■§Pv^_B^__r_7n__a._f: to * f^iS^SSjjrS-AOE: NewMiwn. Bth, Bam.

ARRIVALS.

_ i Xi-bftHaa, Wg, from " *•-sgi* »__«» O-t-ea .-..-hc>':er, tr m. H'.-k'.-ngj' \JF ' __W_. s bi.mr.rjr_, ;'^n^ 1 Onwaw- '!«-.ao"--er. from.rntu.ai_» f. . -:|f,,--^ 3 <_ tfi-er, from h-n-f-eU I L " Golden Isl^, scloocer, from Kussell

DEPARTURES.

#-

IMPORTS.

IK, ! P P r hrf_ ImMI-U, f«-m Newcastle :-390 tons coal, ? v ■ -,f?. V! i-„ "t q Wacfarlano and Co, agents. j -. -;r35J_ tons foie. —j.a. »~«a»ll*J- 1' I ;:%,- fflii ST. i-ffiDA ASHORE. ' The /ellowinf: celes/ram "was to-day received by I "- V;,:i_iv'Co-abesand Daldy;— I . ft ' ■ «"Wanganui, This Day. ' : i* Filda struck. Has discharged cargo, WiU ';^"_rat opportiuii'.y, of which advice will be "Wars t__St Eilda was to leave Wanganui for | Q ' ~ ?R_' 'm'Saturday night. It is probable she hns :!i ;'' ''■ r_ immediately after starting. It is evident ■W 'W-.'- »- ■'.'At-r ecraTn that «i d'-lay of a few days is all the . fence that is a&rn-hended from the accident. '!. ' . '■ \ gETP BUILDING ITEMS'. ":"- '"-WcNaußhtoTi is building in Freeman's - Vrfor Mr F'~gan, of Parnell. Dimen -4 ' •."'' " ' .'"":''lb of ke>\i'. 40 '>er ? breadth of beam, 16 ■a .. v . ', ■-^'"riold clear, 0 feet 2 Inches. The tim- H :.)__£, are „M act up, and the contract !| ***. ,'",.' ""'.''soiii-oieTion "on the Ist May. She has ii| ».:*,' ■-"--,-'JncdeTcte rise of floor. As a model liv-" , '»sr, \ ,vi_.(workman ship, she does credit to her | : r/: ii^beip'c built in Mechanics' Bay, by 1 . *-''ii,r,'"; r.'.r.l d for Captain James Con -1 . - ■/-' -^-jr-ms frr.d Brown are engaged on a new I _ -/ rt V'-'ii yard m Cnstom-house-street. Her -! « * <i >mJv laid last, week, but already good pro || .c *, n it d? m her framework. She shows '4 '■ "■»■>_■ folowing iripasr.rcrr.ents:—;"-2 feet length of keel, II S^feS'S mc;r-'ps"beam. 6 feet 6 inches depth of hold. 14 '...'.^r'^bei-p constructed for the builders them j'.v .';' 5"-i*4, j I TbvjU'-rqu* Helen has, to-day, entered jj;J ;. oi_.w!. r _ s f or H«ibart.To*n. j'J "/ fl're Vingnßtinc Coronet hauled off into |r -.: ,V-«ib-'Bti'*'«m"early this rooming, and was to I i SaJ +ii^ -,i-€>rroon for Tahiti and Rarotong* .'' -lie r/el niinarV euquuy in-o the lo_s of jV'., !* ih*>'v.: tterJiiTu-i Gray will he h»dd to-morrow f-T ' in p-iv.-ite bef re the Oolleotor of Customs, II ; ' and CVp'aifi Tilly, Nautical Assessor. I • Tlk- brig Thoisss and Henry is loading at Kaipara for Lyttelton. There is no chance if. ; .of her coming, to .'ns port. j«*t yet. I-^.The two n.»w broVB »*'ached to the screw j niootm.B on tbe eaf>t f>f the wharf may now |be seen in position, wasfixed on Satur- Ifiry and the o*h«r■ -to-day. m*. A j^jl.%. M.eht,,,,prob&bly the Bella Mary _yjp|qniry---/fip_-'-lobar. _3own, is signalled as fy^fa ?o to t»re»fi. . --;.-.' *i TN» irehoonf r Golden Isle arrived from Russell on itS-li-rrlay evening, after a long and tedious passage of liJShie days from port' to port. She left on the 18th pHtf£, with a titr_ng SIW. breeze. This the following yHay changed fo a gale from the. 8.E., and Captain I Matzeß deemed it prudent to put into Wangararu. bPleb he remainedtWindbound for four days, thus ''^fi^rifying our expression of opinion on Friday last. Swag Wednesday the Golden Isle proceeded to sea wagain, but owing to strong southerly winds had to ; ; roij into the KaWaU 'on Friday. T! ence she sailed "■-', agein on Saturdayefternoon, arriving as above. She J hrm,gs IJO to^sof.coal for.tbe Auckland Stoam Packet S> Company,. Is it hot time that the harbour authorities " %"oknot ceof tbepmall wtent of freeboard exposed rhyßome of ;our collier vrsPFls tredJr'g to and from R\_well7 AVessel can hardly be Said to bespa-worC y v when php-'s "a'lende"—fo me th^ grarhic lencniagi ? of an English shir-carta-_i eresking on tl c subject. *4 The'hrig iFahePaft, CpptaiTi Greenwood, left Kew y_Ooßtlc, K.S.W., tm the llih Feb;uary. She e-- - wrathef. -with variable winds, ? "across,: Sijtrrted the -Tree Kings on the 19th Feb., lillMpSlvW -nd had .oi«trary winds down the coast. She brings 11 rlli' a cargo of cos's for J. S. M2_far?pne and Co. j fflfe-.:',- .The little, schooner Venture was -seen on Friday <Hi s--f t-i-noon standing into Wahgaruru. I !■_»■ Tie SCEocuer Echo arrived in harbour yesterday Jm^ morning, with a cstrgo of ccals from Russell. She I \WMjt left on.tfi«.'_sth. ■'■-' 1 IIH The_chooner Onward" ariived from Tutukaka on ft \\\%' Salurday evening, With timber for the Union Sash I IIW- and Door Company, and several fine totara piles for II _Sli ' ttiP wharf contractor. 9 if'W-- Th<» .-.uckland Steam Packet Company's Southern f [p| Is Cross,'.. Captain Holmes, took her departure this I ll'tilf? corning for Gisborne and Jfapier. The following is II m|i§**' lis* of her p«e_engers:—Messrs Browning. J. G. II Wm.- Sn3l*h, Maitland, Dromgool,, Mr and Mrs Williams, |; '■ !__&" family,'and servant Her cargo appears under the ill ij 'sit-" lieading E.-rportß. H HlT'" ' Meww_ Stone Brothers to-day received the follow [jjl ttmfik■'■ "3K telegram from the captain of the Emu:— IjJJlfflpk Dunedin, This Day.—Arrived yesterday. AU well. I '■ ',-l^Sjj days cut. Three heavy gales and head winds all IffinlfiPP®* >3fay, except two days, behaved splendidly." 111 l» lle f'-s- ero iB advertised in late Melbourne l|||Jj]W topers to leave for Sydney ajid Auckland on the 25th I M} j»5; 'jfl-brtiary.'. __f. would make her due here about the |«|||«^^^^»,s^c_n_-B''i-^ei» said Quo--"" arrived from ' Hill' i*;-Hokianga- yesterday morning, Tawera brings 'll _R'6otons machinery for the 'JB£h and Door Co., and I' m S^s gum I^-° <ia«ea' B cargo was published by SI, |{, -j Mr Go_k i« the successful tenderer for the contract llliill Hr° r rePairfrig the barque Anari Ijljk R-- .The schooner Ruby brings 31,000 feet timber from IJiltT' _P- W*ngaroa, jjlljil i '[ The e.s. Wellington will leave the Bluff anchorage i'llif i tm next, the 3rd March, at 4p m. The 'Illi W' srteam-liniich.Tem o' Shanter will take passengers off I |i||| 'ft stfter arrival of the sp_. train from Auckland.

COMMERCIAL.

CA-LS AND DIVIDENDS. pi __ef6_ovii_g-_re the current calls and dividends 0 payable in Hie cbmpauieo named below: —

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :—

For Thames, this day, at 4.30 p m, and to-morrow, at 9 30 am, for Coromandel, to-morrow, «t 10 30 am For >ew Caledonia, per Keniiworth, tomorrow, at 11» m For Tunrang*. p.. Vincent, to-morrow, at 5 p m For Kussell, per Fawn, to-mo»row. at 4 p m For Australian Colonies, per Cjphrenes, six hour after arrit-al For Tarsnaid, and Southern provinces, per We llngtnn. on Wedne<day next, at 1 p.m. N.B —Mads for I>dia, Chin«, M e.literranein ports, Continent if Eur pc, ami United Kingdom, via Suez and Brindisi, close at this office on Wednes day, 9th M-»rch.

(Signed) S. B. Bias, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTHS.

Bullock On the 27th instant, at rheltenham Beach

>>ortli Shore. Mrs George i;ull-ck, of a soa. Fiits -On March 1, at Parnell, Mrs Wm Fitts, of a

d«ughter. DAhG^viLL*— On February 2S, at Parnell, the wife of J. M. Dargavillo Esq , of a daughter.

DEATHS.

Spknce—On Februwy 22, at Dunedin, Eliz. Ann. the beloved -wife ef Jame3 Spence, formerly o! the Thames. Martin-—At the reddence of her parent?, Hobson street Hannah Ameii., fifth daughter of Mr Antonla Martin ; aged 1 jear 8 mo.-tha. _h-j fuutrai will t.fte pl_cu to-mom.w (Tuesday), March 2, at 3 o'clock p.m. Friends are re.pectfu ly invite- to attend. 'VTiLLKit—On March 1, at his father's resMence, Cros str-et, ewton, Vincen. A iiiiler, i_fant s.i. of xhomaa Miller ; -_ed -l inoi.iis. Ti.e fune _ willleavu hi-» f amor s re id nee, To morrowi uei-d>n ~ ... q i.'iricr to 4 o'.l-.k. frri.nd plda^e aece;,. t.ii. li.ViuuKm. ;ic'i''T w t the fruvin. at H.spilial, Auuklaud PatncSt McGu re. llitj imural will leave the Hos.ii-l to-morrow, at Sp m. Frlen-js are irivited to a.iend Waxhh—At the re.idence of her p*r,.r,ts, Newton Ki.a!, on tie _3c.h uir,, C-.t_e.ine W_Lh ; »ged 5 mouths. CLARi—At his fitoer's re.-idence, lrel_nd-str<;e f, %Vii liam Clare : aged 14 m jnth-j. 'ihe funerai will take place pt 4.20 to-day. MclN.i-N— At her residence, Wiliea-street, Christ church, Eli..* Mat Ida, the heJoved wife of Mr Mclnraan, iad elciefct dAUghter of Mr Jo-cph 4>yms, of A.ucklaud ; aged 34 years.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 1, 1875.

For the cause that lacks asgistanc-e, i'or the wrong Li.at neiids rcsistaace, the future in the distance. ____ the rood th... we can do.

In view of tbe constitutional questions pend ing, it would be well to keep the eye steadily fixed on that, which to us in the province of Auckland, is the most vital. It is not the abolition of Provincialism, and the substitu tion of one form of Government for another, but it is the future allocation of the Land Fund. It is the veriest nonsense to say that the mere substitution of Government at Wellington for Government at Auckland can in any way lessen taxation, or increase the means of carrying on our local services and public works. This any one and every one must admit, if he speaks without attempting bunkum. Butif the absorption of Provincialism over the length and breadth of the land ia attended with one common purse, into which all the P«nd revenues of the colony are thrown, and from which they are to be honestly and fairly distributed, then and then only will the abolition of Provincialism be of pecu niary benefit to us in the province of Auck land. 'This we believe to be the honest views of the great body of the people of this province, and we trust that no red herring in the form of mere abolition of Provincialism will be successfully drawn across the scent. We think most, if not all in Auckland, feel in their souls that Provincialism is doomed, and that it is not in the power of man to save it. It has been gradually starved, and must die of inanition in the North Island, while the only thing to sustain it in the South Island is this land-fund. The slaying of Provinciali-m in the North Island ia a work of supererogatioa, and the doing this, while the land fund is unadjusted, is simply perpe tuating Provincialism in the South with funds in which we should have an equitable share. We trust that the public eye will be kept steadily on this fact. The question of the day in New Zealand is not Provincial ism versus Centralism —that is settled, but it is the question of the land fund. In Can terbury province they receive and locally spend almost a million of this fund annually. In Auokland we receive and annually spend —virtually nil. This robbery has been going on for years past. This jobbery would be perpetuated by Mr Vogel's resolutions for years to come. It was Sir George Grey that with ten thousand pounds advanced by the Home Government purchased the Middle Island. He iasseits that the conditions were that the proceeds of the sale of lands there so purchased, should go to purchase the North Island, and all for the common good. He can speak on this subject as no other man can, for he was the sole neg iciator ; and none like him, from knowledge of antecedent negociations, can denounce the robbery from which this pro

cc what ia its jast due, and if the honest distribution of the millions of land revenue would relieve our taxation and provide for our services,, it seems to us that there sh-uld be little doubt, as we believe indeed there is little doubt with the great bulk of the people, that Sir George Grey should be the champion of Auckland's rights. Great changes are unquestionably pending, and such a man with such experience, is a boon that we cannot over-estimate; and while for electioneeriug purposes it may be all very well to make tho already settled question of provincial sm a battle cry, there are few reflecting men we think, who will hesitate as to who cxn be3t defend the interests of Auckland in the coming chaag..

We observe that our contemporary the Cross reverts to the old and rather stale practice of bogus letters while " hedging." This fashion of sitt n_ on a rail and throwing up feathers to see in which direction the wind blows would be effective if it were Hot overdone ; hut really it has been overdone by our con temporary, and as everybody nn lersfands it, its continuance only makes people animadvert unfavorably on joufnailam, and feel a little sickened with newspaper humbug. When last year the Cross came out bravely ann honestly for a month or two against the .n_*mou3 resolutions of Mr Vogel for insult ing and spoliating Auckland, while con3olid atn» and aggrandising the South, mo.-t people knew that this style of thing would uos cout;nue ; and it was anticipated that according to usage a series of bogus letters iould be thrown out preparatory to the change. True enough they appeared, and true enough they were used to soften the fall of our contemporary. Now why does our contemporary continue this itale trick ? Why not show a little ofigioa'ity and devise som* other braver and more hone.t course ? A little nous would shsw our contemporary that every one s-es the ruse ; and, though nothing very manly i 3 expected from the conductor of tne leading columns of that piper, still, white waiting orders, he might turn hi 3 attention away to important foreign subjects, as cockle*, oysters, and so-forth, instead of raising in the office this phantom army of correspondent*. With the exception of " Anti-Provincialist," the authorship of which is on its f.ice, every one of the alleged correspondents, " Volunteer," " X.Y.," "Querulous," "Dry Bones," " Try Again," " Lex," " Supporter," " Independent Elector," and " X," is a sham, and a concoc tion in the office of our contemporary Such leffc-hauded work as this ia t-Xoeedingly contemptible, t_ou : 'i. very characteristic.

We are pleased t>> 1 am that Mr W. L. Rees L-as expressed his intention of becoming >.

c.adi a:e fo- ih« re^resmtatioti of City Kasr in tin; Piovirici.il Council, vacant by the resignation of Mr I' A. Phil ps. A.th ugh MrR-e-' habit "f p'aic speaking h 3 given un n> incons-ideraole numb if of enemies', we believK the body ot th- i eople w«,ul« hke to s c such a tn<*u in public lif„, at.d we have no hesitation in s-yin. th.-t in the discussion aud settlement ot public questions he will not only show that fearless independence which is chanic'eristic of him, but will make his mark on public affairs.

By an error on the part of the printer the advertisement relative to the Kaw-ik-twa railway was inserted on Saturday. Notice hid previously been given by the Govern ment to withdraw it.

A Provincial Government Gazette was published mt-dnj, notifying that two-pence per head will bo charged under the Sheep -set ."imendment .Act, 1874, "for inspection. The boutidarits of t!:e district under the Act are also published. Penk and Hill's fonder for erecting a laboratory, £153, has been accepted. Miller a; d McNnby's tenders for sections J, 2 and 3 of the South Road Cart a.e of Metal Contract are accepted ; H. Brown for section 4 ; J. McGrath for section 5 ; L. Call.ghan for section 6 ; S. Davis for section 7 ; and M. Bourke for section S The contr.--.ct for carting sco'ia from Mount .-\lbert for the Great North Road has been obtained by G. McCaslin, at 2s. ll_d. The Gazette also contains various Native Land Court notices.

The Public Building Commissioners will meet to-morrow at the Superintendent's

• .ffice, to receive tenders for the erection of the New Hospital. Six tenders have been received. Tenderers are invited to be pre sent.

His Worship the Mayor, in compliance with a requisition, has convened a pubdc meeting for Friday, for the pu-pose of tak ing steps to suitably recognise the public services of the late Mr John Williamson.

The departure of the Luna with the Hon. Dr Po leu and Hr D nald McLean has been postponed till Wednesday next, when she will proceed via Tauranga

Mr J. M. D irgaville has determined to go to the pol f>r the Superincendency. Iv anoi her column is published aa address in which he fu ly sets forth his views.

This morning a very handsome light American coach was shipped on board ihe Southern Cross for Tauranga, by Messrs. Cousins and Atkins, the builders. It in tended for the Aapier, Tnupo, and Taraweia line. It has leathern springs, and unites serviceable strength with lightness and ele gance. It is constructed to carry six persons inside and three outside.

The March number of the Church Gazette lies before us, with its supplement of twelve pages, giving a fnll report of the Melanesian Mission for th". past year, and which will be read with much interest by persons who take an interest in tho progress of missionary en terprise. The Gazette as usual contains in teresting items of church intelligence, obi tuary, and news of ihe distii.fc churches ; also, the latest parochial information in connection with church progress in vari ous outlying districts. The correspon dence includes letters on the Alt Cathdic movement, and the Cathedral library. The interesting recollections of a Waikato Mis sionary is contined, and a highly suggestive essay on "Funeral Reform," from the pen, we prefume, of the incumbent of St. Paul's (C.M.N.) We cordially endorse the writer's opinion that we seek by example "to dis courage in Christian burials the ritual of the world and of despair, and to encourage as much as in us lies only that ritual which symbolizes hope, and which teaches out wardly what we profess to believe in cur hear .8 that their is a life beyond the grave " Not the leatit interesting; feature in the Church Gazette is the Sunday-school lessons, which are extremely useful to teachers and scholars.

The sale of Pride of Tokatea shares, for feited for non-payment of a sixpenny call, by Messrs. S. C chrane and Son to-day. elicited greater competition than w_s expected. The shares, inclusive of call, were quitted at Is. 4d., Is. sd.', Is. 6d., and Is. 7d.

Th-> rare variety of vegetable marrow seed wh'ch Dr Home last season placed in our hands for distribution has borne good fruit. Mr Uckleston, of Hobsonville, has obtained some fine marrows three feet in length from the seeds plantsd by him.

IHBSFmnT.ocalt-y .He ratepayers Have convened a meeting for this evening at the Royal Oak Hotel, Epsom, for the purpose of petitioning the Board of Education on the subject. A children's religious service was held yesterday afternoon in St. Matthew's Chuicb, when the Sunday-school choir sang several hymns in ao efficient manner, after which the Key S. Hassard delivered _ an im pressive address on death with allusions to the prevailing epidemic and the number of young persons who have recently been taken away by ihe invisible Destroyer. The members of the Carpenters' Protection Soc:e y will hold a special meeting this even ing r_ the Young Men's Christian Associa tion, for import-int. business. At the far end of the wharf we notice the H arhcur Board have had two powerful moor ing piles fixed for the better sec ring of ships lying on esch side of the Western T. Each pile is macle up of three totara trunks, driven over 30ft. into the bed of the harbour and lashed together and to tbe wharf by iron bands. It vtill take an extra strong " north easter " to disturb these piles. A most destructive fire occurred last Wednesday, February 24, on the farm of Mr G. G. Waber, Maukm owing, it is believed, to the carebssneps of jomeMaorignmdiggera vho were turning off the scrub at the time. The flames spread rapidly, and, before their progres-s could be arrested, destroyed a valu able ore-has d and £200 worth of fencing, to gether with a bridge, connecting the Waiuku and Mauku districts. The absence of the badge will cause great inconvenience to the settlers, as it compels them to make a detour of .^orue miles.—[OorkesfonDent.] The Good Templars yesterday mustered strongly at the funeral of the late Miss Janet .MaePherson, who held a high position in connection with the order. In accordance with the usual custom, the Brotherhood walked in advance of the ct-fin, directed by the lodge officers, who carried staffs with bunches of black and white crape. By special request of the lodge, to which the decease I young lady belonged, the coffin was borne on the shoulders of members who volunteered for the labour of love, and four sister 3 officiated as pall hearers. At the cemetery gate the Templars formed in double line, and the coffin aud mourners passed between. The Rev. Dr. Walls read the Presbyterian burial service at the grave, the deceased having heen connected with his congregation. The crele of unity was then formed by the Good Templars an.und the grave, and Brother i-dwards, W.S., read an address on the un certainty of life, followed by an appropriate prayer, as prescribed by the Good Templar burial service. The proceedings were of an impressive character. The deceased was a inof.t estimable young lady, and had been cut off after a very brief illness from measles, aggravated by cold. March deiived its progressive name from the planet Mars, whom the ancients termed the God of War. Hence the month has been represented by artists with a fierce aspect, and a heavy helmet oh his head- March in the old land is associated with winds and gusty showers, hence the old poetic axiom : — March winds and April showers, Bring forth May flowers. The first day of March is also recognised as Taffy's, or S_. David's day, hy Welshmen, «ho usually keep th;- day as a holiday. Tht fe-'ivi'hs howevt-r, in connection with St. David's day, are not so generally regarded iv North and South Wales as formerly. In the time of King Arthur, in the middle of the sixth century, bt. David was Archbishop of St. David's, a city of Pembrokeshire. We have only tradition to iuform us of the patron saint ; but it would appear that, like a B-.-cket, he was a muscular Christian, and capable of defending his person with his fists The saints of yore were sturdy bearded fellows who could do battle with their foes, and teach the people according to the dim light of knowledge which they se?intib" possessed, and so the people render | them homage in Pagan fathion without being j able to explain either their merits or demerits |It ia wriiten in the chronicles of Wales, a beautiful mountainous country with cas'les and picturesque valleys that St. David, like his poetical namesake, the farm-us son of Jesse, played sweetly upon the barp, that he was also-one of the earliest Welsh bards, and that on one of his birth day's he led forth his army and obtained a gieat victory over some thousands of Saxon invaders. In order that his soldiers might be distinguished from the Saxons, he ordered each man to fix a leek in his cap previous to the commencement of the battle, and this custom is observed in Wales to this day. The old nursery rhymes arrf not favourable to the character of Welshmen — Taffy wai a Welshman ; 1 ady was a thief, Taffy came to u>y house, .* nd stole a s-on of beef. I went to Taffy s house, T*ffj was from lome ; Tff„y cam- to my hiuse, And stole a mutton bone, The old feuds, however, which existed among nations in connection with unlettered ignorance and superstition are fast passing away, and the sweet vale of Llangollen, and tne many other lovely spots in that country are trodden by men of intelligence, taste, and industry, who care more for the advance ment of the people, than the birthday of an vi.known saint. The residents in close proximity to the Carpenters' Arms hotel, a quiet and respect fully conducted house, were disturbed from their slumbers yesterday (sunday) morning at the early hour of three by a drunken party who were hammering at the hotel doors and windows in a slate of drunken frenzy, mad for admittance. Mine host looked out of the window and asked the cause, when the whole mob roared out " beer, beer," and repeated their attack upon the door and window shutters. The landlord peepedout and told them it was of • 'no use knocking at the door," when one of them got into the enclosure and cut down the clothes line, and another, supposed to be a barber, bawled out, "by heavens, if you come down I will give you a close shave." The heavy tread of an approaching constable had the effect of dispersing the lushingtons, who bolted in various directions, whilsG "mine host" withdrew from the morning air to finish the night's repose. Boat-raciDg is Usually regarded as free from those tricks which have brought dis credit on the turf; but this is not always the case. At Wanganui recently a boat race cook place on the river between the Flora McDonald and Nautilus, which resulted in an easy victory for the former. One of the crew of the winning boat now states that he, the night before the race, nailed a gunny-bag to the keel of the Nautilus. It may have been " a lark " but it certainly was anything but a gentlemanly action, although there was no money on the race, it only being for fun. Under the heading, «' Where is Mr Vogel ?" " Enquirer"- writes : " Sir,—lsn't it time this mysterious foQ.ery came to an end, and the whereabouts of our Premier was made known. It is all bosh to talk about no one knowing. The Government must know, firstly, because they would be mean if they allowed themselves to be treated in this way, and secondly because Mr Vogel can't get on without money any more than other people, and unless he took a lump sum with him to pay his expenses, which would be very irre gular, and reflect greatly on the auditor wha passed the account, he mu-t be drawing some £400 or £500 a month from the Agency in Loudon. The drafts must have a date upon them, and they would show where he was if nothing else." A private letter from Cuba states tbab seven slaves were recently flogged to death near Cardenas. ;

h&d 8 _ spended working. Tms^!_incorrect• work is still being prosecuted in the mine. It will be satisfactory to most of our readers to learn that the troublesome malady the measles, to Which the inhabitants of this city and neighbourhood have been for some time subjected, is apparently subsiding. On the re-opening of City _.a.t School (-St. Paul's) to-day, upwards of 130 pupils as sembled, and it is believed, that but for some doubt existing as to whether the school would be re-opened to-day, a larger number would have been present. Sunday balls are now very fashionable in Paris. At.one of them, to be given next month, the Gaulois says the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are expected to be present. 1800 invitations have been issued for the occasion. The Emperor of Russia has purchased for his daughter and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, the immense house erected in Kensington, London, by Mr Albert Grant, and of which I sent you a brief description. The price paid for the mansion is £780,000. Bishop Littlejohn, of tbe Protestant Epis copalian diocese of Long Island, on Sunday admitted twelve ladies to the order of Deacones3. An iron steam-ram of 650 tons, built for the Mexican Government, has just been launched at Liverpool. The London Times has published some statements reflecting anything but favourably upon the manner* in which emigration to New Zealand has been conducted during the year. It quotes from a letter which speaks of the injudicious flooding of the colony With emigrants at the dul'est season of the year, of the unsuitable character of many of them, and of the d fficulty in obtaining employment brought about by these causes combined. It also mentions the frequent occurrence of disease on board the emigrant ships, through careless or inefficient medical inspection. The prominence given to these statements cannot, but have a prejudicial effect upon emigration to New Zealand. Two important verdict against railway companies have just been confirmed on appeal in Dublin. In one, the plaintiff, a widow, recovered £1250 of the Dublin. Wisklow, and Wexford Railway in compensation for her husband's death. In the other the plaintiff recovered £900 against tbe Midland Great Western for injuries sustained. Return of sick treated at the Provincial Hospital for the week ending Saturday February 27th,* 1875. Remained la3t return, 79 ; admitted since, 13 ; discharged! 18 ; died, 2 ; remaining 72 (males 62, females 10). Ar rangement of cases :—Zymotic, 22 ; consti tutional, 8 ; local, 28 ; developmental, 4 ; violent, 10.—Two deaths occurred during the week, viz., Ist, A. F., aged 68 years, on Feb. 23, of cancer of tongue; 2nd, P.M., aged 60 years, on same day, of cancer of stomach. Thanks are returned to Mis 3 Kinder, per favour of Dr Goldsbro', and Mesdames Ansell, Beck, Combes, Gentil, McElwain, and Ridings, for parcels of old linen. We have received from our special corres pondent at Ohinemuri a small sample of coal from the out crop of the seam discovered in that district. The coal is a good colour, and seems to ignite readily. anyone in terested in this impoitant discovery may see the sample by calling at our offioe On December 7, the Rev George Obern, an elderly minister identified wi'h the cause of Primitive Methodism, was addressing a tea-meeHn- in a. new chapel at Greenham, near Newbury, Berks, when, after utterintr the words " Nothing hut Jesus," he suddenly fell hack, and shortly afterwards died. All inquest was held, and the jury returned a verdict of " Death from apoplexy." At the annual meeting of St. Matthias' Church, Panmnre, the Rev. F. Gould, pastor, in the chair, Mr Ireland stated the position of the Church. The total receipts during the year had been £135 17s lid. In addition to the payment of the minister's stipend for the year some arrears had been paid up. Messrs Ireland and Durbridge, juo., were reelected churchwardens ; Messrs Simros, Kingsley, Wilson, Fleming, and Dungate, vestrymen ; Messrs Durbridge, sen., and Kinasley, auditors. The paths leading to the Church and in the graveyard are to b? put in order, and a committee was appointed to see the work carried out.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT PHŒNIX FOUNDRY.

A WORKMAN named Robert Brown, and an apprentice named John Michelson, em ployed at the Phoenix Foundry, were to-day seriously injured by the explosion of an old quicksilver bottle, which hud been placed < n the fire preparatory to making a lead spoon. The stopper had been left in the|bottle, and it is supposed that some water or'quicksilver in it had caused the explosion. Mitchelson was very seriously injured, especially about the eyes. Brown sustained some bruises, and suffered from ashes being forced into his eyes. The explosion covered the shop wiib quantities of debris from the tfre. Both the sufferers were at once removed to the hospital.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Otahtjhtj, on Saturday night, was the scene of a severe accident to an elderly man, uamed Jno. Regan, who was some time bacu in the employ of Mr McLaughlin, of Papa toetoe, but who recently has had more time on his hands than he has known how to spend in a rational manner. The particulars -s reported to us by a gentleman who was on the spot, are as follows :—Regan had been spending the afternoon in Otahuhu, and whether the sun was too hot for him, or the milk in his tea too strong, at any rate, the evening found him singing "We won't go home till morning," and his legs corroborated his voice. As it happened, a drayman named Maconochie, employed by Mr Mc- Laughlin, passed through Otahuhu, on his way home, and recognising Regan, offered him a lift to his house. Without waiting for the offer to be accepted some by standers lifted him into the dray, and Re^an looked like getting home safely. But, alack and alack, that good fortune which generally attends the votari.s of Bacchus in their cups, and which so often brings them up standiug on their feet, was absent on this occasion. Maconochie had to stop at a shop at the end of the village, where he left his dray for a few minutes. On returning he found that Regan had been trying to get out of the vehicle, and in so doing had fallen between the shafts just behind the legs of one of the two horses, which were abreast. On being picked np Regan groaned heavily, and it was seen he was hurt. On examination his leg was found to be broken. He was carried in the dray to Dr Elmslie's, who recommended his im mediate removal to the hospital. A trap was procured, and the unfortunate man was received in late on Saturday night. Yester day, we are informed, when his friends called to see him, he was very bad, but no dangerous issue is expected.

PRIDE OF TOKATEA GOLD MINING COMPANY.

The seventh half-yearly meeting of this Company was held this day, at noon, at the offices of Mr R. Home, Shortland street. Present: Messrs C. J. Stone (chairman), Mackay, Newman, Abbott, Alexander, Mur ray, Dv Moulin, and Home.

After a few preliminary remarks on the prospects of the mine, the Chairman calLd on the legal manager to read the directors' and mine manager's reports. The directors'report shewed that during the last half-year, ending February 20, the only work carried on in the mine has been.

Z^^Flevel, __.tb"the Company's ground, for the purpose of intersecting the Royal Oak reef in depth. This work is now nearly ac complished, so that- at no distant date satis factory returns from the mine may be expected. The balance sheet was also read, which stated assets to be (exclusive of the value of the claim, unpaid calls,) £205 5s ; balance (deficiency), £127 0s 2d. Total, £332 5. 2d. Liabilities (due to Bank of New Zea'and), £232 53 2d ; due to Tokatea Company, £100. Messrs C. J. Stone and VV. C. Wilson were re-elected directors, and Mr George Frazer, accountant and auditor to the Company.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the meeting.

OHINEMURI.

{PER STAR CARRIER PIGEON.) [From Our Special Correspondent.] INFLUX OF PEOPLE. THE PROSPECTING CLAIMS. EXPECTED ROW.

PAEROA.

This day. There was a tremendous influx of visitors per steamers from the Thames to-day. " A row is anticipated about a prospecting claim being granted to Maoris. Ten men's ground is to be left out of the goldfield, and given out to persons who can prove they first discovered the gold at that place. The Maoris will swear anything, and the miners declare it is only a dodge to give them ground. Smith and party, Logan, Leahy, and others do not get piospecr.ing claims, and they de clare that the officials are in with the Maoris, which is th"cause of a picked piece of ground btiog left out of the goldtield. The Government have made a serious mis take in departing from the original intention. There will be a lot of litigation about the affair, and probably a few broken heads. News arrived yesterday afternoon by the steamer P^arl that the go'dfield U to be pro claimed open on Wednesday next. There was excitement amon.st the diggers, who are now striking their tents for Mackaytown. CasssePs large hotel is nearly finished, and will be opened in a few days. Several parties intend sinking in the vicinity of Mackaytown with the expectation of striking alluvial. Mr Mackay arrived at one o'clock to-day by the fcfforfc. He has given notice that miners must have lights in their possession when peg/.ing out, and that the arrange ments contemplated by Warden Fraser will not be carried out.

The Takapuna had over 200 passengers this morning.

PAEROA.

February 26. ORIGINAL PROSPECTORS OF OHINE-

MURI

Now that so much is being said about the granting of licenses to prospectors, it will perhaps be not out of pP.ce to mention that, as far back as the year 1869, a reef carrying visible gold is said to have been discovered in this district by certain parties, w"hose names it will perhaps at this present mo ment be advisable not to mention. With a view to retain their golden trr-asure tbe^e prospectors, after considerable difficulty, and ,an outlay of money to the extent of over £400 obtained a lease of the ground from the natives for twenty-one years. The sur vey was effected by a well-known Auckland surveyor, and the plan with the deed regis tered in tbe proper Government office. The deed itself I saw yesterday. Owing to na | tive difficulties the parties, not being abe to j reap any benefit from their speculation, ia course of time dispersed. <-'ne going to Australia and from thence it is supposed to England where he now is. Another one of the party went to America, and it may possibly be not uninteresting to his partners in this province, and who are aware of it. to learn that he is on his way to Auckland from San Francisco to obtain his share of the lease How the Government will act in tbe matter at present, we cannot fell, ihe lease being sitnated in the goldfieM makes ike whole affair rather comp'icated. Ihe old survey lines of the above lease can stili be traced. THE ROAD TO MACKAYTOWN. The road from Paeroa to Mackaytown is expected to be so far completed by next week as to allow drays to go right through to the gorge. February 27. GROWTH OF THE TOWNSHIP. The township here situated is springing so rapidly into a stern fact that Canvasstown is in great danger of being swept off the face of the earth, and becoming a thing of the past. My own calico castle, that I took such pains to stretch all a-taunt-o with the aid of innumerable ti-tree pegs and clothes lines, is now, I find to my intense disgust, situated fair in the middle of a street, with an impudent-looking whits-pained board stuck on a pole dubs - CaSSell, and then there is onr cimp doctor, as if he had not already sufficient enough in the matter of strychnine —do_s and natives, as before mentioned — must needs now discover a crowd of carpen ters crushing his cabbages with their kauri planks and shavings, all of which ruthless proceedings m«an the wing of a huge hotel, completely obliterating the once-cherishei spot, where struggled lor bare Ife rhe plants known in the ve»etible kingdom by the familiar names of cabbage, carrot, etc.. S> putting this and that together it is evident to the doctor and myself that the end is not very far off. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION. It was originally intended, I believe, to carry the line of wires through this district to Taurarga, but, for some reason better known to the Government than anyone else, it branched off at Hikuraia, which from here is fortunately only a short distance of about eight miles ; so that telegraphic communica tion with Ohinemuri can be effected in a short space of time, and this important work will, I doubt not, be speedily accom .plished when the field is opened, which, now that the boundary lines are surveyed, will oocur in a very lew days. HEAVX DEWS. — NECESSARY PRE CAUTIONS Autumn with its heavy night dews is now fairly upon us, and the chilly n;ghts give warning to provide ourselves with additional blankets, especially to those who like the digger dwell in tents. I would strongly recommend all who m-iy be thinking of com ing up here, to provide themselves with a piece of oilskin or waterproof of any kind, to lay under their blankets, and so keep out the damp which will rise from the o-round and bed of fern, though it may seem to be never so dry. To neglect this necssary caution means rheumatics, as too many can this day testify from sad experience. RESOURCES OF OHINEMuRI. The successful settlement of Oainemuri is a matter of such deep importance to this province, and I may add to the colony at iarge, that a few words about its resources will be not "^B^^^jtM readers. Many peep i-fSe h.___^^.^_ayv Oh, Ohinemuri is another swindle like Hiku taia. In that they are wrong, for at ; Hikutaia gold could not be discovered —here : anyone that cares about taking the trouble can find the precious metal in more or less quantities for a distance of thirteen miles ; and the nature of a great deal of it proving that it has not so very long parted from the reefs. Such being the case, it is very evi dent to any one that understands any thing at all about goldminiog that payable r<?efs exist, and the intense interest displayed by many miners as to th* time when they may obtain their

rumor 9 upt ouu- jcg-ujjr -»un> ■■ 'T^vmHg ML^ ground, may be taken, I imagite, . *wSi good indication that something in th<p. ■ 'cf a paya' Is reef has been discovered -1 ■ REFUTATION OF "LONG T-~ .'T-:> . W REASONING. M ~JOy || ' In a late Wellington paper # % j.M^/k 'ye letter written by a party stylf ■ jFi': ___-' v-' 1 " Long Tom, " who strongly ad«,._<»* s " I I ' public not to believe in Ohinemuri. p»«».j I been all over it and found __"»*r^ j , j colour That important inforh.-TnOa'r'Tiflds for next to nothing, for this reason, that I I venture to say that I could, in the vicinity ' I of Hunt's cairn, at the Kuranui, have given " Long Torn" a pick and shovel, and a fair start, "and he would not hav^e been able to raise a colour or tumble across a reef shewing * gold even if be had knocked about the neighbourhood for months. It is not neces sary for the existence of a payable reef that rich gold should be found in the creeks. I have only to mention the Moanatairi as an instance. However, the question of a payable reef having been discovered will now, in a very few days, be known to us all. OTHER RESOURCES. Parsing from the popular idol, whom all men fall down and worship without even waiting for sounds of a musical nature as a signal, we find, for a fact, that this district po-sesses rich seams of coal, which fact is, ' [ in icself sufficient to set Ohinemuri up for life without troubling itself about gold. | Shovelling the coals on one side, we are con- Fronted with another fact, which says that - the district c-.lled Waitekauri is rich in gum, . | which, at the piestnt market price, is not by any means to be despised or made light of. I Add to the above imm-nse forests of valuable | timber, with a natural position of great im- £, portanee, having extensive tracts of rich | agricultural land, and the reader will be able I to draw his own conclusions as to whether I; Ohinemuri is going to turn out a duffer. >

LATER CABLEGRAMS.

SFECIAL TO THE STAB.

rPER THE FREETRADER AT PORT CHALMERS.]

New Fenian Developments.

Dr. Keneally Elected to

Parliament.

25,000 Miners on Strike.

Conference on Wa_\

LONDON. ~_ February 17. John Mitchell, of young Ireland notoriety, has been elected to Parliament for Tippe rary unopposed. The House of Commons has moved for the production of a certificate of his conviction of felony. The motion was agreed to. . The motion for the issue of a new writ for . ■: the election of another member was also agreed to. Twenty-five thousand miners are on strike. [Another telegram rendered, 2,500 miners are locked out- at Drevvsbury.] England's refusal to attend the Interna tional Conference on war has produced an unpleasant impression in Russia. England has recognised Don Alpbonso, as. -; King of Spain. During the recent Fenian disturbances at Tiopsrary a constituency returned O'Dono van Ro3a a member of Parliament unopposed knowing he had been convicted of felony. Dr Keneally has been elected member of -,' - Parliament for Stoke-on- Trent. The City of Melbourne reached San Francisco four days under contract time. Mitchell landed at Queentsown on the 17th. The Biindisi mail was delivered two days behind contract time. The French Ministry have tendered their resignation, but MacMahon, after consulta tion with the Due de Broslie, considered a new ministry was po-sible, until a final vote on the Constitutional Laws was given. AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS. SYDNEY. February 13. All members of the Ministry are being elected unopposed. MiT&ell MELBOURNE. Tbe Presbyterian body has adopted a remonstrance against the Presbyt-iian Assembly action in the Rev. Mr Ewing's case. POLICE COURT.—This D .y. (Before Thomas MacfT-rlane, Esq., Justice of the Peace.) STIMULATION, AND ITS EFFKCTB UPON" T_-3 BRAIN AND POCKET. James Thompson, of Kelso; Michael Ryan, of Dublin ; and two "natives of Stock hold, Anthony and Peter Brandt, were sever ally charged with drunkenness of various degrees on Saturday evening, and dealt with accordingly. -.'■', YOUNG MIKE. Michael Donnagher a boy of fifteen, who was brought up a few day 3 since and dis charged for stealing a few apples from a small fruPerer, was brought up this morn ing on a charge of drunkenness and violent conduct on Saturday evening. The boy pleaded guilty. He was drunk. Mr Inspector Thompson stated the facts to the Bench, and said that the boy was utterly beyond his mother's control. She could do nothing with him. Constable McGrath deposed to the violent conduct of the boy, wno threatened his mothers life. __ The mother of the boy, a respectable !ook<ng widow, corroborated the constable's statement. The Bench said it did not like to send the boy to prison, as that would possibly be fatal to him. He was too old for the Training School and the other institutions of the city. He would therefore be remanded until Wednesday next, to see in the meantime what steps could be taken in the matter. ONLY A NAP. John Williams was charged under the Vagrancy Act, with being found on Saturday H-ight on the premi3es of Mr Charles Woolgar, of Grey street. . . Prisoner said he was only taking a nap ; he ...^--v.;,] was a foreigner, and had only corns out of the hospital ; he was utterly destitute. Mr Thompson informed the Beach that<j_^^_^ there was truth in prisouer'n statement. Discharged with a caution.. . A PISH-CrjRBK. . ■""II Edward Carroll, a young swell, was '; charged with opposing th. law, by swianng loudly in Wellesley-streetj, on Saturday 1%, evening. • ."•'-'_ Prisoner was drunk, and thought he was ~,,;. crying fish. \ Mr Inspector Thomp^.m said the jsriroasr .'; \



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I FEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS. ' KAWAKAWA CONTRACT. >re-*p_se_ra_ce of the advertisement relating to the rvei, in the Evekino Stab of Saturday last, was by avertance, and -without authority. The invitation Tenders is temporarily withdrawn. - '"-.• JAMES STEWART, |t District Engineer. ucJdand, Ist .March, 18-75. t Oy HIS W" 0 it S HIP TH E \. MAYOR. m.—'Wt respectfully reqatrt yn_ will, at your leat coHVerttenee, oonv.ne a MEETING of the . -ns to consider what steps shall ba taken to Jjhife the seri'fc.* to this Province, of the late tS: W_l_j__*o_, SJ«_;' ,- t We.are, Sir, • . ,i !\ ' V -'W. $ "WILSON . < ( . ■W..'<£B.-H-MS --. ■, X ' -.J*'- ■ MA.OK V, Ju«\ - > KHThLbY W. -il-L Knft 26 other*. >: with the above Reqni .;.... I hereby c^nveae a Meeting of tht :,.--__, to f,e held iv the Mechanic-' Institute, on §P>:*.y AV_W^IN_, Ma-ch 5, at 73Dp m . JS*.-I. PRIME, iMt* Couutil Offices, ' ... Major, -.uettand, -Carol. 1, W_.



F'ji Bank yellers, 583. South British Insurance -Sellers, 50a 6d. Insurance—Buyers, 275. Standard Insurance— Buyers, 10s 6d ; sel ers, 12s 6d. North '-bore Ferry—Buyers, 15s 6d. Union sash and "Doo^ Co —Sellers, £910s. . Caledonian (double) -Sellers, 655. City of London—Buyers, 375; sellers, 40s. Golden Calf (new)— Sellers, 4s. Union Beach—Buyers, 5s 6d ; sellers, 6s. Bismarck—Buyers, 9s Royal Gak-Buyers, 12s. Cure—4y 6d ; sellers, ss. Pride of Tokatea—ls 6d. Otago- Buyers, Is 3d. CjEWI-NG MACHINES. DEMOLITION OF THE FITTING SHOP, VULCAN LANE. Having received notice to quit on "account of re-bni;ding, I will CLE R OUT part ot my Large Stock of FIRST-CLASS SEWING MACHINES At Wholesale Pries. The Largest Eick in New Zea_a.no. PRICES RANGE FROM 40s TO £78 GEO. W. HESLOP, Proprietor.