SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER: This evening, 411; to-moirow taouung, 4.35 BUjy-s«'.c . This evening, 5.57; BTTN-KISE: To- BKiwov? mosrnlTig, 6.15 MOON'S AGE • Full moon; 2nd April, 10.58 a.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

_ AEETVALS. Hylton Castle, barque, Scott, from London

DEPARTURES.

pretty Jane, s s., for Gisborne and Napier Murray, s.s., for Eufsell Ladybird, s.s., for the South

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

■Kansatira, for Sydney and Melbourne, about the 3rd April - ... .1" ■ tro-ahcad, s.s.. for U'aitara (from Manukau) J^ngol, s.s , for Southern ports, via East Coast, early ■mndostan, ship, for London, early yueen of the Age, for "Newcastle, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Jvi onßol, s.s., from Kand avu, with English Mall JJuebe. s.s., from the South, early ' Rangatira. s.s., from Sydney, about 31st instant Derwont, brig, f rom Qamaru Coronet, schooner, from Tahiti Serene, brig, from Dunedin ' i'■■.■: ■• '-' Pacific,-schooner, from Lyttelton. Sailed March 26 prince Alfred, barquentine, from Hobart Towd, early schooner, from New Caledonia JUanan Kennie, schooner, from Levuka, via Suva J^mpreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 ship, from London. Sailed Dec 20 ■uorette, ship, from London. Sailed January 14

The s.s. Pretty Jane took her departure tor Gisborne and Napier this afternoon with a full cargo and the following passengers :— Mrs Cooper and child, Miss Cooper, Messrs Moss, A. Corbitt, and T. T. Kelly. The s.s. Murray sailed for Russell this afternoon with a general cargo and several passengers. ■ The schooner Swallow has cleared for Mer cury Bay with a cargo of stores. The ship Queen of the Age cleared out to day for Newcastle in ballast. The barque East Lothian has had the needful repairs done, to her copper. The work was executed while the vessel was lying close in shore without putting, her on the gridiron. She is now moored again in her old berth outside the main T.

The ship Norham Castle was this morning hauled away from her late berth outside the mam T. of the wharf, and has been moored alongside the new western T. The alteration has been made to leave the main T clear for the Mongol, now due from Kandavu. ■' The s.s. Ladybird, Captain Andrews, left the Manakau for the South this afternoon. She takes a large general cargo and the fol lowing passengers :—Mr. Hugh Carleton, M.P.C., Messrs. Lackland, Luke, Cass, Cardwel], Brown, Mrs Bacon and two child ren, Mr J. E. Phillips, Mr J. Shoolbridge, Miss Champion, Miss Whitmouth, and a few others booked at Onehunga. ; ■':

IMPORTS.

Per barque Hylton Castle, from London: 9 cases, E. and H. Isaacs ; 125 cases, Henderson, Macfarlane, ' and Co. ; 20 boxes,, order; 11 cases, 4 bales, Stewart and Anderson ; 108 cases fastners, Minister of Public Works; 50 half-hhds, 51 cases, Brown, Campbell and Co. ; 1 truss. 1 case, J. Slatter, Esq. ; 2 pkgs, E. Wayte'; 5 casks, Wm, Sellars; 18 cases, 1 cask, Auckland Gas Company ; 10 cases, Brown, Campbell and Co. ; 1 case, 4000 fire bricks, 21 bundles, 36 castings, Thames Gas Co. ; 6 cases, IS bales, 3 casks, E. and H. Isaacs ; GS casks, 14 barrels, 15 cases, 17 bales, W. Phillips .& Son;' 2000 rail joints, 1 case tools, 5 crossings, 10 check rails, llGcases, Minister of Public Works ; 3 bales, E. Porter & Co. ; 9 cases, Combes and Daldy ; 1 casej Captain Fenton; 3 cases, order; 4 do., E. and H. Isaacs; 1 barrel, Jas. Davies ; 20 crates, order; 8 bales, 12 drams, R. Lusk; 10 bales, order ; 1 bale, R. Neal; 11 pkgs., W. Eattray ; 15 cases, Eushbrook and Bridgeman ; 28 cases, order ; 15 cases acids, order ; 2 cases, 2 casks, Hamilton Brothers ; 5 cases, E. & H. Isaacs ; 2 cases, order; 1,605 rails, Minister of Public Works ;10 qr. - casks, Lewis Brothers ;,60 casks, 14 qr.-casks, order; 3 cases, W. Craig- 2 cases, 67 cases, order; 4 casks, 2 bales, 520 sash weights, J. 6J. Dickey ; 1 cask, 90 J-casks, Watt Bros. ; 1 cask, 22 coils, 12 bales, J, S. Macfarlane ; 81 boxes, 9 cases/ 1 do. spies, Union Sash and Door Company; 2 cases, order; 6 do , Lewis Bros.'; 10"do., Winks and Hall; 13 do., Union Sash and poor Company ; 3 bales, 4 cases, Smart and Co.; 228 kegs, 3 chains, 10 cases, 3 bales, 40 boxes, 56 kegs, 36 pgs, order; 7 cases, ,3 ; casks^ .M; Montague ; 3 cases, E. and H. Isaacs; 22 casts, J. B. Francis ; 5 cashes, W. Eattray ; 299 bags salt, 25 caseVaO' bales,- 40 'trunks, Lewis Bros.; 16 cases, 14 casks, 6 brrls, 7 bags, order; 40 cases, Browri, and ; ,Campbell; 20 do E. and H: Isaacs ;.229 doißrown Camp bell and Co.; 6 ewes, order • 3 pkgs, DrPayne 1 case, 2 bales, Gane and Sturges ; 36 bales, 67 cases, J. Gosgrave arid Co. ; 3 cases acids, 2 drums naphtha, 1,6 cases, 11 casks, 9 pkgs, 1 hhd, 2 bales, order,; 30. pkgs,, 20 barrels, 12 drums,' 21 cases, 107 boxes, W. Phillips and Son; 100 lots wire, 42 pieces, 1 cask, 8 fire irons, 30 bundles fronts, 8 yacht stoves, 12 dumpy do, 5 stop do, 2 cabin do, 2 chamber do, 2 crab wenches, S bundles backs, 3 boilers, 5 tierces, 26 cases/ 6 garden rollers, 6 do handles, 2 puncheons, 1,235 bars iron, 45 bundles tubes, 32 casks, 1 block, 29 kegs, 1 hhd., 3 wheels, 1 cylinder, T. and S. Morrin; 136 cases, 18 trunks, 19 pgs, 4 parcels, 13 bales, 1 bale samples,, A. , Clark and Sons ; 100 cases, 31 bales, 1 case samples, McArthur' Shera and Co.; 4 cases, E. Wayte ; 168 cases, 1 cask, order; 5 casks, J. and J. Dickey; 1 case, Henderson, Macfarlane and Co.; 5 cases, Owen and Graham; 4 cases, order ; 1 bale, 2 cases, order ;1 case, 5 casks, Ireland Bros.; 4 wheels, 2 axles, Eraser and Tinne.—New Zealand. Shipping .Co., Agents.

COMMERCIAL.

• CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST. Calls. ; ■'

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close ab Under :— For Thames, on Monday next, at 10.30 a m. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowenn on Monday next, at 3 p m. For Napier and Southern provinces, six hours after arrival.

N.B.- Mails for the United Kingdom, Fiji, Sand wich Islands, and Continent of Europe via San Francisco, will be despatched from this ofllce on Monday, 13th April.

(9 igned) S. B. Bthp, Chief Postmastoir.

BIRTH.

Grattan. —On March 21, the wife of Andrew Grattan of a son.

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

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 1874.

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

We yesterday alluded with brevity to the attempt made by the Cross to snub down the Teachers' Association. Without desiring to be unjust or disrespectful to our contem porary we must say that this is rather characteristic. If it were Mr. Vogel or any ;one in authority or power our contemporary would be delighted to fall down and do '' obeisance, and in such servile fashion as to offend, all good taste. But because it is the movement of teachers, a class of persons ; who however deserving occupy a species of ;dependent position, our contemporary in ■dulges in that sneering tone towards them >s supposed inferiors which is the mark of true snobbery. Our contemporary lectures teachers on their presumption in assum ing " the position of advisers-general to Pro vincial Councils and Boards of Education" because in the most becoming manner they ihave been discussing, matters with which they are confessedly conversant, and offering an the most respectful way the fruits of jtheir experience in their own profession. And why should they not become such advisers - general? Is the Provincial Council, is the Board of Education so familiar jwith the details of the profession of teaching as to be above learning from such an asso eiation of teachers ? Is there any one, or at' least is there any number in the Provincial Council or Board of Education who have had kuch familiarity with the details of the pro fession as to be able to afford to reject the information and advice of such an associa tion of practical educationists. Our con temporary may depend upon it that none but the ignorant ever demean themselves in this fashion, and unless we misunderstand both the members of the Provincial Council and of the Board of Education they are nob the men to ; be guilty of such snobbery as to resent such counsel or snub the Association by saying that they " consider themselves quite as good judges on such questions as any Schooj Teachers' Association can possibly be." And furthermore we will go so far as to say, with out any disrespect to either Provincial Coun cil, Board of Education, "or any other 1 man," that there are in that Associa^ tion members who hold as |high evidence of literary culture as the average in either the Provincial Council or Board of Education, and a very large number indeed who have more literary culture than any one connected with the literary department of our contemporary, -and quite as much as that of any of the many " able editors" connected with New Zealand journalism. Our contemporary has only afforded another exhibition of that exceedingly bad taste which.

h only too prevalent, and which in the case of the multitude-not of course in the case of our contemporary—is simply the outshoot of ignorance. We refer to the tendency to speak slightingly of the teacher of youth. Every one knows that among country bum kins it is the fashion to make jokes at the ' schoolmaster—especially behind his back. This is simply the small revenge of the igno ramus on the superiority of the educated man and his way of gratifying his own self esteem. And every one knows that the higher we ascend in literary culture the more respect do we find for a man engaged in the honor" able work of tuition. A purse-proud man, who has risen from dirt, treats his governess or his tutor as a menial. An educated em ployer, on the contrary, treats them as members of his family. We do not attribute such taste to our contemporary, but it is certainly pandering to this low and vulgar taste of the mob when our contemporary devotes a leading article to a feeblo attempt at snubbing a profession that with all right thinking men is regarded as one of the most honorable on earth. So much for the tasto of our contemporaxy.

We would refer to the arguments made use of by the Southern Cross in yesterday's lead" ing article against the proposals of the Teachers' Association, and offer a little criticism on the logic of this censor of educa tion. Our contemporary is opposing the proposal "That the appointments of teachers to schools under the Board be made by the Board of Education, with the approval of the local school committees." And this is the argumentation of our contemporary :—

Now, if the teachers wished to elevate the local committees to all but .absolute power over the schoolmasters this is exactly the change they ought to desire. At present school committees appoint to the vacant masterships in their own schools, but no ap pointment is good until the Board is satisfied with the appointment and has confirmed it. It ought not to require the training of a schoolmaster to enable any one to see that the confirming or disallowing body must inevitably hold the reins of power.

The conclusion at which our contemporary arrives is embodied in the latter paragraph. " The confirming or disallowing body must inevitably hold the reins of power." There are some minds that should never generalise. They are capable it may bo of seeing distinctly what is presented to the eye at one time, but nature did not fit them for

grouping. Our contemporary meant to teach that the committees if deprived of the power of appointing teachers, and in vested merely with the power of dis allowing the Board's appointment, has a greater power than before. This might have been debated on its own merits, but when our contemporary generalises he throws a light on the subject that shows the utter weakness of the position. " The confirming or disallowing body must inevitably hold the reins of power." Then who we might ask has most to do, practically holding the reins of power, inmoukling and making our laws ? The Governor or the General Assembly? The Queen ortheParliainent? Our contempo rary is simply talkincnonsense. The whole com" plexionof our laws is given by the two houses of legislature, and the disallowance is. but rarely exercised by the Governor. And so it would be in the appointment of teachers. The whole complexion of the position and relations of the teachers would be derived from the appointing body, and the disallow ance would be so rarely exercised that it would be scarcely perceptible. It is true the committees, with power of disallowance, could stop all appointments, and so could the Governor stop all legislation, but in neither the one..case nor. the other would this result. But if our contemporary could only ascend with us to higher motives we would venture to say that our teachers in discussing' this question are • looking to considerations higher than the relative value of the masters under whom they are to serve. Itseemsto us that the character and efficiency ;of the teachers who may be appointed ar e ■involved in the question from what hands will those appointments be conferred. Will teachers come from above or from below ? Will they receive this mark of approval from the Central Education Board and from education officers having cognizance of the educational acquirements of all the teachers in the province, or will the selection be made by men such as those who constitut !the majority of local committees throughout ,the province ? Will the appointment be made because of the knowledge^ skill experience, and proved efficiency of teachers, or will it be made because a man is a " well-meaning man" or has a large family, or is unfit for any other employ ment, or has won the favor of the local nabob . or for any of the thousand and one reasons that have won appointments from local boards ? Will the disposal of all the teachers throughout this great province be left to those who know all about it, or to those who haphazard have found their ways to local prominence ? In a word, willcultivated men and women be sent down to elevate the masses, or will the common schools of the country be filled with the maimed, and the halt, and the lame, and the blind ? These are the questions that have engaged the deliberation of the Association, these are the questions that occupy the minds Of thoughtful educationists, these are the ques tions for fathers and mothers o:f Auckland to consider, and they will not be solved by the flippant twaddle of the SouUern Cross.

Prom telegrams received in town§ to-day we learn that His Honor the Superintendent is m close communication with the Cabinet in Wellington, but that he will not have so far completed his business as to return bo fore the end of next week.

We have just seen a memorial intended for presentation to His Excellency praying for the remission of the punishment imposed on Mr Dornwell. We feel ie painful to array ourselves on the side opposed to any man in suffering and craving assistance, but we say that such a memorial is a disgrace to Auckland. If Mr Dornwell had been a poor man there would have been no suchmemorial. We know that there is a feeling abroad that such a punishment is too severe for a man in his position, but we assert that it is in the highest degree impolitic for any countenance to be given to the belief—all too prevalent— that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor. The memorial says " Prisoner has for a long time carried on a large business in thecity," "he is of an irritable temper," the brutal kick that mighthavecausedhisvictim's death was the " result of a momentary out burst of passion and hot blood," and it winds up by saying again that the prisoner is " at the head of a large wholesale and retail business." And these are the reasons for the re-mission of punishment ! Had Dornwell been a poor devil without a coat on his back "Servehim right j" but because for3oothhe "is at the head of a large wholesale and retail business" he may with impiinity inflict a kick in such a position as makes it almost always fatal. He is of an "excitable temper !" indeed. It was " a momentary outburst of passion," and "hot blood" it was. We are really ashamed of Auckland. This contemptible respect for a man because he has got a little money would almost make a saint swear ; and we vow that if we get hold of this me morial when it is fully signed we shall pub lish and hold up the names of the signers to public scorn. Mr Beckham has acted like a good man and true, and an upright judge, in showing himself no respecter of persons, and we mistake Sir James Fergusson if he will prostitute the Queen's prerogative in deference to the position of the " head of a large wholesale and retail business" in Auck land.

To the Editor of the STAtt : Sir, —A man was on Thursday last sent to gaol for three months for stealing a Gorman sausage. I would recommend that a memorial be got up for his pardon ratlior than for the pardon of Mr. Dornwcll.—Yours, Fustian.

Up to the time of our going to press there was no .sign of the yacht Blanche with his Excellency the (Governor. AVhat wind there has been during the day has been favorable, but it has been so light that supposing the weather to have been the same outside as in the harbour there is little chance of his Excellency being signalled to-night. Our Volunteers and yachtsmen who intended to give a loyal welcome to Sir James Fergusson on his arrival are much disappointed. A lecture on "Natural and Personal In fluences" was delivered last evening before the "Bettor Prospect Mutual Improvement Society," Wellington-street, to a full au dience. The lecture was full and interesting, and tended to shew that the great reforms, inventions, and discoveries of the world originated in individual minds. Mr Clarke occupied the chair. At its close a vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Gazo, and seconded by Mr. Miller, was unanimously accorded to the lecturer. Papers were promised on future Friday evenings, by the secretary, on " Nothing ;" by Mr. Carbines, on " St. Paul ;" by Mr. Salmon, on "Dancing and its Associations j" and by Mr Miller (subject not named).

To the Editor.—Sir—A writer in the Herald seems to think our City Council have no power to pass a by-law regulating Theatres. Surely all the Corporate towns in England do so, and why should we desire to place the power to make such laws in the hands of principally the country representa tives in the Provincial Council rather than our city representatives in the City Council ? Police supervision and the public safety and comfort demand that some stringent regula tions are necessary, and they had far better bo considered and made law under our own observation than becoming law at Welling ton, when we mostly know little of the Acts passed until they are approved of, more particularly as all the City Bye-laws have to be approved of by the Superintendent and Executive Council. Probably nine members of the City Council would exercise as wise a discretion as nine members of any other of many governing bodies we are blessed with. —Yours, &c., J. T.

The Naval Volunteers had a good muster last evening at the Drill-shod under Lieu tenant Bartlett, and went through their practice with much credit. The Hobsons tnet at the Catholic Institute last evening under command of Captain Burns, and per formed their evolutions in a commendable manner. It was about two o'clock on Friday morn ing that Mrs Maguire, thinking she heard a noise in the kitchen, crept out of bed and to that room to see if it was not Maguire, who had been expected for several hours. On reaching the kitchen she found her lord and master sitting on the floor, with his new silk hat in between Mb knees, and in the hat several dried herrings and about two quarts of water. Maguire was eyeing the mixture with profound gratification. "Peter Ma guire," screamed the lady, "what are you doing ?" "Me ?" inquired Mr Maguire, with a look of surprise. "Why, Matildy, I'm (hie) starting (hie) an aquarium for you at Christmas."

Divine service to-morrow (Sunday) at the Newton Kirk by the Rev. Dr. Wallis. in the morning, "The different comings of Christ;" evening, "The errors of Plymouth Brethrenism exposed." City Hall, by the Rev, War low Davies, M.A., morning, " A sermon to Children;" evening, "The Sab bath Question." Lome-street Hall, by the Rev. Samuel Edger, 8.A., morning, '•Con secration ;" evening, "The reality and meaning of Hell." Newton Hall, morning and evening. In the evening Captain Peek will preach his farewell sermon at this hall previous to his departure for England. Services as usual at Edwardes-street, by the Rev. W. Tinsley ; Cook-street, by Mr. E. Carr ; Baptist Church, Wellesley-straet, by the Rev. P. H. Oornford (pastor) ; Sheri dan-street, by Mr. Smith.

"Landlord," said a transient guest at a cross-roads tavern, as he drew near the end of his dinner, "won't yon give me a little more pork to eat with this potatoe?" A little later he said : '' There was more pork than'l wanted; let me trouble you fora1 I little more potatoe to eat with the pork." And shortly after: "Well, I declare, I've got some more potatoe left, and it seems a pity to leave it—just a small piece more of pork, if you please." It ran on so for. some time. At length the landlord stopped short in front of his guest and remarked : '' Look • here, stranger, 'taint no use. I'm willing to do anything in reason to make that pork and potatoe come out even, but I've made up my mind the way you eat it can't be did. Your bound to lap over on one or the other every time. Now just make up your mmd which you'd ruther leave, and leave it and quit. I've got enough pork and potatoes, but if you'll keep on you'll bust."

The pile of warehouses being built in Cus tom-house-street for Messrs. L. D. Nathan is now all but finished. The exterior of the new building is plain but solid looking, quite the correct thing for stores for heavy goods. The string line of the front and the achitraves are as simple as possible. The bricks of the outer walls are faced with stucco. The de sign was supplied by Mr Keals, and the con tracting'is being carried out by Mr Rhodes. Someof theinternal arrangements deserve at tention, the designer having succeeded in in troducing some important features which, al though common enough in builings at home, are very often wanting in Auckland shanties. The building as it stands at present can be used as one store or four. It is divided in com partments, and leading from each of these into the adjoining compartment is an archway on each storey. As it is more than likely that the building will be let at first in por tions, these archways are at present bricked up, but the stopping can be removed at a few hours notice. Another important object effected is the dissemination of water pipes all over the buildings. These connect with large tanks fitted on the roof, and should be very useful for putting out fire promptly, in addition to other purposes. Half our large conflagrations might be prevented were a few buckets full of water obtainable when the element first seizes its victim. It is while people are jangling where to go for water that the precious opportunity is lost, and then the flames have got the mastery, and no amount of water can stop them. Provision is made in the flooring for the very heaviest goods being stored. All the girders are iron fastened, and the joists are 14 inches in depth, and only 18 inches apart. Messrs Holdship and Co. have already bespoken one of the stores. It will be ob served that progress is being made with the restoi^ation of the large stores adjoining Mr Binney'a store in Queen-street. Both Messrs Stone Bros, and Captain H. Anderson are to have extensive business premises raised on the ruins, and the foundation walls are already built up. These are of the very strongest description, consisting as they do of solid scoria blocks cemented with Portland cement,

and having a thickness of three feet. Mr Keals is also the architect in this instance,

and Mr Rhodes the contractor. A singular discovery was made during some excavating which was going on here a days ago. Portions of the piles of the old wharf were come across at a depth of a few feet below the surface. All old residents re collect distinctly when this parb of the cifcy was portion of the harbour, and was in the same state as the intake. The wharf then came right up to the corner of Fort street. The designs of these new buildings are slightly more asnate than the style adop ted for the Custom-house-street stores. The architraves will bejadorned with some tracery work, while the windows will be supported by pannelling. The string lines also wil Ibe somewhat different. The stipulated time for finishing these buildings is the ISth July.

The new building in Custom-house street adds considerably to the ap pearance of the harbour frontage of the city, and wo sincerely trust that it willnot be long before some further steps are taken to give a more sightly appearance to this street. No measures will be thoroughly effective till the beastly hole called the intake (or as it should be called the take-in) is filled up and turned to some useful account. Typhoid fever h, we are told, prevalent, and yet no voice is raised among, our city quas ior.i and mdiles against this intolerable nuisance. Now and again the matter is referred to in the Harbour Board, but it is referred to some committee or other, and and then no more is heard of it. But the subject is one that sickens in our nostrils. It is a curious fact that there are two or three most important works which, outside the little clusters of wiseacres who have

to see to their carrying out everybody is agreed should be accomplished, and yet all the people of Auckland gettowards it is the almighty talk. The Carandinis had another good house last evening, .and received many gratifying signs of approbation from the audience? The lively chorus, " Away, the Morning's breaking, " from Balfe's celebrated opera, opened the proceedings. Madame Carandini sang "It is not form," and "Thou art gone from my gaze like a beautiful dream," in her own appreciative and happy manner. Miss Fannie favoured the audience with the simple air, but delightful in its simplicity, "Alas ! those Chimes," and the always welcome "Murmur of the Shell," a song suggested to the writer's mind by one of the sweetest passages in "Wordsworth's '' Excursion." Miss Lizzie gave ''Aye Maria" and "The birds were telling one another," the last a light-hearted ditty of an airy character, apparently breathing of green trees in such a place as the poet would call a "Wilderness of Sweets." Miss Isabella sang very effectively " Once, again !" Mr. Gordon was loudly applauded at the finish of his glorious songs, " Speed my Bark " and " Mark—the Blacksmith's Son." There is a healthfulness and robustness in these songs which well accord with Mr. Gordon's powers, and bring out the. full meaning of the songs. Mr Sherwin rendered valuable aid to the ladies in the several part songs by his mellow tenor voice. Mr Cotterell was highly amusing in his scientific lecture on signs and symbols, and other little matters in connection therewith Mrs Meals was in her best moods, and discoursed admirably on the intense passions.

Mr. Joseph May announces his intention of taking a political tour through the settle ment of Papakura, Wairoa, Bombay, Puke kohe, Wamku, Mauku, and Howick, com mencing on the 31st instant, with the view of expounding his political sentiments to the settlers in those outlying districts.

A soiree and concert will be given on Mon day evening next in the Ponsonby New Hall in connection with All Saints'. Tea will be on the table at half-past six, and the concert will commence exactly at eight. The lead ing singers and musicians of the oity will give their aid towards making the venture a : success. Mrs Wooley will preside at the piano, and perform several soloa j she will also sing the much-admired duet "Mv Pretty Page," in company with Mr Howden Messrs Cruickskank and Connell will perform on the piano and violin. Miss Lizzie" Caran dim has kindly consented to sing "The Exile," a charming production, and to take part in the famous duet, " Povero Cor" with Mr Blaydes We notice further that Miss Leat will take part in the concert, and other ladies and gentlemen. The band will also play several choice musical selections. The following letter received from a gentle man temporarily residing at Otahuhu illus trates the advantages of not advertising in the Star—" Sir, I find by your paper last night that the steamer Star of the South left for Levuka on Thursday evening This in timation was the first I had heard of the vessel's intended departure, although having determined to proceed by her to fevuka °I had carefully looked over your paper from day to day. Is it possible that the company are too niggardly to advertise their steamers ? inelossor my passage-money alone would" I suppose, have paid for advertising the Levuka trips for a twelvemonth, and surely such a system must have resulted in others being left in the same way.—Yours *,

The members of the Auckland Gymnasium Club met last evening in the Provincial hotel for the first time this season. Mr Whitaker was voted to the chair. The business con sisted in fixing the scale of members subscrip tions, and the election of officers for the ensuing year. The sums were fixed at 7s 6d per quarter, 12s Gd per half-year, and 20s per annum. Mr Hopkins, the secretary, received a vote of thanks for his continued exertions in favor of gymnastics, and with a similar recognition of the chairman's services the meeting closed.

A letter got into our last evening's issue through an oversight, which is evidently written by a person bearing no friendly feel ing for Mr F. H. Lewisson, and who is pre pared to gratify his spleen at any sacrifice of truth. The letter referred to the promised Christmas gift, and was intended to lead the public to the conclusion that Mr Lewisson had failed to fulfil his pro mise in relation to that gift. The charge was wholly unjust. Owing to Mr. Lewisson's absence at the South the drawing of the gift was delayed, but immediately on his return a notice was inserted announcing the event and inviting all ticket-holders to attend at his shop on Wednesday last at four o'clock. This advertisement appeared in our Tuesday's issue. Two Auckland mer chants drew the tickets, and the holders of No. 1,121 was declared the winner. That number was advertised in Thursday's Star. In the many yeara during which Mr Lewisson ha 3 carried on business here he has never laid himself open to a charge of pro mising what he did not carry out ; and upon the eve of his departure such an insinuation as that contained in " Sold Again's" letter is mean and demisable.

We noticed on the what' this morning a singular looking lot of good's la*M shipped on board the Hindostan for London. TncJ c were a number of trunks of the tree fern of the class cyailiea dealhaia. There were nearly a hundred of them, each about 9 feet long and as thick as a man's thigh. To all appearance they were as dead as they could be, but we are informed that previous shipments have arrived in England, and, after being planted, have burst out into leaf, taken root, and grown beautifully. The present shipment is made by Mr. Mclndoe, from the Waitakerei dis trict, and is consigned to Mr. Stevens, of King-street, Covent Garden.

We observe that Mr Noah Wood and family will lie among the passengers home ward bound by the good ship Hindostan, commanded by Captain E.obert Peek. Mr Wood leaves on account of ill health, think ing that the colder climate of his native land may possibly improve his physical constitu tion. It is due to Mr Noah Wood to say that he has been most assiduous while in Auckland in his endeavours to advance the public good by advo cating the principles of sobriety and imparting religious instruction in Sunday schools. It is meet, therefore, that his friends should publicly recognise his labours previous to his departure from these shores.

The maintenance of an efficient staff of water-police in every port is a duty which is incumbent upon the Government. Sailors in port want a great deal of looking after, and yet as a rule they are able to break the peace of the community with greater im munity than any other portion of her Majesty's subjects. Again, if proper guardians arc not provided the valuable pro perty which is often obliged to be exposed on the wharf and on the quays is subjected to the danger of pillaee. It is therefore oi con sequence that not only should the water constables be sufficiently numerous to protect the district under their charge, but they should be reliable and respectable men. Now in Auckland we have only two water policemen, one a sergeant and the other a constable. There is a night policeman in addition, but these are all avail able for day work. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with intermissions for dinner and the contingency of extension to any hour should anything turn up and require it. These hours are very|exacting, and do not give a man a fair chance of attending to his private affairs. We are led to these remarks by the announcement of the*resignation of Sergt. Baker on the ground of being overtasked. This is not the case of a lazy fellow giving up a billet because he has to work, but it is the case of a good public servant being com pelled to seek employment in another sphere through the ill-advised economy of the powers that he. Might not another water constable be appointed with advantage ? In this way [each of them would be able to devote some time to his domestic affairs—a duty quite as incumbent upon a public officer as looking after his business. It would also lead to an improvement in the distinction which at present exists between the rank of sergeant and constable. The rank of sergeant should be invested with more surperiorty than that implied in (the fact of a shilling a day more pay. Were there two constables instead of one the pre sent absurd equality would not exist, and, while both constables and sergeant would be equally benefited by the change, the public security would be much better provided for, and the addition would not even then bring the staff up to the strength of past and less busy times.

The City East School (St. Paul's, Eden Crescent), which, since the first of Novem ber last has been under the head-masters hip of Mr. Worthington, has now the large number of 294 pupils on the roll. Of these, 273 were present during the month of March, and the present average attendance is 210. The teachers speak more hopefully than at Christmas of the condition of the school, although we are informed progress is still hindered by the irregular attendance of many of the scholars. Sickness has been partially the cause of this irregu larity, but there is too much reason to fear that parents alone are to blame for the greater portion of it. There will be a week's vacation at Easter, after which work will be resumed, and it is hoped that this cause of complaint will be removed.

The public meeting convened for yesterday afternoon to arrange for a suitable reception to the Volunteer representatives on cheir return from the colonial firing was not well attended, no doubt owing to the incon venience of the hour. It was therefore ad journed till this evening, at eight o'clock, when it will take place at the Mechanics' Institute. We trust there will be a good attendance, and would especially urge upon Volunteers the duty of attending and giving their comrades a suitable reception.

Mr Sam Menden, the well-known Man chester millionaire, recently sold some pic tures for which he had no room, and possibly wanted the cash. These "superfluities" fetched £150,000. Amongst them was Landseer's "Otter Hunt," which went for £6000. If was afterwards re-sold to Baron Grant for £SOOO, and it is now stated that Messrs. Agnew, the dealers, have offered the Baron £10,000 for his bargain.

Pekin is well known to the outer barba rians of Europe as a city of magnificent drains, in which is {stored the sewerage of several dynasties. It is, perhaps, at this present moment the dirtiest city in the dirtiest country in the whole, world, whatever it may have been in the days of the Chow dynasty or of any dynasty whose Emperors flushed the dram regularly.

We haveli«ard that it ksW^^ that the « Good Templar's P^J>*ft | appeared in a recent issue of the V Whicli I the product of a pm connected J§ J» vffi office. We are willing, to bear thi» If sins and never shirk the re JLV^ 1 of our acts, but no on & ™2 ?% any way with this office had 2? * do with it except in printing ft tg '& - writer who is prominently connect th& !' the cause in Auckland, and who J* jth stand does not conceal the authors^ &" are free to admit that we have rmJkJ®* to the propriety of its publication. We learn that Captain Holmau k behaved so badly in his somewhat iS?* departure as was at first anticipated Irl Hesketh and iiichmond are quite in*1 to pay all just costs in connection S^ late trial, money having been left ft?J pupose. It appears that the ski DD ! H suited his solicitors regarding his a *' to leave for Fiji, and thfy^fc him that there was nothing to debft? if the costs and any outstanding Hahi^ i were satisEed. It is mentioned in on<2? morning papers that Captain Holman 1 saulted the second officer of the Anas-i ' I ' prior to his departure, and that a ffa i had been issued for his apprehension Th is quite untrue. ' xniJ The barque Hylton Castle arrived fZ London this afternoon after a passage of n» day from the Downs. She brings a lar» eca , and two passengers, one of whom isVuf ; pherson, who versed in all the secrets of tt I chase comes to hunt wild dogs atifcS I He is a true Hie'lander, and as tv I vessel floated into the waters o { a Waiiwmata he appeared in all the elmrJ his native costumeion the poop, ai f d £J I the shores resound with the striwlT, of the bagpipe. The Scotch boat^S took our reporter off to the vessel c 2 ¥ | g^rcely restrain his feelings. ,: I

A PrO"n> ial Government Gazette C& published to-day' notifying that the Pro! vincial offices will be CioJe(i from Thursday evening next, re-opening On Tuesday (^ 7th proximo, being the Easter holidays Notice is given that pheasants shall be " open to be hunted, shot, taken, or killed" during the months of May, June, and July and native game, except curlew, during the months of April, May, June, and Joly, timber licence has been issued to C. J. Stone under the Timber Flotage Act for tho right to use Kauwaeranga Kiver. The Gazdte contains the City Improvement Commi&. sioners' accounts, and various minor notifica tions. It seems to be quite a common practice now-a-days with the habitues of the Police Court to assume a temporary respectability by giving in some well-known citizen's name in place of their own, i ■~ young woman charged with brawling ia West Queen-street on Tuesday last lad no ' less than three names to choose from, yet^ she preferred that of an amiable and highly*,. I esteemed neighbour of curs, Mr Sibhk This, \ virago was blessed with three fathers, kt | mother having at different stages in kr career flourished as Mrs Sculbuty, •'Mis Jones, and Mrs Kelly, the fondprotecftonof the last of her amiable partners in life sh might even yet have been enjoying but thi he departed this life in purling streams A hemp in the vicinity of Mount Eden Stock ade. Possibly the youiig woman feared [ that her public debut under suck unfavorable ' circumstances might cast a stain onthe family name, and so have induced h?r, ty conceal it under the less £upnonioiis title of Sibbin ; or possibly she finds that her patronymic is appearing on the public records too frequently. Ifc is at least satisfaptojyfo \ find that she is getting ashamed of her of™ name in such juxtaposition $o the guara. room and the last residence of her lamentef stepfather ; but she ought really toexemse some taste and judgment in the choice of cognonens in future. While she is abodt \ it, she might as well appear as Lizatllau-1 taganet, Marie Stuart, or something equally j impressive ; it is quite beneath her to descend to anything commonplace. Seriously speaking | it would be well if the police inquired whether j the name given in by a prisoner is really the | right one. If we go on at the rate we are doing \ some future Clerk of the Court will turn up ) his records for the edification of the next generation to shew how their parents in the J early days of the colony figured periodically I at the large brick-house in Chancery-street. The inhabitants of Onehunga will nave an I exceptional class of entertainment on Mou> I day next, in which Mr Collier, Missßusche I and others from the Prince pf I Theatre will take part. From the programme announced an enjoyable evening may W j anticipated.

The notable and energetic Vivian Coop?. | appeared again at the Prince of Wales | Theatre, and, although the audience was not | so large as on some previous occasions, there « was a very fair attendance. The program^ was faithfully carried out, and Miss MeWuie., | and Messrs Vivian and Mason met wit" > j very pleasant reception from those, present. A rather amusing incident occurred to- , other day not a hundred miles from tw ! quiet and rural township of Don&ld, near &fc t- Aruaud (Victoria), relates the Cfanes .«w>\ dian -.—" A happy couple, just married, WJ of bashful temperament, the lady being not» for her absence of mmd, arrived at a certaia hotel the first day of her bridal tour. ;ln.W» middle of the night the lady aroused -tm. I inmate in the hotel by screaming out «^ there was a man in her room. She had Q | forgotten her marriage that morning, ana i was only after her poor unfortunate husoan had been kicked out that she happened gj recollect it."

REGISTER! REGISTER!

We would make an appeal to the people ° . Auckland to register. On Tuesday next tj door will beclosed againstaUthosewho,OT the right to a place on the electoral -m _ neglect the opportunity afforded. ■ \ franchise is so nearly one of manhood sug that it is needless to state the recite qualifications. It is such that there g scarcely one, save the rollingstone3 that ne gather moss, who may not acquire arg ■ to come to the ballot-box and take his J v in controlling the legislation of the co It is almost an absolute certainty that w rf will be a general election of &?*!&, Assembly before October twelve, ffl^,- 1 and the colony will be shaken^ its g with political earthquakes and The most dull and phlegmatic W^Xfrd cited, and the man will be very I in his own estimation, and J\ os t § so in that of others, who will t-^ , to say "I have no vote. ''JSJIftW that a stick of a man that has w » t iathis way to. accept a ngM»* an dK. | fathers bled is not worth ths coanj^ : fc influence in moulding the destinies \o country had better perhaps be,^ &re r&tf dunghill. ButwelaiowthaUhee^ best worthy people, indeed most or ; people amid all our acquaintance^ jth in the old adage that " Procrajfajj^M I soul of busines°s," and .<J»*-"Jffito put < ; maxim of the ancients, " P u' , to iay > i till to-morrow whatever you can* p et- j and it is for our respected friend o «t , suasion that we take the ferouWe g Register ! England expects v g atis faog. fe will do his duty, and besides thes ft p | of doing duty, depend |

najrymmre ma*, satttrpay. marcs 2s mi



„ . „ ,. a s. a. Date Pookey, 3rd issue ... ...0 5 0 March 30 STational Bank of N.Z. ., 0 10 0 Anril i National Bank of N.Z. .. 0 10 0 July 7 Prince Imperial.. .. ..'010 'April' 2 Jna 0 0 6 April 7 ST.Z. Shipping Co. ... ..! 0 10 0 April 7 golden Point 0 0 6 April 8 ilDorado .. ... ..0 1 0 April 8 loyal Standard 0 0 3" April fi %?S° ■- •- •• ..010 April 8 VhangapouaG.M.C. .'. ..0 1'6 April 8 re •• , •• •• ..0.10 April 13 ' Dividends. ■ > •'• ■ , !u/. PhamesGas Co 0 16 March 31



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"PUSHBEOOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE E, HOBBS), Aic now opening up, and have to arrive EX NOEHAM CASTLE, HYLTON OASTLE, INVEEALLAJST, and KOSLIN CASTLE, A Very Large and Choice Assortment op AUTUMN AND WINTER DRAPERY GOODS IN EVEEY DEPAETMENT, To which they respectfully invite attention. Theso Goods coming direct to their own order from the first Home Houses they are prepared to dispose of at LOWEST EEMUNEEATIVE SATES. Further particulars in future advertisement. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Whol ksale and Eetail Drapers, Clothiers, &o JUNCTION DEAPEEY WAEEHOTJSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) "CTpper Qtteen-S'xrhet, Auckland.



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