SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIOB V-ATKE—Tfcfo a/to>cooE, S 5 : to-moiw- Enr'n?. S2l <mw '"^ T*u ""Pninc. pi. «FN RISE—Vc •fiisrrow mornlnc. 6 62 Won- •« *~(?„, os . qu , rtsr _ 17tll] 1-6 siln)

UNKNOWN

Rowfira ">. from T nntira Ad<"*. bnrqne, R g tons Csp^in John T,o Bran, from

DEPARTURES.

I'\r or>T!T :>. ■"or Adela, fr m >cwia«'le—447 toes coal—Stone Bros.

Till ba'qtifl Jrlfla arrived from T^ewca^fe. this afterncfir, >f!<v,i nu^k par-afrc of in days, 'nei"clin£r fiv f',i,Tt rp t; lf > co**. r> p'ni" T pßun s'atee thath" left >T<>wrassMf> o-n th« 2"tli tilt "Tii' fca^ vir'nblp <md Vrer--.IT xr'rflg n C " s> tn thfl Thr"*1 TC" ? a, *M 'I' p *fpht'd m the Mh v«y. finrp w^'nh li'cht Pou<h°'lv :anr! e*stp>-'T w'rr's v -vf h<=. n (iwrccefl The • d»la J'Tinci* a. ca y?o of cwlp for Vpfsrf Rtone Bos. The A'ela be'ones to Mr J C. Ell", of Kew.-astle.

The Adela Tja»."ed ihe B'cdirk Castle nntbe evening of the 7-h inst rff napn Ti-ett, and the Colima yester d" momins? off IVfoko Hiicra.

Tho chip WncwHig one of Messrs Snaw, S^vill's line. left. Lotdnn tor'thls pot at the erd of March.

The harqui bound fo1" Lor dm. has b<> n at anchor all night between Tlri Tiri and Ear,gst o t o ree'

The fs Powerii arrive^ this afternoon w ;th several passengers f>pm Tnvrr.~g\, Ortni" F Kear<- w' \ a >e choree rf the '"eerle's dnrinp he- an, rmcbi"tr tr!, p t c t"n» islands. *t present, a i*ifficnl*> rxnte about her raws hav'ner pore tnPnmoi, but it is expected ap. unit will be granted, by DVnms.

COMMERCIAL.

TVTe?srs Cochrane and S-n'n s 1? of frfi°hn'd a^cl GTirirb°.n rirnperUpp was thirlv 'ttendrd to-day. '11 "the propprfips were napßpri, with th" excep'i'Ti nf Intg € 7 G8 and R8" at "WWirlthorre, Rop-nera which were pnrcrm'ed hy Mr T. JHcr'n for £1 10s each Mr T,. "VV Vstrn sold t--d-y ex Llewelyn, 200 bnrchFS rf bananas at 3d to 4>£d, and 10 cases of oranges at la per dozen.

CALL DIVIDENDS.

The 'oilnwiDfr are the current calls and dividends payable in tho companies Darned below :— p£ s. d

PrVTTENDS—

Calls—

Date,

Qnpen of the May, new 0 1 0 — 'May 10 Effort 0 0 S — ~10

> Tew Exchange.. Golden Arrow.. BnlJKn .. Pividfind. ~ Black Beef Alburnia GTSc

..ODD— ~10 .. 0 0 fi — ~10 ~oo3— „ 10 ..003— ~10 .. 0 0 6 — „ 10 ~ 0 5 0 — June 1-i

The Sharemarket.

Bank, of New Zealand—buyers, £17 2s 6d ; sellera, £17 ss. National Bank—76s ; buyers,7ss 6d. Colonial Bank —buskers, 303. South British Insurance—buyers, 54g ; sellers. 553.

National Insurance—2ss; buyers, 24s ; sellers 255. Standard, do.—bnvers, 11s. 6d. Union Sash and Door Company—sellers, £9.

Moanataira—Sellers, 20a. Lon and Mercantile (new)—Bayers, 303. Caledonian (double)—l9s ; sellers, 203. Tokatea—Sellers, 10a. STKarangahake—buyer?, 3s lOd. f Care—Buyer 5s ; Sellers, 63 6d. Queen of May (np\v)- 3i 9d. Union Beach—7s3 ; 75s Gd ; buyers, 75s ; sellers, SOa. pPride of Tokatea-Sellers, la. ' T £$$3 Royal Oak—Sellers, Gs. Red Quehn —Buyers, la. Ajax—Buyers", Is 3d. Joseph Newman1, Chairman.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will Close as follows:— For Thames, on Friday, at 1 30 pm For Kapant;a. per Argyle, on Fr^ay next, at 2 30 p m For Russell, psr Elsinore, to-morrow at 0 a m For Wiiwpra, Mahurangi, Matakana, Te Aral, etc, per

Annie MiUbank, to-morrow at 10 r, m For New Plymouth via Waitara, per Go-ahead, to-

morrow at 11 a m Tor Levuka, Fiji, per Llewellyn, on Friday next, at

3prn For WMtiangl. Talma. Tauranga, and Opotiki, per

Eo'wena, on Friday at 4 p m For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Welling ton, on Saturday next, at 9.45 a m Late letters till 10 a.m. For Nanier and Gisborne, per Southern Cross, on

Saturday at lpm For Gisborn c and Napier, per Pretty Jane, on Mon day at 3 p m (Signed)

8. E. EI3S, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

DAVEY—On May 8, the wife of Mr. P. J. Davey, Wood-street, Ponsonby, of a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

MADDEN—MILLS—On the 10th May instant, at St. Matthew's Church, by the Eev. R. S. Hassard, Charles Edward Madden, of Hamilton West, Wal kato, Barrister, Bon of Mr Charles Madden, of this city to Fanny Evangeline, only daughter of Mr. Henry Mills, Alma Villa, Chapel-street, and formerly of Walsall, England, and relative of Philip Williams, Esq., late High Sheriff of Stafford.

DEATH.

HENEY—On the 10th instant, at Cracroft-Bh-eet, Parnell, Elizabeth, relict of the late Eobert Henry, of Paisley —Glasgow papcra please copy. The funeral will leavf* her late residence at a o'clock pm. to-morrow (Thursday), the 11th inst. Friends are respect fully invited.

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

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1876

«or the cause that lacks assistance. For the wroni,' that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, Aad the good that we c*n do.

When local companies, depending entirely for their success upon the prosperity of Auck. land and the support of its people, ignore our own shipbuilding industry, and supply their wants from abroad, it is not reasonable to expect that strangers will view the capabili ties of our building yards and workshops more favourably. The directors of the. North Shore Ferry Company, although hitherto staunch supporters of the Auckland

shipyard?, have row done this, and their action has aroused a good deal of ad verse comment. A letter signed "Mechanic,"' in last night's Star, expresses, we believe, the feeling of a very large section of the sup porterfj of the Ferry Company—the trades men and mechanics of Auckland - and al thouslu'we are not prepared to say that nndei all circumstance 5;, and despite a.I dis^dva . t»g pP, local mar'ijfacturee shall be preferred before all other?. V't we th'nk the directors

of thpcnu: *auv h".veictecl ra,ther precipitately inc<--nimiss'ucio;;},L B-.chanau to get a steamer built on the Clyde for the Thames trade It is impossible to clefice hy ouv cant-iron rule the extent to which Auckland mechanic* should receive the prpference in executing vvo-k required by locr.l c^% italisrs. In the present instance, we are informed that the Ferry Company had ascertained that an. iron steamer such as they had determined upon could not be built tiere under £12,000, and theu that it °>vould be a raere experiment, wifcktiufc any guarantee that the vessel would fulfil the required conditions of speed and draught. The directors believe that in the

present depressed state of shipbuilding in Britain, a steamer of the class required m=iy be obtained for £9000, with the certainty ot a satisfactory result. They maintain that no indirect benefits to the community could compensate for the loss represented by these figures. If we admit al! the premises, we are bound also to accept the deduction drawn from them ; for upon no principle of equity, could we demand in the name of lonal in dustry, that an enterprise of this character should bo subjected to a certain loss of £3000 and a, hpavy risk. We think, however, wo are justified by our past experience of vessels purchased abroad for Auckland companies, in questioning whether, after the expense of superintending the building, and bringing the vessel out, there will be any saving in price; and most assuredly, the vessels hitherto bnilt in Britain to colonial orders, have not proved all that was expected. A very fine h-on steamer, the Matau, was finished last month in Dunedin to the order of a merchant there, and has given so much satisfaction that two or three others are now on the stocks. The Matau is engaged on the Oamaru trade, the requirements of which are very much greater than the Thames i 3 likely to furnish for years to come. It would appear from this that business men in Dunedin, with all their Scottish proclivities, do not consider that the Clyde affords extraordinary ad vantages in supplying iron steamer of moderate tonnage for this colony. Or if they do they are prepared to sacrifice something for the advancement of the place from whence they hope to draw the money t° make their enterprise succesaful. There is a cood deal moru of that spirit about the busi ness men of Ofcago than is developed here, and probably to this cause may be attributed the reputation for enterprise which has been gained by the metropolis of the South. A rather amusing example of this was furnished in connection with the opening of the Mo&" giel woollen factory. The first tweeds turned out of the factory were exceedingly loose in texture and shrank about half an inch with v cry pood shower of rain. Bur, notwith. standing this, the leading men set the ex ample of buying nothing but Mosgiels, which became the rage until all the heavy men of Dunedin were wandering about with thei r trousers above their boots, martyrs to local industry. Unless the Ferry Company had called for tenders in New Zealand and had compared them with estimates of the cost of a steamer built on the Clyde and delivered here, they were not in a position to determine whether their interests might be served by the execution of the order in our own work shops. And even if it had been found that the colony could not compete with Scottish shipbuilders in the construction of iron vessels, it would then have been open for discussion whether a wooden hull would not have satisfied all the requirements of the trade, and the work be thus brought within the well-ascertained capabilities of our builders. The Company cannot ignore the fact that they expect the people of this province, by their support, to pay for that steamer, and they should, therefore, have endeavoured.if possible,to give thejpublic the full benefit of the first outlay. At anyrate, we think that in a matter of so much im portance and involving so many considera tions, t,ho shareholders should have been consulted. As it is, hostility seems likely to be provoked by the decision, and, through Messrs Fraser and Tinne who are now negotiating with Thames people for the construction of an iron vessel, it may be that this one false step will call forth formidable opposition which waa not anticipated. We understand that Mr Buchanan has been enspowered either to get^the steamer built complete or to have the hull built in sections, the inside work to be done in Auckland. If the latter course is adopted, there will yet remain something for our own manufactories to do, and that they can do general ship wright work ag well as any English builder, will hardly be questioned.

The announcement was made in a Provincial Gazette a few days ago that the Hon. Dr Pollen was the agent for the General Govern ment in Auckland. This simple intimation has more meaning in it than appears at first, and we aro now furnished with the key to it by a lettter Sir George Grey.has addressed to the Colonial Secretary. He says : —

«•- Sir,—l have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the lsb instant. You have fallen into an error in stating that only two letters had been sent to me, signed by E. L. Green for General Government Agent. There are seven su^h letters in my office. I further beg to point out that, after delaying for move than a month to reply to a plain question, I asked, as Superintendent of this province, viz.. 'Who was the General Government agent for Auckland? you have, in. your reply of the Ist May not given me the information I asked for. You merely state that you are discharging the duties of that office. I gather, however, from your reply that in point of fact a Civil Servant of the Govern ment who still claims a right to his position in that service as General Government Agent for Auckland, and all the advantages, such as pension, &c, which flow from it, holds also the position of a Minister of the Crown in this colony. There are thus in the present Ministry, out of six Ministers, three who are Civil Servants of the Crown in New Zealand. It appears to me as Superintendent of this pro vince, that such an arrangement is altogether adverse to its interests. [Ministers who per form the duties of permanent Civil Servants bring political functions to bear upon an

office which is suppose to be filler] by a per manent Civil Servant, with no political ten dency or interests whatever to promote or serve. For instance, the Chief Land Purchase Commissioner has a right to receive a large salary and other advantages of rank and position, as well as ultimately a considerable pension; and for these considerations se cured to him by the public, he on his pait contracts to giv« his whole time and his .ervici-s to that public, and to put chase lands solely for them. Now, if he was only a permanent, independent member of the Civil Service, I am satisfied that he would ueichei dare to purchase valuable lands from the natives for hioaaelf, instead cf for the public, nor to allow his subordinates so to do, whilst numbers arc dnveu from this proviuce from their bsing unabie «o purchase public land: ; nor weald fee be under any temptation to fifcHro to procure political support by permitting advantage? to be given to some of the Queen's " aU bj«cts in respect to the purchase ot na tive lands which are not eni— ed hy all% A j go) jf he were simr>i_- & serv anfe, under the super- T' p.lon of a responsible minister, when he violated these salutary rules, I should be certain on an appeal, as Superintendent of this province, to the Minister in whose de partment he was, that ample and complete justice would at once be done, in stead of which, if I now make a complaint to the Government regarding transactions of Sir Donald McLean's depart ment;, as Chief Land Purchase Commissioner, to himself, and complaints, the justice of which I am tnre every impartial person would at once admit, are ony treated with ne^lectandoonteinpt. Sucho-aairindependen?. public civil servant waa also intended to be a check upon any Minister who mi^ht de sire to perform any unlawful act for the purpose of obtaining political support, for it would be his duty j n written minutes to point out the illegality of any wrong course it; was paoposed to pursue, and thus obstruct and prevent the rights of the people at large being invaded and trampled on. Clear that if a civil servant, the permanent head of a department, who is also a Minister, once violates in his own favour, or in that of his friends, or political supporters, great maxims of public right and justice, he must lose all moral control over the subordinates of his department, and would find it difficult, if not impossible, to prevent them from fol lowing similar courses ; in short, his real usefulnesses as a public servant is gone. It is almost impossible that a civil ser vant temporarily promoted to a great political office of this nature can hold a really independent position. He muse know that he is to revert to the civil service, and status in that, when he abandons the exalted office he holds as Minister, may in a great degree depend upon those who have been his colleagues in the Ministry. The Minister who puts a civil servant into such a position must to a great extent be his superior rather than hi 3 equal aa a colleague in olfice. The civil servant temporarily in the Ministry must necessarily find ib very difficult Dot to seek either not to offend, or perhaps to con ciliate the colleague with whom he should serve as an independent equal."

His Honor then cites the proclamation constituting the Southern Cross, in which Sir Julius Vogel was largely interested, the only bankruptcy gazette in Auckland, as another instance in which tho Ministry mado use of their office to secure to one of their number considerable pecuniary ad vantage at the expense of others. The letter is a capital criticism upon tho system of manipulating the Civil. Service, which has been carried on to such an unprecedented ex tent by the present Ministry.

Advices by the last mail state that Dr. Hector would leave London for Philadelphia on the sth of April. He will act as New Zea land Commissioner at, the International Ex hibition, and may be expected back in the colony about the end of July next. He has succeeded in obtaining from the British Museum, by way of exchange, _ some very valuable collections for the Colonial Museum, as it is termed, which is being furnished in the city of quakes and shakes at the expense of. the other cities of the colony, which have to sustain the wholo burden of their own museums and institutes.

Mr David Golrlie has announced his in tention of becoming a candidate for the va cancy in the City Council, caused by the resignation of Mr Buchanan. We learn that Mr Johnstone, of Messrs Witston and Sons, will contest the election. The three membeaa.who retire in rotation next Septem ber are Councillors Hurst,.Brett, and Hold ship.

H Councillor Cosgrave intends at the next meeting to nominate Councillor Edward laaacH as the representative of the Corpora tion upon the Board of Improvement Com missioners.

At the next meeting of the City Council the Mayor will move—"That the Finance and Endowment Committee be authorised to offer lor lease on such terms and conditions as may be deemed advisable, all that portion of the Western Springs Estate not require d for the purpose of the Water Supply.

A telegram has been received by the Mayor, from Wellington, intimating that the sum of £686 143 7d had been posted to-day, being the amount of subsidy upon arrears of rates.

Between six and seven o'clock last evening the Albert-street fire bell rang out an alarm, in answer to a similar announcement from the Rarangahape .Road bell. A number of persons immediately assembled, but no sign of tire could be seen. At length ifc was ascertained the alarm wa3 caused by a chimney on fire in Newton, but which was speedily extinguished.

The drapers have obtained a worldwide renown for what is termed " window-dress ing " and this pleasant fancy is observable in many of Auckland drapers' shop, but, just now, in none more conspicuous than in the window of Mr Pearse at the Vulcan Lane corner of Queen-street which forms a great attraction, to ladies especially. Mr Pearse's new clothing establishment is stocked with every kind of fashionable wearing apparel, suitable not only for winter, but for all sea sons of the year, as well as costumes, millinery, flowers, feathers, ladies goods, and articles of household use. We call attention especially to the clothing department, and that the general establishment closes at six o'clock p.m.

Councillor Hurst will be nominated by His Worship the Mayor, at the next sitting of the Council, to fill the vacancy in the Im provement Commissioners, caused by the re tirement of Mr Buchanan.

There appears to be little chance of the murderer, Winiata, being handed over for trial, since Tawhaio has been searching the scriptures, and has found passages to justify his conduct in him. He ia bound, he says, to afford a refuge to criminals, because the Old Testament gives an account of cities of refuge for the security of criminals, punish ment being left; in the hands of the Al mighty.

The Hibernicon Troupe, after a successful week at the Thames, gave an entertainment at the Academy o£ Music, for the Roman Catholic boys of Walter-street. The action of Captain Stevens of the Bar racouta in connection with the Samoan row, has evoked strong adverse comment in Fiji. The Argus says : '' A correspondent informs us that we have fallen into an error in stating that Captain Stevens of the ''Barracouta" seized the "PeerleßS," belonging to Colonel Steinberger, and also that gentleman's papers, and asks ior sufficient space to correct the error. We are glad to learn we were wrong ly informed, and for the matter of space only wish our friend could deny or explain away all the other of the "Barracouta" proceed ings at Samoa. He should have one whole paper to himself."

The members of- the Auckland Gymnasium Club will meet tomorrow evening, in the Parnell Hall, at eight o'clock.

To the Editor : Sir,—While thanking you for your flattering notice of my essay on "Spiritualism," allow me at the same time to R*itf>r .1 p'?a of " not guilty" to the charge of exaggeration which you bring against me. That charge is b-*sed on au erroneous version of what I "said. I did not state Hiat the men I namod were ail believers in spiri'- manifesta tions. What I did say was this: "From among the Mine?, of well-known men, all of wh/m have believed in the reality of the phenomena, and miuy of whom hay? attributed them to spiritual origin, I select the following ;" then came tbe names. I can if necessary produce my authority for the assertion -*I am, .*c, Wm. Cooper.

Mr John MoLwod has received the following testimony to the v^lue of his stone lime :— "City Council, 9fch May. Sir,—At the re quest of His Worship the Mayor, I have tried your Wan?arei Stone Lime, for Sanitary purposes. I have found it to be a powerful deodorizer, destroying at Once all bad effluvia; the cleansing properties remain for a consi derable time, after being used in filthy places —a quality I have not found in Carbolic Acid, orpowder—and a freshness exists where an application of this valuable lime has been used to destroy impurities. I can < with the greatest confidence recommend it to be applied at once to places requiring purifica tion.—lam; your .obedient servant, George GoLdie, Sanitary Inspector."

Now tkat the Maungatapit murdpfpr. Sul livan, has been released on a writ of habeas corpus, one wonders what will become of him. His position is worse, even than that of his prototype Oin. because a mark was set upon the latter by Divine power, so that he should not be slain. If Sullivan were to land on the West Coast of the Middle Island, his life would net be worth a day'a purchase. If he -.gain goes to England, he will be dogged by detectives from the momentof landing, and his life made a burden by continual surveillance. Scarcely anywhere indeed, amongst the haunts of men would he be safe frona recog nition, execration, and, it may be, violence. Surely this is an instance in which a punish ment wor-Be than death itself has been meted oub to one of the most infamous of men. To drag through the remainder of life every moment, fearing recognition, to be conscious that the moment such occurred men would turn aside with loathing, and women and little children flee from him in affright. Surely this is a terrible doom. Better to have died by the rope along with hiß fellows in crime, than to have been spared for this. Yet the punishment Sullivan endures is a just one. He was the worst villian of the Mangautapu gang, and hanging was too good for him. To be hunted through the country, mobbed in the towns, and to wander wildly ahout, seeking a resting place for the sole of his foot, but finding none, ia a fitting doom for the sharper, the convict, the gaol-bird, the robber, the murderer, the approver—the greatest scoundrel unhurjg—Thomas Sulli van.— Post.

A very successful social gathering took place in the Whau Public Hall last evening, in aid of the church funds of the district. Tea was provided on the most liberal scalo at half-past six o'clock, when a large number of the residents, together with several visitors from town, did full justice to the good things. After the tables had been cleared away the Rev. B. T. Dudley addressed a few words of welcome to those assembled, and a pro gramme of secular music was then gone through by the members of St. Sepulchre's choir, under the leadership of Mr Rice. The music was agreeably interspersed with a recitation by Mr Batger, humorous readings by Mr T. L. White and Mr G. P. Pierce, and with a few words from the Revs. A. R. Tomliuson, W. N. Willis, and Mr Biggs. The musical portion of tho pro gramme having been completed shortly before ten o'clock, the hall was again cleared and the younger members of the audience remained to enjoy an hour or two's dance. Everything passed'off most successfully, and the greatest praise"is due to the committee, especially Mr Bollard and Mr Owen (the inde fatigable secretary), and to the ladies, for their united efforts to make the evening an enjoyable one.

The Government insoection parade of No 3 Compnny Auckland Kifle Volunteers is advertised to be held on Thursday evening, next, in fall dress uniform, from -which no leave of absence will be given without the sanction of the officer commanding the district. It is understood that Captain Clark's district champion belt will be pre sented to Corporal W. Partington on this occasion.

A stranger presented at a bank in Dallas, Tex., a cheque for §10,000, and also letters purporting to indorse bim as a wealthy New Yorker. The bank officers hesitated about paying it, and he said, " Telegraph to your bankers in New York, and I will stand the expense. I came here to buy cotton, and must have the money." A message was sent and soon an answer came back saying that the cheque and the man were good. .The cash was thereupon paid. Yet the operation was a clever swindle. Two telegraphers had taken possession of a shanty a few miles from Dallas, on the line of the wires, attached a battery, taken off the message intended for New York, and answered it.

A New York importer, writing to the Tobacco Leaf from Havana, says : The fears entertained about the 1876 tobacco crop have unfortunately been realised. The drouth has been long and severe, and, in some parts of the country, even the cattle are suffering for want of pasturage 1 The manufacturers here have been buying very heavy, and have paid fabulous prices. The 75 crop on account of its better burning quality and taste, has been paid for at much higher figures, and it is very difficult to find any desirable lots in first hands. On the whole, it is the worst crop within the recollection of the oldest to bacco-growers.

About tea o'clock this morning a boy, who was fishing off the short tee of the wharf, near the fishmongers' shanties, was pushed into the water by a pakeha-maori, who after hia singular action took to his heels up the wharf, leaving the boy to his fate. Some Maoris rescued him. in a boat. Whether the push was intentional or not we do not know, but the man's'conduct in running away was reprehensible.

Our forefathers were ignorant of the import ance of advertising, and'probably would have remained indifferent to it 3 value, had it not been for the example set them by their French neighbours, from whom the very word is borrowed, for advertisement is from _ the French avertissement, which properly signi fies a giving notice, or] the announcement of certain facts. Since the duty on advertise ments has been abolished, the means of making known wants have been increased to an enormouß and incalculable extent through the press, and not only through the press, but in every other possible way, and many men acknowledge that the acquisition of princely fortunes have been due to systematic publi city. In our complicated state of* society every facility should be given to the only effectual means of informing the public of new improvements, inventions, fashions, and of everything likely to promote public advantage. Mr Horace Smith, recently from Honolulu, having previously obtained permission of Sir Julius Vogel, has affixed a seemly advertis ing case by the Shortland-street entrance to the Post Office, which will afford a facility, or advertising medium, for persons desirous of expressing their immediate wants in the shortest possible time. The case is divided into convenient compartments for advertise ments, the centre squares being loft for the use of the Post Office and telegraphic depart ments. The framework is of native wood,

and carved with artistic taste, the designer and finisher, being Mr Robert Cranwell, cabinet maker, fjr his employees, Messrs. Holloway and Garlick, who undertook the making of the board.

Mis* Florence Marryatfc, the clover daughter of a clever sire, his turned from writing novels to reciting them, and is star ring England with " readings in costume," supported by Mr Grossmith.

A soiree and musical entertainment will be given to-morrow evening in tho YYesloyan Church, Woodside, in aid of tho funds. Several ministers and gentlemen will address the meeting, and the choir will give selec tions of music.

Messrs Cochrane and Son will offer for sale to-morrow the clipper yachS Emily about nine tous, with new suit of sales, dingy, anchors, and canvas.

Yesterday at noon a man named Johnson met with a nasty accident while obtaining sawdust from tho Union Sash and Door Go's, mill at Mechanic's Bay. A piece of timber fell upon his head and inflicted a jagged wound right on the crown. He bled profusely and had to be seat home and a doctor pro cured.

The green, sequestered, and not unpleasant locality of Long Biy, some fifteen or twenty miles from Wood side .'Perry, will yet wm something more than a name in the historic annals of the Nor h Island of New Zealand. The settlers in that isolated locality are far mers, and possess such numbers of cows, horses and pies, that any attempt to make a true calculation Would be futile ; hence not infrequently, Mr Smith says, " I have from forty to sixty pigs, and from seventy to a hundred cows, but I don't know where they are." So Hjthe settlers of the Bay have long since agreed to bear their losses with uncomplaining patience, and mutually act as in a common brotherhood. One gentle man however, could not agree to this sort "of thing, and when he lost two of his pigs in April last, he took proceedings in the police court of Auckland against one of the settlers and his man Friday. The hearing of the case occupied a loi/g time, and resulted in a complete acquittal. The pigs were dead, "dead as a door nail/ as old Scrooge would say, there was no doubt about that j but the ghosts ofj them were left bustl ing about the bush, and still as irritating as they were before they were made pork, and its flavor has since influenced tbe wholo community of the hitherto sunny and peaceful locality of Long Bay, that a pig fever has broken out again, and in a few days hence the Resident Magis trate will be called upon to listen to ft re vised edition of the Btory of Long Bay eettlers and the departed pigs.

The dock laborers of Liverpool, to the number of 19,000, have memorialized tbe Dock Board, asking them to abolish the use of steam engines in the discharge of ship's cargoes, the men's argument being that the machinery diminished the demand for man ual labour. The Dock Board have informed the memorialists that they cannot comply with the request.

Parlor skates, which, it appears were first known in England about thirty years ago, have got into such general use there that many accidents have been reported from over-crowding at the rinks. Ladies have had legs broken, ankles dislocated, shoulders sprained, and have suffered numerous in juries, till at last a call is made for strict regulations in the pursuit of this new and otherwise healthful amusement.

Mr R. J. Creighton, who was a passenger to San Francisco in the Colima, accomplished about the neatest thing in the way of " dead heading " that we have ever seen recorded. Under their contract, the Pacific Mail Com pany are bound to convey, free of cost, a Mail Agent and Assistant Mail Agent, but one gentleman has always managed to do the work, and the second office, therefore, has never been filled. Mr Creighton, however, probably acting on a gentle bint, at once applied to the General Government for the office of Assistant Mail Agent for the present voyage, and received the appointment. Tke Company can only figuratively bite their finger nails and supply him with all the latest delicacies of she season to sustain the wear and tear of his arduous duties on the voyage across.

Native News.

Extraordinary Reports of Gold at Tuhua.

ALEXANDRA,

(from our own correspondent)

May G, 1876. Since my letter of the 22nd ultimo, I have gained some additional information about the Tuhua country, which may interest some of your readers. For a long time it has been known that gold has been discovered in that distriot, but the natives have up to the pre sent time prevented any European going there. "When Captains McDonald and Walker reached there last month they were turned back, and left to go to the West Coast by Titokowaru's place. I have it now on reliable information that two tribes, on whose land the gold is found, have had a party (native of course) out gold digging since September last. At the present time they have accumulated a large stock, and have already taken steps to have it disposed of through a private channel. Much of the gold is alluvial, but I am informed they have met with a very rich reef as well, but the difficulty is to have the quartz crushed. They do it with two stones, worked by their hands ; but this is a very slow process, and they have decided to get a quartz crushing machine and crush their own quartz. En quiries are already on foot at the Thames with a view of purchasing one, and I have no doubt in a few months one will be on the district. I am also informed that the workers average daily from 5 to Gibs weight of gold, so there can be no doubt the field i 3 much richer than the Thames ever was. You must know that the field is only in our particular quarter of the Tuhua country, and thnt the reefs only extend to one side of a mountain, and are not continued on the other. This 1 point out as many, through Casey and others, have been led to believe that gold could be found in any part of the country extending from Taranaki and Mokau to Tongariro. There is no doubt that they have accumulated a very large stock, and my informant assures me that cwts. would not express the amount. Already parcels have been sent to Wanganui, and it has been asßayed at £3 15s the ounce.

SUPPLY OF POWDER TO THE

NATIVES.

A great deal has been said about the natives making powder. Whether they do or not, I cannot say for certain, as my in formant has never seen them do it, but if they like they can, as saltpetre and sulphur are to be found in great abundance on their own land. The Government have this year prohibited their buying their annual small quantity. Up to the present year all natives who subscribed to the Waka-Maori were allowed to buy a fiasa of powder, a box of caps, and 5 lbs. of shot. Now, the annual subscription to the paper is 10s, and the Government charged 30s for powder and shot that can be bought at the gunsmith's shop for 7s 6d. The Government have given no reason to the natives for dis continuing their privilege, and it presses very hard upon the up-country natives, as their crops are always once or twice eaten up by the pheasants. Pheasants are very numerous, and when they put in their potatoes and corn the women and children have for a long time to camp on the field, so as to be up at daybreak to frighten away the birds. They had in most cases last year to put in seed twice before they got a crop.

MEETING WITH THE NATIVE

MINISTER,

Sir Donald McLean was to have met the natives at Marakawahai en the Ist May, but was called to accompany the Governor to the Bay of Islands. No doubt on his return a meeting will be arranged. G, W. Woon,

Esq., Native Interpreter, and J.P. of VVan canui, has been expected up the river Wan eanui again, to get the natives to meet bur Donald. I am not informed whether he is expected to be as liberal this time as he was about two months ago. It appears he went np ?to the head of the river, asking all the natives to attend the Lands Court at \\ an aanui. and promising them handsome remu nemtion for their trouble. About 400 came -200 of whom had no interest whatever in the laud, but, as he could not ascertain who v;ere the real owners, he got all to come so as to be on the aafe side.

GREAT FIRE IN QUEEN STREET.

ANOTHER WOODEN BLOCK

DESTROYED.

INSURANCES £6000.

IK the small hoars of this morning an exten sive fire occurred in the very heart oi the city, namely at the south comer of Queen street and Victoria-street East by which nine places of business were utterly annihil ated, stock and property destroyed and dam aged to the extent of several thousands of pounds, and-** malo Jonum-another block of unsightly wooden shanties cleared off, and room left for farther improvements in the city. , The conflagration broke out as nearly as possible at two o'clock. Accounts vary as to who was the first discoverer, but the credit is most generally given to Constable Dwyer, who saw smoke and flame proceeding from the back premises of either Messengers fruit shop or Sims', the barber. An alarm was immediately raised, and the first arrivals set to work to' assist in getting at the seat of the flames, to try and extinguish them before they assumed overbearing proportions. But, although they soon scaled the fences at the rear, and got within reach, as is always the case, the little water required on the instant was not forthcoming, and the chance was lost Within a few minutes of the outbreak, the 'whole of the back premises of Mr Mes senger's shop, Mr Syms' bairdressmg esta blishment, and Mr Bennett the draper s, were enveloped in flames, and although the night was fine aDd still, it became obvious that the fire had obtained a hold which it would be difficult to make it relinquish. During this tima there was a general alarm peal being rung out at all the bells, and crowds _ot people, who must have dressed in an in credible short space of time, came pouring to the scene, which was soon an animated one. la very creditable time Mr Superintendent Hughes and the fire Brigade, arrived on the spot with their apparatus and engines, and with a smartness which told well for their drill) made their arrangements. At first Mr Hughes deemed it not too late to repress the conflagration, and with that end in viewcon ected his hose with the fireplug at the bottom of Victoria-street West, and the stand-pipe at the north corner of Victoria-street East and Lome-street. Two useful, but still in adequate, streams were thus obtained and brought to bear upon the burning premises, but the few minutes taken in running out the hose had materially increased the angry fury of the flames, and after a very snort and vain attempt at extinguishment the ■ firemen's efforts were directed to preventing the flames extending beyond the one block, which was doomed to inevitable destruction. Giving orders to Foreman Humphries to take charge in the rear, Mr Hughes directed his energies to the protec tion of Mr Montague's brick premises, which bounded the block on the South_ side, and past which if the fire succeeded in getting, the conflagration would have assumed^ enor mous proportions. Within twenty minutes of the outbreak the premises in flames in cluded, in addition to three shops mentioned above, Mr Turrell's, the bookseller's; Mr Bennett's, the draper's ; and Mr Payne's, the watchmaker's. Messenger's place had been evacuated the previous day, and was totally empty. It is, therefore, difficult to say what it was thi>t took fire. Mr Farrow, who occupies the dining rooms over Montague's fancy store, was roused by the first alarm, and going out on a little staging leading to his kitchen at the back, obtained a good view of the fire at a very early Btage, and he is confident that it was in Messengers that it broke out. No goods were destroyed here. The greater part of Mr Welsman's shop stock of drugs was safely got out, great credit being due to those who removed the great glass jars which form such a prominent object in a chemist's window, for there was not a single breakage. Unfortunaty Mr Welsman's store at the back was attacked by the flame? before anything could be got out, and a large stock of drugs was here consumed. The crowd behaved in a very orderly manner, and Mr Inspector Broham, who was present in command of the police, was able to do much good service in the way of saving property. Mr Hughes also enrolled twenty volunteer assistants for this duty, and they well earned the scanty pay which the regulations allow them. At first the goods removed were hurriedly deposited in Queen-street and Victoria-street, and the pile which here rapidly accumulated, soon took very large proportions. In connec tion with this heap of valuables, an incident occurred which is worthy of mention. Mr Hughes, in one of his many journeyings to and fro happened to notice some smoke

curling up from some bedding, and goiDg to

see what was the cause found a bundle of brown paper and other rubbish all in a

smouldering state. It was fortunate the discovery was made or the goods would have been certainly burnt. The Superintendent thereupon ordered the further removal of the goods into Lome-street and Victoria-street west, where they were safe for the time. A body of sailors from the men-of-war was now added to the salvage corps and worked like English tars always do on such occasions. As the fire progressed it became more and more palpable that the remainder of the block muse go. The fire within 40 minutes from the start was raging against Mr Montague's premises, on the south, and had taken possession of the premises of Messrs Close Bros., the grocers, and Mr Cooke's furniture store at the northern end. Most of the stock from these shops was saved, and generally a minimum of breakage and damage ' was sustained. It was hoped that the Blue Post dining rooms would have been saved, but the dry wooden premises at the back of' Cooke'a, and which burnt with great readiness, were so close that the lames could not be arrested, and the hostelry was included in the general ruin. Mean while the firemen were by no means idle. Though the flames continued to lap the wall of Montague's premises till it was nearly red hot, and, with greater threatened peril, to lick the wooden buildings in the rear, com prising, Mr Farrow's kitchen and other smaller erections, they could not get beyond the boundary which the firemen defended with such vigour. This was the point of greatest danger. At right angles to this kitchen in the south side is a long wooden building, about 100 ft Ions; by 25ft wide, forming the store rooms of Mr Fendelow ; and adjoining are smaller wooden structures communicating with larger premises in the front. If the kitchen was burnt, Eendelow's store-room would most assuredly follow, and, to prevent this, Mr Hughes brought his two forces to combine their efforts. Their success was no certainty, for already the roof of the kitchen was in flames. By continual exertion, how ever, this was extinguished, and »t half-past three o'clock the extent of the damages could be determined pretty accurately. Not much remains to be told of the progress of destruc tion. The buildings which were seized by the fire were, without exception, burnt to the ground, and in many cases the ashes left gjwere so jj§> flue that they blew away with the light wind, and

scarcely left a trace oi the conflagration The firemen contained to play upon «£ burning debris till an hour after daybreak when, no more danger being apprehended' they rolled up their hose, and at 8 o'clock left the scene to the visitors and the police Mr Hughes remained with foreman Hum phries till nearly 10 o'clock.

THE SCENE THIS MORNING. The featnre of the scene of last night's calamity is the complete sweep made by the flames. The boundaries of the different premises are totally indistinguishable, At noon the heap of embers in the centre was still blazing and sending forth volumes of smoke, and a watch was kept upon it. Ac examination of the north wall of Mr Monta gue's premises reveals that portion of the structure in a very insecure condition. The wall has evidently been completely baked, and has bulged out to an alarming extent! tearing right away from the paper inside, sa as to suggest the possibility of it coming down with a run at any moment. This should be seen to at once, as the fall may in. volve the loss of life. The bnrnt premises in the rear show what a narrow escape there was of a conflagration double as large as that which took place. Mr Montague's fragile stock is a good, deal injored by hasty removal, and the same may be said of Mr Farrow's furniture and fixtures.

Mr and Mrs Dennes, the well-known sewing machine importsrs, did good service fey sup plying the firemen with hot coffee during the night. Mr M. Corcoran kindly allowed the fire men to pass through his premises to get water from his well, and his passage suffered in con sequence. Mr Weleman, without losing time, entered into an arrangement to take the new shop next to Mr Dornwell's new premises, and was gracefully established there this morning in true American style. The foss on Mr Montague's stock will ba very trifling the only injury being from hasty removal of a portion. AU the insur ances on buildings are total losses ; those ott furniture and stock are partial. The stock of Mr Bennett was valued at about £2000, and the loss will be very hear y as there was no time to get the stock out.

Close Bros', stock was also very heavy, and considerably exceeds the insurance money. These two firms will be the greatest sufferers. Mr Welsman estimates that his stock was half insured. About one quarter is Baved.^ All the occupiers were more or less in sured, but, owing to the dilapidated state of the premises generally, the various offices were shy of accepting any great risk on them. During the day the burnt out proprietors have been engaged in collecting their scattered goods and placing them in sittia* tions of safety. As yet it isgimpossible to tell with any accuracy the amount of tha claims which will be sent in. The whole of the wopden block destroyed, except the Blue Post, was owned by Mr PhiJip Wright, of London, and the Blue Past boardiiag-bouse was owned by Mr Scarrott, of the Kaipara. NEW ZEALAND INSURANCE COM PANY. Total Losses. On five shops in Queen-street ... £1000 Cook's shop in Victoria-street ... £200 Partial Losses. Cook's stock ... .»• £200 Turrell's stock ... - £100 Farrow's furniture ... ••• £300 Nobwich Union.—Partial. Close Bros, stock ... ... £200 Cook's stock ... ••■ — 100 Montague's stock ••• ••• 500 Total, ... £800 Batavia.— Partial. Close Bros, stock ' ... — £300 Bennett's stock ... ••■■ 200 Total, ... ». - £m Transatlantic. — Partial. Bennett's stock ■•• ••■ *350 Royal.—Partial. Mrs Bell (Montague's Building) ... £1000 Sotjth British.—Partial Loss. Blue Post furniture ... — &00 Kean and Jenkinson stock ... 150. Turrell's stock ... ... — 350 Montague's stock ... ••• °w Total ... - •»*l«0 Standard.—Partial Loss. Close Bros', stock ... — *3W Blue Post furniture ... — AM Kean and Jenkinson's stock ... 150 Montague's stock ... ... 750 Total ... .. *1500 National.—Partiali. Payne's stock £2" Sym's stock J™ Total £600 Victoria.—Total Loss. . Blue Post Building £250 . Welsman's stock (partial) 4W Montague's stock (partial) bW Total *1250 Imperial.—Total. . Blue Post Building ... £250 Partial. Montague's stock ••• "00 Total -.55

CABLEGRAMS.

MELBOUKU E.—THIS DAY.

The report regarding the seizure of Stevenson's goods, for evading duty, proves to be untruo. *• Sullivan is reported to be at Wedderburn. The Otago has arrived.

Sydney, May 9. Mr Audley Coote is negotiating with the Government in reference to a second cable to Europe. The result of the enquiry into the collision of the tug Challenge and the steamer hew England is that the certitic&te of the master of the Challenge has been suepecded.

POLICE COURT.-THIS DAY.

(Before Messrs Beetham and McMillan, Jus-

tices of the Peace.) BODY AND SPIRIT.

A son of fair Erin, blithe Peter O'fieilly, ~ Took somo drops on the sly, and they conquered mm

Who are you, said Gamble, so crafty and wily, By faith I am Peter, said Peter O'JReilly. Peter O'Reilly, a young Irishman waß fined 53 and costs for being drunk. Harriet Podester forfeited her bail. EMBEZZLEINC A RAILWAY TICKET.

William Fradgely was charged with etn bezzleing a railway ticket at Pukekohe, va lne £17, the property of the General Govern ment. , Mr Sub-Inspector Pardy asked that wo case might be remanded for a week, as the accused was only arrested last evening, ana the case was very intricate.

Remanded accordingly. PUELICAKS AND SINNEBS. Frederick Michael Riordan, of the Custom House Hotel, appeared in answer to a Bum" mons charging him with committing a breaca of the Licensing Act of 1871, by supplying aloholio liquors to George Silver, James Jackson, and William Waters, on Sun<iaj| the 30th April, the same not being bona^a«4 travellors nor lodgers in the said hotel. ; Mr Hesketh, for defendant, pleaded not! guilty. '', "' Mr Sub-Inspector Pardy said that he believed the three persons to whom the drinks were supplied were being kept out ol the way to prevent them from giving evi dence. He would ask that the case be adjourned. . ~ The case was therefore remanded nntu Friday next.

xli^JL^^t^ xoto i -



SOCIETY OP ARTISTS, AUCKLANT). BLACK AND WHITE EXHIBITION The attention of Art Students, Amateurs, and Others is directed to the above Exhibition to be held In June next. "Works intended for exhibition may be executed in Black Lead, Sepia, India Ink, Charcoal, Crayon, &c, but not in colours. Further information may be obtained from the undersigned. J. SYMOFS, Secretary, 5, Wyndham-street.



The Rational Public is not to "be con vinced by mere assertion. It wan3S proof. Accord ingly when it learns that four thousand physicians guarantee the pnrity and efficacy of an alcoholic in viporant, and see on every hand its woEderful cures of nervous debility, fcidney ana bladder ailments, rheumatism, indigestion, and torpidity of the liver, the public puts its entire faith in the article. The above explains why TJdolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aro- HAtic Schnapps enjoy Eiich unbounded popularity.



. YOU may Often Hear the exclamation " Oh, my!" at the Window of Messrs. Hfmus and Tbigg's 26, QueeD-Btreet. It escapes from persons almost involuntary, as they catch a glimpse of Hats trimmed on the premises marked from 3s lid. Splendid value in Winter Dress Materials is also being exhibited. Beautiful Embossed Silk Scarfs are marhPd Is each ; and don't they sell at HEMUS AND TKIGG'S, 216, Queen-street.



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