SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER-This evening, 7.24 ; to-morrow mom ng, 7.41

SUN .*El' This eveniDg, 5 23. SUN KlSE—To morrow morning, 6 44. MOON'S AUE—Full moon. 17th inst, 1.13 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

wtar ot the South from •• aj.ier and the Soulh lona, s.B, (Carquhar from Tauranea Ghmps <, barque, Martin, from Newcastle Mary Melville, schooner, from Lyttelton

DEPARTURES.

Pretty Jane, as. fnr Giboine aud Napier Wave, brie, forKaipara Acadia, schooner, lor Napier via Mercury Bay

'PROJK rTFD T>»PAKTI"BES. For the South—T«ranaki, 21st inst: Taupo, 21st For London- Rob'ra Thinlop, barque, early For Levuka—Prospector, barque, 25tli inst

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Alumbagh, ship, VNJG from London ; sailed May 9 John Ronnie, ship, VT6Q, Irom London; sailed

May 11 Dover Castle, ship, NOTE, from Belfast; sailed 23th

May Carisbrook Castle, ship, HLWB, from Belfast sailed June 8 Columbus, barque, KVHE, from London ; sailed

Bth June City of Auckland, ship, from London , White Eagle, ship. CJSOW, from London, early Ocean Mali, ship, from London British Empire, ship, from London Prince Alfred, barqueniine, from Lyttelton, early Helen*, brigantine, from Dunedin, early Nightingale, brigantine. from Melbourne, early Behring, barque, from Sydney, eariy Lretitia, s hooner, from v arotorga Edith, schoorer. from the Islands, early KenilwoTth, schooner, from Noumea, early Peerless, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early

IMPORTS.

Per Magellan Cloud from Chatham Island : 310 sheep, 3G bales fungus, 72 barrels beef, 3 casks pork, 3 casks lard.—G. W. Binney, agent.

The schooner Acadia left last night for Napier via Mercury Bay. Thr e.s. Star of the South an ived last night from Napier end Southern porfs. Passengers—Saloon : Messrs Blarkmoove, Corbett. Levi, and Murray. Steerage: Messrs Alngar, Boomes, Wilson, Baillie, Erglarid, and Willis. The b.s. Pretty Jane left last night for Gisborne and Napier with a general cargo and a few pas sengers The Magellan Cloud it appears left the Ohatbams on the Oth inst, and had rattier a rough passage. Passengers : Mr and Mrs Briscoe and daughter. After putting outhershpep and cattle at Kohimarama, she came up harbour this morning to discharge the remainder of her cargo.

The following notes of vessels '-spoken" appear in the Liverpool Mercury of June 20, mpplied to us by Mr H. B. BraithwaitP :—Carisbvooke Castle, bound from Belfast to Auckland, on June IC. in lat 43 "*, long, 10 W. ; Maggie of Napier, XZ., June IS, in lat 36 N.; long, 18 W. ; Mataura, of Glasgow, from Otago for London, June 19, lat 44 N.; long. 28 W. The schooner Elsinore cleared out to-day for Kus sell with 2000 feet (timber, 5000 shingles, and 1 sack grain. The harque Freetrader cleared oat to-day for Ho^art Town in ballast.

The ketch Fannie Kelly is to leave at once for Wangapoa. See has on boaTd two tons flour. >

BIRTH.

MANN.—On Sunday, the 15th instant, at Princes- Btreet, Auckland, the wife of Thomas Mann of a daughter, still-born.

DEATHS.

McNAMARA. — On the 16th instant, John Scott McNamara, at his residence, Mechanic's Bay, after a long and painful illness, aged 56 years. The funeral -will take place at 3 o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday), the 18th instant. Friends please accept this invitation.

GILLIS.—On the 16th instant, Robert GiJlis, late oj the Thames and Hamilton, aged 30 years The funeral will leave tne Provincial Hospital, Auckland, to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon, at 4 o'clock. Friends •will please accept this intimation. O'BRIEN. —On .the 16th instant, at Onehunga, after a painful illness, Thomas O'Brien, aged 75 years..

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17, 1875

T«r th* csuse that lack.< assistance, for tlin wrong that needs resl.tiam, ? 9r thu fmture in the distance. AmA tbo sreod that we caa <ia.

The battle of the Abolition Bill isTnow began. The defenders of the people's rights, so far as Auckland is concerned, have been assured of popular sympathy, which is ever a support to, unflinching courage and determination. The Special correspondent of the Cross, on the other hand, expresses the determination of the Ministry. Says he to-day from Wel lington: "Government have made up their" minds to fight to the bitter end. They have nailed their flag of 'No Sur render' to the mast." Then be ib so. We accept the gage of battle. We have no doubt that our representatives who have taken their stand in resistance to the Government will be staunch to the cause they have espoused, and will show as dogged determination as can be maintained by the brutal and tyrannical crew who,

relying on their numbers, thus hurl con temptuous defiance at the people. But if they fail—and failure at all times is possible —if they fail our course is clear. And we feel confident in saying that the people of Auckland will meet defiance with defiance, and face the Government hand to hand and foot to foot; and if the Abolition Bill is carried, and our representative institu tions are taken violently away despite the protests of our people and their plead ings for delay and time for consideration, we shall call on Auckland —aye and our call will be responded to, to abolish the Custom House. We have not the least idea of the fitness of our paying three hundred thousand a year to our enemies, to be twitted with our beggarly position, and to have our wishes on a matter of so grave concern as the breaking up of the Constitution replied to by threats of " nailing colors to the mast." We need not tell the people of Auckland that the General Government have no means of coercing them to anything opposed to the popular wish. We do not hesitate to say that there could be rallied in Auckland a thousand men, armed and roady for the defence of the Constitution, and who would resist to the death the revolutionists that attempt to violently rend in twain the Con stitution of a free people. If our people are but united*, the Government may hector and bully as it will, but it would pause before the armed rising o a determined people. Far be it from us to counsel any act of violence, but we think our people should know what they can do if compelled to passive resistance to arbi trary and tyrannical action. Auckland should remember that her Custom-house provides a large portion of those sinews of war without which the bravery of the Government would soon evaporate. We shall regret if the neces sity arrives, but if the passing of the Aboli tion Bill is followed by the locking of the doors of our Custom - house, the throwing - open of every bonded store and the scuttling of the Eingleadcr, we can afford to let the Government colours flutter at the mast-head. With Auckland a free port, and with a thousand or so of armed citizens ready to muster at bugle call, we can passively endure this threatened "fight-, ing to the bitter end." As we have said we hope it will not come to this. But in con sidering the position, the people should know their strength and that they have the key of the position in their hands. This talk of " fighting to the bitter end '> may have more in it than was intended by the writer. Popular wrath is more easiJj roused than laid, and we do not hesitate to say that if the Government ssow the wind they will reap the whirlwind.

We saw in the Herald yesterday morning that Mr. George Jones, jun., says that the telegram which appeared in the Wellington Post maligning the meetings at Parnell and Newmarket, and bearing his name, "was neither written by him nor under his in structions." Poor creature, nobody charged hm with anything of the sort. That he has an opinion on any political subject, or could express such in intelligent language, would not be charged against him by his worst enemy. In this telegraphic business, as in the whole rOIe which he fulfils, his name only is used. The writer of this present paragraph can testify from personal observation that tele grams of the most untruthful character, bearing the name of "George Jones, jun." and maligning and misrepresenting the people of Auckland have been received and published successively in Wellington during the past six weeks aa " Special," chiefly in the Tribune, and occasionally in the_ Post. Jones has only b?en used as a tool in the matter by those who keep him foribeir pur pose, and that he should not be made even aware when or how his name is used by his owners i?, we presume, not contrary to the terms of contract. It is a pitiable posi tion,! anfl f°r a man ouce l^ed and respected must be very painful. We have no doubt; that similar telegrams, I and from the some source, have been received in Wellington and published as " cpecial from Auckland," to the effect that last Saturday's meeting iv the Mechanics' did not represent public feeling. This is the kind of thing Auckland has to contend against at the hands of those whose interests lie in the defence of all that is corrupt and inimical to the inte rests of the people. Poor Jones is to be pitied rather than blamed. His part in these things is a very minor one.

la replying to Mr Husk's letter in yester day's ?tak, a correspondent-signing A.B.C. thus writes: —"Mr Lusk states that the present very unfair Education rate will stand good when the Provinces are abolished. Hb however omitted to state that that would be the case only until the obnoxious Act was repealed by the General Assembly, which of course it would be at once, on a petition being sent, as free education for those who cannot afford to pay is, as it should be, provided for by the General Government." Our correspondent knows all aboufc it ; much more than does the General Government itself or any other man. For every one else knows perfectly well that the General Go vernment would do nothing of the kind. The Education Bill, introduced by the present Go vernment into the Colonial Parliament, gave the option to the provinces to select either a household equal rate, or a household varj ing rate for education ; but did not contemplate providing a farthing from the general revenue for the education of the poor, or anybody else. And the present Abolition bills con template exactly the same. The Govern ment; express the intention of simply accepting the provisions for the support of education as they exist in the laws of the several provinces, which means the continu ance of the present education tax. But our correspondent knows better than the Govern ment. He is evidently one of those who believe in the golden visions of Major Atkinson. Nay, he goes farther, and anticipates more than even the gallant Major dared to promise. Cur correspondent believes also in the power of petition. "Of course," he says, "the obnoxious Ac!; would be repealed at once on a petition being sent." Of course it would. Not a doubt of it. They just do that sort of thing down there ; they do.

Some four or five years ago Mr. Alexander Wilson, a. native of the land of Burns and Scott, purchased several acres of land at Woodside. People cried "Pshaw," a mis take, bad land, no good ; but Mr Wilson had made the venture and could not. well with draw from the' step he had taken. Both Mr Wilson and his eons-worked hard to clear and cultivate the land^ and it now presents as pretty a response to the silent call of well directed industry as the heart could possibly wish to experience. Mr. Wilson's strawber ries and potatoes have already won a name, and for fruits and vegetables generally, he is among the formest of local garde:aers on a small scale and deserves honorable mention. His pears, brought into town, are of a fine quality and the earliest in the market. It is customary to praise the glos3y outside and forgeb the inner work of a man, we are in clined to hold with Carlyle that "work is worship" in a certain sense, and the man who reclaims the waste, even though it originates in a sort of selfishness, cannot fail in being a public benefactor.

Professor Cope's second grand entertain ment will take place this evening in the City Hall. A splendid programme has been provided for the occasion as will be seen in our third page of advertisements. A host of talent will appear, consisting of the leading musicians and vocalists of the province.

The Alpha Lodge of Free Gardeners meets this evening.

The Fakir of Oolu continues to attract public interest in his remarkable perform ances at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and the audiences apptar rather on the increase" than the decrease. Last evening the house was crowded,and somenewfeaturesof absorb ing interest were introduced which were greatly successful. These were tho very clever "facial changes" by Miss Silvester, and the grand seating act by the brothers Silvester. These were immensely successful ami created immense cheering. The representations of previous programmes were also repeated and approved, such as '• Anoetos," the entranced lady in her representative characters, and the silver fountain. All these scenes were thoroughly enjoyed by the enthusiastic audi ence. On Saturday next, by special desire, Dr. Silvester will give another matinee in th.9 interest of the children. During the course of his remarks last evening Dr. Silvester explained for the informa tion of his audience what it cost to be a Fakir. He said he paid £2,500 in London for advertising alone. In connection with this he told one very good story. He had previously been performing as Dr. Silvester, but wished to become known under the title of the Fakir of Oolu. He went to the Lon don Times office where he was already paying £50 an insertion for a long advertisement, and asked what would be the cost of a " liner."' To the uninitiated, we may explain that "a liner" is a bold line along the margin of the paper. The manager refused to give him it on any terms. He said he should have it, and they said lie should not. His next move was to arrange by paying a penny a copy to all the leading nfiws agents in London, through whom the Tomes was circulated, for permission to stamp on the "liner" on all their papers before they were issued. Everything was got ready and in half an hour many thousand of copies were circulated bearing the Fakir's adver tisement. Of course there was a row about it and this only added to the celebrity already gained by the Fakir who had thus earned that oriental title which he has re tained ever since.

The Auckland Temperance Drum and Fife Band held its annual variety entertainment last evening in the City Hall. The band played several selections from "Martha" and Como quadrilles with spirit and liveli ness. The principal reading of the evening was the "Drum and Fife Gazette," a series of humourous pieces strung together, which caused much amusement. The " Charge of the Light Brigade," from Tennyson, was ably recited by Mr A. Smith, and deservedly aplauded. Miss Jessie Woods sang " Eulalie," " Call me not back from tho echoles3 shore," and another in answer to a recall in very sweet style. The " Privateer," by Mr Harding, was finely rendered, and the "Deatb of Nelson," by Mr Ryan, was a masterpiece of execution. Mr W. Doran gave " After me, " and the " Temper ance Band," in a very pleasing manner. The double song and dance by the brothers Mettam brought forth a storm of applause from the youthful part of the audience. Mr O'Hare gave two Irish comic songs in character. Miss Hertz sang a pretty sentimental song with much fading " Don't be angry." Two farces, "First round for John," and " Who died first?" in which Mr P. Doran appeared conspicuously, and two performances on the banjo with accompanying sonas rather tamely sun# by Mr Gouch, with "God save the Queen " by the band con cluded a very agreeable entertainment. To-morrow evening the members of the Eden Terrace Lodge will hold an annual tea meeting in the Temperance Hall, Albert street. Tho programme of the evening will be found to contain many interesting literary pieces, besides a number of songs and poems. The musical part includes vocal and instru mental solos, duets, glee 3, and choice selec tions from the great master of melody. Several gentlemen have consented to deliver short speeches in order that nothing shall be too loDg for the patience of listeners, and that the entertainment shall be as varied as possible. We understand that the Eden Terrace Lodge has made good progress since its establishment, and has been the means of personal reformation in numerous instances. Mr. Peachy has called at our office this morning to correct a statement which ap peared in our issue of last night, to the effect that he came to the colony with the late Mr. Duder, in the Buffalo, in 1840. Mr. Peachy arrived in New Zealand long before the "Buffaloes" whom he regards as mere new-chums. We understand that several of the " Buffaloes " are still living.

The public tea meeting and anniversary entertainment in connection with the United Methodist Free church, will be held this evening ; Rev. G. H. Turner in the chair. Mr. Coupland will deliver an address on Co operation, and Messrs Wood, French, Parker and Hemus will follow on subjects more immediately in connection with Sunday school work.

The St. James's entertainment in connec tion with the Sunday-school of the place will be held this evening at seven o'clock. The programme evidences great care and is very choice in the selections.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Messrs Dargaville and Cosgrave,

Justices.)

THE UNIVERSAL ERROR.,

John Eussell, alias Lord John, Duncan Livingstone, John Harvey, alias Long John, and James Crowther were severally charged with being drunk and fined 5a each. BESSIE, THE BEAUTIFUL. Elizabeth Kennedy, once known as the beautiful, was charged with being drunk. Bessie acknowledge her error, and on the payment of a fine of 10s and costs was allowed to go home. "A QUID FOR MATE." George Nott was charged with a breach of the Prison Act, by dropping a plu£ of tobacco among the prisoners at Mount Eden gaol, on the 16th inst. Prisoner, a mere youth, pleaded guilty. Mr Broham said the lad belonged to the Lutterworth, and was anxious to give his mates some tobacco, who were in prison. The boy did not appear to be conscious of doing wrong. The Bench discharged the prisoner with a caution. fred's big Doa. Fred Lincoln appeared to answer for the conduct of his dog, " Wellington," who was found barking in an enclosure without a collar on the 12fch inst.

Mr Keatley appeared for defendant, and stated that he scarcely knew how to plead ; his clients dog he believed was found without a collar whining after his master who had gone to one of his estates at Coromandel. As soon as it was found that " Wellington" was collarleas, a properly numbered collar was immediately procured for him. He hoped, therefore, that these circumstances would be duly considered by the Bench. The Bench ordered a fine of 2a. 6d. and costs. A BLAZE OVERHEAD. William Lestrange was summoned for allowing his chimney to catch fire on the 12th insfc. Defendant deposed that his chimney had caught fire, there being extra cooking in the kitchen that day. The Bench fined him 53. and costs. Defendant : I can't pay it your Worship. I've got a bad hand, and am unable to work. Cant pay. The Bench having ascertained that the de fendant was in very poor circumstances, re mitted the fine.

Defendant: Thank ye, your Worships.' I'll go home and sweep my chimney at once. Another Milkman Fined. William C. Campbell was summoned under the Adulteration of Milk Act with selling milk and water to Constable Graham on the sth inst. Mr Thorne appeared for defendant, and stated that the article was sold as a mixture and not as pure milk ; he would admit that the milk was adulterated with water. Constable Graham deposed that he wa3 in the habit of taking milk in the morning with his coffee ; he took in his usual quantity off a boy in the employ of defendant and told him he intended to take it to the analyist; he bottled it up in proper form and conveyed it to the office for analyzation. Mr. James Tunny, local analyist, deposed that he analyzed the sample brought by Constable Graham on the sth inst., and found that it contained 40 per cent of water ; that would be at the rate of 100 quarts of milk and 40 quarts of water. Godfrey Tate, servant to Mr. Campbell, supplied Constable Graham with the milk, but was certain he said nothing about going to the analysts ; he believed he spoke to Mr Campbell later in the day. To Mr. Thorne: He was not asked to accompany the constable to the analysis. He told Mr Graham that it was a mixture, and the fact was stamped on the milk pail (introduced). People would not pay the price for new milk, which was eight-pence per quart. After a good deal of examination and cross-examination, the Bench expressed an opinion that the stamping on the pail was not sufficient notification.

•Tames A. Campbell deposed that he had no hand in the matter. He was simply a purveyor of the article to a portion of the in habitants of City West, and not one of the firm.

Constable McGrath deposed that he dealt largely in milk, and got it pure of his milk man at Mount Eden for fivepence a-quarfc. Mr< Ihorne compared the statements of Constable Graham and the lad Tate, and asked the Bench to dismiss the case.

The Bench did not hold with mixing water with milk, as water in many parts of the city was bad, and very injurious to small stomachs, and under the circumstances they must impose a fine of £;"> and costs.

The Mikado's Voyage

A LETTER FROM A PASSENGER.

Honolulu, July 23, 1875. It was suggested to me before leaving that I drop you a few lines on our trip. As you know on the 9fch of July we left yonr wharf in the s.s. Mikado, bound to San Franciso. We had on board some seventy or eighty passengers, the great majority from Austra lia and the Southern ports of New Zealand. We left under the most favourable auspices, lovely weather, a smooth sea, and a good sea boat under us. Going down the harbour all were enraptured at the beautiful scenery on cither side of the Waitemata. As several gentlemen missod their opportunity to get ashore before the steamer cast off, the pilot boat was pretty well loaded down when, with the pilot, she casit adrift from us off the Heads. We steamed out through the gulf, and by the time we got to the Barrier we. all having had a snirT of old Neptune, felt a gnawing coming up from the inner man as if there was a vacuum there, and the ding of the dinner bell was to us a welcome sound. In haste we all " go"' for the saloon, where everything is chaos and confusion, each one endeavouring to look after No. 1, and obtain for himself or herself a good seat, for be it known that even in the choice of seats at a saloon table on board of a passenger ship there is at all times a preference. The stewards are all doing their "level'1 best to seat the passengers, but slow progress is made, for of course every one wanted to choose for himself, but after half-an-hour of hard labour on the part of the waiters all the passengers were seated (of course all were not satisfied, as th»t would be impossible), and to work we went. The way the good things of this life were put out of sight must have struck consternation in the heart of Mr Gifford, our gpnial and at all times courteous and obliging chief steward. Dinner over, all adjourned to the deck, when making the acquaintance of one another was the order of the day. We found a very motley gathering cf gentlemen and ladies from all the colonies, .Sydney and Melbourne merchants retired from business, having made their little pile, en route for the old country, with their families, to spend there the money they had made in the colonies. We had young students, fresh from school, and young clerks, just let loose for the first time in their life, travelling for their health ; men on business, and men with no business at all ; doctors, lawyers, trades men, politicians. In fact, all professions and trades seemed to be represented. As to the ladies, we had wives hunting their husbands, grass and other kind of widows. We had also, travelling to her home in America, that genial and accomplished, and of course hand some young actresa, Miss May Howard ; and as for children—well, Mark Twain says that in Constantinople dogs were so numerous that they laid around in the streets in squads, people having to step over them every seven or eight paces. Well, just say children instead of dogs and you have some idea of the number of youngsters we had with us. We had a Bplendid send-off, the weather simply being charming, the Pacific having evidently donned her holiday costume, and was oh her best behaviour. A fresh and invigorating breeze accompanied us right to Honolulu, though the latter part of the voyage it was ahead, but that even had its benefits, for it kept our ship cool even on the line. We sighted Eoa Island on the fourth day out, and Tutuilla on the seventh day. At Tutuilla a canoe came alongside manned by the Islanders dressed—well, not dressed at all, —the sight of whom sent, with consternation, our lady passengers into the captain's saloon, from which place they gazed on nature only through the bars of the windows, albeit the bars were at least four inches apart. I don't think they were look ing at the immodest natives, although I re member getting a pretty severe rebuke for standing in front of one of the windows, thus placing my immense carcase between the window and natives, bat as all good sights must have an enfl, so this did, and afcer obtaining some fruit, we resumed our journey. Nothing of any note occurred during the voyage. In the morning we amused ourselves scrambling andmanoeuvring to get a bath, having at times to wait hour 3 for one. Just fancy one bath on board, and mo fresh water allowed to wash in after, it was comfortable; but then I somehow or other always managed to get one. We were closely packed in our rooms; three people in a little 6x4 room—pleasant, wasn't it ? Our time was passed in playing quoits, chess, cards, singing, and music. Yes, we had some choice music, having fortunately ■ on board considerable talent, both amateur and professional. We had a concert and a ball, both of which was a gratifying sugcbss, the ball being the more interesting from the fact that the ship rolled tremendously. The passengers generally complained, and with good reason, at the meagreness of the the eatables—in fact the providore was evidently seeiDg how cheap he could feed us. I wish he had waited a trip before making the experiment. I think I heard tramways in Auckland talked about. Some of our American friends it appears have been stirring you up on the subject. Please have them in running order by the time I return. I wish I had something more interesting to write you, but the fact is our voyage has been without a single sensation ; noc even any scandal to talk about. To morrow week, I hope to b ( e in dear old 'Frisco, when you may expect to hear again from A Well Wisher.

Political Meetings.

ABOLITION MEETING AT PONSONBY.

Last evening, long before the hour fixed for meeting, a crowd" of ratepayers began to assemble around and in the Porsonby Hall to await the opportunity of expressing their views upon the great Constitutional changes now being for.ced upon the colony. Promptly at half-past seven o'clock the leading gentle men of &he district began to move towards the platform, and when the general con fusion had subsided, the Chairman of the district, J. A. Tole, Esq., was voted to the chair. Mr. Tole informed the meeting that it was for them-any man who was an electoi —to come forward to give his views regarding the measures under consideration. It was not for the Chairman to parade any particular views which he held before the meeting, but to get from the electors their views, and to give them a patient hearing. They should show that night by their voice and vote whether or not they accepted or rejected the Government proposals. Be trusted that each speaker that evening would have a fair hearing, and that good order would prevail throughout the whole. (Great cheering.) Mr Geo. Holdship was the first speaker, and after eagerly throwing off his over-coat, seemed prepared to do battle with the enemy, He said : Mr Chairman and Gentlemen,—l would have preferred to have waited till some other gentleman had opened the ball. (A. Voice: You are a gem.) I live among those who have free laws, and I have come this night to give my voice against the pas sing of the measure now before Parliament, which is a disgrace to any nation. (Cheers.) It is an attempt to force upon us that which no free people can accept, and we never shall accept it. (Cheers.) lam not come to ad vocate Provincialism against Centralism ; I am going to do nothing of the kind. lam here to tell you that we want a reform in the Constitution of New Zealand—and a sweep ing reform. And, now that we have been awakened, I hope we will stick toittill we get our rights. I submit the following resolu tion, upon which I will speak a few words : " That this meeting recognises the necessity of reform in the Constitution of the colony, and that it protests against the passing of the Abolition and Local Go vernments Bills till such time as the people have had opportunity to give their opinion at the general election." I hold that these two measures should not be passed upon any people before we know what we are to have instead. Jf the bills are passed we shall have a difficulty to get back what we now have. We know not how the money is spent. We have a stake in the country. We cannot get up at a moment's thought and clear out. What has the Pro vincial Government done? I cannot well tell that, but I know something of what the General Government has done. It has done more than it can ever undo. The speaker here went into a close examination of the financial statement, and dealt some hard blows upon the men who were perpetrating a series of blunders upon the country. He Rat down amidst loud and prolonged cheer ing. Mr Morton then came forward and seconded the resolution. He said if what was told them by the last speaker was true, and no doubt it wap, about tbe enormous expenditure of the Government, it was high time the people did something to show, that they as colonists would not bear it any longer. They had been wronged. They should not be too eager in their action, bnt at the next general election they should show the colony that they would return the right men to represent them. Mr Grattan, of Newton, came forward, and was same time before he could be heard in the general cheering that was going on. He said that they had been told by Mr Holdship that the Government paid £15 per head for all immigrants, and they were not worth it. He said they were not worth it, but if not worth it to the Government, they were worth to him, as a pubKoan, £30 per head. (Enormous cheering and stamping.) He was not for the Government. They should fight to the lant. Auckland harbour was good, and this was by nature the Empire City of the colony. They should determine to resist the new measure being rushed upon the colony. Mr. William Kirby came to the front at the command of the audience. He said : Gentlemen,— We are all here. We defy any man The laws of Sir George Grey cannot go from us. Whathns made England what she is ? It is the liberty of free speech. Can those billet-seekers at Wellington make laws ? We must raise our voice and defy our enemies. (A voice, "Speak out") I am speaking out, I defy any man. There hns been some dirty work here. (" Ob, oh.") There has, I say. Go to Sinclair's land sale, and you will see for yourselves. See how the Government does it there. There are a lot of land jobbers and hunters after places with their white belltoppers on—men who could scarcely change a sixpence. We will not have these new games and measures. We now raise our hands and voices against them.

Mr. A. Black was called. He came ah once at the bidding and said : Gentlemen, — This is the grandest scheme this country ever saw to ruin us. The devil we know is better than one "we don't know. Sir George Grey represents humanity at Wel lington, but the Ministry represent mutton. (Great cheers.) Those men. want to take away our liberties, but let us gather around Sir George, and let our watchword be "No Surrender." They are a lot of despots, and would rule us with iron ; but we shall not have it. They are a lot of lunatics. This scheme puts me in mind of the New York games—the rings there. Let us get an under taker for the Bill and bury it.

Mr N. Wood was received with cheers. He said that if: the people gave their voices to that Bill, they would be saddling them selves with a burthen and putting a millstone around their own necks. The measure was a despotic one. They could not find any measure like ib in old history. The people had in the House an old and independent nobleman, against whom no man could lay a charge. He might have remained in retirement and never bothered about their interests ; but he did not. He came out rgainst their foes and they must stick to him and protest with one voice against the great that was being done. They wished to be good subjects, but there had been revolutions before. The old lion in their British breasts would not stand it much

longer. There had been kings before who acted as despots, and in the long run their necks were bared at the block for their deeds. The people now appealed in a constitutional way, bub the time might come when sterner measures would be necessary. (Loud cheers.) Mr. D. Goldie said he expected to see some GoTernment supporter there, but not one had come forward. He proceeded to arge as one reason why the delay was necessary, that the people could not obtain an impartial 2 view of matters, and ought to hare an oppor [ tunity of hearing their members before pro- I nouncing on so large a question. He had

bought four papers to get at the exact state of matters and found them all different. The press of New Zealand was very largely under Government control, or was in other ways gag ged. Look at the Southern Gross, (tremendous howling and hooting.) When Mr. Vogel came out he thought the first step to success was to get control of the press, and. he bought the Southern Cross outright, and also acquired interests in several Southern journals. He had subsequently sold out of the Cross, but retained an interest, and that journal could not go against him. Mr Luckie (renewed groaning) was his ser vant and almost without exception voted with the Government. Then there was the Herald. (Groans.) It had been largely instru mental in bringing Sir George Grey from his retirement, andhad supported him but as soon as he began to attack the Bank of

New Zealand (groans and Hisses) ana some land-sharking, that paper turned round and denounced him (groanfj.) Then there was the Echo. (Uproarious howling, stamping, and groaning, which prevented the speaker from proceeding for seme time.) What did they find there? (A Voice: "Nothing at all, poor thing !") That paper had been started by J.S. Macfarlane to put down the Evening Star, because the Star had attacked the ring of land-jobbers. (Groans.) What could they expect frcm it but a support to a measure aiming a deadly blow to the rights of the people? Then there was the ISvening Star. (Loud and general applause, mingled with a few hisses.) The Star was the only really independent paper in Auckland, but it was fiubtina against such loug orids that it might perhaps run a little too much on the opposite side. Mr. Goldie proceeded to comment on the corruption of the House of Representatives. He said that actually offering to sell votes was common. Their member (Mr Swanson) had told him that, on cne occasion, a man came into his room and locked the door, and said he would not go out till be got his vote. Wheieupon Mr Swanson pulled off his coat, and eaid if that was what he meant they should soon see about it. (Cheers and laughier.) Against these devices of their enemy, they must re turn good men at the next election. Mr Masefield was called upon, and agreed with all that had been said. He thought to see opposition, but there was none. The Government supporters were afraid to face that meeting. An effort had been made to represent this as a question of Provincialism against Centralism, but it was nothing of the kind. It was a question of justice ; they demanded justice, and would have it at any cost. The Chairman then read the following telegram from Mr W. Swanson, member for the district : —

Received your tel-grjm. Considering it my duty, sent copies <>f the Local Government and Abolition Bills as soon as printed, to every chairman ki the Hewton district If Oovernmnnt proposals are good, the more they are examine'! tlu: better they mil be liked The rights to ba gir-n up are substantial The price seems to me likely to vanish soon, even if it can be gasped for a single year If Ministers can do what they promise what h*s become of all the money? There ought to be, by their own shewing from £40,000 to £60,000 in their hands, as our share of the surplus revenue. Why has this not been paid ?—I think w* could find use for it. If jou read this to any friends or at any meeting, let it be understood that Ispt-ak as »n elector < f Newton only Here as your representative, I uiall act to the best of mv abiiitv. I may change my mind with alteriDg circumstances If Ido so, 3t shall tele?r h ph such chunee In the meantime lam determined to do wh>-'. in me Mrs to prevent those, or any such measures from becoming law, until the people have had their say in the matter.—Wm. Swai-sokt."

(Loud cheers). The motion was then put and carried without a dissentient voice, amid much applause.

The Chairman also read the following telegram received by Mr G. M. Pt,eed from Sir George Grey :—

Thank you for your teleprram announcing glorious triumph at Auckland meeting. If the mother state bo true to herself, she will once more lead the public opiniou of the colony.

(Tremendous applause.) The Chairman made a few telling remarks on the importance of this question to young men and contrasted the experience of the men who opposed the Government proposals with the inexperience and standing of those in their favour.

On the motion of Mr W. G. Rees it was resolved to forward the resolutions to the member for the district and thanking him for his action.

Three hearty cheers for Sir George Grey, and a vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings.

MEETING AT OTAHUHU.

Dutiing yesterday afternoon it became some what generally known in Otahuhu that; a political meeting of Franklin electors was to be held at seven o'clock in the Criterion Hotel. Considerable indignation was felt and expressed at the fact that though Otahuhu has a public hall, a meeting of the important electoral district of Franklin should be calied in a public-hoase. The result was that a number refused to attend. Later in tho evening it also became geneially known thau the meeting was convened by certain General Government supporters, who were suspected of having arranged the meeting as above, in order the more effectually to carry their point, but the "best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglee," for the free and inde pendent electors, who discovered the mare's nest, set vigorously to work, and after agree ing to attend contrary to their former resolu tion, they agreed also to oppose the Aboli tionists, and if possible get the meeting ad journed to the Public Hall. Although the appointed hour was seven, it was fully half past seven o'clock before the groups of elec tors walked into the large room, a few re maining outside in hopes of the adjournment being carried. Mr Vercoe, chairman of the Mangare Board and convener of the meeting, was voted to the chair.

Mr Woodward proposed the following mo tion—" That this meeting cordially approves of the proposals contained in the Abolition of Provinces Bill, and is of opinion that the colony will derive a great and lasting benefit from the same." He begged to contradict a report he heard in Otahuhu, that the meeting was got up in an antagonistic spirit to Sir George Grey. He considered that the altered circumstances of the province called for a change. He had read Messrs Staines and Company's (the Auckland orators') speeches, but had not been sfcruc k with their strength of argument. Sir George Grey loved to speak of the beau tiful fabric he had reared, which is now being demolished, consideringit to be the basis of our liberty. Mr Woodward thought as a people, we could keep and defend that without Pro vincial institutions. He believed Sir George Grey would return to Auckland a staunch abolitionist. He believed that precious few of the benefits . resulting from. Provincial administration had ever reached as far as Otahuhu. He placed great faith in the pro mises of the General Government, who had given $50,000 a year as grants to Road Boards. [Mr de Jtiose : Tney impounded our capitation money] (Laughter.) Mr Woodward dis puted that by passing the Abolition Bill it confirmed the land fund of the South. He would imitate a time-honoured custom, and cast a sod on the grave of departed Pro vincialism.

Mr Plumley read a letter from the Public Works Office, Wellington, informing the Board that as they: did not make their own station road, the General Government would kindly do it for them, and charge them with the cost. (Ironical cheers.) Mr Plumley thought that very well represented the liberality of the General Government. After the cheering had subsided, Mr. Kerr proposed, and Mr. Luke seconded, that the meeting adjourn to to the public hall.—Carried.

Mr. Buttle thought the Government speeches, which he had either heard or read, were very weak. He thought the Bill did not propose to abolish the provinces, so much as to abolish the Superintendent and Council! He believed that all were of his opinion, that a Bill which was not understood by the people should not be hurried through the House. He proposed the same resolution as that carried in Auckland adversej to the' Government measures. He was afraid that the passing of the Bill might lose us Sir George Grey, and in his place would be Dr. Pollen, or Mr Luckie, or Mr Woodward, or some such, under whom we all should be worse off than ever. (Cries of "No " and " Yes.") Mr Buttle continued: We are not going to ruin our affairs, guided by such a sneaking dodge on the part of the Ministry. (Cheers.) The Chairman rose and stated that he would not sit and hear the Ministry charac terised as a sneaking lot. (After the uproar had subsided, Mr Buttle withdrew his remark.)

Mr Foley would second the amendment.

Henfi^nßTCßc^xofliT^vWo^W^fl^BßlP^ Chairman : Are you an elector. Mr Foley : Yes. In travelling through the country, he saw the greatest good had been done by the Provincial Government. He thought it a species of aristocratic robl bery to allow capitalists to buy up the land. Mr Troup stated : So much Government money bad been expended in Wellington, in establishing the seat of Government, it would be impossible for another change to take place. A Voice : Excepting they have an earth quake. (Laughter.) Mr Troup : Thank you, I did not think of that. He considered the Opposition which had risen to be the most powerful one ever raised up. He mentioned Mr Lusk as a prominent member of the same. He re ferred to the possible course of the Bill, iringing it before his esteemed friend Sir Fames Ferguson, who was expected. to be returned member for Ayr, in Ayrshire, Scotland. He further pointed out the direct interest his friend Sir J. Ferguson had in Few Zealand, having £50,000 lying between Batnarama and the Waikato. The nephew of Sir J. Ferguson was settled in this district and other relatives were on their way out. His friend Sir James he thought might justly be regarded as a colonist, and one having a sufficiently large stake in the country to en sure his earnest support in Parliament of any measure brought forward for the benefit' of the colony. Mr Troup lengthily dilated on the position of financial matters, and re ceived the most patient hearing yet accorded to any speaker in support of the Government measures. Mr Troup proceeded gravely to inform his hearers how the Government would pay certain monies to Auckland, the £1 out of the land revenue would easily be managed, as separate provincial land funds were kept. The Ministry would from the Canterbury land fund of £300,000 take away £100,000, and say hand over that sum to Auckland. (Laughter). The provincial land fund of Auckland would be debited with the amount, which would have to be repaid in twelve months. (Ironical cheering). Mr Troup here figured up the present available acreage of Auckland lands, and by including, the whole of the Maori territory in his calculation of the future avail able provincial lands, a very imposing total resulted. The 9,823,240 acres of land in the King country he ingeniously explained \ was simply waiting until the death of the Maori King to be drawn into the Govern ment grasp. (Laughter. Voice : How are you going to get all that ?) Mr Troup: When the King is dead, or the Maories die off which they are fast doing, thanks to the bid grog. Is that it, Mr Foley ? All that rich land will be ours. (Mr McGee : I beg to contradict it. Its the greatest dross out.) (Mr Buttle said Mr Troup made a few millions more of the general acreage than he could.) Mr Troup reckoned the Maori lands , as future Provincial capital to be acquired on the decease of the last Maori, and no be held at the present time as collateral security. Mr Troup asked the opposes of the Bill how' they could keep up Auckland financially if they rejected the measures proposed. Dr. Pollen would do nothing more for them. (Groans.) Wood had said there was money left in the Provincial chest for only six months. How will you get on without Government assistance? Mr McGee would answer him : Wait five years until the death of the Maori King, and then take the millions of acres of beautiful land Mr Troup had shewn lay awaiting seizure by the pro vince.—Great cheers and laughter.) Mr Troup would assure the meeting that they must be careful how they moved in opposing the Bill, for Sir Donald McLean had got his back up. (Hisses and groans.) The Go vernment would tUcarry the Bill and Sir Donald's Highland blood was up. (Renewed hisses and uproar.) (Mr Troup'g, photograph. of Sir Donald McLean with his back up, and his Highland blood boiling at Auckland people's opposi tion seemed to rise the back of the meeting, who continued thenceforth to manifest impa tience.) He did not attach great importance to the decisions of Auckland meetings as that city and suburbs had only a population of 20,000. The country districts had 50,000, added to which were the Maoris who if they understood the question, would give 80,000 more, thus the country population would be 80,000 against Auckland and suburb's 20,000.. Be hoped the electors would rally round his esteemed friend Stafford (groans.) Mr Lusk on stepping up to the platform was received with loud cheers, and after re plying in the affirmative to the question, WM he an elector of Franklvn, stated he had voted . J for eight years for the election of members. 'iHe proceeded to lay violent hands on the , ) weapons of Mr Troup, employing, not . only the arithmetical figures, but the figures ; of speech (as used by Mr Troup) to confound the ministerial supporters. Amid the cheers L and laughter of the audience, he kept a vivid , picture before them of the irascible Sir Donald McLean with his Highland blood up, . with frequent allusions to the province , waiting anxiously for the death of Mr Troup 8 , last Maori, convulsed the meeting with . laughter. _ ; Mr. Lusk conld not say, with Mr. Troup, I that he did not care what became of the , country, thougn he did not desire to im pute any bad motives to that gentleman^ <?r wish to imply that he was seeking a billet. [ With reference to the bill coming before feir i James Fergusson, he thought that before it I met th gaze of that sympathiser of New - Zealand, its features would be so altered as *. to be unrecognisable as the one now before '. the House. He perceived Mr. Troup was » , financial man, but he (Mr. Lusk) had not ? £50,000 to invest. (Mr. Troup : "-.No? have I.") The annual amount proposed tobe \ charged against the province was £42,0w. , The first charge against Otahuhu was the i little circumstance of the approach road to - the railway station, kindly undertaken by the Government to be paid for by the Board., \ (Ironical cheers.) He thought if twelve . millions were raised upon Mr. Troupes Maori acreage, he was afraid it would prove shaky security, as it depended on the death of the last Maori. (Koars of laughter.) He did not think that Canter ; bury or Obaeo would be so silly as to allow1 £100,000 to" be alienated from their chests to those of Auckland, the only security for repayment being the expiring breath of tfce last native of New Zealand. (Renewed cheers and laughter ) If the Bill passed there would be an 1875 repetition of the compact of 56. The plain English explanation of the ■unsuitability of the Bill was that the money was not forthcoming to fulfil its promises, and if it had been, he would like to know why it was nob available now and handed forth to be used for the good of the province. (Hear, hear.) Some viewed with roseate spectacles everything which was done at,., Wellington but he heard with regret OT certaia laDd transactions at the Waikato which the Government desired to compro mise. Certain clauses of the Local Govern ment Bill he considered of an extravagant character : Road Board elections entailing an expenditure of nearly £20, and a loss of two days to ratepayers. (Objection was here made to criticism on the Local Bill.) ' „- si Mr Wallace thought it a pity that alter the country had lived and prospered tor , \ more than twenty years, only as many days; were allowed the consideration of so great ■ C Mr3BLusk, continued: Are the settlers < tobe consulted. No! For why? Because Sir Donald's Highland blood is up. (Great uproar.) It is not whether a man comes here with 50,000 sovereigns or wit* 50,000 farthings. It is not a question w-hether blood is up, but ir *ne 8 itself right. (Prolonged cheers). lie flow ever would state that it got his blood opt? be faced with such a bill. He would oppose its obnoxious clauses line by line. ■(*?**** He would remind Mr Troup that there was such a thirig as Highland blood, wbga gets up, and will perhaps kill both bWf, {



THE COLONIAL BANK OF "MEW ZEALAND. Capita], £2,000,000; Subscribed Capital, £850,000 A Branch of this Bank, for the conduct of General Banking Business, is now open in the premises Queen-street, next the Insurance Buildings, and lately occupied by the National Bank. J. T. WARBEN", Branch Inspector. Auckland, 21st July, 1875. 81-ankets ! Blankets ! A LAKGE STOCK ON HAND, all Sizes, Purchased at Auction in an Over stocked Market, and to be Sold much below Regular Price. Blue Blankets from 11/8 per pair White Blankets from 12/ C per pair Also, Coloured Rugs, Counterpanes And Furnishing Goods of every description French Merinos Winceys Flannels Crimean Shirting Calicoes Hosiery of every description, &c. Boys' and Men's Clothing in great variety Witney Overcoats Macintoshes A Special Line of MACINTOSH COATS, sealskin lined, much below usual price. Lambswool Vests, Pants Crimean Shirts, Hats, Caps, &c. YE- Countryordcrs carefully and promptly executed RUSHBROOK & BEIDGMAN, [Late E. Hobbs], JVKCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Qxteest-stbeet, Auckland. CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND. Mails will Close as follows .— For Thames, this day, at 5.20 p.m., and tomorrow at 11 30 a.m. For WaDgMiui, per s.s. St. Eilda, to-morrov, at 8 a.m For Tauranga, per "Vincent, to-morrow, at 3 p.m For Wangarei, *c, Wangaroa, Russell and Moneonui, per lona. to-morrew. at 4 p.m. For Levuka, Fiji, per Star of the South, on Wednes day next, at 3 p.m. For India, China, Mediterranean ports, Continent of Europe, United Kingdom, via Suez and Southamp ton, and via Brindisi, per Taranaki, on Saturday, 21st in b tan t. S. B. 8183, Chief Poßtmaster. Professor Anderson used to perform some astounding tricks. We have, for instance, seen himponr several kinds of wine-apparently—out of the same bottle. But we know of far more wonder ful bottles than the Professor's. There is the njost positive testimony to prove that disorders of the Btomach, kidneys, and respiratory organs, fevers of an intermittent and remittent type, ana all diseases requiring invigorative treatment are cured by the agreeable contents of the bottles which hold Udolpho WoiiFß's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps.