SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

B.IXUI w*r«R.-Thti afternoon 5 20; to-morrow

BTJN BE i A This avanlng. 047 81/ N Klßis—To saiorr.jw morning. 6 43 MOON'S AWfr-adw Moon. 25ih, Bpm

ARRIVALS.

M'^anrr. cnttpr,from Russell :Spltf:ro, cniter, for R^-g^i Sovereign of the Se^ cutter, from W?.ng4«i

DEPARTURES.

Jjona, B B ,rort>, e v O rh Coral.-, c (U( .,. r for ~,,0 M

A Vessel on Fire in Freeman's Bay.

■At 11.30 last night, as constable Graham was going his rounds, he heard an alarm of fire at Mr Boss's shipyard, and on hastenh g to the spot found Dr Wright's new ve^sei* the _ Marmion, on tire, the smoke issuing out of the cabin so thick be could no g cet down with safety, and as tbe Ibody of tbe fire could not bo got at £ om on <&eck, the constable had the main ha'ch re moved, and at great trouble succeeded an getting mastery of the flames which had evidently not been long in possession of tbe "woodwork. The vessel is just oomp'et d ibnildingand cost herowaer upwards of £1500. 31r Ross states that he bad been away from the shipyard during the whole of th^ •day, but on his return at eight °'olo^ K •went over the Marmion and * oun(^ a u perfectly safe. To-day ~D- W ri*ht had the vessel surveyed by 'J aptasn K«*ns, who reports that tber;, ia no BerioUß damage done, the floo- o f tbe cab j n being sorvched, and the bu', K heads a little burnt/ There is no clue as to the origin of the fire, but the polio© making every enquiry.

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs Tnnlts and Go's salo of n»\\r seasons tPas to day was fairly attended, but the bidding was languid and only about 200 i an* aces we sold »t reasonable prices A few lines of Poverty Bay mbize were also sold. Mr R. Arthur hid a fruit sale to-da-. Ne'son apples realised l>£d to 2% ; Wan* arei pears, 1)£Y1 to 2#d ; Pota'oes, 3s 9d t* *s 3d; Ojh ns #d to &d; J»m« 7-i to 7s 3d Krl W. baton's fruit, fale to-d)y wss but thinly attend d coniementij" i>iddiairwairv torflsk. *ppl»» fetched Id to 2%d; peats Id tol^u; and pine-appl.s 3s 9.1 per dozou

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND

MAti« wn.i It.Mk1 hk coi.r.nwv ■-■ Fo" 'i'hiinen, to-morrow, at ft 3^ pm Pr Bvs ell, i.e. <;i. inatis mi-m.o.>oor«r atlO am for Wa'«era \'aiiuri.ii^i MtU-an», T.j rat. etc, per An ■ eMilh nl<, on Thur cUy text, nt. 10 am For W i'.i.n >;., T iiui «>t ot.<ki, *i:d iVhl ier via. Taa r^ngiv ye" Koweon, on Frmay rrxt, nt i pm. For Titranaki, Southt ni ports, arid *u-trallan Colonies, i-ioi' Plicubo, dv Paturdßj' next, &t 5.15 am (Bigneii) S. li. Ul^,--, Ciiu-f Postmaster.

BERTH.

MARKS— At h.>r residence, Ilob'on-strvet, Auckland, tbe wif <of C Mar:is of a ttau^hti-i*.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1876.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, for the future in the distance, Aud the good that we dan do.

fT is very desirable that ou^ . „ . A , , ~ _. - refiners m Auck land and at the 7'- „ lit j ±. j ■uanVS should understand from what doUrce the £4000 now mada ayail . a ..le for Thames works has been derived. The members of the Thames deputation which waited on Dr. Pollen yesterday were treated so plainly in the character of beggars, and were told so much about the restrictions of the law, that some people may form the impression that the General Government has performed an act of extraordinary liberality in binding over—disgorging is a better term —this £4000 in the present emergency. The facts are something very different. In 1874, the late Mr Williamson, then Superinten dent, made an arrangement with the General Government under which a sum of £40,000 was to be advanced in instalments for pro vincial purposes. These payments for a time were duly met, bub after the departure of Sir Julius Vogel and the assumption of the Premiers-hip by Dr. Pollen, every obstacle was thmwn in the way of the due fulfillment of this agreement. The capitation money was likewise stopped, both measures being clearly adopted with the view of placing the province in a dilemma. The Superintendent remonstrated, and a sharp correspondence between Sir George Grey and Dr Pollen, by telegraph, followed, in which the latter did not figure to advan tage. Failing to secure any settlement from the Government, the Superintendents of Auckland and Wellington determined upon a combined application for a mandap^g from the Supreme Court compelling t he Q eneral Government to p.y o%r tha o , pitation granfc> which resulted *„ m ho fe nowledgment hy the Colonial V-ecvetary of ths- illegality of his Pro.o-redings, and the money was paid. The | instalments of the £40,000 advance were I still delayed, but have since been "paid from time to time, until a balance of some £4,000 remains. This constitutes the sum which has now been handed over, and we have really to thank the Colonial Secretary for nothing, unless it be for the still larger and equally illegal stoppages of provincial monies due upon the account for the current year. These deduc tions are explained in the following telegram despatched by his Honor tile Superintendent to the Colonial Tresurer yesterday after noon : — t Sir Julius Vogel, the Premier, at Wel lington :—"A m»in auefitioa raised in my telegram of the 18th instant appears to be in the answer received today, and it is one which must be dealt with by the Cabinet An arrangement was made towards the close of the lasb session between the Colonial Treasurer and the Provincial Treasurer that certain amounts should be paid the Provin cial Government to enable it to conduct the public business. In the amounts so to be paid were included the gold fields revenue aud the capitation allowance. The Provincial Treasurer states positively that in the arrangement with the Colonial Treasurer for the a^vanceof £60,000 in aid of the P. ovincial revenue for the current year, it was distinctly understood that this province would receive about £1000 a month fiom the Colonial Treasury On account of capitation allowance. Stoppages from that source have now been made to the extent of £3000 for thf quarter ended 31st December last; atid the receivers of gold revenue have been instructed, with out any reference or intimation in relation to these subjects having been made to the superintendent, as holder and delegate of powers, to cease paying such moneys into the Provincial account, and to pay them to public account of the colony. lam advised that Payment to Provinces Act, 1871, has no longer the force of law, and that the .Act of 1872 is the one ui'der which the provinces draw -their capitation. money. It stems, there fore, that the Treasury has not the legal power to make the stoppages which it has done. I pray that I may be immt-diitely informed whether the Government will or will not carry out the arrangement made be tween the Colonial Treasurer and the Pro- Tincial Treasarer, that I may determine what course I must pursue under present difficult circumstances The population of Auckland was about 67.000 when the ad vance of £60 000 out of the revenue raised in itself was allotted to it in aid of Pro vincial revenue. To the province of West land, with a population of less than 15,000 the sum of £35,000 was similarly allotted.— Signed, G. Gjrey."

Whether it will again appear necessary to move the Supreme Court in order that the jast payment of monies due may be secured, is not certain, but the tenor of his honor's telegram is in thai; direction. The policy which allows political animus to weigh as it has for years done, in dealing with a com munity entitled to equal consideration with the more favoured parts of the colony, will, we are satiaried, be judged aright, and there is no reason to seek further than this for the cause of the intense unpopularity of the present Ministry in Auckland. Unless some restitution is secured the province will once more have to appear as a suppliant at the feet of General Government for money to defray the ordinary expenses of gaols and hospitals, for which the £4000 was being hold in re serve. It is not unlikely that this contin gency was contemplated by the liberal minded Daniel in restricting to this £4000 any assistance -which the ■ General Govern ment would afford the Thames.

We have received a letter from " A.N." It is one of the projeny likely to spring from Mr Ewington's lecture. We shall deal with it briefly. " AN." opens by telling us what the Bishop of Cashel said. We don't care a dump for the Bishop of Cashel or what he said. This bishop, it appears, said that no new truth has been introduced into the Romish Church, from the formation of the

Church to the t present time. If he said so, we suppose he knew about .Whether

he did or not is toua a mater of no moment whatever. Then " A.N." argues on it; that if the Church is unchanging, " why should Romau Catholics be ashamed to hear" of the doiogs of olden tirne3. We do n >h know why tbey should be ashatutd. Does "AN." think they are ? We apprehend that shame i 8 not the sbus >tion, but i»rkation and auger, not at the recital a? historic incidents, bat at tin evident intention of people to provoke them by raking to^erher a large number of historical statements, With a lirg<t m^ns ire of untru'h in thorn, the venomous narratives of p-ople who wrote when inspired by the htlish enniiies of their own days. Tnis, we think, is the feeling of Roman Catholics, and we think it is a very natural and reasonable one. We regard these historic enquiries into the old ran corous struggles of the Churches, as " _„»,, j only by the same o1' 1 "■• . ~ .:, . , .-a ppjfSfiuuUng mmz which in forr- » i , , th _ -^«r times diove to the rack and —> stake. They are done under the guise of a search after truth, but they p,re in reality done only in the search for dirfc to throw at lv omau Citbolics. "A.N." says of the Catholic Church " She only wants the power aud the opportunity" and she would revive the old scenes of persecution. We are not in a position to know whether she would or not. But of oho thing V,'G are perfectly confident that; there are Protes tants—and olir correspondent we think is one of them—to whom tho flavour of a roasting Papist would be as the perfume of a new blown rose, and who if they had "the power and the opportuuity " would gratify their thirst for persecution, bringing them selves to believa the while that they were doing Heaven's service. Not haviug " the power and the opportunity," thanks to the spirit of the age, they must enfiue them selves to calling Catholics hard names and casting up against them the deeds of their ancestors, an 1 worrying them gpnerji.'ly tlnough ihecone-pondencecolumi.a of a newspaper. Wo do not hesitate to say ihat_ this L ctuiing at'aiutt dtholics, and writing against them, aud provoking them in so many uncalled for ways.are all in the true spirit of the uii'livjcal persecutions, and are availed of only because the 19ch century per mits no other form for the venting of the diabolical feeling. We anticipate the scorn with which some wi!l"regard our protesting against the raking up of the old buried feuds. But if "A.N." and B uch as he can lay thoir hands on their hearts, and say that their ecclesiastical forefathers were clean from the staiu of persecution, we shall admit the justice of their hurling stones at the Catholic Church. But what will the Church of Jing laud Say about the hunting and shooting down of their Presbyterian b-ethnn on the wild hills and moorlands of Scotland in the old covenanting days ? What will Pro testants say of that stain on the history of free England, the misgovernment of Ireland, aud the cruel disabilities under which, even to our own days, the Irish Catholics were oppressed? what of the wringing of tithes from Catholics to support the Protestant Church in Ireland, when, as in well authen-

ticated cases, the very beds were sold from under the sick and dying to sustain tbe extravagance of hunting parsons—and all done in 'the holy name of religion ? And what Bhall we say of the great John Calvin himself, whose r>ame is a watchword to Protestants, having, when virtual dictator at Geneva, compelled the magistrates of tbe city to lead forth Servetus to the stake and roast him there because he did not think as Calvin did on one of the most obstruae of the mysteries of the faith ? Ie is all very well for bigots to pull log faces and hurl insults against Boman Catholics, but if they will thus wantonly provoke a breach of the peace of society, by dragging in old incidents that only provoke profitless social discord, they must expect to receive as much as they give. We have the utmost repugnance to the introduction of these politico-religious rancours into our columns; and because, in defence of the frequently assailed, we refuse our sympathy to these worrying attacks, We. are of course set down as "toadying" tbe Ro man Catholics. We would recommend A.N., whose initials wetake to be thoseof "A.Nass,'' to turn the energy of his intellect into other chaunels. There is goodness, and piety, and devotion in the Catholic Churcb, and there is in the Protestant churches ; but in both the one and tbe other there are, and there always have been sons of Belial, whose diabolical instincts impel them to malice and cruelty and perse cution. We regard them as being in our present circumstances a pest and a curse to society, which could live quietly and lovingly together and eDgage in mu tual works of kindness, such as become good colonists and neighbours were it not for oar constantly reminding one another in this way of the bees in our great-grand mothers' bonnets.

Mr. Dargavilo: in a letter to-day, follows up his last tff.jrt wi ha terrible blood and thunder story of "skull and cross-bones." Ie is very melancholy to see a man of Mr Dargaville's parts exhibiting himself before the public in this ridiculous light;, but we suppose there is no law to restrain him We are sorry he has been frightened, and it is even more painful to us to learn that Dr. Pollen in his "serious illness" {vide the Herald) has been frightened by a "cowardlj* scoundrel of the shoot btshind-ditch frater nity." We are glad, however, to learn that Mr Dargaville's life is insured, so that when he is " popped off " his departure will not be an " unmixed evil." We would suggest that these dark missives should be framed and ex hibited in Mr Way te's or Mr Upton's window, and that beside them should be exhibited a fall size photograph of Dr. Pollen's " illness " and its nurrouodings, as a silent appeal to the sympathy of the people of Auckland.

EUROPA'S FATE : OR THE COMING STRUGGLE.

Wellington the future metropolis of the British Empire II The fondest dreams of Port Nicholson denizens even under the inflation of Sir Julius Vogel's glowing pic tures of coming greatness, probably never soared to the contemplation of Wellington as the seat of the Sovereign and Court of New Britain, and the " brightest jewel in the British Crown." But there appears to be some one even more sanguine than the native-born Wellingtonian, which is saying a good deal. In a pamphlet lately issued anonymously from the English press entitled "Europa's Fate :or the Coming Struggle. A History Lesson in New Zealand anno domini, 2076." The writer, singularly enough, has selected the city of quakes and shakes as inheritor of all the trans planted glories of old Eagland. The scene opens in the garden of a villa "in the outskirts of Wellington, the vast and daily increasing metropolis of the popu lous and wealthy Empire of New Zealand," where a grandfather is pictured as relating to a small boy the fate of once mighcy Europe. His story opens with the decline of Turkey, which in 1876 culminated in the opon determination of Russia to seize Constantinople. France, crushed by Ger many, was unable to do anything towards repelling the encroachments of the Musco vite ; and Germany, having no direct interests, declined to do so ; while Austria was afraid. England declared war and despatched a fleet to engage the Russian nary, but in the Bay.of Biscay, through mil'

manacfinent, two unwieldy ironolads ran into eich other and sank, while a third wh'ch wen*; to their ass-isfcance, eolLded and returned to Portsmouth for refit. The others reached Malta, but before that time the Dardanelles were- Occupied. by "Russian circular jronttlads and frigates. After a three days' engigetnent ths English fleet; was compelled to • retire with gn>a L, loss. A year of bungling folio weil ami 'efn Russia, firmly established itt hf>r new possessions, England adeeming the situation anfl consolinu ?ifcP&*l? with assuming the snvereiffttifcy of Em-p1; Shortly 'fifi.fil. tH'S the "Jinrly rlfgßrts o f Afrfci Wertt fiUdOßPafu'ly n o^ed an ' a lnrtje fc'Ms s"6«ned up by s'eiun from London tri T"irnbuc oo and oth«r o«ntfal disk'iota. Mpanwhilo Hu«s a hail f>u»-h-d on her frontiers in Asia, and taking advantage of a Mahomedan outbreak, declared war against England, and marched a large army into India, where, aided by the rising of the natives, her armies prevailedj adding India, i And* with it^tho whole Aslittid continent, to [ the Ruao!andominion.*. Duringabloody warm which France regained the provinces taken by Germany. Russia seized Denmark and the greater portiou of South Sweden. Then came ;v formidnb'.o outbreak of comnotluistic social ism in ovory country, ctaatroyifi? p^'lic bttilclinffS atirt overturning rtion.'iraneS. Ihi 3 was ultimately sn»pro«sed by Russian troons Canada now voluntarily joined hei'f?olf to the United States. England,owingtoberpnormous comm^rcot waxed, richer and ilcttet1, atid viewed, the lo'B* of her Batffcerfl And. eoltinlil |irt»BFhisi6n§ ft'iiih sublime in^inei'ei'ice. About ttiw tim«, the land in tho South .Pacific was observed to be rising ; several new islands aopeared batwoen Now Zealand and the F>jis, and the tide receded from the shores (>( the Northern and North-eastern parts of the island. Vo'oanic disturbance in South America cea^e^, anri there wis evidence of a cea^ altpration in the subterran^ou' centres of igneous notion ; the whole bed of the South Pacific prndually b'Came eleva'edj wh'le t^e BhorP3 of the low-lying countries of Europe were depressed and large areas flooded by the encroachments of rhtf sea. The increasing demands of th« working classes caused the commerce of Britain, to decline, and a sue cssion of bad harvests throughout ■Ru-'ope wag fillotvad bf unprecarlen^e'i com'nun'stic oitbreaks which nvor'hrpw •iparlv all the monarches of Eumpe Two yea's lat°r, three hundrsd thousand veteran emmnnis*: soldiers marched from France through the submft'ine tunnel into England, an/1 made a journey of enn f|npst to London. After denhroyiner tb^ South side of that cUy, a grand meeting of Communist loaders was held in the Royal "peva Housp, Thames embankment, whra the oxnlosives and war m»terial, stored by the invading army in St. Paul's Cathedral, were it accidentally icnited and a terrible ex t)linon ensued, levelling every building for m!lod around, and killing all tho Communistic Ipndera and three fourths of thm'r follower/?. The English army attacked the remnant, killing or capturing ev;rvone of thorn. Dissensions and indiscriminate bloodshed followed on the continent, with fearful enidemic, which thinned the population of Europe, from whence the better classes emi grated to Australia, Africa, America, and New Zealand, the latter hiving become a great continent by the rising of the sea bottom between the Northern shoroa of New Zealand and the Sandwich islands. The land, forming fertile plains of rich red soil, soon became overspread with verdure, and was settled by European immigrants This miehty continent was divided into 27 province?, and Wellington (singular nrefer pnee) choqp.n the capital. Oi the 25th of July, 197G, an awful volcanic disturbance shook every city of Europp, carrvin? dps truction and death everywhere. Volcanoes poured forth ashes and dust that hid the sun, and "for many d*va Stvfeian darkness covered thecontinent." When this was cleared away, Furope, as far as the Ural mountains, ' had disappeared, leaving in its atead scat tere.d groups of islands, formed by what oncp were mountain chains. Great; Britain had suffered lifctle, except from a thick stratum of volcanic dust, which rendered agriculture difficult, and a plebiscite was *aken, whinh resulted in a determination to remove the Court and Government to Wellington, that city thenceforth to be capital of the New Bri tain. Thus ends the narrative. Wefindnoc'ue in the pamphlet throwing light on the authorship, but a perusal of its pages just now is very suggestive of the " bright and luminous path" and the " colonial port" of our returned Julius. It is manifest from this prophetic story that the Waitemata is destined within a hun dred years to be filled up by the operation of natural lawn. Pity that our Harbour Board didn't know it bofore undertaking Us costly reclamations. Here is a chance for the Cross. With that keen foresight and fttatesmanlike grasp wh'ch he ha" manifested on so many occasions, it won'd annear that S'r Julius Vogel in constituting Wellington "the harbour for the whole Island," is after all oplv making prudent preparation for "Europ*'s Fate."

One of our, contributors sends us the fol lowing: "Having occasion to visit; the neigh bourhood of the new waterworks, I was very much pleased to witness the progress marie hy the contractor, sub-contractor, and those under them with this mnch-riepded work. Thp ride from Auckland along the New Nor'h Road to where the water supply is to come from is, perhaps, one of the prettiest about the city. What a different view but rounds the eye at the present as com pared to a few years back. This por tion of what may be called, the suburbs then looked like a " bowline;" wilderness. Now the road on either side is beginning to be dotted over with villa residences, pretty gardens, and suitable trees. Not the least observable is the improvements which have been effected in that portion about the late residence of our respected Superintendent, with the many houses which have been erected in one of the paddocks on the city side. The property of the Hon. James Williamson is undoubtedly a valuable one, and no expense appears to have been spared in making it like an English park. Even tne beautiful Waitakerei ranges is a pano rama, whilst the views towards Mount Eden. fcHe Three Kings, Mount Albert, and the Waifcemata, warrant the belief that at no distant date the neighbourhood of the water woiks, and its equi-distant paces from Auckland will form one of the most fashion able aad healthy building portions of what may now be called our suburban districts."

His Excellency the Marquis of Normanby has given his patronage to the Bellringers for Friday evening next. This will make the eighth occasion the Lynch Family have been honoured with the presence of the various Governors of the colonies during their tonrs throughout Australasia, and the second time of the Marquis and Marchioness of Nor manby. They having some three years since kindly patronised the Bellringers in Brisbane, Queensland. '

English troops are being sent to strengthen the garrison at Malta. The ninety-eighth Kegiment, lately at Barbadoea, was ordered to proceed there with all despatch, and is now on its way in the troop-ship Himalaya.

Glasgow justice is not always explicable. The other day, a tailor, convicted of kicking M 3 daughter in a most inhuman manner, was sentenced to a month's imprisonment. For a similar offence another man received a like sentence, while a third who had brutally assaulted his sister-in-law was allowed .to escape with a fine of fifteen shillings. The ground upon which the leniency in the third case was shown was a little curious. The facts were quite well established, but the prisoner pleaded that he assaulted his victim by mistake, thinking she was his wife. The Court accepted the plea. The Building Committee of the Newmar ket Hall are requested to meet this evening in the Beading Koom at eight o'clock.

The L' ndon police are about to start fan France to bring back the crew of the British ship Leniu'e, Captain Hatfieid, from Antwerp to New York, who mutinied > n the 31ht of October last, and killed the master, mate, and boatswain, Fieven of the crew will be Changed with raUflet;. A large number of witnesses will also be bfOtigllfu The ex amination of the Greek sailors Will gQsq* mc-nee at NAoCes on Monday next, the Britlsn Consul assisting,

TJie members of tHe Auckland .Institute helirl their rtnntuU meeting last evening in the Utjib fodffi b£ ii) 3 MtiaSilta brtildiii^, Mr J 0. Firth in th« ch*ir The secretaiy i'6ad th'i annual report, which shewed the progress made by the society dv ing he year, at.d 'he papers that hud been read by uiern eIM. The balance-sheet .shewed a balance of £68 ssi lid in favor of the society up to the loth inst., and in the building fund account £1,588 7s had been collected towards thenew building, whidh la rapidly approaching Completion. The chairman then moved the adoption of tho report and balance>sheet, which, upon being seconded by Mr John Goodall, C.E., was unanimously carried. Mr Thomas Macf farlano then moved that the old council be re-elected, and the name of Mr Firth sub stituted for that of Mr Gillies The follow ing gentlemen were theft ejected as officers for the ensuing year: —Rev Dr PVchsse, Messrs Firth, Whitaker, Campbell, GoocUH, Stewart Mitford, Heale, B»rstow, Col. Haultaio, a«d Rev Pr Kidd. Mr T. Macf farlanej flttcUlCfr'.

the fin*! HeM d the; gig 'face for the Mayor's cups was postponed oft account of the strong westerly breeze yesterday. It is arranged to take place iomorrowat 5 o'clock should the weather be favorable.

A " Working Man " writes :—"Dear sir,- Knowing your Jove of fairnlay, 1 take the liberty of sending this letter trusting you will insert it in your valuable columns Atuonp, others, I was one who Worked at the late fire from just after the bells rang out uatil nearly three in the morning, as was pirtly pioved by Mr Ryan, (of the firm Ryan and Bell). Now, in the first place, I did not look for payment of any kind, but when an advertisement appeared in the Star stating that the men who rendered assistance were to call at the Brigade sta'ion and get paid I thought I would go. Mr Hughes refused to pay me after my referring him to two of his own men who knew me personally, and who knew that I was there. I wenl; to the Mayor in the morning, he also recollected my beiug there, and said he had got £5 from Mr Green awfly. On the Friday following, I went to Mr Hughes, he handed me 3=>, after paying men ss, Os and 7", who, I don't believe ever saw the fire. His explanation was that my name was overlooked and not Bent in to the City Council. Now, I would ask any fair dealing man is this right?"— Yours etc., A Working Man.

Among the many greetings that have passed by cable between New Zealand and the civil ised world was the following to-day from the Secretary of the Ponsonby and or Ded wood Chens Club, to the like official in con nection with tho Chess Club in Sydney :— " The Ponsonby Chess Club sends greeting and congratulations to the Sydney Chess Club. Pi to K. 4. Waiting reply."

The following is a list of the visitors who had arrived at the Waiwera Hotel, Hot Springs, up to Saturday, February 19th. Per schooner-yacht Peerless —J". Varley Esq, South Australia ; B. C. Ridings, Auckland ; H. Connell, do; J. Richmond, do ; R. Gra ham junr.. do; Mr. W. Cruickshank, do. Per Annie Millbank :—Mrs R. Stuart, and Miss Stuart, Napier ; Miss Moss, do ; Mr and Mrs H. Roe, Onehunga; Mr J. R. Vialou, Hamilton; Mr. R. Keals, Auckland ; Mr J. Prince, Alexandra ; Mr J. Golding, Wairoa. Per steamer Manaia:~Mr G. Johnstone, Mr T. E. Durance, Mr W. L. Mitchell, Auckland ; Mr and Mrs Cleghorn, Epsom.

KING ARTHUR.

The long-looked-for production of this extra vaganza will take place to-night at the Choral Hall. The piece abounds with fun of every description, the music is lively and appropri ate, and no paine have been spared with the scenery. Most of our leading amateurs will take part in it, some of them old stagers, others to make their first appearance before the footlights. Besides the principal charac ters there are knights and pages, fairies and peasant maidens, etc. Through thek'nd help of many fair hands, the waidrobe prepara tions have been assiduously and most faith fully executed. If we may judge from the rehearsal, which we were privileged to wit ness last evening, wemaypredietan immense success. The proceeds of the entertainment are to be applied towards improving the in terior of the hall. His Excelleccy the Gover nor has kindly given his natronage, and has, we understand, signified his intention of be ing present.

COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS.-THIS

' Day. (Before Messrs Robert Graham. A. Isaacs, Dr Kenderdine, Gustave Yon der Heyde, and W. J. Hurst, Justices of the Peace.) ANTIQUATED MAGGIE. As on my arm she hung—for in me she dfd confide, I telt I had a burden wltii my Maapie by my side — Henry (Jraham. Margaret Painsbury, a woman of sixty, who had been frequently in court on eharees of drunkenness was brought up for the 49th time, and fined 10s and costs. DONN John Dunn, a fine grown young man of six feet, was found drunk last night, and fined 10a and costs this morning. "THOL SHALT NOT STEAL." Thomas Rawlings was brought up on a charge of stealing the sum of £4, the property of Dudley Lawrence in Auckland on the 2lat inst. Prisoner said he only took two, and not four notes. Mr Broham said the robbery was com mitced at the Cape of Good Hope dining rooms. The man he understood had recently come over from Hobartown, and had done r litt.le work on the wharf. Prisoner said he was a seaman by profes sion, he was sorry to say he was druok at the time and was not conscious of stealing the money. , Ordered to prison for one month with hard labour. 3PABNELL CALVES. Robert Morgan, a respectable inhabitant of Parnell, was summoned for a breach of the Municipal Police Act, of 1866, for allowing his five calveß to be at large by the public highway. Constable Jackson heard the cry of the wanderers and duly folded them. Mr Morgan pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s and costs. ASTBAT. Owen McGinn was charged with a breaoh of the by-laws No. 117 for allowing his horse to be at liberty on Barrack Hill, where the animal was apprehended by Serjeant Mulville. Mr McGinn said he had often seen horses grazing there, and was not aware that the by-law *vas being infringed thereby. The Court took a lenient view of the matter, and as a reminder fined Mr McGinn 5s and costs. This was all the business.

MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

The annual meeting of the Diocesan Choral Associa tion will be held in the Choral Hull on Friday next, under the presidency of Bishop Covie. The musical department Will be uuder the direction of Mr Brown.

The United Men Servants will meet this evening at the British Hotel for special business and the introduction of new members.

Mr fewing'toa's lecture on the "Life and Times of William the Sileut" will be commenced this eveniDg at half-put seven o'clock in the Wellesley-street Young Men's Boonm, Mr Thomas Leigh White, in the chair. The lecture will be accompanied by ttnusio sad «ong.

PRACTICAL RIFLE MUSKETRY.

To the Editor of the Eybnimj Star. Sib,—Would you kindly allow, through your widely circulated coltlmns1, the following questions! to be respectfully submitted to the representatives for the Colonial Prize Firing, at Wauganui, 187G?-lst. Otigntthe eye and judgmeafi of the rifleman to be edtitfctted iti Conformity with tha logic of facts in the field di1 not 1 Sad. Is A white target or ground to aim on in accordance with what would be met with ia the field ? 3rd. Is a regulation blackened rifle sight of shy t% anywhere except on a white target 7 4',h Why in a white r.fle siybt prohibited in the Government /^a'ation's if a black one is the best? sih Of what rase in the held would skill in shooting be Witfcoflt a know ledge of distances? and are you not aa a rule quite deficient here; in short, do you know how to find a distance ? 6th. Are the three first principles of the Army Musketry In struction, as to the education of the eye and judgment, the colour of the targets, and also of the rifle sights* wrong or right? 7th. (The pleasure trip aspect of your present meeting apart) Do those of you who affl con tributors to the revenue, consider it a com mon sense proceeding to expend thousands of pounds annually in perpetuating a system tending to inefficiency for the field 1-r Yours, &c.,J 0.5., Kyber Pass Road, February 19. 187 C

MR. DARGAVILLE ON DR. POLLEN AND PERSECUTION.-2nd Letter.

(To the Editor of the Star.)

Sib, —I find that the accuracy of my state ments wltbi reference to Dr Pollen, and the reason why he is so p^secated by the Roman Catholic party here, has been challenged. I now am in a position to reiterate «pon un doubted authority all the main facts which are perfectly correct—the only exception being that it never was the doctor's intention at any time to become a Roman Catholic priest. If any confirmatory evidence were deeded it would be found in the fact that, one of the first letters which Df. Pollen re ceived upon his arrival in Auckland within the lasc few day, was sent by some cowardly scoundrel of the shoot-behind ditch f-aternity. It was of the usual threatening character, embellished with sku 1 and cross bones, &c. 1 myself have been threatened also, but am disposed to treat such threats with contempt. There is an old saying that; "threatened men live long;" besides my life is insured for a good round sum with the Government of New Zealand, so that if any of my friends do succeed in popping me off it will not be a wholly unmixed evil.-1 am, &c, J. M. Daroaville.

MR DARGAVILLE.

(To the Editor of the Star.)

Sir,—l observe by Saturday's Star that Mr Dargaville is again at the work so con genial to him and so much in keeping with his ideas of " manliness and generous feel ing," that of calumniating and "belying a certain section of this community." I can positively state that poior to Mr Dargaville's epistle, 97 per cent of that body to which he refers so charitably were entirely ignorant of the religious opinions of Soapy Dan. I think a little enquiry might have convinced Mr Dargaville that that "certain section" are not so fond of political ornament of the Pollen stamp, and that one or two beauties of their own could and would be joyfully dispensed with in politics with profit to the Colony and credit to all. Mr Dargaville ought to know that there are other causes which may bring a man into disrepute besides being a turn-coat; for instance, Mr Darga ville has never so far as is known changed his religion, though his principles have sometimes shown the shifting propensities of the Goodwin Sands, and if we except Back door Dau, he, Mr D. is he'd in greater politi cal mistrust by all classes in the province than any other individual either in public life or aspiring thereto ; For if Pollen is bad, Dargaville is worse by fostering and p omot ing religious animosity, that greatest curse of any commupity, and while engaged in his unholy work continually blurting forth the sacred name of "Civil and Keligious Liberty." "Yours ete.,—Carrick.

P.S.—You are at liberty to give my name to Mr Dargaville if required.

THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR AND THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir, —The Herald this morning, in reporting the accident in harbour yesterday, attributes it to " the variable and treacherous nature of the winds in this harbour," (Auckland). All who have bad aDy experience (unless biassed by some other motive* than a desirefortruth), mutt testify that our harbour is the finest and safest in New Zealand, and is not ex celled by any iv the Southern Hemisphere ; ami that the winds prevailing here, admit tedly variable, are so far from being treacher ous, that no boat has been capsized bub by mismanagement, carelessness, or incompe tency, and even accidents thus caused are few. It is time, sir, that attention should be called to the shameless manner in which this gentleman (?) shipping reporter is thus un truthfu ly endeavouring to destroy our best interests ; first attacking our ships and then our port. Is this an attempt to toady to Sir Julius Vogel's opinion, as expressed in his recent speech at Wellington, anent Port Nicholson and the Waicemata harbour ? Reporters ! for the nredib of your craft watch this man.—l am, etc., Yachtsmajs, (not MaLMm Niccol this time). —P.S. —As this reporter is advising "the unwary and un initiated in nautical matters" when "sudden puffs spring up, " perhaps he will kindly ex plain the order for " the peak to be let go," and "to let go tha gaff."

THE SIR GEORGE GREY CADET CORPS.

To the Editor of the Star.

Sib, —In your issue of yesterday was a letter signed " Brunswick," which reflects upon my conduct aa late Captain of the &ir George Grey Cadets. I would not notice an anony mous letter of that kind but for its untruth ful and spiteful character. I did call in the uniforms and only received about ten suite, but I positively deny having sold a sin«le suit to a Cadet Corps " down South." Had the Cadets behaved honourably on their dis bandment by paying their arrears of sub scriptions and handing in their uniforms when I asked for them, I could at that time have sold them to a Cadet Corps in Auck land, but as they refused to give them up at a meeting I called for that purpose, and there not being sufficient capitation money to pay the balance due to the tailor, I am now ordered to pay the amount out of my own pocket, which appears to make the heart of "Brunswfck" rejoice and leap for joy. For the information of " Brunswick" and all others whom it may concern, I give below a statement of accounts connected with the corps up to the present date, which shows a total income of £271, and an expenditure of £332. leaving a balance of £60 due to'myself I. shall be pleased to shew .'■ Brunswick" or anyone else who may chose to pay me a visit for this purpose, every voucher upon which my statement is made. For my " honorable position as Captain of the corps I am at a pecuniary loss of £60, and after the time and trouble I have taken to make the corps what it was, I am rewarded with the base ingrati tude of such as "Brunswick" and almost called a rogue. Apologising for trespassing so much on your valuable space, I am, &c, Charles A. Taylor, late Captain of Sir George Grey Cadets. Balance sheet, Febru ary 21, 1876.—Dr. : Capitation, 4 years, £160; proceeds of a bazaar and entertain ment, £26 Is. ; various other subscriptions from Cadets, £85 2s. 6d. ; balance due to self, £6011*. 7d.; total, £822 gfc Id, Or. s

£59 17s. 6d. ; printing, advertising, JS tionary £42 14a. • gas aad dri)l-sh e d, £o 15s. lid. 5 rifle range, £3 6s. ; rifle string bugle, pouches, &c, £13 10s. 10d. : convey ances to Kawau, &c, £26 9a. Id. ; sundrfei ' I as per vouchers, £34 ss. ; total, £332 5 S \i

First English News by New Zealand Cable.

The Queen and the Title Empress

The 'Wool Market.

SCUTUM'S SPECIAL CABLEGRAMS. ' Adoption of Austrian Reforms ' Tby Turkey. LONDON. February 16. A.Royal Commission has been api pointed to inquire into the condition of the slave trade at Zanzibar. In the House % of Commons, the ; Chancellor of th c Exchequer intro duced a motion for a loan to pay fop Ihe Suez Canal shares; also fora debt due £o the Commission. The debate was deferred till Monday next. The wool aaies opened yesterdays r The total arrivals up to date amount to over a hundred thousand bales, upwards of 55,000 bales were offered, of which Cape wools prepon derated. The altendance of both home : and foreign buyers was large, and bid ding commenced with great spirit.; Prices are about the same as last series. The Sultan has issued a decree bring-..,,, ing into operation the reforms set forth. j| by Austria, and offering an amnesty, to all insurgents on their returning tcmffi obedience. .' f s

LONDON.

February 19. The Merchant Shipping Bill has passed its second reading in the JBoiiße of Commons.

The Premier, in answer to a question ; said the choice of title was th© pre rogative of the Queen. Messrs Low ' and Foster objected to the adoption of the despotic title Empress. Mr Jacob Bright has been elected for the city of Manchester.

The wool market is active. Com petition continues, but Australian sorts' are generally a shade under last Feb ruary rates. Faulty and cross-breeds show a heavy reduction.

The wheat market is dull, mild weather having improved the prospects as to growing crops. Adelaide is quoted at 51s to 535.

Australian Telegrams.

(BY NEW ZEALAND CABLE.)

Departure of the Suez Mail. Disgraceful Scenes in the Vic torian Assembly. .

SYDNEY.

Monday, Feb. 21. The Sydney Government has with drawn the tobacco duties..

The Swordfish, from London, passed a large American ship on November 16. abandoned at sea.

MELBOURNE.

Monday, Feb. 21.

There is great excitement in politics. Disgraceful scenes occurred in the Assembly last week. The Albion sailed on Saturday for the Bluff, with the Suez mails. The steamer Avoca arrived at Ade laide with an extra Suez mail.

Great Yacht Race.

After to-day we must cease twitting our, y yacht-owners with want of pluck or with any selfish desire to keep their beautiful craft solely for their own delectation. A pluckier bit of Bportßmanlike enterprise could not well be looked for than that exhibited by Messrs Niccol and Mr Kissling in accepaing Captain () McKenzies challenge to race. Their boats are little more than half as large as the Peerless, ; their formidable opponent, a disadvantage which is not got over by any time for tonnage being allowed ; and then the reputation of. , the " pirate " was so very warm indeed that it might well have scared even a sportsman. As our readers are aware, the Peerless/ * arrived here about a fortnight ago from Samoa, having been purchased * from the Samoan Government (who had seized her for an infringement of the neutrality laws) by Captain Mackenzie, formerly of the Mary Melville, Martha, and Kenil worth. As soon | as she arrived, her elegant and lithe appear ance caused universal comment, and. her j smartness under sail became the topic of con versation. Following on this Borne flaring re ports were circulated as to her performances,' and some comparisons drawn unfavorable to our locally-built vessels, which were taken , exception to by Mr Malcolm Niccol. Then came the challenge and its, acceptance by Messrs Niccol with the Secret, and finally the trio became complete by Mr Kissling's beautiful yacht Daphne, joining the pair. The mere fact of the two locally built craft joining issue for the first * time since the disputed yacht race at the regatta of 1874 imparted an extraordinary ,/ interest to the affair we think even more, , than that evinced in the performance of wjf-jj locals against the stranger. The terms • arranged were: The race to be for a sweep stakes of £20 each boat. The course to bo ;; from the Queen-street wharf round TiriTi"^ and back to starting place. The first boat ill to win the race; no time allowance. The race to be sailed on Tuesday morning next^ provided that at nine o'clock there shall be | in the opinion of the umpire a good working breeze givnig a dead beat one way. Captain , H. F. Anderson to act as umpire. Canvas ;i allowed. All plain sails with gaff-tcpsails. In the event of the day proving unfavourable the race will be postponed from day to day. The interest felt in the race was great M | evinced by the large number of people wnOr,.; assembled on the wharf to see the start. , There were nearly 1,000 spectators, and'a ... good deal of betting. A splendid start w«« ;. effected. The Seoret had her gaff-top sail set first, but being to leeward « the Daphne the latter had a sligi" ' lead. The three yachts, however, wens down the harbour for the first few ™naif* yards almost in a line. When near ww barque Thomas Brown, the Peerless struo* off to windward, leaving the two cutters ~ together. The Peerless soon. shewdd/flfflgipi >;( travelling, having kept up to the wmajni*-; so far as to get the fuller advantaga *»tfl?" v being dktoo.ce, and on mobiog th« »»»•

THE EVENING STAR, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 1876



Westonb, Wizard Oil and Magic Pills.—Have cured more wonderful cases of Rheumatism, Gout, Neuralgia, Aches, Pains, Swellings, Caked Breasts, Scalds, arid Salt-Rheum, upon the human frame, than all the pretended remedies have since the world fcegan. These Great American Medicines art. com posed of vegetable oils healing: gmna, roots and herbs; and act like a charm upon pain and inflam mation Price: Hatf-a-crown. Sole Agents : Kemp horne, Prosser and Co. An Earthquake would scarcely be minded by the residents of ferer and ague localities, so used are they to be sbafeen up periodically. If people are obliged to live in ouch unhealthy regions they should take the precaution to delend their systems against the attacks of malaria in advance of the unhealthy season. The surest protection is a course of Udolpho Wolpb's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, which Impart extraordinary vitality to every organ.



TX A. C. B. S. AUCKLAND BKANOH, No. 81. THE ANNUAL BALL of above Banch will tike place in the CHOKAL HALL, FRIDAY, MARCH 17 (3t. Patrick's Dat.) Dsncirx? to commence at £ p m^ Ladies by invitation c\r ular only Tickets, 10s 6d, to b,e h»d of Messrs Callnan. Flynn, Dempsey, and the members of the committee. ■ M. CONNOLLY, __^_____ ™ Secretary. nnHE JCTNCTION DRAPERY X, WAREHOUSE fob. Q.OOD "yALUE FOR |^ONEY. Dbapery, Clothing, Haberdashery, bosikry, hatß and caps, Fcjrnishino Goods, ETC., ETC. t&" Special Lines in Clothing, ka.j Pttechased ax AnoTrow bklow Value, asd xo bk Bold Vest Cheap. A LARGE AND COMPLETE STOCK IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. INSPECTION INVITED. t3F" 5 % Discount allowed to Cash Purchasers on nil Goorts amouuting to twenty sniUiugs and upwards. Orders promptly executed, well selected, and securely packed. fiUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN. [Late R. Hobbs], VNOTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE Opposite the Annjjind Navy Hotel, Upper Qoeen-stbebt, Atjckland. • TUT AN D 0, MIL NE, On aooounx of beins about to Take Stock, will Sell at Gbeitlt Reduces PaicTis, the "WHOLE OF THEIR IMMENSE STOCK or ■ SUMMER FANCY DRESSES, = PRINTS, MUSLINS, GRENADINE 3, JIANTLE3, FICHUS, Ladies', Boys', and Men's STRAW HATS, FANCY DRAPERY generally, And SUMMER MILLINERY. M. k C. M I L NB, CHEAP SIDE HOUSE, ':,]-." ..' 223 & 2!J4, Qneen-street. ■.-'-,, ; ; .' TjIOBMATION AND DRAINAGE JU . OF FORT-STREET. ~ v ■, Town Clwk'n Office, i February 19, 1876. Tonderg will be received by the City Couucil uoiil noon of M'■)^D*Y, the 28th ir-stant, for the Korma tion and Drainage of rort-stteet. in aucirdanov with »pecificauons an t terms to bt viewed a*, the office of the city Surveyor, Canada BuDdiogg, Queen st»et. The Council do not bind themselves to accept any tender. Tenders to be endorsed as above. p; a. philips, jfcii* . ~ Town Clerk.