SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

PGH YWATJSR t This evening, 7.14 ; to |row morning, 7.48 PST SET: This eyenfcig, 7.3 ; SUN "aiSE: to fWw.moniinK, e.2a lOOH'B AGE : Mew Moon, 6th, 7.84 p m.

ARRIVALS.

€» Alfred, barquentine, from Noumea, via Knssell ona, 8.8, from Eussell

DEPARTURES.

ihern Cross, i.s, Holmes, for {fapler

EXPORTS. er Sonlhern Cross, for JN^pier and Wellington : fc-'asa. oraody, 2 cases hadware. 1 c*sk '. S. wac ff*'.e ; 4 pis 1 box. A. Clark ; 254 pieces timber, j'Mn<iie» sbingie , G. Hod.-hip; I boiler and finings somfcti; 2 parcels. Oct-vina; 2 boxes, Bdits Boyle ; [bonolug wire Cruici-shink ; 30 c*ses mm, 1 1 c*sk sto. Cawhwell ; 1 pa'<el, Tne Vf^yo ; 10 case pdials, John <.rey ; 18 cases, 3 traces, A Clark; 1 »c irun T. & 8. Morrin ; 1 J-cask rum. Cawkell ; ig? rope. £>. H. McKenzie ; 2 cases iron, T. *s, OrriT.; 17 bale- fltx.A Buckwi d ; 2 e*ses 1 dram, bale;'lreland Bos ; 20 bales tow, Phillies & Co :

pircij), Owen & Jra>i*m; 2 timber yv.ka. I cross saw, girter and Co ; 4 pgs. 4 boxes, 1 cases, 1 bottle blllips &<. o ; 1 bag, 8 p^s Kern thorne ; 1 case. Jink; 2 pgs, MjArthur; 1 pg«. 1 box Smith ; bsle leather, 1 pack-go, Ireltnd; 1 saddle bag. filson ; 650 rails, 8 ca-ms Public Works ; i package, pcksey.—A.H P. Company, agents.

The barquentine Princs Alfred arrived this morn "g from Noumea via Russell, with 180 tons coal, lipped at the latter port. Captain Sopwith thus (ports of his voyage. Left the Thames on the 2nd ecember, and arrived at Noumea on the 19th ecember, Nofork Island being passed ■without tiling, owing to the heavy swell runningl. Dis larged cargo and took in cattle, on behalf of the - rerieh Government, for the convict settlement at le Isle of Pines. Sailed on the 7th January, and Cter squally unsettled weather, arrived on the 9th, anded cattle next day. In getting under weigh the essel touched the ground. The French gunboat , Japierre got up steam and towed her off into deep 'ater. * Set sail and proceeded to sea. Experienced ght variable weather on the return voyage, without icident of any kind, until Monday the 18th, when a risk gale from the S.E. set in, listing three days; rrived at Eussell on the 25 th. Took in coals and sft on the 3rd instant. Fine weather with moderate P5. winds down the coast; arrived at 6 a.m. this iorning.

-The Bowena left Russell at noon yesterday, with [ght N.E. wind, fine weather and smooth water, and Eriyed in Auckland at 4 o'clock this morning. Pas engers—Messrs J S. Macfarlane, H. William's, E. Eddleton, Captain Burleigh, Edwards, Oavanagh, 'ampbell, Mosher, Leybourne, Testie, Mr and Mrs Viriter, Mrs Ludbrooke, Mrs Graham, Misb King, ilrs Davies, Masters Williams and Davies, and 7 in he Steerage. Cargo—lo3 bags gum, H. B. Rolph and 3o; 24 do do, Arnold, Hines and Co; 89 do do, itpne Brothers; 22 do do, K. Walker and Co; 20,000 Shingles, Goldie.—Oruickshank and Co, agents, We are indebted toJMr Stodart, the purser, for his usual judget. ...The A.S.P. Co.'s s.s. Southern Cross sailed for papier and Wellington to-day, with a general cargo, aid. : the following passengers: — Mrs Elley, Mrs Dugleby,- Mr and Mrs Carr, Mr Ogilvy, Mr Braith- Waite,'and-four in the steerage. , The brig Drover cleared in ballast to-day for New castle. She will sail the first opportunity. \The Eowena spoke the cutter Magic off Tutukaka ?o3nt on Friday afternoon. The master desired to bet reported. ■--The barque Ayr finished her loading to-day. She is to sail for New York, we understand, on Monday next.

i'The barque Edith Bose, having finished discharg ngj began taking in her cargo of kauri gum for New fork

PORT OF ONEHUNGA.

ABKIVED. Go-ahead, s-S., McGillivary, from Wangatmi, :'■ Charybdis, Braund, from Kaipara.

;'The schooner Gharybdis, Captain Braund, arrived tptflay from Kaipara, -with sleepers. The captain re ports, leaving Kaipara on Wednesday, with light "winds, whicli continued down the coast. She arrived at the wharf, Onehtinga, at 10 a.m. ■ijrhe.B.B. Go-ahead, Captain McGillivary, arrived from'Wanganui to-day. Passenger—Mr Harris. She left Wanganui on the 4th, arrived at Taranaki on the -sth; sailed again and arrived at Onehunga wharf at 12.30;- The weather was calm and water smooth all np the coast. : The Atalanta has cleared for Kaipara with a general cargo.

RUSSELL.—Friday.

| The Ebenezer, Fawn, and Policeman, are loading at the mines.

• . CLEARED. - j- February 3—The Speedwell, Mariner, ana Julia • Price, for the Thames, with 232 tons coal. ;.% Februarys—The Golden Isle, for Auckland, -with 115 tons coal.

WANGAROA.

• -.The barque Eoyal Diadem awived in "Wangaroa on -Wednesday, the 3rd instant, from Dunedin.- II The barque East Lothian arrived from Auckland 5,; on Thursday, the 4th instant.

COMMERCIAL.

<i There was a good attendance at Mr E. Arthur's I poultiy and produce sale yesterday. The following 1 /were the average prices:—Fowls,.l/9 to 2/9; prize I* cochin china, 16/ each ; ducks, 1/5 to 1/9; geese, 3/ to 4/; pigeons, 1/ each; potatoes, 3/3 to 6/6; onions,/I ; *P; fl-M'', cheese, /3 to /7 (according to quality); bacon, /o% to /B}s; butter, /10#; apples and pears, t /i to /2; jams, 6/ to 6/6 # doz.; maize, 5/11 to 6/; and a flour, £14per ton.

CALLS AND DIVIDENDS.

.; The following are the current calls and dividends : payable in the companies named below:— CAIXS. h -'- -: - : £b. d. Date. » Otago... 0 1 0 — February io giNanpare.il ........ 006— 10 Golden 0a1f.... 0 10— " io '^.Queen of the May- '. 02 0 „ 20 ■' divideiti>. ■ , ' Auckland and North Shore , Ferry. Company 5% — due.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails wxdl Close as follows.: — For Thames, ptr Augusta, this diy, at 5 p.m., and on Monday next, at 9 30 a.maud 6 30 p.m. For Cproroaadel, per Hauraki, on luesday next, at 10 30 a.m. For Tar .nafcl and 'Wangamii, per Go-ahead, on Monday next, at 10 a.m. For Whiciangi, Tairua, Opotiki, and Napier, via Tauranga, per: Southern Cros3, on Monday next, at 3 pm. For Russell, "Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per Rowena, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. For Australian Colonies, India, China, Mediterranean ports, uonticent of .Europe, ana United Kingdom, via Suez aad JtSrindisi, per s.s Wellington, on the 11th instant. (Signed) S, B. Biss, Chief Postmaster.

DEATH.

StriiiiWAN—The remains ol Bridget Sullivan, lost two years ago, in th'j Bash, Mdhuran^i, will be interred in the Cemetery to-morrow evening, at 3 o'clwck ; aged 7 years. Friends are respectfully invited. The funeral ■will proceed from.Bt Patrick's Chapel, Wjnfiham street.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1874

For the cause that lack's .-.ssistnTice, For the wrong tint ncuils vo.-i.-.t.'i:ii;e, v yt the future in the dlstiuiw, And the good that we cau do.

We had ceased to take any interest iv King Tawhiao. He was fading out of recollection and it is pleasant to find that his re-appear ance is fended with hopeful signs of the 'Creaking down of the barrier that still stands between civilization and sullen barbarism. The " taihoa" policy has borne fruit, and in different as most were becoming to the sayings and doings at Kuiti, it is impossible to suppress a feeling of pleasure at sight of the hobnobbing between Sir Donald McLean and the Maori King, as recorded in our telegraphic columns. Taken in conjunction with the opening of Ohinemuri the Bcene is significant, and we cannot help thinking that it looks well for our future relations with the Maoris.

A i\ew days since we referred to the remarks made fry Mr Beckham on the painful case of Mr Leggett just committed for trial. We find that the prisoner had retired before the utterance, by the magistrate,, of those words to which we made special reference, as to the severity of the penalty that might be im posed by the Supreme Court. We need not say that this circumstance extracts the most painful elements out of those remarks. Of course we 'entirely differ from the idea of the possibility—whatever statutes might say— of a sentence so fierce as fourteen years' penal servitude being imposed j but His Worship doubtless considered this possibility when fixing the amount of security required; and it appearaj to have been in reference to this that the remark was made, and after the prisoner had beea removed. We are the more pleased to know and to state this, from having become aware that Mr Beckham is showing the greatest kindness and solicitude towards the children of the unhappy prisoner ; personally interesting himself in having them placed in circumstances in which their welfare will be promoted, while deprived of the protection of one who was a kind and affectionate father. The necessity for such interest being taken by some one in these poor children is generally known, and we are greatly please,d to learn that the magistrate who had the painful duty to perform of sending to trial one whom he had long personally known and esteemed, is now acting as a friend and guardian to these more than orphaned chil dren;

We understand that quite an alarm has been created among the printers of Auckland by the three little, girls to whom we yesterday referred as being introduced by us into the arts and mysteries of printing. We observe in the morning papers that a meeting of the "Typographical Society" is to be held to night, the purpose of the meeting being "to take into consideration what steps should be taken in reference to the recent introduction of female labour by Messrs Reed and Brett into their office, which is already over crowded with boys." The latter addendum shows that the influence at work are exter nal and hostile to the Evening Stab, it being a fact known to all the printers in Auckland that there are fewer boys, in pro portion to men engaged, in type netting in the office of the Evening Star than in that of either of our morning contemporaries. If by cur " office being overcrowded with boys " the runners of the Star are intended, we admit the melancholy fact, especially about half-past three in the afternoon, but we cannot see any other way of distributing our papers.- With reference to the question of the introduction of female labour, we are rather surprised at the Typographical Society.

Perhaps we are premature id anticipating,' but that amid the genial liberal generous influences of colonial life any wewshouldobject to theright of women to share in anything for which they might qualify themselves, and in which they might earn an honest livelihood, is. to us inconceivable. There is something in it so unmanly, so purely selfish, that we could scarcely think it possible. To he afraid of a woman pushing them aside in this new and growing count y would mani fest such a pusillanimity in men connected with the sacred guild of literature, and en gaged in disseminating over the land-winged words that fly for the relief of the weak and he!plei-s, would certainly be a stigma on tbe craft.; and to think that in a country into which immigrants are pouring in thousands evf ry month, the introduction of a few girls or e•• en any number of gii Is into the lighter depaitments of printing could have any appreciable influence on the position of men compositors, would betoken such an amount of narrowness of mind, and ignorance of the wo rid as few would anticipate from persons from whose hands proceed daily the broad" sheets of intelligence and noble inspirations. There is nothing very terrible in our three little girls. The compositors need not be frightened. They are three little mites of things ; not highei than our elbow. The eldest' is not over thirteen years of age, and they are gentle and quiet and inoffensive, and they tell us they are as sorry as anything that they have fright ened the printers. The compositors how ever may feel assured that- we shall protect the little girls, and that we "shall have the warm sympathy and active help of the pub lic in doing it. We know of course that, the effort has originated and is directed from the outside, and that the object is not to benefit the printers, but to bother the Star. We know all about this, and the publio will know it too. Our objects are such as will bear criticism, and win. favour. We do not want cheap labout\ The conducb of our office in tbe past would belie such acharge, and a consideration of the case must show the absurdity of such an idea. The experi ment is made on public grounds, and for the amelioration of the position of women who ! must work to live. It is the cause of the weak, a cause we think that lacks assist ance ; and the motives that guide any effort to further enable women to earn an honorable livelihood are born of the same feelings as those which make seamen stand back, and place Women and children in the life-boat by the side of a sinking ship. There have bee a men who have rushed the boats and loft the helpless to drown. We should not like to have the memory of sufh an act. hanging around us ; but neither should we like to be the printer—the man, who says here I earn my bread; butivoman shall not enfcerhere and earn her bread, if my strength can pre vent it. It would be the act of selfishness of the purest type, and simple cowardice. We are probably premature in speak ing thus. There is more manli ness in the craft, and true colonial pluck and generous chivalry than would be implied iv such dislike to helping the gentler sex. But we know the hostile agencies at work wherever the faintest hope is visible, of "badgering" the Star. Those efforts are usually futile ; they will be futile here We have entered on a laudable experiment. That experiment shall bo made. A short time will test it; and we ask the public to take an interest in the effort to extend the sphere of woman's work; to enlist their sym pathy in behalf of the rights of the weaker sex to simple fair play—a cause which by every manly mind will be admitted to be a cause that lacks assistance.

RIFLE REPRESENTATIVES' BALL.

As will be seen from another column ar rangements are now complete for giving tbe complimentary Keception Ball to the com petitors of the " tir federal," on Wednesday evening next at the Choral Hall. Tenders were to-day received and will be accepted to-night for the catering; the Hall is already engaged, the tickets are out for distiibution, the lunds are flowing in satisfactorily, and every thing promises to make the Reception Ball a great success. It will be observed that the price of tickets has been fixed at a very low rate, which will have the effect no doubt of preventing some from coming for fear of meeting their tradesman to whom they owe money; but the intention is to enable all volunteers, especially many of whom are richer in love of country than in this worlds goods to come with their wives and sweethearts, and do honor to those who have been engaged in the colonial tournament. "A dance and refreshment" was flashed back from Parawai as the fashion in which the sharpshooters themselves de sired to be honoured, and a dance with re freshments simple and unpretending, but enough it will be ; and we trust, that in a truly colonial affair like this, all little class feelings will be blended in one common de sire of all our citizens—to do fitting honour to our national sharp-shooters.

Sabbath services to-morrow as follows :— Pitt-street Wesleyan Church : Morning, Rev. J. Warren ; evening, Key. T. Buddie. New ton Kirk: Morning, "The plenary inspira tion of Scripture ;" evening, " The Apocalyp tic Church of Smyrna." Unsectarian ser vices, Lome-street Hall, SamuelEdger, 8.A.: Morning, "Contentment, a virtue and a vice ;" evening, " The soul, its reality and greatness." Wellesley-street Baptist Church, P. H. Comford: Morning, "Great Triumphs;" evening, second lecture on Pilgrim's Progress, " The Slough of Despond." United Metho dist Free Church : Morning, Rev. Thomas Buddie; evening, Mr Henry Ellis.

There will be service as usual in North Shore Presbyterian Church fiomorrow morn ing.

The following Gazette Extraordinary was published today : —"ln compliance with a request made to me by his Worship the Mayor of Auckland, on behalf of a public meeting of the citizens thereof, held at the Mechanics' Institute on the 4th instant, I hereby invite the inhabitants to observe the afternoon of Tuesday next, the 9th instant, as a holiday, in order that suitable prepara tion may be made for the reception of the Colonial Rifle Representatives, who are ex pected to arrive from the Thames at six o'clock p.m. on that day. The Provincial Government offices will be closed from two o'clock p.m., on Tuesday.—J. Williamson, Superintendent."

A general meeting of the members of the Auckland Working Men's Friendly Society will be held at the usual place of meeting on Monday evening next. -

The case of Mullally v. Wood, heard before the Resident Magistrate yesterday, being a claim for work and labour done, con cluded in favour of plaintiff. His Worship having weighed the evidence, 6aid that judg ment to the amount of £7 Us. must pass for piaintiff.

Life in-Hongfcong is beaet with its dangers and "unpleasant nesses*, and should have very large compensating advantages. In a recent issue we referred to the (Jase of hydrophobia, and the frequent occurrence of the horrible affliction. From the same paper we gather some idea of the troubles of the colony in China. Tn*e thieving propensities of the Chinese, as mignt naturally be expected, are fully developed, and manifest themselves in the most ingenious ways. In one case we have a constable sent a message by an adroit scoundrej, who robs his place in his abaence. In another, a piece of cloth is cleverly abstracted through a window, while another thief named Ton^-a-You had been convicted; of stealing the zinc downspout of Mr Lfiong- Sing-Narn, accountant to Hop Luna Shop. Another scoundrel represented himself as a Customs officer, and stopped a native, accus ing him of Carrying opium up his sleeve, and then tried to rob him of a roll of notes. Con cealed in the lower ptrt of his pants was found a formidable knuckle-duster. The punishment of these rascals by Chinese Courts is imprisonment, varied by sound beatings. Tbe man who endeavored to steal the notes, for iustance, got two months im prisonment with 200 blows of the bamboo. More serious crimes than theft are not; absent, as there appears in the same paper an account of the execution of six pirates notorious pirates out of the fourteen who had been captured by the Viceroy's gun-boats. One pirate had taken refuge in the colony of Hongkong, and had been executed. Com menting on the diff. rent modes of dealing with these villains, adopted by the Chinese and the colonial courts, and the influ ence of bodily tarture on them, the Hongkong Times says : — "We do not wish in the slightest manner to uphold tor ture. On the contrary, we ara prepared to condemu it in the most trenchant aad sweeping terms, but we merely wish to draw attention to the difference in the effects obtained between our mode of l*gal procedure and that of the Chinese. We caught one man, and he died without a sign. The Chinese Government caught a few, and their confessions implicated others, who have, we are much pleased to see, Binca fallen into the hands of-the Canton authorities." The Hong Kong journal is by no means j>iven to milk and water criticisms, but launches out ia strong terms against any public grievance. In the issue before us it tikes the Chief Justice very severely to task for not malting his appearance when the Court was appointed to sit. It says : " The time of a judge is understood to be at the command of those who have claims upon it; but at Hong Kong the rule seem.3 reversed ; the time of the public appears to be made subservient to the convenience of the Judge."

A cutter on board of which were a number of man of-wars men, wa3 run down of Greenock recently, resulting in seventeen being drowned. The boat belonged to H.M.S. Aurora, the guardship stationed at the Tail of the Bank, and whilst pulling from shore the Dublin steamer Duke of Lein ster was seen bearing down upon her. The men in the cutter hoisted a lamp, but it was impossible to stop the vessel before she struck the boat, which was cut in two. Boats were manned; and ten men were picked up much exhausted, and some of them injured. The engineer i 3 so danger ously injured that he is not expected to live. Twenty-seven men and boy 3 were on board the cutter, so tbat the following seventeen have perished.

The complications arising out of the larger yaoht race in last Friday week's Regatta programme, have been strange, startling, and wonderful. What a beautiful example of love and forbearance our yachts men have presented to the colony. Had one of our many ill-stared Punches been running now, how its editor straining his brain to fill half-a-dozen columns with small jokes, would have jumped with eager ness at the facility for a skit afforded by the gallnnt yachtsmen of Auckland". We are sorely tempted to try our hand at it ourselves. |i magine then the owners of the Secret in the fore-ground pictured in the act of having a conference The tall auburn-bearded man with a quiet smile on his somewhat handsome features appears to deprecate the angry gesture's of his companions, one of whom is swinging a heavy stick round his head as if he meant to knock down all opponents; another, a younger man in a white coat, leans on a stick and angrily states his view of the case, while the other, a sturdy Scotchman with a contemptuous " Pish I" issuing from his lips turns upon his heel as if sick of the argument. To the right the owners of the Daphne, displaying on their sea-jackets the device of the Thames Yacht Club, stand regarding with looks of disdain the ans?ry controversy in the centre. Apparently they have made their attempt at a reconciliation, and their overtures are now under debate. On the left there are the proprietors of the Spray and the Fleetwing, an expression of dogged determination on their features, occupied quietly adjusting their sails, and just now looking inquiringly at the central figures. A little in the rear are a sturdy band of Good Templars, dismantling their ship. In Bhadowy outlines at_ the sides, we see others figures variously employed, some trimming their sails, others quietly awaiting the issue of events, which evidently hinges on the result of the central "barney." And there in the rear is a little imp, with a pe»-behind his ear, who holds a goad in one hand, with which he stirs up the disputants whenever they flag, while he shakes bis other one, doubled, threateningly at the owner of the Spray. Disappearing in the distance, evidently flying the scene, is the the umpire looking over his shoulder and beckoning the starter, who is one of the aforesaid disputants, to follow him, which the gentleman is apparently about to do. How about the picture ? Will it not do ? Seriously speaking, we are sorry that the apparent reconciliation of Friday should have been disturbed. We had fondly imagined that the dispute was at an end, but we tnust own our error. Matters may possibly be settled yet, but at the time of writing the horizon looks very stormy,

Mr. J. Brown's part-singing cla«s will be commenced on the evening of Monday, the 28th insfc., in the Wellesley-street Young Men's room s.

The fiery temp erament of the rival New market 'busmen, and their little differences in Court, are becoming something proverbial among those who travel in the direction of that suburban locality. A little passage of arms, while catering for the convenience of railway passengers yesterday, and in which the application of whipcord is one of the grievances complained of, if; is rumoured to form the only subject of magisterial investi gation next week. It is incomprehensible why two such amiable knights of the ribbons, under ordinary circumstances, should be thrown into such a violent state of efferves cence, like soda and acid when they chance to come together.

We are indebted to a young lady for a copy of the Ceylon Observer, of December 12, containing an account of the observation of the transit of Venus at Kandy and Ura. Tht same journal contains an article arguing the question of Government aid during the Ceylon famine in ita bearings on the pauper izing of the people. The article incidentally mentions that while no native would refuse rice even when offered by European hands, many of them would rather die than touch the medicine calculated to save their lives, unless the fever-curing quinine was mixed up with their own nostrums and administered by native quacks. . We notice that the editor pats the births, marriages; and deaths under the appropriate heading of 'Domestic Occurrences." The journal is largely occupied with the discussion of missionary and church matters.

His Honor the Superintendent proceeded to the Thames to-day, to be present at the public entertainment given there in honour of the Colonial Volunteer Representative!.

; A crowd of jbewotw ksseinbled last evening in-Qaeeniistipeetj opposite the Sayings' Bank, attracted thither by the gratuitous and really comic magic-lantern exhibition of Mr W. 0. Dennes, of the "Little Gem" sewing macbioe store, Albert Buildings. The shut ters were kept nnclosed during the scenic representations, and the window darkened for the occasion. The views introduced dis played old castles, and other attractions, but that which evidently gave the most satis faction, and created roars of laughter* was anactf requentlyrepeatedin the greatdrama of life, namely, Darby and Joan fighting over a bottle of blue ruin. The grotesque figures of the Id man and his wife were very sntrikis;. The old man with his clenched fists and the old woman armed with a poker, in their pu gilistic attitudes, struggling for possession Of the fatal fluid, conveyed a wordless lesson on temperance to many minds. The public are getting heartily sick of hearing about the Slaughterhouse and its unsavoury surroundings. We hope, there fore, that the meeting convened to be held in the Presbyterian schoolroom, Newmarket, on .Wednesday evening next, Vill result in something definite. A very great many valid objections may be raised to the removal of the Slaughterhouse a long distance from town. These were very clearly stated in a letter published last evening in the Star. We are convinced that the site near the present one, advocated by us for the tem porary .building is the most suitable and that asraiost which the fewest objections can be raised. No doubt the meat-salesmen who are moving in the promotion of the forth coming meeting, will ventilate their views on tb.9 subject next Wednesday. Mr D. M. Luckie, M.H.R., has consented to preside. We find the following reference to jour nalistic enterprise in Auckland, published in an article on " Colonial Journalism," in the Yorkshire Gazette, of November 21 :—" As an illustration of the large field, compara tively speaking, open for journalistic litera ture in the colonies we may instance .the little town of Auckland, in New Zealand, numbering considerably leas than twenty thousand inhabitant*. In that town there are two morning papers published at two pence, having an issue of ahout seventeen hundred, each as large as the York Herald, and a daily evening paper, rather smaller in size, published at a penny, with an issue of nearly five thousand. Besides these there are two weekly papers published at sixpence, each with a circulation of over s'xtf.en hun dred, containing twenty-four pages half the size of the Standard. No expense is spared in the matter of telegrams and correspon dence, and the class of writing in their pa^e3 would compare favourably with that pro duced by any of the English provincial jour nals "

The account of the various settlements in the Bay of Plenty, contained in Reed and Brett's Auckland Almanac, are being repub lished by the Bay of Plenty Times with com mendatory remarks. We have' various let ters from other country districts expressing warm approval of the complete and accurate account given of all the provincial settle ments, and especially of the full summary of the Auckland Waste Lands Act, with simple instructions for working its pro visions. The Poverty Bay Herald says :— " Messrs Reed and Breti's Auckland Almanac for the year 1875, fully sustains its reputation. The abundant collection of statistical, local, and general information contained in the 1874 edition ha«i been, con siderably amplified and improved for the current year. The almanac is undoubtedly one of the best published in the colony. The attractions of the Princ* of Wales Theatre continue with unabated interest. Last night there was a good house, and the singular performances of the brothers Girard were much appreciated, while the ventrilo quism of Professor Jacobs, and the singing and dancing of Misa Maggie Knight were equally successful. A change of programme will be made to-night on the occasion of the final appearance in Auckland of the wonder ful Girards.

An estimable minister, not far from Auckland, recently preached a sermon on "faitb," in which he eloquently contended that faith was the source of all power and achievement, and more trustworthy thao any physical or material advantage. Oa leaving the church, one of his congregation accosted him, saying that he expected to be attacked by a digger whom he had offended, and good humouredly inquired if he should trust to faith or muscle in the probable con teat. " Trust to faith, by all means," replied the minister, "but you must show your faith by your works." The St. Matthews' Church Union ia now in working order, and the reading room,- next door to Mr. Shove's,.in Hobson-street, and opposite the Church, is open every evening from seven till half-past nine o'clock, fur nished with a good supply of literary works and periodicals. The course of concerts, readings, and lectures, will commence on Tuesday evening, the 9th inst, with glees and solos, by the St. Matthew's choir. " An Old Colonist" writes with reference to the absence of any drunkard at the Police Court for five successive, days Auckland justices met to do justice, and no drunkard was charged before them. He considers that this fact is due to the trading class, artificers, and labourers of Auckland province being industrious, sober, well living people, not denying themselves any good thing that Providence mercifully provides. He thinks the great cause of the existing state of society in Auckland is to be laid to the door of the Superintendent and Provincial Council, in not providing a good supply of water, and adds:—" An old soldier tells me that he was punished very often while serving the Queen, by having his grog stopped. Now I write to beg of the Good Templars to give the industrious class a helping hand, and J«t the authorities of Auckland know that it is cruel for them to atop a poor man's water, or allow a scarcity of the same to exist. Auckland people, so famed for sobriety, have, as you know, had now and then a flare up, and although I prefer Whitson's to Adam's ale, I do hope and tiust one and all will try to remedy one of Auckland's greatest wants, and get plenty of good water laid on— -for mixing." Measles and other diseases are very pre valent jost now amrnng Auckland children, and many of the Government schools are very considerably-thinned of pupils in con sequence. At City East school no less than 114 children are now absent, the master (Mr Worthington) having taken precautionary measures, as suggested by the Evkis ing- Star article of Wednesday last, and allowed the children to xemain at home where the epidemic prevailed, rather than spread the contagion among healthy children. We learn that this excellent plan is being followed by other schoolmasters. We noticed this morning in the shop of Mr Kobert Brewin, seedsman, of Queen street, a beautiful specimen of the golden lily of Japan, received direct from that country; also|a fine sample of the old fashioned blackberries, from Woodside; also some of the finest peaches we have yet seen, weighing ten ounces each, from) the nursery gardens of Mason Brothers. The following quaint answer, returned by Sydney Smith to an invitation to dinner by a well-known London publisher is in that clerical wit's best vein: "Dear Longman— I can't accept ycur invitation, for my. house is full of my country cousins. I wish they were once removed. Yours, Sydney Smith." The Auckland Agency of the New Zea land Steam Shipping Company is to be inau gurated on Monday next, on which day the Wellington is due in the Manukau. Mr Wheeler, the appointed agent, has the office lately occupied by Dalgleish and Reed, in Shortland-street, for the business of th« Company. The negotiation for the premises in Queen-street, next to Mr Binney's, having fallen through. -

»■■!*■ ■ ■*> i ■■•* ' " ■ .V \ . ~. .- ■(- '"'>-■';' -..-j;■''•'■*¥■ An announcement having b*en copied by several English journals," to the effect that an American firm was about to publish a book entitled " The Baths of Life," from the pen of the Princess Alice, a morning contem porary states that her Royal Highness has not written, and is not engaged upon, any work of the kind. The advertisement thus copied is, therefore, declared to be untrue. The following cheering intelligence for the ' residents of Dcinedin is conveyed in a letter published by the Star :—" Poison is laid all over Dunedin. In every breath, day or ni"ht, we are inhaling poison. The rate of mortality for the last month places Dunedia in excess of the rest of New Zealand ; and unless the authorities are equal to the cir cumstances the rate duriug the summer months will be frightfully increased. The number of closets crowded in the small yards of the numerous houses of this over crowded city, impregnating the air we breathe with poison, is the cause of Dunedin s high rate of mortality. Like a fog cloud the stench is floating over the city into our doors and through the windows thrown open for ventilation."

Stimulated by the keen criticisms of the Press, the Central Pacific Railway Company have made a vigorous raid upon the scoun drel?, who infest the overland line who have been frequently referred to in the STAR. The company succeeded in preventing the carrying on of the "little game" on the trains, but they could not prevent it at the saloons ac the stopping places. Battle Mountain became the great rendezvous of the robbers. Then the company made a decisive move by rushing the emigrant trains past that station without stop ping. Since then a portion of the persecuted sport 3 changed the base of their operations to Stockton, and undertook to carry on business between that place and Sacremento. The company employed clever detectives to keep an eye oa the profes sional gentlemen and make arrests when ever the law would warrant it. They also retained the best' l*gal talent to prosecute the accused parties with the utmost energy. But laws in Nevada are not so framed as to bear with great severity upon the gambling fraternity, nor have / the authorities, as a general thing, shown any "consuming zeal" in applying or enforcing them. And it must be admitted that the campaign, commenoed at Stoekton by the railroad people has not been a brilliant SUCC33S. The Monte men are evincing ail the pluck and nerve of Bret Harte's favorite hero, John Oakhurst.

A group of shoeless little ragamuffins, who stated that they never went to any school, were-seated on the green outride the dilapidated building known as Noah's Ark, Freeman's Bay, last evening, amusing them selves with riddles, ©f which the following is a sample: "I say, Ben, what dog does the man in the moon keep ?"' "Don'tknow, give it up." ."Why, you stupid, askye terrier, to be sure." (Laughter.) "Here's anudder,. Ben."—" Who were the poorest passengers in Noah's Ark " ; B m f " Dun know, I'll ax mudder." "Why, the co^k and the fox, simpleton ; becanse they only had a comb and brush between 'em. " Just at this moment, a half nude lodgei rushed out of Noah's Ark, and the intelligent; young scamps scampered away.

THE PRETTY JANE ASHORS.

\BY TELE Git APS]

Telegrams were received this morning an nouncing that the steamer Pretty Jaße had got ashore at Big River, Poverty Bay. In one of the earliest messages received, it was stated that the vessel was a wreck, and the cargo would probably be lo3t. Subsequent telegrams, however, served to modify this announcement, and ths following official despatch, received by the manager of the A.S.P. Company, show 3 the real state of the ca3e :—

"PretyJane on shore in Big River. Hole in bottom. Let Southern Cross call to take passengers " (on to Napier.) We have since received the following tele gram from the Press Agency relative to the occurrence :—

"Pretty Jane on the rocks at Poverty Bay. Passengers alt saved. Full particulars not to hand."

It will be remembered that the Pretty Jane got ashore some time agj at Gisborne, when a hole was knocked in her bottom. On that occasion a piece of wood was fast ened over the opsning, and she was got off the next tide, ltisimpossibleiudgingfromthe brief and meagre telegrams to hand, to say whether the damage is this time of a more serious charrcter or not. Big Eiver is one of the most sheltered parts of Poverty Bay, about six miles from Giaborne, and as the weather since Thursday, when the Pretty Jane must have been there, has been fine, it is not likely that any very extensive damage has been done to her hull

Later

Further particulars of the accident to the Pretty Jane are to hand. The vessel was loading grass-seed at Big River, and got on the sand-bank. The pilot wan in charge, and the anchor down. He gave orders to steam a-head, and vessel ran over the anchor which knocked a hole in her bottom. She sank. Passengers all right. The vessel and cargo are partially insured.

FROM OCR XAPISE. CORRESPONDENT,

The Rangatira has arrived from Poverty Bay. She reports the Pretty Jane steamer sunk in the river, having grounded on the bar. They threw out the anchors, and bumped on them, knocking holes in the hull, by which the steamer sunk.— She was entering the Big River to get a cargo of grass seed to take to Auckland. The cap tain was not on board the vessel. She was in charge of the pilot.

MAHURANGI AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

This important exhibition of stock and produce, the second in rank in the province, came off yesterday and was a great success. There were not quite so many entries as last year ; but Mr Groodfellow, who was judge this year, and also two years ago, remarked upon the great improvement in the quality of the exhibits. The Lady Bowen took nearly 70 passengers from Auckland on Thurday, and upwards of 50 horsemen came in from Port Albert, in addition to several ladies. The beasts were shown in the paddock at the back of Jordan's store. . The jjt'ruit and produce were laid out in the public hall, which has been lengthened since last year, but even now is not large enough. The first prize for bulls was taken by Mr. Dibble, of Port Albert, with a beautiful animal got by Mr. McLean's Earl of Derby. . The judges were of opinion that the bull would secure a very high price if sold. Mr. Dibble showed three exhibits, and received three first class prizes. Mr R. C. Dyer's special prize, cup value £5 for the best ram in the district, ; was taken by Mr John Carr King, with a splendid ram purchased last year at Buck land's fair. Ist prize, Lincoln ram, Mr Isaac Phiilips' Lestan ; Mr R. Phillips, 2nd prize, Morgan (of Matakana). Mr Angove was, as last year, the principal prize taker. Mr Palmer, t,he Chairman of the Committee, took first prize for hacks, and Beveral others. Mr 0. Phillips secured the prize -for agricultural mares and geldings. The Hobson Band went down and enlivened the proceedings. At dinner, Mr R. 0. Dyer presided. Mr Smitbgate, as usual, catered excellently. Some capital speeches - were made.' An entertainment at the hall followed. This consisted of a concert by the band and a farce, in#vlrich several local performers came out well. This was wound up by a dance. Mr R. C. Dyer promised another cup for next year. As Mr C. Phillips was bringing in a fine boar to the show it fell dead from,the heat. It was allowed that the arrangements wera

not so good as last year. The Lady BowiiiS'': -fet arted for town late last night, and arrived, ' at ten this morning. > • l^

OHINEMURI.

(By Telegraph from Grahamstown.) J

GREAT ROW AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

AEEIVAL OF MR. MACKAY. MR. CHARLES FEATHEfiSTONE MITCHELL GIVEN IN CHARGE. (FROM OUR SPECIAL REPORTER.) ".'/ OHINEMUM. V

Friday afternoon. There was great excitement this mornings m amongst the Europeans and natives at Mitchell's place MrKae's store was again ! chopped down by Mr C. F. Mitchell, who also ha 4 a revolver. He was assisted by his man, O'Neill, who, with a rope, pulled the store to the ground. Mitchell then chopped the woodwork to pieces, and everything wa^ smashed^ and strewed over the ground. Hepohonia has rushed off to fetch Mr Mackay, who is at the lower native settle ment Mr Mitchell calmly surveys his work, leaning on the fatal axe, with the guilty rope coiled over hif left shoulder. The victim returns to Shortland to take lezal proceedings. Mr Mackay has just arrived. Words ensued between him and Mr Mitchell. Mr Mackay then gave Mitchell in charge. He was marched into camp, a prisoner between two constable?, en route for Shorfcland. ' He has since withdrawn the charge, on Mitchell's agreeing to pay expenses: Speculators have been trying a gigantic swindle at Ohinemuri, endeavouring to buy large blocks of the new goldfield and get the boundary line placed otrside at a distance. [BY PIGEONGRAM.] ' This day. ' ' This morning over 300 miners are assem bling for the meeting to-day, Mr. Msckay * is present, and several surveyors were aboftfc to leave for Shortland, but Mr. Mackay prei vented them, promising to set them at work" at once. Mr. Mackay is empowered to settle boundaries on the original plaD, which embraces Coad and LoganV goldfield. The new road is sketched, saving considerable trouble to the gorge. Each steamer, tliab arrives ia full of pas sengers.

(From our Grahamstown Ooixes poadent.)

The Thames Advertiser fays that yester day morning Mr Mitchell -with two men commenced a furious attack on Mr Eae's premises at Ohinemuri with axea, smashing the suppoits, and cutting the'calico in all directions. No attempt was made at resist ance, and 'when the place waswell hacked Mr Mitchell got a rope and pulled it all over. Thus it was thoroughly demoliisbad, and considerable damage done to |the steek of tobacco which. Mr Eae had. taken up. ' Mcßae went to Paeroa, out of tbe danger ous vicinity into which he had got. Mean time Hopiona went for Mr MaeKay, and appealed to him on the subject. Mr Mac- Kay came to Paeroa, where McEae was, snd said that Mr Mitchell had no right to act as he had, and snd he had received peremptory orders from the Government while in Anck- land to strictly enforce the Proclamation under the Railways Act by. .which no-person was allowed to acquire any lands except through the Government.: He then wenb down to Mitchell's place,, where he found hiai presiding over the scene of destruction which he had caused. Mr MU cheil said, Mr Mackay and the Government might go to blazes, and went on in this strain to such an extent that Mr Mackay at length ordered the police to take him into custody, for abusive and insulting language. Mr Mitchell's men squared up\to the police, putting himself into righting attitude but was at length taken and marched dowirf o PaeroVs place. Abuiit 150 people had assembled to see the fun, and fallowed Mr Mackay, the policeman and ptisoner, to see Mr Mitchell put on board for Shortland, to answer for ■<;•■ his mis deeds. Mr. Rae happened to be standing in fro|p'■ of Paeroa at the time they arrived, and wife jJ| Mitchell saw him he broke from the polwe, rushed at him, and struck him twice, before _ he could be re-captured. The procaprion -9§ moved on towards Creagh's landing >t Te puke, « here the steamer was lying waiting ~, till the tide suited, to come down the river. -;J Considerable delay took place, during-which-p. all parties had time to reflect upon what was to be the upshot of the proceeding*. Mr Mackay began to see, and. say it would be very inconvenient for him to come <down to Shortland at this time to prosecute. He had just come up after receiving ins|ructioiii from the Government relative to many matters of urgent importance at Ollnerouri, - and the diggers grumbled that he slionld run away, and leave everything standlttg as it was. The surveyors! were waiting about hot M knowing what to do, and generally every thing combined to urge him to stay # Ohine muri. He said that the miners spote abont having a meeting, while he wanted -them to have no meeting. After lengthenedjnegotia*: ■<■ tion, Mr Mackay succeeded in getting Mr Rae to consent to withdraw the charge of ; assault, and agreed to withdraw the charge s which he had himself made. After further^; negotiations, Mr Eae consented to withdraw all charges on condition that Mitchell apolo- ; gised, and payed all losses and damages. Mr Mackay pledged himself to see that all this was done. Then Mr Mitchell came downfin the boat, and shook hands with-Mr Eae, and said he was sorry dfor this episode >n the early history of Ohinemuri. • -J

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., K.M.) THE MORNING BATCH. Charles Johnston, a fugitive seaman, who . feigned deafness, was charged with drunken ness and indecent exposure. . Prisoner said he did not remember..having offended in any way. He came over b|_tne • V City of Auckland. - . Constable Clark pi-oved both charges, and the Court sentenced him to seven days im prisonment for indecent exposure, and 10s or 24 hours for drunkenness. . George Craig, a wretched-looking nun - suffering from the effects of delirium tremeaf, was charged with being found drunk '»'-.| Nelson-street, at half-past ten o'clock Im« night; ... ' Prisoner said he was very deaf, and aw v not know any thing about it; he did not^ believe, in fact he knew he was not drund.- Constable Giaham deposed' to finding prisoner helplessly drunk by the .wayside;.. r, : As this -was the thirteenth conviction against the prisoner within a short period* he was fined 205., and costs or 48 hours. SUNKEN" IN INIQUITY. ' John Shiers, a powerful man, who n«« long resided in the locality of Chancery Lane, * was again brought "up on charges of drunken* a) ness and vagrancy. • The prisoner ha#-been convicted fifty-»«;; -} times of various offences, and had Bpen* several years in prison. . The prisoner; who was most impertinent . to the Court, was sentenced to six monthß imprisonment with hard labour. ;■ '- Prisoner said he would not do a week of it, j and went grumbliDg out of Court. c T*jbl brought back by order of the Court, and VI ordered three extra months, making wo« months. * This was all thepnisiness. ■ . . " ' '■" ■.....■■■,



~fl I T V H A L L HAT 3, ,GWTBUSG, * . PRINTS, yV DBBBSES. ' CABPBTS, FLOOB CLOTHS, CBISTA MATTING. MILLINERY, UNDERCLOTHING, " BABY LINEN. AT COST PRICE, To effect a Clearance for extengivejalteration of premises. HGLLOWAY & GARLICK, i- ,"■•■' ■.." * - . •■ • / v CITY HAM,. T C OSGEA.VE & C O. ' Bi gto Inform the inhabitants of Auckland that ,' they have entered their WHOEESALE PREMISES IK : "\ :■ ;?. v HIGH-STREET, . Lately occupied by Cruiokihank and Co. Ihey will therefore hold a Sale of the ENTIRE BKTilb 81O0K of DBAPERY AND CLOTHING QUEBS-STBEET, SATURDAY, THE 30th JANUARY. order to effect a speedy clearance, the whole ' of the Goods will be sold at kC OS T PRI CE. will be no Goods entered during the Sale. ■. xuw only ksmblisWeufc that sell Dixon and Son's ; - Slectro-ptate, and Hu**el■ atwi Son* Hold and Silve "--. I*ver W»tche», is F. Ja.< Lewisson, Jeweller, opposite the Union jrapk. next door io Shorit'a Hair Catting -Unipdriunj.-^(Adtt.y To tbk TuTtntw o> AjJcnzjiXTD. —l have received from London, pr R.M.S. Cyphrenes, a beautiful . atockof Long lezi^th and Kinglet Hair, and shall be nappy to execute order* on the shortest notice.— Frasois J. Shoktt, City Hair Cutting Booms, next X*wiaaon'», Jeweller, opposite the Union Bank. '



rj'l/BA'B IN a 6XJ T SA LI lEONMOiSTGERY. J AS. SMART & CO., GENERAL IRONMONGE R£, Intend EETIKING FEOM THE TEADE, and beg to offer to the public of Auckland their SPLEISDID STOCK OP GENERAL AND FURNISHING - IRONMONGERY, At Prices which shall effect an Immediate Clearance. The Stock of ELECTED PL TED WAEE Is complete in most Elegant Designs. A Large assortment of B.M. Teapots, Dish Covers, &c, and Magnificent Silber and Anucapnic Lamps, will be sold at VEEX LOWPEIOES. Coal Vases, Fenders, and Fireirons, will be disposed of atHALFPEICE. This is a rare opportunity for Carpenters and Build ers replenishing their stock of Tools and Hardware. The Stock of Furnishing Ironmongery is THE MUST COMPLETE IN THE CITY, And will be sold at ENORMOUS REDUCTIONS. J. SMAUT & CO., 220, QUEEN-STREET, AUCKLAND.