SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER : This evening, 11.26 ; to morrow morning. 11.51 SUN SET : This evening, 7.17 ; SUN RISE: to morrow mornin?, 5.2 MOON'S AGE : First Quarter, 15th, 9.21 am

ARRIVALS.

vira, French man-of-war

DEPARTURES.

Belle Brandon, schooner, OhJson, for South Sea Island* Jessiß iienderson, schooner, for Lyttelton

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Gisborne—Advance, schooner, at once ForLevuka-DauntleßS, schooner early For the South—Taranaki, s s, Friday For Newcastle—Derwent, and Isabella, bnsrs, early For Sydney— Wonga Wong*, s 8, about 18th For Ban FraDcisco—City of Melbourne, R.M.S.S.,

(Knglish Mail). 21st instant For London—City of Auckland, ship, isth Jan For a Craise—Southern Cross, Missionary barquenune early

VESSELS EXPECTED

Wonga "Wongs, s s, from Sydney, Saturday East Lothian, barque, from Lyttelton, early Jungfrau, barque, from "Wellington, early City of Melbourne, S3, from Sydney, 21st instant Peerless, schooner, from Lyttelton ; sailed 10th Clematis, ketch, from Napier Papua, schooner, from Rarotonga, early Pilharee, barque, from London ; sailed October 2 Warwick, ship, from London; sailed October 11 Inverene, 'ship, from London ; sailed October 30 Anazi barque, f rem London ; sailed October 28 Bapido, barque, from New York,via Adelaide, loading Edith Rose, barque, from New York; sailed Sept. 18 Chanticleer, brig, from Hobart Town, early Edith, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early : .Ruropa, barque, from Sydney, early Kenilworth, scsooner, from Samoa, early ' Sir Isaac Newton, schoone*, from Lyttelton Magellan Cloud, from Lyttelton, early j Ryno, brigantine1, from Rotumah, early OB: Helena, brigan'ine, from Lyttelton, early Southern Cross, s.s., from Southern ports

ARRIVAL OF THE LE VIRE.

The French man-o'-war Ls Vire is coming up the barbour as we go to press. She left Dunedin on the 9th inst.

THE CITY OF AUCKLAND.

The ship City of Auckland hauled away from the •wharf yesterday evening, aad anchored in the stream. Her passengers are expected to go on board to-mor row. We give below a list of the passengers and cargo:—

Pasrengeiir.—Mr Scales, Mr Bennett, G. Jerrom, Mrs Gunion, Mr and Mrs Morressev, Mr Varnum, Mrs Varmim, and 4 chtldren ; Mr and Mrs Glanville ■ . and 2 children; Mrs A. Kelly, Mrs Robinson, Mrs Kerr. Steerage: Miss M. Mennett, Messrs J. Urqu 'r- hart, G. Bailey, T. Dyson, W. Batt, J. Mclntyre, J. George, G. Coles, J. Shoebridge ; Miss J. Fancy, Miss i E. Mayler, Mr and Mrs J. Pugh; Mr and Mrs Drew and 2 children; Mrs Kolf c, Mrs Anderson, Mr and ■ v Mrs W. Neill, Mrs Cant. Cakgo.—2s bales cotton, Cruickshank and Co; 21 bales wool, New Zealand Loan Co; 2 bales wool, Captain Alexander; 34 bales wool, New Zealand Loan f--v Co; 12 bales wool, Captain Butler; 49 bales wool, > New Zealand Loan Co ; 69 bales wool, Osborne and Co; 34 bales wool, New Zealand Loan Co; 4 bales wool, Thorp ; 64 bales wool, Cruickshank and Co ; 3 ■"■■■ bales wool, New Zealand Loan Co; 1 case effects, r Carlan; 26bales wool, (M>orne and Co; 1 case, W. ': Wright; 4 bales wool, New Zealand Loan Co; 18 bales wool, A. Buckland ; 8 bales wool, Cawkwell; 7 pf bales wool, Union Bank of Australia; 132 . cases gum, R, Waller and Co ; 49 bales wool, Henderson and Macfarlane ;32 X-bales 6 bales wool, Cruickshank and Co; 26 bales wool, T. Osborne and Co; 1 box, S. W.HiU; 2 bales twine, G. "VV. Binney; 102 bales wool, Osborne and Co; 71 1 .bales wool, 4 casks tallow, E. B. Walker; 45 bags candle mite, 367 bags cobra, 113 bales wool. 1 case, 629 bales wool, Owen and Graham; 22 bales greasy wool, a quantity of cobra in bnllr, Cruickshank and Co; 8 X-bales wool, J. C. Firth; piano, Madame ■.' Goddard ;26 bales wool, 7 casks sperm oil, Hender • son and Macfarlane; 85 packages gran. Brown, Campbell and Co; 4 bales wool, R. Walker and Co; 1 box effects, Newbold; 7 casks glue pieces, 11 casks ■-.'■ tallow, 474 horns, quantity of shank and thigh bones, '•" A. Smart; 181 bales wool, 562 bags cobra, Owen and Graham; 97 bales wool, Osborne and Co; 39 casks tallow, 2 casks feet, 17 bales wool, Watt Brothers ; 72 bales wool, Roberton and Co ; 4 packages curios, G. H. Layers; 7 bales wool, New Zealand Loan Com pany ;77 bales wool, Owen and Graham; 9 bales wool, 10 bales flax, Cruickshank and Co; 9 }<<-bales * , wool, T. Russell; 8 bales cotton, 5 bales wool, L. D. Nathan and Co ; 1 case effects, H. Coombe ; 11 bales - -wool, L D. Nathan and Co; 229 bales wool, 7 bales - leather, 14 bales sole leather, 2,200 horns, Ireland Brothers; 170 tons manganese, J. C. Stovin.

The ship Glenlora is getting on rapidly with the discharge of her cargo. As might be expected from such a light little vessel, the packages are turning out in perfect condition. The schooner Mary King arrived at Lyttelton yesterday. The brig Vision is discharging her cargo on the west side of the wharf. The schooner Jessie Henderson sailed for Lyttelton

last night, with a cargo of timber, malt, drain pipes, and tiles, shipped by C. H. Mackenzie. W- The schooner Belle Brandon sailed for the South Sea Islands, yesterday evening, with a general trading cargo, shipped by Messrs Stewart and Anderson and

B Mr Buchanan. The s.s. Wonga "Wonga was to have left Sydney for .:. • this port on the Bth. In the event of her starting to ; time she is due on Saturday. The new pilot schooner was commenced at Mr Niccol's yard, at the North Shore yesterday. The following is the cargo on board the schooner !, Sir Isaac Newton, which left Lyttelton on the 4th inatant for Auckland:—2so sacks wheat, 7 crates

crockery, 4 casks do, 10 cases meat, 11 do bacon, ■ 5 do cheese, 152 boxes soap, 5 do hams and bacon, 150 sacks flour, 300 bags do, 112 sacks bran, 12 cases

chicory. The Advance takes her departure for Gisborne this ■ . ■ afternoon, with the following cargo:—2o tons coal, ':&<-' M.Niccol; 1050 pieces timber, Harris; 7 cases bis ■ cuit, Lamb; 6 packages furniture, Wood; 4 ditto paint, &c, Phillippa; 148 pieces timber, Holdship; 5 cases glass, 1 bundle paper, 2 cases glass, 1 truss, :, PhiHipps; 13 packages hardware, T. and S. Morrin ; i 12 bales tow, Winks and Hall; 3 packages drapery, Sargood and Co; 1,000 palings, Goldie; 13 cases I •'.-'_ cordials, Soloman and Margetts; 24 bags flour, 3 ■ - - gunnies sugar, 2 bags rice, 1 half-chest tea, 1 keg whisky, Brown and Campbell; 1 ton flour, 1 saddle, "•■'■"■ Captain Trimmer; 1 boat, 1 dray, De Thierry.—M. • Niccol, ageut. ' ,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Maim wiil Closk as .follows :— For Thames, to-morrow, at 5 30 p.m. For Coromandel, to-marrow. at 10 a.m. For Wangarei, to-morrow, at 11 am For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Taratiaki, to-mono1 * at 1 p.m. Late letters will b received till 1 lft p.m. For the undermentioned places per City of Melbourne, on FriJay, 22nd instant, as fol/ows :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada. British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign "VVcst Indies, at 11 a m. For tha United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 10 a.ni Lai.e letters bearing an extra fee of 6d will b-*

received by the Mail Agent on board up to time cf

sailing For Levuka, per Star of the South, on Friday, 22nd

instant, at 3 pm '^N.B —Udders of Private Boxes are Informed that their boxes are ready for allotment on payment of tho fee.

S. B. Brsa, Chief Postm ster

BIRTH.

Hewlett. —On January 11, at Mangapai, the wife of Mr W. H. Hewlett, of a daughter, stillborn.

DEATH.

Bach—On the 13th instant, at Nelson-street, Selena Florence, twin daughter of Mr T. Bach; aged seven weeks.

The funeral will leave her father's residence, Nelson-street, at four pm tc-morrow (Ifriday) Friends will plessq accept this intimation.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1875

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong t.<;ut needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

A false weight is an abomination, and there fire false weights somewhere. At" tention has been-frequently drawn to the discrepancy'between the results of weighing at the Public Weigh Bridges at Newmarket and the Queen-street wharf. This discre pancy is of daily occurrence, but to verify the thing we have before us two documents in the form of weigh bridge receipts, and purporting to give the exact weight of one load of oaten hay, weighed at both bridges on

the same day, to wit to-day. The Newmar ket receipt gives 1 ton 2 cwt. 1 qr. And the Harbour Board bridge gives it 1 ton 1 cwt. 2 qrs. Now both of these cannot be right, and we are told by our informant that one of them is, namely, that at the Queen-street wharf; which has been re peatedly tested and Gompared with private and correct weighing machines. If this is right, then it follows as sure as a tail follows a dog, that the^Newniarket machine is wrong. Or if the Newmarket machine is right, then the Queen-street one is wrong, and in either case the prompt intervention of Mr Reilly is demanded. For really this must be an extreme annoyance to settlers with their produce, and must lead to incessant wrang ling and bad blood. It would be better to suppress one of the machines, for then though somebody might be robbed, everybody would be satisfied. But surely this is not too difficult a thing to be put to rights. Could it be that it is from defective machinery and weights, or could it be that it is carelessness in weighing ? What ever may be the cause, we do sincerely trust that this chronic and very irritating evil will be at once removed.

We are glad to notice that the letter of Mr. Blewden met with the sympathy of the Board of Improvement Commissioners re specting the continuation and completion of his contract for the formation of certain streets around Barrack-hill, and that the Board resolved to do all in ils power to facilitate Mr. Blewden's views by raising the necessary funds. We know that the con tractor has been put to great incrnvenience in consequence of the delay, and ib is satis factory to know that the impediments to the progress of the works will shortly be re moved.

"Go-ahead" wrires again urging the es tablishment of a direct line of steamers to Dunedin. He says :-" One boat will be quite sufficient for the Port Chalmers line, leaving the rest to be still disposed of in the old in-and-out style up and down the coast. Think of the success that has attended the Red Sea trade a.nd Trans-At]antie traffic, and fear not. Remember the position of Auck land i 3 such thai you can hardly stay its progress."

As illustrative of the wild vagaries of weighing machines, we have to-day been ehown ttro memoranda of the same gum weighed this morning at the weighing machine of the Harbour Board, on the wharf, and at the weighing machine of a private firm. In the one case it weighed 5 cwt. 2 qr. 7 lbs ; iv the other case, 4 cwt. 1 qr. 18 lbs. Could it be the transit of Venus ?

We have much pleasure in giving insertion to the following correction :—" To the Editor : Sir, —In reference to an expression that is attributed to me in last night's Star at the meeting of the Harbour Board, I beg most; emphatically to deny making use of the words in a sotto voce or otherwise. I merely suggested to Mr Macfarlane that his motion was injudicious, and to withdraw it, which he declined. Mr J. T. Boylan was quite close to Mr Macfarlane at the time, and he asserts most positively that he had not heard me making use of the expression as reported in the Star. By inserting the above, you will oblige, youra, &c , J. Gos aRAVE."

Notice was given that the South British Company is promptly paying claims due in consequence of the loss of the Cospatrick.

In spite of Dr. floldsbro's overwhelming evidence ; in spite of the criticism of the Pi'C33, and the anathemas of surrounding residents, the slaughterhouse still hannta Newmarket. The old effluvia rising from that disreputable hole envelopes station and street in one eternal perfume, which, how ever, is of such a character as to cause a great demand for Mr Taite's " Newmarket Bouquet" to mitigate its effects. A huge bottle is in course of preparation, to be filled with the " perfume, 1' and sent to His Honor the Superintendent, with the rerjuesfc it shall t'e passed round to the members of the Executive for each to spply his nose thereto. Mr Archard has men at work sinking another well for the establishment. (While he is about it what a pity Mr A. does not make the hole large enough, and roll the slaughter house in.) By the lime a new one is built the present will have improve ments effected and conveniences which should have been there years ago.— A few days since an energetic gentleman of position in the Government, and mounted on a grey steed, was seen galloping round this place, evidently examining the proposed site over the hill, which slopes toward the bay, and which is thought to be most con venient for butchers and the sale-yards.

The removal of the body of Misa Porch from Tuakaa to Waikato Heads, has been made far too much of, the facts of the case being grossly exaggerated by a contemporary for the sake of sensation. Mr E. 3. Millett, one of those engaged in the removal, has furnished us with the following account of the proceeding, which we be lieve is substantially correct: —"What Capfc. W aite and I did, whether legal or illegal, we will stand by. We found the body, and before nearlng it, as sailors, we reverentially took our hats off, went to her, took one of my rags, placed it under her, and lifted her into our boat. My second rug we laid over her. We then went to the Tuakau landing, where I went in search of the nearest magistrate, close to Dr. Corbett's house I met a Mr Smeed (I don't know if I spell the name right,) who galloped back for the worthy magistrate, I walked slowly back and waited on the river bank some time, as no one came, or bothered themselves in the matter, and as we wanted to get over the land flats below Kohunga Mission station before the tide went down, we left bringing the body to this place. A policeman demanded the body from ns, (he came from up river) the same night, the next morning (January 2nd,) we put the poor girl into a coffin, and sent her back in Captain Waite's boat, with the English ensign laid over the coffin. I give you a plain yarn without adding or subtracting, and Captain Waite of the ketch Wild Duck who will sail for Onehunga with the first slant of wind will bear me out."

To the Editor :— " Sir, -~ Would you please inform me what compliment of passengers the s.s. Pretty Jane is entitled to carry, as I am informed that on her departure yesterday she had as many as 57 passengers, 31 of these were in the saloon, the reason of my enquiry is that lately the captain of the s.s. Hero being fined for carrying too many passengers. I think it only justice to him that should be looked -after. It is a great pity that the Marquis of Normanby was not a passenger per Pretty Jane this trip, for then they would have heard of it at the end of the voyage. Hoping you will give this publica tion for public benefit.—l am, etc., Justice."

It is claimed that a young lady reporter in Illinois will ere long set her mark upon the age. Here is a sample of .how she will do it: " When an enthusiastic editor describes a bride as bonny, and an envieus compositor sets her up as bony, as was done at Jackson ville the other day, hope for a season bids the world farewell, and freedom shrieks as the compositor falls at his frame, brained by the brother of the bloming bride."

The Otago Guardian has received infor mation per telegram that Sir George Grey returned, unopened, the despatch from Sir James Ferguson, recently published in all the papers prior to being received by Sir George himself. 'It was not forwarded through the Superintendent, and Sir George, taking this as a slight, as well -as its prema ture publication, returned it unopened to the Government, through the Superintendent.

A bolt to-day from the cab-stand.caused a temporary excitement in Queen-street this afternoon. The horse attached to J. Boyd's hansom, in lifting its head, knocked off one of the blinkers against the back of another cab. The horse bolted Up Queen-street, and in its course the blinkers fell completely off. Turning into Wellesley-street he commenced to take it more easily up hill, and was finally stopped without damage, not having met any obstruction in his course.

As possibly bearing on the manner of tbe ignition of the Oospatfick, a gentleman in forms us that in the vessel in which he came to the colony, in leaving the East India Docks, the boxes and luggage of passengers were hurriedly thrown into the hold over coal ballast, tarred rope 3, and similar com bustibles. In the Bay of Biscay the vessel encountered a gale, in which she was severely tossed about and strained. On the return of calmer weather, the hatches were opened in order to adjust the luggage, when it was found that with the chafing several of the boxes must have been actually on fire, the corners being com pletely charred. It is evident that careless stowisg equally with careless conduct on the part of the passengers and crew, may have induced the fate of the Cospatrick, and of many another ship which went to sea and was no more heard of.

The particulars of a very melancholy death of a young lady at Napier, a few days before the time fixed for her marriage, have been furnished us by Mr G. Wright, of Ponsoaby road, brother of the deceased. Everything had been prepared for th 9 wedding, and the young lady, who wa3 in excellent health up to wihiu about ten days of the illness that resulted in her death, was full of hope and ill good spirits. In attending on a sick friend, however, she over-exerted her self, but did not think she was so unwell as to require the attendance of a doctor Getting worse, however, a medical man was called in, who seems to have behaved in a most unfeeling and discreditable manner. We continue the narrative in the words of Mr Wright's letter : —"Sir,—As a constant reader of the Star, the paper chiefly read by my friends, I should like to let them know through your columns the painful circum stances connected with my sister's death, and more, the disgraceful conduct of a certain medical gentleman in Napier. From my brother's letter it would appear that this gentleman on first seeing our sister, said that ' she was veiy weak, and suffering from loss of blood, and that he should have seen her sooner ;' and further, that it was ' dysentery and exhaustion, but that she would be bettar with care and time,' and on the morniug of the day on which she died tod my brother that ' she was better, and that he should do his best to bring her round.' My brother had been unwearied in his attention throughout the day, and at G o'clock p.m. she complained of sickness, so he wenb for the doctor, who was playing cards in the Clarendon Hotel, and at 10 p.m. would not come for two hours after. Brother then went for Dr. Spencer, who, seeing the poor girl, told the truth, which should always be done, 'that the;e was no hope,' so our dear sister died at 10.30 p.m. Alas! for the unceitainty of life, she had to exchange her wedding iobeg for tli3 shroud. This gentleman's name I doo;t care to mention, but if he has*a conscience it must sting him —for, mark the difference between his promise and hi 3 action—his dnty. It could not have been from the thought or idea that he would not be paid, both by my brother and her affianced husbaud, who is having an outlay of £70 or more for her tomb."

Pilferers and sparrows have united to rob the gardens round Newmarket. The spar rows are a confirmed nuisance ; the depreda tions of youngsters are also becoming un bearable. The proprietor of one orchard, who for several years has had fine crops on the trees, invariably Eas had them stolen just as the fruit was ripening. The other day he captured a little fellow up a plum tree, and would straightway have delivered him into the formidable clutches of Constable Jackson but for the distress pf the boy, who with tearful eyes proclaimed that he wa3 only looking for a bird's nest. Wishing to err only on the side of mercy, his captor let him go with a caution. A. tree laden with delicious plums is, during this hot weather a fine place to seek for birds' nests ! Under these trees, however, some terrible means of punishment have been arranged for future depredators, birds being undtr the eye and in the jurisdiction of the Acclimatisation Society. The sparrows will refer their rob beries to the latter, to which society garden ers should send the " sparrows' bills" (and heads).

A class, well-known in all colonies, is well depicted by a correspondent of the Dunedin Star in the following terms:—"Probably the least pleasing aspect of colonial society is that exhibited by a class well known but not easily described. I refer to the young men bein bleves, but without occupation, whom we continually encounter in - all sorts 'of places in the colonies. In schools, on stock-horses, bullock-driving, digging, loafing — everywhere we see these social arabs; pleasant, genial fel lows, with a dash of cynicism begotten of their enforced half-banishment from society, living for the most part in the " dead-past," burying " its dead." They have roved in many lands, and have observed many phases of human nature. Their knowledge, if not profound, is varied, and, though they lack the concentration necessary to success in life, they have many social qualities which at first clear their path to every fireside. They are always in a state of impecuniosity, their hopes and aspirations have faded into maudlin rememembrances, and alas ! too often regret for a misspent life and dismay at the prospect of age and penury have driven them to drunken courses or actual suicide."

The popularity of the Eev. Mr. Clark, the lecturer, who is expeted here by the steamer Wonga Wonga, may be judged from the fact —stated by the Australian Sketcher — that two of his lectures on Charles Dickens and the Christmas Carols at the beginning of 1873, for the funds of the Albert-street Church, realised over £600.—The Bendigo Advertiser tersely summarises the rev. lec turer's opinion of his favorite author thus :— " Mr. Clark's opinion of Dickens is no secret, fie regards him almost in the light that a cherished son might a dearly honoured father. Dickens is to him, light, life, and space. He takes in to the full the wit, the humour, the simplicity, and the pathos of a .man he delights to honour of all men he has known living, or heard of dead. There are no half measures about Mr. Clark. He goes for Dickens straight, and puts in his plumper with an earnestness which, in a man less earnest, would be almost amusing."

Mr J. C. Soall, musketry instructor, whose well-chosen motto is nil desperandum, is about to publish, in pamphlet form, the paper read by him at the drill-shed on white and black targets. The subject is one of interest to marksmen, but, like all reformers, Mr Soall finds a difficulty in attracting the necessary amount of attention to his views. We wish him all the success that perseve rance deserves. The pamphlet, with novel and startling illustrations'proving the theory, will be issued next week.

A club, new in Auckland, but on a princi ple that has worked well in other larger centres of population, has been started by Mr W. C. Dennes, agent and importer of sewing machines, Albert Buildings, Qaeen street. The announcement inviting mem bers appears in another column. The object of the club is to enable members to obtain sewing machines by small weekly instal ments. The principle on which the society will be worked is to ba explained by Mr Dennes on application at his sewing machine depdt. ,

The Harbour Board accounts published yesterday were extremely satisfactory as shewing the excellent financial position of the Board, but they were also noticable for the clearness with which every item of ex penditure was shewn. The way the accounts of the Board were kept, formed the subject of commendatory comment by the Provincial Auditor, whose remarks must be very gratify - ing to Mr Brigham, secretary and treasurer to the Board. The following; is the letter refered to :—" Jan 9, 1875. To the Chair man of the Auckland Harbour Board.— Sir, —I have the honor to forward herewith the account of the receipts and expenditure of the Auckland Harbour Board for the financial period ended 31st Dec, 1874, and I congratulate the Board on the clearness and accuracy of the accounts laid before me.—l have, &c, B. Maclean, Provincial Auditor."

At the meeting of Improvement Commis sioners yesterday afternoon, a long discussion took place as to the propriety of requesting the removal of the present drill-shed to some more convenient; situation. It was finally resolved that Messrs Fenton, Clark and Isaacs, form a committee to, waib upon Sir Donald McLean upon the matter.

The usual monthly meeting of the mem bers of the City of Auckland, No. 1 Loyal Orange Lodge, will be held this evening in the lodge-room, Wellealey-street, at half-past seven. . The members of the Harmonic Society will meet for practice this evening in the usual place, and perform several glees. Mr P. Doran, and his benevolently disposed companions in song and dance, are preparing for a vocal and musical performance in aid of the widow and family of Joseph Noyer, the waterman, who died a short time since. The entertainment; ia an nounced to take place on the 20th instant, at the Lome-street Hall, under the patronage of the Auckland Fire Brigade aud Odd feliows, who have granted the use of their Hall gratuitously. A full and interesting; programme is in preparation, and will appear in the Evening Star of Saturday next.

The battery and band of the Auckland Artillery Volunteers will meet this evening at the Grey-streeb junction, and march in due order, fully equipped, to the drili-shed for monthly inspection. No 2 City Company, will also assemble this evening at the same place. The Auckland and Ponsonby Cricket Clubs will try conclusion in the Domain on Satur day next, and the following players will represent their respective clubs. Ponsonby : E. Willis, Began, Masefield, Lonsdale, Leighton, Lublin, Harrison, Nash, Burke, W. Jone?, Lawless, and Di«nan. . Auckland : Yates, Buckland, Davies, Connell, Coulson, Blunden, Garland, Byan, Coates, W. Phil son, T. L. White.

DEPUTATIONS TO THE HON. SIR DONALD McLEAN.

WYNYARD PIER BRIDGE.

A deputation consisting of his Honor the Superintendent, Mr G. Yon der Heyde, and the Hon. Mr. ChamberliD, waited on Sir Donald McLean t)-day, relative to the con struction of a bridge to connect Shortland street with the Wynyard Pier across the railway line. The deputation represented thej large amount of traffic and the great necessity for a' proper crossing at this place. Sir Donald requested that they would fur nish certain data relative to the proposed work, and promised (to bring the matter under the notice of the [Minister of Public Works.

IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS.

A deputation from the Improvement Com missioners, consisting of Messrs. Fenton, J. M. Clarke, Swanson and Isaacs, with the secretary, Mr Stevenson, waited to-day on the Native and Defence Minister at his office, in Princes-street. The object was the re moval of the Drill-shed from its present posi tion to another site to be provided by the Commissioners. Sir Donald courteously re ceived the deputation, and, after the matter had been freely canvassed, it was agreed that the removal should take place on condi tion that the sum of £400 should be set apart by the Improvement Commissioners to defray the coats of removal and re-erection. It is understood that the position selected will be one affording even greater facilities to the Volunteers from it 3 nearer vicinity to the recreation reserve. Sir Donald Maclean requested that the proposal should be foimally submitted in writing, which being argued upon, the deputation thanked the Minister, and withdrew.

CASES OF SUNSTROKE.

This morning, at half-past ten, a boy about 16, named Samuel Edmonds, a son of Mr. S. J. Edmonds, and employed in the office of Messrs. Combes and Daldy, fell down from the effects of the heat in the lane leading from Oueen-street to the temporary Custom house, offices. He was taken up insensible and carried into his employer's office, and after a short time came to himself. He is now convalescent, but still feels acutely the effect of the sunstroke. We understand that one or two similar cases have occurred during the last few days. A young lady in Parnell, we hear, has been lying in a pros trate state from this cause for some time.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS COMMISSIONERS.

A MEETltfd of the Public Buildings' Com missioners was held to-day at eleven o'clock, at the Provincial Government offices. Present: His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs Boylan, Swanson, and Macready. MrHerapath, architect to the Commission, was in attendance with the plans of the new Hospital, as adapted to the site now fixed upon in conference with the Domain Board. Hi 3 Honor stated that all the preliminaries had been completed, and urged the I desira bility of proceeding expeditiously with the erection of the new buildings while the season was suitable. It was resolved that the archi tect's remuneration should be 5 per cent, on the amount of contract, on the motion of Mr Boylan, seconded by Mr Swanson. There upon, on the motion of Mr Boylan, it was resolved that the architect invite tenders forthwith for the erection of the hospital buildings. On the suggestion of the Super intendent, it was agreed that tenders should be called for only within the province. Mr Swanson urged the advisability of employing prison labour as far as might be available in preparing materials, and, the architect coin-, ciding with this view, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr Macready, seconded -by Mr Swanson, that the chairman and architect shoould visit Mount Eden Gaol with the view of ascertaining the resources of that establishment for supplying the Btones re quired for the hospital buildings. This ended the business.

GRAFTON ROAD SCHOOL.

The committee of the Grafton Road school seem determined that that establishment shall lose nothing of the prestige attaching to it, and in the appointment of Mr James Martin as head teacher affords a guarantee that as an educational institution it will rank second to none in the province. Mr Martin has the advantage of a collegiate education, to which he adds the advantages of a lengthened experience in the successful training of youth, We do not know if the residents in that rising suburb, who all belong to the class able to afford a good education to their children, are desirous of having instruction given in the ancient classics. If so, they are singularly fortunate in having a classical scholar such as Mr Martin iv their District school. But if not, they cannot avoid

receiving the advantages of that mental training in their teacher which is inseparable from a classical education. We-venture to say that the pupils hailing from the Grafton Road school will figure honorably in the various prize lists connected with our educational endowments, and as in these days, sound education is the basis.of [^eem in life, we feel equally assured that Mr Mr Martin's pupils will take an advanced rank in the race of Me. From the warm affection and esteem with which we know the EvjOTG SrAR to be nmversally regarded iv that district, we judge that the residents are characterised by rare intel ligence and discrimination, and we therefore cordially congratulate them on the settle ment among them of a teacher who is cercain to afford them the highest satisfaction Mr Martin opens school on Monday next with assistant pupil teachers, and all the para phernalia of a firat-claas educational es tablishment. ____

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE annual meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce was held at three o'clock this afternoon, in the office, Wynd ham-street, Mr. Yon der Heyde, President, ia the chair. The Secretary read the annual report, which stated that the alteration from monthly to quarterly meetings had not been attended with inconvenience. _ The Chamber had been in communication with the General Government.- Ist : to urge the neccss.ty ot pushing on the railway south of Auckland and opening it in sections. Ofl the Latter point the Government was disinclined to favour the views of the Chamber, buu had offered a bonus to the contractors which was likely to expedite the completion of the line as a whole. 2. The Chamber had urged the construction of the Kaipara Railway and its extension to Auckland ; the construc tion of the telegraph north and its opening in sections, to the latter course the Govern ment had objected. Harbour works, whicn had occupied the attention of the Chamber, were likely to be proceeded with. The d-lavs in the construction of the intercolonial t-leffraph cable were likely to be overcome. The committee had written urging that the receiving-room in the Auckland Telegraph Office should be placed on the ground floor, but as yet without success. The report hoped that tbe protest sent through the Superintendent to the Immigration Commis sioners, with reference to a misleading pam phlet about Auckland, published under sanction of the Agent-General, will have the effect of causing greater care, and so prevent ing hurtful misrepresentations. The balance-sheet shewed that the sub scriptions from thirty members amounted to £63. Other receipts made a total of £66 13s 4d. The expenditure left a balance of £2 to the credit of the Chamber. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said the busi ness of the year had been very light. It was a matter for regret that their recommendation regarding railways had not been acceded to. They could, of course, as good subjects, only bow to the decision of the Government. The report was seconded by Mr. Morrin, and carried. The meeting then proceeded to the election of officers. The following candidates had been nominated for. the different offices :— For Cbairm, G. Yon der Heyde, J. L. Camp bell. For .Deputy- Chairman :J. M. Clark. For Committee : J. M. Clark, A. Heather, T. Macffarlane, T. Morrin, E. Isaacs, B. Ireland, G. Yon der Heyde, John Phillipps, J. M. Shera, J. L. Campbell, John Roberton. Henry Isaacs (3even to be elected). For Auditors : G. W. Owen, D. B. Cruickshank.

Mr Yon der Heyde explained that he hac? been nominated without his consent. For reasons he had explained to his proposer and seconder, he wished his name withdrawn. Dr. Campbell was then duly proposed and elected as President.

Messrs Heather, JT. Macffarlane.T. Morrin, E. Isaacs, G-. Yon der Heyde, J. M. Shera, and J. Hoberton were elected members of committee.

Mr G.P. Pierce was admitted as a new member.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beekham, Esq., E, M.)

DKUSTJCENNESS. Two seedy looking fellows were punished for this offence.

A DESERTER. , John Sale, a man of colour, wa3 brought up charged with deserting from H.M.s Blanche. The accused was remanded for a week, in order that Captain Dupuis of the Rosario might be communicated with. AN INVETERATE VAGKANI. John Burns was charged with the double offence of making a sleeping apartment of certain premises belonging to on the night of the 10th January, and also with assaulting Constable Clarke in the execution of his duty. Prisoner had been up before several times on similar charges.* Prisoner: I'm not in good work, your Worship. His Worship : I'll take care you shall be for some time to come. You must go to Mount Eden for six months. THE PEOPLE'S CHAMPION IN TROUBLE. Anne Knox, an old offender,,,yras charged with behaving herself in an .^unladylike manner in Queen-street last night. ■ :' Mr George Staines was called, and deposed that last night the prisoner. followed him at the junction of Queen-sfereet and Grey street, as he was going home, and accused him of stealing a quantity of furniture and household goods belonging to her. He gave her into custody. Detective Jeffries having given evidence, the accused was remanded till later in the day, that she might bring evidence as character. RUN AWAY. Bernard and Johan Johaussen, two Swedes belonging to the ship Condoren, were accused of desertion. Mr. Joy appeared for the prisoners. He believed they could not speak English, and he should request that the evidence might be interpreted. Mr. Broham said he understood that they could speak English well. Mr. Beekham said he had little doubt that the prisoners understood English quite well enough. Tp prisoner : Do you understand that ?

One of the prisoners : No !

NO CERTIFICATE.

Henry Dalton was charged at the instance of H.M. Customs, with a breach of the Steam Navigation Act Amendment Act, 1873, with serving as the master of the steamship Lalla Rookh, without having at the same time or being entitled to a certificate from the local Marine Board.

Defendant pleaded guilty. He had a river certificate for Ohinemuri.

Mr Joy, for the prosecution, said he was instructed to ask for a very slight penalty. Mr Beckham, having lectured the defend ant, inflicted the nominal penalty of Is and costs.

John & James Holmes were charged with employing one Henry Dalton as Master of the Lalla Rookh, without his being possessed of a certificate. This was but a sequel of the former case, and the same application being made by Mr Joy, a similar nominal fine was imposed. GEORGE STAGES. Geo. Stairies, furniture broker and marine storekeeper in Upper Queen-street, was charged with exposing goods for sale outside a doorway abutting on a public street.

The Town Clerk, Mr Philips, having opened the case, put on. the by-law, and his authority to appear, and then called

Geo. Goldie, Inspector of Nuisances, who deposed to the goods being in the position described. He spoke to Mr Staines about it on the 4th instant. The goods were still

there. Other persons who had been warned had removed their goods. He believed that ; they were likely to be productive of an fc accident if they remained there. They were very unsightly, and in great disorder t^i-_j| By Mr -Joy : He had been three years aqjrajSjr a-half Inspector of Nuisances. Once bef^BjSßi had Mr Staines been brought up for the £ |L% • offence. The charge was then dismiss* s*--5*--- He had been carrying on in the sa>, way ever since. The street was in the same condition now as then, except that the $!at form was now more " shikkery." The/plan produced was a very good plan of thjfe pre mises, barrin' that the goods were not there. ( Laughter.) The platform wassailed in both sidf s~; it had a trap door and was covered with goods. There were other platforms now brought out; on the same line as Mr Staines': They formed the frontages of Mr McKerras's property. To the best of his belief they were built with the consent o the Council. There was a hollow under

neath the platforms, which were all erected' at private expense. The Council had them selves fenced in part of the roadway. Mr, - Ball, th-e coachmaker, had part of his goods on his platform till this morning. He had seen them there, and told Mr. Bull to have them removed. He had not laid any infor- ■ mation against them. He had no time. He had too much work. It was not because he

wanted to devote all his time to Mr Staines. There were no carriages allowed on the foot-

path. There were some there this morning (laughter), but they were taken away. The street opposite Mr. Sfcaines was about fifty feet wide. There was no alteration in the

width of the street since the last charge. The proper width of a street was 66 feefc. Mr. Joy : The former case, your Worship, was dismissed on the ground that the road-

-way here was not a street. Mr. Philips : I deny that. Cross-examination continued : Tbe police would not take up the case this time. Mr \ Broham did not seem inclined to do it. fie said the former case was dismissed. He laid the charge himself in execution of his duty. He had been round since warning the otherg. He had warned some this morning. Since 1572 he bad never seen or heard of one acci dent in consequence, of horses shying at the goods. The complainants were tradesmen in the neighbourhood. By Mr Philips : The fence at one end of - McKerra's property was built for the protec tion of life. The goods exposed by Mr Staines were more nuisame than all the ." others put together. By the Court :' If there were no platforms there at all, the street would be not more dangerous than at present. The residents would obtain access to their houses from below. There was a rail along the street to prevent carriages falling into the chasm. There is a public footpath on each side of the street about half way down. People had to; diverge into the road part of the way because the roadway was higher in the middle than afc the sides. If Mr Sfcaines' platform was removed passengers would have to walk in the middle of the road. There was a footpath here but it was under the level of the road. Hi 3 Worship : What ! Is there a tunnel there. (Laughter.)

Witnes

Mr McKerras deposed he had six houses in this neighbourhood. He would not have built his honsea had he known that Mr Staines would be allowed to have his goods exposed on the platform. They were very u»ly goods indeed. They made the horses *. ■■" shy. He had heard several complaints about it. He |had wriiten to the Corporation about the nuisance, and had sat the present , case in motion. , By Mr Joy: Mr Staines'.platform was lower than his by six, or it might be twelve inches. The platform made a very fine foot path ; wider than any footpath in the place, but of no use to anyone but himself. There were goods exposed in front of some of hia own property, but they consisted only of ' stretchers, &c. His Worship : Thfire were some stretchers / exposed, were there ? Witness : Yes, your Worship. His Worship : Then the place must :> resemble this Court. We often have " stretchers" exposed here. (Laughter.)

Mr Thomas Dalton, residing in McKerras 5 Bui!ding3, deposed he was one of the persons who complained of the exposure of Mr ; Staines' gooris. He considered they were a ' nuisance, and injured his business. He should say that the platforms were built for - private convenience. By Mr Joy : The passengers could walk on the platform for nearly 50 yards. Then they had to go into the road or down below. By Mr Philips : If the fence was removed people would come to grief down the hole. Mr Philips said he should not bring any v more witnesses. The Council did not wish any penalty to be inflicted, but they asked for 1 he assistance of the Court to compel Mr Staines to discontinue his practice?. , ~ Mr. Joy maintained that no case had been made out. The case was now just the same > as ifc was in 1872. The street was only half made, and instead of finishing it themselves, the Council had left the people to build plat forms to save the Council expense, and ac- i tually to protect life, and so save themselves ■[■ from actions for damage, and then they turned round and sided with one of the tenants against another who held their : license to do what he-did.

Mr. Philips : Not to expose his goods. . Mr. Joy : Mr. Staines' is a private erec tion for the benefit of the public, and he | ought to be protected instead of being at tacked. He contended that there was no ? formed street in Upper Queen-street, and i under the Act there could be no offence with out the street being made and gazetted. He I had three witnesses if the Court wished to hear them.

Hia Worship, in delivering judgment, said he was of opinion that the 6th section of the Act, under which the case was brought, rendered it imperative that there should be a street properly formed, and a footpath. There was neither in this case. On the contrary, there was evidence to show there :, was no footpath, at all. The evidence also showed that if Mr Sfcaines'platform was re moved, there would be a deep and dangerous ; chasm,.by cause of which, if any accident happened, he thought the Council would be liable for damages. All must admit that the exposure of Mr Staines' goods was most un- '■'■■ sightly, and if the existence of a footpath was proved, it would be clearly an obstruction. It was idle for bhe Town Clerk to coiae there and say that the Council had no fuDds to construct one. There was not one particle of evidence to show that the by-law had been broken, and the case must be dismissed. ** '/

Mr Joy : I apply for costs. His Worship : You. are entitled to them. Mr Philips asked to be heard against this, but his Worship would not allow it.

LOOKING AFTER A DAUGHTER'S COMFORTS. Alexander Johnson was charged^ with de livering to a certain female in Mount Eden Gaol five sticks of tobacco, contrary to the statute. . Defendant pleaced nob guilty, but sabse quently, at the suggestion of Mr Joy pleaded guilty.

Mr Joy said defendant was a stranger in Auckland, and did not know the laws. His Worship : It would be a good thing - if he was a stranger to the prisoners in Auckland. - ■ Defendant said he wished he was a stranger to them all. Unfortunately, he had a step daughter there. He had tried to make a comfortable home for her. His Worship : But taking her tobacco is not looki Dg after her we] fare. Defendant: She is 17 years' old, and fond of a smoke. She does not che^" _,„ , Fined 203 and costs. THE EBUGATIOIT-TAX. Dr James Wallis was charged, on remanajrol* with having neglected to pay this tax. _His Worship asked defendant if he would kindly state why he objected to pay the tax. Dr. Wallis said he should be most happy to

'^MWfisiiim stab, THtrssßAY, janttaby v, hes



!,! nEE A P SUMMEE HATS.' LADIES' & CHILDREN'S STRAW HATS. BOY'S STRAW HATS. In Okdeb to Effect a Clearance, RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Will offer the Balance of their ST R AW H A T S AT REDUCED PRICES, %. REGARDLESS OF COST! EUSHBROOK k BRIDGMAN, (LATE B. HOBBS.) % WHCHLMAL* AND RETAIL DBAFKBS, GLOTKEBBS . " JUNCTION DKAPKET WABEHOUBK, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) &:-'.. CTrrBR Queen - street, Atjoklanp. EDWIN HOLLOWAY AND J. TONSON GARLICK Beg to Intorm the inhabitants of Auckland they have purchased the Stock and Premises known as THE CITY HALL DBAPBKY, CLOTHING, AHD OAB7BV ESTABLISHMENT, VTP E B Q V'■■% E IT-STREET, Fron? Messrs Coborav* & Co., AT A ItABGKB DISCOUNT OFF ENGLISH COST. A SALE OJf THE GOODS Will be held When that New, Extensive, and recently-imported took, purchased from the. Mantfactureia of England TOR CASH, will be offered to the public at IMMENSE KEDUCTIOSS. T>raper» and Storekeepers are invited, to attend thia reat Sale, as it the intention of .the proprietors to CLEAR OUT THE PRESENT STOCK, In order to make extensive alterations in ib Building. . . I?. A splendid opportunity for Country Settlers to pnxchaM at LOW KATiCS. •'•■ ':■ • HOIiLOWAYift GARLICK, ■k. cixyihall.



TTJSION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. [Established 1837.] PAID-UP CAPITAL ... ... £1,250,000 RESERVE FUND £400,000 THE HIGHEST CURRENT RATE OP INTEREST ALLOWED OX FIXED DEPOSIT. JOSEPH E. POUNDS, Manager. mHE NATIONAL BANK ob- NEW (ZEALAND), Limited. CAPITAL £2,000,000 SUBSCRIBED £1,000,000 RATES OF INTEREST ON DEPOSIT On Deposits fixed for SO days', 5 % IP annnm On Deposits fixed for 3 months', 5^ % $ annum On Deposits fixed for 6 months', 6 % $ annum DAVID HEAN, Manager. Auckland, 17th December, 1874. \X7"E ARE NOW SHOWING OUR MAIL GOODS .Received per s. s. Hero, Consisting of COSTUMES, PiTIIS BONNETS, TRIMMED HATS, MANTLTCS, FEaTHERS, FLOWERS. GLOVES, &c, *c, &c. ; Also, 72 CASES Per z k a. l a n Comprising— i PRINTS, DRESSES, and MANCHESTER GOODS J. COSGRAVE & CO.



C\ 0 S P A T R I C K. NOTICE. INSUREKS in the SOUTH BBITISH of GOODS per COSPATEICK, whose CLAIMS are PAYABLE in Auckland, and who have not yet been PAID, can RECEIVE AMOUNT DUE THEM on applica tion at the office of the Company. A. BOARDMAN, Manager. Auckland, January 14,1875.