SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

tt?r!S? Wo^ ER-Thl3aftMnOOn ' 215; to -^«ow mo'Sw %£fi* * 5 row Br3 B - T o- MOOWS Ada-Fun moon, 13th, 7,84 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Cynhreaog, s.s.. "Wood-,from 4t&ndavn Star of the South, s s, tro-^i^M Pretty Jane, Ss. fromV,^™ 1.. ■ Wel2iD£t» a . ns, Car t>> from the goua

IMPORTS.

Parcels 0 «" ton,'' om the South: 1 Mraulic ram. S F W VA: T e3> 1 bOX * 2 bales a °Ps> x ca?e batter.— ■t^-'J"??1^ Agent N. Z. S. 6. Co. ' ft B.P«rKnd gS fr°mthe *°m; % hydraulic ram- bales hops. Hendersdn'and'Macffariane.' -

EXPORTS.

■^^^atlyDonfor'Ximaru;- 4SO case? cement.~B»

ARRIVAL OF THE CYPHRENES.

.me zv.ui.. s h '-'aniajft Wood arrived In harbour at 3 o'clock this latffig torn' K^ndav- Where as v, 0 anticipated bbc saw nntWnt nf X*« rlrH^li" fe BUssfjrsa.'S £!*Zi^'J. P h0 SOth ' reachiDg Kandsru at 2 p.m.. the Va-^ Ps, oceeded t° tranship m»ils and cargo to tol l\h d^u Gaß? a ' wh*ch lef 6 K.*nd»TO at spm. on r 3 h- The Oypureoes left Kandavu on the 3rd «S*£ 1* 5- SU n m>and Rrri'edin Auckland as above, passenge' ?S * sm4>Urmail trom Kandavu and two

Ant SS, S ,ar Of the Snuth arr*ved from Eussell at tJu^ ?? lay- ,sho^Bnot signalled as coastwise "U inside the raef, and everyone was on tho look out Vn^'t '*■ *w" h °UTs to see whether she would turn out to be the Cypurents or the Coliuia. Our sisual- TnrM mUS\T ke Up, * bit" The htar *111 «"s*»^° a ™™ f ICOjls »»dtake the remainder and a csrgo of cattle t,n Levulca. . *Wh s- s-^ eV ingtnn arrive<i this morning from the I?nt rf ft Port Chalcie« * P-m. 2nd Dec; arrived at Lytti-ltonJO-30 a m 3rd; Siiledrso vm and arrived «t Wellington 5 SO a.m. 4th!V«led 2 15 p.m. and arrived at Picccm. 7 v.xa., left 2 30 t..rn 5-h and arnvod at kelson Moon," left 3 pm. 6 h and £h 2 * *ara«»^ 10 am; 7th.. eailed nocm, and f£hfl <£ 9"eh^ga whaif at 5-15 am. Bth. Had »!»« Ind3 throll*liout the passage : at times the 5^"W»l! vary thick. W: »re indebted to Mr Mark™ M^^*-, ? a,lo^= Mrs and Bliss Mill. Mr ttrinrt^'J^'t %nd) r fon«tt, Mrs and MUs rll" f*^ r ??" tI, oe GUltoß Hlld aeoretaiy, Messrs Ganett, Daniels, McDonald, Mabery and three in the The ss.CyphroDes.left for the Bouth at noon to-day. Napier is her firat port oi call. Passengers, Saloon : J*ir ». 8. Montague, Mrs Jane Davis. Steerage: t> £ S -S^" 1"1118' Eobert L°cney, James Slieridan t Wilkie.; Xhrimas Anuatrong, James Stuv^r, -James McMurray. James Ead'ie. c J™ c ketch SpeedweU. from Knssellbriog3 63 tons

■v ,f F%? hr. encs will leave DHneclln with the outward JKDglish Mail, on the 14th inst ifpogslblo, aud this port on the 19:h inst, goiop rj B ht tlvough to Rl ft n -erancisco, that i? to say i( present arrangements are maintained • ■

The schooner Lady Don has finished loading cement lor iimwu, She cleared at the Customs thia morn ing and will sail probably fo-mdrrow Passengers per FreUy jaae from the coast: Messrs T,?*?' £ ameU ' JP«ter *- Head and boy, Miss OBeirae, Judge Bogan, and other

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

™« t> , » , Tauranga, this day. 2astni^ht for.'A?*Man<l abant halfcpast nine ™ T•■ ■ . • r■■ ■ ■ Bussbil, this day. -the a s lona urrived at half-post twelve yestoiday ti,oc *% ,n_ Nai-ihh this day, The Southern' Cross arrived at neon to-day m. m ■« New Plymouth, this day

WOOL SALE.

At Mr A. Buckland's wool sale to-day there was a large attendance. There were i7B lot? catalogued. Long "wool in grease realised lid to 10d:_ Most lots averaging from _Bid *o 9d. Half-bred greasy, 7id to 9-£ d. Washed loagwool Is to Is 2Jd. "The buyers were Messrs Oaborne, Macfarland, Hender son, Sutherland, Ireland, Bart, and Potter.

IMPORTANT FREEHOLD PROPERTY SALE.

Messrs. B. Tonics and Co. sold the fol lowing properties to-day, r There was a very large attendance. BJackmaith's shop, Karangahape Road, £120, |Mr Houston; allotment in Symonds-street, £4 10s per foot, Mr Cousins ; 2 cottages, £235, Mr Johnson ; New Caledonia 'Hotel; £1,500, Mr S. Evirt son; lots Ito 3, Takapuna, 203, lots 4to G, 12s, Mr John Hay ; lots 7 and S, £200, W. Aitken; lot G, Kyber Pass, £2 17s Gd per foofc, C. Williamson,; lot 7, £2 15s, Mr Easdown ;: lot 8, £2 .10s r Mr Yoeman ; let 5, £3 23 6d per foot, C. Layers; lot 4, £2 12s Gd per foot, Mr Herbert; lots 1 to 3 Mr Holdshipl; |9, £2 10s A. Eeynolds ; 10, £2 10s Mr Hobson ; 11, £2 10s, J. Chalmers ; lot 36, £1 6a, Mr Brady • lot 35,| 225, Mi?-Yeoman; lot 34, £1, Mr Roche; lots 14 and 15, 335, M. and C. Milne ; lots 10 and 17, £1 2s ; lot 18, 16s, Mr Carroll; lot 19, 16s, Mr Sheehan ; 21, 11s, Jas. Campbell; 28, 83, Mr Moran ; 20, 14s Gd. Mr Powley; 29,. 6s, Mr Burtt; 30, 9s 6d, M»8urke.;=.31,..75, C. Brooks; 32, 6s Gd, Mr Powley; 33, 13s, Mr Grady. Onehunga^—l,,2o3,, Mr.|McHarfc; 2 and 3, 20s, Fleming "and Stevenson; 4 and 5," 20s, P. Black; lot ad, baein, £100, Mr". M. O'Korke ; lot; Allan Dale, 203.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr Geo, Sibbinjof the corner mart reports to-day good maize at 4s 6d, maize (free of weevil) Is 6d, good cats 3s, bast cheese Bd, and butter In kegs lOd Mr K. Arthur sold to-day the household furniture and effects of a gentleman leaving the colonies, which 7ealised fair prices. ' '

It is now nearly ..ertain that Ihe Cblima did not sail from San Francisco on the 10th ulto for tkis port, otherwise she would have been here by now. It seems most likely that she was delayed bill ihe 15th as rumoured at the departure of the Macgregor. la that case she may be'looked-for to-morrow or next day. Mr Hall gave the captain of the CyphreDes instruc tions to Tfaif'at~3£^irasvti i days and; then it the Colima did not turn up to come straight to Auckland.'

CHIEF POST OFFICE AUCKLAND.

OHJEBTOST-03PF10E.ATrCKI.ASri>. MAjgcs will. Closb as i-ollowb :— For Thames this day at 5.30 pm, and to-morrow at y.rfo a m For Coromandel on Friday at 10.30 a m For Wan^aroa, per Kuby. on Thornclay at 9 a,m For Levuka, Kiji, per. Star of tho South, to monow nt 11 am

F°™ WaiferaaDdWerkworth. P«r Minnie Casey, on Thursday at 10 a m For Gisborne and Napier, per Pretty Jane, tomorrow For Whitif^BgT^Jftlrua,. Opotiki, and Napier, via J auranga,>«fcKoweua, on Friday at 4pm on TS^uTd^l?fo°4s ham PrOYiUCO3I PBl WeUineton Late lotteis will be rtcei^ed till 11 am Per Cyphrenes. on Saturtfar, 18sh!iinst, aa under!:— ffor Fiji, Sandwich lalands, Onited States of . Ameno», Canada, British oolumbla, Central aod South America, and British and Foreign i> West Indies at 8 p m For the TTnftoa Kingdom and Continent of B-urops, at Bpm gor ihohey orders and registered letters, at 5 p m x or newspapers, at Bpm Late letters bearing an extra fee of 6d In addition to the post,»go, will bo received on board by tho Mail A^ent up to time of sailing. Mails for Australian Colonies, India, China, Cjnti nent of Kurope, and United Kingdom via Suez and Southampton, and vim Brindiai, will bo made up uer Taupo on Wednesday, 16th mat

S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

Weston's Wizard Oil and Magic PrLts.—Have cured more wonderful cases of Rheumatism. Gout Neuralgia, Aches, Pains, Swellings, Caked Breasts, Scalds, and Salt-Rheum, upon the human frame than all the pretended remedies have since the world began. These Great American Medicines arb com posed of vegetable oils, healing' gums, roots and herbs; and act like a charm \ipon pain and inflam mation Price: Half-a-crowu. Sole Agents : Kemp home Prosser and Co. Be on the Alerfc if you have symptoms announcing the approach1 of kidney or bladder dis orders. Pains across the kidneys, turbid urine, diffi culty in passing water, burning in Hie uretha, pro claim that something is wrong, and that something, If disregarded, may develop into a most serious evil, Delay not n. moment if tliorc is the slightest urinary difficulty to npply tho remedy especially recommended by the faculty for such disorders, Udolpuo Woli'k's SCIHEBAM AIIOMATIC SCIINAITS.

DEATH.

GOLLAN—On the Bth December, at her father's residencn, W<st Tamaki, Abigail, younaest and beloved daughter of Jaiueß and Abigail Qollan, a"cd 21 years.

The funeral will leave her father's residence on Saturday, the 11th instant, at 2 p.m. Friends will please accept this invitation.

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

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1875

For the anise that lacks assistance, For the wrong tluit needs resistance, X-oi Hie luluro in the ilisranci;, • And tiia tfood tint we can do.

It is with a feeling of delicacy wo revert to the battle of the big and little docks, of the eastern and western parties in the Harbour Board. la that struggle we took probably too warm a part, but our vaticinations have all been realised, and dodge has triumphed. The Baby Dock has won the day, mainly— we had almost said solely—because of the impossible conditions affixed, wilfully or ignorantly, to its big competitor. That the Harbour Board has come to the conviction of the impracticable character of a Graving Dock, the approach to which necessitates the cutting and keeping open a huge, deep ditch, some hundreds of feet lone, right across the tidal current 13 perfectly clear. Indeed we scarcely question that this was well understood by some of the supporters of the western site, and that that site was by them supported with the object of burking the matter. , However, the want of money becomes the excuse, and we would say that such excuse was a god-send, but that we feel it had a very different origin. And a slight reference to the posi tion of affairs will bring our readers to the same way of thinking. We may premise by saying that the Ant specifies the works to be done and the amount to be expended on each. The Act itself was a dodge deliberately framed to put the kibosh on Point Calliope at the North Shore as the site for the big dock—the only place in the opinion of en gineers really suitable. However, let that 1 pass. la clause 36 of the Act it is said :— 1

"*' The monies raised under the authority of this Act shall be applied to the purposes mentioned in, this Act, and the first schedule hereto and no other. And the amounts specified in the schedule shall be applied to the purposes opposite to which such amounts are set in the said schedule. Provided any surplus of any of the sums specially appropriated as aforesaid, after the construction of the work to which the sum is appropriated, may be expended on any other of the said works." The first schedule is— 1. Railway wharf and breastwork in extension of and adjoining to present Breakwater, extend ing from Britomart £30,000 -•2-. Eeclamation of land between Harding-street and Hobson street -'.., 8,000 3. Dock or hydraulic lift and re clamation of land adjoining thereto 96,000 4. Reclamation of land Mechanics' Bay, on the south side of the Auckland and Waikato rail , .roy •••'.. .- 2,000 5. Surplus for contingencies in the above works ... 14 000 Tot.al ... ... ... £150,000

Now let us see how the Board have dealt with the Act, and be it remembered ifc was this Act that was submitted-to lenders as the basis of the loan. The two works marked 1 and 4, viz., the Railway Wharf and the Mechanics' Bay works come singularly close to the estimate in the schedule being com pleted or contracted for at three pounds less. Close shaving that. Of item 3, fthe Great Dock, more anon. We come to item 2, the reclamations of land between Harding-street and Hobson-street which the Act specified as to cost £8,000. This was the work on which we cast suspicion at the first. This was that on which the public eye was fixed. This was what was believed to be at the bottom of the battle of the docks. And this is how it has fared. The first, contract for abortion of it ]M^^^^ }j^'^^oiSii^^i\ recollect how the acceptance of this tender

was forced through by surprise and prompt play. For the remaining portion, if done, the engineer estimates it will cost an additional £9,000 at least—£2l,3so for.'what the Act spe cified to cost £8,000, and Mr Moriarty estimated to cost £8,600. Now we observe that every one down on Mr. Moriarty. The Harbour Board place all their sins on his head and send him off, a scapegoat to the wilderness; and the news papers gave him particular fits. It may seem funny if we defend him. We, who stood alone in denouncing his mission when he was here, the absurdity of sending away to Australia for him, and the tutoring which he was receiving on harbour matters. We, whom fee. TOuet fc ave re g wded M criticising

him -with a cudgel instead of a pen. "Yet we defend him, and justly so. tlis estimate of £8, GOO for doing a work which will cost £21,350 is simply explained. This recla mation was to be made by the proceeds of the dredging of the big ditch across the tidal current which was to give access to the dock, A Jarge retaining wall was to have been con structed, the punts bearing the silt were to have Baovcs<i in behind this wall, and opening their flaps, dropped the stuff in position. 3ut the reclamation people did not wait for this. The big dock was no part of their •plan. The reclamation wa9 the Alpha and Omega of their desirea. Let the recla mation bo made, and the big dock be—be— be adjectived ! Consequently, little over half of the extent, from Harding to Nelson street, has cost £4,350 in excess of what the law speciiied for the whole. And where did ( this money come from ? From the Rurplus of other works ? The law specified that only the "surplus after the construction of the work to which the sum is appropriated" could be applied so. But the Board did not wait till "after construction." They found the surplus brfore instead of after. They deliberately used money which they had no right to touch, and by doing so rendered themselves financially incapable of carrying out the works prescribed in the Act. There is no use now crying over spilt milk. The throwing over of the big dock, with its big ditch athwarb the tidal current,- is a happy deliverance, but the manner of it exposes the Harbour Board, and, through them, Auck land to the vidicule of the colonies. There is not one thing known now that was not known long ago, and yet the Board has gone on spending the "surplus of the big dock, well knowing that the remnant would never make it, and at tho same time advertise in England Australia, and New Zealand, putting con tractors to months of anxious labour and calculation, and immense expense, some of them travelling all over the colonies in questof stone, to be told at the end what thoy might have been told at the beginning —it can't be done. And the fmeeting yesterday was a fitting finish to the business. In order to exclude the Press while manipulating tho business, dodge is again resorted to. A Works Committee meeting is held, and the other members of the Board are invited, and a hash of the proceedings spiced to taßte is served up through the morning papers, with a friendly leader,—invited, of course, —in order to assist deglutition. The whole busi ness is encugh to sicken one with public affairs. It is the simple triumph of dodge.

Another of Billy Rowe's ruaes to doter Sir George Grey from interfering with his own election at the Thames has got admission into the Cross to-day. It is .always pleasant to have a friendly paper to help one's little games. A local says that the We is informed that " in the event of Sir George Grey beinj? elected for the Thames and deciding to sit for that district, therehy giving up City West, Mr Dargaville will contest the latter seat against all comera." Mr Dargaville has had quite enough of City West electors, and is too shrewd a man to act like a fool. Be sidea, if he had such intentions it would have been the part of a sensible man to have concealed them until the way was made open for his anticipated "walk over" in City West. The fact of such being published is evidence to men of common sense of the non-existence of the intention, although its existenca or non-existence is not perhaps of very material importance so far as a City West constituency at the present time is concerned. In fact if we were to suppose anything sub stantial in the paragraph, we would more i naturally explain it after the fashion of a feint of attack made on one side of a walled , city in order to draw off the garrison, so that I the real assault might be made on the other. In this light we would guess that Mr Darga ville may have designs on a Thames con stituency, and would wish to Bee Sir George Grey stay at home. However, we are more inclined to hold Mr. Dargaville exempt and charge the information furnished to the friendly We as come from Billy Howe. Billy is up to ruses as well as most, and having made up his mmcl to leave no stone unturned, going even so far as resolving to eschew Phane and live the rest of his days in the odour of sanctity, he will not endure to be; overshadowed by this grey upas tree, so likely to be. the blight of his political hopes and aspirations. It is admitted by all that if Sir George Grey does not accept the Thames, in the general uprising of local aspirants, whose name is legion, Billy is sure to be elected, a consummation from which may the gods save tbe country.

We are pleased to see tnat Franklin people; strong as they feel, are amenable to the claims of courtesy. To deny a vote of thanks last night to Messrs May and Biickland would have been unbecoming. They have received no gratuity from electors for their services, and a vote of thanks, although passed with some difficulty, was the least they icould have got. Mr May showed that he admitted some amount of sanity and reason in his constituents in speaking ra tionally to them, even though when carried away by the magnificence of membership in senatorial halls he had dubbed them mad. It is difficult to suppress a smile, however, at observing Mr. May, who very laudably feels pride that he " can plough," criticising the ideas of statesmen on constitutional law. It is of tha amiable peculiarities of colonial life that such training as his is not a bar to public life, and that a man who V can plough" can sit on the same benches with a man who hasjmouldedphe destinies of infant empires. Mr. Buckland deserved- sympathy when; explaining his transactions with Go vernnaent, and-fche, prptectipnrafforded by the now famous Members'^ Protection- Aci.,?r..He was an opponent of the,., (^C|y-ernmeint t _he says, when he received the money, "and for eighteen months, he says, after re ceiving the money from the Government, he contiuued in opposition. According to him, Sir George Grey's exposure of abuses was simply "no case, abuse the opposite counsel ;" he had only been stirring)] up dirty water, and his charges were wholly without foundation. There is some difference of opinion on this subject, but Mr Buckland is entitled to his own opinion and to credit for his courage in stating it in the circumstances. And there is a brusqueness and vigour about Mr Buckland, whether he is right or wrong, that one cannot help admiring. However, if Franklin and the people in general are to elect between Messrs May and Buckland on the one hand, and Sir George Grey on the other, on questions of polity and statecraft, to say nothing of political purity, well we shall not blame them if they think more of Sir George Gxej.

The gentleman who advertised a few evenings ago in the S&Lfc for a shawl, taken in lieu of another by mistake on. the evening of the Licensed Victuallers' Ball, is informed that it has been left at our office as requested We learn that Constable Moar, who was so brutally used some time ago in Victoria street by two drunken sailors, h laid by and in a very critical condition, erysipelas having set in.. . ' i

The directors and shareholders of the Auckland Building and luveatnsent Society held tihdr half-yearly meeting last evening, in their Queen-street offices. Thomas Mac ffarlane in the chair. The secretary read the Report and Balance sheet, which shewed that 2,378-J new shares had been issued during the half year, and the income from investors' and borrowers' shares had also increased. The amount of Joans granted during the said term was £9.380, and the amount of deposits £4,025 13s Bd. The receipts to Septem ber 30th had-been £17,001 IS* Od, and the disbursements £15,388 Is Bd, leaving- a balance of £1,613 IGa 4d in favour of the society. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the meeting. The Victoria, Scottish, and Hobsoa Volun teers Underwent their monthly inspection last evening at the new' drill-shed under Major Gordon. 'The men acquitted them selves in a satisfactory manner. The Hobson Band played several lively military airs during the evening. Under the"heading " Robbing the dead," •'Viator " writes :—" Dear Sir,—Will you kindly inform me whether there is a law by which the graves of our dear departed ones can be protected .from robbery, i was pass ing through the Wesleyan Cemetery last Sunday when my curiosity was aroused by hearing sounds of grief (not an unusual thing you wijl gay). I looked about and discovered a poor woman rocking herself to and fro in a paroxysm of.grief, seeing me she pointed to a new-made grave and told me in broken ac cents that a lew daya before she had planted a small fuschifi on it and now all that remained was a small square hole made by a spade. Are these things to continue ? A similar case was reported some time ago, but thiß is past bearing. The poor woman, no doubt, had not been able to raise a token of respect, but she gave her mite which was more jtcceptable than marble monuments in God's eight. I hope this letter will not' be the last on this subject. Wo must have justice done somehow." [We sincerely hope with our correspondent, that the authors of such acts of vandalism will be brought! to justice and punished with the ul;aiOst"suvor ity the livw allows.—Ed. E. S.]

We give insertion to the following contri bution from one of the oldest ami most esteemed settlers in the province :—" On the Present Political Situation. To the Editor of the Sta.ii : Sir, —Many persons appear to be disappointed at Sir George Grey's not having brought forward a scheme in opposition to that brought forward by the present ministry. If Sir George Grey had the power of working miraclea, and was able to make the Auckland electors agree and be of one mind on any one subject, or if he was appointed dictator over the whole of New Zealand, and was endowed with the same power as the Emperor of Russia has over the Kußßians, or aB the Emp:r.ir Napo'eon I had over- the French if he had saen powers as these Emperors, I have no doubt but that he would very soon invent schemes and find ways of putting things to rights in New Zealand. Auckland would not have long to endure the injusticaaho in now suffering under Southern tyranny. With so much division of opinion as there is amongst the Auckland electors it would bo useless for any one to bring forward a scheme likely to meet with a general support. It will be the old story over again; when our members go down to Wellington six of them will vote on one side and half-a-dozen of them will vote on th« opposite. I think too much was expected from Sir George Groy ; people are too apt in this case to follow the plan which they adopt with regard to their sina—they are only too glad to shift the burden of them on the shoulders of others. Sir George Grey was supposed to be taking a great deal of trouble for the public good, the public therefore did not take the trouble to think for themselves ; the consequenco is this : there will be no united action amongst our electors, and they will not know who to vote for at the coming election. I should adviso them not to listen to any candidate who talk 3 about New Zea land becoming a great and united country; this may sound very grand and look very well in theory, but in practice the story is very different. Let there be unity with re gard to the land fund, and let the North Island be justly represented; unless this is done it is a farce to talk about a united country. Were the North Island's interests and the South Island's interests the same, unity would be the thing; but our interests and those of the South are different, we have in reality no more affinity to or with the South than we have with Sydney or Mel bourne, we are, as it is now, unequally yoked, In one of Hogarth's pictures "Marriage a la Mode," the scene, the marriage, at the end of the altar rails are two clogs in couples pulling each other ways, it is quite evident that before it is over there will be fighting between these two dogs. I believe and fear that this "connection with the South will in the end be so disastrous to the Auckland province, that it will cause the whole com munity to unite and throw off the tyrannical yoke,'the burden of which they can bear no longer.—l am, &c, Patriot.

A good instance of how petty jealousies will lead the residents in a country district to injure their own interests to prevent a fellow agriculturalist reaping the reward of any special enterprise is afforded by a recent decision of the committee of the Mahurangi Agricultural Society. About three months ago Mr John C. King purchased from Mr T. Morrin the fine young pedigree bull " Pride of Ohinerau," and had it sent, down to his

farm at Kaipara Flats. As this is the first pure bred bull which the districthas had "to boast of, one would" naturally have thought that the inhabitants would have publicly thanked Mr King for so enterprisingly invest ing his capital in a beast which was likely to improve the value of the young stock, and that they would have done their best to ensure him being; no loser by the transaction. Instead of this the very opposite course has been pursued. Mauyof the farmers seem to be of opinion that Mr King has taken an un warrantable liberty in introducing into the district an animal so much better than any of their own, and this unworthy feeling has culminated in an action which is only equalled in its meanness by its absur dity. Up to the present time the pro gramme of the Mahurangi Agricultural Show has contained the following classifica tions :—Cattle : .. Best bred bull, any age or breed. Prize, 403. Best bred bull, under" 2 years. Prize, 30a (a special prize of £1 Is is added to the "any age" class.) Last Thursday evening the committee met to draw up the programme for the show next February, The old programme was adopted with' few alterations, but" a'tnong those alterations we notice that the word bred in each of the two classes above specified has baen struck out. As the description stood before it was nearly a certainty that Mr King would have taken the principal prize and would besides have secured the reputa tion of having the best bull in the district; but now the breed goes for nothing, and any well-grown mongrel bull will stand an equal chance with the purest blood that could be imported. If Mahurangi would go ahead she must pursue' a very different policy to this which is only calculated to disgust enterprising settlers and drive them to seek their fortunes elsewhere.

We have teen handed the following tele gram from the manager of the Red Queen : —"Noon, 11.57 a.m. Have had a survey "• gives us more reef than was expected; will obtain Caledonian shot of gold,—Henry MoCadb." ~

Most of the single men who have been waited on for payment of the Education rate have paid without giving any unnecessary trouble to tße collector or to themselves. There are a few, however, who have prided themselves on a valorous opposition incurring thereby much extra expense. One of these latter, living at Newmarket, was waited upon yesterday by Constable Jackson, who was about to take possession of the peraon of the defaulter and walk him off to the Stockade, but the stubborn heart within relented, feel ing it to be a hard thing to kick against the pricks of the law, he produced his purse and therefrom the constable received between two and three pounds. To such amount had the ten shilling rate become developed by the ordinary course of the law.

Wo have been furnished by the Works Committee of the Harbour Board with the following resolutions carried at the meeting yesterday relative to the subject of dock construction: Ist. That your committee recommend to the Board the necessity of pro viding for this port a graving dock of the following dimensions : Not less than 300 feet long, or 12 feet deep on the sill at ordinary tide; and that a wing be added if deemed expedient. 2nd. In order that no time may be lost in completing thi3 dock, it is desirable that it should be carried out as a special work. 3rd. That Mr W. Erringtou, city waterworks engineer, be requested to furnish without delay the necessary plans and par ticulars to be submitted in draft form for the Works Committee's consideration. 4. That a sub-cominit.teo be appointed to see the foregoing resolutions carried out in the most effective manner, with the leant.possible delay and to report ay early as practicable thereon."

We have tojjacknowledge receipt of Brad shaws Guide for December which contains time tables? corrected to date and other useful information.

The sons of old colonists are to meet on Monday next, an notifies by advertisement, for the purpose of taking steps to secure grants of land on similar terms to those accorded the Katikati settlers. That they are quite as worthy of such concession? as strangers were can hardly be questioned, and we Bhould think there will be no difficulty in attaining the object desired.

gsMr Barnes, chairman of the Karangahape district, acknowledges receipt of two guineas from Mr Holdahip as an elector of Newton, towards the cost of th« address to Mr Swanson. Mr Barnes says he has received many other offara of contributions which, however, are not needed, so that the irate "Ratepayer" who worked himself into a fever iv the Cross about the squander ing of rates may wipe his weeping eyes.

Messrs Buckland and May addressed the electors of Franklin at the Papakura Hotel, yesterday. Mr Hay occupied the chair. The speeches, which are fully reported in this mornijg^ papers, were chiefly devoted to a review of the proceedings of last session, and a defence of their votes on the abolition and other questions. Mr Buckland intimated that it was not his intention to again stand for the Assembly. A vote of thanks was re turned to the speakers. An amendment by Mr McDonald expreafcivo of want of con u'doncc bsing withdrawn upon representation that common courtesy required that the gen tlemen should at least be thanked for their attendance.

The following gentlemen are at present undergoing the examination for the Civil Service :—F. J. Haulfcain, G. A. King, W. F. Mitford, G. H. A. Purchas, K. H. Reid, J. H. Wilson, and T. Aitkin. The sub jects are : Junior—Arithmetic, Geography, English and History; Senior—Arithmetic, Geography, EaglTsh, History, Virgil, Trig ouometry, Algebra, Geometry and Chemis try.

It affords us great pleasure to sco in the Gazette of the 4th irfsfc., just to hand, that Sergeant-Major Pardy has baen gazetted Sub-Inspector of Police. No promotion could be better deserved. No more efficient officer, and no one more combining courtesy and forbearance with the execution of, often times unpleasant, duty could receive the guerdon of official favour. We most hear tily congratulate Sub-Inspector Pardy on his promotion.

A man named Conn was placed in the lock up this afternoon, charged with stealing two goats, the property of Mr F. Keehan, Mt. Smart. The accused asserts that he bought the animals.

POLICE COURT.—Tins Day. (Before Messrs Cosgrave and Hursfc, Jua tices of the Peace.) A DRUNKEN' CO HTM. AHco and Harry appeared at the bar, Alice the widow, and Harry the^ tar. Alice Hoskins and Henry West were charged With being drunk last night. They pleaded guilty, it was all owing to the hot weather and the shandy-gaff, and were fined 5s each and costs. ' ! : HALF NAKED AND WILD. , Edward Wright was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Prisoner said the charge was awfully wrong, he was all right, and only had" one glass and a cigar. | .-..' '.. , . Prisoner was also charged with resisting the police, with tearing constable Allen's coat collar, and destroying the number, and breaking his official hat, damage 9s. Also with maliciously splitting Constable Dew's trowsers in the ampler part, damage, £1 7s 6d. The property was introduced. Constable Dews said that it was midnight, when his attention was arrested by & terrible noise, he saw the prisoner half naked, and wild, kicking at the shutters of Messrs Cos grave and others. Prisoner was very violent and it took two constables to arrest him, he was so determined, and in the struggle, the prisoner committed the damages, prisoner was mad drnnk.

Prisoner, no such thing ; your Worships, the police tore my new surtout all to pieces. Constable Allen corroborated, the prisoner was a perfect savage. ■'..-. . Prisoner said he was quietly enjoying him self outside the Greyhound, when ho was molested by the constable, who desired him to walk to the sbation and be shut up for the night. He objected, when the con stable swore he would put the "Darbies" on. He replied, then here goes for a row: and thus it happened. The Court: Have you any money about you? ! ' , . '

Prisoner: My fortune consists of £2, It Wiis £7 before I lost my coat. The Court: Your conduct has been ex tremely bad, and the : law provides for the protection of the Court. >■•..' ,■'..-•..,* i. w v-

The several sentences passed upon the prisoner were 30s. "and costs, with £1 lfts"; damages, or six week's imprisonment with hard labour. !tl ; > THE WEATHER AND WEDLOCK. William -was charged' With com mitting " a violent assault '.upon his lawful , wife, on the nighti of the7th. inst: •■--••—- Prisoner said he was guttty7butrwas very sorry. , ".-.., ..■■ ":'■'' ;•;', : 3":\.; Complainant said she was the mother of four children under seven years of age. Her husband was in the habit of ill-using her when under the influence of drink, and she feared at such times for her life. If he would reform she was not desirous of pres sing the charge against him. Prisoner said he had been a Good Templar, but yesterday he indulged on account of the sultry weather. His wife came after him and caught him by the nose, and he struck her rather than have his nose pulled off; he would however be a good husband in future, and would join the good Templars on Tuesday evening next. The wife said she was ready to forgive, if William was prepared to reform, she did not wish to punish him. The bench said it was'a pity to send the prisonerjito gaol under such circumstances, for it appeared that he was'a good husband

when sob«r> but/he tnktsl> joinl the GoocL Templars if they t&jk tttenieflt view of i his case. rj ,, lI:: ' ' The prisoner pfomisedfaithfully that.he ' would do so ; he wa3 then' discharged and left the Court with his forgiving wife. [At the urgent solicitation of the defen dant's wife we have omitted names in order that there may be no obstacle in the way of the husband's reform or in earning a living for his family. We hope he will profit by this lesson.] NEGLECTED BOYS. 'i William and Thomas McManns, aged nine and eleven, were charged as being neglected' children within the meaning of the Ant. Mr Broham stated the circumstances which were ot a melancholy nature, the MeManus family were well known to the police, the children were in Mount Eden gaol, the mother had gone away with a man, not her husband, and the father was in a perpetual state of drunkenness ; consequently the children were left to time and chance. The Bench ordered the children to the Industrial School, for terms of five and three years, to be brought up in the faith of the church of Rome.

This was all the business,

CITY COUNCIL EXPENDITURE.

(To the Editor of the Evenings Star.) Sir,—ln the statement of accounts recently furnished by the City Council for the year ending 31st October, 1875, 1 note, with some degree of surprise, the following item under the head of expenditure, viz. : Fire Brigade, £806. The ratepayers, I feel satisfied, cannot be aware that their hard-earned monies are being expended in this way, and the sooner the matter is remedied the better it will be. No doubt the Fire Brigade are a well organised body of men ; still, I contend that it is thn duty of the various insurance com panies doing business in this^oity to maintain the Brigade in its entirety, for I would ask do they not derive the whole of the benefits from the high premiums which now exist. Therefore, it is they, and they alone, who should pay for the support of it. I for one most strongly object to this £806 per annum being taken out of the ratepayers' pockets simply to swell the insurance compauies' already well tilled coffers. This is not all, for I am told on good authority that, in addition to the above-named sum expended, the Brigade have applied to the Council within the last two or three weeks for some little " extras," and that it has actually been recommended that their request should be acceded to. I, therefore, think, that it is quite time this style of dealing out the pub lic money was put an and to. In conclusion, I would simply say—lf the Borough Council haa any curplu3 cash let it be spent in sewer age, streets, and roads in various parts of the city, which have long been neglected for (as we have been given to understand) the want of necsssary funds. —I am, etc., H. S. Meyerj, Auckland, December 7, 1875—[Of the £800 which the Brigade costs, the insur ance companies contributed £370. We quite agree with oar correspondent that the cost of the Brigade is excessive, and wholly dis proportionate to the results. We doubt whether any equal expenditure has been in curred by any other corporation in this or neighbouring colonies during the year. In all other cities of New Zealand the brigades are on the volunteer principle.—Ei. E.S.]

WOE UNTO YOU, YE BLIND GUIDES.

TO THE EDITOR.

Silt, —Since writing last, I have heard that the model stone, showing the contractors

the style of work wanted for the dock, took a man eleven days to dress, and the whole cost of the stone was 10i a cubic foot, and I am told that my figures on useless labour should have been £30,000 instead of £10,000, and that stone could be quarried and dressed ready for laying, at ninep'ercce halfpenny per cubic foot; thus, I believe, a cheaper and equally useful dock could be constructed for the present available funds. But the dock should be a double dock that could be thrown into one when required. I have known a large dock blocked for months with a heavy job, and other vessels had to leave in conse quence. By placing a pair' of gates in the middle, the long job could be placed in the inner fend, and the outer dock kept for vessels with but little to do to them. By an arrangement of the blocks, two vessels such as the Llewellyn and Glimpse could be placed jneither.dock, which would considerably lower the expense to both. In comparing this port to Dunedin I think they are unjust, as it is a well known fact that the Wellington steamer was brought here in spite of preju dice, solely on. account of the number of efficient mechanics. In reference to my remarks as to a tax, the city of Bristol, when iwhat wefjahould call old identityism had naarly closed the port, more than doubled their trade in three years by throwing open the port free, and meeting the expense by a small tax on the householders.—Yours, etc., E. Duke' Humphrey.

THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. To the Editor of the Evening Star.

Sir, —Ia it possible that the intellectual and flower-loving people of Auckland cannot support an Horticultural Society, whilst Wellington can support two, the Thames two, and Canterbury and Dunedin three. The letter of Mr. C. T. Wren on the subject, in Saturday's Herald, reads like the wail of a disappointed man, and its general tone is very discouraging. Still, Mr. Wren acknow ledges that he cannot take the rdle of a disappointed exhibitor, having had a fair measure of success in that particular. Mr. Wrenj _ exhibits, in his plaint a failing, which is too common amongst men, namely, that of debiting others with the causes of of non-success, instead of going in vigor ously for success, Every student of pro: gress knows well dhafc the work of the-world in all its varied departments has resulted from the single thoughts and perseverance of a few individual minds. I rieed' not call attention to the inventions of "such men as .Watt and. Sjephensqnj but in Mr. Wren's own line of labour I would simply mention such names asLindley, Hooker, and, Paxton as' examples'of men who. went in. for suc cess, and won it. It is a part of the busi ness of a nurseryman,' who necessarily reaps the greater benefit of floral and vegetable ex hibitions, to educate, by his silent means, the ta3te of the public, by whom'he'lgets his .hread. The nurseryman, moreover, has. no other way really of introducing anything he may1 produce, to. the public eye. Horticul tural shpwH are eminently successful in Aus tralia,, and the interest -taken in" them is usually,, so, .great that the police are obliged ; to-keep visitors on. the move. It is a mis take to throw the -blame- on. committees, for, if fQuid to be incompetent, they can be re-:, ntoyeql. To murmur at reporters is also a mistake, Jorihese men are not-partial in-the sense thajt Mr, Wren, implies in bis., letter.; -they are only partial to those.exhibits which are moss ta|ijy ; ,and mpst, beautiful, and J ever ready-to give praise where praise is due; - : Aiickland cannot affoxE ■ to. dispense with its horticultural' show. Let tho gardeners and horticulturists, there fore, exert themselves for its permanent suc cess, and by and by we shall hope to hear a more cheerful song from the flowery glade of Mount Hobson nursery. J.B.

THE TONGATABU.

The following pigeon message was received from Captain Ganter, of the Tongatabu, too late for insertion last evening : —

"Kangitoto Channel, 4 p.m. "Since last report very little wind except at times when a breeze would spring up and the vessel fly along like a bird. The ship works well, and I wish some vessels were alongside us to test her speed.« Prom what weJlcould judge, the achoaner)!is} no doubt one of the fastesMveaselß that fever, left the port, and she willJ no doubt prove a great

credit-to Auckland afeiptuildera. The sails fit splendidly. Captain Burgess has left oa account of the mail steamer. Farewell.— Julius Gantek."

The Great Kingite Meeting.

(From out Special Correspondent.}

BY TELEGRAPH EROM ALEXANDRA.

THE NATIVES OCCUPIED SINGING

HYMNS.

TAWHIAO'S FIRST SPEECH.

HIKUKANGL

Tuesday, 1 p.m.

No business of importance has began here as yet.; All are engaged learning the hymns of the new religion. Singing is going on from morn to night.

Tawbiao's only speech as yet was hia father's dying words recommending them to live in peace, love and truth in future. The settlement is not so large as expected. There are only three large whares and several small ones. Visitors are accommodated in, breakwind tents.

TELEGRAPHIC.

MAKETU.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. Election Addresses.

Three East Coast candidates visited Ma« ketu this week. They seemed afraid to enun ciate their policy, but were clothed in Min isterial fog. Kelly is the favorite at present, \ but Morris will run him'tight. Maihu Te Rangitahiki has no chance. Surveys and Settlement. - The survey is still in abeyance. When the patience of the natives is exhausted there will be difficulties raised against surveys. Several influentially-signed native telegrams have gone to Wellington lately asking the Government to send three or,.four thousand settlers this summer., , •■«

LATEST SOOTHERS TELEGRAMS.

NAPIER.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) This day. .Another Indemnity Act Wanted.

The Herald suggests an alteration in the Native Lands Act next session to legislate on the proceedings of the King in acquiring land from natives. The suggestion is pre sumed to come from Sir Donald McLean. The solicitor of the natives filed this morn ing ejectment notices.

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. Presbyterian Assembly. At the session of the Presbyterian General Assembly on Monday the reports of the committee on the rules of procedure in re« lation to the Widows and Orphans Fund and temperance were received. The sustenance fund and appointment of travelling agent ' were referred to a committee. To-day several reports were received and read. Mr, Peter Barclay, in Scotland, was appointed to represent the Church at the Presbyterian Council. . •

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspoadent.) This day, Kovel Cricket Match.

A cricket match between the Treasary and Audit offices is arranged. Major Atkinson,. Messrs Batkin, FitzGerald, and Dr Knight play. Ib is expected to be a very amnsing affair. i Reporting Sell. There has been a rather curious journalist's "sell" here. The Times had accused the Post of filching their reports of Mr Gisborne's address to the electors. This was untrue, because the Post had a special reporter at the meeting. On Saturday, Mr Travers addressed a crowded meeting, and-the Post reporter attended but purposely took a seat in a position where he was unobserved. The only reporter at the table was the representa tive of the Times, who took a fully seven columns report. The Times on Monday, thinking to sell the Post, came out without any report of Mr Travers' Bpeeob much to the disgust of the public, alleging that pressure on its space, etc., made it necessary to hold over its report. The Post at night brought out a long special report, and had an article bemoaning the break down of ■ the Times reporting staff, and regretting that its (the Post's) aid had not been jn-_ yoked to save the credit of the Times and prevent disappointment to its subscribers. Ife waa a case of •• the biter bitten."

WELLINGTON.

Per Press Telegram Agency. This day. Heavy Gals-—Boats Missing1. There was a tremendous gale and heavy rain all night and it is still unabated. The Hutt races are postponed in consequence until the weather clears up. A couple of boats and several persons are reported missing. $

DUNEDIN.

(From our own Correspondent.) ■■Thisday; ' v Work on the Winton and Kingston5 fine is being pushed forward so rapidly that another^ r section ia expected to be ready for opening on the 20th. The, Sons of Fortune at Arrow strjxe,K'.ef-/ eelle'nt prospects averaging 1J oZS. to the dish. ' ..,,., At present only five prisoners, nbife f«#* serious offences, await trial at the ensuing sessions. Extraordinary Story of a London \\;; ; Ship's Captain. The Star reporting the Adamant's voyage says :—" The late Captain .Birch was never a day sober up to the time of his death. He kept the ship sailing about the .coast.,of Brazil for about three weeks, and at last got nideways on to a sand bank within lfail: of the shore, so close that the natives waited up to the $hip and, conversed with those,on,;. : board. The passengers .driven io dcs« peration by his conduct all signed a peti-r tibh for him to give up., the.; command^' to the first mate; On receipt of 'this Captain,_•* Birch came on deck, his firat~'appeairafice^orr t ■■, a week", and said that "Before he-was done , with tjhem he would put them in the dark holer"! Shortly affcerwardslie died, ancfthe j first mate''took charge; -When- he-brought;"; the 'strip into port provisions were nearly exhausted. They.had" run out of flour and richer 'things. •

•'' Licensing Court. , The Licensing Commissioners have stead fastly set their faces against granting new licences, and threaten to refuse all against which the police obtain convictions. They also refuse to countenance licenses in con nection with the theatre during the season.

Acclimatisation of Fish. •■ , , The Acclimatisation Society distnbuteo 9750 fish and 7800 eggs in various rivers or the province. They propose procuring salmon ova and eggs from America. ' Harbour Dredging. i^^ Dredging operations in the upper *^£jM9iQ&| will, In a few weeks, give berthagewit&Tuw^, feet at low water alongside the town jetties. Mr. Macandrew addresses the electors oi. Port Chalmers on Monday.

Mr J. Darby announces that he h** k*"? Sffl Pacific Hotel, whweho trusts Ma old cHStoxnertjWH* >: rally around him.

ggJgyMQWH, fttAß' VBMnBmX. DUCilllM- %-VM



TVT OTI C.E. ... \TOTICE. JUST TO ia': A -I/ar^e -^Parcel of Double * width: _i .. Waterproof Tweed,. Melton .Cloth, Blue Diagonal, &c, specially adapted for Boys' Clothing,. Ladies' wear, &c, •»;» . - Bought at Auction at eon- i • *..:.. : siderably less than English Invoice Price, and to be sold very cheap. Also, Lawn Handkerchiefs from 3s 9d per dozen—l2o dozen; Linen Cambric Handkerchiefs, from 6s 6d per doz. , «. TXpwardp of 50 dozen Men's , Cotton Shirts, Fancy Jean, Napier, the n6wFiax Shirt, etc. j ~ ■-. .Abysjnnia:* Cord Trousers. ..,*., ...; . Men's Tweed Waistcoats, and a num»- • "■ r berbf- other i-fpooial Lines'at muchl r a'-., below usual price. ■•" - ;... i.= \ '■..- - . INSPECTION INVITED. BUSH BR 6 t>X' &'' BR; 1D G M AN, [Late R.-"Hobbs],'A /> ' JUNCTION DRAP&RX.tgrA.ZEBQUSE, C^po'atfe^e.rAnpy^t^-jjsvy^ot?!, -- . Upper Qtteen-street, Auckland J m COSGRAVE & CO. will hold their Annual Sale previous to the Christmas Holidays, com mencing THIS DAY, (Wednesday ),theßth December, and will continue mtil the end of the year. The entire stock will he offered <ti Cost JWi,^;^,