SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WAT^R: This evening, 10.55 ; to inoreos> morning, 10.30

SCTSr^EX : this avanlng, 5.40; SUN-KISS j So morrow asorniaj?, fi.25 MOOJT'S AGE: Last Quarter, 10th instant, 9.59 a m.

POST OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS.

BEPARTUBES. Kenjlworth, schooner, for the Friendly Isles Kowena, s.s., for Kusssll Murray, s.s.,forW;«garei andßussell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Kandavu (English mail)— Mongol, s.s., 13th instant Newcastle—Woodbine, barque, early, Don Itioardo, baryuc, early, Norham Castle, barque, early Tauranga-Southern Cross, s.s., Friday Lyttelton—iDauntlcsa, schooner, Magellan Cloud, London—Anazi, barque, early San Francisco—Allahabad, ship, early Levuka—Marion Hermie, schooner, early Tahiti—Pearl, ketch, early, Hokiariga—N ightingale, brigautine, early

The barque W. C. Wentworth has cleared for Hokianga with a cargo of stores, includ ing 80 bags of "flour, J. R. Macfarlane ; 80 bags flour, 10 cases Spirits, Lewis' Bros. ; and sundries.

The following is the list of passengers who took their departure iv the s.s. Wellington, for the South yesterday -.—Saloon—Mr and Mrs Cook, Mr and Mrs Goodhead, Rev. Messrs Menzies, Williams, and Lewis, Messrs Binney, Snodgrass, Baco, Mahoney, -Tnrton. Aekland, P. 'Smith, W. Matthews. Steerage— Mr and Mrs Agnew, -Messrs Brown, Kohn, Harper, Spencer, and Theodore.

The s.s. Go-ahead arrived at Wanganui early this morning from Onehunga. The s.s. Southern Cress left Tauranga at 9.15 a.m. to-day for Auckland. The s.s. Mongol arrived at Port Chalmers at noon- yesterday, The schooner Golden Isle cleared for Russell m ballast this morning. The cutter Rose brings 16,000 feet timber from the Thames. "

The p.s. Luna took her departure this morning to lay the Shearer Eock buoy. She returned this afternoon, having accomplished the work.

The cutter Dolly Varden takes 2 tons of flour and a cargo of sundries to Wangaroa. The ship lone sailed from London for this port on the 20fch December last. She has therefore been at sea 109 days, and should be close at hand.

The barques Norham Castle and Don Ricardo have hauled off into the stream, and will shortly sail for Newcastle in ballast. The schooner Dauntless hauled away into the stream this morning. -She is ready to sail for Lyttelton.

The schooner Kenilworth took her depar ture for Tonga, Friendly Islands, last night. Ihe new missionery barquentine. South ern Cross, is being rapidly made ready for sea. All her topmasts have now been'set up, and her rigging is in a fair way of com pletion.

Friday next has been fixed for the depart ure of the schooner Marion Renhy for Levuka, - ' ••

CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST.

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below:—

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mailh will Close as XJndeu: — For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m.,! and to-morrow at 10.30 a.m. For Whangarei, &c, and Wangaroaj per Dolly Varden, this day, at 5 p.rrii Foa Waiwera and Warkworth, per Lady Bowen, to-moirowj at 10 a.m. For Coroiriandel, on Friday next, at 6.30 p.m. For Whitiangi, Tairua, Tauranga, Opotiki, and "Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, on Friday next, at 3 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per Mongol) on Monday,sl3th instant, as under :— For Fiji, Sandwich Islands, United Statesjpf America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 10.30 a.m. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, via San Francisco, at 10.30 a.m. Letters bearing Lite fee w ill be received, until 11 a m For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 9.30 am (Signed) & B. Brss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

Dillon—On April 2, at her residence, Dublin-street, j Newton, the wife of John Dundon Dillon, of a daughter. ■ _ Cooped.—On Apiil 5, at her residence^ Parnell, Mrs . D. R Cooper, of a daughter.

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance,

And thfi good that we can do

We are in a position to state with author ity that' Mr Datgaville retires from the contest for Franklyn. Mr Dargaville's busi ness transactions prevent him from engaging in an electioneering tour at the present, although we feel confident that had this gentleman thrown himself into the contest with that -elan and determination which are characteristic of Mr Dargaville he would have carriM the enthusiasm of the people with him and gone in hands down. Mr Woodward has-also retired,' in consequence of Mr Troup having, as is stated, secured the Catholic vote by his advocacy of de nominational education. It has been very currently reported but is authoratatively denied, that the approver and murderer bulKvan has at length left Auckland. Report indicated the City of Melbourne, which lef> the Queen-street wharf at midnight, so that no prying eyes could notice the scoundrel slink on board. It is freely stated by the natives in town that Purukutu has repeatep'/y. been into Cambridge without any effor i? being made to bring him to justice. The natives complain that even-handed justice is not dealt out to them, instancing more particularly the case on the East Coast recently where a friendly native killed a Maori who was caught for the second time in the act of adultery with the assailant's wife. The Govern ment have demanded that the mur derer shall be given up, and his tribe, in their desire to comply with the law, are willing to hand- him over, but they demur on the ground that in Purukutu's case, where there was no extenuating circumstance whatever for the murderer, the Government have allowed him to go about, while the friendly native, if they give him up, will probably be punished severely for his offence. They also allege that large quantities of goods are sent to the Kingites, while the friendlies are comparatively speaking left neglected. It is stated that one leading Kingite was in Auckland last week, and pur chased £150 worth of goods with Govern ment money, which were taken up the country and distributed amid much merriment at the expense of the tender-hearted Govern ment. Such statements as these, which are generally discussed among the friendlies, causes great dissatisfaction, and are likely to weaken the feelings of loyalty which have formed the bond of union for years between many tribes and the Crown. We learn from telegrams received to-day in Auckland that his Honor the Superinten dent leaves Wellington to-morrow afternoon by the Mongol, and will arrive in Auckland probably on Saturday. We have been requested to state that am munition is not sold or given to cadets, but is issued to their officers, who are sup posed to see every round expended under their personal supervision at the rifle raage. As will be seen by our English telegrams received per Alhambra to-day the conjectures regarding the death of Dr Livingstone have been set at rest by the arrival of the .remains of the great explorer" at Aden. The other news by telegraph is unimportant. We understand that the Wangarei High way Board has been the first to avail itself of the invitation of the Superintendent, and has sent in an application with a list of the numbers and classes of immigrants of the labouring classes required for that district. The local immigration agent is now engaged in the endeavour to meet the wishes of the Board.

Mr Buckingham took the chair last' even ing at the wharf labourers' meeting held at the Foresters' Arms, Albert-street, at which nearly a hundred men were present. The Chairman in one of his best speeches intro duced the business, which was to form a Wharf Labourers' Society, which was speedily shaped, the material having been per viouslybeen "cur and dried." It was resolved to call the new society "The Wharf Labourers' Union." The entrance fee to be" 6d, and the weekly subscription 3d. - The meetings are to be held fortnightly. An order was peremptorily issued to the effect that all men on the wharf who were working under the scale of wages were to be apprised of the existence of the Union, and if they did not enter as members during the week they would henceforth and for ever be excluded from the brotherhood. The wages were fixed thus : —For general caigo, 10s per day of eight hours ; if under one day, 1a..6d per hour ; overtime 2s jjer hour. A meinbor wished that the wharf men of the Thames might be induced to conform to the- Union laws and regulations. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting at a reason able hour,

The fancy goods sale commenced yesterday in St. Mark's schoolroom, Remuera, aim throughout the clay was visited by a con siderable number of persons. The amour.t of. money taken was £30, so that in all pro bability the churchgoing people of the dis trict will soon have a Sabbath-bell.

The Sheridan-street anniversary Sunday school meeting was held last evening in the little chapel on the hill. A'good tea was provided, of:.which about seventy persons freely partook. The : trays were furnished by the ladies. At the close of the repast the Bey. William Tinsley was voted to the chair, who introduced the proceedings in a pleasant speech. A service of song for the occasion was snng by the Sheridan choir, with violin and liaruibuiumaccompaninicrits. The chil dren in intervals recited a number of poems from the British Workman, and other simple publications. The best pieces were Childe Harold's " Address to t,he Ocean" and Tennyson's " May Many of the other selections were fairly delivered ; but many of the pieces were too long, and were a great tax upon the memory ; indeed this kind of ex<sroise with. pieces of seventy I Verses tends to impair the faculty of verbal recollection. The little, things were dressed in white, duly ribboned, with flowers, etc., and presented an interesting sight... Mr Smith, the indefatigable Secretary, read With his usual care a well-digested alid well-con densed report for the past year, from which we gather that the number of scholars is seventy, and the average attendance fifty, being the highest average in any Sunday school in the city. There are eight teachers. There is also a well-thummed collection of 150 volumes of the cottage library and similar publications. The income for the past year, including the previous year's balance of 6s, was £22 ICs 4d, and the expenditure £18 Is 7d, leaving a credit balance of £4 14a 9d. The friends of Sheridan-street are doing a considerable amount of good in their humble way, and their continued efforts are praise worthy.

The verdict of the jury on the death of Campion, who was burnt to death in his whare at Riverhead on Saturday last, was "Accidental death." It was shewn in the course of the evidence that Campion was an habitual drunkard, and had been drinking grog nearly the whole of the day of his death, and although no evidence was pro duced as to how his miserable whare (which was in a filthy condition) got on fire, there was no doubt in the mind of'the jury that it was a stupid act on the part of the poor wretch himself.'

, The Prince of, Wales Theatre was well filled last evening, and the performance, con sisting of songs and dances, ■ and a musical melauge, was given with acceptance and success. -We learn that two actresses of colonial reputation will soon be added to the strength of this thriving company.

The verdict of the jury touching the sud den death of Miss Mary Cotter, after hearing medical and other evidence from members of the family, was death from natural causes. Dr. Wright made a post-mortem examination of the body of deceased, and after a careful investigation expressed his belief that the cause of death was disease of the heart and liver. Dr. Ellis also expressed a similar opinion.

A great noise was heard this morning in Hepburn-street between seven and eight o'clock which brought many of the inhabi tants to their doors. It was the voice of a woman, in a strangely disordered state, hoot ing, and swearing, aDd making the wildest possible gestures. The children all scam pered to their homes, and several cows rushed down the gully in an affrighted state. It was found that the strange big woman was demented, and-though harmless enough at times, at certain periods—especially at changes of the moon—she makes a rush out of doors and storms to her imaginary audience, beating the air frantically ; she then sings a hymn and retires to her hut.

The New Zealand Agricultural Society held their annual meeting yesterday at the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu. Thomaj B. Gillies, Esq. (president), occupied the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted, and a lengthy and well written report presented, which was of a most interesting character. The balance sheet for the year ending April 1874 shewed the income to be £606 19s 4d, and the ex penditure £586 18s Id, leaving a credit balance of £20 Is 3d. The officers were then elected as follows : viz—President, his Honor the Superintendent, vice-president, Mr Claud, treasurer, Mr Woodward. New" members of the committee : Messrs Bent, Bainbridge, and Shepherd. Auditors: Messrs Goodfellow, and Bassett. Several interesting motions were introduced on the breeding of stock-horses, systems of farming, sugar beet-root culture, and other questions which will be discussed in the future. Mr Woodward also apologised to Mr Gillies for some remarks he had made in his speech to the electors of Franklin. He would with draw those words of annoyance. The apology was accepted in good spirit by Mr Gillies, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the President.

The Inspector of Nuisances is wanted in Parnell. In a street leading off from the back road on the rise is a gutter of a black and unsavoury nature. This runs across the street, and the filth which is generally to be seen and smelt in it evidently comes down from Mr Allender's soap factory, which stands about 100 yards further up the hill. We are unable to say from practical know ledge whether the stench arising from soap boilers' refuse is healthy or otherwise, but it stinks abominably, and is an intolerable nuisance to the neighbouring householders. About twice a week (we presume when there is a boil on) the gutter flows with a turbid stream nearly sufficient to turn a mill, and then —oh noses and bouquets ! look out!

Mr Joseph's Brown's singing class, which we have repeatedly drawn attention to pro minently, opens at the Oddfellow's Hall, Cook-street on Friday night. This is an opportunity which should be taken advan tage of by the young ladies and_ gentlemen of Auckland, and we trust that the class will be the means of promoting a correct musical taste in the city. . -

A good opportunity for purchasing colo nial jewellery at a low figure is that at present afforded, by Mr. F. H. Lewisson's clearing-out sale prior to his departure for the South. Mr. Lewisson has the best col lection of colonial jewellery in New Zealand, and has marked down his goods at a very great reduction on the regular selling price. A chance of the kind is not likely to occur again soon.

The. fancy sale at Remuera last night in aid of the fund to purchase a bell for St. Mark's Church was successful beyond all expectations, and reflects infinite credit on the ladies who undertook its management. The sale realised £51. In addition to this, Misa Cheseman collected £14 ; so that after payment of all expenses a sum of over £60' will be available for the object contemplated.

During 1873 the total number of patients treated in the Provincial Hospital has been 578. Of these 449 were discharged. During the year 58 died, and 71 remained under treatment in the Hospital on the first of January.

The, tender of Mr Matthew Phillips, for cutting and forming the new road over the Lucas's J Creek Hill, first section, namely. from the Creek to the old stockyard, was accepted to-day by the Provincial Govern ment. This work which will be immediately proceeded with will have the effect of re moving the greatest difficulty that has hitherto impeded traffic by this highway to the northern distriefcS,

The improvement to the Parneli approaches —as the steep rise on the city side of the suburb is called—is now being rapidly carried on by the local highway board. Thegradient of the, first ha|f of thfe ascent^ (froia the viaduct to the iire-beil) is being lessened by the roadway being raised to the extent of several feet towards the foot of the hill. ' It' was the severity of this part of the incline which made the straight road to all intents and purposes impracticable, and rendered it imperative1 oh all vehicles to take the cir cuitous route round the bay. When the present alterations are completed there will be little to diooSe betw.een the two routes. Simul taneously with the improvement Bf the main road the hill between the two roads is being removed. This is a heavy undertak ing, and will require a length of time for its completion. The surface is at present about 12 feet or 15 feet above the desired level, and as there are, in area, several acres of eartb to be carted aw.ay< it ruay.be estimated nearly what time and expense the work will involve.

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

MURDERS IN THE NORTH OF

ENGLAND.

(From our London Correspondent.)

The North of England has been hard at work lately in the endeavour to accjiiire an evil reputation ; a name which few people will envy or covet. There have been a extraordinary .number of brtital murders committed north of Doncaster within the past two years, murders of that aggravated description where there appears to be no possible motive for the commission of the deed, where the details of the crime are horribly, disgusting in their brutality, and where the murderers in their cailou's reck lessness seem not to have been able to realise in the faintest sense the magnitude of their offence,or the terrors which con viction for the same involves. At a late assize held at Durham, and Durham is not by any means a very large county, there were no less than eleven cases of prisoners on trial for murder. Nearly all were miners or pit men, and nearly all the victims were women, usually wives or mistresses of the men at whose hands they met their death. The manner of deaths were, in many cases, truly shocking. One poor creature was jumped to death, her body being found a shapeless mass of discoloured flesh ami broken bones.—Another was beaten to death with a large earthenware dish, and another kicked almost to pieces. But in the north of York shire, also a mining district, there has been a murder which, in point of brutality, if possible eclipses these, and it is the more shocking as it was committed by a party of youths, all under twenty years of age. On Christmas eve there was a good deal of drinking in the mining village of Carlin How ; not that this was an unusual circumstance, for, unhappily, a great deal too much of dissipation was usually indulged in by the inhabitants of .the place. How ever, on Christmas eve there was rather more than usual, the miners were particu larly festive, and the pot-shops were crowded with jostling mobs of beery, grimy sons of toil. Amongst them were, no doubt, many who were not sons of toil in any sense of the word, but these would have been found in a minority. Into one of these drinking bars, about eleven o'clock on that night, strolled a woman rather poorly clad, carrying in her hands a cigar box. She struck up, in a not unmelodious voice, the notes of a north-country Christmas carol, and so' attracting the attention of the room she opened the lid of her cigar box and revealed a fancifully bedizened re-, presentation of the infant Christ, and soli cited the charity of the men who surrounded her. All were silent for a moment or two, some fumbled in their pockets for an odd penny, and others turned away carelessly ; but one youth suddenly, and with malice pre pense, threw the contents of his mug of beer over the woman and her doll, whilst his companion stepping behind her tripped her up, and the poor creature fell with violence on the hard floor. There were remonstrances, and the woman was assisted on to her feet, and one man offered her a drink of beer, which was accepted. After such a reception, however, it did not seem worth the woman's while to stay, and she soon prepared, to leave the scene of such ill, unmanly treat ment. She did not however leave alone. The fiend who had already tormented her followed close upon her heels, and continued as she passed to another house to offer annoy ances and even violence. Being young and fine looking she met with better' treatment at some of the places she visited, but when ever she moved on her tormentors awaited her. Later on in the evening, probably about 12 o'clock a resident in Carion How was surprised by his door being suddenly pushed open. A woman much dishevelled and frightened rushed in and implored pro tection from a party of "roughs " who she said were abusing her. The man allowed her to rest a few minutes until she became somewhat composed, and then let her out of the back door, advising her to make the best of her way home. Alas ! she had no home, but she reached the main road and sped away, as she might, from the direction of the village of Carlin How. Half-an-hour later a girl passing along the road to the village heard screams for help from a field at the side of the road, and when she reached her home she heard that some men bad been seen by a boy dragging a woman through a gap in the hedge of the same field a few mimites previously. Sugges tion s were made that some search should Jye insHtntedy but were pooh poohed by the nef'.'!jhours, who said the woman was drunk, and I the men were only taking her away. But in ths mornins; another tale was itold, for on the gate of the field in question were found marks as of having been opened by bloody hands! Within the gate were marks on the turf aa of desperate struggling—the-footmarks being those of a female and several men. Further on were strewed portions of a woman's attire, and strill fur was yawning an old pit-shaft, disused for years Christmas-day morning was spent by the police in examining the old shaft, and there at its bottom, in a hideous condition, almost naked, every bone in the ) body broken, lay the corpse of the unfortu- I nate ballad-singer. There were-marks of the foulest ill-usuage, violation, and subsequent murder. Such a story of horror seldom cornea so fresh to the good folks of Yorkshire, and their indignation was proportionate. When the youths, four in number, on whom sus picion fell, were apprehended, the police had considerable difficulty in preventing the people" of the district from taking summary vengeance. The examination only brought home sufficient evidence to two of them, and these await their trial. It is said that they seem perfectly ealloua, indifferent to the event, and quite ignorant of the heinousness of the crime, of which they are certain to be convicted.

THE EASTEPv, HOLIDAY AND THE EARLY-CLOSING ASSOCIATION.

As notified in our last night's issue we have two letters on this subjectj which we are compelled to condense to bring within our space. This however can be done without spoiling the arguments bearing directly on the point at issue, as our correspondents go somewhat " beyond their book." It would appear that the Early-closing Association acted very unwisely in advertising a holiday without consulting enipio^Cira. Mr Samuel Coombes' writes s—" Sir,— Toil siatfe it your isstie of Monday, in some remarks upon the holiday that the 11 majority of the shops are closed to-day, and a.ll the drapers 1 with the exception of two or three who are not mindful of the

Easter Festival." Your reporter must have been indulging very heartily over night to have Mind Only' twoor three drapers shops open and the majority of the shop-keepers closed, as it appeared to me, and everybody else (who chose to look) that 'there were only %i<i'o or three drapers closed and the majority of the aftefps were open. Now, sir, I consider your remarks ate calcu lated to cast a slur upon the shopkeepers who were open, and were not at all called for. I can only think that they were probably prompted by the same officious member of the Early-closing Association who inserted the advertisement stating that fill .the retail trade were unanimous in retaining Easter Monday as a public holiday without con sulting all the members of the retail trade, thus inserting what he knew was untrue. I for one was not consulted, and several others to whom I have spoken state that, they did consent to close, and I think that the least the Early-closing Association could have done in the "xercise of common politeness, not to speak in the interest of truth, was to wait Upon the retail trade before publicly stating that " all were unanimous j n keeping the holiday.—Yours, &c, Samuel Coombks." — [Our correspondent's remarks regarding the Association's advertisement are pro bably just, but when he speaks of our reporter's inaccuracy he makes charges which are capable of being disproved. Not choosing to take Mr. Coombes's view, and regard drapers as the only business people in town, wehav c no hesitation in repeating our reporter's statement that the majority of business premises were closed ,on Monday. Even, those employers who opened—Mr Coombes we believe among the number— did not keep open all day, and it is certain that but for one draper sending round a ma n to intimate his intention to keep open the holiday would have been more universally observed by the drapers.] " One of the Trade" writes:—Sir,—Permit me through the medium of your paper to express my indignation at the manner in which the Early Closing Association imposed upon the credulous. An advertisement has for several evenings appeared in your columns purporting to have been inserted by that body to the effect that they had can vassed the retail trade, and all were unani mous in retaining Easter Monday a public holiday. Sir, I venture to say that a canvass of the trade waa not made unless they presume that some half dozen constituted the whole. I for one was not consulted, and the fact that so many were open part of yesterday for business goes, I think,- to prove that it was an attempt on the part of the Association to mislead the Trade. My establishment was closed under the belief it was a genuine advertisement, and that it was more than possible they had overlooked my name on the list; Lut so many being open leads me to the conclusion that no canvass was made. I wish the Association every success, yet if they think to maintain their already hard earned laurels by such advertisements as these, they will, I fear, be mistaken. I hope that in future they will adhere to the truth and be able to induce all to agree in keeping public holidays. The city is small, and a strict canvass could easily be made at any time it is requisite "and by publishing a true report.—l am, 4c, One of the Trade.

THE OTAHUHU PUBLIC HALL.

TffE annual meeting of members of the Otahuhu Public Library took place on the 2nd April, Rev. F. Gould in the chair. The report and balance-sheet, which were ad opted, showed the affairs of the library in a prosper ous condition. The total amount- received during the year was £21 193 lOd, and the expenditure £18 9s 4d, leaving a balance in the treasurer's hands of £3 10s 6d. The number of subscribers had been 36, and there was over 500 volumes issued during the year. Since the last annual meeting there had been 150 vols. added to the library 31 vols. of which were received f-iom the Provincial Government, -and the report went on to say that as the number of books in creased hopes were entertained that the number of subscribers would also increase. In conclusion the committee thanked the directors of the Otahuhu Public Hall Com pany for their liberality in placing at their disposal the room in which the library was kept, also those gentlemen who made donations of books as well as those who de livered lectures in connection with the library free of. charge. The following gentle men were elected a committee for the ensuing year :—Rev. P. Gould, A. M. Sheppard, T. Johnston, E. West, and G. Wilkea. Messrs A. Donald and J. Boggs were appointed auditors. Mr R. Robertson proposed, and Mr S. Luke seconded, a vote of thanks to the out-going committee, coupled with the name of the secretary, for their exertions during the year. The Secretary replied in suitable terms. Asa member of the committee of the former institute he felt greatly relieved when the library was re-opened, aa he always thought it a pity that the books ; should be locked up from the public, and now that it had been atarted under favourable circum stances he felt great pleasure in being able to assist in carrying it on. On the motion of Mr Donald, seconded by Mr Markham (both members of the outgoing committee), a vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. P. Gould for his valuable service as chairman for the past year. The Chair man in reply said he felt great pleasure in being able to attend the committee meetings, and that a great deal of last year's success was. due to certain directors of the Otahuhu Public Company, who as ex officio members of committee took a considerable interest in the affairs of the library. This being all the business the meeting separated.

THE GOOD TEMPLAR CONTROVERSY.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sir,—ln your issue last night you make a statement in reference to- my name, which you say you enquired into aud traced to Mr Beal. So far as lam concerned the "whole affair is an unmitigated error.. In the first place I never said that Mr Hannaford had s broken his obligation or lapsed into drunken ness ; and in the seoond place Mr Beal de clares that he never alleged- that I said so. Mr Brownhill, a gentleman whose veracity.l could not doubt, says Mr Beal did say so, but that I have nothing to do with ; they must settle their own disputes. It is only just to Mr Rannaford to let the world know that he is still a sober man; but he should have more sense than to rush into print with

every rumour to the contrary, calling God to witness tbat it is a lie ! That gentleman m ight easily have. satisfied himself on the question by coming to me ; but that would have rendered it unnecessary on his part to "appear in print,—l have, &c., F. Ewington.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sir,—l hare just read a letter in your issne of Monday last, headed " The Good Templar Prayer—the Writer's Vindication." From the manner in which he mentions my name I suppose hfc will give me credit for speaking or writing the truth. Being present at the formation of the Provisional G. L. I wish to state that the representation was in accord ance with the Constitution of the R.W.G.L., and therefore only one representative from the Pioneer, and one from the Fraternal Home Lodges, instead of fourteen votes from these two Lodges there were only two. and when either of the two officers referred to were ballotted for there wan but one vote r-corded between these two 1 ndgpp,- as the candidate was absent from the room while the ballot ing for the respective offices was conducted. < -^-1 am, &c, Emilius Leßoy.

POLICE COURT. —This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M )

LAST NIGHT'S TOPERS. James Bonnington, a wild-looking man with, an unwashed face, and James Scott Jack, a cripple, were charged with being drunk last night. The former was fined 10s, and the latter 20s, being disorderly. ' WILLIAM BROWN, M.D. William Brown, said to be an M.D., late of the Fijis, was brought up on a charge of obtaining goods from Mrs Gorman on the 23rd nit. by false representations. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Elizabeth Gorman, a widow, of Edwardes street, deposed that she took charge of the property of a Mrs Knox, who was sent to gaol. In February last the prisoner came to her house, represented himself as a detective, and demanded certain papers and things be longing to a man who had been discharged from a ship. She gave him one discharge, and when she got time she would look out the other things. He' then arsumed a haughty, bounciful air, and said he would lock her up ; at all events he should keep a sharp eye on her house. He ordered her to have all the papers ready by 12 o'clock, or he would walk her off to High-street in no time. He was, he said, the Inspector of all the Detectives in the province. (He came at twelve o'clock and she gave him the papers. He then demanded a red shirt and two pair of trousers which belonged to Mrs. Knox. He insisted upon having fchem or he would walk her off at once. She then called a neighbour, and he ordered her to find the shirt, trousers, and an umbrella which he had seen Mrs. Knox take from a gentle man in the street. He opened a box and took out the umbrella, which, she thought, was worth about six shillings. She would not have allowed him to have taken the things had he not represented him self as the prince of detectives. He then demanded all Mrs Knox's pawn-tickets, and enquired for a watch. Mr William Brown, M.D., here produced a long sheet of paper, and a new pencil, and began vigorously to cross-examine the wit ness, telling the witness seriously that she was upon her oath, which he hoped" would have its full weight with her. She must re collect that stealing a red shirt was a serious charge to bring against a medic?l gentleman of high moral character, Fanny Moore, a resident in Edwardes street, remembered the circumstance. Mr W. Brown here asked that all witnesses might be ordered out of Com t. His Worship : I suppose you will allow one witness to stay in Court, or your case will V.reak down. Witness and corroborated the statement of the previous witness. Cross-examined by prisoner : You told me you were the head man of the detectives, and would walk us all off if .we did not look out and fork out the papers and umbrella. Detective Ternahan took Mr Wm. Brown into custody, and took him.to the prosecutor's house, wbere he was at once identified ; he knew the prisoner, not as a detective, but as a genuine loafer,* and arming drunken men about as a benevolent person desirous of finding them comfortable lodgings. To prisoner: No! you are not the only drunkard in Auckland. Prisoner : That's all Mr Ternahan. I have no more questions to ask this man, your Worship ! Robert Gilmore, a seaman on board the Mary Jane, deposed that he was drunk some time ago, and while in that state some one stole his papers. He never ordered prisoner to get them from Mrs Gorman. He did not know the prisoner as a detective. His Worship to prisoner : What have you to say in answer to this charge, Mr Brown ? Prisoner then commenced a long speech in his defence, characterising thecase as a mere sixpenny case, and of too paltry a nsture for the consideration of any court of justice. He would ask his Worship to dismiss the case. He had done good service in the army, had fought in forty-two engagements, he had cured many persons as a medical man in his time, and in fact had done a good deal of good in the world. He had also given up drinking. , . His Worship regretted to see a man of prisoner's education and abilities in such a position ; he must go to prison for three months with hard labor, and he hoped at the expiration of that term he would begin a better life. • i SALMON CATCHING. William Brooks, a decent looking working man, was charged with stealing a tin of salmon, value Is, the property of Messrs Close on the 7th inst. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Hip Worship expressed, his astonishment at prisoner being guilty of such a paltry theft. Mr Close deposed that he saw prisoner take the tin from the window. His Worship said that as prisoner had been guilty of larceny on several previous occasions he must go to prison for three months with hard labour. POOR ALICE MILLS. This* poor creature was brought up charged with being without a home and in a desti tute condition. Sergeant-Major Pardy said the poor woman was really in a half-starved condition, and he thought if she could be got into the Women's Refuge, where she would be well fed and looked after that she would become a useful woman. She would also have the attention,,of a medical man, as Dr. Goldsbro' gave his services gratuitously to the insti tution. . The poor woman expressed her satisfaction at the thought of going to the Refuge. His Worship remarked upoa the usefulness of this institute, which was really a credit to the liberality of its patrons. -* It was decided that she should be got into the Refuge. ■■, N■ . ■ • INNOCENT OFFENDERS. Mr Caleb Wood, butchei, of Parnell, was summoned on a charge of allowing his chim ney to get on fire on the 28th March. Mr Wood pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s and costs. Mr George Cooke pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing the thoroughfare in Wakefield

street; by allowing one of his carriages to sf,o in the way on Ihe Ist of April. b- TOsta^ This being the second offence Mr rv' }: - was fined 10s and costs. Uoke / Mr Samuel Taylor was fined 10s and W, \ for allowing his two dogs to be at 1» without tickets on April Fool Day. gQ , This was all the business.

SUPREME COURT.

AUTUMN CRIMINAL SITTINGS,

(Before Hi\Honor Sir George A.Arw Knight. Chief Justice.) y> The Autumn Criminal Sessions were coin menced this .morning at the Supreme Con* before His Honor the Chief Justice1.- '% following ' gentlemen of the Grand ,J Ut *, answered to their names :—H. Gi]fil] ai f Joseph- Howard, H. M. Jervis, T. H. W J. L. Campbell, Jno. Gordon, Wm'w' Taylor, Robert M. Wynyard, Jno. WalU Arch. Wallace, James Eaber, G. Yon doi Hey.de, Tims. Paton, Albert JteaMmm All»W Martin, J. C. Firth, James Dilwbrth, JoJJ1- May. S. Jones, J. B. Brathwaite, H. IsaaL, ' T. Goodfellow. '. CS ' Mr J. M. Dargaville and Mr John W wilder were also called, but the former had been excused from attendance, and the latter was said to have gone to England. Mr A lbyn Martin was elected foreman. The Grand Ju-y having been swots, the Usher proclaimed silence while his Honor gave his charge. Sir Geo. A. Arney theft addressed % Grand Jury as follows :—-Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,—l have to congratulate yon on what has until now been a circitmstance of unusual occurrence, thatis on the fact of there being such a short calendar of offences t<y try. There are not one quarter the number of offences which it has been my lot to try and not one-half of the usual number! Speaking generally, the crimes of which, the prisoners for trial stand are not of an aggravated character. One indeed is a critne of the deepest dye, being a charge of murder.: A young woman is charged with causing. the' death of her new-born child. No facts ■ appear in the ca?e that involve any • question of law. The question for' your consideration will be by whose hands' the infant met with its death. It will be a mere question of fact for a jury to decide. If y OU should think that the.cir.cumstaEtial evidence is strong enough to establish a prima-fade case against the mother it will be your duty to find a true bill. So far as lam aware no other person is supposed- to have" had access ' to the child, nor is ■ there .anybody else by whom the crime is likely to have been committed. As I. have said, if you should think tbat the evidence is such as to make s prima facie case you will return a true bill. In only one other case is it necessary that I stould give you a short direction. It is upon the case standing No. 7 on the list, in which a man is accused of an attempt to commit, suicide. The documents which have been forwarded instead of depositions suggest that at the time when the crime was committed the person accused was in an un sound state of mind resulting from ■ delirium' tremens. In consequence of this the Magis trate considered him unable to answer for himself. I have only to say in this case if the facts adduced are such as to establish an act which, if committed by a sane person, would constitute the "offence charged, against the prisoner, then it will be your duty to bring in a true bill. The quesv ; i tion of whether the prisoner was in a sound ■ or unsound state of mind will not come under your consideration at all. It wiUbc sufficient for you to ascertain if the facts point to the act having been committed. That is the only question in which it is necessary that I should direct you, and I feel that it would only be use lessly, occupying your time for me to address you further. You will therefore re tire to your duties. TRUE BILLS. . ' . ; ;.v... ~'-' The Grand .Jury then retired, and after an absence of fifteen minutes returned into Court with a. true bill against Maria Grey, alias V Martha Grey, for feloniously stealing from a', dwelling-house. LARCENY. , • ■• : ,.. ■ - Maria Grey, alias Martha Grey, was charged with feloniously stealing from the dwelling house of Mr John Higgins, in the county of Waitemata, the sum-of £17 Us on the 23rd of February. ', Mi:i\ Prisoner, who was undefended,, pleaded not guilty. Mr 'Brookfield, the Crown Solicitor, opened the case for the prosecution, and called the prosecutor, John Hig gins, who deposed to being on the sofa in the bar parlour of his residence (the Wellington Hotel) on the 23rd of February. He saw the "prisoner come into the parlour and look about. She then walked into the. bar and took a match box out of a cash-box, which was standing on shelf behind the .bar. The match-box contained money to the amount of £17 11s. He then sent for Constable Clark, and gave the prisoner into custody. Constable Clarke, who was the only wit ness called, deposed, to taking prisoner into custody, when she said she did not intend to keep the box. His Honor asked the prisoner if -she had anything to say in her defence ? . •„/'. The prisoner replied that she dicl not in tend to steal the box or the money. - She. went into the hotel and knocked, but bo one came. She then went into the, parlour ana saw no one there. Seeing the box on the shelf she took it up to knock with, but directly she laid hold of it Mr. Higgins came from behind the door and seized her, saying he bad lost things like that before, and he should make an example of her. - '; , His Honor having summed up, the jury, returned with a verdict ©f Not Guilty. His Honor said that the jury had taken a very merciful view of the case, and tier ordered the discharge of the prisoner. LARCENY. ...•■■■ ' '<■• '■'-'? "', 7 William Henry Campbell was then placea at the bar and charged with feloniously steal ing and taking away .on the 22rd Msrcfi, 1574, a quantity of wearing apparel, the pro-, perty of Robert Cecil Carr. The prisoner pleaded guilty. '. Two previous convictions having V toJ e against the accused, his Honor inflicted > sentence of twelve months' imprisonment. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE. '". :■ ''■ Laurence A. Smith was arraigned upon an indictment charging him with attempting commit suicide at Mahurangi on t^.f.„ day of March of the present year by steDWflß himself first, then with attempting to drow« himself twice : first in a well, and then w 1 Mr Brookfieldappeared for the pw**°*|2 The prisoner, who pleaded not guilty.* undefended. -non- Ephraim Mills deposed that he was a^ tractor, living at Mahurangi, o f' : prisoner was in his employ, and the * j_ tha March last he saw him running taw^t well. He appeared to be in a rtiTO^ . excitrnent, was prevented from drown e^ another man, and then it was tt^o;l^ tfe "he had stabbed himself in the throaty blood was streaming therefrom, '/ that he had caused the wound Wl«» »$. ~ \ knife, and had it been sharp >V J have been a dead man. There waf, n% oO d.*if cal man in the immediate W^rkw He ate a very good breakfast, but, r tHat he felt as though he was chops , ;

fBl ITlltirs Sf JA, Wi POTSBAIf, A£ML l^i



Calls.

£ s. d. toe ..010 Hieen of the Thames .. .. 0 10 rational Bank of N Z. .. 0 10 0 Dividends. i.Z. Loan and Mercantile A?«; nCyCo 12ipc,

Date April 1! April 2! - July ; Due April 1J



#?10ME AND (MVE US A TURN BEFOKB I GO.



THURSDAY, FRIDAY, and ' SATURDAY, THK^EE LA-ST DAYS OP SELLING OFF! Prior to my departure for "Wellington. F. H. LEWISSON. T> ETIRING FROM THE RETAIL J. COSGRAVE & CO. Arc giving up their Retail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will be held TO-MORROW, the 14th of March, and will continue until the entir Stock is disposed of;. We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND * POUNDS WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S . CLOTHING, purchased by Mr Cosgravk from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be HOld at TJNPRECEDENTKDXT lOW PRICES. No credit will be given during the Sale. SPECIALTIES ~FOR THE SEASON. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE R. HOBBS), Are yaw Opening up their WINTER SHIPMENTS EX HORHAM CASTLE and HYLTON OASTLE, Comprising'— SILK AND -ALP AGO A UMBRELLAS. LADIES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS, CHILDREN'S, MAIDS, AND LADIES' WATERPROOF TWEED ■ MANTLES, In Great Variety and Newest Styles. CHOICE NEW DRESS GOODS In Greatly Variety. FRENCH MERINOS in all shades COBURGS, WINCEYS', FLANNELS - All Wool Plaids, Union, and All Wool Crimean Shir tinps STRONG TWEEDS, GAMBOONS WATERPROOF TWEEDS In Great Variety. Furnishing Goods, Blankets, Sheetings, white and grey White Linen Damask, Loom Damask Window RTusUns. Muslin, and T.eno Curtains Victoria Table Covers, Printed Cloth ditto Druggets, White and Red Matting, &c, &c. ' ALSO, TO ARRIVE EX PORETTE— i 34 CASES AND BALES OF GENERAL DRAPERY GOODS, CLOTHING Etc., Etc , Etc. ' RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholesale and Retail Drapers, Clothiers, &o JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE,' I . (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) j! - Upper Queen-shhset, Aucklawj. ,



T^OUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN X ASSOCIATION ROOMS, WEX,CJrSLEV-STB"ET. N.e"w Books Added to thb Liebaey : " Golden Konrs, 1873" " Chambers" Journal, 1873" " The People's Magazine, 1573" '( Cassell's Magasine. 1873" " Tasmania in" the Olden Time" (Bonwick) " The Great Sieges of History" " The Crusades and the Crusaders" | " Eunnymede: A Tale of the Great Charter" Disraeli's Works, 4 vols. " Life of Frederick the Great" (Carlyle), vols. 4 to 10 " The Stories of Brave Deeds" (Hoare) " Warp and Woof" (Holme Lee) " Home and Abroad" (David Macrae) " Triumphs of Perseverance" (X. Cooper) " Fifty Famous Men" (E,ussell) " Fifty Famous Women" (Russell) " Komantic Tales" (Miss Muloch). MISCKLIiANKOUS — Twelve Vols. (Standard Works). \ '■■ Tbbm.s of SuiisoniPTioN :—Library and Reading Itooms, 2s 6d each per (Quarter, payable in advance. Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.