SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

.Oratada, P.jff. Co.'b mail steamer, Captain Cavarly. ~«_, . "Om Napier and the South ;«Sion, b*J g, Loverock. from Samoa s s, Wheeler, from thß South ■ Qo-aLead., ss.from Waitara

DEPARTURE.

™°'1l^» CX's ma u steamer, for Kandavu, -d .Ho" oluIn» and San Francisco wyJMe' flSl for a^borne and Napier Wh. • n*"f LeySl for Wanganui Minnie Pare, schooner for Russell. Ardvar, barque, Butr.s, {or Newcastle wTVI 00. 0; 15- for Ruasell S^> sclo<^er, for Russell Wm&iel, cutter, for Wangarei

DEPARTURE OF THE MAIL.

The outward English mail leaves by the Granada at !» o clock thig afternoon, ./rfce improved status of the :3an Francisco service and the consequent renewal of .puMic confidence, taken in, conjunction -with the time of year, which enables excursionists and others "Visiting the old country at Ai3 season to enjoya double Bummer, have largely Increased the number of pussenpers. The following is a list of those booked by the Granada in Auckland:—Saloon for San Fran oijco—Mr and Mrs J Whitley. 2 children and one servant, Mr and Mrs Penny. Rev A M Henderson. Me*sra J B Willows, P H Kirby, G H TtTlt^thorne, C A Sk^en. TIJS P«ake. Steerage—For Kandavu—Fred Saras. For Sai} Franolsoo—W Keaae, and others.

IMPORTS.

Per Vision, from Tonga: 2000 cocoanuts, lj fons of Copra.—Owen and Graham, agents.

The schooner Colonist has l»'ft lyttelton for Napier The s.s. Go-ahetfd leasts Otfehnnga for Eaglan at flour o'clock thla aflpriioonA. ■ f The Union SS, Co 's a.g Ha^ea, Captain Wheeler, arrived at Onehnnga wliarf yesterday at 11 a.m She left Port Chalmers at 2*30 pmk the 7th imtant, ai"* arrived at New Plymouth at Ipm on the 11 " " 2 leftatflpm. arriving as above! PW wis experienced throughout. We a*- ln debtert to Mr £c™, purse-, for our file,. afr£St&SL™ Seavesoff.m to-morrow f<> the south. A. telegram has bp^ a y e -eived to the effect that the thve-n- ag t.>a scao;, ;n9r pftplJe was to leave Duuedin «n W.iurciiy eVenincr, with a cargo of oats for the in iraes. on account of Mr Binney. Tha » s Wallabi left OnehuDga on Saturday after noon for Winganui Tne barque ".rdvar sailed for Newcastle In ballast yesterday mcrfing. Her de tination thence is not certain.

Several coasting craft have left since Saturday fcr their destinations.' Their names appear above. The smart It tile br g Vision returned last nitrht from Samoa ana 1119 Friendly Islands, after traversing the disUnco between Tonga and this port in the shortest sailing time nn record. Yit., 4 days 22 hoars. Tho movements of this vessel Up to the beginning of February h>ve already been published. After loidiDg at Fij i with store* for the Barr*couta man of war, she arrived back at SaroOa on the 18th February. Dis charged cargo and took in water and sailed on the evening of too 86th for Vavat* arrived on the 29th; called at Hapia on the Ist M|rcK»and at Tonga on the 4th. Left Tonga on the, erenlnV of the 7th, with a light easterly wind ; cleared thi reef at dnsk, when the wi.ad veered to the snuthwardwith squa'ls, shift ing afterward to the eastward. %«sed Point Van dtfnno at midnight, and the island^ Plyftwt at 10 a m., strong breeze blowing with high s*a. Passed the Great Barri r at 2 p.m., and arrived at Auckland at 10 a.m. The Vision brings no cargo, but the follow ing passengers—Messrs Phipps, T. Farrell, and Homer. ,• * . The P.M.'Co.'s ftte steamer Granada arrived from the f onth at ten o'clock last ni^ht. Sfce left Dunedin in the Sth instant, and Napier at 12.L7pm on tie 11th , She brings tho Southern portion of the outward fusz mail, and the following passengers:—For Auck land— Saloon—Jtf P MeMorlnn'd, Mr McFarlane, Mr Green, Mr McCrae, Father Riordan, Mr J Cameron. Mrs E White. Mr and Mrs J Watt, Mr J Wnllter, Mrs HamiltDn and son, Mr and Mrs Martin, Messrs P L Francis D Sampson. George Price, J L Field. Mur dock, Hecd-rson. Mr and Mrs Smith, Mr Thns G Johnson, Mrs Braithwnite, Misse' Green (2). Steer age-John McGuire, Mary McGuire, Mrs T'uane. For San Francisco—Saloon—CUptain Mel'en and »ife, Messrs P C Crow. F Barker, E A. Lowo, W W Greg?. Captain Hardwick, Mr Parks. Captain Stuart. Mr j Newton, Mr' A. W Abell, F^er-Col'man, Mi*a Cole man. Messrs George Gould, 0 Gould C * Wilson. Captain J Macfarlane, *lex McMaster. Mrs J S Thombs. 3 child'en. and servant, Mr Livelr, M Anderson, and sin the sti era c. Tim Granada camr alocgadesoon °'te" "i-nVO »7iri pnmmonced coaling, c

GOLD MINING- MEETING.

A special general meeting of the Directors, and .Shareholders of the Albion Quartz, Kuranui, Long Drive, and Shotover, Gold Mining Companies, was held this afternoon, in Mr Tothill's offices for the purpose of amalgamation, P. Whitaker, Esq., in the chair. About sixty gentlemen were present. The Chairman stated that the shareholders of the different Companies had been called together in preference to calling separate meetings. In'cdnnection with such company As set forth in a circular which had been sent to the shareholders of the four companies, the meeting was called to con sider the propriety of amalgamating the four companies into one, and of passing the several resolutions with respect to the wind ing up of the companies, j and hereafter at another meeting to form a new company for the benefit of the whole. Mr Peacock then proposed, "That the Long Drive Goldmin ing Company be wound up under the Joint Stock Companies Act." This was seconded by Mr Nathan, and carried. Mr EeaderSWood said that he requeste d shareholders who were now in England, and it was scarcely fair to them to act in their absence. He would rather see one strong mine, than four which were not paying, but he thought some time should be given to absent shareholders to express their opinion before their interest was sacrificed.

The Chairman said that the matter was argent, and it was absolutely necessary to be prompt, he should be glad to be able to communicate with them, but they could not afford to wait four or five months, and their present contemplated action was stricbly in accordance with the Acb. Captain Baldy also explained that the Long Drive at present was a los'9, and the project before the meeting, he considered impera tive. v Mr Ifewman thought the contemplated charge would be to the advantage of absent share hold era. Mr W. Weston proposed a similar flea )lu tion in, respect of the Albion Quartz Mining Company, and coneidered that the change he felt sure would be to the interest of all

concerned.

This being seconded by Mr ft. Keesing, and carried.

Mr Weston then proposed a similar re solution in relation to Kuranui\Qompany, which was seconded by Mr Nathan, and carried. i Mr Peacock then proposed, afcd Mr Keesing seconded, "That the Shotover Goidmining Company be voluntarily wound up according to the Companies Act of 1860." Mr Newman thought the Shotover should be left out of the programme, and he should be glad to move an amendment to that effect. ,

The Chairman" said that Mr Newman's amendment would upset the arrangement altogether. The resolution being put .and carried, with one exception, the Chairman declared the meeting to be at an end. / J. ____^

BIRTH

H4^Tr? n !»'i*rch 11, at New-strpfit, Mount St. • >I -.«. Henry Haaso of a son, stillborn.

MARRIAGE.

LIVINGSTON-STILLING-^On tho 15th February, ■ t Park??, N.S.W., bytVf Eev Mr. Aspinail, the Rev. Hugh Livingston/Spresbyterian Minister, Parkp.s. to Isabella Ann (late of Auckland), eldest daughter of T. W. Stilling, of Gcnlbiirn. BROWNE—COLLS—On (he lllh March, at TTpper Qu°en-sh-pet. by the R"vVfc. I'- Macnlool, James <.'Bkl«y Brownn. of H-?Wfl\on, Wafnato, to Etle:i Fogar'ry, second daughter of Mr. S. is. Colls, of Auckland.

DEATH.

EDGAR—On the 12th instant, (it her parents' resi denefi, Newton Aftnea tJiird daughter of Alexander and Charlotte Edga*-, aoVr2 years aud C months — Glasgow papers pi' asß/eo\v. The funeral will take pluce <o-morrow at i p.m. Friends plet>so accept tliis invitation.

BRIDGTORD—On thn 31th instant, at Adelaide street, Freeman's Bay, VVfiWlam Robert, only pnn of William and Sarah June^rndgCord, aged 18 months- BROWN—On tho 13th in«truit, at hts pirents'rcsi dencp, Ertwardes-sh-oet^Kobert, infant hou of Robert and Hannah Bto'wil, aged three months. MCQUILLAN—On Mar?h I^at Parnell. from sun stroke, Isabella Baloy Mdßiiillan, aged S years and 5 mouths. 'n

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

MONDAY, MARCH 13, 1876

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tii« wrong thnt needs resistance, l-'or ilie future in the distance, And the srood that we can do.

Events, recently occurred, have given a sad and rather alarming interest to that dread scourge diphtheria. This is not lessened by the mysterious nature of the malady, and the admitted inability of medical science to grapple with it successfully. In a neighbour ing colony, whole families have been literally swept away by it, and, that in its moat virulent type it is now amongst us, is testified by the appalling domestic calamity, that has just occurred in one of the healthiest suburbs of the city of Auckland. In these circum stances every thing that can contribute to throw lip;ht on the disease, or on the remedial treatment of it, should be gratefully received, and experiences, whenceaoever derived, should be accepted^ro tanto as contributions to the medical empiricism that is engaged in searching for the vulnerable and assailable points in this comparatively new and entirely unknown visitant. When whole families are snatched away, under the very eyes end hands of tho3e whose pi-ofe3sion it is to grapple with the King of terrors, it is no time for "orthodox" science to deal super ciliously with " old wive's nostrums." The many " specifics" indeed which have been announced for this and other malignant diseases, and been vaunted as infallible, are calculated to create distrust in such announ cements, but the terrible fatality, and extra ordinary contagious character of this disease will impel many, to regard new nostrums with a degree of interest which will not be suppressed by the unmerciful snubbing they habitually receive from the disciples of Esculapius. We shall be told that ice is not new as a therapeutical agent, and that it is commonly used in medical pi-actice with ex cellent results. This is all tho better and will perhaps prepare the way for ita efficacy, being thoroughly tested as a means for nip ping diptheria in the bud. For tis this power that is claimed for it in a periodical now lying before us. The theory is,— whether correctly or not we are not com petent to say —that the " local origin " of this disease so prostrating to the whole system is in the throat. That there the germ is deposited, and that there it may be stifled ere it has extended in it 3 baleful influence throughout the system. To kill the vege table fungus in the bud is claimed to be within the .power of this simple product of nature, and the theory is backed up by such medical testimony, practical and experi mental as must cloth it to the eye of the most conservative, in a garb of eminent respect ability. We shall not follow the reasoning with which the position is maintained. It is based on the analogies of hydrophobia, syphilis, snake bite, &c, in which prompt local application may arrest the evil before ts morbific influence has extended, and set iap other " local' origins" in situations so many and so remote as to be beyond the' reach of remedial treatment. And it is argued that instead of the throat affection .in this and in> scarlatina, measles, small-pox, &c, being the result of poison, already diffused through the system, it is itself the "fount and origin of the mischief." That in fact the portion of the mucous membrane whichj covers the soft palate, the tonsils, and the uvula is that which arrests and develops the poison germ of diphtheria, as does the mucous lining of the iliac glands arrest and develop the germ of typhoid fever. The article, admits the efforts made in ordinary practice to attack the disease at the fountain by the aid of acids, but claims for ice a superior power in stifling this vegetable life in the bud ; and thus proceeds to detail the mode, of operation.

"In our experience with the diphtheria, we soon found that success in the ice treat ment depended ufbn the faithfulness with which the ice was applied. It would not do to merely give the patient a lump occasionally, or allow him to use his own discretion in regard tojthe frequency of the application. Wejj found that in order to check the disease and reduce the inflammatory symptoms,

piece of ice should be placed in the moufcti EVERY TEN MINUTKS, DAY AND NIGHT, TJNTTL THK CANKER HAD DISAPPEARED. This then in brief is the ice-treatment: A continuous internal application, and external if neces sary, until every trace of the fungous growth has disappeared. Of course sustaining measures must be used, beef tea, etc., but if this ice-treatment is adopted at the outset, there will be but little necessity for "sus taining" the patient, as the stomach and digestion are not perverted by drugs. " Remember that the diphtheretic fungus can not grow or live long in ice-water, and when the fungus is destroyed you no longer have a local origin from which a stream of poison pours into the system. In conclusion we will quote the experience of Dr. Carson, the well-known authority npon this method of treating diptherin, and kindred diseases : "Dr Carson in a series of able papers in the Philadelphia Medical and Surgical Reporter, calls attention to the happy fcmnitb following the use of ice ftfld Gold water in scarlatina., diphtheria, croup, quinsy, etc. The good effects of ice water, applications to the throat externally, and ice in substance as a garale to the throaty > e i<e almost magical. Fatality RS yftsfcly lessened, recovery was r.-tji<3, and sequel te were uncommon. The cases of scarlatina were not selected but all were given—malignant,- anginose, and simple. Dr ICaraon's observations as to the effects of these agents run through some twenty or more years. As his experience with them has increased, so has his faith. He reasons that the diseases in question are originally local in their action, the systemic trouble being secondary. Combat and arrest the loc:il trouble, and the systemic disorder will be prevented or leaned. He condemns the practice which spnsists in applying caustics, astrincenis, irritants, and poultices to the throat ami neck, as but adding fuel to the fire. The indications are to cool the burn ing throat, to constringfl and tone up the blood-vessels and loesen the fever. All this is accomplished by allowing the patient to suck ice, to gargle the throat with ice writer, and by enveloping the nec;k in bags of ice, and by cold affusions to the general surface. Thin practice is to be kept up steadily throughout the whole course of scarlatina This, together with the support by nourish ment, is all that need .bo done in the mildest as well as the Fevi»r«rt ca^e?. Albuminuria and enlargpd glands do not contra-indicate the use of ice a,nd ice water. Dr. Carson contends that ttiere is no danger of retro cession of the disease under the use of thepe agents. He gives over one hundred cases of scarlatina in one year, all treated by these means, with not a single fatal relapse. 'Tho pame treatment is equally successful in diphthpria, membranouscroup. and quinsy. It is remarkable, that our text-hooka on practice and the diseases of children having Given hardly a passing notice to these aiinole 1 hernnoutics in the management of diseases so fatal to life."'\ ;

In our last issue we published a telegram showing that two hundred Thames miners had agreed to proceed to Wellington to work on the Masterton railway, and that the Govern ment sends the Luna for them. Such a drain on our population is the natural outcome of the administration of public works, and the expen diture of public money, as conducted by the Central Government for the past few years. On this aspect of the case there is no advan tage in idle regrets. The bulk of the money has been spent South. Where the carcase was thither have the eagles been gathered together. Population has followed and thriven where the money was, and now by natural process, fostered by Government manoeuvring, we are deprived of the .bone and sinew, and intelligent experience, which in other circumstances might have gone to raise the Province to some measure of prosperity. But we regret the exodus on other grounds. For so far from there being a superfluity .of labour in the Province, we have had brought Ho our notice to-day a circumstance that shows 'the capabilities of the province for profitably' retaining the un employed labour which seems to be looking away to distant fields for employment. A gentleman whose name we shall give on appli cation offers remunerative employment at Puke kohe to.a number of men, and has placed him self in communication with Mr. William Rowe on the subject. He offers seven pounds per hundred for the cutting of puriri sleepers, and one pound each for posts. Another gentleman whose name we have, gives six pounds per hundred, and at this rate the men employed by him are making two pounds ten shillings per week; and we have it on unimpeachable authority that in that one bush there is similar employment for at least one hundred men. With fields for employment so near home, of which this is but a solitary in stance, it is a great pity that men who had cast in their lot with us should be lured away, breaking up family and social ties, to begin life as it were anew. That there are many such opportunities for retaining !he now un employed in the province we feel convinced ; and we regard it as the duty of every well wisher to the .common good, to take oppor tunity for making stich known, so that those in quest of employment may find the work that is standing in waiting for them. Depres sion, whether at the Thames or throughout the province, is only temporary, and if this stream of emigration from the province proceeds, then when the cloud has passed away we shall seek in vain for the able and willing hands that are among the first requisites to help us on to prosperity.

To the Editor, Sir,—l do not take in, the Evewing Star regularly, and that may account for my not seeing till to-day, last Thursday's issue of that paper, in which is professed, to be given an account of an enter tainment for the scholars of St. Paul's Sun day School ■ that took place the previous evening. In the report I see it is stated that one of the songß " was remarkable for nothing but its absurdfty and want of decency." Absurd it is, and it was the absurdity of it that afforded the children so much amusement —one of the objects we had in view, in getting up the entertainment. Indecent it is not; there is not one word in it that the most fastidious person could point out as such, and your reporter in saying what he did, stated that which was contrary to fact. I defy him to point out a single indecent word or allusion in the song. Had there been such a thing, it would not have been sung where it was, neither would the person, who did so ever have sung it. I enclose a copy of the song for your perusal,- and if you find that what I say is correct, I look to you for a withdrawal of the statement circulated through the medium of your paper. It is a most serious charge to make against the management of our school that we allowed a song of an indecent character to be sung for the entertainment of our children.' I trust in the future that your reporter will either take no notice of any entertainment we may have, for if he does so that he will confine himself to what is correct in his report of the same. It is 'quite immaterial to me whichhe does.but'as Superintendent of the school I have a right to flemand that he adopt one or the other of these two courses. —Edward Hammond. V

A little girl named.Agnes Edgar, daughter of Mr William Edgaf,' contractor, was acci dentally drowned, yesterday in the garden well, at the back of her father's house. The girl and her brother were playing together, when, all on a sudden, the lad missed his sister. He called her by name, and receiving no answer, looked into the well, and per ceived her body floating on the water. He ran into the house and acquainted his father of the occurrence, who immediately got the body out of the well, and sent for Dr. Stock well who, upon reaching the^hcmse, and ex amining the body, pronounce^t to be dead. An inquest will be held to/morrow afternooa at the Sfar Hotel, Newton. • ' '

. We regret that Untoward circumstances si ottM have robbed the Volunteer represent ( tatives' reception on Saturday of a great deal 1 of its intended genial character. Saturday is a bad day for such ceremonial as few men ] care to be away from their work on pay-day. To secure a good tnuster of volunteers and ' the use of tbe besb band procurable, the I welcome was fixed for four o'clock at the Britomart Railway station, and as the steamer conveying the representatives arrived in the morning Lieut. Payne was commis sioned by Captain Burns to wait upon them at Oneliiinga, explaining the difficulty, and request that th-sywouldentertainthemselv.es at Mr Hardingtdn's Hote), till the departure of the three o'clock train when they would be ormaily received and c scortei tb rough the city. Unfortunately for the success of the welcome only the carbine champion took any notice of this reasonable, mtmlgo. The others came into fcoVrrt Sarly, and took no part in the de monstration which w»s intended for them equally with Gunner,; Bell. Captain Burns must be acquitted, of M desire to make the affair exclusive for*ws happen to know that thnt officer finding «Mt Major Gordon would not move in the matter, took the whole resposibility of preparation on his own shoul ders Kven refreshment* at the drill-sbed, which were ordered for 6.00 people and were thrown open to the public, were ordered in this officers own name. It is certainly to be regretted that there was not more co-opera tion between the various corps on such an occasion. This lassitude must he blamed in a. m-eat measure to apathy on the part of the officers. Among the latest items of intelligence from England comes the announcement of the death of *Dr Jabez Burns, the father of Pawson Burns, one of the leaders of the Temperance movement-.1:. The deceased was very popular, both as a' preacher among the Nonconformists, as an author of numerous religoua books, and as a public speaker in connexion with the anti-state-church party, and thoP eace,'and Tem'nerance societies. Dr Burns was born in 1805 of humble parents, in the radical town of Oldtaam, once represented by Cobbett, and since by W. J. Fox, (the Norwich weaver boy) of the league newspaner. After receiving his meagre education at Chester, Dr Burns was placed in a religoua drapery establishment where he became a student of scripture and felt an unconquerable desire to become a preacher. It would be difficult to as certain the number of field and chapn] preanherp, which tbe drapers' shops of the world would have furnished. Shoemakers havo ororlucod their poets by scores, but drapers have supplied all parts of the civil ised and uncivilised world with theological drapers by hundreds. Dr. Burns was one of the most fluent and most popular, and it is interesting to read his self-laudatory bits of autobiography; where he speako with a kind of joyous pride of his escapes from the drapers shops at Oldham and Leeds into surrounding woods, with the birds for his orchestra and the trees for his whispering audience. Dr. Burns, however, succeeded in becoming a popular preacher, and after a number of vicissitudes, settled down at Paddington'Green in 1835. as the minister of New Church-street's Baptist Chapel, which position he held for forty-one years. Among his numerous, publications his " Christmas Philosophy" seems likely to live the longest.

On the 9th inst the Wellington Cricket Association had a meeting to discuss the pro posals of the professional All England Cricket Eleven visiting New Zealand nrxfc season. It wan resolved to communicate with the other Colonial clubs before coming to any conclusion.

The Naval Brigade have called a meeting for this evening at the Thames Hotel for the purpose of inaugurating a Rowing Club. Volunteer- Armstrong and the rest of the Thames Reproprntativcs at the late Wanganui Prize Fifing left Auckland to-day by tho s s Durham. A banquet and public reception await them at (-irahamstown.

Mr. George Sihbin sells to-morrow at 11 o'clock 20 tons of fine Adelaide flour, 100 mats Honolnlu sugar, 90 sacks of Fiji maize.

Yesterday evcnini?, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Rev. .1/ B. Simpron delivered highly interesting and carefully^ prepared discourse on Ireland's patron saint. The rev. gentleman gave a brief but exhaustive sketch of the career of St. Patrick, illustrat ing his theme by many anecdotes and much poetical description. Father Simpson bids fair to become a great favourite amongst his people. He is specially descriptive in his style of address,, and fails not to impress.

Yesterday afternoon, a little nfter five o'clock, a son of Mr Joseph Craig of Fort street, was missing from his home, and has not since been heard of. He was dressed in a light knicker-bocker sait and straw hat.

Mr Jenkins, M.P., the author of " Ginx's Baby," Agent-General for Canada (says_ our London correspondent), noisy and sometimes terribly silly as he is, has, made a hit in his "Devil's Chain," a five shilling hrochure on the drink traffic, which he has jupt published. It is a remarkable pamphlet-without doubt, very clever and very startling. Startling it most cerbainly is in its naked truth, for Mr Jenkins has tackled, subjects which through fal&e notions of decorum are too often blinked. He shows the horrid consequences to both sexes, and in all grades of society of an over-indulgence in drink, and he has not scrupled to call attention again to a certain notorious dancing' hall in London, much fre quented by members of the upper ten. The probable consequence will be that this haunt of "gilded vice" will be closed this year, at any rate strong efforts will be made to stop the scandal. About midnight you may duriag the season see half a mile^ of broughams stretching down the street, driven by "tigers," these boys and broughams belonging to flash members of the demi-monde, for whose amusement we license these rooms by Acii of Parliament. Somewhere no doubt these things will go on, but we ought not to permit such an open display of wickedness. The journeyman bakers of Auckland held their half-yearly meeting on Saturday even ing at the British Hotel, which was well attended. The report and balance-sheet shewed the society to be in a healthy condi tion. The bakers' business was, in the old country, considered unhealthy, but bakers in the colony are not subjected, to such changes of cold and heat, nor are they compelled by " hot rolls " to keep such unseasonable hours as are the white slaves of England. As a proof that the floury trade is healthier in the colony, we point to the fact that the Auck land bakers have had but one sick brother during the last half-year. The report and balance-sheet were utismtnously adopted, and the whole of the officetf re-elected. A special parade of the members of the Hobson Company will take place to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at head quarters Wellington-street. .' A special meeting of the members of the Templar Benefit Society is announced for to-morrow evening, at the usual place. The Concert given at Otahuhu on Wednes day evening to raise funds for school requisites gave the greatest satisfaction. There wbs a very good attendance. Messrs W. and F. Reed came over from the Thames on purpose, and their programme of twenty pieces was one of the most entertaining things imaginable. The members of the Naval Brigade will meet this evening afc Mrs Grattan's, Thames Hotel, for the purpose of forming a rowing club, most of the members have a decided predilection for the water. The members of No. 3 Company, A.R.V., are reminded that the annual inspection will tike place on Thursday evening next, at the usual hour. Every member is particularly requested to be present, as this parade materially affects the payment of the annual capitationi-grant. The:first class-firing will be held onjWednesday morning next,

It will be seen by advertisement that the s.s. Ptowena will leave for Tauranga on Wed nesday ntxt at 5 p.m., the time being altered to enable the boat to get down in time for the regatta on Friday. At the request of the Tauranga ressidents Captain McGregor has consented to the steamer being used as flag ship on the occasion. A simple casfi cams on to-day at the Police Court about an old bucket that had beer, in use font years at least, and wag considered to bo worth sixpence. Legal expenses and court costs amounted to about £0 9s, which would have purchased fcrty4hree new buckets at 3a each. Verily this is folly !

Mrs Mary Oolclougb, better known by her literary uM tie vlwmo of Polly Plum, has returned to New Zealand from her Australian tour in the cause of woman's freedom, and is sftiyiiig jit present in OhrJstehureh.

The Parnell Highway Board have received the sum of £457 from the Colonial Treasurer, being an allowance at the rate of 13s 4d in the £ on the amount of t,he annual rates col lected. The promises of the General Govern ment as regards grants of money have been so often broken that the sudden windfall has come rather unexpectedly, and ha 3 naturally created a gond deal of interest touching tbe way it will be spent. At a meeting of the Board on Saturday ->evening it was resolved that the first work carried out should be the improvement of the 'direct road from the railway viaduct to the Barrel Hotel. At present the ,'gradicrifc ia by no means regular, and ■■trie steepness and inequalities of the road cause all vehicles to take the back road skirting Mechanics' Bay. By raising the level of the road about four feet at a dis tance of a hundred yards from the viaduct and tapeting away up and down the hill a much easier ascent can be obtained, and this it is purpesed to do at an expense of between three and four hundred pounds. Mr Ham mond has received instructions to prepare the plans and specifications, which will be ready in a few days. The importance of this work is not to be estimated from its local value, though that is undoubtedly great. It must he borne in mind that the formation of the new Beach Road from Mechanics' Bay to Custom - house - street will re move the necessity of vehicles nego tiating the pipe-opening hills of Alten Roud and Shorfcland-street, and will probably ren der the route via Pirnell the popular chan nel for the traffic frbrn the "i* Sou* Road, which at present prefers ie enter Auckland by the Kyber Pass Road and Upper Queen street. When the Beach Road is finished, the hill upon which the new.' work is pro posed to be done will be the only one of any importance on the Parnell route. It ig therefore advisable, if Parnell wishes, that is to say, to attract traffic and; go ahead, in htead of lingering on in its present aristocra tic languor, that the Board should try to smooth down this the only rough place left, and in our opinion they have made_ a very wise choice of •■ an undertaking on which to expend their extra funds. While on this subject we cannot avoid calling attention to the unnecessarily circuitous course which the Beach Road is made'to take by being carried right under the cliff till it joins the Strand Road close to the base of Constitution Hill, instead of as it might be with a little management on the part of the Harbour Board, over whose property it would trespass, being taken across from Dr Campbell's frontage to a point opposite Stanley-Btreet; We are constantly hearing of buildings being pulled down, property being boughty arid heavy compensa tion being paid to ttake the highways of traffic in cities more*direct. So it will be in years to come with the Beach Road ■if the present plan is persisted in. How much better would it \>e before the neighbouring allotments r.re let to save all this future ex pense and trouble by having the road made atraight at once. Business of importance will bo introduced this evening at the Harbinger of Peace Good Templar Lodge, Cook-street. The Lodge will be formally opened in the usual terms by the Worthy Chief at half-past seven o'clock.

TELEGRAPHIC

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day,

A meeting of creditors ro John Bridger (draper) vf»s held to-day ;.^asseta £1505, liabilities £2525, It was resolved to liqui date. Messrs C. C. McMillan and James McCosh Clark were appointed trustees. At a meeting of creditors of 8. B. Percy (publican), the liabilities were set down at £255 ISs, assets £180 12a. The meeting lapsed for want of a quorum. Tho Pumping Association are obliged to chip 25 inches off the lift to-d^y to draw the bucket owing to incrustation. From tho Advance claim, gold a& the Tararua assay waß valued at £3 8s sd* The total church collections yesterday for hospital were £47 12a. 2d.

COROMANDEL

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. ; The first set of races under the Coromandel Turf Club for St. Patrick's Day is likely to prove a very great success. There are eight nominations ior the Coromandel Handicap Plate, and seven for the Burble race. A large number of visitors are expected from the Thames- If we had' any owner of a steamer inter ested in Coromandel, we might look for an excursion party from Auckland on Eriday. Nothing from the mines since Saturday. Owing to the drought [Bennett's battery has stopped crushing. Should this dry weather continue no crushings can he carried on which will be a great loss to the Tokatea and Bismarck companies.

PORT CHALMERS.

(From our own CorresDondent) This day. Sailed : Ship.Waimafce, Captain Peek, for London, with a full ca«go valued at £232,020 including 546 bales wool. £20,000 worth of gold and 35 passengers,

NELSON.

(From our own Correspondent.) , This day. The s.s. Wellington arrived : yesterday. She was put on the hard and scraped last night. She leaves at eight o'clock to-night. The Lynch Family Bellriugers aboard, they open at Wellington on Wednesday.

WELLINGTON.

v (From our own Correspondent.) This day. Contractors on Strike. There is an astonishing kick up hereto day. AH the men working on the reclama tion contract have knocked off. There are all sorts of stories afloat about the affair, some of them not j reflecting any great glory upon the contractor's sureties, who are said to be hard nails. At any rate the contractor seems to have been entirely in the hands of his sureties, as it is they who always drew the money on account of the work performed. Another view of the matter is taken how ever. It is stated that the' contract as a whole was taken too low, but itbat portions of it, such as the cea wall of (piles and the first part of th'a filling, would g^y, while the bulk of the work to be done yet will not pay at \ all. The circumstances are, the talk of the town, because a great many men are em ployed on the work, and the contractor is well known as a good natnred and nob very wide-awake old man. \\

DUNEDIN.

(Per Press Telegram Agency) This day. When the Coomerang waß'leaviag Rattray street wharf at midnight, Saturday, part of the boiler gave way, one naan and two circus orses scalded.

Temptation to Fasten a Kingdom.

THE WOULD-BE COLONEL AND U.S^ COMMISSIONER A. B. STEINBER. GER IN CUSTODY.

DISCOVERY OF INTERESTING DOCU MENTS.

COWTIUCr STKINBTffiGER - GQDTWT.BOY BASED EJJ 0* LMJDALH AOT HOMAOT NEU TRALITY

(From otir own Correspondent.)

Samoa, Feb. 25. j Whes in March last Steinter was landed o he" with quite an extraordinary show, a SlStag M own, good, honest and . aWe Kingrlom. Presents, consisting of some Small brass pieces of cannon and a gathng . ™ w^Vientea to the S.mowjby^jn bereer in tbfi name of the U.S. President, ?J everything went on quite plea- SaSome time after * Steinbereer'a landing, a JXJ&9+* held ** Mohjean when ■■ bis credrotiaifl werfi; to be read, the new W Star Flag to be hoisted, and other festivities to come off. , < Captain Irvin, of the TuaearOMl, « the ' said meeting read a letter from the U.b. Re sident to the Samoan Government, which the .natives took to be all right, and to contain less than the promised American protectorate. However, the here-residing foreigners who were present' thought that inut this little requisite was missing m the said letter, and at once put down Steinber <rer as an adventurer, and what is worse they bavo never since had a chance of altering their opinion about the noble motives that brought him here.s. , • , The Tuscarora remained here for about two months, and Captain Irvin did his best to uphold a good reputation of Steinberger; even a notice was stuck up sirred by Gapt. Trvin, in which he declared .that Stein berger had enme here as a friend of the Ramoans, and that nothing was more distant from his views than mercenary purposes. Even after this soft-solder the refractory foreigners could or would not believe m Steinberger's philanthropy, and only the natives/iwbo thought if Steinberger were not the man, the big U. S. steamer Tuscorora never would hive wasted ro much time nor such a sumptuous display in landing merely a Mr. Nobody. . ' After the festivities had passed Steinberger persuaded the natives to believe him to be a good friend and a well-wisher of theirs, and finally managed to be appointed by them ' their Premier for life, arid in this quality a . constitution, according to contract and his own convenience was published and the con tractors considered themselves fairly em barked in their laudable and humane enter prise. Steinberger was so self-denying that he refused to accept from the Samoans any salary for the first year, by which the Ramoans were confirmed again in believing they had found the right man in the right place. However, as Steinberger did not wish to keep all his good luck to himself he per suaded some of his former " chums" to come here from the U. S. and bo accept a billet. Several of them came, and as they came not provided with fnndß, they soon commenced to pump the Treasury, and- as this in stitution is generally empty, a disagreeable feeling commenced crowing between Stein herper a*d his officials. Steinberger per suaded the King and hia chiefs to raise a little cash for them. These good harmless people have never been in the habit to work their Government with money, at least not with money to any extent. They however provided for him a few hundred dollars, and when these were given and gone as soon as they had bsen received, and the Samoans were asked again for more, they commenced thinking to what the|luxiiry of white men in a Samoau Government/ ipisht bring them ; they consulted with one ind^'the other of the old white residents here without yet being able to come to any conclusion. ' In December last the B.M. steamer Barra couta arrived here. Her captain, Stevens, heard what was going on with Steinberger. The U.S. Consul accused Steinberger of a breach of neutrality, and as no U.S. man of-war ship was in port, solicited assistance from the Barracouta, and had Steinberger's schooner Peerless, armed in war and under American colours, seized and sold. The natives, seeing these things going on," now began to doubt in good earnest Steinberger's reality, and they came to the conclusion the best for them would be to get rid of their Premier. However, they did not know of any means how to dispose of the man, until at last they came to do the right step in the right direction. King Malietoa, 1., wrote a lettef to the U.S. Consul, requesting him to relieve the Samoans of Steinberger, whom by his own acts they were now convinced was only a low adventurer, and bo the U.S. Consul applied again for assistance to the chivalrous Captain Stevens, and one fine morning English marines were sent on shore, and removed the " Premier" from his humble palace to on board the Barracoutaj where he has been detained ever since. » Most of hi 3 helpmates imported from the U.S., on seeing their meagre allowance here, left again almost as soon as> they arrived. The only man here now.is Major Latrobe, who perhaps remains waiting for his share in the expected profits of his contract. From whatever little people have seen of Steinberger and his doiDgs, they all came to the conclusion aa the natural resources of thsse, in reality, only pg6r islands, would not allow the " Premier " in an ordinary way to coin money, that something extraordinary must be at the bottom of his enterprise, and as he came from the land where the great "Barnum" is at home, it was often sus pected that some great American scheme would be heard of ere long, and so, when only a few days ago, the above-given con tracts became known, people were not at all surprised at the philanthropical tenor of the document, but they were greatly puzzled about the quarters from where the enterprise emanated. On reading the contract by dis interested parties, it sonuds, perhaps not so harsh as it does to a Samoan native, a settler or people engaged in business on these islands, for them it will show at once how merciless the scheme aims at nothing less than at the destruction of all of them. The whole contents of the contract maybe impressed more or less into the following items viz. :— Ist. Steinberger under the title of U. S. Commissioner, sneaks himself into the Samoan Goverment, and in this position and by his home endorsement pledges himself to work out his laudable and humane pur poses expressly and solely for the benefit of and to oppress all other business connections etc., etc. Colonel Steinberger is to use all his influence to have the Samoan Government recognised by the United States, and the German firm oblige themselves to exercise all the influence they possess, direct and through the Imperial German Consul, who is the salaried manager of their es tablishment at Apia, to have Stein berger's Government acknowledged by the Germans. This precaution is very likely uiost desirable to substantiate the landable and humane contents of the contract for the ruin of so many old foieign residents here, and the reducing of a bo far free native people to slavery, can certainly not be any odds against the execution of such noble and philanhrophical notions as the con tractors have manifested in their laudable aad human enterprise. If the recognition of the Samoan Government by the foreign powers had been obtained, the said contract would have caused grief to the white

residents here who do not TJartafcTTTir contractors benefit, they might have it ' R perhaps a way and means to work awTi IP the contract, and the contractors deem <? • SP convenient to insert in the document a * of damper for such an emergency and M? the circulating medium was got up ChV P ian gold and Bolivian silver coin a"1 latter the so-called iron money, imao,*'j , m the* establishment of GodeftW? ? L; circulating here now at about 20* W cent above its standard value, i?? shrewd innovation would Dot only v fet, enabled the contractors to do a prtf9 '■fit extensive aud remunerative businesu withn ■ \ m the outlay of a dollar, but also to draw or the country the present solid silver eire ing medium, and besides disenableaUtheTi I outsiders of the contract to do any hw at all, for they never could nor would h/' for money, y/hich would be reckoned 1 I valueless' to them, and thus neoesßtv p wftols trade of this group would V ', into the laudable and lmmane^to*' Steinbergef'-Gc>deffrqy. B£=2 § .;> manoeuvres, tkc SJwnoan Gfc==; 5 have established sh« feyatenfE j article C makes it 3 corf==j§ < t fl contractors could say. TK« seft,mentoj f| land property enable Godeffroy's, 1 own some land on these islands, to1 '"'-' 11 get good titles and have an old I' and tiresome question without trouble I arranged. However, after this item be settled 1'! then, of course, all further land sales shallbe! W transacted under strict control of the Govern- '' ment. The article for the introduction of >! foreign labour^epeaks for itself GodeffroVj 1 are the only labour-holders in the Samoa* Group, and so this article is moulded fo r '•' them as easy as possible. It has been fortu nate for the foreign residents as well aa for the Datives that this great enterprise was ■ kno^'n Wore it took anyteffect, as this great : : trouble io the foreigners, and perhaps a war -f I'; amongst the uatiyes, have, most likely, been I avoided. . I

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD AT BRITISH CONSULATE, APAI, SA. MOA, ON THE 14TH JANUARY, 1876.

Mr. S. F. Williams, H.B.M. Acting Consul; Mr. S. S. Forster, U.S. Consul; Mr. .Alfred Le Poppie, Assistant Consul for Germany, and I sixty-one foreign residents of Samoa. Mr. Williams : The representatives of foreign powers have requested you to attend at this Consulate to-day to hear the result of the deliberation of Captain Steytens, of H.E.M.S. Barracouta, and ourselves, 'which took pkce oti hoard that ship yesterday; and we desire 1 that you will in all respects be guided by what f is set forth in the proclamation lam about to ; read to you : — Inasmuch as the Samoan Governmerft have thought fit to set aside, interfere with/and ignore, the legitimate jurisdiction and authority § of the foreign representatives of foreign powers: in Samoa, and have committed and adopted several malpractices in direct opposition to : civilised laws, customs, and usage, and v have; % wilfully endorsed these actions in every respect '-.'■ when represented to it (the Samoan Govern- |' ment) at the public conferences of the 24th,:'. 1 27th, and 29th ultimo, in the presence of they undersigned and Mr. Layard, H.B.M. Consul for Tonga and Fiji, and the Captain of H.l.M.'' h German ship-of-war Gazelle; and we having :$■ this day assembled on board H.B.M. ship Barracouta in the interests of our respective ' nations to discuss and decide what course we I should adopt for the proper protection (of the ;/!' safety), freedom, and protection of property of |§ our subjects. Be it resolved as follows :— Ist. That no subject or citizen of a nation l, | which is represented lay a/ Consul shall be I arrested without the consem of the'said au thority, as previous to July,/i873. 2nd. That no laws in lany way relating- to foreigners shall be carriedV into effect in aay | respect. V ; ..■ j, ■', § 3rd. No Samoan shall be\ allowed tlput 1 | irons on any foreigner at anY time untes so I ordered by the foreign Consul. '-^' I | 4th. All trials and condemnatiorA^herpfe I made by this present ..GovernmenfyMraA r subject or subjects, oi^^against a \& citizens of any of the nations as are_re-!|||,!^|. | by an accredited official, such official! V■ * | and approval not having been obtaineij ft^, |' shall be pronounced null and void, fy :N|^ p sth. Foreigners in Samoa belongh| :M:| nation which has no representative^..,.,^ ■-..* k country shall be entitled to obtain protection '«■ from any Consul in Samoa that they may | choose, provided always consent tosuch pro-, .|; tection be given from such representative, but 1; under such circumstances it is to be distinctly §, understood that they the said foreign subjects p seeking the protection of another flag shall | forthwith register themselves in the, consulate : of the notion, that the flag represents; and shall X thenceforth be subject .^to and governed by the | decision of the Consular representative of the : said nation. \ \ 6th. All persons of foreign extraction residaig || in Samoa, and held to sei-vice sod labour shall be subject to and governed only by the laws of their employers, his or their nation. . ■ : 7 th. From time to time lists of such persons ; as are referred to in paragraphs 5 and 6 regis tered in each Consulate shall be furnished to | the Samoan Government. ~t m Bth. And we finally withdraw our subjects,' * and the citizen from the jurisdiction and m fluence of this Government; until the Samoan Government consent to foreign representatives having due authority in the framing of their laws, and they, the v subjects and citizens, are, hereby withdrawn. ' . ■ • ■. D ; Be it understood that the claims in this Pro-. | clamation have not been framed or set form | for any other purpose than that of. the protec- | > tion of the lives and property of the subjects ot -j foreign representatives enumerated above, ana ;. for their security and safety, and they are hereby enjoined to commit no impropriety ; : whatever, and are expected to behave as they would do in their own native country. ■ Given under our hands at Apai, Samoa, | Navigator Islands, this 13* W | ofjanuaiy, 1876. .. (Signed) C. E. Stevens, H.M.S. Barracouta. I A. L, Poppie, German Consul. | S. S. Foster, United States Consul--: S. T. Williams, English Consul.; ; : | Mr. S. Dean proposed a vote of thanks to JV the three Consuls and to Captain Stevens, «■ | Her Majesty's ship Barracouta, for their con- | duct in the present crisis. v \ >'M Three cheers were then given for consp \/p and Captain Stevens. ~, ■ VjjKv. Mr. Williams, the':British Consul^ ;p|| returned thanks. *•■ i«' ,. *rf;; 1

Meeting held inths Armoury on; t day of Feb^uafy, 1876, for^ <r Samoa: An> edict of dismiss^ >j£s*K &c, and the" removal froi^;. T£ rK o 5 of his Premier, Mr. A. Btfctt** f' ; p. Present: His Majesty Kingia^ tain Stevens and Consuls, and iA •-■. . J '■■■l'.. Turner, Acting Interpreter for Oi ■ , a ':! The proceedings commenced l^ t t^e y" the King sending for Mr. Steintr years, ;! On Mr. Steinberger's arSldes|at Stevens requested His 'Majesty'•■^■■.l ':<■■■", ; (Mr. Steinberger) the question p^H-i Captain Stevens, and sent verballjr. J! *> Majesty. . . "'-■"' His Majesty asks;'Mr. Steinberger y; j he has any arms cbncjeakd about-his peifi . 1 Mr Steinberger-Isfo^decidedly no. jr r His Majesty then 'reads the^awiw follows:— '~' ;■ r \j' ''' I desire the attention of all chieH,:,.; > Samoa group. lam thoroughly et^ |j that Mr. 'A. B. Steinberger, the Premier, .0. removed from office and from this B^V-JJ . reasons for this desire are that he has pro ■, . to be a liar and an imposter j that he na , the cause of all the' troubles which uu * insults offered by our Government ro , Representatives in Samoa of the & ivm1 ■ _ United States Government. And iP h X vinced that if he be not at once remo^_ will be the-cause of the.ruin of my w - ' ment and nation., ,It is difficult, for me, ever, to deal with an American citizen, dc^ :!; I am unaccustpmed.to.the manner 01 or

"fjttE iVmiINfai'SiAfiTMOKDAY,-



O E L L 1 N G PAST Our Prices inßiire a Rapid Sale, therefore we are not OVERSTOCKED AS OOR NEIGHBOURS ARE! «*••••■■■■•■•••••■•••••-•»-• • New Goods now Unpacking: olt Squares from 14/6 each gtair Floor Cloths, 18 x 22 Inches wide Briliiant Tap Brussel Carpets at 3/11, Bailable for Hotelkeepers Furniture Cretone Cloths at /11J Wide Tiolrs at/6f. White Sheeting, 2 yds wide ..1/1 per yard „ „ Twilled, 2 yds wide./.. 1/6 , „ „ Plain ana Twilled, 2J yds wMe.. 1/9 „ Goo dWaterproof Sheetinl,. at !/. ..... 3/9 ~ 7-4 Colored Table Coveialrbm 3/6 B A.L AN 0 E OT Oim/STOO^fL°P PRINTS ■ we are clearing'ai'/4f i wojcth /6J; /6f >orth /i Toilet QuUts for Single Beds, 4/11 ■ ~, ' Ditto,'large size, 7/11 ' r . Fringed ditto, from 9/11 to 16/6 Axminster Door Mats at 2/11 Furniture, Bedding, Carpets White and Drab Stays, 2/0.1, worth 4/6 Silk UihbreHas, 7/H, good value. . HOLI/'OW A V & 6ASLIGE, ■OITT HALL, Queen-street, Auckland. aaateiTi jr. -. ■ ■■■ ■: ■■ ' <■>. ••_.-,.,■



AUCKLAND SUNDAY ScHOOL J\. X UNION. y< The Annual PiTDlicM«etin!» wPToe held in the Hall cf the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, Wellesiejr-Jtreet, on TUJS^DAY BVEIING. March 14. Th« Chair will betaken at 7301yJ. C. Firth, Esq., P'esidert of theTTnion, I Hpeechos will hp^lelivered en topics in connection of Sunday SchQcrt Work, by Rev C M Nelson, Rev A Reid, Rev J^fwarlow Davies, and Rev W Harris. '':' CHIEF POST-OFFIOS, AUCKLAND 'Mails will CtOBK as n-oiiiiOws :— For Thames this clay at 5.30 p.m and to-morrow at 2 30 pro. For Ktpanga Tier Mraaia, on Priday next at 7 a m. For Russell, Wangnroa, and Mongonui pet Argyle, this dov at 4 p.m. For Taranski and Southern provinces per Hawoa to morrow, at 8 20 am. For Wangarel, etc.. per Sovereign of the Seas, to morrow, at 9 a m. For Opotild. per Effie Mcikle. to-morrow, at 9 a m For "Waiwera, Kawau, and Matakana, per Annie Mill b^nk, to-morrow at 10 .im. For Trvphena, Great Barrier, per South Carolina, to-morrow, at 11 a m. For Port Fitzoy, per Water lily, to-morrow, at 9 am. For Giaborne and Napier, per Southern Cross, to morrow, at 3 p m. For Ta-anaki an^ Southern nrovinces per TaranaM, on Thursday next, »t 10 31 am For Wnngarei, etc., per Argyle, on Thursday next, at 4 pm. ™N.8.~A Post Offic« has been ripened at Upper Parnell. Mails are marie up at this offios daily at 7 30. Return mails are inado tip at 830 p m (Signed) 8. B. BIS 3, Chief Po^^j,