SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH "WATER : Ibis evening, 10.4 ; to morrow morning, 10.23 BUN SEX : This evening, 7.17 ; BTJN RISE: to morrow morning, 6 MOON'S AGE : First Quarter, 15th, 9.21 a m

ARRIVALS.

Star of the South, s.s, from JNapier Merlin, schooner, from W aitara (in the Manukau)

DEPARTURES.

Wattangi, ship. Hot bam, for Lyttelton Kjwei a, a,s, for JVortfi Southern Cross, s.s, for Tauranga Emu, barquentine (auxiliary screw), for Bay of

Islands Blanche, schooner, Frost, for Barotonga H.M 8. Blanche, Simp on, for Samoa and Islands Otago, barque, for Newcastle

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For the South—Taranaki, s.s, early . f For Newcastle—Derwent, and Isabella, brigs, early For Sydney—WongaWoDga, as, about 18th For Hokianga—Queen, schooner, at once For San Francisco—City of Melbourne, X.M.5.&.,

(English Mail), 21st instant For L«vuka-Brslle Brandon, schooner early for London—City of Auckland, ship, 15th Jan For a Craise—Southern Cross, Missionary barquentine early

VESSELS EXPECTED

"Vlre, French nsaix-of-war. from DunediD, early Peerless, schooner, from Lyttelton ; sailed 10th City or Melbourne, 88, from Sydney, 21st instant "Wonga Wcnga, s s, from Sydney, early

Clematis, ketch, from Napier Papua, schoouer, from Karo.onga, early Dilharee, barque, irom London; sailed October 2 Warwick, ship, from London; sailed October 11 In\erei)©,|sh:p, from London ; sailed October 30

EXPORTS.

Per Ladybird, for the South:—For New Plymouth (under bond)— 2 quarter-casks spirits, Owen and Graham; 55 packages sundries, New Zealand Ship ping Co. Tor Lyttelton (under bond)—3lo cases salmon, 18 bales hops, 5 barrels, 10 half-barrels, 20 begs, 5 packages, H. M. Jervis. For Dunedin (under Tbond) —1 case, Rattray; 50 casks salmon, Henderson and Co. For New Plymouth (free)—l4 packages, Owen and Graham ;19 cases fruit, Myers; 9 packages, HiilUpps and Son ; 4 ditto, Sash and Door Company; 1 box, Bell. For Nelson—l case, Bank of New Zea land ; i packages, Sash and Door Company; 1 case, Isaacs. For Picton—l3 cases fruit, Eaton; 1 bale leather, Ireland. For Wellington—l case seeds, Jerris; 2 cases, Nathan and Co.; 6 sacks potatoes, Wilson; 13 boxes, 7 cases, Isaacs; 4 cases, Lewis Brothers ;13 sacks potatoes, Jakins and Co.; 1 case, Levy and Co. For Lyttelton—2 quarter-casks, Cawk ■well; 1 package, Bank of New Zealand; 1 case, Lewis Brothers; 1 case, Combes and Daldy; 3 packages, Masefield and Co. For Dunedin —1 box seeds, 1 bale trees, Jervis; 1 case piano, Hoffman and Co.; 72 bags potatoes, Knox; 24 ditto, Bilkey; 1 case, Jervis; 9 hogsheads, J. Eeid; 1 parcel, Euhbrook. —Combes and Daldy, agents. Per Fairy, for Napier (to be shipped at Mercury Bay):—28,000 feet sawn timber, Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company.—Master, agent.

The s.s. Star of the South arrived yesterday even ing from Napier, bringing a cargo of 750 sheep, and passengers as follow: —Mr and Mrs Braithwaite, Mrs Closßon and child, Messrs Green, W. Parker, two others, and nina in the steerage. The Dauntless (Hawaiian schooner) brings 120 tons coal from Russell.

The Rowena started on her usual trip to the Bay of Islands last evening. The s.s. Southern Crosa left for Tauranga the same time as the Rowena.

The ship Waitangi sailed for Lyttelton early this morning with a light favorable wind. She is to fill up in Lyttelton for London.

The Emu for Russell, and the schooner Blanche for Harotonga, took their departures last night. The cutter Maud has cleared out for Maori Bay, Great Barrier, in ballast. The cutter South Carolina has also cleared for the Great Barrier in ballast.

The Belle Brandon, schooner, Captain Ohlson, was to clear late this afternoon for the South Sea Islands, with a miscellaneous trading cargo.

A brig and a schooner have been signalled during the afternoon. They ■will probably turn out to be the topsail schooner Dauntless from Russell, dnd the brig "Vision from Dunedin.

The schoene.i Fairy cleared out to-day for Napier, via Mercury Bay, with a cargo of timber to be shipped at the latter port.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Ltttelton, Yesterday. The a.c. Phoebe sailed North on Sunday afternoon. The Peerless sailed for Auckland with 383 sacks •Wheat.

This Day. Peerless windbound. S.E. gale blowing. No signs of it abating.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :—

For RThames, to-morrow, at 9.30 a no. and 5.30 p.m. For Waiwera und Warkwoith, on Thursday next, at 10 am For Levufca, per Star cf the South, on Friday, 22nd instant, lit 3 pm For the undermentioned places per City of Melbourne, on FriJw, 22nd instant, as fol!ov?B :— For Sandwich Islands, United StatO3 of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 11 a m. Kor tho United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 10 am .Late letters besiicg an extra fee ef 6d will ba received by the H*il Agent on board up to time of sailing N.B —The new issue of Postal Guides can now be obtained at this office. S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster

MARRIAGE.

Isaacs —Levi.—On the 30th December, 1874, at the residence of the bride'B parents, George-street North, Dunedin, by\the Rev. I. Zacariah, Nathan J., second son of the late Rev. J. M. Isaacs, to Kate, eldest daughter of Mr Daniel Levi, late of Sydney.

DEATH.

Patient. —On 10th January, Francis Maude, infant daughter of Henry and Alice Patient, aged three months.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 1875

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

As appeared from our telegrams of yesterday his Excellency the Governor has received his commission, and his Executive has been appointed and sworn ia. As previously stated by us, hitherto the Marquis of Nor manby has had but the commission of Acting-Governor, and in such- capacity he Constitutionally made use of the advice of the advisers of Sir James Fergusson ; a position which required neither re-appoint ment nor affidavit of his advisers. Now the . case is altered, and a Gazette haa proclaimed the new Executive.

We assume that the members are the same as those of the late Executive, and that Mr Vogel's name heads the list. The difficulty then to which we formerly referred, and on which the Post subsequently dilated, has arisen, for the late Premier cannot be sworn in as a member of Government until lie returns from England. Mr Vogel has at the present hour no official connexion with the Government of New Zea land, and it remains to be seen what bearing this will have upon his acts done in England. As we have said he is a man of so many expedients that he will not be nonplussed, and will meet the difficulty in some form. But the position is none the less an anomalous one that the Premier of New Zealand, for we presume he is Gazetted as such—is not really a member of the Government of the colony.

Details of the sad story of the Cospatrick as they gradually arrive will modify the re port of the disaster as first published. An illustration of this is furnished in our Wellington telegrams to-day. Prom them it : will be seen that some intending passengers had, as is not unusual, drawn. back at the last moment, and though entered on the passenger list transmitted by mail, had not sailed in the ill-fated ship. It will be a happy announcement to some, if there are any relations of such intending passengers in Auckland, when they learn that their rela tives were not on board. But we are sorry to see that the list is also modified in the other direction, and that passengers not enumerated in the already published list are now added to the names of those who hav c found a fate so melancholy off the Cape.

It appears that our friend, Frank B. Pass more, has been getting into trouble every place he has gone. Now lie is in a row at Napier, the Oddfellows and Foresters hav ing had a taste of his insolence. This is nothing more than might have been expected from such an appointment. These hangers on to the skirts of Ministers, who see in such coarse ef life the passport to preferment, are not likely to conceive a rery exalted idea of colonials; and especially i they have come fresh £rom|England, they 'are sure to reseat

the freedom of colonial manners as an affront to their self-esteem. We think that before Mr Passmore is many months in the colony he will find that even his masters are amenable to electors, and that if he continues thus every place he goes leaving behind him the people irritated by hi 3 insolent disregard of their wishes, his own position will be more ciitical than even that of his employers. As the Hon. Captain Frazer said in Council last session, "he would have his eye on Mr Passmore," so we think have other members of the legislature, and we trust that during next session a few things will be brought to light with reference to the appointment, capacity and proceedings of this suddenly elevated "Manager of Constructed Rail-

ways.",

It is not often that the public attestion is arrested by the announcement of a crime so fiendish as that which has just been perpe trated at Lyttelton. In broad daylight, in the vicinity of a centre of population, a ■poor little girl is brutally murdered after a fierce struggle for life and honour. How this could have occurred without attracting attention and help being rendered to the child in her distress is difficult to under stand ; but it is as difficult to conceive how human nature could become so utterly de moniacal as to perpetrate such a crime. Justice appears to have followed rapidly on the tracks of guilt, and it is believed that the perpetrator is within the grasp of the law. But whether or not the accused man is the culprit, the diabolical crime has been committed, and it is enough to make one shudder with horror at the wickedness of which human nature is capable. For such a crime so cowardly, so heartless and so diabolical, the criminal code knows no penalty which can be regarded as adequate, and its existence should convince even an atheist of the fitness of a judgment to come where life's wrongs may be rightly repaired.

We are delighted to hear that the concert to be given to Mies Christian to-night will be complimentary in the fullest sense of the word. The compliment will be substantial, not visionary. The Choral Society deserve well of the community. They not only thoroughly appreciate talent, but they liberally support it. The news of Miss Christian's reputation as an artiste and as a gentlewoman preceded her, and no sooner had she landed than her valuable services were retained for the Society's Christmas concert. The " Messiah" was given after insufficient r&hearsal; but on that occasion, and subsequently at the City Hall concerta, Miss Christian's vocal abilities were com pletely recognised, and to-night's concert is intended to give expression to the opinion entertained of Miss Christian by the repre sentative Musical Society of New Zealand, The work undertaken by the Society in re ference to to-night's concert is twofold. In the first place, its performing members have held three special rehearsals for the concert ; in the second place, the vice-presidents and the members of the committee have worked hard out of doors by pointing out to people the merits of Miss Christian, who, more than any other vocalist that ever visited us, exhibits, as it were, an intuitive sense of the music she is interpreting, and so produces the most complete sympathy between her subject, herself, and her audience. Musical amateurs who go to hear her, both vocalists and in strumentalists, and who remark her wonder ful method of producing tone, receive a music lesson worth six times the amount of the admission. We were consequently not surprised to learn this morning that nearly the whole of the reserved seats were taken.

The requisition to Sir George Grey has received a large number of additional sig natures since our yesterday's notice. As we stated a copy is lying at this office for signature ; and we have also to state that a copy is also lying at the office of our contem porary the Herald.

Among those who narrowly escaped the fate of the " Cospatrick," are Key. Mr Neil, a Presbyterian clergyman from the North of Ireland, now in Auckland and his family. He had made application for passage in the Cospatrick, and the Convener of the Colonial Committee of the Irish Presbyterian Church had written out to the Church here that Mr Neil was coming by the Cospatrick, and for his arrival by that vessel the ministers here were awaiting. It appears, however, that a berth was not available on the Cospatrick, and Mr Neil being refused took passage in the Glenlora, by which vessel they arrived safely. We should think they feel pretty well satisfied now with the disappointment which they had met.

Although nearly the whole of the reserved seats have been taken for. Miss Christian's concert to-night, there will be plenty of room in the commodious amphitheatre (the raised seats in the centre of the hall), which by many patrons of the Choral Hall concerts is preferred, both as regards seeing and hearing. The gallery will also be opened this evening.

The Good Templar address by the natives to the Hon. S. D. Hastings, is a document worthy of publication. It was interpreted by Baron de Thierry, P.G.D.Ii.W.G.T., for the Maoris, to whom is due the credit of having initiated the movement among the native race, and of translating the rituals and odea into Maori. We are informed that the natives who have joined the order have remained remarkably faithful to their obli gations, only two having fallen away. The following is Baron' de Thierry's interpreta tion of the Maori address referred to, which was composed by a native, teacher : "To the Honorable S. D. Hastings.—Oh, friend, —We Maoris welcome you on your arrival among us. As head of the Good Templars, you have come here to bring peace to the people "of JSew Zealand, and to extend and encourage the efforts of the Good Tem plars to promote the feeling of love which now exists between the Pakeha and Maori. We rejoice to see the light of your Order spreading over this our country. Many will be found to assist the great work of regenera tion, that the gods of darkness may be for gotten, and that the great God cf Light may be worshipped arid glorified, through the mercies of our blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the dear sake of whom our white missionaries study to purify us Maoris from our former bad deeds. Again we beg to welcome you among us, and assure you that we shall at all times be willing and ready to give you our assistance to develop the resources and promote the spread of Good Templary in these islands. This address from the Good Templar Maoris of this pro vince, will be translated by our friend Charles Baron de Thierry, and presented to you to be read before the Lodge.—(Signed) Na Paora Matuakobe."— " Good will to all men."

The members of No. Company will parade with arms and "accoutrements for monthly inspection to-morrow night. Afterwards a meeting /will be held for the election of non commissioned officers. The" monthly com petition for Lieut. Robinson's medal will take place on the 16th, at 1.45 p.m.

It has been reported that Captain Harrison was a passenger by the Cospatriek, and tnust have been numbered with the unfortunate victims. We are glad to say that this is not the case. Prom a private letter we learn that Captain and Miss Harrison were to be passengers by the ship Baron Abadere, which was loading at the date of last advices by mail. Mr and Mrs H. N. Crombie, two well-known residents of Auckland are also expected by the same ship.

We learn from Mr Gilfillan, the Auckland agent of the Australian Mutual Provident Society, that the bonus papers issued in con nection with the handsome bonus recently declared by that most flourishing Society have arrived in Wellington, so that the Auckland policy-holders may soon expect to reap special benefit from their invest ment. In view of the startling fact conveyed in the letter of our London correspondent published yesterday, namely, that investigations by leading actuaries have shown several English companies to be hoplessly insolvent, we cannot but commend the wise policy which has been adopted by the Mutual Provident in keeping up the premiums and making compensation by the declaration of magnificent bonuses periodically, after the profits of the business are assured. This must also be a great source of satisfaction to policy-holders, who are furnished with the best guarantee of the soundness of the company, and relieved from any apprehension that the provision which they have been laying up for years will not be suddenly swept away.

A correspondent writes :—Sir : Can you inform us when will the Upper Thames be opened, or will it ever be opened ? We see Sir I). McLean applauded for his success in opening the field some time ago. All was then ready, but the simple declaration by his Honor the Superintendent. If that is all why not declare at once and sweep away all, suspense. We anxiously scan over your paper night after night, but to no purpose. We are all in the dark about it at present. Please let your little Star give us a twinkling ray to-night on the subject,.—Yours, ThomasLindly, Newton.— [We are sorry to say we are as mnch in the dark as our correspondent. The negotiations at the Thames were adjourned for a fortnight, on the understanding that the district should be thrown open on terms to be settled in the meantime. Sir Donald McLean was to return to the Thames at the end of the period named to complete the negotiation and proclaim the new goldfield. He has not gone back to Grahamstown, but is anxiously looked for there. Probably we shall hear somethiug definite in a day or two. — Ed. JS.S.2

At the Police Court to-day Mr Beckham, in refer; ing to the evidence given by a little girl, said that whereas it used to be thought chat children's evidence was unreliable, a modern writer had given it as his opiuiou that the evidence of children as to matter,* of fact was more reliable than that of grown up persons. In a cross-examination for instance, the reasoning capabilities of a full grown person would frequently enable him to per ceive the drift of the questions, and so enable him to feuce, and possibly to hide, what otherwise would and should be made known. A child on the other hand would not have the wit to do this, and would geneially give simple replies to each question, irrespective of the connection between them. His Worship said he thought the writer's opinion' on the matter was a very sterling one, and commended itself as worthier of popular adoption than the old idea.

The monthly inspection of the Auckland Artillery Volunteers will be held onThursday eveniug, the 14th iost. The Battery and Band are requested to assemble at the Grey street Junction at a quarter past seven.

The following query has been forwarded to us :—To the Editor : Sir, —Would you favour me by anaweiing the following ques tion : —Would the body of an atheist or infidel be refused burial in a Christian cemetery? -ThomasPaton, Hobson-3treet. — [In reply we would say that depends. It would be refused in a Church of England or Roman Catholic burial ground, but not, we believe, iv Presbyterian, Wesleyan, Inde pendent, Baptist, or any burial ground be longing to any other Christian denomination. The reason is the two former denominations consecrate their burial grounds and have funeral services strictly applicable only to those who die within their respective com munions.—Ed. E.S.]

The "Victoria |Company of Auckland line Volunteers will meet this evening for monthly inspection at the usual place. The members of the Auckland Volunteer Engineers will meet for monthly inspection to-morrow evening in the Drill-shed. The band and corps will muster at the market square at half-past seven, with full dress, arms and accoutrements.

The complimentary concert to Mr and Mrs Baker last evening was largely attendex Mr F. W. Baker sang the " Death of Nelson* and " Sally- in our Alley," which were much applauded ; Mrs Baker sang several ballads with much feeling j Mr and Miss Moran were as happy as ever in their Irish imper sonations, and all went " merry as a marriage bell." The party started to-day for Napier with the good wishes of the Auckland public.

The monthly inspection of the No. 3 Com pany Auckland Rifle Volunteers, is adver tised to be held on Thursday evening next at 7.30 o'clock. Uniform, full dress, with arms and accoutrements.

We have been requested by Mr Lloyd traffic manager, to contradict a statement made by " Constant Subscriber" in our issue of yesterday, that his salary has been re duced.

The members of the Auckland Fire Brigade held their usual monthly meeting last even ing at the station, Mr Superintendent Hughes in the chair. Mr McGinley read the minutes of previous meetings; also, a letter from Mr P. Doran asking for the patronage ot the Brigade for the forthcoming concert for the benefit of Mrs. Noyer, which was agreed to. Several new members were added to this useful body of citizens, and a fund was proposed for the purpose of procuring uniform dresses in future for the men.

Considerable attention has been attracted by a number of works of art in the window of Messrs. W. Phillipps and Son, of Wynd ham-streefc, which are really deserving of something more than a passing notice. This assortment of recently' imported pictures by the good ship Assaye includes plain and colored chromos and colored photographs, illustrative of character and scenes of historic and poetic interest, after original sketches by the most eminent living artists. Among them is a series of mountain scenery in the lake district, which Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Sou they have immortalised in their choicest poems—such as Grasemere, Butter mere, Keswick, Eydal Mount, and" Winder mere, and other spots of the lake country.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of half-a-orown oh. behalf of the widow of poor Joe Noyer.

SUPREME COURT.—This Day.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS,

(Before His Honor Sir Gr. A. Arney, Knight Chief Justice.)

His Honor took his seat at 9 o'clock.

CHARGE OF ARSON".

John Kemsley, whose case was partly gone through yesterday, on a charge of wil fully setting fire to a shop in Wakefield street on the 22nd of October last wag again brought up, and the enquiry resumed. Mr Brookfield for the prosecution, and Mr Hesketh and Mr Meyer for the prisoner/ John Smith deposed that he was an express man and earner, and was employed by Kemsley, whom he had previously known,

in removing tie large cask from Mr Wood ward's premises ; also, to going to the Whau on ttie morning of the fire, and informing Kemsley of the fact that his shop had been destroyed. . Chas Woodward, baker »Dd confectioner, deposed that some time previous to the fare Kemsley had sent several packages to his place with the request that he would take care of them for a short time. They were placed in a stall which he occupied in the new market; prisoner stating that he was short of room in Wakefield-street. Ihe goods remained on his premises until they were removed by a man named Butterwortn, who presented an order from Kemsley. They were taken away by John Smith, the carman. The order was subsequently signed by Kemsley. , This witness was cross-examined at great length by Mr Hesketh. , . Mrs Woodward gave evidence chiefly in corroboration of her husband's testimony. Kemsley told her that he had got a cheque for £40 for the goods that were saved. He said he hall accounted to the Insurance Companies for the casks in her possession ; he opened his book and read therefrom m proof that he had done so. The casks were fatched away by Mr Dowden's man. T© Mr Hesketh : When she expressed anxiety about the goods, he told her that she might make her mind easy on that matter, as they were entered. She could i not say that his statement was true, but she I believed him. There was.a basket left at her stall, some weeks after the casks had been left; it was directed and called for by Hasell, the Whau expressman; also, his account book which he had left in her care, the basket was addressed G. O. W. giass with care. Miss Woodward deposed that she re membered the prisoner catling at her father's house on the evening of the 21st October, and leaving a parcel there, which he wished them to take care of until the morning when he would be back from the Whau He called in the morning and expressed his pleasure at finding the books were safe. She did not see any large cask near the bake house.

To Mr. Hesketh : If the cask had been by the bakehouse on the evenir>g befoi-e the fire, she thought she must have seen it. John Adean, commission agent, deposed to his large experience as a surveyor and valuer, both in England and New Zealand. He understood a good deal about china and crockery. He knew Kemsley's premises which had been destroyed. He valued the stock about seven or eight days before the fire, which was worth £160 or £170. He subsequently saw the salvage, which was worth about £00. He strolled among the ruins, and considered that only one-third ol the property was destroyed. In conseqaence of the circulation of his opinions on the fire, he was called aßa witness.

To Mr Heßketh : He was not employed specially to make his estimate. He frequently stood and reviewed Kemsley's stock. On one cursory inspection, he told Kemsley that his stock was worth moro than £200, but he never told Kemsley that if he would shout liberally he would blow his stock up to £1000, and spread the inteliigence over the town That must be an emanation of a diseased imagination. He was deeply concerned in the Waifcemata* election. He was an electioneering agent, also a buyer and seller of property. He was not drunk at the last election, but he knew he shouted for some women, but did not stand for the Waitemata. He simply acted as agent. James Butterworth was employed by Mr. Dowden to fetch the casks and packages from Mr. Woodward's, upon the order pro duced, which was afterwards aigned by Kemsley. He delivered them up to the detectives on application for them. Walter Dowden, auctioneer, deposed to receiving an order from Kemsley, which he delivered to Butterworth for the delivery of the goods. Georg6 Kemsley, a tailor's cutter, and brother of the prisoner, was in the Waikato at the time of the fire, and had goods to the amount of £14 lls 6d, the property of his brother, in his possession. Their object was to establish a trade in the Waikato. He paid his brother for these goods on the 19th October.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.)

STILL DBUNK.

George Pollard was charged on a summons with this offence. He denied the charge. He was "main blind," and not being able to find hi 3 way otherwise, was going along on his hands and knees when collared.

Constable Jackson deposed that prisoner was lying dead drunk in Wyndhau. -street when he found him. He was'nt a sober man.

The demeanour of the defendant was such as to warrant thi3 belief, and his Worship said he had better be kept in custody and brought up later on. At the close of the business Pollard was again brought up, when Mr Uses said he had been asked to appear for him. It was his intention to plead guilty to being drunk if another charge of using bad language was withdrawn.

The police consented to withdraw the second charge. His Worship said he was surprised to see a man so old—

Prisoner : Close oa seventy, your Worship His Worship : Then you ought to be all the more, ashamed of yourself. You are lined 20s and costs. LARCKNY. Thomos Kennedy was charged with stealing £3 10s, the property of John Cassan, from the Custom-house Hotel, on the 11th inst. . The prosecutor told a somewhat remark able story. He was staying at the hotel above mentioned, and on the night of the 11th inst., when he was going to bed he saw prisoner under his bed. He let him alon* and went to bed. He had £3 10s in his' waistcoat pocket at the time. In the morn ing he woke up, and saw prisoner skulking out of the room. He looked for his money and finding it gone ran after and caught him. Prisoner returned the money all but £1. Mr Biordan deposed that prisoner was in the hotel on the 11th inst. He had no business in prosecutor's bedroom Detective Grace deposed to his arresting the prisoner.

His Worship, observing that he recollected prisoner's face on a similar charge some time ago, and passed a sentence of six months' im prisonment with hard labour.

SWEET NYMPHS, WHY DO YE SO? Catherine Heffernan appeared to smswer a charge of violating the provisions of the VagronS Act, by using indecent and abusive language to Mrs McCaslen, on the 22nd uit., in Jtiandoloh-street.

Mr J. B. Russell appeared for the com plainant and Mr Rees for defendant. Mr Kussell having opened the case, the complainant was sworn.

She took the oath with her gloves on, a circumstance which called up a remark by the Court that some years ago it would not be allowed. It was not now the custom to think that the sanctity of an oath was inter fered with by such a trifle. Complainant deposed that on the 22nd «f December she had some words with Mrs Heffernan, who lived close to her own house It was between one and two o'clock in the day. They were about twenty yards off. Defendant shouted out from where she stood, and called witness the words in the information. Another person, a Mrs Grant heard the words. ■ *

By Mr Rees : She (witness) had chased defendant's geese out of her paddock, but did not beat them. There hadn't been no bad feelings between them before. There had_been bad feeling enough, for Mrs McCaalin had abused her for four years. Mary Anne Grant said she lived close to the belligerent parties. Saw the shindy on the 22nd December. It arose through com

olainant chasing defendant's geesse out of her Sock. There was fearful language used X defendant. Sha shouldn't like to repeat them. (Witness here wrote the expressions down.) At the time the" words were used Mrs McCaslin had returned from driving the geese, and was alongside witness in the yaWitness was subjected to a long cross examination by Mr Rees, and although in some minor points her testamony differed from that of the complainant, in the main it was comfirmatory of it. This was the complainant s case. Mr Rees said he should be able to prove that the women were over 100 yards from one another when the row took place, and the words could not have been used without all the neighbours bearing them. Alice Heffernan a little girl ten years old, then gave evidence of having witnessed her mother and Mrs McCaslin having words together over the geese. She was quite sure that her mother never made use of any naughty words. Mrs McCaslin was beating thcSel on both sides having addressed the Court, His Worship deferred judgment till to-morrow.

This was all the business.

THE LYTTELTON MURDER.

BY TELEGRAPH,

AN AUCKLAND MAN ARRESTED,

SINGULAR CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.

(FROM OTTR CHRISTCHURCH CORRESPONDENT )

CHRISTCHITIICH

This day. Another man, named John Mercer, was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of being tbe murderer of the girl Isabella Thompson. He arrived per Wild Wave from Aucklaud, and shipped as cook on board the Cleopatra. He has been engaged as cook and steward on several coastiDg craft, and was discharged from the schooner Canterbury on Saturday, but was recommended by the captain to Captain O'Brien, of the Cleopatra When he went off to fetch his clothes from the Canterbury he appeared to be in a very excited state, and threw overboard a quan tity of ship's stores and other articles. Mercer went ashore from the Cleopatra not later than nv-? o'clock in the evening, and did not return till 10 o'clock on Sunday mom ing. He was arrested by a detective on Monday morning at six o'clock on a charge of wilfully destroying property ©n the schooner Canterbury, and on search ing Ms swag a pair of blood-stained trousers were found, also a jacket in the same con dition. He explained this circumstance by seying that he had killed a sheep at Wel lington Further examination shewed his bands to be full of gorse thorns. Some of these were extracted and will be examined under a microscope and compared with thorns from the gorse bush in which the body of the unfortunate murdered girl was found There are no signs of violation on the body of the girl. Mercer is reported to have escaped from the Buller, being wanted there on a charge of indecent assault on a little girl.

The post mortem on the murdered girl was held at the Morgue, by Drs Rouse and Mac- Donald, whose evidence was taken at the inquest yesterday afternoon, which is not yet concluded, but was adjourned till the 19th instant.

Captain Russell, of the schooner Canter bury, gave evidence that he saw Mercer in company with a little girl at shortly after five p.m. on Saturday. He identified the body of the girl as the one he saw with the accused

James Allan, mate of the same vessel, gave similar evidence, and added tLafc he saw Mercer a few minutes before the six o'clock train started for Christchurch, and particu larly noticed him, as he seemed excited, and kept his coat buttoned up and his haDds in his pockets.

The thorns extracted from the prisoner's knees and hands were proved to be gorae thorns.

Mercer seems quite callous. He explains the thorns by saying he had pimpleß on his knees and hands.

The man Oaborne, who was arrested yesterday, has been discharged, as the police are confident they have now got the real offender in Mercer.

Osborne had not been convicted for rape, but for indecent exposure.

THE MISSION SCHOONER SOUTHERN CROSS.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir, —Will you kindly allow me space to reply to the article in your Saturday's issue, in which you have seen fit to make some remarks about the mission schooner Southera Cross, viz., that "the truth can no longer be concealed " that " the Southern Cross is a failure from a seagoing point of view," also that it is reported to you "from good sources" that "she can neither sail, tack, or steer," and other remarks which it is not worth while to notice. I very much regret that you should have allowed such an article to appear in your paper, without at least having conferred with those who know best about it. I consider that you owe an apology to myself (and others) for having presumed to make such a remark as that there has been " concealment of truth." The following paragraph that she is a " failure from a sea-going point of view" is also un true. So is the report " from good sources " that "she can neither sail, steer, or tack." The evidence of her past voyage proves her to be a, fast sailer; from my own experience I most distinctly say she steers beautifully. Her defect is, not as you observe that she will not tack, but that she does not tack as well as she ought. The reason for this and for whatever may have been done I should have been happy to have explained at any time to anyone who either has a claim or is interested to know. Captain Jacob is well able, as an experienced seaman, to confute any " long share" assertions. It is only fair to leave him alone. He is not responsible for the appearance in the papers of any ex tracts from private letters —I am, &c, Tiros Capel Tilly, Agent for the Meianesian Missjon. [We are sorry to have caused Captain lilly pain by our remarks, but recollecting that gentleman's connection with the design of the Southera Croas, it is not surprising that he objects to our criticism C.ptam lilly must be aware that to consult an interested party is not usually considered the beat way of obtaining an unbiassed TT n 1,.»9 ur,refer<mce t0 " concealment of %W 1 to with our contemporaries and Captain Jacobs, not with our correspon dent^ at all. Our assertion that the vessel is a failure from a sea-going point of view is borne out by gentlemen quite as in rr^i y c^aected with the vessel as Capt A! J\? nd lesa inte™sted. If it is a fact thfct the veesal "sails fast" and "steers beautifully,'' we can only explain the appa rent contradictions of terms by assuming that our informants and ■ Captain Tilly have adopted widely different standards of excel teace in steering and tailing. As to Capt. Lilly thinking it advisable to refute our assertion that the ship will not '' tack" by ex plaining that the fact is '' sne will not tack as well as she ought "We do not suppose that anybody besides Captain Tilly thought tor one instant that we meant any n»ore than he(himself allows. When it is said a ship will not sail, the word " well" is understood and^o it is in this case. If Captain Jacobs V 3£ < 7 J m-rely reooncile his letter in the Merald with the report he is now compelled to make of thejvessel, it would be more per-

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

GRAHAMSTOWN. (From ourown Corresg^^C-- Rumoured Stosp^ oi Ohinenmri Neg derations. The following paragraph in the Advertiser created some fear that the opening of Ohinemuri isf likely to be delayed ;—-in stated that Sir Donald McLean has mad" arrangements to visit the King party at T* Kuiti, and that the meeting Will take nla^ on the 18th March. It is also reported tMt the meeting will take place on the IStl! March. It is also reported that the Kativ Minister does not intend to open Ohinemnri until after the meeting. We can scarcely believe this latter statement, as we do not think that Sir Donald, after the trouble W took here, and the arrangements made, would' allow the country to remain closed any loiiger than he could help. We cannot gee any adequate motive he could have for delay, ing the opening till after meeting with the" King. The opening has not been forced. - and the opposition has been withdrawnTgn that the Kinnites cannot cay that anything has been done against the will of Te B.^ We give the report as it has reached us, and have no doubt that in a few days we shaUbe able to ascertain the facts. Ihe miners we getting uneasy at the long delay.

Native Volunteer Corps. The first native Volunteer Corps has been formed at Parawai. Forty-one natives have already joined. It is likeJy to be under the command of Taipari.

The Colonial Firing. Arrangements are being made for rnnnW a telegraph wire to the camp, for the Colo nial Rifle contest. , .

The Hon. Mr Hastings, Good Templar delegate, is on a visit to the Thames. An enormous take of flat fish was made last night, numbering about five thousand fish. A large shipment will be made per Manaia to-night. Mining News. The Queen of Beauty dividend for the fort night is-£l6O a share.

The Pumping Association gas and water are down to the 400 feet level. "When the remainder of the water is out a large pump will be connected at the bottom. The Golden Calf crushed 15 tens, and re tort to-night. An average of 25 dwte. per ton is expected. The Caledonian shaft is now down 80 feet below the main- level. There is no chani^ein ijj the country.

The Mariukau got one cwt. of specimen*' yesterday evening. Messenger's is crushing an 18-ton lot, and i the show is moderate.

COROMANDEL.

(From our own Correspondent.) , if i This day. \- The Kapanga school committee to-day appointed Mr Jsmes Hosking/foremanofthe Coromandel Mail office, and his wife, matter and mistress of the school. The Greea Harp crushing is looking well $ on the plates. Mining news dull.

ALEXANDRA.

(Per Press Telegram Agency.) , ' This day. P Kingite Meeting fn March. Major Te Wheoro proceeded to Waitomr this morning to meet Manuhiri and other King.a to arrange the meeting in March next. The natives are desirous of meeting Sir Donald McLean.

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

WELLINGTON. (Per Press Telegram Agency.) T his day. f The ill-fated ship Cospatrick. The following are the names of persons mentioned in the Cospatrick's passenger list, bub who did not sail :—Families: William,-■? Elizabeth, Mary J., and Robert Andrews White ; Charlotte, Stephen, Frederick, and Mary Welch. Single women on the list* but not Bailed :*- Eliza Wever, - Honora Taugney, Susanna Premlier, and W. A. Trollope. Names of those who sailed, but are not set ; down on the list :—Jane, Susan, Eliza, Francis, and Richard Trevenna; Amelia, Welch, Ohtrlotfce, and Mary Wiiann. The Times on Munro's Speech. The Thnes gives a flattering notice of Munro's speech at Marsden, and likens him to a political Moae3 who can" cleave a safe path through the sea of difficul ties by which the vital question of constitu tional reform is surrounded. It makes long "j quotations from the speech. |

DUNEDIN.

(From our own Correspondent.) . This day. Auckland Passengers- The following passengers proceed per v Phoebe for the Manukau :— Mrs Dense, Mrs Hunter, Rev Mr Rigby, and Mr Taylor. Venus Observations at Chatham . islands. The Swatara reports the American expedi tion at the Chathams not an utter failure. Bad weather pervaded at the time of contact, ffl but duriag the next eight minutes good -. observations were made between short periods of obscuration, followed by compara tive brightness, during which capital photo graphs were taken. Mr Driver, the American Consul, gives a ball on Wednesday, in honor of the party on the iSwatara, which then proceeds to Wellington, Hobarton, and Melbourne. Drowning at Chatham Islands. "'■"- At the Chathams during the Swatara s., visit, a lad named George Banks, whose parents lived in Canterbury, was drowned, while attempting to cross the Lagoon. Clerical Itsms. s v The Hon. Rev. Mr. Stanley, son of Lord Stanley, of Aderley, preached at St. Paul'B . yesterday. A Roman Catholic testimonial to Vicar- General Coleman was presented to-day. It . amounts (o £210. Singular Kemorse for Cfime. i At Tokomairiro, Patrick Humphries SHr- -j ■■] | rendered himself to the police. He says, ; he and a number of men got on the spree at Bendigo; their mooey was pretty I well run out, and one of them fUled in a if g | cheque for £16 or £17, which he (prisoner) ■ signed in the nanle of Robert Patterson, \ squatter, Bendigo, and whose place he \ had been shearing at. It was cashed in a : draper's shop at Bendigo. He then made ■ for Melbourne, and had been roaming about j ever since, never doing a day's good as the : 1 crime troubled him. Latterly he could j stand it no longer, and gave himself np< He was remanded, pending communication with Victoria. In the Melbourne Challenge Cup match, East Melbourne, in the second innings, 1 scored 192, making a total of 451; South Melbourne total, 653. ( Alice May 111- Owing to Alice May's continued indisposi tion the Opera closed for a week. Meawhile some speculation has taken the Comply round the country. Miss Lambert proceeds ; New Rabbi. lhe Rev. Mr Uonsten of Nottingham, has . been appointed English minister hm^^ "I . Sporting Notes>*>S?S^i i Owing to the paucity of exxvnva-^S^to^' well, and the uncertainty of a meetinf •*

TmnTv kwi.Wl4 HTAJKI U. 1 UESIXA.Y, JAMUAiiix X 2, 10/O



nHE A P SUMMER HATS. ..^LADIES' & CHILDREN'S STRAW HATS. £ BOY'S STRAW HATS. In Order to Effect a Clearance, RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN _ Will effer the Balance of their STRAW HATS ■ AT REDUCED PRICES, REGARDLESS OF CO&T! RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (LATE R. JROBB8,) Who imax,x and Retail Dbapxbs, Clothiers . JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,) CPFBR QtJTBBN - STREET, AtTOKXAND. EDWIN HOLLOWAY AND J. TONSON GARLICK "~ . Beg to inform the inhabitants of Auckland they have purchased the Stock and Premises known as , THE CITY HALL DRAPERY; CLOTHING, AND CARPET ESTABLISHMENT, ' • CPPIE (JUIIH-STEJET, From Messrs Cosgsave & Co., AT A LARGE DISCOUNT OFF ENGLISH COST. A SALE OF THE GOODS Will be held When that New, Extensive, and recently-Imported ? tocfe, purchased from the Manufacturers of England FOB CASH, will be offered to the public at IMMENSE REDUCTIONS. XJrapers and Storekeepers are invited to attend this rest Sale, as it the intention of the proprietors to CIOSAR OUT THE PRESENT STOCK, In order to make extensive alterations in th • Building. A' splendid opportunity for Country Settlers to purchase at LOW JJAT.ES. HOLLOWAY & GARLICK, CITY HALL. TTNION BANK OF AUSTRALIA. [Established 1837.] PAID^3P;CAPITAL ~. ... £1,250,000 RESERVE FUND ... - .., £400,000 2OT HIGHEST OUBBENT RATE OF INTEREST ALLOWED ON FIXED DEPOSIT, JOSEPH E.ROUNDS, lCuagwr.



T\ STEPHENS ON & CO.'S CELEBRATED -COFFEES, EXHIBITION BE AN D, JLAGLE BRAND, CROWN BRAND, Are to be procured at all respectable Grocer* and (storekeepers through ant the Province of Auckland- D. STEPHENSON & CO., WYKDHAM STREET, AUCKLAND. SPLENDID OPPORTUNITY FOX PURCHASING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, NEW YE A*R ' S GIFTS, AT B. BECK'S. BAY OF ISLANDS COAL COMPANY, (LIMITED). PRICES AT TBE LOADING GROUND, KAWAKAWA: COAL Twelve Shillings per ton f.o.b. SLACK .. .. Seven Shillings per ton f.o.b. By order, J. A. GILFILLAN, Secretary. 10, Insurance Buildings, Auckland, 11th January, 1875. TTSTE ARE NOW SHOWING OUR MAIL GOODS Received per s. s. Hero, Consisting of COSTUMES, PAP IS BONNETS, TRIMMED HATS, MAFTI/KS, FEaTHERS, FLOWERS, GLOVES, &c, &c, &c. ; Also, 72 CASES Per Zea.la.it CoTsprising— PRINTS, DRESSES, and MANCHESTER GOOD 3 J. COSGRAVE & CO.