LATE TELEGRAMS.

COROMANDEL.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. The "Royal Oak has sixty pounds of good specimens again this morning. Gold is still showing.

RUSSELL.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. Arrived : Eowe^a from Auckland, Hose from Wbangaro',*.

CHRISTCHURCH.

(Per Presa Telegram Agency) 1 his day.

Another Fire in Christcliurch

Ani.t.er rire occurred j ear the ireutre of ihe city Isr* rnih*. at the large stables nenr th* Warwick H tel. The Fire Brigade was again rfinaikably smart. The flames burst from the roof before the fire T»ell rang, and the stable was within twelve feet of the hotel, yet the fire was con fined entirely to the stable. The hand engine was throwing water five minutes after the alarm, and the steam-engine in fourteen minutes. The damage is about £400 .All the insurances are not known, but the New Zealand offices lose about £250.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGB WATEK : Tbls evening, 213 ; to morrow morning. 3 7 SUN" SET : This evening, 6.16 ; SUN KISE: to morrow naornin?. 6 5 MOON'S AGJE : Fall Moon, 22nd, 11.30 am

ARRIVALS.

Jessie Henderson, schooner, from Waikato, in the Wanukau Golden isle, schoon?r, from Russell Spe pweli, ketch, from Russell Southern Cross, Government Trainig schooner, Breton, from Kohimarmia Magic, cutter, from Wangaroa Fawn, cutter, from Russell Atalanta, scnooner, from Kaipara, in the Manukau

DEPARTURES.

Agnes, schooner, for Dnnedin Christina, schooner, for Bassell

EXPORTS.

Per Agnes, for Duntdin: 110,000 ft timber.—J, "W. Waller, agent. Per Wave, brig, for Timaru: 110/00 ft sawn timber, 25 tons joiner work, D. H. McKenzie and Co.

The cutter Magic brings 24 400 feet timber from Wangaroa for Messrs Holdship and Co.

The ketch Speedwell brings 50 tons coals for Mr Belcher from Russell,

The Anazi entered outwards for Newcastle to-day.

The shooner Daphne has entered out wards for Levuka.

The schooner Atalanta arrived in tiie Manukau, from Kaipara, yestsrday evening. She brings a cargo of gum, principally for Messrs Oarg.willo and Brown, Cimpbell and 'Jo, aad some timber for the Sash and Dot Compinv. She is consigned to Mr J W. -Waller. The b?.*que Martha, for Tong*, the ship India, for the Bluff, and the barque Bella Mary, for Hobirt Town, have entered outwards. Messrs Henderson and Macfarlana are calling for tenders for the supply of new sails to the schooner Levuka.

Tite Eudoxie Adolphine, Vrench brig, 259 tons register, Captsin Pimonean, cleared at Adelaide for Auckland on ihe 23rd February, with the following cargo:-27*8 bags wheat, 25 cues wine, 30 do jams, SI boxes, 10-4 cases, 3 kegs sundries. The vessel had not sailed on ilia 25th, but was on the eve of doing so She is consigned to Messrs Thornton, Smith and Firth.

At Lyttelton on the 2 dinst. the following * uck lanti traders were either loading or discharging:— MageUan Cloud, Pacific, Flirt, Fiery Cross, Omaha, Olimp»e. The following vessels well-kuown in this port were in harbour at the same time:—Sir Isaac New ton and Kio Lodae (1 .ading for Aacklind) Success, Cleopatra, Natal Queen, Saucy Las 3, Eilerslie. Tho barquentine Omaha left .Lyttelton for New Plymouth with a full cargo of produce on the 3rd inst. We have not yet heard oi hnr arrival.

The schooner Golden Isle arrived this morning from Russell. She brings 110 tons coal for the A:S.P Company. The schooner Agnes sailed for Lyttelton at noon to-day. She went away with a fine westerly breeze. Ships, schooners, and steamers have been signaled all day, and our shipping reporter has been in a state of expectancy bordering upon desperation. Strange to say no cr*ft of any kind had made the port up to three o'clock. [Just before going to press we learn that Mr Duder has been overhauling the cone signals. Why didn't he ttll ns about it?] The brig Wave cleired at the Cv toms to-day for Timaru with a cargo of timber shipped by D. H. McK«nzle. fell; is to sail at once. The brigantine Helena cleared in ballast to- d»y for Lyttelton. She will not load at Kaipara as announced but go straight through.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Lyttei/ton, This Day. The Albion left for Wellington, with the Sues mail, at 5 p m yesterday.

CHIEF PORT-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows .— For lhames. to-moirow, at 9 30 p m, and 5.80 a m For Coroinandel, tomorrow, at 5 pm For Hobatt Town, jor Bella Mary, to-morrow, at a am For Wangarei, per Clyde, to morrow, at 12 noon For Samoa, per Martha, to-morrow, at 2 pin for Taranahi ard Southern Provinces, per Taranaii, on Xhursday next at I. p m Pers.s Mikado; on Friday, 19th instant, as under: for fcanctwich Islands, TJmtad Stales of .America, Canada. British Columbia, Central and S <Mh > ni^rics,. fend British and Foreign "West In Jies, at 1 .30 am. (for tha United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at \0. 30 a.m. ifor money orders, registered letteis, and neirs pppow, at. 9 30am JL.iOo letters bc»riug an estr* fee of Gtt will D" recc-ived by the Mail Agent on board up to time of sailnir (Signed) S. B. Biss, Cliief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

KEEK—CNTY—On the 11th instant, by the Rev Dr Wallis, William Rooerfc Stt; her.son Kcrr to Eupliemia Canty, eldest daughter of the late Mr. John Nicholson, Black Bull Hotel, Auckland.— Home papers please copy.

DEATHS.

COOK—On the 15th March, at the Empire Hotol, Drake-street, William Cook, late of Bideford, Devonshire, England. The funeral will leave his late residence on \\ ed nesday, the 17th instant, at 3 o'clock. YaNDLE-OnMai-cli 16, Bessy Y audio, aged 1 year and 3 months.

The funeral will leave her parent's residence, junction of Queen and Grey-streets, to-morrow (Wednesday), at 3 p.m. PEIME—On March IG, Arthur Brand, fourth son oi Mr. J. W. Prime, Karangahape Road, Newton, aged 0 years. The funeral will leave his father's residence on Wednesday, at 3p.m. Friends please accept this invitation.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We hold over a letter from C. S. till to-morr ow.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1875.

For the cause that Inrita assistance, i'or the wrotiß t • :H iwils re-.ista.nce, >'v: the Ciitura iv the di!.l.iUic«s And tho eooa th.it rta can do.

We observe that our plain speaking con temporary, the Wellington livening Poal takes the same view that We have taken of the meagre intimation made by Mr Vogel as to his arrangements respecting the loan. With the Post we hope that "the particulars promised" to be sent by Mr. Vogel "will be full and candid," and in the meantime we would suggest that excess of jubilation may be premature, Thus says our contemporary :

—•' It would, however, we think, bo wronp to assume that 93 is the price which the colony will receive for its loan. We fear this figure will be found subject to very considerable reductions. Still, evon assuming that for every £100,000 worth of its debentures the colony will re ceive £93,000 in cash, lite depreciation in tJie value of our securities is very marked. On the 29th June last, the Premier informed Parliament tlist tenders for the? last, million and a half had been called for in London at 9S nominally, but really at a price equal to £96 9s. Ab this price, £673,400 had been disposed of. On the balance of £526,G00, n concession was made equal to one per cent, thus reducing the price to £95 9s, at which ie was taken np by a syndicate. The average price of the whole million and a half was £05 149 23. For the last half of this loan the colony had to submit to a depreciation of 153 per cent, and now assuming that the new loan has been quitted at 93 net (which we do not believe) there is a further depre ciation in nine months of £2 9s. per cent. on the lowest price, or £2 14s. 2d. on the average price realised for the last million and a-half. This is a rapid and serious fall, and we may well, ask where onr credit will ultimately be landed under Mr. Voxel's financial policy. If, as we expect, the price stated is subject to charges and commissions, the matter will of course be so much the worse. "When Mr. Vogel does send the further particulars promised, we hope they will be full and candid. More especially do we hope that he will state whether in placing this loan on the market he has given any pledge as to future borrowing."

At the meeting of the Executive for promoting the candidature of Sir George Grey for the Superintendency, held yes terday afternoon, arrangements were made in connection with the meeting of Sir George with the electors of the province. Although no necessity now exists for such meetings, it was deemed advisable they should be held, as being both courteous to electors and pleasing to the candidate. It was intimated that information had been received from those at the Thames inter ested in the matter, and that Saturday eve ning was named as the most suitable for the meeting at that place. It was found on consideration, that that evening would not consist with arrangements, and it was resolved that a telegram should be sent to the Thames expressing the desire of the Committee that« Sir George Grey should hold his first meeting there, and asking if Friday evening would suit. It was also re solved that arrangements should be made for Sir George meeting the electors of Auckland at the Choral Hall on Monday evening. Intimation of these arrangements was sent this morning to Sir George, who may be ex pected to come up from Kawau by the Lady Bowen to-morrow afternoon, and a depu tation was appointed to meet him at the steamer. It was resolved that as many members of the Executive and General Committees as could make it convenient should accompany Sir George to the Thames on Thursday or Friday.

It must be delightful to every lover of morality to learn that those who provide our interesting fellow-colonists, the Maoris, with the milk and water that are meet for babes in civilization, through the feeding bottle of the Walca Maori, are down on dancing. That venerable pastime among the palefaced is a novelty to our sable brethern and pistern and is considered to be promotive of sentiments not consistent with the pristine simplicity of the native character. In fact in plain terms dancing is- denounced as being dangerous to Maori morality. When it has come to this we are sure that we may well leave it off. The native purity of the aboriginal character can stand the haka and the war dance, but the polka and the waltz are too much for it. We may believe that the unadorned and severe simplicity of the native costume, and the expressiveness of the gesticulations of the aboriginal pastime would shock our sense of what is becoming if exhibited in the ball-room; but we hold that our dark-skinned fellow-colonists have an equal right to raise objection to the promiscuous intermingling of the sexes in the giddy maze, and no doubt this testi mony of the Maori doctors is a wonderful ■argument in favour of that form of dancing known as a la Sturgeon,

The writ for the election of a successor to Mr Gillies in the representation of City West, reached the hands of the Eeturning Officer, Colonel Balneavis, to-day. The dato of nomination has not yet been fixed, but we hope to be able to make the announcement to-morrow. There will be no opposition to the return of Sir George Grey to Parliament.

Of the peculiarities of Government finance a correspondent s»ys :—Sir, —With reference to your correspondents remarks about the four million loan, may 1 draw your attention to tha question which Aucklanders ought to ask tneir representatives at once, namely : how much of what may be left is to be spent for the good of this Province ? I have lately been to Tauranga. There is not a school building there, nor in any other part of Auckland province worth the name ; yet the Governmtnt have put up public buildings more like the Government House in this city than anything else. If that is a proper expenditure of tlie loans, and to be oiiargrid against; this province, surnJy school buddings have as good a claim. So, also, 1 saw crowds of natives', called constables, at different stations in the country, getting their 6a a day from loans for doing nothing at all. Is that too a proper way of spending borrowed money ? It is high time, as Sir George Giey so ably says in his address, that the pubic should insist on the most rigid personal economy in the expenditure of this borrowed mom-.y. Hither to it has been "light come, light go," but that must be altered now, or there will be but a poor chance of Auckland getting in the futuro a fairer share than in the past. This putting up of fine Govern ment buildings and great native ex penditure is all very well for the districts that derive the temporary benelid from it, but it is no permanent gain -to the province, wh'le the South are sure to throw it in our teesh when the final clearing up comes, and new taxes are put on to pay the interest on all this gaily spent money.—l am, &c, A Traveller.

It will be seen by. our report of the train ing schooner, to be found elsewhere iv our columns, that the yound urchin Patrick Molloy has run away from the Kohimaraina training school for the fourth time, lie was well (logged when brought back last week, and disappeared next morniug. He has not been retaken up to the present time, but if he should be captured he should bo very severely punished. TJiscipline, in a school oE this kind, is so very important that any one guilty of a breach of it must bo made an example of. Had Messrs Reea and-J. B. liussell known the obstinate disposition of the boy they were pleading for in the Police Court, the first tini9 he was brought up, they would hardly have been so soft-hearted over his case*

Thomas John McManus, of Auckland, well-known to the police, escaped some time ago from his residence in YVillow-s'reet, tearing his wife and four children wi houi the means of subsiaicuce. The fugitive stilted for the Waika'.o, intending to con t'.nua bia pilgrimage to Tauranga, theuco along the Ease Coast to Napier, and thence through the Middle Island to Wellington. He beg»ed his way it /-.coins, and at nii>ht, sought shelter in the various lock-ups of the districts through which ho passed Ho evinced a philanthropic disposition, and inspected several prisons, and questioned the prisoners as to their condition and com forts, representing himself as the agent of a Howard society. Ho heard, however, of a rush at Ohinemuri, and at once abandoned his philanthropic pursuit and turned towards that interesting locality; but, by some mis chance, due more to his unhappy pro pensity for prigging and utter disregard to tho commandment —"Thou Shalt not. steal," than to accident. He appropriated other people's property lo his own im mediate use. Among the goods thus un lawfully appropriated by Mr Thomas John McManus, was a hammer, for which he was nailed by the police, and charged with the offence before the sitting magistrate. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labor, and wa3 brought up from the Thames last evening by Constable staple ton, and safely lodged in his old quarters at Mount Eden.

An accident occurred on Saturday lastjlto Mr Mulgrow, the Papakura carrier, at the foot of the Keri Keri ranges. He was en deavouring to avoid a tut, when by a jolt of the vehicle he was thrown out with much force. He was taken to the surgery of Dt Bodle, who discovered that oue of bis legs were broken 'I'lla bone was at once sec, and the patient is doing as well as can be expected. ♦

Mr W. T. Swan, M.P.0., expired very suddenly at his lesidence yesterday. He had been out during the morning, and. returned home eai'ly in the afternoon. Shortly after reaching his lodgings in Symondsstreet, he was seized with an apoplectic fit, and, al though attended by Drs. Stockwell and Goklsbro', he expired at, ten o'clock at night. Mr Swan was the first member of the General Assembly for the Thames district, having taken up his residence immediately after the discovery of that field.

We have received a complaint from three respectable residents in Victoria-street, be tween Albert and Chapel streets, complain ing of an abominable nuisance that exists on part of what was formerly the Albert-street church property. A closet has been erected over an old well, and the fever-breeding stench that proceeds from the place is said to be unbearable. We hope the Inspector of Nuisances will see to the matter at onca, as any nuisance of the kind at the present hot dry season of the year is highly dangerous to health.

Relative to to-morrow's Horticultural Show, " A Friend to Horticulture" writes :— " The coming Horticultural Show is looked upon by gardeners here to represent the autumn shows held at home, where the dahlias, roses, hollyhocks, asters, stocks, phlixes, gladiolus, and verbenas, &c, form very prominent features in the way of flow ers ; grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, nectarines, &c, in the way of fruits. IN Tow in our adopted country we are trying too much to follow the old system. Our seasons are not so regular, and with our long con tinued droughts it is scarcely possible to bring half the objects mentioned in the prize schedule to like perfection. The dahlias seem to mfl here to stand highest in the esti mation of our florists for the autumn show. At the time the show is held (he season for the phloxes, gladiolus, hollyhocks, peaches, plumj, nectarines, and other fruits and flow ers, is over. I think the committee might see (heir way to alter the date of future autumn shows to six weeks earlier, and then the dahlias could be brought forward in perfection. I also think that more of,^ur dahlia-growers would come forward then, for at that season there is a more abundant sup ply of water. I know that it is quite pos sible for some of the places to put good blooms on the exhibition tables, because they have gob an abundant supply of water. The present system is almost like giving the prizes to the places which have an abundance of that necessary element. The greater number, and especially ama teurs, have not got the means of keeping a supply of water sufficient ■ for successfully growing dahlias. lam quite well aware that any alteration of show, to an earlier date, would throw out most of tb!e apples and pears; but, I think, we should be amply recompensed by the increase in other fruits and flowers. It is too late to hint to the committee to defer the show; but a few autumn experiences in Auckland will prove that there must be some change to make the shows a success."

Messrs Bates and Howard ate about to open the theatre in Wellington in first class style. Members of the profession seeking employment are informed by advertisement in another column that there are several va cancies in Messrs Bates and Howard's com pany. -

We have received the following. :—To the Editor : " Sir,—Can you or any of your readers kindly inform me when the result of the public examination of girls for certifi cates of proficiency will be made public ?— Yours, &c, An Aspirant."—[We find, on enquiry, that the examiners have not com pleted their analysis, and that the papers have not been yet returned by them to the education office. We cannot but say that there appeal's fco be undue dilatoriness in the matter.-Ed. E.S.]

To the Editor : Sir,—l was passing the Sritomarfc station yesterday and noticed the state of the large iron tank from which the locomotives are supplied with water. The hoje which connects with the engines was hanging over the side of the tank, and a stream of water three parts of an inch in diameter was runniusr into a tub on theground

•it the east side of the support upon which tho tank rests. The tub was quite full, and of course as the water ra-n in it overflowed, and ran to waste in the earth. Can it be po.ssibl«i that Mr fresmore has put a veto on any outsider making use of this water, which has been long used by coasting craft and was a great convenieiace ? I can hardly think that, even that eccentiic person would make him self so obnoxious, but I am credibly informed it is even so. It is bad enough to have to conteud against drought and a deficient Water Supply without having things made worse by such jack-in-officesim as this.—l am Sir, Indignant.

Among the numerous sports announced for to-morrow in honour of Ireland's patron Saint, we may mention the St. Patrick's Hibernian and Australasian Catholic Bene fit Society's ball, which will be held in the Choral Hall-

'Mong mirth arid dailco and fond display, In honor of tit. Patrick's Day ; When hundreds from the Emerald Isle Will dance in fashion's latest style. Go round and round in rounding arms, Inspired by music's witching charms. We understand that no effort has been spared by the committee in order that the St. Patrick's ball may be the most successful of the season, and worthy the great name of it 3 celebration, hence the committee engaged the Choral flail as the most commodious of city halls, so that there should be ample room for all the necessary accompaniments of the festive sttene.

And should St. Patrick view tho scene, From his celestial fields of green,

The happy Saint will fondly nmilo,

On lite dear ones of Erin's Isle. The fine band of Mr McComish will discourse sweet music on tho occasion, and give life and vitality to those who may share the pleasures of the evening. We learn further that the ball will not be confined to one creed, as invitations have been sent to the representatives of the various Auckland Benefit Societies,who no doubt will avail themselves of the opportunity of enjoy ing a rational evening's amusement in the spacious hall, and which amusfment is so conducive of health and genial flow of spirits. Mr Stacey, with his wonted liberality, will provide the necessary refreshments, and Mr T. H. White, with his known ability, will officiate as Master of the Ceremonies. The members meet at St. Patrick's Hall to mo tow at 7.30 a m.

From the Japan Gazette of December 4 wo take tho following :—'' A young man named Lakcnouchi Usimatsu, of Nihinokubo, fell in love with a beautiful girl, named Efippari, whose code of morals was not a very severe one. After many clandestine meotiugs, he obtained the consent of his uncle and guardian to take her for his wife. When lie came to claim her she took him to Znj.-.ji, Shiba, and offering him a knife, asked him to kill her, saying it was impossible for them to lie united as she was unworthy of him. The sorrow-stricken youth thinking thu^, nffcer puch a disclosure, ib were better for her to die, pierced twice the breast of his fiancee (who fell dead bi foro him), and was about to perform the operation upon him self when he heard footsteps approaching, whereupon he fled. When he had run some distance, he sheathed the knife, and aban doned his intention of taking his life. He was afterwards taken, and sentenced to ten years imprisonment with hard labour for the murder of the young woman."

The Puke of Noifolk, England, who Is about renouncing all wordly title to enter holy order.1?, is but twenty-seven years of age. Ho is the hereditary Earl Marshal of the kingdom.

The Auckland Volunteer Fire Brigade met for practice last evening under command of Mr. Superintendent Hughes. Thirty-seven members were present, and the practice, which was highly creditable, lasted two hours. Mr. Hughes complimented the men on their practice and progress. The members of the brigado are very attentive and ener getic in their proceedings.

The subject of the practice of the Choral Society this evening will be Acis and Galatea.

They tell a strange story of a Paris watch maker for true, and if true, is a striking instance of the power of the imagination over the human frame : Frederick Steibmann had worked at a watch twenty years. It was a new movement, new works, and his own invention. He perfected and Bet it a-going. He imagined that his soul had passed from hia body into that watch, .and said : " When the watch stops I shall die." It had been running a long time, and Stebbman was very particular about wind ing it regularly. The idea that his life had become subordinated to the watch grew stronger. One day lately the watch showed signs of irregularity. It ran first too fast, and then too slow. Steibmann became very ill. He did not send for a doctor, but for a watchmaker, to see what could be done for the watch. The watchmaker knew nothing about that particular watch, and could not prescribe for it. The watch stopped and sure enough Steibman was dead.

The Princess Beatrice is described as very sharp-witted, rather shrewish in disposition and an inveterate stickler for all the privi leges of her rank. She insists upon taking precedence of the Duchess of Edinburgh, and she does it.

Lietenant Payer, who returns to the Arctic regions in command of the new Aus trian expedition, is but thirty-two years of age. When eighteen h^ began a nineteen years' survey of the Alps, and in 1868 the Polar investigations.

The Royal Cavalry Volunteers mustered yesterday at Epsom for inspection, but from some unknown cause, notwithstanding the favorable state of the weather, only three men and one officer were present. Major Gordon attended, but the men were not put through their regular exercises.

Tne anniversary tea meeting of the Mount Eden Sunday School will be held in the school-room this evening, when addresses will be delivered by the Rev. G. H. Turner, and Messrs Ewington and Wood.

The evening levee of the Fairy Queen and the Leopard Boy was held last evening, and a great number of peisons were in atten dance ; and many were permitted to kiss her Majesty's small white hand. The great calculator was equally successful in the world of figures as on previous nights.

At the City. Council yesterday, Councillor Macready let drop a remark in reference to the drainage of City East which fixes on the General Government the onus of metalling the new beach road. He said that when the road was laid off it was distinctly understood that the Government undertook to finish it. We trust if such is the case the powers that be will redeem their promise without delay. The road is ready for metalling and no time should be lost in making it available for the public. To support the State Prisons of New York $600,000 had to be raised by tax last year. Ohio has a State Prison which, instead of costing her $600,000 per annum, yields her an income of $25,000.

The amount of labour vainly seeking em ployment in certain parts of America, and the consequent destitution exhibit one of the most deplorable phases of social life in the great Republic. From San Francisco in the west to Mew York in the east, all the large centres of population appear to exhibit the same sad spectacle, but the following, which we clip from an American journal of the 15th of last January, affords about as significant an indication of this melan choly condition of things as could well be imagined :— " Messrs. Jarrett and Palmer, managers of Booth's Theatre, advertised yesterday for 200 men to take the humble part of " supea " in the retinue of the King in the play of "Richard III," which they are about to produce with great magnificence. When the treasurer of the theatre went down in the bitter cold of early morning (7 o'clock) to the box office, he found over 2,000 mostly well-dressed and genteel-appearing young men jostling and crowding each other against the heavy, iron barred doors. The numbers constantly augmenting, special policemen were detailed to preserve order ; and amid the crowding, the necessary 200 were soon secured. Then came letters by the bushel to the managers from the rejected applicants, begging for any position, however humble, that would keep the wolf from the door."

The Pitt-street Young Men's Mutual Im provement Class opened last evening under favorable circumstances. An interesting address was delivered by the Rev. W. 0. Oliver, on the immediate object of the Society, namely, the improvement of the mind arising from auch societies as that which they sought to perpetuate and which was a healthy sign of church life. The address was marked by that perspicuity of thought and close reason ing which distinguish this gentleman's addresses generally. At the close of Mr. Oliver's address, the following gentlemen were elected officers and committeemen for the onward year. President : Rev A. Reid ; Vice-Presidents : Rev W. 0. Oliver, Messrs Ewington, Buddie, and McMaster. Com mittee : Messrs. Thome, Mitchell, J. and VV. D. Buttle, and Jessop. Treasurer, Mr. G-. Rhodes j Secretary* Mr. F. W. Martin. This being the business of the evening, votes of thanks to the Rev. Mr. Oliver and the Chairman, ended the proceedings.

A horrible Paris mystery has caused a sensation in the French capital. On the lObh December last Mme. Labrichamp, living at Rue, de Convent, Paris, gave a petit diner to her friends. In the midst of the festivities she missed her little boy, only a year old, who had been entrusted to a nurse. The building and grounds were searched, but no signs of the baby or nurse could be found. While the search was in progress the door-bell was rung, and a commis&ionare handed to the servant a small bottle containing a red liquid. The servant took the bottle to Mademe Labrichamp. She held it to the light and discovered this inscription : " The blood of Pierre Labrichamp, 1874." The mother fainted. The police were notified, but no light had been thrown on the mystery when the last mail left Paris.

The following actual fact occurred some years ago in the West of England. The late yir Knowle Wellman, well known to the inhabitants of Taunton, was one Sunday morning in his carriage on his way to church, when, in passing through the Crescent, he observed the bar across the carriage-way was padlocked. The coachman drew up and waited for instructions as to what he should done. &ir Knowle was in the act of telling his man to turnback, when an old townsman, a Quaker, observing how the case stood, came from his house hard by, and, handing the coachman a saw, said, "There, friend -1 can not help thee, because to-day is the Sabbath, but I can lend thee this saw, whereby thou canst cut thy way through."

A provincial reception of the Prince of Wales lately comprised an escort of twenty velocipedists.

"A Deluded Parent" sends us the fol lowing distressing; case in connection with the prevailing epidemic :—" My little boy being found in the act of retching, and showing measly symptoms, was hurried off to bed, and blankets were piled thick upon him, yet for four dajs he resisted every at tempt to '"get the measles out." Saffron was tried, and whiskey was resorted to— the doctor was called in, but all was without avail, the measles would not come out. It then transpired that the youngster's eccen tric, though juvenile, brother, had been doseing him on the sly with worm powders,' bought at the chemist's under the conviction that the little urchin had worms, warning being given that he was not to tell. This youthful doctoring produced what was thought to be indubitable signs of the measles. The revelation of facts caused much laughter, and released the little fellow from any further experiments."

The trial of Joseph Husler, formerly a stock-jobber in Auckland, is given at great length in the Melbourne papers to hand via the South per s.s. Taranaki yesterday. The evidence shewed that at the time of com mitting the deed, Husler was suffering from delirium tremens, and that he had fre quently attacka of the same Bpecies of mania. During one of these fits on board the s.s. Hero he had rushed into the cabin with a knife with the intention of mur dering Captain Logan, who, however was lying awake and so able to frustrate the attempt. The facts revealed at the trial were very similar to those published in our columns at the time the deed, was committed. The prisoner throughout, although now in the fall possession of his faculties, maintained a most callous and unconcerned demeanour. The Melbourne press severely criticise the system under which delirium tremens is held to relieve criminals from the extreme penal ties imposed by the law for their crimes, and contend that when a man wilfully persists in drunkenness, knowing that his course of conduct will reader him liable to commit murder and acts of violence, he shold be held as fully responsible for any crimes he may be guilty of. Husler was ordered to be detained in custody during her Majesty's pleasure. It is probable that his imprison ment will be a lengthy one.

Mr Robert Peace of Otamatea, Kaipara, whose delicious tinned mullet has made a name in the market, through the agency of Mr H. B. Morton of Cuatom-house-street, writes with reference to a paragraph which appeared in the Herald stating that the pre serving of fish in tins in this province had been discontinued. He says that it might have been extinguished by the shameful treatment received by him when carrying on the manufacture in Parua Bay. He is happy to say that the industry is not abandoned, although languishing through unfair treat ment. He hopes that a Commission of the Provincial Council will be appointed to investigate his case.

Mr Alfred Aley has recommenced business as a practical clock and watch maker, and jeweller, in his new premises, 256, Queen sfcreet, which have been elaborately fitted up with every necessary convenience. Mr Aley has hitherto been unfortunate in having suffered severe losses by fire ; he was burnt out in September, 1873, and again in August 1874, by the Queen-street fires. Again he lost a splendid assortment of watches and jewellery in the ill-fated Cospatrick, with whose melancholy fate the whole world is familiar. Mr Aley was seven years in the service of Messrs Ridley, of London, and has since been eleven years in Auckland. He has a large and elegant stock of goods in bis new shop, and expects an addition by the next ship. Mr Aley is a thoroughly skilled watchmaker and jeweller, and all work is done under his immediate supervision or by his own hand. The new window case, of substantial structure, was made by Mr William Norrie, of Shortland-ntreet, on au entirely aew prinoiplt.

The annual meeting of members of the Young Men's Christion Association will be held this evening to consider the report and the advisability of winding up affairs and closing the Institute.

The successful tenderer for Mr. Somer vel'a block of buildings, at the corner of Vulcan Lane and Queen-street, was Mr G. Rhodes, £3,492.

£JThe following has been sent to us for publication by a respected correspondent anent " jßailway Confusion and Mismanage ment." :—To the Editor of the Star : Sir, — You deserve the thanks of Hie whole com munity for exposing the bungling way in which Frank B. Passmore is managing the railway. One gentleman, whose bill comes to £16*0 per month, was about to purchase horses antl carts, and do his work with carts instead of at present by rail, but as the line will d( übtless be handed over to our new Superintendent, will wait in hopes of a chango being effected, although not before it is time, and certainly much wanted if this province is to advance at all. Another instance of bungling, Mr Passmore takes up three inches of an advertisement calling the attention of the public to the new time-table which came into force on the 11th of March. Now, in the same space and cost, he might have published his new time-table., thereby preventing many people from having to run down to Britomart Point to find the alteration in the time-table. Is it true that he discontinues advertising in your valuable paper ? Your insertion to this will oblige yours, &c, Frank.-[We are not aware if Mr. Passmore has ordered the discontinuance of advertisements in tbe Star. Should he have deemed it right however to take thi3 method of reply ing to criticism, we hope we shall survive. Ed. E.S.]

Sir Donald McLean at Maketu.

Boat Accident

[By Telegram:.]

MAKETU

(From our own Correspondent.)

This day,

The Luna aaiived Irst night about five o'clock. Two boats weie swamped through carelessness. Mrs. Gill, one of the lady passengers, had a very narrow escape. The boat turned over and covered her. She is much better. Sir Donald McLean and party landed at noon to-day, and were received by F. B. Hamlin, Esq., 11M. ; Captain G. Mair, Matene te 'iuaki te Pokiba, Turanu, and other gentlemen representing the European and native inhabitants. The party were escorted by the native police force. They started from the Huuse of Assembly, where they were met by about seven or eight hundred natives, who immediately com menced a war dance, which they executed is first-class style. This afteruoon will be spent in speeches of welcome.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Albert Beetham Esq. J.P.) THE COMMON KRROR, Charles Smith was found drunk last night and fined 5s and costs. Patrick Gibbon was found drunk last night in Vulcan Lane. Serjeant O'Connor dis covering a brother in the dust took him to the station house. Patrick said it was all a mistake, he was simply drunk, and was doing no harm to nobody. Fined os and costs.

Elizabeth Kennedy for the same offence was fined 5s and costs.

BLACK PEPPER,

John Pepper, a dark unwashed man, was again brought up, on charges of drunkenness and riotous conduct.

This being Pepper's second offencs within J the course of a few days, Pepper was fined 203 and costs. PRETTY POLLY. Mary Howley, alias Roger, alias Pretty Polly, was charged with being in a state of decrepitude, arising from the use of the leprous distilment, which had stolen away Polly's brains, and reduced her below the common level of humanity. Constable Tierney it appeared saw a moving mass in Victoria-street, and on going towards the spot discovered this human wreck in a strange posture. She kicked and a wore and became so desperate that it was deemed necessary to convey her perforce to the luck-up, where she slept and snored in complete unconsciousness. Polly nodded but said not a word. She was fined 20s and costs. Polly on escaping from the dock com menced singing, " The light of other days has faded." THOUGHTLESS FOLLY. Alfred Boyd, a thin young man, was brought np under the Vagrant Act on a charge of drunkenness and indecent exposure on the 15th inst., in the classical locality of Chancery Lane. * The prisoner expressed his regret; lie was beery, and was not aware that he had. so com mitted himself. His Worship said as this was his first offence, he would allow him his liberty ; and to the surprise of everyone present, he was disc harged. OBTAINING GOODS, &C. John Jones, a respectable-looking man, again appeared on a charge of obtaining goods by false pretences, at Nelson. Hugh Beattie, a constable of Nelson, appeared with the warrant, signed by the magistrate of that town.

The prisoner was remanded to Nelson, where the case will be investigated.

PUGILISTIC THOMAS. Thomas Gavenny, remanded from yester day, was again brought up on a charge of threatening and assaulting his wife, Anne, on the 12th inst.

Mr Inspector Thompson informed the Bench, that the man was going to the bush, where he had been previously employed.

The case was withdrawn

This was all th 9 business

ST. PATRICK'S DAY.

ELLERSLIE GARDENS

Onb of the chief attractions among the holiday fixtures for to morrow is the grand Hibernian FSfce at the Ellerslie Gardens. Good entries have been received for the sports, and there is every indication of a capital day's fun. The ordinary amusements of the Gardens are to be supplemented by several additions. Captain Jack, described as the African Cynocephalus (whatever that is), ia to go through a wonderful performance on the tight-rope, a la Blondin, in the open air. The Leopard Boy and the Fairy Queen are to be on the ground. Several of the althletic competitions may be entered for on the ground. The Hobson Band will be in attendance. The members of the Hibernian Society are to wear their regalia, so that the scene will be a pretty one. The admis sion to the Gardens is reduced to the mo dest sum of sixpence, which should ensure a large crowd of visitors.

THE HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Thb Horticultural Show in the City Hall to morrow is sure to attract a large attendance of visitors. There are 170 prizes offered ia the various classes, and we believe there is a likelihood of good competition. The weather lately, although very dry, has not been un favourable to a good show of flowers and fruit, and if,the exhibits of these are not good, we shall be much disappointed,

EAST TAMAKI RACES.

A jolly gathering may be pre-stiMoß^, fco-m orrow on the banks of the Tatn^kTpv* r icj meeting to take place there is bofe\t b v a Buccess, if favored with fine w| There will be no Kakapo's or Lnrline' mtrf-' ---ning, but .there are plenty of fgoqjEi^r-^ * gaged, and the stakes are worth -winY Experience shows that it is nearly ahe the case, that better sport is to bbs at these cosy little picnic ineetm that at more ostentatious , v ,J-r The fields are likely to be of good2w" ■ tions, and every horse is bound to "t^» The p.s. Msnaia is to leave the Queen-str*'* wharf at 9 30 a.m., and again at 11:30 i* returning after the last race. The trick' sea in the present state of the weather *?» be very enjoyable, and should act as v^ additional incentive to take a trip to ft races. " "c

THE TRAINING SHIP.

No doubt many of our citizens Wo n c|«,j what schooner it was beating up the hartm this morning ehoitly before eleven o'oS The blue ensign at her peak showed heft' be a Government ve?sel, and those who.* at all conversant with our Auckland shiT ping were at no loss to distinguish th Southern Cross t-aining schooner, CantaT- Breton, bound f romKohimaramato Auckland Knowing that important news would h> brought by such a cruiser, our reporter hparM her immediately she dropped anchor off'th wharf, and being admitted at once VkndT ence with the captain asked what was the news down East. Captain Breton carefully closed the cabin door, and having looked V see that no one was listening under the fable gave the following information •.—«pjK : Malloy ia off again for the fourth time. He was flogged when he was brought bactlaat ' week, but went away again the nextmorn. ing and} has not been heard of &&>> Having taken due note of this aaV the captain's report of passage which set forth that the Southern Cross had left at 10,10 a.m., and after a dead beat against a fitromr westerly breeze arrived at 11.20 our reporter went above and took stock of the crew, and the way they did their work. Eighteen boys in white canvass clothes moved briskly about the ship. Besides Captain Breton, only two full-grown men appeared on decti and they only busied themselves over the heavy work. The youngsters, 'a» the various orders were given, sang out cheerily—"Ay ! ay ! sir," and went abouti their work with a will. In a few minutes after the anchor was down, the mainsail was clewed up and the staysail and jib stowed. The prettiest sight was when the order [Was given "Furl the topsail." A dozenjboyg . started up the rigging together, and .there • wag a regular race who should be out first - upon the yard. No one would imagine these boys had only been on -board a ship for a few weeks. No sign of fear, no hesitation here. The younkers run along the foot-ropes as though they were on terra firm, and the work is done rapidly and well. In , three minutes from the order, being given - the gaskets are fastened, and. the lads' descend. Then there are ropes to be hauled taut, loose ropes coiled, and the 1001 little "fixings" which a captain always finds to be ~ done when he brings up, to make his ■ vessel look shipshape to visitors. AH these are attended to with promptness. ;, A stiff breeze was blowing from the west, but Captain Breton reported that the boyg; had worked the vessel well, and indeed thii « could be told from her shaping on her wayt, up. Considering that this is only thesecond'. V time the boys have had the schooner under B sail, Captain Bieton must be congratulated ; ; on his success with his charges. The majori'y of the boys show a decided | liking for their newly adopted profession. ■: They look clean and healthy, and their chubby features are very different from the / pinched noses and cheeks we haveseenin; Vj the Police Court, belonging to the waifs and^ strays of the city. They are the same a good many of them though different. The boys 9 do not sleep on board yet, but have their ; :: quarters at the Kohimarama School. They \ are brought up entirely for the Mercantile : Marine, and have no instruction in gunnery or naval warfare. To create some emulation among the boyß Captain Breton has in troduced the system of monitors, which will no doubt be extended, with the increase of numbers in the school." ■',; At present there is only one monitor, a smart -M little lad named Morrow, who appears fully, ~ sensible of the responsibility which attaches to him. When the boat (of which he always takes the stroke oar) comes ashore with the 1- /. skipper, he is left in charge. He takes ous" - the novices asd gives them lessons in row ing, aud on other occasions fills the office of;,, the captain's representative. It certainly'^;, appears strange that the numbers are not • larger than they are. From the way kj; which Mr Beckham was enjoined by the. -; Government not to send any more boys thare I without special instructions, one would have \ thought that the school was going to be 9 rushed, but here are some months passed; :< and only 19 out of 60 enrolled^ ,

OHINEMURI.

. r • ; (PER STAR CARRIER PIGEON.) —; •"'iff The Reef not Reached. Mr Mackay Returned. Road to Waikato and Tau ranga. The Prospectors Row. H (From our Special Correspondent.) MACKAYTOWST. This day, 1.15 p.m. 1 The reef is not yet reached in the Pros-, pector's Claim, but is expected to beinhand to-night. A small mullocky leader, 18 inches, has been cut, and contained some good quartz. There was a little gold in the stone, but poor dish prospects. Nine publicans licenses of £20 eact have been taken out for Mackay town ; applications for Paeroa were made but the Warden had , no power to grant them as it is outside the goldfield boundary. X Mr Mackay returned from Tauranga last night. Roads to connect Tauranga and Cambridge'witb | Mackay town are to be made. Captain Turnbull and surveyors are to lay off the roads in small contracts at once. It appears that the row on manning the. Prospectors Eeserve was more serious than reported. A number of the men assaulted Thorpe by knocking him down, and threaten-, ing to kill some of the party. Only the interference of the police pr« vented a serious melee. A. small contemporary of yours i 3- 1 dently manufacturing Ohinemuri news m town. He put his foot into it when he said Wilkinson, of the Advertiser, had been ! blowing about Ohinemuri and misleading the... miners. Wilkinson has not been to Obine nrari at all, except to witness the opening on ' the 3rd inst., so that the news mus* J* manufactured in Auckland. Vaughan and other gum-diggers are j«* in, and report favourably ; bufc want oi » track prooludu their getting taokir^jL

JLis3Liß My Earn&.m%3t ctJLAJeIi, 1U JcjqU A. a 9 JXLAJvyXI lo> **/*



"XT 0 T I C E. THE BANKS will be CLOSED on WEDNESDAY, 17th March (St. Patrick's Day). rrjs. T7OR KAIPARA JO (Forwarding goods to all stations) Mswmms» Atalanta "Will leave Onehunga Wharf as above on SATUR DAY, 20th inst. For Fxeighi or passage apply to JAMES W. WALLER. Custom House-street. OEWING MACHINES. DEMOLITION OF THE FITTING SHOP, VULCAN LANE. Having received "notice to quit on account of re-building, I -will CLJEaR OUT part of my .Large Stock of FIRST-CLASS SEWING MACHINES At Wholesale Price. The Laroest Stock in New Zealand. PEACES SAKGE FROM 40s TO £78 GEO. W. HESLOP J Proprietor. XTTE HAVE RECEIVED Per S.S. JHero, THREE CAUSES or BLACK. AND COLOURED SILKS, Purchased a Job 7 in London] by our Mr Graham. VB~ The ENTIRE LOT will bo disposed of at SELLING-OFF PRICES ! J. COS GRAVE & CO. Q IT V HALL. HATS, CLOTHING, , PBIKTS, CARPETS, DRESSES. PLOOE CLOTHS, MILLINERY, °HINA MA'*TING. UNDERCLOTHING, BABY LINEN. AT COST PRICE, ♦ffect a Clearance for extensive alteration ,ot premise*. '•'iffMti iHOLLO^ AY * GARLICK, £ ■j Ml city hall.