SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

POKI- OF AUCKLAND.

I HIGH WATISB : Thia evening, 6.38 ; to-morrow morninjr, 6.56 STXi*-BKT : This e-rentag, 4.44; BUN-BIBHJ To ttvrro* moraine. 7.16 MOON'S AGE: New moon, 14th, 630 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

I .Ruby, schooner, from Wang/irqa

DEPARTURES.

Serene, barque Sejrerman, for New York P Taranaki, s.s., WJieeler, for the South *

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

|| For East Coast—Kffie Meikle, sohooner, to-moirow jForGisborne and Napier—Pretty Jane, s.s., Wcd jj nesday I For Newcastle—Emperor, brig, at once | For London—Hylton Castle, barque, early g For Sydney and Melbourne—Hero, ss., the 13th ! instant, 2 pm. ' "'"• For Lyttelton—P.O. E, barque, early ; Prince Alfred, barquentine, early For San Francisco- Jubilee, ship, early • For a Cruise—Albion, whaling barque, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Antipo Jes, barque, from Newcastle ; sailed Ist inst Ladybird, s. s,, from the South, Suez Mail, 14th inst Victoria, s.s., from Sydney and Melbourne, early Isabella, brig, from Newcastle, early Eleanor, barque, from Newcastle, early

The following are the arrangements made in the Pan Francisco mail service for the next, outgoing and* incoming mails :—The City of Adelaide is due in Auckland about 20th instant with mails, &c, ex Mi kado, which proceeds to Sydney to be docked in consequence of groundingi at Honolulu. The City goes South and returns to Auckland on sth, proceeding direct to Sydney about the Bth July: The Macgregor, "which has been thoroughly repaired, will ar rive here direct from Sydney about 4th July. Leaves here on 6th with outward mails, &c., (brought from the South by the City of Adelaide) to be transhipped at Kan davu into the Mikado for San Francisco. Returns to Auckland about 18th July with mails ex Cyphrenes, for which she is to wait; })roceeds South, and returning leaves Auck and 3rd August for the through run for San Francisco.

The barque Antipodes sailed from New castle on the Ist inst., with a cargo of 645 tons coal.

The barque Glimpse arrived at Newcastle at the end of last month from Melbourne, and was to sail for Auckland about the sth inst., with 520 tons of coal for Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane.

The Hylton Castle has experienced some detentfon at Newcastle owing to being crowded out of a loading berth. She was to sail about the 10th.

The brig Chanticleer is advertised for freight or charter.

The fine brig Emperor cleared out to-day for Newcastle in ballast. She will take her departure as soon as possible. The ship Jubilee is taking in flax and other cargo for San Francisco. She is ap pointed to sail on Monday. The schooner Ruby brings 29,800 ft timber from Wangaroa. The s.s. Taranaki, Captain Wheeler, left Onehunga this morning for the South. She takes a general cargo and the following pas sengers :—Saloon : Messrs L. W. Eaton, A. Absolom, Broadbent, Ackland, ' Kirby, Pardy, Harper, Mrs Downie and infant, Messrs F. J. Foster, Hedley, W. Thompson, and about 10 in the steerage. A brig, supposed to be the Heather Bell, from Newcastle, is signalled as we go to

press,

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr R. Arthur's sale of poultry in the Market to-day there,was a good supply of fowl and a large attendance of buyers. Fowls sold at 9d (small) to 2s Id; Brahmas, 3s ; ducks, Is 8d to 2s; geese (fine), 4s 3d to 4s 6d; turkeys (small), Is 6d. to 3s; and a number of pigeons at 9d.

At Bettany's store we noticed some double rose butter of first-rate quality. Mr Fenton exhibited a fine display of Can terbury and Waikato bacon at lOd ; also a fresh importation of Strasburgh roll bacon, and some Lyttelton cheeee equal in quality to Somerset, which have won celebrity in the old country.

At Mr Sibbin's grocery sale to-day there | was but little business done, and only ;; average - prices, realized. On Monday; next Mr Sibbin'a sale of Sydney plants, hollies, camelias and ferns will take place, amount ing t0'450 plants, and which are now on ■ view.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mail:; wit.i, Ciosb as Cnoke:—

For Thames, tc'-morrow, at 9 SO a m For Wellington direct, Canterbury, and Otigo, per Luna, this d«y, at \ p.m. For Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, Walpu, &c, per Lady Bowen, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For San Francisco, per Jubilee, to-morrow, ai 11 a.m. For the Australian Colonies, per Hero, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at noon Late letters for Sydney and Melbourne will be received till 1.30 p.m. For Whitiangl, Tairua, Opotlki, and Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. # For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. For Napier and Southern provinces, per Star of the South, on Tuesday next, at 3 p m. For Gisborne and Napier, per Pretty Jane, on Wednesday next, at 8 p.m. : feigned) 8. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

Cox— Bbidgman—On the 11th instant, at the Bishop's Private Chapel, Parnell, by the Right Rev Bishop Cowie. Auckland. Joseph Simpson Co;;, of Grantham, England, «to Anna Jane, second daughter of Mr Richard Bridgman, Dublin, Ireland —Home papers please copy.

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 tha good that we can do

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1874.

We believo that the /proposal embodied in the report of the select committee appointed to consider the bept means of utilising the old Supreme Court site is one that will receive popular favor. While we complain of the miserable shanties that disgrace our main thoroughfare it has to a great extent been overlooked that. the most, wretched, tumbledown, ill-drained, and fever-breeding spot! is a property owned by the Government of the province, and has been maintained in an unimproved state in order that the com paratively large revenue which it is yielding to the not overflowing coffers of the Provincial treasury might not be disturbed. The; idea which has gained the approval of the members of committee is the sweep ing away of the structures that are now rotting on the ground, the thorough drainage of the land, and the erection of a splendid pile of buildings with frontages to Queen-street and Victoria-street. The lower part of this block would be divided into spacious shops, for Tvhich no doubt large rentals would be obtained. In the upper stories, and back from the main frontage provision, would be made for Provincial and City Council offices, Council Chamber and Town Hall, and frc« public library, which might bY made to

absorb the Mechanics' Institute, leav ing the money derived from the sale of the t>resent site of that institution to

be expended wholly in books. Possibly a place might also be found in which the curio sities forming the Auckland Museum would meet with a more fitting resting-place than their present one. The details of the scheme will no doubt require mature consideration and some negotiation with those public bodies who are to be invited to make use of the proposed erection, but the general scheme strikes us at once as being thoroughly in keeping with the rapid progress made lately in the architectural improvement of our city. Eegarded from a financial point of view there is every prospect of success. At present the property is completely wasted. To permit the most inferior class of shops in the city to occupy one of the most valu able sections of land in Auckland is a sacrifice of public property for which no excuse can be pleaded. Already the Pro vincial Government and the City Council are paying rent for the accommodation they require, and two good tenants therefore, are at once guaranteed. In fact, from calculations made, estimating the cost of the pile.of the pile of buildings at £40,000 there is a almost a certainty of a clear profit from the first of over £3000 towards educa tion, besides paying interest on the capital invested, and a sinking fund that will clear the property in forty years. To let the land on lease in building allotments would not realise at a liberal estimate much more than one-half that sum. Our contemporary the Serald argues against the scheme this morn ing with a remarkable kind of logic. "If," says our contemporary, "so handsome a revenue can be derived by the provincial authorities erecting a pile of buildings, private purchasers will be equally alive to the fact, and will be ready to pay in proportion to prospective profit." It surely must have struck the writer that no one will lea3e land to build except at such rates as will leave him a large margin of prospective profit, and it is precisely the sum that the ordinary lessee would receive from his investment that serves to swell the amount which the Board of Education would derive from the endowment if built upon on their account. The present Provincial Council Chamber would also become available as a further endowment for education, and would form an excellent school-building for City East. The committee's proposal is, beyond all question, the very best means for obtaining the largest possible revenue from the endowments, and we hope the Council will not allow the session to pass over Avithout placing the scheme in a fair way of being carried out within the next twelve months.

The motion proposed by Mr Carpenter in the Provincial Council yesterday, and agreed to, for an inquiry into the Provincial oyster fisheries, with a view to their preservation, is a very necessary one. A similar course has been taken by Otago with reference to the Stewart's Island oyster fisheries, which are to be closed for two years. The oyster beds near Auckland were at one time very extensive, but in many places have been ruthlessly broken up and destroyed. It is a matter of notoriety that the bulk of the oysters now brought into the market come a distance of thirty miles, while previously there were ample supplies within a very few miles of the city, which if properly worked might still have been reproductive. The ex port to the South from Auckland is now very extensive, and threatens to exhaust our supply. Living as they have always clone within reach of an ample supply tf this favourite - shell-fish Auckland people are scarcely able to understand.what it is to have to send a distance for oysters ; but they would, on the other hand, feel it the more keanly were the beds to become exhausted and the article of food which they have been accustomed to indulge in ad libitum be placed beyond their reach. The step taken by the Council yesterday will no doubt result in stopping the wholesale and unnecessary de struction of the oyster beds and secure the steady propagation of the fish in places to which they have already become habituated.

A meeting of insurance agents was held this afternoon to consider last night's attempt at incendiarism, and the best steps to be taken with the view of securing the arrest of the offender. The discussion was proceed ing at four o'clock.

The members of the legal profession in Auckland have petitioned his Honor the Superintendent .for the establishment of a criminal reformatory. The petition ex presses a belief that the existing system tends to confirm young offenders in their criminal habits. The subject is one that well merits the attention bestowed upon it by the members of the profession, who have had Ispecial opportunities for observing the evils of the present system.

The theatre -nas largely patronised last night by hundreds of persons as well as by his Honor the Superintendent, and the per formances elicited much applause. The. DeCastro family went through their feats of gymnasium with wonderful precision and quickness to the evident delight of the lookers on. ! Airec again went through bis graceful and apparently easy walk* across the ceiling, head downwards with the utmost self pos session, without which it would be impos sible to perform that astounding task. Mr Vincent and Mddle Montebello, were as usual excellent in several duets and songs, and his original song " Who'll sit for Waitemata," was a fair specimen of ready composition, and evidenced the indwelling faculty. The sketches of the several candidates for the seat of honor were unmistakable, especially that of his Worship the Mayor, and which would have made his Worship dance with joy. Mr Val Vose was equally excellent with-his garrulous companions ; and Mrs Brown was in estacies on discovering her photographer, Mr Bartlett, smiling upon her; and on seeing Mr Perkins she screamed for a nobbier of whiskey. Unfortunately, however, before Val Vose had concluded with his friends the fire-bell rang, andthe male portion of the audience ran out, when Johnny Trotter shouted with a stento rian voice "false alarm friends." Two new candidates for public favor, said to be natives of Auckland, appeared for the first time in several humourous characters, and Miss Foley danced the " Highland Fling " in a very graceful manner. It would scarcely be fair, however, to criticise them on this their first'appearance, we therefore reserve judg ment until next court day. To-night will be the last of this finished troupe in this city, and will bo for the special benefit of Mr John Smith, on which occasion a magnifi cent programme has been prepared. Mr Smith will also deliver his valedictory ad dress. The entertainment will be under the patronage of the officers of the Volunteers and the leading citizens of Auckland, and the house of necessity will be crowded.

Mr Bachelder announces that he will in troduce bis famous pantascope of a tour through America to-morrow evening in the City Hall. The paintings and scenery are of a very choice description, and will embrace many of the finest views of the towns and rivers of the States.

In the Provincial Council yesterday, Mr. |Cheeseman moved for a return of in come and expenses of the Auckland and One* hunga railway. The motion met with good support, and Was carried. The same gentle man then proposed that a sum of £100 be placed on the supplementary estimates as a grant to the library of the Auckland Insti tute. Mr. Swanson amended the motion so as to make the grant resemble the ordi nary grants to country libraries, and it was then carried. A message was received from the Superintendent asking the Council to consider a bill to enable the Superintendent to lease, sell, or exchange certain lands vested in him upon trust for the Auckland Grammar School. The Bill was read a first time.—On the motion of Mr Sheehan the question of selecting a site for tho new public slaughter house was referred to a select committee. — Mr Dargaville came forward as the champion of imprisoned debtors. He was of opinion that it was high time the barbarous practice of imprisonment for debt was abolished, and moved that an expression of the Council should be taken on the subject and forwarded to members of the General Assembly. Messrs Cadman, Carpenter and Sheehan sup ported the motion, which was carried. An attempt t» appoint a Finance Committee was not successful. Mr Dignan moved the second reading of an Education Reserve Bill for the purpose of legalising a transfer of a piece of reserved land at One Tree Hill to Dr Campbell. The Bill was considered in com mittee, and the third reading set for Tues day. The estimates were then resumed. The items considered were all passed with ont alteration, though divisions took place on the sums voted for the Inspector of Weights and Measures, and an advance to the Poverty Bay Petroleum Company.

A good story comes from Wellington. The hon. the Premier last week received a lcaah of pheasants from Auckland Great in pastry as in public works, Mr Vogel designed a pie which should be gnme to tho core. Peter Laing's skill in carrying out great designs is well known. To him the pheasants were sent, and by him tho pie was constructed. The hour of consummation and dinner at length arrived. The Premier, with one or two select friends, enjoyed sparingly their fish and soup, and with appetites whetted but not dull were Teady for the great work. It looked peculiar, the top was frosted ; still there could be no doubt. The pheasants had come from Auck land and there was the pie. Thiß was no dinner ala liusse. Tho Premier himself drove homo the knife. Could it bo ? Alas ! It was but too true, the pie was apple. Certain clerks in Government employ, who sometimes get a fruit tart from Laing's, en joyed that day a fennt that had not been ordered.— Wellington paper.

To-morrow evening the newly-organised company of players, under the management of Mr G. W. Collier, will commence a series of dramatic performances, both in tragedy and comedy, of a first rate character, in which the celebrated tragedian, Mr H. N. Douglass and Mirs Main waring will figure conspicuously. The first performance to be presented will be Selby's classical drama of the '' M arble Pleart," founded on an histo rical event in connection with the splendid history of old Greece, when Plato taught philosophy, and Phideaa carved his idea] Jupi ter for the temple at Olympia, near Athens. The first act of the beautiful dramatic creation opens with the dream of Raphael Dncbalet (Mr Douglass), a young Athenian artist, who sees Phideas, "wonder-struck and in love with the polished statues of Vcnufl, Minerva, and Jupiter, which his hands bad shaped according to his fancy. . This first act is but a dream, and the realistic action of the play commences in the second act, and proceeds to unfold various vicissitudes in the lives of the actors represented until the tragic conclusion of the fifth and last act. The play is full of adventure, and presents many lights and shades of human character which, though associated with men and women of two thousand years ngo, are true of the people to-day. The scenory is of a very imposing character, exactly in harmony with the features of the play, and raast have the effect of gratifying lovers of the legitimate drama. The acting of Douglass is reported fsof a high-class nature. We hope Mr Col lier will meet with that ample success which hia perseverance deserves as a caterer for the healthy amusements of the citizens.

The Virian Royal Comique Company will give a farewell entertainment at Onehunga on Saturday. Advantage should be taken of the occasion to give the company a bumper house. Tho entertainment, which is of a mirth-provoking character, comprises come dielties, songs, dances, &c.

In the action Smart v. Langlois, heard in the District Court on Wednesday last, where plaintiff claimed £50 damages on two cases of galvanized iron by Jubilee, .his Honor this morning gave judgment for defendant with costs £8 9s.

To the Editor : Sir, —The concluding sen tence of your sub-leader of Tuesday last on the petition against the new Education Bill will be sufficient to show that you have (perhaps without intention) given colour to the statement that bachelors are accountable for a large amount of illegitimacy. The sen tence is as follows :—" The Act can only be repealed by the Provincial Council, and the petition as against it therefore is worthless ; let householders take note of the fact and act accordingly, and not be led in a trap by the free and easy gentry who crack their jokee at the expense of benedicts." Comment is needless. Apologising for again trespassing upon your valuable spade, I am, &c, A Bachelor. [Our correspondent's notions of being "free and easy" no doubt coincide with those of some other bachelors, bnt we conceive that every one will not take the same view.—Ed. E.S.]

It is notr often in these degenerate days that such a liberal offer as the following is made to a public man :—"Sir, —l noticed in the Provincial Council, on the petition pre sented by the residents of the Newton dis trict; relative to the night soil nuisance, that his Worship the Mayor stated that he did not believe the nuisance was so bad as was represented,, and", also that some personal feeling was at the bottom of the affair. I have no knowledge myself whether such a feeling as that referred to. by his (Worship does exist, but this1 I do know, if hisj Worship had been living at Richmond this past summer he might have altered his opinion ; but in order to give his Worship a fair opportunity of testing the existence of the alleged nuisance I beg most respectfully to offer him the use of my pre mises at Richmond, consisting of shrubbery orchard and well stocked vegetable garden, together with every convenience for a family, free of charge for three months, in considera tion of Ms Worship agreeing to live there for that period. The sea breeze is blowing in one direction, in addition to its exhilirating effects over Mis Worship's health after the fatigue of the session may possibly act as a qualifier to the "Otto of Bqses" wafted from the night-soil depot. Should his Worship entertain imy proposal I Bhould be glad to hear from him. I am, ft*, John MAXiriM., Well Park, EioUmondi.

Ait this afternoon's sitting Mr |Swanson moved, and it was carried, that the report of the Select Committee on the old Supreme Court site be adopted. Mr Tonks brought -forward a motion for the amending of the Members' Remuneration Act, which was agreed to. The Council was then invited by Mr Beveridge, the Provinoial Solicitor, |to con sent to the second reading of a Bill for the facilitating of the sale, lease, or exchange of lands held in trust for the Auckland Gram mar School. Mr Philipsi supported the motion, which he characterised as one that was greatly needed. The second reading was carried, and the Council went into com mittee on the Bill.

The following are the winners of prizes at the drawing at St. Patrick's Hall to-day at noon, the proceeds of which were in aid of St. Aloysius's Infant Schools t —No. 1, lady's gold watch, Mr Cnssens; No. 2, shade of flowers, Mr Law; No. 3, ring, Mr Barnett, No 4, leather basket, Miss Mary Jane Field ing ; No. 5, velvet cap, Mr Jas. MoComish; No. 6, cushion, Mr Browne.

To the Editor : Sir,—l would cajl the at tention of the City authorities to the state of things now existing in Fort and Custom house-streets. Having business along there I found that if I attempted it I.would be covered with mud. But the business was important, so I had to go. When I got back to Queen-street I was a pitiable sight. Cannot something be done to remedy this evil. You will greatly oblige by inserting these few lines.—Yours, Tradesman.

Sir Hercules Robinson recently notified that finding that the accommodation avail able was not sufficient for more than some 500 guests, he had determined not to give a Birthday ball this year, but, instead, had made up his mind to give a treat of plum pudding and roast beef to the inmates of the Benevolent Asylum and other charities. At first there was a good deal of praise of this " genuine and disinterested benevolence" awarded by those whose chance of being invited to the ball was infinitesimal. But shortly there wa3 another strain heard. Some one was kind enough to suggest that the real reason of not giving the usual entertainment was that the Governor had before felt a difficulty in find ing a sufficient number of respectable people to invite, and an equal difficulty in excluding the very large number of wealthy but not respectable* people who considered that they had a right to be asked, but whose company was not considered desirable. The Sydney Evening Post says of the matter : —" It is all very well to set down the discontinuance of the Birthday ball to the emallness of the rooms at Government House. The real difficulty lies in the apparent impossi bility of excluding moneyed larrikins, male and female. At the last ball a disturbance took place that very nearly culminated in a free fight in the hall, and the cannibal habits of some of the guests, who, at supper time, snatched the poultry off the tables, and tore the birds to pieces with their hands and teeth, to Bay nothing of those whose retire ment was only affected with the aid of grin ning cabbies, so disgusted the vicregal party that the present alteration is not to be wondered at." Criticism on the subject being thus pleasantly commenced has been purstied in an equally amicable spirit. Correspondents faave written to tho papers to argue that all of the reasons assigned have been mere hollow pretexts, and that the real reason is that the Governor spends so much money on his racehorses that he has not any to spend on the hospitalities due to his position. According to this authority the money dropped at Eandwick is economised by withholding the Vice-regal annual entertain ment in honour of Her Majesty. So that it is quite evident that although Colonial Governorships are very snug positions, they are not always perfect beds of roses. —Mel- bourne correspondent Olago Times.

To the Editor : Sir, —Hearing that one of our Auckland land agents is advertising some real estate for sale situated in Hobson-street, including the Temperance Hotel, can you tell me if that wonderful curiosity—in comparison with which " big Ben" sinks into insignificance, I mean that half fish, half human water nymph—is included in the purchase ? as perhaps Christchurch might be again induced to buy.—Yours, Curious.

Another Art Union, consisting of one hundred pictures, oil paintings in gilt frames, stained glass windows, and photographs, will shortly take place at Mrs Pulman's photographic rooms, Shortland-street, as the list of subscribers is fast filling up. Among the oil paintings we noticed an excellent sea view of Flamborough Heads, near Whitby, in Yorkshire j also, scenes on the Thames be tween Stainea and Windsor; and in the lakej country of Rydal and Grasemere ; also scenes in Roscommon ; and others at Rother hithe near London. Artists, McEnvoy and French. There are also numbers of New Zealand scenes by local painters and photo graphic artists, which are on view at Mrs Pulman's.

Many of our readers would be surprised at the degree of efficiency to which our young gymnasts have arrived could they take a look into the Gymnasium on a practice night. We are informed that an opportunity will shortly be given in the shape of a per formance to be given at the Theatre for the benefit of one of our local charities. Classes are formed under efficient teachers for fencing, calisthenics, boxing, and gym nastics, great care being taken that the members do not strain themselves or ia any way endanger their health. We are assured that not a single accident has happened since the club has been formed, the main object being Hot to cultivate dangerous and fool - hardy tricks, but such as will develop the frame, give a more perfect carriage, and teach the full use of the muscles. Many of the members who upon joining were bent and doubled up like old men are now as upright aa a dart, and their health seems to be all the better for it. Great care is taken of the young members, so that they shall not over-exert themselves, one or two of the older members always looking after them. It is also the intention of the committee to form a skating-rink, and every effort is being made to render this most desirable institution popular atoong the many young men of this city, who are thus; enabled to use their time to better advantage than lounging about street corners, at the bar of the public house, or in the billiard - room, enervating their frames and destroying their health instead of cultivating pastimes which wilt render them hardy and strong, and fit them to cope better with the ills which flesh is heir to. We should recommend the members of our new fire brigade to join this institution, as they will find themselves all the better for it when called up to save life and property, as it is well-known that a person who knows the proper use of his muscles can do as much again with less effort than an apparently stronger man who haa not this knowledge Our volunteers would. also do well to pitronisj the institution more freely, as in Victoria, where the gymnasium is principally supported by them, special apparatus and classes being set apart for their use, auch as scaling walls, etc.

aVvjmTY"*™*!}' ?"»«. * Oo.'i Standard Ooffeea &^?.i!!^??»* n2 stron«- Browa, Barrett, * Co a.,

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

[FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.]

prince bismarck's troubles,

Poor Bismarck, notwithstanding his great? nesS and riches, is not just at present a man to be envied by any means. He is suffering severely from sciatica and atnaurosis, and is having some family troubles as well. His aon, who. was a midshipman in the German navy and a very promising young officer, died the other day, and now his only daugthter has fallen in love with a Roman Catholic officer in the Prussian army. This almost seems like a Nemesis, after bis action in the matter of the ecclesiastical laws. How in variably it is to be noticed that all men get their fair share of troubles, and that atra cura will not be done dut of her ride at any price. Wealth, power, dignities, are all Bismarck's in the highest degree possible, but what are these to one who is struck down by disease and deprived of the joys of his heart.

BOARD AND LODGINGS OF THE DUKE OP EDINBURGH.

I quite forgot to mention whilst speaking of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, that the Queen is charging them for their "board aud lodging at Buckingham Palace. It is said that the old lady is very fond of the bawbees, and it is certain that she does not give much away, or even spend more than she can help. Until lately,' however, everyone thought the Puke and his wife were free guests. Clarence House, which is to be the abode of the young couple, will not be finished for their reception this season.

UNDERGROUND THEA'rjRE,

One of the latest London novelties is the new underground theatre, beneath Messrs Spiers and Pond's restaurant, in Piccadilly. It is for all the world like the Strand Theatre, which in its way is most perfect. The decorations of the underground theatre, which is known as the Criterion, are simply gorgeous; but the most wonderful thing about it is the splendid system of ventilation. It is not a bit close or stuffy, as might have been expected, and the heat can be regulated in the most perfect and simple manner frem one minute to another. H. J. Byron, the burlesque and comedy writer, is the manager.

PRESENTS OF RUSSIAN GUNS.

The late royal marriage is having one most singular result. The Government arsenals are constantly in receipt of Russian guns, which are being sent in by enthusiastic and gushing municipal bodies, whose tender sentimentalities cannot brook the spectacle of guns taken from the Duchess's grand father. By-the-way you have a couple of tboße things, have you not? They used to stand in Fort Britomart. You could not do better than pack 'em up, addressed to your friend, "the Dook," aad ship 'em of to London, carriage paid.

THB FAMINE IK BENGAL

gets worse and worse. Until the special correspondents of the London papers began to write no one knew how bad it was, and it is quite evident that the Government have been trying to keep ugly facts in the background. It would seem, to be a fact indisputable that people are dying in considerable numbers through sheer lack of food, and even those who labour on the public works and earn their starvation pay are frequently unable to do anything at all but crawl to the pay-table. The present difficulty seems to be entirely one of orga nisation. In one place, for instance, one correspondent says he saw two native pay masters stationed at a works to pay two thousand people daily. The end of it was tbat people fainted and died whilst waiting for the miserable pittance which was theirs. Rice is certainly very dear, but still there is abundance of it comparatively speaking. The Government do not appear to have realised the magnitude of the disaster until too -late, and their systems are incomplete in many important elements.

OUR CORRESPONDENT BESIEGED IN PARIS.

I happened to be in Paris the other day when the telegram announcing the escape of Rochefort and his party from New Caledonia was announced. Years ago I visited that colony, and when that fact became knovn amongst my friends and oozed ont, the way in which I was beset by the journalists was perfectly distressing. They wanted to know all about the place, its appearance, the way in which the prisoners were treated, what kind of a town was Noumea, did I like it, and innumerable other queries bearing upon the point of interest. Of course the news paper men were the most excited about it, because, living as they all do, each one upon the top of a political quagmire, no one can tell when his turn may come for tasting the salubrious air of the South Pacific. Besides, they all seem to admire and like Rochefort, and are now upon the very tiptoe of expectation as to what he will say about the people who expatriated him. It was understood there that the great journalist was on his way home as fast as he could get, with the declared intention of attacking the Government with his 'pen as soon as he arrived within scribbling distance I should think Thiers won't feel very com fortable about it, and as for G-ambetta he will be flayed alive. There is sure to be great fun over it. What a life has Roche fort led ; it has been one series of romances. He is only 45 years old, so that he has plenty of sc{>pe yet in all human probability for .the exercise of his pen. Notwithstanding his Republican views he is a man of very good family, but, like some Englishmen of good stock, he could not be content to let things rest. |Be began life by fighting a duel with a Sardinian officer, and although he knew nothing of fencing he managed to wound his antagonist. The squabble was Qver a love affair. He entered himself as a student of the medical profession, but "soon afterwards his family came to monetary grief and lie was driven to teaching Latin to earn a crust. : This hard life not only, brought him to his- bearings, but expanded and gave strength to his naturally, large abilities. Presently he got an appointment in a Government office, and was put to accounts, but was not a mathematical mind^ and he never could get his figures to tally, and at last found that he was never born.' to be a book-keeper. It is worih mention that when he left this appointment and joined the Btaff of a Parisian paper he was soon afterwards discharged for incapacity. Some innate feeling however seemed to indicate that journalism was his line, and he persevered at a miserable rate of pay until he had written himself into notoriety and his clear concise style had gained for him a reputation which was unassailable. Then he was fairly launched upon the sea of journalism, and Figaro and the Soleil both bid and ob tained his services. He could then demand his own price for his work. »He still kept up Ms taste for duelling, and this made him popular amongt both men and women. On June Ist, 1868, appeared the first number of the first number of the celebrated La Lan terne, published by himself. In this paper he attacked the Napoleonic Government -in the most savage manner, and you may sup pose, even if you don't remember, the con sequences. In Belgium, where he had found lefug'e, he fought his celebrated duel; with Paul de Caaaagnao. By this time' his hand must have been pretty well "in" at fencing, better than when he had his first affair with the Sardinian officer. By permission of

the Emperor, who was at Wi. , M natured soul, he was allowed ♦ i S«>d' Paris, and in 1870 Z! £ ret «m to , A the Chamber of DeputS? ti**T* *», S could never keep a civ? S^? 6 ** 9 bead towards the Emperor ?i! '? ' time he started X* Marsdllaiße,Sl^t consequence of the tone ofhkS^"*^ the sub-editor, M. Victor §1 ntmgth«t" dered by Prince fee bS^T: paper was soon stopped, and T?««v« j. 8 fined and imprisoned, Affi.T chfe rt *•• of the Republic in the ttenwraM^^FV of 1870 he w ?8 released by iem^V^S during the Commnne he^i&^^O? d'Ordre. Captured JSr' $*?? h67^ imprnedon^Sand 21* and there he married his: mWr«™ :a^T Renand, who had lived w^h ffvfJ^S ' bywhomhehadalargef^ yS^,, you remember he was sent to N™m«.^l£ ' friend Pa^alGrousseVwho^rn^ • caped with him, is a journalist o f somew? and was mixed up in the Victor WoTriff-^- They evidently believed inXfcthat?* land had something to'do withSi S§ these men, and some of the nnderlin^o^i Government have gone so far as to" d^Sfi that it wag a deliberately ? l, nned Bffai ;^# that diplomatic completions are sure to «! sue. I need not say whataufcbish thw ig.' ■"T CHANGES IN*.P4RJ£ m.l b.t d ". Ot bee j in PaTiß Jot years befq,," the otjer day, and was strcck with the«2N siderable amount of outward decency wiiaN> is to be noticed as compared with what*a<) the case in the heyday of the Emiy* Jjormerly the demi-monde ruled evervthiß^M even the fashions, and if Lais had a miT bonnet on one day of Phryrifcahovei stvlTrf " dress on the next, all the great ladie* rf Pans would be wearing .copies of^iheaiL Women of every virtue crowded about lp Boulevards all hours of the day1 and nigßf f dressed in the most expensive manner and v it was almosb impossible to tate ones wife ot* sister through these gardens'inconsequiifiSil of the impudence of thege creatures/iyL sat on the tables and lounged upon the ctaftlf smoking cigarettes, drinking absinthe^llpfc chaffing every man who paafed^theni,--ffe; ;j police have been iatherJ active of late, tad have been making raids upon these woman and upon the cafes ty which theyußedto^ resort, and now things lireimtwardly a ti&fV more respectable,' : « £ H -*■ .^v^^ COLLECTING OLT). CHINA^ * China collecting is all the }age jn«t «o#i'|; and people are prepared „ almoat tOii^igpr, themselves to secure "a good example^ <J. some particular kind of ware. It most M confessed that the ceramic art is fnlj «f interest, and like all antiquarian pnrraiti brings its devotees into intimate relations » with bygone history. At: the same tile ~ when you hear of somebody having givea«x. i or sevsn thousand pounds for a vase, probaWr not half as handsome to the ordinary ey« m a guinea soap tureen, you are incl|ned^tWPp if the purchaser is competent to manage hi own property. People who, a few years ajj^',; r owned a lot of old tea-cupß, ptmcli;^^*? and the like, and thought them very umJm f rubbishy things, have lately found to iMt delight that they are worthy great deal mm ' than their weightm gold. iTiegwaibeiilpyi of porcelain collecting is that the specimmi are i imperishable ; .they. aant^tM / exquiriWy , shaped and the colours are as brilliant v they were three hundred yeari *aM ' and a thousand years 1 hence iheyiriH be the same. This is the case with no dka'4'i description of curioeity that I know of. •' Bt7RNING: OF DEAD BODIES. ' The advocates of cremation are at it wittt . redoubled force, and seem to have part^l^^ enlisted the Biehop of Manchester on thetr. Bide. It seems that some old-fashioned folk had got "it into their heads that if pejpk- „ were burned after death they would not H forthcoming atthe time appointed for ageneni resurrection. OJc course the idea was ehßs|| ish, for if there was anything in it. what be comes of lots of the greatest saints and tar tyrs. Still people these old fashioned abnnlaß^- j.j do get possessed by strange unaccountipift n notions. So the other day the BiSb^Hwj Manchester, who is one of the most senroßii:^ men on the Bench, alluded to this whim, and said that although he did not urge ere- f mation, he should like to ask what difftnaee i there could be in the difficulty of raiaing a , body which had been reduced into its com ponent elements by the action of fire or by- , the slower process of decay.V The Creinii||flt Society is advertising in all the papers invi^ja| peopileto sign the following declaratioßi—;;' "We, the undersigned, disapprove;of*^j| present custom of burying the dead, and »• desire to substitute some mode which,:AtaHi| rapidly resolve the body into its compoiMn y . elements by a process which cannot offißßO | the Kving and snail render the »njaj^ wife |M fectly inocuous. - tTntif some, better method • is devised we desire^tb adopt tiiat uwußjr known as cremation." ' i:jr -", -is^M&ai

DIABOLICAL ATTEMPT AT INCEN DIARISM.

Abo Tin ten o'clock lasievenirfg some mii|« able miscreant attempted to_<et. fire.,-s_ "tfcljfl premises of Messrs Must and Co., Shorflwa- f street, but fortunately the vile action WM;, frustrated by the tiniely appearance of IK./.. Alexander Brown, who^saw a being in tSif.-;i form pf a man, strike the match, and.iniliP"* apply it to some paper or rags bene»ta the door. A bright name wasimmmeiiJW^j observable, when the fello* whd™tlww§* W possibly th*t he had successfully rt*™* * another disastrous fire, hurried a^O?jsrtj* fiendish satisfaction. Matter Brwh ifainw. ately'shouted "Fire ! fire !" and the firo-WW ?i was started to the alarm of the citizensintOT reach of its familiar sounds. The i^«"f"7 bolted round the corner, :of Shortflang- « street and < was *W»y ."» ,;' .ftg. TW - and ; darkness, without being,, foWf^ and unhappily for the public detection: Immediately on the aWfl^;t, given Mr Butterwprth, a.memje^^g;;; Volunteer Fire Brigade, was thefot^, scene, as he had been on several Kmm ; occasions, followed by Mr IV:Doran, ,gji f . other indefatigable workers. A ™*J2£ *? at once cut through; the |»nels^J^| door with an axe procured from Mr. OTJ Darby, opposite.: On entering it wM/°££ j that a quantity of pieces of paper ••?&£« B f !j saturated with kerosene, had been ££*7fl under the door, with a number ot ma.uam : which prove conclusively that a;..; contemplated/The men, .'^iKggSffiP mind, immediately threwoff^»*S,^ stamped out the fire. Detectives Jeflf*?,^- g Ternahan and the sergeant-iit-arnWtpyp^ Blanche, arrived at this tune, i™*-£ down to the cellar, where :^Jat^Z^tt the kerosine poured in undertne£*"|2 gone throngh the floor aad taken aw,^ was burning below, where it^*°sJ£ssj have got beyoßd oontrol. -tnoyw^^M threw water over it, and were «q*^w ; extinguishing the flames. The o*aae'"J- , act cannot even be conjectured; ;«* w^i.; ville, of the firm of Most and .^°±lr~2s» cupied that part of the building ""JJJj^ ■-- fire commenced, in at a loss to '"v 5f J why any attempt should have^been'BM^- ,f his premises. The upper part <**%$& ises was occupied by -aic^r^i I*^ ■f^t^ujgtt--X\ ~.<■;■ Co., and contained a large »ndv*^,'wlf»b*»,i f>« The building is. one of ™*™ZZ. il&M #. in the city, &d had: the \iVSr^^^S^;:si gucoeeded » lawo amooni « titfffi&i&i^ hare U«a-i»crifi<wdi •• ;; r \!' :^ u,->^f^0x

¥ii «TiatiN& mkn »Bi^At, 3vm \% mh.



DETIRING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE & 00. V Are giving up their Retail Business In Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will ba held TO-MORROWj the 14th of March, and will continue unLll the entire Stock is disposed of. We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS "WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr CosGEAva from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be Od at UNPBEOEDENTEDIiY IOW PRICES. No credit will be f glven during the Sale. : ; : "DLASKETS! BLANKETS. RUSHBROO& & BRIDGMAN Beg to notify that they have now landing Ex BooPißixi,, - And to open np in a few days, 10 BALES SUPERIOR BLANKETS IN ALL SIZES, To which they invite particular attention of intending purchasers, being to their order direct from the manufacturers, and will be ■ sold at the LOWEST LIVING PROFIT. Also, LARGE STOCKS ON HAND, AND TO OPEN IN Flannels, Crimean Shirtings, ' _, ". _~, , „ .... ... ~ Winceys, ■,-"-'■ ■•'• '■ : ■ - '""'■ ' x «■' "-■ c'- x J French Merlnoes, New Fancy Dress Goods,-:- ; * tsbitei pd Whiteand Grey Calicoes, fa ■ ■■■■*'> ~i ; Plain and Twilled White and Grey Sheetings,: White Toilet and Marsella Quilts, :»'! Toilet Covers, &C. ;. ■ ..■:-..;■■- hi:... Childiens', Girl's, and Ladles' Winter Hosiery, New Black Straw Bats, Flowers, Feathers, and Ribbons, ■.••<; ' New Fancy Wool, Collarettes, Ties, Scarfs, Infants' Turbans, Hoods, . ~ Boots, Bootees, &c. ...'■-.< - - A SPLENDID STOCK NEW CLOTHING, °* it CRIMEAN SHIRTS, and GENTLEMAN'S HOSIERY. HEAVY TWEEDS,' ; ' Suitable for Winter Wear; Ac ; &0., &c. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE R.H0883),' i WmOIESAJLK AND.IUtAIX £>RAI»*HS, OLOTHHBB *O JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) TJppsß QtrBBK-sniKEr, AT/OKiiiro!



f\ A U T I O N.| OLSON'S TOMATO BATTOE. Connoisseurs proDOunce this Ranee to be the CEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of it 3 high reputation, som» unprincipled •. eraons havsbeen Induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, sad pass the same off as "Olson's Universal Tomato ■^uce." The proprietor has in consequence caused fs TEADE MARK to be Registered under the provisions of the "Trade Marks Act, 1866," and proceedings will be taken against such persons as I <nay forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to ASK FOE OLSON'S SATJCE, tnd see that the Dame is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and * capped round with his well-known abel TUST RECEIVED BY F. H. LEWIS SON: Bussell and Son's Keyless Gold Hunting Levers, Rotherham's Gold Hunting Independent Stop ches, Rotherham's Gold Hunting .Ladies' English Levers, Rottetham's Gold Hunting Levers, large size Gold Presentation Watches, Silver English Hunting Levers, Gold Hunting Genevas, best quality, Gold Open-face Genevas. BEST ASSORTMENT TS AUCKLAND. F. H. LEWISSON, JEWELLEB, QUEEN-STBEET. ROYAL TKSUBAJSTOB COMPANY. NOTICE OF EEMOVAL. The Office of this Company has been REMOVED from No. 15, Shortland-street, to Hobson's buildincs, on the opposite side,immediately adjoining the Post office. GEO. WM. JONES, Auckland, May 8,1874. Agent. [Established 1864. "TV STEPHENSON & CO./S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAND," " EAGLE BRAND," "CROWN BRAN D," Are to be procured at all respectable Ghockkh and Stor«kkepeuß throughout the Province of Auckland. D. STEPHENSON * CO., WYNDHAM STREET, Auckland. ■ TU 8 T OPENED, A SPLENDID LOT op PAPER COLLARS, SHAKESPEAUE DUX, REFORM DUX, and WEST END, ALL OUR OWN MAKE. SAMUEL COOMBES, 80, Queen street.