SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HP.7H WaTKß—Tub aiwmoon, 11.6 , to-morrow moro n«, II 35

%UK r\_'v This .v*uiug, 713 *UN RI3HI~To nonrow morning, 4.43 MOON'S At*Jfi—Lost quarter, 20ih ; 235 pm

UNKNOWN.

<C>rpbeu'=, achooso:, iroin X.ip."er

DEPARTURES.

jtbwera. s s.'for Tai ra- ga Josepiiije, schooner, .or Levak* (from thp Thames)

Plto.iK T«n I) p» X T'RtfS Ji^r Dunpdin—Kate MeG ego-, sc'.ooneiv at o«ce JFor Norfolk Is and and Noumea —Lseti i», early Vorwymey—(Jolima ss. this eve it-g ; .uit.adj, ss,

e*rlv; Hero. 88, carle For -'he outh—Taranaki, Monday, 20th ; Taupo,

Wednes ay, 2-2 i.d For New Caltdonia— Southern Cross, s s, early (from

Onehunga) For London—City of Auckland, ship; and Columbus

barque—early For Newcastle—Star of Germany, ship. For San Francisco—Cyphrenes, s.s, 19th instant, English mail

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Llewellyn, s s, from L9vuka, Monday Mikado, ss, from San Wrancisr'o. about Ist January Cyphrenes, 8 s, from the Sor th, 18th instant Hero, fom Sydney, abop*„ 3i s t Sappho, H M s. from Wellington Brodick Castle, shir,, from London Carnatic, ship, fr^m London ; sailed 20th Sept Glenlora, ship, £rom London ; sailed JTrank Pendii>; con) s jjip, from Gelfe, Sweden ; sailed 13th Ardvar, s'aip, from Glasgow, early Benven'je ship, from London, early ©abarfeidh, o.ique from Noumea, early Jessica, barque, from ftewYo k ; sailed 2nd June JFlov-nce, barque, from Dunedin ; sailed 3rd inst Marathon, barque from New York ; mailed October 12 .Lizzie Fox. from Dane..m ; sailed 3rd imt 'K*te Brim. brigantine, from Dnnedm: sailed Nov 24 Coronet, schooner, from the Islands, early

F«Tha schooner Josephine has sailed for Levuka from the Ta*nies with ac-.rgo oftimoer. Tho a^P Go s ss Lievveliyn is expected back from Levuka on Monday next.

The Auckland steam Picket Company are advertis ing ch«a-p return fares to Gisborne »nt Napier during the Chri»tmas holidays. The tickets are to available foe r^tura till the 18th February next. The ss Taranaki arrived this afternooa. rass*eng ers ; Saloon —Means i'avis, Bumsnale, Miss Armitag, Mr Weston, Mrs Weiton. Messrs Hongh, Fitzpatric*, Gossett, Master Buckland Messrs Williams, Nichol son, Marcroft, Mr and Mrs Eelton and family, G. Felton. Miss Gittoa, Miss Kirk, Miss Waters. Mrs Kingstone and child, Sir Osborne Gibbs, MasterfQuick Messrs Snedden Marks, Hammerton Commishy, Miss Walthew Mrs Hooker, MrArmive, Master Buckland, Messrs Gffoy, Ljwe, Morrow, Nkhol, Stantoa, Bell, and 10 steerage.

The " Wine of Life" can only be kept fr*e 'rom sdnl eratlon <r impov< rifhment by per peti7-tir)g Ibo OUgh (Iteei-t Oil -n^ a ret uhir acrii.n of he l<idne\H aim hm els. Amo bH habit or boily tend* t. de-ange dfcre«tion, divet-t tbe bi c from its Hroper clih^itio s into the circulation, and tliuw render it both waiery and impure D© ci»-tit «c in <f the kidneys also c u-o1 Hon! poisoning. R-pulate, strengthen and dei ur t.e via Udolpho Wolkk's SenranAM Aromatic ScHVArps.

Weston's Wizard On, and Magic Pills.—Have en red more wonderful ct>ses of hheumat sm. Omit Ttp'ra'tfia Aches Fains, Sv:ettingn, Cuked Breasts. Scalds, a> d f^ait Ivhcm, upon th- I umaa name ihan all the pretended remedies have si'-cc the world began. These Great mtrican Medicines ar com tosxl of vegetable oils liaing gums, raotfl and herbs ; and act like a charm upon pain ard inflam mation Price: H«lf-a-crown. Sole Agents : Kemp tUorne, Prosser and Co.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Subscriber.—Charcoal may be obfj^\ nei j a^ Mr Joseph Craig's, Fort-street^ W.A.M. You had better adverse for them." We have no doubt of amateurs will be prepared to supply you.

BIRTH.

LAMBERT—On the 17th instant, at Clarence-street, Dedwood, the wife of Mr. P, W. Lambert of a daughter.

EVANS—On the 17th December, 1875, Mrs. G. H. Evans, Queen-street, Auckland, of a daughter.— Home papers please copy.

DEATH.

DICKSON —At his late residence, Karangahape Road, on the 10th December, William Robins Dickson, aged 57. Ttio funeral will leave his late residence on Sunday, at 3 o'clock Friends please accept this invitation.

HABRISON— On the 18;h instant, at his parents' residence, Chapel-slreet, August Leonard Harrison, aged G months. The funeral will leave to-morrow at 4 o'clock. Friends are invited to attend.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows:— For Thames on Monday at 830 am and spm For C oromandel on Monday at II 30 am Per Cyphrene«. as nnder":—Kor HJI, Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Canada, British (Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies at 8 p m For the United Kingdom and Conti non t of Europe, st Bpm For mnni<y orders and registered letters, at 6 p m For newspapers, at 8 pm Late letters beating an extra'ee of 6d i_ addition to the postage, will be rereived on board by the Mai' Agent np to time of sailing.

For Wangarei,

"Wargaroa Mongonui, and Russell,

per Tona, on Monday at 4 p m For Wangarei Bns?ell, Wanparoa, andMongonui,

per lona, on Monday a*. 4 o m For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Taranaki, on Mo .day at 1.20 p m S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

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

SATURDAY, December 18, 1875.

For the cause th*t lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance^ For the future in the distance, And tlie good that we can do.

There is a beautiful simplicity in tho native character that we fear will be spoiled by political education. The sadness of the thought we cannot help feeling as we read the account of the meeting between his constituents and that aboriginal candidate with a-jjname difficult to remember, who honours the East Coast with his candidature, and considers Sir George Grey " behind the age." An inquisitive elector, with that prying and impertinent curiosity which is so prevalent among electors on period ical occasions, had the assurance to ask whether the sable statesman would join the Ministry if asked. " Yes," was the prompt reply. Now, here we are taught a lesson that should be laid to heart by all aspiring politicians, and the honest avowal of this child of the forest should bring a blush to nine out of ten aspiring whitemen who cherish and fondle an imaginary and a coming portfolio in their heart of hearts. But another question brought out another trait of artlessness that should never be forgotten. He was asked if he was in favour of Separation. '' When Igo to Par liament I will then decide," replied the candi date. What a model answer. We do not think we ever heard it surpassed from the lips of any candidate. This is the very resolu tion in the breast of every candidate, but how few there are to make such honest avowal of the intention of being guided by circumstances. People smiled when he as sumed to be in advance of the age. But we believe the " coming man" in politics will be one with the guilelessness of this dark-skinned politican, who will honestly state his price where known, and for the rest leave himself at liberty to decide " in dependently" according as he sees it to be to his advantage. If Wi Maihi, &c. r has a seat in Parliament he will be the most thoroughly " independent " man in the house. He will join the Ministry if he is asked; and ron general politics he will "decide when he goes to Parliament." That is thorough independence, and we commend it to the attention of Mr Joseph May and all others who are bothered with "mad " constituents.

One of the richest articles we have ever read is contained in the Hawke's Bay Herald. After groaning piteously over the suspicion cast on all the bogus titles to land in Hawke's Bay, it actually urges legislation to confirm to the holders the titfe to these stolen lands. "We had heard that such a course was contemplated, but we had taken it for a mischievous rumour of the enomy, intended to poke fun at the Land Ring, but here we have actually a journal—infamous and demoralised, it is true —but still a journal advocating retrospective legislation for the purpose of confirming by Act of Parliament the pos session of lands that were literally swindled and stolen from the natives. "It comes to be a question," says this soiled brother of the honorable fourth estate, " whether the matter is not one which it would be desirable to deal with by means of retrospective legislation. The principle of~ retrospective legislation is already ad mitted in regard to questions connected with the title to native lands." It will certainly hardly be credited out of New Zealand that such principles L have been advocated in a public journal. The poor dark skinned wretches of Hawkes Bay have been first robbed by debauching them with drink and then inducing them to sign mortgages and otherwise involve themselves inlegal entangle ments. And.then,when perjured juries refused redress, and the Highest Court in the land, removed from the vile atmosphere of the land of .swindle, interposed the protection of the law, the scoundrels have the audacity to pro pose that the law should be altered to aanctif^nd' ratify the robberie» of yen

After the Members Robberies' Condonation A< t of last session, however, nothing is too much to hope for. But it must be borne in mind that the Assembly, whose majority passed an Act to protect its members from legal prosecu tions for their own misdeed?, has been scat tered, and a new legislature, comprised of honest men will have in hands tbe destinies of New Zealand. And we hope that instead of passing a law to confirm, tbe robbery of Hawke's Bay natives, it will take steps to bring to condign punishment all, however high in office or in rank, whose hands have been stained with either private or public plunder,

We hold over—already in type —a piquant racy article from the Timara Herald on certain salient points in the political career of Sir Julius Vogel.

A marvelously narrowffescape from the serious consequences of an accident that occurred on the Onehunga road was re ported to us to-day. It appears that Mr S. Wells was walking towards Onehunga yes terday evening when he was overtaken by a man driving a spring cart, hav ing a horse fresh from the grass tethered by a lengthy rope behind the cart. When near Mr. Neal's residence Gil bam's 'bus came rattling along, and the sound of this vehicle jarred so much on the nerves of the " fresh" horse that he com menced plunging and pulling at the rope to get away. At this time the cart was near a siding on the road, and the pulling of the tethered horse caused the cart to heel over with its occupants, both of whom were under the cart as it fell. The owner crept out behind without a scratch, while Mr Wells remained underneath. He seeing a space near tbe point of the cart, and ob serving the cart to be gradually settling down, made a plunge through the opening and just escaped, and the cask came down with a slam on the spot where his head was a moment before. The Only injury he sus tained was a bruise on his foot. While this was going on, a number of the bus passengers bad alighted, and both horses were secured, and evcrthing being set to rights, the journey was resumed.

We have received a letter in Maori signed JSTa Mate Whtta and Na Matou Katoa, of Kaitumlttumu, Waikato, informing us of the great loss and suffering caused to the natives of that settlement by recent floods. It says their houses, crops and cattle have been swept away ; and hopes the pakehas and Government will assist them.

Out of the nine competitors at Mr. Dennes's singing competition, Waiuku, Miss Speedy was successful in winning the prize by 11 points over the next highest score.

We call special attention to the programme published in another column of the enter tainment to be given by the Saturday night committee on Boxing night. It should be a success if pains and assiduity on the part of the committee can ensure it. The entertain ment will be conducted on thoroughly tem perate principles throughout, and really promises Well.

A musical and literary entertainment, in connection with the Congregational Church, Beresford-street, will take place on Tuesday evening next, tho proceeds to be devoted to the building fund of the new church. The programme is attractive and choice, and can not fail in giving pleasure to the audience.

The Saturday night committee have obtained the assistance of Misses Sinclair, Ash, and Carr ; Messrs. Chapman, Carter, Hunt, Fry, Marter, Marson, McDermott, and last, though by no means least, Mr. Butschkow. With such performers the patrons should spend a pleasant evening.

On Monday next, Messrs Tonks and Co. will sell by auction, at their Brunswick Mart, leases of valuable hospital endow ments, by order of his Honor the Superin tendent, situate at Epsom, Onehnnga, and near the Harp of Erin. Also, valuable freehold property, by order of the executors of the late Mrs Shepherd, situate at Auck land and adjacent settlements.

A meeting of tho committee in connection with the annual soiree and ball of Court City of Auckland, A 0.F., was held on Wednesday evening last, when it was decided to hold the same in the Choral Hall, instead of in the Lome-street Hall as pre viously intended.

A large congregation met last evening in St. Matthew's Church to participate in the advent service of the church. Rev. R. S. Hassard, the incumbent, read the service, and venerable Archdeacon Maunsell preached from Isaiah c. 11 v. 1.

We would cali the attention of our readers to the announcement in another column of the annual tea meeting and concert of the Sir Henry Havelock Lodge, to be held on Wednesday evening next.in the Lodge-room, Ed wardes street. We have no doubt but that the Lodge will-on this occasion keep up its character for being one of the best of our Auckland Good Templar Lodges.

We refer our readers to the third page of this evening's issue for the particulars and subjects of Sunday services to be held to morrow in the several places of public wor ship1

A confirmation service was held yesterday evening in St. Sepulchre's Church by Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland. The service was very impressive and well attended. Twenty-eight youfl^g persons took upon them selves the responsibilities of their godfathers and godmothers ; after the performance of the ceremony of confirmation, his Lordship de livered a suitable discourse on the occasion and spoke in laudatory terms of the credit able manner in which the young persons had prepared themselves for the undertaking.

The committee of the Sheridan-street Chapel resolved laßt evening to forego the usual solicitation from house to house for contributions towards the children's New Year's treat, and determined, instead, to have a service of song on Thursday evening next, as will be seen in another part of our journal. Mr Booth will conduct the choir, and, we believe, Mr Smith will read the intervening passages of the service.

The- really beautiful series of twelve pictures by one of our best local artists, Mr Albin Martin, representing scenes in the localities around Auckland, will be drawn for this evening at the store of Mr McLach lan, in Queen-street. We have before re ferred especially to these works of art as examples of the painter's fidelity to nature and nicety of colouring, and need only add that the fortunate, winner will possess real art treasures.

The following from the stumpy quill of the Parnell Washerwoman has been received in relation to the stopping of Charles Burton's projected art union for plumcakes :— > A kake hart union was hannounced For cakes for Christmas time, Stampt with the portrate of the Mahar, Our neighbour Tonks, not Prime. But the hart union has been crushed, Fornted for the children's sakes. The cruel constables have stopped, The shake for Barton's cakes.

There seems to be no room now left to doubt but that at the Thames, at this present time, much real distress prevails, and that the condition of the district is fast becoming critical. The primary cause of the present distress is, no doubt, attributable to the stoppage of the Bright Smile pumps and battery. Not only have nearly 1000 men— for so it is estimated —been thrown out of employment, but mines to which we looked for support to enable us to tide over the time until fresh finds should happily be secured, have, for the time being, been rendered almost valueless to us.—Thames Star.

Ladies desirous of exchanging music, pic tures, books, photographs, &c, &c, should consult the exchange columna of Saturday Night. Answers solicited to the prize riddle now published.—[Advt.J

SCHOOLS.

The annual breakine-up party of the pupils and friends of Miss Taylor's school, ucklmrl College, took place last evening. A very la>ge number were present, and dancing was kept Up until au early hour in the morning.

MRS. HARDENS, SHORTLAND-STREET.

The ex.-m;nation and breakW*up of Mrs Hardens .-hofrUnd fic>!ike School, for tho

"hristtnaa holidays, t'iok place last evening in the presence of ladies and parous. The Rev. C. M Nelson, of St. Paul's, examined ehe pupils and presented the prizes. The following young ladies obtained prizes :— PRIZE LIST. First Clisß. First examination prize in all subjects, Eliza Wallaae ; first for arithmetic and physical geography X Hungerford ; first for geography, and second for arithmetic and physical geography Edith Smith ; firsf for composition and grammar. E. J. Holder; second for grammar and geography, Gertrude Blandford ; first prize for music and drawing, Eliza Wallace; first prize for good conduct, Edith Smith ; second prize for good conduct and music, Maude Blandford. Second Class. First examination prize for Bible history, and arithmetic, C. E. Harden ; first prize for attendance and second for music. Jane McLeod: second ex amination prize for Bible history, Bella Mcol; second prize for music, second for geography, id tie Harden; first prize for writing and exercises, David Chapman ; second prize'for writing and conduct, Emm* Tre main ; first prize for conduct, Rachel Fraser ; second for conduct, Albert Oliver; second for conduct, Mary Gee. Third Class. First "prize for music, Henrietta Harden; second prize for music, Louis Brown. Second Class. Second prize for geography, Mary TTicol; improve ment in music s.ud attendance, Lily Holmes ; second prize for at'ehdarco and conduc';, Margaret Killian ; second priKe for recitation, Fmmeli'ne Collier. Rewards—First Class. For good conduct and diligence in study—Blanche Smith, Amelia Wynyard, Jane Richards, Ellen Probert, Maria Fulloon. Second Clase—Hannali and Mary Richards. Third Class. First prize for lessons and good conduct, Alice Maud Street ; second prize for conduct, Lizzie Richards: Fecond priz* for les»ons, Matilda Kidd ; third prize for lessonl?, Michael Lewis. Rewards for Improvement. Fredk Falconer, Berbert King. Alfred LewlH, Norman Campion, Gertiudo Harden, Laurence Brown. Mr Nelson spoke highly of the progress of the pupils in various branches of knowledge, and gave an encouraging word to each of the prize takers. At the close, three cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Nelson. The young people then resorted to music and dancing.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND.

The annual distribution of prizes in connec tion with the Church of England Grammar School took place yesterday, and was pre sided over by tbe Bishop of Auckland until he was compelled to retire to keep other engagements, when the Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell took the chair. The prize list was as follows :— '

Fot.y Pcripturkb—Bishop's prize, first class, X T wim am6 ; "Sunday Magazine" second class, H James.

I'iuHT Division—Dr Goldsbro's classics and and general excellence, T M Barstow : Mr R B Lwk's mathematics and general excellence, H 8 Ludbook ; Rev J Bates's, Ergllsh and general excellence, X H Williams; " Corals and Coral Islands" (Dana),science and general excellence, T M Barstow ; " Light '" (Tindall) dlllgenco and proJicss. 8 Ludbrook ; " Tbe Insect" (Michelet), diilgcnce and progress, Edward Moiton.

Drawing— Mr Hoyte's, "Great Masters" TM Barjtow.

[Second Division —"Sna'n anditsPeonle,'' clas«ics a*d best answclnp. H .lames; "Insect World." ) mathematics. X Beale ; " Rare.'' English, P Bntler; " Mex'eo" (Present!) history W Phlllipson ; "f elf Help" (Smiles), diligence and progress, P Dufaur

Tmim D'vision—lllshnst marks, " Beeton's Heroes " Ac. Herbert M»unscll; second prize, "Great Battles," Robert Matinsell: third prize, "Great Dutch admirals," O Kirn- ling; fourth prize, "Grimm's Home Stories.'' E Adnim

Extra P- iz«:h.—" Out of'doors''(Wood), Harry Smith : " Tre-passers" (Wood), William Hall.

After the distribution the following pro gramme was gone through most successfully, the native youth Pomare acquitting himself in a manner that elicited warm enthusiasm from the Bishop :—

Feading, Downfall of Poland. H. Pounds ; reading. Boadicea, II James; recitation, Destruction of Pennacherib's Army, K. Kemp'hornn : roitf'ng. Graves of a Household, B. Brissenden; reading, Slave's Dreera, A. Rackstraw ; recitation, Hohcnlin den, W. Mcfndoe ; reading. Ruined Cottage. P. Fair burn ; reading, a Perilons Adventure, W. Moss; rficitatlon. Psalm of L*fe. G. Kissling; reading. Ginevra. E. Adams ; readlntr, Well of St. Koyne, H. Maunsell; recitation, Soldier's Dream, F. Beeiham ; reailng. Loss of the Birkenhead, Pilkineton ; rending, Bh!p on Fire, N. Pomare ; recitation, Mary, Queen of Scots.

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

His Honor tho Superintendent, Sir George Grey, X.C.8., presided at the distribution of prizes awarded by Mr Lusk and the Rev. S. Edger, examiners of the Grammar School classes. The list was published by us yesterday with the exception of the following prizes presented by tbe examiners :— English : Fourth Class, Angus Gordon ; Third Class, R. Skeen ; Second Class, L. Dv Moulin. Latin and Mathematics: Fourth Class, C. Westpfahl; Third Class, C. Z. Clayton ; Second Class, J. A. Pennalligen. Sir George Grey was received with loud applause when he entered, and also when he arose to address those present. He spoke very eloquently upon the importance of educating the feeliogs with the reason. We regret that our space will not permit of the publication of the address in full, but one extract will show the tenor of the speech. Sir George said :— "As you go on in life you will find that men will very seldom ao that which reason points out as the best thing for them to do, and will seldom strive after what their reason points out, but what their feel ings point out they go straight at at once. If you fancy anything, you will go for it at once ; if you want to do anything you will do it, but will not reason very much about it. The result of that is, you will see, that education must be to make your reason and feeling act together. You will find this as you go on in life, that education won't make you a bit better than you were before, unless you have improved your reasoning faculties. That is, the boy who can read or write, or who knows the multiplication table, is not necessarily a better boy than one who does not know the multiplication table, but he has the* means of making him self a much better boy if be likes. Now, really these are important things for you to recollect, that you can only make good men by continually accustoming yourselves to do this—to convert the reasons of the mind to action, and by this means at last you will begin to do right things from habit. You will have learnt very little at school unless you have learnt to be good, as well as having learnt ordinary matters of education, —that is, knowledge of some kind or other that will be useful to you in the world. Now, this leadß me to another very curious point indeed. That is, if you desire to get on in the world, that is, to secure your own happiness, what your reason will tell you to do is to try to secure the happiness of other people. You will find when you come to be an old man, when you come to the decline of life, as I have come myself, that the thing you reflect upon with the greatest pleasure, is not that you have gained so mnoh money or got so much property —that is likely rather to trouble and embarrass you, —but if you find you have done good to your fellow-men, that will be your comfort, and you will find the good you have done the thing that will come back to you in old age, giving you very great pleasure. Let me eive you an illustration of what I mean. You nave all seen the new hospital going up on on the hill, I have no doubt. Well, some thirty years ago I thought it would be a very great thing for Auckland to see a hospital going up there, and I took a very great deal of trouble to get an endowment and to have the hospital built, and that hospital was the old hospital below. Well, when I was unwell a few days ago, it was a great pleasure for me to see that other men had taken my idea, and that a new hospital was going up, which will be a great blessing to the city for a hundred years to come. That gave me very great pleasure then,?as I have told you, [ and I think from that yon may imagine the

delight you will experience by doing that which is for the good of your fellow-men. I therefore earnestly request this of you, that you will all recollect that whilst your nobler and finer feelings are cultivated by : he study of history, and by tho s'udy of ;hs ancient writers, that that excitement of your finer feeliDg Will draw you on to noble actions, and will tempt you to try to imitate what was great and nobly done by other people before you."

AUCKLAND WESTERN ACADEMY. PRIZE LIST.

Dm of School— Ale<aauer .-uevenson; General Pro flu'ei.cy—John Coutts ; -Latin and Gieek—Wilfred Percival. FIRfeT CLiSS. Roman and British History—Henry Holdship, Reginal Percival; General Geography—John George, Henry Holdship ; New Zealand Geography—Thomas Kesne, John George; Oceanlca—John George, Henry Percival; Grammar—Percy Percival, Thomas Keane Recitation—Bruce Lloyd, Henry Holdship ; Drawing —Henry Holdship, Percy Percival. SECOND CUSS, Reading—Alfred Holdship. George Gilmer ; Spell ing— John Gilmer, Alfred Holdship; General and New Zealand Geography-John Gilmer, George Gilmer; General Improvement—Hector George, -. Gouk.

POLICE COURT.—This Day. (Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) DRUNK. . "T car* not whether he be Dick or Mike, Or white, or black, I poison (.11 alike." Alchohol. Richard Howarth (white), Hogani (black) were brought up on charges of drunkenness, and were fined 5s each with costs, or the usual alternative at Mount Eden. A VAGRANT. John Burrell, a disfigured specimen of hu manity was charged with drunkenness and vagrancy, and with having no visible lawful means of living. The prisoner said he was a great drunkard, but he objected to being called a vagrant, for the simple reason that he had been at work recently. Hi 3 Worship explained that he had proved himself worthy of the title of vagrant, by being drunk some fifteen times within a few months, and he must in consequence suffer a month's imprisonment with hard labour. A WRETCHED LIFE. William Benjamin Spenqes was charged with creating a disturbance in Queen-street last night, and striking a female. Prisoner pleaded guilty. Mr Broham stated that the prisoner led a most disreputable life among the lowest female characters of the town. Fined 20s or 14 days imprisonment. MASTBRMAN READY.

Patrick, or Masterman Ready was charged •with stealing!* spalding hammer, value 7s 6d, the property of Edwin Thomas Powley, on the 14th inst. Prisoner said he did not steal the hammer, he merely took it, Constable Dews deposed that on the evening of the 14th he saw the prisoner trying to sell the hammer for Is (sd. He asked him where he got the hammer, when he replied that he had just done his work, and having no other use for the hammer was anxious that some one else should use it rather than it should rust. Prisoner now said, he was quite drunk and could not remember anything about it. Edwin Thomas Powley. deposed that prisoner had been in his employ for a day, and the'next morning he]missed the hammer. He had known the prisoner more than twentyyears he wa3 formerly in the 28fch regiment, and he did not believe he, the prisoner, would have stolen the hammer if he had been sober. Sub-Inspector Pardy said he had known prisoner a long time as a hard-working man, and he always considered him harmless; his chief fault was drunkenness. A bush-farmer, Mr Greentree, spoke in prisoner's favor. Prisoner, on promising to go to work was discharged.

WANING LOVE.

A man named Thomas Mulvany was charged with using threatening language towards Annie, his wife. Mrs Annie Mulvany, a respectable-looking woman, deposed that her husband had threatened to take her life, he tried to get in at the back door, but she had taken the pre caution to bolt the door. He then stood in Lorbe-street and repeated his determination to bring his married life to a speedy settle ment in some way or other. He had de ceived her in many things, but she feared he would not deceive her in his promises to take her life. Prisoner wished to address the Court m vindication of his sentiments, and if his Worship would look over it this once, he would take the train for Mercer where he could get work. He might also say that he never intended to kill his wife. He would go to the station with the constable who would see fair ; he would be off like a bird if His Worship would allow him his liberty. Ordered to find sureties in £50 for his good conduct for Bix months. A SAD CASE. William Crossley, a young man of respect able connections, was chaiged with three distinct charges of uttering and forging with intent to defraud Messrs. Danningbam and King, Mr. John Odium, and Mr. Hubert Oram, of certain sums of money. Mr. Broham asked for a remand. Remanded until December 28th. THE TWA DOGS.

Edward Dance was charged with a breach of the railway regulations by taking dogs into a railway carriage on December 4th. Mr Hesketh appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Joy for the defendant, who did not appear. __ , _, It was admitted that the summons had been served, because Mr Joy had received it from Mr Dance. Mr. Dance lived at Drury, and, as Mr. Joy said, he might be , ill, or he might have missed the train, or he might be on a jury. Mr. Joy, however, would represent him. His Worship : Will you pay the costs of adjournment. Mr Joy : Oh, no, by no means; he had b»en expecting him ever since half-past nine o'clock. His Worship said, the costs must be paid, or it must go on in his absence, and as the railway officials were here, it was the more necessary that it should go on. The charge was then read in a different form, charging Edward Dance, with riding outside of a carriage without consent of the management. Mr Hesketh then opened the case. Joseph Henry Holmes, deposed that he was ticket-collector on the Auckland and Mercer Railway, and on the 14th Edward Dance was a passenger by the 3.30 train for Drury; on leaving Penrose defendant was standing on the verandah of the carriage ; he and the guard, Markwell, told Dance to go inside, when he replied that he would not go inside to please them or anybody else ; he would not give his name. A female with him, disclosed his name. He also discovered it on the way-bill as the owner of the dogs. Samuel Markwell, guard, corroborated the i statement of previous witness. He informed 1 defendant that by his conduct he was in fringing the by-laws, when he reblied that he was bound by no law, and he would not go in. He kept his position for forty-five minutes until his obstinacy was overcome by the constant pleadings of a lady. Augustus Macdonald, general manager of the line under the New Zealand Government, deposed that he did not authorise defendant to occupy the verandah of the carriage. The Court found the defendant guilty of the charge. •.' .. .. On Mr. Macdonald expressing a wish that the charge of taking dogs in a passenger carriage should be taken, as such cases were becoming a nuisance, the other charge was preferred against defendant, Edward Dance. Joseph Henry Holmes, and Samuel Mark well, deposed that prißener had booked the dogs but had not delivered them into the hands of the guard m ha thouid have done.

They tried Jto get the dogs away from their owner, but Mr. Dance forcibly held them. Mr. Hesketh commented upon the case aud thought some amendment should ba made in the information, by inserting the tities of the by-laws and regulations, before the result of the conviction bht-uid be given. Tbe information was then amended accord ing to the recommendation of Mc Hesketh. who said that the general manager was desirous in taking these actions to let the public know that persons must not take dogs into carriages to annoy other p«ssengers nor disregard the regulations in other respects. The Court fiually imposed a hue of £1 and costs in each case, nameiy, &- and costs, in cluding 10s each for guard and witnesses ex penses, amounting in both cases to £b 17s 6d.

WORKING ON THE SABBATH DAY. Charles Dundass appeared in answer to a summons at the instance of the police charg ing him with working on Lord s Day, Decem ber 12th. , t , , ... Mr Dundasa said he must plead guilty, but would state that it was absolutely necessary to do the work, which was in con nection with a contract which compelled him to do the work within a certain time ; it was not his wish that work should be done on a Sunday ; he was overseer, and if the case was adjourned he could bring a number of witnesses to shew that it was a work of necessity. , ~.._. His Worship said that he objected to adjournments as it was like an accumulation of works, and his hands were full next week. Mr Broham thought the arson case would take Monday and Tuesday. Defendant said that had he not worked on that Sunday he might have lost a thousand pounds within a few hours. His Worship said that was a work of personal interest or advantage, which was not necessity in law. He should recommend him to plead guilty and submit to a small fine. Defendant complied, and was fined os, and Gs Gd costs.

MR. J. C. FIRTH'S REPLY.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.) Sir, —Your article of yesterday is a fair hit with your information. lam sorry, this being mail day, that pressing duties will not permit me to reply to it categorically. Will you kindly accept the enclosed copy of a gossiping letter to an old colonist at Home, in place of a more formal reply.—l am, &c, * • J. C. Firth.

Auckland, December 17, 1875,

My Dear W. We are on the eve of a general election. Since you left the colony I have kept you pretty well posted up in the various political questions that have agitated our little world. You miy remember that during the last five years, Vog*l and his schemes have put most other questions out of court. In 1871 I pointed out, in a letter to the newspapers that Mr Vogel was attempting to do the work of twenty years in five, and that such a course would before 1877 put the colony into a debt of twenty millions. I was so far right that that amount will be reached before the end of 1876. Very few were of my opinion then. Nothing would go down but Vogel and public works. Now the tide has turned, and Vogel is going down still, but in a different sense. Heaps of people all over the colony, who hooted down every body who said a word against Vogel, are ready to turn round and kick him, for doing the very thing they encouraged him to do. Well, I call that shabby. But it is human nature, and though human nature is full of noble and generous impulses, it is at times not unwilling to do very shabby and mean things; and this is one of them. You know me of old. When I was a boy I didn't much care to worship anybody but I always felt strongly inclined to tight for a fellow when everybody turned against him. I suppose I couldn't help it. It is just the same still. I never did like this man Vogel; but I feel strongly inclined to kick the curs who are worrying at him now. Last year he did a very stupid thing. Stung by one of Eitzherbert's speeches (you will remember him) he introduced re solutions to abolish the Northern provinces. On this we had a great meeting in the Choral Hall. Seven provinces out of the nine had little or no land fund. Pro vincialism, except in Otago and Canterbury, having no money had no friends-and the general feeling was, that it was played out. The Auckla'nders felt this, but they objected to be the corpus vile and very justly. They I went in for the abolition of all the provinces or none. They wanted all to be abolished and the land-fund to become general colonial revenue. I made a speech at the meeting enforcing these views in a decided but tem perate manner, as you would see from the newspapers I sent you, in August 1874, I think. The end of it was, that the great majority of the people here went; in for total abolition and the restoration of the land fund to its original purposes. Vogel, not withstanding, carried his partial resolu tions. Soon after that your old friend Williamson, the Superintendent, died, and Sir George Grey, who after his defeat at the English elections, had been nursing his wrath against the Imperial Govern ment, and living a hermit sort of a life amongst his books and curios at Kawau, was invited to come out as Superintendent, and M.H.R. in Williamson's place. I was strongly inclined to support him, in the hope that his great ability, high rank, and know ledge of affairs would be of great service to the colony in checking the rashness and ex travagance of Vogel, and in putting an end to the vicious system of log-rolling in the As sembly by the Superintendents and their followers. To such a pitch bad the influence of the Superintendents grown, that good and economic Government was simply impossible. Well, Sir George Grey came out, and was to state his views at the Choral Hall. I was asked by the committee to move a vote of confidence in him. The meeting was crowded, and Sj[r George's reception was splendid. I felt when I accompanied him to the platform that he was a power in the land. But his speech, though wonderfully clever, went so far astray—-was so full of denunciation of everybody and everything, except "that good old creature the Queen," as he called her, Sir George Grey himself, and Provin cialism, and moreover, gave to my mind the impression that he was seeking a platform from which he might advantageously pick a quarrel with the Imperial Government— that I declined with great regret to move a vote of confidence, as I could not honestly march through Coventry with Sir Geo. Grey to that tune. Like "Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle he seemed to me to have learnt nothing and forgotten Dothing in his retirement. Nevertheless I like him for his love of science, his antiquarian and forest lore. He is besides, a very good specimen of the fine > old English gentleman, and if be would only acept the position, cease his efforts to break up this colony into three or four petty provinces, and go in for one colony and one revenue, he would be a great power for good in the land. You remember Macandrew, af genial good fellow in many respects, a little "ower canny perhaps ; well, he has just written a pamphlet in favor lof Federation or Separation, the real purport of which is to secure their land fund to Otago and Canterbury, and let the rest of the colonysink or swim as it best can. Ifobjected to this and wrote a re ply. Yesterday one of our papers, the Star, honored me by a leader, which, though con taining some misstatements, probably un intentional, took me roundly to task for not going into active political life. I don't think the Star had begun to shed its somewhat flickering and uncertain light when you were here. It is not a bad paper: has a good deal of the terrier dog style about. it, ■ does a good deal of ratting ; sometimes use i ful and creditable and sometimes not. Some p«opl« ooniidar it rathw a blackguard wrt

of papor but I have always supported it; for, though it sometimes rants a good deal and ° chops about occasionally in a curious and amusidg manner, its ia -tinc'.s and impulses are in the ma^, ri^ht. It is a lit'le oblivious at tinr.es, ¥<£____& its charging me with supporting Vo^ei laying the foundation of a colossal estat tbe pubiic expenditure. Forgetting, I sup pose, that I have steadfastly opposed Vogel s rash schemes, more especially in my oppo3i tion to a proposition to make a railway through my own estate. It charges me also with minding my own business instead of going into poi ics. You know very we'd that there are other ways of serving the public besides going down to Wellington. The fact in my public duties are no trifle. The news papers will have told you that I do a little quiet, and I hope, useful work in our Acchm i atisation, Science and Art Societies, &c., &c Not that I dislike political life; on the contrary, I like it very much, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than, for instance, contesting my old consti tuency of City West at this very election. The combative elements of politics have as you know well, great charms for me, but I must exercise self-denial a while longer and notwithstanding the taunts of the Star and the importunities of my friends, I must stick to the mill and Matamata awhile longer. 1 cannot yet forego the duty of doing my best to put good bread into the people s mouths, and make a million blades of grass grow where nothing but fern grew before. Ihat, for awhile is my plain duty.—Yours truly, J. C. Firth. [We shall comment on this on Monday.-— Ed. 2H.S.]

TELEGRAPHIC.

TAURANGA.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day.

Scarcity of Pood. Thirty horse loads of tamia food from Ohinemutu is going by the Rowena, a present for the Ohiwa natives. hood IS scarce and natives are mortgaging their crops very heavily. A great deal of native labor is employed shearing and haymaking. , Prospecting. The prospectors started this morning on Te Puka's property. The native guides are Tarawera and Kotai. A rightful owner of Kaimea gives notice in the Times not to trespass.

LATEST SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS.

BTJNEDIN.

[Per Press Telegram Agency.]

This day.

Mr Macassey supports Separation. Mr Macassey, barrister, a candidate for DunediD, spoke at great length last night. He hoped for separation, with two provinces for this island, the General Government (if Canterbury were not willing to assume the responsibility) to have charge of ISelson Marl borough and Westland, and to provide for them out of the consolidated revenue. There was no necessity whatever for Otago to extend its boundaries beyond the Waitaki. The people of Otago would be quite content with the boundaries of their province at present. He advocated a modification of the Provincial form of Government, so far as the legislative powers of the Provincial Council were con cerned, considering that these legislative powers should be taken away. The usual vote of the fitness of the candidate was ; carried.

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.) v This day.

Election Work. Party feeling is beginning to be very strong in reference to the next week's eleceion. Mr Gisborne's retirement makes the course much easier for Mr Travers, who will split votes with both old members, and consequently stands a good chance, especially as the Roman Catholic party will give him a block vote under the mistaken, impression that ue i B secretly in favour of denominational edu cation. He announces his intention to-day of sticking h^rd to the last, and will address another meeting to-night. Messrs Peace and Hunter hold open-air meetings next Wednes day. They have a very strong committee working hard. > _. ' Opposition to Mr. Fitzherbert at the Untt is announced to-day, but not authenticated. Messrs Brandon, Gillon, and Wallace are working desperately hard in Wellington 4 country districts. Mr. Brandon is generally considered likely to be returned. Messrs i Bunny and Andrew are almost certain to De re-elected for Wairarapa. Cook's Straits Cable. It is feared that the injury to Ooofes Straits cable is very serious, and as the locality is the deepest hole in the strait [VI fathoms), repair will be a work of much difficulty. It probably will be Borne weeks before the cable is again in working order, if indeed repairs can be effected at all. The steamer Tui is conveying telegrams between Wellington and Wairau, but it is thought she cannot make mora than three trips in two days on an average.

WESLEYAN MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

The seventh, entertainment of the above Society took pUce last evening in the K^^M^S room at half-past seven o'clock. The number-ol persons looked like 300, the room b?ing well filled. The President, Rev A. Reid, occupied the cnair, and opened the proceedings by singing, reading, and prayer. The programme was avery varied one. The choir, under Mr Bridsrn leader, and Mr bmitn organist, was in the finest of trim, and gave.Eomeoi the sweetest singing we have heard for many months. The pieces of music and rendering wmcn struck us most were " The Lost Links are.Broken, a duet, by Mr Bridsoa and Mrs Taylor;' wings, Dy Miss _\ Arthur ; ■« Flower Gatherers,-' by the Misse Maribrook; and "Three F^ers by MM Garty. The readings were excellent, and the rendering by Messrs Ewington, Keven. Jessop,; Eastwood, anfl Cooper was equal to the highest anticipatioa of tw audience. Mr James Buttle gave a flrst-class recita tion, beginning in rather a sameness of voice, DU gradually to the close with a modulation and powei that he had not arrived at before. The Bey J. J, Williams was capital in his remarks, FJ^fiW solid advice to young men. and pouring scathuif rebukes upon the beaux and coquettes of "c penoa The meetiag closed with singiug the Bationa Anthem.

PRINCE OF WALES TAEATRE.

The theatre was well filled last night on the occasloi of Mr Sam Poole's benefit, and the piecss P;rform« by the coronany gave every satisfaction. Mr Pool as •' Toby TwiiJkle " in "All is not Gold that flitters kept thtt house in roars of laughter by his exoellen low comedy acting. Misß Carry George as Marth; Gibbs, well maiotalned her reputation, displaying, n her acting, all her usual ability and resouree._MrK W. Lawrence took the character of Stephen Plum Ji a very accomplished manner. Mr and Mrs Scan appeared to advantage in their several rOles. l~ Jolly Young Waterman " finished up a capital even me's entertainment. In this Mr Poole appewed a Robin, and acquitted himself well. Miss Jeunie lir as Iran Tag "made up" splendidly, and acted .tn_ character to aT. Miss Patty Holt appeared a* wn helmina. and displayed her well known lively style o acting to great advantage. On Monday Mr C. sea™ takes a benefit. *s this gentleman is weU known not only in Auckland but throughout the colonlM,a an ardent and persevering, as well as talented follows of his profession, we feel sure the pubuc win gw him a crowded house on the occasion.

Fifty Beautiful! Designs to Choos From.

A LARGE SHIPMENT OF CARPETS JUST TIN packed, and now added to the very exten sive stock on view at the City Hall at price to suit both rich and poor. Tapestry and Jinn sell, from 2s 9dto 7s; very handsome heart* rugs to match. Curtains of every descriptio from 5s lid to 555. ■ Extra Good Value i Sheetings and Quilts just to hand. Holjowa and Garlick now supply all kinds of Beddmf Mattresses, Palliasses, and Pillows ; goo Feather Pillows at 8s 6d. Carpets laid by, skilled hand free of charge. Job Line l Passage Floor Cloth (4s 6d quality, shghtl damaged) at 3s. Floor ClpK&.frqm 2to 2 feet. wide cut and laid visit to Holloway and Ga#KS?B Eur^ihiJ Room, City Hall, and see «* cheapest goo( in town,

ftfrinrmi whwwhii ■ mm ■!- * * . . . ...



j||g|^_^r|iHE S.S. -9-\^_______^s- CYPHRENES Will leave for SAN FRANCISCO, VIA KANDAVAU AND HONOLULU, At 5 p.m. TO-MORROW AFTERNOON, 19th December. -•Vsk HHAM 0' SHANTER ___\\_J^-^_\^' Will leave the Government Wharf, n__Viim\%WfVmi* Onehunga, for Waiuku as follows: — Monday, 20th December, 11 a.m. Wednesday (taking goods for Pollock Settle ment), 12.30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. For any other information, apply to A. CUNNINGHAM, Onehunga, or Newmarket; Or, to W. J. HURST & CO., Queen-street, Auckland. OR WAITARA AND NEW PLYMOUTH. GO-AHEAD On MONDAY next, at 4 p.m. W. LODDER. XCURSION TO HOT SPRINGS AND KAWATJ. Will leave the Queen-street Wharf on MONDAY, the 27th instant, at 10 a.m , calling at the Hot Bprings, and thence to the Kawau, by kind permission of Sir George Grey, returning from the Kawau at 5 p.m. RETURN FARES, ss. A. McQREGOR, Manager. riHEAPLY MARRIED. 9 GakAT, Hall-marked, WEDDING RINGS.and KEEPERS to match; Six dozen just received; 7s 6d each ; warranted. P. H. LEWISSON, Opposite Unlon"Bank. fTIRADE NOTICE. The undersigned call the attention of the trade to their , .. ;. f v-.: NEW GOODS, NOW LANDING, Ex Stab o? Gebmant, the same having been Carefully selected by our English and Continental Buyers, and suitable for the present season. M. LETT & CO., 23, Queen-street. J COSG-RA YE & CO. will hold their Annual Sale previous to the Christmas Holidays, com mencing THIS DAY, ( Wednesday), the Bth December, and mil continue until the end cf the year, The entire stock will be offered at Cost Price, IST 0 T I C E. J^ 0 T I C E. JUST TO HAND— A Large Parcel of Double-width Waterproof Tweed, Melton Cloth, Blue Diagonal, &c., specially adapted for Boys' Clothing, Ladies' wear, &C, " Bought at Auction at con siderably less than English Invoice Price, and to be sold very cheap. Also, Lawn Handkerchiefs from 3s 93 per dozen—l2o dozen; Linen Cambrio Handkerchiefs, from 5s 6d per doz. Upwards of 50 dozen Men's Cotton Shirts, Fancy Jean, Napier, the new Flax Shirt, etc. ABTSDnnAif Coru Trousers. Men's Tweed Waistcoats, and a num ber of other Special Lines at much nalow usual price. INSPECTION INVITED; »U SpBRO OK~~ BMDGMAN, [Late R. Hobbs]," VNOTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, oPsoaite rthe Army Sand Navy Hotel, . Upper Queen-street, , r __—?~ ' ".' Av6kx.ArrD An ordination, service will be held »«■ at **||l|°cH when* the 1 Rer. P. T. Baker