SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER-This evening, 7.45 ; to-morrow mom ng, 8.1

SUN -EP Thii evening, 510 SUN Rl9E—To morrow morning, 71. MoON'S AiiE— New moon, 2nd August, 1.7 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

oiag, barque K>rr, from Newcastle Excelsior, schooner. Joiner, from Dunedin

DEPARTURES

v*oj(jen Isle schooner, for R'issell Gem. schooner, for Knssell Southern Otoss, s s. Carey, for Napier lona, s s. Farquh»r, for the North Taran*ki, ss, Lloyd, for the South (from Manukau)

PROJECTED DEPARTURES

ifor the South—T'aupo. s3. to-morow, 4th mat For S;in Hranoisco -Cyphrenes, ss, Gth August (English mail) For Svd-ey Hero, fl s, Thursday. sth mat For Newcistle—Lochnsga'-, birque, early For London- Ferne;len. ship, early For London—Rohina Dunlop, harque, early For Newcastle-Forfarshire, ship early

VESSELS EXPECTED

Cyphrene3, ss, from Sydney; due sth August Yair*, from W»rrrj=mbcol ; sailed 17th inst Alumbagh, ship, VN J G from London ; sailed May 9 John Reiinie, ship, YTQQ, from London ; sailed May 11 Dover Castle, ship, NCT R, from Belfast; sailed 23th way Cansbrook Castle, ship, HLWB, from Belfast; sailed June 8 Columbu3. barque, KVHR, from London ; sailed Bth June City of Anckland, shio, from London White TCagK ship Q-IRW. from London, early Ocean Mad ship from London British Empire, ship, f om London Freetrader, barque from Hobart Town ; silled July 20 Prospector, b*rqu-, fr.v>m Dunedm ; sailed August 2 Bahring, barque, from Sydnny. early J«ssici. barque, from >Tew York, via Dunedin Victor, b trquentine, from Port Gamble ; sailed 14th May I Wild Wave, brig from Sydney, early Flirt, brigantine, from Lyttelton ; sailed 22ud Magellan Cloud, bri^ntine, from Clntbam Islands, early Ryno, brigantine' from Roturaah, eirlv Pearless, •■chooner from South -*ea Islands, early Laatitia, s hooaer, from Papua, schooner, from Rirotonga, early Edith, schoo jer, fro a the IsUnils, ewlv Kenilworth, schooner from Noumea, early Christina, schooner, fnm Dunedin; siiled July 15

IMPORTS.

"Rx Excelsior, from Lyttelton: 598 sacks "Blue Derwent" po'atoev 210 sack* bran, 305 sacks " Saun ders" fiurr, 28 kegs butter, H S viewers and Oo Per Stag, barque, from Newcastle : 444 tons coal, 50 ton 3 coke - J S Macfarlane and Co, agents.

EXPORTS.

Per Dauntless s^hoorer, for Levuka: 61 bars and 12 bundles iron, 4bars steel, 2 irons, 4 plates iron, 2 packages hardware, T and S Morrin.

The Hawaiin schooner Dauntless cleared to-day for Tonga with a general cargo. She is ready to sail at once.

# The schooner Anne McLead cleared out to-day in ballast for Kussell.

The barque Union has cleared in ballast for Newcastle.

The Fanny Kelly sails for Whangaroa this evening with the following cargo:—2soo bricks, 20 bushels lime, 1 ton salt, 2 tons potatoes, 1 ton flour, GOlbs tobacco, 4 cases drapery, 6 parcels sundries, 10 parcels hard ware.

Notice.— Masters of vessels lying alongside the Queen's wharf may in inture obtain a copy of the Stab, by applying at Messrs .1. and D. Oxley's store at flvj o'clock in the afternoon.

The barq\ie Stag whose arrival vfi noticed last night left Newcastle on the 2?n 1 ult, and has made a good ■passage of ten days and a half. Hhe made the Three Kings on Saturday, and had NW winds down the coast. She brings a cargo of coal.

Messrs T and 8 Morrin shipped per lona, for the North, the following goods :—4 cates hardware, 1 pg-i hardware, 1 boiler, 4 ,ke.rs powder, 2 kegs rails, 2 parcels, 3 bundles spades, 1 drum oil, 1 case ammuni tion, 1 bundle buckets.

Th«i ship City of Auckland, Captain Rail?, was expected to s*i from L uidon for this port about the 14th June. It will be s*en that, the Dover Cattle (May 28>, the <^ausbrook Castle. (June B>. the Colum bus ( une S) and the Cit of Auckland (June 14), are all living for Auckland within a few days of one another, arid Therefore the race between them will be very interesting. bout the raddle of next motith we may expect busy times am on* the shipping. Thesslona left for the Nortu list evening with several passengers and general ergo.

The AS P Go's ss southern Cross, Captain Car^y, left for Napier yescerday. Passengers—Messrs (iibbs, .Rowlands, Posbrook, Davis, Schwartzer, and four in the steerage

The bri<antine Took Out arrived at Sydney on the 25th ultimo from Morgo vi. The barque Cabarf«irih left Newcastle for Lyttelton on the 2"/^ July, with 500 tons coal.

Messrs Crnickshank and Cj give notice that all goods per ssHero not removed from the wharf by four o'clock each day, will be removed and stored at consitn^es risk and expense The ship Ferngien movjd away from the wharf into the stream yesterday to make room for the Lutter worth, now waiting to discharge her cargo. The Ferngien has not quit? finished her loading, but the removal was rerdered necessary owing to the limred berth accommodation at the wharf—a defect which will be effectually cured by the projected railway pier. The Ferngien is expectee to clear about Thursday, and wil probably sail for London on Saturday. The schooner Excelsior, under charter to H. S. Meyers and Co, arrived from Lyttelton at nine o'clock this morning. Captain Joiner reports that he left on the 23rd ult, and had light S W winds at starting The3o were followed by strong N E gales, which again gave way to SW breezes. Nothing of importance occurred during the run The Jixcelsior brings a cargo of flour and grain. Immediately on arrival she was berthed at the wharf.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr L. W. Eaton's fruit sale ex "Hero" from Sydney to-day, oranges sold at 5s to 6s 6d ; lemons, 6s ; loquats, 2s to 3s 4d ; pine apples, 6s (3d to 7s ; and apples at 2Jd.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows.— For Thames, to-aiorrow at 5 30 p m For Coromandel, on Friday irext at 11.30 am For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Taupo, to-morrow, at 8 a m For Australian Colonies, per Hero, on Thursday next at 11 a m Per Cyphrenes. on Friday, 6th August, as under :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies at 10.30 a m For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10.30 a m For money orders, regisj*red letters, and newspapers at 9 30 am Late letters bearing an extra fee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received on board by the Mail Agent up to time of sailing. S. B. BI3S, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

BLAIR—MAXWELL.—On Ist August, at Bishop's Court, Parnell, by the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, John Blair to Agnes McKay Maxwell, both of Auckland, —Glasgow papers please copy.

DEATH.

HAEEOP,—On the 3rd instant, at Hobson's Bay, Parnell, Frank Worthington, youngest son of I. W. Harrop.

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 1875.

F«r the esvise thai lacks asaisismon, For the kto.-1£ tlmt needs rojlm.iaijL "w tha fatura hi the diaUirie* Aafi th« scad that xre caa jSj,

In order to estimate the merits of the Go vernment proposals in lieu of the existing

provincial system we must clearly under stand what the substitute is ; and the pro visions of the two Government bills giving effect to abolition are not difficult to under stand. So far as general administration is concerned the change simply consists of the substitution of an officer nominated by the

General Government in the place of the Superintendent and Provincial Council now

elected by the people—the same laws, pro vincial and colonial, the same provinces, under a new name, and the same* local

)odies are continued under the new order of

things as under the old. All " the powers possessed by the present Superintendent, and all provincial property, trusts, aud liabilities become vested in his nominated successor, whose sympathies as well as his duty, will bo with those who supply his bread and butter, rather than with the people over

whom he exercises autocratic sway. The change, so far then as the "Piovincial Districts" are concerned, does not develop any of those features of popular local self government which will be requisite to recon cile colonists to an administration directed from Wellington. It is unreasonable to suppose, and experience utterly refutes any such idea, that a General Government officer, completely independent of the people—a subordinate answerable to the central administration in which Southern influence must always pre ponderate—will be as readily accessible to the people, as one who depends for his position entirely upon his efforts to satisfy the wants of the Province atad his readiness to enter into popular sympathies ; nor can such an officer by any possibility be so perfectly acquainted with the real require ments of the scattered settlements of the Province as the delegates who constitute the Provincial Council. Moreover, it is provided that all the Superintendents' powers and func tions may be exercised without even resi dence in the district—in short, from Welling ton. On these grounds we think it will be admitted that the "Provincial Districts" must prove infinitely less efficient than provincialism in its present form. In deed one of the reasons rendering abolition imperative was plainly stated by Major Atkinson in his financial statement to be the irrresistible clamouring by Superintendents for grants from the colonial chest towr.rds works in their respective provinces—demands which, the Treasurer told the House, were likely to land the Colonial Government in serious financial difficulties. And the only superiority which he really claimed for the proposed system was such economy as would enable the Government to deal more liberally with the local bodies than hitherto. We have now to enquire whether this will actually be the case ?

The foregoing remarks bring us to what has been characterised as the "ridiculous finance of the abolition proposals," and a few plain facts will shew the least skilled in Govern ment accounts the reason why M.ijor Atkin son's glowing promises have become the laughing-stock of members familiar with the subject. Clause 33 of the Abolition of the Provinces Bill provides—"Thecoats, charges, and expenses of the police, gaols, harbour, hospitals, lunatic asylum, charitable institu tions, and of education, throughout the colony shall be borne by the consolidated funds as far as such costs, charges, and ex penses are not otherwise by law provided for." Such, the Colonial Treasurer tells us, will be the economy of General Government management, that all these charges will be met without any strain on the revenue of the colony. Looking to the expenditure of the province of Auckland for the year ending 30fch of June last, we find that the total cost of Superintendent, Executive, aud the whole official staff of the Superintendent's office, ! was £2075, and tho legislative expenses of the province, that gigantic and costly ma chine which we hear so much about, £1,320 — so that if the General Government are able to save the whole expense of these two administrative departments of provincial ism, they will gain in the year ex actly £3,395. During the same year in this province, dwarfed as our institutions are by chronic impecuniosity, the expenditure on the services mentioned in the 33rd schedule was :-Education. £20,000; police, £7,524; relief of sick and destitute, £3.395 ; hospitals, £3,905 ; lunatic asylum, £3,775 ; gaols and reformatory, £(>,5;j!S, making a total on these live heads of £45.138. Most excellent Major Atkinson, shew the public thy art of finance, and a thousand blessings shall be poured upon thee by the thousands who hive hitherto failed in the attempt to make a shilling do the work of a pound ! The enormous educational, police, and charitable systems of Otago and Canterbury would be sufficient to cripple tho Government without any other charge. We have merely taken the services mentioned in the 33rd clause of the Abolition Act alone to illustrate the utter fallacy of the Treasurer's calculations, but we might adduce other items of the provincial estimates, and ask how they are to be pro vided for. Glancing over the appropriations for the years 1874-75, we notice : " Provincial harbours, £3,634; goldlields departments, £3,475 ; ferries, £100 ; provincial steam ser vices, £4000 ; main roads, North and South, extension, repairs and maintenance, £10,500 ; inspection of sheep, including Landing Inspectors, £800." It is true that the Govern ment will have the capitation allowance of 15s per headasanassetagainst these expenses, but the amount actually accruing to the province from this source, after interest on Provincial loans had been deducted, was very small; and, as we have no land revenue to meet this liability, if the Government give over the licenses and other fees, upon which the province has been living to a very large ex tent, it is quite clear that the amount to be borrowed on Treasury Bills, and piled up as an accumulated debt against the Province, will be so large as to leave no prospect of its continuance for any great length of time, and the municipal revenues and road-board grants must fall a sacrifice to the more pres sing liabilities.

We have said that the cost of Executive and legislative departments in the Auckland provincial administration last year amounted to £3,395. Would the General Government be able to administer the affairs of the "Provincial District" for less ? Iv this connection, a few comparisons between General and Pi'ovincial economy are in structive. The Superintendent of the Pro vince of Auckland receives £800 a-year ; the Secretary to the Cabinet has the same ; the Secretary to the Treasury receives £700 ; the Assistant Law officer £700 ; the District Land Registrars of Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin, £700; and of Christchureh £900; the Examiner of Titlps in Dunedin £650; the Manager of the Telegraph De partment £600, and other salaries in pro portion. On the same scale, what will the Government save off the salaries of the chief officers of the "Provincial Districts ;" and will they secure men of the same ability and zeal as the present Superintendents? There is a clerk to the Executive here, —his salary is £150 ; the private secretaries of the Premier and Native Minister each receive £400. Practically there is no limit to comparisons of this kind between the economy of pro vincial and general administration, but enough has been said to shew that it is exceedingly doubtful whether even that three thousand odd pounds will become an available sum towards the £2 for every pound, and the pound for pound which have been held out so seductively before the longing gaze of hungry Road Boards and Munici palities.

The one question which Auckland must never lose sight of in any proposals to alter the Colonial Constitution is the disposal of the land fund. It is idle to suppose that revenues can be conjured up by the General Government any more than by the Provincial Government. There is one act of tardy justice which, if made by the Government, would secure for them the ardent support of nearly every resident in this part of the colony. Bat how do they propose to deal with it ? We must not lose sight of the fact that the infamous compact of 1856 is once more brought down to the House for confirmation; once more the representatives of this province are asked to pronounce aye, or no, shall the revenue derived from the* Crown lands of the colony be localised? Shall those parts of the colony which have had to carry on the work of settlement against the obstructiveness of an aboriginal race be still deprived of all participation in the revenues derived from that landed estate which the Colonial Government became peacefully possessed of. This question comes up again now, when Auckland influence is on

the wane; when the Northern part of the colony is to be still further out-numbered by the representatives of the marauding pro vinces ; and let our representatives see to it how they act.

In the event of the Government being com pelled to discontinue grants to Road Boards and Municipalities—as discontinue they most inevitably will—what then will be the position of the country districts under the central administration. The " Local Go vernment Bill," while conferring no endow ments on the boards other than those de pendent on the caprice or the necessities of the General Government, yet charges them with the cost of main roads, ferries, and bridges. The powers of the Boards are much the same as those exercised by the Highway Boards now existing in this Province, unless it be increased power to rate themselves for special as well as general purposes ; they have no land revenue to secure to them the payment of even one pound of the money endowments promised, let alone to carry on public works and immigration ; and they will have lost the fatherly Pro vincial Government which, if it had no large patrimony to give, generally contrived that Peter should not be living in opulence while his brother Paul was starving. They will have no appeal to their representative legislature, and their griev ances must go to the representative and servant of the Government, against the action of which they may be protesting. Meanwhile those " Provincial districts " that possess land revenue, will have their public works and immigration secured, come what may of the o her subsidies and licences. We believe Provincialism is doomed, but more because it was poor than because it was wicked. It has been starved and kicked until it has become an object of contempt to the people. But we cannot believe that the people of this Province will, without one word of protest, allow the chain that has fettered them to the chariot wheels of the South be still further riveted. If Provincialism, in the estimation of the people, is effete and worthless, let it go ; but let us have something equally good, if no better, in its place. In the Government proposals we see nob one real element of local self govern ment : the substance we have is taken away, and an unsubstantial shadow is offered in its stead. We see in them the perpetuation of an injustice, against which the people of this province would be warranted in actual re volution. We see in them enormously in creased Government patronage, and the removal of the Colonial Ministry still further from the influence of the people. We see-in them measures for the cultivation, protection, and perpetuation of Frank Passmores.

Some enemy of the canine race is carrying on a secret and destructive raid against the dogs of Parnell. During the last three or

four nights about a dozen animals, some of

them valuable, have been poisoned and found quite dead in the morning. The Union Sash and Door Company have lost their watch dog ; Mr. John Brown and Mr. Lacon have lost good animals, while many other names could be mentioned. This morning a line dog was lying on one of the side-paths on Par nell rise with his limbs stiff, and other indie itions of poisoning. Yelping curs are a nuisance there is no doubt, and we might add that some perspns in Parnell are apparently rather fond of keeping yelping curs, to the annoyance of their neighbours. At the destruction of such disturbers of " nights holy quiet " wo should rejoice ; but it is evident that a more malignant object is

being followed up in the present dog-slayiny epidemic. It is significant that watch-clogs comprise the larger portion of the destroyed, and we know whose enemies watch-dogs arc Meanwhile Constable Jackson is on the alert, and several Tirivate traps are laid to catch the cowardly perpetrators of the cruel acts?. For the present it would be advisable for owners of valuable do^s to keep them chained up..

Some people imagine, and it was so stated at the City Council meeting yesterday, that typhoid fever is not infectious. This is a mistake which, if allowed to go forth un corrected, might prove most mischievous. All continued fevers are infectious, and typhoid, although less infectious than typhus, from which it has only of late years been distinguished, is a disease which propagates itself in the human frame in a manner much more dangerous to the health of the com munity outside the sick room than most other infectious, diseases. To show how typhoid fever may be propogated we make the following extract from a brief treatise on the subject :—•'From the investigations of various physicians, amongst whom Dr. William Budd deserves especial notice, it appears that the living human body is the soil in which the specific poison of typhoid fever breeds and multiplies. The origin of the disease is unknown, but the poison is communicated or contained in the diarrheal discharges which issue from the deceased intestine. These discharges, as they dry up, preserve the germs of the disease; and if, through atmospheric or other agencies, these germs enter the living body, they communi cate the disease, and diarrhoea soon com mences. As the evacuations contain the specific virus of typhoid fever, the disease may be propagated amongst healthy persons (1) by percolation through the soil into the wells which supply drinking-water; (2) or by issuing, through defects in the sewers, into the air which is inspired ; or (3) by ex halation through the apertures of small ill trapped water-closets or privies, which are at once the receptacles of the discharges from the sick, and the daily resort of the healthy. The atmosphere thus infected with the poison is far more dangerous than that im mediately surrounding a fever patient."

A correspondent informs us of a singular system of letter delivery he witnessed this morning, and which may account for some of the letters that go astray. A carrier entered Messrs. Gibbons store, Wellesley-street, and after delivering a registered letter laid down a handful of letters on the counter, remarking that he would leave them there until he went up to the Rev. Mr. Macnicol's. He went out and returned several minutes after wards. Meanwhile a number of customers had been in and out of the store who were attended to by Mr. Gibbons, and to whom the letters, including some registered ones, were easily accessible. Mr. Gibbons remon strated with the carrier on his carelessness, and was told, "Oh that it didn't matter to him, if any letters were stolen he would swear he had delivered them." These are the facts related by our correspondent and they should be looked into. The carrier seemed to be a new hand.

The entertainment last evening, by the members of Mr. Brown's singing class, was most satisfactory., Ballads were sung by Mrs. J agger. Miss Leaf, and Messrs. Ogilvie, Jagger and Burnham, also a duet jby Mr. Allen and Mrs. Burnham. A pianoforte solo was excellently rendered by a young lady pupil of Mr. Brown. Altogether the enter tainment was of a most satisfactory character, and reflects great credit on the judicious teaching of Mr. Brown.

Mr. Dennes of Queen-street, will give his popular lecture entertainment this evening, on "The Castle 3 and Abbeys of Britain," in St. Mary's Sunday-school-room. The proceeds to be given to the children's library fund.

We have received the second number of the "Saturday Advertiser Time Table, and New Zealand Literary Miscellany," pub lished in New Zealand mainly for the circu lation of the steamer, coach, and railway time - tables throughout the colony. The issue is well made up, containing a portrait of Joseph Arch, the agricultural labourers' agitator, and many interesting and amusing literary selections.

We have to acknowledge 10a from "a "riend" for Jackson.

An oil painting by Mr T. L. Drummond, a young artist, who has recently come from the south, is on view in the shop window of Messrs Chamtaloup and Cooper,' of Queen street. The subject of the painting is the " Entrance into Auckland Harbour at Sun rise." The view was taken from the North Head, and includes a capital outline of Rangitoto. We learn that this is the first finished production of the artist, and it is not without very considerable,merit. The time is supposed to be early morn, when all nature is at rest; and the vessels in the distance, the sea-birds, lingering shadows of night on the waters, and the greenery of the silent rocks are very effective, and add much of natural beauty to the picture.

The danger to joung children from be coming heated and chilled with play during this changeable weather, receives painful illustration in the death of the little son of Mr J. W. Harrop, our respected City Re ceiver. The little boy, who was five years of age, was in ruddy health on Saturday last, and ran out in a thin coat to play. _He got a chill, which on Sunday developed into a savere cold, on Monday exhibited all the symptoms of acute bronchitis, and notwith standing the attention of two medical men, the poor little fellow died at four o'clock this morning. The unlooked for and melancholy occurrence has been a heavy blow to his

parents

The little company of liveried minstrels, known 2S the Temperance Drum and Fife Band, who were wont at eventide to march along our streets and discourse sweet music, have for some months been silent. We understand that some slight disorganisa tion has taken place in the ranks, but that a resuscitation has taken place, and the little bird-like musicians are about to come forth again, to the delight of the lovers of sweet sounds. Mr Jeune, the enterprising owner of the new hall, has been whistling his merry men together, and towards the end of the present month a drum and fife entertain ment will held in the City Hall, and the music of the minstrels will be heard again in the land.

We have been requested to publish the following statements of another distressing case : _" George Pate, of No. 33, Victoria street, blacksmith, (a government emigrant, who with his wife and two small children came out in the "Warwick," a N. Z. govern ment ship) arrived in the colony on 22nd January 1875 and immediately went to work at Messrs. Couzins and Atkins for a short time and afterwards at Messrs. Gee and Potters. Pate continued to work for them till the month of March when he was taken ill and has been confined to bed and the house ever since with typhoid fever, which has left him in a weak state of health. Last week he attempted to go to work for a few days, but was compelled to give up and go to the hospital, where he had an abcess near the heart opened, and he is now incapable of working for s"me time to come. His wife who is a stay-maker has done her best to maintain her family during his illness, but from the fact of her being little known, and her present state, it was quite impossible to do more than earn 53 or 6s per week and latterly she had been unable to do this. Had Pate been able to work he would have had no difficulty in supporting nis family. But the afflicting hand of the Almighty having been laid upon him, he is compelled, for want of the necessary means to pay back rent and maintain his family, to ask assist ance, which he trusts will be generously affoided him in his hour of need. I here by cerdfy that the above statement is correct, having been a cabin passenger in the Warwick, and having known Mr Pate ever since we left England. Dr. Macdonald will also certify to the foregoing facts.— David Garrick, Aug. 2, 1875, 44, Short land-stieet."

A subscription list for widow Doble was opened by Mr Rowe at the shipping office in the Oustom-bouße this morning, and by mid-day nearly £G was collected from masters of vessels and others having business ab the office. It is very gratifying to see compassion take such a substantial shape among " the toilers of the sea," whose rough calling is evidently no bar to the growth of the Christian virtues of charity and goodness of Nature.

A correspondent calls attention to the filthy state of the closets attached to the Immigration Barracks, which are a disgrace to the locality. The smell arising therefrom actually permeates the surrounding atmos phere, as passengers in that direction, espe cially at eventide, sensibly feel. Our corres pondent does not know with whom the responsibility rests, but thinks that imme diate steps should be taken to remove what may speedily prove calamitous in these days of typhoid fever and other diseases. He further suggests that as a number of male immigrants are unemployed and loitering about, they might be serviceably employed in removing what may become a fatal pesti lence. The Independent Order of Free Gardeners, Alpha Lodge, will hold their fortnightly meeting this (Tuesday) evening. Mr. Bartlett, the photographic artist of Queen-street, fell down yesterday in an epi leptic fit, when near the Caledonian Hotel, Symondsstreet. Mr. Evinson at once ten dered his assistance, and had the fallen artist conveyed to his residence, where he received the attention of Dr. Stockwell. We hear that Mr. Bartlett is recovering.

A meeting of the carpenters and joiners-of the city was held last evening to form a branch of the "Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners" of Great Britain. The object of the Society is the regulation of trade matters, the promotion of technical education, and the establishment of sick-pay, superannuation, unemployed, and funeral funds. The meeting last night was very umanimous, and the business of electing officers, etc., was conducted with expedition. Mr Joseph Pooley was chosen Branch Presi dent ; Mr H. Smith, secretary, and Mr Thos Tudehope, treasurer.

We acknowledge receipt of £1 from Mr Case in aid of Widow Doble.

The members of the Acclimatisation Society held a meeting yesterday afternoon, but nothing of special importance came before the meeting. A donation of ten guineas was acknowledged from Mr. Edward Wilson, of Hayes, Kent. The monthly accounts, amounting to £54 12s 5d were passed. The Society determined to send to California in conjunction with the Societies of Melbourne and Canterbury, £50 worth of salmon ova by the steamer leaving San Francisco in October. Ice houses will be specially pre pared aboard for these shipments. The secre tary has written to Hobart Town and the South for trout ova. The 128 Californian quail have been distributed over the province. The list of seeds to be procured was sub mitted and approved of.

At the City Council yesterday the Mayor stated that a petition had been received from the inhabitants of Karangahape Road in reference to the removal of the two children said to have taken typhoid fever in the Industrial Home, to a cottage in that neigh bourhood. Councillor Daldy said he was happy to state that the alarm experienced was totally unfounded ; the children were convalescent and there were no more cases. Councillor Isaacs said the popular impression that typhoid fever was infectious, was erroneous. He thought the management had acted very wisely in removing the children. Councillor Brett remarked that the public had an idea the Council had exercised a want of caution in the matter. He was glad to hear from Councillor Daldy that there was no danger of the fever spreading. The sub ject then^dropped. A very satisfactory report of the progress of the Water-works was read. Tenders for the alterations to the Market-house*were received, and Mr Gill's | for £140 was accepted. j

The Scottish Volunteers will receive the new snider rifles at the weekly parade which takes places in the Drill-shed this evening at eight o'clock. The collection at St. Matthew's Church last Sunday for the funds of the Home Mission amounted to £2S 15s. ; and the total collected in all the churches reached £IU4 os. 2d. Messrs. Harry Levy and J. Mendelsohn have engaged to supply visitors to the Prince of Wales Theatre, during the stay ot the Fakir of Oolu, with refreshments and fruits, (no nuts) of the finest quality, and for this purpose they have fitted up a stall in the pit. The cricketers of City West, Porisonby, and Newton have succeeded in securing the reserve of the land at the top of Hepburn street, which was the subject of petition to the City Council, for a recreation ground. This will be a great benefit to the wide district adjacent to the ground. Captain Daldy, Chairman of the Harbour Board, will proceed to Wellington to-mor row to arrange verious pubhematters which have to be brought before the General Assembly during its present session.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Messrs Macffarlane and Dargaville,

Justices of the Peace.)

WEAK HEADS.

James Kavanagh, John Wilson, and John McLeod were fined 5s each for being drunk last night. Alexander Graham, an old offender, and John Collins, picked up by Constable James Axam, were fined 10s each for a repetition of the same offence. MAGGIE MICK. Margaret Mick, a smart looking young woman, was charged with drunkenness, and as it was her first offence, she was fined 5s and costs. jemmy's capers. James Bra3lin, a little, sharp-looking man, was charged with wilfully breaking a win dow in the United Service Hotel, value £1, the property of Mr John Hancock. Mr Brobam stated that the poor little fellow had got into Mr Hancock's, where he had been taking cordials, and on leaving put his head through the window, but whether by accident or not could not be stated with certainty. . Prisoner said he was guilty, but his head was wrong and blundered through the glass. The Bench imposed a fine of 5s and costs for being drunk, and the amount cf damage 20s or seven days' imprisonment. Prisoner said he would pay. NEGLIGENT PARENTS. Mary Ann Johnson was summoned for neglecting to contribute towards the support of her girl in the Industrial School. Defendant did not appear. Sergt.-Major Pardy deposed that the girl was one of the juvenile thieves against whom a number of thefts had been proved. The mother was in a position to assist in sup porting the child, but preferred a course of immorality to one of honest industry. The Bench made an order of half-a-crown a-week. Neil McGeehan, a tailor, was ordered to pay four shillings a-week for his stepchild. ON THE WRONG SIDE. Samuel Mears, a youth in the employ of Mr A. Somerville, was summoned for a breach of the Municipal Police Act, by driv ing on the wrong side of the way on the 26th July. Defendant said he was not guilty. Dr Goldsbro' stated the case, and proved, unmistakeably that defendant had com mitted the offence, and nearly turned him and his busrgy into the ditch He hoped the Bench would make an example of this case, as it was necessary as an example to others. The youth then acknowledged his error, and wa3 fined 20a and costs. BREACH OF HARP.OUR REGULATIONS. John Ploughman was charged with a breach of the Harbour Regulations, with carrying more than 30 cwt. along the wharf and over the weigh-bridge on a dray. Mr J. B. Russell, solicitor for the Harbour Board, appeared for the Harbour Master. Mr McCormick for the defence. Captain Burgess, chief harbour-master, deposed that special printed ordera had been placed up and down the wbarf, to the effect that no carter would be allowed to carry a load beyond that weight. A great deal of discussion took place be tween counsel a3 to the merits of the case, when it was resolved to leave the matter in the hands of the Bench. The Bench, having considered the matter, fined the defendant 20s, being 2s for every cwt. in excesa of the prescribed weight. Several other similar cases were settled in ohe same manner, viz., Philip Turner, 12s; William Burtenshaw, 10s ; Patrick Maher, 12s ; William Chappel, 83 ; and John Prey, 16s. This was all the business.

Accident on the Wharf.

Mr James Baluntyste. receiver on the Queen-street wharf, met with a nasty acci dent this morning which will lame him for some time. He was attending to his duties this morning on the main outer T., when seeing a horse trying to start with a heavily loaded dray, he approached and endeavoured to assist the animal by turning one of the wheels. By ill-luck he managed to place one of his feet in front of the wheel, which, when it began to rotate, passed over the unfortunate man's toes crushing them in the boot, though not so completely, as if they had not been encased in the leather. The sufferer's partner, Mr Cammell, seeing the accident and the pain which it caused, supported Mr Ballantyne till a cab was procured, into which he was put and conveyed to his home, where he was shortly in receipt of medical attention. We understand that the lameness, which is sure to follow, is not likely to be permanent.

The Suez Mail.

SIR JULIUS VOGEL IN ENGLAND,

The London correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald writes : — " Sir Julius Vogel, who has been knighted, with the additional dignity of K.C.M.G. appended to his mane, appears to be going back to the system of making emigrants pay by promissory notes for their passage to Mew Zealand. A depu tation, consisting of Mr Arch and others, is said to have waited upon him but to no effect. Although under this plan the emi grants formerly became indebted some £20,000 to the Government, of which total about £1000 were recovered at law after an expenditure in prosecution of a good deal more than that, the plan seems about to be revived. If it is, a serious check will be given to emigration to New Zealand ; then attention will be drawn to its heavy debt, and the effect will be a sudden collapse. It is at least thought that Sir Julius is carrying matters with too high a hand, and that he is placing in unnecessary risk the already pre carious prosperity of his colony.

religious excitement at Brighton:

A great religious convention has been held at Brighton, lasting for 10 days, under the direction of Mr Pearsall Smith, also an American, and originally a Quaker, who seems to possess the mysticism and enthu siasm of some of the earliest members of that sect. The Pavillion, the Corn Exchange, and other public buildings at Brighton, which we all know as a sort of London-super-mare, we are appropriating to this convention, which was attended by several thousand people from all parts and every denomination, including from two to three hundred delegates from the Continental)churches. Mr Smith preaches a special doctrine of holiness, or as it is called, sanctification by Smith. These re ligious movements, however judged, are one

of the features of our time, and at leastlali cate a life better than the cold stagnation! mere orthodoxy. They are in some degree reaction against the influence of materiaUiL* GREAT PARTY RIOTS ]N BELGRjS: Belgium is agitated by religious feuds. TV Ultramontane party is forcing itself upon *k attention of the Government in a mann more urgent than the German dispatcW The Protestants in Belgium are a tM&. minority, but the Catholic population )> eludes a powerful liberal element, anditsfc \ sections, the liberal party and the p r jj ;/ party, have come into sudden and dani / rous collision. While the Government wj§f still endeavouring to ajust the questi ot | raised by Germany, they found themsel^! summoned to the more difficult dfc of preserving order at home. The Belgj a J priests, taking advantage of the Pope's d e . claration of a year of jubilee, had organised extensive pilgrimages. The Liberals, how ever, regarded these pilgrimagos as political demonstrations favourable to the extreme pretensions of Ultramontanism, which would set the church over the state. The popnU feeling' showed itself first at Ghent, where some 25,000 pilgrims, mostlj peasants, were interrupted ia their journey ; and in fe conflict that ensued one man was killed and some 500 persons were hurt. I n towns the ordinary religious processions were broken up in their passage thronghth e streets. At Brussels, on Sunday, May 2? the ranks of a procession were broken by the spectators, and ordered was only restored by the police charging drawn swords. On the following Sunday another procession left the same city under a cavalry escort, and an attempt to break it up was frustrated only by the troops. Last Sunday Brussels was placed under arms, aa it might have been if an insurrection w eM impending. Bodies of troops were stationed at special points, and the streets were lined with an armed force, all that a religious pro cession of the sacred _ Host—priests with crosses, aDd young girls with fWerg might pass through the streets unharmed.' At Antwerp a slight incident roused a furious storm. A schoolboy belonging to the Athe n£eum or, Government school, which would be called a " godless college " by the Jesuits, did not lake off his cap when the Host wsb passing. He was taken severely to task by a washerwoman standing by, and some school:.' boy chaffing ensued. The rumour spread that the young "iconoclast had blown out one of the holy candles. Forthwith the whole fish market arose in arms, and laid siege to the Atheiitoum, the windows of which,were broken ; crowds gathered in the street with sticks, and not a few persons came out with revolvers in their pockets. It wanted only another spark to kindle a general conflagra tion ; but, happily, the catastrophe was, avoided. The offending boys were conveyed quietly away, and night cooled the turbulent crowds. These quarrels, however, are but indications of opposing currents that are beginning to run strongly in Belgian politics, and to affect social life. The newspapers talk of the possibility of civil war, and rather fan the flame than subdue it- by their, articles.

WAIWERA (Hot Springs).

(PER "STAR" CARRIER PIGEON.) This day. There are at present 57 visitors at the hotel, and the two cottages contain J5. Beds are being fitted up for strangers."

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE.

THE FAKIR OF OOLU.

A LARGE and fashionable audience crowded the Prince of Wales Theatre last night to witness the inaugural performar.ee of Dr. Silvester, the "Fakir of Oolu," and no audience, we will venture to say, has ever left the Theatre better pleased with their f evening's entertainment. The nature of thej v Fakir's exhibition is not sufficiently ex plained in the word " Thaumaturgist," which appears in the bills, and means simply conjuror, or miracle-worker. Dr. Sylvester is no ordinary conjurer. He is not oae of those illusionists who are content withf the mere visionary deceptions which sleight-r of-hand produces. . Although this element enters into his achievements, it is not the., prominent feature of them. Like the world renowned Professor Pepper of the Polytechnic he is familiar with, and largely introduces\ the wonders of science to assist his manual dexterity which is itself fully equal to that of Heller or Professor Anderson. Superadded to his accomplishments of hand and brain, the Fakir has in an especial degree de- I veloped the useful "gift of the gab," so - indispensable to a first-class professor of the i art of mystery. Dr. Silvester, during ther^ performance of his feats, keeps up a quiet, gentlemanly, sparkling flow of humourous and witty accompanying remarks, which maintain the audience in perfect good humour throughout, and constitute in them- . selves a pleasant divertissement. None of the illusionists whom we have seen perform at home or in the colonies have displayed such a happy perfection in this portion of their art. The programme of last night was ~ divided into three parts, of which the first v consisted mainly of tricks of sleight of hand. ? Most of these we have seen attempted before but never done so cleanly and so well. The Fakir's ready method of producing at a moment's notice any flower from a cauli flower (which one of the audience thinking no doubt to puzzle the Professor, asked for) to a daisy, might afford a hint to our local gardeners who with every advantage of soil and climate produce little or nothing as a rule. The learned lion "Leo" was an ex traordinary illusion, and created as much fun and wonderment as any part of the performance ; the favourite solution being | that the trick is effected by ventriloquism.' The second part introduced the enchanted lady who while under the influence ; of |: mesmerism is suspanded in the air with one / arm resting on a golden staff - apparently her only support. This feat provoked loud and deserved applause. The lady was made Mj||| the will of the Fakir to assume various | characters, classical, historical, and poetical ( The changes were effected by means of clever arrangements of drapery and position, ; the taste exhibited in which showed the doctor to be no mean artist.1 *. The entertainer did not carry ant the more wonderful .miracle of taking > away the only support, in consequence „ as he explained, of his subject's temporary j indisposition ; but he promised this should be done next Monday. The artistio . effects of costume, we must not forget to add, are heightened by the aid of beau tiful tints thrown on the figure by the aid r of a lime light. The last and crowning portion of the entertainment was tha crystal fonntain. The feature of t^ 8 is less its extraordinary than its beautiful character. A magnificent fountain of many jets occupies the centre of the stage, and throws up its delicate translucent streams to the roof. By darkening the theatre, and letting in on the spray a flood of prismatic-coloured light, the most capti vating result is produced. lb is like a fairy cascade of enchantment. Not the least amusing part of the Fakir's programme were the explanations of the modus operandi oi . the tricks which he now and again vouch-. ;} safes for the enlightment of his audience, while in some cases, as for instance in the trick of passing a die through a hat, he gives a simple aud matter of fact solution ot the difficulty, in others he indulges in good natured sallies of wit, which provoke immense laughter. An example of this may | not be uninteresting, even second-hand. "The trick of suspending the lady in gj | air," says the Doctor, "is very simple ; so simple indeed that you may try it any.°J--"S you, at home in your'houses. Do not seiecn . as your subject your grandmother or yo°r aunt because they won't appreciate the tan» but choose a young lady, good-looking P 1*" ferred, about 17 or 18, certainly not more 11

1 i^ m^ _^ -JTJI it



&&~A special charge is made for r-onsignees' or shippers' names inserted in this column.



THE COLONIAL BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. Capital,- £2,000,000; Subscribed Capital, £850,000. A Branch of this Bank, for the conduct of General Banking Business, is now open in the premises Queen-street, next the Insurance Buildings, and lately occupied by the National Bank. J. T. WARREN, Branch Inspector. Auckland, 21st July, 1875. rPELEGRAM BOOKS. TELEGRAM BOOKS may be obtainei at the Star office. T LNOLEUM ! T INOLETJ M ! LINOLEUM ! THE NEW CORK NOISELESS FLOOR CLOTH, Noted for its Durability and Comfort, Suitable for Offices, Halls, and Dining Rooms. HOLLOW AY & GARLIOK, Have JUST OPENED TJP Another SHIPMENT of FURNISHING GOODS. 30 PIECES OP LINOLEUM—GOOD DESIGNS. LINOLEUM DOOR MATS—A Novelty ! Beautiful Assortment of HEARTH RUGS. New Patterns in Felt, Dutch, and Hemp CARPETS. Well Seasoned 12, 18, 24 feet OIL CLOTHS. GOOD COIR DOOR MATS, from 2s lid. Some Cheap Lines in BOYS' AND MEN'S CLOTHING. HOLL OW A Y~~& GrARLICK, Drapery, Clothing, and Furnishing HOTTSTC, CITY H A L L, 230, Queen-street. Auckland. NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COMPANY. FIRE AND MARINE. Capita!,-pa' d up and invested £240,000. Insurance against LOSS BY EIRE of every des cription of Property may be efl'ected with this Com pany. Hulls Insure* "or the Voyage or Time. Merchan dise, Goods, ar Freight Insured, by steamers and sailing vesseff j" Risks on Specie subject to special arrangements. LOSSES PROMPTLY PAID.' %EO. P. PIERCE, Mana:er



TMPERATITE SALE OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. A. LINABURY & CO. Having taken premises adjoining, having determined to effect a CLEARANCE SALE, To obviate the necessity of removal of Stock, which otherwise must necessarily suffer deterioration. The SALE will continue for ONE MONTH ONLY, during which time no Reasonable Offer Refused! The Balance of the Stock will be SOL D by AUCTION As LINABURY & CO. are determined to open their Now Premises with entirely New Importations of the most FASHIONABLE GOODS. A. LINA BU RY & C 0., 224, QUEEN-STREET, One Door above Wellesley-street, Auckland. T pOSGRAVE AND /~10 HAVE RECEIVED TWENTY-SIX CASES OF LADIES' AND CHILDREN'S UNDERCLOTHING, Per Fernglen. They will be Sold to the Public at V COST PRICE. V ■foT O T I C E MACINTOSHES, WATERPROOF COATS, &c, Just to hand, a Line of the above, specially adapted for CoACHDitrvEES, Cabmem Carters, &C, baing Seal-skin Lined, warm and dry. Also, SUPER D*AB MACINTOSH COATS. Above having been purchased at Auction, we are offering them much UNDER USUAL PRICE. GIG. UMBRELLAS. GIRLS' AND LADIES' WATERPROOF MANTLES, WATERFROOF TWEEDS, &c. BLANKETS, FLANNELS, WINCEYS, DRESS GOODS, HOSIERY, &c, UNUSUAL GOOD VALUE. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, [Late R. Hobbs], JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Qo best-street, Auckland.



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