SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

I HIGH WATER: This evening, C26 ; to 'fflaorrow morning 6.48 ■ SUN SET : This evening, 7.14 ; SUN RISE : to ■fporrow morning. 4-45 ■ MOON'S AGE : mil Moon, 23rd, 4.35 pm

ARRIVALS.

fflfiirt, bngantine, from i/tttelton HMary King, schooner, from Greymouth

DEPARTURES.

(■ii Rowena. s.s, for the No th 1

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

I Poriyttelton-vvaitansri, ship, early; .aioiuu, i«ik i I I shoitly ; Mary King, schconer, and Flirt, brigar i 1 j tine, e*rly I [For th- South—."aranabi ss. Thursday i ttTor Hokianga— Tawera schaoner to-morrow ijjFor Newcastle- Memento, barque, early |fiFor Karot'nga—Blanche, scho ner. eaily ?|For Hun Francisco—Condor-n, ship 28r,h instant : Cyphrenes, RMss,, 2Sth December (English f j Mail) . For London— Ciiy of Auckland, ship, early | For a Cruise—Southern Cross, Missionary barquentine ij ; early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

fCity of Melbourne, ss, or Cyphrenes, s.s, from Sydney, 23th instant I Hero, s.s., from Sydney. about'sth January next ! Star of the South, ss, from Levuka, due I Mtctregor, ss, from San Francisco; sailed 10th Dec | Ciemati*, ketch, from Napier I Papua, schconer, from Karofconga, early I j Assaye, ship, fram London : sailed September 3 I Cospatrick, ship, from London ; sadea Bth September jI Gtlenlora. ship, from London ; sailed September 26 ijj Diltaaree,barque, fr m London ; s*il«i October 2 |lnverene, ship, from London ; sal dOctober I Warwick, ship, from London ; sailed October I Rapido. barque, from New York,via Adelaide, loading I JSiith Rose, barque, from New York ; sailed Sept. 18 I Chanticleer, brig, from Hobart Town early 1 Vision, brig, from Dnnedio, early 1 Belle Brandon, schooner, fr^m Levuka | IKdith, schooner, from xouth Sea Islands, early I Dauiitleso, (2), schooners, from New Caledonia I Enropa, barque, from Sydney, early j Kenilworth, schooner, from Samoa, early I Otago, barque, from Melbourne, via Dunedin, early

IMPORTS.

Per Mary Kin?, from Greymouth : 95 tons coal, D. H McKenzie, agent and consignee. Per Flirt, from Lyttelton : 820 sacks ■wheat, 230 do malt, 6 tanks, 4 cases bacon, 1 case glue, D. M. McKenzie, agent and consignee.

The schooner Mary King arrived from I Greymouth this morning, at daybreak. Cap jj tain Hilton reports leaving on the 10th inst | Had light variable winds throughout the 1 passage. Passed tbe North Cape on Thurs day. The Mary King brings a cargo of coal for Mr D. M. McKenzie. She will, after discharging, load timber for Lyttelton. The barque William Gifford was to pail for Lyttelton this aft ernoon. She takes a full cargo of timber &c. The barque Memento has cleared in ! ballast for Newcastle, and is to sail at once.

The schooner Pacific is transferring her cargo for shipment to London in the City of Auckland.

The brigantine Flirt came in from Lyttel ton this morning early after a long passage of 13 days, during which time calms and light variable winds have been the general condi tion of affairs. The Flirt brings a full cargo of wheat and other breadsluffs for Mr D. H. Mackenzie.

The brig Ben Nevis has cleared in bailas for Newcastle.

The s.s. Wonga Wonga has entered out wards for Sydney.* The cutter Janet Gray brings 19,000 fee of timber from Tairua.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Lyttelton, this day. The Phcebe left at 4.35 p m. yesterday for Wellington with the Suez mail.

Napier, this day. The Southern Cross left at 3 p.m. for Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

W. Dowden sold to-day at his rooms, by order of the Harbour Board, tbe lease of the sJheds on Queen-street wharf, for a period of twelve months, from Ist January, ending December3l,lß7s:-ShedA, £1410s, Captain Elliott; do B, £19, Captain Anderson; do C, £8 10s, Captain Elliott; do do, £3 15s, W. Smith.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close ah follows :— For Thames, to-morrow, at 9 30 a m. and 5.30 p m For Coromandel. to-morrow, at 5 p m For Australian Colonies, per Wonga Wonga, to morrow, at 11 a m^ For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at I<i a m Late lei ters for Si dney aud Melbourne, will be received till 11 30 a m For Taranaki, Southern province', and Australian Colonies, par TKi\in*fci, on Thursday next, at 8 am For T«uranga, ppr Vincent, on Thursday next, at Ham For the undermentioned places per Cyphrenes, on'M«nday, 28th instant, as foilows : — For Sandwich Islands. United State 3of . America, Canada. British Columbia, Central and South America,, and British and Foreign West Tn lies, at 6 p m. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 5 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 4 p. m Late letters bearing an extra fee of 6d will be received by the Mail Agent on board up to time of sailing Revised T3ew Znaland Postal Guides can be ob tained at this office. Price, 6d. 8. B. Biss. Chief Postmaster

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS

"Akgtjs"is rather too severe,

Grern—On Saturday, December 19 at Seafleld View .Nursery, the Wife of L. M. Green of a daughter.

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

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1874.

for fm> cause th:st lacks ssr.lstanca, for tbe wrons; I'.nt- m-ctis re*;>il:»ac«. For «!>2 future in the distance. &r.& it* £»3<i tiist we cxn d».

Ie there is one thing more than another to be deprecated in colonial communities, it is the introduction of the accursed demon of religious discord. Our readers will have ob-erved by telegrams and short extracts published, that a "religious" riot of the most violent kind recently occurred in the town of Ipswich, in Southern Queensland ; and we shall not be surprised if the final result will be the establishment of a friendly and kindly relation between the belligerent creeds of a most remarkable kind, and this entirely owing to the forbearing and Chris tian spirit exhibited by one prominent eccle siastic. On the occasion of the riot, the Rev. D. Porteus lectured on the " Monk that shook tbe World." It had been accepted, as we believe it was intended, as a deliberate challenge to the Boman Catholics of the town, who assembled en masse, and the meet ng resulted in a regular melee, the lecturer and his frienda flying from the platform and blood being freely shed on both sides. A state of wild anarchy in the district resulted, boding evil for years to come. But a meet ing was held in the Catholic church on the Sunday following under the presidency of the Eight Rev. Dr Quin, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Queensland, in which the strongest expressions of i egret for what had occurred were used, aud resolutions were unanimously passed to the following effect:—

"That this meeting, while regret ting that the School of Arts of thi* town should be let for an object avowedly hostile to a portion of the citizens condemns all, whether of their own denom ination or of any. other, who instigated or promoted the disorder which occurred in that institution onJThuraday evening last,"

" That V lis meeting deeply regrets the exis tence in this colony of any association, whether Orange or other, having for its ob ject to deprive some of their fellow-colonists of their rights and privileges as citizens ; but at the same time declares that the Catholic body have no intention of offering opposition to any procession or meeting of Orangemen, whether bearing party emblems or not ; and it, moreover, declares that any ill-advised Catholic who might offer violence or insult ! to any such procession or meeting should be regarded by the Catholic body as more hostile to its interests and to those of the colonists generally than any member of the Orange Association." "That this meeting invites the Orangemen of this town and district to lay aside all hostility, and to disbelieve the false reports circulated by thtir enemies re specting Roman Catholics, and to uuite with their Koman Catholic fellow-colonists in promoting their mutual welfare as becomes Christians and men of the same country." But the Bishop was not satisfied with this, but in a manner that has drawn to him the strongest expressions of esteem from every section of the Queens land Press he referred to an Orange procession fixed for the following day: "7n a firm but affectionate manner he appealed to them not to disgrace themselves again, and spoke in terms of the highest re spect of his Protestant neighbours, affirming that there were as many truly noble and good-hearted men connected with the Orange Society as there were with bis own commu nion," and closed his address by expressing his intention of himself accompanying the Orange procession by the excursion trains on the following day. He was as good as his j word. Not one expression of dissent or dis approval attended the departure of the trains, andattheplace of meeting the Bisdiopaddressed the assembled crowds of Orangemen and their friends to the number of 2000, and was received with loud and prolonged applause. Rev. Mr Porteus was present, and we shall say nothing of the taste shown in his declara tion of his intention "of making another effort to deliver his lecture at Ipswich," but

we think there will be few who will deny that tiro Bishop occupied the more honour able position, when he promptly stated that it would affoid him the greatest pleasure to occupy the chair on the occasion. It is difficult to imagine how intolerance or reli gious antagonism could survive under such treatment, and if the spirit of the Bishop is reciprocated as it appears to be, it seems not improbable that this, one of the most violent outbreaks of sectarian discord yet witnessed in the colonies, will, strangely enough result in sounding the death knell of intolerance, and producing a spirit of forbearance and neighbourly feeling between Pio'iestant3 and

Catholics with which for many years that district bas not been particularly familiar.

The lecture to be delivered to-morrow night under tbe auspices of the New Zealand

Reform League, will be of a kind and on a

subject that should command atten tion. It is in fact ihe subject to which the

attention of the League should have been overtly and primarily directed, as it was that for tbe ventilation of which the League was

originally founded. Before us, as we write, lies the basis on which the original promoters of the League started operations. It was "To effect the following objects : to make the land fund colonial revenue and abolish the Provincial system." To this, as a declara tion of objects, the promoters appended

their names ; bub, acting under the advice

of those who are more accustomed to tbe tortuous ways of political intriguo, it

was deemed wise to put the question

of tbe land fund in the background, confessedly for fear of frightening the people of the South, and preventing their joining the League, and to endeavour to awaken public enthusiasm, in order to throw water on a drowucd rat, and to simply agitate for abolishing Provin cialism which is already doomed. The League arose out of antagonism to Mr Vogel's pernicious and unjust resolutions confirming the laud fund, and perpetuating

Provincialism in the (south. In its altered

form it seemed to show a desire to become his handmaid, with the covert hope indicated by winks and nods that the land fund of the South would go with Provincialism. Be lieving that honesty is the best policy in politics a3 in commerce, we upbraided the League with desertion of its cardinal

principle, and with duplicity, and we were

consigned by it to the limbo of political renegades. Nevertheless, we assert that in not prominently holding forth this great land.fund-wrong as something against which the people should rally around the standards of the League, the League has committed a fatal mistake and has cut away the grounds for popular excitement and enthusiasm. A

grand opportunity has been lost, and it will take strenuous effort to regain the position. The lecture indeed of Mr Rees is calculated to retrieve that position. It comes to the root of the matter, and when he deals with any subject his trumpet speaks with no un" certain sound. "The Land fund and Tax ation of the people" are intimately involved, and the more distinctly the relation i g brought out it will be all the better for the people. The idle twaddle that the mere abolition of Provincialism, and having Auckland governed from Wellington instead of from Auckland will confer many new benefits without increasing tax ation, is only the claptrap With which silly people are deluded by designing poli ticians. But if the land fund of New Zea land, South as well as North, is made common colonial revenue, then benefits can be conferred on Auckland without increased taxation ; and in such circumstances the unification of interests in the abolition of all the provinces would be an undoubted benefit. Mr Rees' lecture brings out the object to wards which all the efforts of the League should be put forth honestly and above board. The Southerners are too old birds to

be caught with chaff, and if we think to trap them by concealing this question of the land fund, it is simply an exhibition of our own overweening self-conceit. We feel confident that. there will be no double-meaning or beating about the bush with Mr Rees, and that his lecture will be one to which a full house may listen with pleasure and satis faction. Possessed of human instincts and feelings, he knows how to enlist human sympathies, and he has that rare and valuable gift, the power of arousing the enthusiasm of his audience. We hope he will be greeted with a crowded house, and that an impetus will be given to the progress of the League iv the right direction,

As will be seen in another column, Martin's Bay id again coming to the front ; but this time "under apparently brighter and more hopeful auspice 3, Gold bas been discovered, and the name of this wild rock-bound fiord will probably cease to baa bye*word. We used to be periodically aroused by the news "the settlers at Martin's Bay are starving," and the tidings came with such remarkable frequency that all the colony stood amazed to think how any band of people could endure so much, buoyed up by faith in their wild and picturesque mouutain glen. Yet with a spirit that animated the Pilgrim Fathers of the West, they bore up against cold and hunger and solitude ; and now it may be they will reap the reward of their fortitude. 1 hat fortune may dawn on that I much endutiug people and the strange district to which they have Bhown such unwonted attachment must be the wish of every one that can admire unflinching for titude and endurance in the midst of wearying and trying circumstances. Pros perity to Martin 's Bay ! May we soon be startled by tidings af' er tidings " Another great find "at Martin's Bay," in lieu of the old sad story, " The settlers at Martin's Bay are sraiving "

We have been requested to notice that a paragraph in our yesterday's issue appears to reflect unfairly on the members and supporters O£"AU Saints' Church" and especially in respect of their zeal in the cause, a matter for which their fame is in all the C'hurche3. Our paraaraphist noted that at evening service not morning as stated, not one of the choir showed up. Rut he was not aware that of the six members, three ladies are laid up by illness, one had taken part in the musical service in the morning. One was absent and not accounted for, and the sixth, who was present, not unnaturally was unwilling to stand up by herself in the choir, Out" para graphia learned that no efforts had been made to keep the choir together, but the circumstances narrated are, we thiok, enough to explain the absence of a choir on the occasion in question without the members being very guilty of negligence. As for the resignation of Mr Hammond, who has taken an active part in the erection of the new school, and in the various other efforts for which the All Saints people are father falnous, we understand that the clergy man had iutimated his intention of resuming dir. ction cf the Sunday school in order to greater efficiency aud we must say that we think the position is one which it is highly becoming for the minister of a parish to occupy. "Feed my lambs," is as much a precept as "feed my sheep."

Tbe Grafton Road school committee today met and elected the Rev. James Martin, of Coromandel, to the mastership of the school, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr Josiah Martin. The appointment reminds us of Virgil's lines :

Uno avuho, non deficit alter,

the interpretation of which may afford our youthful readers an easy exercise during the holiday s.

A resident in Drake-street writes com plaining ol the nuisance created by soap aud candle works there. He calls upon the Inspec torof Nuisances to inte' fere, and says: — " All the fatty refm c f om ihe butchers is allowed to accumulate o:i the premises till it is one corrupted and living mass. Then it is put into an open boiler aod melted, the smell from which towards the end of the operation is really suffocating. About mid-day the dross and drainage from this and the other parts of tbe works are allowed to run down the side of Drake street to the Bay. The Central Board of Health at its last meeting decided that there should be no tallow melt ng in Parnell and no night soil deposited at Arch Hill, whilst wo in the city are left to the ravages of gastric fever and other terrible diseases through the poisoned air we breathe. Hoping that you will give this subject the aid of your able pen and arouse those in authority to do their duty, &.C.

Larrikiniam has reached an alarming state in Melbourne. In a recent Dumber of the Age, we read that two larrikins, named Charles Reilly and Charleß Turner, each about nineteen years old, amused themselves in Wellington-street, Collingwood, by lilliog their hats with storm water out of the channel, and throwing the contents over passers hv. They were observed by Con stable McHugh, who hastened towards them ; but on seeing him, they ran up a right-of way alongside tbe Odd Fellows' Hall. Reilly threatened to cut him down with an axe. Tiio constable at once grappled with him, and both rolled into tho gutter, Turner avsibting his companion. Eventually, after tearing the constable's trousers, they both got away, but were followed up the right-of-way by M'Hngh. Again they assailed him, Reilly with a spade. A mob of from thirty to forty lads had assembled ; and when M'Hngh, having arrested Reilly, called to a cabman to bring bis vehicle, the mob of sympathisers cooly turned tbe horse round and led him up Peel-street. At length a resident drove to the station in his buggy, and fetched three more constables, when the young ruffians were secured and lodged in the lock-up.

We beg to acknowledge the sum of 5s from a " JFriend in the country," and the same amount- from a " Friend in town " in aid of the Irwin family, in whose behalf we yesterday made appeal to those who feel the genial, kindly influences, of Christmas-tide. We have also the pleasure of acknowledging a half-sovereign from Mrs W. J. Messenger, kindly forwarded for the same object. We have very great pleasure in giving in sertion to the enclosed. It is a custom with journals to refuse insertion to any communi cation which does not enclose the name of the writer, "not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith." Our readers will agree with us that in the present case the rule may be suspended, for the name is strictly withholden. In the name of the best of the Christian graces, we thank our anony mous correspondent :—To the Editor : Dear Sir, —I think it a good custom, as it is a time-honoured one, that bids us remember at Christmas that there are many to whom the season, though associated in their minds (ai in those of moat of us) with pleasant memo ries, is now clouded with pressing sorrows and cares. In proportion as we enjoy blessings ourselves, so should be our endea vours to minister to the necessities of those less favoured around us. For these reasons I forward a mite towards the distressed Irwin family, for whom you have made such effective appeals, and may it afford them as much pleasure to accept as it gives me to offer it. Enclosed is £I.—Yours sincerely, JNemo."

Tbe funeral of poor Joe JJNoyer, the waterman, took place this afternoon. We were pleased to see that a number of mem bers of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, 1.0.0. F., followed him to the grave.

It is notified that in consequence of the holidays, the Auckland Savings Bank will open on Thursday from 7 to 9 instead of on Saturday night.

An elderly man well known to the polio* was taken into custody this morning by Constable Jackson on suspicion of having stolen a saddle, which he sold to a person in Parnell for £2. The man, when questioned, was either unable or unwilling to give a satisfactory account as to how the saddle came into his possession. The police are endeavoring to discover the owner.

The members of the Auckland Yacht Club will hold their annual meeting to-morrow afternoon for the purposes of electing officers and arranging for the coming Regatta—the great event of the year.

The clearing sale by Marks and McLeaby, bootmakers, of Queen-street, is drawing to a close, and those who wish to take advantage of it should lose no time.

The new cricket ground in the Domain will be the scene of a contest between the Auckland and West End Clubs on Saturday next. Play will commence at 10 a.m. Mr Brighton will cater as usual.

There will be a full rehearsal of the " Mes iah" this evening by tho members of the Jhoral Society. Mr W. L. Rees will deliver a lecture to norrow evening on "The Land Fund and JCaxation of the people" at the Mechanics' [nstitute, being the second lecture in connec tion with the New Zealand Reform League. Upon the subject of " Girls' Schools," " A Roman Catholic " writes :— " Considering the powerful influence which lovely woman exercises on Society for good or for evil, it does seem to me surprising, and indeed, positively hurtful, that the Government make no separate provision for female edu cation. The mixing of big girls and boys in Government schools, as at present, cannot but prove dangerous to good morals. We have in this piace many schools for girls kept by private teachers The Press has borne testimony to the admirable and efficient manner in which some of these schools are conducted, those under the management of tbe Sisters of Mercy in particular. "Set Government recognise none of them, and refuse aid to all of them. This surely is not as it ought to be. If ours were really a just and paternal Government it Would act otherwise. It is a melancholy truth that while Government is doing so much for schools in England and Scotland, crime is increasing there at a fearfully rapid rate, and out of all proportion to the increase of population, as shewn by Government returns. There must, there fore, be something wrong in our system of education, brilliant though its results in some respects may seem. Ihe showy or flash education which the girls of the period, both of high and low degree, receive in our girls' schools is not likely to make them 'douce' and exemplary matrons hereafter. There is one branch of knowledge which appears to me to be almost entirely over looked in tbe modern schools both for boys' and girls'—l mean, 'self-knowledge.' Our scholars are taught to know everything almost except themselves. ' Know thyself ' was the first and leading lesson which the heathen sages of Greece taught their pupils in their acadrmies. In the modern christian academy it is a lesson scarcely if ever taught. Need we wonder if our modern educa tion tend so little to improve the moral character." The "Wandering Heir" was reproduced last evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre to a good house, and Miss May Howard again appeared in the character of Philippa Chester, a character admirably adapted for the display of her dramatic powers. This play is full of life, and, though faulty perhaps in construction, is amply sufficient, by its incidents and flashes of humour, to win the ear and satisfy a variable audience. Tbe acting of Mr Collier, Sam Poole, and Miss Patty Holt, is much above the average. The subordinate parts were also sustained creditably. We notice that the " Wander ing Heir" will be repeated this evening, and no doubt, it will draw a full house as hereto fore. A pleaisant hour may be profitably passed at the Prince of Wales Theatre. Baker's Hibemicon at the City Hall, illustrative of the Jifo and melodies of Ire land, was largely patronised last evening, and appeared to have lost none of its attrac tions for the public. The castles, caves, and lakes of Erin were specially attractive to the audience as thriy passed before the vision. The " Cove of Cork," "Shannon by moon light," the " Lakes of KiParney," the "Giant's Causeway," the "Rock of Cashel," aud the "National bridges of Kilkee," are among tho wonders of art and nature, and never-failing in their happy influeuces. The songs of Mr and Mrs Baker, and tbe comic representations of John and Jenny Moran, gave rentiment and fun to the entertain ment which is interesting throughout. Only one more night, and Baker's Hibernicon will become a memory of tho past. The following particulars relative to the miserable death of John McAdam, school master, formerly of Drury, are given in an Ofngo paper :—" A schoolmaster of the nam© of John B. McAdam died at Oamaru, on the 9th instant, from suffocation, caused by a piece of meat whioh he was eating having stuck in bis throat. The deceased had been in Oamaiu drinking during tho few days prior to bis death. On the above date he ' went into a butcher's shop, aud obtained three small pieces of raw meat nnd some salt. He ate one of the pieces of meat in tbe shop and then left, taking the other two with him. About ten minutes afterwards he was found dead on the pavement, at a distance of about 70 yards from the shop. On a post mortem examination beiog made, one of the pieces of meat was found stuck in his throat. The deceased was 40 year 3of age, a native of the south of Ireland, and arrived in the colony about ten years ago. " It is a noticeable fact that within the last few weeks crime in Auckland has been lamentably on the increase, no less than nineteen cases were recorded on the charge sheet at the Police Court, which caused his Worship, to remark upon the sad truth. It would appear that the majority of those criminals are new arrivals which seem to indicate that character is not a matter of im portance in the old country in the choice of emigrants. Any body will do for the colonies may bo the home maxim, as any thing will do in the way of ship stores by tbe East London traders. A smart-looking young woman, who gave the name of " Pollester." was brought up yesterday on a charge of drunkenness and using obscene language in the streets at midnight, but who did not appear as though thoroughly depraved. She was a newcomer. She had been in the "Woman's Refuge" for a short time, a benevolent gentleman, who goes ahout among the most miserable and sunken of the human species, offered to assist the young woman if she desired to lead a better life. She was persuaded by the Magistrate, but refused his counsel, thanking him, but intimating that she loved the society of the gaol in preference to the society of the Women's JHJome. She was committed to prison for three months, and possibly may return to a career of vice at the end of the term. She appeared happy, and perfectly careless of her degradation, and shortly after she displayed her vocal powers in no mean degree, in the " Last Rose of Summer," and in a style that would have eclipsed some of the lady amateurs at our small concerts.

A public meeting will take place this evening in the Mechanic's Institute, to take measures for the legal defence o*f cases to be tried on Thursday under the present Educa tion Act. Dr Wallis and other gentlemen will address the meeting.

Miss May Howard, the celebrated actress, now performing at the Prince of Wales Theatre, will take her benefit to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, when the highly entertaining " School for Scandal," will be produced.

The spiritualists of London have begun a movement, which, if successfully carried out, will effect a much needed reform. It is apparent to any one who has seen or read anything of spiritualist proceedings that some of the denizens of the other world be have very badly. The language is coarse and vulgar, their tricks are low and mischievous, and their whole behaviour is by no means that which could be desired, or which might reasonably be expected. The movement to which we make reference is undertaken with the view of inducing these ill-conditioned spirits to conform to something like the usages of good society. Those who have initiated it purpose summoning a conference of spirits of all kinds, good and bad, and after placing the matter fairly before them, and appealing to the better nature of the culprits, invoke the aid of the better sort to act as a kind of police of the spiritual world, and keep their rowdy and vicious brethren in order. Sending missions to Booriboolah Gha is nothing to this. These reformers, more enterprising than Alexander, begin the con quest of another world before they have quite completed that of th* first.

To the Editor : Sir, —In answer to the letter in your last night's paper 1 beg to in form "Parent" that some time during the early part of the year I received a circular from the Board of Education, iv which Jt was informed that questions to test the progress of the pupils would be prepared and sent to all the common schools of the proviuce, and that this test examination would take place iv December. Fully believing that this pro gramme would be carried out, and being daily in expectation of these papers, I made no arrangements for any other examination. The school committee are therefore entirely blameless in the matter.—Yours, &c, Pjjter Leonard. The latest English telegrams inform us of tbe death of Thomas Miller, known as the basketmaker poet, who was born on the 3lst August, 1808. In some respects Miller was an "unfortunate man, although he made a name in literature. He was a native of Gainsborough, in the county of Lincoln, where his father carried on the business of a wharfinger, and owned several vessels. When Thomas was four years old bis father went to London on business, and was never again heard of. The mother was loft a ' widow in very poor circumstances, and at ten years of age the future poet and writer of rural life went to live with a farmer at Thornock, and while in that position he had opportunities of acquainting himself with the beauties of nature in ihe woods and tields, and which impressions he reproduced in bis numerous books, especially in his "Day in tho Woods," and "Rival sketches." Miller subsequently learnt the art of basket-making, and, soon after his marriage, he went to London to follow that pursuit. He buffered a good deal of poverty in London, and was in ihe habit of standing on Saturday even ings with a row of baskets by tJhe side of^ the pavement at Whitecbapel aud in the West minster Bridge road. One evening a stout lady, with an aristocratic bearing, i spected his rustic stock, and fixed upon one which she purchased. She ordered half a dozen of the same design and character, to be ready on the following week. Miller' recognised his customer as the Countess of Blessington, and in one of the baskets he enclosed a aonnet to tbe countess, which pleased her so much that she informed Samuel .Rogers of the poetical basket-maker. Rogers saw Miller, and read Miller's beautiful poem. '•The Happy Valley," the best poem that Miller ever penned, and which' will be found in Chambers' " English Literature." Samuel Rogers started Mill««-in business at No. 9, Newgate-street, London, as a bookseller; but instead of attending thoroughly to business, Miller employed his time in bookmaking, and wroie and published, some ten volumes of essays and novels such as "Fair Rosamond," "Royston Gower," and other kindred works. The result was bank ruptcy, owing to a want of practical applica tion. From that time to the period of bis death Miller has lived in Southvvark, fre quently in pecuniaiy difficulties, copending chiefly upon the sale of his books and con tributions to the " Athenffium" aud "Illus trate,! London News" for bread. During the last ten years he has occupied a small coitage at the back of Mr Spurgeon's taberracle, which he named " Rose Cottage," and where the writer of this notice la&t visited him. Miller was a fair, fresh colored man, and of an easy-going jovial disposition, He was a sober man, but might bo seen almost every evening in a snug parlour at the "Horns," Kensington, behind a long clay pipe, with a glass of ale before him. One of his best productions is his " History of tbe Anglo- Saxons." He utterly failed both as a public speaker and lecturer. The Fire-brigade met for practice last evening under command of Mr Hughes, superintendent, and made some successful ex periments. That favourite actress, Mrs Walter Hill, is now playing in Hunediu aud has recently taken a benefit which was attended by a bumper house. The Bishop of Auckland condusted an Ordination Service at St. Sepulchre's Church on Sunday last, when Mr Willis, who is to become assistant to the Rev. Mr Dudley in the pastoral charge of St. Sepulchre's congregation ; and the Rev. Mr Wal-h, who is to be appointed to the East Coast, were ordained. Ihe service was a very impressive one. Both candidates were educated at St. John's College.

Christmas presents arethetopio of the day, and among the great emporiums of gifts of the kind is the establishment of Mr Beck, jeweller, Queen.street, who has a very large and well chosen stock of all kinds of jewellery, which is offered at the very lowest pi ices, for which this establishment has for years been noted.

MADAME GODDARD'S CONCERT.

The Choral Hall was filled last night with one of tbe largest audiences we have yet seen in Auckland, upon the occasion of Madame Goddard's third "and last concert. In many respects this concert was the best of the three, whether it was tbat the performers were in better voice, or tbat use had enabled us better to appreciate them, we cannot say ; but it is a generally correct criterion of excellence in a singer, if be or she improves on a second hearing. The opening trio, " Tho Wreath" - a musical garland of evergreen beauty—was capitally rendered by Mrs timythe, Mr Skinner, and Mr Bainford. The last-named gentleman was much ap plauded in both his songs, and received a hearty encore at the close of "Bock'din the Cradle of the Deep," to which he re sponded by singing " Will o' the Wisp," which seems to be an especial favourite with himself as with the audience. Mr Skinner's songs were well chosen and well sung ; and if Bishop's '' JPilgrim of Love " failed to elicit tbe encore which, in our opinion, it really deserved tho causa must be set down to the eager impatience on the part of pur Caledonian friends (of whom a large number were present) for the piece which followed it. But of the vocalists, we were most pleased wit'; Mrs Snaytke, who sang throughout with tbe utmost smoothness and good taste. Sullivan's song was most artis tically rendered by her s and the familiar air " Merrily, over the Snow" which she gave in answer to an enthusiastic encore, appeared to please the audience greatly. This lady's voice is always nice and clear, her upper notes are particularly good, and she possesses the sensible merit of singing the music, without attempting to improve upon it by the introduction of incongruous appogiaturas and fancy notes Herr Doehler's violin was in great demand last night. The audience were not content with his exquisite performance of an '• Andante," by Spohr, until he bad supplemented it by playing "Yankee Doodle" with variations; and in the second part the " Carnival of Venice" would surely have been encored had it not been preceded by a graceful "Thema" by Hauman. Mr Harcourt Lee deserves especial commendation for tae pianoforte ac companiments, which were excellent through out. We have reserved to the last our I mention of Madame Arabella Goddard. It has been said that Beethoven's sonatas are beyond a woman's ability to execute ; that they requii c a force and fervor of expression which feminine fingers cannot impart to the piano. But anyone who heard Madame Goddard's sublime execution of Bee thoven's music last night must admit that if this rule holds good (as it does to a certain extent), the " Moonlight" sonata, composed expressly for a woman, and em bodying all the gentler characteristics of Beethoven's noble nature, is an undoubted exception to that rule. We have never listened to anything with greater pleasure than to the several movements of this grand composition, executed so charmingly by Madame Goddard. The selection of Scotch airs was received with tumultuous applause. Her performance of "Home, Sweet Horns" (Thalberg's arrangement) was thoroughly appreciated; one gentleman sitting near us being so carried away by his 'feelings as to '

demanded an encore, that Madame God dard had to return to the pi ano and drive the lesson home by nlavine "P_7a Save the Queen " with* variation* In bidding farewell to Madame Goddard we take leave to assure ber of tbe genuine appreciation with which she is regarded by the people of Auckland. Her visit to this distant port of the world, although so brief will not readily be forgotten ; and it may be a source of satisfaction to her to know that her performances in this place will leave an impression calculated to exercise a powerful influence in the direction of musical culture and improvement.

THE CONDOREN.

Everyone in Auckland recollects the excite ment caused by the arrival of the dismasted ship Condoren on the 28th September. • Few who had not watched her gradual metamor phosis at the hands of our Auckland ship. Wrights would recognise as the same vessel the finely-sparred vessel now ready to sail. It will be remembered the Condoren left Sydney for San Francisco on the 16th September, with 1,650 tons coal, and after a few days fell in with the fearful gales of the 21st and 22nd, which were felt with much severity on our coasts. The ship was com pletely dismasted and was obliged to run for the nearest port to get shelter. Captain Neigleck instructed Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane to advertise for tenders for the repairs. Several were sent in, and out of them Mr Gouk's tender of £3,753 for tie whole of the repairs was accepted. This w«s subpequently supplemented by a smaller tender of about £600, for repairs which had

been thought unnecessary under the first specifications. Now that the work is roundly speaking, completed, we will briefly glance at what has been done. Beginning at the head, the bowsprit has been lashed with chain rove through iron knees fastened iv the stem. Everything is new from tbe

foretopmast upwards, the foremast and fore yard being almost the only original spara left. On the mainmast all is new from the keel to the truck. On the mizenmast the same complete renovation is manifest, with the exceptions of the cross-jack yard, spanker Z g-iff. and boom. All the sails a'e new except the jibs, and are made of double crown and gorruck canvass. They have been made by Mr Williams. The standing rigging throughout is of wire, the lower- shrouds being 4_ inch wire, and the topmast back-stays of the same dimensions, the rest; being in proportion. Great difficulty wa3 experienced in procuring the wire, there being none of such size in stock in the city. It had, conseqaently, to be brought from Melbourne and Adelaide. It should be mentioned that this was the only, article which the resources of the port failed to supply. The running-gear and blocks have been selected from the stocks of the" various ship-chandlers of Auckland. The: ' former is of the best Manilla rope, and the latter are mostly patent and all of the latest construction. In regard to the rigging we understand that the cutting of the wire wa3 not what ie should have been in the - first place, and consequently all of it had te be refuted. This caused considerable loss of time, and has detained the ship some days longer than she would otherwise have been in the contractor's hands. Mr Gouk has, "■" bowever, seen everything left in ship-shape order and no hole can now be picked in the repairs in this respect. The spars furnished to the vessel are in accordance with the speci fications, all ot th* best heart of kauri. The ptiupipal new spars are as follow:—Mainmast 75 feet long, and 33 inches in diameter ;— tl^is is a splendid "stick" free from blemish of any kind, as hard as a rock and as -; straight as an arrow. It is entirely free from sap. Mizenmast 73 feet long by _ 24 in diameter; mainyard, 72 feet 10%, "18$ ;'~ in diameter; topsail yards (foreland main), 63 f 3et long by 16 inches. la addition to these there are, of course, the snialler upper

yards, detailed mention of • which.' is n«t necessary. A remarkable feature about these enormous spars is their entire freedom J from knots. This says much for the care of the contractor in their selection. The h_l below the water-line was not materially damaged when the ship arrived. Twelve sheets of copper renewed constitute the whole of the repairs effected in this impor tant region. On the starboard side amid ships three planks and new main channel plates have been supplied. The sides have been thoroughly overhauled and caulked* The rails and bulwarks, which were consider ably injured, are now thoroughly renewed. The main deck sustained the principal^ dam-' age in the ill usage to which the vessel's hull was subjected before she sought our harbour's shelter. The repairs to thisiiave been of an extensive nature. The planking to the ex tent of 5,000 ft. has had to be replaced owmg to the manner in whmh the falling and drift ing spars had broken and chafed the original planks. To effect this portion of the repairs the front of the cabin had to be removed. This has been replaced with entirely new materials. The whole of the hull has been painted. The masts and rigging as set up give the vessel a smart »a neat appearance, and afford a wonderful contrast to the dismantled ship which wag sig nalled on the 28tJh. of September. Competent authorities assert that, so far as her • general build is concerned, the Condoren is one of the most perfectly con structed vessels ever seen in the pert. She can be shifted with only 40 tons of ballast, and on a register of 1,067 tons will «arry a cargo of 1,750 tons dead weight, or 2,500 MM dead weight and measurement. In a teff days, probably by the 24th, the last of the removed cargo will have been re-shippeav The final survey is to be held (weather per mitting) on tho 28ih, immediately alter which the ship wiH leave for San Francuco. Captain Neigiick has expressed himselt » well satisfied with the contractors wort The ship in her renovated form will certainiy. carry with her on her departure a goo* recommendation of the port where she has found shelter and resuscitation.

COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS. This Day.

(Before George M. Mitford, Gastave T<» der Hedye, and E. Isaacs, Esqs., Justices of the Peace.)

VOTARIES OP BACCHUS. , James Fglantine was charged with drunken' ness. ako John MeGrady, an old soldier, James Pemberton, with a ruby nosej an William McDonald, and fined 10s each. VAGRANTS. _* Levi Watts, an old man, was f^ with drunkenness and vagrancy, and w being a rogue and vagabond . Prisoner said he was certainly very era ? but that was iv consequence of drinking «* » but he was not a rogue and vagabond. ■ It was proved that prisoner "<* A **L n . sober, and had been convicted of drun* ness four times within the year. Three months' imprisonment witn labour. , .. 6iD _9 John Bushel was charged with ™c offences, but repudiated the charge ot ~ a rogue. He was nothing of the kina. : Mr. Broham called Constable Grahaffl, J . deposed to taking prisoner into oaJJ^.. terribly drunken state at nine ocl^ wha t nigbt He had long.known P^f^^ork,, , is formed a loafer. &* ™. m£¥sooo* and was frequently found m dark cor , the streets at all hours of the night- 1 Detective Jeffrey spoke as to. £ 8 a8 _ no t J'l ledge of prisons's character whi» rab le 7 reputable. He described him a*^ / object He had been an eng nee*. ceised to have all connection with was ordered to prison for thr^ months with hard labour.

THE EYENINft STAft, WESDAIT, t)^CISMBER SB, WrL



VTEW SUMMER DRESS GOODS Wo have just rpened a very choice lot of NEW SUMMER DRESS GOODS, Comprising— NEW PRINTED MUSLINS, IN GEEAT VARIETY. GRENADINES. PLAIN BLACK, BLACK STRIPED, and COLOURED STRIPED GRENADINES. WHITE SATIN, STRIPED MUSLINS, CHECK MUSLINS, Eto., Etc., Etc. The above are NEW GOODS, just landed, and worthy of special attention. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE B. HOBBS,) WBOUBiU aud Retail Drapers, Clothii as JUNCTION DBAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Offer Queen - stkekt, Auckland. ■vr ew castle coal. NOW LANDING, Ex Derwskt, FOR SALE ALO.vGSIDE VESSEL, In lots to suit buyers at 34 s PE R TON, CASH JAMES W. WALLER, CUSTOM HOUSE-STREET. rr\i±- iiDUCATION TAX I A PUBLIC MEETING will be held in the Hall ol the Mechanics' Institute, on TUESDAY EVENING, December 22, 1874, at half-past 7 o'clock, to take measures and procure mean* for the-Legal Defence o, those caae-i that ate to be tried, under the preseiii Kduc»\i n Act, on ihurtday next, as funds art necessary at once All thosn opposed to this a ctar< xpected to attend prepared to contribute. Tne Rev Dr "Wallis and other gentlemen will au" dress tho meeting. ZE.DAVIDSON, aecretwy,



VTTE ARE NOW SHOWING OUR MAIL GOODS Received per s. s. Hero, Consisting of i 8 COSTUMES, : PARIS BONNETS, TRIMMED HATS, MANTLES, FEa.THER3, FLOWERS, GLOVES, &c, &0„ &o. ; Also, 72 CASES Per Zea.la.ndi A, Comprising— PRINTS, DRESSES, and MANCHESTER GOOD 3 J. COSGRAVE & CO. rTT E HAVE OPENED Per Ship HvDAsrEs: 2 2 CASES OF MEN' 3 AND B-TTS CLOTHING, PANAMA HATS, FELT DO, in Men's and Youth's Sizes. J. COSGRAVE & CO., IMPORTRRS. EDWIN HOLLOWAY AND J. TONSON GARLICK Beg to inform the inhabitants of Auckland they have purchased the Stock and Premii-es Known as THE CITY FALL DRAPKRY, CLOTHING, AND CARPET ESTABLISHMENT i UPPER QUEEN-STREET, From Messrs Cosgrave & Co., AT A LARGE DISCOUNT OFF ENGLISH COST. A SALE OF THE GOODS Will be held When that New, Extensive, and recently-imported tock, purchased from the Manufacturers of England FOR CA^H, -will be citVred to the public at IMMENSE REDUCTIONS. Drapers and StoicVeerers arc invited to attend this great Sale, as it is the intention of the proprietors to CLEAR OUT THE PRESENT STOCK, In order to mste extensive alterations in th EuUding. A splendid opportunity for Country Settlers to purchase at LOAV BATES HOLLOWAY & GARLICK, CITY HALL. TTNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. [Established 1837.] PAID-UP CAPITAL £1,250,000 RESERVE FUND £400,000 THE HIGHEST CURRENT RITE OF INTEREST ALLOWED OX FIXED DEPOSIT. J. JB. BRATHWAITE, Manager.