UNKNOWN

_51 ■ '•'. "• "'vwi." '< »« '.iwrter, January 8,1575

ARRIVALS

ton, «wwj^ceatir.e,f«.m Ens-Mil (en route for / hwHtorTtio >ea- c_ttpr. from Wangarei • Wcili-gt-n. 5&, Lv-tts^ from the fcouth (in the Aia-U&aa)

DEPARTURES.

froyr:_ _t S3 >■■ < »W a »•*• rrsjjs. F r Southern port*--Pl.tebe. ss.Friday For L«v_„<i.~.ielle Lr_i:doh. schooner early B-ortyiteiton^*^'^'l' sh H'- earlr ; *. bl0?' hng ' "i . -shortly : Mary Ei.ic. schooner, and Flirt, brigan .'....' itu*, turfy ' • ■''■ .'"'" ' For Karot- n» ft-ElaiM'-op, scho ncr early Frtf Han liV„;cl«>— C'tiir.or-n. ship e»rly "''■■ _*oT-I,rp»-r»n-Of*y of 'Adckland. ship, isth. Jan yy' Pep » Crowe-rSouthern Cross, Missionary barquentme early

VESSELS EXPECTED

Tfero s,S. fwin'Sydn^r.iabout 6th January next 3L:c.'re-0-; as. fronr.'-'r.n Francisco, about sth Jan ■ Cleaiuti-, ketch, from Napier Papsa. Bftheoner, from Oarotonga, early Cospa'.riclt. sbsv, fr.iw London ; sailed Bth September Gleclora, shio, "irom London ; sailed September 26 Pilharee,'barque, fr-m London; sailed October 2 Warwick, ship.i.otn London; sailed October 11 :inverene. Ship, from London ; sailed October 30 .&_&-i, barcine, inyna London ; sailed October 28 Ritpido. barque, from New York,via Adelaide, loading Edith Roso, barqve, troin New York; sailed Sept. 18 Char;-Meet, bris;, i.ma Hobart Town, early Yisiou, brig, from Tsnnodin. early JMth, schcr'-tr. from iiouth Sea Islands, early ■' Dan.ties*, .2), S'.'bofrocrs. from New Caledonia ■•JSStopa.barq.eV from Sydney.'early .__er,"wo.tb, sc.oouer, from Samoa, early

• .'"Th" ecn»w liarqilewtine'Emu, ■with a cargo of coals i_i t'.'.c T;:hjik';s, iinr'ia.rl inside the North Head last night ■•'-■■ (ito-i. '.ov/ite!' ieemin'g it prudent 'to take ,' iofelge in. th'.'i;arbovo: from the strong gale blowing ■iii'ftvnvi.'wHPa. ■'' - '"( ''-'-" . ■ Thr sfa'".ui"i?r WiUiisrton arrived in the Mannlrau at ■fl -'cloclt l---.st Tiif/i-v, having 'experienced a very rough passage from Nlls-ini She brings several passengers, including Tffl_- Collins, latej of-the Nelson Colonist.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :— For Thame?, this day, at 6.30 p m, and on Saturday

rest, at 0.30 a m Fcr Coromndel, this day, at 6 30 p m For Kawau, per Star of the Sontb, this day, at 5 p m _\<r Mahur»ngi. Matakana, Mam?awai, Waipu, *c ,

per Lady Bowen, on Saturday next, atlOum For Whitiangi, Tairua, Opotil'v and Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Crc.3, on Saturday next,

. at .1 pm ; JT.B'—lt is hereby notified that the .few Post office in Shortlandstreet Is now open for transaction of public business. ••* . ■<' " S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 1875.

Vw the c*_-. thai !ae_f -jisltt-xnce, For the wrong <..\:a\ tic-.:.;s i..-Utss:_ct, for !._2 fsiur. in fee Sisj::-ts, __.-_ ih. 2.0. Ui.t w_ oj_i da.

It seems a grim mockery of woe to say to day, 7 A happy new year to you." -The clerk of the weather, who lately took a malicious pleasure in drawing a drapery of fog over the face of the heavens shutting out the interesting little proceedings of old •Sol and the Evening Star may be regarded as having been only playful in his mischief on the occasion, but to-day he is in his surliest mood, and we do very sincerely com miserate with the public on the miserable disappointment which has fallen upon them, We confess we do more especially sympathise with the young hearts that were panting for fun in the woods, for New Year's Day among ua is the children's holiday, and a sad damper it is to the spirits of the little men and women of Auckland to hear the rain pat tering on the panes, and the winds howling round the coiners. However, we venture to say they will avenge themselves on society for the dissappointment, and the racket that will this day be created in the homes of Auckland by the young prisoners will be something to remember. To the mothers of Auckland, this will afford diversion if not delight which will prevent ennui, and afford a break in what would be a dull, monotonous day. Butoh! who will tell the miseries of Dad, as he flattens his nose against the window panes, and mutters remarks that he does not like the children to hear, for fear they should take parental example for the indulgence of strong language. To a man accustomed to busy life, a holiday in the best, of circumstances is often enough a weari ness. But when it is fine, and he is abroad, he feels that "he is gather ing in a store of strength that recoups the loss of time, and that if he is not enjoying the thing himself he is helping the enjoy ment of those in whom he feels an interest. But to be shut up in this confounded way, with nothing to do but yawn, it is more than man was made to bear. We wonder how many yawns were this day performed by aching jaws. We wonder how many people have passed .through this New Year's Day without the spirit being once ruffled by the en forced confinement, or by the infernal din of those obstreperous children. We wonder how many unoffending articles of furniture have received an angry kick, or how many im patient questions have been a-ked as to when ever dinner will be ready; or how many have grumbled that its nothing but eat, eat, eat, all the day. We wonder how many a man has' stuck his hands into his breeches pocket and looked out defiantly at the rain, or how

Mfflve been smbkeu xi_ .ne desperate effort to make a fellow feel that 'he is doing something, or how many tim.s s a man has thrust his fingers up through his hair to make himself, if it were possible, more like a Russian bear. Oh what a weary dreary thing it is, a rainy, stormy holiday with the shops all shut, and the banks all stopped, and every body nowhere. How ever the storm will pass, and the year begun in ennui and irritation, may be one of happi ness and sunshine. That it may be so to all our readers wefeordially wish ; and not withstanding the dismal advent of seventy five we bid to all A Happy New Year.

The day is fast passing away when the colonies were regarded as the weak points of the empire, and when it was fashionable and statesmanlike to speak of shaking off the de pendencies. The emigration returns of the Board of Trade, are silently but steadily pro ceeding with the work of showing the colonies forth in their true light, and revealing how valuable and evenindispensable they are to the empire. Indeed, it appears strange that the other nations of Europe have so long over looked a system which, as an auxiliary to growing national greatness, appears second to none. The gigantic scale on which the crowded out of over-crowded populations are now spreading over the colonial empire of Britain, still retaining their attachment and connection with the great Anglo-Saxon family, is something astounding ; and scarcely less amazing is the scale on which, through this same colonial system, the Anglo-Saxon family is adopting and absorb ing into itself the multitudes of the best and most enterprising of the other European families, who are similarly crowded out of the paternal home... Emigration, which at the beginning of the century Was not of the character to attract particular attention, is now really the annual removal of what would be the whole population of respectable States. Even in 1815 the total immigration to the British colonies barely exceeded 2,000 souls. In 1873 it was 310,612, or a goodly poition of half-a-million. And when to this we add that in latter years the greater facilities for voyaging, are giving an extraordinary and increasing impetus to this immigration, it is impossible to ignore the astonishing found ing of empires that is from year to year pro ceeding. But the case is more striking when we observe that of this number no less than 72,198, or nearly one-fourth, consisted of emigrants from foreign continental states, who thus break national connections for ever, and are absorbed among an English speaking people, and in all respects become members of the Anglo-Saxon family. That German and other nations should have overlooked this draining of their national strength, and building up with their own children the greatness of another nation is surprising; and it is probable that no founding by them of colonies, and no efforts to divert the stream so as to retain the emigrants to their own nationality would now avail to st3y the current of foreign immigrants that is fertilis ing and enriching the colonial dependencies of England. And when we consider that this foreign emigration will probably follow the principle which has held goodin emigra tion from the British Islands, viz., "crescit eundo," and that as foreign immigrant become settled and prosperous and happy under British institutions, they are sure to draw after them others in a constantly increasing ratio, one cannot help forming the most exalted ideas of the greatness to which the Colonial empire of England is rapidly tending. As we have said, the day is passing when men talk flippantly of shaking off the colonies. With a present population—exclusive of India—of nearly eight millions of men and women as truly British as those within the sound of Bow bells, and with that population yearly in creasing by an addition of half a million, and upwards as years e;o on, the onward march of the colonial dependencies will yet be regarded as the proudest triumph in all the history of the Anglo-Saxon race.

The fourth concert of the Auckland Har monic Society will be held in the Choral Hall on the 7th instant. The fine oratorio " Judas Maccabseus." by Hand.l, will be per formed with full orchestral accompaniments. The members have been continually prac tising Handel's fine musical production, and the result of the concert should be a success.

At most of the churches and chapels last evening the old custom of watching the old year out in silence and welcoming the new one in with sacred song, was resorted to, namely, at St. Paul's and St. Matthew's, at Pitt-street, and other places. But mostly— the night being dark and blowy—people kept within their own houses. The fire works from the shipping were not displayed as usual, owing to the weather, and but few persons were seen walking on the wharf. The streets also wore an aspect of cheer lessuess.

A very cogent argument in favour of the extension of the local manufacture of cloth ing is supplied in the following extract. Indeed it is surprising that the germs of deadly disease flourishing in the dense populations of England have not been more frequently introduced into the> colonies by the import of articles of clothing. The sanitary inspector of the parish of St, Luke's recently called the attention of the vestry to the fact that, he frequently finds articles; of clothing and wearing apparel being made up in rooms where persons are suffering from fever and other contagious diseases. A large portion of St. Luke's, as is pretty well known, is inhabited by poor dressmakers, corset makers, and chignon makers, who live in exceedingly wretched rooms. The sani tary inspector, in his report to the vestry, speaks of two cases in which ladies corsets and dress "improvers" were being recently manufactured for a wholesale city house in* tenements, or rather rooms, where persons were lying ill with scarlet fever. The sanitary inspector took the precaution "of having the articles disin fected in the oven set up by the yestry for that purpose, but he says the operation was carried out very much against the inclina tion of the parties who were making up the corsets and dress "improvers. In the course of his report the sanitary inspector observes that there could be no doubt there were many cases of this kind which had not come under the notice of sanitary authorities, and that the practice was a means of spread ing disease far and wide throughout the metropolis and elsewhere—indeed, where ever these infected articles were brought.

We regret to notice that numbers of the fraternal Good Templar movement have fallen from their obligations during Christ mas tide, and have resorted to their old habits. It is to be hoped, however, that such fallß are but temporary, and that the stray sheep will,- with the new year, be re stored to the safer fold of Good Templary, so that they may glide more smoothly adown the stream of time,

to us by the'Sfcrfitary yesterday. We hope the chief officers of the Order will in future, when they desire publicity for their busi-~ ness send it in at a proper time:— "At a special meeting of the Provisional Grand Lodge of the Independent Ordar of Good Templars, held on Wednesday nigbt, a resolution was passed condemning the con tinuance of the office of*T_.D.R;W.G.T., and P.G.V.C.T., in this province, and calling cpon the D.D.B.W.G.T. .o'resign bis com mission. Dr. Nicholson, who holds that office, said he was qtiife willing to resign as upon the boundaries of the Grand Lodge in New- Zealand • were fixed. It; was then resolved to recommend the for mation of one Grand Lodge for the North Island. The number of Lodges exist ing in the North Island was stated to be forty, and the members 3,000. The follow ing officers of the Grand ..odge were then elected :-Dr j. Pv. Nicholson, G.W.C.T.; Rev S Edger, 8.A., G.W.C.; R. Neal, G.W.V.T.; S. Brooking, G.W.S. ; W. Cole, GW T. The following were afterwards appointed :-E Lelioy, G.M.; S. P. Brown, GO • H G. Dorriagton, G.G.; S. Parker, G.S. ; O.S. E)Iis,G.A.S. .C. Hill, G.D.M. The new officers were installed by Bro. Speight (Thames).

To the Editor : Sir,—Can you, or the Government, inform me how long are we to have this farce called the Engineer Volun teers as a wing to our defence force. For it really appears to us settler, in the Waikafco that it is nothing more than a home for the loafing swells of ihis province. Now, first of all there are more" captains, lieutenant., sergeant-majors, and so on, than Sir Garnet Wolseley had at the last expedition. Now, in creation, what is the use or object in keeping all those useless men walking around the public-houses. They know nothing what ever about work. They were never .working men. And yet they receive more pay than a captain in' the imperial service. The Waikato captaius receive 15s per day, Lieutenants, 12s ; Sergeant-Majors, 10s ; and the first and second-class Sergeant, 9s to 7s, and what do we want all those useless men for? . Indeed one captain is quite enough, and a few experienced hands put over the men that would show them their work properly. Mr Editor, the sooner this farce is done away with the better. The public money is being squandered away for nothing every day ; and the Wai kato railroad won't be finished for seven yeais more.—Yours, &c, An Old Settler.

Floating swimming baths are coming into fashion at home, and the first just placed on the Thames is described as being a hand- Some temple of iron and glas?. It is built of corrugated iron and glass, with a dome at each end ; its entire length is ISO feet, the width 31 feet, and the bath itself, which afford- a -Winrming area of 135 feet by 2a feet, is paved with encaustic tiles, fitted at each end with huge filters capable of puri fying water at, the rate of 1000 gallons per minute, and flanked on both sides by dress ing-rcoms, hot baths, «sc. A feature of tbe.e bath, is that at ceitaia hours they are set apart for ladies, a staff of male and female professional swimmers being always at hand to give lee-ons. During the winter months a stream of hot water is conveyed through the bath to regulate the temperature. Ihe success of the first of these baths at Hunger ford Bridge has been so great that a second at Pimlico, having a swimming area of 200 feet by 40 feet, was commenced in October last.

The natural increase of the population of New Zealand, as shewn by the Registrar- General's report is : Excess of births over deaths,.more than twice as great as it is in England and Wales. A very noteworthy feature bearing on this subject is disclosed by the relative Tates of infant mortality. In England, in IS7O, (the latest date to hand) nearly 16 per cent of the children born, died before reaching the, »ge of one year, whereas, in New Zeatetid, in 1873, less than 11 per cent, of the children born died before attaining the same age. In Victoria, in 1873, the per cent age of such deaths was a little over 11 per cent., the actual difference between the two colonies b.ing so slight as to be almost im perceptible.

"Polly Plum," has abandoned her sen sational letters on " The Rights of Women," &c, in Melbourne, and is now lecturing m the suburban boroughs on " Charles Dickens Works, with Readings."*"

The provisional meteorological returns for November show an average temperature generally slightly above that ©f previous years in Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and slightly below in Auckland, Nelson, and Hokitika. Atmospheric humidity, however, was considerably in excess at-all stations, although the rainfall was below the average everywhere but in Nelson, It is accounted for partly by the fact that the number of rainy days was over the average, although the actual depth of rain was under. Christchurch had the highest temperature in the shade, 80deg., and Dunedin that in the sunshine, 159deg.

Measles are prevalent in Wellington just now; but the season being what may be re garded as favourable, no fatal results have been recorded. The matter is worth mention, only from the circumslance that several adults have been thrown down by the " in fantile" co/nplaint, which is more than usually rigorous just now. In some families as many as six children have been taken with the disorder.

As illustrating the great want of house accommodation at Wanganui it is mentioned that a number *of people have turned their fowlhouses, and in some instances even pig sties into habitations, and let them at rentals that will prove far more remunerative than either fowls or porkers. These hovels may do for summer, but it is to be hoped that ere winter comes on something better will be found.

A somewhat curious and happy instance of the effects of sea-sickness occurred on the s.s. Napier. A lady passenger (Mrs South) had been complaining for some ti__e of feeling unwell, and had intended to have sought medical advice. On the passage from Eoxton this lady was sea-sick, and vomited a pin an inch and a half long. She almost immediately felt relief from the symptoms of which she had complained.

Victoria began her system of Jfilwaysin 1858, and since thenhas expended;fcll,4_9,4_9 in the construction and maintenance of railway works. She possessed, at the end of 1873 360 miles of railway, the construction of which cost £10,815,580, or about £30,000 per mile. The private lines extend over seventeen miles, and were constructed at a cost of £859,979, or over £50,500 per mile. The railway income, public and private, of that colony last year was £1,005,059.

If the weather should be at all favourable to-morrow, an interesting cricket match will be played by the Auckland and United Cricket Clubs. The teams will include the best men of the clubs.

A select ball was held last evening in the Lome-street Hall* %y the members of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge of Odd Fellows ; the brethren wearing the emblems of the Order. About 100 couples were present, and their gay and lively appearance was in keeping with the hour. Mr McComish and his excellent band were present, and Mr Stacey provided for the urgent necessities of the inner man. The party danced the Old Year out and the New Year in, and parted excellent company, in spite of the rain.. It is stated that the last photograph of the Princess of Wales is so great a favorite that 300,000 copies of it have been sold. It is stated, on the authority of the Church Times, that the Marquis, of Ripon was first attracted to the doctrines of the Roman Church while he was staying at Washington,

,gOW>¥^»:ari'6ld raritt\true saying.' The un favorable state dt the holiday weatherrwhioh marked the dawn of the new year has been, we should imagine, most favorable to the licensed victuallers of the cifcy. We never - remember to have seen on any previouf^occa sion the hotels and bars so well patronised fJy persons who love a nip .or half a'pint on a wet day. -*""

$ Miss Christian appears at the City hall to night for the last time but "one, and tbos« who have never Seen her should not lose the opportunity. No contralto vocalist that, has ever visiter! Auckland can be compaied with this gifted lady, whose rendering of the most familiar household songs exhibits new veins of sweetness which have lain hidden even in songs that have bern worn almost thread bare. TVnight she will sing, " Will he Come," " Oh 1 Take me to Thy Heart," and "Kate O'Shane."

On Christmas Eve, Messrs Pirns and Smith presented to Mr Thomas Hobsoh a gold albert watch guard, on behalf of the work men employed in the Newton Factory of Messrs. Holdship and Co., in token of their regard and esteem for his character and general conduct as manager of the factory. The gift was acknowledged in suitable terms by Mr Hobson. It is pleasant to record such interchanges of goodwill among fellow labourers, which form a most agreeable con trast to that disunion of feeling which frequently prevails among men employed in the same establishment. The ravages of the phylloxera in France are said to reduce the profits which the French people derive from the bee and the silk-worm from 500,000,000 francs to 20,Q,000,000 francs. A trial has been made at Breslau, before the National Science Congress, of I>r. Rec laim's new cremation apparatus. In half an hour the soft parts of the body were thoroughly consumed, and within an hour the bones were reduced to white ashes.

SINGULAR OUTRAGE IN VINCENT STREET.

A LADY from Napier, at present residing with the Rev. P- H. Cornford in Vincent street, was, on Tuesday afternoon, sub jected to an attack from some ruffian m the most dastardly manner. The lady the wife of Mr Cornford, solicitor, was in the act of leaving the house for a short period when .he was suddenly .eized by the rude hands of a robber, who demanded £10 of her in a peremptory tone of voice, and if not forthcoming he threat-ned to do for her. He held a knife in his hand, which was knocked from him by Mrs Cornford, who nobly resisted the audacious at tempt at extortion, and struggled with the daylight robber in the mo3t herdc manner, and succeeded, but not without considerable damage to her dress. The felloy found that the lady's spirit, if not her physical strength, was more lhan a match for his ill-bred attack, and he decamped as fast as his legs could carry him, leaving behind apart of his clothing. From the description, of the man, there is little doubt but that he will, soon have to answer for his unmanly conduct before the Court of justice] and receive the due reward of his misadventure. We learn that Vincent-street is infesed with a party of ruffians, that several persons have recently been stuck-up, aid that it is not considered safe fer a femaleto walk through the street alone.

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

The Old Year of 1874 canrrt be paid to have died out in a respectable jnd Christian-like manner. Instead of beinl characterised by its usual genial sunshine and serene cheer fulness, its last day was njrked by a bluster ing easterly gale and searching clouds of dust. In consequence of the unfavourable weather, the festivities anpraditional observ ances of Yew Year's Eve \*re considerably in terfered with. Lastnightherewerenotnearly such large congregations « the midnight ser vices in the various cburjaes as are usually to be seen, the streets joo were quiet and almost deserted long beffce midnight. Both worshippers and me.ry-riakers alike seemed to prefer staying at ome to venturing abroad to adopt their (dinary methods of seeing the old year out » d the new year in. The "waits" were not 1 their usual force. Only a few solitary jmusicians paraded the streets during |he night. Some members of the Aucklaii Scottish, headed by piper Whitelaw, went te rounds in Newton and Hobson-street, and certainly succeeded in outdoing the noise of the elements, much to their own satisfa^ion doubtless, but whether to that jpf the slumbering citizens may well be'questioned. in the evening the j places of amuse ment were but moderately well attended, so that altogether we musj pronounce it a very dull New "X ear's Eve. | _ New Year's Day Is the cosmopolitan holiday par excellh.ce. It is the annual festival of |_c citizen of the world, and of hia 'mile and children. In England alone does he festival of Christ mas throw it into he shade. It may naturally be conclude that it is because of its entire independene of any particular religious connections tjat its holiday charac ter is so general; bu although this is un doubtedly true tO a jertain extent yet; in Prance, Germany, ajfi Russia where they have state churches, tie festival of the New Year is the greatesf and most popularly observed in the calfdar. In France es pecially, the Ist of Jajuary is set apart for a day of unalloyed racing. On that anni versary in Paris, fiisiness is altogether banished; people sfnd the morning in paying calls to theirf friends and acquaint ances, and in present|g little gifts or keep sakes to one anotheif while in the evening the places of amuseient are crowded, the theatres and opera-louses being filled to overflowing. Here to Auckland there is a similar complete respite from daily toil. The shops are all shut, efcept those who never do shut—tobacconist*, lolly-pop shops, public houses, and the like; the Government offices, both Provincial and General, the Banks, and all the fiublic institutions, close their doors, and t$ employes fly abrdtd into the country to heathe the fresh air dr. uncontaminated nattre, or seek the gay scenes of the racecou|se orEllerslie Gardens. Unfortunately the h|liday character of the day has been comletely spoiled by the weather. The storn which threatened all day yesterday broke towards midnight; when it began to Bin and blow very hard. The wind, as was feared, went round from the east to north-eat, and the sea rapidly rose in the harboul till it threatened the safety of the numerois crafts at anchor and moored on the east sue of the wharf. Fore seeing the likelihood] of the storm, Captain Burgess aud the otler harbour authorities had issued the neceskry instructions to the skippers to look oft for squalls, and the warning was not.neglected. The vessels at anchor put. on additional holding tackle, and those moored to the wharf£fitrther secured themselves by extja warps and cables. In consequence of this little damage has been done up to the present time among the ship ping. The one ol two trifling accidents which have occurrel will be found alluded to in our shipping plumns. But our con gratulations are coffined to this immunity from downright I misfortune. A more wretched New Yew's Day could not well be imagined. From a i.m. to 9 the rain came down in torrents, aid at intervals squalls passed over, which, it their violence, have not been surpassed for jorne months. Between half-past nine and te_ there was a partial lull and the rain held on for about half-au-hour. Like drowning men who catch at straws, the anxious holiday-seejers flocked into Queen street in little grows of half-a-dozen or so, and here and theje at the corners might have been seen wether consultations going on in earnest tooel Often and often were

npon as weather-wi< J? Bought unto |hy piteous^ook'ing swaim li^io had succeefliul in getting Mary Jan; £|r Dolly, as Jbka case might - be, tc 1 join the psiyfy, to Ellerslle Gardens, aM rueful were their visages as one after apofler of these weighty 'authorities shook their heads and squirted stheir tobacco-juice, in a way which was;the reverse of reassuring. Round VuJcan lane knots of "horsey" men speculated as to whether the races would come off or not, and for fear they should lose the opportunity of making their bets, wagered a bob or two on the contingency. The. early train., as^might be expected, -were nearly empty. A few sanguine Aunt Sally men, and others with queer looking luggage, occupied some of the carriages, and here and there might ! be seen a pale-faced barmaid, and Jein.thf i barman, bound for the racecourse, but not on j "pleasure bent." By eleven o'clock |itWj aspect of the heavens was as bad as it cjbuld be, and ail hope that it Would hold up for the afternoon was dismissed as idle. Shortly I before this, the steward^ of the Racing j Club held a meeting at thp club-room, aisi it was decided to postpone the races till to-morrow, Saturday's programme being transferred to Monday. T Jo.ters to this effect appeared about noon,\ and at the same time bills were stuck up intimating that the sports at Ellerslie Gardens, were also post poned till Saturday. A similar postpone ment had to be resorted to per force, in all the arranged picnics, water parties, and excursions, and so far as hjliday-making is concerned, to-day has been tidies non. Very few people went out by rail io-day, but the manager kept the trains ruining as adver tised till 12 o'clock. Most if the booths at the racecouise have been • blown down, and some torn to ribbons. Let us hope that to-morrow will dawn with brighter auspices, and that tie festivities of the New Year will only be delayed, and not destroyed, by the inclemency ki the weather. A Happy New Year to all. '

THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

New Yeak's Day is the great day of the year for little people, and the occirrence of wet on that day, above all the restof the days in the year, is therefore, the most unfortunate. It is looked fo:ward to eagerly for months by hundreds of youngsters,-jwho are fully prepared in case of disappointment to wreak their vengeance on unoffending papas and mammas and other members; of the household. To-day the outdoor excursions usually indulged in were impracticable, and the various feasts were, consequently, post poned. The teachers of St. James's Church, Wellington-street, had arranged for a great, gathering in the Domain, bat it was una voidably deferred until tomorrow, When, should the weather still continue unfavour able, a children's soireo, with suitable means o£ entertainment, will take place in the Church, where the children are required to meetatDo'clock. Theßeresford-street Congre gational school-feast was tohave been £<iven to-day, but was also postponed till to morrow, when, as will be seen by advertise ment in another colnmu, the children are to meet at the sehool-rootn at nine o'clock, weather permitting. The hundreds of chil dren in connection withi-he Sunday School Union were sadly disappointed this morning in not being able to have and enjpy their pro jected treat in the Domain. The committee and superintendents of the various schools have postponed the general procession to the Domain until to-morrow, and if to-morrow the weather should still be rainy and un favorable, arrangements will be made to give the children a treat in the several schools to which they belong, to consist o5 tea, cake, and the" usual amusements. The children attending St.'Andrew's School art; to have a treat at the school-room at noon tomorrow, as announced in our advertising columns, and the Free Church Methodist School are requested to meet at ten o'clock, at the school-room, i The annual children's treat in connection with St. Sepulchre's Parish will be held at'Kohimarama to-morrow. The children are to be on board the Takapuna at the North Shore Ferry Compare's Wharf, before 9 o'clock in the morning, jo start at 9 punctually. A second trip will be made on the return of the steamer at 10 o'clock. Parents and friends of the child reft who may wish to join the party can obtain|tickets for return passage per steamer (price one shil ling) from any of the teachers.) Arrange ments have been made with Mr pohnson at Kohimaiama to provide tea and|Other light refreshments for sale to such vislfors at rea sonable prices.

THE GALE.

Watching- the effects of the glae on the shipping has been the chief occupation of those who have ventured out of doors to-day. The harbour is at present unusuajly full of small craft, and some of the3e ijhave suc cumbed to the violence; of the jwind and sea. Early this morning the ketd_"Tiritiri, belonging to Mr. Nelson Ireland, drifted from her anchorage to the eastward of the baths, and bore down on to| the sea wall in the corner between tiie baths and the railway station. Here sle struck heavily, and has continued bumping all day. Soon after eight o'clock _er main mast went by the board. This wasjfollowed by the staving-in of her starboird side. When the tide was at its height in the middle of the day, the seas were breaking right over her, and there is little doubt she will go to pieces. In dragging, the-Firi Tiri brought the yacht Spray down withlher, bjit fortunately this pretty little racing |oat was brought up in time to save her coming on to the rocks. About noon Mr Henderson, the owner, assisted by his brother and paptain Nearing, succeeded in getting off to her, and securing her by an additional warp. Mr Boyd's little yacht the Pysche was bw-amped while at anchor off Mechanics' Bajj early in the morning. She turned bottom? up, and has remained in that predicament jail day. A, small fishing boat was drivel on to the east end of the breakwater! wall at daylight, and sustained much damage. Not far off a small yacht sank .at her moorings. The names of these Jave not reached us. Nearly all Mr Hilditcj_s boats at the baths have been swamped, put they have not sustained very much injury. A large number of the battens of tp. baths have been carried away. Betwlen the Breakwater and the Queen-street wharf a lively scene has been witnessed 111 day, and the crowds of spectators at |rattan's corner, and at the Watermen'| steps, have been very great. In thia^usually secure little bay, there were sevenl small craft at anchor, most of them I having hauled off to their anchor's mm the wharf. J/fjfrong these were thejculters Coralie, Wt&tby, Alarm, Wanderet Leah, Don, the -jfitch Prince Rupert, andfmoored to the Oostom-House-street guy the schooners Oeeanjhid Mary Melville. About 11 o'clock the cmter ..Whitby beloging to Mr M. Niccol, afid loaded with miganese sank at her anchorage. Soon af terwlrds the fiahing boat Kate belonging to MrtSearle, was riso swamped. She sank cloai to the bows of the cutt# Alarm, whose b w-sprit kept bobbing up and down among th Kate's rigging, doing it much damage. To Leah was as lively as any boat in the arbour. She danced about like a pigge at a break-down, but her tackle wa good, and she came to no grief. The Belle randon schooner, which was only partially hi lied off from the whaif, met with a little roug. usage, her stern getting slightly bruised. Cablss were carried off the vNorth Shore Firry T., and further damage was prevented! The Mary King was sheltered by the F|ry T., and lay pretty quiet considering all pings.

wmmmm. _iw .m . *™< —" v:y 8. its heght, tbo' „ sOme distance' and came' the wharf. Both andhors' _ and she brought up in time to The Rosario dragged slightlyibu, to ges her into trouble. To the \f \ the wharf very little that was sti\ placet!*- A number of craft had soug. , here, among them beiag the Gulu/ . .--■ the Pub}', and the Kate McGrego"; • to proceed to sea, and the Ad"??* :: _ I\_e_k!e, Hetty, Fairy, Undine,. Soutn H_L&. lina, and Diamond, together with the Bte»_a„ ers Manaia; and Gemini, and Lalla Rookh. The last named arrived from the Thames at nooni She left Grahamstown at 11 o'clock, latfc night, and after a very rough passage . brought up off the North Shore at 7 o'clock this morning. She came on to the wharf ! subsecp_ently .and landed the passengers, who? comprised the.Kdies and gentlemen forming I the Hibernicon Troupe, and several others. ! A small boat drifted ashore in -freeman's | Bay, but she is not much hurt. A mishap | common to many of the inshore craft was the I loss of their .rudder. We noticed this in (more than a dozen instances. This, wag owing to the bumping on the bottom at half tide. The schooner Ocean, it should be men tioned, battered her side so much against the quay that she scuttled herself: and settled down on the bottom, The Manaia had her steam up throughout the day in readiness for an emergency, ■ The Manaia arrived from Coromandel lato last night, and had to bring up off the North Shore till morning. The North Shore boats have not been able to run their regular trips. The Devonport made : one run across and back. The Lalla R ookh, a^'-er putting out her passengers, _ ran into into Shoalßay, where she anchored. , " There was no improvement in'the look of the weather up to 3 o'clock. The glass was falling all the morning, and there seemed * but little prospect of the weather mitigating.

A ROMANCE OF OUR POLICE COURT.

A SINGULAR HISTORY.

A young person, not more than thirty-two : years of age, appeared this morning at the Police Station with five fine healthy" . orphan children, for although not utterly; . fatherless, they are left, through th&lira-1 . prudence of their mother, without paternal\ care and supervision. The. story of this woman, so young in years* is as strik- •, ■ '_ '..-; ing and remarkable as the heroine ef a, ■■- romance. She came, some twelve years ago, from one, of the towns of the midland coun ties of England, we believe from Coventry: ; y\ famous for its watches, and memories of ;'•'■ Peeping Tom and the Lady Godiva, im mor.ali'sed by Tennyson. Soon after her.. -

advent in this colony, she was in service, and noted for her extreme modesty of bear ing which apparently has not yet deserted ■- J her; but beneath that seeming mod.sty^ ; '..;K there was a -look which was not

deemed honest. She had admirers, but was rather flirty, and jilted several of them;y At length she consented to marry, and - actually went to church and tied the knot, .;. i but not that of a true woman. She cared little for the man she had married, but he loved her with an intensity of passion rarely surpassed. One evening, on returning to his, nest at the Thames, the bird had flown, and he was left in an empty house. He soon learned that she had left the locality with a new lover, but their whereabouts could not. .^ be discovered. At length Bhe left her second ■ ''•*. lover with four children, and was next heard

of in Auckland at a questionable house in Wakefield-street, where. the landlady .. seized her sewing machine for debt. . She quitted the house for a walk in Queen street, and there, like Virginia, she met Paul. A conversation ensued between , j them; she informed him that she was a • ;< single girl, worked a sewing machine, and - earned an honest living. Upon being further questioned, she replied that she was lonely and had ho objection to a protector in the form of a husband. The match, was made in

less than an hour. Virginia was So lonely, and Paul was so touched by the recital of Virginia's misfortunes', that he offered to take her to the Registrar's Office the next; ; morning. He met her at the foot of i Wakefield-street, and in the presence of two witnesses, Virginia took to her heart her second husband, and her six teenth lover-. They took a small house .*-'. and 'for six days seemed floating on the placid, sunny stream of conjugal happiness ; when 10, the father of her four children dis covered the fair fugitive's retreat, and with the fury of outraged feelings, swore he would y have revenge, like Othello. Poor Paul leaped out of the window and fled, and Virginia fell heavily on the floor beneath the iron fist of the angry man, and then the strong man wept like a child. He was locked up that night, and the next day ordered to find sureties for his good conduct.. Paul fled, it was supposed, either to the bush or destruction ; his body has not since been discovered. The wretched woman, who for sook the guide of he. youth, has since led a sad and melancholy life, and this New- Year's morning she appeared with the four children, and a fifth in the person of little Paul, a perfect wreck of womanhood, draped in the faded finery, and draggled in wet, vp1 to her knees. She could not support her children, she said; and so she had brought them to the Court, for the industrious and better disposed of the community to support in the Home for neglected and criminal children. An enquiry into her circumstances will at once be instituted, and the result stated in the Court oh Monday next. -■ '%

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Captain Daldy, J.P.) k-;is The following charges were preferred and &{£>"; remanded until to-morrow, viz. :— f Robert Harris, for larceny of apair of boots, ;'?■■■■ value 6s 6d, the property of Mr David Clark son, of Queen street. t _M John McMurray, on a charge of violently assaulting his lawful wife Annie on Boxing ""-. night. • Jm I . Maria Price and Thomas King, under the ' Vagrancy Act, with being found last night* <. on the premises of Mr Matthew. Carr, 0f.,; Graham-street. " . John Thomas Lyons, witn a breach of the Naval Training School Act, being found wandering without proper guardianship. - ' ' -■'1* . *= ' ""fy'7y

TELEGRAPHIC.

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. j ;'. The unfavourable state of the weather il likely to interfere with the Foresters' sportf and fete, and other holiday proceedings. Messrs Hollis, Carnell, and Spencer (2), i was narrowly escaped from drowning yes terday by the capsizing of a boat they were t' fishing in. They managed, howeverto ciing to the upturned keel, until taken off by the Lalla Rookh's boat.

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

DUNKDIW. - • ■ r ..■■■■■ .. - fmfi. (From our own jOorrespondenfc.)_ r. ' ~:''' *! ■- ■ This day. ' Sale of Dunedii^atsrwofks. '-' 7 '•* The waterworks were handed oyer to the, city yesterday,.the purchnse money bemg|F^ made at noon. The".total'cost-is £94,24/ ;'.. £52,200 paid on debenture.., and £42,43 : f.; exolusive of -to. Colonel RUohner, is* cash.' ; 7,y yX'7y



|$ 0 ,T, I C E. ._ The Banks will be CLOSED both on Ist and 2nd " January. * TTNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. [Established 1837.] PAID-UP CAPITAL ... ... £1,250,000 RESERVE FUND ... £400,00. THE HIGHEST CtTBRBNT RITE OF ISTERES. ALLOWED ON FIXED DEPOSIT. * J. B■. BRATHWAITE, i . i ...,., ;.. Manager. TU" EW CASTLE COAL. ,y ■ h:6;W' LANDING, i Ex Dj-fcWKNT, .■ FOR SALE ALONGSIDE VESSEL, In lots to suit buyers at 4 s P E;;R':. TO N, CASH J A MjS-S W. WALL ER, CUSTOM HOFSE-STREET. • wr E 'HA.YE O P,E NED ; Pjcbl SHtP EfyDA spes : 2 .:2':;'! . C ;': 7A. S E S '*" _y ' ' ' ■ . yy-^y, 01" ■ ■ > MEN'S AND-BOY'S CLOTHING, P.INAMA HAT 3, " n . RELT DO, la Men's and Youth' 3 Sizes. J. COSGRAVE & CO., . ,- -'■'"• "importers. / rpHE NAT ONAL BANK NEW (ZEALAND), Limited. . • ' y _. • :'y ■ ; ii.' ■ ■ .^.K'-'-\y''. .. - ■. ■■ - >.* ■'~■"' ! -.'■-[ ~g -?' ''--- =■ '" ■•- " s.\'Mpy .KJtfft' CAPITAL-..._" -VL. *• ... £2,000,000 SUBSCRIBED £1,000,000 . RATE? OF INTEREST ON DEPOSIT On Deposits fiixed iev Bb"days', 5 % _i annnm On Deposits fixed for 8 months', SJ%<P annum j -- i- On Deposits-^ed^/orGi&onth.*, 6 % _i annum DAVID HEAN, , Auckland, 17th December, 1574. m HIST LE HOTEL \7 Liberal A'towta^ made to wholesale purchasers. ____B»VJS>*erp*oo^^_i',Mm® "" --^^.9P9a9i



We have just <- pened a v^ry choice lot of NEW SUMMER DRESS GOODS, Comprising— NEW PRINTED MUSLINS, IN GREAT VaRIETY. GRENADINES. PL 4IN BLACK, BLACK STRIPED, and COLOURED STRIPED GRENADINES. VHITE SATIN, STRIPED MUSLINS, CHECK MUSLINS, Etc, Etc., * Etc. The above are NEW GOODS, just landed, and worthy of special attention, RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE K. HOBBS,) Wholesale and Retail Dbapebs, Clothiees JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) Upper Queeit - street, Auckland. EDWIN HOLLO WAY AND J. TONSON GARLICK • Beg to inform the inhabitants o* Auckland they bare purchased the Stock and Premises known as THE CITY HALL BBAPKKY, CLOTHING, AND CARPET ESTABLISHMENT UPPER QUEEN-STREET, Prom Messrs Cosghavjb & Co., AT A LARSE DISCOUNT OF_" ENGLISH COST. A SALE OF THE GOODS Will be held ' When that New, Extensive, and recently-imported took, purchased from the Manufacturers of England FOR CASH, wiH be offered to the public at IMMENSE REBTJCTJOAS.' Drapers and Storekeepers are invited to attend this great Sale, as it is the intention of the proprietors to CLEAR OUT THE PRESENT STOCK, In order to _a!:_e eatrntive rUerttions ;u ih LuUdiug. A splendid opportunity for Count-y Settlers to purchase at LOW RATES. HOLLO WAY & G ARLICK, CITY HALL."