SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

Phrebe, p,t., A £;«*■*. fn.nj tfou'.h?rn Ports £Umile j« arc . B{.!io.>&cr, from tha North

DEPARTURES.

Ainliorai, brlgf-jnthie, toy 3/dney

IMPORTS.

w!I *, B ,e^ frptll Melbourne and Sydney: 140 ftmemi tin plafe,. SS O m-h weights, KG bow iron, E0 fWPhS !;°"! 3(»! -'"-:'"'hoop Iron, 1 cwk chains. 1 Porter SS ht»<"es, 1 case woodware, E. piiW=HPr-' :ln cflf"!S 0(lkM- 72° »»♦" s«.w OS 20 r»T ™niT>^? I'-^™ *to*mr. S5 kf K 3 s-Ht pew, nett and "evy SitS nUt3< 25° b°XeS "antllM> Bar 'E" 5 R"° : J h*S • surnieli. Troiard, brothers Per iT°: le^'to'tir!T Ptone'RrotVerß. i,n o m %i 11|' c>a<?es merchandise, 5i packages do, alnOw«I 0: \ 4FO bqss fugar, 10 hhdnrum, 100 casoa feip, uwer> and Graham.

ARRIVAL OF THE HERO.

/Ihe R s Hero >-rrived in harbour Hits morning at «r I' nl"i\ tes ™st 1 oVock. She loft Srclney and *l *v ° ?Pac'ls a* nnnn on ttie lot* inst; TKis°ed me i brcc Kin^s at 10.30 p m on thp IHt.li, ana arriv>d ot,.n Z' On fllfi "cross *h<? Horo oicr.fiTicrn<ed ™on£ h«nd wlr,r? s nnrl h<- ftV v h"«d sna tln-ouehout wearfiiofle^toclto v T w. J fogswell. for t.hfltiromot erL nf Ollr fIIPS arul °^er fnvourn. PwsßTjeer-.: *rom Meihonrno-.Mrfl Thornton and family (i), tli'^/ n- Gll1lh;is O. n. Be»K J. S. McPhevsnn MnrcLiion. Gov Ontlbtmie, Win AmWson. and i" ■>n tbo steorneo. From "y^nny—Mrs "W. ,T. weston two chiWrfn. -nd jinrse," Mr and Mrx ijrownrl^, f mr cbiMwn, apd rinrßn, Mrs f. ,T. ■n°rbii'tnnd /amil" U). -r. v Afr p a i nlPr . and Mrs Jt^Jmo", .Mr nrrt Mr- Tf. Beolr. Mr nnd G Klindo=i, JJ Aath,in.ff w. P»ifo. r l. H Byron. Ohnrle. Jot-nt. M^nrn 7' Q: F 1""'"11 — Ell Pol- J McDonald, Thoa •fllacready, and 3Hp Vhe steorage.

Tile 'brJjjD.-htins .Ainhorst sailed last evening for Sy'rioy v.'dh a raw of timber and mangiuiose. Tho Bis*'Plioßb'e, Captain 'ndrews arrived, 'n th°> Matin Van thin morniptj Passengers— Mr a^d Miss OiissoM, Mrs and Misses B^rbor, vj Rge s Feloher ard

Triiinß. Ciptnin Murray. Mc»srs ?hort, Murr\y f2). ( .T^mMon, Viere'^w. Owpd. and three in theatferaere W« ai-e indebted to MrH. W. Barton, purter, for flies and othel favours.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

Mr ' Alprtd BrrcKi ant/s !W*j?kiy R-tcfoet.— • Fofldnr:" At the HnvmarUet tills day fodder was in ua'ial mtmly, of indifl>>r<>nt quality..-and dull of sale. + Meadow liny, la 6d and 2-1 6d; oaten, 2s to R<< 93 per cwt; oats 2* 6^ ; cncfcsfoo*. grass reed. 8i to 9i ; rye grass B»ed, 6s'9l rnr bush*!: chaff, 3a 01 per cwt. Worses of a good cl'ss moro than usually nnmernns. Pales wpre st"ndy at sat'sfan*o»y prlftei! med'um draft TiribrnVen oolti hrorieM. from £19 to£23; heavy d-anght. £30tn£50; ridini? and light horseo, M to £15 each.—Hides " eve in less thin U'ual supply, and to'oneht 4s 93 ; .calf s^irm. 5d per lb ; sheen skins. Is Kd to 2s M earh ; lurrbs' wool. %% in 101 perlb Cattle ar,d shepp • At tho Ennu'tn Tards on Thurs day dairi" cows tvr-p scurre, and at Pxkremo valnns ; >tor«'cat.tln T)lerttifnl and. stfera of Rfrnrd ol^st mair tcined previrxis pmcps. tnit; news in badcondition snld low. I,c<n thr.n fUp, j>vfr!>n;(\ nijmbgr of rat.M^ wnto yarflpfl. nnrl maintained ]Pte vnhi's : 110 head soli. Shrer> rffprei in limi^d rumbr-rp only, and were very dnllof ta'e I).i'v rows bTOiicrlit. from £8 to £<4: eirtitpen roonth'-'ld nteers from £3 7s Gd to £4; two to thTee-ypar-rjld stoero 'rm £i 7a CA to £6 10a ; d'y c-ws, £2 15a 1o f 3 12s 6d ; fat cattle, 25s to 303 the lOQlbs.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Waits •wtt.t, Oi.ohe ap vm^oyrn :--■■■. For Thames tbi3 day at 5.30 p.m and to-morrow at 7 am For "Wniwera, etc. tn-morrowat 10 am For Ta-araki inri' Southern provinces par Taupo to morrow nt 1 2rt v m. For Anstrniiin" Colonies per Hero on Tuesday next For Tonga to-morrow nt 10 am For Busl ell on Monday at 4 tra For Wnlpn on Mon<Jav at 4 n m (Signed) ftiß. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

The Napier Regatta.

NAPIER

(From our own Correspondent.) Thi* day. Tin? pepatta took place on a splendid day. The Tn'rrprovincinl Bare was a walk over for the Gisbnrne crew. The other two from the Napier Cub refused to pull on account of the Gisbrrne bont being carvel-built, and Napier ones being clinker. Much disappoint ment was expressed by the public at the result, snd consider the Napier clnbs much to blame owing to the Gia bornites . not. having complied with the advertised conditions. Afterwards a race for twenty pounds a side was got un between the Union and Nnnier Bowing :Clubs, and the former won eapily. About 1500 people were on the ground, bnt are all annoyed nt having left their business to witness such a miserable fiasco. No interest is taken in the other races.

BIRTH.

CAN HAM— On March IC, at her residence, Rymonds ptrbpf, the wife of Mr, Harry Canham of a daughter.

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1876

For the' cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance, Foi the future in the distance,

And the food that we can do.

We have perused with an ever deepening intereßfcthe speech of the Premier of New Zealand as delivered to his constituents at Wanganui. The eyes of the colony; we are told, have been turned to the meeting of last nigh'ti Gtir eyes were turned too, and we have listened.with bated breath to the echoes of the oratory. f 'aß conveyed i.to us along''the electric wire;- 'We have 'cjtr ( efully ; read the? oration as it,appears in this morning'spapers, having space only for a resume of the prin cipal topics in Our Own: columns, The speech Is so lucid arid statesmanlike that we think it a pity any one shonHfail'to readit'in its' entirety as we hay w& shall for the sake bf^the unfortunates make a run ning comment on the: speech.with extracts of its most delicious rnorceaux-.1 Lucid, we have said,the speech .is', ; But lucid is riot a name for it.' Regal and viceregal addresses, and the., , utterances 'oi all- great men' are distingtifshdcl "by, particular i features'which Beparatevrthem ;from'the' -sayings;'■ of."com mon men. In facS ; it, is :recognised as contributing, to that sense of awe . which Investeth ' >all!! great men to^th^ ;eye "of weaker ■ speak in language of dcmbfful interpretation., The position of ;Sir Julius" V-bghV ai the present hourj .not, .knowing .exactly from ■which point the wind blown, conduces,, in a k special d^r^ej to the fitness of -his ppeaking in parsWof, arid accordingly his fipeech,, as it appgV^tii.w morninEt.-is at once calculated to enhance Ms1 prestige' as,.a,'statesman, and I o give-arjiie;i:e#.llentf rneptijT ex^cis^, for the

babes and sucklings of political ecience. But to begin. The hon°« wag crowded and the galleries were fi'lccl wi*-h lovely women, and in his opting wonis Sir Julius says, " What he had seen in Wflngft.mil advanced the pleasure of tfcjressittft^Qa." And what had he seen? Er had not oi>?y seen signs of prosperity, but he " had seen their •wives and daughters " After such a gal lant speech it wss but natural that Sir Julius, speaking of '.ha franchise under the bright gluncss of some hundreds of paira of pretty eyes, declared that ho would "not confine women" any more than he would men." in tho exercise of the franchise or anything "lse. Biio it was on finance that he waa great as he was lucid. But we are £0 embarrassed by the whirling about of coupons and debentures that we shall not venture to reproduce his ideas, but the following extracts will give an insight into the whole matter. " The Bank of England caused inscription and will again receive bonus. Nobody but the Bank of England could carry out the two-fold in* scription of issuing bonds to beater. This would give the character of either speculation or investment.*' We are sure that this will give our readers a clear idea of what the great financier meant. For ourselves we are quite mi fait on the subject. The much vexed question of the Colonial Port is die missed with a wave of the hand. "The management of the harbour should not be confined to Municipal representatives, whose government must be more or less successful in theory, but should be on a larger scale in Wellington." The principle of the thing is beyond a question, but if the abstract theory is equal to the fundamental basis then the fching is just so. In speaking of tho " true theory of representation," the statesman

says, "The members should be in a measure elective, but not of a nominal character." We quite agree with Sir Julius here, for the "nominal characters" are often bad characters, and it is highly desirable that men of genuine, character only should bs elected. We presume that is what he means and he 13 quite right. But there is «i great truth conveyed in the following, which like a talent- rolled up in a napkin, would perchance have been lost to sight had we not brought it forth frrm Hs ccncfalmcnt. The con solidated revenue," says the financier, "must be go regulated that we must not exceed our demands." Now we regard this as one of the first principles of New Zealand's success ful finance, and the thanks of the human race are due to the man who has clothed in so few words so invaluable a maxim in political economy. Put in terser terms it means that our expenditure is not to exceed our "demands," a principle of wise domestic and commercial management on which many a man hns proceeded in life with results on a smaller scale indeed, but very much like thoss New Zealand is hastening to produce from a like obsorvance of the p'in ciple of limiting her expenditure only by the extent of her demands. The maxim is bo pleasant and withal so characteristic and tx pressiva of the Vogelian policy that we aro sure it produced a roar of applause among the coarser creatures below, and quite a fluttering of pinions amoDg the dove 3 perched in the palleries above. After such enuncia tion it is piea^-nt to read thnt even the grpat man feels that be is amenable to prudential considerations and he says " The financial position requires careful consideration no doubt, and we must not be unduly elated nor excited before we have all the money and the credit which for the interests of the Colony ib is desirable we should spend." We should be porry to see Sir Julius unduly exci'eel while the game is proceeding. Cool heads are needed for desperate games. Deeming it as he does desirable to " spend all the money and all the credit of the Colony," it is well to allay all excitement so that we may all live quiet and peaceable lives until the crash comes and then—we shall all slide to Eng land. .But all these matters are beside the question, and it is to Sir Julius's views of the great land question, and the allocation of the land fund and the compact, of 1856, that the whole colony has beoa bending its neck and straining eyes and ears to gather the first and faintest indication of his purposes. And it is here if anywhere thiit he is lucid, and New Zealand will sigh a sigh of relief now that suspense is past and that we know the worst. Thus said Sir Julius. "The compact of 1856 is not undesirable if we con eider so, bub some of those who speak of it think tha,t it is only sacred that they regard it go." It is needless for us to say that we entirely agree with these sentiments^ and we believe-a debt of public gratitude is due to the Minister for having in so bold and un equivocal terms defined his own portion and that of . the Ministry, in relation to this vexed and enthralling subject. Another question scarcely less interesting is that of the future public works of the country. And it is thus the minister foreshadows what is coming. Says he, "As they will eventually devote the management of Publio Works, and will confine their looality in management had great desire to avoid inconvenience to the majority of the people." But grand results are anticipated from a projected mission to which, Sir Julius voguely points. Three " able " servants would be sent forth to all the provinces '• to carry letters of intro duction to superintendents." What may be the object'of this singular mission we are left!to surmise. But these three wandering missionaries are to proceed on their travels, and: "he.hoped that superintendents would recognise that it waa their duty and privilege to help them t6 some extent." It wouldappear as if these ablebodied servants were to bo of the icharaoter of mendicants, and to receive eleemosynary assistance f rpmjthe Superinten dents, though we are Btrongly under tho impi-ession that they are spies sent forth maybe togsee thenakedness of the land. The prpposed method of retrenchment in the Civit Service is unique. Saya the Minister : " A^ to civil servants, a great amount of monpy may be saved by dispensing with a great number, but if there is not a large amount of money the theory of the thing wont work." As most oE Sir Julias' theories M wont -work " ; without a " large amount of money," the proviso is a very prudent and j becoming one. But this theory of retrenchment via we assert surpassed by the economical,principle's, which.the country boards are to bel sustained." "Any country

wanting assistance for public works," says the Minister, "may carry it out and save expense of management. Admirable ! That is tho simplest method of Government asaisitnrco wo have heard for many a year. Bab among the many noble conceptions inicrwoven ia the address, we find nothing better than ihe proposed Canterbury railway. Talk about a line leading from No Place to Nowhere. This is to lead from Canter bury to the middle of a river ! Says tho Minister, "Next we are going to oarry out a railway between Canterbury tho boundary being the middle of a river, which would make the accounts difficult." Thia would look mysterious enough ; but the immediately succeeding sentence leads us to the painful belief that the object of this mysterious railway to the middle of the river is to drown the Superintendents. For immediately after exciting our curiosity by leading us to the queer terminus, ho adds, " When the change in provinoes takes place, you might visit it without missing the Superintendent." This is horrible ! Indeed the perusal of the whole address ha unstrung our nervous system by reason of startling propositions aud the unsatisfied longings of the spirit of enquiry.

The Panmure people are celebrating St. Patrick's day by sports, of which, horse racing is to be the leading excitement. A number of people went out from Auckland, and with the cnol and bracing weather ex perienced, there is not the slightest doubt, bub as much hilarity and mirth will des tinguish their sports, as those ia any other districts. Onn of tho Panmure people indulges in a vast joke. " Ho says that Pan mure is nofc in Ireland, but that Ireland (George) is in Panmure." This fact will, no doubt, account for the amount of respect evinced for this favorite Panmure holiday of St. Patrick.

The following was brought to us to-day for publication by a respectable and intelli gent Roman Catholic lady. We willingly insert it, as it shows that there can be broad Christian charity exercised in every denomi nation, and we hope the day is coining when sectarian bigotry shall coaae to influence, aad its fever supplied by love to all irrespective of creed : —

The same good soil sustaining bath Mnkea both united flmrlsh, But cannot give the Or ngo growth, And cecso the Green to LOui'ish. Then let the Orange My bo Thy badge, my patriot brother— Ihe over-living Green for rap, Ami we »'or one another.

The Star Supplement of to-morrow will contain a number of stories and sketches of interest, including "He got Married on Seven Cents," " John lilandford's Widow," "The Brother's Grave," " A ISight of Terror," " A Cooked Bachelor," "The Detriot Way," " Baron Fritz," "A Murdered Love," "The Marriage Market in India," and other sketches. Headers of a poetical tempera, meut will find intellectual satisfaction iv the poem on " Dreaming and Waking."

Mr Ewington will give his next lecture on Thursday-^he 23rd instrnt. "fhe subject will bo tho "Wuh Revolt against Spain."

The Artillery Volunteers, under Captain Burts, and tie 3rd Company under Captain Morrow, wero inspected liafc evening in tho drill-shed. The members of the corps mus toro^ well, and paraded to the satisfaction of tho Inspecting Officer, Major f-Jordon. Sub sequently the men marched through tho town, headed by their excellent band, play ing several lively airs until midnight.

A London paper called the Week's N°ws writes :—" It would seem that the loading journal has fully recognised its mission to keep in advance of its contemporaries by dotatkd telegraphic news. It; has more space at its disposal than the penny shoot*, and ils special wire to Pans, and its special wire to Borlin, just provided, are supplemented, wo understand, by a special telegraphic connec tion with India. A contract, we are infotmed has been signed with the Anglo-European Telegraph Company conceding to the Times for £4,000 for three years the exclusive use of the cable between Bombay and London for one hour every Sunday night! Last Monday the public reaped the fir^t advantage of this arrangement;, and r» charming account of the week's adventures of the Prince of Wains in Ceylon was presented to the public on Mon day morning. This will be, without doubt, a permanent boon, for while during the excite ment of the Royal visit the principal inci dents have been described at considerable length by telegraph by several of the special correspondents in India, it has, of course, been at great expense, and will not be con tinued, Besides, a message cut down to a certain price is a very much less readable thing than the full hour's narrative which will now bo transmitted week by week."

The Sick Benefit Society of Rechabites, Eden Tent, Kewmarket, will hold a soiree this evening in the Newmarket Hall to cele brate their second anniversary. _ This So ciety is tho Pioneer one of its kind for the district of Newmarket, and hsia already done much to assist families suffering from sick ness by the philanthropic principle of action on which the Society is established. There is to be good entertainment after the repast. The secretary is doing all he can to provide a first-class programme, and a pleasant and profitable evening will no doubt be spent.

Last nigh'n the officers prizes won in the first-class firing by members, also, the piize of a handsome oak, silver-mounted inkstand, the gifts of Mr Kohn were presented. Mr Kqlin'a priz? was won by Captain A. Morrow. The aggregate prize given by the officer, as also the 2nd prize in the first-class were won by Vol. John May. Corporal Partington won Ist priza in the Ist class. The lsb and 2nd prizes in the 2nd class were won by Vol. A. Yates and E. Morrow. The Ist and 2nd priza in the 3rd class were won by J. Par tington and Corporal D. A. Hay, consisting of handsome cups, inkstand and timepiece manufactured by Mr H. Kohn. Mr James Buckland was elected Lieutenant.

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

(Before J. H. Home, Esq., and Captain Daldy, J.P.s)

SONS OF ST. PATRICK. John Hopkins, Michael Garrigell, and Jane Whitiar, pleaded guilty to being drunk last evening, and were fined 5s and costs each, or 24 hours' imprisonment. A "WAIF PROM THE STREET. Annie Nobes was charged with being a neglected child under the meaning of the Mr Broham said the girl had been brought up in Chancery Lane. Her mother had frequently been before the Conrfc, and the girl horself had taken up with prostitutes and bad characters. He would ask that she be committed to the Industrial School for two yefM-3. The Bench thought the girl too old to bo committed.

Mr Broham said she could be sent to the Hdme, to remain there until she attained the age of fifteen. After that time application must be made to the Superintendent to re new the term. Bho was committed to the Sfc. Mary'a Orphanage for year 4 to be brought up in tho Koman Catholic faith. The mother, who was present in Court, expressed her assent, and left the Court in tears. i A HOWDY. Lawrence McOiving was charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct, and with damaging Constable Sampson's coat, value £2 13a 6d', on tho 14th instant. _*;«■;-,

As the prosecutor did not wish to press the charge, it was withdrawn. The same prisoner was then charged with using beastly language in a public thorough fare. He pleaded not guilty. Constable Moar proved the offence, and prisoner was fined £5 and costs or one month s imprisonment with hard labour.

. A Ft ark up. Charles Langsford was chai'ged with a breach of the City By-laws, by allowing the chimney of his house in Shortlmd-street to take fire on the 10th instant.

The defendant, through Mr. Cunningham, pleaded guilty, and was fined 5s and costs.

CABLEGRAMS.

[press agency. J

LONDON, March 8. Her Majesty Queen Victoria opened the new wing of the London Hospital. Mr Delano succeeds General Schenck as representative of America at the British Court. March 7. A Select committee has been appointedto inquire into the cause of the fall in the price 'of silver. A quantity forbidden to be landed in France has arrived in London, and the importers maintain their right to land it as representing currency. March G. The wool sales closed dull; 107,000 bales wert! catalogued, and of the quantity sold 40 000 bales were taken for export Comb ing wools sold at the average of the first sales last year; crost-breds and. Sydnoy clothing wools were 2d lower; good lambs' and greasy from Victoria and Adelaide commanded full rates. The probable 3tocks for the next sales is expected to amount to 250 000 bales. The Australian and New Zealand mails, via San Francisco, have been delivered. March 1. ship Coonatta, from Adelaide, which stranded at Newbaven, is breaking up. Por tion of the Gargo is being recovered. DtfBHN, Makcu 4. The loan required by the Municipal Council of Dubiin, for the improvement of that city, has been subscribed for to the extent of seven times the required amount.

Another Child Drowned in a Well.

We regret to have to announce tho painful fact of another death from falling into a well. A settler from Pukekohe informs us that the child of Mr. Madill, farmer, West Puke kohe, wus descovered last night to have fallen into the well arid was quite dead when taken out. There is something exceedingly distressing in the death of children from such a cause. From most of the assignable reasons for children's deaths there is no absolute protection. In these cases the proper security of the mouth of tho well would be safety for the little ones, and prevent the sad and constant repetition of these calamities.

LADIES BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

Tiik annual meeting of this excellent institu tion was held last evening, in the large room of the Christian Young Men's Association. His Honor Sir Ceorgo Grey filled the chair according to promise. The proceedings opened with Rebel's evening hymn "Sun of of my Soul," and prayer by Rev. Mr Mac nicol. The meeting was not largely attended and several gentlemen, mtnely, the Bishop and Rev. Mr Hassard, were unable to bo present. Sir George Grey, having spoken upou tho "character of tho Society and the amount of good it had achieved through tho instrumentality of tho ladies, called upon Mr J. B. Russell to read the balance sheet and report, as follows :-

" The nineteenth annual rnr.ort of tho Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society : Another year Ins paßßtcl and die 10!h anniversary of tha Auckland Ladies' Benevolent Society his a-rived, but iho coruiiiitteo find it very difficult to ptesfiiit th^'ir friends mid snuporters any report thau a st-tfistloal r.no. Tlie operations of the society are so unvariiscl tint yen' by year there In only tho fame record, v ■/., the relief of want ard fuflOring, an far as the means placed lit the disposal of the cormniittie by r. genorous public vill allow. Iho ommHteo would r,;m<nd thetr Irkx'ds, that it is with them a piineiple to Ucnp thn oipondituro within tho interne. They could beneficially disburse a much larger Bum. and in noun extreme caies much moro is needed Ihsn Ihoy are alls to supply. During tha early part cf last year, fever wan prevalent, and many f unilieH wcro, nwi' g to thin visitation, reduced to a very h(-loi<'Ps condition —tho father ill, the mother's time occupied In nursing, and no ono to worlt for tbo family. _ In (>omc housas twoor threo wore ill at tha same time. Th»re are upon the society's boolcs twenty fnmiliOH that have been visited with severessicknes s nnd twetity-oae detths hwo occurred in connection wit1' them. There have also been several casei of accident; ono will lie a sample of the rest. A man in driving a cirt wan knocked down, it went over Mai, and broke hid leg and co Ur-bono ; ho w«8 tuken to the hospital, leaving Irs wife (who w*B expnetin)? her con flnoment arul nnaWe to do liny hard work) and six children to bo provided for These cises make heavy demands on tin Society's fund*. The tot il number of cwh relioved during the year has beon 132— 25 mere than during tho precPrting year; of these 27 were widows, four wi^men h*d boan deserted by ihoir huabandH, and 20 women have leceived assistance during th«ir confinement; 13 families of ncwly nrrivo< immigrants Inve baen among the cases. There are in the Homo 10 old women : during tho year two hava died ; one of those wa3 bstween SO and 90 years of sgo, a relic of Waterloo, having been at that baUle with her husband and children ; she had been Sfvon years in thn Home. Some of the inmates are v*r/ iDiirm ; ono is ijuito blind Thoy aro very comfortable and exce.idiuffly grateful for lao refuge affoßhd them iv their old a?o and iufirmity. Tha commiitoe would recsrd the deep aonsi of obligation they are under to bis Honor r'ir George Grey and B. G. Wood, Et(\. Provincial Secretary, for the aaslsi ance given,.,by them in carrying on their wow, and w thaut who c co-operatiou their labours could not havo been so efficient The com mittee of the Auckland Ladiee' Bsnevolent Society desire to thank the committee of the Young Hen's Chriat,i»n / ssociation for the uso of their rtom lor tiio monthly meetings of the Society, also for the lecture room for tho public meeting—a boon losing none of its valuo from bein* so often granted The committee would talio thi3 opportunity of thanking iho proprietors of the Eve*i\o Star (Messrs JKced aud Brett) for printing the lust year's ropsrts, &c , froo of clwrge. The com mittee would leive the report (sirnjly a faithful record of wok dons and 'money expended) to plead the cause of the suffering and destitute, and they con fidently hope from the experience of the past, that the future will bring a supply of funds which will enable them to feed the huxgry, clothe tho naked, and furnish many a sick room with necessaries and comforts."

A"*BT*AOT OF TBEASURJR'S ACCOUNTS, 1875-6.— Receipts: Balance on band March, 1876, per last account, £20 3« o£d; collection at public meeting, 1875, £2 19» 9d • ordinary donations andsubseriptions from Maich, 1875, to March, 1876, £308 18a 6d ; Key. Chjis. Clark (collection at sermon), £35 ; liiessrs "Watt andAitkon, for Home, £16; society, £15, £39; relatiys of an inmate of Borne, £7 16s ; Cliavalior Blondin, per th« Hon, Dr Pollen, £20 ; Bii Worship the Mayor, (Mr Tonics), £5 ; total, £429 17s 3}d. Expenditure: Advertising, Its; roiief of poor and maintbnaace of Home from March, 1876, to Maroh, 1876, £410 10s 7d; total, £417 7s 7d. Balance in hand : Bank, £7 17a ; treasurer, £4 123 6Jd—£l2 9j S^d; total, £429 17a 3^d. — Agkeb Gilliks, Treasurer.

Mr Justice Gillies moved, " That the report now read be adopted and printed under the direction of the committee." .Rev. Arch deacon Manusell 8 seconded the resolution, which was carried. Mrs Clark then gave a solo upon the piano which was well received. Mr Reader Wood next proposed " That while this meeting acknowledges with gratitude the support the Auckland Ladies_ Benevolent Society has received from the charitableand hu mane of this city for the last eighteen years, it would renew its appeal to them for their con tinued and increased support for the future." Rev. Peter Mason eeconded the recollection, which was also carried. Miss Beal then sang the "Nuns Prayer." Mr Buddie then moved, " That the following ladies be the office bearers for the ensuing year :— President, Mrs Philson ; treasurer, Mrg Gillies; secretary, Mrs Aickin; committee, Mesdamea Aickin, Bain, Boylan, Beveridge, Crispe, Gillies, Gorrie, Hassard, Ellis, Mrboh, Macffarlane, Philson, Russell, Wallis, Warner and Williamson. Rev. Mr. Macniccol seconded, and it was carried. Sir George Grey, X.C 8., was elected patron. Miss Philson sang "The Lost Card," and Mr Walpole "The Loving Smile." Votes of thanks were then proposed to the Young Me'rijs Associociation, for the free use of the room, to Mr Beal and the ladies for their musical assistance, and to Sir Geo Grey for

hi 3 kindness in presiding over the meeting, which closed with the benediction pronounced by Rev. Alexander Reid.

St. Patrick's Day.

The facts concerning the patron saint of Treland are scanty but the stories respecting him are plentiful" as blackberries in Kentish lanes. We have examined lectures and notices of the good man, who was said to have landed afc Waterford in 441, A.D., and to have died many years after at Down, when his followers exclaimed bitterly, " Down, Patrick, clown " meaning thereby that the Saint had gone to his final rest. Numbers of ancient writers connected with the old faith refer to the patron saint, but discrepancies are discernable in each writer. Ninneus gives 4.(54, A.D. as the year of St. Patrick's death ; butTillemont saw, he died in 455, while Usher sets down 493, as the correct date, so that there are 58 years between the dates given by Tilleraont and Usher. Casey O'Connor, serjeant-at-law, m his "Irish Facts and Traditions," affirms that these several writers know nothing, or next to nothing, of the life of St. Patrick. And perhaps his notice of St. Patrick.in his " Facts and Traditions, (Vol i. p 293) is about as good an acconnt as we can procure in these times. John McGrath. also, in his "Elements of Irish History," leans towards O'Connor's account, as the most reliable. "We know" s-vysj O'Connor, from ancient records in the popsession of the O'Connor family, that St Patrick was bofn, as the Saint stated in his " confessions,' .at Bonaven Tahe inn, a tillage then Rirnateri at the mouth of the Clyde, botween Dumbarton and Glas gow, which subsequently grew into a little town and, in honor of the Saint, was called Kilrmttiek, I would fain have made Patrick an Irishman, as all great men have been from Julias Cresar to the illustrious Duke of Wellington, but facts, which the honest historian cannot overturn, compel me to declare that Patrick, though at heart an Irishman, was born north of the river Tweed. But never mind, his nature, and sympathies, and grandmother were" all Irishmen. It is certain that Patrick was born one day when his dear mother was at home, in the summer of 411, on the banks of the silver Clyde. As he grew up he found the mountain air too keen for him, and longed to settle down in some pleasant spot in the Emerald Isle. He had but little learning beyond that which be gathered from the book of nature. Education Boards were not dreamed of in those blessed da- a, and. consequently there were neither education rates nor collectors. Patrick's name, how ever, was Sandy or Alexander Muir, as Nin neus also a firms ; bnt I am not in a position to state whether he ever completed the alphabet, but, like the North of Ireland boys, I think he was disposed to get knowledge, for he was studiously inclined. He was once caught by his mother amona the rocks of the Clyde, and whipped for his long absence from his mother's hut. He was also discovered filling a Scottish girl's pitcher from a rock surrounded spring, and whispering in her ear ; but as Isaac and Rebecca had done the same thing in primitive times, nothing was said on the matter. I cannot help thinking that our patron Saint was disappointed in live, for about this time he became very religious, and attracted considerable notice from various abbots, and especially from Pope ©destine, to -whom he expressed n wish to convert the people of Ireland to the faith of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Coles tine made him a bishop, consecrated him, and called him by the sacred name of Patrioius, and aftor a tour for observation and improve ment on the Continent of Europe, he passed over to Ireland, and landed amid great re joicings at Waterford. It is said that all the Bn»lc?s escaped into the Rpa as soon ns St. Patrick, as he was familiarly termed, set his foot upon the beautiful island, the patriotism and eloquence of whose sons have been lauded by the best poets and lawyers that ever ap peared. I don't believe the snake story, as the O'Connor records are silent upon the sub ject. Still it is worthy of note that Ireland and New Zealand —the Ireland of the Pacific —have no snakes that glide upon thn belly and lick the dust of the earth. St. Patrick, like Dean Swift, loved gardening, grew enor mous melons, was partial to a herring, and had potatoes hren in vogue in hi 3 day he would have relished the mealy ones. St. Patrick, however, was a very good man, according to tradition, and fulfilled his mis sion to the satisfaction of all true Irishmen, who think of him on the dawn of his anniver sary day, sing with rapturous voice? "St. Patrick's Day in the Morning," and invariably go to bed sober.

THE PPvOCESSION.

The proceedings of the day were com menced by a procession of the various Boman Catholic schools to the Domain. At an early hour the children assembled at Mr Dignan's paddock, corner of Wyndhani and Hobson-Rtreete, to the number of about 2000, and were marshalled in the following order :—City Band, children of St. Mary's Orphanage, bearing a large green silk banner, on which was beautifully worked a harp and wreath of shamrocks. This splendid banner was the work of the Sisters of Mercy. Following came the boarders of Sb. Mary's, headed by the Hobson brass band, Sfc. Patrick's school, £t. Patrick's boys' school, juvenile drum and fife band, Newton school, and the Onehunga and Otahuhu schools, with their fine band. We noticed especially among the latter a beautiful banner, made by Miss Ohadwiok, on which was an Irish wolf dog, an oakjtree, and a harp, also a fine banner executed by Father Simpson, bearing on it a Celtic cross, Irish Sun-horse and round tower. The children under £the charge of the Revs Fathers O'Dwyer, Walter McDonald, O'Hara, Paul, Eiordan, and Simpson, marched through several of the the principal streets, cheering lustily on the way. At the entrance to the Domain they were met by the Parnell school, under the Very Key Father Fynes" V.G., and the whole body marched together to the place of rendezvous, where they were liberally regaled with tea, cake, etc. They afterwards indulged in games, such as Franch tfg, kiss -in - the - ring and other ways of spending a few hours pleasantly.

HIBERNIAN SOCIETY,

This society met at' St Patrick's Hall, about 120 of the members being present, this morning at eight O'clock, and after forming into procession, proceeded to the Catholic Cathedral, where high maBS was preached by Father Simpson, deacon, assisted by Fathers Kiordan and W. McDonald, sub deacons. The mass was very well attended. They afterwards returned to Si Patrick's Hall, and reformed into their previous position. They then marched to the Domain for the purpose of witnessing the sports.

DEPUTATION.

TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION IN

THE JSOB.TH.

A deputation consisting of Mr J. M. Dar gayille and Mr Monk representing the mill owners and settlers in the district concerned to-day, waited upon the Colonial See.retary to urge upon the Government the necessity of extending telegraphic communication to the Northern . Wairoa. The deputation set forth the rising importance of the district which already contained a population of 2000, and stated they were prepared to offer a guarantee against any loss in the working or' the line to the extent of £400 per annum ; the guarantors to consist of the following : Union Sash and Door Co. £100; Te Kopuru Saw Mill' Co. £100; Mr Dargaville £50; Messrs Brown, Camptell and Co. (probably) £50; and other settlers and merchants £100. It was" shown that the Districb had never had the benefit of any Government expendi ture, though during the last session of the Provincial Council, a resolution had been passed unnanimously approving of the con

struction of the line, and requesting the Superintendent to place himself in communi cation with the Government on the subject. Dr Pollen stated in reply that ac tally recognized the claims and the importance ol the district and that if such a guarantee as that mentioned were formally tendered he had little doubt that the work would be approved by the Government and. taken in hand. His own support when the subject came up for consideration in the usual manner might be depended on. , After some conversation on the subject or the Helensville Eailway Terminus extension the deputation thanked Dr Pollen and with drew.

Serious Accident.

A Bushman's Hands Cnisked. A kusilman named George Whitten, a man between 45 and 50 years old, was this morning brought up to town and taken to the Hospital under very distressing circumstances. It appears that Whitten was working yesterday in Mr. John Smith's bush, at the Wainui, and while engaged in "jacking" a log the spear broke, and the log, which was a very large one, rolled clown and crushed both the unfor tunate man's hands against the woodwork ot the jack. The left hand was simply smashed, while the right is so injured that there is little chance of his recovering the Use of it. Ine accident occurred at about one 0 clock, ami Whitten was quite helpless and bleeding, with out a medical man near, and 24 miles from Auckland. Two young fellows named Martin Uogan and Thomas May, under a sense of duty which does them honor, at once under took to get the poor fellow up to town. > 1 hey procured bullocks, and before two o clock started with the sufferer for Dairy Flat. I here they rocured horses from Mr. Wilson, and came cm to Lucas' Creek, where they got a boat and pulled up to Auckland, arriving at four o'clock this monling. On taking Whitten to the Police Station the sergeant in charge refused to have anything to do with the injured man, and informed the two men -who were in charge of him that they could do nothing towards getting him taken to the Hospital. The sergeant, however, showed the way to Quick's, where a cab was obtained, for which Hogan had to pay 10s., and the man was admitted at five o'clock. The two men de sire to express their thanks to Mr. Stephenson, of Lucas' Creek ; and Mr. Wilson, of Dairy Flat ; who gave their horses free of charge, and even contributed money to defray the con veyance of the sufferer to Auckland. [In reference to the refusal of the police to take charge of the man, we presume the ser geant was acting in accordance with instruc tions in such cases. The disinterested kind ness of Messrs. Ilagan and May in bringing Whitton up to town should meet with some recognition.]

Sir Julius Vogel at Wanganui.

Wabtgantti, Thursday. Sir Julius vogel addressed his constituents at the Oddfellows Hall last night, there was a great crowd including many ladies present, and. Mr Beaver took the chair. The Premier iD his opening remarks alluded to the cordial nature of his reception in New Zealand which was douhly gratifying to him coming as it did after the attacks to which he had been subjected. He was glad to see so many lirflies present as he was personally not min isterially in favour of extension of the franchise to women. He was very sorry that ill health prevento his visiting other parts of the Colony. His speech that night would have to be given more as Premier than as their representative, and he felt the _ great responsibility that devolved upon him in delivering it. Firafras to his visit to England. One of the results of that visife had been the laying of the cable from Sydney to New Zealand which had put them in communica tion with the civilized world. It was the first large cable laid without a hitch within contract time. The results could hardly be It was effected at a small cost so that the tariff was small too. Next, he had succeeded in Retting the Bank of England to inscribe New Zealand stock, by which arrangement in future, New Zealand bonds would be made payable to bearer, and so save a lot of trouble and expense. He had effected this at the low price of one-seventh per cent. On the subject of Harbours, his words lately had given liso to some misapprehension. All ha intended to convey was the fact the manage ment of Wellington Harbour should not be oonfined to the municipality, but should be Rooked upon as belonging to the whole dis trict. Provincialism he was certain would not last long. In the Session of 1874 he had found all hope of preserving it at an end. In taking measures to abolish it throughout the colony, he had been actuated by a strong sense of duty which had cost him several peisonal friends, among others Mr McAndrew one of the most disinterested men in the colony. It would be necesssry that the pro vince's should be dealt with impartially and without favour. The Immigration policy and Public Works policy were inseparable, as in carrying out great works it was necessary to introduce fresh population to make them re cuperative. Immigration could be overdone ; but so long as labour and capital acted con currently, they were safe. Notwithstanding spiteful expressions, the four-million -loan had proved a triumphant success, and had been raised in London in 48 hours. He did not think they would be wise to exffeed their present credit. The policy of the Govern ment was to apportion to each district the t general revenue, and so regulate the consoli dated revenue as not to exceed the demand to spend the borrowed money on reproduc tive works, r]and the ordinary revenue upon general purposes. The idea of two separate Governments in the Colony the Ministry would firmly oppose. The compact of 1856 was not undesirable. A great deal of un necessary unpleasantness had arisen upon this subject, and there waß a strong feeling that the land fund question should have special application next session. He did not think much would bo said about it in the House, for he often found the prophets wrong on these points. With regard to the future the difficulties of the proposed change seemed disappearing as they approached. They would have to provide an inexpensive system of Government, and they must try and manage so that while the people felt no difference in the efficiency of administration they would admit the economy. It was now definitely settled that the Provinces and Superinten dents would cease the week after next ses sion. Their first step was to place them selves in a position to tell Parliament at the opening of the session the cost of their new service. They intended to take over the Provincial services till they could be handed over to the local bodies ; and they intended to invite the cordial co-operation of the Superintendents in the work of reconstruc tion. They did not propose to combine the Police and the. Armed Constabulary, as that would create offence, and they did not wish to make any rapid or irritating changes. The goldfields were hardly entitled to that ex ceptional treatment which they deßired, but they would receive due attention. Some thing would have to be done to facilitate obtaining land for settlement. All should pay, but the terms should be made as easy as possible. ]\iany of the Provincial lines of railway would have to be temporarily taken over by the Public Works Department. Id order to interfere as little as possible with local arrangements there would be a separate treasury for the payment; of contractors and others. The harbours would devolve on the Customs Departments, not including im provements proposed. Education, hospitals, asylums, &c , would be under the Minister of £ Justice, though in the case of education and charitable institutions local control would be promoted as-far as possible. The Government would send round, three of the ablest civil servants to gather the estimates from the Provincial Auditors and Superin tendents, and he trusted the Superintendents

would supply them with all the information they could. No doubt a great number of civil servants could be dispensed with, bub he thought that there was always a kindly feeling even in persons professing economy and Joe Humeism, which made them agree not to sacrifice men to political emergencies but to deal liberally with them. He pro posed that good compensation should bo given to those with whom they had to dispense. Public servants were not overpaid, for the rise in provisions and rent through the Public Works policy made them sufferers. As regarded abolition, the Government would submit a statement. The Superintendents he thought, when the time' came, would assist the Government. The county system proposed was not to strengthen the central power, but to diminish it. Their system would regard road districts and counties districts districts as concerning revenue while at the same time it was open for them to co-operate. The whole country would be divided into counties by the Gov^ eminent or their commissioners, and thV. boundaries would be subject to alteration. They proposed in the first place to make seven divisions ; the Boards to have at the outset' an existence of twelve months, and after wards country Boards to determine their own duration. The chairman to be paid, if at all, out of the revenues of the Board, bub not to sit in Parliament if paid ; the Board to have charge of all main roads and arterea works. Liberal subsidies from land and con solidated funds to be equally dividei; licenses, tolls, &c, to go to counties, but not to levy special taxation without consent of ratepayers ; the electors of counties to be those who pay rates the same as in the Road Board districts. Throughout the county and the Koad Boards to be perfectly distinct. The counties would have power to borrow under exceptional circumstances, but only on their own security. The trunk system of railway must be carried out bo as to place' Auckland in communication with every province in the island ; and every province of the other island with each other. Borrow ing must be dispensed with as much as poa sible so as to give confidence to the public creditor. He would not give any pledge about an Education Bill this session although there was a desire to abolish special rates.. He undertook to see education carried on, and would introduce as many immigrants as required, no more, He would divide the land fund, half on the basis of population and half on the presents system, by which the provinces were re sponsible for debts and interests. They also proposed to ask Parliament to take charge of, all railways He was certain under the new; regime the system would be less costly and the machinery work more smoothly and harmoniously than before. While admitting the great good the provincial system had done, he could not help thinking the whole" colony would benefit by the change. ;, The Premier was loudly cheered at inter vals and when he sat down.

ARRIVAL OF THE S.S. 'HERO'

AUSTRALIAN TELEGRAMS.

MELBOURME, March 9.

A fire occurred at Geelong to-day, which destroyed an hotel and four other buildings. They were insured in the London and Lan cashire, and London and Liverpool and) Globe offices. The Governor was present on the course to-day. The Cup, although, it showed that Richmonds victory was a certainty, produced a fine race and a very pretty Bight for the, first mile and a half before the field began to , scatter. Feu d'Artifice and Imperial ran a . dead heat for second place, Joseph Thompson, bootmaker, and Wilson, the trainer, had a fight on the courae; this wiil prabably lead to the exclusion of the ring from the precincts of the Grand Stand. A man named George Erskine, working in ",". Soloman's furniture factory, deliberately cut. off his right hand at a steam saw, in obedience | to Scriptural injunction. He was Buffering from religious mania. Two horrible cases of criminal assault oq- „ curred at Sandhurst. Prisoners are re-r manded. j; Ellen Bourke, aged 17, was knocked down by a train while < crossing the railway line., She sustained injuries of which she died to- A shipment of 13,000 bushels New Zealand oats sold at 3s 9d in bond. > L The cargo of Mauritius sugars ex Alphing- ':. ton was sola ; grainy browns fetched high % prices ; other sorts are unaltered. A girl named Emma Thursfield, represent- " ing herself as heiress to a large property, ~ gave extensive orders to Ballarat tradespeople < She has since disappeared. A farmer named Miller committed suicide at Geelong by blowing his brains out. Advices state that Dondi's health IB completely restored, A man named Pigott a boundary rider to Mr. W. F. Buchanan, was struck dead by lightning last night. His horse was also killed. When found, his feet were in the stirrups. The R. M. S. Sumatra has been placed in quarantine, and will remain for a week ; the.,, mails 2re being fumigated at the Heads, and will be brought to Melbourne by tug. Vaccination of passengers is ordered. A woman, seventy-eight years old, living alone at Ballarat East, was burned to death. Goldsbrough is scratched for the Australian ] Cup.

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AND MURDER.

Sydney, March io. ■ The attempted store robbery at Emu Flat took place- at II o'clock on Saturday night. The navvies had settled their store accounts and left for the public-house, fifty or sixty or sixty yards off. A sub-contractor, named Holman, entered the store simultaneously two other men ; the latter at once produced two pistols and demanded money; a scuffle ensued, when one robber fired at Holman, ana shot him through the lung near the heart. He died at 6 o'clock this morning; the other ! robber fired at M'Connochie, the owner of the store, and the ball grazed his shoulders, blackening his shirt. Both then prepared ito bolt, when M'Connochie lifted^ sheath knife.: oft the counter and lunged at one of the rob bers, and is supposed to have seriously wounded him. Both got away. Holman, a respectable married man, had just left his wife and six children to procure a bottle of vinegar.

FIRE IN ELIZABETH STREET.

About 20 minutes before noon yesterday a fire broke out in the top flat of the warehouse of Messrs. Sander, Lazarus "& Co., 42» EJ lza" '. beth-street, importers of fancy ware. T*}"? ", was no one in the flat, which was on the third, floor, and attention was attracted by the craCK ling of the fire, when the place was found to be full of smoke. An alarm was.sent Jo the Metropolitan Brigade, who attended at once, ; and foundthe flat full of dense smoke and fire. The staircase leading to the flat below haa caught fire, but the brigade, haying a good , ■ stream on, put out these flames, and got tne fire under in about half-an-hour, preventing k ~ spreading beyond the top flat, the iront portion of the roof of which was burnt on. .._ The stock in .the place included a large ~ quantity of inflammable goods in deal cases, . which burnt furiously, and gave out a suno cating smoke. A large portion of the gooas was consumed, and a good deal more was. broken and destroyed, or damaged by water, but there will probably be considerable sai vage even in this flat. The goods in tne lower flats were" much damaged^ <waj?r - coming through the ceilings or floors, a t ( after The fire had been got under, tarpauhns and blankets were spread over the stock beiou,, ~ and thus the damage was much less consider able than it might have been. 'The flames did not make any show, the walls of the building, ;,

ME jevtiMftG stAii, MJfiAf * Aldl iMjH



Be OTI the Alert, if yon haveaymptoma announcina' the approach of kidney or bladder riii ordci'B. Pains across tho kidneys, turbid, urine, riiffi cnity in pappinp \vat<>r, burning in the urctha, pro claim that sometliing Is -wtflug, and Hint pornethlncr if d srpcrardf* , may develo"fJ into a most serious evil. Delay not a mornc-Tit if therein the slightest urinary difficulty ioapp'y tborpmcdvfp^cail'y roeommMicied by the faculty for puch dlpoi'derß, TjDOLrno Wolph's ScHinnAV Aromatiq ScnNAprs. A'^JJ. STRALIA N~MUT UAL PEOVIDENT SOCIETY. Members nrp informed thnt in conseqnence of the resignation by Mr. Henry Gilfillan of tli° Agency of the above Society for Auckland and its district, Mr. Alexniider SiiTinclerß has been appointed Apent, and •will act as snch n and after Monday.'the 13th inst, at his offices-, No. 2, lusurance Buildings, Queen-, street, Auckland -! By order of the Board,- \ .... ■ .JOSEPH DYET?, Resident Secretary. AueWand, March 14,1870 ...