SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATEK : This evening 462 ; to morrow mernlng. 6 21 SUN SET : This evening, 447 ; SUN KIBE : to morrow mornln< 7 9 MOOWB AGfi : New moon, 4th Juno, 10 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

southern Cross, s s, McKenzie, from Hokisnga (in the Manukau) Acadi*, scQnoner f<om Russell 8t Hilda, ss, from Wangaa^i

DEPARTURES.

lona b a. for th* Vorth A-gnra, >ciin. np r , for Dunedin Th« s.b. So uhprn Cross (in the Manukau) Teports the tiarque An'ipodes at H. kia iga ready for .-ea, aud the schooner Queen anived from Auckland.

The St. KiHa arrived this morning from Wanganui She got out on Sunday night, and had fine w earlier throughout the run. Passengers : Mss V->n Tempsky, Mr J. M. Flower, and six others.

The schooner Cynthia is daily expected in the Mannkau from Wellington. She has 500 kegs of powder on board. After dis charging she is to proceed to the Kaipara to load.

The schooner Omaha sailed jrom Kaipara for Lyttelton on the 27th, with a cargo of tinVber shipped at the Aratapu Mill. The Hanah Bloomfield was loading for the South at the Te Kopuru Mill, Kaipara, ac cording to last advices. We see thit the schooner Estella would have left Daneciin some days before her departure on the 20th, but for having to unload a portion of her cargo in consequence of being too deeply laden to get down to Port Chalmers.

The enquiry into the loss of the Elderslie ended in the captain and mate being acquitted of all blame. The ship Invererce, which Jeft here about two months back for Napier with railway iron, arrived at Lyttelton from the latter port on the 16th inst. The brig "Rio Loge, the brigantine Magellan Cloud, Flirt and Helena, and the schooner Maiy Melville were at Lvttelton when the Ladybird left.

The brigantine Magellan Cloud arrived at Lyttnl ton from Chatham Islands on the 17ch inst. This concludes her chtrter by Mr Hood, and it is probable she will come up »o Auckland shortly.

The barque Cabarfeidh, bound from Boston via the Cape to Auckland, had artived at the Cape prior to the 27th of February Ko subsequent intelligence has been received, but it is thoognt that she would procted to Mauritius or some other port before coming on to Auckland.

The Kate Macgregor, from Auckland, arrived at Bear Island, near .Napier, on "Wednesday, but owing to southerly winds had to run to Napier for shelter. From Bear Island she will proceed to Ly ttelton in ballast.

The ?.?. Tona left for the North yesterday evening, taking as usual a large number of passengers and a quantity if cargo. The schooner Acadia brings a cargo of coal from BusselL

The cutters Sovereign of the Sea and Wangarei are ready to sail for Wangarei.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows . — For Thames, tomorrow, at 930 a m and 5.30 p"m For Coromandel per Manaia, this day, at 5 p m

For Kawau per Mary, this day, at 5p m For Taranaki and Southern provincer, per Ladybird

to-morrow, at 6 a m For Oisborne and Napier, per Go-ahead, to-morrow ;

at 3pm Per ss. Macgregor, on Friday, the 11th inst,, as follows:— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South Ameics, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 10.30 a.m. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10.30 am. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 9 30 a m Late letters bearing a Tate fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received on board by the

Mail Agent up to time of sailing. Mails for Otahuhu, Papakura. Drury, Pukeknhe, Tuakau, Pokeno, and Mercer, will, until further notice, he made up at 6am daily. Return mails will reach town at 7 pm. (Signed) J. E. Coney, Acting Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

DUNNING—On the Ist ult, at Waiwera, the wife o

Mr Rufus Dunning of a daughter. LACON—On May 29, at Parnell, Mrs Lacon of a son.

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1875

For the cause t}.:it l.ivX.t .v;si-.t <;•,• i'or tiit? wrung Li »*, »<:<• :s i.-.-i :.-.r "af she tV.ture in tlui Jw..■;:,...

It may be supposed that attention has been sufficiently directed to the Old People's Refuge. But we cannot withold the sub joined letter on the subject of the needless and cruel humiliation to which these aged recipients of the public bounty appear to be reduced.

"Mr Editor, —Your lady correspondent of the 26fch thinks that she has found the height of impudence in the way Mr Graham disposes of other people's money according to his strange ideas ; but it only remains for the man that acts gaoler over the the Old Men's House to out-Herod him. He has numbered and branded them in four places just as he has seen it done in the prison when he was there. Fancy a gentleman who has held Her Majesty's commission in the army with honour to himself, and who through sickness and misfortune, has to wear a convict's garb, lose his individuality, and be known as No. 15 ; and this indignity to be heaped on them for the crime of helpless old age and poverty. I would call on you, sir, as a Christian gentleman to use your pen and influence to clear the country of those paltry tyrants who would try to degrade their fellow-men. lam sure Sir George Grey is not aware that the poor old men are treated as convicts, and galled and outraged in their feelings, or he would not tolerate it for an hour ; but his time is so much taken up now that he cannot know the doings of the old men's gaoler. — Yours, truly, Old Sinbad."

There are some to whom this act of branding may appear a trivial matter. They may say that beggars should not be choosers, and that those who are supported at the pnblic ex pense ought to cheerfully submib to such rules as are imposed in the interest of the public service. We admit the force of all this, and if any necessity exists for such degradation, these poor old fellows must sub. mit. But, we think, that there are those— and that they constitute the great majority of people—who admit that feelings of self respect are not unworthy, and that a man who has occupied honored and honorable positions in the days of his energy and youth, may be pardoned if, when compelled by age and infirmity to accept the relief of charity, he feels very keenly the humiliation of bearing the mark that is recognised as the brand of a felon. But we allude to this only as additionally illustrative of the heartless ness that characterises the administration of ourrelief of thedestitute. Itis generally known that this unfeeling demeanour is not con fined to the inside of the walls of the Re. fug c; but the harshness which meets the poor man or poor woman, when in sickness or destitution they apply to obtain a share Of the miserable rations doled out by the pro vince, has for a long time been notorious. We have beside us, as we write, a letter on the Bubjecfc, which deals with this in no measured terms, referring specifically to a particular case, of which we have heard be fore in this wise, "to tell a poor dying man that there is nothing the matter with him, to accuse him of improvidence, intemperance, and other imaginary crimes in the coarsest language, and refuse him admission to the Hospital, notwithstanding a medical certifi cate. When at last compelled by impor tunity, and tears rolling down his furrowed cheeks, 'tis but a grim salve to duty and overstrained officiousness, to learn that the poor victim died three days after admission was refused." The letter in other respects is couched in terms rather strong for admission, but it would be only affectation to question, what is known to all, that there is an amount

of harshness used by the Relieving Officer in guarding the Provincial beneficence, that is often heartbreaking to Unfortunate appli cants for relief, already bowed down in humiliation and suffering. We admit that the position of Provincial finance necessitates that what is given away in charity should be given sparingly, and that of all things the utmost precaution should be used against imposition. But it is needless to say that all this could be done without a savage on slaught on the past lives of improvidence which may or may not have reduced the applicants to distress ; and that a little balm of sympathy and kindness could, without any loss, be poured into the bruised and wounded spirit, even if the necessities of the case precluded substantial relief. We do not think that in any other part of the colonies in these southern seas is there so much ferocity mixed up with the ad. ministration of relief to suffering and dis tress. If any one in good positi in now, an ticipates the possibility of being reduced' by sickness or misfortune to penury, be it his earnest prayer to heaven that the lot of his beggared old age may be cast any where, but not in Auckland. And why we ask is it that we cannot have the intervention of some committee, or some body of citizens as in other places, at onoe to give discriminating supervision, and to infuse a little of the milk of human kindness into the administration of that sweetest, gentlest, best of all the Christian graces— charity ?

We do not know what to make of our con temporary the Cross. We do not wish to speak unkindly ; but in the name of all that is honest and of good report whatever does it mean by its action in relation to the late scandalous proceedings over the Waite mata Roll. "There is but little if any difference" says the Cross " between the conduct of the various parties who distin guished themselves by putting fancy voters on the roll for the advantage of. their friends, and subsequently earned a doubtful notoriety by their various schemes for getting rid of the voters put upon the roll of their rivalß." After this we may see anything in print j and when anyone presumes to defend the late attempt at stuffing the roll with the most scandal ously bogus claims, we are prepared to hear anything. The struggle has been one between the honorable indignation of all honest men and the nefarious attempt to deprive the people of Wai';emata of their privileges. Our contemporary places all con cerned on an equal footing, and so the police who are often driven to their wits' ends to catch thieves, are on an equal footing with those whom by their cleverness they lodge in quod. The case is simply this. There was not one solitary claim made by or on behalf of the sitting member, Mr Yon d<3r Heyde. Not one. But it came to his knowledge that some hundreds of new claims had been presented, on bogus qualifi cations of lots presented at liiverhead, the nature of which was well exemplified in the repudiation by Mr Fordyce, published in our columns yesterday. As representative of the district, irrespective of his personal in terests, it was the duty of Mr Yon der Heyde to prevent such a gross and outrageous wrong. He employed a man to object to the bogus claims, a duty which might have been performed by our best citizen. Unfortunately he fell upon one of those unprincipled men who are bought and sold. But if the devil himself had been on the roll, and selected for the duty, and done it well, the thanks of the whole community of honest men would have been due to the devil for bis good offices. Brodie lodged his ob jections, and then came the tug of war. As stated by himself he was haunted night and day by Allen der and Carr who offered him sums of money rising from £20 to £50, and with a dim prospect of £100, if he would betray his employer and withdraw his objec tions. He was threatened even with an ex ecution in his house unless he withdrew. The man was driven to semi-distraction. He took the bribe from Allender, a promissory note of that person's for £45 payable in a month, and a promise of £2 10s a week for six months in Macfarlane's little printing office, —which, by the way, somebody says, is to be removed to the new "special settlement" of River head. However, he took the bribe, and signed a revocation of his objections, which happily was treated as it deserved. His flight to the Bay of Islands is beside the question. He himself appears to hav,e first proposed it as a means of escape from the importunity of Carr and Allender; and his going after he had taken the bribe from them was to get out of the row. The statements that promises of £40 and other sums from Mr Yon der Heyde and Mr Rees, or others on the same side, are simply gratuitous falsehoods trumped up to cover retreat from the dirtiest transaction that has offended public honor for many a day. Brodie, as an elector, did what any elector might have done, and dozens would cheer fully have done if asked, in appending his name to objections to these hundreds of scandalous claims. And if superhuman efforts were made to keep Brodie from "ratting" while it was known that he was nibbling at Oarr's and Allender's baits, then all honor to those who still struggled to prevent the wholesale stuffing of the roll The effrontery of those who dare to defend the attempt is unparalleled. One would have thought that the shame admitted by Allender and Carr in skulking out of the Court when their own claims were approach ing would have kept their mouths shut. If those bogus claims had any foundation why did those claimants residing in town not come forward and substantiate theirs at least. The adjournment gave plenty of time for it. Where was Carr, who has been the chief schemer apparently in this ugly business ? He was in the Court, and he moved out as his name was about to be called. Where was the soap-man, who was Carr's right hand man, and who had given Us valuable pro missory note to Brodie, with the pieces of whitewash still sticking to it? Allender also Blunk out as his name approached. Where was George Jones, jun, the unfortunate printer, whom unexpected and unwonted troubles are bringing to an untimely grave ? Be did not appear. And where was John Bent? Modesty or sense of honor did not prevent him at leaat from telling hia rtory in the witness-box

But even he was not allowed to appear. We are really sickened and disgusted at the Whole thing; and heartily sorry are we to see that the Cross, which Bhould take an honorable stand in behalf of outraged public decency, has so far forgotten what was due to itself, as to represent the affair as equally disgrace ful to those who with great difficulty pre vented, and those who attempted this gross and horrible offeQce against public rights. We trust that the case will be pressed with the utmost rigour of the law, and that not only will the public see the dangerous machina tions of a party to'erated in its midst, but see condign punishment meted out to the conspirators.

Mr Brierly, of Onehunga, is about to pro vide a public bathing-place, with fresh and salt-water baths, in conjunction with the Family and Commercial Hotel, of twenty rooms, which is to be re-opened by him, and fitted up with every convenience. The site of the bath 3is in the neighbourhood of Gib bons's wharf. Their erection will add a much-need convenience to Onehunga as a watering-place, and will no doubt tend to popularise the town as a summer resort. Mr Brierly's 'busses leave the hotel daily.

An account appears elsewhere of the lafce storm as felt on the West Coast. _ A gentle man who has just arrived from Kaipara states that the residents declared it the stiffest blow they have had for 16 years. Several vessels whieb are known to have been out in it had not been heard of when our informant left.

The Church Gazette for June is to hand Among its notices we find an intimation of the naxt even song in connection with the Diocesan Choral Union to be held at St. Mary's, Parnell, on the 29fch June, when the associated choirs are requested to attend. Mr Hugh Carletonhas been appointed a governor of St. John's College vice Sir G. A. Arney, resigned, and Mr G. M. Mitford succeeds the late Chief Justice at the Pension Board. The leading article under the signature" It.M." comments on the much-vexed question of the Dunedin Bishopric, and following this is a reply by the late Bishop of Wellington to the letter of the Dean of Christchurch. Another chapter continues the story of missionary labour in Waikato. There is an account of an interesting vesit to the training station, full parochial intelligence, and the extracts are of the usual high standard.

A correspondent, "Observer," refers to the proceedings on the occasion of the purg ing of the Waitemata Roll, and says:—"lt was evident that Mr Hesketh felt heartily ashamed of the position in which he found himself, when the character of the whole transaction dawned on his mind, i feel con fident that he was not aware of the nature of the cases he came to defend, and when the bogus character of the claims, and the dirty means used to take Brodie off appeared, he did not conceal his contempt for the whole business." We have heard similar state ments from other onlookers, and it is quite in accordance with what we would expect. We have no reason for liking Mr Hesketh particularly, for he is always employed to call us t& order, but we think there is not a more honourable or straightforward man in the legal ranks iv New Zealand, and his posi tion in this nasty business must have been particularly irksome. But he is not the only honeßt and respected citizen who is occa sionally dragged through the mire by sympa thy or connection with the same unscrupu lous party.

To the Editor: Sir,—Having recently perused an article in an Auckland journal copied from a leading Melbourne one, sug gesting that a homoeopathic ward should be specially set apart for the practice of that system of medicine consequent upon the success which attended its administration in the person of one of the leading citizens of Victoria '-(Mr Cohen, a member of the Go vernment), I deem it a matter of justice and gratitude to mention a case of unqualified success of the system. Some time since a daughter of mine was seriously ill, so much so that I was induced, after testing the ordi nary modes of treatment, to resort to homceo pathy, and under Dr Hartmann my daughter has been perfectly restored to health. I have no object in obtruding myself on your columns but to direct the public attention to the curative and beneficial reaults of homoeopathy, and to the practitioner in question, to-whom I am indebted for having restored my daughter from a serious illness, resuscitating her to perfect health.—lam, &c, P. Dtjvally.

The market aviary, containing whistling canaries, talking magpies, and chattering parrots; also, the miniature menagerie of cats, dogs, and other tame and wild animals is open for the inspection of naturalists and others for a few days only. Pigeons, rabbits, and the members of the happy family are, we learn, to be separated or soldjin one lot, if so desired by any purchaser, who may call at Clark's aviary in the market.

The Good Templars of the Excelsior Lodge, meeting in Sheridan-street, have re solved upon holding a tea-meeting in the little chapel on the green brow of the hill, to be followed by an open lodge meeting, when members and friends will interest the audience with music, song, speech and story. The ladies will serve the tea and tarts and buns punctually at half-past six.

The June number of the St. Matthew's Parish Magazine is before us, and contans the usual amount of local matter, notices of busi ness for the month in prospect in connection with the church, also the monthly almanack. The literary quality of the magazine is quite equal to that of previous numbers. There are several religious poems of average merit, papers on Church Proverbs and the Religious Orders of the Middle Ages ; the continuation of an instructive story, and a brief sermon on the pure in heart, by the Bishop of Car lisle.

In the action Morton v Jones for a claim of £21 9s 8d being defendant's share of liabili ties in connection with Ponsonby Hall, the defence was that plaintiff could not recover, the bank had sustained no actual loss, and the bill which had been discounted by the manager, Mr. Hean, for the co-sureties was still current. Mr. Rees said it was evident that Mr. Jones had been waited upon by Mr Devore in relation to the matter, when Mr. Jones promised to pay his share of the lia bility, and he could see no reason why, as the other gentleman had paid, defendant should not pay also. Judgment was reser ved until next court day.

The Newton choristers will sing this even ing in the Newton Congregational school room, at half-past seven o'clock.

We remind our numerous readers that the St, James' literary and musical entertain ment will take place this evening in the City Hall. We are of opinion that this will be the best of the entertainments ever given by this progressive young men's society.

Miss Christian's programme erf her parting concert, .on Thursday evening next, appears in this day's issue. The musical selections, glees, and songs are all of a high order, and eminently calculated both to interest and elevate an audience. Miss Christian will sing several ballads, the " Storm," and the "Lime Tree by the River." Mrs. Mitchell will add to the harmony of the evening with the touching lyric " Her Heart was in her Song," and " Who Can Tell ?" Other ladieg and gentlemen will come forward with heart and voice in order that the concert shall be a great success ; among these we notice the names of Mrs. Snell, and Messrs Rice, Os borne, and Tole j the latter gentleman elicited marked applause on the last oc casion in the Choral Hall. The glees, quartettes, and other selections of mnsio are judiciously selected from the great mas ters of melody—Mendelssohn, Mozart, aud others whose compositions are known to every student of music and song. The farewell concert to Miss Christian on Thurs day evening therefore, cannot fail in attract ing a largo audience.

Mr Darrel's adaptation of the "Trail of the Serpent," from the novel of the same name by Miss Braddon (Mrs Maxwell) was performed last evening at the Theatre with a considerable amount of success. The novels of this popular writer are not of the healthiest character, they were evidently written for sensational effect, rather than for any moral purpose; hence her books have had a fascinating influence with the young without beneficent results, and "The Trail of the Serpent" betrays the same tendency The dramatic version of Mr. Darrell keeps pretty closely to the original, and presents several startling incidents which win the attention of the majority of play goers. We do not wish to condemn harshly any produc brought forward for the amusement of the people, still we are of opinion that the dig nity of the stage should be as creditably sustained as possible. Without going into the merits of the piece, we Would simply note its^successive incidents, and leave the public to'judge of its moral excellence. The prodigal's return—the snake in the grass— the midnight murder—the suicide—the arrest-the tempter and the victim—death by poison—double villiany, &c, &c Was ever a more dainty dish set before a queen? Jabez North was played by Mr. Darrell, Gaston by Mr. Aveling, Mar wood by Mr. Sweeny, Montague Harding by Mr. Deering, the Smasher, by Sam Pook, who threw a great deal of life into this character. Miss Clara Stephenson, as Valeric de Ceven neg played with much vivacity, as also did Mrs. Jones, who sustained the character of Mrs. Marwood. Miss Maggie Knight, as the poor outcast, played the character of the forlorn maiden in a seemly and effective manner. The scenery by Mr Thornton, the artist, was in general harmony with the tone and incidents of the drama, which will be repeated this evening. We notice that a change will come o'er the scene to morrow evening, when Mr. Tom Taylor's "Beneath the Wheels " will be produced.

NOTES OF A TRIP FROM HAMILTON TO RAGLAN.

(WRITTEN FOR THE "STAR.")

Dear Sir,— Assuredly many of your readers are acquainted with the way from the Wai kato to Raglan. It is to be fairly presumed, however, that the great majority of them are not. A few people pass that way in summer, almost the mail carrier alone in winter. THE COUNTRY BETWEEN HAMIL TON AND WHATAWHATA. By the present route, Raglan is distant from Hamilton about forty miles or so From Hamilton to Whatawhata—somewhat about twelve miles—most of the way is up hill and down-hill: cheerless, bleak, and unattractive. Three miles from Hamilton and a human being is a " rare bird " indeed. Pipeclay, and stunted fern, and ti-tree, and monotonous swamps abound there. Near the Waipathe country improves considerably, and the prospect is much more cheeriDg. Whatawhata is truly a smiling valley. A few Europeans have sottled there, and seem to be doing well. The Waipa banks are very picturesque here. Natives whares are numerous, and native men appear more along the Waipa than their dusky brethren in i other districts. There is native store at Kiri Creek down lower. A native punts you across the river, and the " Native Company" intend to start a " branch store " very soon just close to the punt. There is industry for you. The punt has undergone some improve ments latterly. It is decent enough now, but a horse has to jump to a height of about three feet to get on deck. It recalls to mind the " Scanden Naven" of the Romans. The same is the mode of getting off. But woe to you unless you have a quiet and kind heart. A headstrong fellow will never do it. The opposite bank is almost perpendicular and very slippy. To gain the top a lively rush must be made by man and horse. "If you fall don't wait to get up, but run away."

THE PIRONGIA RANGES.

The track lies along the river now for about four miles. Right before you is Pirongia, which you are approaching. On your left the Waipa, meandering pleasantly along with an occasional settler on the opposite bank; and on the right an endless variety of ranges ex tending up the river to Alexandra and down to Ngaruawahia and far away beyond view towards the Piako country. You can see and contemplate with horror the very spot on Pirongia's broadside, where poor Todd was despatched by a Hauhau. Well, come on. Let us traverse this easy path quickly. Arrived at the junotion of this and the track down from Alexandra, let us hasten over a gentle range, scamper rapidly across a small intervening plain, have a friendly salute from some bushmen and Maories by the way, and commence with good heart to brave the steep ascent. AJ. P. told me once that when ascending here he used to hold the horse by the tail and let the animal pull him up. Pleasant you will say, but the ranges are not all so fanny aa that. There are some levels higher up, and you are greatly pleased to find there veritable limestone. The bush scenery on either side is simply charmiDg, and from some peaks you get delightful peeps through the stately bush of the Waikato circular plain. All this rewards your labour. Don't delay here too long. You have yet to make the descent on the other side.

THE VALLEY OF THE WAITETUNA

RIVER.

While dascending, you have the long, narrow Waitetuna Valley before you, unin habited for a distance of about eight miles. One touch more at the ranges: The way across them is about four or five miles long, in some parts exceedingly dangerous for man and horse, especially after rain. What a track in winter ! Deep slushy ruts, almost perpendicular steeps, a narrow, broken, time worn track. That will do. A PLEASANT RESTING-PLACE. Hurrah for a beautiful little stream at the western base! pure water, pebbly bed, plenty shade from lovely bush ! Who would be so cruel to himself and horse as not to stop and regale both ? The beast first, and then get your flask of the best btand. Of course you have with you some biscuits or sandwiches as well. You need here liquids and solids of first-class quality. The feed over, mount again ; you have got 16 miles yet before you to Raglan. The way is now very pleasant; the silvery stream and bush clad ranges are on your right for some miles, and the valley, bounded by a similar line of ranges, on the left.

DIFFICULTIES OF THE ROAD.—WORK

FOB, THE GOVERNMENT

. But caution ! don't go too fast. Here is the first of eight small bridges which I am jus tified in describing as vile, horrible, ugly, shapeless, and of course, most dangerous. Three are utterly impassable. The nimblest cat would mew most piteously had she been obliged to attempt them in their present condition. A wayfarer effects the crossing; now by sliding his beast into a narrow, half blind, swampy creek, which must be rushed with great spirit, and then up the opposite side. Use the spur, if you have got one, 'and be sure to hold the horse firmly by the mane while running up the opposite bank. That gives you an idea of the manner of my successful . crossing beside those vile things called bridges. Five more of them are not so handsome j but you will find in them holes almost large enough to let down yourself and horse, r I assure you I had a narrow escape getting over one in pa-rdcular. After No. Bis left behind, the way is safe enough into Raglan. APPROACH TO RAGLAN. - You now are pleased to find an occasional European abode. A few clumps of blue gums would indicate a settlement along here of about ten years standing, probably some people in this locality booh after

General Cameron's time; for that General passed on by this way with his men to the Waikato. It was then the present track was cleared through the ranges. Well, but when will the Government set abont mending their bad and dangerous ways? I trow a human life must be sacrificed before they make the attempt. A Maori mail man runs this way even in winter. No Pakeha would dream of it. DISTRICT AROUND RAGLAN. For a considerable distance before you reach yonr destination, you have a fine view .f tbe Waitetuna *&y as it stretches far inland, forming many deep inlets amongst the ranges. The Waitetuna waters are on your left. The natives fun up that way in their canoes, cross over the hills on foot by a track of their own, and reach leiu Creek in a few hours from Raglan. Come on We are near Raglan. The country here is very poor. But nearer still are large hills of conical shape, the sides some times thickly clad with flax, even to their very summits. Strange phenomen ; but I relate a fact. A little more, and Raglan Bay is in view. The dread breakers roar and foam in view, A large mountain, like the Perongia over Alexandra, bounds the harbour for miles out on the left, and a range of high arable land stretches along the right Therl are sandhills far and near the breaker ß on the latter coast. Here begins, a,nd at the Waikato heads terminates, a ' run 40 miles lone by 10 broad, owned by a Southern Company, and leased from the natives for about £600 per annum. Between this shore and Raglan the Waitetuna Bay intervenes, and is crossed by a ferryboat m about a quarter of an hour. A trip across the waters here is very pleasant. On the opposite side you are agreeably surprised to find such lime stone caves and weird forms as you have seen in the old country. Queer shapes indeed there are in great profusion, formed by the action of the waves, and proving to you that nature does the same in all countries under aimilar circumstances. A promontory, cut off from the township by a narrow channel, runs away to the left as far as the lofty mount referred to. Some natives inhabit the place and the land towards the base of the Mil is very good. The broad blue ocean is -just outside the places described, and tlie promontory is like a breakwater, stretching almost right across inside, and affording shelter to wharf and boats.

RAGLAN TOWNSHIP. - But Raglan township is reached after a ride of about eight hours. And what a place Raglan is—how picturesque the land and water scenery, but how dull and deserted the little village! What a pity so healthy and so fine a watering place should be allowed to languish. The apathy of our rulers as dis played in that "deserted village' ia most striking. There are in it no less than ten Government cottages, forming two sides of a fine square, but all idle ever smce last December, not an immigrant has ever been sent to them. They have cost the country close on two thousand pounds sterling. Dur ing the erection of these meaningless cottages, Raglan had more than ordinary life and trade Ever since the place has been duller even than before. How the few people there snb sist it is hard to say, the Maori pig trade from Aotea and Kawhia, has been cut off by a royal mandate from Maoridom, so rumour had it when I happened to be down there a short time since. It is believed and devoutly hoped that his sable Majesty's subjects will soon disregard this mandate, and bring their swine as usual to Raglan. To be candid and give Csesar his due, the natives are the lead ing men in that quarter of New Zealand. Even the white men of Raglan tell you there Maori brethren have more energy. I give but impressions I have received. Again for the ten new cottages, what do they mean I asked ? Nobody could tell. Everyone, how ever, believed that the place would surely go ahead if families were sent to occupy the cottages. Where is the employment for them ? There lies the hitch. The settlers have none to give. But what about the long expected road to Waikato? The late Superintendent, it was believed, intended those cottages for immigrants who where to open that road. His Honor's death caused the idea to be abandoned. Raglan is the nearest port for the Waikato. Open the road for traffic between these places, and you will serve them both most materially. The Waikato would greatly help to make Raglan a thriving seaport. Assuredly the track and i bridges should be made safe at least for saddle horses. But it is a disgrace not to have easy communication between this place and the West Coast, which is so near us. The Coast and the inland country up here have an imperative right to a good con necting road.

CONJUGAL CONDITION AND OCCU PATIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

A bulky census paper, under the above heading, has come to us from Wellington. It is quite certain that Mr Brown, the new TCegistrar-General, has succeeded, in com piling statistical information concerning the colony on every conceivable and incon ceivable head. CONJUGAL CONDITION. Now, as concerning the conjugal condition of our population, the returns for the whole colony develop the somewhat startling fact that "there are 45,334 husbands to only 44,624 wives, so that there is an excess of 720 husbands somewhere, or an average of 102 husbands for every 100 wives. This re minds one of the remark of the old gentle man who had observed that more ladies than gentlemen were married during a specified year. In order that the ladies may not rest under the suspicion of encouraging more than one husband, we may suggest that the ex planation is no doubt to be found in the fact of married men coming to the colony as pioneers for their families. Auckland seems to be one of the best regulated of the pro vinces in this respect, for we find a dis crepancy ef only 48, or 10,708 husbands and 10,660 wives, and in the city the pre ponderance is actually the other way, namely, 2,147 wives to 2.015 husbands ; this being no doubt accounted for by the number en gaged in seafaring pursuits, whose families are resident here. Then, with reference to the ages of this important section of-the population, we are informed by the paper under review that one pre cocious young lady has set up house keeping at the early age of fourteen, but no youth has exhibited equal temerity, and only 19 have ventured on the step be tween the ages of 15 and 20 ; although 866 young ladies have done so. It is, perhaps, worthy of being recorded that the enter prising young lady of 14 resides in New Plymouth. The preponderance of bachelors over spinsters in the colony is something alarming, equal to 238 unmarried men over 28 years of age to every 100 Bpinsters over 15 years. Tn the province of Auckland the totals are 8,296 bachelors over 20 years, and only 4,672 spinsters over 15 years. In special districts the proportions are of course widely different For instance, in Parnell we have between the ages of 15 and 30 years, 396 spinsters and 330 bachelors; in Newton, the proportion of the sexes between the ages mentioned is very evenly balanced, 350 to 352. In both districts the number of un protected married ladies is large, the excess of wives over husbands in Parnell being 58, and in Newton 52. On the other hand in the district of Eden the wives seem to have left husbands to keep bache lor hall, for we find there 663 married men to 645 married women. The most common age for men to marry is between 25 and 35 ; the age for women between 20 and 25, although 2,993 are classed in th» colony as having married between the ages of 25 and 30. A few ladies acknowledge to marrying over that age. The general results brought out regarding the social condition of the province of Auckland are as follow:—Children under 15 years of age, 28,357 ; unmarried people over that age, 11,088 males; and 4,672 female*; unmarried

ladies may therefore consider that they stand at a decided premium ; married, 10,709 hus bands, and 10,660 wives; widows, 763; widowers, 1,138 ; unspecified, 63 malea and 1 female.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M \ Willies fall. , William Andrews, alias Barness, ah, Bnmble, was charged with being*drunk it Queen-street at an unseemly hour.

Prisoner said it was the first time, and it was quite accidental Fined 10s and costs.

KUHAWAY SAILORS,

James Moore, Martin Bowler, Michael Healey, Frederic Laskey. Charles Cheshire, and Kinile Duilberg, were charged with a breach of the Merchant's Shipping Aot by absenting themselves without leave from the British ship Moneynick, on the 31st May. Prisoners pleaded guilty. The captain said the men had been absent all day. He wished His Worship to repri mand the men, and order them to be sent on board. His Worship said the reprimand they should get ought to be a month at Mount Eden.

The captain did not wish the men punished, and they were ordered back to the ship. This was all the business.

EDEN LICENSING COURT.—This Day.

[Before R. C. Barstow, Esq. (Chairman), A. K. Kerr and J. Paton, Licensing Com-

missioners.)

The Licensing Court for Eden met to-day at Mr Barstow's house, Eden. The only business was the renewal of the fellowing licenses, which were passed without objec tion : —

John Moor, Royal Oak, Onehunga ; Isaac Gwynne, Prince Albert Inn, Epsom, Patrick Lundon, Harp of Erin; George H. Easton, Junction Hotel, Newmarket; Andrew Cun ningham, Newmarket Hotel ; James Popple ton, Eden Vine Hotel, Mount Eden toll-bar; William Edgecomb, Great Northern Hotel, North Road ; Jamep Palmer, Whau Hotel.

The Storm on the West Coast

THE MARY WEBSTER ON A LEE

SHORE,

NARROW ESCAPE OF VESSEL AND

CREW.

We are indebted to Captain D. F. Cooper, of the brigantine Mary Webster, for the following stirring account of that vessel's late voyage from Taranaki to the Manukau, as extracted from the official log :—■

Friday, May 21.—Left Taranaki roadstead at 7 p.m., with 370 sheep on board, about 170 of that number being on deck. Had light S.W. winds throughout the night. Saturday, 22, 8 a.m.—Off Woody Head; becalmed all day, with a heavy S.W. swell setting in. 8 p.m. : Breeze set in to the norbh-west, and increased to a strong gale at midnight, with rain.

Sunday 23, 4 a.m.—Wind shifted to S.W. and weather cleared up : during the day the wind fell away to a calm : vessel abreast of Waikato Heads: towards evening light breeze from the Northward. Monday 24th, 7 a.m.—Stood in about 7 miles S. of the Maaukau Bar, the steamer Phoebe passing- close to us inward bound: 8 a.m. packed ship to the N.E. the sky threatening with a falling barometer : noon, raining heavily with every appearance of a shift of wind : stood to the westward to make an offing ; 7 p.m.. wind shifted: sud denly to W. S.W. ; midnight wore ship to the southward.

Tuesday 25 : 4 a.m. gale increasing with heavy sea running ; sighted Manukau light a few miles to leeward; wore ship again to keep her off the land ; at daylight found ourselves about four miles north of the Heads and sufficiently close to see the break mast-head high ; 11 a.m. wore ship again, when the wind backed to the N.W., so that we just cleared the middle bank, at the same time shipping tre mendous seas, which washed the sheep overboard in all directions and knocked away all the fittings. Had to batten down the hatches, the water going down below and drowning seme of the sheep in the after hold ; throughout the whole of the day and night the gale was blowing with fierce squalls at intervals, which threw the ship now and again on her beam ends, and threatened to carry away the masts. The brave little craft was completely buried at times owing to our having to keep canvass on her to drag her off the shore. We had the lower topsail set close reefed mainsail and reefed fore staysail. The topsail had to be taken in at last, as as every squall threatened to capsize her ; during the night the wind blew away the main staysail and jib, and the heaving of the ship smashed the swinging trays and'every thing mo veable in the cabin. Barometer at midnight stood at 29 "34. , Wednesday, 26th.—At daylight found ourselves about 4 miles S. of Waikato Heads and about the same distance from the break. Wore ship, and as we did so the wind lnckily hauled into the S.W., and again furth.Br: S., which enabled us, by giving her the tops ail, again to drag her off a mile or two, or we must have been driven ashore about 9 a.m. Towards noon the barometer began rising, and things had a better appearance. There appeared now some hope of saving fonrselves and the vessel. Towards evening the 'sea had so far gone down as to enable us to open the hatches. On doing so we found a large number of the sheep suffocated and otherwise killed; threw them overboard, and baled out the water. Stood off all night to make sure of an offing. Thursday, 27th.—The glass rising and sea going down. At 4 a.m. wore ship, and stood in for the Manukau Heads. At noon fetched in to leeward of the Middle Bank; found a tremendous sea running in^ the shallow water, and had to run to sea again. Friday, 28th : Fair weather. 4 a.m. stood in for bar under all sail, the wind falling light. Crossed the bar at 2 p.m. Passed the s.s. Phoebe going out between the Heads, Anchored inside for the night.

Saturday, 29th: At 10 a.m., a breeze springing up, got uriderweigh. and proceeded up tne harbour, getting alongside Onehunga wharf at 4 p.m. Discharged 137 sheep into a punt alongside, all that remained of the 370 shipped, but thankful for those and. that our lives had been spared."

OTHER VESSELS IN DANGER.

THE S.S. SOUTHERN CROSS.

The s.s. Southern Cross, Captain McKen zie, arrived at Hokianga last Sunday week. Owing to the gale, she did not get away agaia till the following Saturday, being de tained six days. THE CUTTER HERO. The cutter Hero left the Kaipara on Sun day morning, the 23rd instant, bound to the Waikatd with a cargo of timber. She left in company with the schooners Atalanta and Amaranth, which were bound to the Manu kau. Both these latter had a favonr able run, and got- into the Manukau Heads before the blow came on. The Hero passed on to the Waikato. On Tues day night it came on to blow very hard The gale was so strong that it appeared more than once impossible to keep the vessel oft the land, and Captain Dobell seriously thought of beaching her. The wind «"*?> waves together did considerable dap The whole of the stanchions and the Oe<^gJ sheet cleat wee carried away \Heßi» sides other injuries. The caPS»W at length determined to run for the ManußkWl and repair. This was done, ,*nd the cv« L lies there under repair. Capt.! Dobell W~^ peets to get away in about threo day;

THB »*«nwa itAl, TUESDAY. JUNE I,IW



T riOSGKAYE AND QO. BEG- to inform the Inhabitants of Auckland that, owing to excessive shipments to hand, and expected, they find it necessary to call a Sale of their DRAPERY and MEN'S CLOTHING, both Wholesale and Itetail. The entire Stock, valued at £■75,000, has been Re-marked, and ■will be offered to the Public at COST. IB?" The SALE COMMENCES THIS DAY (FRIDAY), the 7th May, et our Retail Premises, Queen-street,



"*T O T I C E. The undersigned request that parsiculars of all Claims against the Firm may be furnished to them at their office before Ist 3vi\y next. JOHN BROGDEN & SONS. Albert Barracks, May 29, 1575, OATS AND DINGIES.—J. W. Carr, Boat Builders, next Gasworks. A UCKLAND VOLUNTEER ENGl jf\_ NEERS. The above Corps will meet for Weekly Drill on TUESDAY Evening, at 8 p m., in the Market House, and every Tuesday evening at the same time, until further orders. WM. ANDERSON, Capt. Commanding. /• —& TT'OB, SALE, a seven-roomed 'I \ fcm J- House, outhouse, &c, and Free efjJs^Sm hold Allotment, 33 x 100, in Newton. Price, £230. A Four-roomed Cottage in Newton. Price, £125. An Allotment, 135 x 300 links, with three Cottages thereon, in Franklin-street, Freeman's Bay Price, £300. Apply to HENEY E. WILLIAMS, Estate Agent, No. 2, Insurance Buildings. PUBLIC SCHOOL. A School nuder the Education Act for Children under 9 years of age. was Opened This Day (Tues day, at 9.30 am, in the School-room, adjoining the Primitive Methodist Cnnrch, Edwardes-street, Miss Warm, late assistant at St, Paul's Public School,' has been appointed Mistress. By order of the Auckland East School Committee. P. K. CLARKSON, Secretary. June I, 1875. LANDING, Ex Dotedin and Shooting Stab, ' AND TO ARRIVE, Ex Calleb Ou and Fobfabshibe— 700 bags Coarse and Fine Salt 30 cases B&B 250 and Plaid Vestas 70 casks Currants 100 boxes Eleme Raisins 50 cases galad Oil 20 cases Fine Figs, in small boxes 30 cwt Split Peas 7 cases Cocoa and Chocolate 20 cases Whybrow's- Pickles 6 cwt. Canary Seed ' 300 boxes Price b Candles . 40 cases Keiller's Confectionery 14 bales Paper Bags, lib to IP 34 casks Soda Crystals. Also, Muntz Metal Best\stockholm Tar Best Stockholm Pitch h ... 5 casks Colza Oil 4 hhds. Linseed Oil 14 crates Crockery 1 case Fishing Lines. H. B. MORTO2*. 0-OPERATIVE MEAT SUPPLY COMPANY charge for Primest Meat— Roast Beef. 6d and 6d per ft. Boiling Beef, 3d to 4d per ft. Legs of Mutton, 4>£d per lb. Shoulders do and Loins, 4d per lb. Fore-quarters, 3d per lb. Winter Evening Entertainments.—The time of year has arrived for lectures, concerts, and entertainments of various kinds. To aid the Good Templars and afford caterers of public amusement every facility, the present proprietors (Messrs Holloway and Garlick) nave determined, after the Ist June, to let the City Hall at much lower rates than formerly. This Hall, the best situated of any in Auckland, and unsurpassed for its acoustic qualities, will be let for ten guineas per week, or two guineas for a single even ing. These low terms prove the proprietors are deing their share towards proving cheap amusement —Umbrellas are necessary com panions on winter evenings, and Hollowav and Garlick, having a very large stock, have resolved to clear them out at unheard-of prices, and have marked down : gents' good I silk umbrellas to 7s 6d, 9s lid, 12s 6d



Ttf" O W Q P E N I N G AT THE JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE. NEW AND SEASONABLE GOODS TO HAND Ex • Shooting Star,'' Dunedin,' & ' Emily McLarren,' To our Order, Direct from the Manufacturers. Blankets Kugs Flannels Crimean Shirtings Calicoes Haberdashery . Winter Hosiery Boys' and Men's Hats and Caps, Clothing, &c, &c. BARGAINS IN GIRLS' AND LADIES' WATERPROOF TWEED MANTLES. Children's from 4s upwards Ladies' from Cs lid upwards. Rushbrook & Bridgman are determined to sustain the reputation of their House for selling a good article at the lowest remunerative price. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, GENERAL DRAPERS AND CLOTHIERS, Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Queen-street, Auckland.



- The Knight of the Rueful Counte ance was probably a victim of the depression, irrit ability and causeless apprehension which are symptomatic of confirmed dyspepsia. There .are many such knights whose days are undoubtedly shortened by the misery of body and mind produced by that harrassing disease. Chronic indigestion, as well as nervous debility, urinary troubles, and rheumatic affections are easily remedied by Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps.