SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER—This evening, 10 ; to-morrow morning, 10.17. SUN SET-This evening, 5.1. SUN RlSE—To morrow morning, 7.8. MOON'S AGE—Last Quarter, 26th, 8.18 a.m.

ARRIVALS

Pretty Jane, s s., Heinder, from Napier and Gisborne Southern Cross (A S. P. Co.'s), s.s , Carey, from Napier lona. s s., Farquhar, from Russell Hawea, s.s., from the South

DEPARTURES

Prince Alfred, barquentine, for Lj'ttelton (from the Thames) Ladjbird, s.s., for the South (from the Manukau) Rover, schooner, for the Coist Kowena, s.s„ for Tauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For the South — Hawea. s s, Tuesday next. For the Coast—Apnes Donald, schooner

For London— Fernglcn. ship, early For Rarotonga—Coronet, schooner, early For the Cape—Shooting Star, barque, early

VESSELS EXPECTED

Helen, barque, from Adelaide ; early Flirt, brigantine, from Lyttelton ; sailed 22nd Magellan Cloud, brigantine, from Chatham Islands ;

early Jessica, barque, from New York, via Dunedin Hero, ss, from Sydney and Melbourne, about 3rd

August • Victor, barquentine, from Port Gamble ; sailed 14th

May Cyphrenes, s s. from Sydney; due sth August Dover Castle, ship, NCT R, from Belfast; sailed 23th

May Rrnu, screw-barquentine, from Levuka, early Belle.Brandon, schooner, from Pe/nybn Island, early Peerless, schooner, from South Sea Islands, early Lsetitia, s hooDer, from harotonga Stag, barque, from Newcastle, early John Rennie, ship, from London ; sailed May 11 Victor, barquentine, from Port O amble, early Ryno, brigantine; from Botumah, early Papua, schooner, from Rarotonga, early Blith. schooner, from the IsUnds, e».rly Flechero, ship, HRM L, from London ; sailed 13th April Lutterworth, ship, HN X D, from London ; sailed 10th April Vision, trig, from famOT Alumbagh, ship, V N J G. from London ; sailed May 9 Carisbrook Castle, ship, HLWB, from Liverpool; sailed June 3 Columbus, barque, KVH R, from London ; sailed 6th June City of Auckland, shio, from London White Eagle, ship. QS G VV. frnm London, early Charybdi-. schooner, from the Navigators Kenilworth, schooner, from Noumea, early

ARRIVAL OF THE HAWEA.

The s.s. Hawea, in command of our old friend Capt. Wheeler, arrived at Onehunga at 1 p.m. to-day from the South. She Wel lington on Wednesday morning at 5.40, ar riving at Picton 9 50, same morning; left at noon, arriving at Nelson about 7, but could not enter the harbour until 9 p.m.; left Nelson 10.15 p.m. Thursday, arriving at New Plymouth on Friday morning at 11 a.m. Discharged 80 tons general cargo and took in 252 sheep and other cargo. Left New Plymouth at 7.30 same evening: arrived off the Heads at 8 30 a.m., under easy steam, and crossed the Manukau bar at 11 a. m. Passengers : Messrs. Hunter, Tinden, Mait land, Winter, Willcox, Pat'iidge. Ackland, Shera, Bishop, Chisbolm, John Kean, Cap tain Watson, Dr. Samuels.

The schooner Fairlie cleared out for VTangaroa to day in ballast The barque Helen, according to latest advices, was loading at ' delaide witfc grain for Auckland.

The barquentine Prince Alfred tett tho Thames on Thursday for Lyttelton with a full ca-go of timber.

The s.s Pretty Jane arrived eariy thii morning from Gisborne and Napier with a c»rgo of 470 sheep. The brig Parah arrived at Wangaroa on Friday, the I6th, after a smart passage from Auckland of i 6 hoars.

The schooner Estelle is loadel at Wangaroa with 107.0u0 feet timber, and will leave the first oppor tunity.

The brigantine Agnes cleared to-day for Kapler (via K*nne3y Bar) with 100,010 feet timber, to be shipped at the l»tt»r port. The s s. Pretty Jane has baen drawn up on the hard to repair her propellers, one of which has hai all its

blades but one carried away by contact wit.i a rock while entering Gisborneharbjur.

The Darwein arrived at Mongonui on Punday Ust after a very repgh passfge from Auckland cf 13 days. The captain reports having sighted the North Cape two or three times duiing his knocking about. The A S P. Co.'s s.s. southern Cross ardved to-day from Nrpier via the Thames, where she put out her cargo of cattte. Passerjgers :— Messrs A. Boss. J. A Kelly, R. Kelly, R Fishe, A. B. Morrow, R. Morrow. Tho s.s. Ladybird left the Manukau for the Sou'h early this afternoon with general cargo and th. follow ing passengers :•-Messrs O. Semisch, J. H. burton, Kepper 8. Hood, Hammond. Gilmour, Mr and Mrs Petrie and daughter, and a few others.

The s s lona left Russell at 1p m. yesterday with "W. wind, fine weaiher, and smooth water, and arrived , at Wangarei Heads at 9p m. Lett again at 9 30, and arrived in Auckland at 6.30 this morning Passengers: —Messrs McLellan, Garten, Allw.ight. Kidd, Mason, J. Davis, Williams, Tothill, Hoffman, Cahill, Grover, Seccombe, Rev. ftfcßae, Boyd", Carter. Mrs Bu-hnell, and 15 in the steerage. Cargo :—16.000 shingles, 83 «acka gum, 6 hides.—Cruickshank & Co., agents.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Wanganui, this day The St. Kilda left for Onehunga at 1 o'clock this moning.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails'"will Close as follows.— For Thames M:ncUy next at 9 a m For St Andrew's Kennedy Bay, per Agnes, this day at 4pm For Wanganui, per St Kilda, on Monday next, at 10 am For Samoa, N.J, per Shooting Star, on Monday next at 9 am For Gisborne and Napier,'per Pretty Jane, on Mon day, 26th instant, at 3 p m For Wangarei, etc. Ku»sell, nnd Mon gonui, per lona, on Monday next at 4 p m For Kawau aud Mitalcana, per Lady Bowen, on Tuesday next at 9 a m Per Cyphrenc. 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 SO a m For tha United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10 30 a m For money orders, registered 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.

BIRTH.

STEPHENS.—On the 21th.inst., Mr?, J. E. Stephens of a daughter.

MARRIAGES.

BELFEAGE—COOMBE.—On June 26, at St. Mark's, Darling Point, by the Bey. Thomas Kemmls, G. H. G. Bclfrage, of Singleton, son of the late Major Belfrage, H.M. 92nd Regiment, to Georgie, only daughter of T. L Coombe, Esq., Cadaxton, Double Bay, and grandfather of the late Rev. Thomas Atkinson, Exeter, England.

NEVE—LUCAS.—June 30, at West Maitknd, by the Key. George Lane, "Walter, second son of Walter Stride Neve, of Hastings, Sussex, England, and formerly of Auckland, N.Z., to Martha, only daughter of the late John Lucas, of Redfern, Sydney.

DEATHS.

HAMILTON.—On the 23rd July, at Papakura, John Hamilton, aged 35 years.

The Hearse will arrive at the Papakura cemetry at 1 p.m. to-morrow. Friends will please accept this invitation.

STONE,—A.t his father's residence, Kyber Pass Road, at C o'clock this morning, William, third son of Mr. C. J. Stone, of this city, aged 25 years.

The funeral wttl leave his late residence at 3 p.m. to-morrow (Sunday). Friends will please accepi this invitation.

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

SATURDAY, JULY 23, 1875.

Fer tht cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resist****, 99t the fmture in the distance, Am* th» reod that we can «*,

The address in reply to his Excellency'? opening speech was carried last night in a half-filled House, and without a division. The Opposition determined to rest upon the assurance of the Government that the address was intended to be merely a formal one. It is evident that the Ministry have a large following, and are determined to carry their measures; they have nailed their colours to the mast, and the Opposi tion know clearly what is intended. That,the session will be a most important one, the opening debate sufficiently indicates, and whatever the strength of the Government party may be, the Ministry will have a hard fight before them. Without entering irito the questions which have been raised in the debate just . closed, we think it will give satisfaction to the people to see that once more the Parliament of New Zealand, so long utterly sub servient to the dictates of the Government, now possesses a Constitutional party which will closely scrutinise step by step the • actions of the Government. There is safety to the people in the existence of an Oppo sition in reality as well as in name. In our telegraphic columns to-day appear* a /ull

summary of last night's debate. The fervid and eloquent appeal of Sir George Grey wiU be read with great interest by the people of Auckland, who are now familiar with his great powers of oratory, which have already made a deep impression on the House of Representatives.

The committal of the young girls, Johnstone and Armstrong, to the Home for Neglected and Destitute Children and the Orphan Home, by the magistrates at the Police Court yes terday was a serious mistake, although it is difficult, in the absence of any reformatory for criminal children, to say what should have been done with them. It was clearly proved that the girl Johnstone, youDg as she is in years, has been cradled arid nurtured in vice, and ha 3 not been an inapt pupil. No less than nine cases of theft were established against the girls, and their manner in the prisoners' box confirmed the impression that they were extremely hardened and callous. To place criminals of this class in Homes conducted on the principles of non-restraint, which govern the institutions of Howe street and Parnell, is to run the risk of contamina ting innocent children who3e misfortunes are their only crime. It is, we believe, contrary to the spirit and intention of both institutions to provide for the javenile criminal classes, and we really think that the committees should make a representation to the Govern ment on the subject. We are satisfied that the managers will find it impossible to main tain discipline in the Homes and command the confidence of tho public who- provide employment for the inmates, if children like the girl Johnston are to be quartered there, and it would be infinitely better to throw the onus of providing for girls of that character upon the Government rather than incur any risk of demoralising two well-regulated public institutions, which are so largely indebted to private benevolence for support.

Why is it that all our public institutions, when unsustained by Government aid, sink into such a sickly and feeble condition that, for sheer pity sake, one could almost wish thatjan end were put to their painful struggles for life by the snuffing out of the last spark of vitality ? Only a few months have passed since the Committee of the Young Men's Christian Association resolved to succumb to an apparently irresistable fate and close the doors of that excellent institution ; and now the Committee of the Mechanics' Insti tute plainly inform subscribers that it were better to die than continue a hopeless fight against poverty. We can heartily sympa thise with the committee in their depression, for none know better than they that the Mechanics' Institute of Auckland has not satisfactorily fulfilled any of those func tions which have in other cities rendered these useful institutions so widely popu lar. If this has been the case iv the past the committee may well look with despondency to the future now that the Government subsidy has fallen a victim to provincial impecuniosity. But while we so far sympathise with those who have tried to bear the heat and burden of the day, and confess themselves beaten, yet we are still more disposed to join issue with the party of hope while there is a possibility not merely of something "turning-up" as Mr Micawber would suggest, but of retriev ing by energy the fortunes of our ancient public library. The experience of the Young Men's Christian Association ba3 shewn that the public are capable of being aroused to friendly action in a good cause, although it must be admitted that the effort necessary to reach them is one which dis interested men cannot reasonably be ex pected to make. But the difficulties of the Mechanic's Institute are not nearly so serious as thrse of the Association. It is not saddled with the grievous incubus of debt, which has weighed the other down, and really it is difficult to see why, with its advantages, the Institu tion should not flourish. We cannot but think that the monied men of Auckland are chargeable with a want of public spirit in this as in other matters. In all other colonial cities we find men of substance leading the i way in every social movement; here, the 1 whole burden is borne by those who have neither the means nor the time to give effective aid. The Mechanics' Institute is pre-eminently an institution which should command the hearty support of every per son in the community. In a seaport where there is a large floating population without settled home, and nightly thrown upon the resources of the city for amuse ment, a well-managed Mechanics' Institute would be a • boon which it is impossible to over-value. To the credit of the leading men of Dunedin be it said that they fully recognise this truth, and we find the read ing-room there the resort of captains and strangers as well as the centre of attraction to a large number of intelligent young men of tho city. Throughout the past year the Mechanics' Institute was kept admirably supplied with the best magazine literature of the day, but still there has not been a commensurate appreciation on the part of the public. What the new committee propose to do we are not in a position to say, but we hope some effort will be made to arouse pub lic interest, and secure an increased number of subscribers in order that the limited degree of efficiency and usefulness already attained to may not be impaired during the coming term by a retrogressive and parsimo nious policy.

We refer our readers to our advertising columns for the subjects of discourse at the various city churches to-morrow. We deeply regret to learn that Mr William Stone, of the firm of Stone Brothers, whose illness of typhoid fever was mentioned in a previous issue of the Star died at his resi dence last night. His illness was brought on by exposure to wet while shooting in the Waitakerei aggravated by neglect in not changing his clothes. The deceased gentle -1 man was an active business man, in the i prime of life, and it was hoped he had a long career of usefulness before him. He was personally popular with all who had the ' pleasure of his acquaintance whether in his business or private relations. . We have received the following confiden tial communication, but feel justified in letting the public know about it:— " Sir, —You who 1 am sure are acquainted with everything in this city, will be able to afford me the information I am seeking. Can you tell me if there is or not a private mad house in Graham e-street or its locality. I have serious thonghts of becoming a deni zen of that part of the city, but the presence or eves remote contiguity of such an estab lishment will certainly deter my present intentions.—Yours in confidence, Mens Sana." [We confess we are nonplussed; but on the principle that " all men are fools " we suppose Grahame-street possesses its fair proportion. We should not think that this need be any obstacle to residence there.—Ed. E. S.] The Devonport District Board held its first meeting last evening, when Mr. Oliver Mays was unanimously re-elected chairman, I Mr. W. S. Cochrane, treasurer, and Mr. T. IW. Seaman, Collector of Kates. It was also resolved to shell all the footpaths in the district, and to call for tenders for carting metal for the year and for fencing in the scoria reserve on the old lake road.

A meeting of the ratepayers of the Waitakerei South District was called to-day at the Thistle Hotel, but as no one was present, except the chairman, Mr Seaman, and four reporters, the meeting lapsed. In glancing as the finaiscial statement, we noticed that tho receipts, including the balance of £47 5s Gd from the previous year was £115 Us lid, and the expenditure as follows :—Forming new roads, £54 16s Gd ; salary, rent, printing, and legal expenses, £10 7s 4d, leaving a balance of £49 IS3 Id. The importance of the Nova Scotia settle ment at Waipu, and the remarkable progress made by those sturdy colonisers, is very little known in Auckland. From a letter written by a Waipu settler to the Whangarei Comet we make the following extract, shew ing the condition of the district:—" We have a population, including children, of 800 indi viduals, who during the time I have been resident in the county of Marsden have erected 104 houses, who have cleared, jdoughed, fenced, and laid down in grass, etc., upwards of 8,000 acres of land, who own more than 10,000 sheep and .1,000 horned catile, almost every settler possessing a horse. It speaks well for the fleeces, that the Waipu wool brought a tip-top price at the wool sales in Auckland. We have two places of worship: the Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Mr. Mcßae as minister, having the largest congregation north of Auckland; and a meeting house, in which Mr. Angus Morrison officiates, which is also well attended. We have 70 miles of fine level roads, ditched and drained with culverts where wanted, and 13 substan tial bridges built across the various branches of the river; one being reconstructed over the main branch, which was not finished on Saturday last. We have fine schools, well attended. 1 can apeak of the Upper District School, which has at the present time an average of 70 scholars, 94 being on the roll. We have four stores, well stocked, where yon can obtain goods at Auckland prices, Hour excepted. We have a flour mill, a Good Templar's Lodge, two public libraries, one of which is dormant, through some mis apprehension on the part of the Provincial Librarian ; a fine craft on the stocks nearly ready for launching (several have been previously built here) and we now possess a resident medical man—Dr. Agassiz who has been kept busy enough since his arrival, and who has been very successful in his treatment of patients—several cases of typhoid and low fever having occurred lately. We have also a weekly overland mail, which Whangarei has not."

The Choral Society had a full dress re hearsal of the " Crimson Scarf " last night at the Choral Hall. The performers were present in full force, and the rehearsal was a signal success. On Monday night a final rehearsal will take place, and the perform ance in public will come off on the following day. A large amount of interest is taken iv the concert both by the Choral Society and the public, and we believe it will lead to a large increase in the number of the Society's members.

The Good Templars of Sydney met in the Masonic Hall on the Gth instant to welcome the Hon. S. D. Hastings, who delivered fra ternal greetings from all parts of the world. In the course of his remarks ho said the Good Templar Order numbered 12 000 to 15,000 lodges, and about three-quarters of a million members. He advocated the intro duction into the colony of such a law as that in the State of Maine.

General sympathy will be felt for G. B. Owen, Esq., and Mrs Owen under the painful circumstances connected with the death of their daughter notified in our obituary columns yesterday. The young lady hid been placed at school in New South Wales, under the guardianship of her uncle, aud Mr and Mrs Owen went up to Sydney by the s.s. Hero on her last trip to bring her home, but on arrival learned that she had been taken ill and died a few days previously. We can conceive of no more painful shock to the feelings of a parent than that caused by a death ULder such circumstances.

The following advertisers are requested to call at this office for answers to advertise ments : -AH M.. C.A., J.H., A.Z., EH, M., G. Smith., X.,J.K.G.,Cottage, It .Goose berry, A.8., Mrs H—th, Ledger, Mechanic, Mr. H. N. Nott.

Mr F. A. Jones writes enclosing a list of the nnmes of players in tho J'amell v. Ponsonby football match, giving fifteen on each side, which he is prepared to vouch for. He also says that Mr Heather inform* him that he only judged of the numbers on each side by the uniforms, and that several players were not in uniform. We have closed the correspondence and do not feel disposed to re-open it, so that this notice must suffice.

■ The frequent showers of the last few days have made it rather dangerous walking down some of the steep declivities which abound round Auckland, especially where the authorities have neglected to renew the scoria surface of the sidewalks. This cause lately led to a very unpleasant bu 1; irresisti bly droll accident in Eden Crescent. Two gentlemen, whose duties in one of the local banks call them back to town in the evening, were making the best of their way to their office the night before last from Parnell, and had reached the descent from the Supreme Court to Mr E. Isaacs' house on the left hand side of the road. A bout ten yards from the base of the hill there is a spot where the scoria covering has entirely disappeared and a surface of slippery clay is exposed on the pathway. One of the pair, a tall young man of fair complexion and general plumpness of aspect, was just in the midst of a discussion on the iniquities of a system of banking, which demanded the attendance of clerks for eleven hours a day, when bis companion was astonished at a most brilliant argument being brought to a pre mature close, and at his sadden disappear ance. The moon had not risen at the time and the companion who had stopped was guided to bis friend by a deep groan followed by an exclamation in bad French. He found him seated a few paces up the path, his feet well out to the front and his palms stuck deep into the yielding soil. By the uncertain light a sardonic smile was seen to play round his handsome features, and his pipe quivered convulsively in his mouth. Pain fully he rose, and the Bank did not see him that night or the next day. "We would not wantonly hurt the gentleman's feelings by mentioning his name, but it is not unlikely that the mark left on the path will lead to his identification. Both city authorities and Bank managers should learn a lesson from this sad occurrence.

The Hobson Band Minstrels will give a complimentary benefit to Mr J. McComish, in appreciation of his services, on Friday evening next, the 30fch instant. Mr McComish's efforts for the cultivation of a musical taste in this city are well-known and appreciated, and we have no doubt the calL will be responded to by a "bumper house." The Minstrels will be assisted by Miss Maggie Knight, the talented song and dance artiste. An efficient orchestra of 10 performers will be present.

The Excelsior Hall is situated near Dr Wallis's Church, and a short distance from the main street in NewtonJ Any lady or gentleman who desire the use of this build ing for the purpose of teaching music, should apply to Mr Jeune, the proprietor, who offers to hire it for such use during the day. It is already made to resound with the strains of band music, as the band practice within its walls every week. It appears to be favourably adapted for musical purposes.

The Co-operative Meat Company an nounces by advertisement in another column that the quality of the beef at last Thurs day's sale was unexceptionable, and that prime joints at the low rates charged by the Company are obtainable to-day.

The interesting information is given by the Whangarei Comet that a number of Otamatea ! natives have arrived to assist Taurua and his people in scraping the bones of their long departed relatives who were buried at Otaika, The same journal says that last week, a re quisition was sent to Sir Robert Douglas, Bart., M.P.C., asking him to convene a public meeting, for the purpose of consider ing the advisability of having Whangarei pro claimed a township, &c. Mrs Sweeney desires us to return her heartfelt thanks to those friends of her late husband, who so kindly and successfully ex erted themselves on her behalf, on the occasion of her late painful bereavement. Some commotion was produced on the Queen-street wharf to-day on the arrival of the s s. Pretty Jane, by the landing of six prisoners who were brought for commitment to Mount Eden gaol. One woman is sen tenced to 6 months imprisonment for larceny, and 5 men, 4 maoris and 1 white man, com mitted for trial for house-breaking at Poverty Bay. As the handcuffed couples marched up the wharf they were followed by a large crowd of persons. A correspondent puts the follawing business-like .query :— " Sir, —I notice a good deal of correspondence, telegrams, &c. in tho papers with reference to the four million loan. Can you inform your readers who got the commission ? That factor is necessary to enable me to judge who has the best of the argument in the controversy.— Yours, &c, Financier." —[The official cor respondence te'ls us that Rothschilds got two per cent, for giving the loan the benefit of their prestige. A question to the head of the Government about any further possible commissions would probably bo deemed impertinent. — Ed. TS. <S*]

The Fatal Accident at Sea.

FULL PARTICULAES

We are indebted to Captain H. F. Anderson for baing allowed to extract from a letter received from Mr John Darrach, of Mahu rangi, the following full particulars of the fatal acccident on board the Eihel brigan tine :—"lt appears that when handy or alongside the Hen and Chickens, off Wangarei, the weather almost a calm, the topgallant-sail furled, and all the other can vass set, the head of the fore-topmast broke short off, beginning on the after side at the shoulder under tho tresailtrees, and coming clean off at the lower part of the eheavc-holo on the for'ard side. The topgallant-mast and yard then hung on to the upper topsail-yard. The tie of that yard was stuck in the splinters of the sheave-bole and would not run, so they set to work to cut the shackle of the topsail tie, so as to lower the whole affair down on deck, having, before doing this, lashed one of the purchase blocks to the top mast below the sheave-hole to tike the weight off the tie. Moir, the second mate, and a man named Baker (who had been shipped in Auckland) were aloft cutting the hhackle, the captain at the wheel, the vessel going before a light breeze, Moir was straddle-legs across the upper topsail-yard, the other man standing outside of Moir on the foot-rope. As soon as Moir got the shackle cut, the hook of the purchase block (a 1-i-in. luff hook) broke Equare off, aud down came the whole fabric, and brought up on the top of the forecap. Moir, who had the hammer and chitel iv his hand, found him self holding on to the topmast rigging. The captain just got a glimpse of the other man just as he scruck the water. He says the falling man struck the water on all-fours or face lirst; he came to the surface at once on his back, paddling with his handy, but never spoke. The captain threw him the lifebuoy epiite close, but he made no effort to catch it. Of course the vessel was brought to the wind and a boat lowered, but there were no signs of either the drowning man or life-buoy. Both Moir and Hauley (our half-caste) went to the mast-head to look for the drowning man, but could not see him. It appeais singular that in a fore noon of a fine day, cilm weather and smooth sea, that neither the man or the boy could be found, but such appears to be the case, and it also appears mysterious tbut the mast should have withstood ail the rough stormy weather to Canterbury and back, and should give way, with no sail set above it, on a line day." It would appear from this that the topmast of the Ethel must have been sprung on her last voyage without Captain MoLeod being aware of it. The Eihel, afser having had a new topmast fitted by Messrs. Darrach and Son, left Mahurangi in prosecu tion of her voyage on Friday morning.

Melancholy Suicide of a Young Man in Wellington.

CRT TELEGRAPH)

THE UNFORTUNATE FELLOW FOUND WITH A PISTOL WOUND IN THE HEAD.

WELLINGTON,

This day. Information was given to the police yesterday morning that a man was lying near the Roman Catholic Cemetery shoo through the head. Oa proceeding to the spot it was found that the person in ques tion was a young man named Edward Walter Church; in the employ of Wilson and Richardson, drapers, Lambton Quay. He was not dead, but evidently severely wounded. The pistol was lying by his side. Dr Harding was in attendance, and had the sufferer removed to the Hospital, where everything possible was done, but no hopes were entertained of his recovery, and at 2 p.m. he died. The ball had entered near the jaw, and had glanced upwards, divi ding one of the arteries in the head, but not grazing the skull. It appears that Church, who was a very steady young man, not being at his usual post in the morning, one of his employers sent up to his lodgings, and learned that he had left for business as ÜBual. The next thing heard of him was his discovery as above stated. He is about 20 years of age, and a comparatively recent arrival, having come out by the Hindostan. No reason for the act has been ascertained.

THE OLD MEN'S REFUGE.

To the Editor of the Evening Star.

Sir, —Permit me a small space in your columns to reply to two statements which have appeared in print, relative to the dis missal of an inmate of the Old Men's Refuge for gross insubordination. The "facts" re lated in the paragraph which first appeared are, with the exception of the following im portant items, on the whole pretty correct. Ist. The man is not an old man. 2nd. He is not subject to epileptic fits. And 3rd] He is not in any sense blind. Another little unimportant matter that perhaps it would be as well to correct. The manager did not feel sorry for having to tarn the man out after dark, it not being customary with some persons to feel sorrow for what never occurred.—l am, &c. p [Our correspondent also forwards a copy of the official report to the Relieving Officer on the subject, in which Mr Stanton states that James Macdonald, the man discharged, had threatened his life and said he would " swing for him;" and Mrs Stanton had seen him sharpening a knife on the doorstep in such a threatening manner that she was terrified that ho would do her or the children some grevious harm, The report ac cuses Macdonald of habitul nsubordi nation and laziness, and says that he is only 33 years of age, and with the ex ception of being subject to fits (the genuine ness of which the master has his doubts about), there is nothing to prevent him from earning his own livelihood.]

Juvenile Depravity in Auck land.

CHASE BY A DETECTIVE. Examples of juvenile depravity to a fearful extent were furnished yesterday by two young girls, named Annie Armstrong and Katie Johnston, at the police station. The girls had robbed the till of Mrs Binsden of Welle3ley-street, who lodged information at the police office. Detective Grace at once went in search of the young thieves, and saw Armstrong by the Auckland Hotel, who, upon seeing the detective immediately started off at full speed, with the detective pretty close behind. The girl dodged the constable a good deal, and after an hours chase, sue- , ceeded in taking her in a closet in Grey street He at once took her to the station, and went in quest of her companion in vice and found her in Cook-street. Armstrong was nine, and Johnston eleven years of age. Detective Grace entered the station panting and puffing, and declared that he had not had such a run for many a day, the girl Armstrong ran like a deer. The girls, upon being confronted in the guard-room, commenced to abuse each other in no measured terms, calling each other thieves and vagabonds, and using epithets of a still worse character. The subsequent disclosures made by these children were astounding, considering their years, and showed that in the very heart of this city are the germ.3 of a dangerous clas3 which bids fair to equal the class whirh, in years agone, made such places as Whitechapel and St. Gdes's famous in the annals of crime. The girl Armstrong accused Johnston of stealing a perambulator, when Johnston re plied, " Well, what if I did ? You stole the turkey which you dropped at the bank when Constable Winslow was after you, and Winslow would have nailed you only he stopped to pick up the turkey." *' Well Winslow was wise, he would rather 'nab the turkey than me." "Ah, now you shut up, Kit; you stole the keys from the Post-office." " You lie, you wretch ; you know you stole the towel and the dress from the Prince of Wales, and then you thought you saw Sergeant O'Connor in the distance, and you knew he could run well, and so you dropped it in the mud, and after wards hung it up on the line." " Well, suppose I did ; did not you steal a shawl from a house in Cook-street and tear it up, and throw the pieces into an allotment ?" " Oh, Kitty ! don't say any more. Did not you slip into the shop in the same street and steal three loaves ?" " Well, what if I did ? We had not got any bread at home; the baker did not call that day." And so these waifs of society went on accusing each other of a number of thefts, many of which had puzzled the fertile brain of Constable Axam and otbers who were aware tha1; such depredations had been committed, but who had failed to trace the thieves. The girls also ac knowledged that they were frequently in the habit of sleeping out all night under houses, and pilfering whatever they cou'.d ficd in . th^ way. One of the girls owned that she had been to Union-street school, but generally played the truant; that her parents lived in Grey street, and as the home door was left un fastened, she could go in or stay out all night, as she liked. The girl Johnston was an orphan of Society, having no father that she knew of, and her mother got her living on the streets. One of the girls was sent to the Industrial Home, and the other to St. Mary's Orphanage, where their little hands will be kept from picking and steal ing, it is to bs hoped, lor some years to come. The etory of these weeds of society needs no comment.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPON-

DENT)

DEBATE OH ADDRESS IN REPLY. [Continued from Last Night's Star ]

Mr Thompson (Clutha) succeeded Mr Murraj (Otago) in opposing the address.

Then Mr McGillivray (Riverton), in a characteristic style, as if thumping a pulpit, proved that as a moribund parson often does the best action of his whole life, so this dying Parliament, in destroying the provinces, would be remembered to posterity for ever.

He wa3 succeeded by Mr Williams, of the Bay of Islands, who spoke briefly and solemnly, but effectively. He said he in tended to vote for the address. He was one of the minority who voted against Mr Vogel's resolutions. He did so because he did not believe they went far enough. He would vote with the Government.

Mr Pyke (Wakatipuj said the language of the address was such that he could vote for the reply without committing himself to anything. None in this House was a more decided abolitionist. He had been so 13 years. He believed Provincial Councils were a curse to the colony. He had given his adherence to the separation movement because it proposed the abolition of Councils, but if the speech by the words "at once" meant to say that this moribund Parliament should determine the question without con sulting the people, the Government would have no more uncompromising opponent than himself, and he must vote in the ranks of the Provincialists, with whom he had no sympathy whatever. Pause in the Debate-— The Question Nearly Put- After Mr Pyke, a long pause ensued. The Speaker asked if any other gentleman wished to speak. The silence continued, and members looked at one another. Sir George Grey beckoned to Mr Bunny, who with skill in strategy was waiting. The Speaker was putting the question, when Mr Bunny's "SIR," rang through the House, and members waked up and shook out their ears. His opening words were intended to smooth down asperities, and he affected to show that the matter was a mere moonshine, and it was of no significance whether the reply were passed or not. He would prefer to cut it down, and merely thank the Government, but it did not signify. Then Mr Bunny went at the railways, and said each member could only see what was before his own eyes. He only knew that of Wellington. "Call you that a railway ?" said Mr Bunny. "Atoy! "mere toy! but a most expensive toy." Then he went at the profits of these toys, and illustrated his subject from the necessity for seizing the capitation. The whole railway system he said bad been worked for the purpose of bringing out sucking engineers like Pass more, and sucking station managers at a great expense to be educa ted at our own expense up to their! duties ; and taking any part of the colony, he would defy anyone to find that the system did not shew the utter unfitness-of Mr Pass more for the position which he occupies. Referring to the loan and immigration cor respondence, he said those negotiators should have washed their dirty linen in the back streets. On abolition, he said that if the object was to put into the colonial chest what used to be used for provincial purposes —if the question was railways against roads and bridges,—it would be disastrous to the colony.

The Hon. Mr. Reynolds replied with great brevity that this was not the time to discuss the question, and would not be till measures were brought down.

Then Mr. Montgomery, of Christchurch, expressed his determination to do his utmost against any decision on abolition before an appeal was made to the people. He spoke strongly on the failure of the management of railways, which appears to have a warm corner in every member's heart. He referred to the loan correspondence aa a disgraceful

revelation, quoting one assertion of tin Crown agents, according to which Mr Vob»| admitted the colony to be in a meHa, and'l must get out the best way it could. He de clared his_ intention to make a very deter mined resistance to abolition. Mr. McGlashan (Roslyn, Otago), wh.oig a 9 moat useful servitor of the powers"/J^mP succeeded. He declared he knew *££**$$ sition wanted only a delay, and if so it wiC better io adjourn till Tuesday. He t& en launched out in a tirade against Provincial Governments, winding up his peroration by characterising them as " nasty, dirty liftf! Government !!" Mr Ward, the new member from Marl borough, accepted the Government declara" tion that the address meant nothing, andaj such would vote for it. Mr Wales felt that the constituenciei should have an opportunity of having - voice in the matter. They should have th« representation amended, and then appeal to them. He supported the address. Another Pause and Confusion. After he had finished, a quarter remained till dinner hour, and as it was known Sir George Grey meant to speak, the Opp6 B itio n felt fidgety to keep up the debate till that hour. Messengers were rushing to and fro Hopes wene entertained that the steamei would arrive, bringing Macandrew, with big sturdy lieutenant, Reid. The interest was in, tense, the Government party being well organ! ised and quiescent, the Opposition unorganig, ed, undecided, and fidgety. Their tactics were clearly not in order. At last Mr Brandon got up and talked all round about for a While expressing generally dissatisfaction, but with' what, the acoustic peculiarities of the Honse prevented my discovering. He sat down and five minutes remained. ' Mr Dignan has come to the rescue, it being his maiden speech in this House. He waste, ceived with around of applause. He has made an excellent point, in Auckland being in a better position than the colony in living within its means. He was speaking quietly and well when Mr Speaker announced dinner. Speech "by Sir G-eorge Grey. On resuming, every gallery was crowded to suffocation. It was known that Sir Geo, Grey would speak. Sir George Grey rose amid enthusiastic cheering. He said that it was with a sense of great responsibility he proceeded to address the House, for a more momentous period than the present in the history of the country had never existed. The matters contained in the address which it was proposed they should adopt demanded their most serious consideration, becanse they affected the welfare of the whole of New Zealand, and the address demanded their utmost consideration before any other measure was brought before the House, and before they started on the momentous course upon which they were about to enter. He had demanded, therefore, as a right, that they should obtain time to consider and look into the address before they adopted it. He had simply performed his duty to his constituents and the people of the country, He gathered from the address, or the pro« posed address, now that he had perused it, that the Government intended to pass a new constitution, under which the people of New Zealand were in future to be governed; and he also understood that the Government intended to introduce a new Representation Act during the present session. He gathered that from his Excellency's speech, but wished to be under no mistake, and desired the Government to say distinctly whether that was their intention.

Sir Donald McLean said it was the inten« tion of the Government so to do.

Sir George Grey proceeded : He took that to be a distinct affirmation on the part of the Government that they considered the present Parliament did not represent the people of New Zealand ; that was the only inference drawn. Yet they sought to force upon the people a constitution made by those who did not represent the inhabitants of New Zea land. Could it be possible that Ministers would force a measure on the public with a! House so constituted—a Hcuse which did not represent the people ? A more monstrous proposition was never made. It was conceded the inhabitants were not fairly represented. He challenged them to commit such • flagrant injustice. Before the constitutional measure was passed, they must nave each district equally represented. They would have no pocket boroughs. There would not be three members for one district with one for another district of equal tize, and some none at all. He maintained they must give each district a I proper share to act justly and fairly towards the people of New Zealand and allow » return of representatives proportionate' to population. In>such circumstances it would : be monstrous to meddle with the Constitu tion that the people of New Zealand enjoyed. What was the result of this un equal representation ? That the gentlemen who occupied the Government Benches did not represent the people of the country. The hon. member for Timaru had told them;' it was impossible for the House to get a ; better Government.

Mr Stafford here said he had stated it would be impossible for him to get a Govern ment who would more thorougMy exprese his views.

Sir George Grey: " More thoroughly express his views ! Is this what Parliament has come to?" The member for Timaru told them that the whole object of the people should be to return men" to give expression to his views and opinions. Was this to be -the whole object of Parliamentary Government ? What had they come to? Was this for • what they had struggled to return Governments and Parli aments ; to represent the views of one man! It was not so ; and gentlemen who occupied the Treasury Benches did not in any way represent the constituencies of the colony. Take the Premier for example. He jW placed in the Upper House on the nomina« tion of the Ministry of which he was noir tho head, and this was done to serve a pur pose, and such was the nature of the change! taking place that it was difficult to foretell what would be the next move. Perhaps they might have the member for TimarO (Mr Stafford) next to adorn the Ministry. He would confess he should be glad to see'such a change. But to return to the Premier: Who would pretend that a person so nomi nated could possibly represent the people! Not being required to be a wealthy man as is usual in the Upper House at home; BO" being required to give any pledge to assure people that he would endeavour to hand down to posterity those institutions, on the sustenance of which depended the welfare of the country ; what interest could such a person have in the sountry? Sir George proceeded to review the position of • the several Minister?, and the Upper House, shewing that they did not represent the people. Even the Governor was appoint** externally and on political considerations, influenced by the powers connected Vx*^s? monetary institutions of New Zealand. Witt such representation as this, the present *»S no time to impose a constitution on the people of New Zealand that was utterly ab horrent to them. Parliament was first abou* to expire ; it did not, as was admitted of Ministers in the address before the House properly represent the people of New Zea land, and they would be faithless to their trust, faithless to the .P^P* and faithless to the country, if /they imposed this constitution on them.1 '** •' this Parliament did not proceed to impose sucn a constitution it was not done by the peopl themselves or their representatives, "Jr would be done by an external body by JM Parliament of Great Britain without tM wishes of the people being consulted.^*?* - people would have no choice if the^Bty* forced such a constitution, aDd most^ : t their rights would be denied them JfSj. one of the most wicked attempts M?f|||k ever been made to rob the people *»rJi©|§:

the EvEmtt b'i'Ak.UaTUIWAJ!, JUU 'J4 \m



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