SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

BO HS S- 15^5 «"»W»»»»*.6 6i fcMMMW morYovm ( >^.^:m?,| s 4^^lra • *s*i TO*.bi««*o. Mt 15TS 4.QE-. Full Moon, 20th, 9.4 C a.ro.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

-. . . ____ ARRIVALS. V:ctoria, s.s , Durrell, from Sydney Kenilworth, schooner. McKonzie. from the Island Clyde, schooner, from Wangarei Taranski, s.s., from ii© South

DEPARTURES.

Stir of the South, s.s, Farquhar, for Napier and th> South

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

1 r Sydney—Hero s.s., to-morrow, 2nm For Sydney and Melbourne—Viiitoria, s.s., Tuesdaj next, 29th instant, at noon

IMPORTS.

Per Kenilworth, from the South Se; Islands : 100 tons copra, 4 tuns cocoanut oil 2 do black oil.—Cruickshank and Co. agents. .

Per Taranaki, from the South : 2 cases, Heslop ; 2 do, Kempthorne, Prosser & Co. ; 1 do, Ah Pow; 6 bars iron, Morrin ; 1 trunk, Gittos ; 2 do, Ireland Bros. ; 1 do, Marks ; 5 do, Hoare; I case, Holland and Butler; 7 tons pig iron, Masefield ; 2 cases, Onyon ; 1 do, .Arnold, Hines and Co. ; 1 do, Turner ; 1 do, Kohn ; 1 do, Lewis Brothers ; 295 coils wire, 4 cases, 1 pkg., Telegraph De partment ; 1 horse, Perkins ; 1 pkg., Bishop of Auckland ; 3 bales hops, Hall and Co. ; 2 boxes gold, 2 parcels, Bank of New Zea land ; 1 merry-go-round, Aston.

ARRIVAL OF THE TARANAKI.

THE GALE.—TWO WATERSPOUTS

VISIBLE,

Thesis. Taranaki, Captain Wheeler, left Dunedin at 4.30 p.m. on 15th ; arrived at Lyttelton at 2 p.m. on 16th ; left at 5 p.m on 17th ; arrived at Wellington at noon on 18th; left at 1 p.m. on 19fch ; arrived at Picton at 7 p.m.; left at 4 a.m. on 20th ; off the French Pass saw the Governor's yacht ; towed it through the Pass, and arrived in Nelson at 2 p.m. ; left at 5 p.m. on 21st: arrived at Taranaki at 11.30 a.m. on 22nd ; landed passengers and a little cargo. The ■wind aud sea increasing from N.W. were obliged to put to sea again ; off Taranaki saw two waterspouts, and at 5 p.m. saw another close to the ship, the wind increasing until it was blowing a strong gale from N.W. ; at 4 a.m. on23rd put the ship's head to sea under easy steam; a m. a sea struck her, washing away the bhlcher's t=hop and carried hen coops and all movable articles along the deck ; about 10 a.m. another' sea washed in the forward end of the second engineer's cabin, and lifted the large quarter-boat out of the chocks, carried away part of the iron rail on the bridge ; at 2 p.m. stood inshore to ascertain the ship's position before dark, it being very thick all day; at 4 p.m made out Gannet Island, put -the ship's head round to the sea again, and kept her under easy steam till 2 a.m. on 24th, then stood in for Manu tau Heads and crossed the bar at 7.30 a.m.; arriving at Onehunga at 9 a.m. Passengers —Saloon : Mrs Sommerville, Mrs Beckett; Messrs Olson, Ansley, Malcolm, Heslop, Kerr, Barker, Cox, Cowell, Aston (2), Harley. Steerage : Messrs Shortt, Greenley, and Miss Cornell. We are indebted to Mr C. J, Edmiston, purser, for files.

ARRIVAL OF THE KENILWORTH.

The schooner Kenilworth arrived from Tonga and the South Sea Islands this after ioon. She left Auckland on the 18th July, arrived at Tonga on the 22nd ; left Tonga for Hapai on the 31st, arrived there on the Ist August; left Hapai en the Gth, and arrived at "Vavau on the 7th ; left for Keppel Island and Boscawen Islands. At the former lost an anchor while getting under weigh. Took in 40 tons cargo. Left on the 21st, and arrived at Niuape on the 22nd. Had to clear from there oh the 24th owing to the wind blowing hard from the north. Got back on the 28th, and took in 60 tons copra and three tuns of oil. Left on the Ist for Hapia, which was reached on the 7th. Left again on the 9th, and made Tonga on the 10th. Sailed for Auckland, on the 13th. Had N.W. and W. winds till Sunday, while strong .S.W. and N.W. gale set in till arrival in Drunken Bay on Tuesday, the 22nd. Anchored here and rode out the storm.

The s.s. Star of the South left yesterday evc-ning soon after five o'clock for the South via the East Coast. She took a full cargo and the following passengers : Messrs Taylor (2), .Mr and Mrs Fee You and child, Mr and Mrs Oregon, Mr and Mrs Palmer and child.

The s.s. Victoria arrived at one o'clock this morning from Sydney and Melbourne. She cleared Sydney Heads at 5 p.m. on the 17th. Experienced moderate N.W. winds and fine weather to within 30 miles off the Three Kings, where a heavy gale was encountered ■with high sea and violent squalls at intervals. * Passed the Three Kings at 10 p.m. on the 23rd, and Cape jßrett at 1 p.m. on the 24th. Had violent squalls at intervals down the Coast, and arrived in harbour aa above. The "Victoria brings a large general cargo con signed to Mr H. M. Jervis, and the following passengers :—Saloon : Mrs Gingle and two children, Messrs H. Mossman, Hume, Hats well, J.. Bennett, and 12 in the steerage. The schooner Clyde, which arrived from Wangarei last night, had a frightfully rough passage. She left at 10 p.m. on Tuesday, and anchored off the North Head at 6 a.m. on Wednesday. Finding, however, that her anchor would not hold her it was hove up, and the vessel was run into the Tamaki for shelter. In the evening she'beat up under close-reefed canvas, but only made Orakei Bay. The passengers then came on in a boat. Captain Anderson reports seeing a large topsail schooner hove to off Point Rod ney. The Clyde brings 18 cattle, 28 sheep, and 5 tons gum, with passengers as ap-.. pended: —Messrs Wilson (2), Mr Webb, Misses Hutchinson (2), Misses Dent (2), and Mr McLeod.—Master,, agent.

The s.s. Southern Cross, Captain Holmes, after lying at anchor off the Bastion Rock duringthe greater, part of yesterday, came up the harbour in the evening, and was moored

alongside the A S.P. Go's T. As might be expected she had a very stormy passage up from Napier. At Waipu, and coming across 'the Bay of Plenty, she experienced the full force of the gale. She passed Cape Colville

•at 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Captain Holmes re " ports the schooner Kate Macgregor at anchor in Waipu, and a brig painted black beating up from the south-west. At Kohimarama the mast of a cutter was observed sticking out of the water. in Rangitoto Channel a cutter was seen to part her cable. She dis appeared in the direction of Brown's Island. The Southern Cross brings the following passengers: Mr, Mrs, and Miss Williams. Mr Scarfe, Mr Mann, Miss Reins; -and six in the steerage.

,f. Thg, bftrque Vivid sailed from Circular Bead Qgjfthe 9th»with a cargo of potatoes for Messrs Jakius and Wilcox.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr R. Arthnr reports a largo attendance at his sale of fruit and jams per Bella -Mary from Hotart Town, and every lino offered, in all abjut 800 cases,-sold at good prices, but in consequence of the stormy weather, several lots of fruit, Ores well's jams, nuts, leather, and hops, were not landed, therefore all those lines were positively not offered ; they will be sold at an early date. The" following are the prices realised :—Wil son's jams, 7s 2d to 7s 3d per dozen ; apples (French crabs), 3d to 4£d per lb. ; Stutmer pippins, 3£d to 4fd ; scarlet pearmains, 3d to 4£d ? golden Harveys, sgd ; stone pippins, 2_A to 4£d; nonpareil russets, 2|d to 4£d j i SMfel pl^lll8 * 3 *d- - i

COLONIAL PRODUCE.

BUYING PEICfiS, OORItEOTin BY AVCELAND I Dealers. -' ": . I s. d. s. d. s a. s. d 1 Butter, per lb. 1 9-2 0 1 Ducks, pair.. 0 o—o 0 1 Cheese (new) 0 &—0 8J Geese, each 0 0-0 ( I Eggs, per dog. 0 10—0 0 I Turkey .. 0 0-0 < 1 Lard, per lb 0 6—o 0 j Canterbury Bacon & Hams j Fowls each 1 o—2 0 1 (bare) ..0 9— i Good Salt Bitter- 161 Do (in c oth) 9J--0 I Canter. Cheese B—o 91 Auckland "0 6-0 ! I Hams, 9£d to lOjd per lb, j I■■ ■'-."■' Retail Prices, 1 Farm and Dairy Prodtjoe. s. d. s. d. s. d s. d Milk, per qt. 0 0-0 6! Ducks pair 5 0-6 0 Butter (fresh) 2 0-0 01 Geese, each 5 0-6 0 Cheese (new) 0 10—0 11 I Turkeys, each 4 6-6 0 Eggs,per doz. 1 o—o 0 | Bacon, per lb. 0 9—o 1 Lard, per lb. 0 6—o 91 Hams .. .. 0 9-1 0 pair.. 3 6-5 01 Salt Butter.. 0 o—l 9 Btjtchfrs' Meat. Seef, per lb. 0 K—o 7 I Pork, per lb. 0 6- 0 V Second quality?. \ 0-0 3 | Veal.. .. 0 5-08 Mutton .. 0 4—o 6, Steaks .. 7 0-09 BREaDSTUFFS. FLOTTE. WHOLESALE, Millers' Price, per ton—lst quality £16 Fine Flour—household * .. .. .. £14 Adelaide Flour £17 Canterbury • £12 to £13 Seconds, £12. Sharps, £S Bakers' Price, per lb .. ?d Bran, Is 6d per bushel. Bread, per 21b. loaf, 4d Maize, crushed and wVnl« k« M to 6s BISCUIT. Cabin Biscuit, per 1001b .. Retail 22e MAIZE, OATS, POTATOES, ETC. WHOLESALE. Maize. 5s 6d Prime Syiney Oats, 5s to 5s 6d per bushel American Oats, 4s to 4s 6d Hay, £6 to £7 1 Os per ton. £2 10* to £3 per ton. Chaff, £7 10s per ton. Onions, scarce, 9d lb RETAIL. Maize, per bushel, 63 6d to 7s Oats, 0s per bushel. Potatoes, 8s 6d per cwt. Hay, cwt., 7s 6d. Straw, 4s to 5s per cwt. Chaff, 7s to 8s per cwt. KAURI GUM AND FLAX MARKET. The following are the prices in the Auckland market :— Gum—Well scraped, best quality .. ..£2B to £29 Ordinary sorts £26 to £27 Flax.-Finest quality £17 to £10 Second ditto £13 to £10 Tow £7to£B BUILDING MATERI*LS. Timber;— Boards and scantling, 100 ft, 9s to 15s : at mills, lis 6d ; planed, tongued, and grooved, lis 6d to 18s New Zealand palings, 5-feet, 10s ; 6-feet, 13s; ti tree rails, £210s to £3 per 100 ; puriri posls, £5 per 100 ; shingles, 8s to 15s per 1000; Hooart Town palings sft., 17s; 6ft., 18s : Hotiartnwn rails. 75s COAL AND FIREWOOD MARKET. Coal.— Newcastle, on Wharf, 47s j delivered, 50s per ton. Firewood.—Uncut, 15s per ton, cut, 18s 6d per ton

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Parnell.—lf our correspondent will append his name to the letter it shall receive in sertion, but we cannot permit persons to use our correspondence columns for the purpose of giving stabs in the dark, which; may be prompted by purely personal motives. , Pbe " Drunkard's Child," although very fair I as a rhyme, has not been adapted to this • climate.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as .follows:— *'or Coromandel, this day, at 5 30 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Taranaki,

to morrow, at 6 am. For Thames, to morrow, at 10.80 a m. and k 5.30 p.m. Per s.s. Hero, to-morrow, as under :— For India, China, Mediterranean Torts, and Continent of Europe, at no n For Australian Colonies, at 12.45 p.m For tho United Kingdom, via Suez and South ampton, at 12 45 p m. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and

late letters for Sydney and Melbourne, at 1.15 p.m. For money orders, and registered letters, at

11 30 a m.

For newspapers, at noon For Whitiangi, Tairua, Opotiki, and Napier, vii Tauranga, per Southern Cross, on Saturday next, at 1 p. m. For Napier and Gisborne, per Southern Cross, on Monday wxt, at 11 a.m.

£1, B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

DEATH.

Jab vie—On September 23, Fanny Matilda, the- Delovcd wife of Mr Jamieson Jarvie ; aged 39 yea p.

Ihe funeral will leavij her late residence to mnr-iw 'F-'day), at 3 o'clock. Friends will accept this intimation.

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

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong? that needs resistance, For the faturo in the distance, X *4 th* ffood that we cau do.

It would not be difficult to make up a lengthy list of illustrations of the utter indifference of the General Government in relation to our interests. One of the latest, but not the least glaring, is the neglect in opening the Waikato Bail way as completed. As far as Papaknra the line is laid, ballasted, finished, ready waiting for the engines and carriages ; and the engines and carriages are ready wai' ing for the line ; and altogether are waiting for—Heaven knows what. It is nothing that the settlers of Otahnhu, Papatoitoi, and the regions round about entreat and implore for the extending to them of the advantages of the public works. Some red tipe entanglement, or somebody's bile st onds in tho way, and the settlers chafe and fume as they please, while Mr Vogel bolts away to Eng land, leaving, we suppose, nobody with instructions or nobody with nous enough to act without instructions. As an illustration of Governmental stupidity or indifference, or worse—for it seems very like intentional —we have not seen much to surpass this. Our Customs will go to pay for three times the extent of railways in the South, our lands plundered and mortgaged will ox. tend yet further the railway system of the South, and yet even our completed railways, though goodness knows they are limited enough in extent and slow enough in form ing, are left with the rails rusting and the carriages " gazening" in the sun as if to tantalize those who are sighing for the showers of blessing from the " great policy." We may reckon that now more than ever the insult of such neglect will be intensified as a requital for Mr Vogel's compulsory flight from the face of his constituents. Indeed it has been threatened that Auckland will be paid out for the incidents of the Hegira. The keeping-closed of this railway would be but a paltry way of showing spite, but we shall not be surprised if it is so, for meanness is ever attendant upon cowardice. Already have settlers petitioned on the subject, and were answered that there were no engines available. Since then two locomotives have been for some time rusting in the sheds, and there is no sign of moving. Something might result from another applica tion, and we would recommend that not only the settlers on the line of railway, but the citizens of Auckland, should take action in the matter. It will be at least interesting to know what fresh obstacle is now interposed to the opening of the line. Dr. Pollen, Colonial Secretary, is now in town, and if a joint deputation of citizens and settlers waited upon him the desired result might perhaps be secured, and arrange ments be made, not only for opening the line to Papakura at once, but for utilizing it to Drury as soon as completed, which will be in about a month from the present date.

" Cvi Bono" writes with reference to the unsightly telegraph poles in Shortland-street, and says the new system is very much in ferior to the old plan of carrying the wires, owing to the nunlerous bends and the addi tional obstructions likely to divert the electric current. He observes,that " an improvement would be effected by carrying the present wires from the double pole at the west end of St. Paul's Church to the top of the Post office buildings in one span. This could easily be done without risk either to the wires or the building, — the wires need not pass through the roof, but could be conducted down the wall of one of the corridors to the operating - room." Our correspondent also remarks upon the bogus discovery in duplex telegraphy, and has been told that the invention claimed is merely a modification of Messrs Siemen and Halske's invention patented many years ago, and that any credit due for its adaptation in this colony should be given to Mr Smith, mechanician of the department, and not to Mr Lemon.

The French ballet dancers and vine dres aere, brought out as Government immigrants, were made allusion to by the Cross yester day in a, local referring to the newly-arrived organ grinder. Our contemporary's remaiks have elicited the following information from an "Observer" :—"Why the Cross should confound the vine dressers with the ballet dancers lamat a loss to understand. The fact is that the vine dressers did not take any part in the ballet performance, but on the contrary they leased a farm at Stokes' Point from Mr Lusk, and are now engaged in the cultivation of same. I may mention that these vine dressers started farming with a capital of £5 (five pounds), and that during the last three months they have planted 800 vines, one acre and a-half of strawberries, besides bringing under cultivation half an acre as a vegetable garden. Such shews sufficiently I think that these people are very industrious, and I consider that it would be a boon^ to the Province of Auck land if we had some two thousand of this class scattered over our waste lands."

The meeting of the shareholders of the Eureka Gold Mining|Company called to-day, lapsed for want of a quorum. $ , s .. j

We a*e very glad to geethatthe proprietor j are receiving "from Various parts of th globe commendatory notices of the Weekly News. Yesterday tho Cross refers to one fr,om the Plattshur.gh Republican. , and another written by a " gentleman in - Bake^ell Derbyshire," having reference chiefly "to I the Kiddler's column and the interesting character of the puzzles propounded, and adds "We next expect correspondence from j Hong Kong." We would respeotfully suggest to our contemporary the publication of these various notices among ourselves ie/breinsteari of after their appearing in these foreign journals. We should in this way save severa, months of time, and the good effect would be by so much sooner experienced. Prom see ing them only as extracts from foreign journals we can but regard them as illustra tive of the scriptural adage that " a prophet is not without honor save in his own coun try and among his own kin," whereas seeing them to be native born we might learn how even in its own country and among its own. kin there are those who admire the "Riddler * column and the interesting character of the puzzles propounded." We do not know where the PlaUshurgh Republican is published We have no doubt Pittsburgh is a very im portant city in India, or wherever else it is situated, and the Republican is we feel confident a very powerful organ of public opinion. Still Pittsburgh seems a long way to go for an opinion on the " Riddler's column and the interesting character of the puzzles propounded"; and the course we suggest would save both time and trouble. The paragraph might begin thus : —" In ?.n issue two months after this the Hour/ Kong

Gazelle will speak in the following terms of the Weekly News." The "Timbuctoo Guardian," in a future issue says, "Lithe distant islands of New Zealand, which but

the other day arose in earthquake from the bottom of the Indian Ocean, thereis published a phenomenon of journalism surpassing the Loudon Times. We bad supposed that those remote and inhospitable islands were unin habited but here we have a journal evidencing the hi- li s*-ate of civilization to which the people have attained, and its Riddler's column and the interesting character, etc. ' We commend the hint to our contemporary. That cleanliness is next to godliness is familiarly known, and the police having to a large extent purged Chancery-lane of ungodliness, it is but fitting that Mr Inspec tor Goldie should come after with his besom and introduce an era of material purifica tion. We are glad to see that ihi Bench has seconded his efforts, and in the fine indicted today on a defaulter in that unfashionable locality, for allowing a cesspool to flood the district, we believe his Worship will have inspired a whole some fear in the bosoms of all

the lovers of unwholesome stench

Again

and again, as we understand, had the culprit been warned and cautioned by the long suffering Goldie, and it was only when patience was exhausted, and the law was placed at defiance, that the offender was brought to his proper bearings. Now that the summer is approaching we trust,, that the Inspector of Nuisances will redouble, if possible, his zeal, and that the Bench will as well second his efforts at savin" our people from decimation by plague. We do not think there is a more zealous or de

serving officer in the public service than Inspector Goldie, nor one entrusted with a more unsavoury business, and as such we do not think there is one who more deserves to

have his hands upheld in the execution of duty. In these circumstances we are glad to see the assistance rendered to him by the Bf:iich to-day ; and we trust that the public, for whose health lie fights the fight against uncleanacss, will also extend to him then sympathy and suppott, and so to some ex tent lessen the unpleasantnesses incident to a very uninviting path of duty.

A meeting of the Public Buildings Com missioners was held this afternoon at half past two o'clock at the offices of the Super intendent, for the purpose of consiJeiing plans for the projected buildings on the olu Supreme C'onrt site, as also for tho new Hospital and additions to the Lunatic Asylum, and for business generally con nected with the work of the Commission. The next colonial prize-firing wi'l, it is said, take place at tho Thames, and probaby in January, as the advantages of long days would then be obtained. In March the days are rather too short for the work. It will he remembered that some two 3 cars ago Mr Vogel gave a kind of pledge that the Thames should be the scene of one of tho meetings, and that promise is now to be fulfilled. The programme of the meeting will, we trust, be altered in accordance with the suggestions made by the representatives last year. The terms on which the amalgamation of the Long Drive, All Nations, and Junction Companies is to be carried out have now been finally arranged as follows :— New Present shares, shares. Proportion. Long Drive.. .. 4400 1200 4 for I All Nations.. .. 2soo 5400 1 for 2 Junction .. .. 1000 7200 1 for 7 The total number of shares in the new com pany will thus be 8,200. The original pro posal was to give the Junction 1000 shares, but in lieu of jthe 600 the Long Drive and All Nations Companies are to pay the Junction's proportion of a 5s call, which is decided on, out of the existing funds of the companies. The call will give the company £2000 in hand to carry on operations. The balance of funds in possession of the Long Drive and All ■■Nations Companies will be divisible among the present shareholders, and pro bably the surplus from the Long Drive will be sufficient to pay the handsome dividend of £2 a share. Of the wisdom of those amalgamations there cannot be a shadow of a doubt. We recognise in them one step to wards that economical working which it is to the interests of shareholders to secure. The united action of companies whose interests are identical as in the case of the Long Drive, All Nations, and Junction, the Nonpareil and Italian, and many others thatmight be named, saves the cost of a multiplicity of mine and legal managers and a host of other expenses. Changes in this direction will no doubt always create opposition from interested parties ; but shareholders may rely upon it that whenever anything like a fair basis can be secured it will be to their advantage to amalgamate with neighbouring properties whose circum stances assimilate to their own.

It has been noticed, says the Manchester Guardian's London correspondent, that no report has appeared in the papers of Lady Amberley's funeral. The reason alleged is that the ceremony was what is called in France a " civil" funeral: that is to say, the interment was in unconsecrated ground and there were no religious rites. The advanced opinions of Lord and Lady Amberley have long been well-known.

The grand instrumental and vocal concert last evening at the Choral Hall, in aid of the funds of the Auckland Volunteer Engineer and City Band, was well attended. The march of the companies to the hall in full uniform wss of a lively and interesting character. There was also a large number^of ladies present, Which added considerably to the splendour of the occasion. The singing and pianoforte performances of Mdme MolUr and Miss Shanaghan wore greatly ap plauded ; but perhaps the sweetest song of the evening was "Sweet Home," which was sung in a sweetly pathetic man ner by Miss Waughton, and encored. Mr Hull rendered a beautiful little song entitled " Rest "in a very acceptable manner. The band performed an overture and several selections in a highly finished manner. The vocal and instrumental parts were generally well rendered, but the farce of the " Two Gay Deceivers" was a failure. The whole concluded with a select quadrille party, which was kept up with much spirit until three o'clock in the morning. I

We have received a letter signed "John Lewis, Otalrahu," under the heading " Justice of the Peaoe Appointment." It is exceedingly personal and severe, and as the handwriting and style in the body of the letter are altogether superior to those of the signature we fancy there is petsonal pique in the guise of publio duty, and that " John Lewis, Otahuhu," in appending his name to another's letter is merely used to pull the nuts out of the fire. We decline to publish [ the letter.

Remarking on Mr Vogel's speech the Post says : - "From beginning to end there is only one new thins; in it. This is the an nouncement that Mr Vogel, being absent, has entrusted the preparation of our new North Island Constitution, nnt to his col leagues, but to some barrister of colonial repu tation, who is to visit each road district in the Olony, and consujt with the chairman of the Road' Board as to the provisions required to furnish machinery for local self government. Rumour mentions the name of Mr. W. S. Moorhouse as the barrister of Colonial repu tation referred to. Whoever it is will no doubt have a very pleasant tour during the summer months,"but his note book will be a curiosity, and we do not envy him his task when he sits down to digest the suggestions made, and to embody them in the bill. There is one thing all the chairmen will be pretty unanimous about, and that is in the necessity for getting money to spend."

We have received from Messrs B. Tonks and Co four shmples of Fiji sugars per Star of the South, which they intend to offer at auction next week. We have already remarked upon the excellence of this first shipment of sugar from the Fiji Islands, and we have now great pleasm-e in drawing special attention to the approaching sale The importance of this new source of supply can scarcely be over-estimated, and Aye shall look with interest to the result of the first public auction of the Star of the Souths shipment.

Temperance advocates will be horrified to hear that the French Minister of War has ordered that large stone jars, filled with brandy and water, shall be placed in each barraok-room for the use of the soldiers. The Minister has issued this order at the suggestion of the military medical authori ties, who consider this beverage indispensa ble for the health of the troops.

The re-building of the Vendome Column will be completed this month. Some months ago it was proposed to surmount it with a statue of France, but this was rejected, and the statue of Napoleon T. was again selected as the only fitting crown for such a monu ment. But the Government is now afraid of aßonapartist demonstration, so that the crowning of the column may be delayed for some time.

The other day some brigands were tried at Rome for a long and hideous list of crimes of the deepest dye, and it was stated among the particulars given in evidence as regarded two of them that they had been before condemned to imprisonment for life. There is one of these gentlemen now in the hulks who has been condemned six times to im prisonment for life, and there are dozens of cases where the sentence has been repeated two, three, and four timed. No wonder that brigandage flourishes in Italy.

While driving with the King of Saxony, the other day, the Emperor of Bussia had a narrow escape. The horses, taking fright at some music, ran away, and on ncaring the palace of Pilnitzhis Imperial Majesty jumped out of the carriage, fortunately without sus taining any injur}'. The King of Saxony retained his seat, and the horses were soon afterward stopped. Shortly afterward the Rmperor left for Warsaw, and was. while en route, greeted with the utmost enthusiasm.

We notice that Mr Samuel Wells, account ant of this city, has been appointed collector for the Mount Eden Highway District, of whom licenses may be had for depasturing cattle in that locality.

At the meeting of the Improvement Com missioners held yesterday there was but little business done. A letter was read from Messrs Tonks and Co. requesting that one third of the value of bricks sold for the Commissioners should be returned, as the arch was only thre9 bricks thick instead of four. The request was granted. A letter Avas read from Mr G. Graham, intimating that the drain across his property in the Grafton road had burst, and (•(questing that the Commissioners would repair the same. The Commissioners con sidered that they were not liable for the injury complained of:', but would endeavour to prevent any such outbreak in future. A letter from Messrs Winks and Hall will be considered at the next meeting. It was resolved that the agreement with the Gas Company should await the action of the City Council.

The members of the Auckland Fire Brigade met last evening in the depOt, Albert-street, according to previous announcement, Mr Hughes, superintendent, in the chair, who informed the meeting that Mr Samuel Coombes had received an order from His Worship the Mayor for a supply of caps for the members of the brigade. The chief business of the meeting was the election of officers for the next twelve months. The ballot resulted in the. election of Mr Burke as post captain of No 1 Company; Mr Piper foreman of the hook and ladder company ; Mr Smith, foreman of hose ; Messrs Hum phries and Knight, branchmen ; Mr Seering H. Matthews, treasurer ; Mr W. McGinley, secretary; and Messrs Ansell, Callaghan, and Connor, pioneers.

We are pleased to learn that it is the intention of Mr P. Doran, assisted by some of our leading amateur talent, to give one of their pleasing entertainments shortly for the benefit of. Mrs Ryan, whose destitute circumstances have been already noticed in the StaPv. We are quite confident that a bumper house will reward the efforts of the performers. Those gentiemen who intend tf .-xend their services will plerse meet Mr Doran at the City Hall this evening at half past seven.

The members and friends of the Excelsior Lodge of Good Templars held a soiree or open lodge meeting last evening in the Edwardes street Chapel. Over 200 persons sat down to a sumptuous tea provided by the lodge, and prepared by Mesdames Maynard, Chambers and Booth. The ladies who presided at the tables were Mrs John Chambers, Mrs Moore and Miss M. A. Moore, Mrs Hughes, Mrs Mills, Mrs Binm and Miss M. Binns, Misses Kate and Mary McMillan, Miss E. Booth, and Misses S. andH. Warburfcon. The tables were tastefully decorated with flowers, and the room was ornamented with emblems of the brother hood. Mr D. Goldie was called to the chair, aud in a brief but pointed speech introduced th programme of the evening. The choir, conducted by Mr Sooth, gave the opening ode, andin the course of the evening sang "I have a Home," "Hold the Fort," "Man the Life-boat," and the "Templar's Battle Cry," which were rendered in good style. Two songs "Once again we meet," and " Courage to say No," by Mr Beswiek, were much applauded. Mr Cornish read "Richard Hume's Experiences;" and Mr Blackman gave an original poem, " The Shoemaker's Story; or, Mrs, Browne's Goose berry Wine," which was good in flavour and quality, superior even to that recommended by Mrs Primrose, the wife of the good Vicar of Wakefield. A speech was given by Mr Smith on "Home Influence," with James Montgomery's fine poem on " Home." Mr If emus, senior, gave a chapter from his own experience of thirty years, and Mr Ewington made an excellent speech on " Holding the Fort " The pieces delivered were unexcep tionable in their moral character, the music was good, and the entertainment closed at half-past nine.

A meeting of the ratepayers ©Hhe New market district was held last night at the ' Boyal George Hotel to appoint two new trustees. Mr Dinnison was voted to the chair. The following were proposed as trustees: —Messrs Hunter, Angus, app McColl. Messrs Jenkins and Witheford were appointed scrutineers, and the. VjJtes were taken, which resulted in the appoint ment of Messrs Hunter and Angus. Mr McColl. in a good-humoured speech, ac knowledged the election of the two other gentlemen. A piper was here read which the late chairman had been getting signed during the day, calling upon the three other trustees to give up office, complaining that the most populous portion of the district was not fully represented. No complaint being made agiinst the trustees personally no notice was taken of the paper by the meet ing. After the. meeting had terminated a .se'ect number of the ratepayers adjourned to the parlour, and the new trustees having called in some of Mr Sceats'best, Mr B. E. Turner proceeded to entertain the company with the history of New Zealand, and a very pleasant evening was spent. The adjourned meeting of the Royal Black Preceptory, 149 I. C, will be held this even ing in the Protestant Hall, Newton, at eight o'clock. ,

The first general rehearsal of the members of the several choirs enrolled in the Diocesan Choral Union will take place this evening in St. Paul's Church.

The gale yesterday destroyed about forty piles of the Queen-street wharf. The Clerk of Works to the Harbour Board examined the structure to-day, and estimates the damage at £400. The section near the place where the Mera was lying has been fenced in, being considered in a dangerous condition. The Wharf Committee have ordered imme diate steps to repair the damage.

Members of No. 2 Company are reminded of the monthly inspection to-night, when a large attendance is specially desired.

On Saturday evening Miss Adelaide Stoneham will make her first appearance at the Prince of Wales Theatre in her new characteristic entertainment, " Quaint and Queer People." This lady will be assisted by Mr H. Stoneham, the unrivalled comedian, and Mr Chailes Verner, the great serio-comic performer.

: VThere is on view at the shop of Mr Kohn, jeweller, Queen-street, a very handsome sterling silver salver, Bubseriberl for by the members of the late Volunteer Fire Brigade, for presentation to their late Superintendent, Mr Asher. The plate bears a suitable inscrip tion, and is a testimonal which Mr Asher may well prize, not merely for its intrinsic value but as a woithy mark of esteem coming from a.number of men with wdiom he has been closely associated for many years.

The Prince of Wales Theatre was very wel attended last evening, and "the California Minstrels were again successful. ' The re presentations were the "Auckland Fireman," "Bill Jones's Cousin," and a piece entitled "Othello and Macbeth," which were well received. The " Champagne Chorus" was a great success, and Mr Herman's violin solo was a masterly performance. The farce of the "Lunatic Asylum" was exceedingly funny. The entertainment was pleasing throughout, and the talented minstrels received due applause. Tomorrow night, Messrs Sutton and Kelly will take their benefit, when a crowded house may be anticipated. This will positively be the last performance.

Remarking on the Csesarism of the present Government the Canterbury Press says : " Every second parliamentary paper that we take up is signed 'Julius Vogel;' and almost every reply that came from the Go vernment benches last session was from 'the Hon. the Premier.' Those who care to con sult our telegraphic summary will find that wo have not overstated the case, and we appeal for further confirmation of our view, if that is necessary, to the official records in Hansard. Mr Vogel has been,and is the Government. His colleagues, whenever they were left to themselves in the House—wo judge from the published and authenticated reports—were almost, if not quite, helpless. Mr Vogel's aim is to con summate in New Zealand by a sweeping coup that phase of Cassarism towards which he has been gradually working. If the offices which Mr Vogel holds are enumerated, and if the large amount of work which they imply, or ought to imply, is considered—to say nothing in the meantime of the patronage which they confer on the holder—it will be seen that he has been trying to centralise all power in himself. He is Premier, to begin with ; he is Colonial Treasurer ; he is Minister of Immigration ; he is Commissioner

of Telegraphs ; and he is Postmaster- General."

ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

[Per Java Cable,]

LONDON, September 14.

A republican has been elected to the National Assembly as representative of Maine-et-Loire.

President MacMahon has been visiting the Northern departeinents. When replying to an address which had been presented to him he expressed his determination to pursue his mission with firmness, and to have regard to the moderate men of all parties.

The Journal dcs Debats has been warned for having said that whoever was not a Republican was an adherent of the Empire.

German and Austrian Embassadors have presented their credentials to Marshal Serrano, as chief of the Spanish Executive Government, and given expression to their cordial good wishes and assurances.

M. Gnizot, the eminent French statesman and historian, is dead.

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

(PER S.S. VICTORIA.)

SYDNEY

August 17. Messrs Gilchrist, Watt and Co., agents ! for the steamer Cyphrenes, have chartered her to the A.S.N. Company, and have also made an offer of the steamers Macgregor and Mikado. The Cyphrenes has undergone a thorough refit during her stay in port, and left for Newcastle during the night to coal. On her return here she will take in cargo etc., for San Francisco, and leave with the mails for England on the 26th instant. The substitution of this vessel for the City of Adelaide is in every sense advantageous, and proves .that the local company wish to carry out even a temporary engagement with credit to themselves and' the colony. Mr Russell's arrival from Auckland is anxiously lpoked for both in this colony and in Vic toria. Some of our Victorian contemporaries have assumed from the fact of New Zealand having temporarily withdrawn from )the Californian and- Singapore services that therefore Mr Vogel his decided to trust en tirely to the P. and 0. Company. If this had been the case it would have been wasting money to send a special Commis sioner to Sydney. The Mikado left San Francisco to date, as the 13th there is our 12th.

The Labouring Men's Association's" annual demonstration takes place to-day, when the inauguration of the society will be celebrated by a procession and luncheon.

A lease of the site of the old Prince of Wales Theatre, burned down some years ago, has been secured, together with that of ground in the vicinity sufficient for the pur pose, and an opera-house or theatre on a large scale and. of commodious capabilities is to be commenced forthwith.

Mr F. M. Bates, the American actor who

proceeded by the Hero for Auckland - on a tour of inspection through Ne Zealand, which, if favourable, will lead W the organisation of a full dramatic comnan° in Sydney to travel throug1 N*e Australasia? Mrs Bates remains in Syd;^^^ieome time Mr William Lyster, the: °«h O , s tat that we are to have no moM i"n one* for five years, as he goes to: -£» fcKSrtth Mr Armse Beaumont; but hj w.*"ton j way ahead without rememlA_^r p et L T that there may arise some other Bpeculatn 8 willing to tempt Australians with the W* drama in its native tongue. Mr Fred Lyste° is to bring out an English company. . r The Mint has been the scene of unnsnal activity during the past few days The die gers from the north, by the Leichhardt and Lord Ashley, on their arrival sent in their gold for analysis. The scene round about the establishment was exciting and interest^ ing, and bore evidence of the richn eg6 of our auriferous deposits. Some of the miners —who were about fifty in number—carried their jirecmue burdens, and a few of them" seemed actually oppressed by their weight.

MELBOURNE.

September 17,; v A Royal Commission has been appointed to take steps to secure the representation of the colony at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition.

Meetings of creditors in the estates, of two giocery firms have been called. A heavy storm, accompanied by thunder' and lightning, occurred this afternoon, flood.: ing Elizabeth-street, and causing a suspension of traffic. A cab was upset in the stream^ but the passengers whom it contained were rescued. -,

A meat market has been opened in Ellza*v> beth-street, the event being celebrated by a '■* banquet in the market. A serious gas explosion occurred in the house of the Rev W. Ballantyne, ftesbf. terian minister, Carlton. All the family were injured, and Mrs Ballantyne's life is despaired of. Hei son is seriously burnt. The furiii^ tnre and the windows of the house broken. An escape of gas was smelt, and «« candle was taken to find out where the gag was escaping from. The explosion followed;.; immediately. iUii The salts of maize have been slightly" checked by the arrival'of the Loch _Naw~: with 4000 bags. Price quoted is ss. ,-j ,: ; ;': A private telegram from London, dated the 14th September, confirms the recent news from Batavia. The message says-- |] "Sugars have advanced Is since UhtJot> vices. No. 12 is quoted at £26. There V. an upward tendency in the market." It is stated that Mr Petty has been offered '

£4,500 for Goldsborough. A Statistical Return prepared by the Vie. ~ torian Government to the end of last year " shews that the rate of taxation per head*in *•■ this coleny is £2 4s lO.fd ; and theMtepf; indebtedness per head £15. 14s 10|d • the._.. acres under cultivation were 964,996, ; Tn the Legislative Assembly, after, * long* discussion, 20 per cent duties were carried:;on ; a division of 35 to 23. :

At the. Victorian Church Assembly the Bishop stated there are in- the diocese 42 m consecrated churches, and 198 unconsecrated;": * and with other buildings, in all, 403place'kft.|

worship,

A STRANGE DEATH.

A death from the effects of a dose of pokoa ~ occurred (says the Rendigo Advertiser) on ,i Wednesday night, at the Tarn O'Shanter Hotel, Specimen Gully, "i he victim, a manl„ '\ named Thomas Purchasr, came in from his- ;v wwk as usual in the -evening. He shortly

afterwards went away, and on his return at

about 12 o'clock he was observed in the bar.

It was discovered that he had swallowed a,.... small bottle of sulphuric acid, which was; 1 kept in the bar, and of which he was occa- -'--.. sionally in the habit of taking some drop^ for the cure of colds. Assistance was

immediately afterwards procured, and he was thrown on his back and a quantity of ; kerosene poured down his throat as an . '• emetic. He vomited considerably, and after M a while got up and appeared to be none i: the worse for his dose. He went into an ad joining room, but he had no sooner gone through the door than he fell down in a chair. The proprietor of the hotel went to his assistance, but the unfortunate man per-ffi sisted in shaking bauds with him, remarking M "I'm off." He requested that all the other ; people in the house should also shake hands with him ; but before this could be done he expired in the chair, apparently quite easy. r f The deceased was a highly educated man, |g and was well connected. He was a lawyer by profession, and practised as such some years ago in -Melbourne, and of late he has been earning his living in various ways, Buch||jl as fossicking in old gullies and wood cutting. ■',!. The jury returned a vtrdict of accidental death through taking an overdose of sulphuric , acid.

NEW CALEDONIA.

THE ESCAPE OF ROCHEFORT.

A correspondent., writing from Noumea on 24tli Atigust last, states that " in the begin ing of July Admiral Ribour arrived here upon a special mission from the French Government to inquire into the escape of Rochefort, Pascal, Grousset, Jourde, and the rest, who got clear some months since in the P.C E. On his arrival the place was turned upside down, and a searching inquiry made into the affair. Little ?or nothing, however, seemed to come oi the inquiry save the summary expulsion of a large number of Communists from Noumea back to their island prison, si xty miles from here, frequently with only a few hours' notice, no matter whether they had; behaved themselves or not. These men, being the better behaved portion of the deportees, had, on their good conduct, been permitted by the Governor, M. de laßicherie to come and practice their various occupa tions in Noumea and elsewhere, to the mutual benefit of themselves and the general public, for labour was much needed. On Saturday last, the 20th, the Admiral left Noumea for Fiji to catch the mail there, by a Government steamer, the Cher, en route for France via San Fran cisco. After he had embarked he sent an order to the Governor to dismiss eight or ten superior and fifteen or twenty sub-officers, otherwise degraded in oflice, and some re ceived orders to return to France. This was done without a single word-of warning, and to officers of many years' service. His act is re garded here as a disgrace to the Government itself, as well as an insult to the Governor, by dealing thus with old, well-tried officers. He is spoken of as a Jesuit, and it is com monly remarked that one of the superior officers has been sacrificed because of his being a Mason of high grade. The day he left news reached Noumea of the escape of Marshal Baaaine;— -Age.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.) WRONft IK THE HEAD. _, U Samuel Nero Butcher' was. charged with • being drunk last night, and fited TOs. and costs ; and Formosa Hoskins for being drunk ~t| and disorderly was fined 20V. and costs. . J NEGLECTED CHILDREN. " f~T« Samuel Carey, nine years of age, \^ charged with being a neglected, child withn, mM the meaning of the Act. £ \ . Mr Broham informed the Court that the IS father of the child was ill in the hospital. . The mother appeared in Ja most wretch^ J plight, and stated that she had five children, .. .. and had no means of supporting them. - .-." E | Sergeant Connor deposed to finding the-\ J family in a dreadful state of misery, without | any visible means of living. His Worship ordered the child to be sent |

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