SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PORT OF AUCKLAND.

SUN-SET: This evonln-j, 7.11 SUN-RISE: To morrow morning, 5.17 HIGH WATER ; This evening, 3.40 ; .o-moirrow morning, 4.19

ARRIVALS.

Wellington, s.s., Carey, from Southern ports St. Kilda, r.., Flowerday, from Wanganui

DEPARTURES. Dido, cutter, for Lyttelton Phcebe, s.s., for Sydney Fairy, schooner, for HoVianga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Uhile, ship, for London, early Julius Vogel, for Poverty Bay, to-morrow Luna, p.s., for Wellington Success, schooner, for Napier, to morrow

VESSELS EXPECTED.

wave Queen, ship, from London. Sailed October 14 Lauderdale, ship, from London. Sailed October 19 Alice Csmeron, barque, from Sydney Anazi, barque, from London. Sailed October 31 Empreza, barque, from Liverpool. Sailed October 15 Beatrice, barque, from New York, via Adelaide Wentworth, ss, about the 28th instant Queen of the Age, ship, from London Sailed Nov. 15 Queen of the South, burque, from Dunedin, early Bella Mary, barque, from Hobart Town Hylton Castle, barque, from London. Star of the South, s.s., from Napier Charybdis, schooner, from Lyttelton Excelsior, schooner, from Dunedin

IMPORTS.

Per Wellington from South :—1 case, M. Montague ; 2 cases, Combes and Daldy ; 9 cases, Stephenson and Co. ; 6 cases varnish; 20 boxes] starch, Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ; 3 cases, D. Stephenson and Co. ; 3 do. drugs, Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. ;' 1 do , J. and T. Mason ; 1 do., T. S. Jones ; 5 do. Stephenson and Co. ; 1 parcel, B. Tonka and Co; • 2 cases, J. and J. Dickey ; 1 parcel, Scherff and Co. ; 1 do., National Insurance Co. ; 10 kegs butter, Close Bros. ; 1 ease, Y_.i H. Mason ; 1 parcel, Owen and Graham ; 12 bars round iron, J. E. Davis ;1 box Telegraph ; 1 box, National Bank of New Zealand ; 1 do. gold dust, Bank of New Zealand ; 8 cases fruit, 72 do. do., 31 do. do., 13 kegs butter, J. Solomons and Co. ; 10 kegs butter, 26 cases fruit, 63 cases apples, R. Arthur ; 1 case, P.. G. Gibbons ; 13 do. fruit, Marshall ; 4 do. apples, Holloway; 2 do. do., A. M. Bland ; S do., 1 keg, M. Hood ; 6 do, J. Veale; 5 do., A. Barnes; 1 trunk, M. Hood.

The s.s. Wellington arrived in the Manu kau with a cargo (as per imports.) The purser not having supplied the usual report we are unable to give the passenger, list. The schooner Ruby brings 66 tons of fire wood from the Great Barrier. She has cleared out for Wangaroa with a general cargo of stores. * ,

The schooner Success has cleared for Napier with 32,000 feet of timber and 100 bags of grass seed, shipped by C; A. Harris and Hurst and Co.

The' Columbia cleared • to-day for Napier viajMercury Bay with 40,000 feet of timber. r. It will be seen from a telegram published elsewhere that the Rangatira has met with a. serious accident and had to be towed back into Napier. ; ;; .

The steamer Murray let t Napier for Auck land to-day.

' The steamers Star of the South and Pretty Jane left Napier last night for this port. They may be expected to-morr,ow morning. The Government steamer Luna is to leave the Manukau for Wellington at eight a.m. on Thursday.

The s.s. Southern Cross, whose arrival we noticed last night, brought a large number of passengers, including Captain Preece and 19 rank and filefof the Armed Constabulary, and as cargo ISO sheep for G. Fisher and Co.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails,, will Close as Ondhr :— For Thames, to-day, at 5 30 p m For Coromandel, on Friday, at 5.30 p m For 1 aranaki and Southern Provinces, per Luna, to-day, at 5 p m N.B —The Mails which are usually made up on Thursday will be closed at 5 p m to-day. (Signed) S. B. Biss. Chief Postmaster.

DEATH

Gosset—On January 28, at her father's residence, Parnel!, Gertrude, second daughter of Major General Gossett, Koyal Engineers ; aged 25 years.

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

WEDNESDAY, J ANUARY 23, 1874.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And t.hfiwood that we can do

Our contemporary the Cross again reverts this morning to the-subject of Sunday trains in reply to a very clear and logical letter by Archdeacon Maunsell. The Cross practically admits its inability to see the distinction be tween the acts of a Government aud those of a private individual or company, a mental obtuseness which readily accounts for the course pursued in relation to this Sunday railway traffic. The distinction may be made so plain by a simple illustration that we hope the weakest minded will be able ;to under stand it. For years it has been customary in the office of our contemporary, as also in other morning newspaper offices, to keep its staff fully employed on Sunday night in order to bring out the Monday's paper ; but this example, no doubt bad in itself„ but excusable on the ground of necessity, has not resulted in builders, engineers, and other manufacturing businesses following the Cross's example. But let us suppose that instead of a private firm or public company pursuing the course indicated, the Govern ment were to throw open the public offices and ke?p their employes engaged on Sun day, the example would no doult soon be followed by others who have equally little- consideration for religion or for their workmen. In nearly all cases the practice of the Government becomes a law to the people ; and whether that practice is morally right or wrong the weight which authority gives it commends and excuses it to others desirous of following it up for their own pecuniary benefit. For this reason more par ticularly we warn working men fronrsanction ing what, having to some persons tempo rarily the appearance of an advantage, may end in a way anything but desirable for their own welfare. If one class of men cm rea sonably be required to perform unnecessary work on Sunday, we see nothing to exempt other classes from the same exaction. ..The illustration ■ which we h_,ve given above 'will also serve to substanrjiate andsupporfc another 'statement which' our contemporary stigmatises as '' exaggerated talk —inaccurate as to fact and weak by excessive hyperbole." This is ;the remark made by the Rev. Mr Ryley in his speech at the Otago Synod, that " it was .wrong that men should,be, ■in a manner, cdmpelied to violate their consciences, dis honour their God, or throw up their daily support." There are instances in this city, and the Cross well knows * it ', where men hive had that alternative .placed, before them, arid have! p'referred'to throw up their situa tions rather than violate. their,conscientious

belief ; and-"'-such' instances will'be rapidly multiplied when, the Government come into the field asthe4 leaders of the Sunday labour movement. We lay stress upon the position occupied by 'the Government in this matter because unnecessary fand undese'rvedodium has been thrown on the contractors ~r w hp have . temporary, contrbl'over the Onehhnga line. ; This Sun day traffic, if not under the direction of the General Government, is carried'ori with its approval. In Otago, where the railway is under the control of the Provincial authori ties, Mr Macandrew publicly stated that he was1 so' far; aware -of the view taken of the subject by the General Government ..[Mr Vogel, no doubt, and hence, the fiross' view] that if the question had been raised before the line was handed over to the pro 'vinee a clause would have "been inserted in the; agreement abrogating the right of the ; Provincial: Government to interfere with'the Sunday traffic. Beyond the assertion that certain people " " fide: in chaises all th c' week! through," and that other people cannot do .so, and require the railway, the Cross puts forth no reason to show the necessity of this traffic • Who those 'happy people are our contemporary does not deign to inform us ; !but jthose who can discern the real tendency of-this movement perceive that the running or Stoppage of - "trains affects '".hose who| ride in chaises" .to a very .small extent indeed, but'it dbes and will affect those who cannot afford to ride in chaises and "are* dependent for their daily bread on the iwill jof those who can. Hitherto no reason able (argument has .been adduced to'show* that "■the traffic iseeitherr r necessary, or desirable., .-A;: good deal' has-been "said about the right of one sectio;aof,the .community. ,to re strain another. We are quit* prepared to vindicate the duty of the Government to do that,; but in'this case it is hot necessary, nor is it attempted ,by the promoters of the?anti-; Sunday excursion movement. What they •protest against, and are agitating against, is that the Government has taken the lead in a. practice which the expounders of theology 'regard as opposed to the spirit of Christianity, ;and. which those.»having, the! welfare, of the; ,'l-jbpuring classes at heart look upon as oper ating injuriously to their welfare. Dis guise; it as they may these trains are not run with the view of promoting the health and welfare of the community ; it is; a ;mere matter .of /pounds, shillings, I and pence, and the temptation of a golden har vest is apparently-.too*-great even*'for-the Government to resist. We have en;

deavourcd so far to lay on one side the theo logical questions, and to look at the effect of Sunday railway traffic in a way that in terests religious and irreligious alike. But there arc considerations) affecting us as a com munity attached to a great Christian nation of x.aramount importance. These are more, perhaps, subjects for ventilation in the pulpit than the press. We'can not however pass over the insult which our contemporary has offered to the clergy of the colony. Endeavouring to excuse its somewhat rash assertion yesterday that clerical influence was decaying, the Cross to day says :—" Our justification—-if such were required to a fact too patent to every ob server of mankind—is found in the plain declaration of the Otago Synod, that the "Lord's work" has been a failure in that province ; and, if so, what must have been their own work as lalourers in the vineyard." Surely such a sentence as this argues inexcusable ignorance of the religious institutions of Otago, or indicates a desire to wilfully pervert knowledge. In a place where even the Presbyterian fasts are acknowledged by the suspension of business by all denominations, and where the number of ministers supported by the people has in creased in a few years from eleven to upwards of forty, as was shewn by the records of the Synod, it can scarcely be said that religious teaching vis a failure in the province." Our contemporary has merely selected one sentence from the report presented to the Otago Synod, regretting, as all ministers must regret, that the results of their labours are not more apparent in the improved lives of their hearers; and distorting this it flaunts it in the eyes of the clergy men of the colony, and taunts them with a supposed triumph of irreligion over the Church, telling them plainly that the people are leading, and the clergy must follow. That, to use its own words, "the people are there—are pressing there ; and if the clergy desire to be true pastors to the people —to have the reality, and not the mere form of worship-=-they must emerge into the daylight of the mental freedom which shall flow from a broader and kindlier theology than that into which fossil inter pretations have heretofore endeavoured to narrow and confine true religion." Let the Cross's counsellor and guide lay down his standard plainly, and not, while bordering on thcco'iiine?! of infidelity, fear to step outboldly lest he should call down the execration of many of his readers. It is well that a journal's posi tion should be clearly understood, and that it shall not pander to the irreligious, and ridi cule the Church on the one h-ind while can vassing for the favour of the upholders of reli-ion on the other.

The gladness and sportiveness of nature at this sunny season induces a corresponding playfulness in the people, and to-morrow being the anniversary of the colony, and the day of the regatta, it is intended by the majority to k<-.ep holiday, especially in Auck land and its suburbs. We understand that a great number of our fair Auckland sisters have been busy making up regatta dresses and trimming pretty summer hats, and we are glad to notice that in making their purchases tliey have favoured the early-closing move ment to the intense gratification of em ployers and assistants. No faded ribbons nor damaged Dolly Vardehs therefore will be out in the sunshine to-morrow. In another column appear particulars of the various yachts and boats to be entered this evening for the groat contest; and a number of other spoits is duly announced tor other people, such as races, excursions, picnics, private parties, in ferny dells, laughing children under the trees, and rambling groups in leafy solitudes. The shops will be shut to-morrow, not a yard of ribbon will be sold, nor a hammer heard to fall on the anvil. Among others we notice that theie are to be grand doings at the North Shore, and in Mr Rees's paddock the aunual sports will take place. The owner himself, for one day at least, will leave his legal folios for a study of the laws of nature, and will present himself in the character of " The Starter." The pro gramme is a long one, and intimates of maiden races, boys' races, hurdle races, mile, sack, three-legged, and a variety of .other races. There will also be the TiikapuhaHandicap, standing jumps, putting the scone, aud the (terrible) greasy pig. The first race -will commence at twelve o'clock. At the \Vhau (ominous word) there will be a similar series of sport in Messrs Aickeus' green paddock with very tempting prizes attached, and at the close will be performed sports (athletic) calculated to unbend the limbs, flush the face, and regulate the physical system. The people of Pa_>akura also ' will be involved 'in the same invi gorating pursuits. The Engineers have also resolved upon having a day out far away from the dust and heat of the city. The . company . yjarades for the excursion, at, a quarter pa3ti nine, in the morning, and will be accompanied by the R.oyal band. The committee for the festivities at. Stokes' Point are indefatigable in.making all kinds of .preparations—clearing the ground, etc. The locality, having a splendid view of the regatta, bids fair to be largely patronised. A steam ferry-boat will ply every hour during the day, and a special trip for the grand ball at eight p.m. and for the visitors' return at six a.m. the followig morning. We understand that a large marquee is erected alongside the hotel to afford accom modation : for a ball and supper-room. The temperance reformers, or rather tee totallers, -;. and perhaps some of the Good Templars, will court the lightsome breezes to-morrow on the sunny brow' "of Motuihi. They start by the Golden Crown from the , wharf at S. 30, accompanied by Messrs Hemus, Coupland, Brown, and other of the orators of the town, and will doubtless have a grand day of it on the lonely ; sob,er island.. I The school children in connection with the Newton Kirk school (Dr. Wallis's) will me out for'the day, we believe mi/the Domain, accompanied by the good doctor himself and other interested friends. The teachers of St. James's Presbyterian'school (Revj. Mr McNicol's) will take a trip by the littld steamer to Woodside, and numbers of others are going to the Domain. The; Good Templars.; proceed to the ! attractive Vauxhall Gardens, North :Shpre, where.the Hobsou band will delight them with sweet music; and swings, croquet, quoits, dancing, and last, but not least;, pleasant walks in the shady paths, offer ;unsurpassed attractions. ■The smart little steamer Eclipse will .ply up. and down the harbour, following, the various races. At night the pantomime will be pro duced, at the theatre withall its excellences, [ and will be followed by,a grand masquerade, and fancy dress ball got up in a style never before attempted in Auckland. . So'that it is pretty clear that regatt.a day-will be. . a general holiday and a day of universal re joicing in this part of the big round world.

I A meeting of the shareholders of the Auck land Whaling Company (limited) was held ,this*diiy at noon in the oifijes of Mr Clay tin, Insurance Buildings. Mr J. S. Macfar -lue occupied the chair. The minutes* of the pevious half-yearly meeting were read and confirmed, and the g.iuditors, Messrs Snell and Batger, were re-elected for the coming term. • This was all the business.

His .Honor the Superintendent*, and . the members of his Executive who accompanied him, are expected back from the North to-day:

Tho .Right Rev. Dr. Croko ]. -ids to Europe to-day per Pheebe, which ._t_ves the Manukau this evening. His Lordship was accompanied to Onehunga by many private friends ; also by the following reverend gentlemen -. Dr. McDonald, Father Walter McDonald. Father Fynes, Father Norris, Father Golden, Father O'iiara, aud Father J. B. Simpson. The object of his mission is, we understand, to raise funds for the erec tion of the cathedral in Auckland, and other matters concerning the spiritual wants of his vastly-increasing diocese.

The general manager pf the railway announces a special time-table for to-morrow which will suit the convenience of holiday seekers, pud should lead to a very large traffic on the line. There will be eight up trains and eight down, commencing from Auckland at 8 a.m., and from Onehunga at 8.4-5 a.m., the last train leaving Auckland at 5.30 p.m., and Onehunga at 6.15 p.m. The trains will take up passengers at Faroe!!, which will be a great convenience to residents in that suburb. This opportunity for enjoy ing a trip along the line will be welcomed by many. A pleasanter way of spending the holiday is not orfored by any of the numerous announcements made through our columns.

The half-yearly meeting of the skai-eholders of the Red Queen Gold Mining Company, called this day in Mr Garland's ollices, Vaile's buildings, for the purpose of receiving the directors' half-yearly report and balance sheet, was adjourned until Friday next.

A Piovincial Government Gazelle was published to-day, in which the new boun daries of the Panmuie and Otahuhu Educa tional Districts are described. A list of native Crown grants, now ready, is also published.

A tea-party and soiree were held last evening in the chapel of the Primitive Methodists, in Edwardes street, as an anni versary celebration and for the purpose of presenting testimonials to Mr D. Goldic and Mr B. McKorras. The building was well filled on the occasion, and a sumptuous tea, cakes, fruit, and every neccessary were bountifully supplied by the ladies at great expense and care. The tea being over in the school-room, which is spacious and airy, the happy party adjourned to the chapel to pur sue the ostensible business of the evening. Captain Peek, of t'ae ship Ilindostan, was appointed to the chair, and introduced the proceedings in a thoroughly nautical speech, followed by Messrs Hi-nius, Clanvillo, Bat tley, and I lev. G. If. Turner. The annual reports of the and school were read and accepted. They shewed' that great pro gress had been undo during the past year, much useful work done, and a large number of books added to the Sunday-school library, leaving a small balance on the right side. The members of the Tonic Sol-fa Society, under Messrs French and Blopmfield, sang several hymns and anthems in a pleasing and correct manner in the intervals of the speeches. Mr Glanville introduced the presentation to Mr Goldie, which that gentleman received at the hands of Miss Froude, one of the senior lady teach er- of the Sunday school. Mr Goldie, we are informed, has been superintendent of the Edwardes-street Sabbath School during the yiast eight year.-;*, and the scholars compris ing the BiHle classes, in recognition of his long -and fnithful services, presented him with a baud onie group of his young friends friends of the senior classes in a beautiful frame. A kindred presentation was then handed by Mr Barker, with a seemly address, to Mr B. McKorras, who has been actively engaged in Church work and Sunday School progress in connectionwith Edwardes street for the lust twenty-three years. The two groups of portraits, striking and life like, were executed by Mr McGarrigle, of the American Photograph Gallery, Queen stiect* ; the illuminations were by Mr Hammond, of Shorthand - street, and the elegant frame-work by Mi DeCourcy,* of Wakelield-btreet. The only humorous speech of the evening was by Mr Hciiius, who pleasantly criticised some of the absur dities of advertising The speech of Mr Gol die was chiefly on the pleasures of Christian work after the turmoil of the day. Mr Bat tley carried his hearers back to the times of the Crusaders, and illustrated a few pic tures from history ; and Mr Turner, who had but ten minutes allowed him for a speech of half-an-hour, spoke upon the contem plated encroachments upon the sanctity of the Sabbath, comparing the viewsofthe Cross and rtSiar on that subject. The evening was pleasantly passed, and broke up exactly at half-past nine.

Dr. Coughtrey will deliver a lecture to morrow evening in the Mechanics' Institute Exhibition on " The Natural objects of the Exposition," and intends to illustrate his lec ture by the aid of his microscope. The lecture will be both entertaining and profitable, especially to earnest students. . ' ■.-■•

« The following interesting items of native intelligence are from our Alexandra corres pondent :—"Native news has been very dull here lately. The natives are, I expect, too busy gathering their crops to think much about politics. Tawhiao himself has gone on a visit to'Whangonui, I am happy to hear, as he had- promised me another visit—an honour (!) which I can ill afford, as on.his previous visitation I was not left with a shirt to my back. A large number have passed here on their way down to Waikato, to catch and; prepare eels for the. meeting in March next. This will, they say, be the most" im<r portantas well as the largest that has been held hitherto, as Manuhiri himself lias called it. This is the first time he has had any thing to do with them. His invitations have gone to all the tribes in the island. It is said that Europeans also are to be invited. If this is true, which I doubt, I expect ■there will not be many avail themselves of it,! as the distance to the Kuiti (Tokanga m'utu) is too great with a bad road. Whether open to • Europeans or not I could be present if I required, as I have' a general invitation from Tawhiao, and free pass on the road. The Ngatihaua Hauhaus, with Purukutu at the Kuiti, are in a great rage with Parakaia and other friendly Ngatihauas, who have (or are reported to have) sold a block of land at Maungatautari, lately passed through the Land Court at Cambridge. Purukutu regrets he did not shoot him when he hadhim prisoner at the time Sullivan was murdered. The crops here generally are turning out well. The natives have good crops,,-and. will have plenty of* wheat for sale, for which they will get 6s per bushel."

We ' understand complaints have arisen on several occasions on the part of passengers by the North Shore ferry boats in consequence of thfj ticket-taker being unable in all cases to supply change, and that his inability to do so is a matter of benefit to himself. Such, however, is not the case; , and although it is hot the custom in like ferry boats to under take to provide change, the manager of the North Shore Ferry Company has hitherto at; considerable inconvenience r endeavoured to^ meet 'the difficulty. Passengers, therefore, have no right to complain, but should show equal consideration in providing -themselves with the stipulated fare. '•

Wo; are requested by Mr W> L. Rees to contradict the statement in this morning's papers announcing that the jury in the case of Webbi v; i Graham yesterday found for the' defendant:1 He informs'us that the verdict was, generally, for theplaintiff, and he in tends to move for a decree upon it at the first sitting of the Court in Banco. ;jl "

We understand that Bishop Croko has been pleased to appoint the Rev. Father J. B. Simpson to oversee the spiritual interests of the Poverty Bay district. From our knowledge of Mr Simpson we feel sure that the trust placed in his hands will be faith fully held, and his duties performed with credit to himself and benefit to ail the Roman Catholics of the district.

■ The mysterious little man whose figure is frequently seen by moonlight bobbing about like a Will-o'-the Wisp in the by-ways of Dedwood has been busy again at his old avocations. On Saturday last this artful depredator on learning that a faithful old dog, who always barked at the tresir *ser s approach, was dead, ventured reep through the fence of Cobb Cotta* *• . being disturbed by the living dog C- , made off towards Ponsonby at wondrous dpeed. On Monday evening'the little rogue was more successful, and managed to enter unseen a verandah in College road while the lady was gone to a neighbour's house for her key. When she returned the goods she had pur chased in town that day were all gone.

The Band of Hope met last night in the Albert street Temperance Hall. Mr F. G. Brown was in the chair and made a very happy speech. Miss Chalkleu recited "My new Frock" very appropriately, but was rather too low. Master W. Good was very yood in a ballad recitation, and Mr Cutler gave one of his experimental speeches. The meeting was fairly attended.

The weekly drill of the Auckland Scottish and Victoria companies took place last even ing in the Drill-shed, Princes-street. There was a strong muster, and the men went through their sultry performances with success.

V The Newmarket Literary Association meeting on Tuesday night drew a full house. Mr Witheforcl opened the debate on Sabbatarianism v. Sunday trains, &c. He argued that the action of the Presbyterian body was very commendable ; thought it might not stop the trains, it would check the crowds of young people and others who were already making the Onel.unga excur sion trains scenes of frivolity and riot. In a religious point of view the sacreduess of the Sabbath was already a weekly theme in the pulpit. So Mr Witheford kopt to the social aspect, giving substantiated facts to prove the Sunday's of hard work experienced by railway servants in England, to the number of one hundred thousand in the metropolis alone, contending that such wa3 detrimental to the health, prosperity and happiness of those men. That, one man should soorn to take pleasure at the cost of another's drudgery on the Sabbath ; that these excursion trains stimulated Sunday drink ing, making such vast numbers of " travellers, " who had by their tickets free, license at hotels,. Mr. Bent op posed the Sabbattari'iu side of the question, and thought that section of the community was too small to have their prosposals en tertained. He gave a few concessions to Sabbatarians—That excursions should not be allowed, nor trains during divine service. He thought milkmen as much to be pitied as railway employe-;, and that the hard-worked public required the use of Sunday trains. The debate was continued to so 1 ite an hour that it could not bo formally concluded. Mr Rattray ,was elected vice-President of Jthe association. This gentleman has promised a collection of books towards the library.

SUPREME COURT.—CIVIL SITTINGS.

_ ESTER]IAS* COKTIN(JED

(Before His Honor the Chief Justice Sir Geo.

A. Aruey, and a special jury.)

James Bannatyne Graham gave evidence chiefly corroborative of that given by Mr G. S. Graham, and shewed that the lease to Henry Elliot was to hold in trust for him and his In-other.

Mr McKeehnie was re-called to answer a question as to whether plaintiff was now able to execute the lease, to which he replied that the re-assignment from Colonel Bal ncavis to Webb was in witness's possession and could at once be handed over.

Air Gillies and Mr Rees having addressed the jury at some length, his Honor summed up. The jury, after some deliberation, found a verdict for the plaintiff on mostissues, excepting, however, that Mr Webb was nob ready to pay the money under the agree ment. His Honor certified, for a special Jury- . A '

The Court rose at G. 30

THIS DAY.

His Honor took his seat at ten o'clock. BANK OF NEW SOUTH WALES V. T.ROGERS

Mr F. Whitaker and Mr McCormick appeared for the plaintiff, and Messrs Hesketh and. James Russell were counsel for the defendant. .: .

The proceedings in this case arose out of the winding up of the affairs of the late Mr James Oldham, wine and spirit merchant, of High-street. , It will be recollected that some bills which had passed into the hands of the Bank of New South Wales, through Mr Oldham, were after the decease o£* that gentleman declared to be forgeries. They purported to be signed by the defendant, who is the proprietor of the Criterion hotel, Otahuhu, and Mr MacCormick in , opening the case, shortly declared the pjoint at issue to be whether the signature of a promissory note for £70 4s, drawn in favour of. Mr Oldham, and endorsed by him to the Bank, was or was not the genuine signature of the defendant. The questions to be decided by the jury were : Did defendant make] the said promissory note ? What sum ought plaintiff to receive from defendant ? .

Mr Whitakcr briefly detailed the evidence that would be adduced in proving the plain tiff's case.

Thomas Hunt Ivey, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, was the first witness examined. HaviDg produced the promissory note-which constitutes the casus belli in the case, the witness deposed that he believed the signature to be in the handwriting of the defendant. He ' had seen many genuine signatures .of defendant, and had many opportunities of comparing signatures. Mr MacCormick here put in evidence four promissory notes admitted to be in the hand writing of the defendant. : . '• ■'•■

The witness was cross-examined by Mr Hesketh. The first part of the cross-exami ination was devoted to uninteresting points about the method of detecting true and false ; signatures. Witness continued :He recollected sending the bill in question round ,to the Union Bank for the purpose of asking that Bank's opinion as to the signature. This was after the bill had been discounted. He sent it up because he had heard reports about that it was. a forgery. He had no doubt of its genuineness in his own mind. There was another bill for £SO, which had matured and been dishonoured since.. He had not sued on that bill because he thought if there was a forgery at all it would be in the case of that bill. He thought he had said that he would take £5 for the £80 bill, but it was said as a joke ; and besides if the first bill were paid, £5 would satisfy the claim of the ; Bank. He should not be guided by the knowledge- he presen ted of the character and disposition 6f an individual in judging of his signature.'

By the Court: He did not believe in judg- ! ing a young lady's character by her hand writing. , . . , By Mr Heskath : Witness, in looking at tentively the disputed signature, could see a faint like the tracing of a pencil parallel to the cuive of the T. . A glass was here produced and the jury scrutinised the signature by means of it. Witness did not think the line.iuchcative of a forgery. It was too far from the ink line. , The cross-examination was drawn out to a great length, but the remainder presented no features of interest. ■■■ Henry Maud, accountant of the Union Bank of Australia, deposed to being well acquainted' with Mr Rogers' signature. Should say on looking at the bill in question, apart from what he had heard, that the signature was Mr Rogers'. By Mr. Hesketh -. Had often had bills drawn by Rogers in favour of Oldham paid into the Bank for discount. When due the bills were nearly always taken up by Old ham. Did not recollect one occasion on which Mr Rogers took up a bill. Had never, to the best of his belief, seen a cheque of Mr Rogers' filled in by himself. He be lieved Mr. Rogers could only write suffi ciently to sign his name. Angus Macdonald, a ledger-keeper at the Union Bank, recognised the signature as that of Mr Rogers. He deposed, in cross-exami nation, that Mr Oldham had always taken up Mr Rogers' discounted bills. He gene rally to.vie them up in cash. Recollected Mr Coates coming to the bank to refer to a signature of Mr Rogers. He then_ had no doubt the signature was genuine. Since that time he had altered his mind.

James William Oldham, a son of the late James Oldham, residing ab Onehunga, de posed to knowing defendant. He had often seen him sign his name, principally to pro missory notes, in favour of his (witness's) father. He had no doubt that the signature of T. Rogers on the bill produced was genuine. Before the date of the promissory note (pro duced), saw the defendant sign a promissory note for £31. Witness filled up the body of the note by Mr Rogers' direction. On that occasion, which was in 1872, Mr Roger's called and paid him a sum of money and asked witness what the balance was. He replied he could not teH. He handed the promissory note for £31 to his father. In July 1873 recollected getting a sum of £26 from Mr Roger to take up a bill for £84. Witness's father supplied the rest of the money. Mr Rogers was frequently at the office in High-street. His transactions with witness's father were considerable. There were many bill transactions between them.

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

GRAHAMSTOWN

This day

The inquest on the bodies of the men killed in the late accident was continued to day. Messrs Goldsmith and Richards were examined, and the latter contradicted all Mr Severn's theories regarding a forma,tipny of a crust in boilers. ■■ The Coroner said Mr Severn's theories were untenable. The jury retired at ten minutes past twelve, but no decision has yet been arrived at.

The Thames Advertiser is printed; on paper made in Sydney from flax from the mill of Stogg on the Thames river. *

The sharemarket is dull,

TAURANGA.

/I _ This day. The Times writes strongly respecting the new steamer.

It is stated that tourists to the Lakes go via] Cambridge, showing the inefficiency of the Southern Cross for passenger traffic. A .large native meeting will shortly be held at I'aupo instead of Ohinemutu. Capt. Morris brought 1,5C0 fat sheep from Napier and shipped 165 by the.Cross, which hasigone for more.. . . . : , .. ; ,- ; ; . There is a splendid wheat harvest here. The natives are holding back.

LATEST southern news

SERIOUS, ACCIDENT TO THE RANGA-

TIRA

THE VESSEL TOWED INTO NAPTER

DISABLED,

| (From our own Correspondent.)

NAPIER

This day,

The ' steamer Pretty Jane, which left here for Auckland yesteiday. morning, returned to port during last night, having in tow the steamer Rangatira; - The Rangatira was proceeding from Wellington to Poverty Bay, and early yesterday morning a serious ac cident .happened by the cylinder:,:bursting,' nd preventing" her from proceeding. Durino' yesttirday the Pretty Jane hove in sight, and Captain Lloyd requested the master to tow him iback to Napier. The Rangatira will have! to be towed back to Wellington for repairs;*"; iJ.A. A, \.i\ fi''l (J - : The steamer Murray arrived from Wel lington last evening, and* proceeds to Auck to-day. "'"'" [~ './ .' " '.'. ..--. .' ■ ... ;* .'"■ I .sJo^>/, ~'- I 'iY,i.iYa_This afbernoon. The steamer, Murray is only going -.to Poverty Bay to take the place of the Ranga tira'. 1,. ~ . ~- -n -jT-J ,;The; Tarahaki, is expected to tow the Rangatira to Wellington. ' The Pretty Jane leaves for. Auckland late this evening after coaling. - U There was more damage done to the Ran gatira than was at first supposed;' It is estimated that the accident will cost. the company £1000. '''''' 'A7-7 ""7'- THE LATEST.'.. • AA:' . **•]* . Wi./:: 2.30 p.m. ' ; Telegrams from 'Wellington * order ' the Murray to proceed to, Auckland. .j -'~ A Board of Engineers will be held on the .Rangatiri. The Murray leaves at three pi m. The Pretty Jane started at one o'olock ' for Auckland. o! „ y

NELSON.

Mr Donne has given notice that h V I move on Wednesday a vote of want of I tidence in the Provincial Executive I

KURANUI GOLD MINING COMPANY.

The annual meeting of the sharehold this company was held this mornins V$ 1 company's offices (Mr Tothill's) Short. c street, for the purpose of receiving the r and balance-sheet and other busine.., 6**? 1' W. Weston in the chair. Present •\r Mt ■' ■' Wilson, 2-iewman, Aitken,*. West,'J?J SomtnervDle. ***• DIRKOTOES' EEPOKT. ' The following directors'report was read. " The directors present to the sharehold '''- the usual yearly accounts commeacra.?.-! 5 ¥$ Ist of January, 1873, and ending the j, J t> of December, 1874. The operations ."of if company during that period have been gnf _| successful as to enable the directors to dec! ** - dividends to the amount of £9,523, and**! flit maintain a reserve fund of £2,000.;* %' | manager's report gives an account of what k I been done in the mine during the pai. 7^ 13 and holds out the prospect that -theTcnS ! year may be equally successful. The dta tors deeply regret the dreadful accident that \' has happened by the explosion of*<6ne:bf'.tt E boilers belonging to the battery engine''b. I which three lives were lost. It does'not appear from the evidence at the. toques.. j-U !' any blame attaches to the companj V Bet . §&■ vauts, who had only a few days before com' I pletely overhauled all the the machineryand'. § had the boiler especially carefully examine I and put in good order. Indeed it Has alwafa J" been the object of your directors to keep the company's machinery in the very best 6on- I dition, and no trouble or expense has been I spared to do so. So far as at prtsent known *■* no reasonable precaution could have prevented the catastrophe that has taken plac_;S:*Th. f retiring directors are Mr Russell and Mr Weston, who are eligible for reelection^-. ■Feed. Whitakee, Chaiiman,' Auckland, 1 January 27, 1874. *•" ~ " ■»'■ The mine manager's report detai]irif%e work done in the mine was read and It proved of. ' "'"'*'*-'' M The balance-sheet shewed:—Receipts: Balance in bank, £1,147 7s 9d. Gold from 6757 tons stone crushed, 7482 ozsdYdwt, H value £11,171.19s ; received for crushing sfl|| | tons, £2,341 10s 5d ; quicksilver' sold, j £220 3s 2d, interest on loan to Imperial i Crown Company, £100 ; refund from Just-in- I Time—license—£l 14s Gd • overdraft, £23?65, f'. Expenditure on mine wages and contracts, £4,920 ; other expenses of mine, £1,187 4s _; h Wakatip purchase, £86 16s 7d ; dividends, i £9,525. On battery, wages, £2,451 Bs*3d; 1 others expenses, including £2,53512a lldfor ml fuel, :£4049 lis. Total, £22,220'10^ I Liabilities, overdraft at bank, £237 6s. j The report and balance sheet as read were I adopted. Messrs Warwick Weston and W, C. Wilson, the retiring directors, were re elected. Mr Boardman was re-elected I auditor. This was all the business. r!, r

NORTH SHORE SPORTS.

The sports to be held in Mr Rees's paddock,;,. ; North Shore, to-morrow, promise to be a great success. The position of the ground^' | near the North Head—afford one of the best I views attainable - for. witnessing the, s sailing races -;in the regatta,' and from the programme of sports and the entries we anticipate a really good, .day's amuse ment apart from the other attractions. & The following handicaps have been declafedi: - —Takapun? Handicap,■:*.3oo yards; E. O'Hare, scratch ; E. N01an,.7 yards ;E. T. ;' Atkinj 6 yards ; J. Ry croft, 5 yiMs'lnTtf | Joughton, 8 yards, McLeod, 10 yards; Stitch^' A bury, 12 yards. Hurdle Race, 440 yards: | E. O'Hare,. scratch ; Wynyard, 10 yards; Rycroft, 7 yards; Joughton, 12 yards; | McLeod, .15 yards ; Peacock, 15 yards; Cutler, 15 yards ; Sewell, 15' yards.* 200 yards Handicap Race : E. O'Hare, scratch; E. J. Atkin, 3 yards; E. Nolan, 3 yards; , Joughteu, 5 yards ; C.i Williams, 5 yards'; Cambie, 8 yards ; Stitchbury, 10 yar_| Atkinson, 10 yards; Phillips, 12 yards; i McLeod, 6 yards. One Mile Handicap Race; :; J. Rycroft, scratch-;--W.YjH. .Pivott, 20 ; yards; Merriman, .43 rr xa»p a. Friend,Js| I yards; George, 120Yyards r ;^chnapperi i! ,»„, i yards; Sewell, 45 yards'f Stephenson, 6Q.b m yards ; Webber, 50 yards ;-Dowd,. 40y'ards$ i Clarke, 70 yards.Forbes, 60 yards ; O'Hare, [ 40 yards. - "' Ja*Z&-

THE REGATTA.

The regatta to-morrow promises to be more}; I successful than any of its predecessors. This is j t not a remark prompted by the tenden-jj;/I universally ascribed to the press to puff up | li the present at the expense of the past, but i is the result of observation Aoi the great-pM-1 || parati'ons being made on all sides for the**- 1 ■ event. Barring the. rowing, which, as we | said a day or two ago, .seems to have gone to pot in Auckland, and seems somore ..pars t> ticularly now when it is-stated that only j, two crews can be found .to Trow fbr a*priie"i H of £40, half of which by-the-bye is given by one of the contesting crews as an inducement I for the other to enter—barring the1 rotsdng matches .the various events will be ; f6iigl» fa out by large fields .oil competitors', j&& amongst boats, nearly every one of which i h|^ gained a reputation which it wiliJd0 iit|^be?f I not to lose. During the last few days the scene- I at the wharf, from four till six, has»beett*|n: imated. Not only have yachts by ; the J3 ?bte been .visible trying their hew -s® or gear on the bosom of the ■'.; -Wait* | mata,. but on the beach jon; either iano were to.he seen keeled over for thepurfiw' | of having their bottoms scraped and cleaned | crafts of all sorts and sizes, from the fishing boat to the schooner. -Here men $.!s(?■ 1 work fitting out a new yacht, the appearand.!. 1 and points of which gave a fertile topio1" comment to a dozenlookers-oU; ? tliere a | new itopsaiL was :b'ei_j^^tried,o the^agag^ I new topsail yard. Then it is instructiyeiw;,. I watch the different dodges being resorteW*' ■ which are popularly supposed, eohsisteW/ with fairness, to hasten a yes'sej'si p»°& through the water. The advantages#|| |. black-leading the bottom and: sides .jS$ esiJ| | be most generally" conceded, ' ahd.ja gje*' P many of the • yachts have been subjectedi w* this singular method of preparation^ 1 ;^A New Zealand Shipping' Company have,rpp% the fine' clipper ship 'Hindostan aI , j the disposal of the committe for a .tif_ *>&>," r and it will be moored in the'''stream dU',.'f ne 1 end of the wharf. The steamer.! K^y will run, trips up and down the h^bou* during the day at cheap fares, so that i portnnity will be; afforded ,the'.!;p„!WJg , | following the races. As'the entriesi^Sl | received till between half-past sevenWg, oiclock to-nightj we; shad'not be ;sWMm § to review the several events.with ahy.iapM j picking out the winners. -We .may,}* o*'0 *' ever, without implicating ourselvea yg*d deePly, give the names of the'probable,?^.. | tries of some of the more important ra«u. j and offer a few suggestions to those';W" I without knowing much about boats or» _. ■ ing, like to have a " fancy " for /each 3p§|| In all contests except .that i Wf.f.L;', 1'? smallest yachts, a time allowance of ISi BB ';. per ton ia made. ' For'theYfivstrft^.S^l | is open to brigantines, s^ooner*. , -.'"I ketches of 25 tons and over, there are MMWi | be - about■ half-a-ddzeh ' entries. i- . will include the Olio, ketoh, (tot ye«* T I

fHE wmmmm ah, Wednesday, *tahttai_ _81874



i p_n r_nn *■E - T timbee JL 0\J 9 \J\J\J fsl -.- 1. -. n FOX, SALE, AT MY YARDS, t . GOVERNMENT wharf, ONEHUNGA.' •^'>'-. dJAMES *W. W/iLLER.x.;.; f\ tTi ; A U. ' T ti ,' ; . I. ,0,, : N •L S 0 N'S TOMATO S A UC E. Connoisseurs pronounce this Sauce"'to be the' BEST for general use in households, and, in con sequence, of its.high reputation; som* unprincipled persons have been induced to Collect Empty Bottles bearing the manufacturer's' name stamped thereon, and pass the same offias:*'Olson's Universal Tomato Saucel" The. proprietor, has inconsequence causes, his TRADE ..MARK to. be Registered; under the provisions of the'"Trade Marks Act, 1866,"'and: proceedings will be taken against such persons as may forge or counterfeit such mark. The public are cautioned to . , ... ASKYEOR OLSON'S SAUCE, A and-see that the name is Stamped. oh Bottle and: stopper, and -wrapped ■ round with ', his well-known', abgl. * '"' *'; >' A\ :',\.. :.;;;"■,,,.' |*o ;■; INSURANCE.^i»i '7.I.',.-. THE NATIONAL FIRE AND MARINE INSURANCE'COMPANY; OF NEW ~.,-, Y. ZEALAND' ".-."; '.'*»'. : i ..* 1 "PEOTECTS , Insurers against Loss -t from either Tire, or Sea disasters at Lowest Rates of Premium*.' •' '' * : Advantageous, arrangements can be made whereby "Wool-growers and'others can have their' Clips' covered from Sheep's back through to London. Open Policies are issued by this Comuany covering Merchandise to any amount to New Zealand and | Australian ports, saving both trouble and expense to insurers. By a,simple /plan also Importers can Insure in' Auclkland Merchandise coming to them;from United Kingdom, and all settlements in event of loss can be made with the office here, thus avoidingthe vexatious delay attendingiadjustnient's in England. ■' Auckland Branch Offices: 25, Queen street. „q : , .. YY V ;: ANDREW* G. MILLAR,; ".. ?' . . ■~_■ ;.• Local Manager > pi HRI S T M.A S , H,,0 ; L ID AY S, -' ;-'iJu-\: Vj'g.bis g __avb :<&7cq7 7: Are now holding their usual C H E A P , 1-( _ ;A ' L •;■ IST 'At _. '\ A "■ V. (•') "A 0 V; J J A. A 4 s, _ ... | ,„oe, . DRAPE,R V & fi LOTHIN G ( > At their Premises . i : a i :\ t '.-,. ok /. :•> a it :;i >i CANADA BUILDINGS. '! THE . S,A L^E.'.lS'.N'p'V.,©^,,-,- , ;S (JI , til . And will continue during the I *_ ,■'. * -_ CHEIST MA S H0 L I D?AT S. J. dOSGRAVE &. cor a v ''" ' AJ Queen street.;;. ■' 1 [Established 1864.] ir/i pv ST E R HEN S0 N & COi ■>_' CELEBRAT"_D COF PEES,: V -'•EXHIBITION BRAND" :'* " ; "EAGLE BRAND" i VCROiWN BRAND." !.-' ! ' Are to be procured at all respectable Grocers and Stoeekebpeks. throughout the' Province of Aiiek and. ' , n '■';' ;'; .. . , J). SIT EPHE NS 0 N & CO. W Y'N D H A M . SJT _;E.E _.'.','''' ' ' - AUC£L _ X if



CT A T H A T S J SUMMER HATS j AT REDUCED PRICES. j ~,. IN . ORDER TO EFFECT A J CLEARANCE j I RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN have decided to Sell the Balance of their Summer .! Stock Children's and Ladies' Straw Hats at COST PRICE. A Great Variety to.select from. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN (LATE R. HOLES), Wholesale and Retail Dp ArEKS,.CLOTniEEs,_c JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, • . • (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Queen -biv.eet, Auckland.



THE YACHTSMAN'S DREAM. He sleeps not softly, for he dreams Of yachts and seas where summer beams, And views in fancy all the yachts, And through his glass his favorite spots. He rolls upon his pillowed bed, And walks in dreams upon his head ; He sees the Waitemata shine, All, there the/are, all in a line: . -'. I know them —know them every one,— With sails outspread beneath the sun, All Nature smiles in glad array : She knows'tis our Eegatta-Day. He starts. Ah! there the yachties go, They really form a splendid show. ,\-,\\ There dashe3 on the foamy Spray ; There Fleeiwiko, wingless, flies away ; The Winona is in the wind, The Mystery not far behind. The TE_rpr.,Aß with his iron sides, The watery way in two divides ; Sabtuna's trimmed, like some fair girl, There floats tint small Waiheke Pearl. And yonder gleams the Morning Star Out in the springing stream afar. And there's the silent Contraband, = ' With neither weed nor grog on hand; And there the KNKtuiy upsweUs i Like Nature in her violet-de 1'«. < All in a line the vessels gleam. And form the restless yachtman's f'ream Who starts at morning's earliest ray. On Auckland's fair Kegatta day, : . | And sm-'ling, boldly bets a pin, That Ills own favourite yacht, will win.