SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGB WATER morrow morning, 7.89 BUN BEX'; This OTenlug, 5.25 ; BTTNISISE: to morrow morning, 6 41 &1OO.N'« aG.E : I'ull Moon, 21st inst.. 4.9 a.m.

Tbls evening, 7.23 ; to-

ARRIVALS.

DEPASTURES. Southern Crrs3, ss, McK^nzie, for Baglan and Waikato (from the M*uukau)

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Barotonga- Kate Young, cutte-, at once For Sjdnev-Macuregnr, ss, on arrival from iTrlsCO, about 25th; Her-, ss, about 29;h Tor Leadon- Kai-ido, barque, early; W. W. Smith,

ship, early Forihe islands—Vision, brig, e<>rly- For ihe S >uth- Taranaul, s«, 25th mst For the Nonh—lon*, s s, Mondays For Newca*tt—Mary Bar barque, early Vox Sydney—.Roderick Lhu, biiganline, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Taranafci s *, from ihe «• u"h. to-morrow Star of the South, ss, from the South, early M*cgre«or, X ivi.s.s , from San Francisco, 25th Inst Eobina Dunlop, ship, from London ship, from London Caller i. v. ship, KM P X, from London ; sailed ITernglen. ship, from London : mailed 2nd Januuj W. w. Smith, shiD, from Lvttelton earlr Shooting Siar, Dar^ne, KS XV from London ; silled Dec 23 Emily McLaren, barque, from London; sailed 20th January Cabarfeidh, fcarque. from Boston, via Table Bay ; sailed Dccc m ber 21 Marathon, barque from Boston via Melbourne, earl Bapido. barque, PGRL, from Si dney. early Elm ar<we, barque, VJSitJ, from Sydney; sailed

25th March Tien l'sin, bwque, from Lannceston. early Prince Alfred, birqnentine.frcm Lvttelton. early Falcon, barquentine, from Port Cha.'mers; sailed Bth

inst J» c, brig, from HobaTt Town. Prairie, hrig, from Hobtrtown ; sailed 20th March Byno, brigantine from *<"tumah. early Plirt brigai.tiue fr>m LytttOton, early. Dauntless, topsiil sch. oner from Noumea, early Papna, schooner, from Karotonga, early Belle Brandon, sch oner, from the Islands, early Pearl. ketch, from thi Islands, f-arly Agtea, Bch<?6n«r from Oaroaru early Glimpse, barque, fr m ; sailed Bth Inst. Kate McGregor, schooner, f;om i-yttelton, via

Taurantra Mar* Melville, schoone', from Lyttelton via the Thames

EXPORTS.

Per Kate Young, for Rarotonga:—6OOO feet timber. —Owen and Graham, agents.

The persistent non-arrival of vessels due from the wesward excites much comment. Among those 'whose departures have been advised are the follow ing: —Shooting >tar, barque, from London, 119 days out; Ternglen, ship, from London, 109 days out; Elm Grove, barque, from fydney, 27 days out ; Prairie, brie, from Hotiart Town, 32 days out; Olimpse, barque, frem Newcastle, 13 days out. It addition to thes« are expecte-1 soon the Eapido and Marathon, barques, from Sydney, and the Chanti cleer, Jane, or Hallv Bailey, brigs, from Tasmania. The brig Vision has hauled alongside the new western P to discbarge her rargo. The mail steamer Macgregor may be looked for About Monday or Tuesday n.xt. It will be recollected she left San Francisco one day late.

Tbe brigantine Helena has finished discharginr her Southern carxo (In gcod condition as visual), and is no* taking in tia ber. She leaves for the Thames in a few days. The schooner Peerless is loading at Dunedin for Auckland. She is expected to leave nn Saturday.

The brigantine Flirt was to have left Lyttelton for Auckland res m day. lh» barque Mary Blair entered outwards for New castle to-diy. The cutter Kate Young, late Petrel, 18 tons, cleared out to-day for Karotonga, with a cargo of timber shipped by Owen and Graham. Captain G. Kisden goes in command. This cutter has been purchased by Captain Young, of Rarotonga, and sails for that island at once.

The cutter Morning Light cleared out to-day for Port Charles,, with 2 tons luggage and 2 bags bran, shipped by Holdship and Co. The ketch Speedwell has cleared for Eussell in ballast.

The brigantine Koderick Dhu has been taking in part of her Sydney cargo to-day alongside th« eastern main T. Tonight or to-morrow morning she will be hauled alongside the brig Vision, for the purpose of receiving her cargo.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Ooeomand!'!., this day. The Christina, schooner, leaves to-day for Russell,

STOCK AND MINING REPORT. Business done to-day:— Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £18 ss, National Bank — Sellers, 745. Colonial Bank, (303. paid)—26a. Fiji Bank- Sellers, 57s 6d. South British Insurance —Sellers, 493. National Insurance—tellers, 28s. New Zealand Insurance, (paid up)—£4. Caledonian (double)— Sellers, 643. City of London-Sellers, 60s. City of York- 8s 6d. Una -Buyers, 2s 6d. Union Beach - Buyers, 11s 3d. Tokatea—Sellers, 10s. Boyal Oak—Sellers, 7s 6d. Cure—Sellers, 8s 6d.

Pride of Tokatea—Buyers, 2s 7d ; sellers, 3s.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as follows . — For Thames this day, at 5.30 pm, and to-morrow, at 9.30 a in For Kapang*. per Manaia, on Friday, at 11 a m For Wangaroa, per Echo, this day. at 6pm For Tauranga, per Vincent, this doy, at 5 p m For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian C ilonies, oa Monday next, at 8 a m _«— For United Kingdom &c, via Suez. Mails wiU be made up at this office (for letters specially addressed), about the 29ih inst. (Signed) J. E. Coney, Acting Chief Postmaster.

DEATHS.

MABSHX.LI.-On the 20th April, Alexander Mar shall ; aged 64 years. The funeral will leave the residence of his son-in law, Mr J. M, M»cdonald, Graf ton Koad, on Thursday, the 22nd instant, at 3 p.m. Friends are respectfully iavited ti attend GALVIN— On the 20th instant, at his residence, Jjipaom, James Ualviu ; a*ed, 52 years Ihe funeral will tike place at 3 o'clock p m. to morrow, the 220 d inst. Friends are respectfully invited to attend

BURNJSTT—On 18th instant, at his parent's resi dence, Newton Koad, Richard Holdshit) Burnett; ago 3£ ye*rs. a.)so, on the ,21st, Harriet Jane Burnett; age. 5 years and 4 months. The funeral will take pWee at 4 o'clock to moirow, the 22nd. Kriends are respectfuliy invited to attend. Home papers please copy. KITCHIE—On April 20, at his parents residence, Short, street, Official Bay. William, oniy son of William and Matilda .Ritchie ; aged 15 months.

Tue funeral will take place to-morrow, 22nd instant, at 3.30 p.m. Friends pleasu accept tuii inviiation.

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 1875

For the oause that lacks assistance, for the wrong tint needs resistance, *er the future in the distunee ijsd th< L'ood that we can do.

In a few weeks the Provincial Council meets for the despatch of business. We have no idea what measures are in contemplation, or what may be the result of the assembling of Councillors ; but we cannot help feeling that in the peculiar circumstances, the proper course for the Provincial Counci 1 and for the Government would be " the masterly policy of inaction.". What may be the sources of revenue for the ensuing twelve months, ib would be very difficult to tell, and until the conclusion of the coming session of the Assembly, pregnant as that session will be with events, it would be idle to try to fore cast the future and its requirements, as it would be mere guessing to anticipate the possible means that may be at disposal for meeting those requirements. There was a difficulty in foreshadowing the probable ways and means at the beginning of the last session of Council, but that difficulty must now be manifold increased. With few exceptions, anticipations then i formed have been realised, and what were 'glibly called "bogus estimates" are found to have turned out, so far as income from all sources is concerned singularly near to ex pectations. The land fund alone has proved a disappointment. But thii, we do not hesitate to say, has been entirely owing to the willful opposition of the General Government, the uncon cealed intention of one member at least of that Government being in every way to fetter and embarass the Provincial adminis tration, and by making it either inoperative for good, or an open pensioner on Ministerial bounty, thus to bring it into disrepute. A minimum of £20,000 was expected from the sale of the Patutahi block in Poverty Bay, as the Provincial share of the proceeds of sale. The surveyors were then at work, and everything seemed to promise realization of the hope. But the land has not been sold by the General Government, and it is not difficult to say the reason why. This item of deficit makes a large hole in the anticipated revenue, which has been filled in another way by the "bounty" of Mr. Vogel and hia special gift of £25,000 ; so that ex pectations of income and realization will not be greatly at variance. But no such windfalls as £40,000 and £25,000 can be again looked for, and until it is seen what the coming session of Assembly will bring forth, jvc think legisla tion should be stayed, and appropriation, unless for a limited period, should be held in abeyance. A very brief session before the Assembly, and then another session when more light is given, would meet the circum stances; and such a course would, we believe, commend itself to Councillors, as it would appear the path of prudence and common sense to the eye of the public without.

We have been obligingly furnished with the following assay of stone from the Pros pectors' Claims JNos. 1 and 2 at Ohinemuri. We may explain respecting the term " pouudod stone," that the atone was pounded by Mr Atkins of Messrs Cousin and Atkins, who vouches for the stuff not having been tampered with. Had it come down in this pounded state from the gold field people would naturally incline to suspect that there might have been a little "salting" done, but Mr Atkins' statement will be accepted as a guarantee that the gold shown by assay is that contained in the stone as it came ojat of the claim. "B.ink of New Zealand, Auck land, '20th April, 1875. Assay for gold and silver of two parcels of pounded stone : —No 1, fine gold per tou, 15.>zs lldwts 23grs , fine silver, 15ozh Sdwts 17ars. No 2. five gold per ton, lloza Sdwts lGgrs ; fine silver, Sozs 13dwts 3grs.

The whaling season last year appears generally to have boon an unfavourable one. We learn from a New Bedford journal that : "In the South .Atlantic and in the Indian Ocean, the fleet have met with average success, while on ths New Holland and the grounds in that vicinity, whales have been unusually scarce. Ne.v Zealand has yielded but poorly during the past year, and but few vessels in that locality are doing well, which leads us to remark that at present there appear to be no whaling grounds that will support a large fleet for any great length of time ; and in this respect our errors in the past should be guides for our future. The fleet during the coming year will be dis tributed nearly as follows : North and South Atlantic 68 vessels ; Indian Ocean 17 vessels: Pacific Ocean and New Zealand 33 vessels ; Cumberland Inlet and Hudson's Bay 4 vessels ; North Pacific 18 vessels."

The unfortunate man Galvin who met with an accident a few days since by being thrown from his horse, died yesterday morn ing at 11 o'clock. It appears that he never rallied, but gradually sank until death terminated his sufferings. He leaves a widow and several children to mourn his departure. He was in the employ of Mi- Joseph May. An inquest is being held on the body, before Dr. Pnilaon, coroner, at the Junction Hotel, Newmarket, as we go to press. Galvin had for a long time belonged to the Order of Good Templars, but had un fortunately commenced drinking again, and is said to have taken a glass of rum and some heer previous to driving the cows to water. He rode the horse bareback, and had spurs on bis boots. A woman who saw the acci dent could not say whether he fell over the horse's head, or down by the side of the animal.

Apropos of the general interest in " spiritual" phenomena, the Hartford Cou rant tells of a young man who came to that city from the country some years ago, who wa* surprised to see a table which was fas tened to a wall, and upon which he leaned his head, break away from its fastenings and dance about, and to see a box of files, so heavy that two men could not lift it, float in the air at his1 touch He himself could not explain the cause of the phenomenon, which was accompanied with twitchings and con vulsions of his body ; and, one jnqrnjng, after having exhibited his powers the night before, he was found dead in his bed,; his limbs drawn up and his countenance dis torted ; as lie appeared when exercising ■Ms power ts amuse his friends.

It; is suspected that «nembere of the New London volunteer fire companies have fre quently set the fires which afterward they endeavored to extinguish, and Mayor Waller strongly favors the establishment of a paid department, though the citizens generally oppose it. " ,

An entertainment was given last night at the Devonport Hall, N"orth Shore, in aid of the Trinity Church Sunday School. The items of amusement consisted of music and singing by local amateurs with performances by a stringed band, composed of gentlemen residing in the district. Mr W. C. Dennes gave an exhibition of his panorama of a trip through America, illuminated by the lime light. There was a capital attendance of juveniles and adults, and the performance went off remarkably well. The funds of the school will be materially benefited by the receipts.

Asoiree took place in the Whau hall last night in aid of the Episoopalion Church harmonium funds. There was a large at tendance, including a few visitors from Mount Albert and Auckland. Among the latter were the Rev B. T. Dudley and, Rev R. S/ Hassard, with the members of St Sepulchre's choir. The array of youth and beauty from the Whau and adjoining dis tricts , was -such as to surprise the town visi tors. The tables groaned under the weight of good things provided by ladies resident at the Whan, and who dispensed hospitality with a liberal hand. The clergymen present fully entered into the spirit of the gathering, and related many entertaining anecdotes. The choir contributed its quota to the success of the entertainment, and was ably seconded by the promoters of the affair. The gathering could riot have been more harmonious, afid it will, we hope, add a considerable sum to the fund. Shortly after eleven o'clock Mr Quick drove a coachload of Auckland visitors into town, all delighted.with their evening's pleasure. '

The publife. meeting of the Auckland Auxiliary oShe British and Foreign. Bible Society willSbe held this evening in the Young Men'jfi Christian Association. His Honor Sir C&jprge A. Arney will take the chair. Interesting addresses on the opera tions aud prospects of the society will be given by several ministers and gentlemen.

A worthy .young couple who come to this country by the ' LOoh Awe,' and who bscame enMnOured of each other on the bosom of the deep, were married yesterday in the little Primitive Methodisb chapel in Sheridan-street. The appearance of the party was seemly and comfortable; and after the sacied ceremony they retired to their abode in Abercrombie-street, where all, as Bytfon says, "went merry as a marriage bell." As the moon rose at eventide, a crowd of boys, known as the "Freeman's Bay pack," assembled in front of Hymen's cottage, and commenced the "rough music" beating saucepnns, tin kettles, and blowing horns, to the discomfort of the would-be peaceable inmates. The bridegroom scolded, but the young bride smiled, and in the most pleasant manner, came out with a tray, loaded with slices of plum-cake and lemonade. The sight was effective ; the kettles dropped, the yells ceased, and the happy pack cheered the bride ; and squatting down by the path side, devoured the viands with an appetite worthy of their public character.

The annual soiree in connection with the Pitt-street Wesley an Sunday School will be held this evening in the school-room. After tea, the public meeting will be addressed V>y Revs. (Jt. H. Turner, W. J. Watkins, and W. J. Williams ; also, by Messrs Martin and Ewington. The excellent church choir will render selections of music at intervals, hence an enjoyable evening may be expected.

On "Good and bad Dogs" Dr J. H. Home sends the following interesting notes ; " Sir, —Digs can be as readily taught to acquire bad habits as good ones." A far mer bad trained his coolie dog to accompany him, shew him some sheep, and walk away. At night the dog would go for them (in one instance, over a distance of forty miles), and drive them home to his master's flock. The farmer was hung confessing to the above facts. A. neighbour of mine, living at Cricklewood, London, was greatly annoyed by dogs worry ing and killing his sheep Many were caught and destroyed ; still the nuisance continued. The dogs caught were observed to be common mongrels—not looking like sheep-killing dogs ! ! ! A sharper look-out was kept, and one was seen to s^eal away when discovered, and, after a hard ride of four miles, was tracked—caught, and hunt?, neck and shoul ders besmeared with fresh blood. With the death of the ringleader the nuisance ceased, and it was well proved that the culprit col lected the mongrels to accompany him solely to cover his retreat if discovered."

Mr Oliver, who is going to be the new Parnell Charon and ferry passengers over the intake entrance in Mechanics' Bay, has begun moving his goods and chattels from St. George's Bay to his new sphere of action. His boat-shed will be )e-erected in a day or two oq the eastern end of the sea-wall. The ferry raft is already on the spot, and the new route will be opened as poon as possible. The Parneli Board are about to make a foot-path down the cliff close to the Point.

Whili; the case of White v. Macfarlane was proceeding yesterday in the Supremo Court, the reporters were greatly annoyed by the whisperings of two old identities, who were freely commenting on the case. We would tenderly suggest to such partisans: the pro priety of discussing Court matters outside l,he Court walls, as their whisperings tend to distract the attention of reporters, and cause errors in the report.

The Harbour Hoard are repairing a portion of the (lore-street jetty. Some of the planks being replaced are mere touchwood, "and could have been nothing more than sap when laid down. More care should be exercised by the Board in inspecting the quality of the timber supplied for wharf purposes by contractors.

lln consequence of the Bible Society holding their public meeting in the Young Men's Association rooms this evening, the usual fortnightly meeting of the Pioneer Juvenile Temple, 1.0. G.T., will be post poned until to-morrow evening.

Tenders for a building to bo erected in the neighbourhood of the new Waterworks Reservoir at Newton are called for by Mr W. F. Hammond, architect; of Shortland street. We also notice that, Mr Whitlock has succeeded in removing the three houses from the ground required by the new works, without having to take them to pieces. The method of rolling them along on sleepers to their new sites was successfully managed.

The Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Asso ciation held its fortnightly meeting on Mon day evening, the 19th instant. The proceed ings were of unusual interest. A paper was read by Mr Samuel Luke, entitled " A few astronomical notes," in which that gentleman laid before his hearers some of the more re cent and important discoveries and theories in connection with the sublime science of which he treated. The essayist received the interested attention which his subject mode of treating it merited. A very cffeative reading was also given by Mr VV. B. i VVannop, on the subject of " Brain-work." A^programme of business for the present se.-sion was then submitted for the approval of the Association, and the proceedings ter minated about the usual hour.

We call the attention of our readers to Messrs. Cochrane's sale of the household furniture of Mr, Moss Isaacs in Hobaon street to-morrow.

The Shah's visit to Europe has occasioned many alterations in the'external appearance of the upper and middle classes in Persia. Shoes are "worn, the baggy trousers are re duced, the chin is shaven —an innovation ob noxious to the orthodox Mokamedans—the cap is not so high, and the whole dress is' a mixture of Armenian and European fashions. But chairs are not adopted; they are fisred only for European visitors, while the natives fold their legs on the cushion or footstool. In religious matters the old fanaticism is less frequently displayed and the mission aries enjoy great liberty. The numerous Armenian Christians are conscious of the protection of the ftussian Ambassador, and ( their influences is materially increased by many of the foreign residents marrying their daughters, as European wives often go to Europe, and are a burden rather than a com jfort to their husbands, while the Armenian women are not inferior in looks to their English sisters. The old abuses in the Go vernment still exist. The army is a real plague spot.

The New York Express remarks that since 1836, when it was started (the first journal of its name in the United States, if not in the world,) it has seen in New York city over a hundred daily journals give, up the ghost; and yet the pasaion for printing newspapers and sinkiug money in them was never greater than at present. The regular monthly meeting of theKßoyal Black Preceptory, 149, E. 0., willl be held this evening in the Newton Hall. Railway building in England promises to be active, since the London Times says that no fewer than 132 new railway and tramway bills will come before Parliament in the ! course of the approaching session. Tomorrow evening, Mr P.Doran, and his musical co-patriots, will give their variety entertainment at Panmure Hall, for the benefit of the Catholic Church of the village. The monthly inspection of the Auckland Rifle Volunteers, No. 3 Company, will take place this evening. Members to appear in full dress. Major Gordon has kindly pro mised to present the officers prizes, and Mr H. Kohn's prize to the successful competitors, after which the annual finance meeting will be held.

JSThe members of the Auckland Shipwrights Protection Society will hold a special meet ing this evenine, in the Albert-street Tem perance Hall, at seven o'clock. The canning of salmon in Oregon (a brand well-known in Auckland) has been over done, and so much has been thrown upon the market that prices have declined 25 per cent, since last year. Now the salmon canners have turned their attention to beef and mutton, and as they can buy cattle on the foot in Eastern Oregon at 1\ cents a pound nett, they have a generous margin for profit in the business. The Paris Figaro says that a red velvet mantle worn by the Empress of Russia is lined with sable fur valued at £i,009. The cause of women is advancing in America. Six women have been elected to the Boston U.S. school committee. The town of Lynn also elected several women on her school committee, and Worcester also chose one, the interesting thing in the latter case being the fact that she ran against her husband, and beat him more than two to one. A sample of American official rascality is furnished in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where the chief of police is under $5000 bonds foi murder, the mayor undei §5000 bonds for perjury, six members of the school board under .SBOOO bonds for malfeasance. As robberies and outrages are growing; more and more frequent, it isn't strange that the citizens are talking of vigilance committees, and that already every man's house is an arsenal on a small scale. We have much pleasure in drawing atten tion to the announcement of two farewell entertaiument3 in the Choral Hall by the Itev. Charles Clark, prior to his departure for Sydney in the s.s Mac^regor. Tue first of theSH will take place on Friday next, on ■'The Tower of London." We are bure thai: the occasion will be looked forward to with pleasurable anticipations by the people of Auckland, who know sufficient of the talented lecturer's intellectual feasts to desire further opportunities of enjoying an evening with him. The " Tower of Lon don, ' above all other places in Eagland, ia surrounded with traditions graven on the historic pag^1, and such a subject in such skilful hands cannot fail to be rendered deeply interesting. The monthly firing of No. 2 Company, for Lieutenant Robinson's medal, took place this morning at the Mount Eden range. Lieutenant Skinner, who was in charge of the party, acted as marker. Owing to the darkness of the mornings now; the attendance was small. Sergeant Partingbon was the winner for the second time with a score of 36 points. We are requested to remind the members of No. 2 Company of the' meeting which is to follow the monthly inspection to night, and at which important business will be transacted.

We feel the necessity of still keeping the public eye on the proceedings in relation to charges of malversation of public property among the Engineer Militia on the Waikato railway. Our readers know that Corporal Craig, on whom for giving information it was attempted to turn the tables, still retains— in his lawyers'hands—bhe bulk of his pri vate memoranda referring to these glaring circumstances. But there are two of his documents which have been impounded, and are still in the hands of the autnorities—or pught to be, though more probably they have been destroyed since their seizure. One of these was what might be called a waste piece of paper, being the original j charge and finding relative to a Government employe who had stolen Government iron, and was caught in the act of manufacturing it into wheelbarrow trundles for a private party. One of the wheels was seized, and the man was convicted by private military tribunal, and fined one day's wages! The leaf containing the charge and finding were torn oat of the Company's Defaulters' Book by authority, and thrown away, and a totally different charge was entered on a freah page. The second paper is a copy furnished on his request to Corporal Craig himself, of certain malicious and trumped up charges laid against, him which came to nothing. This he had obtained for his own protection, and it is now impounded by the authorities and

goodness knows if there will not be a repeti» titiob of the iron stealing case—the copy and the original charge may be destroyed and a totally different charge entered eb that laid then against him. We under stand that steps will be taken to compel the restoration of these papers, the latter of which at all events is unquestionably the property of Corporal Craig. It is greatly to be desired that the public should have this whole story of the Engineer Militia, and have a perusal of some precious documents which were in existence. One storekeeper's bill for example—in which tea and sugar blend funnily! with Government tools, and the account is squared by half profits on the purchase of screwjacks— should we think be framed and hung up in the Museum as evidence to posterity of the manner in which Government railways were constructed. But it is the violence and high handed dealing for the sup pression of Mr Craig and his evidence that, as citizens of a free country, we should de mand investigation of. This was clearly a caae of malicious prosecution, and as such it ought and must be brought before a civil tribunal. The documents which he holds are "rosters" of the work actually done, and the men actually em ployed on each day during a certain period ; and they are signed in every case by a non commissioned officer vouching for their accu racy ; and we understand that so far from tallying with the accounts furnished to Government they show that systematically money was drawn to pay men who had been previously discharged, and were at the time not doing work. Mr. Craig had written to the Government that ho had these in his possession, and was retaining them to prove his charges, when he was arrested, searched and prosecuted. We do not hesitate to say that he has good grounds for damages. And more important still to the public, the evidence to be adduced in showing the purposes for which the documents were being retained, will lay bare the secrets of the charnel house.

Alleged Brutal Outrage.

An Information was laid at the Police Court this afternoon against George McCaslan for knocking down and breaking the leg of Thomas Lupton at the Kden Vine Hotel this morning. McCaslan has figured in the Police Court on several occasions, notably in connection with disputes with the Heffer nan family. It appears that Lupton and McCaslan were drinking and " barneying" about their respective horses and what they would do. The dispute waxed warm till from words the parties came to blows. Who began these is at present uncertain, but Mrs Lupton alleges that McCaßlen first knocked her husband down, and then, when he was on the gronnd kicked him in the most brutal manner, breaking his leg, and otherwise in juring him. We presume that the affair will come before our Resident Magistrate in a day or two.

THE PANMURE FIRES.

Detective Jeffrey proceeded yesterday to Paumure to investigate the circumstances connected with the two fires there. He found, with reference to the house belonging to Mr Thomas Harris, that the place was used as iv store for hay, harness, &c. The owner had been smoking in it a short time before the occurrence, so that it is extremely probable that the building caught fire from ashes accidentally dropped from his pipe. The stacks owned by Mr William Innes Taylor which were burned, were situated about three miles from Mr Harris's building, and both fires occurred within a quarter of an hour of each other. The stacks were a considerable distance from the maia road and out of the line which loafers would be likely to take. It appears that two men employed by Mr Taylor had also been smok ing that day in the vicinity of the stacks, so that the suspicions of foul play, which were at first entertained regarding the origin of the double occurrence, may be groundless, and the firespurely accidental. If this is thecase, these accidents should prove a warning to those who indulge in smoking near combustible stuff during this dry weather.

PALL OVER A CLIFF.

A little boy about eighteen months old, a s^on of Mr Holloway, landlord of the Ferry Hotel, Woodside, was playing on the point dear the hotel yesterday, when he rolled over a sloping cliff, a distance of about thirty feet. The accident was observed by a neigh bour, and the poor little fellow was at once picked up on the beach. A skiff at once proceeded to town and brought over Dr. who found that the child's head and face -were much cut and bruised and' he was' apparently' suffering' from.: inter pal injuries,' but.no bones were broken. Every attention •is being paid the little sufferer, whose escape from instant death is a miraculous one. His fall was, no doubt, broken by the bushes growing on the cliff."

THE THEATRE.

"Delicate Ground," a comedy, and "Or pheus and Eurydice," a burlesque, were repeated last evening at the Prince of Wales Theatre with equal success to the performance of the previous night; The theatre was full, and the various songs, jokes, and local hits touched successfully the risible faculties of the audience. It will be unnecessary to particularize where all was in order, and each player played his part satisfactorily. The performance of the "Poor Strollers," a comedy, and the repetition of the favorite classical burlesque of "Orpheus," will be the programme of this evening's entertain ment at the theatre, in favor of Miss Clara Stephenson. The lady has, by her graceful acting, established a pleasant. reputation among the good people of this city, and should Cynthia shine as brilliantly in the blue heavens as she did last night,; we have' no doubt but that this talented artiste will see hundreds of smiling, friendly faces around her. • ''""

Notes Made in the King Country.

(From our Special Reporter.)

THE PAKEHA OUTLAW MOFFATT,

ATTEMPTS ON HIS LIFE,

AlAttGB section of the half-castes act as spies either for the Europeans or natives, and in some few instances have been known to take bribes from both. You will remem ber that some few months ago a certain half-caste was reported to have made m offer to the Government to shoot Mofiat at this year's March meeting if they would give him a certain sum of moaey. The Native Office very decisively declined the offer aud published some month's ago, in the Walca Maori, the half-caste's native name, but not his European one, cautioning all the other natives or halt castes from attempting to carry out such an outrage. The one who had offered to do the deed had also arranged to sell off all his belongings at the place where he at present resides, and intended leaving, as soon as he had accomplished hia contemplated deed, for the coast on a visit to his mother, who resides at Taranaki. You will remember that in November last the Thames Advertiser published aa account of an attempt to take Moffat during the latter part of last year. I have now heard the full particulars, which are as follows: —Rewi got information tbat two natives were on their way up to Te Kuiti to make a mid night attack on Moffatt's whare. He was also informed of the exact day they would reach there. He told Moffatt at once, who prepared to meet his pursuers. Rewi mustered 200 men and had them hid in the ti-tree around Moffatt's whare. Moffatt himself had barricaded his house door, put a dummy man to sleep in hi 3 bed, and left the house by means of an open chimney (a large sod one). He then planted himself at the front of his house hid in the scrub, waiting the arrival of his visitors. He had with him his loaded revolver. They arrived in the dead of the night about two o'clock in the mornin?, and first tried to gain admittance by the door. Finding that it was securely fastened, they then tried to get into the whare by climbing the chimney, whilst in this act the men arose and surrounded them. They were ordered to make a fire firsthand after that were quietly told that if they did not surrender everything they possessed and confess all about the transaction they would be roasted on the fire they had just made. This produced the desired effect, and they handed over their revolvers, a bowie knife 18 inches long, also a sack, at the same time stating that they were only carrying out the orders of the Native Land office. No doubt they threw the blame on the Native office on purpose to screen themselves. But in addi tion to the articles already stated to have been given up by them, they also gave up nearly £30 in money, which they said had been given them as a first instalment of their payment, and that when they returned with Moffat or his head they were to receive £170 more, b?ing the balance of the £200 which sum they had arranged to do the deed for. The two hundred men took them as far as the border line, and they were told if ever they were again found in the King's country that they would be shot like dogs. Only two months ago two other natives were stopped on their way to Te Kuiti on a similar errand. Th^y were turned back after being stripped. I think your readers will agree with me, that friend Moffatt's bed is not a bed of roses certainly, but to see him go abont all day alone from place to place, and at night with only one man, his right-hand man, Te Ma Huki, you would think that he had not one care on his mind. However, if you had the cariosity to lift his coat tails, you would see a good companion for him in the shape of a six-barrelled pea-shooter, which is with him both day and night. It is nothing but sheer folly for any man to think they can come to Te Kuiti aad arrest or kill Moffatt. He is strictly guarded, not only by himself, but is never allowed to go any distance from home without Rewi sending an e3cort after him.

SUMMONSES FOR EDUCATION RATE. I have already told you that at Koapu, two Europeans (who are married to natives), are settled, and. that they have lived there about five or six years. This year they both received notices with a bill for the Educa tional Rate, one was charged 103, the other 203. The former paid his 10s, as he thought it not worth while to have any bother about it, but the latter has not paid his, and de clines doing so. HOW MOFFATT MANUFACTURES WHISKEY. Another charge brought against Moffatt is, that he manufactures whiskey out of maize. This I freely admit, but not with using kerosine tins, as stated by the newspapers, but in a properly constructed still, which, was discovered some time ago at Kawhia, where a European had erected a store with out the consent of the King. He was ordered away by the King, and after his departure the store was burnt to the ground. The European came from Wel lington. It was known that a still had been landed at the sacred port, and after a long and careful search was at length found, the European haviDg planted it on hearing that natives were on the way from Te Kuiti to send him away, and burn the store. If the Governor and Sir Donald McLean hid only attended the March meeting, they would have been supplied with whisky made in a European still. It is a very good one, and is valued at forty pounds.. SINGULAR MARRIAGE LAW. jThere is a very remarkable law which pre vails in this country with respect to marriage; it his, that a native half-caste or European may live for twelve months with his wife, and if by that time she has not presented him with a child, or found to be in the family way, he can at once send her back to her hapu. This appears very strange at first, but the natives have a. very good reason for it. It is very well known that many of the women are barren, and as it is very important that their numbers should not decrease, this law has been enacted to provide against such a contingency. TAWHIAO'S WIVES AND CON CUBINES. Tawhiao has three legal wives—one belonging to the great Ngatimaniapoto tribe, another to his own" tribe, and the third to a tribe whose> name at this moment I forget, besides which he has a good number of concubines. If you remonstrate with the Hauhaus for one man having so many women, they will tell you that Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived upon earth, that they read in the Bible that King Solomon had about three thousand concubines, and their king has not more than a thirtieth part of what Solomon had. It is arranged for Tawhiao to live a week at a time with each of his legal wives, which they do in regular succession, the wife whose week it is to be with the king, being during that time also his cook and gashes any clothes- he may require, So by this amicable arrangement no quarrels can ever arise between the wives. PRINTING AT TE KUITI.

Formerly the natives bad three printing presses on the Waikato, but at the time of the war they were left behind. Lately one has been recovered^ and i« at present on its way to Te Kuiti. Moffatt and anatire have been fast preparing for the last twelve months a large plan of the province of Auckland, shewing tho different blocks of land it contains, with the number of acres in each, and the names of the hapn and tribes who own it. This has been a troublesome work to accomplish, as you may well suppose, but it is at last completed ; and when the press, has arrived, the names of all the owners of the land will be pub lished in a pamphlet, no that for the

future anyone wishing to bay land can at once refer to this work and find out who the real owners are.

KIHIKIHI.

(from otjb own correspondent.) April 1&. : I learn that shortly after I left Te Kuiti a '^ letter was received from Tawhiao, stating that he did not intend to leave Kawhia and come to the meeting ; it was at once decided '"-' to break up the great meeting. This is not ' at all liked by the Hauraki natives and - others from long distances, and they say that they will not again attend any of the , annual March meetings. The natives have •> commenced leaving, and many are already P on the track retnrDing to their various homes but as long as the supply of rum lasts many will remain.

SINGULAR EACE OF NATIVES.,,:,^ I have, after a great deal of enquiry, found out where the natives live who have the ;, dark reddish hair and skin, many of which are to "be found amongst the Hauhaus. They appear to have originally come to the Bay of Islands, consisting of two families. There is only one of these old natives at the present time alive, > and she is a woman called Ko Rako. .Her * husband's name was Hoka, but he has been "■'' dead for several years, but has left behind him his wife and four children, consisting of' ;; I two boys and two girls. They all have dark } reddish hair, with a skin like a half -castes. . The mother cannot speak Maori, and there fore it cannot be ascertained for certain"-' where they came from. They have a lan guage of their own, but their children have | also learned Maori. They have many manners ; quite different to the Maori ; one is. they ' are constantly singing with their arms spread out and pointing upwards to the heavens. After siDging some little time, they appear , to see, or imagine they see, some one in the .; ; clouds, and immediately throw down their V hands and hide their faces for some time ,T with them. They are known as the Te Whanau Wero tribe, which being translated ■■ means the red hair and skin tribe.

OHINEMURI.

[Per Star Carrier Pigeon.]

ITew Find at "Waitekauri.

Dullness of Business.

2?ew Buildings-

PAEROA.

[From our own Correspondent.] This day. ;* In the Waitekauri district another claim has cut a golden reef on the same line an Leakey and party ; this makes the fifth mine in that locality that are supposed to be on the same reef, and in each mine the reef where cut has proved to be highly auriferous. % The only tLing now that ia required to give the Waitekauri a good start is a battery. y; 1 believe trial crushings from this locality ' will be forwarded to Graaamstown shortly,"' as the road to Waitekauri is finished suffi cient to allow pack horses to reach the mines. It speaks well for the Waitekauri that " scarcely any of the miners in that locality have left for the Tairua goldfields. The Waitekauri gumdiggers are doing pretty well, and furnish business to storekeepers. Many of the latter, however, some days do J not take a single shilling. Although business is so bad there are several new wooden buildings going up, viz., an hotel at Mackaytown, for Mr Hayman,",.\ late of Auckland ; one for Mr Lipsey, at :- Wiiliamstown ; a new store for Mr Dunn, at Gorgetown, which is situated at the foot of the Prospectors' spur ; whilst at the Paeroa a new building is nearly finished for Mr Austin, to be used as a wholesale, store ; another shop in Cassell-street, for a tinware establishment for Mr Phillips ; and at the Puke Mr Mahoney has just completed hir-: new hotel.

The miners'rights inquiry, before Major f Keddell, is proceeding, but nothing of con- £ sequence has been disclosed, and the whole ;<* thing is looked upon as something of a farce. ■;

Our Pigeons' Goldfields Budget.

Ottr carrier pigeons from the goldfields brought the following budget of news to day :— t

The Tairua Goldfield

DISCOVERIES OF GOLD,

The news from Tairua yesterday was that satisfactory prospects were being obtained over a large area of country, and the men believe that if it were not for the pegs of the g licenses, they could make good finds. | Excellent prospects have been obtained over ' a large area of country. - >i 4

TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. There is now a large traffic on the Pariri track, and well furnished stores are getting on the ground. Allotments have been.., pegged out on every possible place aboutithe f Prospectors' Claim. The whole of .the|. traffic still goes by the Puriri track,) ur. aad men are still, employed im proving it, but efforts are being made to find other routes. The Waiotahi Highway,;;' Board have instructed their engineer to Beef if a track canhet be obtained from the bead:^ of the Waiotahi Creek. We understand that I Mr C. Hill, one of the members of the Board, - some jjtime.since went over to Tairua,. and was back again in one day before - dusk,' | taking a track from the head of the w

Waiotahi.

THE SURREPTITIOUS ISSUE OF MINERS' RIGHTS.

The inquiry by Major Keddell into the ~ surreptitious issue of miners' rights.; Jktf" Ohinemuri commenced yesterday, only four! I persons being present at the opening. Capt. Fraser was the first witness examined. He; f deposed to the circumstances attending the , opening of the goldfield, and produced the telegrams relating to the difference that arose between himself and Mr Mackay,. ~„ relative to the mode of issuing the ,right«,|l together with Dr Pollen's reply. It| . : was ultimately agreed that ticket*": should be issued to those applying for rights,'"* and that a general distribution should TaG* made on the day of the proclamation simul taneously. At ten o'clock on Tuesday,night _■„. there were 247 tickets issued, 900 miners'* rights were signed by me that night, some filled up, and some blank. These were., I given to Mr. Allom, who was to receive:, one pound for each. In addition ,to theli n 247 tickets issued, and a number of applications had been received from Mr' •'• Mackay for which no tickets were issued, and it was arranged that those should be handed to him for distribution himself^ simultaneously with those for which tickets | had been issued, as he only knew the persons_j: from whom he had the applications, a number being natives. All the rights represented bff* tickets were divided into several bundles' numbered so as to correspond with the;, tickets. These Captain Fraser placed under his pillow that night, as there was no other place of safe custody. The miners' rights,^ for the applications made to Mr Mackay were taken possession of by him. He (Capfe** Fraser) refused Mr Brissenden tickets for Ir^ ~*|. r number of miners' rights applied for after" .jkk ten o'clock. Next morning at about X si Half-past nine o'clock, the tent WM v cleared of every person except M> aMac.-1 " kay, who was to issue miners' rights .jjrta li tjhe place shown on plan. Mr Ge©rge*l>uitf J| liett, who was to issue from l'-to-Sffffafin^ -!m tiers);. James Home, from-86 to 70 ; James firaig, from 71 to 105 j John McKenzie, from 106 to 104; J. L. Clarke, from 141 to 175

Htfe mtwMm StAR, #BDNESPAY, ApitfL 2IV lifS



THE Undersigned are Cash Pur chasers of HIUK*, SHEKPSKINS. WOOL, ALLOW, &c. *c, at highest matket rates, in any Tiantitv Consignors direct will have prompt and immediate cash remittances returned at satisfactory rates. IRELAND BROS., Tanners and Leather Mandfacttjkers, Auckland. Gi —IT: SAL E, Now Landing— Nelson Hops 18' 5 / JEnglish Malt in Tanks. GEO. W. BINNEY. •JUNCTION DRAPRRY WAREHOUSE. We are now OpeniDg up 0 TTE.NEW STOCK AUTUMN AND WINTER DRAP BR V & CLOTHING, To Had Ex Adi, BakOn abedarb, &c, To our order direct from the Manufacturers FBENCH MPBTNOESin all colours AXJL WOOL PLAIDS ■WI&CEVS SKIBTINTGS SHIiiTINGS ■! . ■■ FLANNELS ' " ' ! BLANKETS vine : , SHEETINGS A nd every description of FURNISHING GOODS. A Choice Lot of CHILDBED'S, MA'D"=t, ANT) T>AVV£V WATEB ; PB008" CLOAKS AND MANTLES LADIES' BLiCK CL'>TH JACKETS. HOtf^RF, ETC. FANOY DKESS MAT^RtALS in great variety. r: ... new clothivg, etc. v To be followed by further shipments ex Emily McLarren and Duoedin, RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, (L<TS B. HOBBS), JUNCTION DBAPEBY WABEHOTTSE, Opposite the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Qctee^-street, Auckland. PURCHASE OF. TjiREEHOLD. FINDING we had not sufficient room for our fast increasing trade, we have ''.' • '■ PURCHASED THE FREEHOLD of the CITY HALL PREMISES, Extending from Queen-street to Lome-street, which will enable us very shortly to meet the wishes of our numerous friends and public by opening a.SHOW BOOM on the Ground Floor for Millinery, Under - clothing, and Fancy Goods. ' ' i •Due notice will be given on the completion of the extensive alterations now proceeding. HOLLOWAY~~& GAR LICK, (y&itifor. DRAPERS & CLOTHIERS, . I'f'i'yis •• ;!■• ?30> Queen-street, ■ ;■:,'; , Auckland. V N.B^TMjHall MA' large CellM to let for a ]oßg or plmtpmoA. ~;■ . T . T ~• •„• 9 ■> ■ '<■ ,» - .:f)



1^- O T I C E. THE BANKS Will be CLOSED on FRIDAY, 23rd INSTANT, (Saint George's Day).



An Earthquake would scarcely be minded by the residents of Fever and Ague localities, so used are they to being shaken up periodically. If people are obliged to live in such unhealthy regions they should take the precaution to defend their systems against the attacks of malaria in advance of the unhealthy season. The surest protection is a course of TJdolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, which impart extraordinary vitality to every organ.



; ' What on eartla made you get so drunk, and why, oh why, do you come to me in this dreadful state ?' ' Because, my darling, all the other places are shut up.' I ' Julius, why is do gettin' out o' bed on de '20 th ob March like, one of Moore'si melo -s ' dies ? Does you gib it ur, my 'spected culhid friend ?' In course I does ; why ?' ' Bekaae . it's de last rose oh summer.' ] F. H. LEWISSON has Just Opened 200 Gold Lockets, and they-are on view in his window.— [Advt.] . . ... ■ 1 COFFEE !— Brown, Barrett, and Co/s, standard Coffees both delicious and strong, Brown, Barrett, and Co.'a Excelsior Coffee deserves preference to any Coffee on account of purity and dintiotnesi Of flavour. Note the brand. Sold at almott every grocery **• ablishment In town and country.—<Advt.) '