SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER—Thta afternoon, 3 68; to-morrow teaming. 4 36 SUN SET—Thl* evening, 628 BUN RlSK—To morrow morning, 5 55 MOON'S AGE—Full moon 10th March, 551 p'm

ARRIVALS.

Alarm, schooner Thompson, from New Hebrides from the south AtaUnta, sch-joner, from Tairua Waiwera, schooner, from K-nnedy'a Bay Clematis, ketch, from Russell vnward. schooner, from Russell JQem, schooner, from Wanguroa _, at onbiiuuga Bawn, cutter, from Raglan ■Fiery Cross, schooner, from Kaipara

DEPARTURES.

■xaupo, 8 s, for the South Prince Alfred, barquentine, forKaipara Advance, schooner for East Coast Echo, schooner, for. East Coast Fawn, cutter, for Russell

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Wangarei and Mangapai-Argyle, as, Tuesday, 7tii For Samoa—Batavia, barque, early For San Francisco—Granada, 13th instant (English Mall) For the South—Ladybird, Saturday; Taupo, Tuesday next For Newcastle—Queen of the Sea, barque, at once For London—Carnatic, ship, Glenlora, barque, early For Samoa—Martha, barque, early

IMPORTS

Per ss Taupo, from the South : 1 trnnk, 3 pkga, 5 cases, 145 sacks malt, 200 bags rioe, 1 hhd rum, 16 cases butter.—Henderson and Macfarlane, agents. Per Taupo : 1 hhd iurn, H. S. Meyers and Co. Per Alarm, schooner, from flew Hebrides: 33 tons maize.

The schooner Orpheua has oleared for Napier via Mercury Bay with 40,000 feet timber. The ketch Spe* dwell brings 54 tons coal from Kus sel, and the cutter Mana 24,200 feet timber, from Kennedy's Bay, The barqun Martha entered out to-day for Samoa. She will probably clear at the Customs and sail to morrow. The brigantine Flirt arrived in Lyttelton yesterday. A telegram, receivfd by the New Zealand Insurance Company, from Napier, states that the schooner Opotihi has been floated without much damage. Her sale did not take place in consequence. The s.s. >rgyle leaves tomorrow evening for Wa ngarei Heads. Waugwei and Manj?apal. The schooneTß "W »iwer a and Atalanta brings cargoes Of timber from Tairu*. The schooner Torea, bound south, was sighted jjy tb.K as "Wellington off Cape Kgmont last T>-.l'rsaay. - The schooner Alarm, Captain ThQS-pson, arrived In harbour yesterday morning jfJi«i a cargo of maize from "ew Hebrides. Pho t,v> a had fine weather on the run, which was of 13 days continuance), as sh« left port on the 21st ultimo, lhe captain is reported ill Of low fever.

The nion Steamship Co.'s s.s. Taupo, Captain Wheeler, left Port Chalme>s on the 29th February, at 2.30 pm, arriving at Lyttelton next morning early ; left again »ame afternoon, and ar»ived at Wellington next day ; left Wellington 2 30 p m on the 3rd March, arrived at Picton at 7p m; left on the 4th at 4 am, arriving at Nelson at noon ; left again the same title, arriving at Taranaki at 9 a m ; discharged cargo and left at 230 pm, arriving at Manukau on the 6th at 7 am. Had fine weather from Port Chalmers to Xyttelton ; from thence to "Wellington strong gale from the northward, with heavy sea ; from thence up fine wenther. The purser has been kind enough to forword us our flies and report immediately on arrival. Pa?seDgers.—Mrs Baker, Mrs Davis and child, Mrs Severn. Mrs Oram and ohlld, Mrs Severn, Mrs Ifeatherston servant and family (4), Mrs Thomas and child, Miss Irvine, Messrs Harvey, MoGavin, Finlayson, Austin, Neuman Draper, B«ker, Yarju- Und, • Woodward, Oram, Foster, McCaul, Boakins, Feathersone. Sheldon, Schmidt, Hussey. Beaver, Newton. Hehaw, Stokes. Morley, Thomson, Hoskins, Smith, Bennett, and 13 in the steerage. The Schooner Rosanah Bose has arrived at Knipara fiom Dunedin. She is likely to load back at Aratapu.

TELEGRAPHIC SHIPPING.

Lyttelton, this day. The Granada left for Port Chalmers at 16 p.m. yesterday, •' . _ Port Oh Elmers, this day. The s s Hawea arrived yesterday morning from Lyt- Gisborne, this day. The Pretty Jane airived from Auckland at one O'clock to-day.

COMMERCIAL,

Mr George W. Binney sold today, at the Co. n Ex change, a Jarge quantity of oats at 2s 6d; also several lines of maize at 3s 3d to 33 7d. . Meisrs Cochrane and Son offered for sale t^ 9y the flourmill at the Bombay settlement; als<^ a gtore and bakery with 20 acrea of first-class J;,, n d, were passed. Messrs E and 5. Isaacs so,^ to-day a number of immigrants' fittings, pipi£*, & c , at the usual prices ; also a life-boat, 26 fep/j in length, for £49,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will Close as follows:— Tor Thames at 630 p m and to-morrow at 10 30 am For Coromandel on Friday next at 11 30 a m For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, this day at 4 p ra. For Opofciki, per Coralie, this day at 4.30 p m ForWaiwera, Mahurangi. MaUkana, Te Arai, etc, per AnnieMllbank, to-morrow at 10 am For Tairua te-morrow at 11 am and 3pm For Wangarel, per Argyle. to-morrow at 4 p m For Tryphaua (Ureat Barrier) to-morrow at 4 p m Per Granada, on Monday, 13th inst, as follows :— For Kandavu, Sandwich Islands, TJuited States of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies at 11 am For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe at 11 p m For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 10 a m Late letters bearing an extra fee of 6d In addition to the postage, will be received on board by the Mail Agent, np to the time of sailing (Signed) 8. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

POLLOCK —On the 4th instant, at her residence, William-street West, Mrs. James Pollock of a son.

DEATH

KEEFFE-On March 6 at U-J lOn . Btr6et^ EUelli the beloved wife of John e6ff tefe of ' H-M< 55th Efigiment '

The f"^ ofa i wl u (ake pi ace on Wednesday, the 7- 'distant, at 3.30 p.m. Friends please accept cnis invitation.

WATTS—On the 6th inetant, Amelia Elizabeth, only daughter of \V. and R. Watts, of Onehunga, aged 4 years and 10 months. The fun ral will leave her parents' residence to morrow, at 4.30 p.m. Friends please accept this invitation.

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

MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1876

For the cause that lacks isslstance, For ;hc wrong that needs resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The apostles of the present Government would have us believe that the whole pros perity of Auckland during the last few years has depended upon the public works scheme and the expenditure it entailed ; and we are very apt, looking at the millions that have been borrowed, to be led into exaggerated notions of the extent to which Auckland has participated in the benefits arising from that expenditure. An examination of the figures, which we take from the Public Works state ment made by Major Atkinson last session, will remove any erroneous impression. The tocal amount of the expenditure and liabilities for public works in the province of Auckland, to the end of the last financial year out of the £12,700,000 Raised by the present^Govern ment, was only £892,217, and this included £163,822 set down for roads, which, as they appear on the records of the public works department, are purely fictional, being merely the tracks that the Armed Constabu lary and native contingent are popularly Bup posed to be amusing themselves with in the interior. The figures quoted are perfectly astounding, but are in a measure accounted for when the large expenditure in the South is examined. For the sake of comparison we tnrn to the Thames Goldfields, and find that no 1e55than£3,465,093 are represented by the gold production of that field since its open ing. When we add the amount of papital and the population attracted to our, province, the immeasurable advantages conferred upon Auckland by the Thames Goldfields as com pared with those which we have reaped from the Public Wotks Scheme must come home with convincing force to the mind of the most ardent Ministerialist.

A very serious mistake has unquestionably been made in connection with, the railway wharf. Recent soundings have shewn that instead of the sixteen feet calculated upon, there is really only a depth of twelve feet of water at the extreme end. Who is to blame for this ? Undoubtedly the engineer who made the soundings and upon whose report the construction of the wharf was based. In a report laid before the Works Committee last week, Mr McDonald stated that the second series of soundings carried out by him after attention was drawn to the subject, shewed an error in the first soundings of 3 feet 8 inches. How it waa possible to make such an error in a depth of water that could be bottomed by a mo derately-long clothes-prop, baffles concep tion ; but that it haa been made is now admitted. We understand that this subject will be discussed at the meeting of the Board to-morrow, when its merits will become more apparent. As far as we can judge at

present, we conceive the blunder to be one for which the Harbour Board is less respon sible than its engineer. The members can only form their judgment of the value of a work upon given data ascertained by pro fessional examination, and if those data prove to be erroneous, as in the present instance, it surely cannot be said that the members ought to have known it ? But the matter is one so seriously involving censure upon some one that we 'shall defer further oomment until to-morrow, when the action of- the Board will become known.

Further particulars of the wreck of the ship Strafchmore appear among our cable grams to-day. The number saved is exactly one-half, forty-four out of the eighty-eight souls on board. Miss Hender son, daughter of Mr. Henderson, C.E., was among those who perished on the wreck, while her brother landed only to die of exposure upon the island. We can well believe that the poor young fellow was almost brokenhearted at the death of his sister, and was in a very unfit state to battle against the hardships which cast-aways would be exposed to on that bleak and deso late shore. The Herald, it may be mentioned, is in error in stating that Mr Henderson was ever engaged here as a civil engineer ; the gentleman referred to was brother of the poor fellow of whose melancholy death cer tain intelligence is now received after hope of nig safety had been revived. The cable gram states that " Nothing was saved, and the boats were all lost," from this we should infer that the vessel was driven right on to the shore, probably at night, and that those saved managed to reach the island by clinging to floating pieces of wreck. It is easily understood, if such was the case, how so many of the crew were saved. In that terrible fight with the elements, hardy men would stand the best chance ; the fate of the weak and helpless was sealed from the moment the vessel struck. There is nothing, however, to Bhow that boats were not launched ; they may have been battered to pieces in effecting a landing. Of these details we shall probably hear nothing until the mail news is received. But the meagre narrative as it stands, once more raises the question—why is it that ship's boats are so seldom effective in an emergency and are practically of such little value upon the occurence of the very events which are contemplated in designing this means of sav ing life. Everyone familiar with the manner of stowing boats on board many ships, under stands how impossible it is to secure an effeo tive launch during the excitement of a ship wreck or fire at sea, and assuredly the same law which compels vessels to carry a certain amount of boat accommodation, should insist upon proper facilities for launching and pro vi9.iunlng the boats in a way that will render them available in the time of need.

Wb hear a good deal about the dullness of times, aud the difficulty of driving a trade. People whisper at street corners that a general burst-up is impending, and the croaker never fails to find a circle of sympa thisers in those spots where idlers do congregate. As a counter-check to this feeling which is not wholesome and may impair the digestion of those who have a large amount of paper running, we are in a position to state that the 4th, which fell on Saturday, was one of the best days at the banks for many months. In fact it could not have been more satisfactory. Business at present is no doubt very quiet ; but we think a good deal of this may be attributed to its soundness and the great caution with which it is being carried on, at least such is the inference which may reasonably be drawn from the punctuality that proved characteristic of the last crucial test.

In a recent issue, we drew the attention of the Acclimatization Society to the wholesale destruction of young mullet at spawning season, and pointed out that such a course of action, if continued, must result in render ing this delicious fish rare in our waters. The Society, however, while exercising itself greatly over the introduction of salmon, and of birds of questionable value, seems to have deemed the preservation of (the most valu able of our food fishes as unworthy of at tention. What we predicted as looming in the future here, has actually taken place in San Francisco. Mr Spencer G. Baird, the Head of the United States Commission on fish and fisheries, in a report dated January 19 th of the present year, sets forth all the leading arguments made use of in our re marks relative to the capture of young mullet. He says: —

" With regard to the cause of the decrease of the food fishes in San Francisco bay, my attention was called at an early date_ to the general question of suet decrease ; in fact, the Fish Commission was established by Con gress in 1871, to solve the problem as regards the waters of New England. There can be bo doubt that fishes which come close in shore, •especially such as spawn in bays, are readily affected by human agencies. Certain species, especially the scup, tautog, and sea bass, which at one time were in an abundance supposed inexhaustible, have almost entirely disappeared from many of their former hauntii, and as this change took place within a few years after the establishment of fixed traps and pounds, it is not illogical to connect the two. The fish come in to the shore from the deeper, colder waters outside, where per haps they spent the Winter, for the purpose of spawning, and these wholesale engines capture entire schools before this act of re production can be accomplished. The result is that, year by year, the number of spawn ins fish decreases, until finally there are not enough left to make a respectable show. This diminution in abundance is followed by an abandonment of the mode of fishing, result ing again in a partial restoration in number I am not aware to what extent this method has been employed in the neighbourhood of San Francisco, but I hear from all directions of the destruction of the smaller fry by tbe Chinamen. There is no more certain mode of exhausting the fishery resources of a coast than by persistence in the capture of the smaller fish. Whereas the fish nets and pounds do not produce much effect except on the spawning fish, not disturbing the progeny of Buch aa may have escaped the nets, the Chinamen apparently not only take the ma ture fish in their season, but also the small fry. and it is no wonder that California is beginning to realize the influence of this action. The ordinary fishing with line, or the capture of adult fish by means of nets with suitable mesh and under proper restric tions, will not seriously effect the abundance of fish. The fishing grounds in the vicinity of New York and Boston excepting where the fish pounds are largely used, nave

maintained a fair average for many years, not withstanding the great increase of population. A provision should be made that no seines or nets of over a certain size shall be put into the water during two days of each week during spawning season, and that under no circumstances shall nets, having a mesh less than perhaps an inch square, be employed. There may be a species that would furnish some food supply, which would pass through such a mesh, but some provision might be made for these, that would exclude the fry of the larger kinds from capture.'

We trust the Acclamatization Society will no longer delay action in this important matter. The remedy suggested by Mr Baird is clearly the one which should be adopted here.

The facetious " Snyder of the Coromandel Mail, who has retired from busier scenes to muse beside the waters, as Gibbon mused beside the lakes of Switzerland over the " Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," came down heavy with his sentiments on the writer of the paragraph in the Evening* Stab, respecting pennies and James Wood, of Gloucester. " Snyder" is partly right and partly wrong in his view. There is as much danger in the one case as the other, and the paragraphist never intended more than pru dent care, not stinginess, in his remarks upon saving the pence; and very far was it from his thought to hold up the uhhappy .Tames Wood, of Gloucester, as a great example, for Wood was all that "Snyder" says of him, and something more. He was a poor customer to the hatter and tailor, whose ser'' vices he did not require but ence in fourteen years. He even grudged himself more than pair of shoes in twelve months. He wore his long snuff-colored coot and gaiters so long , that the fashion of a later day rendered him the most conspicuous man in the city of Gloucester, as conspicuous aa Horace Greeley was in the streets of New "York. A little girl once implored the monied banker to pur chase a nose-gay of her for a penny that she might get a small loaf to sustain a starving family. Jemmy smelt the flowers and then smelt a penny, which he took out of his vest pocket, and said, "My girl, the flowers are sweet, but the penoy is sweeter, and replaced the copper coin, and returned the flowers to the imploring, starving child. Jemmy was too stingy to marry, and knew nothing of domestic happiness. His latter years were melancholy, his Boul was so shrivelled and encrusted in worldly selfishness that his sympathies were centred entirely in self, and shut out the light and beauty and nature, and even the thought of God, whose very name he had forgotten in his last years, in consequence of the absence of reason. In the winter of his age and imbecility, although the owner of three million pounds, he believed he was a pauper, and in the truer sense, he was a pauper. To quiet him, he was led once a week to the parish, and received a Weekly sum as parish pay, Which was doled out ac cording to an arrangement unknown to him. James Wood was stony-hearted, and was never known to perform a generous action, and at last, without a sorrowing friend to listen for his expiring breath, he died : —

Unwept, unhonoured, and unsung. It has been said that the life and character of James Wood, the Gloucester banker and miser, was the original of Dickens "Scrooge" in his exquisite Christmas Carol. The char acter of Dr Franklin, in many respects, is worthy of imitation, his prudence, _ industry, and honesty, are rare virtues, still it must be acknowledged that Franklin's great love of money is not commendable.

To the Editor : Sir,—l was both amused and astonished on reading in your Saturday's issue, a letter bearing the signature of " W.P." in reply to one which appeared during the week under the nome. de plume of " Faith, Bope and Charity." " W.S." repudiates the idea of a printed form beiug sent to any member not good on the books, but I would assure him that such is the case in several of the lodges, if not in the one to which he belongs. Knowing, as Ido the W.C.T. of the Harbinger of Peace, I must say that he is not qualified to hold the responsible position which he does, and also, that he is not likely to foßter that spirit of brotherly love which should exist in all the lodges. In reference to " W.5.," I would only say-that if he were more inclined towards telling the truth, instead of endea vouring to make it out that those antagonistic to himself are in the habit of prevaricating, he would learn something which might in future be of use to him.—Yours truly, A Sister.

The sixth session of the St. James' Mutual Improvement Association will be opened this evening, when the Rev. R. F. Macnicol will deliver the inaugural add reBS, taking for his subject " The Study of Mental Science." The programme for the session presents many very attractive features, and we would heartily recommend the young men of this city to comply with the earnest invitation given to join this society.

The concluding services at the Beresford street New Church were conducted yester day. Rev. R. F. Macnicol preached in the morning. In the evening a thanksgiving ser vice was held, when Rev. W. Tiusley delivered an eloquent and appropriate addresß on the duty of praise, and its usefulness in the development of the Christian life. The address was listened to by the large congre gation with profound attention, and appeared to make a deep impression on all present. The collections af cer the services amounted to £32, thus making a total for the six ser vices of £534 63 7d. A conversazione will be held in the hall on Thursday evening next, and subsequently music and speeches in the new church. A most enjoyable evening, therofore, may be anticipated.

The Templar's " Saturday Night" on the 4th inst., at the Young Men's rooms was largely attended and welt appreciated. Mr Simß occupied the chair; and Mr Speight, also, gave an address. Song 3 were sung by Misses Ash, Borthwicb, Mcllmoyle, and other ladies ; also by Messrs Chapman, Fry, Navin, Peace, and Marler. A recitation was given by Mr McKenzie. Mr Milburn pre- Bided at the pianoforte. One of the first acts of a young lady on coming upon the stage, save in a few rare in stances is to assume a new name, her pro fessional name, and not long since a Mdlle. — —a long-sounding, mellifluous Italian name—was announced to Sing in this city. The lady, in her turn, came forwaid. She was delicate-looking, with a thoroughly English face, and her silver voice, which rung through the hall, at once betrayed the singer's English origin. " Why, blow me," said a by-sitter, that's not Mdlle. What-you may-call-her, that's Mary Smith, that went to school with my sister at Halifax.'' A somewhat serious oase of poisoning from the bite of an insect has, we are sorry to learn, been experienced by Mr. Mackay, an old Auckland settler now conducting farming operations near Ramarama. About six weeks ago Mr. Mackay felt a pain in the top of the thumb on his right hand, and saw a slight puncture of the skin, but so little was the appearance of injury that he paid no attention to it. After a few days the injured thumb became much inflamed, and from that time the flesh became literally eaten away. Mr. Maokay ad ministered every possible remedy without effecting a change for the_ better. He was recommended by his friends to go to the hospital and obtain Dr. Philson's advice and aid. On examination last week it was found that the two small bones which run up towards the top of the thumb had decayed and were picked out in fragments. Dr. Philson finding that the remaining bone 3 was in the same unsound state advised Mr Maokay to have it cut, lest fatal consequences should result. This was accordingly done, and we rre glad to learn that no further danger is anticipated.

The regular monthly communication of the Lodge Ara(34B), will be held this evening in the Masonic Hotel, Princess-street.

The b.s. Arawata which arrived from Mel ourne at the Bluff yesterday morning, lcludes among her 83 saloon passengers the limonsen Opera Troupe, who will be recol 3cted in Auckland. This well-known ompany of artistes intend making the tour f the colony, and in due course will arrive iere. There is bound to be great interest aken in their visit as they are popular avourites of long standing. Madame Simon en stands in the front rank among colonial >rima donnas ; Miss Fisher, the soprano, has , voice of extraordinary range and brilliancy, vhile Mr Richardson is spoken of as a mag dGcent baritone. We notice that Miss jambert, who will be recollected as connected vith the Allen Opera Troupe is now attacked is leading contralto to the Simonsen troupe Wiong the other passengers of the Arawata u-e Mr Forsyth, and Mr and Mrs Jones and amily, for Auckland. From a private letter from Bombay, dated December 9, the Hobarton Mercury takes the 'ollowing extract :—"Misses Fanny and [sabella Oarandini have been removed by Symen from the stage—not of Ife, but of the soncert-room. The youngest made a rapid jonquest of young Mr Adams, an engineer m ;he Public Works Department; and the jlder of Carjtain Morland, the Transport Agent and* Assistant Superintendent of Marine, who is about to marry her. Mr Adams married right off- a ten days cam paign." To the Editor: |Sir,—Tn reference to a letter in Saturday's Star, signed " W.S." 1 think that if "W.S." would pay a visit to any of the lodges, he would not be so rash condemning the statement made by me in last week's Star. Perhaps the gentleman whose case has produced so much wrangling will send the form which he received, and so let you see yourself the truth of my state ment.-I have etc., Faith, Hope and Charity. Lieutenant Maling will most probably be called upon to rejoin the regiment in the West Indies, from the staff of the Marquis of Nor manby in New Zealand. The work of forming new Beach Road to Parnell is being rapidly pushed on by the contractors. Men have been at work in the Britomart cutting for some days. This morning a gang was set to work on the Strand end of the road, and we also notice that at half distance the roadway is being levelled up. It has been decided to carry the road along right under the cliff bringing it out opposite the Maori hostlery. This route will be an advantage to people residing at the bottom of Alten Road, but will make the distance from Parnell into town quite 100 yards longer fiaa necessary. The object is no doubt to keep intact $* Harbour Board land between the road and the raliway. lima de Murska has asked Mr Sc?kins £200 per concert (at the rate of £35 per song, says the Post) to sing at the Theatre Royal at Christchurch. Mr Hoskins did not believe in the figures, they being too high even for wealthy ChristdhuiCh. A Hobart Town jury, when locked up recently, quarrelled about smoking. The smokers persisted, and the others resented by smashing the windows, through which a chair was hurled. The Chief Justice kept them locked up aU night and till mid-day, when he lectured and discharged them. A man named Foote stuck up two females just outside Christchurch city. One of the females ran for assistance, and in the mean time Foote used the other female in a dis graceful manner. When assistance arrived, Foote attacked one of the men viciously, but found more than his match, and received a tremendous thrashing. Foote has since been committed for trial for the indecent assault on the female. A curioaß illustration has been given at Port Glasgow of the amenities of magisterial life, when a person named F>fe for the first time occupied a scat on the Bench. The Court having assembled, Mr Fyfe thought it would be well to invoke a Divine blessing on the proceedings, and accordingly began to offer up a prayer ; but the newly fledged bailie's eccentricities did not end here. A well-known character was placed at the bar, charged with committing a breach of the peace. The accused pleaded guilty, but the sympathetic bailie thought he would be len ient as it was his first case, and remarked that the fine would only be half-a-crown, and he would pay it himself. The next prisoner was fined three shillings and sixpence for a like offence. In this case, however, the ma gistrate proferred a piece of good advice. Ad dressing the prisoner, he said, " Sir, if you would apply your talents to a good purpose you might rise to occupy the place I now fill, as I was once a young man like yourself." Relative to the surveying cruise of the U.S. steamer Tuscarora, a late Brisbane telegram Bays:—"The United States cor vette Tuscarora anchored at the bar last evening. She has been taking deep-sea soundings from San Francisco to Honolulu, and thence to Moreton Bay. It is under stood that the route is considered particu larly favourable for the projected cable. After coaling and provisioning the Tuscarora will proceed via Sydney to Auckland, and run a line of soundings thence to Kandavu, to ascertain the feasibility of cable connec tion. ' A grand vocal and instrumental concert will be held in the Otahuhu district school on Wednesday evening next, when Messrs Reed, of the Thames, will give one of their humourous entertainments. The proceeds will go towards the incidental expenses of the school. Apropos of the Poe monument a poet writes ; 'He asked for bread and they gave him a stone.' After all the visit of an Australian cricket team to New Zealand is not an impossibility. It seems that during the recent visit of Major Campbell to Melbourne he came into contact with Mr Robertson, a cricketing enthusiast, who has undertaken to get together a team of gentlemen players who will visit New Zealand at their own expense. The Christ church Clubs have baen communicated with. —Wellington Argus. The Rev A. Reid, president of the Pitt street Wesleyon Mutual Association, delivers the inaugural address to the members this evening at half-past eight o'clock in Pitt street. Visitors are invited. The session opens this evening. The following incident which occurred two or three days ago shews how impossible it is with all the care imaginable to provide securely against the unpleasant accident of having your house burnt over your head, it may also be taken as exemplifying the prudence of Fire Insurance, and as such, we hereby permit the various New Zealahd offices to quote this paragraph. A domestic going into a bedroom of .one of the largest dwelling houses at Ellerslie in the middle of the day noticed a strong smell of fire, and on looking for the origin discovered that the toilette cover was just bursting out in flames. At first no cause of the ignition could be found, but presently it became apparent. The j waterbottle on the washstand had concen trated the rays of the sun and focussed | them with burning heat on to the toilette cover. It was fortunate the girl entered the room when she did, as in a few minutes the

room would have been enveloped in names. The fastest mile ridden on a bicycle is recorded by the London papers. It appears that two matches have been entered into to run a mile on bicycles between Keen and Cooper ; whoever wins 'them,both to be con sidered the champion bioyclist of the world ; and if they each win one, a decider will have to take place. The first was brought off at the Queen's Grounds, Sheffield. Keen let his opponent lead him- which he did, by the bye, at a moat terrific pace—until within a hundred yards from home, when Keen put on such a spurt as fairly knocked his an tagonist out of time, and going on, won by sixteen yards ; time, three minutes, the quickest the distance was ever accomplished in. v v ■■"<■ ~V. <:■■'. ■ . ;

An "Edenite," writing with reference to the nomination of a member ri «M™ never Be.c the like again - x"«> i ian f; Hfl w ifh strong on this accasion a^KusTof their tears the last appointed of the house ot Israel " ' The details of the recent terrible murder of a Jewt Hamadan (Ecbatana of the an riante) in Persia have been received. A wea thy Persian owed a large sun,lo money determined to get *», -, (t jj tn j a man taming to the crowd, gala, , ye kept had merely insulted me I should r> and silent, but he has abused our religion: . blasphemed the prophets. I cannot, there fore, be silent." The crowd fell upon the Rabbi and threatened to kill him. He took refuse in the neighbouring house of a ncn Persian, to whom he appealed for protec tion. The latter concealed the Jew m an inner room, and barred the doors of the house. The crowd demanded his surrender. The noble Persian refused, and the doors were broken down. The lawless rabbic poured in, found the fugitive, dragged him into the stre9t, and stoned him to.death. The dead body was dragged about the town with jeers, and finally brought into the market place, where the mouth was filled with powder and the head was blown in pieces. A fire was then kindlea and the corpse was burnt up. Tour Jews, who bad fallen inta the hands of the mob, were ill treated and severely wounded. The dwellings of the Israelites were plundered and a general massacre of all I the Jews-and Christians likewise-wculd have followed had not the authorities intervened. The Jews of the city have sent a deputation to Teheran to appeal ,'^r protection of the foreign Ministers there, as they have no hopes of any aid from the Shah.— New York Sun. A new 'bus was to da? started in the Par neUanlNewmarket Roaa. The proprietor and driver is Mr H. Maiden weil-knwn on the road. An advertisement of his timeslOt arrival and departure appears in another column. We wish Mr Maiden luck in his new venture, and are bound to add that if uniform civility and care have anything to do with success, he deserves it. fgMr Hill, of the well known firm of Hill and Fenton, leaves to-day in the Taupo for Wellington with the intention of starting a branch of the firm in that city. Strange to say, up to the present time Wellington, with all its advantages, has not been able to boast a hatter pure and simple. This being the case Messrs Hill and Fenton should do well n the Empire city.

TELEGRAPHIC.

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(Froo» our own Correspondent.) This day.

CrusMngs. The Alburnia tribute (Logan's party) from 8 lons has 24oza Isdwts. The Young Colonial (Tararu) from G tons has 3ozs. Mr Quint forwarded a two-stamper battery with berdans and appliances to Ohinemuri for treatment of test parcels. Michael Mullins was sentenced to two months' to-day for assaulting and arresting a constable.

The Pumping Association drainage agree ment goes to town to-day to be signed by the directors of the companies interested. They expect to atart next Monday.

COROMANDEL.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day.

Many old abandoned claims are being taken up. It is not what Coromandel now is, but what it will shortly bejis the theme of general talk. Great hopes are entertained of the richea of the Goldonda and Palmerstone claims.

ALEXANDRA.

[Per Press Telegram Agency.] This day. Produce is now coming In, several canoes having arrived. Winiata's movements are unknown.

HOKIANGA.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. Shipping.—Professor Jacobs Married. The schooner Queen sailed for Auckland on Saturday, the Kohinoor leaves to-day for Melbourne with a cargo of IbO,OOO£t. of timber. Professor Valentine Jaoobs was married by the Registrar to Miss Elizabeth Clark this morning.

DUNEDIN.

(Per Press Telegram Agency.) This day. A patty have left fey the steamer Maori to establish fish-curing at the Preservation Inlet.

WELLINGTON.

(From our own CorresDondent) This day. Jump, Jim Crow. The Intelligent Vagrant has a neat thing about Gillon, who was once presented with a few sovereigns by the Wellington pub licans, partly for his defence of Licensed Victuallers, but chiefly for his vituperation of the Hon. W. Fox, who was his bete noir. The other evening the Argus had the follow ing:— 4'Of all-the eminent colonists who have recently visited England no one has made himself better known, or done more perhaps to advance the interests of the colony, than the Hon. W. Fox. His intense zeal in the cause of total abstinence is well known in the colony." Tae Vagrant notices it thus :— AN ALPHABETICAL LAY (BY THE LICENCED VIOrUALLERS.) Yes, all our fancy painted Mm One time was E.T.O. Though Pox's wrath had tainted htm. And christened him D.D. But E.T.G. made it hot for Pox, Abused 1.0 G.T. ; Called Licensed Victuallers jolly cocks, And got out L.B.D. Ten pound 3, all in a silken purse, We gave our E.T.G.! He telegraphed throughout the land ' Our liberality. But now bshold a change has come, A turn-coat E.TG.; He has worship for the rining sun, He kneels to Sir J. V. And as J. V. and Fox are friends, E.T G* must recant; He fawns where oncu he snapped, and licks Where mercy once was scant. It is no go, oh! 8.T.G., The memory of the past— Aa operaslngersrhyme to thee— WtUrankle till the last. The Press Agency. * The Times on Saturday was caustic on some newspaper proprietor, who sent them

an unpaid telegram on Friday night to tW effect that a conference of newapaper pro*' prietors will shortly be held at Chrißtchurch to consider the present unaatiufaotory management, and excessive charges of the telegraphic agency. The Times says : ?£*?* have no complaints to make against tffia Press Agency or its charges."

POUT CHALMERS.

(Prom our own Correspond This day; Captain Worsp Appointed to the Taupo, At a meeting of the Union Company's directors, held on Saturday, Captain Worsp, of the Pbcebe, was appointed to command ot the steamer Taupo. He leaves the Phoebe when she arrives at Wellington on Tuesday, and there takes the Taupo.

WELLINGTON.

(Per Press Telegram Agency.) This day." .., The Murderer Wiaiata, ;,' Both evening papers state that the Wet ;; lington police are on the track of Winiata, and that in a day or two they expect to be able to announce his capture. It appears1' that there is just a chance of thiß if they—, have the right pig by the ear, but there ig v some fear that the raffian has gone for the fastness into Kewaru, or some other hauhau , settlement. Pedestrianism. Mr and Mrs Wiltshire have been doing walking feats here for the last few days, but no great interest has been taken in the matter. . <-»:

Mr G. E. Barton, lawyer, is about to settle Wellington.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before B, 0. Barstow, Esq., R.M.J ( ; SHADOWS OF HUMANITY. Two Kittys, two Georges, a Jim, an<* *8111, Wera brought up this morning for having a SwilL . - Kitty Heaton, alias the " Sprite of Even ing," was charged with being drunk ou Saturday, and fined gs and costs;; Kitty Regan, alias the "Heroine of the Shannon,"/ foi the same offence was fined 10s; George,,v Harrison was fined 20s, George Me .5 forfeited his bail. James Macdonald and 4 William Cox were fined 5s each. . ~t . , " WILWE, WE HAVE MISSED YOU. William Laverty was brought up wider the Vagrant Act with being drank, and also rW with being an incorrigible rogue and vaga bond. , • Prisoner pleaded guilty. •■ Mr Broham said the prisoner was drunk in Victoria-street yesterday about two 0 clock, | and was exposing his person. ■ r~" The prisoner was committed to goal for one | month. ;/

AN UNPROFITABLE SERVANT. •: j$ Geo. Douglas was charged with sfcealmg a rocket-book containing £5 and sundry papers the property of his employer, onthe4ttunsfc. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. _ ,^ Ddnald Sutherland, a settler, deposed that,,, prisoner had been in his employ, and he ,: 5 accompanied him into town on Thursday fast and lodged with him at the Old House at Home. He advanced to him £3 5b 6d in different sums. On Saturday he called m at the Aurora Hotel, and, allowed to lie down. On awaking he mused his pocket-book, containing five £1 note^.o and a number of receipts. He asked■!&■»« Gleeson about the matter, attd. BUBpectmg ; the prisoner, who was on the dnOk, went in qajt of him, and found him ia Chancery Williams depose^ to tt prisoner into custody; found JA *&*}»* rolled up in the sleeve of his shirt. ■V'f**® said he had spent the remainder of Hw ; Prisoner on being asked if he had anything to Bay, said he would consult his solicitor,1 ■- and reserve bis defence. A.«i#fc«. His Worship : The case will be dealt *m® summarily, so that you had better say what you have to say in your defence, now. ~ . .?• Prisoner : I have nothing to say. . ~. i The Court then sentenced the prisoner W j six months imprisonment with hard labour.' ~ * ATT UNFOKTUNATE TEACHER/, ... ; !-i John Morgan, a venerable looking old man,::;] with a white-flowing beard, andruddy "appear ance, pleaded guilty to being an habitual drunkard. - ■■' %§m Mr Broham said be understood that the oil man had been a schoolmaster, but now ap peared to have no means cf living. Detective Grace said that he observed the prisoner yesterday begging of persons in Cus-! tpm-House-street, by which means he got eighteen pence, he had seen him a few days ; previously making a house to house canvas, ; and cautioned him upon the illegality of his.s conduct. ~ In answer to hia Worship, prisoner said that he had been a schoolmaster atMatakana,,, and left on the 10th January, with £10 m his pocket; he came to Auckland and spent 4 it and was now destitute. ■ His 1 Worship ; Why did you leave the school ? ■ . ■■: , rm Prisoner: Because I taught all the boys, and there were 00 more to teach. .^ Hia Worship: I see you have been charged with drunkenness four times since January. Prisoner: I have, your Worship, quite ; right. . , a His Worship : And you have spent nearly six years in prison for various offences,;, since you have been in the colony. . . Prisoner: Yes, I—l—l have, but suffered as a martyr without committing any crime. His Worship : Have you any prospect o|| employment if I should let you go. Prisoner: None whatever, your Worship, none, none! His Worship: You must go to prison for three months with hard labour.

RUM AND WATER. ■ ~ Nathaniel or Daniel Ross, waß charged with a breach of the Merchant Shipping Act, by disobedience on board the barque, Ardvar, on the 3rd instant. t, j Prisoner said the charge was untrue, he ■ was not guilty. . V The captain and mate deposed to the oir-. cumstances of the case, whioh were that the seaman was drunk, and obstinately refused to obey the lawful commands of the captain;' Constable Samson deposed to taking prisonor into'custody, he was very drunk and boisterous, when.he went to take him, he exclaimed, "You call yourself a Samson, if you are the strong man IVe read about, I don't care for six such Samsons as you are, I'll clip your locks in five minutes, and where are you then?" . ; vm The Court sentenced prisoner "to seven days imprisonment, and to pay 14s 6d coßfcs;

CABLEGRAMS.

THE WRECK OF THE STRA.THMORE. —PARTICULARS.

[press agency.] GALLE. ; March 3.. The Sfcrathmore was wrecked at the Twelve Apostles rocks, Crozet Islands, on the night of June 30. Of eighty-eight souls, forty nine landed. The remainder were lost, in-.1 eluding Miss Henderson. Five died ashore, including Mr Henderson, of exposure. Tna others subsisted miserably for seven months. Nothing was saved. The boats were lost. The survivors were rescued by the wnaier Young Phoenix. Half were transhipped to the ship Sierra Morena, landing at Galle on the 24fch of February, the following :-First class passengers: Messrs Bently, Isun, Third-class: Messrs Rood, Ward, Ward, Standing, Wilson, Wilson, Knight, Sehdi, and eight of the crew. The whaler pro ceededto Mauritius, and there Wrtyf, following first-class passengers : --Mr W?^ worth, Mrs Wordsworth, Walker, KeiffiT and twenty of the crew. '



THE JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE FOR Q.OOD yALUE FOR J^ONEY. Drapery, Clothing, Haberdashery, Hosiery, Hats and Caps, Furnishing Goods, ETC., ETC. ¥B~ Special Lines in Clothing, &0., Purchased at at7otion below' value, and to be Sold Vebx Cheap. A LARSE AND" COMPLEX STOCK IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. ' ",. INSPECTION INVITED. . . ~ WB~ 5' % Discount allowed to Casit Purchasers on all' Goods amounting to twenty shillings and upwards. > ■" 'j Orders promptly executed, well selected, and securely packed. ... ,■ , ■.- ■ ■ ' BUSH BROOK & BE, IDG MAN, [Late R. Hobbs], VNOTIOW DRAPERY WAREHOUSE Opposite the Armylund Navy Hotel, ' Upper Queen-street, Auckland. UR MOTTO—"MAKE THEM COME AGAIN." DRAPERY! MILLINERY ! DRAPERY! MILLINERY ! HEMUS AND TRIGG. We have bought Cheap the Stook of Messrs Oook and Clayton, Wyndham-street anrt shall holdla^leaking Sals of SUMMER DRAPERY, and MILLINERY for ONE MONTH, previous to removing to Queen- We'invite the public to note that we have made a reduction of SIX SHILLINGS in the POUND on the entire STOCK, so that an article that would cost 20s can now be bought for 14s. TO DRESSMAKERS we shall offer special induce ments-vie a Well assorted Stock of Trimmings, Laces, Buttons, &c, with a Liberal Discmint We have engaged the services of a FIRST-CLASS MILLINER, and shall study to obtain the Latest Colours, Fashions, and Designs. We submit a few of our prioes, and do not hesitate to aay that the quality is not being Hold in Auckland at the price:— '■ Prints, from 4£d per yard • .- . . , Wide-width Lustres, BJd Muelins, 8d . . ■ Dreas Serges, 9|d Frericb. Muslins, la . Black and White Straw Hats from da Frenoh Cambric Costumes, 8s lid Ladies Trimmed Aats from 83 6d Fancy Dreas Materials, BJd Calicoes, Flannels, Sheetings, at equally low rates. We would draw the attention of customers to our Btoci of Satins, Terrys, Torquoise. Black and Colored Velvets, Borenets, and Ribbons, to all the new shades; also Yak, Blond, Clump, Maltese, and Valenciennes Laces. Cuffs and Collars, Lace Collars, Silk Scarfs, Wedding and Mourning orders promptly executed. Sale commences on THURSDAY, March 2na, 1876. HEMUS AND TRIGG, Milliners, Drapers, and Haberdashers. Temporary Premises: CORNER OF ALBERT and WYNDHAM-BTREETS (Late Cook and Clayton)..



O E L L I N G FA ST! Our Prices insure « Itipid Sale, therefore We all; NOT overstocked as ouh neighbours abe i New Goods mow Unpacking: elt Squares from 14/G oach Stair Floor Cloths, 18 x 22 inches wide Brilliant Tap Brusael Carpets at 3/11, suitable for Hotelkeapers Furniture Cretone Cloths at /11J Wide Ticks at/6f. ■ White Sheeting, 2 yds wide 1/1 per yard „ „ Twilled, 2 yds wide.... 1/6 „ „ Plain and Twilled, 2J yds wide.. 1/9 „ 2J „ .. 1/H „ Goo tlWaterproof Sheetinp, at .<>..... 3/9 „ 7-4 Colored Table Covers from 8/G 8-4 „ „ 4/11 Balance ob1 our Stock ot Prints we are clearing at /4J, worth /6J; /o}, worth /9., Toilet Quilts for Single Beds, 4/11 Ditto, large Bize, 7/11 Fringed ditto, from 9/11 to 16/0 Axminster Door Mats' at 2/11 Furniture, Bedding, Carpets White and Drab Stays, 2/11, worth 4/G Silk Umbrellas, 7/11, good value. HOLLOWAY & GARLIC X, CITY HALL, Queen-street, Auckland. npHORNTON, SMITH & FIRTH'S J. PRICES CURRENT (Wholesale):— Sacks. lOOlbs. 501bs. "Crown Brand" Flour, £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. perton 14 0 0 14 10 0 14 17 6 T. S F. Canterbury Flour, do 12 0 0 12 10 0 12 17 6 Sharps, do 6 17 6 Bran, do 6 5 0.. Fowl Wheat, per bushel, 4s 3d to 4s 6d. The above prices include sacks and. bags. Sacks and bags not returnable.—Terms Cash. Auckland. February 7,1875. Westons, Wizard Oiii and Magio Pi&l .—H<iv cured more wonderful cases of Rheumatism, Gout Neuralgia, Aches. Pains, Swellings, Caked Breasts, Scctlds, and Salt-Rheum, upon the human frame, than all the pretended remedies have since the world began. These Great American Medicines arb com posed of vegetable oils healing gums, roots and herbs; and act lite a charm upon pain and inflam mation Price: Half-a-crown. Sole Agents: Kemp thorn c, Prosser and Co. pABLE MESSAGES TO EUROPE ANGLO-NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAPH AGENCY. Auckland Agent: Alex. Saundcra. TRANS-ATLANTIC FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY. Auckland Agent: Alex. Saunders. House, Land, and Estate Agent, Stock and sharebroker, ALEX. SAUNDERS, 2, Insurance Buildings. Sir AstTey Cooper, the renowned British surgeon, once said that no man should be aware from his sensations that he bas a stomach; Alas! how many thousands are painfully and continually re minded cf the existence of that organ. Dyspepsia renders the lives of these unfortunates perfectly miserable. Every manifestation of the disease vanishes however when UnOLrno Wolfe's Sciiibdam Aromatic Schnapps U used to strengthen the stomach and associate organs