Second Edition.

NELSON.

(Per Preea Tel*gram Agency.) This day. Nelson Loan In accordance wi h h Provincial Act, whioh became law by tb« Governor omitting to riisalow it, tbe i roviiicial Govn-n'tn n> have encceeded in raising a loan of £27,000. »t 7 per cent , for tho consfcraccion of a wharf auo dock.

ELLERSLIE SPORTS.

4 p.m. F^o'bail Match declared, in favour of Ma; i :e«i tide. Hardla Race —P. "Whvta, 15 yards, Ist ; Doncvan, 15 yards, 2nd. Won easily. DoW'l j.nd Kelly albo started, but the lattei came to grief.

UNKNOWN.

3 30 pm. ■pAPAKtTRA. WELTER HANDICUP. Skylark 1 Polly Plum ... 2 Warwick 3 Skylark won after a splendid contest, dur ing wh^ch the horses changed places fre quently.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATEB : Tliis evening, 3.47 ; to morrow morning. 4 18 SUN SET : This evening, 6.14 ; BUN TtISE: to morrow mornin? 6.6 MOON'S AGJffi : Full Moon, 22nd, IL3O a m

EXPORTS.

Per Bella Mary, for Hooarfc Town:—6 bales flax, 24 lraixri spars.—Stone Brothers, agents. The ketch Fanny Kelly came in yesterday evening from Tairua with a cargo of timber for Preece and Howard. We correct with pleasure an announce ment that the Golden Isle brought 110 tons coal. Her cargo consists of only 100 tons. The R.MS.S. Tartar is due from Sydney to-morrow evening. She leaves for San Francisco via Honolulu with the English mail on Friday next. The barque Bella Mary, Captain McArthur, entered outwards with the following passengers:—Mr and Mrs Finney, and Mr Barnett. The Fawn arrived from tlie Bay of Islands with &% tons iron, 38 tons coal The barque Bella Mary hauled off from the wharf previous to taking her departure for Hobart Town. The cutter Mahurangi arrived from Mahurangi With 25,000 feet timber. The brig Wave, for Lyttelton, took her departure this afternoon. The barque Martha also took her departure for Samoa.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows.— For'lh»n;es this d*y, at 6...0 pm awi to-morrow, at 9 ■• 0 it m For Wai gaioa. per Wppi-. (<-morr.w. at 11 s m For V»iw*ra»rirt "WaikWi'itb, per Lady Jbcwen, to morrow, at V> a m •for Taranafci «i d Southern Provinces, per Ttr-nahi to inorro*', »X ' p in '-. for U'tibey trr'eia, tpg>*teied Set'ers, »nd nows r> pliers, at lo< n late letteis f r Sontheu. vo viic.s and AJetbounie w>li be received till .t.15 p -v Fo<- T<nrva, pw Farnv Kfillv, to-mwrow a'3pffl i 1 or Katwng*. pe W»nuerer, to niom w, at 4p iv fur (u.ssfll, ; tr Faw , w>-m irow >-t i v u> P-rss ;Vii. do o»> Fr.day, Dili lustwfct, as under For Saiinwioh 14-iii'ds. Untwi uu-es of ■"meiiest, s-aiia'n. brniah 'C■ lnuibi»; Ueutral an<( Sjath ni«rict. -nd British aud Foieiyi. West in .:e», ht 1 .30 an). "OTthe f risifd Kingdom »ud Contriaent oi Europe, lit, 0.30 a.m Kur niontv o- tiers, registered letttis, and news p-.V,.er., m' 9 ;;d a m Li* v Irt-ni. beri. g au eitr. fee pf 6d will b revived by the M»U x^R) nt on buurd vy tv tiu»e oi srtil rirf *■ ot c■. The steamer i f-riin. is ftxpe^ted to lesvi- Blutl -i 11 .- in., on Qhnrauay. tun 18m insia t ..«iigianis lot- th* -\u. traji*> toloiirf- ot J^ntope vie Jivva. Cable, will be rec. ived at tht3 Otfict; fur trans •tiis-ii.n tv Bl jff up till 10 o'clock a.m. cf the 18th iusiaut (Signed) , S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

NATHAN—JOSEPH.—On the 10th instant, at the ' residence of the bride's father, by the Rev D. M. Isaacs, Walter J., second son of the late A. J. Nufchan, of London, to Amelia eldest daughter of Jacob Joseph, Esq., J,P., Wellington. No cards.

DEATH.

KINNEAE—At his parent's residence, Edwin-street, Newton, on the 17th instant, Joseph Thomas, eldest sou ol Mr Kinnear, aged 5 months and 16 days. The funeral will take place at 3 o'clock to-morrow. Friends please accept this invitation.

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17, 1875.

For the cause that l:\cre? assistr.nce, lor the wrong t*,at needs resistance, Psr th-a future in the distance .lad tun good that we ca.u do.

We never oo read a leading article unless our attention has been called to it as containing something deserving of attention ; and news paper correspondence we shim like the plague. But we have been told that articles and letters have been hurled at the public, urging delay and alteration of plans in con nection with the new Hospital building. We have no doubt the arguments are sound and conclusive ; at least, we arc not aware of anything to the contrary ; but we see in them dimly looming out a repetition of the history of the Slaughter-house. It is possible that the cottage and detached system 'is better for invalids and convalescents, than the placing of one Wftrd en. the top of another. Indeed we believe it is better, but the time fcr considering that was somo year 3 ago—when the plans were first sub mitted, and the profession and the laity were alike invited to express their views. We hold that the controversy is now closed, or ought to be ; and we trust that the good old fable of the old man and his ass, applied so appropriately by the Provincial Treasurer to the Slaughter-house question, will be rigidly applied to this ; for we may depend upon it that if we go on and try to please everybody We shall please nobody, and pro bably Under the absorbing power of centralism lose our Hospital into the bargain. The Provincial Government have acted firmly in the matter of the Slaughter-! ou?e, and we hope, as we are confident from knowledge of some of the stuff of which it is composed that the Building Commission will do the same. Now that the subject is raised, peo ple would go on talking till the crack of doom, and we would recommend that the Commissioners should take some effective nxtans of intimating to disputationists that they may aa well keep their wind for use fuller purposes. One sage, we are told, ad vi-ea that the medical staff that reported on and recommended the adoption of the preseut plans should be summoned together again, not considering that the hand of death has prevented the possibility. However the squabble of upstairs versus downstairs in hospital economy has been as old as hospitals, and will continue till hospitals are not wanted. Meantime leaving Medicos to their theories, we want an Hospital ; and we sin cerely trust that irrespective of the clatter, the building as planned and accepted will be pushed onward to completion with the utmost expedition.

It will afford general satisfaction to observe that the friends of the Young Men's Chris tian Association have not given way to des pondency. The meeting held last night may be regarded as eminently successful in having dispelled the cloud of gloom that was settling down on the management of that institution, and in having inspired new hopes which we. confidently believe will be real ised. Thanks are due to the gentlemen who turned the current of feeling, and re fused to listen to the counsels of despair. We believe it required only that the real urgency of the circumstances should be made known, and those who took the more pleasant view of the position and prospects will find that their opinion will be borne out by the public. It would have been a deplorable thing, and a lasting stigma on the character of of the city, if such an Institu tion had been allowed to suddenly collapse for lack of a few hundred pounds, and in the interest of every benevolent enterprise exist ing among ua, or yet to be evolved in the flight of time, we trust that willing and abonnding aid will at once be forthcoming to rescue this, the mother of institutions, from the difficulties in which it is momentarily involved.

In another column will be found a report of a meeting of shareholders of the Ponsonby Hall Company, held last night, to take into consideration the financial position of the company. It transpired that about £160 was needed to place the company and the hall out of difficulties. Only a very small number of persons have yet taken up shares. We have no doubt whatever that the constantly increasing number of inhabitants in Ponsonby, when they learn from our columns the actual state of things and the small sum necessary to tide over the diffi culties to which we call attention, will come forward and take up the unallotted shares. They then have a voice in the management of the hall, and take steps necessary to utilize the building in the best possible manner for the good of the community generally, by organizing winter lectures, concerts, social meetings, reading-room, free public library, and so forth. The want has been urgently felt of a building for such pu poses, and to let this building pass away from public uses would be a bJow to the enterprise aud welfare of the district.

M«BW>S«BWBBBWM»iI«jUI«!UMBJ^ A telegram has been received from the Thames to-day, consenting to the arrange ment, whereby Sir George Gray is to address the electors at the Thames on Friday even ing, and those of .Auckland on Monday even ing. Sir George will arrive from the Kawau this evening. In another oAimn will he found a requi sifc-on, m-'St inmieiihally signed from electors of Gity Ea<-t, addressed to Mr Holdship, asking him 10 stand for the Provincial CoUn idl Cm led its rime and 6p: tio, We defer emaiks on ihe subject till to morrow.

In another column will be found a requi sifcon, m-'st innuetthally signed from electors of Gity Ea<-t, addressed to Mr Holdship, asking him 10 stand for the Provincial CoUn ril Cuiled in dme and ep: bo, we defer emaiks on ihe subject till to morrow. The. mon'-h's yi.eld a+ the Thames a^d Coronut'id-1 w-s 7,91. r >ozs 19dwts from 4707 tons lGcvt 651hs of «totie. We would remind otir reisers that, the Horticn-fcinal s*h«»w wil' h° opeti at the C ty Hal) til" ten o'clotk to-night, ami isthebes-t ot.tnwin n-n-V.^'U l!^,. „„ ._ 1,-.1 .3 i „ A.,~U 1 1

Wft would remind onr readers that, thp Horticultural f" b."W vriV h° oped at the C ty H.'ili til" ten o'clock to-night, and istbebet-t autumn exhib lion ever held in Auckland. "

Miss Christian, R.A M., th« distinguish:d contra!'o vocs'i*r, who his delighted so many Auckland an iencps, will bid f..revell to our city tomoirow, as it is her intention to proceed South in order to fulfil several en gagements there. We think it is cor.cedt-d by all musical critics that Miss Chris'ian i* the most finished vocalist of the. English school that has ever viaited New Zealand ; and, while wishing hef the success due to her talents during her Southern tour, we hope to have other opportunities of enjoying in Auckland the pleasure of listening to her attractive rendering of our national music.

The meeting was held last evening in the Young Men's Christian Association to con sider the financial condition of that ser viceable instil lite, which have benefited so many men who have become useful citizens. The Venerable Archdeacon Maunsell, presi dent of the Association, filled the chair, and iv his opening ppufch remarked upon the fact that, the Institute was in pecuniary dif ficulties, and that if such an institution was allowed to collapse for want of funds it, would bo a sad loss to the public of Auck land. It appeared that, there was a necessity to raise £500, and so reduce the debt to £1000 over the property. These facts the meeting would consider. Mr Thomas Buddie, the secretary of the Institute, then read the report on its condition and procpects : also, a report from the visiting agent, appointed to visit shin's and immi gi'.ints, which showed that tile a^eat had hpen the means of doing a larse amount of good. Mr Buddies report gave a succinct history of affurs during the past year, and showed that unless the £500 oould be raised thfi institute would be involved in other difficulties ; and if they were successful in raising that sum, the committee would be in P'siiion to carry on the operation? of a Young Men's Christian Association mnst effectively, an to make it more useful in its operation? than it has hitherto been. Mr O. Lewis, treasurer, read the financial statement. which chewed receipts (including- sum in bank), £410 Ifo; disbursements (including interest), £433. lSs 91. — adopted. Speeches on the object of the mesting were given by Messrs ftewrmn, Sbalders, Holdship, Mac ff^rlini}, Mason, and oihera, and turns of mf.ney were promised, amounting to £270, to lie forthcoming within the next ten days. The Rev. P. Mnson moved, "that Messrs tfold ship nud Shalders should be appointed to co-operato with the committee in organising a systematic collection." This being carried, the following gentlemen were appointed as a committee to collect subscriptions, Messrs Shalders, Stone, Holdslnp, Kllingham, Ellis, Peacock, Major, Gittos, Macff.irlane, Col. Baultain, and two ladies. The meeting closed in lhe usual v/ay. An agreeable anniversary tea mpeting was held last ovr-ning in the Mount Eden school room, presided <>ver by Mm Simon, and t'ne Misses Jones, Wellp, and Li ieh field. The chairman of tho after-meeting w;is Rev. P. II Cornford, who delivered a suitable address The report stated that the average atten dance at the Sunday-school wa<», morning, 24 ; aft; moon, 5 ; with 9 teachers. The library contained 780 volumes of moral and religious books. The balance-snret shewed a balance in hand. Receipts, £31 (is 2d ; expenses, £25 17s 5d ; balance in favor of school, £5 Ss 9d. The Chairman then called upon the Rev. G. H. Turner, wh<r delivered his address on "Persistency." MrE. Wood spoke on the subject of the "Sunday-school Union," and Mr Bwington gave an excellent address on "Discouragement." Mr >'oab Wood, who has just returned from England, gave his views oa '• English Life j" shewing how he wont home with the view of remain ing there, and how he took the first oppor tunity of leaving the fogs and glooms of his native land for the sunshine of New Zealand. The meeting was very harmonious, and closed in the usual way.

Reminiscences of that fearful time in Paris when the Commune was supreme, still make their appearance from time to time in En glish periodical literature, adding new chap ters to the dark history. In a recent number of Cornhill Magazine appears the following brief but thrilling sketch of the fate of a Communard:—"lt was pitch dark, for the gas-lamps had not been lit that night, but the rays of two lanterns held aloft by men with drawn swords, threw a lurid gleam on some hundred bayonets. The pavement on both sides of the way appeared to be covered with soldiers. A woman's voice was crying, " That is the notorious Captain Fielot-he has 850,000 francs about him, the fruits of plunder !' 'It is true !' answered Fielot's voice. ' Let me stand against the wall, and make an end of me quickly. I have nothing to say.' There was an instant's deliberation, then the group opened, and shadows seemed to flutter on the wall. A clump of men stood out clear in the glow of the lanterns, and in the luminous circle formed some dozen barrels uprose. Then something wild and terrible was enacted ; for just before the report of the rifle rang in the night air a second shadow rushed forward and blended itself with the first. A struggle ensued, and one shadow seemed to repel the other, but suddenly both dropped to the earth together, the woman embracing the man and crying, ' Oh, Victor, forgive me I 5 " Robert Dale Owen, the scientific believer in spiritualism, wag one of those most griev ously sold by the medium X ate King, who has recently been so completely exposed as an impostor. Mr Owen was asked during a cabinet sitting to pasa through the aperture a sheet of writing paper and a pencil. This was done ; a hand seized the sheet, and ap parently laid it on nothing, a few inches back of the aperture, and about four inches from the bottom of the opening. While the paper was thus seem ingly suspended in the air, a white hand, slowly traced out c, letter, which, when given to Mr Owen, was found to con tain a message from and signed by "Fred erick Robertson." Ab Mr Owen was familiar with the signature, and as he had seen the letter written by a " spirit hand " while the paper was "suspended in the air," and as the chronography closely resembled that of his departed friend, ho was forced to accept this ostensible evidence of spiritual presence and power as conclusive. The woman who confesses that she personated Katie King makes, in substance, the following statement in regard to the manner in which this was done : " The letter was written by Mr Holmes, who had a fac simile of Robertson's handwriting in the house. When the blank paper was passed into the aperture, another sheet on which the lines had been inscribed was substituted, and the paper (instead of being placed on nothing) was held on a black board by Mr Holmes, who had on a pair of black gloves. I —Ka r tie King—then drew over my right arm a black covering, leaving only the hand and part of the wrist exposed. This presented the appearance of a detached hand, and with the pencil I .pretended to trace out the worda on the paper already prepared." The amateurs taking part in the compli mentary benefit to Mr P. Doran will please meet for rehearsal to-morrow evening in the Lome-street Hall at half -past seven.

We hold over till to-morrow remarks re lative to a complaint made through onr yesterday's issue, referring to a closet erected over an old well in Victoria-street.

fWq have been requested to publish the following :—" CS. presents his compliments to Mr Hawthorne, and begs to ask him wlien he cf-ased connection with the ffawlce's Bay Herald as .Auckland correspondent ; and, also, if he beais no relationship, as father or fosvter parent, to the letters recently trans mitted as ' Auckland Correspondence.''

Mr J P. l*ing, one of the oldest and best known c.f city chemi»ts, hnsatlastreopencd on the site forme'ly occupied by him, which was burnt to the ground some months ago. He ia pcarceh set.led yet; as tho finishing tn'uchrs are being tiven to the in-ide by P'.intera and gr-iine's. The premises are certainly among the finest in the city, an'l present to the tye something very chaste anH vi iquo. Mr King hag spared no pain« in fitting un ihe shop. Mr King has been note'l for the purity of his drugs and his carefulness in compounding medicne. He superintends every prencription hiniseif, and vouches for its correctness.

"Othello" wag repeated last eveuing at the- Prince of Wales Theatre instead of our " American Cousin," in conspquence of the indisposition of Miss Colville who was unable in consequence to take the part of Emilia. Mrs Jones filled Miss Colville's place in an efficient manner. The drama was put forth with equal ability, and with equal satisfac tion a3 on the previous night. " Colleen Bawn" will be the performance of this even ing.

We have much pleasure in giving insertion to the enclosed, and urging its plea on the a'tantion of both the Early Closing Associ ation ahd employer,?:- "To the Editor: Sir, —What has become of the Early Closing Association ? Have they given up their efforts to ameliorate the condition of shop men and women ? Amongst the most promi nent to open are the clothiers, who if you ask them, will tell you it don't pay; but Brown opens, fo Smith must! I question much if it pays any of them 5 and it is a idty the prppd of one of two compels other larce establishments to keep men behind their counters until nine or ten o'clock every evening.— Yours &c, Pro "Bono Publico.

OHINEMURI.

THE WARDEN'S DECISION

Monday, March 15. The award made by Captain Fraser of the Government Reserve, Karangahake, to Messrs Thorpe and party, appears to have given general satisfaction. I hear that Coleman and pavty are in with Thorpe, and will consequently have a share "f whatever benefit may be derived from the tnine—so that nearly all the claimants are satisfied. If the parties, in the first instance, had put more trust in one another, all this trouble and bother would have been avoided. Tn looking over the evidence of the different claimants, it struck me as being remarkably strange that each party appeared to have found gold on exactly the same spot ; drawn towards Karangahake as by a mas^iet. All the gold they found seems to be in no other place but that disputed. Such being the case, one would naturally infer that the Govern ment Reserve ought to contain a heap of gold. I am, however, a wee bit inclined to imagine that if the deputed ground had been fi'uated ill another place it would bear exactly the same—the god would have been found on that exact epot. and no other, by all tbe claimants.

WOKK ON THE PROSPECTORS CLAIM

The prospectors evidently intend to work their claim vigorously, for on Saturday night they worked until midnight, nnd set in afrain at 12 o'clock to-niaht. All this week they will most likely be at work night and day, so a3 to learn as soon as possible the value of their ground in which they appear to have great faith. Wages men aro working the ground. They also have another claim on the other side of the creek, where they have men putting in a drive. Thorpe's p^rty after the Warden's decision had one hour to man their claim, and they accordingly started off at once, followed by a crowd of diggers, some of whom, when, they had ar rived on the ground, demanded to be shown gold at once, which the prospectors declined to do, as they wanted to put in a short drive to tap some water that covered the reef in their old workiugs—some angry words pnssed and there was nearly a row. One individual who had nothing to do with the prospectors, got a smack from some one for interfering—otherwise the storm abated and *he prosppctors' men were allowed to pro ceed quietly wifch their work.

RTCLTOIOHB SERVICE

Service was held at Mackaytown on Sun day morning, and in the afternoon the Rev. Mr Crump delivered a short address to a knot of diggers who had col lected in front of Austin's hotel, Paeroa, n,nd who seemed pleased at the cheering words spoken by the rev. gentleman, so different from the style oftentimes adopted by many ministers of grace, who evidently believe that their mission on earth is to recklessly hurl destruction upon all those who may unfortunately cross their path.

BUSINESS SITES,

I have noticed at Mackaytown that par ties who paid £1 for residence sites in streets marked off for that purpose, have opened stores in opposition to those who have paid to Government £5 for the privilege of having a business site in a street, set apart especially for that and no other purpose; and it is not fair to them that anyone should pay only £1 and have the same privileges as those who pay £5. By the Act this is not allowed, and will doubtless be seen to by the proper authorities.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Dr Home and G. M. Mitford, Esq., Justices of the Peace.) OVER-DONE. John Leonard and George Colville were charged with drunkenness and fined 5s each. ELTZA AND MARY. Eliza Rice, late of Noah's Ark but now of Jacob's Stone, was charged with being drunk and disorderly last night, and was fined 10s and costs. Mary Bourke, alias Molly Bawn, was charged with the same offence and fined 53 and costs, The former was found prostrate in Hobson-street, and the latter craving for water in a gutter in Cook-street. HUSBANDS AND "WIVES. Thomas Mulvany was again brought up on charges of drunkenness and ill-treating his wife, on the 15th inst. This man had previously appeared at court on a similar charge, and had promised to go away to the bush, instead of which he returned last night to the terror of his wife Mrs Mulvany said she was afraid h«r hus band would do her some serious injury.

Prisoner, who appeared somewhat excited, said he intended to have left Auckland by a boat yesterday, but did not go.

Mr Inspector Thompson said in this case it was necessary that the prisoner should be restrained.

The bench said that the prisoner must find sureties, himself in £20, and two others in £10 each.

William Neeman was charged with using threatening language towards Mary, his wife, whereby she feared for her life, and was afraid to return to her home.

Mrs Neeman said she was disposed to withdraw the charge against her husband if he would promise not to molest her again. William said he regretted his conduct—it was all owing to drink.

He was discharged with a caution. ROBERT BURNS. This young man, bearing the name of the Scottish bara, was "again brought up on

charge of threatening his "father, William Bums, on the 14th instant. The prisoner had been remanded for the purpose of undergoing a medical examination. Mr Inspector Thompson informed the Bench that the prisoner was sane, but (like his father) he had a violent temper. They had mutually agreed to separate, and pri soner was going to live with his sister in Queen-street. The elder Burns acknowledged to being brief, in temper ; and the younger Bums intimated that he was of an irritable turn ; bis father was in the h^bit of petting tight; and on the occasion of the alleged offence he was sickening with the measles. The father said he would not press the charge against his dear b»y. The dear boy expressed his gratitude, and was discharged. SAILORS OK SHOBE. Henry Lawson, James Kadfovd, and James McNeil, were chiiged wrh deserting from the British ship, India, on the 10 Ji inst now lying in the port of Auckland. The prisoners severally pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to three months' ini priaonment with hard labour. CITY RATES. James Paul was summoned for a rate due to the City Council, amounting _to £1 103. Judgment for plaintiff. LUNACY. A man named Michael Fahey, was charged with being of unsound mind, and upon medical testimony of Dr Hooper and Dr Lee was committed to the Asylum.

This was all the business.

OHINEMURI.

(PER STAR CARRIER PIGJBON.J

Holiday and Races.

Work on the Claims

Dispute among the Pros-

pectors

(From our Specivl Correspondent)

MACKAYTOWN.

This day, noon. The public offices here are all closed as it is a holiday, and claims are protected.

Numerous parties are working, others shifting their camps back into the bush from Mackaytown.

I notice the shareholders of the All Na tionsjclaim No. 1, north of the prospectors, are taking bellows, powder, and fuse to pro ceed to commence work.

The Prospectors have not yet reached the reef. Great dissatisfaction is felt at the slow manner in which they progress.

It is understood there is some misunder standing between Smith and Coleman and Thorpe's party, relative to the terms of amalgamation.

Most of those not working in the bush have gone to Paeroa to see the races to come off there.

Mackaytown is very dull,

Mr Mackay is holding a meeting with the natives at Te Moananui settlement, to obtain the remaining signatures to the schedule. There is some feeling amongi-t some of the natives against signing, chiefly the Kiriweras ; but this will not doubtless be overcome to-day.

CRICKET MATCH IN THE DOMAIN.

The match between the " Law " and " Out laws" took place this'morniDg at the Domain. Wickets were pitched at 11 a.m. The fol lowing is the scoring in the rirsfc innings :— Law. Rees, c Osborae b Tonks ... ... 7 .Alderton, b Garland ... 22 Hoskins, st Davis b Garland ... 0 Coimell, c White b Cox ... ... 4 Cooper, b Tonks ... 0 Foster, b Tonks ... ~. ... 0 Brassey, c Garland b Tonks ... 0 Buttle b Lacon ... ... ... 4 Beale, ebCox ... ... ... 0 Cox, not out ... ... ... ... 10 Clarke, o Castelli b Lacoa 0 Extras 13 Total 60 Outlaws. Garland, c Buttle b Connell ... 0 Lacon, run out .. ... ... 0 Davies, b Connell 5 Castelli, run out ... ... ... 2 White, c Alderton b Rees 0 Osborne, b Connell ... ... ... 0 Waterhouse, b Connell 2 Cox, b Bees ... ... ... ... 1 Tonks, not out ... ... ~. 0 Cadmau, c Brasaey b Sees . . ... 0 Marsh, b Rees ... ... ... 10 Total 20

PONSONBY HALL COMPANY.

A meeting of shareholders ia this Company convened by circular was held at the Hall last night. Mr A Stewart who presided, ex plained that the directors had made them selves personally liable to the Bank for an overdraftj that the Bank was pressing for immediate payment, that there were also some outstanding liabilities snd assets. It was necessary that something should be done at once to pay the Bank ov«rdraft. He called upon Mr Morton to read the financial state ment.--Mr Morton did this and reiterated the remarks of Mr Stewart as to the over draft, and the necessity for its being met as the Bank was very pressing for payment. The hall is mortgaged for £600 at 8 per cent, the rents to be received would more than payj interest on this, and if the Bank overdraft were paid the Hall Company would be out of difficulty. About £160, it was understood, was really necessary. Only a few persons had as yet taken up shares, and there was a considerable number to be disposed of. He concluded by moving that the company be wound up.—Mr Upton briefly seconded the motion.—Mr Boardman pointed out that the meeting could not carry such a resolution. Due notice must be given to the shareholders of a proposition of that nature. He was also strongly opposed to the attempt to wind .up the company, which meant the sale of tha hall, and its loss as a public hall to the district. He thought that sufficient efforts had perhaps not been made to carry but the original design of the pro moters of the ball, which was to enlist the sympathies of tha balk of the population, by providing entertainments, concerts, lectures, etc. ;alsoareading-roomand free publiclibrary. He had a strong desire to preserve the pro perty in perpetuity for the inhabitants of the district, and would like to see it placed ia trust. for that purpose, in the Highway Board for the time being, or in some other way. fie suggested that a district bazaar might be got up, which he believed would realise £250 net at the least; that the un sold shares should be disposed of, if neces sary, at a discount; that at the next annual meeting of ratepeyers a proposal should be made to levy only a rate of three farthings in the pound for road purposes, and make a . voluntary rate of one farthing to be specially applied to reducing the debt on the hall ; the total taxation would not "be thus in creased, while the hall would benefit con" siderably. If ail these failed, the hall should be offered to the Central Board of Education

aB the public school in the district, for which ie is admirably adapted ; the Board taking over the liabilities, which. it was stated, were scarce y two-thirds the value of the property. Mr Stewart -was doubtful whether a bazaar would be succesful, and it would take time, and involve a good deal of expense.—The motion to wind up the Company was with drawn.—Mr Stodart then proposed that a special meeting should be held on the 26th instant for the purpose of winding-up the Company. —Mr Boardman proposed and Mr Morton seconded an amendment thnt the meeting be called to devise means for liquid ating the Bank overdraft. The amendment was carried.—ln was suggested that in the next session of t''e Provincial Council steps should be taken to give ratt-payers in Hkh way Districts power to race themselves for Public Halls, really the Town Hail of each district.

AUTUMN HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

The exhibition of fruit at the Auckland Horticultural Society's Autumn Show, which is being held in the City Hall to-day, is beyond all comparison the best that bas ever been gathered together in Auckland. No more piactical refutation could be given to the statement which we so often hear repeated that the Auckland climate is not adapted to the growth of many varieties of fruits. Apples, against which ths objection has mainly been urged, were shewn to-day of every variety and in the greatest possible state of perfection. It has been wll observed by an old Tasmanian now resident here, that if the same care were exercised in the culture of the fruifc trees in Auckland as is displayed in the great fruit-growing colony, the results would be in no way inferior. The apples in to-day's exhibition are undoubtedly its chief feature; but all other varieties of fruit are well represented. <ur limited grace will harilly permit of a notice ia detail, but we cannot omit to mention the hothouse grapes staged by Mr. Bucklaud, including sweet water, Royal Ascot, and black Ham burgs large well-grown grapes in bunches, vveigh ing*from 21b. to 3;b. each. .Some very tine grapes' grown in the open air are also ex hibited, and one or two very inferior ones, which we wtre rather surprised to find on the atand. The exhibits of pears, although less nume ojp, are in no way inferior to the show of apples, and are worthy of attention. The exhibits of late peaches are few, bub one plate of Rangitikeis is a very superior fruit, and merits the coi s deration of growers. There are many exhibits of other descrip tion of fruit—plums (eooic very fine), figs, melons, medlars, prickly pears, and some fine specimens of the egg plant. Altogether the show of fruit i 3 most creditable to Auckland, and| its exhibi tion to-day will, we imagine, be effective in encouraging this branch of horticulture. The exhibits of flowers, as might of course be expected after such a long dry Eeason, were not numerous, but the thirteen stands of dahlias staged are ample in themselves to redeem this department of the show from the charge of baldness. On one stand we detect in the names given to the favorite varieties a commendable appreciation of the fourth estate on the part of their growers. Promi nent among them ia " The Evening Star," a compact, handsome, red dahlia, well de serving the premier place. On an adjoining stand is the "Southern Cross," large and unblushing, and smiling in a front rauk, " Editor Luckie." These novel recogDitioDS of the genius of the press are all txcellent varieties of that noble autumn flower. There are two collections of tine cus roses There weie alto one or two stands of verbenas and pansies remarkably good for the season. A variety of stocks was a feature on 'he stand at the upper end of the hall. Tuera were also several fire pots of flowering fuschias on the centre stand Wu were glad to see so many groen house plants staged. The varieties of begonias and coitus were especially noticeable. Among the exhibits of coleus the Duke c-f Edinburgh variety, of which, we observed two pots, was conspicuous. Among ths novelties of the Exhibition were '4 wo s'ouDg eatnboo planrs, staged by I\Jr David Hay. The vegetables shewn were nofc' so good as we anticipated. There were however, some splendid potatoes, which would gladden the heart of any farmer of well-balanced mind. The varieti? s included kidney, regent, red-skins, Victoria,, provincial fluke, tanar, etc. An oval nut meg pumpkin, weighing about 401b , formed a substantial centrepiece on the bench, faced by a beautiful g>cen pie meloo, which was a picture ia itself. The exhibits in this de partment included cabbage, turnips, carrots, beans, peas, parsley, celery, bee*;, rhubarb, onions, I cucumbers, filberts, and a sample of American pop corn. On as and at the top of tha hall, Mr. R. Brewin, Bet daman, of the market-place, exhibited a large variety of garden and agricultural seeds, vegetables, etc., but not for competition. Among these were some magnificent large Deptford onions, grown in Mr. Whitaker's garden, from seed supplied by Mr Brewin, also various new vari ties of potatoes recently imported from Eng land and America, and various specialties from New York. On a stand at the entrance to the hall were Bhown peach and quince jam, and tomato sauce manufactured by Mr Cottis, of Parnell. We have not space to-day to refer to the exhibits in greater detail, but the prize-list published below gives the results, as far as completed at half-past three o'clock. The show was to have been opened to the public at noon, but the exhibits were brought forward very late, which delayed the ope ning and inconvenienced the judges. Ex hibitors should endeavor to avoid this in future. The Rev. E. N. Bree, and Mr Abercrom bie, who fulfilled the offices of judges, did so in a way that gave entire satisfaction. The exhibition will continue open to night. SCHEDULE OF PRIZES. Sec. 1. - Opew to All Comers. A. —plants. 1. Stove or greenhouse plants, in sets of 6, lat prize, David Hay ; 2nd prize, T. Bul len, 2. Stove or greenhouse plants, single specimen, Ist prize, A. Gillespie. Fuschias, in sets of 6, pots not over 12 inches in dia meter, Ist prize, T. Bullen. Begonias, in sets of 6, Ist prize, A. Gillespie. Basket of miscellaneous plants, tastefully arraaged, Ist prize, David Hay. Window plant?, Ist prize, A. Gillespie. B. — CUT FLOWERS. 21 dahlias, in sets of 18 distinct varieties, Ist prize, A. McDonald ; 2nd prize, E. Lip piatt. Dahlias, in sets of 12, Ist prize, A. McDonald ; 2nd prizo, E. Lippiatt. 22 dahlias, best single bloom, Ist prize, E. Leppiat; 24 ditto, A. McDonald ; wedding bouquet, Ist prize, G. Warburton; extra prize, zinnias, David Hay. C—Fruits. Black grapes, grown under glass, Ist prize, D. Mclndoe ; do, white grapes, Ist prize, Tnos. Herbert; 2nd prize, D. Mclndoe; peaches, Ist prize, Geo. Warburton ; plums, Ist prize, H. L. Sharp ; dessert apples, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 2nd prize, W. J. Palmer; culinary apples, Ist prize. H. J. Hawkins; 2nd do, H. L Sharp; dessert pears, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins; 2ud prize, H. L. Sharp; green flesh melou, Ist; prize, A. M. McDonald ; water melons, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 57 lemons, Ist prize, D. Mclndoe ; best dish nuts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; beat dish tilberts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins. Collec tion of apples, six sorts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 2nd prize, H. L. Sharp. Collec tion of pears,- six sorts, Ist prize, H. J. Hawkins ; 2nd prize, H. L. Sharp. Collec tion of plums, extra prize, H. J. Hawkins. D.— CULINARY VEGETABLES. Tomatoes, lac prize, David Hay cucum bera, best brace, David Hay; carrots, Ist prize, W. Reay; onions, Ist prize, John Braithwate; potatoes (kidney), Ist prize; W.J. Palmer; 2nd do, W. S. M. Houlton :

collection of potatr.ee (twelve i____JSvVa prize, W. J. Pslmer j vegetabi ViZi!*^? Ist prize, «. Wai bur lon ; pujOli^ ?V prize, W. S. Hi. Bruit on; co|liectio' tt , vegetables. Ist prize, David Hay. j§ °* •'_'■ [The judges have not etmpisted ♦!,-. awards. The above is the ptizeHist as decided.] / * v

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

St Pa'rio«'s Day ! -=t P-t-icVsßayj Oh, thou tormenting I, ish iay ; I'vo Kf)t th c buzzing in ruy brain, Ao<i ciuEot tarn thee oal ughin. Apteb the starry torn of midnight the m e l-.es of the Hobson Bcind turned out and paraded the city, playins; in their best atv] " St 'Patrick's Day in the mornino" +1! " Irish Emigrant;," and stver.il other'live]! Hibernian airs, followed by a large number of persons who appeared to enjoy tha seen* wuh a true relish. St. Patrick's day is b no means a general, but only a partial holiday. The banks are closed but the show are mostly left; open for trading purposes Thare arc few young persons, however, even in Auckland, who would object to keeping St. Patrick's or any other Saint's day in fro lie and idleness. A variety of contradictory and improbable stories are told about the tutelar Saint of Ireland. Some say he was 1 Scotchman, others an Irishman, and others a Frenchman. Nobody therefore seems truly to know to what nationality St. Patrick be.' longed, whether theland of the thistle, of the the'shamrock, or the lily ; and it matters but little, so long as his familiar name is the ccV t«n sign of a holiday, and his moral example of use to those who venerate his memory The traveller in Ireland still hears— Stories old and quaint About the patron Saint.

and is led to imagine that St. Patrick visited Ire'and for fne benefit; of witty guides andfo piomote rrririh in wet weather. It ia not improbable but; that, a 1 housand years hence Jonathan Swifr, may exercise a similar influence in the same dear isle of the O'Conntl'fl snd O'Cailsghan's. The legends and miracles of St. Patrick ara numeious and what he did and what he did not would fill a large volume. If the Rev. Saint visited Ireland for the sake of making the heart glad in such a humid clim ite as thut of the green isle ; if he did diive all ths snakes out of the land, if he did lead the people, through the priesthood, to the shrine of liberty, then in deed may he claim the merit of a public benefactor. The true-born Irishman, how ever, who venerates the saintly memory, mi Idly rebukes that levity of mind which would lead to the conclusion that St. Patrick worked half the absurd miracles attributed lo him in the poetic legends and supersti tions of Ireland, and reclothes the holy man with his ancient apostolic dignity. We be lieve that Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, Scot, land, is generally accepted as the birth-place of St. Patrick, where he was born in 373, and that in bis 120 th year he died at Saul Abbey, couDty of Down ; but respecting the place of his burial, there have been as many disputes among his followers, as there were' among .the citizens of Athens as to the resting-place of Homer. St. Patrick, it is written, having formed a design of con verting the people of Ireland (o the Christian faith, travelled on the Continent, the better! to qualify himself for the undertaking. He w?s at length sent by Pope Celestine as» missionary to Ireland, and landed at Water ford in 441, where he began his arduous labours. He founded the See of Armagh, and several schools ; he was also an author, and wrote several books, which, in the year 1656, were collected and published by Sir Jame3 Ware. The Christian morality which S". Patrick is said to have enforced in his example and teachings, are truisms. To love, to forgive, to endure, and to contend for the right are precepts of inestimable valu* in themselves, ami have a sublime significance when embodied in the deeds and sufferings of noble men, and St. Patrick, whose name is still held reverently and murriJy in Auckland to-day, for ought -m know,"might have been one of them. Service was held in the Cathedral this morning, and at the 7.30 mass the Hibernian Society attended in a body. The customary patberin^ of all the schools connected with the Church was postponed, in consequence of the prevaler.ee of measles, nut a .number of children connected with various school* met and amused themselves. At ten o'clock the Hibernian Society, wearing tbeir sashes and preceded by their band, marched in pfo*1. cession from St Patrick's Hall, Wyndhantj street, to the station, where they embarked for the sports at Ellerslie.

ELLERSLIE GARDENS.—THE HIBER NIAN FETE,

Committee: Bro T). FaUra. P.P. Bro J. Clarke, BP. Kro J. i ittle, V.P. Bro B Hamill, BS. R:o J Sallivan, P V.P. Bro J. Dempsey, P.T. Bro W. <;, C nnolly Bro M. Gallagher X Bro P. Maddigan Bro J Oal sgher Bro J P Lo'ergan Bro S. Faiiweiither Bro J. O'Donnell Bro H. Brennen A really fine day at last. The dreary ex« periences of Boxing Day, New Year'H Day and Annniversary, seemed about to be re peated when yesterday towards evening, the gathering clouds -warranted the prediction of a rainy St. Patrick's Day, but his saintahip has turned a deaf ear to the many anxious implorers for the- revising moisture and though under present circumstances rain come when it may, will prove as Tennyson calls it a " useful trouble I indeed, yet in the interest of the many thousands who have been looking forward to spending a happy day in the^open air, we cannot but be gratified that its downfall has been deferred for a few hours. The enterprising proprietor of Eilerslie Gar dens has been peculiarly unfortunate in hav ing bad weather on the days of his fetes. Gavden3 must have rain to make them look beautiful, but they are anything but pleasant places to go to on a wet day, so if the heavens are unpropituous » simply, means loss of all the trouble and expense the owner has gone to for the delectation of the Undis mayed by previous disappointments, Mr «. | Graham increased rather than otherwise his exertions to render this St. Patrick's Day at Ellerslie a grand occasion. By the happy co-operation of the Hibernian Society the proprietor's intentions were furthered in the moat complete manner. It was arranged that the Society should hold their annual gathering at the Gardens, and that a special programme of athletic sports and games should be gone through. This was adver- ~ tised some weeks ago, and gave great satis faction . O fcher attractions were also secured, and that the public appreciated the pains that were being taken to please them was proved by the crowd which repaired to the Britomart station, en route for Ellerslie"this morning. The members of the Society, to the number of about 160, marched n procession to St. Patrick's Cathedral at nine o'clock. The tfobson Baud headed the procession. High- Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Walter McDonald, who, during the service, expressed his regret that the clergy could not. take the school children in procession to the Hibernian Fete as in previous years, incon sequence of the prevalence of measles. In * short address the Rev. Father alluded to the associations of the anniversary and comple mended the Society on its prosperous condi tion. The President of the Society, W&k Olark, the Vice - President, J- kijj'f the past President, D. Fallon, />© treasurer and secretary, Messrs .DerVstt and Hamill, were in attendance. Brother I W. -G. Connolly acted as marshal. The officers of the Qtahuhu branch presenti|| were President James Mcllroy," Vice-Presi- | dent Jno Oallagher, Treasurer K. Martin, Secretary J. Jones. Of the Unebunga branch, m President C. Heenan, Vice-Pre«ident J. McMahon, Secretary C. Lucas, TroaaurerA. - Q'BugUn. From the Church tMJMMlfliii

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