SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER— 11318I 1318 AfTkrnoon, 8.22 S tt« q-Tg. „,, . \JO-MORKOW MOEVISO, 8.3S MUOJSTS AGJC-LMtqwrVrtHtb, 4 pm

ARRIVALS.

£arv m j -ii ' • '«foner, Hopkins, from Napier Sa Sooner, Urqukart, from New Oala-

DEPARTURES.

TMPOUTS. Per Lock Fergus from London : C bales.—Henry Brett (Eve-ing Star). JO crates.—ft. Arthur. 65 caßks.—Owen k Graham, 2 p.;ses,-Ireland Tiros. 47 packages. 204 rails, 100 boses, 146 plates, 58 kegs, .->ll bundles, 1 had, 3 tierces. 3 cases, 7 casks.—ifi Por ter and Co.

2? s ' 7 boxes, 4 bales, 40 kegs, 4 casks, 70 barrels v Damage", 10 cases T. &S. Moriin. i C 9 ses.—Proprietor of Herald.

EXPORTS.

«r Taupo. for the South: 3 cases vestas, 1 cas» £iue. Ido saddlery,! do childrens" toy mug 3, J& n( j H Isaacs.

The FcTiooner Wary Melville arrived last night from STew C*led->nia. She left Auckland for Noumea at 4 pm nn sth August with li?ht south wind, which was carried as far as the Worth Cape on thi} Ytb, whon the wind backed to "W and N, and inr;; ease ci to a gale on the 9th. On th* 10th the wirrl veered round to the e«t On the 11th it veew* to the north, and then fright round to 8¥ at £ pm _ when it increased to a temfic ea'e with h-; n CoD f U3e( j sea . At ipm the gale attuned, such v ((llence that the ~h i p wa3 hardly able to . ? w r .-«vass ; one sea broke on board doing con swe'ab'-„ flama^e. Towards morning on the 12th the W*le oroke in latitude 30° 48' S.. longitude 173" 43 V W. irom thence to Nonmea, which was reached on the 20th, had light variable winds. Left Noumea on the 2Cth August, and experienced lights to »W winds till 2nd instant, when the wind freshnnrd to a gale from VY S"W lasting 24 hou-s shin making 210 miles in that time. Mghted Poor Kn'ght< at Bam on the sth, and arrived at midnight ssme dute. The schooner Minnie Hare bring 3 a cargo of timber pfleo from Ngnncnrn. The cntter Sovereign of the Seas, has arrived with a «R.rgo of Wangarei roal The schooner McGregor arrived In harbour from "N"»pJer in ballast th's moraine The p sisee hss oc cupied 13 divs. And hss been charactered by a suc cession of westerly galas. The «chooner - phemy, noc'Trting to a cablegram received vi* Sydney by tiio Herald, 1»U Anla (Banv>;i) on the 27ih July for*the Friendly Islands en route for Auckland.

The b»rqae Crownthorpe i 3 to be hauled up on the west side of the whurf, in the position lately filled by the Bebinpton for ths s'me purpose, namely—to have her bott m scraped ar/d painted. The Southern Cross took the following passengers to Napier, starting yesterday afternoon : — Mrs and Misses (1) Turner, M-s Jones, Mr Shaw and family. The schooners Elsinore and Gem bring cargoes of coal from Kusse 1

The Steam Packet licences issued by the Provincial Treasurer were gazetted yesterday in favour of Charles Kaspar. ss ' Minnie C*ser:" John 'Waflft, Innncn ' Alert;' Argus Ross es 'Quickstep j'TMward Btephen son, ss ' \rgvlc ;' Henry Miller, ps ' "Intcrprisß Ko. 2 ;' WilliaißTFirquhav. s's 't)iuhatn ;' Charles Kaspar, ps ' Annie Millbank;' D iniel SeUr.r«. ss ' Bowena ;' A. D McriillivrHy. ;;3 ' Go-A-head ;' Charles Hekn «ler. ' Pret.<y j aDe .. {T O lmes, ss ' Southern Cross ;' 1 • Burningham, ps ' Ruby.'

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs Cochrane and Son held a sale of valuable paintings, oleographs, and photo graphs to-day. Many of the paintings were very handsome, and in massive gilt frame*,, Those that were sold realised satisfactory prices ; the others were passed.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £1S ss. Thames Gas— Sellers, 26s New Zealand Insurance—Buyers, 78a : sellers, 80s. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile—9os. Palmerston - Buyers, 3s ; sellers, 4s. Waitekauri—Buyers, 19a ; sellers, 203. Union Beach—sss, 56a; buyers, 553; sellers, 57s 6d. Tokatea Buyers, 10s 3d ; sellers, 11s. Royal Oak- Buyers, 4s ; sellers. 4s 9d. Bank of Eagland. 2s 3d, 2s lOd ; buyers, 2s 7d ; sellers, 23 10J. Welcome-103 6d ; sellers, 11s. Joseph Newman, Chairman. Messrs J. B. Morpeth, Charles Alex ander, Robert Frater, J. Mowbray, T. L. White, J. Friar Clarke, A. Saunders, D. B. Orchard.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND

Hails will close as under: — For Thames this day at 5 30 pm, and to-morrow at 12 30 pm For Coromandel on Friday next at 2 30 pm For Tar»naki, Sonthern Provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Taupo, to-morrow at 8 am For Waiwera, Kawau, and Matakana, per Anne Mil bank, to-morrow at 10 am For Napier and Gisborne, per Pretty Jane, to morrow at 3 pm For Australian colonies, per Llewellyn, on Saturday at 11 am Hails for India, China, Mediterranian Ports, Conti nent of Hurope, and United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for letters specially so addressed), and vi<t Brindiii, will be made np per Hawea, on Monday, 18th instant. For Gisbon-e, Napier, and Southern provinces, per City of Sydney, four htfars after arrival Higned) S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

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

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1876

?or the cfcuse that lacks assKUnc«, For tlir wionf thst sired', resistance, For the future in ilic distance, And flic XOO& that we zaj- uo.

The debate on the Agent-Generalship has resulted curiously. Mr Andrew's precipitancy in proposing an adverse motion was induced by a desire to forestall Mr Rolleston, and the Opposition has retaliated by refusing to recognise the appointment as a party ques tion. At an Opposition caucus yesterday, it was resolved that members should follow their inclinations in the division, and Mr Stout gave effect to this determination by moving as an amendment " the previous question," with the object of avoiding any direct vote on the issue before the House, leaving Ministerial existence dependent upon some broader question of policy. Otago members, recalling no doubt the friendly associations of many years, display a generous sympathy for the ex-Premier. And if less kindly sentiments animate Auckland citizens, we have no difficulty in tracing the cause in the unjust as well as unwise and reckless administration of a great colo nial policy. Some of the reasons given by Sir Julius Vogel's friends for supporting the appointment possess the merit of originality, if not otherwise very forcible. Mr Donald Reid, according to a Press Agency message, defended the course pursued by the Government " because Sir Julius Vogel was too expensive a man for the colony." In plainer terms, Mr Reid considered it a very good way of getting rid of him. To Mr Rolleston's mind the expensiveness of the ex-Premier was the best reason why the colony could not afford him as Agent-General. "He it was,' said Mr Rolleston " who beguiled members first from the simplicity of their ways, and demoralised the House." Mr Reader Wood entered into a complete and caustic review of Sir Julius Vogel's past career, as furnish ing the best proof of his unfitness for the office of Agent-General. Step by step he might have traced him from the moment of landing in the Colony, carrying success by sheer audacity, fertility of expedient, and indifference to the character of the means employed in gaining his ends. Bouncing the directors of the Otago Daily Times vato giving him a lucrative appoint ment ; as Provincial Treasurer of Otago, raising and lavishly spending every penny ;hat could be realised from the Crown Lands ; leaving that province in a financial muddle to pursue the same policy on an ex tended scale in the Colonial Parliament; retaining place and power by perpetnal appeals to the self-interest of individual representatives and of whole districts, and by a facility in sacrificing colleagues and political faith ; subordinating every principle of true statesmanship to the one controlling -insideration of political expediency; we eVi*vwhere see in Jalius Vogel the same char- as are exhibited in the politician

who now,|flnding that his magician's rod has lost its power, would fain seize upon the remaining flesh-pot, and transplant him self to other scenes. The ex-Pre« mier possesses ample ability of a kind, but no single element of truo greatness. His administration has been disingenuous, accomplishing its purpose by tricks even where a straightforward honourable policy would have provec! equally successful. That New Zealand has benefited by the extra ordinary impetus given to colonizing effort through the expenditure of twelve million sterling within & fev1? years, wo freely admit; it 5s impossible that fc'ie result could have been otherwise while the money was in ~" , , . What we have to de^ 1- , , .. - is the lost oppor tunity for b" , ... .. J -ending up that prosperity on a \ Immanent basis; the creation of a drain exceeding a. million sterling yearly, upon the industrial resources of a small community ; and the encouragement of a wasteful and demoralising spirit in the conduct of public affairs. We must not lose sight of the fact that Sir Julius Vogel's acceptance of the Agent-Generalship is expressly a first step towards the severance of his connection with the colony for ever. This is not what we should expect from one who professes a boundless faith in tho future of the colony, and who has enjoyed the sunshine of its prosperity. His most reason able return for tho confidence that has been placed in him, would be a cordial assist ance in meeting the threatened adversity. If public life is inconsistent with attention to a man's own affairs, the sphere of a private settler is still open. So far as the vacant Agent-Generalship is concerned, the course taken by the Ministry in appointing Sir Julius Vogel, for a limited period and with stnngenfc restrictions against extrava sance, may be partially justified by Mr D. Reid's theory ; but in accepting it, under existing circumstances, the ex-Premier i s guilty of an acfc that would damage the repu tation of any statpsman,

On board the Loch Fergus from London, which is coming up harbour as we go to press, are two splendid stallions for the Waikato district. One of these is the tboroneh-bred racer named Feve, six years old, by Lord Clifton out of Harricot by Lanereosr-, and the other is a powerful and well-bred entire for agricultural pur poses. It is of the Clydesdale breed, and combines the very best strains ot blood. Feve was shipped by Sir James Ferguson, and is consigned to Mr Ferguson, of Gorton, near Cambridge. The Clydesdale is for Messrs E. McLean and Co., of Cambridge.

We are informed that another instance was afforded a few days ago of the unreason able charges made on the Anckland and Mercer railway. A lady getting out at Papakura station left her umbrella in the train. Ascertaining her loss, she left a mes sage to be sent on to Mercer, asking that the article might bo sent back. She recovered her property, but had to pay six shillings and sixpence before the umbrella was restored to her. We are likewise informed by a prominent railway official that if such a charge has been made it will be refunded, as it is wrong.' "W c should think it was.

A very choice painting, representing an English landscape at noon, is on view for a few days at the shop of Messrs Phillips and Sons, Queen-street. The features of the scene are nicely delineated ; the leaves of the oaks, the kine in the shadows, the windmill in the sunny disbance, the summer sky, and the white fleecy clouds are in exact harmony, and suggestive of happy recollections. The painter, Mr Evans, has reached his seventieth year, and still employs his leisure in the study of nature with all the enthusiasm of a young artist, and his latest picture evidences the old world truth, that the " happy heart never grows old."

The rapid advance of the Southern States of the American Republic in wealth and civilization since the emancipation of the blacks, annihilates, another delusion that the continuation of a great wrong can be necessary for the accomplishment of any substantial good. Mr Watson, First Secre tary of Legation at Washington, reporting upon this advancement says : IThe " mean whites," no longer maintained by the great planters, have taken to work, and comfort is so diffused that the import of manufactures from the North is four times what it was before the war ; while the produce of cotten haß again risen to 3,800,000 bales, with every prospect of increase. The negroes are as a body, amassing money—though of course, many of them "loaf in the cities." and become a public nuisance—and Mi Wat son believes that they will ultimately become a conservative class in the community. .Northerners, moreover, are turning their at tention to the South for purposes of commerce and fruit cultivation, especially the cultiva tion of oranges in Florida, has become unex pectedly profitable. It is stated that the orange gardens, when in full beating, " yield from 1000 to 2,500 per cent per acre," the land being cheap, but little labour required, and the demand quite limitless. Fruit ought to be the staple production of our own West India Islands.

The rumours of the Emperor of Russia's abdication are again becoming prevalent. Should the Czar resign his throne it will be owing rather to a failure of his mental than his bodily powers. For years past it has been a very open secret to all who were ever so little behind the scenes, that the gravest fears for his Majesty's sanity were enter tained by his family. The dread of assassi natton, always strong with Alexander 11., has of late years grown into something very like a monomania, and the recent prolonged crisis in the East, and its ..consequent anxie ties, has naturally done much to develop the Czar's mental maladies. A knowledge of the slender hold of its present occupant on the throne of all the iiuasias, and the well-knnwn French proclivities of the Czarewitch, has probably not a little to do with the increasing coldness of Prince Bis marck towards Russia, and the touching unanimity with which the German papers praise the policy of this country in the East. — World.

The following answer to a correspondent under the head of " Etiquette" appears in the ourrent number of the Queen :—"Naughty Puss : For management of party see article in current number. You cannot ask gentlemen without their wives, and you most certainly cannot ask the latter without a previous in troduction. It is not usual to ask gentle men, especially those whom you know so slightly, to bring their friends who are an known to you." It is to be hoped this will meet the eye of the young lady's mamma, that she will give her daughter a severe lecture on her impropriety, and that the party will be put a stop to. Asking gentle men without their wives, indeed ! Naughty puss, I am ashamed of you ! The quarterly meeting of the Auckland Branch of the Hibernian Benefit Society, will be held, at half-past seven o'clock this evening in St Patrick's Hall.

An alarm was raised laafc evening that a fire had broken out in the usually qaiet Vincent-street, leading from Cook to Pitt street. A rush was made towards the spot indicated, when it was found to be only a chimney on fire, which a few buckets of water soon extinguished, and within half-an hour from the time of the outbreak—six o'clock—the street had resumed its wonted tranquility.

At the Harbour Board meeting yesterdny afternoon a matter cropped up which interests particulary two very important sections of our community, namely, the shipping connec tion, and the frequenters of the Breakwater Baths. The subject was mooted in a motion being brought forward by Mr D. H. McKen zie : "That notice bo given to the lessee of the Saltwater Baths intimating that the site is required by the Board for DUblic purposes." It seems that for some time past negotia tions have been going on for erecting a patent slip on the site of tho baths, which is said to be the only suitable place. The necessity for some such convenietif-- " shipping "has been fully -■' ■ "_° ™r fmr on the other h" " '- -«RttGwledged, but bath" ' --*mi the necessity for public — «s noknowlerJgecl, and also the right of the present proprietor to compensation if disturbed. The baths were originally carried on by a company, but the shareholders some years ago conveyed their interests to Mr ttilditch, Who holds a kind of permissive lease from the Board. This gentleman does not feel disposed to state what consideration he requires for giving up the site ; but baa referred the negotiators to Mr whitakei-, his solicitor. The Board te coErnises the propriety of keeping up the baths, and have, we believe, intimated their willingness to grant Mr Hilditch another site, and to contribute £200 towards the re-erec tion of the bath-buildirgs. As we under stand the matter, it was in consequence of this offer not being accepted that Mr Mc- Kenzie brought up his motion as a moans of bringing the matter to an issue. The general opinion of the members present at the meet ing wns that the time was inopportune for passing such a resolution, as the summer is coming on, when the baths will be in great demand. Mr Kissuing warned the Board that if they deprived the public of the baths for the summer they would raise a "howl" against theniaelvcs, and moved as an amend ment that the matter be referred to the Endowment Commitfcfle to report upon. This course wag finally adopted, the original motion being negatived. Mr Holdship made a very good suggestion when he said that before the lessee should be moved ,some guaranttee should be go!; that the work of building the slip should be carried out. There is now little probability of any steps being taken till the autumn.

The monthly inspection of the Artillery No. 3. and Scottish companies will be held in the drill-shed to-morrow (Thursday) eveniner, at half-past seven, in full dress uniform. As this ia the first inspection of the present volunteer year, in full dress, every member ia requested to be present ; the artillery to parade with carbines and accoutrements.

The entertainment at the Provincial Luna tic Asylum last evening was a success. The Hibernian Band performed the " Blush Rose" waltz with creat credit. Songs were sung by Messrs H. Dean, .T. Teague, and J. McLean. Mr E. Glair's equilibrium peiformances pro duced much merriment ; also. Master Clair's Irish representations. The Clair Bros, gave the " Happy Irish Couple." The whole con cluded with a farce, "The Demon of the Woods," and altogether the entertainment was successful, reflecting credit upon the manager and performers.

Mr William Cam, of York Terrace, New ton, writes expatiating very warmly upon the benefit his child has received under treatment by Mr Martinson.

Wholesale licenses for the city have been issued to the following merchantg :—Brown Campbell and Co. ; Brown, Campbell and Co. for Golden Crown Brewery ; Cruickshank and Co. ; Thomas Fordyce ; Henderson and Macfarlane ; E. and H. Isaacs ; F. Kummer and Co. : Lewis Brothers ; J. S. Macfarlane and Co. ; Thomas Lindsay Macky ; H. S. Meyers and Co. ; John 0. Morrin ; L. D. Nathan and Co ; Owen, and Graham ; John Reid ; Ryan, Bell and Co. ; R. Whitson and Sons ; Frank Winter.

Anecdotes concerning the Prince's Indian tour continue to crop up at the clubs Here is one, which proves that his Royal Highness can detect a "cad," and knows how to reprove him when detected. It will be recollected that the Heir Apparent distributed medallions pretty freely as keepsakes to the notabilities he met on his trip. Those medallions were made'of silver. One was given to Colonel X a well-known cavalry officer. Next day he appeared with his medallion dangling from his watch-guard, but the medallion was silver gilt. The Prince was quick to observe it, and approaching the colonel, said to him, in a tone of playful irony, loud enough to be heard by all present, " Ah, X., so you have corrected my oversight. Yoh knew you deserved a golden memento ; but t'wouldn't run to it, old man. Still, it is hardly delicate of yon to remind me of my poverty." X , blushed ; and he blushes still when a dis cussion on pinchbeck, aluminium, and kindred imitations is innocently got np at mesa.

Barlow's Circus will be opened this evening in the Market Reserve, exactly at eight o'clock, to which children will be admitted at half pi ice. The exhibition, still fresh in the memory of those who witnessed it on a former occasion, will scarcely need a discrip tion of the scenes. They will remember the fairy ponies, the trained horses, the educated dogs, the learned monkeys, young Roma, and Bernard, the grimaldian. clown. The canvas wiogß of Barlow's Circus will open for the reception of the public at half-past seven. The Circus will finally close on Saturday evening, after a sojourn of four nights. " Skelly " is suffering a serious relapse under the prevailing epidemic. In the hope of effecting a perfect cure, we publish his morceau, and commend him to the care of his friends :— "Waste not a single smile. On such a heartless form ; Think of the heart you leave, To break and leave forlorn. Kiches bring not grey, When the heart ia not along, Think nel my love, Before this heart is gone. Several members of the cattle show committee met yesterday at Mr A. Buck land's office, and after some discussion on the beat; place for holding the proposed Show, the meeting was adjourned until Friday afternoon, the committee promising to look out in the meantime.

ARRIVAL OF THE Loch Fergus from London.

The clipper barque Loch Fergus arrived from London this afternoon, after a passage of 98 days. She Is a powerful looking iron vessel one year old. ''he was built at Glasgow, and belongs to Messrs D. and G. Sproat of Liverpool. Her dimensions are as follows : Length, 202 ft lin, breadth, 33ft 2in depth of hold, 18ft 7in. She comes with a large general cargo, and is con signed to the New Zealand Shipping Co. Some live stock is on board in the shape of two fine stallions.

AUSTRALIAN CABLEGRAMS.

[press agency],

Nemesis Winner of the Metro politan. SYDNEY.—THIS DAY. The RandwiGk races were run yesterday. Cokinthian Cup.—Apology, 1; Leonard, 2; Hybla, 3. Metropolitan Stakes. — Nemesis, 1 ; Rataplan, 2 ; Irish Stew, 3. Large prices are being given at the annnal ram sale. There were several purchases made on New Zealand account. Newminster is in a very bad condition. It is expected he will be scratched. This will' be quite a haul for the bookmakers, as he was largely backed, especially for the double event, the Derby and the Cup.

Exciting Scene.

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.

About eight o*clock this morning. Mrs La thorpe, who does the washing for the captain and officers of the ahip Sam Mendel> was going On board the vessel where she lies at fche end of the wharf, when the gangway plank which had beep insecurely fastened gave way, and precipitated her into the water between the w£ krf) an d the ship. The woman s iltQ ftg « n i mm i ne nt danger, more pavfciotilariy from the fact that when Bhe rose £o the surface her clothes had got round her head so that suffocation was threatened in a twofold way. At the right moment, however, a lumper named Thomas Fry came to the rescue. Without a moments hesita tion, after seeing the position of affairs, be stripped off his jacket and dropped himself into the water. On reaching the struggling woman, Fry supported her, and at the same time very cleverly succeeded in freeing her head, from the'clothes. He next caught the plank which had fallen in with the woman and made use of it for the purpose of keep ing both himself and his burden afloat. Another man now appeared and endeavoured to lend his aid in rescuing the woman. With the most praiseworthy intentions, the effect of his endeavours was not good, for he over turned the plank, and both man and woman were once more in an awkward predicament. By this time, however, Mr Lenders, the wharfinger, had got some ropes from the vessel, and a life-buoy from the wharf, which he threw to the immersed persons. Happily they were caught, and the line being secured to the woman, she was hauled up. The whole occurrence did not occupy more than five minutes. Too much praise cannot be given to Fry for his courage and promptitude. We understand that he has distinguished himself in like manner three or four times before—once in Sydney, where he jumped overboard from a steamer and saved the life of a boy, once at Wellington, and. once at Onehunga. He deserves the mudal of the Humane Society. Ib is in the highest degree necessary that captain.H of vessels or their officers should see to their gangways beinc properly secured. Neglect in this respect has often terminated fatally.

Sudden Death.

A cake of fiudden death occurred this morn ing in Parnell. The deceased was the wife of Isaac Taylor, and a well-known inhabitant of Parnell, who of lace had given way to habits of intoxication. It appears that Mrs Taylor had been indulging rather freely in the course of yesterday, and retired to bed at & late hour. This morning, after partak ing of some refreshment and a cup of tea, she felt herself unwell, but her huaband did not apprehend any serious consequences. She grew worse, 3nd before medical aid could be obtaned, she had ceased to breathe. There will be an inquest on the body pro bably to-morrow. The cause of death is supposed to be " Apoplexy through in temperance."

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before A. Beetham, and G. Donne, Esqs., Justices of the Peace). TRAVELLERS IN THE BROAD ROAD. John Whiffles, alias Little, alias Herbert, confectioner, and James Ayr, were charged with being drunk and fined 5s each, James Lorentzin, a Norwegian, for the same offence was fined 10s; aad George Colville, alias Culvert, forfeited his bail. AJSSENT WITHOUT LEAVE. Four seamen named Edward Robins, William Williams, Edward Forson, and John Cardwell, were charged v/hh absenting themselves without leave from the British ship Sam Mendal, on the sth instant. The prisoners pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Pardy said the captain was not desirous of pressing the charge against the men, if they would return to the ship and their duties. The men were willing to do this, and were discharged.

DOMAIN BOARD.—This Day.

The usual meeting of the Domain Board was held to-day, in the Council offices. Present —Messrs Heale (chair), Mitford, Cherry, and Kissling. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS. The tenders for the lease of the Domain for ten years, which had been received in reply to advertisement for the same, were opened, consisting of two, the first from Messrs Mason Bros., offering £130 per annum, payable in advance ; the second was from Messrs Pemberton and Morgan, offering £152 per annum, payable half-yearly. gS|Mr Mitford urged that there should be no sub-letting permitted to the lessee. Considerable discussion followed on the subject, in which the whole of the Board took part, when it was considered that be fore accepting a tender further enquiries should be made. Mr W. H. Kissling moved, Mr Cherry seconded, and it was carried, "That the consideration of the matter be deferred until Wednesday next, at a special meeting to be called for the purpose of deciding upon the tenders." FENCING. A letter was read from the secretary of the Public Building Commiasioners, stating that instructions had been given for the erection of the remainder of the dividing fence between the Hospital and the Domain. Mr Mitford moved, and Mr Cherry seconded, and it was carried, " That notice be given to the Hospital Building Committee that the marks placed by them for the fencing were beyond the limits, and tho Board could not assent to any extension. ACCOUNTS. The monthly accounts, amounting to £30 5s 9d, were ordered to be paid.

DINNER TO CAPTAIN STEELE.

A complimentary dinner was given at the Thames Hotel last night to Captain Steele of the ship Sam Mendel, and to Mr Murdoch, the chief officer, by the saloon passengers who came out in the ship from London. About twenty altogether sat down to the dinner, which was prepared in first-class style by Mr Gallagher, junr., the hotel manager. Mr W. W. Batt occupied the chair, and Mr A. P. Barr the vice-chair. In the speeches which followed the repast, the sentiments conveyed by the passengers respecting Captain Steele and his officers were very flattering to those gentlemen. It was stated that a testimonial would be pre sented to the captain.

ASTONISHING CRICKET SCORES.

In a match recently played at Prince's Cricket Ground London, between Middlesex and the University of Oxford, the remarkable total of 3217 runs was soored {i r-3° loss of only 24 tickets. In the first innings of Middlesex 439 runs were obtained, the captain (Mr 1 D Walker) putting together 110; Burghes. the only nrofesslonal in the match, 104; and Mr Turner 82 In their second innings the County obtained 166 for the loss of four wickets, of which 79 were accredited to Mr C. J. Thornton. But the Oxford innings was a startler, The last wicket did not fall till the score had mounted to 612. The principal scores were Mr Webbe, 98; Mr Heath and Mr Brings, 71 each: Mr Game, 141; and Mr Boyle (not out), 67. Only one man failed to score in the match, and beside him there were only two who did not get into double figures. The match at this stage was drawn, of course much In favour of the University. The performances of the batsmen in this match have not often been eclipsed Last year the Koyal Engineers at Chatham, scored 724, for the loss of eight wickets, but the nearest ap proaches to the present feat which we can find mention of were in 1869 and in 1871, when two matches were played, in which 1136 runs were obtained for the loss of 21 wlckett, and 1139 soored in all, respectively, l n the present case, the 1217 runs were actually obtained In about 17 hours, and the balls delivered were only 2210. The tun-getting thus averaged 71 per hour. i

A QUEEN-STREET DOG STORY.

AN AMUSING STREET SCENE

A most amusing dispute about a dog was witnessed at the corner, by the Thames Hotel, yesterday. The subject of the difference was a fine-looking animal ot the retriever breed, and one of the disputants was a sharp-looking foreigner, speaking broken English, and the other was a very m 5? fair-bearded Englishman. When our reporter came upon the parties, the foreigner had the dog by a cord about the thickness of a clothes line, which was tied round its neck. The other man had apparently just asserted his claim to the animal, and had taken hold of the cord where it encircled the neck. Both were tugging at the rope, and the first result which suggested itself was the death of the dog from strangulation. "What you mean, you fool? Leave go te dog," exclaimed, the indignant foreigner. " The dawg ain't yourn, its mine, retorted the other. " Yon one big liar ; you sell me te dog, you know you do.1 Further explanation of the respective rights of ownership elucidated the fact as stoutly maintained by the Frenchy, that the dog hhd passed into his possession for the consideration of " three .drinks. The other claimant stoutly denied this, and refused to withdraw his hand or his claim. Frenchy went on to say, as it appeared very fairly, that he would give up | the dog if he had his eighteen pence back. This the other agreed to; but now the difficulty was which should release his hold first. " You let go first," "No fear, you let go first," " I tell you I shant," &c, &c. This went on for about ten minutes, and directly it was settled a new difficulty cropped up, as the Englishman found he had not the requisite redemption money "on him. He quietly suggested that he should " owe it, but this was indignantly spurned by the cute alien, who prepared to march off with the bow-wow. A third party, a little short man, who had been taking in all the points of the argument, now stepped forward and offered a solution. " Lookee here Frenchy ; gie me the dawg : I'll pay this cove's eighteen-pence, and then when he pays me back he can have the hanimal." The mild-eyed man did not seem altogether to approve of this way of settling it, and evidently viewed the stranger with mistrust. Seeing this disinclination, the man turned round and upbraided the Englishman for not knowing a friend when he found one. "Ye can't get the dawg without me, and yet, yer don't seem glad when I gies yer the chance of getting him." "But I don't get him ; you get him you see," timidly put in the mild man. " As if it was'ut just the same ; I only takes care on him for you till you can pay me the money back." Ultimately it was agreed that the third party should take the dog, but before Frenchy parted with him he got an extra " bob" for the rope. " Where will I find yer when I've got the money to pay yer," said the sallow-bearded man to the stranger. At this time the man was moving off quickly with his prize, and as he looked back he called out " When you pays me the money and half-a-crown interest you gits the dawg, and not afore." The mild man felt he'd been done, and walked away moodily, his reflec tions not mollified by the laughs of the dis persing crowd. The dog was last seen being taken on board the Bebington by his new possessor. We are inclined to think that the right owner of that dog will learn more as to the whereabouts of his animal by read ing this than by what he heard of the dis pute.

AUCKLAND RACING.

A spkcial meeting of the A.R.C. is called for Tuesday, 12th instant, for the purpose of confirming, or otherwise, the action of the Committee in raising the charges for admis sion to the course. It is to be hoped the at tendance will be more numerous than is usual at such meetings, and that members of the club will come forward then, and express their views, instead of ventilating them at street corners, or by anonymous letters in the Press. The weak point in Auckland racing, unquestionably is the small number of local people who breed or own thorough-bred horses, but we may follow the example of Dunedin, who certainly is not before us in this respect, and yet affords as liberal a pro gramme as any in New Zealand. They get good fields of horses there, though the majority are owned out of Otago. By offer ing equally liberal encouragement here, we would, no doubt, attract good entries. The A.R.C. have possibly exceeded the bounds of prudence in being so liberal in the matter of Derbies, Legers, Champagne, and Mare Pro duce Stakes, but it has been with the laud able desire of encouraging the breeding of good horses instead of handicap animals, or mere leather flappers. It rests with the public of Auckland whether racing here is to deteriorate into mere hack racing, or maintain the position it has occupied since the Ellersiie course has been acquired. The shilling tariff has not been found to produce a sufficient revenue, a circumstance accounted for by the small proportion of our population who take an interest in racing, and it is surely worth a trial to endeavour to ascer tain whether by an increased charge the necessary funds can be raised. The Club apparently has no alternative but disposing of the property, and should this happen, and a new course at a greater distance or inacces sable by rail be procured, the cost to the race-going public would be much greater than with a half-crown admission. The ob ject of racing is to encourage the breeding of good horses, and a return to the days of small prizes would militate against our seeing the best horses in the colony on our race course, and lead to the training of animals which are a disgrace to the place. It is ridiculous to say that if we offer a liberal programme, Southern horses would win the whole. The most of the added money is to handicaps, and it is a sad confession for Auckland if her horses are so bad that they cannot win under any impost. The success of Yatterina, Ariel, and many others in the South, shews that we need not fear this, and the Auckland owners will no doubt welcome the wholesome competition of Southerners on their own course, and receive them with that courtesy which is invariably shewn to them oa Southern race-courses. The finan cial difficulty of the Club is the real question at issue, and if we look at the flourishing balances of the Melbourne and Dunedin Clubs, we find it is to the race-going public they are due. The privileges of the Dunedin course bring in a revenue of £1,200 to £1,300 at the annual meeting ; and at Flemington, though no charge is made for admission, the fee for entrance to the Hill enclosure— the only part of the course from which a view of the racing is obtainable—is two shillings, and on the Cup day it is not unusual to see from 35,000 to 40,000 people there. Nemesis.

THE SMOKING CONTROVERSY.

(To the Editor of the Evening Sta.b.)

Sir, —" Agathos "in your issue of Monday evening makes the following statement :— " Men are gentlemen from birth or educa tion, or from character and disposition." May I ask sir, when did birth and educa tion exclusively ever make any man a gentleman? Again he says, "Gentlemen by birth and education find their way more easily to honor on earth." May I venture to ask again sir, where or when did ever "birth and education " without "character and disposition" lead to honor on earth? Yours, &c, Ig-noblb—Birth.

"FAST BOY'S" PITEOUS APPEAL.

(To the Editor of the Evenino Star). Silt,—lt is not often that the poetic muse inspires my pen, but some years ago when I had come to disapprove of smoking, and

realised the great power that the habit gain^ over a man, to nerve myself to the work o. personal reform in the matter, I penned the following. Of its poetic merit let =v.'s judge :— On the Folly op Smoking. ■ Poor feeble man, shall suca a silly bauble hold tneo captive, , 9 And defy thy utmost will to diaegard or stun . Confess thyself a foolish helpless slave, or once iox> all Shake off its wreathy fetters. Let not smoke enchain thee, nor let habit weave around thy noble being Bonds, that shall *s time rolls onward laugh to scorn thy futile tempts to break them, While thty drag theu downward to perdition. After thus venturing my feelings, I took mv pipe and wrote on one side of it " Ihy reien hath ceased." on the other, For ever abjured,'' and hung it up againsb the wall, and although I have smoked since,l am clad to say I have been for years free from that expensive, dirty, injurious habit to which so many, otherwise strong men and refined gentlemen, are the helpless Blares. The habit takes captive the unreflecting boy, the man finds its chain too strong to ba broken ; therefore boys beware !—I am, &c, Serious Boy.

LEAD TANKS.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star). Sib-I am glad the subject of lead poisoning has cropped up, as it, is a subject upon which light needs to be thrown. I have thought about it for years. X believe it has something to do with the many myste rious sudden deaths that occur m our midst. Mr Dlckson finds out his health is injured by lead taken into his system with th« water he drinks. It is clearly proved by analy.is thatth* lead Is there ; how did it come there, tint is the question ? And here I think we may be misled. Your corres pendent last night speaks of the humlessnen of lead piping. &c. whon In contact with spriae water. He thinks there is soms property in rain water that corrodes tbe lead. Btruga it never struck him tint the lead mi^ht be in the ram water before it entered the tank I think this is a matter which concerns the health of us all, and should be carefully considered Wow, in the form of patnUead is in its most insidious form, and in this form it is used almost universally to tmnt the outsides of our houses, and while the oil remans to bind it, is per fectly Si,fe But in a few months the hot sun dries the oil away *nd leaves the lead an imp .lpable powder exposed to'wind and rain. Let anyone touch a house painted about twelve months and exposed to th, sun, and he will find this powder in any quantity rubbing off like whiting, so that people say. Oh, those rascally painters, they put whiting in their paint;' but this is lead in the most poisonous form, and the rain wishes this powder down from the saddie-boards, tops cf verandahs, and sides of houses into the tanks, and the wind blows this deadly powder down our throats Look at the numbers of houses painted three or four years atto, Ufeing perhaps 2::wt lead each. Now we see in many places the bare wood showing through ; the lead is gone, but where ? What would we say of the chemist who exposed arsenic in a state of dry powder to be the sport of wind and ram ? Yet the piinter does this with lead and the plumber puts up » spout to conduct it into the water-tank. Vow, there are only two remedies for this state of things: either let us drink spring water only, or use something else to paint the outsides of .our houses (inside the lead never powders nff). There are three materials made into paint, which I consider far superior to lead fo- outride work, viz. :-Zlnc. about whose harmless ness I am not certain, but I know it forms a much harder coat on the wood, and. does not powder off so easily • oxide of iron, perfectly harmless, but too dark in the colour for general work ; and silicate, a prepa ration of flint, of poorer body, but more durable than lead and may be had any colour, while it is of course harmless t') health. There is no such thing as " Silicated oxide of iron paint."—Yours, &c, Csaklbs ; Bloomfield, Ponsonby .Road, Newton.

PARLIAMENTARY.

The Agent-Generalship

(From our Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON,

This day.

The only business of yesterady was the discussion of Mr Andrews' motion, tha 1; the House does not consider it desirable that the office of the Agent-Generalship ahoHld be made to Sir Julius Vogel. Mr Andrews' own speech wa3 calm, yej. forcible. He pointed out evidences in th c career of Sir Julius Vogel of his unsuitabilit y for any office off subordination or economy, and finally deprecated the consideration of the question on grounds of its effect on the Government, or on any ground but public advantage. Mr Bowen followed, and on behalf of the Ministry defended the appointment by stat ing that as all agreed that an Agent-General was required, no man could V>e so suitable from his knowledge o! our affairs, and his general ability, and amiability of character to fill the position. As usual he spoke in a shrill voice, and as if he were a schoolmaster admonishing a class of small boys* MR STOUT. He was followed by Mr Stout, who as usual, thought everybody but himself, more or less wrong. He thougtit the Government wrong, for not appointing Vogel at once, if they meant to do it, and Mr Andrew wrong, for trying to bring on a discussion, which he said would take the responsibility off the shoulders of the Government. After finding fault all round, he moved the previous ques tion, with a view to shelving the whole . matter, and leaving the Government to ap point Sir Jalius Vogel, if they dared. ME BOLLESTON. Mr Rolleston in a short, but manly and high-toned speech, expressed his indignation aod contempt for the course pursued by Sir Julius Vogel and the Government. He desired the opportunity of recording his pro test against the whole thing. He was followed by Mr Donald Reid, who expressed a very strong opinion about Sir Julius Vogel's past career in the colony, and wound up by saying he should vote for the appointment given him in the belief that it was cheap to get rid of him on such easy terms. SCATHING SPEECH BY MR. WOOD/ Mr Reader Wood followed in one of his most successful speeches, in which he paid off many old scores, and giving reasons why Sir Julius Vogel was not fit for Agent- General. He gave a number of instances in which he had proved untrustworthy, and others in which he had proved quarrelsome and frightfully extravagant. He denied his ability to do anything but run into debt and impose taxes, and in short made an address at once eloquent and damaging. Mr Murray made a few remarks on the same side, and pointed ont that the com bined expense of the Agencies-General for the whole of the other British colonies, did not amount to as much as that of New Zea ; land alone. Mr Reynolds said a few words in defence of Sir Julius Vogel, and could say that no man was more agreeable to work with or more ready to obey orders than he was, MR. LUSK. Mr Lusk, in a short speech, pointed out that he felt it his duty to express a plain and conscientious opinion on the question now it had been brought forward, and, glancing at Sir Julius Vogel's past career, declared unhesitatingly his objection on all grounds to his appointment. Sir D. McLean passed a warm eulogium on Sir Julius Vogel, and thought no one could be so suitable for Agent-General as he. ONSLAUGHT BY MESSRSjWAKEFIELD AND REES. Mr Wakefield then made a furious on slaught on Sir Julius Vogel, raking up the whole of the shady points about his career, and stating that having £30,000 from the country in the iasfi seven years he had been well paid for all he had done, and had no further claim. Mr ftees followed with a bitter speech, the only fault of which waa that it was too long, and too discursive. MAJOR ATKINSON'S DEFENCE. Major Atkinson made a long speech, mainly a defence of Vogel and himself in bringing down the queßSion for discussion. Like nearly all Major Atkinson's speeches, it was more dictatorial in matter {than forcible in matter. SIR GEORGE GREY. ' Sir George Grey followed shortly fand eloquently, pointing out the evils sure to

aVBNING MAE, WIDNESBAir, SEMEMBEB 6, Vm\



T\7~ANT ED, a couple of respectable V ? Young Men as Boarders; terms moderate.— Apply Mrs A. Ziegler, top of Wakefleld-street, nearly oppt-site Fitzroy yotel. ptTsHBROOK and BRIDGMAN JLV invite the attention of Purchasers to a numbpr of SPECI\ LINES, just to hand, BOUGHT at AUCTION, and to be Sold at a considerable Reduction iipon Usual Price Waterproof Tweed at 3/6 per yard—a Bargain Imitation Nelson Tweed, first-class for Boy 3' Cloth lag, and very cheap. BLANKETS ! BLANKETS! White Blankets, all sizes Blue Bl&nkets Grey Blankets. Our Blankets are well bought, and the large demand for them is a convincing proof that they are FIRST-CLASS VALUE. "T ■ S j i S| ? 1 tf BJO M g pq w w wj 2 Winoeys, Costume Cloth, French Merino, and Fancy Dress Goods. flannels, shirting, calicoes, etc General Dbapery and Clothing of Every De-cbiption. &% (1b) Discount allowed on all Purchases of 20s an upwards. Patterns and Prices forwarded on application. Country Orders executed with care and despatch. fiUSHBR'OOK & BEIDjGMAN, Upper Quebst-stp-ket, Auckland. A LINABVBT AND CO. OFFICIAL NOTICE. 686,500 WOETS OF DBAPEBY AND OWTHINa TO JSJE 80LB. The PAR'ltTfijisHlP of A. LINABURY & CO. expiring by Imitation, our EXTENSIVE STOCK MUST BE CLEA^d and out Accounts called in, to settle existing Pa>%ersMp business, we now ofier our ENTIRE STOCK t$ DRAPERY & CLOTHING, e*o., etc., at COST. \ We Mean BusK,g S t IJ CASH with us is, the LOWEoa PRICES the eopje of Auckland have ever seen. oTh Bis no Humbug I We do not make l^ Pricess took- lAnt °f 6oods only > 6m* on *'ie ENTIRE OAS3 will BXTS these GOODS CHEAP! «■" SALE NOW ON 11 «■ tOOK IN AND SEE HI Mm*** Li*4-^**> * CO.,



J^INOLKCTMf j^XNOLEUM! LINOLEUM! SIX PATTERNS to choose from, ex Hero. PROVED TO BE THE BEST COVERING FOR FLOORS EVER INVENTED. Those Ladies and Gentlemen who were disappointed at not getting any of our Last Shipment can now be supplied. Finding our next English Shipment would not arrive till November, we have, at considerable expense, obtained from the Australian Market suffi cient to meet the present pressing demands. Parties requiring Lonr; LoDgtbs, should make an Early Selection o£ Pattern! OARKEXS, S?kdOR7cTo"THS, FURNIIUEE, Drapery, millinery, and clothing. HOLL CWA7~"~& GEIrICK, CITY HALL, Queen and Lome-streets. JJ O T I C E. T. & H. COOKE, Cabinetmakers, Upholsterers, &c, Beg to inform their friends and the public that they have *3- REMOVED j& To the nc\v and spacious Show rooms in Queen-street, next to the Bunk of New Zealand. In addition to the usual varied assortment of Furnishing Goods, T. and FT. C. hay« just Opened LaTge Shipments of Iron Bed«teads and Toilet Glasse x Bflhineton and Kngland's Glory.



The Medical Profession have declared Stean'k's RuPBRtiATiVE Aromatic Tonic Wink to be a necessity to all in search of health, andespecially to those suffering either from Incipient;;' or Chronic Tndisjpstion, Tiyspenaln., and the disorders arising therpfrom T'is Tonic is also particularly rpcom-1 mended to all who am in a measure compelled from the nature of their occupation to take stimulants, and at the same time are desirous of studying health by taking that which will act most beneficially on the system Mr Win. Johnson, Oovprmi'.rmt Analytical Chemist, ranorts :—" I havpoxaminrcl Stone's Super lative ironmtic T'nic 'Wins, ana. find it w ] )e remarkably clpasant in flavour, poutfl* d V nfl «Wit lfl per cent, of a very pnri a* ' oi ftn.l hVdiiitf in Pi ter a v»£ "' 6P^ aTo^a- * consider this keW™- ■' «^P<»1«» ai-tic!a"~So)d by all Store- Keeper;. ((1 r( ote^e6 p or g <*I 1 Earfcll<iuake would scarcely be minded « !?y the residents of fever and ague localities, so used J are ttiey to be shaken up periodkially If people are . obliged to live in such unhealthy regions they should take the precaution to defend their systems against the attackß of malaria in advance of the unhealthy s»<»9on The <mrPßt prot'C'ion is a coursw of Udolpho Wolfb's ScniBKAM AnOMATfo Schnapps, which impart extraordinary -vitality to every organ. The New Feason Cod Liver Oil, 1876. Guaranteed perfectly pure and free from smeii or unpleasant flavour. The quality is especially fi ue. ---2s 6a and 5s a bottle.—J. C. Shabland, Apotiikcaries' Hall, opposite the Post-office. Manning's Worm Powders.—A safe and ffeotual Vermifuge. Prepared only by J. C. SHAR IF AND. Is a packet.—ApOTnEOAßlEd' Hall opposite the Post-office. Hemus & Trig?, opposite McArthur, Shera and Co.'s. will sell the Balance of their Winter Drapery and Millinery for Two Weeks, at C>">°t, in order to make room for Spring -and Summer Goods to arrive soon Mark Twain on Bad Musicians.—The musical public and general readers are cautioned not to purchase Wfston's Wizard Oil and Magic Pills, without carefnlly examining the outside wrapper— and be sure tnat the words "None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, Fhajjx Wkston, Sydney. N.5.W.," are engraven thereon.^Any other so called preparations of mine, are unauthorized by me, and calculated to midpad the public.—Signed, Frank Wkston. Scle Agentß : Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. Price. Half-a-crown.