SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ttSS, TB*-™« afternoon, 0 45; to-morrow MOON'S AGE-Last Quarter, 15th, g 53 pra

ARRIVALS.

Bowena, SSj Sellars, from Tauranga

DEPARTURES.

Minnehah,'^ 5"0' *«"*»»■ *n Russell minnenah,, sc b 0050)?] Smith, for the Thamea

IMPORTS.

2 doWI,Th Hai] andeCo OUthJ 8 0""B ">" ba°on '

EXPORTS.

tadHlsaTcT 63 bm End 7 bales m <™handi S o,E

BoHaVS-mo^S^ 3 adV6rtiSed t0 l6aVe fOT tfcloPkto m°™ n»? ,OSS i 5 t0 ,eaTO for Napier at two The ba inn "\ ?r f a,'0'no ™. «« instant and willE tt 1 Quec, n hM flni9hpa The schoL fOF. KpwCMtlo Immediately. for Poverty V.Z g^l I) I ? na,fl is aa™rMsed to le«ve Mr M Wou&he ajent C°aßt °n SatUrd*y MXt" ofX^l t f hi Smo, rni ': tfiho,'CSße^to »he westward S/??" *" enabled the barque Harriet Armita.o. S f iSf Fair"P t0 "° «"» «" «o It. and tint, W«5 ™,J mau' iTIS, Jho barques Martha and Bella wer« Sf 1? fortunate an to pet tee berths, and _^I_,.M.' 5? W,t,y liroaflsW(= "". had to undergo ff^ "™'nnnt of RrtadlDß. If the Harbour _Ws «"_ ° thr?7 ?"'OTIO mo™ lCOft tee here _WnJ?T T-? hfl leasing the shipping _J£T,«M BtloV' t', ° TOrt In a manner which no i««w • Cr- V S,lort' tinlR' wu,fl "'event masters of 7h»t baEiTT^ 7 r port tlmt wllicl> {t dons not deserve (outwhfch Iteetsnevertheless), a bad name. »i innvl w""" Wlll ,cave for Tauranga punctually at 10 o clonk to-morrow morninjr. Hnufh to3 ellinßton isduo to the Manukau from ", South to-morrow morainp. - tho

no nnn«SchocT r Bllby f«™ Port n- , __ _ Rbauv"\tote nie Har° *om Kusscll, brings or MeTSrSXf wsj t he Hftro ,eft Ryd"«v Mesßr a c ra i oks v kfi^ro a"esrtayJ»;t, w,, may s t ft telhat ■""J she la oom^h * ]?™ m h d»tf d from ****«*< next. the 20th inYt °n Tuesday morning apparently'notS? ?. P "J" 11" Brown'a ™a,,di< heavy weTte?ty„g'te "w n h«* «° "P*«t the Of the weather,he couMw i "T t0 the thicknesa tatßhohiiotnßHfcrf. f°! bßmnd« "nt very well, from Tongatahu yto tllrn out to be the Helena She will 9 ai,^ r fl£t Io a f'^Pa«to the KaipL.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Tbe ss Albion <_nt, i. J yttei.ton. this day. mil leftf°r Wel* "Wind JOfW.^^F Hpads, this day !)a.m, 28.83; filiSffitlS BMomet6r

COMMERCIAL.

__$%nJ ? 00<1 attend «Me at Mr Sib toVav p7 le/?T iB8 and Provisions Won ?K f 'fn 5! 6d' °nions Id, barns lOd &*W? i,Jil 4ol<* su *a * **» to M. The sundri"realised tn» eß_S° ot,lln,? e and Son heM tnesr fn™ was r,, 8?° erfl goods sale to-day. which wa* w e ll attended, and average prices ob- Messrs Morton Jones and Co, held a large SS *°-day a* tne?r Central Sale Rooms, and sow large quantities of provisions, eroceries, produce, and ornamental trees. The Mart irjfTr d and the sale was proceeding as we went to press. ™S "M Mkßt-h°nM w very large and prices noor 8,9/f 07,'~ T"rke-M P°ofl ™™ entered. S?. to * 18,I 8, °? fi', ch : gePSO 4s «* ♦« fis M each: S,h ?.. if d _ fOwK 'on__mnii>l«OT to 2s each; eaoh • drf™ 1 *? : e l,! Per"la "a ; srnats 7* 10s Mid 14s Cant;rh,£ 1bl*? 5* ««*• : pntotnog £3 to £5 ton; 3to_d2_.W?"" «**»♦<> «5 Ift. per**: onto™ ft to k«r« : r l hos?e8' 1 P"r » ! butter lid to U Tier fetched feir gKr t0 83 M P°r CWt; fur"itnre &C"

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

ifw?™'S_ OTU,,ll)8 WBKKI.Y KKPOBT— _mml_S?_2i p?'7hnri,d"y- dairy cows were in h™9l SSSp^w- 8t \ o™, r va,ues- Not ma"7 store cattlß ?«Sr"^00d,lllm8ls in r cqnest at. hi ? ber values, ttoifW B«,' ■ «v? ragß nllmbers; 160 head yarded, berfnnr^^l" S'z, 9' aT,fl raanynot well-fatted., At **&%_*?* f^ 8 fla,n' price! 'wero lower- hut from the S?non D^ nrc_l &Sed by thp !?ra*z'ers, rallied as the sile Jow v_l,«. S- 6P T G. fn Mode™te nnmhers and at pXr„iS- -Pl *" PIM»W«J. and also lower in price. fiv- T,f?7 en ,were : DaUy rows. 'ro»> £3 7s 6d to rilfli ™i,f L tr? m *sto £(i 10s! tpn to twelve nionth three 2 *?? Cd,!? £2 Us ' *** cows' &to£o ; cattlo o£, l on£ ,e?F 0™ Bteers > £6 5st ° *8 2s 6d ; fat ffl%! eIMl! >gedlonpwoolled ew-s we'rn* inn 6?- & dJ°, 2#d 'ho lf>- Average, obtained wetWa m _»hßl,: hlPi_ "a"*™. 13s sd; longwoolled Thom^'T, 178 Cd: E B Ba,lW- 30 steers, £814s: S,f t ;3 aKeI 13 h*ad £10; .Tohn

COMMERCIAL NEWS.

The Melbourne Argus of May 80th reports :—Sugars K 1'Sf. very freo,y- TTndev the hammer 1,070 counters, £25103 to £26 for browns, and £ 22 15s to ««_?« rl Wons -• I'2fio1' 2fio mata Te,low ■Ta*»s were at same time cleared off at £30. Teas are moving off for lluL pnrpT2' In oio Instance we learn of tlie qtiittanca of 1 000 packapos at from 10d to Is 3d chiefly, and up to Is ... About 350 holf-chmta have ?!.^ een fl q?itted 8t ls M t0 > 4d and up to Is 7d. Candles find a may market. We learn of the sale of if«?i flXei? Kl tch"n 'spotrolfnes at 9Jd, and 750 boxes «lrZ. r 1? f^ star braml' Rt 8H ,eP3 a sma" trade dis count In both cases. By auction, 770 boxes Imported candles ~ero disposed of at lOd andlPJd, for D X O.s and Jenar s, Oj^d bein^nbtained forGoudas. A large Business altogether has been done in currants Tho ?«T_ aJ! raDßed from s^d taVJOnd to s#d dutypMd, Mid holders now demand 6%d to 6*fd to re-sell. This moyement Is the result of telegraphic advices from iSDgland r-g-arding the homo market. In Mould" a very considerable business has been reported. We fc!tL Q,'«ual*° 125 quarters of Hennessy's 1875 brandy ?nnw&i «?■ £ bi n vp' to arrivo- at 7s 6d- Eciual to i.« 5 r£tardßhave also been placed, to arrive, at 24at 2i^d aBeS °f thlß braDd haVa bOeD Qllitted at

THE SHAREMARKET.

joanK, oi JN.Z,.—£lB; buyers, £18. National Bank—Sellers, 765. Colonial Bank—32s; sellers, 32s 6d. New Zealand Shipping Co.-Buyers, 765. btandard Insurance—Buyera, lis 6d. Union Sash and Dodr Co, new—Buyers £8 12s. Loan and Mercantile-Buyers, 32s 6d. City of London—Buyers, 21s 6d; sellers. 245. ' Knranui Hill—Sellers, ss. Cure—Sellers, Bs. Queen of May-Sellera, lis (new). Union Beach-75a, 775, 77s 6d; buyera, 75s ,• sellers, 77a 6d. Tokatea—Sellers, 9a. Royal Oak—Sellera, 5a 6d. Bismarck-Sellers, 6a. Tairua (double)-13s 9d, 14a. ■■■' •■■■■' '■■■■■ Joseph Newman, Chairman.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

oftm 3 ' m* da 7at 6 pm ' and tO-m°™>w at Fnrte?* */ a0' thls da 7 at 4p m lEffiKSi Tairua' Tanral'ga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, to-morrow at 9 am '-^ at W a^' "^ Matakana, etc, to-morrow tett'£ 80'1"1^ Cross' to-morrow at 1 pm h n »af I' GiAborae. and Southern provinces, four Kandafu MrlTOl °f City°f ' Fri*Cof«™ Por Friendly Islands on Monday at 5 p m v.l Signed) S. B. BIBS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

ELTOTT.—On June 5. at Remuera, the wife of Mr. W. Eliott of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

COOPER—BARNETT—On Wednesday. 14th Juno, at St. Mary's Church, Parnell, by tho Yen. Arch deacon Maunsell. Arthur John Cooper, to Emily Clara, eldest daughter of Mr. Thomaß Barnett, formorly of Bnrton-on-Trent.

DEATH.

ARTHUR-At Franklin Road, on Friday, the lGth Juno, 187G, Elizabeth, rolict of tho lato Carpenter Arthur, aged CO years. .

The finder will leave her lato residence to morrow (Saturday) afternoon, at 3 o'clock. Friends pleaso accept this intimation.

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

FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 1876

Kor the cause that lacks asatstf-ncft, For the vrranv thst nccrtr. resistance, For tiie future in the distance, And the tfooj that we cfca do.

Sir George Grey has found it advisable to sit for City West, and we believe the reasons given in our telegrams will satisfy every one of the wisdom of that course. It would have been extremely foolish for hia Honor to incur the aimless trouble, of defendingjhi 8 right to retain a seat in the House, and this position, Mr Jameß Mackay's petition, what, ever its value, forced upon him. Sir George has forwarded to Mr Alexander Black, his proposer, and Mr W. C. Wilson, his seconder for City West, telegrams announcing his in tention in relation to that constituency. Mr Black has handed us his telegram for publica. tion:-—:'.. Wellington, Thursday afternoon. It has been necessary for me to elect to sit for City West. I feel grateful to you for having proposed me, and to my constituents for electing me. Let them know this, and add that I will serve them to the beßt of my ability.—George Grey.

As member for City West,, which is a;large constituency with no looal interests to serve, Sir George Grey will be much more indepen dent than as the representative of a goldfield requiring so much at the hands of the Gov ernment as the Thames district does. The Thames candidature has, however, accom plished nearly all that it could possibly have done. It has assured His Honor of the good wishes of the goldfields population, and has silenced for ever the empty bounce cast in his teeth last session, that an important dis trict in this province was opposed to his policy. The contest shewed the true value of all tbe bluster indulged in by the few demagogues who passed abolition resolutions, and otherwise did their utmost to create a semblance of publio opinion in antagonism to the fearless polioy of tho membor for City West.

It is to bo hopod that the attention of the public is fairly fastened upon tho manifest desire of the Cross to baulk all inquiry into tho questions of dock and wator-suppjy. But for tho singular suppression of a letter

by the editor of that journal the matter would, probably, not bavo taken the form it has done. And now, when the merits of the whole question are in a fair way for investi gation by a committee whose proceedings will be open to the representatives of the press, the same journal endeavours to defeat the inquiry by quibbling over the right of tho Council to conduct an election by ballot. This system of voting, which is universally admitted to be the fairest of all, was agreed to by common consent, only one gentleman, who was greatly dis tressed for " the dignity of the Council," dissenting. We think we can detect this gentleman's pomposity in our contemporary's deliverance to-day, and his well-known access to the inner sanctum of the Cross leaves hardly a shadow of doubt respecting tbe part he has taken in the effort to thwart the action ef the Council. The Cross appears very much agitated concerning the appoint ment of this oommittee, hut is doubly so at the election of Mr. Brett as a member of it. By some singular mental 'proceßß, 6* more correctly speaking, by ft bold adoption of the axiom that cheek is better than wisdom, the Cro^s p ] aceg Councillor Brett in the position of accuser, and proceeds to arpue that he is thereby disqualified from taking any active part in the proposed inquiry. Wo can quite appreciate tho editor's mental anguish at the appearance of Mr Brett's name, but surely he docs not suppose that the publio will be misled by such a catch argument. It can hardly be conceived that any ono either inside or outside of the Council mistakes the position of Mr Brett or of the Star in rela tion to this inquiry. Least of all, will it bo believed that tho editor of the Cross, who had in his own hands a written accusation, and went very r much out of bis way to smother it, can consider honestly that there is any impropriety in Mr Brett sitting on this committee and doing his utmost to make the inquiry a searching one. Tho action of tbo Stab is well understood. Statements have been openly and very freely made with reference both to tho dock nnd waterworks, and we havo insisted, and still maintain, that in justice to Mr Errington, to the Harbour Board, and the public, these statements shall bo sifted to tbe very bottom. Since an inquiry was called for we have scrupulously refrained from prejudicing tbo publio mind Jn any way, and havo asked that fair play be given to all concerned. Surely thero is no occasion for uneasiness con cerning the result of an open inquiry into a question of the most vital public import ance ? If the Cross believes that Mr Brett is in a position to shed any special light on the subject, it should rather rejoice at his nomi nation. But, as for his standing in tho posi tion of accuser, the assertion is absurd. Ho no more occupies that position than does any member who by his vote on Wednesday de termined that it was desirable that an inquiry should be held. Assuming, however, for tho sake of argument, that the Cross's premises are correct, would there be any more im propriety in Mr Brett sitting on this commit teo of inquiry than in Sir George Grey accept ing a similar position on tho Piako Swamp Select Committee, called to investigate a very serious accusation brought by himself against the membors of tho Ministry ? Tho common practice in all deliberative bodies not only sanctions such a custom, but specially pro vides for carrying it out. Wo hopo the Cross will see tho wisdom of keeping silence until the inquiry is over. Concerning the leg.i.l right of the Council to elect a committee by ballot wo have taken no trouble to inquire, but if they have no such right, we presume it will be a matter of indifferenco to the membors of the committee whether a new election takes placo or not. Nono of tho Councillors chosen need desire very earnestly tho onorous and thankless task entrusted to them.

That patient creature, tho New Zealand tax payer, has a special treat provided for him by Sir George Grey. This is lying before us in the form of a return showing tho number of worthy people supported by the thought ful consideration and munificence of the public. And it will be pleasing for Dick and Tom, as they pay their half-a-crown a pound on tobacco and sixpenco on tea, to know how how large a family they are providing for. There are, His Honor shews us, 3,214 General Government employees, making no account of a live Marquis and Cabinet Ministors. And we may add about 1000 Provincial officers, thus giving Dick and Tom, one live gentleman in their pay for every eighty of the whole population including babes and sucklings. The secret satisfaction of the old convict, conceived by Dickens in " Great Expectations," as he thought of the great swell being reared at his expense, will doubtless be eclipsed by the joy of Dick and Tom as they contemplate this pic ture. But what will Richard think of his benevolence when he knows that, still except ing the Governor's advisers, he is paying through the Colonial Treasury one good gen tleman £1,700 a-year; five £1,500; one £1000 ; five £900 ; ten £800 ; two £750; twenty £700; five £650; nineteen £600; thirteen £550; forty-Beven £500; thirty £450 ; and seventy-five, £400. Diok and Tom may find further gratification in thinking that all the wealth pro vided for them by Rothschilds and Other kind friends in London during tho last six years has not boen selfishly hoarded, but has enabled them to treble the number of those in their service. We leave out of view the 668 members of the Armed Constabulary, and the 570 railway officials, and then there remain 1,976 persons on the permanent civil list of the General Government. Upon the same roll in 1869, when the Fox-Vogol Ministry took office, there were only 684 names— a very liberal übo of patronage on the part of Richard and Tom's representatives, it must be confessed. We doubt very muoh whether Richard knew what a varied Btaff he had, or whether Tom was aware that, without saying anything at alj about hia donations of flour and sugar and numberless presents, there are

166 natives permanently in his pay, at from £50 to £300 a year. These are the results which Sir George Grey in his prying fashion has now brought to light, and we are sure Piok and Tom will feel thankful to him for Shewing to the world what benevolmt folk thoy aro. Tho officers of the Auckland

We regret to learn (says the Bay of Plenty Times), that the Colonial Secretary (the Hon. Dr Pollen) ia suffering from severe indisposition, and it is feat-ed, that un assisted, he will be unequal to the mental exertion of conducting the Government busi ness in the Upper Hou se during the approach ing session. Mr Gisborne (formerly Colonial Secretary, and more recently Commissioner of Insurance), is considered likely to be called to the. Legislative Council, with a seat in the Ministry, in order to assist for Pollen.

. We understand that Mr Joseph Ellis, lately proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, Auckland, has purchased the allotment on the Strand, at present occupied by Mr Conway as a tim ber yard, on which he intends erecting a handsome and commodious hotel.—Bay of Plenty Times

We learn the Auckland branch of the IT.A.OP. Society continups to advance in solidity and numbers. The meeting of Wednesday evening in St. Patrick's Hall wns well attended, ninety membors being present. The business principally w.13 the nomination of officers for the next half-year. Tbe election will take place on the 28th inst., when the report and balance-sheet will be submitted to the members.

Mr. Josiah Martin, of tho Auckland Training School, will deliver his lecture this evening at the Christian Young Men's room<j on "Nature's Chemistry." The lecture will be associated with vocal and instrumental musio, and illustrated with numerous maps, plans, and colored diagrams. It in understood that Hon. Colonel Haultain will take tho chair.

The Auckland Institute was largely patronised last evening by persons of all classes, who evidently were delighted with the exhibits which skill and labour had brought together for instruction and delight. Mr Crook's views were thoroughly appreci ated, and represented many new soots of interest in European cities, also In Rußsia, such as St. Petersburg and Mosoow. The English views of royal palaces were the same as on the nreviouß night. There will bo two Inctures of special interest delivered to-day, one in the afternoon on " Climate," by Mr Worthington, of St. Paul's School, and one in the ovenim? by Mr Goodall, civil engineer, on "Electricity." Tho former will com mence at three o'clock, and tho latter at eicrht o'clock. Mr Crooks will also exhibit his beautiful photographic views.

The cases in the Resident Magistrate's Court occupied tho time of his Worship until half-past five o'clock yesterday. The two cases heard after the luncheon hour wero Elliott v. Hamilton, and King v. Baird. In tho former case tho plaintiff claimed £20 for damages sustained through defendant's neglect in connection with a large trolly load which gave w^v and broke two verandahs atthoupperond of Qneen-street It was shown that tho oarter was a very careful mon, and there was no lack of attention on his pait. Several witnesses wero heard on both sides. His Worship considered tho testimony was very close, and judgment must go for defendant ; onsts £3 lis. In the latter case, a claim of £9 2s. was made by Mr. King against Mr. Baird in relation to a contract, but which it was alleged was not properly fulfilled. Charles Watson, an independent witness, proved to tho satisfaction of tho Court that tho work was not properly dono. After hearing; Mr Watson's evidence his Worship gavo judg ment for defendant; costs £1 17s.

Complaints havo reached us respecting the state of Jermyn-strot, whero alterations have recently been made. The heavy rains are playing the " dickens" with the scoria, so says our correspondent; and if a man with a shovol is not speedily sent down the scoria will all be washed from tho path. "A stitch in time saves nine."

Tho Star supplement of to-morrow will contain a numbor of choice things in poetry and prose. " Madamo's Masquerade," tho " Old Soldier turned Capitalist," and a clever paper on '• Mysterious Disappear ances," will be found specially interesting and eagerly read. Wo would call tho attention of the young ladies who sing at Templar meetings to tho "Lovo story of Grisburt and Gillian," which they will find interesting, and should be road by moonlight before doing up their hair at bedtime. The effect; will act more beneficially than a sleep ing draught. On a "New State of Things in Rome" is of a different complexion, but none tho less interesting. The "Story of tho Old Parish Clerk" was a great fact within the knowledge of tho writer, for the old clerk weighed seventeen stone, and grew fat among tho scenery and gold of the Surrey Hills. Many seasoned tit-bits appear, delicious as Barnett's pork sasauges, and sweet as Taama nian apples of the best kind. Pour or live nice poems, fresh from the glades of Par nassas, and rich as a maiden's kiss, appear ; and conspicuous among these is the "Old Gum Tree," by our lady contributor, Dor Isa.

With regard to the steam dredge which was officially tried a day or two ago, we are pleased to learn that MrLodder has reported that the steam power developed in the engine is quite sufficient to warrant the ladder being prolonged by another sft. If this alteration were made and three more buckets super-added to those already attached, tho machine would be capable of successfully dredging to a depth of 21ft., including tho width of the buoket (nearly 2ffc.) We should be pleased to see Mr Lodder's suggestion adopted, as it would render the dredge really a most useful por tion of Harbour Board property. It ia this extra five or six feet which will settle the vexed question of whether the largest sized vessels will ever be enabled to lie at the new railway pier, and as the question is a most important one, and has involved the expen diture of about £30,000, it should bo settled as quickly as possible.

The first public skating rink in Auckland, is to be opened at the City Hall this evening, by Messrs Cook and Co. To-night is merely a trial of the" rink and the admission is by invitation only. Saturday is to be the first publio night, when the fee for admission will be one shilling, and skates may be hired at one shilling an hour. The immense popularity which the pastime of rinking has attained in Europe during the last two years may well lead to the supposition that it will become generally adopted here. It seems extra ordinary when we come to think of it, that the inhabitants of colder climes than Auck land shonld have been so long dependent on ice and frost for this health-giving and exoit ing amusement. Those of us who recollect much of the old country must have seen wheel-skaters at the Crystal Palace and other places, and yet, strange to say, it appears to have only lately struck the English public that what they saw done by two or three showmen they might do themselves with the utmost ease. Doeß not this ourious blindness forcibly remind us of Charles Lamb and his legend of Roast Pig, in which he informs us that for centuries it was considered necessary in China to burn a house down to cook a sucking pig. We have for centuries con sidered that intense frost was necessary for skating, whereas we oan get it in all weathees byr-rpayihg one shilling at. the City Hall. .

Weather permitfcing'the match Auckland v. Parnell will be played to-morrow near the Choral Hall. The Auckland team will con sist of Messrs Henderson, Carter, Caverhill, Balneavis, Gudgeon, Abram, Woon, Burgess, Hales, Sharland, Pollen, Whitaker, Mow bray, Philson, and Russell. Parnell team : Messrs Quintall, Corbett, Tonics, Cotton, Tonks, Hetley, VonlTempsky.lßobertehaw, Haultain, Woodward, Champion, Helps, Haney, Philson, and Longdill. Play to commence at 3 p. m. Players are requested to be punctual.

We learn that Captain Marks, pilot of Tauranga, and his boat's crew have staked off two miles of the Katikati channel, which has been so enthusiastically advocated as a short cut from Katikati to Tauranga. There are a couple more miles to do. We under stand that the pilot has found the channel hardly worth the trouble of staking, the depth at high water being only 3ft. 6in., and at low tide the channel is nearly dry near the mangroves. It only saves two or three miles as compared with the true channel. The whole distance from Katikati to Tauranga is estimated at nineteen miles.

At a native meeting held at Mokau lately Te Kooti acted as leader. The presents made were : —100 horses, 50 head of cattle, 200 pigs (of very good quality), 20,000 dried eels, 2,000 live eels, 200 Maori mats (some worth £4 each), 50 kits of fungus, 30 sacks of wheat, 3000 rolls of native-grown tobacco, each roll weighing between 2 lbs. and 3 lbs., 100 kits of potatoes, 100 kits kumeras, 100 kits taras. The meeting altogether occupied about a week, three days being devoted to feasting and talking. Tbe general impression amongst the natives was that in the course of about three months tho liver Mokau and surround ing country woulrl be thrown open to civiliza tion and trade. Nothing had been heard of the gold, the finding of which in large quan tities had been reported in the Auckland papers. As Tuhua was within one day's journey of the place of meeting, a party of whom Te Wetera was one, started directly after the meeting to inquire into the matter.

To the Editor :—I can endorse every word Dr. Kenderdine stated in your issue of yes terday regarding the two or three families burned out at the late fire at Eden Terrace. It was most pitiable to see the poorjjmothers wading through the mud barefooted, with only their* nightdresses on, and their almost naked infants in their arms. All their be longings, clothes included, being reduced to ashes in a shorter time than it takes to write this. I enclose £1 for their assistance, hoping others will follow the example of the noble doctor.—W. J. Suiter.—[We have much pleasure in acknowledging receipt of the £1 forwarded by our correspondent. We have likewise to acknowledge receipt of £1 from Mr John Chadwick for the same de serving object.—Ed. E.S.]

He walked fup the?, street? as it were fascinated by the boy who paced along in front, holding loosely in his right hand a nicely balanced stock whip with a lash about Bft. long, the thong of which the youngster held in the same hand, while he playfully swung the loop to and fro, whistling all the time a rollicking, independent kind of tune, something between Yankee Doodle and Rule Brittania. The man who followed was our street reporter. He kept his eyes steadily fixed on the boy, and neither gained nor lost ground but maintained his distance of six feet behind with great accuracy. Why is he so absorbed ? He looks like a man walking in his sleep or attracted by a rattle snake. "Where are you off to, X ?" sings out bis friend Jones, as that worthy passes near Owen and Graham's store, and partially stops as he recognizes our represen tative. With an agonised look X turns his head to answer : an instant later there is a Hash in the air and a pause in the whistl ing ; a loud report and flick! away flies about one square inch of tho skin of his neck to a suppressed yell from tbat unhappy individual. " I knew it," heafterwards explains to Jone3, •'l'd boen watching that whip all the way down from tho Union Bank, and so long as I had my eye on it, it was all right, but, — here X renewed tho cold water band age he had put on—when I once turned round I knew ho was certain to smack it."

A football match is arranged to take place to-morrow between the Ponsonby aud Grafton clubs, Tho Government House reserve being occupied, and the Domain ground ploughed up, the game will be played at Ellerslie. Both clubs show strong teams, and should the clerk of the weather be gracious an excellent matoh may be ex pected. The Grafton team will be chosen from the following : Boyd, Bodle, Castelli, Clark, Donovan, Ewen, Earl, Gatland, Green, Kent, Kirk, Moss, W. Mason, R. Mason, Nolan, Orchard, Russell, Reid, Somerville, Whewell. Ponsonby : Jones (2), Macky (2), Herrles," Haultain, Bucholz, Brave water, Hanna, Yates, Kerr, Townsend, O'Sullivan, Recce, Tookey. Players are requested to assemble at the Post-office punctually at 2 o'clock, when omnibuses will bo in readiness to convey them to the battlefield. Ponsonby colors, black and white ; Grafton, red white and blue.

" Duke Humphreys " writes a long letter urging the necessity for forming a Reform Club to support Sir George Grey and the Auckland members in their difficult work at Wellington.

On referring to our advertising columns, we notice that tho new medicines, "Ghollah's Great Indian Cures," reported so famously of in Otago arid the Southern provinces, are about to be introduced into this province, where, we should imagine, judging from their popularity in the South, they will find ready sale, especially as they are reported to be particularly suited to the requirements of invalids in this part of New Zealand. We understand that Messrs Brown, Barrett,, and Co., of this city, are about to be appointed the wholesale agents for this province.

The transfer books of the Union Beach Goldmining company will be closed from the 19fch to the 4 21 sb instant, when a dividend will be declared.

A bank clerk in Wellington, recently delivered two twenty pound notes to a man in satisfaction of a £20 order. The mistake was shortly afterwards discovered, and Detec tive Farrell after a considerable search found the man and compelled him to give up tho surplus.

To the Editor : Sir,—Which is the ass in yours of last evening. The Parnell corres pondent writing such nonsense as " the effect of the money papers," and "how the proxy goes," or is it the stupidity of the printer using the word money for proxy and proxy for money, or is it a small piece of devilry of some one else. Again sir, can a ratepayer obtain from the Board access to any documents which would elucidate the wasting of the £800. —Anqther Enquirer. [The error was perpetrated by a type-fiend. The sentence should have read : " The effect of proxy papers, and how the money goes."]

A correspondent of the Bay of Plenty Times has the following in reference to the Public Workß Department at Tauranga':—" Instead of the supplies required by that department being open ta competition by all in trade, all orders are given to one favoured storekeeper, who has, in fact, a monopoly of all that is going in Tauranga, and I am informed on reliable authority that the whole of the tools, &c., required, by the Armed Constabulary road parties at Ohinemuri are provided by the favoured Tauranga storekeeper."

The English Mails.

The inward San Francisco mail boat City of San Francisco is advertised by the agents as due to-morrow, Saturday, the 17th inst. As a matter of fact, thedue date is the 18th insit. The English dates by this mail will be to the 4th May. The Suez Mail, which is now its way from the South in the s.s. Hawea, and is expected to arrive on Monday next, bring 3 English news to the 14th of April only, s'j r.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

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

HEADIFICATIOW.

Shonny and Minnie, a beautiful pair— The man of South Wales, and the girl from Kildare

John Morgan, an old man, from Glamorgan shire, pleaded guilty to being drunk last night, and was fined 5s and costs. Minnie Burke did not appear, as she cut her hand severely by smashing a window, and was obliged to be taken to the hospital. The charge was withdrawn. FUGITIVE SAILORS. Edward Hayes and Robert Binmore were charged with absenting from the ship Barracouta. Mr Broham stated that he had telegraphed to Wellington respecting the men, but had not yet received a reply. The prisoners were remanded for a week. ASSAULT. George Allwear, a sailor of the Dilpussnnd, was charged with assaulting an old man, named Andrew Peters, on the 11th inst. Mr Kissling appeared for the prisoner, and Mr Laishley for the prosecutor. Mr Kissling asked that the case might be withdrawn, as prosecutor was willing that it should be, if prisoner would pay the ex penses. Mr Laishley thought it was not In the power of the Court to allow a withdrawal. Mr Broham described the assault as one of a very brutal character, and was really an indictable offence.

His Worship said tbe Court had the power of reducing it to a single assault, but whether it was right to do so was another matter; that of course depended upon the natnre of tbe assault.

The old man, who was much bruised about the face, said he would rather withdraw it.

His Worship told prisoner he had a narrow escape, and had it not been for the generosity of the old man, whom he had treated so badly, he would have gone to prison for two months and lost his ship, he hoped he would treat the old man kindly in future, and at once shake hands with him ond make it up. The prisoner was then discharged.

CITY RATES. A number of these cases were settled out of Court.

DRUNKEN- PARENTS AND HELPLESS CHILDREN.

Matthew Carroll was charged with failing to contribute towards the support of his child in the Industrial Home; arrears, £3 13s Gd.

Defendant acknowledged his indebtedness, but could only pay Is 6d per week. Mr. Broham stated that Carroll and others made promises to the Court without any intention of paying, and he felt it to be his duty to press for the carrying out of tho Act to the letter. If these persons were ordered to gaol the money would be forthcoming. His Worship ordered Carroll co pay 15s down and 10s a week off the arrears and 1 s 6d a week, and if not paid regularly he must go to prison. Stephen Home was charged with a like offence ; his arrears were £4.

Home said he was willing to pay, but he got into trouble and was hindered from pay ing. He was an affectionate parient at heart.

His Worship : What was the nature o your trouble ?

Prisoner : Three months for an assault for beating my wife.

Mr Broham said this was also a case where there was a reluctancy to pay.

Home said he bad got a large family to keep. He had just got into a job, and his wife did a bit of washing. He was willing to pay bis half-crown per week.

His Worship said he would give him one more chance. He must pay 10s on Monday, and £2 a month off tho arrears, and the 2s 6d according to order. ELIZA RICE. Eliza Rice was charged with the same offence, arrears £ 12s 6d, for her child in St. Mary's Orphanage. Miss Rice said she had been employed under Government for the last twelve months and could no pay. His Worship enquired the nature of her employment. Miss R,ice said that she had been in Mount Eden, vulgarly called " chokey," for the first year ; consequently she had not been able to keep up her payments. She had now left that popular establishment, and hoped shortly to be able to pay something. His Worship gave her a fortnight for the payment of £1, being for the eight weeks that she had been at liberty. THE REPRESENTATIVE PIN. Abel Fletcher again appeared on a charge of stealing a gold pin, value 3s 9d, the property of Joseph Worms, on the 13th inst. Mr Tyler, for prisoner, pleaded not guilty. Mr Broham conducted the prosecution. Joseph Worms said that on the 16fch inst. he was in tbe front of the bar of the York Hotel, and Fletcher was very insulting to him and asked him if he was fond of pork, and asked to look at his breast pin. He took it, and then made faces at him, and said that Christ had given him hands, and those hands would stick to the pin.

To Mr Tyler ; he was in the hotel about ten minutes before Fletcher came in ; he had been taking a pint of beer with his lunch ; to speak of pork to one of his religious persuasion, was very offensive; he did not shew him an obscene book ; he was above that sort of thing ; the only book he had then in his possession was Mr Green's account book ; when Fletcher took the pin he ran out of the house, and he ran after him ; Fletcher turned round, and shewed his fists, and told him to take it out of him if he was man enough. He then went to his son's house. He gave information to Constable Gamble, he sold two packs of cards in the house, Charles Gardener, farmer of Mount Eden district, was in the hotel at the time,-and saw Worms and Fletcher in the bar, Heard Fletcher make use of the remark about his heart and bands. He merely went there for his luncheon chop.

To Mr Tyler : He did not hear the offen sive remark to Mr Joseph Worms, who appeared to be trying to do a little business. He offered a brooch; it might have been gold. Did not see an obscene book. . Constable Gamble deposed to receiving in formation from Joseph Worms ; he went to Cross-street and took prisoner into custody. Fletcher was under the influence of liquor, and said he took the pin and returned it.

Mr Tyler addressed the Court, and said tho case could scarcely be termed larceny. He did not think there was any intention of stealing the pin ; he thought it was a mere joke, as the previous disposition on the part of defendant to tease Worms by speaking of pork, which was a gross insult to him. The pin, he understood, was offered to Fletcher for £1 3s- Gd, which caused Fletcher to knock it out of his hand, and, under the circumstances, he would ask for a dismissal,

His Worship said that he should order prisoner to pay 3s 6 for the pin and £1 costs. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE.

Henry Schumaker, omnibus proprietor, was charged with abusing Neville Thornton, by calling him a swindler and other epithets on Monday last.

Mr Keatley appeared for defendant and pleaded not guilty. Neville Thornton deposed that he was a tenant of Schumaker's, and on removing his goods by an express, the defendant prevented the removal of his furniture unless 103 beyond what was due was paid to him. . On asking what he meant by it, he called him a d swindler.

To Mr Keatley : He left partly because Mr Schumaker had failed in carrying out his promises ; and the adjoining house being a brothel. He did not tear defendant's coat. He objected to pay an unjust demand ; he demanded 10s in lieu of notice.

His Worship said a landlord could not stop goods for notice. , ' -

John Wilson, a seaman, deposed that the fortnight's rent was refused by Schumaker,

who wanted an extra 10 3 . He heard U word "swindler" wed by defendant S could not say that people heard what wa_ said; they might have been deaf (laughtwV they were within hearing distance ' William Waring, labourer, deposed that Schumaker was annoying Mrs Thornton ia the afternoon, and he heard tho _ « swindler" used to Thornton W °rd Henry Schumaker deposed that on U m _„ last, Mr Thornton owed him 30s, the ff? lieu of notice. He did not wish to ston th furniture ; he nplv asked for his lent ______ Mr Thornton absolutely refused to pay alt ing he would go to law first. There was nn bad language used; he was not a blackguard After some further evidence, in which it waß shewn that defendant had acted nn wisely, the Court ordered him to be bound over in £20, to keep the peace for three months, and to pay the cost 3, £2 4s. Several assault cases were settled out of Court.

Anchovies and Toast.

(EROM OUR LOFDON CORRESPONDENT).

POPULARITY OP SINKING.

Rinking is still all the go! In Paris they are going in hot and strong for it, only the Parisians have taken to the sport accom. panied by the demi-monde attraction. In England this is not so. The rinks are pa tronised by the best people of both sexes, and ladies' boarding-schools now make a practice of patronising the Plimpton skates. How ever, in one seDse, rinking is not fashionable. Costermongers have taken to it, and at a recently-opened rink in town they may be seen in quantity any Saturday afternoon. At present they are mere novices, and are glad to make rpriet progress. What they may do when proficient, Heaven only knows, it ia a most extraordinary mania, this same rink ing. Of course I put on the skates, like other people, but, having mastered the art of progressing comfortably backwards and for wards, I have failed to see any pleasure ! in making daily and hourly pilgrimages round and round a dull pavement in the company of a number of dull creatures of both sexes whose aim and object in life seems to be to preserve their balance and keep up a broad grin, even when on the bare bone of convic tion, seated on the floor, a "sad mechanic 7 exercise, like dull narcotics numbing pain." Wonderful it is to see so many highly educa-■' ted and talented persons careering aimlessly in a ring like circus horses for hours together. Truly the mind of man is fearfully and won derfully made. THE WEATHER. Until the last couple of weeks we have been having fearful weather, Hard frosts and cutting winds have been the order of the day, but we seem now to haVe entered upon a more genial era, and sunshine and warm breezes are beginning t0 7,, bring out the spring blooms. It. is about time that we had something of the sort, since the winter fairly set in about the middle of October and remained with us until the middle of March. Heavy Hoods have also visited many parts of the country since I last wrote, and on the Conti nent they have had some terrible watery visitations. Paris has been half under water, and on the Danube the towns have been half submerged. High tides, too, have been » ; source of tribulation, and in Bpite of the ' season of the year, thunder-storms have, left ■*' unpleasant traces in various parts of England. <

&STHE DISRAELI GOVERNMENT, v

The Government are ruling^the roast, com pletely at St Stephens, and so far they have had nothing to do but record one victory after, another. If you pay the least attention to the opposition journals you will beratherapt ;; to fancy that destruction and trembling have taken hold on Mr Disraeli and his party, but' if you do imagine it you make, a great mis- ,» take. By some means or another they have . the sense of the country, and although the * hostile press may proclaim desolation in their path, they continue to march along steadily, reminding one rather of Lanseer's "Dignity' and Impudence." The Royal Titles BillhSis been an extraordinary instance of the'1' immense power of the Government in the country. When Mr Disraeli first brought forward his proposal to add the,title ofi 7 Empress of India to the Qneen's designation i the suggestion was received with acclamation . by all sections of politicians, press, and popu lace, but it seems afterwards to have occurred to the Liberal leaders that it would be a good ground for a trial of strength, and no in ; about a fortnight the Times and the liberal | press, executed a " right-about-face " and said that the Bill waa a hideous mistake and could never become law in England! The Premier was challenged to give his reasons for the Bill, which he declined to do, and which he did not1' do until the night of the final division, when he made one of the most magnificent speeches that ever left his fluent lips, and not only delighted, but completely electrified the House, carrying a majority of 75. Truly the Premier is a Titan in debate. Perhaps, the most remarkable words of the session fell from his lips that evening, when he said that one reason for the adoption of the "Empress" title was as a kind of counterblast to the 1 "Emperor" of Russia, whose progress in the East had been the source of so much . anxiety to English diplomatists. Some persons profess to be anxious about onr relations with Russia, oh the ground of our' '• Benjamin's remarks, but as far as the Bill in,, question goes the country has not shewn .a spark of sympathy either for or against it, and. it has manifestly been an affair of the Liberals as far as the Opposition was con-, cerned, and a very bad war-cry it has proved. The colonies were dragged; into the discussion too, and the Royal Colonial Insti- __ tute took upon itself to say that the colontots would be very much gratified if the Queen would condescend to call herself Queen of Australasia, &c. For my part I maintained that you fellows in New Zealand , did not» care a brass faithing what the Qaeen called herself, that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and that the whole discussion would be regarded at the Antipodes as a ridiculous farce and waste of time. Am I right—or any other man?

CABLEGRAMS.

The Sonth Yarra Outrage.

The Stevenson's Case.

MELBOURNE.—THIS DAY.

John Ryan, convicted of the outrage on Mrs Rumboldt, South Yarra, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, three months solitary, and a hundred,and fifty lashes.

A warrant has been applied for against Trowell for perjury in Stevenson's case.

A NEW CALEDONIAN REFUGEE IN DISTRESS.

THE GIGANTIC CHARGE OF

FORGERY.

[PRESS AGENCY.] SIDNEY, June l5 v Victoria promises her co-operation in reference to the second cable. •-,-■ ,' A rich quartz reef has been discoverrea in the Gulgong district. A Brisbane telegram states that on Sunday last a party of timber-getters founa a man in a deplorable condition in Widely.. He was one of the recent five escapees f r?m . New Caledonia, One was'drowned during the passage. Black trackers! are looking after the other three, who left the rescued man for assistance, he being much injurea.^ The Postmaster said, in reference to ins proposed increased rate for, conveyance 01 , the, Australian mails across the. Continf MOT America, that, from jnfo.matiott. receive^

fit if 111 W«_*B_il_j^__S«l_____W«»i_«_4Al_*(

cWs f&LtikSXt, 4^ l.Xilt&J'M^M.. tJU-NJla iU 3 Joy®



Provincial Government number 145, and are

thus employed:— Legislative Department 4 Waste Lands Department 5 Publio Works Department ... ... 12 Goldfields De_artment 17 Hospital Staff " 9 Lunatic Asylum Staff ... ... '" 21 Gaol Staff ' '" 25 Harbour Departments ... ... ... 30 Inspectors 9 CIerk3 and Accountants ... ... . . 8 Miscellaneous 5

Total .,, v J45



JJvew W" inter Goods. S. & J. R/VAILE ABE NOW OPENING UP FURTHER SHIPMENTS IN . Seasonable Drapery, Clothing, Fanoy Goods, &o. New and Choice Dress Materials A Special Lin, of Fanoy Satin Cloths, Is 2Jd per - . "yard New Winter Jackets New Velvets and Velveteens French Merinoes, Satin Cloths and Serges _ S , IF" froms^d toSsed per yard ;Ui 1 .'•'sg°l.?lilWs,Skirtlngß,.,&o. I >r^ BP\endid Stock of Winter Millinery 1 1_ Hyae Park's and Wool Shawls. ~,:>''.,'! J hi";



ITICTOEIA SEED STORES, CATALOGUE SEEDS AND PLANTS NOW BEADY. Cam Bk Had on Api'lkiation. R. BAIBD, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL SEED MERCHANT, AUTUMN AND WINTER DRAPERY A*rD CLOTHING. A Large Parcel of NEW and SEASONABLE GOODS of every description, just to hand, at RTJSHBROOK and BEIDGMAN'S. . Exceptionally good Value, bavinc; been Purchased at a considerable discount:— BLANKETS! BL \ NKETS ! Blankets, all sizes. White and Coloured Good ptronrr All-Wool Flannel, fi-ro Is per yard Winceys, in great variety, from fid per yard 32-inch Wincey at Is per yard, rare value A choice assortment of New Emmy Dress' Goods, Calicoes J and Sheetings, Furnishing Goods, etc,, etc. Also, CLOTRTNG ! nLOTHING!: For Boys and Mon. splendid value. ■ | Suits. Coats. Trousers, and Vests Overcoats. Pilot Jackets Printed Moi<> Trousers, Shiris, Hosiery Hats and Caps, &c. ... R ,V B v"' *=-»_-__ ahovc - ' ■><"■ WihfloVhefe Invito attention to the OT" --"v '"^''"Oh wilt prove that for PRTCE and * CTYY our Htccx -win hear favonrahlo comparison with that of RiVy othtr House In the Trade. Patterns forwarded on application, and prompt and careful attention to country orders. 5 % DtSnOIWT ALLOWED ON ALL CASH PURCHASES OF 20b. and upwards. RUSHBROOK _r B BID OMAN, rLATT! R. FOBBPI. jONarrojt pvapfary wa vr, house, Oppoq<te the Army nnd Naw Hotel, TJPPBB QUPTW-PTBEHT, ~ . Attcklanp. THOBNTON, SMTTH^eTFTRTIFS PRICES CURRENT (WnoLttsALK)'- Rack'S. lOOlbs ROM "Crown BraTid" Flour, J_ s. fl. £ s. d. £ s. d. Per ton 14 0 0 14 10 0 15 0 0 T. S. F. Canterbury Flour, do 12 10 0 13 0 0 13 10 0 RharpS.do f! 17 fi Bran, do fi fi o Fowl Wheat, per bushel. 4s 3d to 4s fid. Tho above prices include sacks and bags. Sacks and bocs not rernrnaMe — Terms Cash. Auckland. May 2.187 G. The New Reason Cod Liver Oil, 1876. Guaranteed perfectly pure and free from smell or unpleasant flavour. The quality Is especially fl"o — 2s ft* and r>i a bottlo.—Avothfcariks' Hall, opposite thn Post-offlio. Manning's Worm Powders — A safe and effc'iial Vermifncre. Prepared only by J. C. BHAR t.a-ntt> la _ packet.—A roTnECAUiF.s'HALi,, opposito the Post-office. Well T never ! exclaimed a Woman as she looted in at a Drnpor's window. " Wha''s the matter?" said a neighbour. "Wbv look! here Is a Hat mark*»d 3s lid : surely it's a mipf'.kc." "No its true, T bought one for my Annie : that's all T paid " " Did yon ever! But look, ho is takiner it out of the window: I'll go and get it atonce." She was in time to b"q it sold, but left an or^er for one jnst like it. "Sorry we havo not ano'her Mmmed." says t'»« Mil'inT. "Tho fact is. we cannot keep thco 3s ltd Pats, neople lake them in quantities." Next rlny when shP saw ft on. sho paid, "HEMES & TRICG, 21fi Queen-street, for me." Every temnerance law hitherto framed admits the npcessiiy of stimulants as medicines, and no tofotallcr of sense denies that they aro pssontial elements of euro in a variety of diseases. Only fanatics deny *he ntilitv of an alcoholic prepnra'inn. Tho rapid and positive cures of nervous debility, dyspepsia, kidney and bladder complaints, uterine ailirents. wrought by Uoolpho Wolpp's RcnrnnAM \T>r>MM_r BrrrvAP"K, give the Ho to thoso who deny the ntilitv of si i-itiious medicines. Weston's Wizard Oil and Ma^ic Pills. Have en red more wonderful cases of Rheumatism, Gout. Ne.walaia. Aches. Pains, Swellings, Caked Breasts. Seahli, and SaU-Vhcum, upon the human frame, than all the pretended remedies havo since the world began.' These flreat American Medicines aro com posed of vegetable oils, healing gums, roots and herbs; and"act like a charm unon pain aud Inflam mation. Price: Hnlf-a-crown. Sole Agonts: Kemp thorn p. Prosser and Co.