SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

Hiafl WATES : Ibis evening, 9.27; to morrow morning, 9.46 SUN" SET : This evening, 7.17 ; SUN RISE: to morrow moraine, 4 59 MOON'S AGE : First Quarter, 15th, 9.21 am

ARRIVALS.

H.M.s. Blanche, Captain Simps-on, from Sydney Pretty Jane, s.s , from Napier and East Cast Dauntless, schooner, (Hawaiian), from Russell Pacihc, schooner, from Russell TSranaki, s s , from the South (in the Mauukau) Mercury, cutter, from Pors Waikato (in the Manukau)

DEPARTURES.

Albion, brig, for Lyttelton Ladybird, s s, for the South (from the Manukau) Alalanta, schooner, for JKaipara (from the Manukau)

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

Por Karot >nga —Blanche, schooner, at once Por Newcastle—Otago, barque, at or.cc ; Derwent »tkl Isabella, brigs, eaily For Sydney—Wonga WoDga, s s, about lSth Eor H'jkianga—Queen, schooner, at once For San Fraccisco— City of Melbourne, 8.M.5.5., (English Mail). 21st instant For Levuka—Belle Brandon, schooner early For Lyttelton— Waitangi, ship, Monday ; Albion, brig at once ; Flirt, brigantine, early For London—City of Auckland, ship, 35th Jan For a Cruise—Southern Cross, Missionary barquentine early l

The p.s. Taranaki arrived in the Manukau to-day, •With the following patsengeis :—Misse3 Hudson, POit°Ous. Rosbruge/Coben, Bidell, Mesdames BurdeD, .Noddle, Davin, Messrs "Williams, Douson. Boyhouse, Chew, Lyell, Darrett, Isacos, Lucas, Cohen, Captain Blake, Eevs. Bullcr, Armits>ge, Bivin, Jitchett, Gar lick. Watkin, Luxford, Le;.ch. Morley, Bnddle, Bulia:dson, Parry, Krk, SmiihJ Bull, and £0 in the steerage.

!" The s.s. Ladybird left for the South to-day, with the following passengers: — Rev Mr Elwyn, Mrs Brown. Mrs Mabin and child, Rev Mr Ryce, Messrs Levy, McSwoenty, Downes, Waddell, Hunter, St. John, Moore (3), Bulter, Mason, Cameron, Robinson, Prince, Cheal, and twelve in the steerage. The following are the passengers by the s.s. Pretty Jane, from Napier and East Coast:—Captain Reid, Messrs Provo, Buckley, Phillipps, Clarke, Stephenson, Goodwell, Bryant, Sparge, Cheeseman, Wren, Mr and Mrs Trail, Mrs Well. Mi' and Mrs Marshall, and four in the steerage.—A.S.P. Co., agents.. H.M. s. Blanche arrived from Sydney yesterday morning, after a passage of 11^ days, having left there tbe same day as the Hero. The Blanche is not expected to remain here long, as she is en route for Howe's Group, tbe scene of the. James Birnie massacre. H.M.S. Blanche has been receiving coal to-day from, the brig Isabella. The barque Otago hauled away from the wharf this morning. She is to sail at once for Newcastle. The schooner Blanche in starting for Rarotongo this morning, fouled the ship Waitangi. She was not able to get clear till late this afternoou. No damage to speak of was done to either vessel. The cutter Janet Gray brings 22,000 feet timber from Tairua for Preece, Howard and Co. The cutter Miranda bas entered in from Tairua •with 18,000 feet timber and three passengers. The cutter Rose brings five passengers from Mahurangi. The sbiiJ Waitangi cleared at the Customs to-day ■with a cargo for London, via Lyttelton, as already published. She is to sail to-morrow.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Poet Chai/merk, This Day. Tbe Wellington arrived from Lytselton. at 5.40 p.m. yesterday.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as j-ollows:— Fci Thames, this day, at 580 p m | For Coromandel, to-morrow> at 10.80 am For Tairua. per Miranda, to-morrow, at 9 a m For Kiwaujand Matakana, per Lady Bowen, to morrow, at 10 a m For Taurauga, Gisborne, and Napier, per Pretty Jane, to-morrow, at 3pm For the undermentioned places per City of Melbourne, on Friday, 22nd instant, as follows :— For . Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign "West Indies, at 11 am. For the United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 10 a.m. j[_ate letters bearing an extra fee of 6d will b« received by the Mail Agent- on board up to time of sailing . N.B —The new issne of Postal Guides can now b* obtained at this office. . S, B. Bibs, Chief PontmMtw

BIRTH.

Ygbk.—On the 29th December, the wife of Mr John York, Chapel-street, of a daughter.

DEATH.

Ttevena.—On January 10, Rhoda, tbe beloved wife of Mr W. H. Trevena, aged 34. The funeral leaves her late residence, to-morrow, 12th instant, at 3.30 p.m. Friends please accept this invitation. •Booker—On January 8, at Brighton, Ida Louise, infant daughter of John H. Booker.

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 1875

For tho cause flint lacks assistance. For the wrong li at needs ve-istnaue, For ihe future in the distance. And thn good that we can do.

We have no desire to harrow the feelings of relations by painting the honors of the dreadful loss of the ' Cospatrick.' At no time has an event so awful before occurred in con nection with immigration to New Zealand, and there is mourning in many an Auckland home to-day. The number of persons among the "Nominated" affords no criterion of the number on board the ill-fated vessel who were anticipating happy reunions in Auck land, or the number who have been anxiously watching the signal staff for the coming of the Cospatrick. Thi3 morning when, between six"'and seven o'clock, our Extra announcing the sad intelligence was left at . residences in tbe outskirts of the city, in many esses the back of the messenger was scarcely turned, when a wail of anguish told how the tidings had come home. It is the saddest news that has ever been brought by telegram to Auckland, and not only will it leave sorrow long in our midst, but looked at in a harder and utilitarian aspect, the ter rible event will give a heavy blow to immigration. It is idle to build up suppositions as to how the fire occurred, or how the result was so ' overwhelm ing. Anyone tbat bas ever been aboard an immigrant vessel will feel no surprise at in telligence of a fire on board, nor requires to imagine culpable negligence or unusual drunkenness. People will smoke, and if they smoke will carry matches despite all the pas senger regulations in existence ; and among four hundred people, a dozen incidents will occur every day and night whereof the wonder is that any one of them has not set tho ship on fire. Butjitis the disastrous result that succeeded that will require investigation. It appears but two boats were available for four hundred human beings. It may be that the fire surrounded the other boats, and rendered them either unapproachable or destroyed before the necessity for their services became apparent. It may be that a gale was blowing—for the telegram is silent on the subject — and the boats were swamped. Or ib may be—horrible as it is to think—that no more than two boats were on board. We are told it is quite customary with vessels leaving home ports with immigrants for new boats to be procured from builders and placed on board to pass inspection of immigration officers, and then before departure they are returned, with a small bonus for the use of them. Which of all these causes may have contributed to the fearful loss of life will probably be known on enquiry, if means are not taken to tamper with the survivors and place the golden seal of silence on their lips. It is greatly to be feared that too often the greed of profit out weighs the claims of "humanity in relation to the transmission of immigrants, and that provision is not duly made against the occurrence of such a diaster. The next tele grams will probably throw more light on the subject, but, sad to say, there remains no hope that they will tell that the painful tidings have been overstated. We are sure that we speak the sentiments of all in Auckland when we offer our sincere sympathy to those who are bereaved, and when we express the sincere and general sorrow at the occurrence of a calamity at once so melancholy and so appalling.

We have much pleasure in stating that the list of signatures to the requisition asking Sir George Grey to allow himself to be nominated for City West, this morning ex ceeded th« largest number ever yet polled by any candidate in an election in this con stituency. The lists are still going merrily round, and will probably in a few days include the names, with very few exceptions, of all electors within reach. For the con venience of those electors of City West who, not Having been come across by a canvasser, may desire to append their signatures to the requisition, a copy is lying at this office, and we shaU be happy to receive the signatures of any who have not yet appended them to the list.

We have received a letter from the agent for the Melanesian Mission, which we are obliged' to hold over till to-morrow.

We have received a letter from an " Elec tor," respecting an oppposition for the representation of City West. Of course the suggestion is only playful, but it is not our desire to torture the individual in ques tion, as he is really more deserving of com passion than anger.

It is a somewhat remarkable fact that Mr Frederick King, a brother Of a gentleman connected with this journal, made two voyages to sea from London some years ago, the first being in the ill-fated ship Northfleet, since run down at sea off Dungeness with loss of several hundreds of lives, and the second in the ship Cospatrick, whose terrible story has just reached us.

Mr Edward Magee has been appointed teacher of the school at Tapu (Hastings), subject aa usual to the approval of the Board,

A " Constant Subscriber" whose attention has boen arrested .by our brief accounts of the train having run off the line on Saturday after noon and of the terrible railway disaster iv England which appeared in our extra this morning sends us a list of tJhe wages paid oil our local line under the administration of Mr Frank B. Passmore. As our correspon dent states he has positive knowledge of the amounts he challenges contradiction. The " Auckland station master or cierk, or boss, or all rolled into one under whatever name, receives Ss 2£d per day; bis clerk, 4s ll^d. The Onehunga boss, or station master, or clerk, or ticket taker, or all in one, supports a large family on 5s s;{d per day, and keeps up a respectable appearance. The guards range from 6s (3d up'to 8s per day, the porters have 6s per day, and the lamp and oilman 8s per day. This functionary, who receives nearly as much as the boss of the whole line, and half as much more than the Onehunga boss, is probably not overpaid ; but, I think, sir, that the rate of wages paid throughout is not such as will make the public yery confident in travelling, and I hope with you that; the warning given in Saturday's accident will not be unheeded, and not be followed by something worse. But I would like to know what is the nature^ of the system adopted by Mr Pass more in valuing the services rendered in different positions, or if he ever himself occupied the position of -iainp and oilman, so that be considers it quite as importaut as that of boss.— Your's, Constant Subscriber.

While poor unfortunate milkmen and women are being brought up at tbe Police Court daily for allowing their cows to be at large it ill becomes persons of larger means to break _ the law in the same manner with impunity. Yesterday morning when the congregation of St. Mary's, Parnell, were coming out of Church, about half a dozen cows belonging to a gentleman in tbe neighbourhood Were grazing on the grassy sides of the road leading from Bishop's Court to Sunrise Point. As a party of ladies and gentlemen were passing the brutes, one of the animals—an okl offender, it is said, and if so tbe owner is the more to blame—lowered her horns and made a rush at one of the ladies. The gentlemen, by flourishing their sticks in the animal's face, made her sheer off, but tbe ladies were seriously alarmed, and naturally enough, took to their heels in various directions. Tbe cows were still in the same place half-an hour later when cne of the party re passed tbe spot. We would recommend Constable Jackson to take a walk in this direction.

The lively drama of "Cigarette," adapted from a French novel, was repeated on Satur day evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and with equal success. Miss Stone was frequently applauded, especially in the combat scone. Mr Collier came before the curtain and announced his departure from Auckland for other scenes. Mr Stone will succeed him as manager, and the company will continue their connection with the theatre, in expectation of additional talent. Tonight will be presented the sensational play of "Led Astray," which has many times been successfully played in London and New York,

The usual quarterly meeting for tbe elec tion of officers in connection with the City of Auckland, Court of Foresters, will be held at the Court-room, Cook-street, this evening, at 7.30.

The Hon. Mr. Hastings delivered a lecture on total abstinence on Saturday evening, iv the Albert-street Temperance Hall, to a fair audience. The lecture was apparently well appreciated. Mr. W. Cole occupied the chair.

Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Baker's complimen tary concert will be given this evening in the Uity Hall, previously to their departure to morrow by the Pretty Jane. The concert will be under the patronage of his Honor the Superintendent, and other leading citizens. Mr. Skinner has tendered his services, also Mr. James Brookes, and oilier popular vocalists. We wish success to this practical mark of respect to the Baker family.

A Howick-correspondent writes:—"On 'Thursday evening the 7th inst., there was a strong muster of the householders of Howick for the purpose of electing a School com mittee for 1875, it being their manifest intention to dispense with the future ser vices of such of the late committee as had treated their memorial to the Board of Education (for the removal of the school from the present dilapidated and unhealthy structure to more modern, central, and healthy premises) only with indifference. Mr Mclnnes, who alone had supported their views, was the only member of the retiring committee who was re-elected ; all the others were ignominiously dismissed. One rash individual proposed at separate times two of the retiring committee, but in neither case could he obtain a seconder. 1 his should teach committees the lesson that they are put into office for the general good of the community, and not to further the interests of any particular "ism" to which the majority may belong. The new committee are Messrs Mclnnes, J. White, Lindsay, Heath, and H. Andrew."

The funeral of Dr John R. Nicholson took place yesterday afternoon in the presence of several thousand persons. Dr Nicholson was much esteemed by a large portion of the community, and especially by social re formers among whom he acted a very con spicuous part, both as an advocate of tem perance principles, and as a medical officer amongst them. At half-past two o'clock the funeral procession started from the Doctor's residence in Karangahape road, followed by His Honor the Superintendent, P. Dignan, Esq., and Drs. Lee, Stockwell, Kenderdine, Dawson, Goldsbro', Hooper, Bayntun, and T. B. Gillies, Esq., and many other leading citizens. The JHon. S. D. Hastings, P.R.W.G.T. ; S. Brooking, G.M.S. ; R. Neil, W.G.U.T., and Mr JHolloway were pall-beareis; and the coffin was borne to the grave by twelve members of the lodge to which deceased belonged. Last came tbe members of the district lodges, numbering over 1,000; and then the members of the Eire Brigade, numbering 42, under Mr Superintendent Hughes, of which brigade, Dr Nicholson had recently been elected honorary medical officer, although his professional services had not *been called into requisition. St. Sepulchre's church was crowded to-excess. The Rev. B. T. Dudley performed the burial service, and the choir sang Toplady's beautiful hymn, "Rock of ages cleft for me." The ' scene was very imposing, aiftl the day being fine, thousands had assembled to witness the consignment of this respected citizens remains to their final resting place in the Church of England burial ground, and hear the words " Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

The final rehearsal of the Choral Society, preparatory to Miss Christian's complimen tary concert will take place this evening. The concert will be held in the Choral Hall to-morrow evening, when passages from "Elijah," and miscellaneous selections of a high order will be given. Miss Christian will, by particular request, sinsc " Auld Robin Gray." We understand the tickets to-day are in great demand by persons anxious to hear, perhaps for the last time, this remarkable singer—the best English vocalist that ever visited Auckland. We learn that a special train will run from and to Onehunga, as well as omnibuses from and to all parts of the suburbs in order to the accommodation. of persons who reside in remote districts. The North Shore steamer will not lea ?e the wharf until after the concert.

The young gentlemen who intend taking part in the performance for the benefit of Mrs Noyer, are requested to meet for rehearsal to-morrow evening, at half-past seven o'clock, in the Lome-street Hall.

The quarterly meeting of the Hope of Auckland Tent of Rechabites will be held this evening, in the Temperance .Hall, for general business. ' ,•

Punctuality is a great virtue, but like every good thing we may have too much of it. To-day the Taranaki arrived at Onehunga wharf from the South at ten minutes to 12. The train for Auckland was due to leave at noon. One or two of the passengers had time to scramble in ; but the train was started on the strobe of the hour without the mails or bulk of the passengers. We suppose this is another sample of Mr Pass more's arrangements. No wonder the line does not pay, if this is the way the public convenience is considered. Our Southern files have not arrived up to time of going to press.

The monthly parades of the Volunteer corps of tho Auckland district will take place in the following order, and on the dates specified below : — Victoria andJHJobson Com panies, Drill-shed, on Tuesday, 12th instant, at 730 p.m. ; Engineer and Scottish Com panies, Drill-shed, on Wednesday, 13th instant, at 7.30 p.m. J Artillery Company, Nos. 2 and 3 Companies A.E.VoI, Drill-shed, on Thursday, 14th instant, at 7.30 p.m. ; Auckland Troop (mounted with swords), at Epsom, on Monday, 18th instant, at 4 p m. ; Otahuhu Company Rifle Volun teers, at Otahuhu, on Saturday, 23rd instant, at 8 p.m. j Otahuhu Troop Boyal Cavalry Volunteers, at Otahuhu, on Monday, 25th instant, at 2 p.m. ; Mount Hobson Cadet Company, at Mount Hobson, on Tuesday, 26th instant, at 12 30 p m. ; Naval Brigade, Engineer Cadet Company, Sir George Grey Cadet Company, at Drill-shed, on Friday, 29th instant, at 7.30 p.m.

On the connection existing between teeto talism and worms, a correspondent writes :

—" Sir, —Your correspondent of the 9th, signing himself ' Temperance,' i 3 very anxious about the people of Auckland being troubled with worms 'especially the Good Templars and their children.' If he is a collector of the education tax, it will account for the great knowledge he has acquired in the matter of -worms. Of course he would visit many houses in a day, and so become. acquainted with the prevailing disease of each family, which he states at present is worms. If ' Temperance' or his family are afflicted with worms I would advise him to leave off drinking new milk while fasting in the morning, especially goat's milk. It is a well known fact that milk creates worms quicker than anything else. He says they, meaning the worms, are not in the tea nor in the coffee. Strange if they were after going through the boiling process. They are not in the colonial heer. How could they be ?it being so pol luted with poison before and after the opera tion of boiling ; so potent is the poison in it that it deprives the strongest worm man of bis reason "and intellect. Could your corres pondent be a publican under the cloak of ' Temperance' puffing up his colonial beer ? I am, So,, Water, with all, its Worms."

Mr T. B. Hannaford writes with reference to the prosecution of a young lad in the Police Court for throwing stones at St. Matthew's Church. We agree with him in thinking that punishment might have been meted out without prosecuting a child of such tender years as this one is stated to be ; but our correspondent launches out into personalities which are hardly warranted by the circumstances of this case. The stone throwing propensities of the rising genera tion are a serious nuisance, and we hope others will take warniug from the course pursued in the case in question. Stone throwing in the neighbourhood of St. Matthew's has become an intolerable nuisance, the windows of the school-room having been repeatedly tmasbed, and what ever may be our sympathies with a child in trouble, some punishment was certainly deserved in this case, although the rod would probably have been the most appro priate instrument to deal it out with.

A friend of mine haß a dog which always runs with the wagon. On week-days the wagon turns to the right from the gate and goes down to the factory. On Sunday it turns to the left and goes to church. The dog runs ahead ; on Sunday he turns to tbe left, and no intimation is given. Six days the sagacious animal runs on in advance toward the factory. Even the horse understands the day as well as the way to church. No one that has passed a week day in Venice will have failed to have seen the pigeons fed at the hour of noon. Ear more than 100 of these little animals have come at noon for their food. They never mistake the hour. They never come at 10 or 11. When the bell of St Mark's begins to clang out the hour of noon, not a bird could be seen ; before the bell ceases the air will be black, and doves by the hundred fly to the windows. On Sunday no grain is given. Ihe old bell jars out 12 o'clock, but no birds appear. They can count; they know when Sunday comes.— "Burleigh's" Letter.

At the late winter meeting of the London Athletic Club, on the 7th of .November, there were 210 entries for tbe different events. The competitors are all gentlemen by posi tion, and the large entry is significant of the muscular tendency at present noticeable in English society.

The Rev Charles Clark is wired. The day after the Omeo left Melbourne for the Bluff, the illustrious lecturer and reciter was to leave for Auckland via Sydney. The rev. gentleman ought to be called the Rev. Uhrysostom Clark : he is literally "golden mouthed." Tohimtheoldsayingthat "speech is silver but silence is golden," does not apply. In a well-written sketch of the rev. gentleman's career, which appears in the December number of the "Australasian bketcher," it is stated that the enormous sum of £600 was cleared by two lectures which Mr Clark delivered in the Town Hall, Melbourne, in aid of the church of which he was the pastor. This statement, says a morning contemporary, makes one feel uneasy about the probable charges for admission, should the celebrated delineator of Dickens be induced to lecture in Auck land, where he will probably arrive by the Wonga Wonga, due here about Thursday.

Murder in Lyttelton.

ARREST OP THE SUPPOSED PERPE TRATOR.

[BY TELEGRAPH.!

(Per Press Telegram Agency.)

CHRISTCHURCH,

This day. A Gißii named Isabella Thompson, aged thirteen, was found dead with her throat cut, in a paddock, at Lyttelton, at six a.m., on Saturday. The appearance of the body and clothes leads to the inference that the girl has been outraged. A man named Alfred Osborne, recently released from gaol, where he had been twelve months for vagrancy, was arrested on suspicion.

Prom our Christchukch Correspondent.

An awful murder, committed in Lyttelton on Saturday evening, caused the greatest excitement in all classes of the community. On the date named a girl named Isabella Thompson left her home, Dampier's Bay, to purchase tickets for the picnic, and was last seen alive at half-past five. Her body was found at a quarter-past six, by two boys, lying inside the fence of the Rev P. Pealer's paddock. There were evidences of a fearful, struggle. The clothes y. ere dragged from the lower part of her body. Her dress was burst open from, the waist, and her throat cut from ear to ear. The body was identified by her father, who is a shipwright employed by Mr Hawkins. Evidence has been given that a man in a grey shirt was seen going in the direction of the railway station. The commotion in Lyttelton waß great. All business was stopped. It has been proved that a man answering the description was

seen leaving the train at Heatcote Valley, his hands bloody. The police followed the track, and arrested Alfred Osborne, who was taken to Lyttelton yesterday, and identified by two children. He had just been dis charged from prison after undergoing a long sentence for rape. An inquest takes place to-day at half-past three.

(From our Lyttelton Correspondent.) The body was discovered in a gorse hedge An attempt had been made to violate, but not successfully^ the child murdered de fending herself bravely. Two arrests have been made, one yesterday, Alfred Osborne, before convicted of attempted rape ; another, a man named Meritt, on Saturday. It is supposed the latter man is the culprit. There is great excitement here.

ANCHOVIES AND TOAST.

(FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.)

London, November 17. WITHDRAWAL OF THE ROMAN AMBASSADOR. Some sensation has been caused by the withdrawal of the British Ambassador from the Vatican. Lord Odo Russell, now at Berlin, was, as you know, our representative at the Papal States, but when Rome became capital of Italy under Victor Emanuel, the Secretary of the Legation, Mr Jervoise, became Minister at the Vatican. Of course the Pope has, ever since that period, ce^ed to hold any temporal power, and therefore the existence of a British legate was a faice, and at last he has been withdrawn, to the utter disgust of the Ultramontane party. What makes it worse is that the French Government bas at the same time removed their frigate the Oronoque, which has for years been anchored at Civita Vecchia, as a kind of protest in favour of Pius IX. Dr. Manning declares that "the Church will have and must have temporal power, and that she is preparing for such a struggle as the world has not witnessed for the last 300 years. What has more than all led him into his present excited condition is the fact that his friend and ally, Mr Glad stone, has just begun to hedge, arid from being the upholder of Roman Catholism and Ritualism in the Church of England, has suddenly pronounced himself a most rabid Protectant, and has published a book on "Ihe Vatican Decrees in their relation to Civil Authorities," in which he has said, what the country has said some weeks ago, that a man cannot be a good Roman Catholic and a loyal English man at the same time. Mr Gladstone has discovered himself to have been in the wrong, and now he is bidding for popularity against Mr Disraeli. However, unless lam very much mistaken, he will find himself rather too late in the market, and people will not be much inclined to trust very much a statesman who goes in for such sudden changes of front.

SECOND-CLASS TICKETS ABOLISHED.

The Midland Railway directors have caused quite a sensation by declaring their deter mination to do away with second-class car riages and to run first and third class only, the former at i£d a mile. The fact is no one travels second-class now-a-days. Third-class is really quite as respectable as first, if the criterion of respectability be either breeding or decency of behaviour, and it is merely the additional space and cushion accommodation which makes folk travel first. Most ladies, unless they can afford to secure an entire compartment, would, if travelling alone, elect third-class, and it is noticeable that nearly all the assaults on females occur in tirst-class carriages. The Midland run Pul man's cars, and so exclusive people will still be able to keep themselves select if they wish it, whilst the moderately circumstanced tra veller will be able to travel comfortably at a reasonable price. Second-class is neither one thing nor another. It bas not the conveni ence and comfort of first-class nor the cheap ness of third, and the reduction in the staff of ticket clerks and rolling stock will, it is said, alone add £20,000 a year to the com pany's income. The other companies are sure to follow the sensible example of the Midland, although at present they are in convulsions of howling about it, and declare they will all be ruined. " When thieves fall out honest men have their own." The ra.il way companies have plundered and maimed their passengers long enough.

INSOLVENCY OP LIFE ASSURANCE

COMPANIES

Rather an awkward announcement is made by a correspondent in the columns of the Times. He declares that according to the accounts published in accordance with the Life Assurance Company's Act 1870, by certain companies, some of them doing a large business, actuaries have come to the conclusion that the companies in question are hopelessly insolvent. Actuaries cannot warn the public of these companies and their condition because they would lay themselves open to an action for libel, and the insolvent conditions of the companies would be very difficult to demonstrate mathematically. Actuaries will not join in taking such a step, and the only conclusion is that policy-holders must protect themselves, and before they insure must satisfy themselves as to the position of the companies in which they desire to insure. ' The outlook is not pleasant for young men who have insured their lives for their families benefit.

DISTRICT COURT.—This Day.

(Before Thomas Beckham, Esq., R.M.) JUDGMENT FOR PLAINTIFF. W. Swanson v. Josiah P. Hamlin, claim £26 lis 4d, overdue promissory note, with interest, from 30th October, 1870. ADJOURNED TILL NEXT COURT DAY. JR. Stevenson v. Anthony G. Oldfield, claim £28, for goods. ADJOURNED TILL BTH MARCH. S. J. Hobbs v. Arch. T. Manning, claim £100. JUDGMENT CONFESSED. J. McGarrigle v. W. J. Hayes and T. Mantero.—Claim £77 55,. goods. Amount allowed, £74 17s. HOFFMAM V. RUTHERFOHD. This case was struck out, neither plaintiff nor defendant being in attendance. MCLEOD V. SCEORGIE. Claim, £43 3s 4d, account. This case was struck out in consequence of no appearance of both parties when Galled upon. Subsequently the plaintiff came into Court, and on the application of Mr Alexan der, was allowed to prove his claim on the understanding that the defendant should be notified that unless he showed cause at the next Court-day, judgment would proceed against him.

TWEBDSIDE GOLDMINING COMPANY.

This was an application by Mr J. B. Russell on behalf of the official liquidator, Mr T. Macffarlane, under the 108 th section of the Mining Companies Act, for an order from the Court for a formal settlement of a schedule prepared according to the directions of the Act with a view to the winding up of the company. Mr Thomas Macffarlane having deposed to the proper execution of the various formali ties required by the Act, the applied for order was granted, and the proposed plan of distribution confirmed.

The other cases were settled.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before J. H. Home, Esq. J.P. and R. Graham, Esq., J.P. DRUNKRNSESS. John S. Colin, G. Washell and M. Bates, for first offences of drunkenness were mulcted in the usual fine. W. Turner for a third offence was sentenced to seven days. ILLEGALLY ON PREMISES. Eliza Hart pleaded guilty to being illegally

on the premises of Daniel Lorrigan and was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

deserters,

Bernit Johannissen and C. A. Johannissen. were charged with a breach of the Foreign Seamen's Act by deserting from the barque

Condoren. Mr Joy appeared for defence. Sergeant-Major Pardy asked for a remand on the ground that Mr Yon der Heyde, who was prosecuting, was engaged as a witness in Kemsley's case at the Supreme Court. Remand granted. m Bail was allowed, the prisoners in £10 each, and one surety of £20. CLOSET NUISANCE.

James Coghlan was charged with a breach of the City Bye-Laws, by allowing closets to overflow. , , , ~ The Town Clerk, who represented the City Council, spoke ot the necessity for stopping such offences, especially m this warm weather, He also alluded to the common practice of occupiers and the land lords throwing the responsibility of paying for the work on to each other. The Council, therefore, had determined to proceed against the occupiers. Mr Joy appeared for the defence. Inspector Goldie deposed to finding the closet in a filthy state. When he spoke of the matter, Mrs Coghlan stated that the con tractor had failed in his duty. No complaint to that effect had been lodged at his office befc re he inspected the premises. To Mr Joy : They stated to him that the landlord had arranged for cleaning the closets. He had since seen the landlords agent, and he admitted that such an arrange ment had been made. If it was proved to to him that the contractor wa3 at fault the tenants would not have been held responsible. He told them they should refuse to pay the rent if the closet was not attended to. Constable O'Halloran gave evidence as to the offensiveness of the nuisance. Thoma3 Faulder deposed that Mr. Clark, agent for the landlord, had an arrangement for emptying the closet referred to, which overflowed every fortnight at the time for empts imr, owing to irreaular use. John Barton, whose duty it was to empty the boxes, stated that he had frequently complained of the way these boxes were used. Ships were poured into them and they overflowed within five days after emptying. He had been told by Mr Faulder not to empty this box because he could not get paid for it ; but he always " emptied it on his own head." He would have emptied it on Monday but his float was too full. Francis Hemy Bruslem gave evidence as to the efforts of the defendants to keep the place clean. It was open to the public owing to the refusal of the landlord to fence. The Bench said that under these circum: stances the tenants had a remedy if they engaged a cart every day to clear away the nuisance. , Some discussion ensued as to the liabuity for removing such nuisances.

Mr Graham said it was shewn by the evidence that the Council would not have known anything about the, offence were it not for the efforts of the defendants himself to get rid of it. Then an information was laid against.; them. He never knew of a case of greater hardship ngainst tenants. The Bench dismissed the case under the circumstances, but said the subject had been well ventilated, and people would understand in future that the occupier is responsible for the removal of these nuisances and must keep their yards clean. Another similar charge was withdrawn. James Testro and Elizabeth Simmons pleaded guilty to the same offence, and was fined Is. and costs, the Town Clerk stating that a nominal penalty would suffice. ASSAULT. Ann Vesey withdrew a charge of assault against her husband, on promise of better behaviour.

This concluded the business.

SUPREME COURT.—This Day.

CRIMINAL SESSIONS

(Before His Honor Sir G. A. Arnoy, Knight Chief Justice.)

Hrs Honor took bis seat at 10 o'clock,

CHARGE OF ARSON.

John Kemsley was arraigned upon an in dictment charging him with feloniously, wilfully, and maliciously setting fire to a shop in Wakefield-street, on the morning of the 22nd October last, with intent to injure one Edward Costley, and to defraud certain insurance companies, to wit, the Victoria and Imperial Companies, and the Norwich Union Insurance Society.

Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mr Brookfield appeared as Crown Prose cutor, and Mr Hesketh and Mr Meyer, solicitors, for the prisoner. Mr Armstrong, Mr Graham, and other agents of the different companies were pre sent.

On account of the number of witnesses to be examined the case cannot be concluded until to-morrow. Considerable excitement is being manifested by the crowd of persons in and about the court. About three cart loads of crockery, bedding and other goods are within the precincts of the Court, appar ently sufficient to furnish a moderate house, and stock at least a small shop. As far as the case has gone, no fresh evidence has been adduced pointing directly to the pri soner as the perpetrator of the calamitous act.

The prisoner appeared perfectly collected, and with folded arms listened with apparent interest to every word that fell from the lips of successive witnesses.

Messrs. Yon der Heyde, Armstrong, and Graham deposed to the effecting of insurances on the store in various offices. Mr. Wrigley produced a plan of the scene. William Avey and Mrs. Avey, occupiers of the back cottage, were again examined regarding the discovery of the fire, and Constable Tierney gave testimony on the same subject, but nothing was elicited in addition to the tes timony published when the case was before the Police Court.

CRICKET.

The Domain looked quite lively on Saturday afternoon with two cricket matches going on. The ground was in capital order, and fair scores were made. In the match, Carlton v. West End, the former won by six runs. In coonection m ith this game we take the following extraordinary statement from the Cross —" It was conjectured that one or the other would win, but the result is pro bably contrary to expectations." We should be glad to accompany this by an explanation, but we are unable to.

Law v. " Outlaws.*'—The cricket at Ellerslie Gardens was not so good as that in the Domain. There was, however, a very close and interesting contest between the legal gentlemen and their lawless opponents. The "Outlaws" were all put out for 49, of which the item extras, contri buted the large proportion of eighteen. Small as this total was, it was not attained by the land-sharks who could only compile 47, contributed in the following manner. Law :—Burke, c Waterhouse, b Cotton 0; Whitaker, b Cotton 1; Swanson, run Out 5 ; Rees, hit wicket, b Buckland 16; Nolan, b Cotton 1 ; Browning, b Cotton 0; Jackson, b Cotton 0 ; Hoskins, b Cotton 5; Brookfleld, c and b Buckland 3; Hamer, b Davies 8; Gellibrand, not out 0 ; Extras 8. Total 47.

TOTAL LOSS OF THE 'COSPATRICK' BY FIRE.

FOUR HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN LIVES REPORTED LOST.

ONLY THREE MEN SAVED. FEARFUL SCENES. HUNDREDS THROW THEMSELVES OVERBOARD. BOAT PICKED UP WITH SURVIVOJRS, MANY DIED RAVING MAD. THE SURVIVORS LIVED ON DEAD BODIES. RELIEF FUND STARTED. LIST OF IMMIGRANTS. CARGO VALUED AT £40,000.

[BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.]

By the s.s. Omeo we have the following telegraphic items of the total loss by fire^l the ship Cospatrick and the accompanying 1 harrowing details :— > J^!|

LONDON, December 29. '

The emigrant ship Cospatrick, bound forJZ Auckland, was burned off the Cape on the 7; 19th November. Only the mate and two of. the crew were saved, and it is supposed that the remainder of the crew and emigrants, 460 souls in all, have perished.

The origin of the fire is unknown ; but in an hour after the flames broke out the vessel was completely gutted.

Hundreds cast themselves overboard, but -only to perish by drowning..

Captain A. Elrnslie and Dr. Cadle stayed by the ship till the last moment, and then jumped overboard and were drowned. ; *_\

Two boats were filled with 30 each, under the first and second officers, and put off from the ship. ; *':;;

Of one of them no tidings have been re ceived. After being afloat for ten days the other was sighted and rescued by the ship British Sceptre, and contained only three survivors out of thirty. These were Messrs. Mac Donald, Lewis, and Cottee. They were compelled to subsist upon the bodies of their dead comrades.

The others died raving mad. A "Cospatrick Relief Fund" has beep started. The Lord Mayor of London and the owners of the vessel, Messrs. Shaw, Saville and Co., subscribed £200 each for the three sur vivors. In the -saloon the only passenger was Dr.- J. F. Cadle (surgeon-superintendent hi charge^ of the emigrants), who, as reported above, jumpedoverboardatthe lastmoment, and was J drowned. There were four passengers in the steerage, but their names are unknown to us, while the immigrants numbered 429,,; divided, according to nationality, as follows •: —English, 247; Scotch, 42; Irish, 109; Welsh, 13; Channel Islanders, 10; French, 7; Swiss, 1 : total, 429 souls, equal to 357 i statute adults.

Further Particulars.

In order to give our readers the earliest opportunity of learning the particulars which had arrived of this terrible disaster, we this morning published an extra which was issued at the same time as the morning papers. This contained the telegrams, the list of passengers, and the manifest of the cargo, as republished this evening. Since the morning the following fresh information has come to hand. The largest loss for insurance of y the cargo falls upon the New Zealand offices, • as will be seen by the following completed INSURANCES. . New Zealand, £10,000. South British, £4,148. * . - National Office, £915. These are the only losses known at pre- .'$ sent, though it is possible that a few other claims may turn np later. Of course, a large proportion of the cargo is insured at Lloyds. We can hardly bear out the _tate ment of our contemporary the Cross respect ing the sensation caused in town last night at the receipt of the intelligence. On the contrary, it was singular how slowly the news spread. This may be attributed prin- , cipally to the general tendency to believe the rumour a hoax, similar to the nnfonnded story about Jthe "Queen of Nations." The reality of the catastrophe was not fully realised till this morning, when the pavement in Qneen-street was dotted with little clusters of people talking over it. The ships in har bour have had their flags at half-mast to-day,'||ll|| in respect for the memory of the victims. The number of nominated immigrants is smaller than at first anticipated, but the family bereavements are of a very painful character, __ and on first learning the news several women fainted, while the sounds of distress were heard in many parts of the town. We can well imagine the sensation which the news would create in England. This afternoon further telegrams from the South are to hand which give some interesting particulars respecting the ship and offijajps. It appears by these tbat no measures I6r the safety of the immigrants were neglected when the ship put to sea, even extra, precautions being taken, so that it is more than likely that the efforts of the crew to extinguish the fire may have been rendered abortive by tbe panic stricken passengers. It is a fearful story from beginning to end.

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. Thames Friends have Lost Immigrants. The loss of the Cospatrick cast quite a gloom over the place this morning. A large number of Thames residents had friends and relatives on board. Mrs Briten had her mother, two married brothers, a sister mar- : ried, and a brother with his wife and two chil dren coming out, and all were lost. Shehad become very anxions and nervous about the long delay in the arrival of the vessel, and about a week ago had a dream that impressed itself upon her that the bodies of her friends had, all been eaten by fish. When the Glen- j lora was signalled M~s Britan visited/^?k land, expecting it to be the Cospatrick^ \ since then has frequently expressedx^^ / that the vessel was lost. Messrs. Rawdeuj-^ ... Townsend, and others had relatives on board.

"-mKmmmtMi^am^, januaby it, uw



f"IHEAP SUMMER HATS. LADIES' & CHILDREN'S. STRAW HATS. BOY'S STRAW HATS, In Order to Efeect a Clearance, JRUtHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Will offer ihe Balance of their S T R A W HATS AT '■; REDUCED PRICES, REGARDLESS OF COST! JRUSHBROOJKJ & BRIDGMAN, (LATE R. HOBBS.) Weo_gbsai_e and Retail Drapekb, Clothibks JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, (Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel,)' Upper Queen - street, Auckland. EDWIN HOLLOWAY AND J. TONSON GARLICK t/ Beg to inform the inhabitants of Auckland they have purchased the Stock and _._."■'■ Premises known as THE CITY HALL DRAPERY, CLOTHING, AND CARPET ESTABLISHMENT, UPPER QUEEN-STREET, .-...From Messrs Cosqbavk & Co., AT A LARGIS DISCOUNT OFF ENGLISH COST. ; ! A &ALE OF THE GOODS V. ■'-. Will be held When that New, and recently-imported tock, purchased from the Manufacturers of England FOR CASH, will be offered to the public at IMMENSE REDUCTIONS. IJrapers and Storekeepers are invited^to attend this reai> Sale, as it the intention of the proprietors to CLEAR OUT THE PRESENT STOCK, In ordir to meke extensive alterations in th "Building. A splendid opportunity for Country Settlers to purchase at LOW RATES. HOLLOWAY & GARLICK, CITY HALL. TTTB ARE NOW SHOWING OUR MAIL GOODS Received FES s. s. Hiso, Consisting of COSTUMES, PARIS BONNETS, TRIMMED HATS, MANTLES, FEATHERS, " ..' FLOWERS, A GLOVES, &c, Ac, Ac. ; Also, 72 CASES • Fib ZiiLis Comprising— PRINTS, DRESSES, and MANCHESTER GOODS J. COSGRAVE & CO. i ...«."'. - _ .i. i ihj



T>AY OP ISLAJNJDS.COAL COMPANY, (LIMITED). PRICES AT TBE LOADING GBOUND, . X AWAKAWA: COAL Twelve Shillings per ton f.o.h O T.ACK .. .. S.ven Shillings per Jton f.o.b By order. J. A GILFILLAN, Secretary. 10, Irsurance Buildings, Auckland, 11th January, 1875.



_We observe that Garrett | Brothers of Wakefield-street, are sacrificing the re mainder of their stock of boots and shoes before removing to their new and commo dious building—ADVT. To the Ladies of Auckland.—l have received from London, per R.M.S. Cyphrenes, a beautiful stock of Long length and Ringlet Hair, and shall be happy to execute orders on the shortest notice.— Fbanois J. Shoktt, City Hair Cutting Rooms, next Lewisson'e, Jeweller, opposite the Union Bank,.