SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

■SlSTw™^™' WmiD*' W to-morrow MOON'S AGE-Fullmoon. I7thinst, 1.13 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

Newcastle ' tOM Captain sham Pe r. *'°m

DEPARTURES.

f:S lf-'P argue Pennal for Russell Ladybird, ss, for the South

»h^j}.special .charge is made for consignees' or thippers' names inserted in this column.

IMPORTS.

■ink. oT* pm *£• f£' m I,unedin-62 tons flour, 660 ticks oats.—T. H. Hall and Co. «J«?f -factor, from JNe*castle-1079 tons coal stone Bros, agonts.

w„J \ f Si s?nthern Cross left for Napier and Gis lEn rttf'« Passengers : Mr Rattray, Mr and Miss Gow, Letty Gee, Mr Gurney. Mr and Mrs Binks. J °c »"<B» Albion cleared out In ballast for Bus- VL,- « a%, a? d the schooner Advance with general CafK° for Gisborne via Mercury Bay the South Ladybird left onehunga this afternoon for

-.2 he-? nß,.new St. John's built barque Director arrived in harbour this afternoon, from Newcastle, J£ *? pasAaSc of 15 days. Captain Shamper reports that he left on the 27th ultimo and had very heavy southerly weather for the first two days. South and south winds tiU making the Three Kings on Wednes day last Had strong N.E. weather down the coast. Alter discharging her cargo of coals the Director is to proceed round to Hokianga to load timber for Eng land at Mr Dargaville's mill, on account of Mr Thos. Russell, Mr O J. stone, and air W. C. Wilson, who nave contracted to supply the Lords of the Admiralty with kauri timber for ship-building

COMMERCIAL.

Mr E. Arthur sold to-day a large quantity of fruit and the following prices were realised : French crabs, 2£d ; stone pippins, 3jd; nonpareils, 3d; Wellington's, l£d ; oranges, 5s per case ; butter (2nd quality^) G_i to lid; lard, 6|d. The handsome piano (under writ) walnut case was sold for £34. Mr Arthur will sell to-morrow a portion of the library of the late John Williamson, Esq.

The fruit sale of Mr G. Binney is post* poned until to-morrow.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Business done this day :— Bank of New Zealand-Buyers, £17 15s: sellers, £17 17s 6d. Colonial Bank - Buyers, 275. Fiji Bank—Sellers, 52s 6d. South British Insurance—Buyers, 47s ; sellers, 48s. Long Drive—Sellers, 15s. Gem—Buyers, 7s ; sellers, 7s Caledonian (double)—B2s Gd ; buyers, 80s : sellers, 84s. City of LoDdon—Buyers, 47s 6d. Golden Calf (new)— Buyers, 6s. Tairua—Sellers, 60s. Bright Smile- Sellers, 3.33. Union Beach, 29s ; sellers, 30s. Bismarck- Sellers, 10s. Tokatea—Sellers, 17s. Cure—l4s 3d ; sellers, 14s Gd. Moanatairi—Sellers, 27s 6d. Queen of May—lis. Imperial Crown (2nd issue)—Buvers, 2s.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows .— For Thames, this day, at 4.30 p.m., and to-morrow, at 9.80 a.m. ' For Coromandel, on Friday next, at 11.30 a.m. For Australian Colonies, per Macgregor, six hours after her arrival For vvaiwera and Warkworth, per Lady Bowen. on Thursday next, at 9 a.m. For Taranaki and Wanganui, per Go-ahead, to morrow, at 12 45 p.m. For Gisborne and Napier, per Pretty Jane, on Satur day iifxt, at 8 p.m. For India, China, Mediterranean ports, Continent of Europe, Cnited Kingdom, via Suez and Southamp ton, and via Brindisi, per Taranaki, on Saturday, 21st instant.

S. B. BIS 3, Chief Postmaster.

Be on the Alert if you have symptoms announcing tue approach of kidney or bladder dis orders. Pains across the kidneys, turbid urine, difficulty in passing water, burning in the urethra, proclaim that something- is wrong, "and that "some thing," if disregarded, may develop into a most serious evil. Delay not a moment if there is the slighest urinary difficulty to apply the remedy especially recommended by the faculty for such disorders, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps.

BIRTH.

NICHOLLS.—On Tuesday evening, 10th instant, at Ngaruawahia, Mrs. L. A, Nicholls of a son.

DEATH.

HARDY.—On the 10th inst., at his parents'residence, Duke-street, John Henry, eldest son of George and Elizabeth Hardy.

The funeral will leave at 3.30 p.m. to-morrow Friends are invited to attend.

The Evening Star. WITH WHICH ARN IMCORPORATND. The Evening News and the Morning News.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1875

Fer the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistaaca. for the future In the distance, A»* to* seod that we can <£».

O tjr parliamentary news is so bulky to-day that we have no space for comment. We would, however, draw special attention to Mr Pyke's reason for supporting the bill. This he rightly regards as the last and neces sary stand for the land compact of 185 G. We notice that the challenge thrown down in last night's Star to our morning contemporaries with reference to the shameful finance of the Government measures in relation to this province, has been followed by an article in the Herald, extending and endorsing our remarks to the fullest extent. "Unless,'' says our contemporary, "the details of the bill be very materially altered it will do to this province the greatest wrong done to it since the Land Revenue Resolutions in ISoG, and the Act of 1858 by which these reso lutions were followed. To Auckland our first duty, and the first duty of the Auck land members is owing, and to the prosperity, the influence, and the whole future of Auckland the bill as it now stands will inflict a serious blow." **** "The expenditure of the land revenue in the past has increased the population of those pro vinces, their influence, and the number of their representatives in the Assembly. The exclusive possession of the land revenue in the future will have the same effect in a still more marked degree. Their pace will be accelerated ; ours will be retarded, until we sink into comparative insignificance, unless this great wrong be remedied. To it we beg the earnest attention of our Superintendent, of our members, and of the Government.'' We are glad to notice the restoration of a healthy tone in the Herald's view of the measure which, on Saturday last, it would have had Sir George Grey and the other Auckland members facilitate to the utmost. There is no likelihood whatever of the Government accepting any alteration in committee to remove an injustice which forms the very basis on which the measures rest. We believe the only hope of prevent ing the mischief is that which the Opposition seem to contemplate—steady and systematic obstruction until an appeal can be made to the people, upon whose matured decision the settlement should be permitted to rest.

The annual meeting of the Regatta Club i which took place last night was well attended in comparison with previous years, and the proceedings were marked with an amount of life and cordiality which augurs well for the success of our next aquatic festival on the 29th January, 1876. The adjournment of the meeting from February last was a well-devised ex pedient for the benefit of the Club. At the Regatta last year one or two unpleasantnesses occurred which rankled for the time but have now been forgotten or at any rate forgiven, and conse quently last night the business proceeded with a degree of unanimity, which it was cheering to behold. On the election of the committee coming before the meeting, some well deserved condemnations of fault-finders who contributed nothing to the funds were uttered by two or three of the old committee. It was generally agreed that ifc would be advisable to introduce an infusion of new blood, and to allow of this Messrs M. Niccol, D H. McKeDzie, H. J. Ellis, and others whose services have been invalu able in the past withdrew their names. The new committee contains seven gentlemen who have not hitherto served : the other eight include some of the most prominent of the workers in times past, and the combin- i ation ought to make a good and effective body. The new names comprise some very promising supporters from the ranks of our foremost mercantile men. Particular stress may be laid upon the acquirement of the services of Mr. G. W. Binney, and upon the return to harness of Captain Casey. The maintenance of the popularity of our annual regatta is more important to the interests of the port than is perhaps generally acknowledged. Its influence upon the work of our shipwrights and boat-builders, a most valuable section of our community, is very great, and it is cal culated to foster a spirit of emulation and enterprise most beneficial to a maritimo city like Auckland. Besides its direct bearing on the commerce of the port, it imparts a stimu lus to the healthful recreations of rowing and sailing,recreations which are among the most unexceptionable in the category, and are directly conducive to that mens sana in corpore sano which is necessary for the discharge of the duties of life. We trust that the animation of last night will last through the coming transactions of the Kegatta Club, and that the next anniversary will be marked with a success not before attained. .

The vine-growers of Mangawari have petitioned Sir George Grey to endeavour to obtain a repeal of the license fee for the sale of New Zealand wines.

A navvy named James O'Brien, employed on the Kaipara railway, was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning. He had been suffering from irrigation of the bowels but was otherwise well. At an inquest before Andrew Bonar, Esq., a verdict of death from natural causes was returned. An accident occurred in Wellington street last night about seven o'clock. A horse belonging to Mr. Parker, baker, was standing near his shop while the owner was engaged removing the cart harness, when the animal took fright and bolted, bringing the cart so shaiply into collision with the verandah post of Collins Brothers store as to carry it away, also breaking the harness and freeing the animal from the cart, which was also damaged. But for Mr. Parker's presence of mind he must have been seri oualy injured. After getting released from the harness the horse galloped down Wel lington-street, where it was ultimately stopped by Mr. Parker. The animal is usually very nervous and apt to take fright. Sweepstakes on the Melbourne Cap will take place at the Exchange Hotel every Saturday evening. The Treasurer of the Ladies Benevolent Society desires to acknowledge receipt of a handsome donation of £5 from P. L. Prime, Esq., Mayor, per proprietors of the Evening Star.

Local ghost stories are rjot very common, but" Veritas" writes to the Wailcato Times stating that on the day and at the hour when the late Mr Leary, solicitor, died in Auck land, he saw him distinctly sitting in his accustomed place in the Hamilton Court, and he mentioned the circumstance to another gentleman when both went in to speak to him, but were surprised to find that the figure had disappeared. The Town Clerk notifies that unless rents due on endowments are paid within fourteen days, legal proceedings will be instituted. The general and special rates are also now due and non-payment renders ratepayers liable for costs.

We are always happy to note the advance of journalism in the out-districts, because such advance is a sure index of the progress of settlement. It is therefore with pleasure that we direct our readers' attention to the advertisement of the Bay of Plenty Times in another column. Mr. Edgeumbe, the sole proprietor, announces an immediate enlarge ment of the Times, an alteration which is rendered necessary by the increased popu lation of the settlements on the East Coast, for all of which the Bay of Plenty Times is at present the only representative newspaper. We have on several occasions had reason to admire the energy and independence of the editorials of this country journal, and since Mr. Edgeumbe has taken entire charge of the paper, the claims of the settlers in and about Tauranga and the want 3of the district have been advocated with fearlessness and spirit. Such a course of policy is sure to meet with due appreciation by the subscribers, and to result in benefit alike to them and the proprietor. It is no doubt owing to this cause that the necessity for enlarging the Times exists. We heartily wish our contemporary a still greater share of prosperity. We may mention that Mr. Edgeumbe is at present in town for the purpose of receiving additional advertise ments. The Times may be recommended to hotel-keepers, manufacturers, and tradesmen generally as an excellent and cheap adver tising medium. A little sensation was caused to-day by the bursting of the drinking fountain at the top of Wyndham-street. The top flew off with the pressure of water, and a muddy stream spouted out to a height of several feet, which created quite a little flood in Wyndham street. No doubt the increased pressure caused by the heavy rains caused the acci dent.

At the Otahuhu R. M. Court, yesterday, William Patterson and John Cady were fined 20s. and costs for fighting in tho town ship. Various other cases were disposed of. A valuable library belonging to the late John Williamson, Esq., is to be sold by auction to-morrow, by Mr R. Arthur, at his rooms at eleven o'clock. The works are of rare value, and from some of our first authors.

Bakers' Hibernicon, with accompanying melodies, will be shewn for the last time in Auckland to-morrow evening in the City Hall. The entertainment is given as a com pliment to Messrs Baker and Verner previous to leaving for Sydney, when a silver prize cup will be presented to the best amateur singer, comic and sentimental, to be decided by the audience.

Messrs H. S. Meyers sale of fruit, jam, etc., ex Freetrader, has been postponed unti.

A public meeting of the electors of Parnel will be held this evening ia the Parnell Hall, for the purpose of considering the abolition of the provinces and local Government Bills.

Friday, at eleven o'clock sharp.

The annual soiree of St, James's Presby terian Church, Wellington-street, will be held this evening. Tea on the table at half past six o'clock. The Rev. R. F. Macnicol, minister of St. James', will take the chair, when several clergymen and gentlemen will deliver addresses. The music and choir will be under the direction of Mr and Mrs Mitchell.

The monthly entertainment of the St. Matthew's Church Union will be held to morrow (Thursday) evening, when a lecture will be delivered by Mr Blackman, on the character and genius of the poet Cowper, with musical accompaniments.

A correspondent asks : "Sir, —Was Daniel O'Connell ever Lord Mayor of Dublin."— [O'Connell was elected Mayor of Dublin in IS4L-Ed. E.S.]

Dr Silvester, better known as the Fakir of Oolu, was honoured last evening by a large and fashionable circle of witnesses of his astonishing and perfect illusions. The various tricks and performances presented to the audience were similar to those of the preceding night, and attracted admiration and surprise. The wonderful pie-biter, who could bite through twenty pies, and who never failed but once, and that was owing to a plate between them, which was too much for his teeth, caused much amuse ment in his continued production of

eggs, which came forth, one by one, from his mouth at the bidding of his master. Leo was again introduced and uttered some new things ; he believed that the lion was the Queen's favourite animal because he was always in the royal arms. The repre sentation of the legend of the Hartz moun tains was successfully repeated. The beauti ful representations of the entranced lady were greatly applauded ; also the poetical play of the silver fountain. At the close, the doctor informed his audience that on Satur day afternoon he would endeavour to gratify the young people of the city with a matinee.

The Treasurer of the Dispensary desires to acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of £5 from his Worship the Mayor, through the proprietors of the Evening Star.

The second anniversary tea meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge, will be held in the Congregational School-room to-morrow even ing. The remainder of the evening will be devoted to readings, speeches, and song, the musical accompaniments by the Newton choristers.

A lecture will be delivered this evening in the Cook-street Christians' Meeting House, by Mr Caleb Wallis, of Papakura. The sub ject "Popular Religious Progress."

DISTRICT COURT. -This Day.

(Before F. D. Fenton, Esq., Acting District Judge) JOHN REID V. C. AND G. CLARKE. , I Claim £25 lis 6d. Mr. Bennett for plaintiff, and Mr. Rees for defendants. This was an action brought by plaintiff, of Auckland, against the defendants, shipping I chandlers, of Port Chalmers, for commission and brokerage, and the procuring of a char ter for their brig, the "Thomas and Henry." J

The defendant denied the claim as set forth in particulars. Mr. Randolph A. Lush, of the telegraph office, produced the telegrams which had passed between the parties. John Reid, commission agent, of Auckland, deposed that he acted as agent for Clarke and Son of Port Chalmers, and procured a charter for their vessel according to tele graphic instructions from the defendants.

The case turned principally upon the ques tion whether a telegram was legal evidence of contract. After the various witnesses had been examined the court non-suited the plain tiff.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before G. S. Graham and J. Chadwick, Esqs., Justices.) DRUNKENNESS. Spiers Stubras and George Jackson were fined for this offence. A VAGRANT. William McElwee, an old offender, was charged with vagrancy, and the charge being proved he was sent to prison for three months. WEAK TEA. William Long was charged with using threatening and abusive language to Mary Long, the wife of his bosom, on the 9th inst. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The complainant, who spoke with a foreign accent, said her husband, who was in the habit of ill-treating her, had attacked her in the most unprovoked manner on the evening of the 9th with an axe and threat ened to do for her. She was in daily fear of her life and begged the protection of the Court. The prisoner questioned his wife with a view to showing that she had been unfaith ful to him. To these insinuations the complainant re turned an indignant denial, and said that all the harm she had done her husband was to give him weak tea. William French a neighbour of the parties deposed, that hearing a disturbance in the house of Mr and Mrs Long on the 9th inst; he ran in to see what was the matter, and he saw prisoner flourishing a hatchet and heard him say he would swing for her yet,meaning he presumed his wife. The defendant, when asked if he had any thing to say, replied that it was all his wife's fault. She had taken up with John Hall, who was " jimmigrants' " cook with them on board the Fernglen, and he had caught them together more than once. On one occasion they had taken possession of his bedroom and locked him out. Sergt.-Major Pardy said the prisoner's story was mainly true. Their Worships ordered the prisoner to find two sureties of £25 each, and to enter into his own recognizances of £50, to keep the peace for six months.

A DOO

George Johnson was lined 5s and costs for having a collarless dog. THE WHARF IN DANGER.

on the first of January,

John Gardener was brought up charged with a breach of the Harbour Board Regu lations by passing along the wharf with his dray containing more than 30 cwt. Mr J. B. B,ussell drew a fearful picture of the consequences of the prisoner's excessive loaning. It was said that he had over two tons and a half on his dray. If this was allowed the wharf would be speedily ruined, and the result might even be fatal to human life. The Bench, after calling attention to the cruelty of imposing such a load upon a horse, fined the defendant 18s and costs. OUR .TOLLY YOUNG WATERMAN.

Harry Kcaa appeared to answer a charge of exercising the calling of a waterman without being duly licensed by the Harbour Board. Mr J. B. Russell appeared for the Harbour Board, and Mr Joy for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Mr Russell in opening the case said the circumstances were somewhat peculiar. At the beginning of the year the watermen had complained of their difficulty of getting a living, and to meet their representations the Harbour Board had decided to re duce their license fees from £2 to £1. It was afterwards discovered that ihe result of this reduction was to disfranchise the watermen from voting for the election of members of the Board, and to reinstate them in this priviledge, it was resolved to raise the fees, to their original figure, and at the same time, in order to keep the balance, it waß resolved to allow of the watermen charging a higher rate of fares to the public. The Board had been in the habit of allowing the watermen to pay their license fees in two amounts, £1 being paid half-yearly and the license for the year being granted

When it was

determined to reduce the fees, of course it was deemed that in the first £1 the whole fee for the year had been paid. When, how ever, this was restored to its original figure, it was plain that the watermen were not justified in taking advantage of the increased rate of fares and also of the diminished fees. The other £1 would be due on the Ist July. The defendant had refused to pay this, and had continued to exercise hie calling as a waterman after the payment became due. As the Board in their changes had only been actuated by a desire to benefit the watermen he considered that the defendant was not deserving of any consideration from the Court.

j Henry Martin, serjeant of the A.C., de | posed that he knew Kean as a waterman plying for hire. On the 20th July last he saw defendant take a fare from Mr Langdale. He spoke to him about it. Frederick Langdale deposed that on the 20th July he had occasion to use a boat and employed defendant to take him off to a vessel in the harbour. He paid ss. James McCrae Brigham, secretary to the Harbour Board, deposed that the grievances of the watermen had been under the con sideration of the Board for some time. To make things lighter for the waterman it was at first agreed in Committee that their licenses should be reduced from £2 to £1. It was found that this did not work well, and the Board after reconsidering the matter determined to restore the licenses to. their former amount and to increase the amount of the fares. The licenses for the year at the reduced figure were issued on the Ist January. "When the further change was. made the watermen were informed that they would have to renew their licenses at the half year. Defendant did not do this, and consequently since the Ist July had not held a license from the Board. - He had spoken to defendant about the necessity of renewing his license, but he had simply laughed at him.

By Mr Joy : By saying that the defendant had no license he meant that he had not taken out any fresh license since the first July.

A letter from this witness in his official capacity informing one Cook and the licensed waterman that the license fees had been reduced to £1 was put in by Mr Jay for the defence but was sub sequently withdrawn. Mr Joy said he should call no witnesses for the defence, as he considered Mr. Brigh arc's evidence the best his client could get. He maintained that it had been conclusively shown that Kean had a license.

Both counsel having further addressed the court.

Their Worships retired for a|few minutes, after which they returned into court and dismissed the case stating in reply to Mr. Russell that they did not consider the charge made out.

Costs were allowed,

Another case of a similar nature was not gone into. This was all the business.

SIR GEORGE GREY ON THE Government Measures.

[By Telegraph]

The Press Agency sum mary of Sir George Grey's speech on the Abolition and Local Government Bills, in the House of Represen tatives last night, as furnished to subscribing journals is incomplete, and much inferior to that of the Eerald's special correspondent, to whom we are indebted for the following telegraphic report: —

The debate on the second reading of the Abolition Bill was resumed by Sir George Grey, who on rising was received with loud cheers. He said this is a great occasion, and it is the desire of all those who have to take part in this most important matter to acquit themselves properly. It is a very great occasion in my own opinion, and so it is in the opinion of those who think with me that the Constitution which has conferred great bene fits upon this country is to be swept away, and that a bad example is to be given to all future time, by the effort that is being made to sweep away that Constitution by unlawful and unconstitutional means. (Cheers.) Be fore proceeding to discuss the great subjects which are to be brought under our consideration, I would try in the first place to clear some obscurities away, and one point to which I would particularly direct atten tion in the first instance is this, that to my self aud to those who think with me, a term has been applied which does not represent the views in hand. We have been termed Provincialists. The truth is that we find ourselves in this country surrounded by the ruins of a fabric which was once a statuary building, but which now lies in ruins scat tered upon the ground, thrown there by enemies who have persistently endeavoured to destroy it. (Hear.) One can hardly make from these institutions a building which would preserve the form of Provincial Insti tutions. We feel that either they must be re stored to their pristine vigour or they must fall. (Hear.) But we still think that we could patch a stone here and a column there, and by degrees erect a building which New Zealand hereafter might prize, and it is to that we intend to direct our efforts. The difficulties which beset me are in one respect greatly reduced. The most admirable speeches have been made from the Govern ment benches in support of our views —one by the Colonial Treasurer, and the other by the hon. member for Timaru—the father or the protector of the Ministry, or their guide. (Laughter.) I know nob what term to use, and it appears to me he made a speech on his own side of the question, which triumphantly proved mine. Allow me to illustrate what 1 mean. The first Constitution of New Zealand arrived when I was on the sand hills at the mouth of the Whanganui river, at a moment when that place was beleagured by the enemy, who had already caused serious loss to the European inhabitants That Constitution was accompanied by in structions in regard to land, which, had they been promulgated, would have alienated every one of the native race from us and plunged the country in war. I thought it necessary to take upon myself I the responsibility of at once returning that Constitution with my commission and all the papers. Upon my own shoulders I took the whole responsibility, and incurred a risk which few men would have undertaken. Then came the second Constitution : and let us carefully consider the circumstances of that time. It is said that that Constitution was imposed by myself upon the inhabitants of this country without their ever having been in any way consulted ; and it is said that that was in some respects a precedent for future action. What was the cause ? I was borne into a certain political system. I

had nothing to do with forming it or creat ing it; and at that time the people of thi°, country were absolutely and entirely, unre presented. I was not surrounded by advisers, with the privilege of being able to throw upon them the blame which would other wise have been thrown upon myself. But I appeal to all those who were in the country, if I did not freely move amongst them, and hear every opinion which could be offered, and give it its own weight in my own estmation ? The friends of my youth know that such is the case, and no one better than yourself, whom I have the happiness to see in that chair. In a far distant country I read a speech made in this very Assembly, stating that you had been one of the first perons to whom I imparted the knowledge that I proposed that the Go vernor and Superintendents should be elected. I took counsel with my friends ; took counsel with my foes ; and what were my subsequent actions? I was the servant of the British Crown, and my object was to leave to the people of this country a freer Constitution than was possessed by any other colony. I dared not divulge my plan, lest I should be accused of trying to create discontent. I completed my plan and sent it home, and I had the happiness of seeing a Constitution unrivalled in liberality con ferred upon the people of New Zealand. (Hear, hear.) Then it is stated that, having done this, I made a great mistake, for that to the residents of a fishing village of 750 in habitants I had given the means of govern ing great tracts of country. It is true such is the case; and why did Idoit ? I recog nised in the inhabitants of these villages an aptitude for Government. I believed that by my giving scope to the energies of the people of those fishing stations, they would themselves found great and prosperous com munities. And here let me make a digres sion. Let me contrast my estmate of the abilities of my fellow-men and my confidence in their power to fulfil great political duties, with the confidence in their abilities of their fellow-men, which now seems to prevail. (Hear.) It has been my privilege whenever I was in Europe to live with the greatest men of my age. The greatest in land, the great est in politics, the greatest in literature, the greatest in philosophy ; and with this know ledge so acquired I look upon the House and upon the opposition bench, and I see men sitting neglected here whom any Minis try would be proud to' call colleagues, and who, if called to advise the present Govern ment, would not have landed them in the difficulties in which they are now floundering. (Hear.) Amongst those called on to advise the present Ministry, were there any of those who had acquired political knowledge and knowledge of the convictions of the country? They were called to the Govern ment a member newly elected for Egmont • and then those who had been smitten on the one cheek, meekly turned the other, and a new man, with no political experience, with no claim upon the House or the country, was chosen. Returning from that digression, I say that the inhabitants of these so-called fishing villages sprang like heroes to the spur which had been applied to them, and created great and prosperous communities — communities which will be a wonder 'to future times, having sprung sole'y from the people themselves. Look to the South. We took the most northern race of the British people liviog at home in a position some what analogous, and placed them there, and what was the result? Look at Dunedin Look at the Province of Otago. Look at the commerce which has been created there Look at the harbours which have been 1 built Look at the progress which has been made • at the public works which have been executed • of the hardy race which has been introduced • and then let any one reproach me. with the political Constitution which T gave them. In a more northern position of the colony was settled a community of differe nt faith, but of the same British race, with equal energies. They had a province given them to govern-a few and a straggling pc o ple they were. And what have they mad c of it? Mountains pierced and roads and big tunnels bear testimony to their energy

Look at this province. Look at the hall . in which we are assembled, Look at the J great city which has been created here and the roads which have been made, under the most enormous difficulties, by the natives j and the troops with their arms piled by their side, subject to the instan taneous attack of their enemies. Look and see what the' result has been. Look at Wel lington. Look at the great town which has arisen ; the great province which has been created. Look at the Wairarapa and Wanganui, and can any one say that I did wrong to trust the inhabitants of the Province of Wellington with working out their own destiny, and with no restriction upon them, or that they have not nobly and fully answered to the appeal which I made to their pataiotism ? (Applause.) Then pass on to Auckland. Consider what she has had to struggle against. Look at her like a young queen sitting between volcanic hills ; a harbour on each hand, beyond each of these a great ocean; at the extremity of each ocean, the last of the discovered continents of the world teeming with wealth already, and yet her boundless riches hardly explored or known; all her riches ready to fall into the bosom of that province if justice is but done to it. What injury have I done to mankind or to this country by allowing the people of Auck land to work out their own prosperity to the extent to which they have already carried it ? I feel that the arguments on this subject are unanswerable. I feel that I stand upon safe and firm ground, and appeal to the Constitu tion Act itself to bear me out in what I have done. Then, again, it has been said that this Act was prepared in a cottage called Government House. It is true that it was so, but I hold it aloft in the presence of my brother countrymen, and ask who under the law has been damaged ? and I say again that •under its shadow great and memorable things have been done. Great provinces have arisen, great laws have been made, great wealth has been created, great commerce called into existence, and though produced in a cottage look what it has done—look at the palace yonder (Government House). Can we hope to have anything better from that palace than these things which sprung from the cottage? Then, I will pass on to the legality of the course the Government pro- ; pose to pursue. But, let me pause to think. I hardly know which point to take first. The Colonial Treasurer the other night told us that if we chose to repeal section No. 2 of the Constitution Act he could do everything. I thought it was a school-boy who was speak ing. (Opposition cheers.) The second sec tion of the Constitution Act says that there shall be six provinces within the colony of New Zealand, and give the names of the provinces, and says the Governor shall forth with define the limits of those provinces: That is the second section, and under that section I used to issue proclamations to de fine the provinces, and the second section was repealed from that time. (Applause.) The third section goes on to say that in each of the paid provinces established under this Act there shall be a Superintendent to be elected by the people, and a Provincial Council to be elected by the people, and states the peculiar rights attaching to these bodies, and subsequent laws all say that the General Assembly shall not interfere with them, and has no power so to interfere. Surely the hon. gentleman must have known that when a law is in force, and remains in force for 20 year, and one or more things are done under that law, that to repeal the law does not abrogate what has been doae under it. We are told that the great law officer, constitu tionally appointed, namely Mr Reid, Solicitor-General,—has given an opinion on this subject. Ido not know what Law Officer gave this opinion, whioh was so con fidently referred to the other night. But an hon. gentleman told us that if any of us entertained doubts as to the legality of the thing, we could put a clause in the Abolition Bill repealing the second section of the Con stitution Act. I,accept that offer and trust it will be as faithfully carried out as it was openly made. I now say that the invariable rule in the British Empire for a long course of years hss been that once the Crown has bestowed liberties of a representative char acter upon its subjects the Crown cannot take them away. Great legal authorities have Paid that the Crown can increase and extend such liberties, but that they cannot be taken from them. That is the law that has been acted on invariably. When I said the other night that such was the case, the member for Tiraaru almost said that I had been guilty of misleading the House, and to prove it he quoted the case of Jamaica. When the hon. member said that, in accordance with the rules of the House, I had to sit still and hear the statement made. I thought to myself, " Surely the faculties of reasoning and memory are both at once taking flight from that once saga cious man." (Applause.) What really hap pened in Jamaica ? The people themselves wished their Constitution to be abrogated, and they passed a law abolishing it, but that was not enough, So delicate was the mind of Parliament, that they would have some thing further, and they passed another law, and asked that it should be replaced by an other Constitution, and, when that was done, Parliament did pass an Act taking away the representative Constitution from Jamaica, and established another in its place. Sup posing that this Assembly possessed all the powers of the Imperial Parliament, it still should not attempt to take from the pro vinces what they enjoy until their own Su perintendents and Provincial Councils shall pass Acts to that effect. I say it is a bad example and a bad precedent to set for future times to attempt unconstitutionally to deal with a question of this kind. We are told we must rest on the opinion of the law officers of this colony. And here I have to make very serious and very important remarks— remarks which will go down to future ages in this country. We have an office which is unconstitutional, —an office fettered by no precedents, marked out by no previous proceedings, and any man filling that office is therefore bound to tread cau tiously and to lay down land-marks for generations to follow. And what have we seen ? The Government have the opinion of the late Attorney-General, and they wish to cap it with the opinion of the [For Conclusion of Speech see 4th Page.]

AUCKLAND REGATTA CLUB,

The adjourned annual meeting of the Auck land Regatta Club was held at Grattan's Thames Hotel last night. Sixteen members put in an appearance, the number presenting a very favourable contrast to previous yearly meetings, which have generally consisted of irom five to ten members. Mr Malcolm Niccol was voted to the chair, and after commenting upon the circumstances which led to the adjournment of the meeting in February, stated that the principal business of the evening was to elect officers for the ensuing season. After the minutes had been read by Mr Thomas Henderson, junr., the permanent honorary secretary, the election was proceeded with and resulted as follows : —Patron, his Excellency the Governor j Vice-Patrons, his Honor the Superintendent (Sir George Grey), and his Worship the. Mayor (F. L. Prime, Esq.) ; President, W. C. Daldy, Esq., Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board; Vice Presidents, Thomas Henderson, sen., Esq., and Wiliiam Aitken, Esq., Commodore of the' Auckland Yacht Club ; Treasurer, Mr James Dacre ; Audi tors, Messrs Waymouth and Marshall. A considerable amount of discussion preceded the election of a committee. Several of the old committee-men complained of the apathy of the general public in supporting the regatta and of the readiness with which attacks were made on those who did the work. Captain McKenzie suggested the infusion of a larger proportion of new blood into the Committee.

The expediency of this was generally .„gWL 1 ledged by those present. Twenty nS i were submitted to the meeting, and a took place, which ended in the follolSS gentlemen being declared the Commit^r?* the season 1875-6 : Messrs. R. Grattan r Dacre, D. Oxley, G. W. Binney, G. V_%& Heyde, James Dixon, Thomas Niccol, Tho - Henderson, jun., J. Marshall, J. B. v r v John Waymouth, sen., A. King, C.\ wjl and Captains Casey and Nearing.-Js Wj of thanks to the Chairman conclude M business of the meeting.—At a comrnil W- ' meeting, held immediately after the general* meeting, a sub-committee was formed to draw up a programme for the next Regatta;

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Spohr's Oratorio, "The Last Judgment was performed by the members of thw Society last evening in the Choral HaT The number of members present in the atluT ence was not so large as we had expected' and the only reason we could surmise fotthi small attendance was the want of noVeltr Too many persons seem.to patronise an Oratorio of this kind once just for thesaW of hearing what it is like, and having done so feel that any further attendance would be a mere waste of time; and if appealed to at any time, they will make soma such reply as follows :—" Ah ! SpohrV "Last Judgment;" yes, very fine music, charming chorus, "Blessing and honour and one or two other pieces very fair: but on the whole, rather dreary." On the other hand, the marked attention on the part of the audience last night testified that there are not wanting those who thoroughly enjoy each performance of this sublime music. And it is only by the frequent production of these works of art that the musical taste of the public can be profitably developed, Spohr's writings are essentially deep, and cannot be penetrated at a fir3t glance, but they well repay the closest study ; and as a master of the science of modulation, Spout has no equal. We have prefaced onr remarks upon the concert at this length, because the performance was in several respects the very best we have ever heard from the Society. The band was certainly the chief success, and played the overture and symphonies in excellent style, and -with more than usual precision. The concerted pieces and some of the SOIO3 were very -well performed. The chorus numbered 23 trebles, 10 altos, 9 tenors, and 15 basses • but the trebles were the weakest—in fact half a dozen voices would more adequately represent the volume of sound which they produced. Something is wrong here: either the ladies don't attend the practices, or' there are some there v/ho are not qnalifiei In the opening chorus, at the • thrice repeated treble lead "Worship and Adore Him," the F was lamentably weak andun decided. Mrs Mitchell sang her) solo "Mighty He Cometh to Judgment,*" in splendid style, and her voice did not appear to have suffered at all from her recent in disposition ; but the bass solos in this chorus were unsteady, and wanted more practice. The performance of the tenor solos last night by Mr Tole was excellent, and showed how much can be achieved by careful study; even with a voice of only moderate power. His articulation throughout was clear and distinct. The tenor solo and chorus "Holy, Holy," was very nicely {rendered indeed, the voices and the horn keeping well in tune ; but in the treble solo with chorus, "All Glory to the Lamb," the voices in the chorus made thesingularmiatake of singing staccato. The accompaniment is played staccato in imitation of harps, but the chorus loses its grandeur if sung in the same style. The chorus "Blessing, Honour," was splendidly accompanied by the band, but the words were not enunciated distinctly, and the tenors came to grief over a D natural, which caused a jar to one's ears. The alto solo "These are They" was taken by the soprano voice, as also the few bars of alte recitative towards the end of the second part. The charming quartette and chorus " Hail Lord Almighty" closed the first part. In the second part, Mr Brett occupied the place of Mr Diethelm as the bass Soloist, The other soloists remained the same. Mr. Brett lacked confidence in the extremely difficult solo which fell to his lot, but he sang the music accurately, though failing in impressiveness. The succeeding duet between treble and tenor was very sweetly sung, and would have been the gem of the evening but for a hurrying on the part of some of the wind instruments in the accompaniment. The unison chorus " Seek the Lord" was very grand, and the Babylon chorus was fairly performed.. But we must notice two defects : first, the want of an organ to givea completeness to the orchestra, and to .fill in deficiencies in the wind parts here and there; and, secondly, it is not a little annoying toa' listener, after providing himself with a book of words, to find that the singers are using another edition. For instance, at the break in the. symphony succeeding the chorus last named, instead of the words "All is ful filled," which we were led to expect, the tenor came out with "It is •ended:". The old words are certainly the best, and the popular objection to their seeming irreverence is untenable unless applied to the very treat ment of so solemn a theme in a musical form. What pleased us beat in the whole oratorio, was the quartette and chorus " Blest are the Departed," in which the voices, blended together very sweetly, and the conclnding phrase "For Evermore," was delivered by the tenor with an earnestness that ojokeo the sympathy of the audience. The con cluding movement, with its grand .chorus, was also nicely rendered; and Mr Browne mast have been gratified at the successful performance of this the first oratorio since his return to the conductorahip of the Society; ' " Sjgma.

TELEGRAPHIC.

ROTORUA.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day.

.0- Carp for Lake Rotorua- „ . Mr Pack, the celebrated Taupo guide, MB brought 27 Prussian carp for Rotorulj lakej sent by Mr J. C. Young, now residing at Taupo..:. \] '/:■ .) '>*'• C-M,E-: '

RUSSELL

(From our own Correspondent.), This day.

The lona arrived at five this inorning. The Golden Isle, Policeman, and Willi** and Julia sailed last night. The Fawn* loaded ready for sea.

TAURANGA.

[Per Press Telegram Agency.] This 3»y. Native Eight to Vote. ':!) -: * A counter-petition against their aisir»«_ , chisement in European elections-is being gp. up by the natives here. The Belfast Special Settlement. g The whares for Vesey Stewart's party?* settlers at Katikati are finished .and. reaay for occupation. - •- ' ■,< The question of putting a steam launcnou the Katikati and Tauranga, trade JSIW agitated. A petition for a subsidy has go» to the General Government.'

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent-) This day. Specimens from the Cure and Crow*

Princoss- The Cure are breaking down very nice stone to-day close to the Caledonian hpnn dary, and the new lode in the footwall oi w« drive also shews good gold.■■'' ,1" , '»: / ,v«,iL The Crown Princess got 30 lbs ;Jfflft stuff last night and 15 lbs „this.^f \ The b1»ow in No. 2 reef is impsrowng.^,;



JMPERATIVE SALE OP DRAPERY AND CLOTHING. A. LINABTJRY & CO. Having taken premises adjoining, having determined to effect a CLEARANCE SALE, To ohviate the necessity of removal of Stock, which otherwise must necessarily suffer deterioration. The SALE will continue for ONE MONTH ONLY during which time no Reasonable Offer Refused! The Balance of the Stock will be SOLD by AUCTION As LINABURY & CO. are determined to open their New Premises with enti 'eiy New Importations of the most FASHIONABLE GOODS. A. LINJABURY & C 0., 224, QUEEN-STREET, \ Or a Door above "Wellesley-street, Auckland. TLNOLETJM! T INOLETJM ! LINOLEUM! THE NEW CORK NOISELESS PLOOR CLOTH, Noted fob its Durability, and Comfoet, Suitable for Offices, Halls, and Dining Rooms. HOLLOWAY. & GARLICK, Have JUST OPENED UP Another SHIPMENT of FURNISHING GOODS. SO PIECES OF LINOLEUM—GOOD DESIGNS LINOLEUM DOOR MATS—A Novelty I Beautiful Assortment of HEARTH RUGS. New Patterns in Pelt, Dutch, and Hemp CARPETS. Well Seasoned 12, 18, 24 feet OIL CLOTHS. GOOD COIR DOOE MATS, from 2s lid. Some Cheap Lines in BOYS' AND MEW'S CLOTHING. HOLLOWAY & GARLICS, ] Drapery, Clothing, and Furnishing '■ House, - j CITY HALL, 230, Queen-street. J Auckland. ' ■_ ; _ . ] Blankets! Blajnkets! « i A LARGE STOCK ON HAND, all Sizes, ] Purchased at Auction in an Over- \ stocked Market, and to be Sold much below ] Regular Price. Blue Blankets from 11/6 per pair 1 White Blankets from 12/6 per pair I Also, Coloured Rugs, Counterpanes £ And Furnishing Goods of every description ; French Merinos Winceys £ Flannels v Crimean Shirting j. Calicoes ; Hosiery of every description, &c. ° Boys' and Men's Clothing in great variety c Witney Overcoats c Macintoshes ~ Ii A Special Line of MACINTOSH COATS, sealskin $ lined, much below usual price. Ii Lambswool Vests, Pants g . Crimean Shirts, Hats, Caps, &c. }@r Country orders carefully and promptly executed, cc BUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, ) di [Late R. Hobbs], t\ JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, tl Opposite the Army afcd Navy Hotel, Upper Queen-street, / at Auckland. rpHE colonial hank ojt J_ "YEW ZEALAND. w j Capital, Subscribed Capital, £850,000. fo A Branch of this Bank, for the conduct of General of Banking Business, is now open in the premises Queen-street next the Insurance Buildings, and Story occupied by the Na' lsf%B^ BSßS f t g •Branch Inspector. | ? Auckland, 21st July, 1875. < °