SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

xorea, gcnooner (new), Grnndy, from Kaipara (in the ! Manukau) j Mercurr. cutter, from Baplan (In the Manukau) i Jf ewl, ketch, Murray, from the Islands >

DEPARTURES.

2*ug?Pse, barque, for Newcastle * JSwrarday, for Wanganui (from the I ManuEaui • . t : Phosne s s, WorsD, for the^South 'from the Manukau) 1 Tfclfi 7 '***• and mtix Grove» barque, for Newcastle Bella Mary for Hobart Towk

IMPORTS.

Per Pearl," tetch, from "AifutaEe :—l4 tons Pearl-shell, 3i-tons Gopra,lßslba sponge, 3 casks limejuice, 12,000 oranges, 3,710 lbs beche de mer, 300 pine apples, 280 bundles dried bananas, and a quantity of returned cargo.—Owen and G?&ham, agents.

EXPORTS.

Per Flirt, for Lyttelton : 1600 drain pipes j 34,000 ft. timber; 30 tons doors, sashes, &c. ; 6000 empty sacks.—D..H. McKenzie, agent.

POSTAL NOTICES.

The following has been received by telegram from ■■ Wellington :—A Gasctte dfreccs' the attention of mastt rs, owners, and agents of trading vessels on the coast of : New .Zealandi to.the following clause from the >'ew Zealand Post-office Act, 1,858:—" Clanse i 25 Masters ofi esery vessel aijoutf o proceed from , any port to any other, port, shall f>ive at least 24 hours notice at. the Po3t-office at such port of his de < paitare; and if any vessel does not sail at the time appointed, shall also give_ t'mely notice of alteration as to- period of her departure, so as to enable the Post-offico, or other Post-offices, to be prepared to despatch mails onboard such vessel:; and jf any such master shall-refuse, fail, 'or Deglecii to give such notico, he shall, for every such offence, forfeit and i pay a penalty not exceeding £100."

Information reaclies us that Captain McGregor, ."who -is- expected ;back from Wansarei by the lona, has been engaged during his visit trying to "start a company \tith a cnpital of £6000, to build a steamer for the "Wiangarei trade. A. public meeting was to be held on the 6th inst. in reference to the proposition, but we have not heard ■what .success the_ captain has met with. There can be no doubt that the amount of traffic between "Wangarei and Auckland is sufficient to warrant the/belief that the pro ject would pay, while the the starting of a paper, and other signs of progress in the district point to increased trade. Captain McGregor too is a man who is likely to put the affair in the way di1 being carried out well.

Up to the time of goinglto press there was no sign of thes.s. lona, which left Russell yesterday at half -pastone o'clock. Probably she would seek shelter from the gale of last night somewhere along the coast. She was to ?all at Wahgareias usual, but no tidings of her a^rrivjn^ there have, so far-as we can learn, reached town. A start was made-'by the vessels detained in harbour this morning, but the light nor therly winds would prevent't*h,em getting very far. . We understand that Captain Mathieson, late-of tfte brigantine Ryno, left by the Cyphrenes for Fova ScotiS'via San Fran cisco. His journey is for the purpose of purchasing 'for himself, Captain D. H. MeKenzie, and others, a brigantine of from 150 to 200 tons for the Auckland trade.

During the rtvenuo cntter Ringleader's late stay in port, Captain Gray offered himself for examination a? master, before the local Marine Board, and waa suc cessful in obtaining his certificate. Captain Gray's multifarious dnties have prevented him hitherto find ing tbe necessary time to undergo the ordeal We are clad to see that Government officers have to qualify themselves the same way as ordinary mortals The ketch Pearl, 47to«s Captain Murray, returned to T""t last night aftc^ a five months' cruise araonj the Hindu of th,e Pacific Her last port was Aitntake ■where she shipped a quactitV'of fruit. Sha brings in addition a valuable cargo of re»rl sh<jll,beche de mer, and copra. Bhe left aitutake on the. 15th ult and has had a Icne vaxsige owing to light airs and c ilms prevailing Passensrers— Messrs W. Atfcin andKeogh. The Besrljeports "the schoaner Belle--Brandon and the bripantine tlyfdat the Hervey Group *nen she left. They are expected back soon.

The N E. gale, which blew in the harbour yesterday afternoon, maintains d its force accompanied by heavy rain squalls till after midnight ■ Thi>. morning at daylight the wind.lwj. sunk to a 1/ght b,rsezQ-f:rom the north with a rising glass and a showery-looking sky The weatherwise predict that the storm has only lulled. The storm signal, which was exhibited in harbowr was stHl hpjsted this mornir g, T^e ship W. W. Smith, whose arrival we noticed yesterday, in addition to her London cargo.-bring* about 400 sacks of wheat, pollard, na(s, &c for differ ent firms in Auckland. The "W.W. Smith has beec brought into the berth inside the main "Western T. The s s fit Kilda left for Waßganui yeste'day. She conveyed a general cargo and the following passen gers : —Mr and Mrs Scott. Mr? Bell, and 3 others. The new-schooner Torea. lately built by Jlrßarbour for Mr J. M. Dirgavil'e, arrived in the Manukau from Kaippri yesterday ; she is stated to be a regular clipper > but as we have had no opportunity; of in specting her, we reserve our encomiums to a future date.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails wiCl C&ose as follows . — For Thames, on Monday next, at 930 am and 6.30 v.m. For Cornmarklei. on Mondiy next, at 11.30 am For "Whiticinga* Tjiirua, Tauranga. and Opotini, per JJoweiia, on Monday next, at 3pm For Wangarei, Wangarei Heads, Msngapii, Waipu. Russell, "VVangaroa. and MongOaui, per iona, on Monday next, at 4 p m Per City of Melbourne, on Friday, the 14th inst,, as under:— , ■•'..-. i Kor Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South Ameic&, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 10.30 a.m. Kor the United Kingdom and Continont of Europe, at 10.30 am. itfor money orders, registered letters, and news pacers, at 9 30 a m • ■ • ;Late letters bearing a fate fee of 6d in addition tp thi) postage, will be received on board by tne Mail Asent up to time of sailing. (signed) J. F.. Cones', Acting Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

BROUN—On Tuesday, the 4th inst., at her mother's residence, Karangahape Road, the wile of Mr C. S. J3rouu of a daughter.

DEATHS.

I>AVIS— On the 7th instant, at his parents residence, JNewton Road, Josephus, the youngest son of James and Ann Maria Davis, aged 2 years and 3 months. The funeral will take place to-morrow at 2 plic.

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

SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1875.

For the cause that lacks assistance, lor the wrong that needs resistance 'or the t atureinXhe distance," ', J' "V * — ; Ami thi nod that we can do. <> -~ •,.-..1--. \ .'.'7o.'. 1 in

The question of dividing the city intp r ;war.ds.. is again 'tcrElie pqni, apd ,tbe, arguments pro and^ con 'are freely canvassed. The orderly demeanour and respectability which have characterised the proceedings of the City -Gouncil'fimce its formation, and which really afford a contrast to civic bodies elsewhere, produce an indisposition to tamper with its ! constitution, and. especially • in- anything relating to the door of entrance to the- Council board. Still it is said, and with reason, that there are ; other requisites in civic reprtesetitation, ~besides (respectability and decency of behaviour, and some even think that the introduction of a little discor dant element to disturb the stillness ,of the proceedings might lead* to greater watchful ness, and consequent on this to greater" efliciency. Thare cannot be a doubt' that tha princip'le'df one'large constituency tends to; produce a Council in which' order and propriety will reign; and that the smaller and more numerous the sections into which such constituency is<divided, the greater like lihood of the return of noisy people, who, each in his own sphere; have distinction as taproom legislators and agitators on small subjects of grievance of intense, local inter est. Eight men elected by a whole city^re' {ikely to be invested with a higher order of qualities "than eight elected each by a separate sectiott, "of thte'^ity | and'a man of the city's choice-: is* likely to be a better stamp than a/; man chosen by •-ome little quarter of the town, to the* resi dents in,, which; -"jsome imbridged gulley or,a, reeking cesspool is of more interest than the p ompact of 56 or the four-million loan. This principle cannot be questioned that aa a rule the larger the constituency the better the tdnepf the elected body. But we cannot s6e that the divisions of the city, say into three wards, one in city^ East and two in City West, would have an injurious effect in this respect; while in other respects it would bring many and great advantages. It is a fact that at present the main thorough fare and centre of business is almost ex ' clus ively 'represented ; and it is admitted that Queen-str«et can turn any civic election. This, perhaps, is far from being a disadvan tage, for riione should be better for conducting the •affairs^ of the city than those who are most familiar witnthe whirl of business. Still -it r j^^btrjusV representation of those

'who own property and whose entire inter ests are in the quieter and remoter districts, and who complain, whether rightly or wrongly, that their streets and gullies aTe neglected, while :the centre obtain, the chief civic care. Besides it may be argued that a Council in which every member has reposing in his hands the care and over sight of the whole Jcity, is not so likely to give attention to details of grievances exist i ing in various districts as if each had a por tion of the city as his more special care. What is everybody's business is nobody's business, and when a ratepayer has a griev ance—some case of gross neglect in his imme diate neighbourhood, he is not so likely to have justice done to it at present, as he would if he could cbme to the representative of his own particular ward, one who would not only feel that he was charged with the care of that particular district,. but that he must stand in judgment, to wit on the hustings, and render to that district and its obstreperous electors an account of the deeds done in the flesh. The fact that whensoever a ; councillor takes" into his', head to resign his seat the whole city must be worked up into the paroxysms of electioneer ing excitement to decide on a successor, constitutes a veritable evil in our present system : for this frequency of election palls on the appetite, and tends ultimately to indifference on the part of the people. As well on the grounds of public convenience as on those of just representation, the altera tion to a system of three wards of the city has much reason on its side., and it is difficult to see any cause for the division of the pro vince into electorates, or reparation of the city into the political divisions of City East .and City West, which does not hold equally true for a similar arrangement in our civic representations.

Iv we may use a vulgar colloquialism, we would say that the suburbs are " too fly " to be caught by the city. There is something amusingly patronising in the quiet 'efforts made to show the residents in the suburbs what a blessed thing it would be to be in cluded within the sacred precincts of the city. It does not require us to say to our suburban friends and admirers, "stay where, you are." We are quite aware that there are in every one of the suburb." disappointed men who have failed' in" getting their various little ends served amid their local institutions ; and these it is who agitate for absorption. It ifi quite the same a3 with the disappointed men who are played out in th'eiri several provinces, and feelin> that provin cialism can do no more for them, transfer their hopes and lonaings to the green hills of distant Wellington, and, "become the most ardent of centralists. We be lieve the residents on the hills of Ponsonby, Newton-and Parnell are quietly looking, away down on Auckland, and grin ning good humouredly at these advances to wards their -absorption. " None of these suburban municipalities .have yet enjoyed the luxury of debt, nor do we think they are so enamoured? of it, as to deliberately take on their shoulders a share in the present and prospective liabilities of the corporation. We do not say that the affairs of the city are not thoroughly and entirely sound, but we do say most unhesitat ingly that the alliance or absorption of the suburbs to the city would be exactly a parallel case to the alliance of the pro vinces with the Colonial Government. The suburbs would be squeezed dry as the pro vinces are, and these now happy and con tended and thriving hamlets, like the once happy an d prosperous provinces, would come at length to eat the bitter bread of con trition and of helpless regret.

Once again we would draw attention to the warm and earnest appeal to " The Working Classes" of Auckland from the Early-Closing Association. 11 is published in our supple ment.1 If men and women set any value on that noble loving principle, "As ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even so unto them," they will surely not turn a deaf ear to this,,feeling appeal on behalf of the young girls and young men assisting in pup retail establishments. The short hour movement has been a great triumph of the rights of labour. Will the ' "working classes " nowturn round, and say they care nothing for those who are still groaning in bondage. Men and women of Auckland ! listen to their prayer. By a little arrange ment, perhaps with some little inconveni ence, you can act so as to secure them this boon. Will you try,?, Do not shop after six. •- • '-■ \- '*'

The scandalous story in connection with the Waikato Engineer Volunteer Militia is noj; being allowed to slumber. We understand that the formal statement of the charge of embezzlement and several other charges of criminal appropriations of public property have been prepared by Color-Sergeant Craig's solicitor", and. already within She last few-days' transmitted with a demand for prosecution to the Defence Minister. Two of three other charges haye1 also been transmitted by others till lately connected with the corps, <and there is in one of them a case that when it comes to light will cause a laugh that will ring throughout New Zealand. As a clever tHck in the outwitting of Government sur veillance it is the richest thing we have heard for many a day.. Relative to the general Question, we have received the following which is intended for publication :—

' "To the Editor of Evening Star, Auck land. Sir-, —The -whole- of the- matter from time to> time published by you relative to the pepretratioh of frauds and general dis graceful conduct in connection with Engineer Volunteer Militia, have all, together with a great deal more equally as bad, come under my notice (as the late Sergt.-Major of that corps), and I trust the action taken by you in. the cause-of right will tend towards jus tice being done in having the whole affair thoroughly sifted openly and without mystery For my part I have not the slightest inten tion of letting the matter drop, but will per severingly do my utmost to secure fair play in this matter.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, J. S.-SmaTiL. Auckland, May 6, 1875;" A'~ ■■ V

The election of a member of the Harbour Board vice Mr Tonks, takes place in the Mecbanicß*. Institute at noon on Monday. Mr H. S..Meyers and-Mr M. Niccol are the candidates announced. Electors should be A punctual to time or otherwise they run the risk of diafranchisiiig themselves. ;._,.

A ratlter overdrawn account of a very mild accident^'appeared ia * onr issue yesterday with reference to Mir. .&. Walker. The correct Case ig,.' that /in riding along Mr. , Walker lqst v a stirrup, which is rather an awkward "circumstance* we think, for any man on a skittish horse, '.The horse, which had but recently come from the South, and had not been ridden before for some time, set off pretty smartly. The rider turned the animal down Eden Crescent, and bailed it up against the fence when he dismounted. The picture of his clinging to the horse's neck Was evidently thrown in, for effect by our informant, and the picture would have been, incomplete without his falling " heavily to the ground." This-, however, did not occur, and the only basis on which our informant appears to have built up his castle in the air, was the fact that Mr Walker, who is not an inexperienced rider, placed his arm on the horde's neck to help him in dismounting from theunstirruped saddle. The pretty fancy of thelady raising the prostrate gentleman in her arms is very effective, and shows what pro bably would have occurred if Mr Walker had fallen "heavily to the ground" and a nice young lady had been at hand. Indeed we, question if Mr Walker would not have been willing to Have met with such a mis fortune for the pleasure of being raised tenderly in such gentle arms with the ringlets rippling over his face, and the soothing words proceeding from the sweet lips, " I hope, sir, you are not much hurt." We would, when we wete a young fellow like Mr Walker. However, he was not so lucky ; and he didn't fall ; and he wasn't hurt, and there was no young lady like a guardian angel to raise him up and pour in the tendor soothing balm of her gentle sympathy. Our informant should try again.

The carpenters and joiners of their Protec tion Society will hold their ordinary meeting for general business on Monday afternoon, at the Young Men's Christian Association.

The down-pouring rain of last evening did not materially affect the ntttnbera in atten dance at the Prince of Wales ; the house was well attended by the lovers of the drama and entertainments in general. The series of character sketches under the title of the " House-Warming," was received with the same feeling of enthusiasm as on the previous night. Mrs Case is a host in herself, and the quickness of change from face to face is very marvellous and life like. Major Buster, Sprouts (the green grocer), Sally Grills. Mangles, Trubblea, and "*crog»ins are perfect in their way, and irresistable in their extreme humour. The people laughed immensely at the funniosities of these queer, yet human beings, and went home all the merrier for the two hours spent in their company. The musical accompaniments of Mr Case were excellent, and aided the entertainment in its progress and sncccssfnl issue, We call special atten tion to "Odds and End 3," the title of this evt.nin«r'sentertainment, forwhichMr and Mrs Case have received high commendations from a large portion of the Press of Australia and America. Injjthis entertainment Sairey Gamp and Betsy Prig; will appear.and holl dis cnurse, nnd Tennyson's " Come into the Garden, Maud," will be suog in imitation of Sims Reeves.

The prizes to the scholars of tho High school. Symonds-street, under the superin tendence of Mrs Shayle George will be pre sented on Monday afternoon, by Dr Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, also the awards of merit or certificate of proficiency.

On Tuesday next a meeting will be held in the Mechanic's Institute for the purpose of presenting a suitable address to Sir George Arney, Knight, previous to his departure for the scenes of his early years in the West of England.

Mr Robert Craw returns thanks to those who so carefully removed his furnitnre at the fire yesterday.

The recent proceedings against the milk men has fallen upon some of the fraternity like a bombshell. A singular proceedure adopted by one of them is thus recounted by a correspondent:—" Sir, —How is this for high ! I have been getting milk from a certain milkman (not named in either list published) for some time, and though at times I thought it rather thia, still, as my educa tion was neglected in this particular branch, I was prepared to attribute it to anything bat the correct cause, but when the hubbub arose as to the quality of the milk vended in the city, the ingenious youth made the candid confession that in consequence of the run he had he found it quite impossible to supply his customers without recourse to the pump. When the supply of pure nvlk was found inadequate to meet the increasing demands, he added water, and he now found it necessa to add one quart of water to four of milk, and he wa3 not sure whether all his customers got even that proportion of milk, as even now he has to buy from rivals, and of course adds the usual quantity of aqu;t pura, believing of course that the milk lie buys is pure. Now for the pith of my story. On Thursday he wished to know which milk I would take, the same as usual at 6d per quart, pr the ' real mackay' at 7d per ditto. This morning (Friday) ,1 said give me me so and so (reduced quantity) of the 7d touch. His reply was, ' can't until Monday, as I must know who is going to take with water, and who without, so that I may deal honestly with those who pay the increased rate.' Will he ?—I am, &«., Wictim."

A nuisance very generally complained of is thus referred to by a correspondent : Sir, —I believe that the City Council have the power to prevent; tbe sinking of cesspits within certain defined boundaries. This is very well, as it prevents the saturation of the ground with fcecalmattWr, but I question if the use of the boxes without'earth is not a greater evil. For instance I happen to live next to a house where £. box in the closet is substituted for the oldifaßliioned pit. Now, under the old system, we should be annoyed about once in six months by the emptying of tlie pit, but according to the present arrange rqent we are awakened by the noise of the nightmen every fortnight, and what is worse, the stench is raised up to such an extent that, as a Scotchman would say, we feel it, and so acutely that we dread the periodical visit. 1 In the case I speak of the boxes are too large to be lifted, and the stuff is scooped and baled out, thus increasing the nuisance ten fold. I would suggest, therefore, through your,widely-circulated journal, that not only should it be compulsory that earth be used, but that the boxes should be of such a size that they can be lifted to the carts.—l am, &C, ANTI-TYPHOrD.

Sir George Grey's speech at the Choral Hall is criticised by the Australasian of April 17, in an article chiefly remarkable for good humoured " chaff " and a total ignorance of the subject dealt with. We quote a small portion illustrative of the first-named char acteristic :—" Sir George Grey is at once an ultra-Radical and an ultra-Tory. In its moral aspects his address is beautiful. It glows with domestic virtue, and burns with the steady flame of lambent patriotism. Not even the the Rev. Mr Day could have given utterance to prettier phraseß than these."—

[Here is quoted Sir George's admirable per oration on the incentives to exertion offered by the popular form of Government he had sketched,] and the Australasian continues :— ''If New Zealand possessed an artisb as capable to pourtray domestic scones as Mr John Gully is to depict the magnificent land scapes of that country, wh&.t a charming sub ject the foregoing would present:—The young wife watching with the fondest affec tion her intellectual husband digging potatoes and revolving in his mind some of the knottiest problems of colonial statesman ship, while Sir George Grey, seated on a three-rail fence, should survey,with folded arms and an approving smile this Cincinnatus of the south cultivating his intellect and doing his best to perform his duties to his fellow men in every respect, by the cultiva tion of mealy Murphies."

We have received from our Hamilton correspondent a report of the second day's proceedings at the enquiry into the action of Major Clare in permitting Sub^lnspector Northcrof tto cross the King Country. As already reported by telegraph, the enquiry was adjourned because no one had signed the charges. On the second day the charges were signed by Colonel Lyon, by order of the Defence Minister. To thisv Major Clare took exception as contrary to the Armed Constabulary Acts and re gulations, but said he was quite prepared to disprove the absurd charges brought against . him. Sub-Inspector Morrison was the first witness examined, and handed in a certified copy of a telegram to the effect: "That Major Clare had no special reason to offer for giving Northcote permission to go over land to Taranaki." By Prosecutor s I pro duce also copy of one more telegram from Colonsl St. John to Major Clare from Maketu as follows :—" Sir Donald wants to know if you approved of Northcqte going to Mokau, and thence to Taranaki The evidence disclosed nothing of import ance, and our correspondent adds : "There was not a jot or tittle of evidence against Maj;or|Clare. If lie had acted, otherwise than he did he would have been disobeying orders. Up here the affair ia called Defence Office persecution." ..... ■ <

At the Star of Newton Lodge, 1.0. G.T., No.; 24, on Thursday evening, the (kh inst., the following officers ware installed for the ensuing quarter by Bro. James Crawford, D.It.W.G.T., assisted by Bros. W. Baxter and J. Keesing, visiting officers :—W.C.T., Broi James Cox ; W.V,T., Bro. A. Codd ; W.S., Bro. S. Worms; W.F.S., Bro. K. Sanson; W.T., Bro. J. Stickley ; W.C., Bro; 11. Hitchcns; W.M., Bro. E. Light foot; W.D.M., Sister McEvoy ; W.A.S., Broi C.Nicholson; W.J.G., Bro. Mc&vitt; W.0.G., Bro. S. Jones. *A very stringent law regarding the im portation and sale of powder has been intro duced into the British Parliament in con sequence of the recent destructive explosion on a Thames barge.

The monthly club match and competition for the Ladies' Prize of No. 3 Company, A.R.V., was to have taken place thi3 afternoon, but, in consequence of a landslip at the range, it waa deemed necessary to postpone the tiring.

We have been asked to inform the Rifle Volunteers that practice on the range* at Mount Eden has been suspended for the present, in consequence of a serious- landslip behind the targets which has caused their displacement.

The resignations by G. M. O'Rorke, Esq., and Benjamin Tonks, Esq., of their offices in the Provincial Executive were notified in a Provincial Gazette published to-day. The appointment of Reader Gilson Wood, Esq., to the office of Provincial Treasurer, is also intimated. The only other notices in the Gazette are notifications relative to the making of a rood at Mahurangi, and of the sitting of the Native Lands Court at Hokianga.

A very fine retriever, estimated at £5 value is awaiting execution at the Police station, and unless the owner shall claim him, or some other person in want. of a handsome dog, come forward in the meantime to the rescue the dog must die on Monday next.

The beautiful representation of Mary, Qupen of Scots, surrendering to the con federate lords on Carberry Hill, ia now on view in the shop-windows of Messrs. Phillipps and Son, of Queen-street. The picture is of Berlin wool, and was worked by the Sisters of M ercy at the Parnell Con vent. This splendid work of art will be drawn for shortly on the art union principle, the proceeds to be applied to the liquidation of >a debt for necessary improvements re cently made iv the Parnell Convent and schools.

The Queen Dowager of Bavaria, who recently joined the Roman Catholic Church, has ordered the construction, at her own expense, of a new Catholic church at Munich, which will cost 340,000 marcks (£17,000). The Municipal Council of Munich had refused previously to coutsruct the church, a3 the town has already quite sufficient church accommodation.

" John Paul " thinks that, one of the mo3t surprising things about Spiritualism is the roundabout way in which every one seeks to explain, very simple occurrences. Something that the commonest sort of a man can do without exciting applause, becomes wonder ful when "spirit" is set up as the performer. For instance, young ladies have assured us that whila sitting in dark circles they felt their hands squeezed, and would swear that somebody kissed them on the mouth. They would tell it, too, with their eyes wide open as saucers, and their jute switches standing on end with surprise, as the possibility of such demonstrations on this earth of ours had never before entered their thought.

Six hundred pounds have been awarded in the Sheriffs Court, in an action for breach of promise brought by the neice of a boarding house keeper at Brompton, against one of the lodgers, who, after having engaged him self to the plaintiff, declined to marry her on account of the state of his health. Exe cution was stayed in order that an application might be made on the ground of excessive damages. .

Mr John Smith, whomet.his death through burning in the fire at ; Grattan's Star Hotel, Newton, had relativesin Maryborough, ViG toria. ' Maryborough and Dunolly Advertiser thus refers to the death of the unfortunate man :—"Mr William Smith, butcher, of High-street, Maryborough; 'has just received intelligence i from New Zealand of a sad calamity that befel his brother, Mr John Smith, a well-known resident of this town, who some years since, was in partnership with Mr Sutton, corn factor, of High-street,, doing a very large business. About 10 years since Mr Smith left Maryborough, and settled in New Zealand, where he resided for.some time, then left for Fiji, and after tl ree years' residence1 there returned again tq Auckland. The terrible fatality by which he met his death, and the untimely decease of Mr Smith, is sadly deplored ambngßt his many friends and.relations in Maryborough."

The first action connected with the.Thorpe collision has been tried in London. The plaintiff, Alfred Tubly, a fish salesman, had been crushed under a second-class carriage. He was afterwards for .five weeks under medical care, and was still unable to work. The jury returned a verdict f0r£250.; >>~.•

The Rev. A. M. Henderson, who recently preached here in aid of the Congregational Church Beresford-streetj.was entertained'on his return to Melbourne, at a social gather ing, "to celebrate the ninth anniversary of his, pastorate of the Independent Church, Collins-street. I An address was presented to Mr. Henderson on the occasion, congratula ting him on his safe return from New Zealand.

Mr Tonks, Provincial Treasurer, at the Newmarket toll-gate meeting, made the following remarks on the possibilities of the future :—" He had great hopes of our present Superintendent getting for Auckland a • portion of the enormous revenue raised here in the shape of Customs duties and Post-office charges, to the extent of £500,000 per annum; at any rate' he could assure them that whatever changes took place, would be for the better, and great changes he could see looming in the political sky. The only alteration at all probable in connection with toll-gates, was in the event of our railroads being worked satisfactorily through the country, and becoming the popular mode of traffic, which would lessen the wear and tear of roads, and thus relieve the Treasury of its present great outlay in connection with the same. The necessity would thus cease for toll-gates to exist."

The business of the District Court next week promises to be unusually heavy, and is likely to occupmtwo days. There are a number of miH"* *nd three defended cases, in one of whi^J th jry will be empannelled.

The hard case of the widow Warts, alluded to by our contemporary the Herald this morning, has already, we hear, been repre sented to the Government, and it is extremely probable that some of the children will be provided for. We 'are in a position to state that there are at present several vacancies in the Parnell Orphan Homeland the authorities can hardly do better than commit the little ones to the care of that valuable institution. This is certainly one of the most deserving cases for charitable relief which has come under our notice for some time, aintd it would be a reproach to our character for humanity if. we were to allow it to pass unheeded.

We have received the following letter relative to yesterday's fire :—" Sir,—ln your report of the late fire io. Chapel-street, under the head of " Singular circumstances " you state that Mrs Craw discovered a de liberate attempt to set fire to the house in which she lived ; that she saw on the floor just inside, a heap of live sparks, evidently dropped through the aperture ; and that she saw a man rapidly retreating from the spot, but beyond the fact that he was a stout man she could give no description of him. Now,- Mr Editor, Mis Craw wishes distinctly to deny having seen either the sparks or the man. It was the other occupant of the block before Lawrence took it who said she saw the former fire and the' retiring figuj c of a man, and she Called Mrs Oraw in On the following day to see the charred remains, which were on the floor of a room at the back on the upper storey, above our place. — lam, &c, Robert Ckaw."

On New Zealand horses in Victoria, "Augur," the well-known sporting authoiity of the Australasian, writes : —" With the victories of Lurline and Calumny fresh in their memories, the New Zealanders should send Templeton, .Ngaro, CastaWay, and some of the best of their three year olds ; for even if not successful in the big race, is is quite likely, that their owners would have the satisfaction of seeing them victorious in events of much lesser importance. The same writer in allusion to Lurline's performances at the A. J«G. meeting, says : — "But the Jockey Cilub Plate Was the great event of the day, and the admirers of the New Zealand mare Lurlite had the satisfac tion to see her gallop over her opponents all the way, and win easily at the finish, thus corooborating the exalted opinion I have almays entertained respecting this mare. Those who pronounced her Australian Cup victory a fluke must now be satisfied that with Sst lib upon her back nothing could have beaten her in any weather." ' '"

i Divine| service will be held to-morrow (Sunday) at the usual hours at Newton Kirk by Rev. Dr. Wallis : morning, "The mis leading power of words in religion ;" evening, " The half-hour's silence in Eeaven," and "The vision of the incense offering."— Wellesley-street Baptist Church by P. H. Cornford, pastor : morning, " Revival watch words ;" evening, " Blessings for the an xious." — Lome-street Hall, unsectarian services, by Samuel Edgar, B A. : morning, " Who is the free man ;" evening, "Abraham and the burning of Sodom j"—Pitt-street Wesleyan Church : sermons, morning by Rev J. Warren ; evening by Rev W. J. Williams. —Congregational Church, Bereeford-street : morning and evening by Rev Warlow Da vies, M.A., minister of the church.—For United Methodist Free Church, Piev. G. H. Turner, and other places of worship see advertise ment.

We have to acknowledge receipt from the Grand Worthy Secretary, Mr Samuel Brook ing, of a pamphlet embodying the proceed ings of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars for New Zealnd North, held on January 26fch last.—The re port explains the constitution of the Grand Lodge, and shows generally the position of the Order in the North Islani. VVe learn from it that the number of lodges is estimated at sixty, and the membership to' between 2,800 and 3,000. The re port of the G.W.S. Brocher Edger, recommended greater precision in trans acting the business "of the various lodges, a more effective political organisation to return members to parliament and various local boards favourable to the suppression of the b'quor traffic, the imperative necessity fore establishing Good Templar hotels or accommodation houses in country districts, and the question of establishing a worthy organ for the Order. One of the most pathetic of songs from the green banks of the Trent,' entitled " Sleep, Baby Mine," has been composed by Mr. S. J. Lambert, a fellow of the Eoyal Astionotnical Society, and Professor of Music, a gentleman living in our midst, and well known in coa neetion with city musical circles and enter tainments for benevolent purposes. The little song, with its pathetic utterances from the sycamine leaves of Henry Kirke White, may nob be known to the general reader, but for tender sentiment under peculiar circum stances it has rarely been surpassed. It describes the lullaby of a'female convict to her child, the night previous to her execution. MX Lambert has clearly caught the spirit of. thp poem or ballad, and wedded the words" to (music which brings "Out that spirit in its" pathos and fullness, which will make the song welcome in many an Auckland home. The music was printed by Messrs. Reed and Brett at the Evening Star office, and is deserving of inspection as a specimen of colonial printing, which will compare favour atjly with any thing of the kind that we have seen from the mother country.

WAIKATO RAILWAY.

Completion of the Line to Mercer-"

On the completion of. an important portion of the Waikato Railway, from Auckland to Mercer, a distance of 7forty-four miles, Mr Henderson, 0.8., of Messrs Brogden and Sons, invited a party to go by special train to the Waikato. The party consisted of Commodore Pierre and three of the officers of the French ship Infernet; Captain Chap man, of H.M.S. Dido ; Mr and Mrs Hender son, Mr Reader Wood, M.H.R. ; Mrs Wood and Miss Roskrudge, Mr G. B. Owen and Mrs Owen, Mr Charles O'Neill, M.H.R. ; and Miss O'Neill, Mr Warwick Wes ton, Mr Broham, Mr Davis, C.8., &c. It was expected that Sir George Grey would be present, but he was prevented by pressing duties in town. The train left at 10 a.m., and bowled along in capital style, reaching Mer cer without a hitch in a little over two and a-half hours including stoppages. The party en route, visited the Queen's Redoubt, and at Mercer had a look at the beautiful Waikato River. The French gentlemen expressed their admiration at the beauty of the scene. Luncheon was taken on board the carriages, and after good justice had been done, the health of Messrs. Brogden and Son were given with cheers and responded to by Mr. Henderson. The run back was completed in about two hours and

a quarter, amidst heavy rain all the way.1 On leaving the train, alljexpreßßed|their obli gations to Mr. Henderson for" the pleasant trip and excellent hospitality.

KAIPARA PILOT AND SIGNAL STATIONS.

The urgent necessity for removing, % jorai Kaipara' pilot station from its old position ~..,?■ '/ the South Headhais been,for years frequently ' insisted on by our harbour authorities in their periodical reports to the Government, and has also, more than once, received recognition in the Provincial Council, but, whether from lack of funds or whatever cause, the proposed change has from time to time been deferred, and it is at last otfly by the aid of the General Government that this much deside rated work has been carried out. To enable our readers to understand the improvements : which have been, and are. ajjout to Married out at the entrance of the Kaipara.liarbonr, it will be necessary to explain the drawbacks of the old state of "things. The/mfsilssma. signal stations which were combined, were situated on Okaka Point, ,'the highest eleva- < tion of the South Head. It was. fully twelve '.-■' ; miles from the bar, the1 main channel of which it looked across in a diagonal direction. Here were twd._fan]is at once. In the first place—the great distance made it very difficult to see the approach of a vessel wishing to cross, and it also made it impossi ble for *he signalman to tell whether »he was heading right ior the channel or not j conse quently the semaphore arms were of little use in guiding her in. Another defect in the position of the station Was that, owing to . the set of the tide it was always very, dim- . ' cult for the pilot to get across to meet a vessel. Then ; »to Okaka Point there was a dark background which made it a3./.diffi- i, cult for vessels to make out the signals as it was for the signalman to make , otit the vessels The new pilot station, which has just undergone the inspection of . the Provincial Surveyor and Ghief-Hatboar master, has been Wilt on Pouto Point, the first available spot near the North Head., The station consists of'afsix-rooin«*d= house for the pilot and two three-roomed cottages for tbe boatmen. They are well and strongly built with good weatherboard walls, which should stand a long time. o The anchorage foorthe boat is well sheltered,' and the positwb affords easy access to any vessels coining in. But little'would be gained by the change ; were it not for the recent instructions whjch have been issued as regards the signal-station, which is in future to be entirely distinctfrp.nl. the pilot station. The SaperintendenVyith the concurrence of the General Government, - : .>_ has issued orders for the signal staff^and. signalman's house to be erected on the North Sand-head, a lofty point 400 feet above-the sea level, and direetlybetween the bar and the Pilot-station, from which it is about 4£ miles distant. The North Sand-head pos sesses manifold advantages' over the old signal-station. It is five miles nearer , bar, and looks straight down the principal channel, for passing through which the house will form oneof threeleadirigbeacons, the flag staff being another. The hill being of white sand, the beacons will be readily distin- 1 guished, while the semaphore will' be 'able to be used to warn skippers of their slightest deviation from the right course. To fully utilise the new positions a line of telegraph is to be erected between the signal, station and the pilot station. This will enable the pilot to be made aware of his services being about to be called for at least some hours before he is wanted, and he will thus be always in readiness.1 The wires will be worked by one of Wheatstone's simple alphabetical: instru T mehts, so that there will be no necessity for the presence of a skilled operator. We • learn- that the line of country over which the wires will extend has already been' surveyed by Mr Allwrigh* ; and presents no serious difficulties; 'Work . ,_' upon the signal station and the telegraph, may be expected to commence shortly. The works when' completed will render the Kaipara harbour much more accessible, and_ should, by their, improvement o£ the Pprjit fully repay the expense incurred in their-; construction. : , ~ ■■; . ...■ ; • -..-■ ~ '-'•«*

THE TAIRUA GOLDFIELD.

(PER STAB CARRIER PIGEON.)" *

NEW TOWNSHIPS.

Townships are springing up, with namea which are at least graphic and strikingr , Surveyors are engaged laying off allotment^ on Mr. McCleary's land at tha foot of the; range before the commencement of ths ascent at Puriri. We have also'Ratcliffe. town, "S IT / the old gum-diggers' camp,.where.ther^are,; 15 good serviceable whares now erected. This town has been named after Miss JRat cliffe, the only woman who has yet been on '' the Tairua goldfield. She arrived there in such a plight as only those who have passed over the road .can have, any/conception'Ofi"} '■?' and her clothing;, on returning ' was^bf;.; a hermaphrodite qharacter. Then .we -V.> have Measletown and Neevestown, and 'i lastly Maggotytown. It has been fre quently said that the English race was deficient in the genius of.nomenclature,. but.. ~ that)'is only when, we are determined! totbfcL sublime, or cannot emerge from the domain of commonplace. It must be admitted that'we; j: have struck out boldly atTairua. We hare been asYed to call attention to the state of the road between here aridPurirV;] wl-ich is sadlj in want of repair. iJ^PFhere 9 rough bridges have been laid!. over", wpfdl, ,£.; streams, in some cases planks have given>L way, leaving holes exceedingly dangerous for horsemen. .;-. . 1." .: Bergin and party, who have taken up,and^j assert that they have' a right to,a portion off the Prospectors' claim, have driven fifteen feeti;,: and h^ve come upod1 sandstone and quartz^ ?

[PER PIGEON FROM. THE THAMES.]

Jumping the Prospectors' Claim.

The Advertiser this morning' Bays :—r,, "There is-likely, we understand, tg be ft.?> considerable amount of litigation with^re-^ ■ spect to the ground .of the Tairna Gold-" Mining Company^-generally called the Pros pectors' claim. Yesterday no fewer than three plaints were laid—one of--them;;;" claiming ten men's ground from thd thirty-j acres pegged in by* . Neeves and "party; the second claimuig> six' men's ground; while the third plaint " goes the whole animal," and claims every inch of the thirty acres. These plaints promise a good deal of tough litigation. The ; first plaint is laid by - >Bergin and party, who claim to be the owners of the Independent claim of ten men* ground, and that Neeves and party trespassed on the ground pegged out by them. They assert a right to the ground on the score of prior pegging, and this, we believe, will raise fhe question as to the publication of the Gazette, which we have already said was likely to lead to difficulties. Messrs. Preece and Graham, as acting for the prospectors, had made arrangements with Mr Mackay to give them the first in formation- as to the publication of the Gazette, in Wellington, so that they might peg out thirty acres on the line of reef. It would appear, however, that Mr Mackay waa not properly informed from Wellington, and was under the impression that the pro clamation was issued on the 9th, whereas when the Gazette came up here, it was found that it had been published on the Bth. The persons pegging for the prospectors, acting on the information ( they had received, pegged on the morning of the 10th, and immediately thereafter re gistered their claim, stating in the registra tion paper that they had pegged on the lOth._; This, of course, fixes them to that day. Bergin and party, it seems, had found out that the ground was to be pegged off, and not knowing exactly what might turnup, they pegged, every day for aome days, ana

imt If Ifttftfr ftTAF, SAT&BBAiT, MAY S, lit!



JUNCTION DEAPERY WAREHOUSE. .:■]. We are now Opening up A II V. OUR N E W STOCK OF AUTUMN AND WINTER D R. A P.E R V,. & .. C L O T H I N G, To Hand Ex Ada, Baron Abedari:, &c, To our order direct from the Manufacturers. FRENCH MERTNOES in all colours ALL "WOOL PLAIDS "r WINCEYS i ~-..,;••, - SKIRTINGS SHIRTINGS' '"•■"■ • ELA^GSELS , BLANKETS ... ! : y_i,cO, SHEETINGS ~.,.. j,,: •, And every description of FUBNISHING GOODS. A Choice Lot of r' ...... CHILDREN'S, MAID'S, AND hA DTES' WATER PROOF CLOAKS AND. MANTLES LADIE3' BLACK CLOTH JACKETS. HOSIBRITETC. FANCY DRESS MATERIALS In great variety, .to. LI'iiJTEW CLOTHING, ETC. To be followed by further shipments ex Emily McLarren and Dunedin, d u'-".( 3JM i \t\yL c.*t -• ■ ■'■ s*: .-At*- -r , ■"""■"^l RUSHBROOK & BRID.GMAN, (Late R. Hobbs). JUNCTION" DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, Opposite the Army 4 and" Navy Hotel, Upper Queest-street, Auckland. PURCHASE OF ; "Cp REEHOLD FINDING we had not sufficient room for our fast increasing trade, we have PURCHASED THE- FREEHOLD lr/jilx*i ' ai> of the CITY; HALL PREMISES, Extending from Queen-street.to Lome-street, which will enable us very shortly to meet'the wishes of our numerous friends and public by opening a SHOW ROOM on the Ground Floor for Millinery, Under clothing, and Fancy Goods. <', .. 1. -J. •. .' O .' J . A A: H Due notice will be ,given on the completion of the extensive alterations'.now proceeding. . j HOI:LO;W,:AY^&.- GrARrLICK DRAPERS & CLOTHIEES, 230, Queen-street, -■ •';■:> tx'-'ir.i;--- .'-. Auckland. . KG S'//Y, rJA *■. V N.B.—The Hall and Large Cellar to let for a ongor short period. ytslaoli QWr?" '' jyTART, m,^ ??, Q UE E N * ST" R E E T, NEXT DQQR. ,TO ,THE AUCKLAND HOTEL Li± ,'.'. o it d. 18. A-fcrA 3. M J T/i .1 Opposite the National Bank. rpHE ENTIRE. BUSINESS -1- is now carried on in the One Establishment, where the Public will find an ENTIRELY HEW 'STOCK which, for Cheapness and Quality, %f -~ cannot be Equalled'in New Zealand. , Every requisite for Gentlemen's wear .i "-in-stock,' ,t-£2 :.■ .:.2 Men's, Boys' and Youths' Clothing, Hats. Caps, Scarves, Hosiery, Portmanteaux, &c, &c. SAMUE L~"c~O OMBES 92, QUEEN-STREET.



p.j ■ • r;ii i ■'•' FOB i BOYS' MD CL6THING. A. LINABUEY & CO. .Have just opened up a large quantity of Real I i Hume Spun Melton Cloths, specially adapted for Koya'and Youths' Clothing, Double , . !••:••_;•_ -Width (nearly Two yards wide), 3s 6d, 33 lid, and 4s 6d PEE, YAED. FIBTY DOZE^ PAIRS ' ;: ; ';.''" '". . " .'. \ " [OV . ' S tFP.E R I.Oil .X ID GLOVE S, jln all the leading colors,. , ONLY JB: lid PEE, PAIE. i T pOfe(?jiHAVE AND pO. BEG- to inform the Inhabitants of Aiiflkland that, owing to excessive shipments to hand, and expected, tliey find it necest a"y to call a Sale • of theii- DRAPKKY and MEN'S CLOTHING, both Wholesale'and Eetail. The entire Stock, valued at ,=575,000, ha» been Re-marked, and will bo offered to the Public at COST. B3F- TJie SALE CO MMENCES T FIIS T>W (FEIDAT), the 7th May, et our detail Premises, Queen-atreet. T> 810 E S CTJEE EN T X. .... (WHOLESALE). £ s. d. Fine PlOTft./ilk-dresse^ "Crown Brand," 'pertonfbf 2,oColbs 1"? 0 0 Ditto, ditto, "T. S. &F. Brand," ditto.... 10 10 Q Sharps.ditto ....: «i". 610 0 Bran.per bushel of 201bs. 5 1 3 FowAVheat, per bushel of 601bs 4 0 Bags charged —Terms : Cash. THORNTON, SMITH, & FIRTH.



Pleasant Information.—lt is pleasant for us to bo able to communicate to persons suffering: froim weakness, dyspepsia, nervousness, want of sleep, urinary difficulties, to the aged and decrepit, and those who have impaired their physical or intellectual powers by overwork, the fact that there is a safe, certain and agreeable, remedy for their various ills wßicb. the most experienced physicians concur in recommending. The article is UDOiii'HO Wolfe's Schiedam Aeomatic Schnapps.



Attractions at the City Hall.—Ladies can make their purchases with comfort, and without the fatigue of ascending stairs. The New Show Rooms are now opened for the Display and Sale of Millinery, Mantles, Shawls, Baby Linen, Ladies' Underclothing, Trimmed Hats, Bonnets, and Fancy Goods. An Experienced Milliner always in attend ance, whose excellent taate" cannot fail to please. All orders executed with dispatch. Bpautiful assortment .of .Winter .Plain and Fancy Dress Materi^lj^itf fasnidhable colors. Special notice should be taken 61 the Man chester Goods, comprising Calicoes, Flannels, Sheetings, Blankets, Quilts, &c. Men's and Boy's Clothing in all sizes, in English and Colonial Tweeds ; Shirts, Hats, and Hosiery. The Furnishing Show Room is" well stocked with the latest designs in Floor Cloths, up to 24 feet wide.'- -'• All kinds of Carpets at lower prices than any other house. Holloway and Garlick in vita you to inspect their stock, and you may depend on getting excellent value for your money at the City Hall.—[Advt.]