SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WA.TER—This afternoon, 6.15 ; to-morrow mom ng, G. 33

STJN k&v This evening, 5.57. SUN KlSE—To morrow morning, 5.43 MuON'S AGK—JNew Moon, 30th, 0.34 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

s-t liiuta, ss, from Wangimii Southern Cross, ss, from Raglan in the Manuk&n)

DEPARTURES.

Fretty Jane, a a. for Gisborne and Napier lona s s, for Russell Southern Cross, fchonncr for T ytteiton -Agnes, schooner, for Chatham Islands Southern C;oss, MoKenzie, for Kaipara (from the Manukaii)

t&- A special charge is made for consignees' or shippers' names inserted in thin column.

The New Zealand St«am Shipping Co's boat the Taranaki is to leave Onehnnga for the South to morrow morning. T ee V lli. on Steam Co's vessel the Taupo is due from the South in the Mamikau to-morrow morning. She is appoi' ted toleav* again on the Ist October. The schooner Agnes was -t anchor in the stream this morning ready 10 sail for Chatham Is.ands. She -was to leave .his afternoon.

The brig-antine Ryno having- completed her over haul on the gridiron has been brought round to the <Jueen-street wharf to take in cargo for the Islands. The barque Columbus has now fairly started dis charging her cargo. It is tnrt.ing out -well. Ti.e ship City of A ucklahd is making rather a long passage. Sh«- is now 1- 5 days from Gravcsend.

The ps st Kildi arrived ia the Manukau from Wanganui yesterday wil b a cargo of cattle and sheep. Thti cutter Wanderer biii gs 17.00U feet timber from Wangapona. She has since cleared for the same port.

The cutter Mercury cleared to-day for Taiura with stores

The cutter Maud hss cleared in ballast for Bus sell

The schonrer Ann McLeod cleared to-day inballast for w»Dgnrei.

The larquertine Prince Alfred has now finished discharging her LytteJton ran?o Before taking-in her timber for her next trip to nic same port she is 1o underpo seme repairs. "With this end she will be at onced on the bard at Messrs R. es' yard in Freeman's Bay, where the work will b» do»e" It is estimated that the repaijs will be finished in about thr« c days.

The barque "VViJliam Gjffom cleared out to-day in ballast for Newcastle

The s s Protty Jane I ft tLJ3 afternoon for- Oisborne and Napier with an extensive cargo and ihe following passerger- :—MrsTnuies, Miss Moore, Mr and Mrs Beeves, Messrs Finlajson Boylan, Bott, Gooch, GriffiD, Cnmmine.i, rvir and Mrs Davidson, and 14 -Government immigrants

COMMERCIAL.

Mr G. Sibbin sold to-day in Durham-street the balance of the clearance sale of potatoes, not in good order, at £3 10* to £4 per ton.

Mr B. Tocks and Co. sold to-day at their Brunswick Mart, a quantity of white lead, and a number of nails, buckets, and other articles of use at reasonable prices.

SALE OF THE SCHOONER CANTERBURY.

The topsail schooner Canterbury was submitted at auction to-day, r>7 'Mr K. Arthur, on behalf of the owner in Cbristchurch. The sale took place at noon, and wss attended by a laTgo proportion of ilia ship ping f-aternity of Auckland. 'the bidding was started at JSaOO, aun there were only throe bids after ward', the highest being £050. Mr Arthur tiied all his pcrsn&sive po'weis to coax ancther bid. but in vain aid the vessel was knocked down to Mr Kiccol, for thn piice mentioned. The purchaser may be congratulated on h&virs secured ore of the greatest bargains of tbe seas'n. As an inducement to pur chasers Mr Aithtir offered to supply the bujer with a freight to Timsmat once.

SECOND EDITION. ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. 'HERO.

SPECIAL STEAMER CHARTERED BY THE " STAR."

When the telegram was received announcing that the Hero was on the coast, the steamer Eclipse was especially chartered by the Stab to go down beyond Tiritiri and meet her, in order that the news might be forwarded to the city in time for this even ing's issue. We have received the following despatches:— tf fi*h f Constable Aszam In Custody.

The Ship City of Auckland.

The Hero's Passengers

Slio Tarings Suez Mail

The Hero left Sydney on Wednesday last. Passengers : Mr and Mrs John McDabe, Mr H. N. Douglas, K. Andrew, William Bar man, Mr and Mrs Owen, Mr and Mrs Earle and two children, Mrs T. H. Bashford, Miss Owen, Lord d'Arcy Osborne, Messrs Beckett, Nos worthy, J. Herslake, Butcher, Drake, Wylie, Palmer, Barlow's Dog and Monkey Circus Troupe, and 35 in the steerage Detective Wililams, and ex-constable Axam are also passengers.

The Hero leaves again on Thursday next, at 4 p.m. The Hero brings Auckland Suez Mail, fche has 18 saloon, L and 30 steerage pas sengers. The Hero passed the City of Auckland off Poor Knights.

LATER ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

LONDON.

September 17. The Strathnaver, which left Sydney on April 27, is supposed to be missing; 80 guineas premium has been paid for insurance. FRANCE AND TURKEY.

London, September 18. An interview has taken place between M. Thiers and Princp Gortsehakoff at Revel. The latter expressed his fears that the French Government would be affected by a clerical reaction ; Gortschakoff also said that the solution of the Eastern question will, for the moment, be postponed, if the foreign autonomy of Bosnia and Herzegovina is secured, together with a ratification of the Montenegrin frontier.

The Standard comments unfavourably on the Victorian Budget as compared with that Of New South Wales.

THE AUSTRALIAN NAVAL STATION. Commodore Chapman has been ordered to hoist his broad pennant as Commodore com manding the Australian station, until re lieved.

The 'Standard' condemns Lieutenant Armifct's scheme for the colonization of New Guinea by 200 volunteers for that purpose. Drs. Corletti and Sapphire have sailed for Australia.

ENGLISH COMMERCIAL. Our London telegram of September 17 says :—The wool sales are marked by con siderable languor, but prices remain without vul alteration ; 16,000 bales have been withdrawn. The corn market is drooping and languid ; the price has fallen owing tS large foreign arrivals. Australian, 54s ; New Si rVo 5o° 3 t0 52s- ' c°PPer ia quiet; Chili, £81 to £82; Australian, £89 to £92. The tm market is firm, with hardening prices • Strarts, £8310s ; Australian, £81 t?£B2?

SYDNEY.

. ~ September 22. At the Hunt Club Meeting last Saturday, the Hunt Club resulted as follows : bpnngbar... 1 Receipt" ... * o . Young William fell '.'.'. 3 ; And the Steeplechase— " ' ' Hotspur .« ... i Prior i-# [\ '" '" g Fisherman ~, 3 Oni!S? a ™ SaaaQSoAei's engagement at the /Queens Theatre terminated "abruptly, and

her husband has been arrested for breach of confract.

Arrivals'at Sydney—John Knox, to-day, from Lyttelton ; Helena, from Wellington. S ailed —Joli ba,' for Ly ttelton. Arrived at Newcastlo—Aldergrove, from Dunedin. . • Departures—Lochnagar, for Auckland; Star of the Mersey, for Timaru.

MELBOURNE.

Sept. 21

Frederick Howan has been sentenced to death for the Fraukston murder; he main tained a solid demaanour, and never uttered a word. Good entries have been received for the Hunt Club Eaces. Two hundred Martini rifles and a quantity of ammunition have arrived for the Volun teers. A meeting of the opposition was held to day, and it was understood that the result of Sir James M'Culloch's motion will be ad verse to the Government. The division will probably not take place till Thursday. Should a cbaige iv the composition of the Ministry take place, it is likely that Mr. Kerferd will take the Department of Lands ; the law cfficers will be selected from Mr. G. P. Smith, Mr. Purves, or Mr. Madden.

At the meeting of the Protectionists this evening at the Princess Theatre there was a large attendance ; resolutions were passed supporting the Government policy. The speakers abused Sir James M'Culloch and Mr. G. P. Smith.

A dinner was given to the Hon John Eob bertson. 60 persons were present. A num ber of complimentary toasts were given.

For the Bunt Oiub entries there are 19 in the flat race, 10 in the Hunt Club Handi cap, 14 in the Steeplechase, «md 12 in the Corinthian Cup.

Candles are much Bought after, Breadstuff's unchanged.

For the information of the holders of drafts issued by the Bank of California, wo are glad to quote the following telegram which was received this afternoon by the Oriental Bank Corporation faom its head office in London, dated the 17th instant : *' Bank of California are making great efforts to resume, business, which isbelieved will be a success.'

Kingsborough is backed for the Cup up to a 100 to 10 ; he is nlso taken in doubles with Eichmond and Maid of all Work.

The Assembly is discussing the " no con fidence" motion. The result is still a matter for specpLition in the present state of parties as new difficulties arise.

Octavius Mattelani, baker, for illegally procuring a celebration of marriage, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. The wreck of the Cambridgeshire was sold for £2850.

An inquiry into the circumstances con nected with the grounding of the Ceylon is to be held next week.

Sawyers, late teller of the Bank of Victoria has been sentenced to three yeara' hard labour.

The debate on Ihe Want of Confidence mo tion has been further adjourned, and it is not likely that it will be finished this week.

There have been considerable ealen of candles at 10|d ; 10M is i?sked. There were large sales of new teas. Oats are in good demand at an advance of Is 3d.

Tuesday. The Hon. J. Itobertson, in his speech last night, pointed out the advantages derived by New South Wales from a free-trade policy, and satirically suggested that Vic toria should continueforthe benefit of her neighbours the experiment of protection she was now pursuing.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails ■will Close as follows :— For Thames, to-morrow at 5.30 p m Kor Coromandel to-morrow at IJ.SO a m For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Taranaki, on Wednesday next at Gam For Whitiarga, p*r Start, to-morrow at 3p m For "Wangaroa, per Euby, to-morrow at 4SO p m Per Macprepor, on Fiiday, Ist October, as nnocr: For Sandwich ] Hands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies at 10.£0 a m Kor the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10 SO am for money orders, registered letters, and newspapers at 9 SO a m Late ietiers bearing an extra fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received on board by the Mail Agent up to time of sailing. S. B. BIS 3. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

ADAM—On the 28th September, the wife of "W. M. Adam of a son.

DEATHS.

POOI/EY.— On the 28th September, at her parents' residence, Newton Road, Elizabeth, third daughter of William and Jane Pooley, aged 2 years and 10 months.

The funeral -will take place at 2.30 p.m. on Thurs day next, 30th inst. Friendß please accept this invitation.

TUTTLE.- On Saturday, the 25th September, at the at tL c Provincial Hospital, Sell Tuttle, from America, or better known as Chang the Bushman, aged 35 years. He was deeply regretted by all that knew him.

WALCH.—On the 26th instant, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. A. Thompson, Union-street, Mrs, Bridget Walch, aged 70 years.

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1875

Vor the cause that lacks assiitanoq, Vor the wronc that needs resistaaea, %$r too fmture In tbe distance, Am* tU» Mod that we oau da.

That citizens are wincing under the pressure of taxation is not to be gainsaid, and the immediate approach of additional taxation, in the form of a water rate, is not calculated to improve the temper. We. believe this water rate will be eventually the least irksome of the whole of the civic burdens, for, when the water is in every house, and every ratepayer is enjoying the benefits, be will feel that his rate differs in no wise in principle from his butcher's bill, or his children's boots. A quid pro quo, tangible and visible to the naked eye, will be the salve to his wounded feelings. Bufe if there is any way in which this impost can be staved off for a year, we hold that in the present circum stances of taxation, it fis the bounden duty of the Council to defer it until the water is laid on to the houses of the city. To do so is quite in accordance with custom in rela tion to reproductive public works. The example of the Government of New Zealand is perhaps no model; but it has been pay ing interest from capital borrowed for con struction of railways, and to do this so long as the works are under construction is no departure from usage all the world over. The principle of borrowing for public works, is defended on the principle that as posterity will share in the enjoyment of such works, and in the benefits produced by them, posterity should pay its share. As in the case of these water-works, we of the present are willing to pay from our revenue interest on the outlay for our own share of the water, and by a sinking fund, also our share of coat of construction. But on what principle are we called on to pay interest on the money before we receive any benefit—to wit, while the works are being merely con structed for the benefit] of posterity as

well as - ourselves. Our posterity have as much right as we to do this, and in all equity it should be divided between us. We have no more right to pay out of our own pockets the interest during the time of constructioD, than we have to pay the whole cost of construction. If a house costs a hundred pounds in building, and six pounds to the architect or otherwise, or to the person that temporarily accommodates with the money, each of two partners owning the house should be liable not merely for his fifty pounds, but for his half of the six pounds. Of course if one partner pays the entire six pounds it ia very good of him, but commercially he is a fool. We and posterity are partners in these water works. We agree each to pay fifty pounds, but if this is the understanding, we fail to see on what grounds we should pay the whole of the six pounds for the use of the money while the affair is building. There is no principle of justice whatever, and consequently no obligation on us to pay from our revenue this interest on the cost of the waterworks, whilst the works are pro ceeding. The cost of construction should be calculated as beiDg greater by justthis amount. If say £GO,OOO require £3,000 to be paid for interest while it is being expended, then the actual cost is £G3,000, and this should be liability jointly on U3 and our successors We entirely sympathise with the repugnance to increased rating so far as this unnecessary and inequitable tax is concerned ; and we trust that, despite any technical wording of the Act, the Council will set its face against water rates, until in fairness citizens can be called to pay them.

Councillor Holdship makes a sensible suggestion when he urges that the several city rates should be " knocked into one." What with general rates paid at one time, and special rates paid at two other and separate times, and the water rate to come at some other undefined times, the ratepayer not only has the unpleasantness of paying but of never feeling that he's done paying. It is like pulling a tooth, Nobody would like to have it wrenched out a little bit now, and a little bit again. But he closes his eyes and grasps the ftrmu of the chair and says, now then one b'g haul and be hanged to you. We believe it would be better for the mental well-being of citiz9ns if they had but one annual grin as they look at the rate collector's missive, instead of being kept in a chronic state of fume by the tormenting recurrence of notices to pay. There is a ilavour of common sense in all Mr Holdship's suggestions, and we very cordially and spe cially endorso this one that all the city rates should be knocked into one.

Among the articles found in the residence of Miss Fanny Dwyer, the young person to-day committed for trial, was a record of very considerable interest, at least to some. It is a species of diary, being a record of the several visitors who were in the habit of coming to see that young lady in her seclusion. And we must cay that a perusal of the record fills one with astonishment; for it contains the names of a number of well-known citizens, of whom we would have expected something better, than coming to get their pocket-handkerchiefs hemmed by unprotected females. The keeping of euch a record is a risky thing, especially if through the operation of the law it should ever come into hands for which it was not intended; but really one cannot help thinking, if this record is correct, that she should not have been left in her loneli ness in that dock to-day, when there are so many whose influence in the city is not in considerable, and who might, judging from this record, have been expected to have used that influence for her protection. Having thus abandoned beauty in distress, there must be no compunctions of conscience in making known their names, if for nothing else, to make them keep in their own houses in future of an evening, and have their pocket-handkerchiefs hemmed at home. We have therefore resolved that however painful, we shall fnlfil the inexorable de mands of duty, and as we desire to make the list complete and exhaustive, we shall in to-morrow's issue teach a lesson to those sleek-faced sinners, who appear afflicted with what is described by the graphic naughty San Francisco correspondent of the New Zealand Herald, as that "fatal disease, a lovo of novelty." We know that the remedy is a sharp one, but painful mala dies need prompt treatment. It is horrible to think that some of our best known citizens should be spending their leisure hours in this way, running up ac counts—all duly noted in this diary—for hemmed handkerchiefs and other services, when they should have been at home, with their feet under their own mahoganies, telling the day's news to their honest spouses, or setting a good example to their children, and teaching them their Sunday lessons. It is shockine;! shocking ! But we shall expose the whited sepulchres. Hemming pocket handkerchiefs, indeed!

A library of valuable books will be offered for sale to-morrow, by Messrs. Uochrane and Son, at their Fort-street mart; including Knight's Pictorial Shakespere. The Waverley Novels, Bunyan's Select Works, and the Works of Lord Bacon and Lord Bolingbroke; besides a large selection of vocal and instru mental music.

Mr Rockefeller and his unrivalled troupe of minstrels were expected by the Hero, but we learn from the Australasian that they have gone to Brisbane.

Upon Spelling Bees, " A Lady Subscriber" writes : " I would then suggest that in future contests of this kind a liat should beprepared, say of 1,000 words, which could be given out to combatants in regular rotation, to each one word at a time ; and that instead of a person being prohibited from taking part after making one mistake, a mark should be given for each word spelled correctly. When the list would have been exhausted, the marks could be added up, and of course the person who succeeded in putting to gether the greatest number would be justly entitled to be declared the winner. I have conversed with many persons on this point, and they all without exception heartily concurred in expressing t to be a far better plan than that at present pursued. I would also, Mr. Editor, with all deference, suggest that a Spelling Bee conducted ok this principle should be held, in which none but prize-takers on pre vious occasions should be allowed to compete. Perhaps Mr. Dennes would, with his usual enterprise, take the matter up and carry it forward to a successful issue.—l am, most sincerely, A Lady Subscriber.

To the Editor: Sir,—Be kind enough to answer, Whether the Rev. C. Clark had a church in Melbourne, before he came to Auckland to lecture?—J.E.R. [Certainly; a Baptist Church.—Ed. E.S.]

A first meeting of creditors in the estate of William F. M. Houlton, of Epsom, settler, took place this morning at the office of the Provisional Trustee in Bankruptcy, Mr Thos Macffailane, at the Supreme Court. Three creditors proved. The assets were estimated at £379 4s lid, and the liabilities at £578 6d ; deficiency £198 15s 7d. Mr Thos. Macffarlane was appointed trustee, and two supervisors were elected. <~,..

An incident occurred this afternoon about o^e o'clock which created a great amount of interest to four or five butcher-boys all of a row, and about a hundred other persons of various sizes. The inoffensive object of the excitement was a little black pig, which rushed helter - skelter from the back premises of Mr. Dornwell, through his 8 hop, and into the street. A cry was immediately raised as the young grunter bolted towards the wharf with the five butcher-boys at his heels. When opposite the New Zealand Bank, one of the boys caught him by the leg, when the young •squeaker gave a victorious grunt and a kick and the handy butcher-boy, the pig's enemy, roiled over on his back. The pig turned up Short land-street, and was about to trot up the Pose-office steps, when the sight of a lady in a rustling eilk dress caused him to turn in another direction. He then bounded, squeak ing across, to Darby's Commercial Hotel, where he was secured and taken back to his owners to await his execution.

The police have been making a raid on the perambulators, and woe to the improteeted infant who is found in its carriage on the footpath in Queen-street hereafter. The half-dozen cases which came up at the Police Court to day were very hard ones, for the law has practically been in operative for a lone; while past, and many were unaware of its existence. In two charges the cases were very properly withdrawn, as it was shewn in both instances the children were being taken to and from the North Shore boat. One of them, a sickly child, just as it reached the town end of the wharf in. its carnage was pounced on and turned back. One lady, whose husband was absent from Auckland, was evidently very muoh distressed at having to appear in Court. Another victim explained the absence of his wife, by stating that the apparatus had been sent to auction, and would no more offend. The restriction only applies to perambulators in Queen-street ; all other streets are open, so that proprietors of these vehicles must shape their course accordingly.

There has been some misapprehension re specting the LSO awarded by the City Coun cil yesterday, to Mr John Buchanan, as compensation for land taken by the Corpora tion. Many people are under the impression that the Mr Buchanan mentioned was Coun cillor Buchanan, who, we understand, has incurred some obloquy in consequence. The Christian name of our moat disinterested Councillor is William, not John, and is no connection of the gentleman compensated.

New laid eggß are not the commonest articles of food on board ship ; bat there is really no reason why they should not be, if we may judge from the facilties for procu ring them existing on board the ship Flechero. As a rule, on board ship, fowls are only kept, for killing and eating ; the idea of their maintaining under the altered circumstances, their shore propensities for laying, being assumed by ninety-nine skippers out of a hundred to be absurd. Anyone who will take a look on board the Flechero will see what a mistake this is. Captain Carlyon has a fine hen-house on the main-deck from which he gets on an average four or five eggs a day, being the produce of nine hens. "A hen-house on the main deck !' we think we hear an old sea-dog exclaim in disgust, " what next will the fellow lumber up his ship with." Not so fast my dear skipper. The deck of the Flechero is less lumbered up than that of any ship in the harbour at the present moment, and the hen-house is so artfully con structed that fifty people might walk about the ship for an hour and not one of them notice it. But where is it ? Take a look on the top of the "skids" or the wooden arches which pupport the boats. Well, what about it ? There are only a couple of boats lying bottom up. Now you are gettinet warm. One of those boats is the hen-house. If you look again you will Bee that the boat on the port side has planks stretched along nearly from end to end, and resting on the thwarts, thus forming a capital flooring to a perfectly waterproof house. Those planks and a little hay are every thing that is required to make the boat a hen-house. At a point where the planks terminate a board about a foot wide is placed at an angle with the deck; this is to enable the hens to reach their sanc tum without being obliged to use their wings. To make the passage easier, a rope is coiled loosely round the board from the boat to the deck. And see, as we are looking down comes an exoited-looking Spanish hen cluck ing away like mad. The steward climbs up, and—oh ! what a beautiful egg ! This little henhouse of Captain Carlyon's is well worth inspection. It is an instance of what great things a little ingenuity will effect towards softening the rigours of sea life. The captain informs us that all through the voyage out his passengers in the saloon were able to have their new-laid egg and rasher at breakfast as often as any other fare. In fine weather the fowls parade the decks and climb the rigging —in stormy weather they retreat to their house, and remain their till the storm is over. They want very little looking after, and far from being an annoyance to the crew or passengers, get so tame that they are a source of continual pleasure, and are made regular pets.

Anxious inquiries are, we learn, being made as to the whereabouts of a young man named Challis, who left his home last Thursday week, and has not since been heard of says the Wanganui Chronicle. Previous to his departure he requested the loan of a shilling from a friend, who, having no small money about him, and believing the lad to be thoroughly trusworthy, tendered him a £5 note, remarking that he could return it again, and there is reason to believe that he availed himself of the opportunity of indulging to freely at one of our numerous hotels. He was overheard putting a question to a comrade as to whether it was less painful to die by poison or. by drowning, but as the^ answer was somewhat gaily returned that poison could be easily procured, no suspicion was entertained that the youth meditated suicide. His long absence, however, and the fact that a mail has since arrived from Auckland (to which port it was supposed that he might have taken passage, as he is said be nephew to the Mayor of Auckland) have occasioned his friends along the No. 2 Line considerable apprehension and alarm lest he should have made away with himself. He is a com paratively new arrival, having come to the Colony about 18 months ago in the Star of India.""

The following is the balance-sheet of the concert given by Clair's Magnet Troupe, in aid of Mrs Johnston :—

In the letter on the Tairua new goldfield last evening, a printer's error occurred by which the cost of a road from the landing to the Prospectors' claim was made to appear £100 instead of £1000, rather a material difference.

Our readers will see by advertisement that Mr Brown purposes to open a new Elemen tary Singing Class, at the music warehouse of J. Brown and Son, Queen-street, on Mon day evening next, at 7 o'clock. This gentle man has had much success with his pupils, and we would advise the friends of young people to take advantage of this opportunity, whereby they may acquire a good knowledge of the theory and practice of vocal music.

The intelligent vagrant says : "I am get ting tired of the uniform and eternal compli ments which each successive speaker seems to consider it necessary to pay to Sir George Grey. If I might be pardoned colloquialisms unworthy of the loftiness of the subject, I should say that everyone expresses the bighest delight that the ex-Governor should have "come out of his shell." lam confi dent that more than half the honourable members, and certainly every member of the Ministry, would far more truly express their thoughts if they said that they wish Sir George would get into his "shell" again or '■put his head in a bag" with the utmost possible rapidity."

The Rev. Father Walter McDonald desires us to acknowlege, on behalf of the Sisters of Mercy, receipt of a large quantity of clothing of various kinds from the Messrs McLaughlin (Shortland-street) for the orphans of St. Mary's.

Arrival of the Hero.

The s.s. Hero passed the Bay of Islands at daybreak this morning. She will arrive in harbour about five o'clock.

RUSSELL. (From our own Correspondent.) This day,

Captain Farquhar reports passing steamer Hero five miles north of the Poor Knights at 7.30 this morning ; also, a large ship, name unknown, steering N.E.

PETTY SESSIONS.—This Day.

[Before Bobert Graham (chairm»n). X Marshall, and A. Baetham, Esquirea.] ONLY ONE. Georpe Marsh was charged with drunken ness, and fined ss. and costs. THE PIPE OF PEACH. Henry Walters was charged with stealing WilliamSeger's fancy meerschaum pipe, value 125., on the Ist February of the present year at the Thames. The prisoner said he had it in his pos session.

The case, on the application of Mr Broham was remanded to the Thames. , AGE AND ERROR. Peter Finn, an old reprobate, was again brought up on charges of drunkenness and vagrancy, and the use of unseemly language, on the night of the 27 th inst. The prisoner, a very old man, who had ap peared in the dock more than one hundred times, pleaded not guilty. Detective Jeffrey deposed that while in the police office yesterday afternoon, he heard the prisoner making use of most disgusting language. Prisoner protested his innocence ; he had no witnesses to call. Three months' imprisonment, or a fine of £10.

A MATRIMONIAL JAR,

" Alas, alas, those matrimonial jars, Which leave behind them scratches, wounds, and scars.'" —Old Song.

Robert Chalmers again appeared in answer to a summons charging him with ill-treating his wife, Grace Wells Chalmers, on September 23.

Mr Laishley appeared for the defendant, and Mr Eees for complainant. Mr. Laishley asked that the case might be remanded until to-morrow. Mr. Rees had no objecbion. Defendant's bail was enlarged, and the case adjourned until to-morrow. pat's cart and hop.se.

Patrick Carroll, was charged with leaving his cart and horse unattended in Queen street ; he pleaded guilty and was fined ss. and costs. THRBE GOAT 3. Gertrude Grainger was summoned for allowing three goats to stray in Lincoln street, Ponsonby, on the 17th September. Fined ss. each, and costs.

LASSES AND PERAMBULATORS. " Along the streets the lasses go, Endangering many a gouty toe."

The new crusade against perambulators commenced for the season this morning in the police court. Elizabeth Yeoman, was the first person charged, for wheeling a perambulator in Queen-street. Mr. Rees stated that defendant was living at the North Shore, but was too ill to attend.

The case being a very trivial one, the bench dismissed it.

Frances Radcliffe was charged with the same offence. Mr. Radcliffe appeared for his wife.

Dismissed on payment of costs,

Mary Ann Mooney, pleaded guilty to the same charge, but was not aware chat she was breaking a law; Dismissed with costs.

Isabella Ferguseon was charged with the same offence.

Mr Kees explained the circumstances, and said that the Council should give some pub lication of the law in relation to perambu lators, as persons were coming to reside in the city who knew nothing of the by-laws. The charge was withdrawn. FIRE.

William Messenger did not appear in answer to a summons charging him with allowing his chimney in Queen-street to catch fire on the 23rd inst.

Constable Gordon proved the charge. As defendant did no£ appear, consequently the Bench imposed a fine of 40a. and costs.

DARKNESS VISIBLE. J. H. Buchanan was summoned for neglect ing to keep a light burning at his hoarding in Queen-street on the 24th instant.

Constable Moar described the position of the hoarding, which was near the United Service Hotel. There was no light there. —

Constable Mulville deposed that there was no light there during the night. Defendant said he paid a weekly sum for lighting the lamp, and the man whose duty it was to keep the gas burning found that it had been put out. He was of opinion, as the tap was turned off, that there had been foul play..

The man in question deposed that he lit the lamp about half-past six in the evening, and, at a quarter to five in the morning, he found the lamp in darkness ; it was alight at ten o'clock. Some onehadevidently put the light out; he did his duty and went to bed after a hard day's work:

Defendant considered his was a hard case. The Bench said defendant was responsible to the public and fined him ss. and costs.

MCMAHON'S TONGUE,

John McMahon appeared in answer to a charge of using language in Wellesley-street calculated to provoke a breach of the peace. John Me'Mahon did not appear, aa he had gone to Riverhead.

Mr. Broham asked that the case might go on as he had no doubt but defendant had received the summons.

Hubert Nesbit, merchants' porter, deposed that he saw the defendant in Wellesley-street on the night in question, inciting some boys to fight, he spoke to him, when he made use of the language which he put upon paper. He informed the oo us table of what had taken place.

To the Bench: He remonstrated with defendant; the defendant was a young man, apparently about twenty. Henry Eeynall, carter, was a witness, and heard the bad language. Mr Broham said defendant was well known, and he thought the case ought to be brought into Court. The Bench asked if there were any pre vious convictions against McMahon. Mr Broham said he had been convicted several times. The Court ordered him to pay a fine of £5 and costs, or be imprisoned for one month. Larceny on a Large Scale. Frances Dwyer, a young woman, remanded from yesterday, was again brought up on a charge of stealing from the shop of Mr Frederick Jabez Bennett on the 27th of

July last, a quantity of drapery goods as follows, value £19 : — 1 piece of merino, 1 schambrey petticoat, 1 muslin skirt, 2 twill sheets, 1 nightgown, 2 night shirts, 1 piece of linen, 1 white petti coat, 1 pair drawers, 2 infanta skirts, 1 camios, 10 yards unbleached calico. 2 do holland, 5 do white calico, 1 long flannel, 3J yards of hortenae, 2 yards red flannel, 1 plaid shawl, 3 yards white flannel, 2 yards grey wiosey, quantity of velvet tiimming, 2 yards Brussels net work.lace, 6£ yards silk trimmings,4£ do white ribbon, 4| do black do, 36 yards braid, 3 yards blue ribbon, 1 yard brown ribbon, 2£ yards greon ribbon, 1 yard red ribbon, 1 pillow case, 3 pieces lace, 1 card of buttons, 1 towel, 3 dozen pairs Josephines, and a number of small articles, of the value of £19.

Ellen Bennett, wife of Frederick Jabez Bennett, deposed: I know the prisoner. Sbe was in our employ from the 20th July to the sth August of last year (1874). She was nursegirl When she left I missed many articles and clothes. Some were in my bed room and some in my cupboard. I kept the key, but sometimes gave it to the prisoner to get things out. No one had access to the cupboard. On Saturday last I went with Detective Grace x to the house in Ponsonby were prisoner lived. I saw her there. The detective read to her a search warrant, prisoner at once acknow ledged that she had done wrong, and if I would not prosecute she would give me the things sbe had taken, excepting the gloves which she had given away to a person at Napier, and a piece of merino which she had given to Miss Lamb. She took out several things from her box, and a number of other things were found in the house belonging to me. Detective Grace made out a list of the articles found. (List produced and read ) Mrs Bennett minutely described many of the articles which she missed immediately after prisoner left her house. She was dis missed because she was not satisfied with prisoner's actions. Frederick Jabez Bennett, draper of Queen street, corroborated the evidence of Mrs Bennett in every particular, and in addition said, I received a pair of kid gloves from Mrs Bell on Thursday last containing my trade-mark, and I made out a list of articles from that of Detective Grace of articles found in prisoner's house. Rebecca McKay deposed—l am a married woman, residing in Lome-street ; made the night-shirts (produced) for Mrs Bennett, for whom I do needlework ; also, the schambry petticoat and many other things which I recognise. Mary Bell deposed—l am a widow resid ing in Vincent-street ; know the prisoner who made me a present of Josephine kid gloves about two months ago ; I gave them to Mr Bennett onTnutsday last. Detective Martin Grace deposed : I went to prisoner's house in Ponsonby-road on Saturday last, accompanied by Mrs. Bennett, produced a search warrant, read it to prisoner who said she would give up all the things she had taken excepting a box of kid gloves, which she had given away, and she asked Mrs. Bennett not to prosecute. He took her into custody ; she pleaded guilty after the charge was read to her.

This was the case for the prosecution. The depositions were then read over to the prisoner, who, having nothing to say, was fully committed to take her trial at the next Criminal Sittings at the Supreme Court. PROTECTION ORDEB. Mrs Elizabeth Baker applied for a protec tion order; her husband Edward Baker having deserted her and her children. Mr Dufaur who appeared for Mr Baker, said the husband was desirous of returning to his wife, but she refused again to live with him.

An order was granted from the 28 th May of the present year, Mrs Baker to have exclnaive custody of her two children, and Mr Baker to pay a weekly sum of 53 each towards their support.

From the Right Path.

Thk case of Frances Bwyer, the well-dressed young woman who appeared in the Police Court to-day, is a sad illustration of the inevitable end when the right path has been forsaken; but it also indicates some of the troubles of those " who keep a girl." This is trne in more senses than one in the present case, but we refer to Mr. F. J. Bennett's experience in the choice of a nurse girl. Mr Bennett advertised for a little girl, and Frances Dwyer presented herself. She said wages were no object, so much as a comfort able home, and she was quite sure Mr. Bennett's would suit her. She came and staid a fortnight, during which numerous articles, a list of which appears in our Police report, were missing very mysteri ously. It may be explained that Mr. Ben net kept a portion of his shop stock at his residence. After a fortnight's enjoyment of the comforts of home and its attendant domestic duties, Miss Dwyer left and went to' Napier. She subsequently returned to Auckland, but domestic service was not now in keeping with her ideas of life, and being an excellent instrumentalist, she took up her residence in Ponsonby, where she commenced giving lessons on the piano. Having also youth and good looks in her favour, quite a number of gentlemen, married and single, interested themselves in her case. Of their visits she kept a faithful record in a diary, which was found when her boxes were i searched for the stolen property. It was precisely at this time, or nearly twelve months alter the girl had been in Mr Benett's service, that the latter heard of the disposal "so very cheap," of goods tallying with those that had been missed previously. The police were' communicated with, and Detective Grace accompanied Mrs. Bennett with a search warrant to examine Miss Dwyer's boxes. Upon making known their mission, Miss Dwyer was indig nant, yet, in conscious innocence, fearless :

"Me take away anything, Mrs Bennett oh, dear ! Certainly, you can search any where."

So eager did she appear to clear herself that it was really very distressing, indeed, to have to doubt the word of such a fair young creature, and Detective Grace made several ineffectual efforts to wipe his eyes with the tail of his coat. However, unpleasant duties must be performed, and box No. 1 was broken open. "That's mine," remarked Mrs Bennett, recognising almost the fiist: article taken out. '-' Oh, no ! that's not yours." But Mrs Bennett was not deceived, and upon shewing clearly how aha could identify it, the soft impeachment was admitted. The examination of the box then proceeded af cer this fashion :

Miss Dwyer (lifting out schambrey petti coat), "That's yours, Mrs Bennet." "Yes." Lifting out muslin skirt " And that's yours,. Mrs Bennett." Next article, infant's cloth ing "And that's yours, Mrs Bennett." Another item . (article of clothing), "And that's yours. "No that's not -mine," Mrs Bennett said. "Oh yes it is," responded the now penitent but confused young woman. Mrs Bennett saw clearly that the article was not hers, and presumed the young lady had been in another place, and had forgotten the circumstance. Altogether, articles to the value of 192. were found' after a lapse of twelve months, so that the extent of the original theft may be surmised. Many things missed cannot be found, while others which Mrs Bennett believes to be hers, she is not prepared to swear to. Since her arrest, the young woman has shewn a keen appreciation of her unfortunate position. To an inordinate love of dress, may no doubt be traced the steady downward course which has led first to ruin, and then to the felon's dock. _ X)ur. Police report con tinues the narrative. We understand that the unfortunate young woman has n* relatives in Auckland.. Ll_'J _...... .'.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM A COIt&IISPOJSIDMNT) 1

WELLINGTON.

This day. Another Great Stxuewia 1 Although thingspolitical look very calm upon the surface/just now, stormy tinea are still looked^ forward ta before tii session closes. Tfle peculiar featareis ttafc 3ach party looks^to its final success as 1 result, regarding there can be nn manner of doubt w.hatevor. The Gove£ ment and supporters are cock sure ti j Opposition are completely gravelled, triprJi % up at all points, and now and certaurw ?' J remain completely hors de combat, aid 1 I calculate upon pleasant sailing henceforti m\ Now the Opposition are just as confideit that the Ministry cannot tide over ths session. Daily defections from their rank are announced, and generally thej are cod sidered to be bungling things dreadfully ; On which ever side tbe balance of trutl lies, certain leading members of Opposition are sanguine about holding portfolios before very many weeks. I give you the gOßsm,v for what it is worth. Personally, I haveiQ opinion upon the matter. The Brissenden Affair. There is some likelihood of the pubic hearing more about the McDonnell and Brj. senden dispute before long, but it migfc inflict injury unfairly to go into detaila it present.

Yesterday Afternoon's Business.

In the House yesterday atternoon, te chief sul'ject of discussion was, "T e Qualification of Elector's Bill,", which wg moved by Mr Reynolds. He explained tht the Bill did not interfere with the preset qualification. It abolished the miner's riglg . qualification and substituted a morelibeil scale by which lodgers' right to vote wre recognised. Provision was made for pin. ishing severely any false declaration for ie purpose of gaining a vote. Mr. Brown condemned the bill as virtual^ giving universal suffrage, which, he said had deteriorated the legislature in Amelia and Victoria. Mr. Holies ton also condemned the bill at* ignoring any educational standard. Mr. Bi itdshaw objected to the bill be t most nondescript one. Mr. Tairoa thought the clause enablhg people to vote merely because they had lived i 12 months in one place was bad. Messrs Webb, Joseph Shepherd, Gibbs, j Parker, Hanison, Mervyn, Montgomery Basstian and Cuthbertson, spoke in Bupport, Mr. Ueid condemned the bill and isug. ' gested manhood suffrage as better fulfilling | the object contemplated. Mr. Fitzhetbert said the bill was a very i paltry attempt to deal with so important a 1 subject. The effect of of the bill would be \ to stop the ballot boxes at the next election. ' On the motion of Major Atkinson the de-. bate was adjourned till next day, in order that the estimates might be proceeded with at night. The Meurant Case. In reply to Mr. Swanson^ the Colonial Treasurer, announced that the Government is considering the case of Mrs, Meurant, and would state in a day or two what they pro posed doing. The Tairua Telegraph. . In reply to Mr. Bucklaad the Commia sioner of Telegraphs stated that the cost of constructing the telegraph to Tairua and Ohinemuri would be £2,000, and the working expenses £400 a year. As the Government -', had expended, last year, £30,500 in extend- f ing the telegraph in the Province of Auckland they were not prepared to {undertake the work proposed.

LAST NIGHT.

[Per Press Telegram Agency.]

Upon the House resuming at 7 20, Major Atkinson said that though the Government were quite prepared to take the debate on finance at once, he thought ifc1 would be better to defer that until such, time as to made his supplementary financial statement, which had been rendered necessary owing to the alterations which had been made in the Abolition Bill while passing through com mittee, and in the mean time to make some progress with the estimates. At this stage, Mr Murray gave rise to con siderable discussion, by stating that he heard from the Government supporters it was the intention of the Government not to brine down their Representation Bill tusl~ such time as the estimates were passed. Mr. Bowen and Major Atkinson disclaimed any such intention, and said the Government were as anxious as anyone in the House to bring forward the Representation BuTwith' out delay, and the subject wjw allowed to drop upon the assurance of the Treasurer that the bill would be brought down about, the middle or latter part of; the present week, '.i. Mr. George McLean asked what W»s the intention of the Government with regard to the San Francisco service ? "Tvi Mr Reynolds said that he; had to-d»y W a copy of the contract on the table, aD?^~ ordered all papers in connection tlierewjthjo.it.i be printed to-morrow. He would probably give notice to introduce a resolution npon. the subject, in a similar way to that adoptedL in the New South Wales Legislatnre, and then the House could go into the whole question of the mail service when it had all tbe-neces sary papers and information before them. The estimates were then proceeded_witn.' Class one—Legislative Department, Legis lative Council.- Total, £1300. Amount for previous year being £890 10a. . ' , , Mr Thompson* at'6noe objected to tne in creased salaries, and proposed they beistrucjc out. This was no time to . increase salaries. A long and animated-discussion ensae4 on" this vote. /.a ! i.'j' 1 The Ministers pointed out that; the in creased salaries had been put upon t^6 ?*F mates on the recommendation of the Speawr of the Legislative Council, and as theseiyej? not very excessive, the Government did nos object to them. "" .^ *« Several Opposition members to an increase of nearly 50; per cent. ■ Ifte. ex ample was a bad one, and not warranted oj the circumstances of the colony. Sir D. BellsaidtheHouseof Commons never interfered in recommendations.of that*""* made by the Lords. £ , \ J^ Mr Macandrew knew :that a honarea thousand could be saved upon the «stm«« His long" experience showed him the; •mP°*j l sibility of effecting reductions if the (xovern. ment opposed it. ; , A jJ- I Mr O'Connor intended to oppose all tnew , increases unless good reasons werejjiwn — _ their favor. t.: Mr Sheehan shewed how each n^Jg, of the Legislature cost the .colony. *?WF> annum, while each member of the-nine rw* vincial Councils throughout the colony-ew^ only £43 per head. . :. f or Sir George ' Grey argued strongly reduction. i n ttinM~ Mr T. L: Shepherd; considered _«11:*^ objections merely \ bearbaitihg* 'the" servants, and was spurious patriotism- . w Mr Brown (Ashley) and Mr Johnston op posed the increases.'. j- If tO Mr Rolleston would not lend Wjjj' cutting down individual salaries of ser!*^. The reductions should be effected on- WF and different principles^" "■.. n A fa- Mr Bunny took/a similar vV?ewv»na^ stanced the item of S^iOOOfwJ^^^J. Cisco service, as a proper sort of ol>Q™ , cisc economy upon. " , Wjj £\(fi •- Ultimately, redactiduß'were p»de^ in the proposed salaries.; of Cw^* o'^.; .:-: ■■ ■ J. ■' '; -" "•' ' ■ . ;

THE EVENING STAB, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28 Isff



£ s. d. By Money taken at the door .. 9 4 0 By Tickets sold by friends .. ,.780

Total .. .. .. £16 7 0

Expenditure— £ s. d. Printing and advertising .. ..400 Music .. .. .. .. .. 1 10 0 Hall .. .. 16 0 Piano .. 010 "0 Cartage of pianoforte (Mr Garton) .. Nil

i £7 6 0

Amount to credit of Mrs Johnston.. £9 2 0 B. W. Ward, Manager.