SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATKB : Thi» evening, 0.23 ; to-monow ttorninjj, O 51 SUN-SKE: Xbia evening, 4.46; BUX-BISKI ?o aaorrow morning, 7.17 MOON'S AGE: First quarter, 22nd, 7.40 a.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS. Southern Cross, s.s., F. Holmes, from England, via Melbourne Clyde, schooner, from "Wangarei William and Julia, schooner, from Thames Sunbeam, schooner, from Wangarei Fannie, cutter, from Wang poa

DEPARTURES.

Jubilee, ship, Langlois, for San Francisco Plucbe, s s , Worsp, for the South Fairy, schooner, Jone3, for Hokianga Paterson, p.s., for Ilokiapga Bowena, 5.3., for the North Tawera, schooner, for Kaipara Atalanta, schooner, for Kaipara Golden Isle, schooner, for Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For London—Hylton Oastle, barque, early For Kandavu-Macgreger, s.s., (English Mail), btn For Portland, Oregon—Bluntly Castle, ship, early For New Caledonia — Dauntless, schooner, (Hawaiian), Clio, schooner, early For Lyttelton—P.O.E., barque, Flirt, brigantine, and Ttyno, brigantine, early For Wellington—HM.S. Blanche, early For New York— Florence, barque, to-moTrow For Napier—Southern Cross, s.s., to-morrow

VESSELS EXPECTED.

City of Adelaide, s a., (English Mail), from Kandavu, over due Macgregor, s.s., from Sydney, sth prox. "Victoria, s. s., from Sydney and Melbourne, early Loch Awe ship, from London; sailed April 6 James Wishart. ship, from London, sailed 18th March Queen of Nations, ship, from Liverpool, via Belfast, , Sailed 17th March "William Gifford, foarque, from New York, via Dunedin. Sailed Feb 15 Countess of Kintore, ship, from London, sailed 6th April Perndale, barque, from London Oity of Auckland, ship, from Lordon Acacia, barQue. from Lyttelton The Tsabe llas, brig, from Newcastle, early Eleanor, harque, from Newcastle, early Thames, barque, from Boston, loading Glimpse, barque, from Newcastle, early Hylton Castle, barque, from Newcastle, early Edith, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Pet, barque, from Oamaru, early Elderslie, schooner, from Oamaru, early Albion, brig, from the Kaipara Freetrader, barque, from Dunedin Fatal Queen, barque, from Lyttelton

IMPORTS.

Per Southern Cross, s.s., from Melbourne —100 i-chests tea, 201 boxes do., 40 bags sugar,. 381 pockets, do., B. Tonks and Co. ; 371 do." do., 40 bags, Owen and Graham ; 5 hhds stout, Must and Co. ; 10 casks currants, G. W. Owen ; 50 cases kerosene, R. Cooley; 100 case 3 brandy, 6 j-casks do., 2 hhds do., Combes and Daldy.—A.S.P. Co., agents.

A ship and steamer coastwise are signalled as we go to press. The s.s. Phcebe took her departure from the Manukau for the South this day shortly after one o'clock. She took an average general cargo (including four boxes of gold, 4469 ozs.) for delivery at Lyttelton for ship ment to England by the Bank of New Zea land, and the following passengers : —Hon. 3. M. O'Rorke, Smith's Combination Troupe (fourteen), Miss A. Pollen, Miss Kate March, Mrs Stafford and two children, Mr P. Han -Bon, Mr Ibbetson, Mr and Mrs A. Roberts, Mr Green, and ten in the steerage. The schooner Queen brings 72 tons of coal from Russell.

The Kenilworth has hauled alongside to unload hejr island cargo of maize, cetton, and copra. The brig Drover arrived at Graham stown on Saturday with a cargo of coals from New castle.

The ne\v screw steamer Southern Cross, built by Messrs Eltringham and Co., of South Shields, to the" order of the Auckland Steam .Packet Company, arrived from Eng land via Melbourne, under the command of Captain F. Holmes, yesterday morning. She comes laden with a Melbourne cargo princi pally for Napier. The following is the re port of her passage supplied by Mr Sopwith, the chief officer :—Left Shields 21st Jan nary, floe.-., weather ; : 24th, came to anchor off Dungeness, strong wind and sea; 25th,' more moderate, proceeded on our voyage; 26th, passed the Start Point, from which .we took our .departure; 29 th, spoke the Spanish steamer V. Cortes, short of coal, supplied her; and proceeded; 7th February, got the first of the north-east trade winds, in latitude 22 deg. 24 mm.. north, longitude 23 deg. 47min. west; 17th February, lost the trade winds in'latitude 5 deg. 24 mm. north, longitude 24 deg. 10 miv. west; 19th February, crossed the line, from which time fine weather with light easterly winds; 13th Match, ? the island of Tristan D'Acunhain sight; strong breezes were experienced from SiW.y* veering to SvEi^tb "the 30th March, latitude 37 deg. 2 Mitt? south, longitude 16 deg. 45 mm. east; bore away for Table Bay for coal; pifit into; the Gape; 3rd April;' left again on the 4th winds to May Ist, then strong breezes.froniW.S.W. until Cape Otway was made on the 23rd May; put into Melbourne on the 24fch, for coal; , left again on the lOfch Junej after being placed on the patent;; jlip for cleaning; strong easterly ■winds were encountered with heavy sea, <nn the passage across;' hove to on the 16th June, with a strong gale from the south; sighted Three Kings on Saturday morning; sighted a barquef off Cape Karakara, standing ta the ;: northward; on morning. The new steamer is not a very great beauty but she isL splendidly built, and is spokenof as a fine sea boat, Her rate of speed is said ta be about 8J knots. In herrig she resembles tfie Star of the South. The cabin arrange ments of the two boats are also somewhat alike. She did not come alongside the wharf till this afternoon being first coaled at one of the hulks. Hundreds of" spectators have criticised her.appearance throughout the afternoon, i Her destination is the trade be tween Auckland, Napier and Fiji. By Melbourne papers to hand by the Southern Cross we see that the s.s. Victoria was advertised to-sail for Auckland on the 12th inst. We have, however, received telegrams from Melbourne to the 13th inst., in which'-nottiing is :saiddf S her departure. She, left Sydney for Melbourne on the 6th inst. <* Presuming that she left on the 12fch, she' 1 would-be due about'to-morrow.' . I}hs Ship Jftbiled took, her departure for San Frah'ciscoVearly yesterday morning. The ship Hydaspes, which left Sydney on the 26th February,-arrived in London the first week in June.

The brigantine Kate Brain, which has been docked at Dunedin .and thoroughly refitted after her stranding at the Bluff, has been pur chased by Messrs Anderson and Mowatt, of Danedin, from the .New Zealand Insurance Company, who took her over from her pre vious ownerßjatthejtinie of the mishap.' The price was £2,530.

The repairs to the Clio are now completed. It is probable she: will sail for New Caledonia next week.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

~ „ ... , Napier, this day. The Star of the South arrived on Saturday at midnight from Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

At Messrs Cochrana's sale to-day a cottage at Seafield View bro*fgb.t|£lso, the purchaser b«ing Mr Perry; lot 1, Umon-street, fetched

£51 16s; farm at Remuera was passed at £14 per acre. Messrs B. Tonks and Co. to-day sold in one lot 400 bags of maize, ex Kenilworth from Tonga, at 5s 9d per bushel. CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST. The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the comPanies named below: — Calls. _. . £ a. d. Date National Bank of N.Z. .. .. 010 0 July 1 White RqseGM. Co 0 0 6 July 8

BIRTH.

Pbince—On June 22, at her residence. Grey-street, Auckland, the wife of C. H. Prince of a daughter. Kingsford —On the 21st instant, the wife of C. Kingsford, Nelson-street, of a son.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Closb ah Uitdkh :—

For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p m., and to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Napier and Southern provinces, per City of Adelaide, six hours after arrival For Wangarei, &c, per Clyde, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For Russell, per Queen, to-morrow, at 8 p.m. For Napier, per s.s. Southern Cross, to-morrow, at 3 pm. Mils for Australian Colonies, India, China, Conti nent of Europe, and TXnited Kingdom, via Suez, will be made up at this oflir-e per- Wellington, on Friday, 20th instant. Should a later opportunity offer, supplementary mails will bo forwarded.

(F)gnod) S. B. Bras, Chief Postmaster.

The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARM INCORPORATED. The Evening News and the Morning news.

For the cause that \nc\t» unnM.arcti, For the wrong that neecta resistance, For the future in the distance,

And **>» good that we can do

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 1874.

True to the role which the Cross has latterly assumed of acting as a general wet blanket to all local enterprise, that journal goes in heavily this morning against the. erection of the public buildings on the Supreme Court site. The article in itself is about the most rubbishy piece of English composi tion that has appeared, in that paper; however that is nothing. People expect nothing better in the leading articles of that paper under its present regime. The writer has evidently picked up a hazy idea of the past history of this portion of land, and with that Pecksniffian assumption of solemn ity which is made by aome to play the par of wisdom, prates of the " grave public importance that the history of the errors in connection wifh this land ought to have ended horo." Wo feel it to bo intensely stupid to refer to the article in question, and to the series of nonsensical guesses at the true state of the case which the writer makes with an obtrusiveness of the "we" and " in our opinion " and "for our own part" which is positively nauseating. We can hardly refrain from asking how dares a person exhibiting such literary rubbish presume to use the sacred "we" or impertinently obtrude "our opinion" on the attention of sensible people. We shall not wade through the slough of verbiage and ignoranco, but note one .or two points alone. The writer assumes that the sole object of the Council is the utilization of the reserve in question for the benefit of education. If the stupid person had only read tho recommendation of the Committee which was adopted by the Council he would have known that this was not the sole object. And then in utter ignor ance of the evidence adduced before the Committee the fellow says " ice think " that " the educational funds will lose by the tran saction." The fact is that evidence from experts, and not the mere "thinks" of an ignorant and conceited scribbler, showed that over twice the amount of income would accrue for educational purposes from the accepted method of utilization. Besides whatever may have been suggested to the Council by Message or cherished by indivi dual members, the resolution of the Council contemplated more than "an endowment sacred to the cause of education," however noble that object. It intended the adorn ment of the city and the public convenience in the provision of public offices; and the writer in " The Wet Blanket" may rest apaured that this will be attended to, and that promptly, despite his opinion that "there need be no great hesitation about the delay of a year." So far as we know of the members of the Commission the scan dalous delay which has heretofore attended the utilization of this reserve will not be con tinued, and for not one day beyond the shortest period possible should this blot in the centre of our main street be permitted to remain. " Cautioning delay" is a favorite sy stem with those who would have their dull stupidity acepted for prudence and who like owls are pained and hoot at any signs of light and life .and progress.

A good thing occurred at St. Matthew's yesterday. A gentleman whom we shall call Mr A. on going into Church found his seat filled, and was under the necessity of going to the front and occupying one of the chairs reserved as free seats. A gentleman whom we shall call Mr B. located in the neighbour hood tapped Mr A. on the shoulder, and with great consideration invited him to leave so conspicuous and prominent a position and come into his Mr B.s pew, while at the same time the obligation-was made more affecting by Mr B. himself giving up to him hisjown place and removing to another part of the church. Deeply affected at such unlooked for kindness, and believing of course that it was all done from "pure love and affection," Mr A. performed his religious duties with a heart overflowing with charity and love to man, and especially to the generous gentle man, who had just exhibited such Christian courtesy. He could hardly restrain the gushings of his gratitude till the close of the service, and then leaning over towards Mrs. 8., and breathing softly his deep sense of gratitude, he was proceeding to express his regret for having inconvenienced Mr B. so much, when he was cut short by " Oh, don't mention it. Mr B. has a great objection to the draught.",' Deeply hurt in his tender feelings, but yet convinced that there must be some mistake, Mr A. proceeded towards Mr 8., renewing his protestations of grati tude for the kind attention, when Mr B. tapping the back of his own neck remarked "It catches me there, sir. It catches me there." Mr A., who is going about to-day with a twist in his neck, does not remember the text of that sermon. He thinks it|was about brotherly kindness, but he is sure that the application was something disagreeable about the value of "pure love and affection."

A man named Michael Hogan, while in a state of intoxication, was driving a cart in Symonds-street when he fell on to the road cutting his head, but without sustaining any serious injuries. He was conveyed to the police station and looked up on tho ohargo of

We have received from Mr Launcelot Booth a letter in reply ho Cameo's .strictures on his poem, "The Plague-stricken Ship. Pressure on our space compels us to. ihola over the letter for a future issue.

The Luna will be at the Manukam on 29th inst., and will leave there on the morning of 30th with the membets of General Assembly.

A very interesting meeting wan held on Tuesday last at Mrs Addey's Seminary, Ponsonby road, for the purpose of distri tributing the prizes to the successful pupils during the last term. The Rev. B. S • Bree officiated on this occasion, and in the, course of an address to the young ladies took occa sion to eulogize the marked improvement ot tho school in every department, and stated thathe consideredit a matter of great s-atisfac tion to the parents that they had placed their daughters under such able and judicious in struction. At the close of the proceedings a very elegant ornament was presented to Mrs Addey on the part of the young ladies, who requested her acceptance of this small tol&en of their gratitude for the uniform kindna»s and care bestowed upon them.

Telegraphic communication with the Thames and South has been interrupted to-day. It is supposed that the cause of the stoppage is damage to the wire crossing the Frith of Thames, or is somewhere in that locality.

We observe by advertisement in this even ing's issue that Mrs Tomes' concert will be held to-morrow evening in the Newton Hall, for which a splendid two-part programme has been provided, including the names of many of our leading amateur vocalists. The; ballads and recitations are very choice, and. the selections of music from the best masters, of the heavenly lyre.

At the District Court this morning, before his Honor Judged Beckham, IMr Hesketh moved for a new trial in the caße of Rogers; v. Grant and Morton, on the ground that; the verdict of the jury was contrary to the: ruling of the learned judge, and wilfully per verße. Mr Joy, on the other hand, argued that an auctioneer, having issued advertise ments, and ascended the rostrum, could not legally refuse the highest bid, and order a person out of the 'auction room, which was. during such sale a place of public resort, unless the person was either drunk or guilty of some gross misconduct tending to interrupt the business and likely to lead to a breach of tho peace. The learned counsel on both .sides referred to a number of authorities which his Honor noted, and promised to give his decision next Court day. He was anxi ous to look carefully into the points raised as tho case was ono of public importance.

The stallage rents and tolls of the Auck land Market were to-day disposed of in one lot by Messrs Grant and Morton, the pur chaser being Mr Greenwood, Market In spector, for £41 per month. This is very much below tho price at which the stalls were originally let.

We notice that Mr G. Redfern, photo grapher, late of Queen-street, has re-com meuced business in Mr J. Corbett's late premises, Shortland-street.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

[Before P. A. Philips, Esq., R.M.]

A SOLITAKY INDIVIDUAL,

Robert Jackson, a respectable-looking man, was charged with being drunk in a solitary place last night and fined 10s and costs.

FOITIU'ENNYWOIiTn OK WOOD,

George Saville, of Abergavenny, was chargeel with stealing a piece of timber, value 4d, the property of the City Council. Sergeant Saunderson deposed that last night about eleven o'clock he Baw prisoner take the timber from the new road, near Lorno-streot. He followed him homo, and charged him with the offence. PriEoner said he picked up the piece of timber from a gutter. James Sandes, a carpenter, proved that he placed the timber, a cross stave, by the windlass. It was the property of tho City Council. , ... .. Prisoner said ho was going home with his wife and saw the timber, which he considered was useless. Was in the employ of a trades man, and had been cmplojed ever since his arrival in this country by the Chile. Mr Broham said the prisoner bore a good character. , . His Worship cautioned the prisoner, and dismissed him.

MIRAKI'S MISTAKE.

Miraki, a native woman on remand, was brought up on a charge of stealing three Crimean shirts value 22a Gd, the property of Messrs Vaile, drapers, of Queen and Wynd ham-atreets, on the 31st June. Prisoner said she was under the influence of drink, and did not know what she was about. She did not remember stealing the shirts. > , , ; Robert H. Robinson deposed that he was in Messrs Vaile's employ, and deposed to seeing prisoner near the shop about 5 o'clock and shortly after he missed the shirts. A native named Te Hune deposed to buy ing one of the shirts of prisoner for Gd. She was drunk at the time. Detective Ternahan arrested the prisoner at half-past ten on that evening, when she ackowledged that Bhe had stolen the shirts from the pakeba at the corner shop under the great figure (Justice). He took her to the lock-up. His Worship asked prisoner, through her interpreter, Mr Brown, what she had to say for herself. Prisoner said she did not know anything about it, until she struck a match in the lock-up, when she was told that she was in prison for stealing shirts ; J3he was very much surprised, as she did not wear such things. His Worship : You must pay £4 10s, or thirty days' imprisonment.

THE LADS OF FREEMAN'S BAY,

Nelson Harvey and John Soares were charged with assaulting John Burstead, by giving him a blow on the eye and punching him in the belly, on the 16th inst. Mr Bennett appeared for the two boys ; and said that Mr Burstead, who was present, he wai not willing to press the charge against the lads, as he thought if his Worship would give the boys a good talking to it might be the means of checking such conduct in future. Mr Burstead stated that he was continually annoyed by about a dozen of the boys ; and on the night in question prisoners were fore most in attacking him, but if they would desist in future he would, by his Worship's permission, withdraw the charge. His Worship thought it was wrong to withdraw the charge, as an example should be made of such conduct; such larrikinura must be put a stop to. The parents of the children, apparently respectable persons, expressed their regret at what had occurred ; it was done without their sanction or knowledge. His Worship gave the boys a severe lesson and discharged them. CITY KATES. J. A. T. Butler was summoned for non payment of city rates for property in Hobson- street, at the instance of the City Council. Defendant did not appear. Judg ment was given for plaintiff. This was all the buaines*. - ■

THE KAIPARA RAILWAY.

CONTRACTS FOR ITS COMPLETION,

We are glad to learn that there is now a prospect of the Kaipara railway being com pleted to Riverhead within a short Pfnod. The abandonment lot this line to wind and weather for so many months has been un accountable. A contract was howevur signed to-day by Mr Falloon for layingtheplates and sleepers, and ballasting the line, the work to be completed in six months. There are now 22 000 sleepers stacked on the line, and tne contractor is to find 8000 more. The shipment of the necessary materials has been going on for the last four months, and everything is now in readiness to commence work imme diately. The contract price is within a tew pounds of £13,000.

SUPPOSED ATTEMPT AT INCENDIARISM.

An attempt, it was supposed, to burn down the Catholic Institute was made yesterday morning, which was first discovered by Mrs Griffen, who resides next the Institute. Mrs Griffen went into the wine-cellar of the In stitute about|nine yesterday moraine, and dis covered the remains of some burnt paper between the tin and wooden partition, which apparently had burnt out without further damage. A man named Smith stated that he was awakened about two o'clock in the morning by a terrible noise which he could not at all understand. At first he thought .the Institute had fallen down, but upon striking a light he found that some night wanderer had thrown a brick through his window, and smashed several panes of glass. He popped on his trousers and went out but could see no psrson near. A little dog was barking loudly in Union-street, which led Smith to suppose that the mis miscreant had,gone in that direction, but he could see no one in the shadowy distance. He supposes that the attempt must have been made at that time, and that the would be incendiary's conscience smote him, and induced him to throw the brick through the window. Several con stables wero on the hunt yesterday, and descovcred the track of a woman's boot in soft day under the broken window. The measure of the track was duly taken, and the police am on the look out for a woman with small high-heeled boots, corresponding with the discovered track in the clay.

THE WRECK OF THE CUTTER AGNES.

THE WORST FE\RS OF HER TOTAL LOSS WITH ALL ON BOARD REA LISED.

The man dispatched by Mr J. W. Waller to the scene of the reported wreck of the cutter Agnes returned to town yesterday, and has furnished the appended report, which confirms the worst apprehensions of tho fate of the cutter and her crew. The report has been forwarded to the Custom house authorities, and will no doubt be a subject of enquiry. In reference to the statement of an eye witness contained in the 11 Cross " of this morning, Mr Waller asserts that the Agnes had a very light deck load when she left the M.-muVau. The following is the report : —" Waiuku, 20th June, 1874. —I, John Codlin, proceeded with William Lynds on Tuesday, the 16th instant, in search of the wreck of the cutter Agnes, supposed tobe on shore between Waikato Heads and Kaglan. We reached Waikato Heads about 10 a.m. Bamedayand proceeded on the coast road until we reached the Maori settlement of Waikauwhau, where we remained for the night, and also next day, being weather-bound. We learned that tho locality of the wreck was off the usual track taken by travellers to Raglan, and that it would be necessary to engage a Maori as guide, which Mr Lynds did, and we started early on Thursday morning, the 18th instant, and got to the wreck about 2 p.m., which is under the cliffs at a place called by tho natives Maara Tapu, where we found four pieces of junk timber about 27 feet long aud 9 by 12 square, also some pieces of scantling, 4 by 3, 9 by 3, and 6 by 2, and numerous fragments of boards very much broken up. We also found one side of the combing of a hatchway, painted blue on the insido and white outside. We also found a tiller, painted white, with a blue dash on the under side of the end and a star carved on the top side. We found a water-barrel at the Maori settlement, which they said they had picked up from the wreck. The body of tho barrel was painted white, with blue hoops and one end blue, the other white. At dead low-water we saw an anchor, but it was impossible to get to it. About three miles nearer Waikato Heads than the place of the wreck we saw a portion of .the keel of a vessel newly cast up and some portions of sail. We found also at the scene of the wreck portions of a mast and boom, and also fragments of a small boat or dingy, painted white.—Joiiit Codlin — Witness : Aech. Campbell."

FAITH AND FINANCE.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sib, —Can you inform your numerous readers who is paying the piper for the visit being paid to Australia by the Hon Donald McLean, his military secretary, Lieutenant- Colonel St. John, and Major Ropata ? Blot content with this, I see that they have been presenting medals over there. Last year it was Messrs Vogel and Reynolds who travelled in state, now it is the Defence Minister. When, where, and how is all this to end ? While the working men of Auckland are being taxed for the education of their children we have Maoris pampered and treated like princes. Until the general election I suppose we must consider this another instance of the Vogelian theory of "faith and finance."—Yours, &c, A Tax payer.

P.S.—I see the Cross whines under your lash. Serve him right. He commenced it by referring to the Treasurer as " reverend," "an Irishman," &c, and you gave him fair warning a month ago, Mr Editor, that his turn would come. As an Englishman I say "Hit him again."

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Business done this day:— South British Insurance—Sellers, £03. New Zealand Shipping Company—Sellers, 18s.

Alburnia (double Issup)—Sellers, 92g. Caledonian, £9 17s 6d; buyers, £9 10s; sellers, £10 2s 6d. Crown Prince—Sellers, 19a 6d.] ..,j Watchman—Sellers, 7s. 9d. Golden Calf (new)— Sellers, ss. Golden Calf (double)— Buyers, 10s. Old Whau—Bos ; sellers, 80s. Union Beach—lßs.; sellers, 18s*6d. Prido of Tokatea—Buyers, 2s; sellers, 3s. Care—l2s ; sellers, lls 6d. Black Angel—Sellers, 16a. Queen of May—Buyers, 10s 9d. Queen of Thames—Buyers, 6s. Ruby—Buy era, |5s 6d ; sellers, Bs. Red Queen—Sellers, 2s 3d. Tookey (double)— Sellers, £5. Bright Smile—Sellers, £5 2s 6d. I

The Escape of the French Communists from New Caledonia.

Another Version of the

Affair.

Interesting Details by One who took part therein.

THE OLD BARQUE P.C.E. It has probably escaped the memory of most of our readers that the old barque P.C.E., now lying alongside the wharf is the vessel by which the six notable Communist prisoners were enabled to get free from their place of exile and return to take an active part once more in the affairs of their native land. In all human probability the service performed by the leaky weather-beaten old craft, which should ere this have been superannuated, will have an important in fluence on the chequered history of France, and it ma* be that the curious name of the P.C.E. will yet figure prominently, if not on on the pages of the world's history, at least in many a State paper, and will form the subject of an im portant diplomatic controversy on inter national obligations calling for the attention of the greatest modern statesmen. It would almost seem from the telegram which reached ua, via America, by the last mail, that this had already commenced, and that corres pondence was passing between the Govern ment of England and France disputing the question whether the barque was an English or a French vessel, and if the former, to what extent the British Government were responsible for the part taken by English subjects in facilitating the escape of these criminals. Whatever may result from this aspect of the question it is quite certain that Count Henri Rochefort, whose name has been associated with the most stirring events in France for several years past, and is in scribed on the records that tell of the murder and violence committed by the bloody Com mune, is not the man to remain an inactive spectator of the struggle between Monarchy and Republicanism now going on in his native country, and which is likely soon to become developed into more open conflict. Nor are his coadjutors in the Government of the Commune, his fellow-prisoners at New Caledonia, and his co-refugees less likely to make their names echo through the civilised world, bringing into notoriety the name of the vessel which was the means of restoring them to liberty. PUBLISHED ACCOUNTS OF THE ESCAPE. The people of Australia were no less startled upon the announcement being made public on the 27 th of March that six of the most celebrated Communist prisoners had made their escape from New Caledonia and landed at Newcastle, than were the French Government when the same news was

flashed along the submarine cable to Europe. The ref uge3s made no secret of their identity, and at ODce sent a complimentary letter to the editor of the S. M. Herald, giving a correct list of their names as follows:—Henri Eochefort, ex-member of the Government of National Defence; Paschal Grousset, ex- Minister of Foreign Affairs ; Francis Jourde,

late Minister of Finance; Olivier Pain, ex- Secretary of Foreign .Affairs; Achille Balliere, ex-aide-de-camp to General Rossel; and Cavan Grant Achille, ex-Commandant of the | National Guard. But while freely disclosing their personality the refugees were very reticent regarding their mode of escape, and upon that subject positively declined to vouchsafe any information whatever. It was necessßry, however, that the officers of the barque should make Borne explanation as to the way these passengers came on board the vessel, and hence we find published in the " Sydney Morning Herald" the only account that has yet appeared in print, which is to the following effect:—" How the prisoners got on board Captain. Law does not know. It is supposed they stowed away, and when they knew from the heaving of the ship that she was out of the reefs they made their appearance on deck. When they presented themselves suddenly the Captain had some misgivings that their design was to seize the vessel; but his fears were dispelled by a statement from Roclie fort, who told the Captain that they were simply exiles trying to make their escape from New Csledonia. Each gave an assumed name, and no suspicion seems to have been entertained as to the importance or rank of the exiles till after they had been at sea for some days. The discovery took place in a very remark able way. In reading "Bow Bells" Ithe captain came across the portrait of Rochef ort who on being questioned acknowledged his identity and then communioated the real names of his companions." IMPROBABILITIES OF THIS STORY. The improbability, or at any rate, the vagueness of this—the only account of the escape of these men published—is apparent. In the first place the vessel was lying at anchor some distance from the shore, and could only be reached by boat Under these circumstances it would be quite im possible for six men unacquainted with the barque to get on board and stow away with outtheknowledgeof those on board. Moreover the barque is a small one, 291 tons, and does not offer very great facilities for stowaways, particularly when in ballast. Other discrepancies, which %»e need not enter into, will suggest themselves to the reader. As the real part which the P.C.E. and her officers took in the affair is of very consider able importance we have been at some pains to get a correct version of the escape, last week a man named W. H. Follett, Bteward of the vessel, but who has now shipped on on board the whaler Albion, volunteered us a statement. Upon cross-examining him at different timesregardingit however hediffered so much, enlarged and deducted from his pre vious version, that we hesitated to make it pub lic until we had made the fullest inquiry. We now give the points in his statement which he hasthroughout firmly adhered to, omitting such parts as he contradicted or in any way prevaricated upon. It will be observed throughout that Follett calls himself the steward, although the oaf tain says he was not the steward but an assistant. We give Follett's statement, however, as he told it himself. FOLLETT'S ACCOUNT OF THE ESCAPE. The barque P.C.E., after discharging her coals, was hauled away from the wharf and anchored some distance from shore in Noumea harbour on the 19th of March ready for sea. Late in the afternoon of that day Capt. Law went on shore, and shortly afterwards a man named Joe Cooper, well-known in connection with the shipping of the port, came on board . with a message for the first and second mates from the captain asking them to join him ashore. They complied with this sum mons, leaving the steward, William H. Fol lett, in charge of the vessel. This man (one of those fr6e and easy salts, with no care in life but that involved in securing a nobbier when funds run low) had previously, from sundry hints, been led to expect that there were to be passengers on the return trip, who were to be placed in the lower hold where »ix bunks bad been built by the oarpeater

for their accommodationTm fti^ti fest any particular surpriseitliSW^ between ten. and ff'fe^ a boat containing six atrangera 3' . 4S| side, and one of them hsMft*.« following dialogue ensued •— m*4 tl ganger : Is the captain on bo.*, Steward : No; The cantui* ? but the second c^ptofniTfijjPt .The ?™iiger signified his bSBT 1*? piece of mtel igence, andhandedSv ltth« and a bundle of canes which Z^ took onboard, and the £]****% ™m° on deck, one of them statin^ V^S English that they were to t?v?blo^ He then told the stewaV^ 6* boat adrift. Follett, howexer, with? the able caution got a grindßtoniS^i*- It may here-be mentioned that L . formant cannot be sure as tntw °?r«i of the boat b 6s ond Bth e c £*°l£»* belong to the ship, but was o^eA, Ot one on shore. He believes-bnt thS* 9 great extent matter of opinion-sat™J?« longed to a Frenchman named W, some such name, and was formerly tW 1 ot perty of Joe Cooper, the generalCkS" charging shipping at Noumea. After the boat had been disposed «f .a Communists went into the cabWk? 9 b°t*le/ champagne. When Zffa pledged each other in sparMing, W W Rochefort (his identity wa^iJL , aiterwards) said: Where are W^ The steward shewed them tbeir mm* in the hold before referred to, Srt? luggage was accordingly stowed!!: ™W Rocheforb said he ■ hoped IWb stewiwi would take good care of him, ashewonlTk. very sick soon, which was veri6ed bafZ the vessel had proceeded fat on her W .The Captain and first and geoondS came on board about four o'clock in ft morning. The vessel got under weigh abort eight o'clock, and proceeded down the harbour, taking the pilot aboard at the lisht house. He navigated the vessel clear oftha reefs, and then left, the CommnmsU never having emerged from their place of conceal, ment during the time he was on board and the crew gave no- indication of) ftj presence of such a number of' patoenieis They were, however, supplied with food by the steward. There does not seem to be the least shadow of reason for believing that the pilot had any suspicion of the presence of the escaping prisoners. On the following morning it was found that the vessel hid not cleared the land as it waa expected she would have done, but that the shore'was still in sight. Follett intimated to .iwchefort &nj his companions intelligence of the pilot's departure from the vessel, and they came np. The Captain (with apparent rorpnge) asked who they were. Rochefort replied/they were; exikt, and were escaping fromthe island. .Hi-went np and shook hands with the Captain, vho said, "I suppose you're all safe now we're jo far." The Captain still professed ignorance of their names and rank, And.the crew were wholly so. It was here the'ißow Bells"

portrait of Bochefbrt came into play. The Captain had brought on board from Konmet a copy of Bow Bells, taken there by i brig from Sydney, on account it", v BuppogeTof the portraits in it of Gambetta and Boche fort. After reading it he gave it to the steward to light the fin with, who noticing the striking resemblance of the

portrait to Rochefort showed it him, mi Rochefort acknowledged his identity, lie news was soon communicated rotrod the ship, and there was no longer any adTMitige in concealing the names of the pawengeH, who were then recognised in their trae/chiuafltM by all onboard. One of them (Gronwtt) who spoke English and French flwntly.pd to Rochefort the account of himself published in " Bow Bells." SPECULATIONS REGARDING THE COMPLICITY OF THE CALEDONIA AUTHORITIES. . : Regarding the way in wMch thflJKipM Communists managed to elude their kejpen and the extent of the complicity ottts «• thoritieß at New Caledonia our ntfoimiiit had not," of coarse, the opportunity for noting facts which he possessed in rejition to the proceedings on board. He freely expresses his own opinion on the subject, but as this is a narration of .whit 11 testified to from observation < we.-, prefer to give such statements concerting, ni ters of fact a3 Follett i» in a ponton to supply, leaving readers to draw their own conclusions. He States that on tefiJW ceding the departure of the P.C.*. ™ Governor of the Settlement g»T«^» Pn" soners permission to go out in t to*, "» that the Governor subsequently left floanw for another part of the island; tita»gw« gunboats on the station with him. W, : ™. meantime the barque sailed. The^# however, the Governor »tortiefcto..Jg»«jJ when the prisoners must have been i^f as missing and the vessel they: hid m^ been suspected. But no jteamerT"^ in pursuit although from «****s£, before stated, the barquerww itfgg sight of the island, it is extremelyjgjj" she would haye beenr easdr onftwg' Although the * vessel could JS been forcibly stopped, pernuanon "^ have been asked to search ,her.,g informant states that he, h«i gj. heard from a person 'J 0 Sraartuw Caledonia subsequent to .the gwr of the P.C.E., that the i^jUJV was abandoned by the the pretext the barque •had-twJpgJJßf Another matter which «^«325V is the fact that the fMUwMj^- been on board from Wow mriajfc £ fte barque not sail until eight following morning,, and ye^ JggJ^s not missed, or if m^ m%^t^%M, instituted. During the PW |lrtt dy fort stated that his ««»£ w Hut cost him a large sum he, of course, did not w Jhe the most remote clue >Mlj?.^W recipients of his bounty ntH int_ statements are^juat given ". ijlJgS^ them, and our readers must ductions they choose on. this. HgjJ^l, is now being rigidly inquired^Jj ior tki general despatched to ; purpose. It«atleMfc^'bSW d from the penal settlement.hai bwn^ . almost impossible; and in. Wl^^ spondenca from the Englut v on the subject when New_ Ug» chosen as the place of banishment^ , munist prisoners, source of danger to the A«straW»^ the French Government »J3*«*. sthe strength of the position-* «JJ -j, the has assuredly not been borne » present instance. : iv, „« JJS ROCHEFORT'S ACCOUNT w TREATMENT. During the passage from ihwf to Newcastle, which one-only seven dayßTK^f b?^ great nervousness and tear .gji , captured. Whenever a \*s£ / ,.&*Z permitted to go out -hootiDg •«•'

*HB ITBHING BtA»,MONBAI,JtTIIfeHjm,



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