Second Edition. ENGLISH TELEGRAMS.

[BY CABLE]

ADMIRALTY SLAVE CIRCULAR.

•INTERNATIONAL TNTERVfJHTION IN CUBA.

HOKITIKA.

[Per Press I'elegram Agency.]

Wednesday,

LONDON.

mv n , December 30. me yueen has revived the Gorrlon Duke * 4rW a- VOr, °f tbe Duke of Richmond, i-ne Jißrl 01 Abergavenny has been raised to ;* Marquisate Lord Wharncliffe to an ™m; »»d the Earl of Earne has been created an English -peer. Messrs Ormsby S % ? en/^ Stw**' John Tollemache, and Sir Robert Gerald have been raised to the

fi J o ¥ lfli ingm?t Perak is considered to be fimafeed. The French Assembly is debating »ac ipresa law. -

LONDON.

a * i_ January 1. A fresh Admiralty Slave Circular has been issued. It modifies the instructions as to the reception on board the Queen's ships of fugitive slaves.

The Times says Baron Lesseps had agreed to advance two millions for two years on the Jihedive founders of shares in the Canal Co. J-.ne Daily News says England has the option of purchasing until the the meeting of Jrartiament.

The French Assembly has adopted severe 2>ress"laws.

. ?he Orieans princes have announced their intention to withdraw from Parliamentary

January 2. The post-office authorities report the deten* tion of a, portion of the Australian letters at Brindisi, on December 24th, through unusual pressure.

The bank rate of discount is 4 per cent. "Wheat quiet: .Adelaide, 53s to 54; New Zealand, 49s to 52?.

Aerivkd.—lnvercauld, Eobina, Dutton. General Schenk, American Minister, has in quired into the vie ws of England respect ing the collective intervention of European powers with reference to the stopping of bloodshed in Cuba. A definite answer has been de ferred.

January 3. Tbe Press disapproves of tbe new Admiralty Slave Circular.

The scheme of reforms in Turkey by the several European powers proposes to estab lish religious,equality, provincial commercial self-government with self-taxation in the provinces, and the cessation of serfdom and socage.

January. 4. The Warspite, ship, was burnrd at Wool wich ; all the boys were saved. Incendiarism was suspected.

The Russians are preparing to cross the Syrdaria to occupy Warylulan and Audergan. and probably eventually annex Southern Khokham.

January 5. Lord Northbrook intimated his inab lity to continue,in office as Governor-Genera) of India another summer, and Lord Lytton has been appointed his successor. North brook receives an earldom.

OBtTTJABY.— Sir Antony Rothschfld. I

PORT CHALMERS.

(From our own Correspondent). . . •• ' This day.

The ships Weltahire and Margaret Oal braifch were towed in to-day. Both left. London on September 19rh, and made the passages in 103 days. Nine days were lost in the channel through heavy westerly wea ther, and the Galbraith was farther detained by the steering gear giving way. The pas sages were uneventful. The Wiltshire has 1700 tons of cargo,, and the Galbraith 900 tons.

Arrived : Barques Bobjecto, Woodville, and brig Albion, from Newcastle ; alse, brig Emma, from Mauritius, with sugar.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER—Thi* afternoon, 842 ; to-mono* mora^nsf 9 T SUN BET-Thl« evening, 7.17 SUN RlSE—To morrow morning, 5 1 MOON'S AGB-Last Quarter, 18th, 8.28 pm

ARRIVALS.

Colonist, schooner, from the East Coast

DEPARTURES.

Cyphrenes, sg, Woods, for Sydney 1 Stppho, H M ss, Digby, for Onenunga Belle Brandon, schooler, for Wangaroa Golden Isle, schooner, for Russell Elizabeth, schooner, for, Napier Clematis, ketch, for Napier Onward, schooner, for Russell Clyde, schooner, for Wangarei Bbenezer, schooner, for Russell Anne McLeod, tchooner, for Wangarei IVancls Lewey, brigantlne, for Newcastle

The good ship City of Auckland has'the great°r Bortion of her cargo already engaged, and she will Sow receive quick dispatch. Two gangs of men are at present engaged on the loading, and in a week she will be more than half full. Wool is coming in fast from all paHs. and two or three island vessels are expected within a fortnight, so that we may expect the ship to be fully ready to sail at the specified time, riz: the 4th February. Some cabin passengers borths are still disengaged, and should be applied for early. H.Mss Sappho left under sail yesterday evening l0 Theeom.ward amail steamer, either the City of San J-rancisco or the Mitra<io, is expected from Sydney about Sianday next, and is advertised to leave for San Francisco on the 17th instant— Monday. The'Cyphrenes took her departure for Sjdney last exodus from the harbour of small craft for the Coast took place yesterday evening. The list s s n pbffibe Vsatled South to-day with the follow ine pas*eng»rs :—For New Plymouth : Messrs Oheal, J McGrecor, Mr and Mrs Brown, Eyre, Walker. For Nel«>n:J A. Walker, Jamlsoa. Foi: Pict «: F« Oeilver For Wanganui : Mr and Mrs Kidd, Miss Kidd, Miss Hook. For Wellington : Messrs O'N.jil, Owen Maokav. Mrs Flower. For Grey mouth: Misses Wilsons (2), Miss Kabbeth. For Lyitelton : Messrs Wheeler, W Culbert, Ogilvy, Palman, Maloolmson, T Maher, J Miher, TBronhy. Jennings, Mr ancL Mrs Turner, Mis* Boundtree. For Dunedin: Messrs Harris, Gardwood, Miss White, Miss Caiman Miss Hayes, Miss De Thiery, and eleven steerage for all P°>nietbrieaiiHne Au Revoir dropped down the har bour to-day to make a start for Warg&ro*. Th northerly wind, however, compelled her to anchor off MTh *brtgantinß Frances Lewey left this morning in Alfred, Captain Bennett. arrived atKalpwalast Thursday, after a very fa.t pas tas oMhree days from Lyttelton. She had m»de the rS trip in three weeks. ' She fa njw loading at Kaipara for Lytcelton.

COMMERCIAL.

V »«rl ri Isaacs report on/their piifnmery sale to m appearance but not in quality.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Maim wm. Cmhw as i-oiaoW:-

For Nipfer »d Gl-bome, per Southern Cross, on IiSSSSSo S iSU^W, on Saturday next at *£ CUy of San ITandsco on Monday. 17th inrtant vJ°Sd£*. Sandwich Island, VnitedSUtes of America Canada. British Columb'a, Oentral an.n. g£th AmSSr»4:«*•* »»d ForeignW«t FoSoney 1 ord%, Pfglßtored jetton, and New. La^tetiere! be* rinj? iin extra fee of 6d In addition to the postage, will be received by the maU «Kent up to the time of galling. *^ P aB. 8188, Chief P<*Unoter.

MARRIAGE.

PRICE—AITKEN.—On the lltli Jannary, at St. George's Church, Thames by the Rev. V Lush, W. Price, builder, of Auckland, to Isabella Graham, daughter of Thomas Aitben, Esq., of Thames.

DEATH.

BILL.—On the 12ih Jannary, at the residence of Thomas Macky, Esq., Hepburn-street, Auckland, Margaret Kenum, wife of tho Rev James Hill, ol the Thames. The funeral will leave for tbe Presby terian Cemetery, Auckland, to-morrow (Friday) at 3 p.m.

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1876

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance. And the eood that we can do.

In our Tuesday's issue, we made some allu sion to the ignoble policy pursued by Mr. William Buckland on the Franklin hustings. When we look at the many opportunities afforded Mr Buckland for meeliDg Sir George Grey publicly, face to face, it is singularly significant that he should have chosen the time and place he did to promulgate a series of charges which, as the letter of " Old Colonist" in another column proves, could have been annihilated in a few minutes by the subject of this unfair, uncalled for, and scandalous attack. "Old Colonist," than whom there is no better authority in the province, takes up Mr Buckland's statements one by one, and shews, not' by mere asser tion, but by conclusive proof, that they are false. Every one who reads his letter care fully and weighs its arguments side by side with the report of Mr Buckland's speech, will rise with feelings of surprise and indignation that charges of this character, manifestly intended to prejudice the minds of the Franklin electors against Sir George Grey and the candidates representing his views in the contest for Franklin, should have been given utterance to by a gentleman •in Mr. Buckland's position. It is very easy in a mixed audience but little acquainted with the early history of the colony to gain a hearing and create an impression if a speaker who is assumed to possess personal knowledge of the subject upon which he is treating is only bold and reckless enough in his assertions. One of Mr. Buckland's chief charges against Sir George Grey was, that he injured the North by establishing the pre-emptive right of the Crown to pur chase land, from natives, thus reversing Go vernor Fitzroy's policy of free trade lin land. "Old Colonist" shows very * sub stantial reasons for the course pursued in that, the most critical period in the whole history of New Zealand, and even were it admitted that the policy was not the ; wisest, Mr. Buckland did not even insinuate that the law was not enforced equally against rich and poor. But what is the case with the present Govern ment 1 The pre-emptive right of the Crown has ;been exercised over large areas, and when, general competition had thus been effectu ally shut out, a" few favoured individuals, through General Government agents, have bean allowed to complete purchases from the natives at prices which they could never have done in the open market. This is what Sir George Grey has denounced as an exercise of the Queen's name for the purpose of defraud ing the native race, and his suggestion .that all monies paid on account of these transac tions should be refunded and the land taken over by the Government, was the just course, although denounced by members of Mr Buckland's creed as " confiscation." Mr. Buckland further alleged that Governor Grey ignored all purchases made under the authority granted by Governor Fitzroy unless the lands were surveyed within a month, and he i says that Mr Constable in this way lost between 200 and 300 acres. Sut Mr Buckland knows—none better—that the present Ministry, little more than two years ago, by an order in Council, exercising

the pre-emptive right ofc tne Crown over the lands in the Hofcorua country, which had been opented up to land purchasers through private enterprise and the expenditure of large sums of money, cancelled the claims of intending purchasers of blocks in that dis' trict, upon which they had paid in advances and expenses many hundreds of pounds. The more influential of the sufferers by this edict have been compensated, and very pro perly, but those who have no friend at Court, are still petitioning the Government without redress. Does not Mr Buckland well know that Baron Charles de Thierry, who was mainly instrumental in bringing the natives into a state of willingness to sell, and the clients who had advanced him

money, are among the unrequited sufferers by this order, and further, that De Thierry had his license as a tiative interpreter, which constitutes his only means of livelihood, arbitrarily taken from him by the Government for his assertion of the principle of free trade in land. Does not Mr Buckland well know that De Thierry and his family are at present in abject poverty in consequence of this unjust act, and that he is still petitioning in the hope that a day will come when tyranny shall pass away and justice prevail. Turning to the other side of the picture who should be more familiar than Mr William Thorne Buckland with th c fact that on the same schedule where a certain £2,625 appears there is an entry of £3,G00 paid to Messrs Brissenden, Charles Tothill, and Thomas Morrin "for all their interest in the Ngatiraukawa lands, Patatere," and further, that while poor De Thierry was made an example of wrongfully, Mr. Brissenden, who had likewise been engaged purchasing in the same district, received, in addition to the before mentioned compensation, a commission as Government land purchaser. We do not say that the £3,G00 was other than a just payment, but the scales of justice should be held with an even hand. It was an exceedingly unhappy reference that of Mr. Bnckland's to pre-emptive land purchasing. Why, the notoriously corrupt administration of the present Ministry in its land transactions would have sunk fifty Governments in an independent Assembly. We have to go no further than to day's Herald for an example of the free trade in land which Mr. Buckland so earnestly admires. A paragraph in that journal reads thus :—

" A number of natives have come up from Waiheke to interview Sir George Grey, to endeavour to get him to take some action to remove the restrictions apainst the natives dealing with their land. The law of the country is that the natives can sell their kinds ; but within the last few years the Ministers have contrived to draw everything to themselves in such a way that it is a mat ter of indifference to them how the law stands. Everything is done by Orders in Council, and a native cannot get an acre sur veyed except by sanction of Ministers."

There is no necessity for reliance on ambiguou3 assertion when we come to review the land transactions cf the past few years ; their con demnation is written upon the records of that very Parliament which condoned and in demnified them.

ELECTORS! STAND FIRM AND UNITED!

Now that the Government candidates have detenuined by the •withdrawal of a man to take advantage of the splitting of the Grey vote, we do hope that the Franklin electors who desire the purification of the political atmosphere, the rectification of abuses, of railway mismanagement, and official domin ation from Wellington, will stand firm and united. We believe Mr Woodward is him self convinced that great mischief to the cause he has espoused will result from the splitting of the vote, and we would plead with him even at this eleventh hour to sacri fice^ personal feelings for the public good and withdraw. If he still declines to do so there is only one common, platform upon which the electors can stand. Messrs Hamlin and Lusk's candidature has been endorsed by Sir George Grey's Central Committee, and, as we believe Mr Woodward was informed in reply to a letter from that gentleman, by Sir George Grey himself, before ever Mr Woodward had announced his political programme. There is no mistaking the true Greyite ticket, and much as those electors who are favourable to Mr Wood ward on personal grounds, may regret it, their duty is plainly to avoid this otherwise in evitable split by sinking their own inclina tions for the general good. There can be no possible gain to anyone except Messrs. May and Goodfellow in pursuing any other course. It was necessary that the Central Committee should make choice, and it is likewise requisite that the electors as a body do the same. What possible alternative have they than the one we have pointed out } if "reform" and not personal liking is their mainspring of action ? We appeal to the reasoning faculties of the great body of the electors who have now entrusted in their hands a great power for weal or woe to this province. If they desire » united party pledged to secure Auckland's rights in relation to the land fund, an equal distri bution of revenue and taxation, real local self-government as opposed to the central bungling so admirably developed in our railways, and true representation as against the dictatorial self-opinionativeuess of Mr May, they must unite in voting for the re cognised representatives of the party; they have no other safe standing ground. We appeal to the pensioners of Howick and Otahuhu—that unclean leaven, according to Mr May's view, in the Franklin district, and we tell them that every vote they give for Mr Woodward, is a vote gained by their ad" miring friend'Mr Joseph May. And, finally, we appeal to that " dirty water," wjbicb, so Mr May says, a few months ago gushed out of Auckland carrying everything before it; and hope that on the present occasion it will gush to some purpose in the vehicles which will leave town for Otahuhu on Tuesday next. Every man in the province who believes in political justice, in the correction of high handed oppression and official abuse, should feel it a sacred duty to make some sacrifice on the present occasion, in order to record for M.essrs Lusk and Hamlin. The patriotic sacrifice of time and money, and health, which Sir George Grey has made for the people should awake in each individnal elector something of his extraordinary, en thusiastic patriotism. Electors of Franklin be firm and united 1

Yesterday the Sunday-school children of St Mary's, Parnell, to the number of ISO, enjoyed the treat of an excursion to Ellerslie Gardens. For a wonder the railway authori ties came out liberally-tin the occasion. Free admission to the Gardens, and the rUU of the strawberry beds, was granted by Mr Robert; Graham, than whom nobody seems to study the happiness of his fellowa xnore. The party went out by the twelve o'clock train, and returned at su.nset. Mrs Jno. Kisaliny took care of the little ones, and Dr Maunsell superintended the general management of the trip, which was most successful. Able as sistance was rendered by the lady teachers of the school, and by several members of the church choir. During the day the little ones enjoyed themselves thoroughly. Ail manner of games were indulged in, and the merry go-rounds, swings, and other sources of amusements in the Gardens Were freely patronised. Two substantial meals were provided for the children, which constituted not the least enjoyable portion of the pro gramme. The weather was most propitious for such an excursion. Mr Graham's beautiful holiday resort ought to receive every support from the public, who are greatly benc-fitted by having such lovely gardens within easy reach. We are glad to learn that the Si. Mary's Sunday-schools" are in a very satis factory condition; that the relations of teachers and children are of the best possible description, the pleasant jaunt of yesterday is conclusive proof.

The electors, friends, and supporters of Dr Lee will hold a public meeting to-morrow evening in the JDevonport Hall, in view of the forthcoming Waitemato election.

An entertainment of a varied and pleasing character will be given to-moirow evening in the hall of the Young Men's Christian Association in aid of its library. The first part will comprise dissolving views of Irish scenery by Mr. Dennes, with pianoforte accompaniments by Mr. Butsohkow, the Polish pianist. The second part will include musical selections and songs by Mrs Homer, Madame and Miss Moller. The famons song " The Mountebank " by Mr. Harding, '' My Village Home;" by Mr. Brinsden, and " Sweet Singing Birds" by Mr. Chapman. As the programme is good, and the object of the entertainment worthy of practical sympathy, the hall, no doubt, will be filled by interested listeners.

The electors of Maketu assembled in their schoo'-house on Tuesday evening last to hear the political opinions of Mr Woodward. Mr Donohoe, having been called to the chair, introduced the candidate in suitable terms to the meeting. Mr Woodward delivered an able address on the chief questions, of the day, and avowed himself a firm supporter of an Auckland policy under the leadership of Sir George Grey. Having answered many questions, a vote of confidence was proposed by Mr Callaghan, and carried unanimously.

We notice by circular that Mr David Goldie and other friends of progress, with the view of promoting and encouraging taste and habits of industry among the people, have determined to hold an horticultural exhibi tion in the Temperance Hall, Albert-street, on the lfith proximo. The idea is an excellent 1 one, and in imitation of similar shows in London, which have met with so much en couragement and success, and which have done so much good in various ways. We are glad to notice that Sir George Grey has promised to open the exhibition, as it is exactly in harmony with Sir George Grey's taste. Dr Home also, well known for his love of flowers, will exhibit on this occasion, but not for competition. Exhibitors must be mechanics or artizana whose hours of labour commence at eight in the morning; plants must have been grown in pots and have been in the possession of the exhibitor at least one month before the day of exhibition. Special prizes will be given to the children of the home and naval school for pot plants and vegetables. A gradual scale of prizes for different exhibits of plants, and flowers, and vegetables, according to their respective growth and beauty. Particulars of the projected exhibition can be had by intending competitors, of the Hon. Secretary, Mr Goldie, who will be glad to furnish every information in connection therewith.

The body of the Rev. J. C. Hoyne will be brought in to St. Patrick's Cathedral this evening at 8 o'clock, where it will remain until after the Solemn Requiem Mass, which will be celebrated at 10 o'clock to-morrow morning. Immediately after mass the funeral procession will be formed to accompany the remains of the deceased to the Roman Catholic Cemetery.

We have received a letter from Thomas Bullen, James Gardner, and Gustav Person, seamen on board the Star of the South, com plaining of the way they were treated on board that vessel, now performing the inter insular service at Fiji. Their chief causes of complaint are " bad food, and being kept working on Christmas Day and Sundays discharging cargo.

Captain Kails, of the ship City of Auck land, has done his best to mollify the disgust which is felt at Messrs Shaw, Saville and Co. withdrawing their annual cup from the Auck land Regatta. He has kindly presented the Committee with £5 towards the funds.

We understand that the members of the Hobson Band and their friends contemplate having a moonlight concert on the waters of the Waitemata to-morrow night, leaving the Queen-street Wharf about half-past seven o'clock. There' will be a display of fire works, Chinese lanterns, etc.

Mrs John Mason informs the public that she has taken the house in Jermyn-street, lately in the occupation of Judge Fenton, and will re-open her school there on the Ist proximo. ,

Owing to a variety of hindrances the concert to celebrate the opening of the New market Public Hall will be postponed to a future date, which will be duly announced. A meeting of trustees of the hall will take place to-morrow evening at 730 in the reading room.

Mr Sheehan's adjourned meeting to pro mote that gentleman's return to the new Parliament for the district of Rodney will be held this evening at the Temperance Hall, Albert-street. To-morrow evening the adjourned special meeting to promote the. return of Messrs Haralin and Lusk as mem bers for Franklin, will be held at the same place and hour.

A fire broke out last night in the shop window of Mr Herbert, next Mr Evitt's, Queen-street, through a lighted taper igniting a musiin curtain, which communicated with the other stock. Dr Turner and others, who were passing, rushed in, and with the aid of a plentiful supply of water from Mr Giles's tank the fire was extinguished, although not before considerable damage had been done to the stock, which was uninsured. Mr Superintendent Hughes and a number of the brigade mustered speedily, but their services were not required. We must, however, Btrongly condemn the hooting indulged in by a number of the crowd. Whatever may be said of the wisdom of the step recently been taken by the brigade, they ought not be subjected to the demonstrations such as last night. It was to their credit that they mustered so readily as they did under the circumstances, and a spirit of fair play at least ought to be extended to them.

WAIWEBA (Hot Springs). [PER PIGEON EXPRESS.] This day. Delightful breeze here ; relief from stifling heat of Auckland. Pleasant trip down. Great blending of visitors on arrival. Large turtle on hand from Fiji per Cyphrenes, gift of grateful invalid. Great preparations for 29th. Unusual attractions ; horse-racing and other sports. Turtle soup for dinner on anni versary of colony.

PHOToajtAPHio —R. H.Bartlett.begs to inform those of bis numerous customers who have beeq previously taken at his establishment, bnt whose Plates are not in bis possession, that they can be re-taken in the very best style, at the price of extra copiei 12a. per dozen.

Mr. Buckland and Sir George Grey.

AN OLD COLONIST GIVES HIS VIEW,

PRE-EMPTIVE PURCHASE AND NATIVE WAR.

To the EDITOR : Sir,—2 have been perfectly astounded by the report published in the Cross of Mr. William Suckland's attack, at the Franklin nomination, upon Sir George Gr"V It i 3 a matter of deep regret to me, as one who has .known Mr. Buckland during many changing times in this province to see that he should have allowed personal animus to lead him, I trust unknowingly, into state ments which are utterly opposed to fact. Mr Buckland sets out with an expression of admiration for C4overnor Fitzroy, and pro ceeds to condemn Sir George Grey for stop ping the purchase of lands by private specula tors from the natives. And in another part of his speech he says : "The war was the r'sult of the policy introduced by Sir George Grey." About the end of 1843 or beginning of 1844 I think it was, when Governor Fitzroy arrived, I was living at the Bay of Islands. There was then a very bitter feeling about the wholesale reductions that had been made by the Commissioners appointed under the Act of the New South Wales Legislature to examine claims to land purchased before the proclamation of the colony. These claims covered more land than has been acquired to the present day and would, if allowed, have placed colonisa tion entirely in the hands of a few not very clean hands. Governor Hobson dealt firmly with this question, and the grants were reduced to reasonable proportions, but soon after Governor Fitzroy had assumed office he yielded to the pressure of the greedy land-sharks —we have a good many specimens of the same genus in these days — and the evils which Governor Hobson had subdued were being rapidly re-created under Government encouragement when the out break of Hake's war, in 1845, brought things to a climax and Governor Fitzroy was pe remptorily recalled. Sir George Grey's first duty wasto put an end to a source of trouble which threatened to result in the massacre of the handful of settlers then in the province, and he did so, and the great body of settlers who were not benefitting by the sharking, approved of the step. The first war in New Zealand, then, was caused by Governor Fitz roy, of whooa Mr Buckland professes such an admiration, and a cordial peace which baa never since been broken North of Auckland was established by Sir George Grey. There were some rough customers her,e in those days and an indiscriminate right on their part to traffic with the natives for land was bound to lead to the trouble it did. When Mr Buck land, therefore, says that Sir George Grey caused the war in New Zealand, he says what, as I have shown with rega d to war No. 1, was absolutely false. The very system which Mr Buckland blames Sir George Grey for stopping had much to do with that war. Wiih regard to his other statements we shall presently see that they are equally untrue, and it seems extraor dinary that an old settler like Mr Buckland should not have known them to be bo. From 1845 to 1853 Sir George Grey continued Governor of New Zealand, and there was no collision at a time when we were completely i at the mercy of the natives, and had no sops of flour and sugar to bribe them with. Sir George Grey left the colony then, and not until eight years afterwards, in 18G0, was it that war broke out, in Taranaki, fomented from Waikato, through the policy of Governor Gore Browne which was an exact type of Governor Fitzroy's and diametrically opposed to that of Sir George Grey. As one who haa suffered a good deal more than Mr Constable or Mr Buckland through native mismanagement, I say that had Sir George Grey remained here, the relations with the natives would have continued cor dial, and there never would have been a war. The re-appointment of Sir George Grey to endeavour to pacify the country, and his welcome by the settlers, shewed what they and the Imperial Government thought of his previous policy, and whether they held him accountable for the war. The statement is perfectly absurd, and I am surprised that it was not contradicted by many present when it was made.

NEW ZEALAND COMPANY'S DEBT AND LAND FUND.

But Mr Buckland's assertion with regard to the New Zealand Company's claim, is still more extraordinary. He says:— " By-and-bye a constitution was granted to New Zealand, but the New Zealand' Co m had large influence in the House of Commons, and they bargained that £200,000 should be paid to them in pursuance of the arrangement of granting the new Constitu tion Act, and that one-half of the proceeds of the sale should go iv liquidation of the claims of this company." Now, the Act of the Imperial Parliament, which created the New Zealand Company's claim of £268,370 upon the colony was " the Colonization Act 1847," and had nothing whatever to do with the granting of a Constitu tion. Indeed Earl Grey's Constitution of 1846 had been withdrawn as unsuitable long before the New Zealand Company obtained any lien over the lands of the colony, and no other constitution was framed until 1852, when the present one was adopted, that was five years after the New Zealand Company's claim had received the sanction of the Imperial Parliament. The Act which created this political job specified that the £268,370 should only become a liability in the event of the New Zealand Company surrendering its charter and hand ing over the lands it had acquired in the colony. The object was to give the company a friendly hand out of its difficulties, and for the sake of appearances the assets of the com pany in land were accepted as a quid pro quo. It is true this agreement was confirmed by the Constitution Act of 1852, but otherwise it had no connection whatever *with the constitution. When the company surren dered its charter and wished to enforce the terms of its claim under the Colonisation Act, 1847, upon certain money lying to the credit of Auckland from land sales (not £45,000 ; Mr Buckland is evidently running his head against Auckland's first provincial loan), Sir George Grey risked Imperial cen sure by refusing to pay over money in satisfaction of a claim which he contended was iniquitous and obtained through corrupt means. The matter was in this unsettled state when Sir George Grey left the colony in 1853, directly after the new Constitution had been placed in working order, and before the first session of the Assembly under it, which was convened by Colonel Wynyard in May, 1854. Mr Back land, according to the Cross report, said, " Sir George Grey then said the land fund shall be localised, and the £45,000 shall be given to Auckland, and shall not go to the fund for liquidating these . claims. After some weeks of talk, a proposal was made by Messrs Sewell and Whitaker, that half a million of money should be borrowed, that the £45,000 should be refunded, and that £95,000 should be expended in the purchase of land to make a colonial estate in this island, £200,000 out of the £500,000 being paid to the New Zealand Land Company." Why, as I have shown, Sir George Grey had left the colony before the first meeting of the Assembly, and did not return again for eight years, and the mode of settling the New Zealand Company's claim, which Sir George Grey had resisted in toto, was made by the New Zealand Legislature in 1856, three years afterwards, and constitutes what is known as the "compact of 1856." Again, I think it will be admitted that I have shown Mr Buckland to be either grossly ignorant of the facts, or guilty of a perver sion of them, which is the reverse of credit able.

GRASS GROWING IN AUCKLAND

There are two other charges made by Mr Buckland against Sir George Grey. He Mid:—" If we cut the punter and cast

ourselves adrift from the Middle Island, we shall have simply stagnation. It "a™.™ simply the fulfilment of the P^Phe^ ft W^ C n h Sir George Grey made in 1858 tG the pen sioners of Howick—that they would 8e» wie grass growing in the streets of Auckland. This is another of those reckless statements which a man in a state of irritation may give utterance to. Mr Dargaville,_ it will be remembered, first promulgated it in his Su perintend ental address, when Sir George Grey gave it an emphatic denial, which was published at the time. Mr Bnckland has chosen to repeat it. and he is bound to give his authority, or accept a very false and unenviable position. It is hardly necessary for me to point oat that Sir George Grey was not in New Zealand in 185S, that he had not been here for five years before, nor did he arrive until three years afterwards. As one likely to have heard of it if such an unlikely statement had been made, I say—l do not believe it, The only other charge made by Mr Buckland waa the one concern ing Colonel Nixon's defence force. Of that I have no personal knowledge, but seeing that Sir George Grey could have no possible mo tive in obstructing the granting of land by the General Government, and looking to the tissue of mis-statements which I have just gone through, I teel perfectly satisfied that I am estimating it at its right value in classing it with the rest.—l am, etc., An Old CoiiON ist, and One Who Loves the Truth.

SIR JULIUS VOGEL.

To the Editor of the Evening Star. Sir, We hear that Sir Julius Vogel is not to come on from Melbourne to New Zealand at once but will go to Sydney to transact business there. Now I think it is getting unbearable, and time this farce was played out. It is cool enough to have a Minister drawing his four or tive thousand a year in expenses and salary and doing little or nothing for it, but to have a Private Secre tary costing another £700 or £800 at least, dancing attendance on him all the time is too bad in £tbese days, when Ministers find it necessary to stop our capitation and goldfields revenue to make up deficiencies. Let the Franklin electors think of it and see they strengthen the hands of the man who has so nobly set himself to put these crooked things straight.—Yours, &c, Pukekohe.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R. M.)

POOR 808,

Poor Bob got drunk through drinking far too much, And founa himself in Andrew's able clutch.

Robert Barras was brought up on a charge of being mad drunk last night in the neigh bourhood of Newton, where he was dis covered by the light of the rising moon by Constable Clarke.

Robert was fined 5s and costs. FRANK AND TOM.

Francis Dudedat was charged with assault ing Thomas Vassefc on the 12th inst. by throwing a basin at his head. Prisoner did not remember the circum stances, but would plead guilty as he was quite drank, and was capable of anything when in that state. Fined 203 and costs, or seven days' impris onment. JOHNNY'S RETURN FROM EDEN. John B. Smyth, on warrant, was charged with using abusive and threatening language towards his lawful wife, Catherine Smyth, on the 11th inst.

Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Mrs Smyth, a lady-like person, deposed that her husband since his return had been continually drunk, and the night before last he knocked her down several times ; he had only only just come out of prison, and in consequence of his drunkenness for the last nineteen years, her life was indeed miserable; she wished for a protection order to save her from his violence ; he threatened yesterday to wash his hands in her blood ; she went in fear os her life.

Prisoner said his wife would not get him his tea ; she threw clothes at his head. Mr Moore, a compositor, of Symonds street, was in Wellesley-street when the disturbance took took place ; his attention was attracted by cries of murder ; two men were preventing Smyth from striking his wife.

Edwin Odium deposed that prisoner struck his wife, and also witness's wife ; he was very violent, and when witness appeared in defence of the woman, Smyth threatened to have his entrails out.

Mr Broham said that numbers of witnesses could be procured to shbw the violent character of the accused on the occasion.

John Smyth then addressed the court, and said he had been away from home for some time, and he found his wife in company with a lot of gossiping women ; when she knocked him .inso a corner, and' said, ' get along, Johnny, I won't own you,' and then there was a rumpus; in short his wife was a regular tyrant j he did threaten to hit Odium if Odium hit him firßt; he was a hard-work ing man, and no one coald speak against his character ; his wife should have been in the box instead of him, for she it was who struck him instead of his striking her, she was the tyrant and he the hapless victim. His Worship said that if the man's state ment was true the case should be remanded for proof. It was finally remanded until Saturday for the appearance of prisoner's witnesses. BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. James Knox Grant, was summoned for that he did commit a breach of the Licensing Act, by selling liquor on the 6th instant, at the Occidental Hotel, Vulcan Lane. Mr Hesketh appeared for defendant, and pleaded guilty, but, although in possession, Mr Grant had not got the transfer of the license from Mr Johnson, and for this, and other circumstances, he would ask for the leniency of the Court. The Court imposed a fine of £5 and costs, 19s.

Mr Broham said he hoped the Court would take into cognizance of these offences as they are becoming very common and should be put a stop to. EDUCATION RATE DEFAULTERS. iAt this stage of the proceedings, Mr Beal i appeared in Court with a new copy of Letts' Diary for 1876, under his arm, which con tained several hundred names of Education Kate defaulters. About sixty of these were called but did not answer, and the cases were adjourned until the 3rd February. Mr Beal intimated that the list would be considerably lengthened by that date. His Worship said that he should not be surprised to see half the populatioa at Court on that day. Mr Beal seemed to think such a scene probable, by a smile and a shrug of the shoulders. WARS AND HUMOURS OF WARS. Bessie Nicholson, alias the Queen of West \ Queen-street, was charged with violently punching the head of Bessie Stanley, alias Lady Drinkwater; and Bessie Stanley was charged with threatening to take the nose out of the full round face of the Queen of West Queen-street. Mr Laishley appeared for Bessie Nicholson, and Mr Joy for Bessie Stanley. Mr Laiahley said the pummelling arose out of a small account between the parties, and he would ask for an adjournment of both cases. Mr Joy said his client had no objection, and as pounds, shillings, and pence formed the principal element in the row, there was a possibility of it being settled. Remanded until Saturday. THK GRACES AND MRRRIGANS. These cases arose out of a general dis turbance among the Graces and Merrigans who were neighbours. William Grace was charged with assault ing Margaret Merrigan, by striking her between the two eyes and knocking, her down. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Johanna Grace wm charged with throwing

a formidable stone at Thomas Merrigan, which struck him full on the nose, causing it to bleed profusely. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mary and Thomas Merrigan, were charged with assaulting William Grace, the latter ■vvlti* knocking him down and jumping on him ant* the former with nearly biting off his thumb, £nd causing him intense snffer iner. . , .... Prisoners pleadea not gml..y. Mr Laiahley said he appeared for the Merriflans, and Mr Zo? appeared for the Graces. , Mr Joy : Not the sacred nine. Thomas Merrigan, settler of Mount .A-den, deposed that he remembered the row wJuto took place on the evening of the 3rd in&'t, he was wailing outside of his garden gate, watching the beautiful sunset, and waiting for the appearance of the Evening Star, saw his wife and two children coming m the dis tance, when two bull dogs flew at his wife and children; then stones were thrown at them. Margaret turned round and wished the Graces to keep his big dogs off the children. William Grace immediately burst out like a fury, and said, "who the - — are you; he immediately dropped the STAR in a bunch of geraniums, .and rushed forward asking William Grace, if- he in tended to commit murder, when turned upon him, knocked him »ow°' saying, Tom, you unphilosophical Irish man. I'll settle you, and put you do** among the dead men." He then jumped upon him, and kicked him m the side. Grace's boots were not dancing pumps, but, heavy bluchers with iron toe-plates. Grace then struck his wife between the two eyes, and she fell as one dead upon the earth. B& kicked her when down. A man named Mc- Adam came up at the moment and saved her life. While he was being assisted to hia feet he was struck heavily on the head with a stone from the hand of Johanna Grace. He did not insult the Graces. They threatened, to put him in the river Styx ; did not know that locality. The Graces swore they wwild kill him. He went to Dr Hooper. (A certificate was handed in from Dr Hooper respecting the nature of the injuries he had received). To Mr Joy: The assault was committed m the cool of the evening, the moon was rising a* the time ; there were several people about, he was not at the gate of the Grace's with a big stone in his hand, did not shy at the Grace's, nor did his wife have a fling at William Grace's eye. Margaret Merrigan was next examined, and gave corroborative evidence in every par ticular ; neither her nor her husband gave any provocation to the Graces. The witness was subjected to a loDg cross examination by Mr Joy. Ellen Merrigan, an intelligent little girl of sen, deposed that she went to school, and was acquainted with the commandments, knew that she must not " bear false witnesa against her neighbour," and that she must " not take the name of the Lord in vain." She was then examined as to the facts of the disturbance, which differed in no material points from the statement of the preced ing witnesses. William McAdam deposed that he lived in Auburn Cottage, Mount Eden Road, and on the 3rd of January, between seven and eight o'clock, he was sitting down reading " Handy Andy," when he heard the barking of dogs and ran from the verandah to ascer tain the cause ; saw William Grace and the Merrigans all of a heap struggling and kick ing ; Merrigan was undermost; he then tried to pull Grace off, got him away, and then tried to pacify him; saw Mrs. Grace strike Mr. Merrigan with a stone ; saw her pick it up and deliberately cast it at hia head ; he told Mrs. Grace it was too bad, it was a graceless act; when she snatched up another and it whistled by hishead, and just touched his ear. There appeared to be a row between the Merrigans and Graces, but did not see that the Merrigans had provoked the Graces. Had known all the parties as neigh bours for two years, and had no cause of complaint against them. This was the evidence of the case in favor of the Merrigans.

William Grace, was aworn, and depoßed that he resided in Kyber Pasß Road, and on the 3rd of January in the evening, he was at Mrs Merrigan's house, it was dusk, she waa at home, some of the Merrigan's were on the verandah, and was in the act of throwing stones at his mother, he expostulated, and Thomas Merrigan picked up a stone and flung it at him as he stood by his mother's gate, he also called me a hog, and other swinish names, and that he would release him of his brains; he then faced him and collared him ; he then struck him on the head, and gave him a "buster" with a stone, believed Merrigan meant to have his life; he levelled him at the same time, Mrs Merrigan immediately bit him by the thumb. He thought it was clatte gone. Had dogs, but did not set them at the Merrigans.

His Worship : I really cannot understand the witness

', Mr Joy : Nor I, your Worship, I have lived in Ireland many years but cannot under stand Mr Grace's Irish. : C

Witness continued : Did not swear, always discreet in language ; never swore. Did not attack either the man or the woman; he certainly did knock Merrigan down, but that was in self defence. Never threatened to strangle Tom ; would not do such a thing. To Mr Laishley : Did not know whether McAdam was there, but he was present. He knew he knocked down Merrigan for hia impertinence, and they were very soon in a heap, all the blessed lot on 'em. Did not

know who was on top nor who was at bottom.

Johanna Grace, an eleerly lady, deposed that she remembered the row. Merripan and his wife and children were throwing stones at her place. She was angry at the proceed ings, and did throw a stone at Merrigan, but was not sure that she struck him. She saw Merrigan with his hands extended, swearing that he would take the brains out of her son Bill. Mrs Merrigan also struck Bill with a stone, and the.next day Bill's eye was as black as a crow's back ; he gave Merrigan no " pro vikation ;" it was a terrible sight, all top of one another ; she made sure Bill was killed, being a little fellow. Margaret Smith deposed that she knew the Merrigans and the Graces ; William Grace was her uncle ; the Merrigans were throwing stones at her uncle's house, and he swore he would blow her uncle's brains out, at the same time holding up a great stone ; did not suppose that a stone could do it. Counsel having addressed the Court, William Grace was fined £3, and Johanna Grace £1. Costs in both cases £12 13s 6d.

INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star) Sir,—Delightful as it most be to the share- : holders of insurance companies to receive dividends at the rate of I^4 per cent is it necessary there should be some limit. How ~,'','; very pleasing it wouid be to the struggling /l premium-payers >to see a redaction ct the present excessively high rates of Insurance, arranged by combination, but hardly warranted by circumstai* s. Yours, Ac., Insurer.

mte iflnsimra ma% ttHcmsDAf, jaxvam 13, m$



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[Advertisement. ] WAITEMATA ELECTORATE. (To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir,—As somebody; liberally minded, no doubt, is very ingeniously trying to circulate a report that Dr. Lee is going to retire in favour of Mr J. S. Maofarlane in the forth coming contest, I beg emphatically to deny that Dr. Lee ever held out any such hope to any one, it being his intention to go. to the poll whatever the result.—Yours, &c, An Elector.