SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER—2h!a afternoon, 6.28; to-morrow morE'ag, 6 47

MoaM'B Abr,—Sow Moon, 27th, 1,20 am

ARRIVALS.

m e:n' ?cllov"«. from Great Barrier Mana. cutter, fm- m Ru , sell Leo, cuitetf, from Russell Iris, cutter, J rom Cabbage Bay

DEPARTURES.

■">na, SS, F.vquhar, for the North

PBO.tr: iTffn it-par t^p.-^c For S^,n Tr>r>'ipw_a:t,y of Sin Francisco, S3, 14th Feb (Eujriish mdil) iFcr Al, rfo k isi n i auct .New Caledonia—Canterbury fchooner, at once !H or L-uimlou-Cit> of AucWand.shlp, about Feb. 4 Pot the South—Taupo, Tuesday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Vity of Ran Francisco, from Kandavu, about 30th HJSt

Hero, s s. from Sydney, aNmt 9th Feb B.M.S. Barratouta, from Fiji, early Brodick Cattle, ship, from London Salisbury, ship, from London ; sailed 15th Nov KJlenlom, ship, "WGPT, from London ; sailed 25th Oct .Ardrar, ship, from Glasgow, sailed 25th October ißewvenue. ship, BPJfQ, from London, sailed 28th Oct ■Jessica, barque, from Imew York ; sailed 2nd June Marathon, barque, from New York; sailed October 12 Helena, brigantinp, f^om Samoa, early > Glimpse, barque, from Newcastle, early Vision, brig, from Samoa, early Syren, brig, from Sydney ; sailed Bth inst Ryno, brigantine, Jrom Islands, early .Frank Guy, schooner, from Sydney, early Amherst. schooner, from Sydney lE. W. Tucker, schooner, from Melbourne jLoeh Lee, achooner, from th* Islands, early Dauntless, schooner, fro- m piji Coronet, schooner, f- om the Islands, early ?,r eUa 5*, aI y> blri>x"^e, from Hobatt Town Mary Melvili* schooner , from t he Islands Fajrke, sooner, from Sydney, early

THE BRODICK CASTLE.

Ac official notification has been received at Ply- Tnouth that on Thnrsdsy next, at OreenXnch, a Board •of Trade inquiry will be made into the cause of the dismastinsr of the ship Brodiok Castle in the Bay of Biscay, three weeks since, whilst on a voyage to New Zealand with 350 emigrants. The inquiry. ,ig antici pated with interest in consequence of the allegations made that the disaster arose from the ship being badly handled. In the gale the mainmast, weighing 12 tons, broke in two and frfl clear of the ship, and ■the mizenmast fell aft, txushing the SBcond officer's aeg, which had to be a'fcfputatee1, and iojuring several ■Of the emigrants, the captaui. first officer, boats swain, carpent*, the seamen steering at, the time of the accident, and Captain Stollkn, emigra ion officer. Plymouth, have been summoned as witnesses. Mr Thompson, of Glasgow, the builder ol the ship, has *lso been requested to attend with the plans and ■specifications. The Brodick Castle has been fitted »ere with a new mainmast sent from Glasgow, the xnizenmast bein? used again. She will remain here till the claim, amounting to £15,000, of the Cleveland •steamer, which towed her into Falmouth, has been settled.—The Times,

The fine schooner Agnes Don&SS is advertised to leceive cargo for Poverty Bay on Monday the 31st instant. Day by day our smart little coasting craft are dropping in, and, from present appearances, there wia be a goodly array of schooners and cutters in the harbour by tha time the entries for the Regatta close on Thursday night. The new schooner Sissy has been chartered by Mr •*• S. Macfarlane to load timber at the Thames for <Juam. She cleared out for the Thames to-day in oaj.iast. Captain Little goes in command. The ship Carnatic, havine discharged her powder, came up harbour last evening and anchored off the wharf. She will remain in the stream till after the regatta, at which shp will serve as flagihfp. The ketch Wince Bupsrfc and the lachooner Golden Isle cleared out to day in ballast for Kussell. The schooner Ebenezer beared out to-day with Stores for Kussell,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails ■will Close as follows :—7 Fot Thames to-morrow at 6 30 pm Tor Coromandel to-morrow at 1130 am For "Wangarei thla day at 4 30 p m For Russell to-morrow at 4 30 p m ForWaiwera, Warkworth, Matakana and Te Aral on Thursday next at 10 am For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies per Wellington on Friday next at 6 p m N.B.—The malls which are usually made up at this office on Saturday will this week be closed on Friday at 7 pm (Signed) ,S. B. BIS 3, Chief Postmaster,

BIRTHS.

LEWIS—At her residence, Jurmyn-street, the wife of G. Lewis of a daughter.

DEATH.

SMITH—On the 25th instant, at her parents' resi dence. Chapel-street, Annie Matilda, eldest daughter of Archibald and Anne Matilda Smith, aged 14 years. The funerat will take place at 3 o'clock p.m. to morrow. Friends are invited to attend.

SCHOTTLER—On January 25th, Caroline Auguste Schottler, aged 63 years. The funeral will leave tho residence, Hopburn street, to-morrow, at 4 pm. Eriends please accept this invitation.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

An Observer, —We know from the police t.iiat your statement relative to the forcing of the door of Mr MscMillan's residence is not in. strict accordance with fact, and it is evidently actuated hy some feeling of personal pique.

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1876.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, And the jrood that h-c can do.

The great destitution and sufferin« at the Thames must be a subject of deep concern to everyone. We have been prone fco boast ing, perhaps sometimes Without Very good cause, that the sight of a strong man able and willing to work unable to obtain em ployment was a phenomenon in tnfo colony ; but there are now hundreds in that position on our goldfields. Nay, more: there are hundreds of honest, industrious men who have been subsisting, with their families, upon dry bread, and of that barely sufficient to supply the absolute necessities of life. We fancy we hear someone with well - filled stomach say, "then they have their own improvidence when in work fco blame ;" and perhaps there is a grain of truth in the charge, but not much more than a grain, for the rate of wages current on the gold fields is not more than sufficient to sus. tain a working man in moderate comfort, and provide i'or those outside expenses, doc tors bills etc., incidental to every household, and to which miners, who follow dangerous and unhealthy occupations, are liable beyond the majority of mankind. Let ua put you, our censorious friend, two hundred feet below the earth's surface, and condemn you day by day and week by week to laborious toil in a narrow low-roofed wet drive for £2 ss. or £2 10s. per week, out of which you are required to feed, clothe, and educate your family, and we shall see at the end of six months whether you have a balance to credit at your bankers, or are in arrears with your grocer. Possessing a very considerable experience of the wants and difficulties of the artizan and labouring classes, we do not think it requires any great improvidence to create an amount of distress equal to that existing at the Thames upon the occurrence of a sudden stoppage of employment on a similarly extensive scale. But whether the miners are or are not to blame in aDy degree for the keenness of their present misfortune there can scarcely be a shadow of doubt that its occurrence at all is due to a pig headedness which, when we consider the suffering it has entailed, is nothing short of criminal. Those directors of mines, who, from lack of a little forbearance and generosity have brought this great calamity upon a community, are deserving of the strongest reprobation. It is not for ua to assess the share of blame among the many contributory causes—we leave that to the goldfields journals which ought to be better, lacquainted with the whole circumstances, but which have never, so far as we have seen, spoken out boldly upon the subject. This we do know, however, that mines,,which have been the means of raising working men from poverty to great affluence, and which, up to the moment of stoppage, were turning out several thousands of ounces of gold per month, were deliberately allowed to become flooded and unworkable, bringing ruin upon a whole community, not for want of the power to keep them dry, but because of an absence of will, and because those who had control of the mines were] in a position to entrench themselves in their own gold-bought palatial residences, and say "we can afford to wait." Perhaps they can, but the means •which have placed them in that position, •were derived from a public trust. The ground from which they obtain, their wealth, belongs to the Crown, and their only claim to its possession, is continued and systematic work. There should be no hesitation in dealing with those and other large leases on the goldfields, and if the Mining Inspector does his duty he will see that nob one man required by law is absent from any Com pany's ground. This is no time for half measures. When so little consideration has been shewn for the welfare of hundreds of people dependent for their daily bread upon the faithful working of valuable areas of the public estate, we must look to the Govern ment not merely for the performance of its own duty, but for compulsory measures so far as the law allows, to make others perform theirs. Were not the Thames miners the most orderly and lung-suffering of people, someone would have been lynched ere this as a practical protest against the ruthless injury that has been done by the uncalled-for stop page of these mines. Not only is the policy that has brought about this unhappy result disastrous, to the people and the goldiiold, and through them to the whole province, but it is ruinous to the interests of the Companies concerned : The cost of clearing out the mines and of placing them in as good a

condition as before the stoppage will, in all likelihood, considerably exceed the original difference in dispute; many good miners, moreover, who had a few pounds by them have left the colony, and every Company will suffer from the loss of skilled labour ; and finally tho unavoidable current ex penses of the mines have been going on without any return. We care not with whom the blame rests ; the one fact of good paying mines being stopped needlessly and owing to causes capable of easy adjustment, is sufficient to warrnnfcthe use of she strongest terms that langunge cao. supply. It ia a standing disgrace to everyone concerned, and the time has come when the public and the Government should show unmistakably that they have no sympathy with a quarrel carried on at such % fearful cost to the community.

The question of constituting Saturday or Monday a holiday haa been finally settled in favour of Saturday, all the drapers, with one exception, having agreed to close their establishments on Satnrday during the day and at night. The shops will be open 6n Friday night instead of Saturday, and i*; is hoped that masters employing labour will pay on that day, so as to enable everyone to enjoy the holiday, which will ba the last for some time to come.

A humorous description of a war upon rats appears ia this morning's Herald, in which ths members of the' Regatta Club were largely interested. Rats are exceedingly numerous among the old buildings in fflhorfc land-street, leading towards the provincial offices, and our reporter a few evenings ago went into the back-room of oho of these houses, and while the .daughter 01 the house V/as playing " Sweet Home" up stairs he saw five largs long-tailed rata in concert on a table in the kitchen. They immediately decamped, but not without, leaving the im pression upon the susceptible riiind of our reporter that rats possess an ear for music, and are fond of a moonlight dance.

We have received a pound note, accotn paiied by the following letter:—"Sir, — Thauks for the information concerning tho circumstances of the poor widow Mulgrew. Six young children, and will have to make a living out of her horse and earj; by travelling to town and back as a carrier ! How is she to leave her young children while she is away? Will the neighbours undertake to look after them, or will they have.to run the risk of being burnt to death in thbir house while their mother's gone a-carting. Six young children ! Well, Auckland is pretty full of mothers of ones, and twos?, and threes, and they are not slow to tell you what a handful they are, even when they have a husband by them to earn a living for them. Here, now, mothers of Auckland, here's a poor woman, from whom it has pleased God to take away by a sudden stroke her depen dence and her hope, leaving her with six helpless ones. Six little facus to wash, six little mouths to feed, perhaps but one or two little beds to make for the lot, and what are yon going to do for her? Fathers of Auckland, your lives are no more secure than, Francis Mulgrew's was. How, should you like you like your wives to be left with six or seven little children, and she to have to earn a living for them ? Here's a chance for you ; find her soinething. Young men about to marry, and all the rest, remember that pure religion in the sight of Ged our Father is this—to " visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction." and one other thing which its worth your while to look at —James, chap, i, v. xxvii.—Your, etc., One Willing.

The annual accounts of the Auckland Harbour Board are published according to law, in our advertising columns to-day, and an examination of them will, we think, afford satisfaction to every person interested in harbour matters. The statement is made out in such a clear and concise Way that ten minutes study will give anyone, whether acquainted with systems of accounts or not, a full conception of the work of the Board dnring the year. Not only so, but the cost of departments, as distinguished from works, affords every data required upon which to base a sound opinion relative to the econ omical administration of harbour funds. We like a etraitforward statement, no matter whether it tells in favour or against our own notion of things, and we think a perusal of the figures published to-day will satisfy everyone that what ever confusion there may have been in the Harbour Board's system of finance there is none in its accounts. The statement reflects the very highest credit upon Mr. J. M. Brigham, the treasurer, and this, we are glad to notice, is very cordially testified to in the Provincial Auditor's report, which we append : " Sir, —I have the honor to state, for the information of the Auckland Harbour Board, that I have examined the accounts of the Board for the financial period ended the 31st of December, 1875, and compared them with the vouchers, which I find to be correct. It is but justice to state that the accounts have been kept in a manner which reflects great credit upon the treasurer and officers of the Board.-—I have, &c, B. Maclean, Pro vincial Auditor. The Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board."

The Rev Father Walter McDonald desires to acknowledge with thanks receipt of £6 19s from Messrs Cruickshank and Co. in aid of St. Marys Orphanage, Ponsonby, being a proportion of the proceeds of the a. s. Hero's excursion to Motutapu.

A correspondent signing *• Observer " ex presses a hope that the Inspector of Nuisance will examine the back yards between Hobson and Nelson-streets, before the fever, which is inevitable if the present stench continues, actually breaks out.

We learn that Captain Chapman has kindly placed his fine ship the Carnatic at the disposal of the Regatta Committee for a flag ship on Saturday next.' The vessel is admirably adapted for the purpose, having a good roomy poop and spacious decks. She will remain in the stream until the day. The public should be much obliged to Cap tain Chapman for conferring such a favour,

At 8 p.m. yesterday a meeting was held in the school-room, Onehunga, for the purpose of electing a School Board. The votes of the ratepayers present were taken by ballot, and resulted in the return of Messrs Steven son, Whyte, Dunwoodie, Warren, and Tom linson. The three first-named were members of the late local board. The meeting was not very numerously attended, and a vote of thanks to the out-going board concluded the business.

Mr James Cairns, a settler at Mangere, was yesterday morning arrested by Constable Greene, of Onehunga, on the charge of steal ing a heifer, the property of Joseph Hastie, a neighbouring settler. Cairns was after wards brought up in the Onehunga Court, before Mr J. Robertson, J.P,, on the charge, who remanded the case till Wednesday (to morrow), admitting at the same time the accused to bail.

It is the general impression that a circua when it comes here takes a large sum of money out of the place without expending much in it. This is not always the case. We may instancn Wilson's circus as~an ex ception to this generally received [ belief. Immediately on arrival Mr Wilson ordered a large tent from Mr Williams, the sail-maker in Queen-strset. This has been supplied at a cost of £175. Some years ago Mr Wilson ordered a tent from Mr Williams, and it must be very gratifying to that tradesman and to Aucklanders in general to know that Mr Wilson affims it was the beßt tent he ever had made for him.

The annual meeting of the Trinity Church congregation, Devonport, will be heldt bis evening at eight o'clock.

"We regret to leara that Sir George Grey continues very unwell at the Kawau. A steamer called yesterday for the purpose of bringing him up to town, but he was too unwell to venture. We hope that rest for a we«k or two longer will restore him to health.

Considerable delay was caused in the Police Court thia morning by the non-appear ance of justices on the bench of tbe Court of Petty Sessions. The court keeper and several constables were sent round the city, when it was found that the chairman had gone on an excursion, another was 111 in consequence of being overdone by making a ;hrilmig and exh/.us'.ive spe-ich at the hust ings, another had caught the infitien2a at the ereat sheep sale yesterday at Kemuera, an<l fourth could not be found. At 'length, at a few minutes before eleven, Mr G. S. Graham was button-holed, in the street, and induced to step over, presently Dr Goldsbro' happened *° ™!lVt Up at the court on other business in connection with his medical profession, and was persuaded to come in> and finally, at eleven o'clock, the court keeper anhottneed the joyful intelligence that he had found Mr Baber, but had he been a moment later he would have been off by the steamer.

We have received from the Registrar copies of the new regulations for registering births and deaths. These require that bvcry birth shall be registered within 02 days of birth either by the father or the sioiher of the child. In case of ch e death, absence, or in ability of the parents, the occupier of the house or tenement in which such child shall have been born, or some person present at the birth (each person present being liable for non-registration). An agent in lieu of tbe above nlay be appointed in writ.irig. It is necessary to give the birih-places of father and mother, their! names and surnames, respective agea and mother's maiden natae, and place wliei!e married. The information required upon. registration of a death embraces the name and surname of the father of the deceased and his calling, name and maiden surname of the mother of deceased, when the flece'rised wan bofn< how long he was in New Zealand, when married, at what age, and to whom married ; if issue living, state number and sex. Deaths must be registered within 31 days, under penalty of £10 for non-fulfilment.

Dear Sh-j— In regard to your enquiries about Francis Mulgrovej I beg to state that I always found him, a trustworthy tilan J he recently purchased from me three allotments at Papakura, for one ef which he paid cash, on the others the payment remains ou mort gage., 1 have tostate .that if sufficient Rub pcriptiens is got up to pay the purchase money, according to agreeraant, I am willing to deduct theisum of £s.—l^ours, etc., A Well-Wisher.—High-street.

The New Zealand Men Servants' Associa tion held its first quarterly meeting last evening for general business, Mr. Primrose in the chair. The quarterly report was pre sented to the meeting, which shewed that the Society had 304 memberß on the roll ; the balance-sheet was also favourable and shewed a good balance on the happy side. The Society is evidently now in a standard position and enabled to sob a^ide £'2 per week against accident and sickness. The Society hitherto has been conducted in rv business-like manner, with strict attention to economy. It was suggested, and will probably, erelong, be carried into effect, that an office should be established wßich would serve as a member's registry office, also that a medical officer should be appointed. These suggestions, though rather premature, con sidering the age of the Society, will become verities as soon as possible. The election of officers resulted as follows :—Colin Macin tosh (chairman); D. J. Primrose, treasurer; and George Kirton, secretary.

There will be a grand picnic party of the Victoria and Good Templar bands and friends on Regatta Day. The place chosen is Motu Ihi. The preparatiens arc very expensive to make the whole pleasant. Tickets, 2s each. The Hauraki leaves at 9 a.m. sharp.

Mr Warner, one of our local artists, noti fies by advertisement that by the desire of a number of friends he has been induced to off er fourteen pf his best paintings of Jocal sce nery for competition on tho Art Union prin ciple. The pictures are now on view at Messrs Phiilipp's and Son's Queen-street.

"Under the heading of a 'Psychological Riddle,' the Neve Frele Prease reports a most shocking case of juvenile depravity, or insan ity, as having happened in the District of Dobersberg, net>r the village of Trighs. A lit tle boy of twelve years old. was playing in a field with two little girls, when one of the lat ter, named Antonia Durneder, lay down and went to sleep. The boy, whose name was Johann Fraisi, went up to the child and contemplated her for some time, during which a hideous thought arose in his mind. He carefully collected the best materials at hand for a large bonfire, arranged these over the body of the sleeper, an set fire to the structure. The fl-imes immediately rose high above the unfortunate child, and when the other little girl saw the awful sight she screamed to the young murderer to put out the fire. Bub Johann took pleasure in the spectacle, aDd replied, ' No, let Antonia burn ; she will go to the angels.' The wind soon scattered the ashes of the burned child, and her despairing parents found nothing re maining of her but some calcined bones. The boy is charged with the crime before the District Court of Dobersberg. Meantime, the general feeling on the subject is one of utter bewilderment, as there is no evidence of the existence on the part of the little miscreant of any hatred or ill-will toward his play mats, and he can give no plausible ground whatever for his horrible conduct."

Prospectors' Claim.

TAIRTL*. (From our own Correspondent.) A NEW REEF DISCOVERED. Sikce the extraordinary meeting of share holders of the 13th December, at which Mr John NeTes, the original prospector of the Tairua goldfield volunteered to do so, he has been prospecting for the last three weeks on the property, and reports he has examined the shaft, knocking down sundry pieces out of the Bide and near the bottom; they all contain gold, and one piece in particular, about 3lbs weight, was thickly covered with gold, which clearly shows there is still gold in the shaft, and that to in the stone. As he has been engaged alone, and by himself, he could not follow it up without blasting, bufc we hear that it is likely to be done at once, it being supposed the gold is now to be found continuing downwards. In prospect ing near the Gem boundary he found what appears to be a well-defined reef, and on test ing from the loose mullock got excellent pros pects in the dish, and on pounding up several pieces of the stone in all cases got a good show. From what he has seen he states it wtll prove to be a good payable lode, and the directors have determined at once to make a trial crushing of 2 or 3 cwt. at their battery. Several holes have also been Bunk above the big face, the result has been good prospects both in the dish and also in the loose stone thrown out of the dish. Altogether he considers the prospects he has found to be very encouraging and much better than could have been expected from the accounts given of the mine of late, and I am of opinion his statements and judgment is to be relied upon.

RACING.

Thb nominations for the great future events, which were announced to close some days back, have now all been received, and their number and quality is prophetic of good sport. They are as follows :— Cuampagne Stakes at Autumn Meeting 1876—Four. Champagne Stakes, Autumn Meeting 1877—Twelve. Mares' Produce Stakes, Summer Meeting 1878—Ten. Derby Stakes, Autumn Meet

ing 1878-Fifteen. St. Leger Stakes, 1878— Fourteen. Mares' Produce Stakes, bummer Meeting 1880—Twenty-three.

Scraps from Notes of a Journey MADE BY Baron C. De Thierry in Rotorua Country.

DIFFICULTIES AND NATURE OF THE

COUNTRY

Some years a<?d when the district was closed against lurop-eatts, I undertook some long and"fatiguing journeys amottg tbe native Settlements in ri» HSighbonrhood of Ratorua At some of these places th<3 i^haus, who Jay concealed among their recesses Viowea my approach with singular attention as they had not; seen the face of a white man in that part of the country for many montli3. My excursions through tbe Kaingas varied according to the state of the natives many of whom were rank Hauhaus in heart. The bad state of the weather which sometimes prevented my travelling afc last became fine. I was then able to resume my journey though a marshy country covered with swampy fiats for in any miles. 1? earnest desire was to penetrate into the Taupo tfloafi'a lakes,; and as far as possible through the interior of the forests lying between the East Coast and the Lake Country. In attempting this formida ble journey I encountered many great difficulties, which. I cannot now find time to describe clearly. So narrow was the native track through which I had to travel that I was obliged to cut the net work of Kareao vinos, as well as the thick scrub which covered the ptith for a long way. Besides this kind of interruption there were f^tae running streams and deep creeks whicii I h*d to ford up to my neck, a small quantity or forest of Totara filled one corner of this vast valley which extends front the Kaingaroa plains down to the coast. I noticed no sign of any Kauri Trees but shero was a plentifull supply of other large timber consisting principally cf Himt> and Kahikatea, of large growth. In many places there were some remarkably fine pieces of cleared land evidently the remains of native cultivations, which were forsaken about the period of the Ngapuhi envasion many years ago. SINGULAR STORY. During my stay at one of the native settle ments, a maori whare caught fire in which there was a quantity of gun powder. An old woman with White hair, With her tawny body besmeared with dirt and with her shaggy hair flying wich the wind, amid the uproar, ran towards the burning notiae with wild exultations, clapping her hands and then sprung into the midst of the flames, calling loudly on Tawhiao's god to protect her. She bounded like a deer through the raging fire and eventually succeeded in throwing out of the burning house a number of small kegs' which the natives informed me contained powder. Some greenstones and mats of great value were destroyed by the fire. A young JLiuhau was then blamed for secretly Betting fire to the whare. I was informed that thia young follow had headed a conspiracy for the purpose of putting the old woman to death. She fled to the next tribe, who were at that time considered a friendly lot of people. She remained their guesb for more than two years, during which time her grief was excessive for her children, who were Hying at Taupo. The ghosts of her murdered husbands came and haunted the whare in which she wft3 staying, and as she lay sleeping one night a spirit came and bound her hand and foot with flax cords and carried her back to her own tribe, who all rejoiced to see her return again to them after being absent for so long a time from her friends. SICKNESS AMONG THE NATIVES. There were a great many cases of sickness in nearly every village I visited; scrofula and ulcerations of the neck appeared to be the most prevalent disease among the grown up men and women. Sore eyes were to be seen' in every quarter, in most cases among the old men and women. The prevailing belief was that thtee kind of diseases were brought into the country by the whites, and that they could only be cured by the native doctors (Tohunga), who were generally a class of wandering men who had got their name well up for treating native disorders. These native physicians attend the sick patients generally during the night time so as to avoid being seen with them in the day. Exposure to the night air coupled with large doses of decoction of bark, and frequent dipping at night in the cold water streams were prescribed, and were generally effective in causing a lingering death. Con sumptive natives generally think lightly of their cases trusting to the advice of the native doctors till it is too late. The sick are seldom very troublesome, and hardly ever complain although racked with pain. I witnessed one or two terrible cases of disease at Tarawera. The patients after a short time were plunged into a hot lake three or four times during the night. This .kind of treat ment was repeated the next day by order of the native doctor in attendance. The cries of these half scalded men and women were most distressing, and could be heard for some distance off. These people were afflicted with a disorder called, by the natives, horekore (erysipelas). " J. was told that the hot sulphur lake acted like magic on persons affected with this disease.

Accident at Freeman's Bay.

A severe accident befell an elderly man this morning, in the employ of JVTesßrs Revel and Smith at their sawmill Freeman's Bay. The sufferer, Thomas Gooch, was guiding a log which required shifting, and, being greasy, it undercut. The jack waa too upright and allowed the log to roll with great force against Gooch, knocking him off the skids over the intake wall. He fell on his head on to some stones, cutting his head and face seriously. A cab was quickly brought, and Mr Smith had him conveyed to Dr. Dawson who attended to his injuries.

THE SHEEP FAIR.

In spite of the wet weather the attendance at Mr A. Buckland's annual sheep fair yesterday was quite up to the average. Bid dings were brisk, and the lots were quitted at very fair prices. Ewe lambs went at prices varying from 8s 6d to 17s; wether lambs from 6s to 15s ; long-woolled ewes from 10s to 47s ; wethers from 6s to 16s; half-bred ewes from 6s to 10s. The Ram Fair will be held to-morrow, commencing at one o'clock.

ST. SEPULCHRE'S.

The parishioners of St. Sepulchre's, met last evening in the parish school-room, for the purpose of receiving the annual report of tho vestry, but owing to the rain, only about a dozen gentlemen were present, Rev Mr Dud ley occupied the chair. The report is too lengthy for insertion, but from its general tone, we gather the fact that increased energy, and increased exertion are necessary in the pariah of St. Sepulchre, as there are signs of langishment in several of the depart ments of practical Christian work ; the build^ ing fund " languishes in consepuence of the backwardness in their payments of some of the subscribers." It has been found neces sary "to make a slight alteration in the scale of charges for sittings." In connec tion with the Bnilding Society, "it is highly desirable that in April next, additional shares, if possible, should be taken up." In the Sunday-school, " more adult teachers are still wanted." Still with all these church wants the vestry is full of hope that success will follow. The state ment of accounts stood thus :—To balance, January, 1875, £5 5a 4d. Offertories— v*eneral, £365 18a 2d ; Melanesian Mission,

£10 14a 2d; Home Mission, £36 13s lid; Sunday School, £16 3s sd; Pension Fund, £17 123-£447 Isßd. Seat rents, £103 12s 6d. Collections-Home Mission, £9 10s ; Orphan Home, £42 98 6d; Melanesian Mission- Children's boxes, £14 lla 6d ; Parochial Endowment l<'und, £15 11s Gd ; Contribution to Parsonage-Rev B. T. D., £10; Dona tions, £5 12a Gd—£6s3 14s Gd. Balance, January I, 1876, £17 Us 3d. Ihe following gentleman were then elected ob the committee for the current year : — Messrs. J. Batger, Covey, Shirley W. Hill, Biggs, P.oberton, Dicksnn, and Slotnan jun. Messrs. Mogioie and Vicars were appointed churchwardens. Mr Pierce moved that the ministers annual stipend be £300 ; he was Sorry that St. Sepulchre's was not in such a good financial position as other churches, who were enabled to give their ministers a higher stipend. The niotiOn was carried gome other business of Blight importance was discuesea, and the meeting separated with votes of thanks'.

The Brodick Castle.

350 SOULS NEARLY SHIP WRECKED IN THE BAY OF BISCAY-

A correspondent has kindly furnished us with an account of the terrible disaster which befel this splendid ship shortly after sailing for Auckland on her niaiden voyage. The Brodiek Castle cornea consigned to Messrs Cruickshank and Co., and the following par ticnlars are from one of the saloon pessengers under date, 14th November : — " We are still in England, and not likely to leave for another month. I will first give you an account of the fine ship Brodiek Castle, she is 1778 tons register, and was only launched at Glasgow last June or July She is now tinder the command of James Thyne, Esq., si very jolly Captain We embarked on the 29th September in the Ea3t India Bocks. The ship was thefi towed down to Greenhithe where we remained till ne2t day; after adjusting compasses, we proceeded to Graves end, where the emigrants 299 in number, and a few passengers came on board. Friday the Government Inspectors made a thorough ex amination of the ship, and found it was necessary to have another cable. Saturday was to be our last, but 6tfr hopes were sadly blighted by an unexpected occurrence. About 1 30, a very severe squall came on, first from the north-west which, veered round suddenly and seemed like a cyclone. The Brodiek Castle broke from her moorings, and took the ground just ifl front of the new Falcon Hptel, not far from the pier or landing stage. There was no perceptible shock when she struck, and' very soon' seven or eight tugs were at us, and after half-an-hours hard steaming, succeeded in pulling the ship off. "We then anchored lower down the river, exactly opposite Tilbury Fort. At last the following Wednesday came, which was to be our last in "dear Old England;" we were towed down, passed the Good win Sands and then exchanged our Lon don pilot; for a hard "Deal," kept this follow until Friday evening, when we sent hifn ashore in a pilot's cutter in Torbay. Everything on fcoard went on_ cheerfully until the Sunday evening, when it began to blow and the sen to rise a little, both which proved our vessel to be a "steady rider" and a pretty good sailer. On Monday morn ing, at 11 30, our topmasts broke, but this of course we thought nothing of. The ship bad made good way, and we were now in the chops of the Channel. Tuesday morning we passed a French brig, the sea still hi^h and confused, the Castle rolling very much. Wednesday morning, about 5, the main mast broke about two feet above the deck, and went clean over the side, taking away in its fall part of the bulwarks, and making a hole in the deck, but which was however soon stopped up. It also smashed five boats, including the life-boat, leaving us with, only four remaining boats among 350 people. At 8 a.m. the gale still continued, and the ship was rolling terribly. Captain Thyne now feared the mizen would also go. He, there fore, ordered all the passengers into the Family Cabin, which occupies half the ship's stern, the other half being the captain's. Suddenly we heard a frightful crash —both the sky-lights were smashed in. The part of the poop where we were under was also smashed, in juring one of the passengers, but fortunately it turned out only a slight scratch. We then shifted into the captain's cabin, where we remained for the rest of the day. The fall ing of the mizen caused the death of a sea man, who was cut in two ; the second mate had his right leg broken, which had to be amputated; and another man was also severely hurt. The platform on which the man at wheel stands was smashed, but the steers-man fortunately not touched. The whole crew were busy all day cutting away the yards and all the gear attached and throwing them overboard. The mast was allowed to remain where it fell, for being iron-cased there was no moving of it, as well as the yards. We gradually had jury masts erected, and were then able to make one or two knots an hour. Our object was to keep in the open sea, for if we neared land and a sudden squall came on, we would sure to have been wrecked, as the steering apparatus was a little injured. The ship drifted about for three days, when, on Saturday evening, a sail was sighted. We signalled her with rockets and blue-lights, to which she replied, but to our areafc surprise and joy, a strange light in the opposite direction appeared. About 9 p.m., we discovered the light was that of steamer bearing down upon us. One of the last remaining boats was then launched and proceeded to the steamer. After a little parleying we were taken in tow. The sea was now perfectly smooth, having only been so from the morning. You can well imagine the state of affairs when in taking our meals we had to hold our soup plates in our hands and make due nautical allowances for the ship's lurching and rolling. We generally had to hold the dishes, etc., so that their contents might not be deposited in our laps. It was an awful lark one day when I discovered the steward violently em bracing the ship's deck with rolly-polly pud ding in one hand and a leg of mutton in the other, trying the impossible feat of regaining his legs. Yon must bear in mind that when it l ained we could not find a dry place, as the skylights were both broken up, therefore the saloons were generally wet. From the beginning of onr troubles (Monday) to the Wednesday morning, I managed to keep M from all knowledge of what was going on, she being with your dear M in bed sick : you may therefore guess the consternation when she went on deck and found the ship suddenly, as it were, a perfect wreck. When the good steamer came up to ns we were happy to feel once more that it was pretty nearly certain we would again set foot on terra jirma. We experienced delightful weather on the Sun day and Monday until nearing the Manacle rocks, when one of our hawsers gave way, and a squall coming on, we were again in imminent peril. Through the energy of a pilot cutter's boat our hawser was soon re placed, and we just weathered the rocks. At 5 p.m. we landed safely in FalmouthHarbour. The parsengers were well provided for at the Falmouth. Hotel, which is very prattily situa ted on the top of a hill about 30 yards from the sea. Pendennis Castle is not far distant. It has been thrown open to us, and we have had the pleasure of looking over some few things of great interest. The emigrrnts have beenfsent on to Plymouth, where the Brodiek Castle has also gone to be thoroughly re paired. There is a very searching enquiry going on at Greenwich, as to the cause of the disaster. You have no idea how the ship rolled. The first mate declared he had never seen the like before, although he had been to sea over 25 years. We are fortunate in. having such a man as Captain Thyne, who is a jolly, good, and brave fellow. Wear*of courae

sadly disappointed now that we cannot be in Auckland at Christmas, butvthen the voyage is renewed we hope to have a speedy and prosperous one." P.M.

MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS.

PBIVC W OF W >LEB THEATRE.

The pouring rain last evening had the effect of preventing persons from crowding Ihe thpaire as hprcto'ore for the purpose of wiinfsMDg Boncf cault's lively and inter, fiiir.g Trish drama, but still; thers was a lsnr° aiidi<r cc, who g ye frequent expressions of np roval and pea ure. on seeicg the s<;en6'ry oni movement of the performers. The fact that "The SI anghrann " bas sustained its popularity eve;* for seven uUh's in ' ucklar <i, i, ~„ instance 'if Up d.sffiatic value and proves bfy, nd a doubt that "The Siaig-hraun" is worth tedng. This ia worth notinpr, for iowever good a piece may be, two rFpreEentp.tons are generally enough for tbe ever-changing volatile propte of this city, viho are ever craving for come new thing, and are never satisfied. We think it highly probable that " The Shaughraim " ■will ran Hie week, and for scenery, 1 lively incident, and good acting, it can compare with"any light druma that has been placed befen-e the people 'of this city for years. The piece wit] be presented again this evening, when if the weather is »t nil favourable, a full house will be the inevitable result. WILSON'S CIRCUS" The final exhibition of ihe various performances in this city for years to come tooi place last evening hi the canvas pavilion in the Market Beseive. Th* circus was full, but the pelting itnn, which fell in. torrents throughout the evening, sent a damp chilL through the assemblage, and rendered the eyeninjr otherwise than pleasant Wilson s Circus, during its brief stay in Auckland, has afforded innocent pleasure \to thousinds, and the equestrian representations ofl man snd horte will be pictured in the memory o£ the rising generation. The troupe proceed* to Wet ■ linzton to day, where the members intend to repeat 1 their rpmarkable feats for a short time, and then depart for other scenes. »

MR. DAVfES AT ONEHUNGA. Owing to the'inclemency of the weather Mr. E D. Davies w?s unable to appear at Onehunga last night as announced. He will, however, give his remarkable entertainment in tha-: place on Wednesday next.

MR DE'NKKS LECTURE ENTERTAINMENT. The rain in this c,=se. as in others, had a thinning effect upon Mr Dennes'3 Lorofi-irtreet audience ; still the entertainment was excellent in character, anfi; and had the weather been fine, the Ml no acrabfe would have been filled. It is possible that Mr TjennflS may repeat his entertainment under more fnvourable circumstances for the benefit of the funds of Mr Edcer's congregation. Mr Denned pro duced a seiies of fifty views of the choicest scemryr of Ireland by the aid of his lime-light apparatus, Mr and Mrs Kermis, both naturally musical, per formed an instrumental duet on the piano and violin. A Young- Jatfy sar? a son.?, but -we are unable to credit it to her name, but it was well sung. Mr Pennes exhibited a few views illustrating the Attic Expedition, in connection with the life or Sir John Franklin ; also a pano'sma of a London iora Mayor's Bhow, wliieh to those who bad never seen the sight pssFing a'ong Cheapside, was a novelty. Professor Bntchskow presided chiffly at the piano.

REGATTA CLUB.

A meeting of the Regatta Committee was held last evening at the Thames Hotel for the purpose of receiving the entries for the amateur races at the forthcoming regatta> and for other business. Mr G. Yon der Heyde occnpied the chair. Mr Waymouth sent in his resignation as a memiter of committee. It -was accepted. The Secretary announced that Messrs Russell and Devoie had promised to give two pairs of binocular glasses, one to the schooner race, and the other t* the larger cntter race. The an nouncement was received with applause— (here is a fine example for other firms in the city). The following tenders were rfceived and accepted :— Mr Impey for band ; Mr Stacey for catering : Mr Atkin for printing. Messrs W. C. Daldy, ]'nn. r and W. Lodder were elected members of committee in lieu of R. Gratten (deceased), and J. Waymouth (resigned). Arrange ments for motvring-mark and starting boats were made. It was announced that £220 had been collected in subscriptions. The following entries were received for the Amateur Races : —

Sevrxth Race. 12 noon—Four-oared Gigs (no out riders), the property of, and rowed by, ama teurs, members of any Rowing Club -which has been formed three months prior to 29th January, IS7G. Prizes- Ist, £15 ; 2nd, £5. Course: From south side of Flagship, loxmi mark boat off Freeman's or Orakei Bay, and back to Flagship (3 miles). North Shore RowingCtTib (Native): Burgess,Kemp, Duder, Meed, Brassey (coxswain) Thames Rowißg Club (Una) : W. H. Hargreaves, W. Borne, H. iieynolds, V.. Heron. Thames Naval Brigade Boating Club (Nonpareil): A. Thomas, T. Thomas, IT. T. Wilson, J. Harvoy, W. Landy (coxswain). Auckland Rowing Club: T. Henderson, E. T, Graham, D. Brigham, S, Motion. .Emergency : L. S. Daote, A. Yates, R M. U ark.

Texm Race. 2 p m.—Pair-oared Boats, rowed by amateurs. Prize, £5. Coarse : Same as seventh race. Alpha :T. Henderson, L. S. Dacre. Emergency : R, M. Ciarfc. Omega : "W. J. Caverhill, J. Motion. Emergency: D. Briufham. Delta: R. M. Clark, B. T. Graham. Emergency: R. Peacock.

Twelfth Race, 3 p.m.—Fortr-oared Gigs (no out riggers), rowed by amateurs under 21 years of age. Conditions similar to seventh race. Course : Same as seventh race. North Shore Bowing Club: G. Kemp, E. Hill. Holmes, McNamara. C. Braesey (coxswain). Emer gency : W. Mcco). McLean. Thames Naval Brigade Boating Club (Nonpareil:) C. G«rland, G. Brown, H. Anderson, B. Huifit, *W. Landy (coxswain). Auckland Rowing Club : "W. Jones, A. Yates. K. E Isaacs, W. Ratcliffe. Emergency: W. J. Caver hill.

Magenta Club, Grahamstowa : O. Smith, Thomas Fathers, C. Williams, F. B. Perritt, J. Carter. The meeting adjourned until Thursday evening next, at 8 o'clock, between which tims and 10 p.m. the general entries for the remaining events will be received at the club-room, Thames Hotel.

COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS.

(Before Messrs. Baber (chairman), G. S. Gra ham, and Dr. Goldsbro', Justices of the Peace.) OUT IN THE RAIN". Michael Garrett and John George were, found drunk last night, and this morning/ pleaded guilty. Fined 53. each. BETSEY SPEEES. This young lady was found in a sprawling condition last evening in consequence of im bibing an undue quantity of whiskey, which prostrated both her body and mind. Betsey said she was not drunk; she was only excited. Constable Dews deposed that she was drunk and violent. Betsey : For God's sake let xne go for the sake of my three children. Constable Smith said the woman was help lessly drunk, and even forgot her name ; at last she squeezed out, with much difficulty, the well-known name of "Squeers." The woman denied the soft impeachment, The Court ordered a fine of 10s. and costs, or 24 hours in durance vile. torn's propensity. Thomas Gorman, on warrant, appeared to answer a charge of threatening to settle his wife, Mary Gorman, on the 24fch instant, I by stopping her breath, and placing her body upon her bier. Mary Gorman said she did not wish to press the charge, although Tom was a reck- - less fellow. If he would promise not to shorten her days she was ready to forgive the man -who had vowed at the altar to protect her. SSMrßroham: Will you proceed or with draw the case ?

Mrs Gorman : Now, Tom, will you be have yourself in future ? Thomas made a moaning noise, and thought he would if Bhe would behave her -8 ill also.

Mrs Gorman was surprised, and went into the box to give evidence, but when about to commence her statement Bighed, "No, I won't go against Tom," and asked to be allowed to withdraw the case. , The case was accordingly withdrawn, and Mr and Mrs Gorman left the Court in har mony together.

A SBAMAW. , ~ Georgs Nicholis, a jolly-looking sailor, g who rrughtfhave stood for one of Dibden s musical portraits, was charged with com-.- ' y mitting a breach of the Naval Diaclpliw Act, and was remanded for a week.

fai ttVIBBWI KE4k& TOESpAi; JiJTOA^S^me,



JJACES! EACES! KACES! P A PAKU R A. ANNIVERSARY DAY. SATURDAY, JANUAB.Y 29, 1876. Special Trains. Return Tickets at Single Bates. From Auckland -715 am From Mercer—7l7 am Ham 11 a m 3pm spm "WM. PERCIVAL, Secretary. JW"OTICE. JTOTICE. JUST TO HAND- Large Parcel of Double - width "Waterproof Tweed, Melton Cloth, Blue Diagonal, &c, specially adapted for Boys' Clothing, Ladies' wear, &c, Bought at Auction at con siderably less than English Invoice Price, and to be sold veiy cheap. Also, Lawn Handkerchiefs from 3s 9d per dozen—l2o dozen; Linen Cambrio Handkerchiefs, from 5s 6d per doz. Upwards of 50 cJ ozen Men's . Cotton Shirts, 2 o Jean, Napier, the new F Shirt, etc. ABTsnnnAN Cord Tr sers. Men's Tweed Waistcoats, and a num ber of othor Special Lues at much below usual price. INSPECTION INVITED. BUSJHiBROOK & BR IDG MAN, [Late E. Hobbs], [VNOTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, OppositeJthe'SAnny and Navy Hotel* TJPPKR Q UJSJsSr-STKEST, AXTOKtAKD T COSGRAVE & CO. will hold their Annual Sale previous to the Christmas Holidays, com mencing Tit IS DAY, ( Wednesday), the Bth December, end will continue umtil the end of the year. The entire stock will he offered at Cost Price, OPEOIAL TO HOUSEKEEPERS. CALL AT THE CITY HALL, -INSPECT the following- goods, which are os bxoellelct quality, attd very cheap:— White Sheeting, 2 yds wide ~.. 1/1 per yard „ Twilled, 2 yds wide.... 1/6 „ ' Plain and Twilled, 21 yds wide.. 1/9 „ 2} „ ..1/11 „ Good Waterproof Sheeting, at 3/9 „ Colored Table Covers, 3/11; usual price, 6/6 .» e/9 »> °/° Fancy Table Oil Cloth, ljyds wide, 1/3 per yard American Leather. 1} yds wide, 1/1 per yard Mahogany and Oak Table Oil Baize, 1/3 per yard. r~r Ctieap Summer Hats for Ladies and Children „ Underclothing ~ » Clothing for Men and Boys ~ Drees Goods, reduced prices 85 dozen White and Drab Stays, 2/3 and 2/11, a decided bargain. HOLLOW AY & GAELI CX, 1 CITY HAIL, , •. ■ . Queen-street, Auckland.



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