SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGS WATEH : This evening, 10 35 j^ to morrow morning. 10.5G SUNSET: This e^eni-Jg, 6.4? ; SUNRISE: to morrow tnornin ;. 5 48 - MOON'S *.&£ ; Last Quarter, 231h. 0 30 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Kinglearler, Revenue cutt r, from a cuise So ertign of the Ssas. cnttir. from Wangarei If se. cutter, Irom YVantnpoua

DEPARTURES.

Julia Pryce. schooner, for Russell •Gem sciioofier, f'r Kasstll Prince Alfred, barquentioe, for Lyttelton JKerlin, schooner, f.^r i ireymouth and New Plymouth Dawn, cutter, for Raglan

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Wel ington, via the East Coast-Luna, Govern ment p.s, to-morrow For the Soath-'Wellington, s.s, Ist March F r Aoia and Ttaroton**— Coronet, schooner, early For Newcastle—lsabella, brig, early For "an Francisco—MiU*do, s s., (next English Mail), March 19 For the Islaodn- Martha, barque, early For Naoier— Warwick, ship, early ; Inverene, ship, '. ' early For >ydney and Melbourne- Cj-phrenes, s.s, on st rival "For London—Glenlora, ship, early For Noumea—Kenilworth, schooner, early For Timara—Wave, brig, early

VESSELS EXPECTED

Cyphrenes. s.s, (Rnglish Man"), from San Fr*ncisco, about fith March : sailed 7th instant Hero s s. from Sydney, early Dido; H.!tt.S.;jrotn'Fiii :•" ''■".'!' \ . Wellingt-m, s.s , from the South, 271h Instant Oolden Isle, schooner, front Russell, due Oriti, schooner, from Oamaru, early Shooting Star, cirque, from London ; s liled Dec 23 Caller vn ship, from London ; sai'ed Ferngien, ship, from London ; sailed Isabel Irs, brig, from > ewcastle ; sailed 11th Belle Brandon, schooner, irom theJfeland*, early Ada, barque, from London ; saved ftov 24 India, ship, from tondmi: sailed Nov 24 Baron Aberdare. ship, from' London; tailed Dec 8 Papua, schooner, from Karotonga, early Ripitlo, barque.from New York, via Adelaide Kyno', brigautine' from Tloturnah, early Bella Mary, barque, from Hobart Town ; sailed 9th instant Levufea, schooner, from Levuka, early Diphne, schooner, from Levuke, early Harriet A.rmttage, from Dunedin, early Wellington, s.s., from the South, 27th instant Peerless, schooner, from'Lyttelton. Syren, brig, from Lyttelton

EXPORTS.

Per Merlin, Schooner, for Greymonth:—2s tons .ioiners' work. 120 bushels lime,. Watson. For New Plymouth: 22J5 cases kerosene** SO eases cement, 1 hhd. rum, 79 packages groceries, Owen and Graham; 20 cases rum, 1 qr-cask brandy, Cawkwell; 2 cases, Brown, Barrett and Co; 1 case, Kempthorne.— A. Barnes; agent.'! t . j ■!

The cutter Fanny is loading timber for Auckland at Wangapoua. The revenue cutter Ringleader, Captain Gray, re turned after a longish cruise to Wellington and the East Coast. On the 17th and 18th she was in com pany with a brigantine oft' the East Cape, apparently bound for Auckland. The b.s. Emu was passed on the* 19th, and the schooners Ocean and Colonist, bound for Auckland, sighted off Mercury Bay. The schooner Merlin left the Manukau for Grey mouth and NeW Plymouth this morning. She took a full cargo, as detailed under the head of Exports. The cutter Dawn left the Manukau for Ragliiv. this morning, with a general cargo. A. Barnes, agent. The'barqueatine Prince Alfred left this morning, with a fine south-west breeze, for Lyttelton. The schooner Dauntless is transf erring part of her cargo into the Glenlora in the stream, for tranship ment to London. The schooner Kenilworth is alongside the wharf taking in timber for New Caledonia. She is at pro sent receiving the, cargo of the cutter Hose, jufrt arrived from W.ahgapoua, with 24.000 feet. The JTannie and the Rob Boy are hourly expected, and will bring sufficient to fill her tip. The Kenihvorth is to sail about Monday. She will not call at Norfolk Island. The brig Isabella is discharging her coal into one of the coal hulks in the stream. The topsail schooner Golden Isle left Russell a week ago to-day, arid has not been heard of since. She has probably put into one of the coast jioi'ts out of the late easterly gales reported by the Magio. The barque /v'nazi will commence discharging her cargo to-morrow..; < , ■ . The Government steamer Lima will probably leave to-morrow for Wellington, via the ports on the East Coast, with the Hon. Sir Donald McLean. A telegram has been received by Mr Malcolm Niccol stating that the schooner Peerless was to leave Lyttelton to-day for Auckland. The ketch Maid of the Mill arrived at Opotiki on the 23rd inst; She grounded on the Spit inside the bar, but'was expected to float the next tide. The clearances at the Customs to-day were confined to a few coasting vessels. The schooner Kenilworth entered outwards this afternoon for Noumea. .: The ship Warwick has we learn been chartered to load wheat at Lyttelton for London, after discharging her iron at Napier. . . ■. '■' ■ - The iron buoys for. the three screw moorings on the east side of the wharf will, we are informed, be ready to-morrow. ...'.-.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

■Wellington, This Day.

The Wellington- left yesterday for Nelson, Taranaki, and Manukau, with the following passengers:— Mr and Mrs Brown, Mr and Mrs Howard and child, Mr and Mrs Passmore, Mrs Hart, Miss Staples, Messrs Robertson, Winks, Bridges, Hobbs, Staples, Heteruka, Mavin, Morley, Land, Gould, Owen, Rankin, Adams, Williams (2), Connolly, and Taylor.

Nelson, , This day. The s.s. Taranaki. .arrived at midnight from the Manukau.,,... r . •,,,,.,,

COMMERCIAL.

OATJ-S AND IXIYTDENDS. The following we the cvi rent calls and dividends payable in thß companies named below:—

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows :— For Thames, to-morrow, at 5.30 p.m, For Coromandel, to-morrow, a r. 10.30 a.m. For Mahurnngi, Matakaua, Mang&wai, and AVaipu, per Lady Bowen, on Saturday next, at 10 a.m. For Taranaki, and Southern provinces, per Wellington, on Monday, Ist March, at 1 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per Cjphrenes, six hours after arrival For Whitiangi, Tairua, Opotiki, and Napier, via Tauranga, per Southern Cross, on Monday next, at 3 p.m. For iiussell, Wangaroa, and Mxngonui, per Rowena on Mtnday next, at 4 p in. (Signed) S. B. Biss, Chief Postmaster,

MARRIAGE.

JJwtno — Carter On Wednesday, 17th instint, at the Cottage of Content Hotel, Victoria street, by the Very Rev Robert MoKioney, George B. Is.wing, to Louisa Carte. No cards.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

A lettsr from Mr P. .1. Dalton, C E., has been received too late for iruerlion t i-day.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1875.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong Li.ut needs resistance, v !>r the future in the; disUnce. And the good that we can do.

Ths re-eatrance of Sir George Grey on public life will be to many minds a puzzle. We are so accustomed to look on pubiio life as but one of the many paths to private aggrandisement, that we fiud difficulty in dissociating the life of a public man from self-seeking. If a man has not his eye fixed on the loaves and fishes, or on the patronage for his friends and dependents, he is regarded as having his reward in the distinction attaching to high position, and monstrari diffifo is to many the spur to public action. The public esbimafce in this regard is not often wrong, and it is this that makes the position of Sir George Grey per plexing to the general mind. That he who has five times held the reinß as a Colonial Governor ; that he who in that capacity has shown ability and won distinc tion second to that of no other in the same capacity ; that he who is possessed of enor mous wealth, and of no impecunious depend ents ; that he with a prestige that leaves nothing more, at least in colonial life, for his ambition ; that he with means that preclude the merest suspicion of avarice; that he with nothing of a personal kind that the keenest eye can discover to tempt him from his most delicious and elegant retirement, that he should enter into the arena of colonial politics, that scene of mean motives and meaner suspicions, is cer tainly, if not a puzzle—as it is to many minds —at least an incident that throws a new light on public life. Our colonial public life has not heretofore tempted out men in the position of Sir George Grey. It remains to be seen what power will his example have. The most cynical will find difficulty in discovering any reason in Sir George's action, save a self-sacrificing desire to benefit his adopted country; and we think there will be hardly ore in the: colony carefully considering his con duct, and impartially weighing motives, but will give Sir George credit for sincerity when he says, as he said in one of the recent interviews, "I am ready to become even a messenger, if I can in that capacity be of service to the country." It is quite unneces sary for us to speak a word as to the advantages likely to arise to this province, if Sir George's willingness to act is accepted by the elecbors. Few, we believe, thought that he would ever consent to accept this lower room after having with distinction occupied the topmost; and it was this belief in the unlikelihood of accep tance that was the only stumbling-block in the getting in of signatures to the requisition for his candidature in City West. This stumbling-block of disbelief, which would have been far greater had a requisition been started in relation to the Superintendency, is now removed, and with something like surprised delight the public now know that Sir George Grey's invaluable services are at their disposal. This much has been achieved by the late visit to Kawau, and now it but remains for the public to joyfully express their satisfaction at Sir George's self-sacrin'ce and to take steps to gladly avail themselves of his statesmanship. Of course we do not think that the gentlemen whose names have already appeared in connection with the Superintendency will now preserve their original intentions, and we trust thab they will do honour to themselves, and respect to the public in gracefully yielding the position to ; Sir George Grey.

In consequence of the absence from town of the captain, there will be no meeting of the Auckland Rowing Club this evening as proposed. .'•" 3

Most of cur readers are more or less familiar with ;the New Zea'and career of Sir George Grey, and also with the important; part he toik in connection with the Kaffir disturbances in (Jape colony ; but the brbf sketch of his career, given in the following ehorfc biography, which we take from "Men of the Times,"'will, iio doubt, be read with ere»t interest ju?t now. It will be observed that Sir Georae is now 63 yeats of age : — " Sir George Grey, X.C.8., posthumous son oF Lirtut.-Col. Grey, of the 30th foot, who fell at Barlajns in 1.512. was educated at Sandhurst College, and entered the army about 1529, but soon after retired wiih the rank of captain. lv 1839 he took a leading part in exploring the interior of what is now denominated Western Australia. In 1841 was appointed Governor of South Australia, and held that post till 1846, when he was nominated Governor of New Zealand. There he displayed such administrate talents that he was created in 1848 a K.C.B. (Civil divi sion), and in 1854 was advanced to the governorship of the Cape of Good Hope, which he held until 1801. when he was re quested by the Colonial Office to resume the governorship of New Zealand, in the hope that his tact and firmness would bring the war raging there to a satisfactory conclusion. In this he succeeded, and the insurrection of the Maoris in 18C3-4 was under his auspices, by the enei'gy and skill of General Cameron, suppressed. Sir G. Grey is the author of ' Journals of Discovery iv Australia,' pub lished in 1841 ; ' Polynesian Mythology and Traditions of Kew Zealand,' in 1855 ; 'Proverbial Sayings of the Ancestors of the New Zealand Race,'in 18.18," and other works on New Zealand.

One of the chief events in celebration of St. Patiick's Day will be the ball of the Auckland Branch of the H.A.0.8. .Society. This society has grown with remarkable rapidity, and its members consider that they cannot better celebrate their anniversary than by holding a ball on the great national fete day, St. Patrick's Day. The prelimi nary arrangements are now being made, and will, we are assured, be such as will secure the s\xccess of the celebration.

A meeting of the members of the Board of Education is being held as we go to pre=>s, present Messrs Campbell (chairman,) Darga ville, Prime and I-usk. The business before the meeting is of the usual order, consisting of applications for grants, subjects of letters, and other matters.

The progress of photographic art bai been very remarkable among the artists of this city within the last few years. " We saw yesterday ft very excellent view of the Auck land cemetery, with the little church of Sb. Sepulchre distinctly shewn in the distance. Tha undulating pcnery on either side of the hollow was effectively displayed. We luar.ierl tint ths view was recently taken by Mr Stetle, of Mrs Pulman's photographic moms, in Shortland-street. The work re flects very creditably upon tho artist.

The TJev. A. M. Henderson of Melbourne will deliver a lecture this evening, in the Wcsleyan Chnreb, Pitt-street, on " the crea t!oa of the Heavens,"

Tho monthly meeting of the mombers of the Prince of Wales Lodge, of Freemason" for ordinary business, will take place this evening at at half-past seven.

The members of the Excelsior Lodge of Good Templars held an open meeting last evening in Sheridan street. Mr Binns in the chair. Several good speeches were given by Mrssra Battley, Smith, and Booth. A sister sang a pretty Scotch sone, which, in the absence of music, was nicely sung ; other songs were sung by members of the brother hood, and recitations given. We understood that the choir would tan", which would have have rendered the meeting still more in teresting.

Persons who pass the strand day by day cannot have failed to remark upon the rapid progress which Mr Lannican has been making with his contract for the. filling in of the inner intake in Mechanic's Bay. A very small porlyin now remains to be reclaimed, and some eight or ten acres of very valuable ffew land xxill be shortly in the possession of our Harbour Board. The material for filling in has been obtained up to within the last few days from Fort Britomart, and the thousands of loads removed have made a very palpable impression upon this fast decreasing eminence. From the beginning of this week Mr Lannigan hap, we notice, been obtaining bis loaos from the hill on Parnell Rise. This saves the contractor a Urge amount of dis tance in carting the stuff, antl will no doubt tend materially to make the contract a paying one, an issue which was very much doubted when the low figure at which Mr Lannigan tendered for the work was first known. But it was generally understood that the contract compelled the re moval of the Fort contemporaneously with the filling in of the intake. If this was the case, and the Board have, as we understand, released Mr Lannigan from this part of the bond, it is hardly the correct thing, or fair to the public and other tenderers. No doubt the removal of Parnell hill is a desirable operation, but the l-azing of Fort Britomart is of much greater public importance, and should be steadily pressed on. The railway contractors are working at this, using the stuff to fill in the western end of the outer intake ; but we should like to see the work going on faster.

j The laying down of the large drain-pipes in Shortland-street is now a, fait accompli, and the wwk constitutes an improvement which is well worthy of notice. The pipes are of sufficient size to carry away the large torrent of water which in wet weather is accustomed to pour down this much fre quented thoroughfare to the destruction of the roadway and the inconvenience of pas sengers and residents.

A singular death is recorded in a Honolulu journal. A young native named Kaulua, living near Kailua, while out fishing, had his hand (on the back and near the thumb) badly cut by the sharp points on the back of a fish called alaihe. The hand swelled up enormously, and notwithstanding medical treatment, lockjaw set in and caused his death.

Captures of 50,000 mullet at one haul are said to be not infrequent in one part of the Hawaiian group.

Mr Gouk has nearly finished the work of constructing the brick culvert, which is to carry the Stanley-street drain across Mechanic's Bay intake. The work is of a very substantial character, three rows of pile 3 having been driven into the mud, with four inch planking resting on them, as a foundation for the stone work. The sides of the culvert are nearly two feet thick of solid scoria blocks cemented ; the arched roof will be a fine specimen of close brickwork. The thought suggested to everyone on seeing the work is—Why can't the whole length of the Stanley-street drain be bricked in ? No wonder fever is about when such nuisances are permitted.

OUR PIGEONS,

For once we have been egregriously sold by our usually faithful servants, the carrier pigeons. We had four despatched to Kawau to carry back the important tidings thence expected. One of fchese was flung aloft at five o'clock on Tuesday evening, having attached to its leg the brief pigeongram which appeared in our yesterday's issue, giving in general terms the acceptance by Sir George Grey of the requisition of City West. This arrived on the following morning. The remaining three pigeons were given in charge at Kawau, with strict injunctions that they were to be kept without food. We presiime such an order must be a violation of the laws of the island, for on the following morning, horror 1 the floor of the cage vras covered with the finest wheat. The prospect of faithful work was rather a blue one. Hdw

eveV one of them was selected— one which had already flown from Wangarei to Auck land, and to liis leg was attached, a lengthy message which would have titled nearly a column of the Star, giving full details of proceedings, and of Sir George Grey's address in reply. The bird was sent aloft at a quarter to eleven yesterday forenoon, and after soaring around for half-a-dozen tanes struck off in tbe direction of Auckland. Half-an-bour later* the third bird was taken out, and to him was attached a synopsis of the previous message. After Boating around he settled for ten minutes on the top of the chimney of Sir George Grey's residence, making evident enquiries with bis bill into the nature of his rpessage. Thence dislodged, he struck a straight course for the Evening- Star office. The fourth bird, in order to make assurance trebly sure, was retained until the Lariy Bowen was within a mile or two on the other side of Whangaproa peninsula. Two messages, duplicates, being synopses of previous mes sages, were attached to his legs, and he was flung aloft, He soared round twice, and then darted off as if shot out of a gun, straight towards Auckland. He must have seen the city, perhaps even the cage on the top of our office. A-lack-a-day ! Not one of the three turned up here till this morning. It was tbe hospitality of Kawau. t

REQUISITION TO SIR GEORGE GREY.

SIR GEORGE (JREY CONSENTS TO

STAND FOR CITY WEST

ANii van THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

The requisition to Sir George Grey, inviting him to allow himself to be nominated as representative of City West, in the House of Representatives, which has been in prepara tion for the past two months, was on Tues day transmitted to that gentleman at his residence at Kawau. A few of the electors of that constituency, namely, Messrs W. C. Wilson, P. Dignan, J. Sheehan, and G. M. Reed, some of whom had taken a very active part in originating and carrying through the movement, proceeded to Kawau in charge of the requisition, and arrived there by the fast and favorite Royal Mail Patent Paddle Steamer <;Lady Bowen" onTues^ay afternoon at four o'clock. Some time after arrival, the object of the visit was explained to Sir George. The gentlemen composing the party presented the original documents containing the autographs of upwards of 700 electors, and at the same time a printed copy neatly done up having the same names in alphabetical succession. It was explained to Sir George by his visi tors that the list bore 709 names, all of which (with the exception of tive or six signed in error by persons resident, but not enrolled on the electoral list) were the names of honn fide electors of City West. It was further explained that the list bore the names of many who held views distinctly opposed to those of Sir George oa constitutional and ottier questions, but who, notwithstanding those views, felt what benefit it would be to have tho services in public life of a man of the ability, the great experience, knowledge of political questions, and high character of Sir George, ar;d who in consequence were among those most willing and delighted to si^n the requisition. It was furoher 'ex plained that the requisition was signed by a far larger number than had ever voted in the districb in any contested election; in. fact, bore the name of almost every elector in the constituency who could be reached, and that it was in the very fuliest and truest sense a call from the whole electorate. Each of the visitors expressed in succession bis own views of,the position, and his reasons for the acceptance of the invitation. Sir George replied at great length, reviewing the posi tion with that distinctness and ability which might be expected. He stated he felt bouud to not shirk duty when thus called on, and that a man should be proud of an opportun ity of making sacrifices if by such sacrifice he could not only do good but Bet an example which might lead othara to the performance of duty. He cordially expressed his willing ness to place his services at the disposal of the electorate ; and since that has furnished a written reply to the requisition which appears in another of our columns. This business being over, the visitors jthen introduced the subject of the vacant Super intendency. They hardly ventured to hope that he would consent to Buch an entire abandonment of his leisure as would be implied in the acceptance of such an office ; but considering the advantages that would be conferred by his being elected Superin tendent, they felt bound to urge that he would give encouragement to steps being taken towards his being placed in nomi nation. They felt convinced that the wntile province would be delighted at toe idea of his becoming Superintendent, but that the public would not believe he would-jftpcept the position, unless some intimation" were afforded of his viewstffi the subjefll After the gentlemen preßentihad^expreased their views severally on troTsubject, Sir George replied that he was wnljftly taken by surprise by this proposal; tbat it was a new thing, and he would like fco consider it till the following morning. He felt that the Super intendency was due to Mr O'Rorke, who had set an example of self-sacrifice and patriotism that should not be overlooked ; and he Sir George would not entertain the consideration of the subject for a moment if he thought it was not entirely agreeable to Mr O'Rorke. The gentlemen present assured Sir George that Mr O'fiorke was of the first to mention his name, and it would be to that gentleman a source of much satisfaction if Sir George were elected to the Superinten dency.

On yesterday morning Sir George Grey met again with the gentlemen composing the party of visitors, to converse farther respecting the vacant Superintendency. He said be had taken ample time to consider the subject, and had come to the same- con clusion as to duty as on the previous day with reference to the requisition from City West. He considered it the duty of every resident in the colony to place his services at the disposal of the people if they demanded it, aud the higher a man's position and the greater his wealth the greater was the duty. He did not consider that his previous position as Governor should in any way deter him, for he had certainly spent a long life in public capacities, and felt himSelf bound not to shrink from any position where the experience and knowledge thus acquired could be of service to his fellovr-colonists. The very sacrifices, whether pecuniary or of personal comfort and enjoyment involved in his acceptance, were only additional argu ments in determining him ; for at least the example would not be without great benefit, and influence, - and might be the means of putting some check upon the practice now growing up of wealthy colonists going home and leaving the colony to its fate ;,and the fact that he was blest with means and master of his own time was also only ad ditional reason obligatory on him to place his services at the disposal of th« province. So far from considering that his taking part in the business of the province and colony was derogatory, he regarded it both as an honor and a duty. It was an honor to be called on to take a prominent part in building up a great nation, and serving one's fellow creatures, the two noblest tasks, perhaps, which a man could be called on to perform. He was in the hands of his fellow colonists, willing to serve if called upon, and content to remain in retirement. The gentlemen present expressed their great gratification at the noble sentiments expressed by Sir George, and their confidence that it would be received with great satisfaction throughout the length and breadth of the

province when announced that he was will ing, if called on, to undertake the duties of the Superintendency. The forenoon of yesterday was spent by the visitors, as the previous evening had been, in roaming over the heights, and view ing the gorgeous scenery of the island and i s surroundings, and the strange collection?, bith in the animal and vegetable worL', with which the proprietor has enricheu his lovely island home. While the won ders of his library with its rare o d manuscripts, and all the luxuries of learning, leisure, and wealth, combined to produce a feeling of almost regret that any effort should be made to tempt the pro prietor to come forth from sach a retreat of happiness, and mingle in fche paltry squabbles of the world. Indeed, two of the party, Mr W.C. Wilson and Mr Dignan, had all their resolution shaken, and like the two ruffians who had come out to mur.ier the " Babes in the wout.," relented, and were found by their two companions using all their efforts to dissuade Sir George from leaving such an abode of peace. At one o'clock, the whistle of the steamer was heard from behind the headland, and in a few moments the noble proportions of the stately Patent Paddle steamer appeared in the bay. Bidding a kind and cordial good-bye to their hospitable entertainer and his household, the visitors turned their faces Auckland-ward, with very kindly recollections of their brief stay on the island, but with sincere congratula tions on the success that had attended their mission.

OHINEMURI.

(PER STAR CARRIER PIGEON.)

[From Our Special Correspondent-]

THE OPENING OF TdE FIELD,

NEW STORES GOING UP,

MR. MACKAY'S MOVEMENTS

Mackaytown, Thurs lay morning. The boundary surveys are finished, and the plans on the schedule ready fur the natives to sign. Tliis will conclude the transfer of the goldfidd. Mr. Mackay will h*ve charge of the field a3 General Government Agent. It is rumoured that the field is to be opened on Monday next. The road to the Government township is lined with pack-horses, drays, and sledges carrying timber and stores. "New stores are going up in all directions.

The Latest.

(PER PIGEON EXPRESS.) JPaeroa, to-day, noon. The schedule to the Ohinemuri deed has been completed just this moment —"twelve o'clock," signed 'by Te Jdira aud three other natives, and by Mr Mackay, who is about to leave in the Effort for Auckland, calling in at Grahamstown on. the way. Mr Mackay addressed the natives present, and congratulated them on the fact that the struggles and squabbles of several years were finished.

Te Hira said they would do no wrong themselves, but if wrong were brought to them by the diggers they would not be to blame. This is the last of the legal documents, and all details are now finished.

PROSPECTORS' LICENSES.

Numbers of individvals have applied to the Government for prospecting claims, from which fact the inference mighc n-tturaly be drawn that we are in the midst of pile claims that only require the magic pick to reveal the precioua metal that now lies perdu in tHe deep bowels of the earth. No man, I should imagine, without he was either a fool or else a very great knave and intended to swindle, would have the hardihood to yeques't.the Government to allow him an extra area of ground and protection besides without he had discovered visible evidences of a reef that carried payable gold. The Government; are not disposed to grant protection or re ceive applications for a prospector's license until the goldfield is declared legally open I have; however, heard that there is one ex ception in the case of certain parties who for some years past, before the Public Works' Act came into force, forbiddiqg Europeans from leasing or purchasing native lands in this or other goldtield district, had arranged with f tVe natives, and prospec^eflja reef which they proved to T)e highly aurifer ous. For the truth of the above I can not vouch ; I merely repeat what I have heard. _ ■ ■'• CRIME IN CAMP: ""'' '""" " Increase of population ' invariably means increase of crime ; and I am sorry to have to record the fact that we have amongs us some light-fingered gentry—gentlemen wKb are deficient in brain power, and who seem to have a difficulty in discerning the difference between other people's property and their , own Last week one individual was taken by the police to Shorthand and found guilty on a charge of stealing gold-dust from, his mate, who had recently arrived from the West Coast. Since, then, timber, bacon, and last night a young digger had his tent entered and two £5 notes abstracted from a purse in his trousers pocket.. Such is the case as reported. If so, our twelve Armed Constabulary will, have some business on their bands more -congenial to their stalwart frames than <mmi. I fancy-.that it would be advisable if one of their number was told off for night duty in and around tbe camp. YOUR SPECIAL TaBITD. Such was the intelligence which I forl warded to Grahamstown with other informa tion, and which; doubtless in due. time was received by you, through the medium of /the current called electric. I. am tapu—very much tapu, by the celebrated chief of the Nga te Matua tribe, rejoicing in the magni ficent appellation of Wikokoka Te Unihu. The interesting ceremony consisted of the laying: on >of hands after1 th¥ manner of bishops at a confirmation.- I believe that the above celebrated chief some years ago was in the habit of laying his hands on Europeans, but in a somewhat rougher style than in the case of your special, in fact, in such a rough manner that our paternal Government became deeply interested in. his welfare and whereabouts. Since the important event occurred I have been waiting to see if any thing would happen, but as' yet nothing has come of it excepting the price of a nobbier in honor of the event. lam told, however, that Wikokoka Te Unihuj hearing that I was about to forward you a letter from Perinifci Te Kokokako, who in a large land holder up here, thought that the best thing that he could do was to make me his scribe when at any time he might desire to address the good folks of Auckland through the 1 medium of your columns. " Accordingly, he tapu'd me. Fancy having a Card bearing the following inscription:—" Special correspon dent to the Evening Star, and Private Secretary to the most noble and illustrious Wikokoka Te Unihu, chief of the Ngate matua." ' ;

LETTER FROM AN OHINEMURI NATIVE.

(To the Editor of the1 Evkning 'Stak!)' Ohinbmuri, February 20, 1875. Sir,—For myself, and on behalf of ottier£ my word is we are very much opposed to Te flira and Te Moananni in reference to the flat lands outside > gold fields boundaries They, that is Te Moananui and Te Hira wish to lock up those lands. That is not? fair -f for the whole of us wish the lands 'to be in our hands, to do with as we.think fit; The land belongs to us, and we have a righttq do with it as we like. This is my word toyou; This is the great question But Te Hira and Te Moananui can do as they like, and I will do as I like. This is right, and I will abide by

it. Let the law proteotboth sides The Govern ment have the management of the gold lands, but we are entitled to do as we please with the flat lands. ■ After the meeting I will speak to y«u again. When I speak ot flat lands I include everything thereon. .Let that be understood. PEEINIKI TE Koko kako. —Witness to signature, Ji). P. DixOaN.

THAMES GAS COMPANY.

The half-yearly meeting of the Thames Gas Company was held to-day at the offices of the Company in Shortland-street. Mr O. J. ,-tone occupied the chair, and there was a moderate attendance of shareholders. , ibe chairman having opened the meeting in the usual manner, called upon the Secretary to read the report and balance-sheet for the past half-year. This was done. Ke port of - the directors of the Thames Gas Company (Limited). 30th -January, 18/5. The accounts now submitted to the share holders show the resulca of the company s operations for the half-year ending 3Gth June last. This being the portion of the year during which there is the least con sumption of gas, it is satisfactory to^ find that we have the balance of £823 8s lOd to the credit of the profit and loss account, out of whioh the directors now recommend the payment of a dividend of 4 per cent., absorb in'£7sß 133, and leaving £64 15s lOd t> he ! carried forward. It is anticipated that the profits of the ensuing half-year will provide for the payment of a dividend of 6%, as^in the corresponding half of last year. Ihe development now promising in the Upper Thames will probably lead to a considerable increase of business, as Grahamstown will doubtless become a permanent and vei'y im portant depot for the commerce arising out of the settlements of lands, and mineral dis coveries now in prospect.—For the Directors, Wm. Eapx, chairman.—Auckland, February, 1875." ■ ,

Total ... : • .-■ 3097 9 2 The chairman in moving the adoption oi the report and balance-sheet, after, leferring to tt.e expected but unavoidable absence of Mr Earl from the chair, said that the report spoke for itself and needed but little comment. The fact of there being a large and small half-year was well known to all of them. They were able to offer now a divi dend of four per cenfc ; and no doubb. next half year they would be in a position to make the yearly dividend up to ten per cent After alluding to the prospect afforded by the opening of Ohinemmi, the chairmaa, put his metiou, which was seconded by MrW.C. Wilson. Ihe Chairman having announced that the dividend would be payable at the end of a week, the business terminated after a little good-nalured chaff at the absence of the Chairman without leave, on account of urgent private affairs.

A NOBLE UNDERTAKING-EXPOSURE OF RASCALITY IN HIGH PLACES.

It is so seldom we hear of the bold exposure of wrong through the medium of the public columns that the following extract from the letter of the London correspondent of the Otago Daily Times i* refreshing, (when placed in contrast with the snivelling toadyism and corruption of the newspapers ;of the present ages :—~Xou will doub'less re member the interesting letters from " A Besieged Keaident" published by the 'Daily News during the siege of Paris. The writer of them was Mr Labouchere, a gentleman of property, who has sat in Parliament Middlesex, and is one of the proprietors 'Of the Dally News. He has lately imposed upon himself the task of weeding our imsernpulous speculators from the Stock Exchange by exposing them in the Press. ;The journal he has selectci as his weapon is \The World, and Mr Edmund Yates is its I editor as well as one of its proprietors. plfirst of all Mr Labouchere attacked one \\ Abbot; a notorious jobber in Atlantic cable |shares. Abbot, in revenge, perpetrated a mild kind of assault, in which there was more bluster than anything else, upon Mr ; Labouchere. This i brought the matter into the Police Court, and under the full gaze of the public, the result being that Abbot had to suspend payment a few days later. But Mr Labouchere waa not satisfied with such comparatively small fry as, Abbot.. He next r assailed one Alexander M'Ewen, a financial .agent, and also a cable speculator in sach extremely strong and plain language '■'. that the Stock Exchange stood aghaot) and said M'Ewen must bring an action against the -paper for libel—a step which the World defied him to take—or he must follow ■Abbot's example and suspend payment. , After, wavering for some^ time he chose, the latter alternative,' and is now a bankrupt with liabilities estimated at £400,000, of which thrce-foarths are said to be secured. It is a bold and. hazardous crusade on which Mr Labouchere has entered j but hitherto ihe has-shown << great .skill and courage. His .doings naturally have exo.ited great interest in London commercial circles." -

ST MATTHEW'S CHOIR AND THE CHORAL UNION.

(To the Editor of the Stahv)

Sib,—Your correspondents have" all given an erroneous impression to your numerous readers in their letters upon this subject, the " facts of the case are these : Ever since the formation of the Choral Union, St Matthew's choir have been members of that Union, and their organist, has been its conductor. This year the vestry refused to vote the annual subscription to the Union, .this was all that was in their power fairly and honestly to do, and had they., done no more no one -would have found fault with them, but some of the vestry told the Rev Incumbent that the majority of the choir and congregation were :in favor, of with drawing from the Union knowing at the same time they were (to use a mild phrase) not telling the trtith, aa the first meeting proved, by condemning the action of the vestry by an almost unanimous vote. The secretary of the Union hag acknowledged the receipt of the annual subscription, on behalf of St. Matthew's Choir, from a kind friend, and as the choir have been consulted upon the matter, have decided to take part in the festivals as usual; the adverse vote of the vestry, therefore, will become waste paper. Everyone who- has "attended the choral festivals must have noticed a vast im provement in the service, and th're can be no doubt but that the Union is steadily carrying out all the objects for which it was formed, and its promoters' deserve every credit for what they have already done. Wishing'the Choral Union may go on and prosper, I am, &c, J.B. City/West, 25th February, 1875. [This must close the correspondence^]

PAINFUL DEATH.

A YJ3RY painful death took place at the Mer cury Bay Saw Mills, on the 19th instant. A.,Ma,ori, named. Meta, employed,.by the Mercury Bay Saw Mill Company, was en gagejd at the grindstone, when heiiorneho*' became entangled in the machinery and was drawn round the ahaft. As *oon as tho

accident was observed We msctmeTy -», I s topped, lut the life wsstben a^ostixtirct ; and the unfortunate man e^'f^ ftfelj moments after-wards. At an \ -^ oq the body, a verdict of \ ; death" was returned.'

SALE OF PAEROA TO OHINEMURI.

A most important land sale will be conducted by Messrs Samuel Cochrane & £on, at tha Ac&dwy of Music, Grabamstown**??*" , . .. ramely, the sale of the allotments at Messrs Jackson and Russell's town. ; ship, Paeroa, Ohinemuri. The,, situa tion of this township is admirably described by the advertisement in anothe^ in another column. It is the Mixtf& ing place, and must continue to be so, owinn to the fact that the ri^er is not navigable fdf steamers of e^en moderate tonnage beyoi^ that point. But apart from this vital fact the situation of the township is a Vet l < ■ central one, convenient to all the rehi# points of the eoldfield, so far as it is a t present prospected, and it -will,, also,J ultK mately become the natural Outlefc^forthftJ extensive agricul* ural district i whichVjtfflf eventually grow-up in connection witfegolfl and coal mining on the Upper Thames river; There can now hardly be a Bhad<rv? .-cf'y doubt regarding the future of this 3istrj% The men who have come over froni, Australia are nearly all men personalia familiar with the features of the country and , its prospects. Reefsi haVe" beyond all question already been discovered, and there is a wide area of land which itsrwill' take years to prospect fully. The demand for suitab'e business sices have alresdy sprung up, and it is with a view to meettbig that Paeroa is being brought so early;into tip market. Already some substantial building': have, been epcted in the township by person^ best acquainted with the district. We have ■no doubt that the c6m- . petition for these allotments will be yfcryl keen. We are requested to .call special at tentionto the f; :ct that the sale takes plaoe^ on Saturday, as it was erroneously stated to be fixed for Tuesday in this morning's Crosi. '

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham; Esq., 8.M.) .

THK WASHERWOMAN. OF THE > EAST... ,-t-; Mary Brown, a careworn woman; said to » In the hest washerwoman in City East;-an3: the mother of a large family, was brought;^'1' for the thirtieth^ time on charges either,of;)

drunkenness or vagrancy 1 ';»;.'. Mary, eaid she must plead guilty-to tie charge she had been imbibing again,ut-ii^ become with her an unconquerable.habitji Her -intentions were gcod, ehe. never ;nfeari^ to be drank because it made her'headeobid, the next morning. *■-•. -.■j*ii ■ At the dose of her address she-dropped* her head like a snowdrop. , , I. , It, was /shewn that hapless Mary.was' fonnd by Constable Allen m bjgh-street, -in* a strange condition of existence. She stared' and staggered and fell. Maiy it appeared was stsggerfd at the \ giiht of the coustabie, who helped her to the station, where she slept during the remain in» p%rt of the night. Committed to prison for three monthi with hard labour. ; ;i • «?* t *'l IMPERTINENT SUXLWAN. John Sullivau, from the green banks of" the Shannon, was charged with obstrnctsnga Detective George Jeffrey yesrerday while in ~ the execution of his duty. .: ; ,; , - Prisoner said he supposed he must plead guilty. Defective Jeffrey said that at one" o'clock" yesterday, while on his dnty in Queen-atrett, he was insulted by prisoner, who waaireryj offensive in his remarks. / .i,fjit Prisoner : I on'y bawled out once at ypji^i1 His Worship : You have pleaded.puiliy,,-j and I shall tine your forty shillings andcostg '" or order you to prison for fourteen days. The piisooer chose the latter alternative. : FOBOIKG AND TITTERING. Charles Pembioke was again brought up on a charge .of Jorging and. uttering an,order for payment of the sum of 4:sfwith^intent; to:,deftaudt one Ghartes 'Drmng6ld,! in^'ttie^ month of October last. _ : ;. ;r ; ,:"'/u ; Mr Inspector- Thompson said" thatir tliis case lie had been unable to gather Bufficient evidence to proceed, : althewah' there »wiu " little doubt but that prisoner knew- alUbout the fraud., ;•.■ ; • ■ The prisoner was discharged. . /^t " '. CITY B-.TfS. | Several of these cases were^settlecl^tjois Court ; and the: claim against Mrs Duff, whOj,; had been" Bummotoed in the name of Mwy,,! instead of Margaret, was dismissed!. Mr Philips informed the Court that h»:: thought this case might be proceeded with, "" as Mrs' Duff baft* not) denied "blr indj^te||| ness, He had made a mistake in her name. . " His Worship : Oh; you < cannot do that, you cannot take a summons oufrin'Cne mame, and prosecute-in—another.ooutr t books cannot be properly kept; if th€y;#eri 'properly kept, such erfofs^as 51 thiscouldnot^ ; possibly Occur; .;: * "•'• ■' BDUCATIOir BATES. >. ',!'''' : A number of persons were' sumnipn&i ?•» non-payment, pi .the Education rate, both f|-om; the Thames and outlying districts^ which upon being proved were ordered toi» paid forthwith. i Jobn Shanaghaa, an extremely poor man, of West JNewton, as his appearance and: apparel sufficiently indicated, made an argent appeal to ihe Court in connection with his circumstances. He had nine ch|K dlrf b ,tjpjauppofjS, ajnd was mot alwSya'itt Work. | His usual earnings when in employment was f £2 per week, and only >one or two of his' jChildren.were carping, anything.^ p, q T j Hia.Worship' said the Court could not help him. It appeared that the local committee had -taken off the rate, ; so that he only had the capitation fee to'pay,: ; which he must order'tcrjbe paid forthwith. ; Crow ako complained pf^.'his inability, to ~ spay ; he was left a widower 'with' four, children, aad one was down with the; measles. His Worship :fearedithe:EdueStnotf rate! had the, measles ; as it was evidently \etjiis distasteful to a large, portion .pf the .public. Mr ilees hoped the press*w6Md notice ; these cases, to shew how the rate was dragged out of the veriest poor. 4 T , v 'tjy | His1 ; Worship said thai "the gentlemen of' the press were always ready-to report faith fully upon all matters affecting tae interest of the people. He hoped it .would. ■ &ct af^ | lesson to the people in shewing them tna* | they must exercise the, suffrage with niort/; discretion, and not return men who ( made , laws which were ;s0 distasteful*tb-tlienl. n. I THE ALLEGED INDECENT ASBAOT/IV > »I :In the case of Dugald ' McNaughton, r ■ char^ed'with committing an assault npoav,' child named Burrows, his Worship%atd'tha* the evidence in\ this pa^e, was ithet most ; , remarkable that had ever come.under hW^ notice. :r-The evidence; for r thfe prosecution j was given by tha little girls in a clear, arfc-^ less manner, and the cross-examination BUg""^ gaated by prisoner, tended io strengthen"lfi«'; prosecution Tlien, on the otheFaandj the| witnesses in prisoner's favour were persons^fc highly respectable standing in society, who* contradicted muqh of the - evidence-ifbrfitliei prosecutipD. . The evidence;had,giTOiiihini,'il' large amount of anxiety ; andVre.sp6nsibility«' an<\ after .giving^ to rit his almosfc. sPMf"1! 11 attention, ahe was* bourid tocoicne totnei con>^ elusion that the evidence for the prosecution^, did not. warrant fiini inj ooHimitting.* the prisoner for trial. He mist, therefore .d|S; ; charge r'h'iin."!L ii 'I c, ■ ','. .'■; .•. i v -■'"-" UNNEIGHBOITRLY NEIGHBOOES. I George McCasliri was summoned for nafflg^ obscene and most abominable lango?gS,| towards Mrs Heffernan. , |Mr Ilees appeared for the prosecutrix, M" % A|r Devore for defendant. ,-M IMr Kees described the c^se, which she.we<i»| tßat McCaslin had frequently behaved in • very bad way towards his Client He b*A ■sworn ia a dreadful manner, and the l*"*^

MGB £Vft*iTßrG STAJi iTHtJJ&DAY, ffgB&TJARYv2S; JStJ



CALLS. £ a.'d. • . Date;?/" Central Italy................. -0 1_ 0 — March 10 Bird-in-Harid .I.... 1....".I. 0 4 0— „ 8 Union Beach.;....:•:..'...•/.- 0 2 0 — March 10 I»ride of Tokatea 0 0 6 — „ 10 N.Z. Loan Company ; -1 0 0—,, U N.Z. Loan Company 0 10 0 — June 11



Pbofit and Loss Accoukt.

To Dividend! No. 2 declared £ s. d. August 31 ... ... «• 1122 19 0 „ Coals, etc.. ... ... 470 1 9 „ Stokers' Wages 223 16 0 "Salaries . .- 212 0 0 ,, .Director's Honorarium ... 12o 0 O „ General Expenses ' ... 95 16 4 Bud debts written off ... 21 6 9 JBalanca 823 8 10

Total 3097 9 2 By Balance, July 31... ... 1143' 2 7 ,, G-as Accounts ... •• 1&14 IS " „ Residual Products ... 141 8 7



n I T %$ a;H , A L L . HATS, CLOTHING, 'ovarf. tmhi di i■: ' PRIPT3; S gahrotiri •[1 DRESSES. CARPETS, --: •tatawt oin h; t #Urn wm FLOOR CLOTHS, CHINA MATTING. MILLINERYy .: •: taao *?q c£ ai i;': ~-. - i UNDERCLOTHING, ffoUsa*M*S^s -:txi-r/ o: ?.i ui^ BABY'LINEN. : «AT^COST PRICE, -'- i'& effect a Clearance for extensive alteration of .&& ,-■ * premises; '■'■ no J HOLLO WAY & GARLICK, - liii fcriß ~ • :: ; elT tf HALL. ;!; TOE LI A BLE I'iN-DBMKrr\ Against Loss by Fire secured to Policy-holders in the NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPAN * OF /i . A ., ZEALAND, RepresenMng; ONTs MILLION STERLING ofCapital with Unlimited Liability of its shareholders. -An^ LIBERAL TERMS, ■ atiisti&m '■ :■■■ • PROMPT SETTLEMENT OF LOSSES J' Characteristic features of the Company. ... ~ > AiNDRiSW G. MILLA.R, Manager. Offices- 25, Queen-street mflE V NDEBSIGKBD HAS FQR SALE AND TO ARRIVE: Muntz Metal, Nog 14 to 20ozs ; .-, ■'/ [ : (\ «. Coppering Nails and Felt "Wire Rope, best anaVtty, 1J to Bjin _ ' Chain Cabl'S, | to ljla, Admiralty tested Anchors, ftrm4cwtto lOji.wt, admiralty tei Baxter Brother's Royal Navy Canvas Oourock Canvas, extra quality Christie's Double-crown Royal Navy Canvas Gordon's Koyal Navy Canvas C <Iza Oil, In casks and drums j'atnt Oil, raw and bolWd/in cask and drums ■ Stockholm Pitch and T*r, best quality * sßßsin{'Oakum, Sail Twined t:T «-i: ,-!?;■; "•-. . Pjdnte-r-Wnite, gieen, and. black, *c CVS TO M Ho tT SE-8T RX BT jy^ISSING FRIEND"? Johw PoiidoK.Wo landed in Auckland in 1864, ■ requested to write to hig Brother, Adam Pollock^ Post-office, Awatere, Province of Marlborough. t tt A %fi_ '/ 3 KOl i jl h /.;; ;f ap' *kf?si t, ■



TT7" E HiVE KECEITED Pbr P.S. Hero, THREE CASES CF BLACK AND COLOURED SILKS, Purchased a Job iv London, by our Mr Urahtm. IT^- The ENTIRE LOT will be disposed of at SELLING-OFF PEICES ! J J. COSGRAVE & CO. QE WI N G MACHINES. DEMOLITION OF THE FITTING SHOP, VULCAN LANE. Having received notice to quit on account of re-building, 1 -yviUCLBaE, OliTpartol my Large Stock of FIRST-CLASS SEWING MACHINES At Wholesale Price. The Largest Stbck in Ns/w Zkalakd. PEICES BAKGE FROM 40s TO £78 GEO, W. HESLOP, Proprietor.