SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

BTGB V-4TF.B: Ibis cveßiEg, 8.20 ; tO-moKO* lnorning. S.S9

: TMx, ew.Blßg, 5.4G ; SCE-KISE : To morrow rr.r.rnlnj; 22 MOOZn'S AQ,is' : Last Quarter, 10thinstant,9.50a m.

POST OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS. "

Coralie, cutter, from Tairua Clyde, schooner, from "Wangarei Magellan Cloud, brigantine, from Eusscll Golden Isle, from Russell Pacific, schooner, from Lyttelton Ocean, schooner, from "Wangarei- Rowena, s.s.,from Russell Sunbeam, schooner, from Waipu Catherine, cutter, from "Wairoa

„ DEPARTURES. Hindostan, ship. Peak, for London Rangatira, s.s., Hill, for Sydney Papua, schooner, for Rorotonga

IMPORTS.

Per Pacific, from Lyttelton: 145 sacks oats, D. H. McKenzie; 69 sacks wheat, 32 do bran, 40 do oatmeal, 299 do oats, T. Belcher; 236 sacks oats, 20 do bran, order • 10 pieces machinery, A. Buckland.

EXPORTS.

Per schooner Dauntless, for Lyttelton: 60,000 feet timber, 24 doors and sashes, Holdship and Co.—Messrs Cruickshank and Co., agents.

PThe s.s. Rangatira takes her departure this evening for Sydney. Sh eftakes a general cargo as per imports, and the following passengers :—Saloon : Mr T. G. Shepherd, Mrs Shepherd, Hon. Donald McLean, Col. St. John, Mr S. Eosenthal, Major Eopata, Mr A Lewington, and 19 in the steerage. For the Endeavour River, Wm. Stevens and George Dunn.

The Catherine, cutter, brings 700 bushels lime from Wairoa.

The whaling barques Hunter and Lagoda left the Bay of Islands on Thvirsday and Tuesday last respectively.

The p.s. Luna called in at Monganui on Wednesday last. She left at five p.m. and arrived at Whangaroa at 8, leaving at one o'clock next morning for the Bay of Is lands. There she coaled and left at 11 o'clock on Thursday for other ports on the coasts

The. Rowena arrived from the Bay of Islands this morning. She brings the fol lowing passengers : —Captain Butler, Mrs and Miss Butler, Messrs. Harness, Ball, Scott, Aicken, White, Christie, Davidson, Finlay, Golden, Ford, Clark, McAlaster, McGinn, Fairburn, J. M. Williams, Busby, Hall, Webster, Captain Williams, J. W. Williams, Mrs D. H. Lusk and Mrs H. H. Lusk, Mrs Dickson, Miss Tolerton, and.B in the steerage. The Rowena also brings 30 head of cattle, 80 sheep, and 5 tons of gum. The Rowena will sail on Tuesday next the th April at 4 p.m. S The Hawaiian schooner Dauntless ha, cleared for Lyttelton wibh a cargo of timber shipped by Holdship and Co. The fine ship Hindostan has cleared out for London with a valuable cargo to the care of the New Zealand Shipping Company. The schooner Papua took her departure for Sarotonga yesterday morning with a general cargo shipped by Crnickshank &, Co. The Pacific schooner arrived, from Lyttel ton yesterday after a week's run. Captain Crisp reports fine weather along the coast. The schooner Golden Isle brings 118 tons coal from Russell for the Bay of Islands Coal Company. The s.s. Mongol is to sail from this port with the next outward San Francisco mail on the 13th inst.

The cutter Wanderer has cleared for Tairua with 2 tons flour, 6 caska beef, and 2 tons coal. The ketch Whynot brings 21,000 feet of timber from Cabbage Bay. The Magellan Cloud brings 140 tons coal from Russell. The Vincent, cutter from Tauranga, brings 100 sacks wheat and some sundries. The Hylton Castle has been moored in the berth lately occupied by the Hindostan. She will commence discharging her cargo on Monday. On Monday the p.s. Golden Crown will leave for the Thames at 9 a.m., returning at 6 p.m. The Naval Brigade are going to have some target practice with the Arm strong guns on Monday next. They will fire from the North Head in the direction of Rangitoto, and masters of vessels are warned to keep out of the line of fire. ' The cutter Dawn, Captain Bradley, sailed, from Raglan with limestone for Taranaki on the 31st ultimo. We learn that the Camilla, said to be loading at Hobart Town for Auckland, has had her destination altered away from this port. . Th.c brig Jane entered inwards at the Customs this morning. She has hauled in side the new western T, and will at once proceed to unload. The barquentine Prince Alfred has hauled alongside the Queen-street Wharf for the purpose of discharging. The s.s. Rowena is to sail for Ruasell at 4 p.m. on Monday.

The ship Hindostan took he departure for London this morning. She takes a valuable cargo and the following passengers :—Saloon : Dr and Mrs M. E. B. Nicholson and family (3), Messrs J. R. Harrison, Dow, R. Dacre, J. Lynch. Hulley, A. K. Stansfield, D. B. Stansfield, Captain and Mrs Filder, Dr and Mrs Fox, Miss Cochrane. Second cabin : Mrs Davies, Mrs Mackay, Joseph, Jessie, Daniel, and Agnes Mackay, Mr and Mrs Noah Wood, Charlotte and Ethel Wood, Mr and Mrs J. Bomber, Sarah, Alice, Alfred, Willie, and Eva Bomber, Mr and and Mrs J. F. Ohlgren, Frederick and Annie Ohlgrcn, Miss S. Powell, W. Burton, J. McNaughton, J. Kibblewhite, T. Snell. Steerage: H. Titford, Jas. R. Trigg, J. Gerbert, F. Parker, G; Parker, R. Hill, R. White, G. Harppard, John S. Williams, E. Williams, J. Volkner, Chgnowesh, Pile, Mr and Mrs Coombes and family (5), Mr and Mrs J. Williams, Mr and JMrs H. Gor don, Mrs Clarke, Alfred Garibaldi, and Rose Clarke.

BIRTH.

Allen— On April 3, at her residence, Cross-street, the wife of Thomas E. Allen, of a son.

DEATH.

Linbsey—At her residence Mount Albert, on April 4 Elfza Jane, the beleved wife of Wright Lindsey' aged 35 years; deeply lamented.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as Undbb :— For Thames, on Monday, at 8.30 a.m. 1 For Whangarei, &c, per Ocean, this day, at. 4 p.m. For Taiiua, per "Wanderer, this day, at 6 p.m. For Tonga, per Kenilworth, this day, at 5 p m. For Taranaki and Wanganui, per Go-ahead, on Monday next, at noon For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per" Rowena, on Monday next, at 3 pm. For Tauranga. per Vincent.on Monday next, at 5 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per Wellington on Tuesday, 7th April, as under: — ■ For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 9 am For Taranaki and Southern provinces), ar 10 a m For the Australian Colonies, and United King dom, via Southampton, at 10 a m For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and late letters for Southern provinces and Melbourne, at 10.30 am For newspapers, at 8 a m For money orders, and registered letters, on

Monday, Cth April, at spm For Whangarei, tfc , and Russell, per Murray, on

Tuesday next, at 4 p.m. For the undermentioned places, per Mongol, on Monday, 13th instant, as under :— 0 For Fiji.Sandwich Islands, United States of 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 late fee will be received until 11

a ra For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 9.30 a m

(Signed) S. B. Bis?, Chief Postmaster.

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

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And +ho vood that we can do

Military etiquette was carried to a very absurd extentinthe lunchon given to the Rifle Representatives on Thursday. The post of honor on the right of the chairman was as signed to Sub-Lieutenant Barriball, the Cavalry champion, while Captain Hamlin, the Infantry champion, was placed next the Vice-Chairman. In proposing the health of these gentlemen the Mayor gave that of Sub-Lieutenant Barriball first, and described it as the toast of the day. -On inquiry we are told that this is quite.correct, because the Cavalry takes precedence of the Infantry. But this reason is by no means a sufficient one, and the arraSgement is palpably absurd. Without at all wishing to under-rate Lieutenant Barriball's per formances, we ask—Would one citizen in fifty on being asked who was Pane Cham pion this year answer any other than Captain Hamlin. Only a comparative few .indeed -would be found to know that Lieutenant Barriball was a champion at all. The reason is obvious. In the one case the competition is confined to a select few, whereas in the other its is competed for by thousands. The volunteer force is so pre eminently a body of foot soldiers that a prize thrown open to the infantry is practically open to the whole body. On the contrary any cavalry competition is restricted to the narrowest limits. It stands to reason on this account that the honor of winning the infantry championship is far greater than that, gained by achieving the place of distinction among the cavalry. We understand that at Napier they had the com mon sense to ignore etiquette and give the pride of place to Captain Hamlin; but we suppose the extraordinary military discipline prevailing in Auckland would not permit of such a subversion of rank. Our martinets might recollect that it is not the rank of the champion that is looked at, but the skill he. has exhibited in securing the highest place among so many rivals. For every fifty competitors, beaten directly or indirectly by Captain Hamlin, only one has been excelled by Sub-Lieut. Barribal, and we cannot help thinking this latter gentleman must have felt rather ashamed of the false position he was placed in on Thursday. One more remark and to conclude. Have not our sticklers for strict military order of precedence rather overshot the mark ? They insist upon the fact that the cavalry ranks higher than the infanty. Quite true, but at the same time a captain in the infantry is of higher rank than a sub-lieutenant in the cavalry ; so that taking the disciplinarians on their own argument we maintain that Captain Hamlin should have had the post of honour.

An error occurred in our notice of the meeting,of the Auckland Presbytery at St, Andrew's Church on Tuesday last in refer ence to the retignation of the Rev. Mr. Wallace. We should have said that Mr. Wallace tendered his resignation as con vener of the committee of religion and morals, which was not accepted.

The chimney of Mr Abbott's premises, corner of Victoria and Hobson-streets, caught fire to-day, and the roof of the building was for some time in peril, but by the prompt action taken to extinguish the flames by pouring water down the chminey, etc., all danger was averted.

We have no report of the stock and mining business to present to-day as the sharebrokers are out for a holiday, and consequently no business has been done.

It is with satisfaction tha,t we notice that ■ the drapers of the city have unanimously agreed to keep their establishments closed on Easter Monday in order that it may be observed as a general holiday, and that employers, assistants, and dressmakers, may enjoy the proffered leisure in pleasurable exercise, and

" Go where'er their fancy leads, To breezy hills or fbwery meads ; Gymnastic feats of strength to try, ( r on the water oars to ply— Or recreate the yearning mind, And new delights ia Nature find. And leave their calicos awhile To render fairly smile for smile. To meflt the fresh'niug Easter breeze, And sing a song beneath the trees.

The calendar of the criminal session, which commences on Wednesday next, is remark ably light, and augurs well for the future of the province, and the crimes, excepting two, are not of a serious nature. The speci men-stealing charge was heard at thg last sitting of the Court, and the other six are new. Such a brief list is encouraging to the friends of- moral progress, especially when taking into consideration the large increase in our population caused by the influx of immigrants. The criminal cases are not likely to occupy the Court more than four or five days. One of the saddest cases to be heard is that of Minnie Garlick, charged with the murder of her infant ; but any one who sees this poor, apparently half-witted girl, naust feel profound sympathy for her, and it is difficult to believe that sbe consciously committed the crime, if sbe really committed it at all. As Minnie Garlick is poor, friend less, and the victim of scoundrelism,_it is to be hoped that some legal gentleman who can spare the time will stand forth in her defence to the credit of humanity.

A phase of swindling well known to Lon doners has commenced in this city, and which suggests a word of caution to con fiding storekeepers. Within the last few days a respectably dressed lady-like person, fluent in speech, apparently oppressed with the heat of the season, went into the shop of Mr Macrae, at the corner of Wellington and Hobson-streots.pp/he lady took a seat and began to talk in a most agreeable manner ■upon a variety of subjects, including the weathei", the coming of his Excellency the Governor, the absolute need of a water supply, and her husband, the doctor, who was about to issue a pamphlet on the water question. She descended at length to such common place subjects as cheese and pick les, and tasted Mr Macrae's butter, and spoke of it in terms of pro found satisfaction ; it was really exquisite; she could not get better anywhere—not even in the Market! She then turned with like feelings of admiration to Mrs Macrae's new stock of drapery goods, and was pleased with the general appearance of the well stocked store. The lady said that she and her family had been residing for some time in Dedwood, but the place was too dull, and it was inconvenient for the doctor's patients to come so far. They had, therefore, taken a nice residence on the slope in Grey-street, which was not only healthy but commanded a pleasant view of the harbour and the North Shore ; and did Mrs Macrae know of a good cook, who would have no objection to a very comfortable home, and fifty pounds a year salary ? It was so difficult to get good, steady servants ; they al] had sweethearts, and seemed to be of one mind in respect of the married state. Would Mrs Macrae have any objection to supplying the family with groceries, &c, on terms of monthly payments, as the doctor preferred settling periodically and detested long bills ? The lady's silk dress rustled musically in the ears of both Mr and Mrs Macrae, and at once established the lady in their favour. She ordered goods which were sent, and the next day the little feet of the family wore dancing in new shoes from the Wellington street store. Vegetables, bacon, butter, and sheeting were duly ordered and duly praised, and a whole page in Mrs Macrae's ledger was filled with the favours of the doctor's lady of Grey-street. .She duly left Dr. Farrow's card, with -a request that Mrs Macrae would send for orders on Thursday morning. The good over-trusting woman, with serene confidence in colonial honesty, sent for further orders, when lo ! the house was empty, and "This House to Let" appeared on a bill in the window. The doctor and his lady, with their interest ing little family, had gone away, and left Mrs Macrae to wonder how people could be so pleasant in discourse and so wicked in their ordinary dealings with mankind. The news was told to the milkman, who set down his milk-pails, snd exclaimed, "She bilked me also." A word of caution to the wise is sufficient. To the Editor : Sir, —As the writer of the critique on the excellent Ponsonby enter tainment of Monday last permit me to state that the opinions therein expressed were at least honest, if not palatable to your corres pondent '' Ponsonby," who would fain have your readers believe that his opinions repre sent those of the whole district. He has a right to express his views on the concert, but the insinuation about "the knowledge of the existence of refreshments in the under regions of the hall, which were not comeat able," is too bad, and calculated to make a thin man angry and pugilistic. Individually I repudiate this statement, and must conclude that the writer himself is a hungry being with an eye on the larder, or he could not conscientiously have made such a currant bun statement. I enjoyed the concert intensely; the band played merrily, the vocalists sang cheerily, and I shared a most excellent repast, full of good things, and was treated with the utmost courtesy by every one with whom I came in contact. A few slight errors may have been unwittingly committed in the absence of a programme, as memory is not always accu rate ; hence the chaste imputation of "foggy" from the facile pen of your most excellent " Ponsonby."—Reporter.

We ha ye referred upon more than one occasion to the laudable efforts.of some half dozen persons who have established a branch Sunday-school by Franklin road in connec tion with the United Methodist Free Church. The labours of these persons in favor of the poor children of the district are praiseworthy and commendable, and on Monday evening next an entertainment is to be given in Mr. Harrison's school-room known as the Wel ington Academy, the proceeds to be given in aid of the funds of the above-named branch Sunday-school. The entertainment will consist of readings, recitations, music, singing, and a brief lecture by Mr. Black man on the " Origin and Progress of Sunday schools," of a very interesting character. We notice that Mr. S. J. Lambert will pre side at the harmonium, and that several speakers and elocutionists will take part in the entertainment. A pleasant evening may, therefore, be naturally expected. The members of St. Mark's Church, Remuera, are about to make an effort for raising funds for the piirpose of purchasing a bell fur the church, and. on Tuesday next a sale of fancy goods will be held in the school-room with the view of assisting the bell fund.

The New Zealand Agricultural Society will hold their annual meeting at the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, on Monday even inp next, when the report and balance-sheet will be presented to the meeting. A variety of interesting.subjects on sugar beet, rotation of crops, experimental farming, &c, will be discussed.

The members' of the Naval Brigade and their efficient band will muster on Monday morning, on the North Shore Ferry T, for the purpose of proceeding by the ten o'clock boat to the North Shore and firing for the Government prizes with Armstrong guns. Captain Le Soy commander.

The quarterly meeting-of the Grand Orange Lodge will be held on Monday evening next in the Orange Hall. Karangahape-road, New ton ; and on Tuesday evening the businessi meeting of the said lodge will be held in the lodge-room, Wellesley street.

The mortality returns for March shew that although the total number of deaths in Auckland during the month exceeded those for the corresponding month of 1873 by five, yet the excess was entirely among children under two years of age. The following shews the comparative return :—March, 1574, total deaths, 18 ; 1873, 13 ; under one year, 1874, 11; 1573, 7j under two years, 1874, 2; 1873, 1 ; under five years, 1874, 1 ; 1873, 1 ; over twenty years, 1574, 4 ; 1873, 4.

The anniversary services of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Sunday School will be held to morrow. The Bey. Alexander ±teid will preach in the morning, and deliver an address ill the afternoon. In the evening the Rev. W. Lewis will xjreach n i s i as^ sermon in Pitt-street, before going to Wellington to a new sphere of ministerial duty. The annual soiree will be held on Monday, and will be of a musical and recitative character.

The Prince of Wales Theatre will be a resort of special attraction this evening on the occasion of the appearance of a select and talented troupe of musicians and singers. The programme promises a variety of music and song, with harmonies from Macbeth, duets, double dances, tit-bits of comedy from the Elizabethan poets, Shakespeare, Massen ger, and others ; with glimpses of the " Fairy Queen," which haunted Spencer through half a life-time ; and specimens of the ballad literature of all nations.

Divine service to-morrow (Sunday) as usual at, Newton Kirk, by Rev. Dr. Wallis : Morning, "The Christian Peacemaker;" evening, " The unity and antiquity of man kind." At Lome-street Hall, by Mr F. G. Ewington : Morning, "Man glorying in God;" evening, "The Bible and Bible students on Eternal punishment." City Hall, by Rev. Warlow Da vies, M.A. : Even ing, " Lessons from the Life of Livingstone." At Wellesley-street Baptist Church, by P. H. Cornford, pastor : Morning, " The life of Christ above;" evening, "All men alike." Pitt-street Wesleyan Chapel : Morning, Rev Alexander Reid ; evening, Farewell Sermon by Rev J. J. Lewis. United Methodist Free Church, corner of Vincent-street, Rev G. H. Turner: Morning, "The design of Christ's death;" evening, "Man traps." Newton Hall: EveniDg, Mr Hemus. Cook-street Christians' Meeting-house : Morning, '' The breaking of the bread/ evening, "The Gospel of Grace." Edwarde-street and Sheridan-street services at the usual hours.

The Native Land Court, Coromandel, opened at ten o'clock on Wednesday morning for re-hearing of Motuerc, or "Castle Rock," the name by which it is better known among Europeans. After a careful examination by the presiding judgo (Mr 'Munro) it was found that several of the conditions of then "Native Land Act, 1873," had not been complied with, and also that many of the persons interested in the land, among whom were some of the principal witnesses, were absent. For these reasons the Court decided that it had no power to proceed with the hearing of the case, and adjourned sine die. The former judgment respecting this land, by which it was awarded to Harata Poteno, have been made null and void by tho " Harata Potene Claim Rehearing Act, 1573," and no other steps having been taken to decide its owner ship this land will, we suppose, return to its original state as "native land," and should the natives desiro it bo dealt with by a future Court in the usual way.— Qoromandel Mail.

To-day the lease and goodwill of the Occi dental Hotel were, according to advertise ment, put up to auction by Messrs B. Tonks and Co. The bidding was very bmk from £1000, at which it started, up to £1400. It then flagged, and by slow degrees mounted to £1500, at which figure the hotel was passed. It is said that Mr Perkins has privately received a better offer.

At the Confirmation held in St. Paul's Church on Sunday last the Bishop gave notice that he would.preach to-morrow evening in that church on the subject "of " The Christian Sunday." We regret to learn that his Lord ship is at present very indisposed, and may be unable to fulfil his announcement to morrow evening. If sufficiently recovered the Bishop will be present; but if not, the sermon will be preached by Rev. F. A. Hare, 8.A., Secretary to His Excellency the Go vernor. In that case the Bishop's sermon on " The Christian Sunday" will be delivered on some future occasion which will be announced in due course. We understand that the Carandinis will take part in the Easter service.

- The following is a copy of the letter accom panying the handsome gift presented to Mrs Yon Tempsky on the eve of her departure for Honolulu :—" My dear Mrs Yon Tempsky,— I have been deputed by the young ladies and gentlemen present, and whose names are written here, to offer you a memento as a token of their love and esteem for your many endearing qualities and sterling worth ; also to assure you that the many 'Friday even ings ' passed by us all at your house have been fully appreciated by us, and will not soon be forgotten. We wish you ' God speed' on your contemplated voyage, and hope^to soon again welcome you back, when we trust to spend many pleasant evening's together as before.—Yours very faithfully, Thos. McDonnell." Forty-two signatures of ladies and gentlemen are appended to the letter. '

The Revision Court was held to-day at noon in the High-street office, before Thos. Beckham, Esq., R.M., and G. M. Mitford, Esq., J.P., for the purpose of revising the jury list. The only objector was Mr Edward JPilkintpn, sen., of Tamaki West, who being sixty-two years of age was ineligible. His name was therefore ordered to be struck off the list. The Court complimented the police on the care they had taken in not placing on the list the names of gentlemen who were not eligible to serve.

The Marketgto-day wore a livelier aspect than on some previous ocasions. There was a goodly supply of butcher's meat, vegetables, and provisions at ordinary prices. Mr Arthur sold fowls lOd to 2s; ducks, Is to 2s 2d ; turkeys, 2s 6d to ss, and fine geese at 2s. We notice at Fenton's mart, a five sample of fresh butter at Is 9d, and country eggs at the current rate. Canterbury bacon at lOd and Is, and a large quantity of Wairoa and other cheese aa per market list- At JV rs Motion's stall, we noticed a fine dish of shrimps, a luxury in Auckland, and at "Mr Martin's a mountain of Crimean shirts. At Mr Arthur's Queen-street mart large quan tities of potatoes, onions, flour, bacon, cheese, teas and sugars were .offered, and realised fair prices. The sale was well attended.

A challenge game took place in the Domain yesterday between the Excelsior Cricket Club connected with Hemus's Boot Factory, and the Phoenix Cricket Club, of Fraser and Tinne's Foundry. Play commenced at one p.iba. The Phoenix Club were victorious in both, innings.

Yesterday (Good Friday) was observed as a close holiday. The churches were well attended,- and in the afternoon a large number of people betook themselves to the various holiday resorts in the vicinity of the city. We have received the following for inser tion :—To the Editor: Sir,—Mr P. J. Balton's offer to the City Council, as appears in your issue of Saturday, seems fair and reasonable. He offers to undertake borings on Edgecombe's land for the purpose of find ing water at his own expense on con dition that the City Council pay him a reasonable sum upon his finding water sufficient to give a least one million gallons per diem". He further agrees to find sureties to carry out his portion of the agreement. Surely if lie succeeds it is all that is required for a water supply. The cost will be so much less to the ratepayers. There is Mr Edgecombe's offer to the City Council to sell for £2,000 ten acres of land of his property, where they can obtain a sup ply of water; also to allow them to make any test towards proving that there is sufficient water on his land for a supply. No answer has ever been made to the propositions by the City Council, while Messrs Low and Motion's modest demand of £20,000 appears to find favor in the eyes of the City Councillors. It is for the ratepayers themselves to decide whether their water supply shall cost them £2000 or £20,000 for compensation. Nearly every engineer of repute has given his opinion that the water arising from Low and Motion's land flows from Edgecombe's property. In the interests of the public it is only right that fair tests should be made especially when offered at no cost to the rate payers ; while, if what is stated is correct, the claim of Mr Edgecombe is so much more reasonable than that of the "millers" that there should be no hesitation in accepting the besb and cheapest offer. "Enquirer" further asserts that if the water is obtained from Edgcombe's land there would be no necessity to form any artificial dam, costing several thousand pounds, as recommended by Mr Moriarty ; further, is a natural dam across the ■ land, which would answer all the purpose, in addition to the water being in » much purer colour, and unpolluted owing to its being contained in a subterraneous basin, instead of being exposed to atmospheric influences.—l am, &c, RATEPAYER. [But.does our correspon dent overlook the claim which Messrs Low and Motion would naturally raise for damage done in cutting off their water supply ? Supposing that the stream can be thus intercepted without the consent of those he calls " the millers," would his moral sense not receive a twinge in an act that would bear so close a resemblance to stealing ? We are offering no opinion on a subject which has so vexed the soul of engineers. Engineering is to us one of the occult sciences, but we have a bothering sentiment—old-fashioned we admit—of re pect for the moral law. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evili—Ed. 'E.S.I The Good Samaritan Lodge will not meet on Monday being Easter Monday. The annual meeting of the Norwich Union Fire Office was held at the office, Surrey street, Norwich, on the 17th of January. The report referred to the continued pros perity of the society, and a dividend of £20 a share was declared. After the ordinary meeting a presentation took place to Sir Samuel Bignold, the venerable ' secretary to the society, who had acted in a similar capacity since its foundation in 1821. The presentation of the portraits vas accompan ied by a most flattering address, in which Sir Samuel's services to the society vere warmly eulogised. In replying Sir Samuel "said, " I began life, as I stated a few weeks since to the boys in one of our public schools, in close and earnest intercourse with my God and Maker, and I have endeavoured through life to pre serve that close and intimate communion, and so I trust I have been sustained and carried forward through many periods of anxiety and difficulty. I can now state with perfect truthfulness that there is no concern existing in this kiugdom whose affairs I believe to be more uprightly and honestly ad ministrated than are those of this society under the executive you have entrusted with them, and I rejoice to find that the result arrived at this day has been so auspicious for all concerned, and so comforting and consoling to your aged official in what are probably the last few days of life."

The ninth annual general meeting of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company was held at 50, Old Broad-street, on sth February, to receive the directors' report and statement of accounts for the past year, to declare a dividend, and to elect directors and auditors. Mr Emanuel Boutcher presided.—The report stated that the net profit for the financial year, including £1374 18s Id brought forward from 1872, after the deduction of all expenses, in terest, commission and income-tax, writing off stationery and furniture, and. making provision for all bad ordoutful debts, shewed an aggregate amount of £34,10S 7s 4d, which the directors recommended should be appro priated as follows, viz :—To dividend at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum, and interest on calls paid in advance on shares, £5,517 9aj; to bonus at 1\ per cent., £2,104; to reserve fund, £22,000, leaving to be carried forward the sum of £1,486 18s 4d. On the 3rd of July last an interim dividend was paid at the rate of 10 per cent, per annum, absorbing, with interest on calls paid in advance, £4,258 14s 6d, so that there remained for distribution the sum of £6,302 14s 6d. Allusion was made in the report of the fact that the year 1873,, which had proved prosperous for the company, had likewise been generally favourable to its constituents, as most colonial products have arrived here to good markets. The report was adopted, and the re-elections of Mr. Emanuel Boutcher, Mr Mundella, M.P., Mr. Thomas Russell, and the Hon. James Williamson, M.L.C., N.Z., having been duly proposed and seconded, were unanimously agreed to. Mr Russell and Mr Williamson spoke with approval of the management of the company and its prospects. Mr R. Tucker and Mr W. P. Pattesonwere re-elected auditors, and votes of thanks were accorded to the officers of the company.

A ROW AMONG THE COBBLERS.

A letter which appeared in our last Mon day's issue seems to have set the cobblers by the ears. We have received the following replies expressing different opinions :— To the Editor : Sir, —I quite agree with the letter of " Crispin" in your yesterday's issue I as regards many of the advertisements in the ( newspapers not being genuine advertisements. I 1 have tried many places early in the mora ing, soon after the advertisement has appeared, and have been told that the vacancy has been filled up. Yet upon en quiry I have found that, in many instances, I the advertisement was a mere " dummy " or "puff," no such person being really wanted, or, at any rate, engaged. Still the same advertisement would appear for several days after. When I read " Crispin's " letter to an old Auckland resident he remarked: '' Certainly, that has been the case ever since I came to Auckland." I hope, for the credit of the place we shall have no more puffs of the same description.—Yours, etc., Vebitas.

To the Editor: Sir,-In answer to your, correspondent signing himself " Crispin, who seems to be mislead or -wants to mis lead, I may state that as one of the master bootmakers that have advertised within this last fortnight for bootmakers in your paper three different times and ways, that up to this time only one man has applied, and •was engaged, being satisfied with the terms. He promised to come in the morning, but has not come yet. So much for the truth of " Crispen's " statement. lam still as badly off as before advertised, as there is not a bootmaker that wants work or would apply to yours, J. J. Austin, Onehunga. Mr Editor: The master-bootmakers of Auckland who read the Star (and who amongst them does not ?) will have no diffi culty in recognising your poor correspondent " Crispin." He points out a trick. Will you permit one who knows to point out a secret of the trade. Monday is a time honoured holiday with the journeyman shoe maker, and anything he writes on that day should be read with a good deal of allowance. There is a great work to be done by. the Good Templars amongst such unfortunate ones as there is reason to fear "Crispin" must be reckoned.—l am, etc., Last,

THE VALUE OF TRUTH.

Dr Matjnsell preached last Sunday on the above subject, and in the present days of lax commercial and social morality the very reverend gentleman's remarks have a special forco and appropriateness. Taking for his text the 6th-verso of the 51st Psalm, " Behold Thou desirest truth in the inward parts," Dr Maunsell first referred to truth fulness as an essential element of Christian principle largely affecting the reputation and progress of a man's life. Depending as all do in a great measure upon the good esteem and co-operation of our fellowmen to be credited with a character for integrity often proved of more service than gold, and accomplished what money could not. The preacher illus trated this by an anecdote of the missionary Schwartz, who was able to obtain supplies for our troops in India when the natives would not trust any one else. A celebrated rogue was reported to have said to a good man, " I would give £1000 for your character," If they reflected upon what their opinion was of a man whom they thought they had detected in an untruth, they would read in their own thoughts a reflection of what others would think of them under the same circumstances. The pi-eacher then called attention to the severe denunciation against lyiDg which were to be found in the Bible : how liars were classed -with "whore mongers, sorcerers, and idolators," and how it was declared that liars had their portion in the "lake that burneth with fire and brimstone." When Christianity came in, truth had nearly fled. The New Testament was full of admonitions against the prevalent habit of lying. Falsehood was not long in being imported into the ranks of Christians, and it was remarkable that the first punishment under the new dispensation was the slaying of Amanias and Saphira for lying. Now there were differ ent classes of untruthfulness. Judas was guilty of lying when he gave his treacher ous kiss to our Lord, and the sons of Jacob were liars when they hid their foul purpose offmurder under the pretence that it was necessary, for the Ichechemites must be circumcised before Dinah was given to their prince in marriage. The dissemblers, the hypocrites, and the detractors, the ex aggerator, and the prevaricator, were all / liars. The prevaricator was like a thimble \ rigger. He shuflled round the truth so as to make it impossible to tell where it was. Satan proved himself an adept in this kind of lying when he said to Eve, "Thou shall not surely die." Our first parents did not meet with the death they had expected, but it came to them in another way. The Venerable Arch deacon then attacked the prevailing habit of a mistress of a house telling her servant to say ''not at home" to certain visitors. The lady might lull her conscience with the plea that the expression merely meant "not at liberty," but it was none the less lying, and lying that was steeped in deceitfulness. This covert and cunning system of lying had in deed a most pernicious tendency, and was worse he believed than a downright false hood. People who gave way to it became suclxadepts to deceit that at last they suc ceeded in deceiving themselves as well as others. They went from bad to worse with out any disturbance of conscience. If the young desired the respect of their fellow men, if they wished to be trusted on business, and so to prosper in life, they must cultivate truth, and be true to themselves. Let them not promise rashly things they were not able to fulfil. Let their desire be for a conscience which should be a faithful guide in the delicate questions of life. To see a man professing Christianity and at the same time guilty of trickery, deciet, and falsehood was a sight at which angels wept.- To be truthful they must culti vate manliness and moral courage, as well as a firm and undaunted spirit in the fear of God. Let them recollect Isaiah's beautiful figure on the effect of Christianity on a man's wicked.life. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the briar shall come up the myrtle." Truthfulness was the sign of a noble spirit, and erect, nobly bom and highly endowed. It was a sign of membership of the Royal Family of the glorious kingdom of Heaven. The twofold object of Christ's death could not be separated It was to redeem mankind, and to purify us unto God—'a peculiar people, and zealous of good works. He purified us by imparting a spirit —the new spirit—which turned away in disgust from what was base, and longed for what was pure and upright. This, spirit could only be obtained by watchfulness and care. David said " Search me and try me if there be any way of wickedness in me," and the psalmists prayers should be their watchword. God invited them to seek his help, and, if they strove in the strength of that help- they would succeed.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.) KING ALCOHOL'S VICTIMS.

William Gibbs, of Helensville, pleaded guilty to beins; drunk; but he was fresh from the country, and difl not take a fair estimate of the strength of the Auckland beer. Hetook a glass or two, and it knocked him right over ; but he hoped as he had been locked up since yesterday morning his Worship would deal leniently with him; he wanted to go home by the eleven o'clock boat. His Worship : You will have to pay 10s and costs, and then you can go by the boat. Catherine Douglas and Charlton Rowen were fined 10s each with costs for the same offence. A JOYOtTS OLD PENSIONER. Samuel Glencross, an old pensioner, was j charged with being drunk and disorderly in j the course of yesterday. i Prisoner said he was an old veteran with a ! pension of sixpence a day, and that upon taking his pension he thought he would be a little joyous, as soldiers should be. He visited his friend Ann Finn and took tea and hot-cross buna with her. They then got drunk, and were found in happy slumber together^by^the constable.

His Worship: And how much of vrm* pension have you got ? y •"• Good Lord, your Worship, 't} 3 a ji long ago. Ann and I got rid of th e lor a twinkling—before we tumbled down ■ Wakefi eld-street for a snooze. ln His Worship : You must pay 20s % a costs or go to prison. . . ' ncl Ann Finn was then charged with hap' been drunk, and under the Vagrancy j7 with having no visible means of supp^. *> Prisoner acknowledged that she ' drunk, but she could not subscribe to^f 8 charge of being a rogue and vagrant • j! c rented ahouse of Mrs Miller, in Abercr olJa street. le< Constable Mulville deposed that he \ known the prisoner for some time, andttfi she told him that she had no means of supp O i? He found her yesterday lying asleep \\<i Glencross, in Wakefield-street, in a nw disgraceful posture. Prisoner was fined 10s for being drM and the charge of vagrancy was adjounw until Monday to ascertain, the trnth of prisoner's statements from Mrs Miller, THOMAS cam's horse. Thomas Cain was summoned under by law 11 to answer to a charge of - allowing U, horse to wander in Nelson-street, on tW 23rd March. m Mr Cain regretted the circumstance, but it was a very fine night, and his horse went out for a walk without leave. Fined 5s and costs. WORDS. Mr R. Messenger appeared in answer to a charge of saying certain words to Mr. George Goldie which were not considered etiquette Mr Goldie said that he did not wish to press the charge against a respectable citi zen., and if Mr Messenger was* prepared to apologise he was ready to forgive. Mr Messenger replied that he was aggra vated at the time, but would now express his regret at treating Mr Goldie in the way he had done. He would pay the costs. . Dismissed.

SHIP HINDOSTAN.

The following is the summary of the cargo of the ship Hindostan :—

REPLY TO DR. CRUICKSHANK.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab

Sir, —In your impression of the 31st instant I see a letter from Dr. Cruickshank, who signs two letters, " J.P." Now, Mr. Editor how can any man who signs himself in tlis way consider himself qualified to sit on m jndicial bench and act in the manner he ha done, to find a man guilty on supposition, and then try and tear him to pieces in a letter to your paper ; but there is one comfort left for, me that you, Mr. Editor, are also blamed for your expressions (but only from the Doctor). I will beg leave to tell the Doctor that I never Avrote to any paper either directly or indirectly anything against his conduct in the matter he refers to, and I think it very unkind on his part to saddle me with it. Now, Mr. Editor, as the Doctor has thought proper to select me as the medium of attack, I am quite willing to bring the battle into his own camp, and I will tell him that I quite endorse every sentiment in the nameless correspondent's letter to your paper of which he unjustly accuses me of being the writer. I will now leave the fact 3 before the public, and let them judge of the doctor's conduct. Mrs Southgate had been some 48 hours in labor; her son, a fine young man of 22 years of age, came to me stating that he was afraid his mother would not get over this, and asking me if I would lend him a horse to go for Dr Cruickshank. This I did at once, and sent the best young man I had to ride for him, who returned in one hour stating that the doctor was at home, but refused to come. Now, sir, the doctor states that I arrived about sundownj half-an hour after him. He should admit facts, and state that I was the.second messenger. The first had arrived home two hours before (namely 4 o'clock) I left, and I think I acted my part as a neighbour when I tell the doctor that I rode the same pony that first went for him the second time as all my others were out, and it is useless ever since ; and I tell the doctor that his age does not excuse himjin my "estimation or the public's. Any man who could sit down, smoke bis pipe so composedly as lie did, knowingashedid,frani the manner in which I represented the case to him, that death would soon steal away a good wife and a mother of ten living child ren, and be present when I returned, and saw the poor little creatures running to meet me, and calling had I the doctor, wh. en. my answer was " No, he will not come," it was indeed truly pitiful to see them. The doctor excuses himself that he does not practice. This is untrue, as I paid him two guineas not one month before for attending to a young man who was hurt in niy employ- He is also gazetted a medical man, and noti fies that he is to attend in the public hall for the purpose of vaccination of children. 1 will say nothing more, but remind him that his little remarks on politics do not injure, me with even my opponents; then i*l* a!j over, and I suppose he saw nothing unkind with me when he visited me since the elec tion, and I hope that he will in future refrain from putting J.P. to his name when he finds a person guilty without even circumstantial evidence.—l am, &c, H. Palmer. Apru 2, 1874.—[1 n justice to Mr. Palmer we must state that he has never before written to_as upon this subject, and. consequently, Cruickshank's charges against him were unjust.—Ed. .#.£.] :

A PRACTICAL JOKE.

Everybody remembers that capital story o the immortal Pickwick, who in his "J^r rian researches grovelled in the mud to cipher an inscription on a stone before a i " tage door, and who, after purchasing.» bearing away the bulky treasure, found t the hilroglyphica only said "BiUStnmwg X mark.'' A somewhat similar pfl^ ■ joke wa3 attempted the other day upon enthusiastic band of archaeologists wfl plored the quaint old town of Baniwy search of antique lore. The follow^J, d sent to the secretary as an inscription wv^ from the corner-stone of an old »w had been recently pulled down:— SEOGEH BREVE ERJSH WOISUMB VAEI> LAH SEHS SE OTREH NOS LLEBDNAS ( -.; •■ REGNI FREH If OS O-NIRES ROHYER ; GANOED IRYJD ALE NIFAE ESOTS SOBOX RUB NABOT ES ROHK CO CAED IB After the learned heads of ;^ been puzzled for awhile one of tneir ~ hit upon the expedient of s fon ad .X strange jargon backwards, when it V^Lpoji? to be no more than an ingenious (i^id tion of a weli-known nursery rhyme ~ a cock-horse," &o. - • •

shs mtMmmßmA%pAtv% iBA.Y 9 apiel 4 is?i



Gold, 7,559 ozs. and 700 sovs. ... £31 ftf. Silver, 19 bars, 1,413 lbs 54qq TVool, 709 bales 1^209 Leather, 79 bales 2*413 Hides, 1,207 ijaoo Kauri gum, 230 cases and 19 casks 1020 Shell, 93 cases ... j'qqq Flax, 487 bales ~, '920 Phosphate, 90 tons . 45Q Cotton, 22 bales 354 Sperm oil, 10 casks... 320 Tow, 406 bales 120 Iron... 107 Machinery ... ... Iqq Tallow, 7 casks ... 73 Sundries, about ■ ... 550

- - £61,947



mHE INSURANCE OFFICES wiU CLOSE on the Gth April, (Easter Monday). TDETIRING: FROM THE RETAIL. J. COSGRAVE & CO. Are giving up their Ketail Business in Queen-street. A SALE of the Goods will be held TO-MORROW, the 14th of March, and will continue until tho entire Stock is disposed of. We are now landing THIRTY THOUSAND POUNDS WORTH of DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, purchased by Mr Cosgravb from the English and French Manufacturers, which will be SOld at TJNPREOEDENTEDLY LOW PRICES. No credit will be given during tho Sale,



EUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN1 (LATE R. HOBBS), Axe now opening up, and have to arrive EX NORHAM CASTLE, P.YLTON CASTLE, iINVERALLAJST, and EOS LIN CASTLE, A Very Lajroe and Choice Assortment of AUTUMN AND WINTER DRAPERY GOODS IN EVERY DEPARTMENT, To which they respectfully invite attention. Thesa Goods coming direct to their own order from theSfirst Home Houses they are prepared to dispose of at LOWEST REMUNERATIVE RATES. Further particulars in future advertisement. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Wholesale and Retail Drapers, Clothiers, &a JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) TJPPER QtTEEN-SanEET, AtJCKLAHD.