SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

JfflGß WATBB : Thl* evening, 11.58 ; 10-monow morning, 12 SUN-PJtT ! Tblt «r'en!ae, 628 ; BUN-BEES: To morrow morning, 6 41 MOON'S AGKB: First Quarter, 20th, 6.82 p.m.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

ARRIVALS.

„ . DEPARTURES. Hero, as, 7e4 tons, Logan, fcr Sydney and

Melbourne William Gifford, baTqne, f r Newcastle Rosebud, schooner, for Newcastle

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

"For Scdney— Tartar, 5.?., about the 21st For Lyttelton—Rio Loee. hrijr, early l?or Port Chalmers—Vision, btig, early For Aitutake—Coronet, schooner, earlr For London—Countess of Kintore. ship, early Fox Melbourne--Mlltiades, ship, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Tartar, A and A.MAS. (English Mail), from San Francisco and HonoWlu. 21st instant Macgregor. «»., from ?an Francisco and Honolulu.

about 10th prnx Oity of Auckland, ship, from London; sailed 20tn

Thame* barque, from Boston, via Adelaide ; sailed

28th ult _ Chanticleer, brig, from Hobart Town Fl*ur de Manrice, barque, from Lady Franklin, baTque, from Newcastle Glimpsß, b»Tqu«, from Newcastle Jackson, ship, from London ; sailed Zealand, ship, fr^m London ; sa'led Montana, barque, from Newcastle Jessie FTenderson. schooner, from Oamaru Loch Urr, ship, from London ; sailed 3rd June Ferndale, barque, from London : sailed May 5 Oxford ship from London : sailed 7th Jupe Pearl ketch, from Soutß Seilslanfls, early Clematis, ketch, from Lyttelton, early

EXPORTS.

Pft T s.a. Hero for Melbourne and Sydney. For Melbourne—l ease, 5 casks limejuice, Cruickshank and Co. ; 5 cases plants, Meßonald ; 169 bags tailings, Bright Smile Company ; 41 bales flax, J. S. Macfarlane ; 6 boxes gold, Bank of New Zealand ; 1 trunk, Combes and Daldy. For Sydney— 1 case, T. L. White; 25 sacks oysters, A. Wilby • 27 bales flax, Ryan, Bell and Co. ; 169 bales flax, J. R. Roberts ; 1 pkg.. 1 case, Jenkins ; 1 case, C. Daldy.—Cruickshank and Co., agents.

..' The s.s. Hero steamed away for Sydney at &>%## o Jclock<ibis afternoon. She took a Jight; cargo as per exports, and the following paa senaers :—Saloon to Sydney: Mr and. Mrs 0. T. Wren, Messrs J. Lackland. H. J. Blackburn, W. Larnach, H. D. Larnach. Miss F. Wells. Saloon to Melbourne :Mr J. Smith. Steerage to Sydney : Mrs D. Ryan, •Miss McArthy, Messrs McKegele, Cooney, . Morton. Greaves, J Fie Miner, J. M. Piel* * ing, H. Sahky. Steerage to Melbonrne :A. Pearson, Mr and Mts Bowden and children. The trial trip-of the Hauraki took place ,'>: ibis afternoon. The start did not take place till too late for us to obtain results. ■' •'Thebarqiie William Gifford dropped down the h*honr at eleven o'clfock this morning and sailed away for Newcastle. The barque' Briton Which has been lying at the North Head for the last two days, proceeded on her voyage to Newcastle this morning in company with the William Gifford. We learn that the schooner Onward has gone ashore at'Tairua. She belongs to Mr J. W. Waller, and was insured in the New Zealand office far £750.

SOUTHERN ITEMS

The g.s. Star of the South wng to leave r.lfaijedin far Northern Ports and for the Fijis *on tbelQth inst. The Comerang has been purchased by' Messrs Whittingham and Inston, of South land, to run in the trade between Dunedin, the Bluff,.andßiverton. . . The schooner (topsail) Datfntlpsa, Captain Miller, is expected to leave Dunedin for this port at an early date. The cargo of the barque Comet ha 3 been discharged at Port Chalmers and rafted to DHnediny T - The schooner Clio, after putting out her cargo of timber at Port Chalmers, bailed for the Bluff on the lOfch inst. The Harbour Department of Dunedin have purchased the-little steamer Result from the. Peninsula Steam Company at the price of .'""' £400Jfor the service of the port. - The p.s. Comeraiig, on coming into Port Chalmers harbour on the Bbh inst., ran into and sank the ketch Hope, which was beating up against a south-easter. The crew managed to scramble up on the Comerang's deck before their own vessel went down. The ketch has been abandoned, to the underwriters. Hor oargo Of Wheat was not insured.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

til : / • Napieh, this day. Arrived (yesterday)— Southern Cross.

COMMERCIAL.

Buying PbkJes, Corrected by Auckland ,: ■so i■' Dealers. ,iG I i g. d. s. d. s d. s.; Butter,perlb. 19-20 Ducks, patr,. 2 6-4 j6 Cheese (new) 0 6—o 8J Geese, e"ach 3 6—4 jO ■Eggs, per doz. 1 I—o 0 Turkeys .. 2 6—3 |6 Lard per lb 0 6—o 0 | Canterbury Bacon & Harts Fowls each 1 ,o—9 0 1 (bare) ... 0 9— 9i Good Salt Butter—l 0 0I Do (in cloth* OJ—O 10 Ganter. Cheese. 6—o 8J | Auckland 0 6—o v- Hams, Bgd to IOJd per lb. , ,8 •! A J 0 • .Retail Prices, A .: : ■ FAKM AND DAIRY PBODTTCiB. i s. d. s. d. b. d s. a. MlHt, per 4*. 0 0-^0 6 I Ducks pair 6 o—6 0 Butter (fresh) 2 0-2 8 | Geesd, each 5 0-6 0, Cheese (new) 0 7—o 10 I Turkeys, each 4 6-6 6 EggS.per dbz. 1 4—l 6 | Bacon, per lb. 0 9-3 10 LSrd perlb. 0 6—o 91 Hams .. .. 0 9-1 0, Fowls, pair.. 5 6-5 0\ Salt Butter.. 0 7—l 6 Butchers' Meat. Beef, perlb. 9 6—o 7 I Pork, per lb. 0 6-0-7 ■•**- -* mirs*" 05^? "i* BKEADSTUFFS. FLOUR* Si . WHOI-KBAI.H. ■• t I Q ' Sililerfl' Price, per ton—lst qualify.. .... .. £10 Fine Flour—housahold £14 Adelaide Flour ..-".. •• •• - •• ••■■ &}l Canterbury £12 to £13 , .„-. Se.con/13,-£l2. Sharps, £9. , Bakers' Price, per lb .. v •• ■> «a .Bban, Is 6d per buisheL . . , ... . : '"tREBAD; per 21b: loaf, 4d to 4Jd. Maize, crusbßd and whole, 7s .;:,fT -3-t-.: I• m BISCUIT. haBUi6LUP.I\ Oabki Biscuit, per 10018 .Ke'tail 22s V* MAIZE, OATS, POTATOES, ETC. WHOIiESALF. j ■ Maiz«, 6s 6d Prime Sydney t . Oats, 5s to 5s 6d per bushel ! ■■"Amwicak.Oat*, 4s to 4?tfd 0 |i ' Potatoes, £7 : Hobartown, V^ ; Hay, £6 to £7 10s per ton. Straw, £3 t» £3 10? per ton. €>haff, £610» t© £S 10s per tan, • '. > Onioni, scarce, 9d lb ■ f ■:■:(? wV'l ketaH'. Maize, per bushel, Gj to 6d 63 Oats, 6s*pert)UßheL .■'■'. '■ Potatoes, 8s 6d per cwfc. Hay, cwt., 7s 6d. Straw, 4s to 6s per cwt. Chaff.JTstoasper ewt. -j., •"-±AXFRT dVU AlfD FLAX MARKET. The following are the prices in the Auckland jaaxfceti>- ' : • ■ ; GriM— Well scraped, best quality .. ~£26 to £26 ~ .Ordinary, sorts ~ .... .. ..£24 to £25 ¥l«x.'-Finest quali^ ~ ~ .. .. ..£lB to £20 Second ditto ... "V .. £io to £14 Ttfw ..■■,;..■ .. ~ .. .. £7to£S - • BBIEDING MATERIALS. TJ«ißEa.—Boards and scantling, 100 f t, 9s to 15s • at mills, lls"6*d; planed, tongued, and grooved llg ■6d,tqlßs?d , ..'. . New -.Zealand-palings, 5-feet, 10s; 6-feet," 13s-ti tree rail 3, £3. 10s to £3 per 100 ; puriri posts, £5 per 100 . shingles, 8s to 15s per 1000; Hooart Town palinus 6ft., 17s; 6ft, 18s : Hobartown rails, 75» <r i • - r CQAL AND FIREWOOD MABKBT Coal.—Newcastle, on Wharf, 455; delivered 60.1 per ton. •: ('■ Fibkwood.—Uncut, 15s por ton, delivered en 7S per ton, delivered. n

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails wiix Close as follows : — Tor Thanu s, to-morrow, at 10 30 am. For TSrxnM, > Telson. and wYst f!oast. per Murray, immrdiVcly after arrival of Tartar from V nnda'ni For "Wangarml, per Go-ahed; on Saturday ntxt, at 10 a.in. For WanuranH, Mataknrm Manpawsi. Waipti, &c, per liidy Bowen, o Saturday next, at 10 a.m. For Wlvitiangl. Tairuu, Taur.inga. Opotiki, and fT.Napter, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, on

Saturday next, at 1 p.m. For the -undermentioned places, per Phoebe, on Saturday, 22nd instant, as under :— For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at noon For Taranaki, Southern provinces, Australian Colonies, at 12.45 p.m. I For the United Kingdom, via Suez and via 4 Southampton, at 12.45 p.m. For the United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and letters for Sydney arid Melbourne, at 1.15 p m For money orders, registered letters, and. newspapers, at 11 am. Supplementary Mails for Tndia, China, Continent of Europe, &c; Australia and United Kingdom, via Suez and Brindisi, will be made 'up per Luna, on Tuesday, 2Jth instant For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Bowena, on Monday next, at 4 p ra. S, B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

DEATHS

BYi n— On August 20, at her residence, Newton Eoad, Mra T. Ryan ; aged 42 years. . The funeral will leave her late residence on Saturday, at 3p m. Friends will please accept this invitation.

DAtGLijsn—On "Wednesday, 19ih instant, Busanna Mead, the beloved wife of Wm. Dalgliesh, Esq., North Phore. late of Glasgow and Liverpool. The funeral will leave Claremont House. Princefr sireet,' to-morrow (Friday), the 21st Instant, at; 3 p.m. Friends will plrase accept this intimation. ; Habrop—On August 19, at Hobson's Bay Koad, Pajr nell, Alexander, second son of Isaac Worthingtqn Harrop ; aged 20 years. The funeral to leave the house at 3 p.m. this day.

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 1874.

For'the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance* . -For the future in the distance, _" And the good that we can do.

The meeting to be held at the Choral Hall, Symonds-street, to-night, is perhaps the, most important that has ever been held in Auckland^ The object for which it is con" vened is fraught with interest to the futuire vbf this province, and is one on which no one can afford to be indifferent. If it were! a question of Centralism versus Provincialism, wietheivf*. the whole colony should be governed from one centre, or whether nitfa-'i- little governments should look after their own local concerns, then themHlti ; tude might console themselves with the , thought ijhsA it is only a question of depart ments, asd of the expense of administration, and a few pounds here or there are nothing. But Mr Vogel's resolutions distincfcly claim the intention of interfering with the Southern provinces and their special revenues. His speech confirms this disclaimer in words the iriostjexplicit; hia colleague, Mr Reynolds, j offers 'the guarantee' to bind the bargain with, the indissoluble bond of Imperial enactment and the Queen's neal; and the ministerial' organ, par exoellenoo, tho New Zealand Times, which" is directly under Mr VogeJ's controlt and was created to.be bis mouth piece, uses these remarkable words : "We are not surprised that when the subject was first broached it was takori for granted that the intention, was to strike a hlow at Provin' cialistn as a whole. Provincial Government in the Middle Isknd would be no more doomed' by the scheme of the Premier being carried Jbto effect than it is at the present

time. In fact, if Mr Vogel's'ideas coiild be carried out in their entirety it would stand on a fcssis as firm as any one could reasonabl desire." "We accept this as the deliberate intention of these resolutions. Those who profess to be wiser than the book say Mr. Vogel is only deluding the South; that, in fact, he is only playing the rogue to its people for sake of the North ; and, despite all his assurances to the contrary, assert that he will, and that he can similarly overthrow provincialism in the Southern provinces. Now let. our citizens not be deceived as to what is proceeding. If Mr. Vogel's resolutions were to remit in merging all the revenues of New Zealand in one com mon fund, the abolition of provincial ism would be a blessing to Auckland ; but without this there would not be the smallest advantage, but the contrary, in changing colonial for local administration. It is at making the millions of annual land revenue general revenue we should aim. For the achievement of this, for the equaliza tion of taxation and expenditure we would say perish provincialism ! or any other in stitution that prevents all the people of New Zealand from standing on a common plat form. 'But if the abolition of provincialism leaves to the South all its land revenue, and makes no further provision for the North, where is the advantage ? We shall simply be subjected in some form to special taxation on the North Island with this difference, that it will be imposed at Wellington instead of Auckland. Now Mr Vogel's resolutions exactly affirm this. Provincialism in the North will bo done away, hut the land revenue will be secured to the Middle Island provinces by a deed of grant irrevocable for ever. It is well that there should be no doubt on this subject. The distinct intention, and the in evitable result of these resolutions of MrVogel must be to establish provincialism in Otago and Canterbury so that it could bid defiance to the central power. In fact the resolutions are distinctly and expressly framed in a pirifc of hostility to the North, and in illustration we would direct attention to the following statement in the Ministerial organ, the Times, onthesubject. Spcakingoftheaotith ern Superintendents, and appealing to thfcir cupidity, that journal says: "Far better would it be for them to assist in passing a measure that would for ever 'flare (heir land fund be yond the possibility of being sluirecl with the Nor lit than to resist the removal of some what envious rivals from the field." This is the " measure" which our citizens arc con vened to consider to-nigh-, a "measure"' intended to "forever place the land fund beyond the possibility of being shsr.od with the North." A " measure" which OWfcS^ti being to the hands of the member for Auch^ and City East.

It is now some months since an article in these columns advocated tho establishment of a bailors' Home. Wo again call attention to the urgent necessity which exists for such an institution. There is no doubt that n properly-managerl Sailors' Homo under Oo vernment stri'velllance would be highly in strumental in furthering tho true interests of £he port. We have lately h.irl come pretty striking examples of the state of debasement at which sailors can and do arrive. It is a notorious fact that the prisoners who are con victed of tho most cowardly assaults,1 and generally of the most degrading crimes are sailors. Why should this be? Tt is difficult to see why a sailor's life should bo conducive to a pre-eminently low state of morality, yet statistics prove that it undoubtedly is. We are inclined to believe that much of this debasing tendency is imparted to Jack when ho is ashoro. His proverbially easy good natured simplicity exposes him during his liberty to tho attacks of a set of harpies of the most profligate, character who never leave him till they have sucked him dry. It is of course no use trying to school sailors when they are ashore : any attempt to do such a thing would be an utter failure; Jack will havQ his fun, and more power to him for it. Bough it may be and rowdyishj but still so long as he steers clear of crime we cannot blame him for his ebullitions. But if we cannot eoerco him into rational be haviour, an attempt might be made to render it somewhat easier for him to be steady if he has the desire. A Sailors' Hpnie would do this more effectually than 'anything that occurs to us. An anecdote illustrative of th^ state of things at present existing will not be DTit of placer Some few~days~ago~a sailor belonging to the cutter Fawn applied for hie from that vessel, and) receivecl/the sum of £14 18s 6din full of hisarrearsofpa,y'. Ac tually whileattheshippingofficeof the Custom house he was dogged by a notorious woman who keepa a ,den in West, Queen-street. The character of the woman was well known to rfche. officials of the office,* but all they could do was to advise the man to put his money in the Savings' Bank. The advico was not heeded. The man went away "with the crone, and next day came back and asked the ship ping; master to find him, another: vessel as every penny of his money was Ec could riot say in what way ft haft disappeared. All he knew was that he had been on thfe spree and that his pockets were empty whep. he rose in the morning. He did not evince indignation or surprise, but seemed to look upon the situation as a,.very ordinary orie. and did not even hint any intention of trying to recover. It is the opinion of experienced men, in the port that the situation is a very ordinary one indeed, and it is evidence' dS a very wretched state of things that it should be so. Besides the downright plundering dens 'where robbing sailors is carried on in this barefaced fashion, there are plenty of. othejr senli-respectable boarding-houses where seam en are fleeced systematically, after being enticed from their vessels'in the first place;. It is a matter of surprise to us how these houses are permitted to exist. Have we not an inspeotor of lodging-houses ? If we have why does ha not attend to his duties"? Surely the landlords or landladies ■■■■, can be proceeded against under some statute or other.; An instance waa afforded two or -'three days ago where it was^ a respectable boarding-house keeper1 who was fleeced, arid the' sailor who was the robber. This also is no solitary in stance. It is another result of. the same condition of affairs. So that it is apparent Both parties are victimised under the present system. As we have before insisted on, an institution of the kind referred to would not entail large expense. The present require ments of the town would be met by a build ing of no very imposing size, and. a site might, we should think, be obtained without difficulty on the reclaimed land. It would probably* pay working expenses, and pos sibly might bring in something which could go to a Sailors' Fund. We recommend our, suggestion to tho Mayor and Harbour Board.

. ■-Wehafre receded fetter on;ihe Pacific :mining lieetinj^wlfiofc our corespondent ■Mja hasten .rpfnsefeby bbth^oromandel pipers. XX the-matter is nottbf suthcient interest to secure its publication at Coro mandel it certainly is not of such importance as to justifyitß-infliotioiron the whole of our readers, especially when, more, important matters are omitted^br condensed in obe dience to the laws of space. The letter is declined with thanks.

There is a good deal of reckless driving about the city, and from instances which have come under our special notice we are inclined to believe that the police are quite right in bringing reckless drivers before Mr Beckham. Yesterday for example several men were rattling round by the Supreme Court in a break belonging to Mr G. Len drum, in a break-neck style, and nearly run over one of the Star collectors who, being young and active, leapt out of the way at one spring like a nimble-footed deer, and escaped being knocked over. Tho driver seeing the young man look pale, cracked his whip, pulled his horses round, and drove in triumph towards the Grafton road.

An- inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Whau Lunatic Asylum on the body of a female, recently admitted, before Dr. Goldsbro' and a jury. The medical evidence showed that deceased had gradually declined and had received every attention and neces sary comfort. A verdict was returned ac cordingly.

We learn with a good deal of pleasure that it is intended to give an amateur concert on board the Miltiades, the proceeds to be de voted to the funds of tho Merchant Sailors' Orphan Asylum. The entertainment, we understand, is being arranged by some of our most prominent amateurs, while Mr Impey has, with his usual readiness to assist any praiseworthy object, pro mised the aid of the City Band. It is intended that humorous recitations shall interlard the singing and music. The affair is being got up solely out of compli ment to Captain Perritt, and originated from the pretty general do3ire to show the worthy captain of the linest vessel that has evor visited our port that the citizens of Auck land as a body entertain towards him none but the kindliest feeling. Ab tho request of the projectors Captain Perritt has placed his ship at their disposal for tho evening. The concert will tako place in the spacious 'tweendecks. A? novelty in the shape of a grand sailors chorus by the combined crews of all the vesg^ls in ,-port, is spoken of as likely to be Ado of iho items of tho pro gramme. The affair will tako place on Thursday next, and. a great success may be anticipated.

Mr ' Frederick Batlley re-delivered his lecture on " Discoveries, ancient aad modern" last night at Edwardes street, under the more attractive title of " Voices of the past." hTe lfev. \V. Tinsley occupied the chair, and after a brief prayer, introduced the lecturer to the audience. The lecturer dealt with tho discoveries, of Mr Henry Austen Layard and others in a graphic and intelligent manner, illustrating hi 3 discourses^ with di^gr^ms. »~«|

fJJhe enquiry infco the cause of the death of the.infant of Susanjklahoney, held yesterday in(jme Fitzroy ho'ttfl, W^akefield-street, re sulted in a verdict of ''Accidental death." I)r_^Stock\vell haviqg made a posmtiortem examination of the body, considered that respiration had never been free, and the child had been 'Overlain by its mother, which might Rave caused death. He believed tha§ it was accidental. v

The monthly inslpection of No 2 Company, A.il.V., takes \>hi.<so to'nighb- in the Drill shed. Menioers should..bear Tin mind that thejjayiuent of thcitt1 capitation depends on regular attendance at ; rdrilla ; it is hoped, therefore, that none will be missing from the ranks tonight. -

Theßov. F.-Gould deliv^ed a very interest ing essay on"Mjttic and its influence" on Mondayj evening, feeforothe members of the Otahuhn Improvement Society. At the next meeting;a debate will taKe place on the old subjectji" Oliver Cromwell," which wo believe ha&,been introduced into nearly"'fevery young men's society in th,p civilised'world. The subject of " Cromwell" seema inexhaustible. A complimentary benefit pd^forminca will be. given tosuoroow (Friday) evening to Master Johrtgy Gmnrlay, previous ;to his departure forlAinerica. .The -entertainment will take plsjce at tho Prince of Wales Theatre, and~will be under thCpatronago of hia Worship ?Tie Mayor, MajoPtJordon, and the'officers of^ the Mttckland Volunteer com panies. The programme is exceedingly choice in'its varied: character.^ We notice that Master Johnqy willTSing hja original " Jones' Musical Party,'" which gaVo much satisfaction in tne Australian colonies. Mr Wilks, who haS^won a name B&y* t comic warbler, will give one' of his jPiivourites in charactorj and which took the people of Boston by storm. MJc Lancelot Boothy wolß-known as oae of the-i poets of the 'people, whose ver3es set the invisible spirit of the Cross in cameoio ec^tocies, will sing«lds original motto song—; •"Don't kit a ma&s-?when down." Several other pieces will be given in' the course of the evening, viz., "The Baby BQ.J!-," "Brown, tjiejTragedian," and a song on the Miltiades award and other loqal topics. In"' addition to these unique melbdies by poets and actors, Messrs. Newton and O'Hare will exhibit in their unrivalled musical danca. The whole will wind up with Halliday's celebrated farce of " Paddy and Sandy," the several characters by Messrs. Gourlay, Smith, Booth, Searle, and Miss Fanny Fair leigh.

Mr. Hubert Oram, late steward of the Northern Club, has taken the Prince Arthur Hotel, opposite St. Matthew's Church, Hob son-street, and at great expense has com pletely restored and refitted the house. Mr. Oram is well qualified by long experience to conduct such a business, and has provided ample accommodation for visitors and respect able boarders. There is a spacious dining-room equal to the requirements of the house ; also, a fine billiard-room, and Messrs. Alcock, of Sydney, have made a bagatelle-billiard-table, which is expected by the next steamer. The bed and sitting-rooms are airy and commo dious, and command good views of the sur rounding scenery. When severing his con nection with, the Club Mr. Oram received a very beautiful time-piece, with an appropriate inscription, presented to the proprietor by Captain Daveney and the gentlemen of the Northern Club in token of their appreciation of Mr. Oram's faithful services as their steward.—[Advt.]

Mr Samuel Coombes, clothier of Queen street, has issued ft copper token, bear ing on thb one side a portrait of him self, and on the other the address of his Auckland and Grahamstown premises. Those who receive Mr Coombes' coin will certainly get their penny-worth of copper. Unlike some others who have issued tokens Mr Coombes lias not been stingy in the use of metal; but a dozen of his coppers are worth anybody's shilling. The coin is neatly impressed, although the artist cannot be con gratulated on his successful delineation of the well-known features of his patron. Tho last new thing in linen-drapers' shops in Paris is a billiard-room for husbands and brothers to beguile away the time while their fair companions are making their pur chases. A good lunch and a gla.ss of wine are also provided gratis.

"The question of whether the regular wharf lumpers are worth eighteen-pence an hour, writes "Captain Elliott", or in other words, whether it pays dischargers of vessels to employ them at that rate better than to engage raw |hands at one shilling per hour, seems to be a subject of enquiry which is ex citing much discussion in the neighbourhood of the Queen-street wharf. Under these circumstances tlio following results of a test which was instituted the other day on board the s. s. Victoria will be read with interest :— During the morning of Friday, six Scandin avian new chums were employed at one shilling per hour to coal the A.S.P. Co.'s steamer the Southern Cross. They put out 200 baskets in the space of two hours at a cost to the agents of 12s. In the afternoon four regular lumpers were put to the same work at Is 6d per hour. They sent up 150 buckets in two hours at exactly the same cost 12s. Neither working party knew that any trial was going on.

The interesting thoroughfare of Chancery lane appeared to be in a state of ferment from end to end this morning, and female forms, divested of feminine beauty by the wear and » tear of years were running one after another to the Police Court for summonses and advice. Nelly Hart, otherwise "queen of the lane," a Btout chubby woman of short stature, rushed into the Court and then in the Magis trate's room, and obtained a summons against the head of the Drummond establish ment, she having been struck with a saucepan handle in that establishment, which dislocated her front tooth, im peded free speech, and damaged her mouth. No sooner had Welly succeeded than in panted Dora Tongeworthy, who had been assaulted by Bridget Doherty, who had struck her on her side with a huge piece of firewood, and threatened to put her on the floor before she could say "Jack Pvobinson. She acknowledged that she let Biddy. know the length of her tongue, but she did not punch her ; Biddy interfered with her first. She never beat any other person than her hu3band, and only when he deserved it, and this she considered to be a woman's right. She was persuaded at length to go home and square matters without taking out a summons. A subscription has been opened in Ireland with the view of placing a bust of the com poser Balfo in the Dublin National Gallery, and of establishing a scholarship in connection with the Irish Academy of Music, to be called the " Balfe Prize."

The Good Templars announce that a meet ing of the third degree members will take place this evening in the Newton Hall for the purpose of forming a Degree Temple, one of ample dimensions and worthy the cause. The roba of attendance at the Petty Sessions on Tuesday next is as follows :— Messrs J. Baber, Albert Boetham, James Butcher Braithwaite, William Thome Buck land, Thomas Cheesemau, Joseph McMullen Dargaville, IJ.1 J. Dignan, J. Dilworth, Henry Gilfillan, J. A. Gilfillan, Frederick Nelson George, Thoma3 Bannatyne Gillies, George Samuel Graham, William Australian Gra ham.

A gentleman recently arrived from Sydney has obliged us with the following on the forthcoming four oared race between Victoria and New South Wales ;—The Sydney crew will be comprised of A. Fitzhardinge, stroke; R. Clark, No 3 ; P. J. Clark, No 2; and Grautley Fitzhardinge, bow. This is the strongest crew yet formed in Sydney, and a fair opinion may be formed of its strength by the fact of finding Mr Grantley JFitzhardine;e, the champion sculler of Sydney, and the "hero of a 100 fights," taking only the position of bow. They are determined to wipe out their last year's defeat, and are working hard to get into the best possible condition by the day of the race; and indeed from the accounts of the amount of daily work they go in for there seems to be a dan ger of their training too hard, a fault into which even the moat experienced oarsmen are v*ry prone to fall. It will be remem bered that when the Sydney champion crew competed at Melbourne last ytar they were defeated, not only by the Melbourne, but also by the Ballaarat City Club crew. This was at the time a great surprise, as it was generally taken for granted that if not ac tually victorious, the " Welshmen " would at any rate gain seoond honors. They, however, only obtained third place. On that occasion the Melbourne crew con sisted of Cazaly, Orr, Arthur, and Colics. The crew for this year's con test will be Giles (stroke) ; Kickham, No. 3 ; Arthur, No. 2 ; and C. (bjw). Of these men Gile3 and Kickham are up-country Victorian oarsoiea, both hailing.from Ballaarat. The first-mentioned rowed stroke to the Ballarat City Club crew, above alluded to, and the latter was No. 3 of another Ballaarat crew that won the Senior Gig race at the Melbourne Regatta of 1573. Arthur, the No. 2, occupied the same position in the winning crew of last year, and he is certainly tho weak point of the boat, for although an undoubtedly good man he is subject, during " training" time, to severe attacks of liver complaint, and broke down so; completely when training for the last Intercolonial contest that ib -was considered necessary to take another man into the crow to fill his placo till within a few days before the race, —and had it not been for the excellent condition of the other members of the crew it is possible that the result of the race might have been different. C. ifoung, the bow, is a really staunch man, and has gained a good reputation in Melbourne as a sculler. His performances in a "four oar" have certainly not been very brilliant, but he has never really had a good opportunity ef dis tinguishing himself in that line, as he was always unfortunate enough to be placed in a boat with men vastly inferior to himself; and though by no means a pretty rower ht is strong and plucky : two very essential qualities in an oarsman. The fact is that the Melbourne crew, though individually good, hay« all differeat styles of rowing, which will operate very strongly against their chance. Oh the other hand the Sydney crew pull splendidly together, are evenly weighted, row in the same style, in every way suited to one another, and there seems to be little doubt but that they will turn the tables on the Victorians this year. It is a great pity that the Melbournites cannot form a crew composed of their really best men, but it appears that neither Messrs Cazaly, Orr, or Colle3 can spare a month, the time necessarily taken up in proceeding' to Sydney to train and compete for the Inter colonial Race." By this it will appear that Mr W. H. Henderson is not to take part in the race, as reported.

Died yesterday, at his father's residence, Mr Alexander Harrop, second son of our old i»nd esteemed citizen, I. W. Harrop, Esq., city treasurer. The deceased has been suffering for a considerable time from con sumption-. He had been for some time pasjt completely resigned, and conscious of his approaching end. He had not much bodily pain during his last hours. He was studiously watched, visited, and prayed over by Dr. Maunsell, who was unremitting in his attentions, 'and was present when he died. He was little known excepting to the family's intimate friends, and to these he was much loved on on account of his mild disposition, possessing —what few with his disease have—an un ruffled temper under every circumstance. His remains were deposited to-day in the family burying ground, and followed by many mournera. and friends.

In the gold-fields report laid before the General Assembly:itis pointed out that m New Zealand, as in Australia, the quartz {mines yield a larger return of gold per man employed than the alluvial. On the Thames, during the year ending March last 89,326 tons of quartz produced 114,] 80 onces, affording an average of 1 oz 5 dwts 131 grs to the ton; which, by an average obtained from twenty five companies on the gold-field, is worth £2 14s 6fd per ounce, yielding per miner per annum £174165. In Coromandel, during the year endine March, 1873, 8732 tons of quartz produced 16.307 oz. of the value of £46.500, being equal to a yield of 1 oz 17 dwts 7JgTB per tons, and to £116 5s per head per annum.

Some queer importations are being made into the colony by Dr. Featherston and his numerous if.; not efficient staff of assistants under the free and nominated system, but the queerest is a lawyer. As if we had not enough and to spare of them already. The gentleman of the long robe brings out a family at the same rate aa bis own passage cost him, ?nd will no doubt grumble if he does not fall into an extensive practice as soon aR he has resided in the colony for the probationer^ term required by the Supreme Court. The gentleman alluded to comes from Oxford, but whether from the Univer sity we know not. — Otar/o Times.

We look forward with pleasurable antici pations to the concert announced for Monday next in the Choral Fall, given by the combined forces of the Opera Company and Choral Society. The programme is published in our advertising columns,- and for variety will, we think, satisfy the most hypercritical. We notice that, in the first part Miss Alice May and one of our most popular singers, Mrs Mitchell, will give the duett " Quis est Homo," from "Stabat Mater." A good deal of interest will no doubt centre around this piece as rendered by ladies who have both, in their respective spheres, been successful in winning the favour of Auckland audiences. The whole of the second part is furnished by members of the Opera Company, and we need only refer our readers to the list of selections published in the advertisement to satisfy them of the treat in store. We must, not "omit to mention that the overtures will be performed by a full band under the conductorship of Mr G. B. Allen, Mus. Bac , Oxon.

PARLIAMENTARY,

THE HOUSE TIRED OF THE DEBATE.

JERNINGHAM WAKEFIELD DIS-

POSED OF,

(From our Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON.

The House is getting tired of the debate, and will endeavour to close it to-day, but it ia not likely to get rid of the nasty subject before to-morrow.

Mr White made a characteristic speetli containing some good points. He convulsed the House and galleries with his grimaces and droll hits. You could sell ten thousand copies if you could print his speech in charac ter. Last night's exercise will relieve him from rheumatics for the rest of the session.

Judge Ward gave some droll evidence before the Chapman committee. They have discovered how the substance of the tele gram leaked out. The department is above suspicion. Mr Wakefield has been spirited away for the last three days. It is not expected that bis resurrection will take place before the prorogation. Mr Reader Wood was skinned alive in last night's Post.

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

DEBATE CONTINUED,

THE NORTH ISLAND PROVINCES

Mr McGlashan looked upon the resolutions as merely the necessary preliminary for bring ing the matter before the public. The chief opposition to it came from Superintendents and provincial officials, who were interested parties. He had no fear for the Middle Island land-fund.

Mr Cuthbertson said ho would support the resolutions. Speaking from personal experi ence as to the economy of Provincialism he had not been favourably impressed with that economy, and he was only surprised the hon. member for Port Chalmers, who knew so much about the trials and strugglesof South land, should pretend to challenge its economy and effectiveness. .'.'',". .

Mr Hunter, speaking with a 35 years' experience as a colonist, said the General Government had only been a colonising Go vernment. "Within f our years before thatit was merely a tax-gatherer; all the good they did ■wa3 to leave their heavy legacy of debt from the management of native affairs. He denied that the question had ever been before the public to do away with the provinces in one island and retain them in the other, and believed the people would oppose it heartily. He considered the questions of the Govern ment and the compact ©f 1856 had no con nection with the abolition question. These questions would right themselves. If the North made a bad bargain in that compact it must stand by it. While opposing the resolutions he would be sorry to see -thp present Ministry put out of office. THE WAITEMATA SEAT. The following is tht committee appointed to decide as to tho validity of the election of Mr Yon der Heyde : C. Park«r, Richmond, Webb, Tolmie, W. Johnson (chairman) Wood and Creighton. VOLUNTEER ACT. Sir Donald McLean brought in a bill to amend the Volunteer Act, and it was read a first time. THE NATIVE LEXICON. In reply to Mr Steward as to the progress of the Maori lexicon being prepared by Mr Colenao, Mr McLean read a correspondence between the Government and Mr Colenso upon matters, the gist being that the state of Mr Colenso's health had prevented progress with the work, but the Government would ÜBe every endeavour to obtain value for the large sum spent upon the work. LAST NIGHT. After the adjournment Mr Webb con tinued the debate. He said he was returned as a thorough provincialist, but had not long been in the House before discovering thait provincialism was the weak element of colonial politics. He became convinced Uaat the Northern provinces at least wanted wiping out. So far they were merely asked as to the correctness of the idea, and were not pledged to the details of any measure which might be based upon the proposal. The question created little interest in Oanter-' bury.

Mr Swanson, in a long speech, defended provincialism as not only a great aid to the Oelonial Government but as an excellent training school for members of the General Assembly, as well as the best means of al lowing local men of ability who could not afford to come to the Assembly to give he public the benefit of their experience and nowledge. He generally found faalt with the General Government for not adhering to their

promises. They had broken promises in "v, Education Bill after setting the minißte M i » the colony by the ears ; broken the* Won,' regarding £60,000 for roads in Ac iff* Island ; they promised to hold a session «w parliament in Dunedin, and broie that*;'ijj< J, promised to limit and define tie power of $? provinces, and broke that. Some of the]*'* Legislation of the colony was due boWlT1 the efforts' of provinces. ThetJeneral-lg-^1 ment availed itself of their exr^i ence «*■ their failures. He condeHHrea1 the General Government for looseness of administrate regarding contracts and other arrangement? Their Agent-General set them at defiance. ?f he was a servant of Auckland province'], dared not do that. Look at the failure nf the Panama steam service, the Webb contract and the last San Francisco contract. % Provincial Government could , :'|^ ; made such unsuccessful arrangements The essence of the whole case waß.tne*,^' ; vinces were poor, and they must, be kicked" The General Government first crippled tfiem starved them, and finally desired to ah^v them. If- an offender was fined £5 the money went into the colonial chest. If, h 8 sentenced to a month's imprisonment the province was compelled to board and locl ee him. What had the Assembly done in;ttg c past ? Plunged them into a native war ruined their prosperity, and left them%%a j expensive legacy of a native departed ! which should never have been a necessity. ' He really believed the bottom of the proposed change was financial embarrassment which the Treasurer saw looming ahead,, and felt consequent anxiety to lay hold of iheij land. He was convinced the public would inafc a its voice heard upon this -question andnotoia take. (Applause.) ■ i Mr Bryce said opponents of the resolutions % thought provincialism perfection. No;' out district member thought, so. T-he.qiestion had been too often before the public,»and too lon<* in men's minds to be called a surprise. The Ministry had expemnced__jamhM. rassment by Provincial Governmentg. They were the best judges of theijjjffi. culties, and were . quite justified iii^«»k ing Parliament to deal with ifc.w:iWhen the provinces could not drag along without charity it was time to STtpersed£;;tW with, better local machinery. He bejieved the result would be suoh an efficient goroni. ment in'the North as would soon indudithe South to apply for a like changed Anything th§ provinces did now local bodies could do better. ' * i . - Mr White said the resolutions wonjiifcnot come to anything. Still they wewAij^tt popular government. They had no"rotten boroughs but Taranaki, Trhich was an excellentsubstitate. Her membersfoloKted the Government like lambs. He gladly vofe for the extinction of Taranaki To follow1 the resolutions to their legitimate conclusions they should abolish the Assembly and appoint a dictator. The world,, iud a Julius Cses&k.why not appoint ;an%er, Julius and simplify , the matter. 'J^he ! Premier carried the resplutions retribution would overtake him. _ ' r ! inw Mr' Reeves explained that the- ohafga against him of being a provincial contisfitof was untrue. In consequence of thesejn^ier. able chargeß his firm had not for yeaaien dered forthe Provincial Government prinMSg, and had not done any for several years., Mr. % Kelly repelled the msinfljitiona against the.Taranaki members. He quoted ' statistics showing that Auckland had been dependent upon the Government fbt^BeMarf seven years. They did not even taxtheTn* selves to support their sick and insaae^ Mr fTarrison opposed the resolutionlsn^tlie ground of prematureness, and that they did ' not go far enough. He handsardigftaithe ' Premier to show^ /that he did net prefer county government to provincial... He ' blamed the General Government as the.cape of the poverty of Westland andTNelaom'i Mr Richardson defended the efficiency and economy of .the General Government in the conduct of the public works as compared with provincialism. He wondered wheraMr Gil^s, got his figur«s, they were so Jst* : -< liable.' The departmental cost; of expendi ture £1,960,000 had been less than 2J pel 1 cent--' ■■■■ ?-V'V^V:^%v . Major Jackson would yot^iji fayotiif^rlha resolutioHS, and testified to the satisf*ij|Qry ' way the General Government had.maii*|ed the affairs in his district, and better tkan%e 1 province was likely to dio- T^? prO.X™^ element did not improve the atmoaphere-of 1 the House. All the out-districts d^cWimed against the inefficiency and injustice jof^Jhe Provincial administration. g,: r, a 21.01 ■ ' At 12.5 the' House adjourned on the motion of Mr J. E. Brown.

BURGLARY ON THE WHARF.

Last night Messrs. Holmes Bros, office ott,; the Queen-street Wharf was broken into and the cash-box containing £11 ss. stolen. B»e; office was known to be all right at 10 o'clock 1 last night. Early this morning Mr Lindsay, late of the Lalla Rookh, saw the door stand, ing open 'a few inches, and wishing to speak to one of the firm walked in. Finding no one inside he concluded the door had own left open all night, and sat down to wait for the arrival of some one. By tha half-put eight boat Mr Holmes, jun., came over hm the North Shore. A close examination of tha lock showed that force had been used to open the door, as the bolt was shot and the sockes on the door post forcedjback. The cash-box, which, contrary to custom, had been left in the office oyer night, was missingr/A waaU parcel" on the table .when the isqffice vag closed f.pr, the night wjSs not tb.be, seen. Thi money consisted of seyeiJL,£l^'ndtes, £2 l(h i* • gold, and £1,15s in silVer. The.poUoei art endeavoring td discover the culprits. It «...-. considered nearly certain that. the, fWe^j whoever they are, must' be'well'aet[ußintw withthe daily arrangements onthe prenuMfc: Last night, we(understand,was the nrrt night for many months that the cash-box W»i not takes .away, y, g, g

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham Esq. R.M.) .'■ MEN WHO HAVE FALLEN. H Alexander Robertson, David MaWBM. James Kelly, and Levi Watts were charge^ with drunkenness and dealt with in th« usmi} way.

WOMEN BROUGHT LOW. _. Christina Wilson and and Harriet RoDW» were also charged with being drunk yesttf"

Prisoners pleaded guilty and werefinW 10s. each, or subjectedto 48 hours' unpnW* ment.

r rj COOK AUD LAMB. $•„ George Cook, cab proprietor, appeajWjw answer to a charge of obstructing an omnim» belonging to James Lamb on the J^th,^n|ljr Mr Joy appeared for defendant. , ; Mr J. B. Russell, on the part of JfeM&Z 1 said the charge was a serious one, and wm should be dealt with by the P<*°%S had five witnesses in Court, / and ask that the case might be ■ w»W*JJJ and laid in another form. Defendant aw 'dvtct, he knew from his own ebservHtioff^g" beea most infamous in;his treatment o&t. son?, endangering both life and pretty clear that his (def endar ' «; I to cook Lamb if possible. '''.. . — .~~& —' •TThe charge was therefore: wiwiaraw-—, otde^ that the matter mi|ht be de&nyffffifl the police. •'"

nn Homxirn ifeifr. Tnvß,mi^^mvwt 20, ,i*w



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