

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

Frank Smith, for being drunk last night, was fined 10a. ; and James McGibhon ,for. being drunk and disorderly was fined 20s and costs. rt _*o__

UNDER THE VAGRANT ACT.

Catherine Maxwell was brought up under the vagrancy Act, charged with having no visible lawful means of support. The case was remanded until Monday. ' : .'„ j BREACH OE LICENSING ACT.

David Dunningham was summoned jfor committing a breach of the Licensing Acl on Sunday last. _-' . Mr Inspector Broham said that defendants hotel in Hobson-street was a well-conducted house, and this was the first charge thathad ever been brought against tbe proprietor..

Fined 40s and cost 3.

CARPENTER WILLIAM,

William Callaghan, onremand, was charged. with being drunk and disorderly in Shortland street on Wednesday last. It will be remembered that prisoner wished: for a remand in order- that the clerk from the Post Office might be present to prove that he was not drunk. Unfortunately however for prisoner the man of letters proved that Mr." Chips was very drunk, and that he was com. pelled to send for Constable Mooney &„ remove him. i - His Worship said he would remand the* case for another week, if prisoner liked, so that he might have ample opportunity of j showing that he was not drunk. '£jM Prisoner thanked his Worship, and said" he was satisfied with having had three days in the Jock-up, and he should like to have his freedom. ; [J A

Fined 5s and costs

ERRATIC boys.

John Donovan and Joseph Danzey, two boys, were charged with absconding from the Industrial School on the 22nd August. j .%™ The boy Danzey, it appeared, had induced _ the other boy to run away for the purpose eta robbing a person who had employed Danzey.'; His Worship ordered the boys to be* privately whipped and taken back to the 1 school. •';-.

A CHTMNEY ON EIRE. . ggl William Bromley was summoned for allow-ji ing his chimney to catch fire on the 23rd August. Defendant pleaded guilty, but was not aware that it was in such a foul state. .. M Constable Naughton having proved the | charge, defendant was fined 20s and costs. ; 4? This concluded the business. •-

ADDITIONAL ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

SPANISH VILLAGE DESTROYED

BY A LANDSLIP.

ORANGE DEMONSTRATION AND

DISTURB AN 08.

LONDON

July 26.

A terrible landslip has occurred at Alarra, in the province of Navarre, Spain. Overhang ing rocks fed upon and utterly destroyed the village. The disaster was so sudden that feW, if any of the inhabitants escaped. Two hundred corpses ha tie already been recovereu • A Carlist magazine exploded last week a| Quisa. Thirty men were killed and a large number wounded. The Madrid Impartial, in a strongly worded article, denounces the avowed complicity of France with the Carlists, and. declares if diplomatic representations prove ineffectual Spain must adopt a cooL attitude towards France, and seek more congenial alliances, French journals assert that the Spanish frontier is well guarded by the French authorities, and that the contraband of, war which reach the Carlists is imported by sea from England. The New Market magistrates have granted a sUmmons against Mr Chaplin, as steward of the Jockey Club, for permitting betting on the New Market Race-cotirse. It is ru moured that the Duke of Richmond will re ceive a similar summons after the Goodwood race. It is said these proceedings are taken by a prominent racing man, and better, to test the law and force a parliamentary defini tion thereof which will clear up its obscurity. The 12th of July having fallen on Sunday, the usual demonstrations by Orangemen in Ireland in honor of the day did not take place till July 13. The ceiebr&tionj %m<

VHI n_ffll ■*____. BATUBPAI, AOTTTMtt aft, Wi.



1 7T.HE attention of Purchasers is requested j to our j LARGE, NEW, AND WELL-ASSORTED STOCK I OP GENERAL DRAPERY AND CLOTHING, SUITABLE FOR TEE PBKS-KT SEASON. BLACK SILKS, Prom 3s 9d per yard, wide width, and __uch below regular Price. 10 BALES WHITE BLANKETS, 9-4, 10-4, and 11-4. BLUE AND GREY BLANKETS AND RUGS SHEETINGS, QUILTS, and all kinds of FURNISHING GOODS. A Lot of Double width GREY SHEETING, from lOjd yard. Cheap Flannels, Crimean Shirtings New Dress Materials, Cheap Winceys Children's, Girl's, and Ladies' Winter Hosiery Ladies' Waterproof Tweed Mantles A Choice Lot of LATHES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS, New and richly trimmed. Black Straw Hats, Flowers and Ribbons Silk, Alpaca, and Gingham Umbrellas Gig Umbrellas, extra sizes New Wool Ties, Scarfs, &c. BOYS', YOUTH'S, AND MEN'S CLOTHING. Mackintoshes, Pilot Jackets, and Overcoats Boys' Overcoats. A Splendid New Stock of Gentlemen's New Silk Scarfs. Ties, Braces and Belts, Felt Hats . Warm Winter Gloves Boy's Caps, frcm Is Cd Hosiery, &c. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE R. HOBBS.) Wholesale and Retail Dkapbrs, Clothiers, JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Queen • street, Auckland. establt.-ted 1801.1 T^ STEPHENSON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, * EXHIBITION BRAND, RAGLE BRAND, CROWN BRAND, Are to3->e procured at all respectable Grocers and Storekeepers throughout the Province of Auckland- D. STEPHENSON & CO., WYNDHAM STREET, AUGt-LAHD. mHE LAST THREE WEEKS OP THK W I 1. T IS R SALE. From thi.i dale the WHOLE OF THE GOODS WILL HE SOLD AT ENGLISH COSVT. J. COSGRAVE & CO. "jjjjTol A N IC S' INSTIT iPFE. TECHNICAL CLASSES. The Fourt . Term of these Classes will commence on MONDAY, 31st August. * RICHARD. T. TALBOT, Secretary Mechanics' Institute. CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND, Mails will Close as follows :— For Wangarei, &c , Jper Wangarei, this day, at 5 p.m. For Wanganui, per Go-ahead, tthis day, at 5 p.m. For Thames, oa Monday next, at 10.30 a.m. and 6 80 pm. „ , , , For Norfolk Island and New Caledonia, per ; Dauntless, on Monday next, at noon For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. For Coromandel, on Monday next, at 11.30 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Taranaki, on Friday next, at noon S, B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.