SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HlOfl WATE« : Tbis evening, 614; to-' 1 nior-ow morning fi.32 SUX SET: T.i<e?enltig,6.B; 8TTNIII8E: to morriw m.in,ii,i.- 6 9 MOON S aGK : Fall Moon, 22nd, 11.30 am

ARRIVALS

Uaron 'Wae sbip, :6 ;9 tons, Cartiin Edmonds, *rom London S .'.lfh •" Cross s s, S"»)]»rs from Tauranga Kniiy s •■>.,, iut. from Wa'-carna s'OwfTtH is , st« 1 etisrtt., f r tn RusseU »l> Lisr«. hr:g, frcm Lr!t,e!tnn *l',rt, b e*'! . c from I vr.telton Sir Tsa <: • w «»n. hr.ra- t:ne. frnm Ly'telton M rv Me'vlt-p sch niier, from Kast Coait K r ,-hn . er, from ■at Co «st Cul -nistj-sc-hoouer fom Vjaii«-r

DEPARTURES.

JHlKado, s s, ?.Toore, f r ian Francisco

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

ForTß^m- Ba, Mo, f<*rqn». e^lv ; Glmlora, ship, 2 rr' insfanr.. \y -\y - mitU. sliip, early Fo- I* i.ff. in ita .-Irt), p«r]y For y• w C st'i— Ai azi, b;i que, early ; Ada, birque, ek \y For U»n« Mn—lsabe la Pratt, schooner, early ; Maggie fi-tcrsnn, rchrx n- r, . »rly For Kftipara—italatti, >chomier, Saturday.

UNKNOWN.

Hero »s from Svrtney >ib-nt 2Ch Cly of Molbnnme (■'lerUsh, Mail), from San - K>a*oifc , 2<St. ii sta- t Wonir. Wring', from parly Vm.j m, ' T m liit ertin, sailed 15 h inst. W., W . *mi )., shin, fr m L> t-eltort. parlr Catwr'pTrt, siqne. from B >stou, via Table Bay ; snilcfl Deem h. r 21 EruiW Me a eu. b.rque, from London; sailed 20th Cal.r v sHp, TCMPJt, from L ndnn ; sai'ed Ferfglpi ship, from fjrWnn : P ai'ed 2nd "nnuiry fclor.tif c S<ar, Dar.ue, KSkV, from London ; siiled I pc ?3 FbtvMo b*rqne. PftPL, from New York, via Adelaid.- J rohna »r. • ai(j o, 'rom ' < m-on, eail^ Ti^n is-in, birqne, fom Lsvuncexton, early Syr n T\if, 1-om I yttelt- n ludoxie Adolphine,"brigr, from Adelaide

IMPORTS.

Per °Mr Ts°sc >'ewton, from Lif-eHon: 233 sacks ■wVirxt, TWi se d and < o .■ 10 t'g* butter, 4'o sacirs vr>■•"•■ , 450 m -Ms oats, 5 begs butter, &'> s^cVsbran, 100 sacks pr: s< fpf>, . 5 ro>rs eh- e«f», 1(0 sacks > harps, 255 sack' hrai', nrcl r -Vastr agent, Pfr Kio L -c from Lvtteit n • 300 boxes soap, 2 cnsVs h.- r r., 'yen & r h m; (5 tanks m»lt, Jervia & Co : (C 4 sicks oats, 200 f'o pr^s* s^efl, 185+ do wheat, JOOcio»r*n orre'•; 10 r!o wh.at, L. Faton ; 100 do flour 3fo bags flour, 83 cheeses, order.-H. S. Merer « Co , a ents.

Pc- F!i fr, m I rttelton :1? kess butter, 295 sack* oats., 4.4 d • wheat. D. H, McKenzie; 34 <1o grass Bred *. Bnrlclind : 5 cases lnm», A. Arthur; ?4 S«fka sh 9,i 0 do oats. 20 loose cheese, 10 sacks flcm , 2f>d->|? BSiseed, 4;0 do wheat, order.—D. H. McKeime agent.

THE BARON ABERDARE.

This fine vessel csme up the harbor last night at seven o'clook and anchored off the "whnrf. We l^arn that her voyage has been an uneventful one. After her knocking about in the channel she was carried by N.W. wind^ to the equator, which was crossed on the 6fh Jan. Had light SE. trades, and variable winds to the Cape (4th Feb.) The eastinga we: c run down in 40 ° S. To Cape L°win fres-h westerly breezes, afterwards lieht E and N.K winds to Tasmania, which was rounded March 2. Since that time a read beat has been experienced. Five births and one d^ath, that of an infant, occurred m the papsase. The immigrants are «nder V c char«e of Dr. Foreman. Dr. Philson and Mr Ellis went on board this morning and expressed themselves well sa'i^fie.d -with the appearance of the ship. She was ei^fn a clean bill of heath. The immigrants were landed this afternoon, and accommodated at the Barracks.

The schooner Colonist has entered in from Napier in ballast. The schooner Columbia arrived at Napier the day before yesterday. The cutter Nancy, from Waikawau, has ente ed in with I^,ooo ft. timber. Ihe 1 cho, schooner, has cleared for Ka par>pa. The s a Mikado, after being detained all nieht oTing to the northerly gale, took her departure at. 6 o'clook this morning. The big Ofrwent is hourly expected from Np.wc^stie with a cargo of coal for Mr. J. W. Waller. She was to leave Newcastle on the 4th inst.

Tho nr-w steamer lona started for her tnal trip to-day with a large party en board. She was to so round Tiri with a view to testing her bfhavionr in a seaway. She had not returnpfl in time for our reporter to get the particu ars in time for pre^s. She, appeared to go at a gr>f d rate when under.steam.

The 1-a'que Rio L^ge, the ba'-quentine Sir Isaac Newton, and the brigantine Flirt, all arrivpd from Lvtreifcon during the night, with oi.reoe^ of S lu'bfrn produce. The Rio Lo?f is onns'gned to H. S. Meyers and Co., ih.p S r Isaacs Newton to Messrs Stone Bros., and ihe Fli-t to D. H. MfKenzie. The cap'a'n of the"'.'•ir Isaac Newton repor»s rough weatVer. wi'h noitherly winds, lill ronnd:n2 the East Cape the day before ypetf-r-lav. Heavy gale from N. on making Cape Coivil'e.

TJ* schooner Rover from Poverty Bay and the Coast,.brings a cargo of grass seed and pisrs

The schooner Mary Melville arrived last nitll' from the East Coast with a cargo of cattle She went down to Kohimarama this morning to land them.

Ihe Kowena left JJus-ell at 12.15 p.m. yesterday wi'h N'.^,K wind, which increased to agile on the pps-age with a hith sea, and arrived in Auckland at 325 th:s morning. ,W. H. Stodart, purser, has furnished us wiih report, frc. Cargo :71 bags gum, X"l h; ]8 cises fruit, JCaton. 1201 bags, 14 cases, Arr oldY Hin-s : 12000 fhing!e3. Goldie ; 1 horse, ITlovdI —Crui k'hanfc & Co., agents.

Mr I. "W. Carrhasihe c ntract for building two surf baats for the schooner Levuka.

KAIPARA ITEMS.

(From our special Correspondent)

The brig Thomis and HeDry left the Te Koporn Mil''for Lyttelton oa 15th inst. '■ '■ >

The barque Annie Lisle, expected to sail from War.gsrf-a for Melbourne to-day (Saturday) with a cargo ' f kauri logs shipped by John TCeid The brigantine Nightingale arrived at Hokianga on 10th inst., and commenced to load for an Australian port. The schooner Excelsior Is loading at Dunedin for Auckland. . . ,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows ■— For'lhatnes on Mond iy, at 9 x 0 a m and 5 ii p m Fnr oromandel, per Echo, this day, at 5p m for Urent Barrier, per Trad«wind, this day, at 5 p m For Wangarei. &c, per Sovereign of the Seas, on Moi dn.v, at 9 am . H"or Taranaki *rd Southern Provinces, per Welling ton, on Monday next, at?am For Whiuanci, Tairua, Opotiki. and Napier via Tauranga, per feoutuein Gross, cm Monday next, at 3 p.m. . For Hussell, Wangaroa. and Mongonui, per Kowena, on M. nday next, at 4 v m. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

DEATH.

REED—On March 19, Mary Catherine Kced, aged 5 years. The funeral -will leave her father's residence to morrow (Sunday), at 3 p.m.

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

SATURDAY, MATCH 20, 1875.

For the cause that lnclra assistance, l>'or the wrong u.nt need* resistance, ■•'or the future in thu distance. And tha irood that wo cuu do.

It is the fashion for the large section of the press of New Zealand which is directly under the control of the Ministry to stigmatise as " croaking" any criticism applied to the Government upon whose corrupt patronage these miserable apologies for public journals depend so largely for existence. But we are thankful in believing that a colonial public is too shrewd tobe misled either by the sickening adulation of the Ministerial organs on the one hand, or the unreasoning prejudice of blind opposition denunciations on the other. From the moment the great immigration find public works policy wa3 launched into being till the present, it has had no more consistent and enthusiastic advocate than the Star. The scheme was hailed as a policy of progress, based upon a confidence in the resources and great future of the colony, which wa,3 warranted by ascertained facts. But, upon the administration of the scheme from which so much good might fairly be expected, we have very frequently had oc casion to comment in terms of severe con demnation. It is very desirable that the distinction between the policy itself, and the way it has been carried out, should be clearly borne in mind. Not one promise, not one pledge given when tbepolicy was pro pounded has been fulfilled, while the extent to which the credit of the colony has been pledged in carrying out the undertaking has exceeded to an enormous extent. There has been such a persistent attempt to throw dubt in the eyes of the people with reference to the true merits" of this subject, such unblushing misrepresentation and denial of facts that are subsequently acknowledged, that the public hardly know what to accept as true and what to reject as false. But we are satisfied that the more thorough the acquaint ance with the present position of public works in all parts of the colony, the more bitter will be the feeling of indignation expressed by residents in this part of the colony at the injustice which has tended during the past five years to crush down Auckland, and to elevate other provinces at our.expense. The Hon. Mr Kichardson, Minister of Public Works, has furnished the New Zealand, Times with an important statement showing the position of public works at the beginning of the present year. The result shown in this return (which surely cannot be called in question by the thousand and one loafers on the Govern ment loaves and fishes) are such as should make the blood of every inhabitant of this part of the colony boil with indignation. We care not in what way the comparison suggested by this statement is made, the result; proves the shameful manner in which this part of the colony, equally with the rest, is being saddled with gigantic liabilities for the purpose of constructing railways in the South. Mr Kichardson's statement shews that the legislature has authorised for con struction in the province of Auckland 166 ■ miles 35 chains of railway at an estimated cost of £949,000. Of this there are now actually under contract or comple ted, the Kaipara and Auckland and Mercer line, in all 61 miles 68 chains, both of which were commenced by the Provincial Govern ment ere the great colonial policy saw the light of day. Mr Richardson also includes in his estimate of Jines under contract in this province, the section of the Waikato railway, from Newcastle southwards, upon which the "Armed navvies" are performing the " Government stroke." This we object to, as not actually under contract, although, at the present rate of progress, it might possibly be finished in a century or thereabouts; but even including this, we have a total length under contract of only 87 miles C 9 chains, upon which any work whatever has been done. We turn to Otago, a province of smaller area than Auckland, of only equal population, until the unfair distribution of the Government loan and immigration sent it ahead, possessing . a large provincial revenue, out of which it is now expending half-a-milion on provincial railways, and we find that the legislature has authorised out' of the colonial loan 332 miles 50 chains of railway at an estimated of £2,110,000 sterling, and the Government has seen its Way to letting sections on every line authorised, making a total of 215 miles and 45 chains now under contract, and 25 miles 27 chains opened for traffic, against the single Kaipara and Waikato lines in progress and 8 mUes open in this province. Or, turning to Canterbury, a province of about half the 1 area of Auckland, and of smaller population,

we find from Mr. Richardson's statement that the legislature has authorised the con struction of 250 miles 67 chains of railway at a cost of £1,139 000, and again it -will be observed that the Government has not only let contracts for sections of every line authorised, but has actually comple ted and opened 84 miles of railroad, equal to half the whole length authorised in this province, and in addition has now under contract and is rapidly pushing forward to completion, 160 miles 66 chains more, or a length about equal to the whole of the lines authorised for this province. We have before placed these facts before the public, but the inhabitants of the province seem blind to their significance or completely in different. When taxation comes, as come it must, to pay interest on the loans, thefeelirjg may be different, but after the money is spent it will be too late to remedy the evil. In order that there may be no mistake on this sub ject, we puhlish elsewhere in. ifc3 entirety the schedule of railways authorised, open, and under contract, on the 31st of December last, as prepared by the Minister of Public Works, and let the people see to it. In addition to the linos opened by the General Government, it will be observed that the Canterbury Provincial Government has opened 30 miles of railway already, and has others under contract, and Otago has 40 miles of provincial railways open.

We have been furnished with particulars of a case which looks very like an act of tyr rany. The late master and matron of the old Men's Refuge were, a few day's ago, at one hour's notice, turned oat of their situa tion and home by order of the Depnty !Supeiintendent. Th[s order, we have every reason to believe, was obtained through mis representation, for Mr O'Horkeisnotonewho would lend himself to so arbitrary a measure without very strong and pressing reasons. In appears that Mr Graham, the Believing Officer, a week ago, obtained a commission of enquiry, consisting of Vr Kice and Mr Thomson, luspcctor of Police, to enquire into missing stores?, old trousers, and flannel shirts. We may mention in passing tint this is the fourth enquiry at Mr Graham's instigation, in all of which he has failed to prove dishonesty in any form against the Macks. We learn that the report sent in by Messrs Kice nnd Thomson in no way justifies the harsh, action taken ;no dis honesty whatever is shown or hinted at. Then why the strange and arbitrary proceed ings subsequently ? Last week Mr liraham proceeded to the Home and ordered Mr and Mrs Mack to leave within two hours. And here a new1 phase crops up in this matter. Not contci t with dismissing summarily and ejecting Mr and Mrs Mack from the Old Men's E/ifiiL'e. Mr Grahnm ordered them out of the < »ld Women's Home, which is entirely under the management of the Lidies' Benevolent Society, who pay Mrs Mack, as matron, a salary of £30 per annum. Fortunately for this couple, thus rendered homeless, friends were at hand, and the ladies stayed the furious conduct of the Relieving Officer and told the Macks that they were at liberty to remain during their pleasure at the Old Women's Home, at the same time informing them that the ladies of the Benevolent Society had every confidence in thcirintegri'y and j»ood intentions. Tbat they have eu joyed this confidence throughout, is shown by the report of this Institution, read at the yearly meeting held last week, in which the conduct of the matron receives no stinted meed of praise. The larlies very properly resisted all interfer ence with the Home on the part of Mr Graham, and looked to the Government for an explanation of the very peculiar conduct which beats very much more the aspecfof ill feeling than impartial dealing. It is unneces sary for us to remind the public of tlie amount of unostentatious good performed by 'his valuable charity, nor would the ladies thank us for '"blowing their trumpet," but we are satisfied that the intolerant action just devleoped will be propcly resisted by the Society even to the breaking up of the insti tution, unless the Relieving Officer is re strained from interference in the manage ment of the Home.

[Since the foresoing was in type we have been informed that a letter was received last night by the Ladies' Benevolent Society, from the Deputy- Superintenrlerit stating that, unless their mitron, Mrs Mack, had vacated the Old Women's Home by twelve o'clo ;k to-day, the police would forcibly eject her. Upon receipt of this remarkable edict, a meeting was held by the ladies' executive committee, and ifc was unanimously resolved that the part they have so kindly taken in carry ing on and managing the Home should be discontinue^, and that the furniture, bedding and other fittings, which are all the property of the Society, with the exception of a few stretchers, should be removed this morning ; also, that the salary of £30 a year hitherto paid by the Society for a matron be withdrawn. The effect of this resolution is that the entire cost of keeping and attending upon the inmates and re-furnish ing the premises will fall upon the Govern ment; and the kind ly and disinterested care be stowed by the ladies, and which has made the institution not merely a charity to the aged inmates but a home, will pass away with articles which the ladies had provided for the comfort of their charges. We confess that we are at a loss to understand the posi tion assumed by the Government. The La dies' Benevolent Society had taken over the building from Mrs Whitaker, and in reality occupied it as tenants. With the exception of allowing a bare ration, the Government had no control over the management of the Home, and by what authority they have undertaken to expel the holders without notice remains to be explained. Bat, apart from this, if the ladies were only assist ing the Government in the management of the Home, they were entitled to be consulted in any change contemplated by the Executive and such gross discourtesy as that which has been displayed in their summary expul sion is inexcusable on any ground that could be adduced. We understand that it is in tended to publish the correspondence that has passed, and the public will no doubt feel greatly interested and surprised in perusing it.]

We have drawn attention several times to the new Baptist Chapel in connection with the growing district of Ponsonby. The little, pleasantly situated church is now complete, and to-morrow will be opened for Divine service. The Sunday-school in connection therewith was commenced on Sunday last. The»sermon in the afternoon will be preached by the Key. A. Reid, of Pitt-street, and in the evening by the Rev. P. H. Cornford, of We lesley-street. There will be collections at the close of each service in aid of the building fund ; and on the following Tuesday there will be a soiree, consisting of tea, speeches, and mtisic.

The members of the Naval Brigade, who of the weather are ne'er afraid ; marched forth last eve with martial tread, towards their favorite old drill-shed. And there with an air of sweet content, their monthly drill they underwent. Major Gordon and Captain Leßoy, encouraged each man and cheered each boy with kindly words which touch the heart, and streams of sympathy often start. Well pleased they left the old drill-shed, and returned to their homes with stately tread.

The Key. W. Cathcarfc, arrived by the Baron Aberdare, will preach in St. Andrew's Church to-morrow morning, and at St. James' in the evening.

A confirmation service will take place in St. Paul's Church to-morrow evening, when a large number of candidates will be admitted to the communion. The Bishop will deliver a short address on the occasion.

To the Editor: Sir,—The anonymous writer of the paragraph in last evening's Star on the injustice recently done me in the Herald will please accept my thanks for his flatter ing compliment. I difsent from him however as to the fitness of compjriog this most ex traordinary social conglomerate to "desert air." Intellectually, this people are, I judge per average, equal to any similarly promis cuous congress of differing individuals any where to be found. " Verb. Sap. " was justified in his strain of ridicule if he really thought I was the writer of the ridiculous letter the absurd heading of which he quoted, forasmuch as it is considered fair and legiti mate to ridicule the ridiculous ; but now that the contemptible abomination is_ dis closed (see the " wanted " column of Friday's Herald) a retraction by him would seem to be due. -I am, &c, W. E. S.

We notice that Dr Bayntun of Wellington street has been appointed medical referee to the Templar Benefit Society, under the Industrial Branch of the Government Insur ance and Annuities Act.

In consequence of the wet, the proposed annual meeting of the Auckland Branch of the Sunday School Union was adjourned. The chairman and a few ladies and gentlemen were present. The chairman suggested the desirability of the adjournment until a more favourable opportunity, although he felt sure that evsry one in that room would feel thankful for the blessed rain.

The death of Mr Swan has caused a va cancy in the Provincial Council for the Thames, and a writ has been issued for the election of a new representative. Messrs Kowe and Speight are spoken of as likely to come forward as candidates. The former gentleman is well known on the gold-field, and the latter will be recognised as one of the most eloquent speakers in connection with the temperance movement.

The receiver of Education rates has issued a final notice to persons who have not paid their Education rate, and all those who do not pay by the 29th inst will have to answer for the same before the Resident Magistrate.

The forthcoming complimentary benefit concert to Mr P. Doran, to be held on Easter Monday, will be under the patronage of the Oddfellows of the various Auckland lodges. The programme of the concert is in active preparation, and will appear in the EVENING St.vk in the course of the ensuing week.

Considering the boisterous weather latst evening, the Prince of Wales Theatre was well attended. Two dramas, "Woodcock's Little Game," and "High Life Below Stairs," formed the amusement of the audi tory. Mr Hoskina, as Woodcock, was es pecially interesting in this the leading char acter of the sparkling little comedy. Mrs Lark ins was truiy represented by Miss Col ville, with all thafc lady's peculiarities. Mrs Jones was also quite at home as Mrs Carver. The rest of the characters were well played. " Hiuh Life Below Stairs" was the conclu ding piece, which received ample justice at ihe hands of the company. To-night will ba brought forward the " Ticket of Leave," from the pen of: Mr Torn Taylor, Mr Hos kins representing Hawkshaw, and Miss Col ville, May Edwards.

The members of the Auckland Teachers' ABsociationmct this afternoon for a social tour in the beautiful gardens of Dr Cowie, Bishop of Auckland. We learn that the gather ing was in answer to a special invitation from the Bishop, who is president and takes much interest in the Society. We hope the weather will not prevent the enjoyment ko long anticipated.

The ordinary meeting of the Eden Terrace Lorlge, 1.0. G.T., will be held on Tuesday evening. March 23rd, instead of Friday (being Uood Friday) as intended. In future the Lodge will meet on Friday evenings.

If complete readiness for war is the best means of ensuring the continuance of peace, the tranquility of Europe must have been effectually secured thia year, in which large additions have been made to the forces of every European Power. The proposed legislation in reference to tho German Landsturm will increase the military strength of Germany to an extent hardly yet rea lized, though the Spaner Gazelle estimates the increased force arising from a first call of the Landsturm at; 300,000 men. The French army will, beginning from this year, be increased within twelve years to 1,800,000, a force supplemented by a, Land sturm orgiui/Ation not less extensive than that of Germany. Russia will, in the same period, muster a standing army of 750,000 men, and a reserve of 1,740,000. Austria has made so much progress in the develoment of her military resources thai she could take the field with from 500,000 to 600,000 men. Italy could follow with 400,000 men, and Turkey with 200,000 ; while we have 500,000 men to defend our own soil, and could contribute from 70,000 to 80,000 men toward the prosecution of a European war. -Pall Mall Gazette.

A curious superstition prevails in the Isle of Man. It is to the effect that children may be preserved from whooping cough by being placed in the hopper of a mill. " Whooping cough," says the Man Times, "is at the present time exceedingly preva lent in the south of the island, and on Sun day, a large number of children were placed in the hopper of a mill, and, as soon as they were comfortably settled, the miller caused the wheel to revolve three times, the parents of the children being present at the time. In order to be efficacious, the ceremony must be gone through at a time when the ministers of the disbrict are engaged in their pulpits. For this reason about noon on Sunday is generally the time chosen for the performance of this curious rite."

A pro re natu meeting of the Auckland Presbytery was held yesterday to receive the resignation of the Rev Mr Stewart? of Coro mandel, who contemplates a voyage to Eng land in the Glenlora, in the hope that it will restore his failing health. Owing to the want of regular steam communication, Mr Stewart had been unable to reach Auckland to attend the Presbytery, the meeting was, therefore, adjourned till Monday.

From an address ■which appears in the Times Mr Edward Hine states that he has come to the conclusion that the lost Ten Tribes of I Israel, who disappeared after being carried into captivity by the Assyrians, 725, 8.C., are about to be revealed in the English people. As stated that the Jews of the present day are descended from the tribe of Judah, and are not to be confounded with the Israelites, who, according to prophecy, were to remain a holy peaple even after they were lost, destined to break the yoke of their oppressors, and, after many years of wander ing, to settle in the western islands with a lineal descendant of King David upon the throne for ever; that they should so mul tiply that they would have to occupy other countries, becoming the chief of nations, a power incapable of defeat, a country distin guished for the Christian character, its mis sionary labours, and its philanthropy, Hav ing quoted very many passages of Scripture in proof of these predictions, he declared that they must have been fulfilled, or the Bible was not verified, and that there was no known nation upon the earth which corresponded with the Scripture except the English. He stated also that by historical researches the so-called Anglo- Saxons, whom he believed to be the lost tribes of the children of Israel, had been distinctly traced to the spot where the Israelites disappeared, the cities of the Medes, but that they could be traced no further. He advanced a great number of identities in proof of his arguments, and even referred to the structure of English churches and various phrases in the Book of Common Prayer aa evidence of our Israelitish descent.

Six seamen, named Thomas Cardwell, Wm. Lake, George Foster, George Golden, John Mitchell, and Hugh Kenny ; also, thre« passengers, John Bew, Wm. Harper, and John Edwards, were given in the custody of Detective Jeffrey this afternoon by the captain of Baron Abedare, for larceny of spirits and ship's stores.. The prisoners will be brought up on Monday at the Police Court.

We notice that Mr Samuel Worms has officially received the appointment of agent for the Industrial branch of the Government Insurance, under the Insurance and An nuities Act of 1874. Mr Worms represents three Templar lodges, viz, Star of Newton, Harbinger of Peace, and Eden Terrace; also the Templar Benefit Society, which originated in the Star of Newbon Lodge, with which Mr Worms is identified.

The two large armour-plated ships con tracted for by the Admiralty have been res pectively taken by Messrs Napier and Co , and by Messrs Elder and Co., both of whose works are on the Clyde. The reserved price of the authorities was £300,000. The large builders on the Thames offered to construct the ships at from £8,000 to £10,000 below the estimate. The Mersey people were pre pared to execute the order for about £270,000 but the Scotch firms asserted that they could do the work for something like £252,000, or about £40,000 under their southern com petitors.

The Troy Times says :—"A young dry goods clerk whose home is down the river, and whose age is eighteen years, recently fell desperately in love with an up-town maiden aged thirty. The young man's mother hearing that his marriage was immi nent, came up in a hurry, found her son at the young lady's house, and hustled him to his home near Albany. Soon afterward the young man returned to this city, and at ten o'clock last Wednesday night, called on an up-town Episcopalian clergy man with the lady, and requested to be married. Being somewhat suspicious of tlie circumstances, the clergyman put the anx ious couple off until 10 o'clock on Thursday morning, whem they promptly appeared and were surprised to find the mother of the young man sitting in the parlor to forbid the ceremony. The lover was reasoned with quietly by his mother and the clergyman, and • finally pledged himself not to marry within two years. The young lady went home, and the mother took her precocious son under the shadow of her wing and felt contented."

After running a tilt at the insolvent as surance offices, the World has declared kos tilities against the money-lenders of the fashionable quarters of the town. Un doubtedly these gentry do a great deal of mischief in encouraging foolish young men to give full way to their extravagant de sires by lending them money to pay for their ruin. !Not only do these harpies ac commodate young profligates with loans at the rate of GO or 80 per cent.,_but they sug gest the idea of borrowing to lads who have not yet left school and who, but for the in fernal promptings of these social pariahs, would never dream of running into debt. The World has published the names and addresses of some twenty of them—a pro ceeding which may be more profitable to the usurers than to the public—but the bio graphical sketches and comments with which the notices are accompanied will probably goad those who think they have any char acter to lose into bringing actions for libel against the paper. If such should be the case we shall probably have some interesting disclosures.

Sabbath Services to-morrow as follows :— Baptist Church, Wellesly-street, by Re/. P. H. Cornford ; Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, morning: by Rev. A. Pteid, evening: by Rev. W. C. Oliver ; Newton Kirk, morning and evening : by Rev. Dr Wallis : Lome-street Hall, by Rev. S. Edger, (8.A.) morning and evening; Presbyterian Church Youth's School in the morning as usual ; Methodist P'ree Church, morning and erening by Rev. G. H. Turner. For list of subjects see ad vertisement in another column.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN PAR NELL.

OLSON'S SAUCE FACTORY AND

TWO HOUSES BURNT.

It is little more thau a year ago since we had to chronicle tho destruction by fire of Mr Olson's tomato sauce manufactory in ! Parnell. It is now our unpleasant duty to 1 repeat the sad tale with an additional cata logue of ravages by the same element. Last night, just as the clock struck ten, the in habitants of St. George's Bay road were alarmed by shouts of fire, and within a minute or little more of the cry being heard, flames were distinguished issuing from the roof of the new manufactory which Mr Olson has but lately built between his dwelling house and the house occupied by Mrs Meurant and family. So far as we can learn the fire was first per rceived by the Misses Meurant who were on the point of retiring to rest. Ita first indication was a crackling noise, which induced Miss Meurant to call out to her younger sister that there was " something strange" going on in the factory. In the front at first nothing^could be seen, and both ladies thought it must be a false alarm, but on looking out at the back, a tongue of flame was seen breaking its way through the glass skylight on the roof. Both ladies at once rushed to the front, and were met at the door by several neighbours, who had already witnessed the outbreak, and run to the scene. The night was stormy ; a gale of wind was blowing from the north, and frequent rain-squalls 'were coming down at intervals. (It is strange that a large proportion of our great fires occur on such nights.) In less time than it takes to record the fact, the whole of the roof was in flames, and the absence of any means of extinction, coupled with the strong wind, made it at once evi dent that all saving efforts to be of any use must be directed to the

EEMOVAL OP THE PEOPEETY in Mrs Meurant's house—which was only separated from the factory on the north side byja narrowjpassage—and in Mr Olson's dwel ling house, which was similarly adjacent on the south side. This work was immediately set about at the Meurant's by the young ladies themselves (Mrs Meurant was away at the time), assisted in the fir3t instance by Mr Brown, the carrier; Mr Cowan; Mr J. Brown, late of Archard and Brown ; Mr Abraham and Mr James "Watt, of Mechanics Bay. These were joined after a short time by Mr Caleb Wood and Mr E. Yates. Although the work was necessarily much hurried,[we are happy to state that everything was removed in safety, great praise being due to the voluntary workers for the care they displayed. The furniture and effects generally were temporarily deposited on the .opposite side of the road, whence they were subsequently taken further down the road, and wer» ultimately carted away by Mr Browne to friends in the neighbourhood. AT MR. OLSON'S HOUSE a similar Bcene was enacted. Mr and Mrs Olson were not at home, having in the course of the afternoon driven out to Glenburn, Mr Bucholz's house •£ Dedwood, where they had engaged to spend the evening. The first persons here were Mr Clift, who broke open the door; Mr Skinner, the Eifle Champion; Mr Blunden who resides in a house of Mr Olson's, in the rear of the factory; Dr Home; Mr Hollingsworth, Bishop Cowie's gardener, and another gar dener, whose name we have not been able to catch. Their efforts were unhappily not so successful as in the case of the Meu rants. The direction of the wind sent the flames, which in a surprisingly brief timej were soaring into the air

in a dazzling and lofty sheet, right ovef the rear corner of the building, and within ten minutes it was in their destruc tive embrace. Still the workers continued their dangeroHS task, Some of them under going serious risk in their attempts to get out the furniture. The lighter good* (wclndr ing some very beautiful orraments protected by glass shades, the bedding, lookiag-g'asses, a portion of the nrockery, and the chairs and tables) were' rescued, and conveyed by wi ling hands to Dr Home's residence, higher up the road on the other side, Next, adete: nfined effort was made to save a very valuable wardrobe, which was in Mrs Olsons bedroom. This was so large that its removal was a work of considerable difficulty.^ Hy united exertions, however, it was carried as far as the verandah, and a cheer was already raised at the success of tno undertaking, when the flames burst througn the side ol the house and drove the men from theif ail but completed, task. So sudden was this interruption, that one man had not time to get out of the way, and the wardrobe toppling over crushed him against the verandah. He was hint, but managed to squeeze himself from his unpleasant position. The wardrobe was burnt where it stood.

THE FIRE AT ITS HEIGHT presented a grand and imposing spectacle, covering, a3 it did, quite an acre of ground, and burning with unusual fierceness. Within a quarter of an hour from its outbreak the Eames had complete possession of the three buildings. The two dwelling-houses were two-storied buildings containing six or seven rooms a piece ; the factory had about twenty-feet frontage to the road, and ex tended some 20 or 30 feet to the rear beyond thehouses, being about 50 feetdeepaltogether. It consisted of an office,aboiling-house,bottling and store rooms. The property being down in a hollow surrounded by rising ground on all except the sea-side, the neighbouring hill slopes were lighted np in a fearfully grand manner, the houses and the Catholic Church showing out with striking clearness, their outlines being marked with the distinctness of a Pre-Raphaelite picture. The cliff-) on the eastern side of St. George's Bay stood out white as snow against the blackness of the night, and every Jittle bush and tree on their sides could be discerned with minuteness. The clouds which came rolling in on the gale took the ruddy glare of the conflagration and scattered it about the sky with appalling grandeur. Could but a photographer or a painter have seized the picture and trans fp.rred it to paper or canvas the effect would have been magnificent. NOTHING WAS SAVED

from the manufactory. Mr Olson's stock, which h? had with great difficulty succeeded in bringing up to its usual size, after the late lire, was entirely destroyed, to the value, it is said, of close on £4,000. A large consignment of bottles brought by the barque Ada had only been deposited in the store yesterday morning. All Mr Olson's account books were in the office, attached to the factory, and they have shared its fate.

THE DANGER TO TRE SURROUNDING

PROPERTY during the progress of the fire was extremely great" The sparks were carried in whirling eddies for nearly half a mile. Had the wiad been as much easterly as it was earlier in the day, nothing could have caved Mr Blunden's house. Fortunately, how ever, the current of sparks was carried just clear of this house and of Mr Seal's house on an eminence in the same direction about 200 feet further off. How Mr Blun den's house was saved is a miracle. Situate not 40 feet from the wall of the manu factory, every instant was pregnant with its fate. In great, but not in such great danger, owing to its being well to windward, was Mr J. S. Churton's house, occupied by Mr and Mrs Oalver, below Meurants'. From both buildings the whole of the furniture wasremoved, the work being set about assoon as Olson's andMeurant's were cleared. Promi nent at Mr Blunden's were Inspector Thomson Sergt.-Major Pa»-dy, Major Heaphy, several members of the Fire Brigade (who, with Mr Superintendent Hughes were on the spot as early as possible, but comparatively late owing to the distance from town and the rapidity of the destruction), Mr H. Brjith waite, the Naval Brigade (who were mis taken by many for the Dido's men, none of whom showed up) and two or three of the officers of the s.s. Mikado. These and others busied themselves not only in saving furniture, but in demolishing the fences which were carrying the fire to the raar, and in passing water, fast as ifc could be procured, to the roof and front of the building. At first little water could be obtained owing to the absence of buckets, but later on a fair supply was obtained, a good use was made of it by organising gangs of men and boj^ who paseed the buckets from one to the other As many as 3S formed a chain from the well close to the ruins of the old factory to the fire.

The safety of Blunden's and Churton's houses was not assured till close on eleven o'c'ock,in consequence of the flight ot sparks. Adjoining Mr Blunden's house, on the south east, is a grape house, belonging to Mr Ol son's garden. This, strange to say, has not been injured at all, not even a pane of glass is broken. The heat has shrivelled up the grapes and vines to nothing. Here, at one time, half-a-dozen loafers stood quietly sur veying the scene and eating the fruit.

MR KEAL'S GARDEIS" which bears the reputation of being one of the beat in Parnell, was completely wrecked by the multitude of persons who trod over it. Against a fence near the road was a row of beautiful grape vines, the fruit of which was to be gathered to-day for wine. This will not now be necessary. Mr Keals was naturally very indignant" at the wanton de struction of his trees and plants which was indulged in by thoughtless spectators. He estimates his loss by this alone at £100. Among other instances of this, a fine magnolia tree was torn to pieces to supply brooms to put out the burning fencins, when there was any amount of rubbish handy which would have done just as well. Tbe fence extending from Mr Blun den's house to Mr Keals was three times dis covered to be on fire from dropping sparks. No water being procurable at the time it wa3 put out once by Gullivei's method, and beaten out; in the other instances. Had this caught much valuable property would have been destroyed.

TEE SPECULATIONS AS TO ORIGIN are wholly destitute of any definite founda tion. Mr and Mrs Olson when they went away left a man named William Martin

in charge who has been in the employ nearly five years. Both Doctor Home and Mr. Olson give this man the highest character for trustworthiness. The Cross this mornins; makes the statement that he was not to be found when the fire broke out. The true fact is that he left the factory as usual at five o'clock after seeing every thing safe, and went home to his residence in Conquest Place, close by. He was on the scene within ten minutes of the alarm, and remained, till the last, not returning to his house till one o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Olson were returning from Dedwood at eleven o'clock, when they heard of their misfortune ia ftutland-street, from a policeman. Mrs Olson 'fainted at the news, aDd had to be conveyed back to Dedwood. Mr Olson came on to Parnell. The Misses Meurants who displayed great presence of mind, and worked as hard as anybody at saviDg their mother's property, found shelter at Mrs Hilman's, a neighbour's. By this morning the furniture had been partially restored to Mr Oalver's, and also to Mr Blunden's. At eight o'clock the fire was still smouldering, and the heap of glass on the site of the factory sent out c;reat heat. INSURANCES. Mr Olson's stock was insured in the South Tr«B^ fci! hfor - £2>ooo Half of these are insured the N.Z. office.

Dwelling-house (in the New Zealand) £300 Furniture (N Z.) £100 Manufactory (5.8.) £400 Mr Blunden's furniture was covered f( % in the South British to the extent fj of s#!yS Mrs Meurant's house (Victoria) ... > Mrs Meuiant's furniture was uninsured -J 1\ It will be seen that the losses are ab,mt p equally divided between the N.Z. and the ■ S.JS.

Sir Donald McLean at Maketu.

Settling Native Disputes.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

MAKETU.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day.

Sir Donald McLean has been engaged the last two days in hearing and setding native disputes. He does not intend to leave for some days. Legations from all the different hapus will wait on him to-day, when the great question of toa or supreme title will be gone into. The natives are keeping very quiet, and bo far express themselves as perfectly satisfied with the decisions arrived at by Sir Donald McLean, and Henry Clarke, Esq. The dispute that led to serious trouble lately, Will be gone into on Monday. Grave complications and trouble have arisen through the action of a Government officer of this district, wha, it now comes oat. has been interfering for months past with the natives, trying to induce them to petition against' the magistrate, and other powers, and to repudiate their arrangements with the Government re land sales.

A Man Overboard.

FATAL OCCURRENCE,

We regret to have to record the death of Mr James Steer, well-known in shipping circles, by falling overboard from the schooner Mary Melville, while on her voyage from the East Coast. The accident occtitrecS on Tuesday night. The vessel had left? Awanui at mid-day, and was in the act of rounding the East Cape. The wind at the time was strong from the west and there was a bit of a sea on. Deceased had come up from below, and was standing near the companion on deck when a lurch of the schooner suddenly pitched him on to the rail. He overbalanced and fell over the side. The incident was witnessed by ' Cap bain Urquhart and some of the crew, and a boat was hurried" y manned and lowered away. The search was prosecuted for a long while ; bnt nothing could be seen of the un fortunate man, who, it is conjectured, mast have been hurt in his fall, for he wag known as an excellent swimmer. Theboatthen attempted to return, but could not make the schooner for some time, as the crew of the boat had forgotten in their hurry to provide a light, and the night was very dark, so that the look-out men on the vessel could not keep them in sight. They got on board safely at last. Deceased came out about four and a-half years ago as mate of the Santon, barque, from Liverpool. He went one voyage some while since as master of the Kover. Be went in the Mary Melville this trip as a kind of supercargo, the loading of the vessel being intrusted to him in con junction with the captain. He wits a single man, and so far as we know, no relations in the colony.

POLIC3 COURT.—This Day.

(Before John Cosgrave Esq., Justice of the Peace.) " Stale, flat, and unprofitable."' —Hahxw, The following cluster of inebriates and hopeless drunkards, were again brought before the Bench upon the old charge. Samuel Augustus Warren, for the-, fiftieth time 5s and costs; Richard Cahill, who for various offences had endured up to Christ mas last, three years and six months' imprisonment, was fined 10s, and the same amount was imposed upon Anfhony Cowan, of Parnell, and George Colville, M'howere, also drunk last night. LOSS OF SELF RESPECT. A woman named Anne Barnet t, well known in Chancery-lane, was brought up under the Vagraut Act of 1866, with having no visible lawful means of support. The unhappy creature appsarod in a wretched plight;, clad in dirty rags. She was once considered the belle of an Iriahi village, and was said to be the original of on«i of Lady Morgan's novels, fehe married a saldier and came to New Zealand, and witnessed many of the scenes of the Maori war. She snbse quently passed through various vicissitudes, and at length settled down in the rich locality of Chancery-lane, where she has - obtained the sobriquet of the " beer carrier," as* she was ever ready to oblige, and not unfrequently emptied the csin by the way. In consequence of the clearance among the settlers of the lane, Amnie has not been fully engaged lately, and l:rom her drunken, filthy habits, has become, us Sergfc- Major Pardy expressed it, a perpetual nuisance to the neighbourhood, except in those intervals when she was safely iixunured within the stone walls of Mount Eden. .

When asked what she had to ssiy, she simply shook her head.

She was sentenced to three months' im prisonment with hard labour.

This was all the business,

TELEGRAPHIC.

LATEST THAMES NEWS.

Ovation to Sir George Grey.

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.) This Day.

I despatched a pigeon this morning with photograms of a page of the Advertiser, con taining the speech and Ohinemuri new 3. There is little chance of the bird succeed ing, owing to the wet and hazy weathor.

The meeting was a perfect ovation. Sir George was constantly interrupted by ap plause. The bnilding was crammed to the doors, and a vote of confidence was passed with a perfect forest of hands. There is genuine enthusiasm here among all classes, Dr Pollen's bungling at Ohinemuri contribu ting greatly to this feeling. Large numbers are calling all day om Sir George who is very popular.

He returns by boat this afternoon. ' It is raining hard all day.

Mr Puckey, accompanied by Taipara and Wi Turipona,' came to see Sir George this morning, and congratulated him. Sir George has gone to see Hid. He told them he was glad to see them, and if he were elected Superintendent, he would come to visit them. He also visited the big pump, the Moanatairi tunnel, aud works and crush ing batteries. Jj| Sir George examined the Manukau qusiri?d» at the battery, and remarked that there w&, quartz at the Kawau very nearly resembling* some of the stone. A tnaori fell off the steamer Alert coming

~****y fm mwm& &eab,ljattt:rdat, makch ao, ii»j



WE HAVE RECEIVED Pbr S.S. Hero, THREE CASES OF BLACK AND COLOURED SILKS, Purchased a Job'in London by our • Mr -Urahsim;. • ;-•- r.-,r>>-i B3" The ENTIRE LOT will be disposed of at SELLING-OFF PRICES ! J. COSGRAVE & CO. J^ OOK OPPO SI T E THE .H3.t■!; ALBERT HOTEL ;; pon THE PANTHEON. .3. tA REALLY GOOD OUTFIT AT A REASONABLE PRICE. JjJ }O B D pOHEE (L pp., r X 190, Queen- street, H E3~ Next Edson'B, Chemifit. _ £3



p I T V HALL HATS, CLOTHING, PRINTS, DRESSES. CARPETS, FLOOR CLOTHS, CHINA MATTING. MILLINERY, UNDERCLOTHING, BABY LINEN. AT COST PRICE, effect a Clearance for extensive alteration of premises. HOLLO WAY & GARLICK, CIT? HALL.