SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH W ' TER—Thu afte noon 957 mor- ng, 10 29 SUN j>Ki Thi« evening, 6.50 SUN RISE—To rn o)row morning, 5.55 M-OVS A.(. H— i ant quarter, 22nd 6 39 pin

ARRIVALS

Un'on, barque, w. Sherlock, from Newcastle C limibiis, Jwrque .AcMn, from Lond. n William Gifford, barque, Bi^liop, from Oamaru / gn. s, I rigantiue, Short, liom Mecmy Bay A guts Don;. Id. sclio<ner, MeCaDK, ironiEast Coast AsUburto , baique, irom Wellibgton

DEPARTURES.

Hella Mtry, barque, Mo«nlrar for Hobart Town

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Hero s.s.. from Sydney, 27th instant f-azttl!e, t-ietm-in m»n-of war from a cruse Briti.-h Enpre, f cm Lon' on Ciiy of Ai.cnland, ship, X Ml'E, from London; sailed 15th June "Whito Eagle, ship QSGW, from London Oceap Mail. ship. WEQP, from London Jesfica, barque, from>ew Yoik ; sailed 2nd June "Victor barque, from Port Gamble ; sailed 14th May Forget-Me-N"ot, birque, from Sydney, early Lady Fraßklin, barque, from Melbourne instant lizzie * ox, from Uew York; sailed 3rd July Agnes, schooner, from Mercury Bay, eariy Prince Alired, barquentine, from Lyttelton, sailed 14th instant Coronet, from Tahiti, early Marmion schooner, from lyttelton ; sailed 14th inst Edhh schooner, from Barotorga, early Canterbury, schooner, from Lyttelton, sailed 14th inst

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

IMPORTS

Per Columbus, 744 tons frrm London: Plain cot tons, £1382; coloured ditto, £1295; printed ditto £1706.; woollens and worsteds £592; flannels, £565 ; liren in bales. £126 ; ditto in case.", £179 ; cotton and •woollens, £187 ; muslins, £296; waterproof, £54; silk and velvets, £104: shawls and mantles, £63; mi linery, £510; hosiery. £1484; sewing thread, *]88; haber dashery. £4513 ; umbrellas. £340; cotton and linen shirts. e587; apparel, £7757 ; blankets, £184; carpets and rups, £101 ; bedcovers and connten anes, £111; straw hats. £633 ; fell hats and raps, £789 ; dressed leather, £249; wrought lea'her, £!035: saddlery, £1125; lociftrs, 20 csec ; agricultural impl> ments. £44; sgrcultural machinery, £177; railway and general machinery, £671: paper. 619 cwt; books, £301; stationery, £1100; horse-hair seating, £26; upholstery, £40; plated and paper mac^e goods, £48 ; toys, £20; pianos, £114; perfumer*, £32; jewellery, £15; print ing materials, £'29; safety fuse, £106; iron tanks. £58 ; chainß and anchors, 18 tons ; hardware and cutleTy, £1794; bar and r"d iron, 15toiis; pig iron, 12 tons; galvanised iron. 15 tons: t'n plates, 40 boxes; iron nails, 25 tons; stf el, 2 tons; quicksilver, 8 bottles; linseed oil, 1763 gallons; rape oil. 500 gallons: animal oil, 100 gallons: turpentine, ICO gallons; paints and colours, £201; pitch atd tar, 20 barrels; flint glass. £50: foreign window glass, £58; china and earthenware, £30; glass bottles, £80 ; canvas, £284 ; cement, 1199 barrels; brandy (bulk), 550 gallons; brandy (cat c), 344 gallons; rum (proof), 801 gallons : geneva (proof), 100 gallons; British spirits in bulk (proof), 125 gallons; ditto in cases, 7 gallons; per fumed spirits, 41 gallons; white wine, 137 gallons; malr, 102 quarters; preserved fish, £23«; assorted oilmen's stores, £153; foreign salad oils, £60: nuts, 23 bushels; mustard, £57; sago, 30 cwt; bicarbonate of soda, 20 cwt; candles, 21 cwt: raisins, 68 cwt; palm oi', 12 cwt ; cider, 200 gallons; currants, 101 cwt; apothecaryware. £235. Total, £38,400. Per Columbus from London: 2 cases, 1 cask, Ireland Brothers.

Per CoJumbas from London : 8 bottles quicksilver, 3COO sash weights, 5 cases saddlery, 265 kegs ewbanks. 10 cases galvanised iron, 10 kegs composi tion nails, 315 drums oil, 10 casks oil, 23 casks paint, 5 cases luddle, 3 cases varnish, 20 cases bath bricks, 3 casks chalk, 34 stove?, 2 bundle stoves, 6 cases, 3 casks, and 7 bundles stoves, 3 cases, 4 casks hardware, 3 caska horse nails, 1 cask stocks and dies, 5 cases carpenters tools, 15 cases, 4 packages chaff cutters, 8 casks tools, 1 case beer pulls, 1 bale hair seating, 1 csse cutl'iy. 2 casks vices. 3 casks hing»s, 60 kegs wire nails. 16 crates buckets and tubs, 10 kess staples 3 cases edge tools, COD casks cement, T. and S. Morrin

Per Columbus, from London—B bales paper, Reed and Brett.

Per William Gifford, from Oamaru—7o cases pre served meats, B Tonbs and Co.

Per Union, from Newcastle : 620 tons coal, Hen derson and Macfarlacc.

ARRIVAL OF THE COLUMBUS.

The Columbus, a fine little barque in command of Captain Atkin. anchored off'lie wharf last evening afte- a fair passage of 93 days from the Lizard. !-h? bring? sbnut 30 sale n and intermediate passengers in capital ho»lth. Nnthi- gof iaterest occurred during the voyage, which ai pe»rs t) have been marked by a continuance cf liuht wind 3 and calms Capia'n Atkin furnishfS ihe following report of lhe passage :—left Gravesend on the Bth June, a' noon ; passed through the T>nwns on the 9th, and left the lizard on the 19th. H..u veiy tiuii^y weather in the Channel, and head winds from the Channel to 10- N, and 25* W., aid very light breezes and floe weather, when the usual variable wind began on the sth July. Crossed the Tquator on the 13th, in 27-30 W; had nothing but strong S S. W and S». winds with strong iqnall- from S.S.E, and very unsettled weather until the 27th, when cut. of the tropics. Passed the meri dian on tbe 9th August, having had very variable vinds. Passed lhe Cape of Good Hope on the 13th August, with moderate breezes. The 15th August commenced with easterly winds and revolving storms, having bad the wind nine times round the compass in 16 days, with from two to eight hours calm on each occasion, and very cross seas, whfch stove two brats and two deck-houses. Passed Caps Lewin on the sth September, and Tfwmania on the 11th ; had favour able breezes frcm thenre to the Thn-e Kings. Got our eastings down in latitude from 37* to 43-, the greatest distance made in one d*y being 299 miles. Arrived off tte Poor Knights on the 19th, and had light breezes and calms until off the Little Barrier. Only saw two ships from lhe Cape of Good Hope, one lyine-to off CapeLtwin, in a gale from N.W. Passkhgebs: Saloon—Mrs Alfred King and two children. Inteimediate—Mrs C. Bainey. Mrs G. F. Kainey. Mcsrs A. Mansfield. F. >icholls, W. Jordon, Owen Williams, James Williams. J. W. Rochliff. G. Pooley, O. Schmidt, A, CharJesworth, Mrs Digby, Mi?s »-erdie Digb.v. Me«srs J-hn * arrinpton, John Best Albert Collier, Mis» Lruisa Langltis. Mast«r Arthur L&nglois, Mr W. W. Kinsman, Mr W. Wit cox, Mr James Brennan, and Misses Mary and Ann Brennan.

Prom our telegrams it will be seen the Glimpse, which left here for Newrastle_ on the same day as the Stag, arrived at her destination on the 9th, beating the Stag by two days. The brig Moa left here several days before the Glimpse, and arrived only on the 9th The barque Southern Cross has entered out for Lyttelton. The Agnes Donald frrm the Fast Coast brings 452 bags maize. 130 pigs, 24 bags grain, 100 skins, 11 hides, and a quantity of sundries. The schooner Boyd from Tairua brings 240 bushels maize, 4 tons gum, and 8 pigs The following vessels have cleared to-day :—Golden Isle, for Hussell; Atalanta, for Tairua; and Eliza beth, for M apier. Tne barque Afhburton. which arrived from Wel lington this morning, has teen chartered to load cattle for New Caledonia. She came up from Wel lington in ballast. The barque Lady Franklin, formerly announced as loading at Melbourne for this port, has been with drawn from the berth, and the barque Frances FeUy ig advertised to take her r lace, loading for Welling ton and Auckland. Her Majesty's s.s. Sappho is under orders to sail for Wellington this afternoon. The ship Helen Denny. Captain Peters, arrived at Napier yesterday with immigrants. Our old friend Captain Sherlock has made another good run <rom Newcastle of ten days to this port. The Union lelt Newcastle on the 11th instant, hsd moderate weather across, and dropped anchor off the wharf at an early h r,ur this morning. She brings a full cargo of coals consigned to Messrs Henderson and Macfarlane. Captaio Sherlock reports the Glimpse to sail for Auckland on the 12th instant. By the Hobart Tovrn, Mercury, of the 4th instant, for a copy of which we are obliged to Captain Me- Arthur, of the Bella Mary, we find two or three little items of interest to Auckland sMpjers. We notice that Mr John McGregor, Queen's Domain, builder of the well known London trading b&Tque Harriet Mc- Gregor and the scbooner Hally Bayley, has com menced to build another ve-sel for the intercolonial trade. It will measure 120 feet on the keel (one piece of blue gum), 25 feet beam, and 12 feet 6 inches In depth. Th? vesi"l, -which will be barque-rigired, will register about 280 tons and carry not far short of 400. ahis vessel will supply the place of the Bella Mary in the Auckland trade. A new ketch, the Lillie Hawkins, built by Hawkins Brothers, and measuring 84 tons register, was to leave Hobart Town on the 4th. for Ount-din, to na offered for sale.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails wili, Close ab follows:— For Thames, to morrow at 830a m, and at 4.30 p m for Coromandel on Friday next at, 11.30 am ForWangarra, per EbenezT, this day at 4pm tfor Wangaroa, per SouthernCrogs.to-mnrrow at 2 pm For Taur*nga, per Vincent, to-morrow at 3 p m For London (oirect), p-r Kobina Dunlop, on Wednes day at 5 pm For Chatham Islands, per Agnes, on Saturday next at 3pm Per *hcebe. on Thursd&y. 23rd instant, asunder: For India, China, Mediterranean Ports, and Con tinent of .Europe, at noon For TaranaM. Southern Provinces, and Australian Colonies, st 12.45 p m For United Kingdom via Suez and Southampton, for letters specially addressed, at 12 45 pm For United Kirjgdomviaßiindisi, and late letters for Southern Pipvinces and Melbourne, at 1 pm For money orders, registered letters, ana news papers, at 11 a m Per Macpregor, on Friday, Ist October, 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 am For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 10 30 a m * For meney orders, registered letters, and newspapers at 9.30 am Late letters bearing anextrafee of 6d in addition to the postage, will be received on board by the Mail Agent up to time of sailing. S. B. BISS. Chief Poßtmaster.

BIRTH.

CLEARY.—On the 20th September, at her residence, Otahuhu. the wife of Mr. M. J. Cleary, of a son. MOFFLIN.—On the 12th inst., at Wellington-street, Mrs. H. Mofflin of a daughter. GORRY —On September 18, at Wakefield-street, the wife of Mr. J. Gorry of a son.

MARRIAGE.

FLETCHER—ANDREWS.—On September 21, Abel Fletcher, late of Belston, Staffordshire, England, to Rachel Andrews, late of London,

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

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 1875

Wot th« cause th»t lacks asaistanca, ITor the wrong thzs needs resintaiaq, 9or th» fsturo in the distance. Aad th» ffeod thirt ~o cv i»

We had no inconsiderable share in pressing the American " Spelling Bee" on the atten tion of the people of this city, and it is therefore with some regret that we observe that this harmless pastime has somewhat degenerated in this new climate. We give credit for the very best intentions to those who have instituted the various contests, but several errors have been committed, which have caused ill-will among competitors, and are fast sapping the popularity of the game. We do not hesitate to say that who ever conceived the idea of admitting youths and children to compete with adults, failed to understand the true spirit of the Yankee game, and struck a deadly blow at its per manence and success. For it is the bizarre aspect of bearded men competing, that con stitutes the secret of its catching popularity; evoking that quaint feeling which people would have at seeing a number of grey headed grandsires playing marbles or leap frog. Adults in such cases are willing to unbend for the sake of the novelty of the sensation; and the semblance of intense anxiety assumed by such, as if they were carried away entirely by the spirit of com petition and the desire to win some trifling prize—it is this that gives to it that broad extravagance which is so great an element in American fun. But now it has degenerated into a veritable struggle for success and reward, and children are induced to come forward and exhibit their abilities, m

which being all very well in the nursery or the school-room, is wholly alien to the true spirit of the Yankee "Spelling Bee." We scarcely think it possible to restore the insti tution to its original position. It has run riot and exhibited unpleasant results which were never contemplated by those, we are sure, who first set the Bee a-wing. v\ ith the best of intentions, adults of excellent educa ation have descended into the arena and have been beaten accidentally by prigs of boys, whose priggisbnees is not lessened thereby, and, who we are informed, have made it their boast that they have beaten so and? so. When we know how the very best education may not be proof against an occasional error in orthography, and. especially when the test applied is in that oral form to which adults have not been accustomed, since their school days, we reassert that there should no discredit whatever attach to such a mistake. But when, contending with youths, a man of years and experience makes a lapsus in his letters, there is a humiliation, to which no man should subject himself, and more than this, which the conductors of these Bees should not induce. We speak of this matter from a perusal of the angry cor respondence which the Bees have elicited, and from rumours current; not having had opportunity of seeing the actual proceed ings. But it is very apparent that the spirit of the genuine Yankee Bee has been lost, and that Auckland has gone in for simple spelling - book exercises wherein we defy any man to see any element of humour. It is evident that America is the only home of the grotesque paradoxical type of fun. Our clime is ungenial; the " Bee" doesn't buzz naturally here ; and if we may form an estimate from the irrita tion consequent, we feel inclined to think that in our murky atmosphere it has degene rated into a "Wasp."

We have no maudlin sentiments of sympathy with the clap-trap cry about the burthens of taxation; but really the city taxation is beginning to look ominous. Attention will be directed to this by the recommendation from the Financial committee of the Council in favour of another loan of £10,000, for expenditure on Hobson and Nelson-streets and Freeman's Bay ; and for the further pur pose of erecting Municipal Offices. That the power todo this is in the handsof the Council is true, and that the rentals from City endow ments may be sufficient to warrant the exten sion of expenditure may be jusb as true. But really we are inclined to think that we ought to draw our breath for a little, and see if we could not manage to get along for a few years without some of these valuable and extensive works. Far be it from us to say that these works are not in the highest degree proper. They will redound to the honor, and we have no doubt, the profit of the city. But while we believe in the comprehensive grasp of public matters which takes in the future, we really should not wholly over look the present. Supposing it true that increased rentals will meat the interest on this expenditure, could these increased rentals not be applied to lessening taxation ? Really it would we think be more becoming, —in the face of the heavy water taxes about to be imposed, long before the benefits of the water are felt —to remit if possible for a year or so a portion of the present taxation. We say this on the supposition that these "increased rentals" are free to be applied towards the raising of another loan. If six hundred a year or so is not required, might not tbe taxation for .a year or two be lessened by that amount ? Times are hardening to a great many ratepayers, and a small relief of pressure would be appre ciated. Might not Hobson-street and Nelson street wait a little, and Freeman's Bay be content with the liberal favours of the Har bour Board for a year or two, and Councillors bear with their present inconvenient cham bers for a season? In fact, in the circum stances of a new rate for water being imposed, if the city could rest itself for a little, spend as little as possible, and so ease off the strain while times are dull, it would at least take off the keen edge of the water rate and make people think less uncomfortable things. We entirely repudiate the insinuation that this is croak ing. We entirely appreciate that " far-seeing statesmanship " of which we hear so much, that takes in the far future and the interests of ages to come. But confound it, there is such a thing as the present, and we protest against its being entirely ignored. Present taxation is what the people feel, prospective advantages may or may not be enjoyed by them or by their children ; and in the present circum stances of the city, it Beems rather unreason able to keep driving ahead with fresh under takings, when despite all the specious promises and prospects, every year comes adding tax to tax.

To the Editor of the Stab. Sir, —Can you inform me and your readers if the promise made by Gr. Staines, Esq., to the Fire Bri gade for a donation of books for their Library was fulfilled; not seeing the liberal gift acknowledged yet, I hope through error. —Yours &c, Caustic.

To the Editor. Sir.—What was sauce for Mr. John Darby of the " Commercial" should likewise be seasoning for our celebrated political magnate, Christopher Greenway. Mr. Darby has removed his steps from the footpath, why should "the richest man in all New Zealand" be permitted to retain his High-street tripping stone unmolested? — Yours truly, CihCUMBENDiBtrs.

Mr. Shalders writes as follows: In ex planation, "Sir;—l find myself reprobated in your last day s issue in regard to the free use of my hall in Newton for an entertain ment in aid of the Widow Johnson. I have simply to state that I think I have full power to do as I please with my own, and if I give the free use of the hall I surely am at liberty to stipulate for the character of the pro gramme (which I very distinctly did to Mr. Ward in this case) and if I consider dance songs incongruous from a platform from which the gospel of Christ is preached, I claim to exercise the privilege of witholding my patronage. I have ever been ready to give the use of the hall for benevolent purposes, but there must be some limit in places of worship. If we don't practice what we preach our testimony to the truth will be valueless.—R. B. Shalders.

The Temperance Band is requested to attend at the Newton Hall, at half-past seven this evening, to play down to the Catholic Institute.

Sir,—Will yon kindly inform me in what year the first All England Cricketing Eleven came out to Melbourne.—[ln 1861.—Ed.E.S.]

The journeymen lailorK of tbe city met for busil es* latt evening, in the Welles ey street Yonng Men's Eooms. The meeting was fairly attended, and after some consultation it was unanimously agreed to "take stepsto C'Use tbe general adoption of the 101 log, as paid by the Jeading rnas'er tailors in Auck land," and a reputation was appointed to wait on the employers respecting its adoption.

" Home Wreck " drew a large audience together last evening m the Piince of Wales Theatre, and gave great satisfaction to all present. Tbe drama was written by Mr Sterling Coyne, a name well known in light literature, and is an adaptation of Tennyson's pathetic poem, " Enoch Arden," which added another laurel to the laureate's wreath The story was not new when Tennyson produced it in a poetic form, but had lingered for a century before as an oral tradition among the fens of Lin colnshire, and probably was told to the Somersby parson's little boy by the family nurse. The names are altered in the drama tized version but the incidents are similar to those in the poem. Mr. It. W. Lawrence played the hero of the piece with much credit; his imitation 'of the ideal man of misfortune was natural and life-like. Miss Carry George represented the twice married and never widowed, Mary Tressider, and that interesting character was represented with that womanly grace and skill which ever wins with an audience. Miss Lizzie Morgan shone favourably as Martha, and evidenced tragic powers of no mean order, her acting throughout was excellent. Mr. Collier appeared as Ccptain Headway and Mr. Charles Searle as Peter Pendogget. These gentlemen were equal in every to their tasks, Mr Searle was especi ally favoured with the cheers of the auditory. Tom Burton was the Jacob Wasper of the piece and performed his not over-arduous part with fair success. Sam Poole, whose great forte is fun-making was fortunate in the character of Tony Trotter, the village postman, as it afforded him full scope for the display of his idiosyncrasies and individual drolleries. Mr J. Sweeney, who does not often get a fair chance of " coming out," was better of last night, as in Walter Ellington Mary's second husband, he had the oppor tunity of showing to the house that he was capable of something better than a fourth rate character. Mr Sweeney played heriocally and the house was not slow in recognizing this fact, so loud indeed were audible signs of approval that Mr Sweeney (for tbe fust time we believe), was called to make his bow before the curtain. The piece was well arranged by the management. Some pretty dances were introduced, and the scenery by the painter, Thornton, was something to admire, fully descriptive of English rural life, and in accordance with the spirit of the drama, which will be repeated this evening.

The Good Samaritan entertainment will be held this evening in the large room of the Yonng Men's Christian Association, to consist of tea and cake, speeches, music and eong. The Temperance Band will aid the amuse ment by giving ?everal choice selections.

The concert by E. Clair, and his musical friends, in aid of Mrs Johnson and her young family, who have been left in indigent cir cumstances through the loss of her husband, will tpke place this evening in the Catholic Institute, Wellington-street.

The traffic receipts on the Auckland and Mercer railway for the four weeks endirjg August 28 were :—Passengers (9,456), £730 Os 7d ; parcels, &c, £14 18s lid ; season tickets (25), £42 16s 6d ; freight (1,929 tons), £805 11s Id. Total—£l,s93 9s Id.

Thirty members attended the monthly practice of the .Auckland Fire Brigade last evening under Superintendent Hughes, who complimented the men on their genera) efficiency.

An impressive Memorial Service to the memory of the lamented "Bishop Patteson was performed yesterday in the Bishop's private chapel. The Bishop conducted the service, assisted by Rev. Dr. Purchas and Key. W. Calder.

The Pioneer Juvenile Templars will hold their usual weekly meeting to-morrow (Wed nesday) evening, ioi the Wellesley-street Young Men's Rooms, at seven o'clock.

The Rev. P. P. Agnew's lecture on Free masonry will be delivered to-morrow even iDg, at half-past seven o'clock, in the Lorue street Hall. Prom the rev. gentleman's pleasant Btyle of oratory, long connection with Freemasonry, and large expeiience of men and things, we anticipate an excellent discourse on a subject of wide importance to a large section of the community.

The Melbourne Argus recently published a letter headed " Temptation to Clerks," com plaining of the wretched remuneration which is given in many instances to those who do office work. The correspondent says that he is in the employment of a tea merchant as book-keeper, his services in this capacity being paid for at the rate of 203 per week. Commenting on this paltry remuneration for his services, our Melbourne contemporary re marks :— "Our correspondent says that he has ' sole charge of the cash,' which, under the circumstances, is a cruel responsibility to place on him. While, of couise, nothing can excuse dishonesty, men who act like thia lavish tea dealer deserve to be robbed. The practical lesson to be derived from this communication under notice, is, we think, addressed to all those parents who have man aged to give their sons a decent'education, but cannot afford money to start them in life. It tells them plainly enough not to allow any false notions about 'gentility' to condemn their children to a life at the desk, where a skilled hand, occupying a re sponsible position, may only be able to com mand 20s per week. JBetter apprentice them to any honest trade than consign them to such a living death."

The National Bank of New Zealand has again had a successful half-year. At a meeting of the shareholders in London on the 19th of August, a dividend at the rate of six per cent per annum was de clared. Considering the heavy expense of establishing a banking business, fitting up suitable buildiugs in various cities, and de fraying other preliminary expenses out of a young business, however vigorous, the power to pay legitimate dividend at all must be regarded as a proof of exceptional suc cess. Prosperous banking institutions are a blessing to a community and no doubt reflect the general state of the trade which sup poets them. We have much pleasure there fore, in noticing the establishment of this bank on a sound basis; and in notifying to the local shareholders that the warrants for the payment of the dividend alluded to in Auckland, are expected by tho first steamer from the South.

We regret to announce in consequence of the indisposition of Mr Goodall, his lecture on Friday in the Hall of the Young Men's Christian Association is postponed for the present.

" One of the Troupe" writes a very strong letter with reference to the refusal of the owner of the Newton Hall to allow the concert in aid of Mrs Johnstone to take place there. We do not think a discussion of the subject is likely to do any good, and have therefore laid aside our correspondent's communica tion. We trust that the entertainment will be a complete success in the building chosen, which is in respect suitable for the purpose.

The chess match between Messrs. H. H. Lusk and A. Stewart (representing the Pon sonby Club) resulted in a victory for Mr. Stewart after a very . close contest. The prize was a set of " Staunton Chess " The games resulted as follows :—First sitting : Lusk, 1 ; Stewart 1. Second sitting : Lusk, 6 ; Stewart, 3. Fourth sitting : Lusk, 6 ; Stewart 6. Fifth and last sitting : Lusk, 6; Stewart, 7, Mr. Stewart thus winning after playing four consecutive successful games.

Messrs J. Cosgrave. and Co. have at prJST. splendi/show of reasonable goods opened up from recent shipments. L*dies preparing for the spring and summer -will do well to examine the goods now on hand. In a local last night referring to Mr Dennes musical aud orthi.giaphiual competition at the - Young Men's Christian Association rooms, on Thursday night, the tea and Temperance Band of the Good i>amarran entertainment to-night was mixed up with the mu>-ic pnd prize giving of Thursday. It is hardly necessary to state here fcnar Mr Dennes's entertainment coDsists of a competition for three five guinea sewing machines-two offered for piano playing, and one for spelling. The music prizes are divided into two classes—one for young ladies under eighteen years of age who have appeared in public before, and one for young Jadies under fifteen who have never 'done so. Eighteen or twenty young ladies are expected to compete, and the entertain ment is certain to be one of the most pleasing and successful of the season. The Spelling Bee will be open to all comers. We learn from a telegram to the Cross, from its Wellington correspondent, that Judge Fenton in his report to the Govern ment on the Meurant case, awards the peti tioner £2,088 15s 3d. Any young gentleman who contemplates matrimony and desires to procure a house ail roady and of a portable character, which he can pitch wheresoever he listeth, should attend Messrs E. and H. Isaacs' sale of Carisbrook Castle tittiugs to-morrow. There is among others, one fine deck-house, with ample accommodation for a small family, staunch and proof against the rolling billows. Sinks, baths, lead piping &c, are among the other fittings. The sale takes place at ten o'clock sharp, aboard the ship now lying alongside the wharf. The same firm at eleven o'clock will hold a trade sale of spring-boots and shoes, ~, ~ A curious incident occurred outside the Police Court, which caused some merriment among the idle spectators who make it a practice to attend the court. Two seamen were brought up on a charge of absenting themselves without leave from their ship, when one of the men appeared in a white hat with his face radiant wiih smiles. Presently it was discovered that the hat was really not the sailor's property, but belonged to a respectable member of the press who was wondering what had become af his white bell-topper. On seeing the seaman in the passage, the error was corrected and the right hat placed on the intellectual head of the right, mm, Mr. F. H. Lewifcson'B handsome Spelling Bee prize to be given away onthe2Bth inst. and has been on view in his window during the past day or two and much admired. It i 3 a gold brooch beautifully wrought. The Finance Committee of the City Council has resolved to recommend the Council to borrow £10,000 for the works in Hobson and Nelson-streets and Freeman's Bay. The committee believe that this can be done, and the interest met with the revenue from endowments. At a meeting of the Streets Committee, yesterday, six tenders were received for the constrnction of the cabstand :W. Combe, £240; IT M. Shepherd, £2HB ; Edward Cornwell, £220 ; W. Coote, £288 ; Jagper ard Parker, £197 ; and E. Burn, £159. The lowest tender, Mr E Burn's, was accepted. Upon the Sur veyor's report upon the drainage of Cook, Wellesly, and Hobson-fitreets. and the con templated improvements in Freeman's Bay being read, it was resolved that the com mittee should visit and inspect these iocalities. With respect to the trees on the Rari-ack Hill, the Surveyor was authorised to remove any d imaged tiees, and to replace them with others at the proper season. The half-yearly meeting of the shareholders in the Bank of New Zealand will be held ai the banking house, Queen-street, on Friday 20'h of October. Intending candidates for the directory must give notice thirty days before the day of rnw ting.

In his sermon at the centenary celebra tion in Dublin Dr. Croke sai'i :—"The Iri..h peojfle wore being educated under a system which, if not all they could desire, was much superior to that of tho past. The foreign church, he added, had been humbled ; the rights of occupiers of the soil have to some extent been recognised, and we are fast working into a position of equality and inde pendance which all should occupy, under the protection of what I am not afraid to call the best balanced Constitution in the world."

Another picture of Abraham Lincoln has been given to the world. It will easily be distinguished from all others, because in the new one he holds the Emancipation Proclama tion in one hand, rests the other on the Bible, and wears a pair of very ill-fitting trousers. We had at first thought of sub mitting to the American nation that it would be nothing more than proper to strike off a medal and present it to the artist, as a reward for his daring originalty. We were deterred by the thought that the various artistes who pictured General Washington on his death bed, looking somewhat as if trying to digest a mess of cucumbers, who invariably set the North American Indian to staring at the sun without blinking his eyes, and Henry Clay looking as if be were just saying, "take a chair, sir," have been equally unrequited It is doubtless very nice to be great, but it is very foolish for a great man to allow his portrait to get into print. He likes to rill the expectations of the people, but there are occasions in life when the greatest man feels it incumbant upon him to lay down his emancipation proclamation, or other pictures belonging, and what would be the conse quence if some bosh artist should seize upon ac such a moment ?— S. F. Newsletter.

The attendants of the Whau Asylum in tend to give a charade entitled " Felicity," to-night, for the entertainment of the patients and any friends who may put in an appear ance.

The pupils attending Mr Hamil's school in connection with the Roman Catholic Church, to-day presented their teacher with a hand some writing desk, as a mark of their esteem upon his departure for the Thames, where he has obtained a more lucrative appoint ment. Mr Hamil, during the tiras ho has conducted the school, has won the confidence of parents and pupils.

We remind the sporting public that the sweepstakes on the Melbourne Cap will take place this evening at the Exchange Hotel at eight o'clock.

Constable Axam and the Detective in Waiting.

By tho barque Union which arrived from JNowcnstlo to-day, we learn that the brig Moa in which the noble constable Axam and family took their departure from these fair shores, and from sundry bills with forged endorsements thereon, arrived in Newcastle harbour on the 10th instant, having had a most protracted passage. The Con stable had been unfortunate in his choice of a vessel, for the Glimpse and the Stag, which left here a week later, made much better passages. The s.s. Hero, with Constable Williams and a warrant for the arrest of Mr Axam, reached Sydney on the 7th instant, and no doubt that vigilant young officer must have been quietly awaiting the arrival of the Moa in .Newcastle two days before the lines of that venerable craft became visible in the offing. The sequel is yet to come, for we learn that Constable Williams had, very wisely kept his own counsel, and the people of Newcastle were in as complete ignorance of the presence in their midst of an-Auckland defective as was the free-and-easy gentle man whose welfare and movements formed the object of Mr William's solicitude. We have no doubt whatever that Mr Axam would receive zealous attention in getting on shore and removing his traps, and that by the first steamer from Sydney Mrs Wells will have the pleasure once more of

seeing his handsome features—not this time wreathed in smiles as on the day of his departure, when he bent so graciously over the side of the brig, and proferred the good lady a kiss ; then was his hour of triumph, but the day of reckoning has come, and Constable Axam will have to answer in the Police Couit, in which he has so frequently appeared as the upholder of the jaw, to the very serious charges preferred against him.

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

(From Our London Correspondent)

Londdnt, July 27.

AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS. The only fetoae on whi':h the Conservative nartv h is threatened to stumble has been the Agricultural Holdings Bill. This bill as V o°u know, is chiefly to give to tenants a right to compensation for unexhausted im provements. No measure of the kind is really wanted. The agitation was first got up by the Howards, implement manufac turers of Bedford, who thought thereby to curry favo*ir with their customers, and the ball has beeflkept rolling by " Chambers of Agriculture" and Journalists in want of a subject, and with no technical knowledge. It wou'd ndt be difficult to prove by ex amples that it is the British landlord who is in more need of protection than his tenant. Good tenants are so scarce that it is only reasonable to suppose that landlords are glad to secure them and happy to retain them ; and as for bad tenants, who far out-number the good ones, why they are the very men who make most noise and scream out for compensation. These are the men who sell every scrap of manure and straw they can lay their hafldr on daring their tenancy ; they want watching like mice, and then when a course of their star vation treatment has half ruined the land, they cry out for compensation'for improve ments, forsooth. 1 think I do remember 3ome few noisy souls amongst the farmery of Auckland, fellows who were for ever making speeches at meetings and growling about farming not paying. This class is well repre sented everywhere. There is legion here; and if farming does not pay them it is scarcely to be wondered at by anyone who knows their habits. Under pretence of attending markets such men are scarcely ever at home. They drive fibout from one town to another and spend what would make a nice little fortune at the ale-house. SIR JCLIUS VOGEL. The Illustriated London Jtfews has immor talised Sir Julius Vogel and a trio of his dark skinned co-legislator?, Wiremu Katene, Makena and Kt.raitiana. A descriptive article, as usual, accompanies the sketches and New Zealand obtains a full share of commendation. The borrowing policy of your Julius is well described, but ifc is amu sing to observe how, after launching out in terms of admiration of the political progress of Sir Julius Vogel, the Editor draws in his horns and wonders "how it will all turn out." That is what we all wonder, I suspect we are quite satisfied with thing 3as they are, but then we know that they cau't always remain so, and so we want to get seme kind of forecast as to what we are to expect. The Illustrated is wonderfully cautious. THE HON. W. FOX AT HOME. The U.K.A. and Mr Fox have been hob nobbing together to a wonderful extent. I suppose there was nothing stronger than tea on the festive board, but if so the brew must have been of a very excellent quality. The festivities took the form of a breakfast. I conclude it was so arranged in order that it might be said, these men are not drunken as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day." As you might anticipate, Sir Wilfred Lawson, that facetious old baronet, occupied the chair. Mr A. McArthur, Mr Whitworth, Mr Sullivar, Mr C. Wilson, Mr Dicksou, and Mr Butt were amonyst the members of Parliament who attended at the Westminster Palace Hotel and a put-in at this breakfast. After the disappearance of the ham and ege?, Mr Pope, QC. (dees not stand for Queen chirncter) moved, "That the Executive Council of the United King dom Alliance, recognising the high charac ter and eminent services of the Hon. Win. Fox, M. &.., ex-Prime Mii i^ter of New Zea land, as a patriotic statesman and caroesf social reformer, feel very great pleasure in extending to him a hearty welcome on his visit to his native land, trusting thst his temporary sojourn io England may be a source of unmingled satisfaction, alike to himßelf and his numerous friends and acl mirers, and that his life may be lonp spared and his future career be one of increased usefulness, honour, and rerjown." You may imagine the glorification of your ex Premier on this occasion. He absolutely squirmed with —I was going to say delight, but it might have been the muffins or the hot-buttered rolls. En passant, I wonder whether a hot roll or a glass of whiskey does a man most homage. The resolution was seconded by Cardinal Manning, who you know has of late gone in tremendously for teetotalisim— more power to him. And whilst talking of him, will it be much out of our way to mention, that his social position has been pretty well laid down, by the fact of the Royal Family at their last garden party having admitted him and retained him some time within the Eoyal circle. The words of Manning are worth quoting, for he pays you antipodean folk a high compliment. He said:— "That no man could have observed the course of the last thirty or forty years without being firmly convinced that, instead of the mother country assimila ting the Colonies with herself, the Colonies had been gradually assimiliating the mother country with themselves, and that the policy pursued in these wide new fertile fields of our political life, which were untrammelled andundivided by obstinate traditions of class, afforded an open field for legislative wisdom and for statesmanlike government which might well imprint itself on the mother country. Sir Wilfred was of course as funny as usual, and I don't think you will think me out of place if I quote the opening of his speech. He said that not long since a person who had been out of Eagland for some time in one of our Colonies came back to this country. He was dining with a friend in London. After dinner one of the guests got up and said he must go away. "Where are you going?" said the stranger. "I am going down to the House," was the reply. "What house?" "The House of Commons." "Good gra cious!" said the colonist, "is that thing going on still?" Now, his fiiend Mr. Fox came back after a long and honoured absence in one of their colonies, and he was very glad to see so many friends and colleagues who wrote M. P. after their names present to, show him that they not only took an interest in the affairs of the people they represented directly, but also in the affairs* of their fel low-subjects in so far distant a country as New Zealand. The whole address of the i Hon. Baronet was of course in favour of 1 the ' Permissive Bill and at its close, Mr Fox, in reply, said he wished to correct a slight misapprehension with regard to what he did in the New Zealand Parliament. He did not succeed in passing the Bill through the House while he was a responsible Minister. By an arrangement they had of "open" questions, he stood disassociated from his colleagues in the matter, and it was not until he became a private member that he succeeded in passing ifc through the House. Mr Fox then proceeded to give an account of his visit to the prohibition States of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, &c , and stated that during the whole of the time he was there he neither could obtain nor did he see consumed, with one slight exception, any alcoholic liquor. By way of contrast, he said that in the city of Durham, one of the "sacred cities of the Empire," and under the shade of its old cathedral, were men reeling drunk ; that in the space of two hours he counted one hundred persons under the influence of

dnr>V, and from the noise that came htrn public houses, he should estimate that« many more were inside. On the ■whole th meeting was very successful—in paarino resolutions, and the members seemed to be highly satisfied with one another and thejr "

Later Australian News.

ARRIVAL OE THE MAIL VIA TORRES STRAITS.

By tbe arrival of the bsrqne Union to-day from Newcastle, we have later Australian papprf, from which we take the following The Indian news states that Mr Forsyth'g mission tr> Bnrmnh has not resulted satiafa c . torily. The Burmese are levying double duty on British goods. lhere is much excitement among the Chinese traders Ranpoon on tbe matter, and strong represen tations have been made to the Briti e h Government. There is a great stir all over India about the coming of the Prince of Wales. He goes to Ceylon after leaving India. There will be no durbars in Bombay ; the Viceroy goes to meet him there. A movement has taken place in China to stoo the exportation of women to California. There is some excitement about the weak nrss of the British naval force in the China On «) O The native States in the Malay Peninsula are goirg ahead rapidly, many Chinese are settling down there.

SINGAPORE.

The new Government of the Straitsig very P°Aerand ball took place on the 27th August, in honour of the Queen's birthday. The Estimates for the next year are pub liflhed : th« revenue is £292,273 ; the expend iture, £289,643 . , # The Governor made a tJip to the native States on the Siamese side of the Peninsula. The coolies on board a native vessel, the Delhi, ropp and killed their guard, and ran the vessel ashore.

Newcastle, September 11.

The barn it« Glimpse arrived from Auck land on th« 9"ih, the brig Moa on the 9th, an^ th» Sb. C on the lObh. Loading for Auckland : Glimpse. Sydney. September 10-

At th*1 Syrlnev Water Police Court a man ha^ be»n fined £7 9a. for beaiing a goat so as t" l.teak two of its legs. A rnnn named Macdonald has been burnt at Lane Cove through fnlling into a fire. An o Td Brisbane Justice of the Peace has given ifc as hiss op-'niin, as stated in the Telegraph, that there is more drunkenness in the capital of Queensland than in "Vish are being sold in Goulburn which have been preserved by Mr Mort's freezing WThTbolac Herald save that Mr Tysßn, a pquatter of Few South Wales Victoria, anS Queensland, is possessed of 87,000 cattle and over a million of sheep. Mr John Yottog writes from London to the Sydney Morning Herald a letter, containing some valuable suggestions as to the paving of the streets of Rvddey. Shearing has commenced on several ot tne large stations in the neighbourhood of Corowa. , The manufacture of sparkling wines has been inaugurated in Albury. The Bishor) of Bnthnrst has started on a tour to Bnurke and Wilcannia. Mort's Freezing Works at Bowenfels have been formally nt>ened. There was a very large number of influential visitors from Sydney. , ~ ■-< ' Ifc is stated that in consequence of the ravages of typhoid fever at Gulgong, a medical commission is likely to visit the town to ir quire into its sanitary condition. Complaints come from Wilcannia of tbe great dearth ther« of marriageable ladies. It fs said that the old bachelors are unable to change their condition of single blessedness, however much inclined. A monster potato, weighing s|lbs., has be«n grown in the Yass district by Mr. Sul livan, of Canberrv. , Mr J"bn WrigHt, while opening the dooW of tbe Mission Chapel in Wentworth-place, off Kent-street, on Wednesday evening last, dropped down and expired. Deceased, who was "much revered, had suffered from dis°aee of tbe heart . John Clark", aged 45, a herdsman, has been torn to pieces at Catndenbya bull. He wss found dead in a field where the cattle

Marrian's bulk ale is in demand at £8 15a to £9. Bottled beer meets with no enquiry, the market being overstocked. Hennessys case brandy has been sold at 325; a line of second-class pale brandy has been quitted in bulk at 5s 6d. Coarse salt is quoted at 755. There is some enquiry for rationßßU rs» stocks being somewhat low. English malt has changed hands at 10s. A parcel of lsrplMy geneva changed hands at 12s. Breadstutts are unaltered ; demand limited. _ There was great excitement at the boat race on the 10th. There were twelve steamers crowded with spectators in attendance. After a long delay, there was an excellent start. After pulling a mile Laycock took the lead, but was shortly afterwards passed by Trickett, who was never caueht, and won by fully one hundred yards. The steamers in attendance behaved badly, Laycock's boat being nearly rilled at the finish, and causing!* to stop. A great deal of money changed hands. Laycock acknowledged Trickett to be the best man. The time of the race was 22 nun, 25 sec.

BRISBANE

September 10. Mr Macleay's expedition arrived at New Guinea on the 25th ultimo. The principal collections so far comprise marine shells. The Susannah Booth, after two years em ployment on the pearl fisheries, obtained sixty tons of pearl shells.

ATTACK ON ISLAND TRADERS. . The schooner Stanley reports (says tne - • Marybo7-ongh Chronicle) a fracas at Lepers Island. Two of her boats has been engaged during Tuesdsy, 13th July, trading along the- N.W. coast, but had not secured any recruits. About 4.30 p.m., when the boats were about a quarter of a mile apart, but not in sight ol each other, and the vessel lying about a mile from shore, two islanders volunteered tor Queensland. The boat was, accordingly, taken in, and the two boys came onboard, accompanied by three friends, who were ap!\ parently desirous of seeing their kinsmen on.» The boat was manned by four islanders, Mr- Crank, super-cargo, and Mr. Money and Dr. Archdale, passenger. A third boy expressed a wish to join the recruits; but the 'other ■ islanders objected to him leaving the island y in,., the altercation which- ensued among tne ; natives the boat was surrounded. Suddenly at some pre-arranged signal, an attack was made upon the men on the boat; Messrs- Money, Archdale, and the boat's crew were ; thrown down. Mr Crank dodged the blow w a tomahawk aimed at hts head, and receivea the blow on his shoulder. It, however inflicted no greater injury than a severe bruise. With admirable presence of mind he used ms fists to good advantage, knocking the-™°' newly acquired recruits from the boat into | water, their three friends taking a " ne?f cr., after them, by this time one 0} the D°*V? crew who had been thrown down and had w thumb cut off in the struggle, reg|.meajg. feet, and, raising his musket, of the natives. Messrs Crank, %S^C:' r and Archdale also managed to ge^kW^l' '■ revolvers, and fired upon the' sav:^g' In „ the . momentary panic which Messrs. Crank and Money pulled ( w

THE EVENJ^U STAK, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21 1875



TMPERATIYE SALE OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. A. LINABURY & CO. aving 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 OVE MONTH ONLY during which time no Reaeonable Offer Befnsed ! rhe|Balanoe of the Stock will be SOLD by AUCTION Afl LINABTJBY &ICO. are determined to open their New Premises with enti "<ny New Importations of the most FASHIONABLE STYLE. A.L.INABURY & CO., 224, QTJEEN-STREET, Ore Door above 'WeUesley-Htreet, Auckland.



Spring and Sum me c DEAPERY. STRAW HATS, ETC RUBHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Have pleasure in intimating that they are daily opeuinfuip their NEW SEASON'S STOCK of SPRING and SUMMER GOODS, now landing, and to hand, .x ate arrivals:— - STRAW HAT? — Girls' and Ladies' Boys' and Men's L-gKrn and at aw Hats ia great varit-ty. PRINTS.—A maguifiecnt stock, all new patterns, careful y selected, and cheap. Batiste. Muslin. Grenadine, Plain Lustre, and a very choice assurtnient of fancy Dress Goods. New Lace Goods, Linen Sets, Gloves, Ribbons, Fancy Bmtoi.s, Hosiery, Haberdashery. Ladies' Silk Umbrellas. Furnishing Goods, Clothing, &c. RTJSHBROOK & BEID GMAN [LATE E. HOBBS], JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel, Uppek Queen-street, Auckland. QRAND CjHOW — OF — O O S T XT ME S 9 STKAW GOODS, — AND — PARIS MILLINERY. J. COSGRAVE & CO.



The Leading Tonic and Corrective of the Age.—lts purity, remarkable efficacy in obviating digestive weakness or irregularity, the promptitude and certainty with which it supplies vigor to the Btrengthless,'its tranquiliziog effect upon the brain and nerves, and finally its adoption by the medical profession as a means of strengthening and regulating the vital forces, justly entitle Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps to be regarded as the leading tonic and corrective of the age.