SHIPFING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WaTEß—This evening. 8 58; to-morrow mor. ir>> 9 1*

SXJ« -Mi'-Thi- evening, 512 SUN RISE—To mor ow morning, 6.59. xfeON'S AbE-Kirst quarter, 9th inst, 3.9 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

w-elll-gt>n. 88, Carey, from he South ri'! lus Vl R'» schooner, from Waita.™ (iv Manukau) Oolonist, schooner, from the Thames

DEPARTURES.

• aupo. s s. AUcfarlan*, for the uouth Kebicnd, b-injue i iihboti, for Sydney via Mnngonui Danmie s> sc hoon.r (Hawaiian;, Berril, for Tjnga /»nne MoLeoa echo ncr, for Kvissell Fanny Kelly, ket./h. fir Wnugaroa Union, b»rque, for Newcastle

PROJECTED DEPARTURES

For San ► rAncisco-Cjphren.es, 83, 6th August (Kiighsh mail) For »yd ey Hero, ss. V ursriay s>hinst Kor the Sou'h-W'el ingtan, ss. Sa urdav, 7th inst ;

Ladybird, 11th; Phoebe, .6th; Taranaki, 21st For London—Ferngltjn, shin ; KobinaDunlop, barque, early For Newcastle—Queen of the South, barque ; Loch nagar, barque ; Forfarshire, ship, early

VESSELS EXPECTED

uypnrenes, r. s, from Sydney; due sth August Ladybird, from the South, 6th inst Yarra, from Warrnambool; sailed 17th inst Alumbagh, ship, VKJG, from London ; sailed May 9 John Rennie, ship, VTOQ. Irom London: sailed May 11 Dover Castle, ship, NCTK, from Belfast; sailed 28th

a-ay Carisbrook Castle, ship, HL"W B, from Belfast; sailed June 8 Columbus, barque, KVH R, from London ; sailed Bth June City of Auckland, ship, from London White Eagle, ship Q.-5G- W. from London, early Ocean Mail, ship, from London British Empire, thip, from London Freetrader, barque, from HobattTown; sailed July 20 Prospector, barque, from Dunedin ; sailed August 2 Behring, barque, from Sydney, early Jessica, barque, from New York, via Dunedin Victor, bai-quentine, from Port Gamble ; sailed 14th May Wild Wave, brig, from Sydney, early Flirt, brigantine, from Lyttelton ; sailed 22nd M agellan Cloud, brigantine, from Chatham Islands, early Byno, brigantine; from Botumah, early Peerless, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Laatitia, Si hooner, from Rarotonga Papua, schooner, from Rarotonga, early Edith, schooner, from the Islands, earl? Kenilworth, schooner, from Noumea, early Christina, schooner, from Dunedin; sailed July 15

9^"A special charge is made for consignees' or shippers' names inserted in this column.

IMPORTS.

Per Wellington, from the South—2 boxes roM, 24 cases, 4 bundles tubes, 2 packages, 2 bags, M cases milk, 3 do wine, 3 trusses, 7 boxes, 1 jar, SOsanhs oats, 403 theep, 3 cases butter, 2 kegs do, 2 do. — W F Wheeler, agent.

EXPORTS.

Per Taupo, for the South :—2 cases, T & S Morrin. Per Taupo, for the South:—39 bags sugar, lean milk, 1 box silver coin,lc».se stationery, 99 pieces timber, 9 cases. 99 pieces timber, 1 box, 12 ca3es 1 box. —Henderson and jtacfarlane, agents.

Notice.— Masters of vessels lying alongside the Queen"s wharf may in future obtain a copy of the Star by applying at Messrs J. and D. Oxley's store at flv<j o'clock in the afternoon. The ss Wellington arrived in the Manukau this morning. PasseDger.'—Ss»locn : Mr and Mrs Carpen ter, Mrs Scaly, Miss Govett; Messrs Martiii, O'Hal loran, Harley, Webster, and five in the steerage. The brig Vision haa haukd alongside the barque Rorina Dunlop into which she will discharge her careo for transhimnent to LDndon. The Union Ste'sm Shipping Oo's as Taupo left One hunpa for tha South this morning shortly before noon. Passengers—Saloon : Rev E R otwav. wife and three children; Messrs E H Duke. F Whi taker, his Honor Judge Gillies, W C Daldy, Rankan, Clayton, Voy, Kainie, Owen, and Mrs Moses. Steerage : 13, and 42 immigrants short landed at Taranaki. The schooner JuliU3 Vogel, belonging to Messrs Brogdea and son, arrived in the Manukau, from Wattara, yesterday. The alterations tobeeffscted in the s s Wellington ate postponed till the end of the present month. The ba:qne3 Union and Queen of tho South Itft to-day in ballast f~r Newcastle. ■ The schoon»r Dauntless left yesterday afternoon for Tonga with a general cargo The brigantine Magellan Cloud is now daily ex pected from the Chathum Islands The schooner Colonist arrived arrived from the Thames early thi- nlorningin ballast During the day she cleared for Russell, where she wi 1 luad for Auck land. , . . _ .

The cutter Fawn has cleared for Russell with 5 tons flour and two cases brandy. The fchip Foifarshire entered outwards to-day for Guam,

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Tauranoa, this day. Ths Rowona left for Auckland at ten o'clock last night: _

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr B. Arthur's fruit and produce sales to-day, the following were the average prices : —Oranges, 53 3d to 5s 9d ; navals. 7s 9d ; lemons, 6s 9i to 8s ; pine-apples, 6s Gd to 6s lOd per doz. Canterbury potatoes, Ql per ton; onions, Id to If d per ib. ; butter, superior. Is 3d ; do., inferior, 6^d to Is ; cheese,* s£d to 9£d ; and bacon, 7^d.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows .— For Thames, this day, at 5 30 p m, and to-morrow

For Coromandel, on Friday next, at 11.30 am For Waipu, per Sunbeam, this'day, at 4 p m For Russull, per Colonist, this day, at 4 p m For Waiwera and Warkworth, per Lady Bowen, to-

morrow, at 9 a m For Australian Colonies, per Hero, to-mjrrow, at 11 a m For money orders, regist9red letters, ana news papers, at 10 am . Late letters for Sydney and Melbourne w!U bo

received till 11.15 am For ■Whitiargi, Tairua, Cpotiki. and Napier, via 'JCanranga perKowena, on Friday next, at 3 p m Per Cyphrenea. on Friday, 6th August, as under :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies at 10 E0 a m For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10 30 a m For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers at 9 30am Late letters bearing an extra fee 01 6d In addition to the postage, will be received on board by the Mail Agent up to time of sailing. S. B. BI3S. Chief Postmaster.

DEATHS.

HAEEOP—On the 3rd instant, at Hobson's Bay, Parnell,' Frank Worthington, youngest Bon of Mr ' The funeral will leave his father's residence at 3 p.m. to-morrow. MOYLE.-On the 2nd instant, at the Wharf Hotel, Queen-street. Honora, the beloved wife of William Movie, aged 34 years (in child-birth). The funeral will leave to-morrow at 3 o'clock p.m. Friends will please accept this invitation.

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

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1875.

Far the cause that lacks assistance; For the wrong that needs resistance "«r the fmture in the distance. Ami tba eeod that we can £•>

TnjToldiSupreme'Court site has been cleared of the disreputable " shedifices " which have so long disgraced the city, and the land now presents a not very attractive appearance, if less demonstrative in its ugliness than before. The Corporation has long cast fond looks upon that spot as a site for the future Town Hall, and made a brave fight for pessession, but was worsted by the representatives of the Province and the upholders of edu cation, who ultimately carried off the prize. Nevertheless, the site is par excellence the place for a Town Hall, if Auckland is ever to own such a structure. Situated in the centre of the city, in a fine commanding position, without actually occu pying a spot which could more usefully be applied to business purposes, a handsome TownHalland Corporation offices at the corner of Victoria-street would beanornamenttothe city, and would tend to uphold that dignity and opulence which will belong to the Corporation of Auckland when valuable endowments, the leases of which soon fall in, become available, and the ordinary revenues are swelled by the pound for pound and the licenses generously promised by the

Government. If the Corporation secured these extra funds for one year only, a very handsome Town Hall might be erected with the proceeds ; and afterwards, when the ex traordinary revenues have been -withdrawn, the citizens of Auckland would have a stand ing monument to remind them of the gleam of millennial light once vouchsafed by a Ministry wooing their favour, and at the same time a testimony to the truth of the old, old proverb — " Put not your trust in princes." Looking at the question, however, in a serious and practical way, we think it a pity to allow this most suitable section to pass beyond reach, if the Corporation ever mean to follow in the foot steps of all other Municipal Governments. It is not very creditable to the Council that they have allowed shopkeepers to set them an example of enterprise in the matter of public buildings and have done so on land actually belonging to the city. No doubt the section in view could be secured on as reasonable terms as any other, and as it is infinitely the best now available, the question of acquiring it is one really worthy of consideration by the members of Council, to whom we commend it before the land passes into the hands of some speculator, and the opportunity is for ever lost.

[by telegraph.]

However tempting the morsel with which the Government hook is baited, the country would do wisely to pause, and see what is to be offered by the Opposition. The fact that these liberal minds did not devise so liberal a thing during the four years when liberal things were possible, and have reserved to the eve of this momentous crisis the offer of relieving every burden, when (as everyone know 3) the power to do it has fled, bears suspicion on its face. In these circumstances, it is wise to at leasfa suspend juJgcaent so as to coatra3t with these utterly delusive and impracticable pro posals t!ie policy and plans shadowed forth last night in the speech of the leader of the Opposition. What those plan 3 are as affecting Constitutional reform we have but dim indications, but these unmistakeably point to propD3ecl changes nob merely affecting the lower legislatures, but that unrepresentative and irresponsible branch of the Assembly which is supposed to do tho state service ia putting a break on the wheels of progress. A feature dimly outlined, also, ia the preliminary remarks of the leader of the Opposition, and one that would meet with insurmountable opposition from the Upper House, as at present constituted, namely, taxation on income and property, will we believe be gladly hailed by the great body of tho people. Such a scheme, had this Governmjut had the daring to to propose it, might have removed their proposals for doing everything for everybody from the sphere of Utopianism, and have shewn that even though they did leave the land fund to tha South and in tended to abide by the compact of 185G, they had an honest purpose to really fulfil the liberal promises with which they hope to purchase the consent of the country. A few days will probably reveal the proposals of the Opposition, an.d we venture to say that they will be sounder and more practical, if nob so showy, as the dazzling offer which reproduces the feelings that greeted the gorgeous promises heralding the era of ths policy of I mmigrafcion and Public Works.

There is one fact in the financial statement of the Colonial Treasurer on Friday last which should be deeply pondered. On the 30th June last the colony was liable for £948,785 annual charge, interest, and sinking fund, on its public debt, and when the total indebtedness contemplated is reached, the annual charge will be £1,074,047, represent ing an annual payment of £3 103 per head by every man woman and child of the popu lation for interest on debt alone. If the loss sustained by the discounts on various loan transactions were calcu lated, with accumulated interest ad ded, an astounding sum would be presented. According to the census of 1874, the total male population of the colony between the ages of 21 and 65 years was 92,450, and as it is upon this section that the burden devolves, the average cost of the debt to every family man must he something in excess of £10 per annum. Paterfamalias may well contemplate this sum with some degree of wrathfulness —while his wife is wearing her last summer's bonnet, too, and does not forget to remind him of it. To the ggregate in debtedness of the colony must be added the large debts contracted by corporations and other local bodies, each of which is an annual drain on the resources of the people.

It is well known that the Australasian Steam Navigation Company have been for some time in negotiation for the purchase of the Hero from Messrs. Bright Bros. Up to the present time, the "figure" has presented an insuperable difficulty in the transaction, but, if we may go by signs on the surface, there is now a prospect of an arrangement for the transfer being effected. When the Hero was in Sydney last, the Company sent their surveyors on board to examine her engines, and we understand they shortly intend surveying the entire vessel. This looks like bu3ine3S. From what we learn there is little chance of the steamer being withdrawn from the Auckland trade even if the purchase is completed. The fine old boat and her captain have made themselves too firmly an institution of the porb to be " laid on " in any other direction with a chance of equally good returns. The price asked by the present owners is said to be £24,000.

Three seamen of the barque Robina Dunlop were brought into the police-station this afternoon on charges of riotious conduct and disobedience of orders, for which they will have to answer before the Court to-morrow morning.

It will be seen by our Tauranga telegrams that the petition against natives taking a part in the elections of European represen tatives, suggested in our columns some time ago, has beon adopted and numerously signed, and comes up by the Rowena to-day for transmission to Wellington. Other dis tricts affected by this evil should pursue a similar course.

We have much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of 10a. from his Worship the Mayor in aid of the family of Mr. George Pate, whose caEe was mentioned yesterday.

The gold returns from Coromandel are larger at present than for a long time past, and the leading mines never looked better. The Manaia brought up 1,1500zs gold for the National Bank, last night, and another parcel is nearly ready.

The sewer in one parb of Wakefield-street has fallen in, leaving a dangerous hole, into which a woman fell last night, but fortu nately without receiving any serious injuries. Sergeant O'Connor had a fence erected round the opening immediately upon hearing of the accident.

Some stir was caused in town this morning by a rumour that Sir Julius Vogel had unex pectedly arrived. So accustomed has ever} - body become to the startling moves of the great modern political prestidigitateur that the fact of his suddenly appearing on the scene at the present crisis of affairs com mended itself to many as not at all impossible or even improbable, and various conjectures were started as to the effect which his presence might have upon the coming struggle. At Shortland-street corner this morning a knot of eager disputants, who evidently believed the report, worked off the " situation " in no time, laying it down that Stafford seeing his air-castle destroyed, would suddenly discover serious hindrances to his promised support of the goverament measures, and would hold out overtures to Sir George Grey ; that Bowen and Atkinson would commence immediately to make them selves friends of the mammon of righteous ness (with ulterior objects, of course), and that Pollen had already with all obsequious ness tendered his resignation. Other gos sippers would have it that the sudden advent of their feared rather than be loved chieftain had thrown the dove-cot of the present Ministry into dire confusion, upsetting all their little plans, and making one too many in the family party ; that accordingly Stafford and Pollen feeling them selves sufficiently strong, had ouly received the important telegram with a cool remark to the effect that Sir Julius had far better have stayed at home with the Agency General and his promised £2000 a-year, and not have come disturbing their little ar rangements ; it was even maintained that the reply to the telegram had contained this meaning very thinly veiled, and that on receipt of ie the angry statesman had at once opened communications with the leader of the Opposition. Other equally probable con clusions were arrived at, but just as the fate of the colony had been traced in the imagination of these philosophers through every conceivable combination and compli cation likely to be caused, it was discovered, much to the disappointment of the newsmon gers, that instead of the statesman it was only the schooner Julius Vogel which had arrived in the Manukau last evening.

The Wellington correspondent of the Cross (who invariably looks at political matters through Government spectacles) informs the readers of that journal to-day that the Press is unanimously in favour of immediate aboli tion, and, among other journals, mentions the Lyttellon Times as supporting that view. Singularly enough, in the same paper is a summary of those identical remarks by the Lyttelton Times which unequivocally con demn the proposals, and the first meeting on the subject held in Canterbury, namely tbat of the Selwyn electorate, unanimously passed resolutions against abolition without an appeal to the country, and resolved to tele graph to their representative to resist fche enormons concentrating power in the General Government provided by the Bill. The s Otago Daily Times was another authority quoted by the Cross, yet our tele grams to-day inform us that the Timrs asserts that no Otago member who votes for the bill will be re-elected. This is one way of creating popular opinion.

The manager of the Old Men's Eefuge desires to acknowledge with thanks the receipt, from " A Friend," of a parcel of books and papers for the use of the inmates.

Messrs Brogden and Sons have made the offer for building a railway from the Thames to the Waikato. The terms upon which the offer is made are said to be that the tirm are to receive from the Government 200,000 acres of land. The details of the proposed ar rangements have not come to hand but should Messrs Brogden's offer be in any way reasonable the colony would be greatly benefited by the negotiation. The members of the firm having great personal influence in England would be able to induce an influx of immigration with a view to the special settlement of the land and so a large and rich tract of country would be opened up in the province. We shall await with some interest further particulars of the scheme.

We have received from Captain Lloyd and crew of the s.s. Taranaki £10 2s, subscribed towards the widow and orphans of the late Captain Doble. The whole of the amount was subscribed by the crew of the ship. The captain and crew of the schooner Golden Isle have felao subscribed £1 11s Gd towards the same object.

Owing to a full rehearsal on Monday even ing next by members of the Choral Society at the Choral Hall, the new quarter of Mr Brown's part-singing class is postponed until Monday 16th, when it will be commenced in the large room of the Young Men's Christian Association.

At the meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge, Independent Order of Good Templaes, last night, the following officers were installed for the ensuing quarter by Bro. Brooking, Grand Worthy Secretary, assisted by Bros. Salmon and Stickley :—WC.T., Bro. Wormß; W.S., Bro. J. McGregor; W.T., Bro. S. Moulden; W.M., Bro. J. McCuit; W.0.G., Bro. J. Walker ; W.L.H.S., Sister Lightfoot; W.D.M., Sister McCuit; W.V.T., Bro. E Lightfoot; W.F.S., Bro. J. Lee; W.C., Bro. J. Crawford; W. J.G., Bro. Ball ; W.R.H.S., Sister Lee ; W.A.S., Bro. Burns.

The first football match of the Banks and Warehouses will be played on the 14tti instant.

The drawing of the Art Union to liquidate the debt on the Convent, Parnell, came off yesterday in St. Patrick's Hall, BFobson street, —Father Fynes, to whom the success of the affair is very largely due, presiding. Four hundred tickets of ten shillings each had been disposed of, and the drawing re sulted in the foliowing distribution of • the prizes : —1. The surrender of Mary Queen of Scots to the Confederate Lords at Carberry Hill in the year 1857, splendidly worked in Berlin wool, floss silk, and gold, value £100; Captain Casey (ICO). 2. Fire screen, in em broidery on black cloth, elegantly framed, value £5 ;E. Mahoney (51). 3. Sodom and Gomorrah consumed by fire, in Berlin wool, neatly framed, value £5; —.McCabe(lll). 4. A handsome cushion in Berlin raised work, value£3los; Mrs Dempsey (289). 5. Group of artificial flowers, under glass shade, value £ 3 10s; Mrs E. Davis (382). 6. Handsome cushion on white velvet, Poonah painting, value £3 10a; George Elliot (138). 7. Music stool, value, £2 lOaj-Carroll (256)). 8. Large handsome doiJ, value £2 10s; James Conway (349). 9. Group of flowers in Poonah painting with gilt frame, value £1 10a; James Conway (175). 10. Handsome smoking-cap, nicely braided on black velvet, value £1 10s ; W, H. Parker (392). 11. Pair of crotchet anti-macassars, value £1 10s ; F. Quick (66). 12. Pair of slippers, in Berlin wool and beads ; Mr John McGallagher (255.)

We learn that the proprietor of Ellerslie Garden b.as decided to hold a monster gather ing of athletic sports at that favourite resort on the 9ch of November next. A full pro gramme will be published at an early date. For the present it is enough to say that the prizes will be richer that have been yet given, and that the principal trophy will be awarded to the winner of a handicap over a popular distance.

The illuminated temple of the Juvenile Pioneers of this city will be opened this evening at half-past sdven, according to announcement, for the reception of the ac credited members of the City Band of Hope.

We beg to acknowledge the receipt of £1 for Widow Doble and 10s for Jackson, from Dr. Kenderdine.

We give insertion to the following to shew what extraordinary reasons some people will give for doing the most ordinary things: — Dear sir, having Beene a Good tempelar for years having to leave the lodge I belong to Drew my Clearancecard Went Down south and Joined a lodge Down there and Came Back again. Went up to the Edentearrace lodge last night they Wouldnot admit me because i Belong to another lodge and as i Could not Wait in the Cold for my Brother to Come i had to go to an hotel and had to Drinck there Which i never tasted for years it may Be isly seen What a noble order it is When they Would not admit a Brother. — i am, Do right.

The members of the Hobson Company met for their weekly drill last evening in the Catholic Institute, when each member present received a new Snider, according to previous notice. Lieutenant Clifton read the district order for the monthly inspection, in lieu of Capt. Dignan, who is suffering from a severe cold. The inspection will be held on Tuesday next, with the band, at the usual hour in the evening.

An emergency meeting of the United Ser vice Lodge will be held this evening, at the usual hour, in the lodge-room, Masonic Hall.

Mr Justice Gillies and Captain Daldy were among the passengers of the Taupo which left the Manukau for the South this morn ing. Judge Gillie 3 goes on a circuit to Nelson, while Captain Daldy journeys to Wellington on public business connected with several important measures to be brought before the House of Assembly this session.

'The final exhibition of Messrs Baker's Grand Hibernicon will take place this even ing in the City Hall, the proceeds to be given to St. Mary's Orphanage. We may repeat that Baker's Bibernicon, illustrative of the scenery and music of Erin, is one of the most pleasing of the many entertainments that are from time to time placed before our citizens.

The lime-light lecture entertainment of Mr Dennes last evening, in the school-room of St. Mary's, Parnell, was very well attended. The children and young people evinced much pleasures at the pictures of the abbeys and cathedrals of England, as they passed in review before their eyes. The description of the scenes, though brief, were sufficient for the purpose and calculated to inform the young mind without oppres ing the memory. At the close of the enter tainment a vote of well-deserved thanks was accorded by acclamation to the lecturer,

At the Eden Terrace Lodge, 1.0. G.T., last night, the officers at the ensuing qinrfcer were installed as follows, by Brother S. Brooking, G.W.S., assisted by Brothers Brown and Robertson:—W.C.T., Brother Jno. Shaw ; W.V.T, Brother A. J. Mears ; W.S., Brother P. \. Wilson ; W.F.S., Brother W. Stevenson ; W.T., Sister Mears ; W.C., Brother C. O'Connor ; W.M., Brother S. Stockbridge ; W.1.G., Brother Chalmers ; W.0.G., Brother W. Rose; W.R.H.S., Brother F. S. Shepherd ; W.L.H.S., Brother J. Jackson ; W.A.S., Brother J. W. Wilkes ; W.D.M., Brother Gunaon.

The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society was but thinly attended yesterday at the Criterion Hotel, Mr. Goodfellow was called to the chair. The business consisted chiefly in considering a letter from Mr. Vincent E. Rice, on behalf of the Superintendent, intimating that his Honor would consult with Mr. Cuthbertson, M.H.R., with a view to obtaining from the Assembly annual grants to Agricultural Societies ; also, letters on the proposed essay on farming and other subjects. The Society, it will be remembered, offered a prize for the best essay on the sub ject of farming, but the subject, as stated, was so vague, that the Secre tary is continually pestered with letters from intending competitors as to the mode of treatment to be observed, and in this matter the Society can give no definite answer be yond the mi3ty one "We want an essay on farming." Mr A. Calvert, veterinary surgeoD, wa3 elected a member of the managing com mittee, and two gentlemen were for membership.

We are indebted to the Government printer for copies of the Financial Statement, Abo lition, and Local Government 81113, and other Parliamentary papers. Our special correspondent at Wellington forwards w several copies of the Abolition of Provinces Bill, which (we shall be happy to distribute, so far as they will go, to Chairmen of High way Boards or other gentlemen interested.

Mr. James Pettet, one of the overseers of Shoreditch parish, has published the follow ing startling statement:—"'My wife was confined on the 17th of December last, and to our great sorrow the child had to be sacri ficed in its birth. She wished, none the less, to offer her thanksgiving to the Lord for His mercy and goodness, through the pre scribed form in the Prayer-book; and for that purpose ?I spoke to one of the curates of my parish church, telling him that we wished the service on the next Sunday morning, January 10. He said he would ' church' her himself at the close of the Communion and we accordingly attended, and after waiting some time we were told that in her case my wife must offer up a private prayer for herself—that the Church could not help her. We were both astonished and hurt at this treatment, and on Sunday, January 17, in company with the church-wardens, I attended the vicar's vestry, and asked from him the reason. His reply was that "my wife's life should have been sacrificed and the baby saved, and since ifc was otherwise, the Church could not pray for her." The Bishop of London having been appealed to, says that he has communicated with the Rev. Mr. Evans, who is " very sorry," but he "misunderstood" trie matter. Not a word, however, is said about the performance of the ceremony. We wonder what will be the next device to which Saeerdotalists will resort with a view to subordinating the action of the laity to ecclesiastical caprices which have no legislative sanction.— JEuglish Independent.

A story of horrors comes from the neigh bourhood of Paris, where there are certain leech-ponds, from which the Paris market is supplied. It is the hideous custom of the proprietors to tie living horses, too old for work, up to their girths in these pools, when the leeches immediately fasten on them, and, in the course of a day or two, suck their blood till they expire. The brutal people concerned in this inhuman business are, we are told, wont to speak jestingly of the ap pearance of the miserable horses with these black vermin covering their limbs, as " wearing the calecon," (drawers.) It seems that a man named Moulin, the owner of such a pond, had one little boy seven years old to whom he was much attached as such men can be to anything, and that he used to allow his child to play with a superannuated horse on his premises. Considering that his leeches wanted food, however, Moulin took the horse, fastened him in the usual manner a few feet from the shore in the horrid pond, and went about his business, leavin» the horse to be eaten up alive! When he returned home some hours afterwards Moulin missed his boy, and after looking for him in vain in various directions, suddenly bethought him self of the pond. There, indeed, he found the poor little child, who had gone to seek his old playfellow, and had waded into the pond, and there duns ia desperation to the poor horse's neck. The animal, of courae, being chained to his post, was unable to carry the boy to land, and the childs naked legs were assailed and covered by the blood snekers. When the father found his dying son the child also, like the horse, " wore the calecon" Is there no tongue in France to read the dread moral of this horrible story ? " With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."

THE ONEHUNGA STEAM BISCUIT MANUFACTORY.

The arrangements for building and fitting up the above are now so far complete, that the foundation of the building is laid, and the machinery has arrived per Flechero. The foundation is built of solid masonry, the material used being scoria, of which an abundant supply is to hand, some of the blocks used weighing more than half a ton. This substantial work was done by Mr Hoskins, who, some twenty years ago, built the scoria walls of the flour mill .The factory will, for the present, be a two-storied build in» •' but, as the firm extend operations and require more room, an addition in height can with safety be built, owing to the wide base ment, the size of the building will be 60 feet long by 30 feet wide. The machinery is from the well-known firm of T. and T. Vickars, enginers, Liverpool. The plant is of a similar kind to that generally in use, but is of greater producing power than any other in the province. A Vicar's patent travelling oven will be used, dimen sions of which are 28 feet by 6 feet - capable xof baking 45 cwt. of bi cuits in ten hours. Biscuits will be lifted up on to the upper floor by elevators, worked by the mill engine, and, when packed in casec, will be lowered down a tramway in cars, worked also by steani power. The general working of the manufactory appears to be based on such utilitarian principles that the present flour mill will prove in every respect a valuable adjunct. The compound engine, lately erected in the mill by Mes3rs. Fraser and Tinne, is giving the greatest satisfaction. Messrs. Bycroft and Co. speak in high terms of praise oa the fact that, while this com pound engine consumes but one-half the amount of fuel used by the high-pressure engine, it does double the work. The biscuit manufactory finds an auxiliary in the mill, which should make success certain. The engine will drive the entire biscuit-making plant, and be of great service in a variety of ways! The factory will be of brick, and as the material is to be delivered this week, there is every probability of the enterprise soon being an accomplished fact, and the establishment in full working order. It will of necessity take a long time to perfect all the arrangements incidental to such an undertaking, and it will not be fair to ex pect too much for the first few years, it is but the beginning of that which ultimately may prove itself the leading buscuit-factory in the colony. An English factory which started on a similar scale has now 1,500 hands regularly employed. If therefore this Onehuuga factory expands to such magnitude, every man, woman and child in. that village, may become expert buscuit-makers.

POLICE COURT.— This Day.

[Before Messrs. Baber and Dargaville, Jus tices of the Peace.] AGE AND ERROR.

Peter Finn, an old man with a long white beard, who has spent about five year 3in prison, was again brought up on a charge of drunkenness. The old man confessed his error, and was fined 10s and costs.

Peregrine Pinch, another man in years, whose given name wa3 supposed to be ficti tious, escaped oat of Court as soon as his name was called, and consequently forfeited his bail.

Fo(w)ur> PLAY. George Ray, alias White, was charged with stealing four turkeys and twelve fowls, value £2 125., the property of Mr. J. M. Stewart, at Mount Eden on the 20th June. Prisoner said he was not guilty. He did not steal the birds.

Mr. Broham said that Mr. Stewart was unable to be present. He would therefore ask for a remand.

The case was accordingly remanded unti Friday next.

CITY KATES

A long list of city rate defaulters wjs in Court, but Mr Harrop stated that every one of them had paid up.

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Yesterday.

[A portion of the earlier business of the House appeared in a later edition of the Stab, lasi night.] Thames Petitions- Mr O'Neill presented a petition from the Thames in favour of the Thames and Wai kato railway, shewing that it would be only 58 miles between the two places, instead of 150 by the present means of communication. Also from the Thames road boards, show ing the inhabitants to be 12,000, and praying adequate representation. Also, a petition from the Waiotahi Board, praying for pro vision for extension of road to Nolan's Candle light. Auckland and Mercer Bail-way- Mr Luckie gave notice to-morrow for re turns of tbe rates and traffic on the Auckland and Mercer railway. Expiration of Parliament- The opinion of the Solicitor-General waslaid on the table with reference to tbe date of the expiry of the present Parliament,! to the effect that the term dates from the return of tbe writ, which makes the present Parlia ment expire on the 25th of February, 1876. Kiflemen for Philadelphia. Mr O'Neill gave notice to move that a sum be passed on estimates to defray the cost of representatives proceeding to the rifle match of the world at Philadelphia. Telegraph to Mongonui. In reply to Mr Williams, whether it was the intention of the Government to extend the telegraph to Whangaroa and Mongonui, a distance of forty-five miles, Mr Reynolds replied that the distance would be 90 miles, would cost £5,300, and an annual cost of £290. The receipts would not be over £50. As £18,000 had been spent during the past year in extending the line to the Bay of Islands, he hoped the member *.would not urge extension.

Bay Coal Railway- In reply to Mr O'Neill asking the cause of delay in the construction of the Bay railway, Mr Jtiichardson said the advertisement of ten ders was inserted in the Auckland papers by mistake. The estimates were complete, but the necessary engagements by the company were not signed. Mr Steward's Deceased Wife's Sister. Mr Steward's Deceased Wife's Sister Bill was read a first time, and made an order of the day for Thursday. University Bill. In moving the second reading of the Uni versity Act Amendment Bill, Mr, Bowen explained the reply to an application of charter to Earl Carnarvon. He said that the Act asked power to confer unlimited variety of undefined degrees together with Doctor in Arts, Master in Law, Medicine, and Music, Bachelor, Master and Doctor in Science. The powers were not conferred oh the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne. The present bill substituted the ordinary degrees. It was read a second time. Other Bills. Mr. Reynolds moved the second reading of the Marine Amendrrfent Act. The Inspection of Machinery Bill was de ferred till Friday. Sir George Grey's Declaration. Several Bills of minor importance were postponod, and the House came to the resolu tion of going into Committee of Supply. This motion,* which permits the introduction of any and all subjects into debate, was availed by Sir George Grey for clearing away difficulties in future debate by asserting the right to consider the conduct of the Governor; also of the Legislative Council. He referred to his having been called to order on a former occasion when alluding to the Governor. This he did in a speech that its daring statement had a surprising effect

House. Me 8 I repeatedly to order, and so the Speaker to define the limits which! X under the pressure of bir George Grey IP were certainly made enough for all useM **.'* purposes in future debates. It In a really thrilling speech, he denounced f the Constitution about to be rivetted on the - country, especially the Upper House, de tailing with great effect illustrations^ ;% 1 I ; influence on fche sale of land and settr *KKt ral in Otago. He objected to them as*rei^.^. W tatives of nobody, and to the Govei foUHHM having aUied himself to a faction, afex. §1 pression which brought the Speaker t^hi If feet, who declared that Sir Geo>ge could not I ■ bo impeach the conduct of the Governor. I Then, said .Sir George Grey, " Our position I is wretched indeed.'' Then waiving direct I reference, he denounced the action of th e | Ministry as having dragged in the represen. r tative of Her Majesty into the contention" making him send down the Abolition Bill * under disguise of appropriation. His refer. ence to the proposals of the bill as » series of bribes to the country to abandon ' its Constitution and as an appeal to the lowest feelings of the people, p to . | duced very great excitement and applan Se ' He announced the formation of the Oppoij! | tion under his lead, and its intention to I submit proposals for constitutional changes of a far more liberal character, and- giving control of far larger sums raised on ing| principles, and not like the proposals of thoge who offered nothing from their 6wn pockets ' Sir George Grey was cheered continually throughout his speech, which was of a most daring and determined character. He was succeeded by Mr Fitzherbert, in the same strain, aseerting the right to speak unequivocably regarding all partakers in the Government proposals, and elicited from the Speaker an important admission that at times it might be not only a right, but a duty for members to speak in the plainest termsof the Governor.

Sir Donald McLean expressed gratification at the formation of an Opposition, and replied generally to Sir George Grey. It was amusing to watch Mr Inglis during these two speeches. Ever siace he moved the address in reply he seems to think him. self a political unit. Zad;-z sat reclining with his face close to Stafford, and while statesmen listened with gravity becoming tho speaker and the subject, Inglip, like a big fat-headed boy, laughed a.% if in conscious superiority over the two veterans of colonization. The same idiotic aspect, blended with the round red face ami the preponderance of the animal, contrasted with the eloquent utterances that were entrancing the House at the time, and, produced a very striking effect. The House went into Committee of Supply, . i and forthwith progress was reported. t Wellington Bills. Then followed three Wellington Eesenre Bills, with the not-unusual scene of a straggle among local members over concerns of only local interest. Other members were bored and prepared to vote for any thing that would settle the question, and let the House to business. Mr. Macandrew postponed his Highway Empowering Amendment, so as to combine with others of the same ilk. Oliinemuri Bights- Sir D. McLean moved a select committee Ohinemuri miners' rights enquiry, consisting of Messrs Bryce, Curtie, Bradshaw, O'Neill, Ormond, Stafford, Sheehan, Shepherd, May, Sir George Grey, and the mover. This was originally Sir George Grey's motion, and it was carried without debate. The Otago Men at it Again. rr Then succeeded a struggle among'the Otago men over some confounded return of sales and leases of some outlandish block that nobody but Otago cares a pin aboHt. If such is a specimen of what the abolition of provinces will bring, in introducing!local questions of the paltriest- kind, and I suppose it will multiply them tenfold, I fancy mem bers will sigh for the good old timea when there was never more than three Otago land bills in one session of Parliament, andnot more tban twenty or thirty free fights on Otago sales and leases. The call to dinner drew a blanket over the Public Works statement, which was the piece de resistance for the night session. t .

Minister for Public Works Statement.

[By Electric Telegraph.]

WELLINGTON.

Tuesday. , The Hon. Mr. Richardson made his Publio Works Statement this evening.

Cost of Railways. i For the first time that he was ablet to speak with any degree of certainty as tothe coat of the various railways. The Railways Act of 1872 appropriated £3,886,900. Thii was then supposed sufficient for constructing 764 miles of rail -ay, of which 278 mile* were in the North Island, and 486 miles in the Middle Island. Further appropriation* were taken in 1873, amounting to £1,680,000, and additional small appropriations in 1874 the total being £5,777,900 for the construc tion of 1,010 miles, of which 362 were in the North Island, and 640 in the Middle Bland. Now that the actual lengths and cost can be correctly estimated, it is found that

To Complete the Lines , f in the North Island there will be required an additional appropriation of £142,000 for some of them, while on the others there will be a saving of the appropr iatien of £5000! For the completion of the Middle Island lines additional appropriations will be re quired on some of them; amounting to £265,000, while on others there will be » balance of £43,319. Omitting the length from Featherston to Masterton the prewnt appropriations will be £314,081. rp . The Total Appropriation v . will be £6,091,981 for the completion of this mileage fully equipped; 100;: miles of it being of a heavier rail than pre viously contemplated. With three excep tions the lines will be constructed at «B average cost of £5,600 per mile: the excep tions being the Wellington to Featherston, the Port Chalmers, and Dunedin to Moeraki -these costing £10,000, £27,000, and £9000 per mile respectively. There *» open for traffic 278 miles, and 173 nmei more will be ready within three months and 116 miles by the end of the year. t The excess of cost is attributable to the rise in labour and material, the still greater rise in the price of timber, and the heavy cost ot transhipment. The orders sent home nave been very well executed on the whole. Among the additional appropriations re quired on authorised works is £20,000 tot the Auckland to Mercer line. «J Mr. Passmore's Management Com mended. , ~„ The railways open for traffic, worked Dy the General Government, have all, as soon M completed by the contractors, been placed by the Engineer-in-Chief under the immedi»W charge of Mr Pasamore, who was selected on account of the large practical experience ne possessed in connection with the working o the railways in other countries, and particu larly with the narrow guage and working or heavy gradients. This officer has hadanytnug but an enviable task ; but, thus far, tne Government have every cause to be satwneo with the way in which he has carried out the important work entrusted to him. UK Wellington and Masterton railway nw yielded, during the fourteen and a-nau months it has been opened, £1891 los. i«« over and above the working expenses. Afl Napier and Pakipaki line to'.JgfSr • during eight and a-half months, &»f"r The Auckland and Onehunga line has dunng the past year yielded £2149 55«.10d. £» line from Penrose to Mercer b/artorWy^ c opened a few weeks, and could < l^*jnff been considered to have beeni^ —sf or""» order. .' : Jkob^'



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