SHIPPING INTELLEGENCE.

SfGtK watss_This afiaEaoon. 5 24; to-mot»w ftOßStafc* 553 SDK SEX—This awning, 523 SUS KISK-T. mo now morning o4i MOON'S AGS-New Moon, 20th, 04 pm

ARRIVALS.

Star Queen, barque, 270 tons, from New York via Lyttelton

DEPARTURES.

IMPORTS.

Vr : - Fir.r Queen, from ?"ew York:—l 2 cases axe handles, 125 barrels renin, 50 boxe. tobacco, 26 half boxes do. HOG boxes clothes pins, 100 cases lobsters, 200 cs»ps orsters, 2000 cases rtcroßfme oil, 1017 cases do, lOOcwes spirt . turpentine, 149 cases chairs, 20 eases painkiller, 12 c:,ses flonda water.—Owen and Graham, consignee." and agents, Por star Qn-ep, fronvLy Helton : 1110 sacks wheat— Older.

The brigantino Tvnte Brain took her departure from T,i .'Vn .i she lOlh hvt, for Awkbmd via Moeraki. T -p h'irqn« Star uueen anived from New Yerk via %. -o'l.c . t is .ornin? Sh-i left Lyttelton on the 2nd inst, *rd has experienced a series of b filing winds dnrh. r.*o passage. She brings a part cargo of ke'cf-e .: and Yankee notions, consigned to Messrs Owen and Graham, in addition to a consignment of wh?at from lyttelton. Captain Sbnltou reports leav ing Lyttelton on Thursday at 3 pm, and 17 hours afterwards experienced an exceedingly heavy southerly gale hauling to Sr. and NW. The bad wealher lasted five days, during the greater part of which time the ship was run under tha two lower topsails. The sea broki on board several time-, and carried away portions of ill* bulwarks, started the long-boat, dravr-ing tho ring-bolts out of the deck, and flooding the C!>hin. The mate had a narrow escapa from being washed overboard. The Rale, before it moderated, went round to NE and NW, and finally settled into light variable winds snd calms, which hindered the vessel's proves.. The Cuvier was made the day be'ore yesterday, and the vessel anchorsed this morn ing »t ten o'clock Tins re ail steamer Zoalandia arrived at Port Chal mers to-day. The oarnne Vallfejo is to sail for Lyttelton shortly. The'as Pretty Jare left Gsborne for this port ysst- rd«y foren ron. The s s Taranaki left WeUlneton for the Manukau Khe is due on Sunday In onscquence of the threatening tate of the •weither, the Golden Isle which had started for Russell put back into port this afternoon, when there was every appearance of a ME gale. The brisr Pakeha Is loading at Dunedin for Holens vllle and the Wairoa. Th« brlttantine Nightingale is leading at Melbourne for Wairoa (Kaipara.) The hris Wild Wave is expected to leave Napier for the Kaipara to-day. The schomer Canterbury is now due from Now Caledonia, aud the Marlon from N- rfolk Island.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr R Arthur's sale of (.rocaries and general prodnc 1 was well atbr.ded to-day. Tea (boxes) 22s to 27s ; White sugar 4>£d : raisi... 41 to 4&d ; CantPrbury hams lid"; bacon 9%1; Auckland do 5d to 7-S_ 1 Chepse 7d ; butter (according to quality) 4_M to 10rl An-kland ootatO*s 3s 6d to 4s Gd ; onions %& ; pump kins 2. Id to 2s sd; carrots 3s 6d to 4s Id. The various a- tides of furniture in the up stairß depart ment fetched fair prices. Messrs Cochrane & Son held their usual weekly fur niture sale to-day, a'RO, the fittings of the shop recently occupied by Mr John Henderson. On Mon day Messrs Cochrane will offer a number of valuable allotments, situate in Ponsonby, Newton, Drury, and In other settlements ; the freehold properties of the late Mr Abel Kelsall. of "VVaikomiti.

Messrs M. Jones & Co held their weekly poultry, and produce sale to day, which was well attended. The sale generally waa satisfactory.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

Mr Aipmd Ettckland's "Wkpkly Kepokt — At liemuera, on Thursday, few dairy cows at profit ■were penned, and for those lower values were ob ained. Store cattle were also in lea. than average numbers, but without alteration in valui*. Fat cattle in usual supply—l3l head penned—both quality and prices were irreailar throughout the sale, but higher -ralue3were obtained as the sale proceeded. Sheep in moderate numbeis and dull of sate Pat sheep were in less than average numbers, and in request at an advance. Prices given were—Dairy cows, 15 to 18 ; fat cattle, 25s to 333 the lOOlbs ; fat sheep, 3>fd the lb Averages obtained were—lo hftifers, Hngh Knox, L8 ; V head, John Niccol. 1-9 ; 11 head, James Ellet, L 6 17s ; 18 heid (Go-ahead) 112; 20 steers, John "Williams, 18 3s ;11 head, Joseph Scott, LG 18" : 17 head, Robert Barlow, 18 12s Gd ; 24 head, E Ewan, L 7 14', Gd ; 130 Nader half bred store wetheTS, 83 6d ;80 ftt long-woolled wethers Thomas Raid, 225; 64 wethers, Keid Bros. 10a ; 50 half-bred wethers, W Gardiner, 16s ; 100 bheep (ex H.wea from New Plymouth), 18s 3d each,

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

ASSOCIATION. South British Insurance—Buyers, 555,

National Insurance—Buyers, 24s 6d. New Zealand Insurance —sellers, 803. y-ew Zealand Shipping Company—Buyer?, 78s ; Sellers, 80s. "Soung New Zealand Mining Company— 253; buyers 25.. Smile of Fortune—4s 6d. City of London - Sellers, 17s Gd. Palmerston —4s. Waitekauri—lis 6d to 20s j buyers, 16s ; sellers, 19s. Quuen of May- 7s . buyers, 6s. Union Beach—6os ; sellers, 62s 6d. MorniDg Lk'hfc —Buyers, 3s 3d. Welcome Buyers, lis 3d ; sellers, lis 9d Shannon and Fergus—2s Gd, 2s 7d, 2s 8d ; bnvers, 2. Bd. Golden Arrow—Buyers, Is Gd. United Kingdom—3s 3d; buyers, 3s 3d ; sellers, 3s sd. lona—Sellers, 16s.

Joseph NEWMAN, Chairman,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Matls will CJ-osb as follows:— For Thames this day at 530 pm and to-morrow at 11 30 am Por Coromatidel,per Argyla on Monday next at 2 30 pm Per ss Taupo, to-morrow, as follows :— For IndU, China, Mediteiranean Ports, Continent of Europe, at 5 am For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, at 6 30 am For United Kingdom via Suez and Foutharapton, (for letters specially addressed), at 5 30 am For United Kingdom via Brindisi, and late letter* for Southern provinces and Melbourne,at 545 am For newspapers ut 5 am For money orders and registered letters, the previous evening at 5 o'clock For T-iir da, per Mercury, to-raouow at Ipm For Port Piizroy pr "Waterlily to-morrow at 9 am For Hob . t Town per Bella Mary to-mono* at 3 pm For Noumea, New Caledonia, per Cornstalk, to morrow at 9 am For Wiiwera, Mahurangi, I Matakana, and Manga wai, Waipu, &c, per AnnelSdilbank, tomorrow at 10 am For Wanganui per St Kilda to-morrow at 11 am For Levuaa, Fiji, por Augusca, to-morrow at 1 pm Per Zealandia, on Monday, 28th instant, as under — For K»ndavu, Sandwich Isiands, United States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 11 am For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 am For money orders and registered letters and news papers at 10 am Late letters beaiing an extra fee of 6d In addition to the 7>ostnge will be received by the mail agent on Iboard the steamer up to the time of sailing. Higued) S. B. BIS . Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

HILL—OLIVER—Ou tho 10th instant, at St. Peter's Chapel. Parnell. by the Rev. Father Fynes, Francis Hill to Mary Oliver, both of this city.

DEATH.

WALLTS—On the 17th instant, Mr. Thomas "Wallls, aged 63 years The funeral will leave the residence of the Rev. J. Wallis, Carlton Road, To-morrow (Saturday), at 3 pm. McNAMARA—John McNamara, of Panmure, aged 70 year . The funeral will tafee placo on Sunday. Friends ara respectfully Invited.

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 18, 1876

«-3r tli* cause that lacks assfaitanc*, for t!._ ncor,_ that needs resistance fro. Lite foturs in the distance, And tV>c eood that ye can tic.

In strong contrast with the excitement of the House of Representatives is the serenity of the Legislative Council, which has occupied itself during its short sittings with the discussion of several little questions of an interesting and semi-social character Among these, was the debate on the Lotteries and Art Unions Bill, which has passed through all stages. A special exception was made in this bill, as introduced, favourable to the lucky bag and other similarly interest ing devices of fair ladies at church and charitable bazaars. But the Hon. Colonel Brett, oh, horrid and ungallant man ! opposed this provision, declaring plainly that such lotteries were " downright swindles," and hence implying that the smiles of beauty and innocence under clerical guidance are but the fascinations that draw the weak into the silken meshes that Burround an open robbery. He quoted the opinion of Bishop Selwyn against the morality and influence of church bazaars, and con sidered that any exception of the kind would he destructive of the principle of the bill. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse followed in the same strain. The Hon. Dr Pollen came to the rescue, pleading the goodness of the cause, and the sugar-coating that sweetened the pill, and imde it quite enjoyable. He said "he himself had been in times past a sufferer at church bazaars, and rather liked it It was a pleasant punishment; and as long as a man submitted to it voluntarily, he should not object to it. It was an exceed ingly good cause, and he would be very sorry to prevent those gentlemen who felt a pleasure in being "swindled" in that way from doin^ as they liked." Although animated by a very earnest desire to lend our aid to the ladies in preserving those attractive aud popular opportunities for the exhibition of white.book-muslin and for the privileged indulgence of captivating glances, we fear the doctor's line of reasoning is a little weak. We are afraid the knowledge of being swindled, and the willingness that attends the operation, might De pleaded with equal force for the gaming table and the betting ring ; and, as for the goodness of the cause, only will that hold valid when the creed that " The end justifies the means," becomes a gospel tenet. Rather would the stern letter of doctrine teach us that the introduction of "a swindle" into the sanctuary, surrounded by allure ments of a pleasant and irresistable charac ter, constitutes a more henious offence than the perpetration of such things in the tents of wickedness ; for so the pleasantness of being "swindled" at a bazaar might form the initiatory lesson to some young innocent for the enjoyment of the stronger excitements forbidden by the Bill. We know not how the measure fared in committee ; whether the lucky bag is or is not doomed. In the Bill, aa it passed second reading, no special provision was embodied for the prohibition of " sweeps." The restric tions of the measure applied only to the disposal of lands, ships, or other good?, by means of any game of chance or skill, or by lottery. The Hon. Dr. Pollen, in moving it, referred to the recent legislation in Victoria directly against sweeps, and stated that it was his intention in committee te ask that such a clause be inserted. We have no doubt that intention has been given full effect to. Meanwhile, we notice, a West Coast hotel-keeper has anticipated the passing of the Act by holding his sweep on Melbourne Cup before the death warrant of such enterprises receives the final imprim atur of law.

We have not lately heard anything further concerning the proposed alteration in the San Francisco mail service. That the line cannot be continued in its present fo*m is pretty well understood, but as yet no basib of amendment acceptable to the joint Govern menta and the sostraotors has been pro

pounded. The position, however, seema to be this : The service as at i present carried out is a source of very heavy loss to the contractors, who are anxious for a change, but desire by rumours of stoppage and sugges tions favourable to a modification of the most costly and objectionable features of the present service, to elicit a proposal from the joint Governments for an alteration in the prescribed route. The letter from Messrs Gilchrist, Watt, and Co , to the Premier, which we published a short time ago was of that character —the contractors intimating therein, not that they desired a change, but that they were willing to consider one if proposed. Sir Julius Vogel appears, from his urgent letters to the New South Wales Government, almost to have fallen into the trap. But the Postmaster-General of our sister colony was more wary, and inti mated in reply that the Government had no cause of complaint against j the service as arranged for in the con. tract. We believe the sole object of this at titude was to throw upon tho contractors the onus of asking for an alteration in the service, thus securing a manifest vantage ground in dealing with any future negotia tions. Mr Watt, a partner in the firm that conducts the chief colonial agency of the lino, has now gone to San Francisco and wrote down, the mail before last, that he " had hopes that some arrangement would be submitted which would prove satisfac tory." The modification which finds most favour in Sydney, and which may be the one suggested, is :—" That the service between New Zealand and Fiji should be performed by a branch boat of not less than 2000 tons burthen, and the subsidy payable by New Zealand be reduced by £20,000, while New South Wales, on the other hand, getting the exclusive benetit of the main line, might pro perly contribute £5000 per annum more than she does now."

A CURIOUS coincidence of error appeared in the telegrams from the Press Agency and our special correspondent, yesterday, giving the result of the division on the eighth resolution a3 moved by Sir George Grey. Both tele grams announced the resolution as being supported by the Government, but opposed by the Opposition and rejected. The division list shews that the resolution, which affirmed that, the seat of Government should remain, at Wellington, was really carried b> 47 against 30, Sir Robert Douglas and Messrs Cox, Read, and Williams, of the Auckland members, voting with the Government for it, and Mr Rowe, who supported the Ministry on the other resolutions, against.

The Star supplement of to-morrow will contain a number of interesting, stories, and sketches, and poems. Among the tales will be found " Dolly pnd her two Lovers," " Tom Sawyer, the Juvenile Philosopher," "Child of Shadows," and how "Brown the Stoker won hi 3 wife." "The Siege of Berlin" will be found specially interesting in illustra tion of filial affection and martial heroism. Wise sayings, facetite, bits of fun and other tit-bits, make up a rare penny-worth for the rising generation.

Mr Wakefield, tbe member for Geraldine, is bringing himself into great prominence among Kew Zealand public men by his independence of character. When elected, it was generally asserted that his relationship to Mr Stafford would cause the two members to act in perfect unison ; but Mr Wakefiold, although probably not more convinced of the corruption and extravagance of the present administration than his bonourable colleague, has the fearlessness to express his feelings in no mincing terms. He has also shewn a keen sense of the injustice which Auckland has suffered, and by his remarks in our defence appears to have brougbt down on his head the wrath of the Wellington City Council. A Press Agency telegram states that : " The Wellington City Council met yesterday and considered the reflections made last night by Mr Wakefield with regard to the Welling ton demonstration got up for Sir J. Vogol. The purport of his remarks was that after having reported the removal of the seat of government from a "noble city" to a "Brum magem collection of wooden match-boxes" was one of the greatest mistakes over made, and an attempt to force prosperity where prosperity would not exist. He went on to say that in Wellington there had been got up to order a so-called demonstration of work ing men. It was impossible for a lot of loafers on the beach at Wellington to be recognised as what they claimed to be, when they assembled and said, "we are working men." It represented a lot of nobodies, who would not do a day's a work to save their souls. The City Council have drawn up a resolution of reprobation, whioh they intend laying before the speaker of the House of Assembly, and a meeting of working men is to be held on Friday next, to consider the language used by Mr Wakefield."

A meeting of the delegates and members of Trades Lnion vill be held to-morrow evening at the British Hotel.

The Harbour Board has provided the toll keeper on the wharf a new office. The old box was very dilapidated, aud the expendi ture was much needed. The weigh-brid^e is also being furnished with a fresh foundation, the original one having become very unsteady and unreiable. The weighing is interrupted for a couple of days while the alterations are going on.

We notice that some unthinking person has placed on board the cutter Leah, bound for Whakatane, four rabbits, which are to be turned out there. We must earnestly entreat the owner of these animals to abandon this wild idea unless he wishes to ruin his whole district. Tens of thousands of acres of fine land in the provinces of Canterbury and Southland are now worthless owing to the rabbit nuisance. We hope a law may soon be h roduced to prevent the introduction of such a calamity into any part of this country.

The Auckland Institute Bill waa intro duced in the Legislative Council by the Hon. Dr Pollen. Messrs Waterhouse and Acland spoke against it on the ground that last year when the Bill was before tbe Council the mover specially urged as a reason in its favor that the mortgagee would not have the power to sell, and now it was proposed to remove that vital condition. The bill was rejected by a majority of 17 against 6, with out any sufficient consideration or discussion. Dr Pollen Btated, h) replying, that the Com mittee of tbe Institute had made a claim upon the General Gov«rnment which they had no means of satifying, and hence the necessity for the present measure. It is the dnty of the Government now to see if the means cannot be found.

On the motion of the ex-Mayor, the salary of the new head of the Dunedin Cor poration, Mr Reeves, has been fixed at £400, his predecessor in office stating that he had always looked upon the salary as an allow ance for the Mayor to be able to make uso of during his term of office, and he kdew from experience that every penny of it was re quired. Mayoral conquests and hospitality must be a little more prevalent in Dunedin than in Auckland; but we think the policy of our own Corporation in saving the extra £250 for useful works is the wisest policy.

Civic vanity is gratified in the Christchurch City Council Chamber, where the portraits of the successive chairmen and mayors of the City Council are hung in state. The other day four small boys in Chrlstf church amused themselves by ringing the firebell. The result was, they found them selves in th© look-up.

The Wellington papers look on it in this light:—During the twelve hours' stay of the City of New York in that port, she took on board 300 tons of coal, seven live bullocks, 36 sheep, 1500 lbs. dressed butcher's meat, two dozen turkeys, six dozen fowls. The total aum spent by the ship during her short stay was no less than £800 in nash.

A very heavy gale prevailed at Port Chalmers 'and Dunedin one day last week. " The Star says the gale partially unrooted several houses snd destroyed many fences. The windows of a church were also blown in. At Port Chalmers the scene which presented itself at day break next morning gave sufficient proof of the intensity of the storm. Chimneys blown down, windows smashed, and fences literally torn up were visible at every turn. Mr '0. D. Longueville Graham, residence in Wickliffe-terrace was completely unroofed, the solid sheets of zinc being doubled up like sheets of writing paper and carried many hundred yards away."

The Hon. Mr Chamberlin haß called attention in the Legislative Council to the question of preserving the coastal fisheries. In the course of his remarks he said •' the only thing that was required in his opinion was that protection Bhould be given to the fishermen, so as to prevent one man inter fering with another " He had ascertained that "at the Thames there were about 100 men employed in the fish trade," and they were all fighting and quarrelling with one another as Thames people will, " the only wonder hem?, as he had been told, that murder had not been committed, so severe had been the disputes."

The following is the rota of attendance for the Petty Scions Court on Tuesday next : —Messrs G B Owen. P. A Philips, G. P. Pierce, P. F. Porter, J. C. Shirland, P. E S.ewart, A X Taylor, D B. Thomson, W V Thomas, W. St. Clair Tisdall, J. L. Tole, J. Wilson, J Williamson, P. G Wood, W. Young ; George Manners Mitford, Chairman.

In his speech on the Separation resolutions Mr Beader Wood referred to finance, and contrasted the promises of the Premier in IS7O with the performances of 1876. In 1870 the PremW was like Aladdin and his lamp. £500,000 had heen spent as proposed in purchasing a landed esUte for the North ern Island, and yet the North Mand in regard tea land fund was no better than it was befor . The Premier had proposed to spend £10 000,000 in ten years, and had prophesied that in three years much of this expenditure would pay its own interest directly. He had framed tables to prove this. Six years hctd come and gone, the

£10,000,000 had been expended, and there was a loss last .ear on the working of the railways of £6000 Before long, however, Government found that their dream would not be realised, and so they took a new departure. At this time the only interest taken in finance was in the Upoer House, hut Dr. Pollen reassured the dread felt there. The present position, however, had dispelled all his re-assurances. They they had spent £5,000,000 more than was estimated by Dr. Pollen in 1873. and they had 200 miles of railway less than were promised to be con structed. The Newmarket Hall being situated on the main thoroughfare close to the junction of several important roads, in a convenient rendevous for people living in Parneil. Remu era, Epsom and other adjoining districts. Meetings held at tht former place usually re present the feeling of a large portion of the suburbs. Political life has long been in a healthy state in this district, and here many a now line of policy has received its first public recognition. There is a considerable number of earnest-thinking men in the immediate neirhborhood, who are anxious to promote the welfare of the province of Auckland, and take a lively practical Interest in questions of the day, and in meeting to discuss our ooliti cal position, exercise the privilege of British subjects. Any power which would endeavour to stifle public opinion, aims a blow at the liborty of the people, and wo see that New market has not been slow to resent tho insult offered by the Cross. By advertisement in another column, a meeting Is convened to exonorato Mr Robert Graham from the at tack made upon him in the Cross. A melancholy story of fallen gentility is recorded In Australia. A strolling minstrel named Frank Ralph died In the train at Ben digo, and at the inquest it was disclosed that Ralph's wife, lately deceased,'was of no mean origin, being the daughtor of a bonfi fide earl in Englaud. She used to accompany her erratic and somewhat dissipatod husband in his itinerant minstrelsy, and sing in a clear, cultivated soprano to his cornopean accom paniment. Such exquisitejharmony^did they produce—and often was it hoard in Sand hurst—that many parsons, in no wise accus tomed to loiter in tho street at the sound of music, would stand still and listen as long as the melody lasted. Two years ago, the fair vocalist died at Sandhurst of tubercular con sumption, and now the husband, who has a military reputation it appears, has also suo cumbod to tho adversity of life. The case of Mullally v. Jones and Vare, a portion of which appeared laßt evening, re sulted in a verdict of £22 14s 2d for plaintiff, with costs £10 19s. In the case Roberts and wife v. Grey, in which plaintiff claimed £2 10s for wages for work done at 10s per week. Judgment for £2, with costs £1 lis Gd, was recorded in favour of plaintiff. The "window-blind of the period," an ex cellent invention, possesses advantages over all the blinds of other days, has been intro duced by those enterprising tradesmen of Shortland-street, Messrs Winks and Hall, cabinet-makers and general furnishing men. Messrs Winks and Hall's patent metallio window-blind, in drawing up, does not occupy more than half the space of a wood blind; it Is muoh lighter and handsomer, and in consequence of the new method of colouring the lath, the powers of the sun and atmosphere, has little effect upon the blind. Another ad vantage is, and a most important one, the laths, which do not blister, may always be made to wear a new appearance, and they are easly restored to their original beauty by being washed in warm soap and water. The laths of the old fashioned blinds are usually thick and cumbersome, and when closed, place the room in semi-darkness, but the " period blind" of Messrs Winks and Hall, being of finely corrugated iron, being no thicker than a worn, silver sixpence, admits the light which is so necessary in relation to health. Another advantage is connected with the " period blind," it dispels all fears of fire, as its iron character defies the flame or the touch of a lighted candle. These blinds, which are of various sizes, are well worthy of public inspection, and we recommend householders and others to in spect the " blind of the period," and form their own opinion of its fitness, utility, and beauty. Tho cold at Hamilton, Waikato, was so intense last Monday night as to cover a tub of water with ice thick enough to bear the weight of a twelve year's old boy. The London correspondent of the Scotsman writes :—" Considerable attention has been excited by an article on «Cavalry' in Vanity Fair. I have reason to believe that it is from the pen of Colonel Baker. Mrs Baker is allowed to visit her husband in prison every day. She goes at two p.m., and remains till night." The Newmarket Literary Institute appears to be in a steady flourishing state. Last evening the reading room was numerously attended by readers, and by chess and draught players. The Public Hall was in use by a popular society of the district, and all looked contented and progressive. "We are plensed to hear that Messrs Barnett and Livy have agreed to lease the new Theatre Xoyal to Mr J. L. Hall for two years, commencing from the expiration of the Simonsen season. Everyone |wil agree that no better lessee of the new theatre could be found, and will join us In wishing: Mr and Mia Hall a ineoeif nl career in Auckland.

POLICE COURT. -This Day.

(Before Thomas Macffarlane, chairman, and C. C. Macmillan, Esqs., J.P s. DRUNKENNESS. Michael Bntler and Charles Cole were charged with drnnkenness, and fined, os LARCENY AS A BAILEE. Charles Curtis was brought up on a charge of converting of his own use the ram ot £7 103, which had been entrusted to him for a certain purpose by Mr John Kelly, ot Onehunga, on the Bth inst. Sub-Inspector Pardy said he must ask for a remand in this case, as prisoner was only taken into custody last night, and as there were other charges pending against the prisoner. Remanded until the 20th inst. EUPIOyMTA. Euphemia Canty, was brought under the Vagrancy Act charged with having no visible lawful means of a livelihood. Prisoner made a long and successful story to the Bench, on her miafortunesfand golden prospects, and if the bench would permit hei freedom, she would be off by the next boat to the Thames, and as soon as she received her next money from her uncle, Bhe would start for Timbuctoo. The Bench granted her freedom on con dition that she left this city. SPURIOUS COIN. Alice Hoskins again appeared on a charge of attempting to pass a spurious com on Albert E. Glover, of Auckland, on the 15th instant. Albert Edward Glover, landlord of the Black Bull, Albert-street, deposed that he knew the prisoner, who came to his hotel at pight o'clock on Wednesday evening last. She called for a nobber of schnapps ; he sup plied her, and for which she tendered a spu rious coin for a golden sovereign. She took it from the corner of her handkerchief. Me asked her if she had any smaller change ; she said she had not. On taking it up, he saw it was not a sovereign. On one side was stamped, " Keep your temper," and on the other the other the head of Her Majesty. He called his father and shewed him the com which the woman had attempted to pass. He spoke to her, when she said it had been given to her by a person to chadge ; again that Bhe had taken it for half-sovereign ; and a train that she had given a shilling for it. His father took her by the arm and led her to the Police Station. He marked the coin (pro duced). Q To the Bench : She appeared sober, bhe did not say where she got it. He knew no thing of the prisoner. Uriah Glover, of Corornandel, deposed to the fact of his son's calling him to see the coin which prisoner had laid on the counter. He was staying at his house at the time. His son marked the coin with the corkscrew. He heard the woman say, as she waa arguing with his son, that she had no smaller change than the sovereign (coin) lying before her. He looked for a policeman but could not see one. He then took her by the arm and gave her in charge at the station. t Constable James W. Moar, stationed in Auckland, deposed that he took prisoner into custody on the 15th of the present month from the hands of the last witness on the presens charge. He asked her if she had committed the offence, and she said " Yes. He asked her if she had any other couterfeit about her ; she said "No ;" she had only threepence in her handkerchief. He found '. two similar coins to that previously produced at Mr Glover's; she then took out two ! threepenny pieces ; the next morning three pennyworth of coppers were found in her ' shoe. She first said she got the money from a man, and then that an old friend on board the Pretty Jane had been kind to her. He . found however on enquiry .that the Pretty Jane was not in port at the time. To the Bench : It is not the custom at the station to search females when they are ' brought in. Detective Grace gave evidence on the , character of the coin. Ho was certain it was not gold ; he had bad great experience in handling gold ; he tried the coins with aqua 1 fortis, and found them to be made of brass. ! Prisoner : A woman wants a little brass in this world. Constable : Be quiet you can speak pre -1 sently. 1 The depositions were then read over to ' prisoner, who, having made a brief statement ' to the effsct that the money was given to her by a person calling himself the steward of • tho Pretty Jane, and that she went straight to the Black Bull and took a nobbier, was fully committed for trial.

This was all the business.

MEETING OF CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS.

A gathering of Church of England Sunday sohool teachers was held last evening at St. Matthow's on the invitation of the incumbent and teachers of that church. Teachers were present from all the parishes in Auckland and the immediate neighbourhood, viz., St. Paul's, Holy Sepulchre, St. Mary's, All Saints, Remuera, Onehunga, North Shore, Epiphany Chapel, and Mount Albert, to the number of nearly 150. The meeting com menced with tea in St Matthew's School-room at G3O p.m. At 715 the ohair was taken by the Bishop, who briefly stated the object of the meeting, and invited all present to enrol themselves as soon as possible in the newly formed Auckland Diocesan Sunday-school Association. A specimen class of boys and girls was then taught by Mr Worthington, master of the City East School, and a member of St Matthew's choir. The subject chosen was the Fifth Commandment, and the lesson given was throughout interesting and instructive. After the lesson a short discussion took place on modes of teaching, but this part of the programme was cut short by the church bell, which summoned the gathering to a service with which the meet ing was to conolude. The service was brief and hearty. Prayers were read by the Incum bent, and the Lessons by the Bishop and the Rev B. T. Dudley. The clergy present beside those just mentioned were, the Yen. Arohdeacon Pritt, Revs. J. Bates, E. N. Bree, A. G. Purchas, and W. A. Willis.

THE AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir, —At the annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Racing Club a telegram was received from Mr J. Watt, Napier, to the Secretary, requesting in a peremptory manner, almost a command, to increase the entrance fee at the gates from Is to 2s 6d. The members who were present objected to it, aaying it would be fatal to racing interests, and alleging it would be too expensive as each ticket comprising railway fare, entrance, and Grand Stand, would be lis 6d; and wisely ignored the telegram. It was then proposed, and seconded, —" The entrance fee at the gates should be the same as heretofore, one shilling," and carried unanimously. Since then Mr Watt arrived in Auck land ; a meeting of the Committee was held on Wednesday, a few members were present. Mr Watt moved the charge be increased to 2s 6d instead of la ; and it was carried, oasting aside with con tempt the decision of the representatives of the Club, who are now endeavouring .to rafse money by issuing £10 debentures on aseoond mortgage to pay off an overdraft at the bank* It is a most unpropitious time to make those alterations, as it must be detrimental to the sale of the debentures. Who will care to relieve the Club of its liabilities when they see that one man rules the roast. It is not the first time Mr Watt has made a mistake, as he was the sole cause, through his arbitrary dictation a few years ago, of the formation of a second Club, and was afterwards obliged to arrange with thorn, It

now remains to be seen whether the racing community of Auckland will be dictated to by a gentleman who, in all probability, will shortly be a resident of another province.— Yours, A Member of the Auckland Racing Club. •• . - --.♦.•-'

THE WAIROA SUBSCRIPTION.

(To the Editor of the EvßNi.ro StaO- j Pti. —I beir herewith to acknowledge the receipt of the'blowing subscriptions on behalf of the wives and orphans of those men who were drown*din the Wairoa Piver on May 15 The amount of £2:6 181 m has been eonnllv divided between the two fancies • £100 his been invested for Mrs Be d at present in a Building 8- ciety, until a suitable Cottage can be procured for her Likewise for Mrs Woods a sum of £100 h»s been banked, to bear taUMBk The remainder oft the subscriptions have been P*ld over to the widows. The following are the subscriptions received :— _ -Daily Southern Cross" office.. .. 62 2 6 Star of Newton 1.0.G.T 9 « ToKopuru .. -. - "x i l Mangawhwe a 1 . 0 Whakahara 31 8 0 " k*slu\- ;; ;; 612 c A™?* 11 .. 70 19 0 Aratapu .. •• •• o o fi Others 1. _____ Total 210 18 6 On behalf of the widows and orphans, I beg to tender hearty thanks to those who have so promptly and handsomely responded to the appeal for aaste tance-Ycn« tmly.H B. Wbber, Mill Manager, on behalf of the Committee.

THE PROPOSED NEW ATHENÆUM.

(To the Kditor of the Evenihq Sta.r). Bib-On a former occasion (July 31) I wrote to you on the subject, then ffesbly broached, of union be tween the subscribers of the Mechanics' and a party of gentleman (evidently of Btiperlor rank to the ordinary mechanic) who ardently desired to form an Athwßnm. or some Institution which would answer the latters views and wishes more completely than any Mechanic*' Institute could At the time I ielt immedl .ely that subscribers ought to "beware-and take care," and see that the projectors of a new m.tl tutlor. don't fool them. Let thorn hold on to the Sod the,"have, rather lhan sacrifice it to what may .Sly turnout an idle chimera, as such under taking frequently do in colonial towns-more s the nity -Doubtless it would be an advantage to have an institute-or give it what other name you please in the rrain thoroughfare ; but it is so Pj:"«» to nt in rooms where one is undisturbed by the nmbUflg of cart wheels or the other necessary noUes of business, ihere to perus* the pages that Interest and enlighten one andtocritiisethe sayings and doings set down °n our dally journals It would be hard to find a better site for a reading-room than that occupier! by the present Mechanics* Institute. I won tgo Into the question of the desirability of rebuilding on the same site, preferring to leave that matter in.lder abler, and ~iser heads than mine. I will close by reiterating what was said in letter No. 1 on WW matter, namely, that if any of the subscribers to the present Tnetltute desire a change, or wish for Im provements on a grander scale than heretofore carried out. the remedy lies with themselves They h&ve only to provide the wherewithal, and the thing can be MM fait accompli, to me a hack"eyed expression I for one don't see, in consideration of the latest annual report, that the committer) can do much more than they have-at least for a time-till business men at large give a more contented cry to what is now hewd. and until the public come to see the special advantages to be derived from supporting literature as represented by the existencn of Mechanic. Insti tute-I am, &c, P. H. S.dlbb. P. .-Respecting another matter—the prize poems-I would suggest that the entire thirty-two sent in for adjudication be printed in pamphlet form, with Mr John Blackman a taking the lead. I for one will contribute readily my share of the expense.—P.H 8.

THE EMERALD BRACELET.

Among the many amusing reminiscences of the Prince of Wales's tour, the Whitehall Review mentions an experience of the clever ness of an Indian jeweller in one of the great cities. His Royal Highness was desirous of adding to his store of jewellery for presents never very large, and then running short ~ a bracelet which he might present, either to the Viceroy's niece, the fair cousin of the Commander in-Chief, or some other young lady ot high officialism who had been his partner in the dance on two occasions. In specting the stores of one of the most cele brated Indian jewellers for this purpose, bis Royal Highness was shown a bracelet com posed of magnificent emeralds, a gem now of the highest fashion in the East, as was the opal with us some few years ago. The Prince becamo possessor of the choice gems at once, and took the earliest opportunity of present ing them, with some kind and gracious words —as is his wont—to tho young lady. Proud of the Royal gift, flattered by the Royal es teem, and delighted with the fine emeralds, the lady wore the bracelet on her arm at the next ball. After two or three dances, be coming exhausted with the heat of the room and her exertions in such a temperature, she had retered to a seat in the conuervatory, when her companion and partner suddenly addressed her with the question, " Why, madam, what can that be on your arm ? It is all green rnnningdown!" She looked, and with a horror that can well be imagined in that country of snakes, beheld trickling from her wrist a serpentine stream, minute but palpable, green and slimy 1 The emeralds on the bracelets had melted with the extreme heat. They were glass, artfully pierced and pencilled with some green fluid, or of some composition soluble with heat ! Need we say that on the Prince V .ring of the miser able catastrophe, the iiociuious gems were re turned with somewhat more than Royal in dignation to the tricky tradesman, thence forth divested of all courtly patronage? By-the-by, did we say this happened in India ? Someone tells ub that the locality was London —and certainly more westward than eastward.

ROBBED AND MISTAKEN FOR A GHOST.

The MecTianicslurgh (Cumberland county) Journal tells a story that seems al most incredible, though it is vouched for as strictly true. Samuel Erb, of East Pensboro township, had been to church one night, and as he approached his house was startled by a commotion in his chicken coop. On investigating the case he discovered three men ringing the necks of his poultry. When the thieves saw him they fled with their plunder, seeking shelter among some bushes. Mr Erb, with his dog, pursued them, but a couple of shots from the thieves caused tbe dog to retreat. A pistol was then presented to his breast by the robbers, who robbed him of his money and watch, and then compelled him to take off his clothes, stripping him of bis shirt and drawers. They then gagged him and tied^his hands behind his back, and he was allowed to go home, the thieves taking their departure also. A correspondent of the Journal tells the rest of the story as follows :—"The feelings of Mr Erb can be easier imagined than described as he walked home through the keen air. But his troubles were not yet over, for at his gate he was met by his dog, which had deserted him. Failing to recognise his master, he kept barking and snapping through the pales at his legs. Mrs Erb being aroused by the noise looked out of the window, and seeing his white figure dancing in the moonlight thought it was a ghost, called her father, who was staying with her at the time, who csme armed with the short gun, and opening the door called off the , dog. He then desired to know the mission lof one in so strange an attire. Never was man more willing to speak or more unable than Mr Samuel Erb. So the only reply was a few nods of the head, accompanied by as many jumps with the feet. Mr Boozer then brought his weapon to his shoulder and, taking aim at the supposed ghost, demanded it to speak immediately, or leave the prem ises. With this he coupled the promise that a failure to comply would cause him to fire. Mr Erb was now in a great dilemma. Speak he could not. If he stayed he would be shot, and if he went away he would freeze. In fact, he was nearly frozen already. He turned to go, and as he did so his wife saw his arms were tied on his back. Telling her father this, that gentleman called to him to come back, but kept the gun pointed, saying as long as there was no evidence of his hos tility there need be no fear. Mr Erb tremb lingly obeyed, and on drawing|near was recog nised and taken in and cared for."

The Ketch 'Clematis.'

REPORTED WRECK WITH LOSS Op ALL HANDS.

We have on two occasions referred to " anxiety which has been felt in Anckl \ during the last few days for the safety the ketch Clematis. We prievo to si f\j that these apprehensions have been confirmed into little short of certainty of the worst by a telegram received yesterday afternoon by Mr R. Cashmore. one of the owners of the vessel, from the Harbourmaster at Lyttelton —" The schooner Elizabeth reports a vessel' bottom upwards, at Amuri Bluff, at noon to-day, north twenty miles newly coppered, fifty to sixty feet on tbe keel, of great he__n' and supposed to be the Clematis " These particulars are so applicable to the ketch Clematis that we are almost bound to believe that she is the unfortunate vessel referred to, and, unfortunately, corroborative evidence is not lacking. A grain of hope was afforded the friends of those en board by a further telegram received thismornine. This came from Mr D. Ciaig, the Christchurch agent of the New Zealand Insurance Office (in which the Clematis is insured for £1,200) and is as follows: "Going to port to see master of Elizabeth, and see what can be done. Thought by some to be wreck of Dagmar, known to have been floating off Oamaru on tenth. —D. Craig." The Dagmar referred to is a schooner which capsized off Nuggett Point, 60 miles south of Port Chalmers, Ist inst. It is almost im possible that this can have beea the vessel seen, for Amuri Bloff is 70 not 20 miles north of Bank's Peninsular, while Oamaru, off which the Dagmar is said to have been seen, is about 100 miles south. Supposing the Elizabeth to have sighted the wreck on the 16th inst. it would have to be supposed that the Dagmar had floated nearly 200milea in the six days, which is not likely. The Clematis is, or was, a ketch-rigged vessel of 67 tons, and very strongly built, about 4 years ago at Hobartown, of Tas manian hard wood. She belonged to Messrs R. Cashmore and Robinson, of this city. She left Auckland on the 14th July for Timaru, with a cargo of 56,300 feet timber, which was uninsured. The vessel was well found in every respect, and was provisioned for the round trip. Captain J. H. Clarke, a well known master mariner of this port, was in command, and the crew consisted of Mr Campbell (mate), three able seamen, David Taylor, J. Mcßride, R. Hadwin, and Wm. Far ling (cook). She had one passenger, Mr George Giles, late a butcher in Queen street, who was Bimply taking a run round with the vessel. After leaving here the next heard of her was that on the 24th Juiy she put into Lyttelton with her mainsail ripped by some heavy weather she had experienced outside. After repairing damage she left again and resumed her voyage on the 30th ult. From that time nothing certain has been heard of her, but the report brought by the Star Queen, a barque, which arrived from Lyttelton this morning, only suggests too probable a solution of the cause of her non-arrival, and also renders it a bynomeans improbable contingency that she was blown north instead of keeping her course to Timaru. Captain Skelton says he left Lyttelton on the 3rd instant, and early on the 4th experienced the first of one of the most dreadful gales he has ever been caught in. It began from the i South and veered to S.E., giving him a lee shore and rendering it impossible to heave to. For five days the vessel was under lower topsails,tossed about and battered by furious winds and heavy eeas. Before moderating, the gale went round into the N.W. andN.E. and the barque sustained serious damage to her bulwarks and upper works generally. Two days before the Star Queen, the Fairlie left Lyttelton for this port, and got a fine favourable wind,which would consequently be fonl for the Clematis. The most likely explana tion of the fate of the Clematis is that she was beating against a southerly wind for two or three days after leaving Lyttelton, and was then capsized in the gale reported by the Star Queen, being afterwards carried by the S-E. wind, to the spot where the wreck has been reported. We are sorry to add that Captain Clarke leaves a wife and four children,while Mr Giles (who, it is said, went on with the vessel from Lyttelton) leaveß a wife and an adopted child. The mate and crew were all single men. We may add, although it is impossible to say whether circumstance has any connection with the foregoing, tht.t Captain Skelton, of the Star Queen, reports that on Monday, the 7th inst., he passed a quantity of loose float ing timber, together with some pieces of a vessel's bulwarks about 20 miles S.E. of the East Cape. The cargo of the CI ematis be longed to Mr R. Cashmore.

PARLIAMENTARY.

(From our Special Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON.

This day. Mr Sheehan's Motion- The business of yesterday was much less important to Auckland interest than had been expected. Mr Sheehan's motion, as to the delay in the construction of the Riverhead Railway, waß postponed, owing to the absence, through illness, of the member for Marsden. For the same reason, his second resolution, as to the inadequacy of the provision pro posed for roads and works in the districts north of Auckland, was also postponed. Most of the other notices of motion were either postponed, or,. being merely formal motions for returns, were agreed to without discussion. The second reading of two Local Works Bills for Canterbury were agreed to, and one for Southland Drainage was postponed, as it was only newly circulated. The Stewart's Island Crown Grants Bill was read a second time without discussion, being merely a formal bill to give effect to the report of a Commission. Runs in Canterbury. The rest of the sitting up to nearly one o'clock was taken up in a most wearisome discussion on the Canterbury Pastoral Leases Bill, brought in by Wason, of Cole ridge. It is intended to provide for breaking down the monopoly of the runholders of pastoral lands of the Crown in Canterbury. Canterbury men are very strong on the in advisability of such a measure, as it will destroy the security on which va9t sums of money have been lent in that province. There seems little doubt that a vested interest has been created by the land law of the pro vince, and probably no bill would be passed which did not in some way recognise the fact and provide compensation if pasturage rights are to be put an end to. The Government were very anxious to force on a division, and have Mr Wason's bill thrown out to pleaße Mr Stafford and the Canterbury men generally, but of course the Opposition, generally speaking, were not dis posed to do anything to satisfy those mem bers, whose desertion caused the loss of the Separation resolutions. This lead to a good deal of sharp speaking, in which the Canter bury members got very severely handled. Government Business. It is nob yet known what; way the Govern ment will try to proceed with their business, as to-day was not one on which the Govern ment can select the bills to be gone on with. It is probable that an attempt will be made to go on with the estimates at once rather than attack the great measures of which they are afraid, and may very likely be abandoned if they find the House unwilling to pass them. ' They still profess to be sanguine of passing the bills for Counties and Native Land Sales as well as the Financial Arrangements Bill, but it is generally believed that any deter mined opposition to almost any of these measures would cause it to, be dropped so long as. the appropriations are paused and the Government left in office.

ITINIHa BTAR, EBIDAY, AUGUST 18, ItU



T> TTBH.BROOK and BRJDGMAN jLV invite the attention of Purchaser- to a numher of SPECIAL LINI-S, just to hand, BOUGHT at AUCTION, and to beSo.d at a considerable Reduction upon Usual Price. Waterproof Tweed at 8/6 per yard—a Bargain Imitation Nelson Tweed, arst ilass for Boy. Cloth Ing, and very cheap. BLANKETS! BLANKETS! White Blankets, aU sizes Blue BlßiLketa Grey Blankets. Onr Blankets are welii bought, and the large demand for them is a convincing proof that they are nRST-CIiABS VALUE. c 5 f» a __, _C M 0 g g° o § § P. W . M Winceys, Costume Cloth, French Merino, and Fancy Dress Goods. FLANNELS, SDIRTINO, CALICOES, ETC. General Draper* and Clothing Off Every De.obiption. 6% (Is) Discount allowed on all Purchases of 20s and upwards. Patterns and Prices forwarded on application. Country Orders executed with care and despatch. ft US H B E.-0 O t K~ir BRI D:G MA N, UPPER QUKKNT-SIRBKT, AUOKLAM.



■WHAT IS THE .USE OF ARGUING THE POINT? fW Everybody buys Their CLOTHING at COOMBES'. Nuffied. Hemus & Trigg's Cheap Shirting, 6Jd yd Hemus & Wring's Cheap Wincey, from RJd per yard Hemus ft Trigg's good quality Wincey, 7_-d per yard Hemus & Trigg's new Dress Materials, from 4_<l yard Hemus & Trigg's Embofßed Silk Scarfs, all colors, 1/8 Hemns & Trigg's Cheap Flowers, in great variety, 4Jd Hemus & Tngg's Cr cap Hats, new shapes, from Is Hemus & Trigc's Noted Trimmed Hats, from 3a lid. For one month purchasers to the amount of 10s will receive a Silk Scarf, a pair of Hose, Cuffs, and Collars, Straw Hat. or any article worth Is, or Is in money — Note the Prices.—Hemus ft Triers, 216, Qunen-strest. Mark Twain on Bad Musicians.—The must-al public and general readprs arc cautioned not to purchase Weston's Wizard Oil and Magic Pill«, without carefnlly examining the outside wrapper arid bo snror that ths words " None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, F>'-ank Weston, Sydney. N.S-W.," are engraven thereon. Any other ro cal'ed preparations of mine, are unauthorized by me, and calculated to mislead the public.—Signed, Fk.wkWks.tom. Kola Agents: Kcmpthorne, Prosser and Co. Price. Half-a-crown, Belief from Conerh in Ten Minutes — HH4RLA.NDS CHERRY T^ryrOßAL relieves the Breathing and give? re <••.'. ;; . sleep. This is a cer tain and speedy remedy for all Disorders of the Chest and Lung's: in Asthma. Consumption, Bronchitis, Coughs, influenza, Spitting- of Blood, Hooping Cough, Hoarseness, Loss of Voice, &c, &c. 2s. Gd. a Bottle. —APOTHECARIES HALL, opposite the Post-office. Hundreds of disreputable Speculators have sought to palm off upon the pub'io fiery and adulterated drams for a benign cordial, to which the weak, the nervou', tho dyspeptic, ihe sleepless, tbe despondent, owe mm . than to any other reshHa'i^e of a century most prolific in rem=dtf S. But these vile initiations can never deceive thoso who have once used the Great Original, Übolpho Woi-FB's ScniRTJAM Aromatic Schnapps, which is at once a donor and pre servative of health.