SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATI.B-T-.13 (..tarncM, 1040; tO-mOKOW fiiommg, 12 9UN a^ET-Thii wulr..., 485 BUN RISS-So- Eaorrow rccming, 7 1* MOOSTB AG__.-L_._t quarter, July 1,5, 7.35 am

ARRIVALS.

Artyie irom Waaga.el Kowena, fs, from Tauranga Qaeen so-toonsr, Jones from iicklanga,

DEPARTURES.

•Kmpero?. bflsr. Clears, fnr HTeweastla Joseohine, Rchooner. for the Thames Onward. ..ohooner. for Ru-sell Fawn, cutter, for Ross».H Clematis, ketcl-, for Timaru

IMPORTS.

Per Taupo: 27 cases Oauterbury cleese, 6 cases bacon and hams, 3 do larp, T H Hal! and Co.

EXPORTS.

Per Pretty Jane—4 case hardware, 1 package, 3 keg., nails, 2 caies axes, 6 colonial ovens. 1 package ironmongery, 1 package saws, 1 keg nails, 12 bundles, 60 bars iron, 1 uack3g. spades, 1 package brooms, 1 package forks, 1 parcel, 1 case, safe.—T and S Morriii.

The ss Taupo railed for the Fouth this afternoon. P-ißs«_igers—Mrs Clark and 5 children. Mr and Mrs "Rrideer nnd 2 children, Mr ard Mrs Fitzsrerald and cMld. Mrs O'Neale and 2 children, Mrs B rown and 2 children, Mrs Crawford, Messrs J*mes O'Neill, Lethbridge, Philips. "Watt, Christie, Webster, Knife, T)avidson, Mrlnfosh, and 1G steerage. Taupo ss, "Worsp, fortheSruth The brig Fmperor hes left in ballast for Newcastle. I'FThe ss Rowe- a arrived from Tauranga this morning with the' folio-wing passengers:-Mrs Mason and family IS) Miss Boylan. Messrs Hill, J. Ellis, D Lun don, H Smith, ard Dr Cools. Cargo—3oo bags maizs, 17 p'gs, and 10 bags gum. The brig Speed? has entered out for Hoklang,.. She loads there for Melboirne.

The schooner Julia Price cleared out to-day for Russnlli* ball-st.

A brig outside Tiri has been signalled all diy, but tho lieht southerly breeze has prevented her making the port. She will probably b_ the W_.verly from Adelaide with grain The scheoner Queen arrived from Hnkianea and Ohora this morning with a c*rgo cf piles for the Harbour Board timber *c.

The Klizi M*ry entered nut tn-diy for Adelaide)via Wangiroa and tin baiqiie Frances for Guan.

COMMERCIAL.

E. C Oreenwood reports his sale of produce &c. at the Market House this day, as fol lows : Fowls, larpe Is 5d to 2s 9d ; small Is to Is Gd ; geese 3s 9d to 4s ; turkeys 2s 6d to 4s 6d ; ducks Is 6d to 2s 6d each ; pigeons Is 3d each ; young pies 10s 3d each ; potatoes 3s 6^ to 5' per cwt ; onions Jd to f d : Imtrer 6(i. 8-1, 101, and Is per lb ; bacon 01 to 9J per lb. Trees, shrub., fruit, and ornamental root's &c, realised good prices. The atten dance was eood.

M" P. Arthur held his usual Friday's sale of prorlnco, etc to-doy, when there was a gnorl attendance. The following prices were obtained :—Butter Is to Is Id per lb, Auck land potatoes 33 to 4_ cwt, Canterbury pota toes 5s to 5s 6d cwt, carrots, 2s 9d to 3s 3d cwt, pumpkins, 43 4s 2d cwt, apples 3?xd, oats, 2s 9d bushel, cheese 6.1 to 7:. Id. onions. Id to Id lb. tea. (box) 225t0275, tea (behest) 2s 2d lb. Mr M. Jones held his usual weekly market day sale at his mart to-day, when there was a large number of buyers present. Fowls brouahi; from 2s to 3s e-'.-di ; turkeys, 2s Bfl to 3s 6d each ; apples. 3-j-d per lb ; butter, 7d to la lb ; potatoes, 5s per cwt. ; maize, 5s per bushel ; oats, 2s lOd bushel ; mangel wurtzel, Is 6d cwt. ; pumpkius, 3s 6<_ cwt. ; onions, Id lb. Messrs B. Tonks and Co.'s produce sale was postponed. Mr G. Sibbin's general produce sale to day was well attended, and good prices were realised. Oats brought 23 10J ; potatoes, £4 to £4 5s per ton ; flur. £12 10j to £13 ; butter, lid per lb ; cheese. 8d per lb ; whea1-, 4s ; barley, 4s ; ra'sins, 6^d per lb ; sugar, 4'Jd per lb ; tea, 29s ; candles, llrl per lb; bran, fig 6d ; pollard. 12s ; onions, Id per lb; beef, 2Jd ; Viacon, lOid per lb. The balance of oranges sold at exee'lent prices.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

Ma ALrfi-o Bucki.avd's Weekly Report— Cattle and she»p . A* the X mnera yrTds oa Thurs day, dairy ca*tle scarcely abstained last week's values. Btore catt'e, fairly represented In request at folly la't week's prices. Fat cattle in fall suppb, 159 head sold to the trade, mostly heavy weights and cf good cua'ity : last w«ek's values sustained throughout the sale. Fat sheep of .mail size and in moderate numbers : 400 sold at Me values. Store sheep in better request. Pigs unusually plentiful, ahove 100 Bold at satisfactory prices. Prices given were :—Dairy cows, £7 to £12 7s_6d ; barren cows, £i to £6 7s 6d ; calves. 26s to 42a 6d : two to three year old steers £6 10s to £7 15s ; best fat cattle. 323 to 353 : inferior, from 27s 6d the IOOIbs. ; ew*s, 19i each ; half-bred fat wethers, 3d to 3#d the lb Averatr-s obtained were : 31 oxen. Mr Fisher. £11 lis 3d ; 44 head, Mr William Scott, £11 7a 3d ; 10 sieers, Mr Cottoa, £0 2i; 13 steers. Mr Clarke. £11 23 6d ; 300 half bred wethers, Mr Gibson, 153 ; 100, Mr Hicks, 133 each.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Clobb as follows :- For Thames this day at -120 pm and to-morrow at 8 am For Coromandel on Monday at 10 30 am For "Whitiangi, Tairna, tauranga, and Opoliki, per Rowena, this day at i p m For "Waiwera, Mahurangi, Matakana, Mangawai, Waipu, &c, per Annie Milbank, to-morrow at 10 am For Napier, and Southern provinces, per City of New York, four hours after her arrival from Kandavu Mails for India, China, Mediterranean Ports, Conti tlnent of Europe, United Kingdom via Suez and Southampton, and via Brindisi, will be made up per Plicebe, on Monday, 24th instant. .Signed) 8. B. BISS. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

JOtfF.S—On July 12, at her residence, Ponßonby Mrs. H. Jones of a dtughter.

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

For tbe cmisc that Iscks »s»-stanc4, For the wrong that needs resistar.e». For the t'utuie in the Ji-taaice,

Knd the jj-oikl that « can u&.

FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1876

The nature of the Counties Bill is now definitely knowD, and is quite in accordance with general expectations. Its provisions are simple—very simple. In fact we are mistaken in speaking of provisions, the whole scheme is really dependent onjjone jprovision, all others being subordinate and accessory. The Bill, reduced to its first principles, is wholly and solely a taxing machine. Its object is to create a new machinery for the imposition of local taxation. The duty of the County Councils will be to tax for public works; to tax for hospitals, and charities; and ultimately for education, and any other public service which they desire to have carried out. Settlers whose lot is cast in those Counties were no land fund swells the revenue, will be taxed through the Customs, taxed by Highway Boards, and taxed by County Councils. The double object aimed at by the Bill no far as its provisions are at present known, is to give effect to tho localisation of the Southern land fund and relieve the Govern ment from the unpopularity of imposing a property tax We trust that Abolitionists are pleased with the prospect. Our parlia mentary telegrams announce the probability of Mr Stout carrying the second reading of his Local Option Bill; but there is little doubt that its objects will be defeated in committee. Dr Feather-ton's successor is a matter of speculation. If Sir Julius Vogel could see a fair prospeot of retaining the office under a new Ministry, the colony would not long bo blessed with his presence.

The Cross to-day fairly works itself into a paroxysm of combined disappointment and rage over the acceptance of the Thames seat by Sir George Grey, after telegraphing a month ago : " Circumstances render it necessary for me to sit for City West." "If bearded men are willing to be treated as children;" "if they like the game of battle-dore and shuttlecock ;" "if the City West electors like this mode of treatment," discourses our con temporaryy then we don't. The virtuous exclamation comes well from a journal that has humbly served its party leader through all the shoppings and changes of a career which has been mainly conspicuous for the filching of every policy that promised a tem porary extension of the pleasures and emoluments of office. The electors of City West can appreciatively enjoy the figurative, closing of their ex-member's left eye, which the Cross pleasingly pictures as expressive of the sor row with which Sir George Grey penned his yesterday's telegram; and a knowing twitch

of the right orb will sufficiently testify their perfect understanding of the flutter that has been caused in the abolition dove-cots by the capsize of the little arrangement under which the Thames seat was to be made secure for an ally of the big land swindling party. That Sir George Grey should have tele graphed a month a.o that circumstances r.ndered ,fc necessaiy for him to sit for City West, is capable of easy explanation. It was believed at that time that His Honor must make his election of a con stituency before takiag his seat in the House, and the acceptance of the Thames seat, with a petition pending which might invalidate the elecUon, was a step which, however fondly hoped for by Sir Julius Vogel and the Cross, Sir George Grey was not quite insane enough to adopt. It is pcfeotly trup, therefore, that Mr Mackay's petition wa3 tho sole cause of the delay that has occurred in filling up the vacancy rendered necessary by the double election. And at the same time it is equally true that the acceptance of tbe T_ame_ seat may bo accepted as a proof of His Honor's " regard for us all and our welfare." Any thing calculated to defeat the enemies of Auckland ; to put a final end to official jobbery and corruption ; anything in short, that displeases the Cross and its friends, must be more or les3 a proof of regard for the electors of City West and all o.hers who desire to see the end of the reign of ex travagance, injustice, and tyranny.

A Provincial Goveonment Gazette was published to-day, and contains correspond ence between his Honor the Superintendent aud Commissioner of Crown Lands, relative to the purchase of a coal field at Pepepe. His Honor shews that, undt-r the " Auckland Mineral Leases Act, 1871," the minimum and maximum areas allowed to be granted are 100 acres and 640 acres respectively, and that the Pepepe block of 9,850 acre 3 was sold on the second of October to Messrs P. Whitaker, T. P.ussell, J. Williamson, J. T. Mackelvie, and W. Aitken at 7s Gd per acre. Sir Gse^e Grey having made a statement to that effect in the House of Itspreaenta tives, which wa3 stigmatised by Major Atkinson as "untrue," he communicated with Mr Tole, Waste Lands Commissioner, who on visiting Mr Sinclair's oflice was informed by that gentleman " that he had been instructed by Government to decline to give me any information verbalby ; that in future it would be necessary that 1 should submit in writing the subject matter of any further inquiries I might be called upon to make to that office, when, after reference of the matter to his "superior officer," a reply in due cours_ would be given." On the following day Mr Tole telegraphed to Sir George Groy verifying the foregoing particulars.

A "Daily Reader" writes expressing her opinion that the present system of Church music is disgraceful. She advocates the sub stitution of a precenter for choirs, and pro ceeds to express her private opinion that all ministers who do not allow the psalms of David to be Bung are " all asleep and rooked in the Devil's cradle.''

To the Editor : Sir,—l se3 in your issue of Thursday a letter signed "Fair Play," in which the writer ascribes the difference in the appearance of journeymen bakers and other tradesmen to the fact of their having to work in close and heated bakehouses. That may be so to a certain extent, but I say that unnatural hours will blanch the cheeks of any men, and I contend that one, two, or three o'clock are unnatural hours for men to commence work at.—Yours, etc., A Jour ney-man Baker. The case of Fuller against Kohn at the Resident Magistrates Court yesterday, in which plaintiff sought to recover 12s Gd ex penses in coming from Onehunga to the Choral Hall, on the night when Madame De Murska did not sing, he having purchased the tickets of Mr Kohn, resulted in the plaintiff being'nonsuited with costs £1 15s 6d. The s.s. Eowena will leave for Tauranga to-morrow at noon, instead of to-night. The Wesleyans of Auckland contemplate erecting a chapel in the growing district of Ponsonby, and on Tuesday evening next, a meeting will be held for considering the matter. At a meeting of the Star of Newton Lodge last evening it was announced that the amount lealised from the entertainment given by the members, in aid of the sufferers by the late accident,at the Wairoa, was £8 12s. Votes of thanks were passed to those who had taken the initiative in the movement, and the money was ordered to be paid over at once. An action, Quick versus McKeown, occupied six hours of the time of the Resi dent Magisrate's Court yesterday ; Mr J. B. Buss ell for plaintiff, and Mr Reea for defen dant. The action was brought to recover £34 83 for injuries caused to the horses and omnibus of Mr Quick, in consequence of a collision with defendant's cart, which was driven by a lad. The plaintiff's 'bus was driven by George Jobson, a steady driver, as was proved by three respectable witnesses, Messrs Dacre, Dickson, and Maoky. It appeared that Jobson was driving slowly along Victoria-street towards Queen-street, when the lad drove along Chapel-street and across Victoria-street at a rapid pace, evi dently with a view of crossing in front of the 'bus. Jobson called out to the boy to halt, but he still persisted, and the result was the wheel of the cart came into collision with the pole of the omnibus, breaking it in two ; one of the horses was moreover severely injured, the axle bent, the springs injured, and other damage done. After all the evi dence had been heard and the addresses of counsel, his Worship gave judgment for plaintiff, for £33 18s, with costs £11 ss.

A burglarly was committed yesterday morn ing on the premises of Mr 0. Humphries, of the British Hotel, and the till cleared of its contents, amounting to Bboub 20s. The entrance to the premises v. as made from the back. The thief evidently was no stranger to the hotel, as lie knew the spot where B .chard, the waiter, deposited the key of the bar. Ib has been shrewdly conjectured that the thief was a total abatainer from intoxicating drinks, aa he did not help him self to any of the liquors within his reach. Several nmilar robberies have taken place lately, which render it necessary that house holders and tradesmen should sea to the proper fastening of premises before leaving, and to their doors before retiring to rest.

An opinion seems to prevail amoDg the people of Auckland that nothing can be manufactured here equal in finish aud dura bility to things manufactured at homo. The opinion, however, is illusory, but, like all old prejudices, hard to be conquered. Among the many implements of use, the plough is the foremost; it stirs the soil, and prepares it for the due reception of the corn, of which the bread is made. The plough has been the theme of poetic praise from the days of Chaucer, and it cannot be too highly lauded. Where the plough goes, the corn grows ; where the sword gleams, tbe nettle beams. We were surprised to find, yesterday, on looking into a smithy in Vulcan Lane, owned by a Scotchman, we presume, of the name of McMillan, i half -a - dozen well - finished ploughs, formed and completed in McMillan's shop, Every part about them seemed rounded and finished with as much care as any that we have seen imported from the old country. They evidenced strength and taste, and were creditable to the workman.

The operations for blowing up the wreck of the Paterson with dynamite, at Waitara River, are described in New Plymouth papers. The amount of explosive used was one charge of 10 lb. and two smaller ones of Ih lb. each. The explosion is represented as presenting a grand sight. A huge body of water was thrown high in thi air, apparently in one solid mass, half as wide as an ordinary street. Ou reaching its full height, the volume of water curled over mo.st beautifully, and came down to sea level as if it had been thrown out of an immense fountain. Aftfr the second shot there weie thrown up with the water large plates of iron and long pieces of timber ; portions of the deck and beams, were also thrown to a great heigh% and in some cases a long d^'ance. One plate of half-inch iron, which would at least weigh 4 cwt., was carried ashore, aud with smaller pieces came to earth with a heavy churl from a he'oht of nearly 100 feet. The effect of tho firing of tho second charge was more like that of blowing up a fortification I. seemed as if along with portions of che wreck tons of sand from the river bed were ako lifted upwards. Four explosions completely shattered the wreck and operations will be commenced to clear the river.

We have received from Mr Singleton Roch fort a letter arguing, with great legal acumen, the position that Sir George Grey might, had he chosen, have occupied the two seats, and exercised two votes. Our correspondent thews by decisions of the Privy Council that the Colonial Legislature in no r.spect occupies the position of the Imperial Parliament, from which it has derived its existence ; and that its powers are expressly defined and limited by the Constitution Act. He maintains that " Sir George has no power to elect. He may, however, if disposed, resign one or both seats, which he otherwise could not do, but for the provision contained in S 49 of the Constitution Act y>y th° common law, nit only of Eng land, but of Christendom, one man might le present an}' number of constituents in a pub lic assembly, so long as it was not prohibited by positive law. The rale obtains now in our House of Lords, any member unable to at'end may appoint another member to act andvo'ein hisstead. The rule always obtained iv tbe elections of tho clergy summoned to Par liamerit, aud to the Provincial Councils. Tbe same may be said of tbe clergy summoned io the Parliaments of Ireland. In 1370, E1 ward 3rd convoked a parliament from Jrehud to meet at Westminster In this parliament Geoffrey Forstalsat as member for'he county of Kilkenny, and for lhe City of VVateiford. There was nothing uuu>ual iv this, as (he wrivs for that piiliament ordered the sheriffs to return two lay aitm (duas persona. la' C.is). Ie would have been diff.reut had the choice been lestricted to two laymen domiciled in the particular electoral district., Ia that ca3e, Geoffrey Porstal could not have been legally, elect/.d for both places." Our cor re^poudeut urges that Sir (Teorge should be requested by the electors to insist upon his ritjht to occupy both seats. ILs Honor having however, already resigned tho seat for City West, the suggestion comes coo late.

The entertainment advertised to be given this evening at the Young Mm's Christian A sociation Rooms by the choir of St. Matthew's Sunday School has, at the last moment, been obliged to be postponed Notice of the evening on whioh the enter tainment will come off will be given by advertisement in this journal.

The agents of the brig Speedy, Messrs Cruickshank and Co., advertise for all claims against that vessel to be rendered in . dupli cate by noon on Saturday.

The Star supplement of to-morrow will be unusually interesting on account of the number and variety of original and selected sketches, pr.ems. stories, and paragraphs. Among the stoiies will appaar "Elsie's Romance," "Tho Love tbat was Life," a s^ory of thrilling interest, and ot,her shorter ta'es. Among the essays will be found " Lord Derby on the Misfortune of Il literacy," a paper worthy the study of young men; "Instinct and Acquisition;" another paper full of useful hinSs; a remarkable case of Bigamy ; " Adonis" showing off a1; the Zoological GJardens, a chapter e^p-cially for the young ladies of Auckland who at'end dancing classes on that popular recieation ; "Discovery of Barbario Jewels;" "A Sketch of a tea-party, — \ Christ's Own,' " and which the sketch explains. The "Marriage Knot" will catch tho smiles of girls of fifteen who are on the look-out. The supplement will also contain the whole of Dr. Wallis' admirable lecture on the "Emancipation of Women." Among the poetry will be found several love pieces, one on " Sunset on the Bear-Camp," and " The Bride," found by our local poet in the shop of Mr Upton, of Queen-street, who was re stored to h.r home afcer being lost for thirty years. " Beautiful Saow "is also re-pro duced by rpquest.

Sir, —According to aparapraphin Wednes day's Star, there is likely soon to be a revi val of the drama at the Prince of Wales Theatre, and a shadowy promise that Mrs Scott-Siddons may visit Auckland, although every person who knows anything of this lady's eminent qualifications feels the word "gammon" on his lips. There was once a neat little company of players at the Prince of Wales Theatre, but the players are separ ated and gone, perhaps never to be united. Mrs Hill is in tbe South ; tho poet, Lancelot Booth, at Dunedin, with his muse frozen by the frosts of the winter; Sweeney has gone to his mother at Sydney ; Jonea is struggling in Melbourne ; Poler has opened a shooting gallery in Chicago . Collier is on a lecturing tour, with his face towards the South, do claiming against the ingratitude of the world, and its want of appreciation of merit ; and , poor Tootles is dead. In glancing over these names, I could not help thinking of the marvellous change which a few months may bring about. I notice, however, that Mr and Mrs Searle are still amongst us; that Tom Burton is now and then seen enjoying the weed through his meerschaum, and that Thornton is engaged on some new scenery.— Yours, Ac, Scribe. Rev. W. Tinsley will deliver his oration on " Scotland and her sons " this evening, in the Albert-street Temperance Hall, at half past seven o'clock ; Mr John Lamb, Chair man. A grand variety entertainment for the benefit of Mrs Cotton will be given to-morrow evening in the Prince of Wales Theatre, under the superintendence of Mr P. Doran. The programme promises a full supply of songs, dances, recitations, and a farce, con sequently a gooi two hours' amusement may be enjoyed by every person who loves a eong prompted by a spirit of benevolence. After a careful study of the Financial State ment we see breakers ahead on the financial horizon, and earnestly urgo systematic aud immediate retrenchment. — Bag of Plenty Times. Influentially and numerously sigued peti tions, says the Bay of Plenty Times, have been forwarded to His Excellency the Gover nor from the settlers in the Bay of Plenty district, praying His Excellency that a sub sidy be granted to the s.s. Staffa, for carrying Her Majesty's mails from Tauranga to Gape Runaway and the intermediate ports, We have received a copy of Bradshaw's Guide to New Zealand for July, which main tains its reputation for the completeness and accuracy of its information. Messrs Cooke and Co.'s skating rink took very well at the North Shore last night. The attendance included several ladies. We are pleased to learn that in conssquence of the performance at the Prince of Wales Theatre for the benefit of Mrs Cotton, to be held to-morrow evening, the rink will not be opened as usual at the city Hall, as the proprietors do not want to detract from the attendance at that entertainment. So the rink will go to Parnell Hall that evening, where it is likely to be well supported by the residents. To-morrow afternoon the skating will be held in Devonport Hill, ladies only being admitted.

A meeting of Mrs Cotton's Eelief Com mittee was held yesterday, in Mr Ewington s office, for the purtoie of considering ho -y the money, amounting to about £134, should be applied. Mr W. "Graham was voted to the chair. Mr Ewington stated that the sums forthcoming were as follows :—Evening Star, about £15 ; Mr James, £20 17s 61 ; Mr Biakey, £15 18a ; Mr W. Palmer, £17 Is 6d; Bank of New Zealand, £11 2s; Mr Tudehope, £15 12 Gd ; Mr E. Perkins, £9 ; Messrs E wing ton and Castle, £7 19^ ; Mr Ewington's entertainment-, £12 ; Mr Rhodes, £0 10a ; t0.r.1, £134 0s 61. Some discussion ensued in respec. of tha immediate business of the meeting Tho following resolution was carried on the motion of Mr T. W. Leys, seconded by Mr James:-" That Messrs Ewington, P.hodes, and Palmer, be appointed a committee to wait upon Mrs Cotton to secure her consent to tho payment of the whole amount of the money collected into the Auckland Savings Bank iv the name of three trustees on her behalf, a sum not exceeding £2 per week to be allowed for her maintenance; the trustees, however, having full power to hand over the whole amount at their discretion."— A ll the lists will be in by Wednesday next, when the committee will make the final total public. Any person wishing for Information on the subject of the funds will communicate with Mr Ewington, the secretary to the committee.

The legal subjection of wives received rather a startling exemplification at Sheffield lately. In the County Court, the Judge (Mr T. Ellison) gave judgment in a case which involved the question of a wife's control over a wedding ling. The wife died at her mother's house, and shortly before her death gave her her wedding ring. The husband now claimed the value of it as a set off against a claim brought against him for his wife's board and lodging. In giving judgment, his Honor said a wedding ring came under a class of articles wheh the wife had separately and independently of her hii3haud, and she had power to keep them, but she had no power to give them away, or leave them from her husband. On the contrary, the husband had power to give them away even during her life. In this case the wife had no power to give away her ring, and his judgment must li. ace-.rdiDg'y.

T-ie gentlemen who are to take part in the eu.i.rtainment for Lhe benefit of willow Cotton nnd family, are requested to meet at the Thta-re .his evening at half pa.t seven, for rehearsal

We have to acknowledge receipt of £1 from Mr b). M Edgcumbe, proprietor of the Bag of Plenin Times, in aid of Mrs Cotton. Mr Palmer desires us to acknowledge on behalf of Mrs Cotton, with many thanks, presents of groceries from Mr French, of Queen-street, aud Mr Major, of Chapel street.

CABLEGRAMS.

DEATH OF DE. FEATHERSTON.

[PP.ESS- AGENCY.] LONDON. June 21. Dr. Featherston is dead. LONDON (via Hong Kong). June 21. The first wool arrival is 407,000 bales ; 978,000 were offered ; Victoria and Sydney wools preponderated. The attendance of Home and foreign buyers was moderate. SaJes were marked by considerable langour ; pricts as compared with last sales shewed a fall of fiteen to twenty per cent. Malcolmson Brothers, of VVaterford, have failed for a million sterling.

Australian Cablegrams.

EmTaaaslemQiit ly a New 2ea la__ndor

SYDNEY.-THIS DAY.

The Assembly is discussing the want of confidence motion. The Government are sure of a majority.

MELBOURNE,

This day,

James Earles, formerly employed by the National Insurance Company of New Zealand has been committed for trial for a series of forgeries. The Ministerial programme is not well received by the press.

Railway Accident at Mercer.

The Locomotive Capsised-

Last night, about a mile from Mercer, a large land slip took place about seven o'clock, which was seen by a young man who pro ceeded at a canter to Mercer, and informed the Station-master, who went as fast as legs could carry him, lantern in hand, to stop the down train from Auckland. He arrived, however, on the scene too latte, as previous to his appearance the engine had collided with the abstracting slip and ran off the line turning completely over on its side. Fortn nately, at this point, the embankment and formation of the railway is only a foot high. Both engine-driver and stoker saw the slip and reversed the engine, and thereby prevented the whole train from running off the line. Neville, the stoker, jumped out on tho landslip, the engine turning over on the opposite site. Baxter, the driver, kept his place, and had a miraculous escape from an untimely death. Sugh, the guard, was in ignorance of the danger until thrown down in the van by the shock. He was, however, unhurt, and went to the assistance of the men on the engine. There were only four passengers on the train, all of whom got off without a scratch. The station-master, who is always indefatigable in the interests of his employers, has a large gang of 30 men employed, and will, with success, get the line clear by to-night. The slip extends over 100 feet long, 30 feet high, and 15 feet deep, a great quantity of which will not necessarily require to be cleared before traffic may be resumed. Mr Mac donald, on hearing of the catastrophe, started from Auckland with a special engine and an auxiliary waggon. The engine is lying on its side off the rails The three carriages are, strange to say, still in their proper position on the line.

Mr. Rees To-night.

Mr, W. L. Rees will address the constitu ents of City East at the Mechanics' Institute, at half-past seven this evening. It is such a novelty in the middle of a session of Parlia ment to be enabled to learn the state of public business and party warfare from one fresh from the field of action, that a crowded audience may be confidently expected. Those who wish to secure seats had better show up in good time. The revelations which from our telegrams it appears the Government have been compelled unwillingly to make, concerning the state of colonial finance^ prove that Mr Rees, when he addressed the constituents some months ago as a candidate for their suffrages, drew a truthful if not quite an agreeable picture. " Forewarned is forearmed," the proverb runs, and the colony has already to thank Mr Rees for having contributed in no small degree to having disturbed that false feeling of security which was lulling ns to destruction. We shall be none the worse for knowing the worst, and whether Mr Rees to-night has good or bad news to give us, he is sure of an attentive hearing. In addition to hearing the latest particulars of the loans and public expendi ture, we may also expect to hear something of the Opposition tactics. Whatever the particular drift of the speech may be, Mr Rees is bound to make it interesting. ' The doors will be open at 7 o'clock.

MR WATERHOUSE ON THE CON DITION OF THE COLONY.-A GLOOMY OUTLOOK.

The savings of the Lords are but briefly re- Sd £ tbe telegraphic summaries which comto us from Wellngton. The Hon Mr Waterhou c, in tbe Legislat ye Council, in *h discussion of the address in reply, made fX^l address in which he thus referred to the condition of the Colony, its progress and \rToPh, • - " I deny that we are in a state of SS solid probity. I admit that there [-.on the part of the Colony progress-great »ro«e*« MY honourable friend, the Colonial IZfntZv sava " Hear, hear." I may add r ss;th^sthe E be bark of State be managed in a firmer and more prudent and cautious manner than [?Ts at the present time. The more we look • . filrpq the more we shall realise for our nn. been upon a safe or satisfactory basis. May I be Sowed to state for theinformaUon 0 honourable members what 13 the DOSl tion of matters now as compared with the position of matters six years ago, when the Key of public works was first initiated? Therl are some marks of progress and of «f Jrnoress The population of the conn- Tha's increased in six "years from 248,400 to 375 856, or about 50 per cent. There is great progress likewise in the deb of the Co lory. That haslincreased from £7,265,000 in 18/0, or £00 19s 9d per head, to, inclusive of the unexpended loans which are a ready en croocbed upon, if not raised in the marke £19 500 000, or £51 17s per head, There is S process there, sir.-from an average indebtedness of £20 19s 6d to ffIHIJJ head Our indebtedness to the banks, over and above deposits, has increased from one million and a half to over four millions But on the other hand, our exports, which are, after all, the test of the productive capability of the country, have decreased from £19 8s 6i per head to £15 10,! 2d per head; and the real decrease in our exports is even greater than I this; for if our wool were valued at the same rate as it was valued in the year 18/0, and if allowance were made for the extra quantity of wool shipped in the last quarter of the year, in consequence of the increased pro duction of the Colony, it would be shown that our exports have not only re atively but actually, not increased during the whole of tbat period—that our exports practically re main the same, while our indebtedness baa increased much more than 150 per cent. Then let us look at other points. If we look at the settlement of the country which has been proceeded with during the last six years, we find the same unsatisfactory evidences^ We find that during the last six years no efficient provision has been made for the settlement of our population upon the country, and there is the alarming prospect before us of having these public works shortly brought to a termination without any proper provision having been made for the settlement upon the land of the large population which has been brought to these shores. Our popula tion has during the last six years increased 50 per cent., while the land under grain crop, of which we hear so much, has only in creased something like one third.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.) (djrinkers. We drunkards ar. like skaters on the rink, We tumble of en ; but 'tis through the drink ; Down down like asses, down and down we go, Through shades of night to darker shades below. Thomas Gillfillan was brought up for being drunk and disorderly, and Jerome Francis for simply being drunk ; Gilfillan was fined 10- and Francis 55., with costs. POOR ELIZA.. This well-known person, formerly mistress of the Noah's Ark, was again brought up for being in a state of intoxication last night, without her natural protector, Patria Bice, of City West. Elizi acknowledged her fault; she had partaken of the contents of a bottle with a few friends, and became slightly elevated thereby ; in short, the whiskey affected her head. Fined 53 and costs. FATHERS AND MOTHERS. Catherine Jones was charged with failing to contribute towards the support of her two children in St Mary's Orphanage, and one in the Industrial School. Mrs Jones said her income was only 5s a week, and she was unable to pay anything. Mr Broham thought it was very hard for the publio to support the children of these people ; he understood that Mrs Jones was the owner of two cottages, and, if so, she should be called upon to contribute. Mrs Jones denied the statement; she was only a washer-woman, earning but a crown a-week. Detective Jeffrey said the woman had no encumbrance, and she had two houses through the Building Society ; she lived in one and was actually drawing rent. He believed that she had an income suffioient to keep her without work. Mrs Jones grew violent, and said the cottages were not hers. His Worship said defendant was strong hearty, and able to work, and she should certainly assist in supporting them. He was convinced that she could pay something, and he should order her to pay Is 6d a week for each child. Defendant: I can't pay it; and she ran out of Court. The constable brought her back, when his Worship told her that she must pay it, and make the first payment on Monday week Defendant went murmuring out of Court. A number of names of persona wero on tho list of city rate defaulters. The majority, however, were settled out of Court. Daniel Lynch was summoned for payment of rate of 10s on his property in Albert street. Mr J. B. Russell appeared for the Council, and Mr Harrop proved the debt. Judgment for plaintiff ; costs, £1 lis. The other cases were settled. PETER IN A TEMPER. Peter Hurley was charged with violently assaulting his wife Maggie on the Bth inst,, by knocking her down. The husband acknowledged his error, but he_ was hardly responsible for his actions, being under tbe influence of liquor. Mr Broham said the man could earn good wages if he choose, but his conduot towards his wife and children was something alarm ing. It was necessary for her safety that he should be bound over to keep the peace. The prisoner, who was scarcely sober, wa3 bound over to keep the peace for six months • himself in £20 and two sureties of LlO each. Alleged Burglary. John Strongman and Charles Blake were brought up on two charges of breaking and entering and stealing from the premises: 1. the premises of Mr R. Arthur, auctioneer, of Queen-street, on the night of the 27th June, and stealing therefrom gold, silver, and copper monies and stamps, value about 10s ; and (2) stealing from the Wynyard Hotel the sum of £5 and a cash-box, on the 28th June, the broperty of William Hamljn. Prisoners pleaded not guilty. Mr Broham conducted the prosecution. Carpenter Arthur deposed that he was salesman to Mr Richard Arthur, of Queen street; he left the office on the 27th June last, at five o'clock in the evening, and when he returned on the following morning about nine o'clock, he missed from the drawers one sovereign, and about 18.. in silver, and 7s m copper, and six shillings worth of receipt stamps, and several stamped blank cheques on the various Auckland banks. He knew nothing'of the prisoners.

Mansfield Baker, storeman t> Mr Arthur, remembered the27th June; he closed the store at five o'clock on that evening, and Jeffe k the doors and windows all fast At eight o'clock next morning, he found the back door open ; a pane of glass 18 by 12 had been \L taken out of the back window with a knife, M leaving a space large enough for a person to M get through. To His Worship : The pane was taken out on the outside towards Elliott-street about five feet from the ground. There wag _. no shutter to the window. Thomas Stone, oarman at the VV ynyard Arms Hotel, deposed that he saw Strongman at the bar of the hotel on the morning of the 28th, about nine o'clock, and he asked §, him if he'would take a quantity of coppers from him, as he had been out all night " nobblerizing," and when he awoke in the morning, he found his pockets full of C°His Worship asked for an explanation of the word "nobbleriz'ng," as he failed to find it in the dictionary. Mr Broham said it was likely to become a classical word with a certain portion of Mr Stone explained that it meant taking successive drops of whiskey, or other liquors in small measures, vulgarly termed nob biers •" it was he beleived, a colonial term ; ~t a "nobbier" in Auckland, was equal to a " half-quartern" in London. Elizabeth Hoyes, wife of Thomas Hoyes, of Karanghape "Road, store-keeper, deposed that on the 28th June, Strongman came to her shop, and asked her to buy some receipt stamps ; she purchased 53 worth of him; he said he had received them in lieu of money, from a settler by whom he had been employed. Catherine Smith, a smart little girl, living ; with Mrs Budenin Abercrombie-street, knew the prisoners by sight, and had seen them at Mrs Bnden's honse on the Ist of the month. Strongman pulled out a number of cheques because the girl said he had no money ;he replied that he would draw in her favour to any amount. She could swear the cheques produced were the same, by the peculiar fe fastening which she noticed particularly. Detective Jeffrey deposed that the prisoner, Strongman, sent the watch house-keeper to him on the 4th inst. wanting to see him in ; . the police-cell. He went. Prisoner then said he wished to tell about the robbery, as he believed Blake intended to let him in for it He then told him about the burglary at Mr Hamlin's, and said he would find planted behind the house where Blake lodged, in the backyard, some skeleton keys, v and a bundle of cheques stolen from Arthur's : Mart. Blake broke into Arthur's through ; the back window, and brought the cheques out to him. He also gave him the coppers to change, and the stamps to sell. On the ; following morning he, in company with Detective Grace, went to the house where Blake lodged, kept by Charles Kuhne, at the corner of Albert and Victoria-streets, and found the keys and cheques in the spot j indicited by Strongman. Blake acknow ledged that he put them there. Detective 7 Grace heard the statement. The depositions were then read over to the prisoners. Strongman said he had nothing to do with the robbery; he met Charley (Blake) with the coppers and cheques tied up in a hand kerchief, and Blake asked him as a friend to get silver for them. The silver found upon him he won at ' Yankee grab " at Onehunga; he was perfectly innocent of the robbery. Blake stated that he was at Riordan's on the 29.h, in Fort-street, when a strange man accosted him, and asked him to be kind enough to take care of those things until he came back ; the man did not come back, and he went to his lodgings. The next morning he inspected the handle, and found ' the coppers and papers. He was astonished, , and not being able to find the strange man, •he gave the things to Strongman; he was 7 perfectly innocent of the robbery. The next charge was then proceeded with. I Thomas Stono, barman, of the Wynyard Arms, gave evidence in rather a humorous manner ; he said the robbery took place on the night when Wheatleigh played the , " Shaughraua." On going into the bar about 1 half-past eleven at night he found that some ! one had been there before him ; he could not

get in. He communicated with Mr Hamley. An entrance was effected with some difficulty, when he found the key was gone, £5 ia copper, and Mr Hamley's cash box, contain ing two cheques; the bird cages were taken down, and one bird gone ; they were canaries in full tune ; he found the cages on the steps; believed the birds were valuable, but was not a judge ; a man named Hamilton brought back the cash box (produced) ; he could swear to the box ; he saw Mrs Hamley buy it and pay for it; he found the cheques in the yard, in the wet, and he put them in the sun to dry j Mrs Hamley took them after wards ; missed the key of the fiont door (key produced); yes, thatjis the key ; he knew tha prisoners who were in the hotel in the morn ing and again in the evening previ .us to the robbery. William Hamley, proprietor of tha Wya yard Arms Hotel, deposed to being called by last witness, when he found that some person had broken into the place. The rest of Mr Hamley's evidence was in harmony with that of the last witness. Helen Cunningham, wife of Andrew Cun ningham, hotel-keeper of Newmarket, de posed that the two prisoners lodged at her house on the 2nd inst., and paid in coppers. Charles Kuhne, lodging house keeper, stated that Blake lodged at his house, but was not in on the night of the robbery; when he returned he said he had been on a night's drift. He did not know Strongman, but had seen him hanging about the door. Henry Riordan gave evidence. He was barman at the Custom-house Hotel. Knew both the prisoners. Blake was in the hotel about eight o'clock p.m. on the Ist inst. He had something to drink, three glasses, and paid in coppers ; he spent 3s 6J, and he took 5$ worth of coppers and gave tha difference in silver. John Hamilton, employed at the gas works, deposed to picking up the cash-box in the footpath leading from Wynyard Hotel to Grafton Road ; he thought it belonged to Mr Hamley and took it to him ; he heard that a robbery had taken place at the hotel. Wm. Henry Parker, licensee of the Royal George, Newmarket, knew the prisoners wbo came to his house on the night of the 2nd inst. for a bed, but he could not oblige them ; he gave them 3s for coppers at their request; Mrs Parker also took 2s worth of them the next morning. John McLellan, of the Prince of Wale- Hotel, Hobson-street, saw the prisoners at his house on the Ist inst., they had two glasses of shandy-gaff and paid for them in coppers ; he gave them 4s for 4S pence. Detective Grace deposed to taking the prisoner Blake into custody. Detective Jeffrey repeated his former evidence. This being the case, the depositions were read over to the prisouers, who were com mitted for trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court. This was all tha business.

A gentleman conversing with a lady about the absurdity of female apparel, and the frivolity of fashionable life, exclaimed : "Is there on earth a bigger fool than tne mere woruon of fashion?" Her questioner con sidered himself shut up and put down, like a disagreeable book, when the lady replied: " Yes, the man who admires her.',

Archbishop Whately gives this definition of the difference between a form and a ceremony, that you sit upon a form and stand upod a ceremony. Judy asks whet is the difference between an empty bake-house and a tissue of false hoods ? and explains that one is a lack of pies, and the other a pack of lies.

EVENING STAR, FRIDAY, JULY %V&& ~ ■_ - ... ._..-„_ .ii««^^ B ««MU___l__l___W_--_-»*^^



THOBNTOtf, SMITH & FIRTH'S PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale) :— SaOks. IOOIbs. 50Ibs. "Crown Brand" Flour, £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. perton 14 0 0 14 10 0 15 0 0 T. 8. F. Canterbury Flour, do 12 10 0 13 0 0 13 10 0 Sharps,do .?... 8 0 0.. Bran, do 7 10 0 Fowl Wheat, per bushel, 4s 3d to 4s Cd. The above prices include Backs and bags. Sacks and baas not returnable —Terms Cash. Auckland. July 7. 1876. _ |>L TV YOUR BLANKETS FROM HOLLOWAY <fo GARLICK. BLANKETS ! 10s 6d pair. BLANKETS ! 10s 6d pair. WHOLESALE ! 10s 6d pair. WHOLESALE! PRICES ! f! PRICES ! i! White Blankets, larae size, 12/6.17/6 per pair Bedding of all kinds Flax, Flock, Hair, and Fibre Mattra WINCEYS.-Splendid Value, from s|d Check Homespuns, Merinos, &c,, ho. Our WINTER MILLINERY now on view At the Usual Low Prices, CLOTHING for Boys', Youths' and Men. FARMERS AND SETTLERS.-Buy your Drapery, Clothinc, and Furnishing Goods from us. Great attention paid to P.i eking. Holloway and Gartjok, CITY HALL, GENERAL HOUSE FURNISHERS. OPECIAL QHEAP TINES. AT 130 AND 132, QUEEN-STREET. HEAVY ILA.NKET3,I2s 6d per pair GOOD WHITE SHEETING from Is 3d per yard A Special Line in LONG-LOTH, s>fd par yard STOUT DRESSES from 9d per yard SUPERIOR BLA.CK VELVETEEN, 2s 9d per yard STOUT WINCEYS, s>.d per yard. S. & J. R. VAILE, 1130 AND 132, QTJEEN-STBEET. Mrs Cotton's



J GOSGRAVg & CO ANNOUNCE FOP. POSITIVE SALE Their Magnificent Stock of Winter DRAPER? aact C__©Tl-OTB- B Every Portion of the Stock is REDUCED to COST PRICE and UNDER. Quantities of Useful and Valuable Goods in all the Depart ments will be subjected to Un paralleled Reductions, THE SALE COMMENCES TO-MOKROW Friday, -Tuly *?. EITSHBROOK and BRIDGMAN invite the attention of Purchasers to a number of SPECIAL, LINES, just to hand, BOUGHT at AUCTION, aud to be Sold at a considerable. Reduction upon Usual Price. Waterproof Tweed at 3/0 per yard—a Bargain Imitation Nelson Tweed, first-class for Boys' Cloth ing, and very cheap. BLANKETS! BLANKETS! "White Blankets, all sizes Blue Blankets Grey Blankets. Oar Blankets are well bought, and the large demand for them is a convincing proof that they are FlSS'i'-CLAhS VALUE -} » i 2 2 33 5 3 1% - I £ y, T -n - - _JCS rs. _a 5 =52 r* a 2 a. Winseys, Costume Cloth, French Merino, and Fancy Dress Goods. FLANNELS, SHIRTING, CALICOES, ETC. General Dbapery and Clothing or Every De'Cription. o% (Is) Discount allowed on nil Purchases of 20a and upwa- d_r. Patterns and Prices forwarded on application. Country Orders exeeuti-d with care and despatch. riUSHBROOK 4 .fi I. .DGM AM, Upfbb QtTK..v---.;'rno;T ! AtTOKLAND. Hemus & Trigg's Ch°ap Shlrtine. 6h& yd Reruns h Tripp's Cheip Wincey, from fi.d pr yard Hemus h Tritrg's good quality W!nc< y. 7_<l per yard Hemus & Triyg's new Dress Materials, from 4M yr'rd n-nms ft Trietr's Embois»d Silk Scarfs, all colors, 1/.S Fl»mU3 & Trie's Chean Flowers, in great variely, 411 Hemus h Trigg's CI cap Hats, uew shape', from Is Ueaiug _ Trie's Noted Trimmed Hats, from 3.. lid. i'"or one month purchasers to the airionnt or 10s will ricMve a Silk Pdrf. a pair of Hose, Cuffs, and Collars, St-aw Hat or any article worth Is, or In in money — Not* the Prices.—Hemus & Trigs?, 21G, Qtren-stre*.. The New Feason Cod Liver Oil, 1876. Guaranteed ; erfectly pure and free from smdi or unpleasant flavour. The quality U especially fie — 2s 61 and 5-* a bottle -J C. Sharla.nd, Apotiiucariks' Hall, opposite ttn> Post-offlce. MaTHiins'sWorm Powders.—A safe and effectual Vermifuge. Pr«pared only by J. C. SHAR- T, AN n Is a packet.— . poth eoari.!-' Hall, opposite the P03.-offic\ Mark Twain on Bad Musicians.—The IT.USi al public and central readers are rautionrd not to uurcbase W»ston'a Wizard Oil and Magic Pill", without car.filly examning the out'ido wrappor— and be sure t_at tho wordi " Nrne Genuine without ;he Slj;»ature of tbe Proprietor, F«ank W-sms, Sydney, NRf ," are enpiaven thereon. Any other so cal ed prepir^tions of mine, are un»u horized by me. and calculated to mitlead the pnb'ic—Signed, fai^KW-STON, S<l. Agents: Kempthorne. Prosser and Cj. Price, Ha'f-a-crown. A Wonderful Restorative. —As a stomnchic, »s a tonic and cordial for the aged and languid, as a remedy for the nervous weakness and annoying uterine com .laints to which women aro especially subje.t; as a protective in all climates, torrid, tempera'e, and frigid; and as a specific for every ailment which saps the bodily strength and breaks down the anim*l siiriis. Udolpiio Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps stands at tho head of remedies of its class.



Benefit



Prince of



"Wales



Theatre



To-morrow



Night-