SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

HIGH WATER : This evening, 10.29 ; to-monro* morninu, 10.59 ottwrthw. TV SUN-SET: ThJ* ovevinf, 6.21; SUN-KIBE . ic morrow morning, 6.36 »,it. tuo n « MOON'S AG&: First Quarter, 21th, 11.42 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Go-ahead, s.s , McGillivray. from Waitara

DEPARTURES.

Murray, s.s.. for Tauranga Rowena, s.s., for Russell "Vincent, cutter, for Tauvanga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

"Murray, for Rhssc'l, Thursday, 3 pm. Go-ahead, for TaranaM and Wanganui, tomorrow, at

noon London—Anazi, barque, early San Francisco—Allahabad, ship, Thursday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero, s.s., from Sydney, due Mikado, s.s., (English Mail via San Francisco), aboui

the 23rd instant !Rangatira, s.s., from Sydney, 28th instant Wellington, from the South, Wednesday > Star of the South, from Fijis Southern Cross, s.s., from England Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 Jubilee, ship, from London. Sailed January 21 RoupaTell. ship, from London. Siiled February 7 Bella Mary, from Hobsrt Town, early Mary King, schooner, from Adelaide, early Coronet, schooner, from Tahiti Edith, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Excelsior, schooner, from Dunedin, early Serene, barqtie, from Wellington Herald, schooner, from Lyttelton Merlin, schooner, from Lyttelton Ryno, schooner, from Lyttelton Clematis, ketcb, from Lyttelton, early

LAUNCH OF THE EMU.

The launch of the Messrs Stone Bros, new steamer the Emu, of which we gave a descrip tion last Thursday, came off yesterday morn ing*at Shortland,~?nd was highly successful. Thft ceremony of christening was performed By Mrs C. B. Stone. From 800_ to 1000 people witnessed the launch. Owing to a failure in shipping the rudder, which caused some loss of time, the vessel took the ground off Grahamstown. Had it not been for this she was to have been brought up to town last night by the Golden Crown. She is to be towed up to-night. The cost of the vessel from the builder's hands is estimated at £2,200, and in her sea-going trim with engines, etc., at about £6,000.

The steamers Murray and Rowena took their departure for Tauranga and the Bay of Islands respectively last evening. Both con veyed respectable loads of cargo and pas sengers. The s.s. Go-ahead, Captain McGillivray, arrived here this morning at 7.30 a.m. from Waitara with a full load of produce, haying left yesterday at noon. Experienced light variable winds with fine weather through out. Cargo: 6 kegs 11 boxes butter, Veale ; 10 boxes, 3 kees, Hood ; 3 boxes, order ; 40 head cattle, 250 sheep, 1 horse, Bay ley. Passenger: Mr Owen. The schooner Swallow brings 16,000 feet timber from Mercury Bay. The cutter Mercury and the schooner Swallow have cleared with a small quantity of stores for Mercury Bay.

The schooner Belle Brandon is being loaded alongside the Breakwater by Messrs G. Holdship and Co. with timber for the South.

The barque Lady Franklin is discharging her cargo of coals into the hulk Bella Marina. The schooner Golden Isle went into the Mechanic's Bay intake this morning and took on board a locomotive, which has been used in the construction of the railway, for shipment to the Bay of Islands for the Coal Company there. Tbe two mooring buoys on either side of the end of the wharf have been taken up and subjected to a fresh coating with tar. They will be laid again to-morrow. During their abscence temporary substitutes have been provided. The Clio is expected to sail for Lyttelton on Thursday. The ship Allahabad will take her depart ure for San Francisco on Thursday.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Thb Pmt, 21st April, The p.s. Patersou arrived early this morn ing from Auckland.

Nelson, 21st April. The s.s. Wellington took her departure for New Plymouth at G p.m. last night.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Lyttelton, This day.

Cleared : Ocean Mail for London with 2,232 bales of wool, 31 bales skins, 8,157 sacks wheat, 80 casks tallow, 624 cases pre served and salted meats.

The Herald, for Auckland, has cleared with 328 sacks wheat, 35 cases, 20 kegs, 80 bags bran.

COMMERCIAL.

E. Arthur's sale of earthenware, exHylton Castle, from London, was well attended. Sixteen crates of assorted white iron stone ware brought £12 17s 6d to £15 15s per crate ; 4 crates of plates of the same kind of ware sold at £14 18s 9d per crate.

CALL AND DIVIDEND LIST.

The following are the current calls and dividends payable in the companies named below: — Calls. £ s, d. Date Queen of the Thames .. ..010 April 27 National Bank of N.Z. .. 010 0 July 1

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Under :— For Thames, to-morrow, at 10 30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. For Coromandel, to morrow, at 12.30 p.m. For Norfolk Island and New GVcdonia, per Clio, this day, at 5 p.m.' For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Phcebe, to-moii-ow, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki and Wanganui, per Go-ahead, to rn oivow, at 10 a.m. For Wangrrei Heads, Wangarei, Mangapai, rud Wa:pu. per Ocean, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For Waiwera and Warkworth, per Lady Bowen, en Thursday next, at 10 a.m. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

Walsh—On April 20, Mrs P. W. Walsh, Albert

Barracks, of a daughter. Upton.-On April 21, at Shelly Beach, Mrs Upton of a son.

DEATH.

HrETT.—On the 21st instant, after a long and painfu1 r'lness, Fanny, the beloved wife of J. flyett, Hob son-street.

The funeral wiU leave the late residence to morrow (Wednesday), at 2.30 p.m.

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

TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And Mm good that wo caa do

The Hon. J. "Vogel has secured a by no means inconsiderable support from t he agri cultural and manufacturing sections of the community by his advocacy of protection. It is true that even among earnest protec tionists there have always been those who looked askance with suspicion at the Premier's professions of friendship for their cause, shrewdly suspecting that its adop tion by the astute Treasurer might mean in reality only the application of a popular name to largely increased taxation ; and however unjust these suspicions of insincerity may be they have not been without some show of reason, looking to the indiscriminate imposition of duties which has characterised the Premier's fiscal policy. If further con firmation were needed it might we think bo

found in the attitude assumed by Mr Vogej towards the colonial distilleries. Home time ago the Premier hinted pretty plainly his opinion that the differential duty of six shillings a gallon, which has led to the establishment of two important distilleries in the colony, should be abolished or very much modified. Accepting the hint, our contemporary the Cross, throwing its pro tection theories to the wind, denounces differential duties with a vigour that would be astounding were it not known from whence the inspiration comes. We may, we sup pose, accept this as the first lesson intended to educate the public up to the right standard for the change. It is well, there fore, to inquire fairly how the matter stands in order to arrive at an intelligent opinion on its merits. In the year 1870, £501,790 of colonial money were sent out of the colony for spirits, and £.12,040 were paid for colonial spirits. In IS7I, £44~>,CAS were paid for im ported, and £.'.5,770 for colonial spirits ; and in 1872, £404,140 were paid for imported and £45,172 for colonial. The revenue being proportionate to the consumption was lower it will be noticed, during the last two years quoted than in 1870. Analysing the causes of the dec'ine more closely we find that on whisky, . notwithstand ing the large amount pr/oduccd by the distilleries, the revenue has steadily risen. Thus, in IS7O, duty to the amount of £55,G83 was collected, the colonial product that year.being.only 2,535 gallons ; the revenue was £50,524, colonial product lS,oßsga!lons;lß72, revenue, £58,509, colonial product 22,C>4<) gallons. The falling off in consumption has thus rested wholly upon spirits not manufactured to any great extent in the colony; and it is assumed that the establishment cf distilleries in 2s ew Zealand have been the sole cause of this. In order to establish such a conclusion we must suppose that people have left off drinking brandy and taken to whisky for cheapness. This may to some extent be true, but we very much doubt whether the real explanation of the steady increase in the revenue from whiskey would not be found in the fact that the legitimate manufacture of colonial spirit at a low duty has effectively checked the extensive illicit dis tillati n previously carried on, and which is not now worth the attendant risk when brought into competition against the com paratively small duty imposed on colonial spirits. Assuming, however, that the dis tillerics have caused a decline in the impor tations, they will but have fulfilled the main intention of a protective tariff, and have answered the expectations enter tained when a differential duty was enacted. Mr Vogel'a action in antago nism to them shews his insincerity to protection where it does not answer the main object of increasing the revenue ; and the course pursued by the Cross must either be attributed to similar insincerity or a blind following of its leader. The line of argument pursued by the Cross is simply bunkum. Because grog is a luxury, and not a necessity, it argues that no protection should be given to encourage its manufacture. After detailing the evils arising from grog, our contemporary says : —" It is difficult to see how what, after all, is a pernicious manufacture, should be fostered at a great loss to the revenue," and again, "as we have shown, so long as smuggling was kept unprofitable, too high a duty could not be levied." That a trade drawing half a million sterling anuually from the colony is not worthy of the attention of the Government with the view to its development within the colony is what the most bigoted teetotaller would not attempt to maintain. So long as the trailic continues, surely the colony is en titled to its "benefits as well as its evils ; but that it should be fostered at a great loss to the revenue is another question, which may, however, be satisfac torily determined without causing a breach of the obligations between the Government and capitalists that have led to the invest ment of thousands of pounds in a business which in the face of the existing, although wholly unjust prejudice against colonial spirits must prove a failure without the pre sent differential duty. Our contemporary assumes that the whoJe difference of duty has gone into the pockets of the distillers, while every mercantile man acquainted with the disparity in price between a colonial and imported spirits is aware that the lower duty has barely enabled the colonial manu factories to compete against importations. It would not be difficult to show that even with the advantages afforded by the duty, the colonial distilleries have never paid fair interest on the capital invested in in them, and if the duty were equalised to morrow both distilleries would be closed within three months, and enterprise in that branch of manufacture in the colony com pletely crushed. We maintain that the duty on spirits cannot now be altered with out committing a gross breach of faith, unless a heavy compensation is paid for thus strangling an important industiy just as it was struggling into vigorous life. That the revenue should suffer v?e do not contend, and if it is found necessary for its conserva tion to increase the duty on colonial spirits, the impost should proportionately be made higher on imported grog. An increase of twenty per cent on the present duties would probably meet any deficiency caused by the growth of the local manufacture. That the attention directed towards smug gling, now in abeyance, would be revived by this course, as it unquestionably would with any increase of duty on colonial spirits, we do not doubt ; but the Government must use extra, diligence in keeping it in check. We have no hesitation in stating, not withstanding the Cross1 sneering rtinarks regarding the injurious effect of new spirits, that the quality of the liquor con- j sumed here has greatly improved since the I establishment of colonial distilleries and the substitution of locally-made grog for the poisonous compounds sold as imported spirits. Legislation is much more necessary against adulterated grog than against the assumed " rawness " of the pure liquor made within the colony. Our contemporary will find much of the evil he complains of disap pear by diluting his modicum with water.

We are informed that Mrs Yon dor Heyde and Mrs Graham, the two ladies who were thrown out of a chaise in the Kyber Pass Road yesterday are both recovering rapidly from their injuries and fright,

We understand that Mr Cbisholm's loss by the late fire at the Whau is very consi derable. The house, stables and outhouses alone cost upwards of £1,500. The indoor furniture, it appears, which was quite new, cost £250, thus making a total loss of £1,750.

At the City Council meeting yesterday the quarter term of advertisements of the Council in connection with the daily journals having expired, it was moved by Councillor Macready, seconded by Councillor Hixrst, and carried:—" That the Council's adver tisements be given to the Evening. Star for the next three months." The monthly accounts were brought forward and passed for payment.

To the Editor: Sir,—The case of Mr. Ruby, who was burnt out at the late fire, is one deserving the interest of the charitable. The unfortunate man has not only lost all his little means, but is burdened with an in valid wife and several children. I think, sir, if you would kindly receive subscriptions at your office on his behalf to give him another start in business you would aid a deserving man.—Yours, &c., AIUiUS.— [We shall be happy to receive contributions for the object referred to by our correspondent. —Ed. B. B.] There was a great commotion in the Coun cil chamber among city councillors just befoie the hour of" parting had arrived in consequence of the resumption of the adjourned debate on the expediency of raining a new loan of £50,000. The Town Clerk presented a statement which he had carefully prepared shewing that the present annual income from city endowments was £1,850, and that the estimated increase at the end of six years would be£Coo. Council lor Holdship then rose, and in a long speech argued upon the old saying, " might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb," and knowing that Auckland was a most ftchly endowed city, and would of necessity become Richer and richer, he would recommend the Council to go in for a loan of £100,000 for ten years. They would then be able to perform easily all their permanent works, and would be relieved of the disagreeable duty of seeking a second mortgage. By acting upon his suggestion and issuing debentures they would not pay more than live per cent for the borrowed money. Councillor Jones spoke loud and I,,nrr jn oppositiou, and denounced the Town (.'lt rk'B statement as a tissue of nonsense ; it was all a myth—the information was wrong from beginning to end. The Town Clerk had failed in furnishing accurate data to go upon. His Worship rose in defence of Mr I'.iodk1, the Town Clerk, and contended that the officials were not 1o blame for the scanti ness of the information respecting the pro peTtics ; it svas the fault of their predecessor*. Councillors Isaacs argued that it would be absurd to expect piople to advance money upon shadowy security. He would not vote for the motion without satisfactory informa tion in rcppect of the endowments. Hie Worship replied that the Provincial Council would see that the security was ample. Councillor J ones, with much feeling, reraai ked that the city might be a richly endowed one ; he did not know that, but he wanted th.it important fact laid before the Council in in disputable black and white. The Town Cleric .should have done this; he was regarded as their executive officer, and in this respect he had not done his duty. Coun cillor Prime said he was in a fog upon the matter before them. Councillor Macready acknowledged that it was certainly a hazy bit of business, and Councillor Williams had a misty view of the motion. After some further discussion the loan debate was adjourned until the next meeting in order that some tangible information might be 1 iron "lit. forward for the satisfaction of the Council.

A grand concert will be given in the Pon sonby new hall on Thursday evening next by the Carandini family, under the patron age of his Honor the Superintendent. We understand that one of our City Bands will lie in attendance, also the members of the newly organised Ponaonby Choral Society. A pleasurable evening may therefore be con fidently expected Mr George Sibbin, of the Corner Mart, Wyndham and Queen-streets, who lias been wont to scatter his witticisms among butter factors, corn dealers, land buyers, and store keepers will tomorrow have a great deal to say about popular authors and the merits of their respective productions. He will com mence to sell at 11 o'clork a.m. over 1,500 volumes of books, in 508 lots, consigned to him by Mr Edward Lumley, whose name is as well known among new and second-hand London booksellers of the present day as was that of James Lackington, of the Fins bury Temple of the Muses, at the beginning of the present century. Thcce 1,555 books include every kind of literature— poetry, theology, fiction, travels, law, and physic : indeed all subjects, " from grave to gay, from lively to severe ;" and those citizens and settlers who wish to fill up their library shelves will do well by attending at the Corner Mart to-morrow morning not Inter than eleven o'clock. Gentlemen are requested to bring their catalogues as there are only a few left at the mart. The members of the progressive _ New market Institute will resume the subject of " Darwin's Origin of Species " this"evening, and Mr Brown has consented to open the difficult question on the negative side, and endeavour to expose the folly of Darwin's theory. It may not be generally known that Dr. Erasmus Darwin, of Lichfield^ the grandfather of the present doctor, who is re garded as the author of the Darwinian theory, first commenced tbe family study, of man's relationship to the lower animals, and that he probably caught the idea from his friend, the eccentric Lord Mon boddo, whose wild theories often made Dr. Johnson burst through hia usual gravity and laugh outright. The little coterie of friends who used to meet in John son's native city, and were known as the " Lunar society," including Darwin, Seward, James Watt, Boulton, Day and others were in the habit of discussing the very question which seems to absorb the thought of the Newmarket men at' the present time. We commend the action of the thinking men of Newmarket in their steady pursuance of such profound subjects as they tend to sharpen the intellect and aid rather than impede the progress of trutb.

The entertainment given last evening In the Parnell Hall for the benefit of widow .Grange and her children was well patronised. The hall was full, and the songs and various dances introduced by the renowned Magnetic Troupe, under the management of Captain E. Clair, were well gone through. At the close of the performances a quadrille party waa formed, Mr F. Christmas acting as M.C., which was kept up until the "morn- Zing star, day's harbinger," was no longer I visible. As this is the final appear ance of this troupe we emphatically say :— Farewell, O ye darkies ! farewell! Your dances and capers are o'er ; To ballads and banjos soft swell We shall listen in rapture no more. farewell to Frost, Williams and Jones, Whom oft we've been pleasantly with ; To Johnson, and Groggins and Bones, To friends Nicodemus and Smith. O darbies, magnetic, farewell! With faces all dark to the sight ; And eyci that la r,t gleamed at Pavnell As lamps through the gloom of the night. It g.."evcs us right down to the heart— Ah, yes, to ovr very heart's coro ; That we happy niggers must part, | And minglo together no more.

] Hotel-keepers and others are informed that the annual licensing meeting will be held on Thursday next, at the High-street Oourt ■ houae.

The subscribers and friends of the Parnell Orphan Home will hold their annual meeting on Thursday evening next, at the Home. The chair will be taken at half-past seven by the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop ot Auckland.

The annual tea-meeting in connection with the Wellesley-street Sunday-school will be held this evening at Mr Cornford's Baptist Church. Suitable addresses will subsequent ly bo delivered by Revs P. H. Cornford and G. H. Turner, also by Messrs Ewington, Glanville, and Martin. The choir will vary the entertainment with selections of sacred music under the direction of Mr Cooper. Alluiiing to the blockade on the Piako Hiver, reported in a recent issue of the Star, the Thames Advertiser says : —"A telegram from Auckland informs us that a vessel has had to return to the Tamaki, owing to the native t having established a blockade of Piako River under our very no^es. The cutter was taking stores up to Captain Pea cock's farm, in that large tract of country to which easy access can be had only by the Piako. This, it must be admitted, is com ing it rather strong on the part of our aboriginal brothers ; but we suppose that the Native Office, which rules the Europeans in the North Island with a rod of iron, will angrily tell us that if the natives will not allow us to take a boat or vessel up the Piako, we must just stay away. What next ? and next ? The Thames will be blockaded at ilikutaia in a few weeks we suppose, and instead of the Europeans pene trating into the King Country, as the Native Oilice is continually boasting it is just about to do, we have the natives edging us out of the land we have honestly bought and paid for."

To the Editor : Sir,—ln your report of the City Council meeting held yesterday you state that four tenders were received for the repairs of Wyndham-street. Now can you inform us on what authority you mention our names, who never saw the plans nor specifications, and therefore knew as little of the cost of repairing Wyndham-street as the men who never saw JNiew Zealand? Had each tenderer been compelled to lodge five per cunt, as a guarantee for taking up the contract then our names could not be in serted as a ruse in order to make it appear good tendering. The custom now-a-days is to give contracts to men of neither wealth, standing, nor repute. — Yours, &c, W. Kjkuv, Jas. Lakkxn.

Mr Thos. Henderson and Captain Nearing returned from the scene of the wreck of the Albion eariy this morning,, having completed their inspection of the condition'of the vessel. The result has been that it has been decided to abandon the brig and sell her as she lies at auction next Thursday. The deck has burst up and the vessel's back is completely broken.

The Thames Advertiser ol yesterday states: —" We understand that a criminal action for libel is about to be brought against the proprietors of the Auckland JSvening Star by Captain Fraser, Resident Magistrate of this place, for the statements recently pub lished in that newspaper as comments on the late specimen crushing at Manning's, and the remarks of the magistrate on the action of the police in the matter. Messrs. Giliies and llesketh have been retained for the prosecution."

We would suggest to those of our readers v. ho may be fond of eating oranges along the streets to be careful in not dropping the peel upon the pavement, as many a broken limb has been caused through the carelessness of oiange-eatersin public places. As an instance of the danger of leaving orange peel we may mention that Arthur, son of Mr Messenger, fruiterer of Queen-street, met with a severe accident on Sunday evening through stepping on a strip of peel in Victoria-street. The ladt:ippedancl fell witbjconsiderable violence, and bruised his face very much, beside cut ting his lip deeply on a lump of scoria. So much injured was the lad that it was deemed necessary to seek professional assistance.

With reference to the accident at Mr Lawrio's paddock yesterday we may state that there is no suspicion of foul play in con nection with the death of the horse. The animal had evidently fallen on its back into the drain, and had kicked itself to death in its efforts to get out. The horse was buried in the morning. The cows still wandered about the place, and in the evening one must have run agaiust^the animal, which was found with its neck broken, and forced it on its head. The curious coincidence that both accidents should have occurred near the same spot may no doubt be accounted for by the fact that the cows with their sensitive powers of scent would be attracted to the place where the animal was buried.

We are informed by the Immigration Com missioner that the reports of the health of the immigrants at Motuihi continues so good that it is probable the quarantine will not be kept up more than a few days longer. It is intended to land all the passengers' baggage, as "Rell as the 'tween-decks fittings, and thoroughly fumigate them. The ship will then be painted inside, and will afterwards come up to the wharf. The fact has trans pired that it was a day or two after the pas sengers had been given access to their chests in the hold, when half-way across, that the scarlatina first showed itself. It is therefore more than likely that the seeds of disease are contained among the baggage. Knowing this probability the immigration officers will in sist upon everything being thoroughly dis infected.

"MEDEA" AT THE PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

TnE new theatrical company, assisted by our old friends Mr G. W. Collier and Miss Lizzie Busche, began a short season last night at the Prince of Wales Theatre by the produc tion of the tragedy of "Medea" with. Miss Clara Stephenson as the principal character. Jason was undertaken by Mr Collier, and Orpheus by Mr Launcelot Booth. The subordinate characters were cast as follows :—Creon, Mr Chas. Searle ; Lycaon and Melanthus (Medea's children), Miss Milly* Collier and Miss Docey Stirling ; Claudius, Mr H. Denham ; Creusa, Miss Lizzie Busche ; lanthe.MissE. H. Mortimer. By the selection of such an opening piece as " Medea" we profess to be only able to see one advantage secured. The business being all concentrated round the two central figures renders the play well adapted for a small company. But on the other hand there are grave objections to such a choice. In the first place the tragedy is most exigent upon the powers of the leading actors. It is in the loftiest style of tragedy, and if the dignity of the piece is not preserved throughout the result cannot fail to be unsatisfactory. This dignity or grandeur of tone is the great characteristic of the tragedies of ths ancients, and has never been approached by modern authors. There is a stateliness of march in the pro gress of their action which at once commands awe and admiration. It is unnecessary now to examine into the reason of this ; but it is an all important fact to be borne in mind by artistes who think of attemptiag their heights, Another reason which might be

given why "Medea" is an unwise selection for an opening night is that its performance ia an obvious attemptjto take the town by storm, so to spsak,— an attempt which nothing but success can justify. Miss Clara Stephenson has improved very muoh since her last visit to Auckland. She has improved in her accla mation, and she has improved in her expres sion of passionate emotion. With a pleasing exterior she now unites a queenly gait and great facility of facial language, two most necessary requisites for a tragic actress. But it is obvious that Miss Stephenson has not yet arrived at the top of her profession. She has not acquired that ground ness and consistency of deportment in |trying situa tions which are marks of the perfection of art She has not the depth for such a com plex personation as Medea, and if the fact is at all consoling to our young visitor there are very few actresses even on the English stage who would venture to assume such a possession. We should like to have seen this lady at any rate atstarting m a character that demanded less. No unkindness is in tended in our remarks but any one who soars so high must expect to be judged by a high standard. Miss Stephenson is far beyond most of the lady actresses we have lately seen, but she has yet a great deal to learn. In the first act her pathos was spoiled by a drunken blackguard who continually interrupted the performance (and who was allowed to do so for half-an hour or more by the police before he was turned out), but in spite of this her story of the coming of Jason and her first love were well told, and called down loud and deserved applause. Jn the second act occurs the trying scene of the meeting of Jason and Medea after their separation. The variety of emotions which here require depicting present difficulties we can excuse Miss Stephenson for not surmounting. In fact they are almost insurmountable. Medea's graphic utterance otJaer^conviction of the ever atten3a**(s^W of her murdered brother's curse over herself and her guilty paramour was given with energy and skill. In the third act the struggle between the extremes of love and hate was well por trayed. Miss Stephenson was called before the curtain after each act, and cannot complain of the greeting she received on her first night before an Auckland audience. Mr Collier's Jason was a very meritorious sketch of character. The hero's conflicting tumult of emotion at hearing of the nearness of Medea was artistically evolved, and there were several touches of true tenderness in his scenes with Creusa. Our remarks have extended to such alength that we must defer further criticism of this gentleman's per -1 formance till to-morrow. Of Mr Launcelot .'Booth, as Orpheus, it may be fearlessly stated that there has not been seen a more gentlemanly actor on the Auckland stage for a long while. His style is even, and his enunciation correct and melodious.' We like him much, and look forward to seeing him in other characters. Of Mr Searle, as Creon, not much can be said. The text was mastered, but not the king. This gentleman was evidently playing out of his line. Miss Bushes performance of Creusa had one decided merit. Its tameness was a capital foil to the fiery savageness of her rival. The company played to a full house, and the audience seetned to be well pleased with the catering provided for them. "Whitebait at Greenwich" concluded the evening's performance. The managers, Mons. DeLias and Mr Co Her, deserve a word in acknowledgment of the enterprise they have shown in securing the engagement of Miss Clara Stephenson and her companions. _ The orchestra was under the directorship of Mons. DeLias. The same programme is advertised for to-night.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Messrs Isaacs, and Gheeseman, Justices of the Peace.) ISAAC BRYANT OK SEVEN' DIALS.

This singular little being, formerly of the Seven Dials, but for some years an in habitant of Chancery-lane, Auckland, who has followed various callings from that of a drummer f n the 55th Regiment, of the line to that of a street oysterman and shoe-black, was charged with being very drunk last night, when he was picked up by Constable Williams and carried to the lock-up. Priso ner, who was in a most miserable plight, plea ded guilty and was fined 10s and costs. ALLEGED LARCENY. Charles Hooke, a respectable-lookingyoung man, was charged with stealing a watch from the Royal Mail Hotel, value £S, on the 16th April. Mr Joy appeared for the defendant. Mr Brohani said that he had not been able to obtain any evidence against Hooke. The Bench therefore discharged him. GOING TOO FAR. Henry A. Digby was charged with steal ing a mare with saddle and bridle on the 18th day of March last, the property of Henry Maynard. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Henry Maynard was sworn, and deposed that on the day in question he let his mare with saddle and bridle to Digby, who told him he wanted to go to Onehungs. on busi ness, and that he should return in the evening. He agreed to pay fifteen shillings for the hire, but instead of prisoner coming back he went on towards the Waikato and sold the mare and harness. He immediately gave information to the police, and prisoner was subsequently arrested. The mare, saddle, and bridle were v orth £12. George Stafford Matthewson, member of the police force, stationed at Ngaruawahia, deposed to receiving information of the rob bery, and to arresting the prisoner. Upon charging him with the offence prisoner, without admitting his guilt, enquired whether the offence was of a serious nature. He then told witness he would find the mare in the possession of a man named Wilbam Corboy. He went and found her there, and learnt that prisoner had sold her for the sum of £3, and the harness he had sold to another person. Mr Broham stated to the bench that as two of the witnesses could not be present to day he would ask for a remand until Mon • day. The case was therefore remanded until Monday next. summons case. Messrs Benjamin, James and John Gittos, of Wyndhani-street, were summoned to answer to a charge of not keeping their pri vate yard in a cleanly state on the 11th of April. Mr Brodie appeared for the City Council, and Mr William Thome for defendants. Mr George Goldie, Inspector of Nuisances, deposed that in his official capacity he visited defendants'"premises in Wyndham-street on Saturday, the 1.11 h inst., and found in the yard a quantity of clotted blood, pieces of raw hide, trotters, and a conglomeration of blood and maggots, which sent forth a most offensive smell, of which the neighbours had complained. He had previously spoken to Messrs Gittos upon the subject. James McCleary, police constable, also witnessed the state of the yard, and saw some prodigious maggots in the blood. James Sewlett, a porter in defendants' employ, remembered the 11th April, when they received a quantity of green hides from the Coast and Newmaket. They were bloody as usual, but the smell arising from them was not worse thaa ordinary. They

were removed aa speedily »!rrr* and he cleaned the yard after themW'V ' past one. 1U« half. F George Sutcliffe, salesman in the o , <** of Messrs Gittos, remembered the f» vIP 0? )l coming in from Newmarket on the ]Ht es stant. There was nothing in the va d*' viously of an offensive character «nj *""e" hides did not remain more than an {\ Such things were always removed a<... r> possible. . 7*«» Samuel Moberly, carman, removed hides from Messrs Gittos' premises, n c a very showery day. He took them few? Whau. There was no extraordinary 2J- Counsel having addressed the Bench a Chairman considered that the case against rf defendants was proved, but believing a, MessrsGitto3 had no wish to do other thajth! which was just and right the Bench w[j impose the smallest possible sum, y,]}{ would be 5s and costs. ' * This was all the business.

MRS MITCHELL'S CONCERT.

The benefit concert to this favourite An \ land cantatriee came off last nighi; at it Choral Hall. A good array of taleit ffav« their services on the occasion, while ft Choral Society's Band rendered great asak ance. We are unable te pronounce that ti affair was as much a success as we sWj have liked to see it. The audience, y}u, included Lady Fergusson and suite, *» a very fashionable one, but was not g 0 numerous aa it might have been. 6 can only attribute the fact of there not bei n? a better attendance to the counter attraction? at the Theatre and Farnell Hall, wh«re special performances were given. "Lei> re aux Clercs," overture by the band, was a tolerably good performance, calling for no especial mark of praise. " I'll follow Thee" sung by Mrs Mitchell, was sweetly rendered and may claim to be considered the choice mofs^l'of the programme. JKfi-iiaxeieldoin beard thia lady" put more sweetaesToT"'' expression into her singing than in the rendering -of this gem. " Poter tie Hermit," a dramatic song by a gentleman amateur, was given with ability, but the style of song was unsuitable to the gentle man's voice. In the duet between Mn, Mitchell and Miss James some exqtante harmony was created, but the second voice showed a deficiency in power, " Where the Bee sucks," pianoforte solo by a lady, was a beautiful effort of it strumentalism, and met with deserved sp. plause. The gentleman who gave "Rage thou angry storm' was not in his beat voice, but the performance was a finished one. In the prize glee "The Sisters of the Sea" (Jackson) the chorus was well done; but in thd quartette the voices were not evenly balanced. Want of practice was apparent in this. The second overture hy the band (Tancredi) went better than the first. The instruments were more in accord, and there was considerable improvement in the time. Miss James' song " Thou are come again Sweet Spring " showed nervousness. Mr. Blaydes sang the " Village Blacksmith" well enough to make us regret he did not sing it better. This gentleman has an excel lent voice, but seems too careless s'about Ms | singing. He should also avoid putting his music copy up to his mouth, as it spoils the effect in every way. The duet, "Thro' the Vale," though down on the programme, was not given, though we notice that th Herald this morning comments uponi iti performance. The band were not # in andi good fettle as we have heard them, whilelk j part songs, as seems now to be generally tfe I case in Auckland concerts, were not studied. I sufficiently.

ENGLISH NEWS BY CABLE.

[PER S.S. TARARUA AT HOKITIKA.] ~

DATES TO APRIL 11.

London, April 7to April 11.—The Ansi^ I lian and New Zealand mails, via California, | were delivered on the Gth.—Livingstone ml J be buried in the Westminster Abbey, and j the cost defrayed by Government.—Francs i and Kussia have signed a commercial aaa . navigation treaty.—The coal and iron | masters of Scotland have resolved W'K.I further reduction of wages by 20 per cent.- J Tenders have been invited J Indian loan of three niillion3^«r-raonn * Karslake has resigned the-Attorney-' Geaeralship^on accountfof ill health. --He will be succeeded b#Mr Baggasley, Solicitor- General.—Three thousand colliers mm struck in Worcestershire.— Jene Line, of Tichborne .notoriety, has been sentenced to seven years' penal servitude for perjury, ana Captain Brown to five years.- The; Eng™ Press is favourable to the annexation of B]i —Money is less in demand, but firm. -U» , stock market is improving, and the *VV™m' ded dearness of money subsiding. The WW trade returns shew a continued reduction in exports. The corn market is strong, with an upward tendency. Adelaide »■ 66s to 675. Flour 46s to 48s per 280 pound.- Cape Coast news to the 17th March* that the King of Ashantee has signed Geaenu Wolseley's treaty.-It is reported that. compromise has been effected between, m, Republicans and Carlists in Spain, » negotiations for peace are proceeding.--^. American Senate has voted an increase^ greenbacks, and the National Bank eg lation has been increased eight i^ millions of dollars. Thus inflation <*-g currency met with oppositaon-^e Zealand hemp steady. Stock, 2321 tons.

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

[Per s.s Tabaeua, at Hokitdca.

THE SYDNEY CUP EACE.

DEPARTURE OF COMMUNISTS.

IHE PALMER RUSH.--GBEAT DIS TRESS PROBABLE.

Melbourne, April 11-H».«S** colony for the quarter ending Jfjg--^ ---£1,097,251, shewing »*uaew» «»£.£,* visous quarter of £119,131, and onj£/ of £207 472.-At the University■ o«J« k ment on Saturday v^' an adeundem degree, and madeagooo^-^ -The Eastern Cable Company have .^ . mitted a proposition for the . of cable charges to *»i J^?^ annO al words, in consideration of *JVg^ subsidy, redticeable after a cer* ber of messages. lodd. x° n xft/basis. with the various Governments on ttj ? The Supreme Court granted.a-°11!^ Walker v. George, the of Lome case, on the ground that t^ was against the evidence..J^Lmm in the case of Trean V. 0mo««J case against the 2W» «»^ 8?- ----Drummond, the bank manager, J^ New Zealand, has been committej J The Gyphrenes sailed from Sydney j. day. She will tranship »*»JJjJW Kandavu, and take the mad to »«^ -Kochefort, Groussett, and ' passengers to England vw^J Several suicides «£ «fJ?3 & / ported.-The probate dutJ overDl neDt *»■ / Clarke's estate paid to the uo £37,555. T . e reveD Be JrJ, Sydney, April ll'-T, gft sboff^ * past quwfcer w»a W-

whs Bvmrnra f f Am, jppespilt, apeil 21 iftfl



SPECIALTIES FOE THE SEASON. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE R. HOBBS), Are I^otv Opbnino up their WINTER SHIPMENTS EX NORHAM CASTLE ana HYLTON OASTLE Comprising— SILK AND ALPACCA UMBEELLAS. LADIES' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS, CHILDREN'S, MAIDS, AND LADIES' WATERPROOF TWEED MANTLES, In Gicat Variety and Newest Styles. CHOICE NEW DRESS GOODS In Greatly Variety. FRENCH MTSEINOS in all shades COBUEGS, WINCEYS', FLANNELS All "Wool Plaids, Union, and All "Wool Crimean ShirtiDßs STRONG TWEEDS. GA.MBROONS WATERPROOF TWEEDS In Great Variety. Furnishing Goods, Blankets, Sheetings, white and grey White Linen Damask, Loom Damask "Window Muslins. Muslin, and Leno Curtains Victoria Table Coveis, Printed Cloth ditto Druggets, White and Red Matting, &c, &c. ALSO, TO ARRIVE EX DORETTE— 34 CASES AND BALES OF GENERAL DRAPERY GOODS, CLOTHING, Etc., Etc., Etc. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholesale and Retail Drapers, Clothieeh, &o JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) ■"JpPBBgQxrEEjT-saniarrj^AiTOKLAND.



TTJ H. LEWISSON Eegs to inform his numerous frienes and the public at large that havin-* been success ful in disposing of ail his old STCCii. at the recent CLEARING-OUT SALE, He has determined to RE-OPEN with an ENTIRELY NEW SELECTION OF EVER\ DESCRIPTION OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, Ac, And is resolved to offer to the Public Tioods of the best Quality at the LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICE. S3T Extensve Alteiations are about to be made in the B'^iuess Piemises, vhich ■when completed will make them second to none in the Colonies. The Manufacturing Branch of the Business will be carried on as usual, and all Repairs or Orders for Cutting and Mounting G censtone and Quartz will be executed with promptness, F. H. LEWISSON, OPPOSITE UNION BANK, queen-.stkktt, auckland, [Establish i?d 1864 ] .-- T\ STEPHEN SON & CO.'S CELEBRATED COFFEES, "EXHIBITION BRAN D," " KAOLE BRAND," "CRO W N BRAN D," Are to be procured 'at all respectable Onoc'EßS and Stkrvkkkprhs throughout tho Province of Auckland. D. STEPHJENSON & CO , w y n d ii a m street, Auckland. "QETIKING FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSORAVE & CO. Are giving up their Retail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will be held TO-MORROW, the 14th of March, and wM continue until the entire Stock is d?' posed of. We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr Cokoravb from the Tnglish and French Manufacturers, which will be OH at UNPRECEnEKTEDXiY LOW PRICKS. No credit will be given during the Stile" -vr o t i c c. The BANKS will be CLOSED on THURSDAY, 23rd instant, (St. George's Day). 150 000 FRET timber FOll SALE, AT MY YARDS, GOVERNMENT WHARF, ONEIIUNGA. JAMES W. WALLER. ri a v t i on O L S O N'S TOMATO BATTCE. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce to be the BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence of its high reputation, som* unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's name stamped thereon, and pass the same off as "'Olson's Universal Tomato Sauce." The proprietor has in consequence caused his TRv* OE MARK, to be Registered under the provision of the "Trade Marks Act, I860," and proceedings T.UI be taken against such persons as may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to ASK EOR OLSON'S SAUCE, and see that the name is Stamped on Bottle and stopper, and wrapped rounds with his well-known libel.