SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH nf.on.ooii, 1131; io-mo-M*. -noraifit-, 1154 BUN HET Thin evening, 448. BH_sf RISS-To moiTow rooming, MOG/Tfl AGS—Full Moon, 7th June, 1216pm

ARRIVALS.

ianpn, g.. wowp, from tho South m\ , Rip, br__.ai.tin_, Dunn, fram Lyltellen Flsmore. schooner, Dam. from Rnssel! Favonte, g c hoon_.r. Savory, from New Caledonia wellinsr'ton, ss, Carev. from Wellington Llew.ii yn . S5 McGillivray. from Lovuka Eche. schooner, from A wnnnl JSUbv, schooner, from Port Charles

DEPARTURES.

Pretty Jane, s s, for Gisborne and Napier

IMPORTS.

t"er Favorite from New Caledonig—4B oolts Canvas so oaes liquors, 80 .American ssh (jars. 49 oases champac"- c, 27 tons salt. 2 barr-j^ cem ent 2 cases plants. 53 nieces earthenware, il esse s or anges. X cases sundries, 1 tin oil, 2, tins macaroni-M xnccol, acre^t

Par ss Wellington-^ CMes clieese 7 cageß ro]l bacon, 2 nws b»rd-.f h Hall and Co ," Kns»nn°7 Rose—9So sacks oat 3, 550 sacks flour, 100 b-.es do- ~f H Hall Md 0o For He-. Rj n frnm LyitePon-700 sacks rotntoes. 30 flacks o^ts, ifio s-.cks flour, 240 bags do, 2 cases ST s *' 5 kolrs Gutter—Maste-, agent. Per Llnwe'lyn from Levuka-IIS4 !bag9 maize1; 12 cases fruit, I case arrowroot, 1 casa sundries, R pgs. 3 boxes, 16 baes coooanuts, 13 baprs peanuts 2 bags arrowroot, 10 bars beans, 160 bunches bananas— ASP Co. atr-nts.

Per Wellington from tho South—4 cases cheese, 3 kegs butter—R Arthur and Son 18 p?s and cases, 1 keg, S3 sacks oats, 132 sacks potatoes 35 cases ch<wse. 1 pkg saddle?, 8 cases bacon, 215 bass barley, 30 cases fruit, 3 keo-s butter. ° now*, 190 sheep, 6 cases butter—W F Wheeler agent NZ?,S Cr. .er *'*' T^'fPo ffom the South : 8 cases, 15 boiler 0 vl° h'**s tobacco. 32 cases ham and cheese, 8 sacks bf.r OTl| 211 sheep, 13 cases meats 14 cases arms, 1 hale, fin sacks malt, 1 bale hops. 10 sacks malt, 10 one es butter, 260 sheep, 1 bale hops,—Henderson ana Macfarlane, agents.

The schooner Fearless, late the property of Mr Niccol, is enpaged In the Übour trade between New Caledonia and the Islands

The cutter Tradewind, which left for New Ca'edonia four days after the Favorite, arrived oafely after a passage of 12 days. She hai been sold to Messrs Rntaboul and Purrh. of that nlace

The ss tlewellvn arrived from Fiji at 1.15 a.m. Captain McGiUivrav reports »s follows .—The Steamer arrived off Levuk* at 10 pm on Thursday. tthe l"th, after a nassa?e of six days. Lay off all night, and entered th» nort next morning. Took in corpo and left on Monday the 22nd inst, at 5 pm. Had fresh SE winds and fine weather at starting, and for first two d«vs, and after that light 8E winds and fine weather till making the land on Sunday at 1 pm. After that had strong SW winds and squally weather to port, Pasaeneers—Messrs Simpson, Truscott, Kevin, and Rev Mr Ross, Miss Sinclair.

"The schooner Ruby brings 32,000 ft timber from Port Charles

The Echo frem Awanut brings 160 bags maize, 16 pics and 2 bales wool,<

The 8-hooner Favorite, Captain Savory, arrived from New Caledonia on Saturday night with a cargo of salt, liqueurs, wines, fruit &c. She left Auckland on the 11th April and arrived at, Noumea after a fine weathor poßsng* 0 f 14 dayo. Left Noumea for Auck land 19th May and had a succession of heavy Easterly and N.E. gales throughout the passage. Was hove to for 18 days during a heavy gale on the 23rd inst. The cabin was filled twice, the mainsail .plit and other sHtrht damatre was done. Made the New Zealand coast on Friday morning last and h»d light fine weather into port ; arrived at 10 p.m. on Saturday. Passengers: Captain McQuarrie, Captain Lloyd, James Wilson.

The schooner "Waiwera has cleared for Wangaroa With a oargn of, sundries.

A preliminary enquiry into the wreck of the Sarah nasi been j.ob_g on to-day before the Collector of Onstoms. The enoniry was private. The Falrlle had just finished dischargine, and was about to load for this port when the Sea Kip left Lyttelton.

The hrlgantine Sea Rip arrived from Lyttelton ihis afternoon, after a passage of 0 days. She brings a cargo of potatoes', flonr, and wheat The captain reports strong northerly gales to the "Rust Cape, and fr»sh SR breeze from the East Cane, which was passed yesterday. Passengers—Mr and Miss Dunn. Tho ss Tnupo arrived from tho Fouth to-day with W»e followincr passengers :—Mrs Francis and family. Messrs McPoug.ld. McNeil, Hawkins, Butler, Webh Poole, Nadon, Helper, L Levy. Lennox, Mr Iyons and family, Mr Hume and family, Messrs R M Pe«d, Tift, Frances. McDougald, McNeil, Ward. McLean, Harris, Cox, Butlpr Bu'liy. McKuno. Bu»s»ll. Hawkins. Feruusson, Twigg, Captain Leith, and fourteen in the steerage. The brigantihes Stranger and Oceola have both finished dler.ian.imr and aro now faking in ballast. the Favorite left Noumea, an offer had been made to rvnrehase th<» steamer Southern Cross (which is still lying there under an injunction not to trsde in the coa»t). The negotiations were expected to turn out genuine, and it was expected that they would end in the vessel changing hands.

COMMERCIAL.

At Mr L. W. Eaton's sale of surplus stores to-day, the attendance was good, the bidding spirited, and good prices were obtained.

Messrs Cochrane and Son held a sale of properties to day at their Fort-street Mart which was well attended. The family residence at Brighton-rosd, Parnell, lately occupied by Mr Booker, realised £340. The parcel of land, consisting of 335 acres, and known as Beeson's Island, Coromandel, sold for _£335.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will Close as follows:— For Thames this day, at 6 30 pm, and to-morrow at 2 30 pm For Coromandel on Friday next at 2 30 p m. For Bussell, Wangaroa, and Mongouui, per lona, on this day, at 4 pm For W&iwera, Kawau, and Matakana, per Anne Millbank, to-morrow, at 10 am Mails for India, China, Medeterranean ports, Con tinent of Europe, United Kingdom, via Snez and Southampton, and via Brlndi-l, will be made up per Taupo on Tuesday, 30th instant For Wang _rei, etc* per Argyle, to-morrow, at 4 pm For Tryphena, per Three Brothers, to-morrow, at 3 pm Per Australia, on Monday. June 5 as follows :— For Sandwich Islands, United St-tes of America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 11 a m For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at Ham For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, at 10 a m Late letters hearing an extra fee of Cd in addition to the postage, will be received by the mail agent on board up to the time of sailing. (Signed) S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

MARRIAGE.

FEATHERSTONE—FLEETWOOD —On the 14th instant, at Upper Queen-street, by the Bey. P. H. Cornford, Robert Featherstone to Catherine Fleet wood, both of Auckland.

DEATH.

WATTS—On May 29, at Upper Symonds-streot, Auckland, Henry T. Watts, Pharmaceutical Chemist, aged 46 years. The funeral will leave his late residence on Wed nesday afternoon, at 3 o'clock.

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

MONDAY, MAY 29, 1876

For the caure that lacks asifatanc*, For the xrong that, needs resistance, For the future in the distance,

And the good that we can do.

Councillor Goldib, in pointing out an apparent hardship to certain ratepayers, is not altogether correct in his premises. The Mayor has already moved and the Council have agreed to levy the special rate of one shilling. and on Wednesday next, it is In tended, in compliance with the Act, to confirm the resolution. That certain streets, where the dwellings are few and scattered, do not at this time appear on the pipe-track chart is true, but there is little doubt tha_ by the time other ratepayers are enabled to enjoy the benefits of the water supply, means will have been found to extend mains in the very small portions of the city excluded, the whole expense of which will be about £600 only. The proposed rate is absolutely necessary, and required to payintereston the loan of £100,000 now being expended, and this with little provision for Binking fund for loan or working expenses. And unless the opinion of many, that interest on loans for public works during formation should be charged to capital ac count is legally applicable to the waterworks, the rate ought to have been levied twelve months since. The great burden of this rate will not fall, as our correspondent would infer, on the suburban residents, but, as usual, upon valuable commercial buildings in the city. For example, a large business premises, without residence attached, and, perhaps, using little water, value say £350 per annum, will pay the special rate £17 10s per annum ; while the waterworks' rate for such premises would be only 2£ per cent., or £8 15s. But in a matter of such vital im portance to the public health of a city, we must rise from the consideration of purely direct benefits to the more important ques tion : Will not the public as a whole benefit from the supply of pure water ? Street fountains, of which there jare upwards of thirty to be erected, facilities for extinguish ing fires, in the plugs which are to be placed at distances of nearly every hundred yards ; reduction in the rates of insurances, (which should be of a substantial character) ; means of cleansing the sewers and watering the streets in summer weather, not omitting the benefits to the cause of temperance; and, above all, the Balvation of the lives of chil dren and the prevention of diseases in

adults, who are now drinking from wells into which percolate drains and closets ; are all important consi derations. The city has borrowed the money, and the interest and principal must be paid. Individual hard ships, or the benifiting of one district at the expense of another, it is the duty of our councillors to prevent at a proper time and in a proper place. The present pro posed rate is insufficient for requirements, so that it is useless to talk of reducing it, except by the suspension of the sixpenny special rate. The proposal to Ooii-un power to further borrow, adding to the burdens of che ratepayers, has, we believe, been under consideration for some time, both to pay off a portion of purchase money of the Western Springs Estate, and place the City Council in a position to finish mains through every street and alley, and, if desired, to make contracts to supply mains and_ water supply for the various highway districts abutting on the city, but we are not aware whether the proposal has assumed any definite 3hape. We believe with Mr Goldie that some further borrowing will be inevit able, but the ratepayers must look very carefully into any proposal of that kind submitted to the Council.

The prizes won at the annual meeting of the Auckland Bifle Association will, be dis tributed by the President, J. C. Firth, Esq., at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms this evening. The proceedings will be of a very interesting character, and it is hoped that a large attendance of members and intending members will give eclat to the occasion.

The final practice for the Grand Festival concert on Thursday, will take place in the Choral Hall on Wednesday night.

At a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Harbour Board ail application by Messrs Jones and Vare that they should be refunded the interest upon the £2000 deposited as security for the construction of the dock was considered. The Chairman pointed out that the difference made by the allowance of inter est on the deposit -'would have secured .the contract to the second tenderer, nnd he had been informed that this condition of the con tract was taken into consideration in framing the estimates upon which that tender was based. Under these circumstances it was re solved that the interest on the deposit in the present case be retained by the Harbour Board, but in future works the allowance to Contractors of the interest will be specified for the benefit of all tenderers.

Mr Dennes is determined to put his patent washing machines to the test, and challenges the Auckland washerwomen to the battle. The struggle for £3 a side will take place at a lime-light entertainment od a day to be announced, and any hand-washer, who gains the day, pockets £3 for her evenings work. If she fails Mr Dennes generously pays in 50s to a charitable institution.

The members of the Naval Brigade Variety Troupe are willing to give a performance in aid of the unfortunate sufferers by the Wairoa boat accident, but aro in doubt as to whom they should apply to. If tho leading movers in tho effort now being made to raise subscriptions will apply at this office, we shall be in a position to place them in com munication with the members af the troupe.

The meeting of the shareholders of the Alburnia G.M.C., which was to have been held to-day, fell through for want of a quorum.

We are indebted to Captain McGillivray of the Llewellyn for files of tho Fiji Times to latest date, and to Captain Savory, of the schooner Favourite for New Caledonian papers.

The Government have at length circulated the Friendly Society's Act which is to be introduced during next session of the Assem bly. The Bill is an adaptation of the English Act.

Mr George J. Brown has been appointed Postmaster at Gisborne. While in the Auck land office Mr Brown has officiated as organist at St Mary's Prcrnell, and will, we doubt not be regarded as a great acquisition by the music lovers of Poverty Bay. -

A little girl, the daughter of Mr Gilbord, of Wellesley-strect, was the means of pre venting the outbreak of a fire last evening. As people were on their way to church, about six o'clock, a blaze was seen by Mr Hughes, superintendent of the Fire Brigade, at the back of Mr Gilberd's premises. Mr Hughes, on going to the spot, saw tho little girl busily engaged throwing water on a mattress, which was on fire. Mr Hughes immediately assisted, and the fire was speedily extinguished. Tho cause of the calamity could not be ascertained. The mattress was left out in the yard for an airing, and it is possible that a spark from somebody's pipe might have caused the flame.

We learn that the shareholders of the North Shore Ferry Company are about t° call a meeting for the purpose of considering the actioD of the directors in sending a repre sentative to England to purchase a steamer.

Sir George Grey left town on Saturday afternoon, for a few days at his island resi dence at the Kawau.

The roads in the rural district of Pukekohe West, are said to be in a very bad condition; things are reported as exceedingly quiet, still several new buildings, and school teach erß' residence under the Education Board, are in progress, which the settlers recognise as signs of better times.

The bodies of Polkinghorne and Williamson have not yet been found, although search has been vigorously made between the Thames and Coromandel.

The Pakuranga hounds will meet on Wednesday at the kennels, Howick, and on Saturday at Ann's bridge. The hour of meet ing at each place will be eleven o'clock a. m.

Some wretched thief found his or her way into the ante-room of Lome-street Hall, and purloined therefrom the silver communion cup belonging to Mr Edger's Lome-street congregation. Mr Fleming, the careful secretary, on opening the box, just before the commencement of the morning service, missed the communion cup, which must have been stolen by means of a false key. We hope the pilferer will be soon in the hands of justice.

The Choral Society's grand concert will be given to-morrow evening in the Choral Hall, for which a full rehearsal will take place to night at half-past seven o'clock. The concert will consist of secular, instrumental, and vocal music from the best composers.

The first of the Total Abstinence series of lectures will be given this evening in the Albert-street, Temperance Hall, by W. L. Rees, Esq. The subject will be " Washing ton, and American Independance." B. Tonks, Esq., (Mayor), iB expected to fill the chair.

Messrs O'Donough and Earnshaw brought their pleasureable entertainment to a satis factory close on Saturday evening, and the Marionettes made their farewell bow to the good people of Auckland. The performances were the same as on the previous evening, with the additional excitement of the giving away the prizes. The Marionettes have had a successful run in thiß city, and which we hope will follow them in their future travels.

A large drove of fine fat cattle has reached Kaipiha from the King country, and may shortly be expected in Auckland.

Bishop Cowie held a confirmation service yesterday morning in the little church of Ponsonby. The church was well filled on the occasion, and eleven young women took upon themselves tho responsibilities which their godmothers took for them when tho young women were little girls. The sermon in the morning by his Lordship, was preached from the text to be found in the Gospel of St John, c. 20, v. 17. Bey Mr Breo preached in the evening from Epheßians c. 5, v. 12.

The chairman of the Otahuhu Highway Board has received from the Colonial Secre tary's office a reply to his demand for the Government grant due to that highway dis trict. £46 19a lOd, on the promise of which sum of money the Board appear to have entered into certain required works, the con tracts for which are about complete. The reply from Government to the worthy chair man is the reverse of satisfactory, and reads as follows : "The Government therefore find themselves reluctantly forced into the posi tion of being obliged to impound moneys payable to the Board, until tho cost of the approach road to the station is recouped." It must have been with an "agony of reluct ance " that the General Government were forced to the position of "sticking to the money." There is no doubt in the minds of most people that the General Government's agony of reluctance is being screwed on with respect to nearly every other Road Board, and apparently with equally good reasons. In the case of the Otahuhu Board there ap pears a barefaced injustice. The total amount of their rates is about £G0 per annum. They have a large extent of country to expend it on, and do not find their funds at ail ade quate to the requirements of roads already made. The General Government grant of 15s in the pound was hailed as a great l.oon, and its seizure to pay the cost of the railway approach is considered by them to be a great swindle.

The Great Maori Feast at Parawai.

Prom ITotss Made on the Ground

OBJECT OF THE FEAST.-LIQUORING

UP AT SHORTLAND. According to promise, I send you a short account of what came under my notice at the Maori feast at Parawai. This feast was given by the Ngatimaru tribe of Kawaeranga, to the Ngatipaoas, in exchange for one given to them at Whakatiwai last year. When it was known that the Ngatipaoas had arrived at the Kauwaeranga Creek, the landing place was crowded with Pakeha and Maori spec tators anxious to see the visitors. In the beginning, all was confusion, but soon after this the men and women got on shore, dashing through the crowd like so many red-hot plough-shares. Many of them made straight away for a liquor-up, and instead of rubbing noses with old Taipari and bis party, they rubbed noses with lamp posts and pavements of the streets. THE HAKA AT PARAWAI. Having done ample justice to John Barleycorn, the dusky crowd proceeded in their boats and canoes to Tarawai to th« feasting ground, the party then landed amid the shouts and cries of the men and women; a circle of some exceedingly dicrepid and decaying old women blocked up the road leading to the tents, shaking their hands and and repeating the uhunga tangi, whilst a mob of spicy-looking young women went through the stupid dance-song called " Haka," whioh disfigures and distorts their appearance. Some of these women fancied themselves very beautiful to look on, and all tho young bucks of the place name forward with painted cheeks and feathered heads, laughing and grinning in all the arrogance and assumption of the Maori lover, like so many wild boars down from the bush. Perhaps the most picturesque scene that appeared, was the old Maori warriors, with their mats and blankets hung from their brawny shoulders, while their hand, grasped two mero-mcros, the formidable greenstone weapon used in closo combat. The eyo of the looker-on was more struck with the form of these men, who wrlked up and down the ground with per fect ease, grace, and symmetry. INDECENT DANCES. A number of well-dressed women were to be seen in close and mysterious consultation, and as many as could get the grip of a shil ling seized on it to buy rum. When they had taken a drop of the waipiro these women leaped on tho ground, and forced their way through the crowd with an clastic springi ness truly surprising, chanting their old Maori ballads, and singing their new love songs in true maori style. One mad-cap fellow who was trying to imitate a pig by crawling all-fours abouttho ground, happened to run full-butt in amongst a lot of young women who were engaged performing the pukana feat, or tho wriggle-dance, so often used by the men and women at these feasts, and so celebrated for its coarseness and invo lutions of tho body; in executing thewriggle danco the Maori women aro ignorant of the common rules of decency, stripping them selves of all their clothes down to the waist. FLAGS COVERED WITH BANKNOTES. When the feast was properly opened, a gang of women came with high hats pro fusely trimmed with ribbon of different colours, wearing flounced skirts and black dresses, headed by Big Emma carrying a greenstone mere-mere, Margaret and Kerita lianga with flags in their hands covered with banknotes sewn to the flags. It is said theso amounted to £200, and were given by Rapana and Taipari to the feast. The women cried out in loud voices as they came along the road, "This is the gift of Ngatimaru to Ngatipaoa," waving the flags in the air that all might clearly see. A crowd of people ran to welcome the fair women with the flags, when they made their appearance before the Ngatipaoas. This was the sign that all restrictions would be immediately withdrawn ; here the half of the grog and eat ables were then re-opened to the visitors. It appears that attempts were made to stop the drinking by old Taipari. It was a bona fide performance on his part, but I am sorry to say that the demeanour and hardened carelessness which characterised the conduct of the mob throughout the meeting, led to much disorder and Britishlike conduct. Old Rapana was called the " Governor of the Feast and the head banker of Shortland." In astonishment, the Ngatipaoas beheld the showers of money, and tho packs of food of different kinds standing in compact rows completely occupying the ground. They said there was never such a feast of money and food given before. DISCUSSION REGARDING DRINK. Some of the old men in their speeches said that the sale of spirits should be put down at Shortland. This question was left for the law-makera and law-breakers to consider. Mrs Hoterene said, "It is true I at one time drank. I experienced the evil of it, and gave it up in consequence." The head chiefs*, in their speeches said, let no time be lost if you meet here to-day to talk over our land matters ; let our desire be con [ firmed by all the Maoris present. ' The Nga ' tipaoas, Ngatimarus, and Ngatiwhanangas, and all the other tribes of Hauraki, should agree to put Mackay in position as manager of native affairs. He is the proper person to answer for us. We should devote our whole energies to the business henceforth. The old chief Nopehea said : The Ngati maru had plenty of land ; it was nearly all bush land on the hills. Although hilly land it had turned out rich with gold. Many old friends had gone to the world of spirits. Papana holds the cards now, and is compared to a cat watching ootside a hole to catoh a rat, because he devotes his whole energies to getting the money for his miners' rights. The love of money is the root of all evil. Among the Maories it is true that love of gain is greater than virtue. They believe there is no security in the laws, which arejno sooner made than broken. COST OF THESE FEASTS.—THE GOV ERNMENT PAY THE PIPER. A native feast is the scene of a wild revel. Hundreds of pounds are spent in keeping this custom up to the point. I was told that up wards of £800 had been spent in getting up the feast at Parawai. The Ngatipaoa's intend to give a return feast in a month or two, to the Ngatitnaru's, and preparations

are now being made to raise the wind. In 1 all probability a hole will be made in the , Government chest, and immediately plugged up and covered with Maori land on the top of some barren hill, some dense forest, or sickly swamp unfit for use. It is evident now that if many more Maori feasts of this ex travagant style are given, the natives will, ere many years, become nothing more than a lot of beggars in their own dear country. IMMORALITY OF MAORI PREACHERS. The cloak of religion covers a multitude of sins. Though many of the natives go to church, repeat prayers, and sing psalms, few really understand the doctrinesthey profess, many of the Maori Missionaries lead very loose lives,, and ignorance is very largely caused by these Maori preachers, or native teachers, who allow all kinds of rude and licentious practices to go on in their villages, and to shun the light of day as much as possible. I'hey do not Appear to cultivate the useful arts of civilization among their fellow-countrymen. When I went to Short land, I expected to find that these native teachers had sufficient influence at their different Maori Mission Stations, to prevent the use of intoxicating drinks amongst their people, and that the natives had derived from the presence of their native teachers benefits pronortionftte to the vast sums that aft. raised for them, but in this expectation I was woefully deceived at Shortland. There is a cloud gathering over thesej^sort of Maori preachers, which may probably grow into a storm. Shortly after the feast at Parawai was over, there _ was to be seen a dissolute mob, increasing in vice. Alas, what a change took place. Maori songs of national lore, were sung in the open streets by the balf-drunken men and women, who went about the streets from one grog-shop to another, and got their nobblers at all hours sf the night, Indeed, it can scarcely be said th_.t Shortland is ever really quiet; silence even in the middle of the night is occasionally broken by the thumping and beating of drunken men or women, who wander through the streets singing aloud, and clap ping their breasts. What is still worse, these Maori preachers, instead of being the friends of law, are to be found worming their way in disguise, through the maze of iniquity, which is carried to the highest perfection, at Short land even. THE OBJECTS OF A FEAST. It is well known to those who understand the real meaning of a native "Hakare," that the primary requisite is feeding and cramming. So it was in the olden times. Now you may see singing men, and singing-women, well dressed, even the aged women shewing their figures to perfection, by stuffing and cushion ing their hair, and swelling their heads out to a large size. I have heard that upwards of fifty pairs of hiph-heeled boots were bought by the native ladies who were the food car riers at the Parawai feast. As these women placed the kits of food before the visitors, the exploits of the single and married caused raptures of laughter and admiration.

WATERWORKS.—WHERE IS THE ENGINEER?

(TO THE EDITOR.)

Sir, —The ratepayers of the city are about to be taxed to a large extent for the water supply, and it is important that this work should De carried out in a satisfactory man ner. Will the water pass through the pipes when the work is complete ? There do not appear to be any air or scouring pipes pro vided. The specification provides for a certain amount of lead to be furnished to each joint. Who i 3 to certify that this pro vision is carried out ? While the contractor is represented by his engineer, the sub contractor, and his foreman, there is no one on behalf of the engineer to certify to the correctness of the work. This gentleman is paid the handsome consideration of £3,500 to see the work properly executed. What has he done to earn this ? With the excep tion of one gentleman who hops about like a cock-sparrow in Queen-street, there is no representative of the engineer's department to be found upon the work. His Worship, in the interest of his constituents, should see to this.—Yours, &c, Argus.

CAMPBELL'S COWS

(ro THE EDITOR.)

Sir,—As I happen to livo in the immediate vicinity of Worfolk-Btreet, I was amused at the ingenious way in which Campbell, in your last night's issue, tries to get out of the charge laid against him. I have repeatedly seen his cows driven to and fro in front of Mrs Grainger's premises, not in the same street she lives in (for unfortunately there is barely safe walking room for bipeds there, especially after the late heavy rains,_ and I am sure if cattle were to attempt it they would either be bogged or break their necks), but across the only useful work the Highway Board has done for the neighbourhood during the last eight or nine years, the bridges in Lincoln-street. Now, why the owner of the cows cannot have them driven round the Richmond road, the main road of the locality, instead of across bridges built expressly^ for the convenience of foot passengers, certainly leaves one with the impression that it is only done out of a bull-headed obstinacy and determination to annoy. I would not have troubled you with the above, but I do not like to see a woman, when telling the truth, given the lie direct.—l am, etc., A Resident in Spbingbank.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.) Sib,—May I again trouble you with a few remarks ? If there were a little more man liness among us, and a little more of doing as we would be done by, and a little less envy and malice for we know not what, there would be little cause for a respectable and lone woman to have to appeal either to a magistrate or the public papers for protection and assistance. Law, order, and decency are repugnant to the feelings of a certain section of the community, and .there appears nothing so delightful to the visions of both sexes as a really respectable woman to operate upon, because they know how very much she will endure rather than make her grievance pub lic. If, hjwever, she happens to be that rather unusual thing—a fearless woman— Bhe is immediately assailed with every dirty missile. Touching these Campbells is some thing like touching tar, and this is why I have never complained before. But whether it be the unjust behaviour of road boards, or the vicious annoyances of such people as the Campbells, it is not by any means to their credit that they give such cause of complaint against them. It is no doubt very mortify ing to these men that there are such things as road boards, and would be|still more so if the said boards did their duty. I affirm all that I stated in my letter of complaint, and could have said a great deal more. However, the Campbells and their cows are very well known on this side of the city. This closes my remarks upon the subject. —Yours obliged, Edith F. G. Gkainger, Norfolk-street, Ponsonby.

For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do,

(To the Editor of the Evening Star ) Sir,—As there has been so much controversy about Mr Lupton and his "poor labourers," I am happy to inform you and all who may be interested, that he paid the whole of us our wages last Saturday evening, 27th inst. At the same time, would you please inform us whether there is not a law in existence to the effect—That, if a sub-contractor fails to pay his " day-wages" men, the chief contrac tor is bound to pay the same. By answering the above you will settle a diversity of opin ion prevailing among the labouring class, and oblige—Yours, etc, One op Lupton's Men. — [So many law points arise in endeavouring to recover a sub-contraotor'a debts from the chief contractor that it is next to impossible for working men to enforce payment. A con

tractor should, however, see that the Bub contractor is paying his men's wages.— Ed,

MR EDWARDS' VINDICATION.

To the Editor of the Eveniko Stab. Silt,—The Grafton Boad School Committee have favoured you with a truly characteristic letter—a wily evasion. No amount of loud asseveration can justify their disgf iceful conduct. I was practically Depended Upon a trumped up rumour, without a chaace of s^lng a word in my defence. To equivo cate upon the word " relieved "is unseemly, ihe Central Board did not confirm the decision of the l_ocal Commit.cc, but very kindly stretched out a hand to screen the Committee, as any one may plainly see by comparing the reports of the two Com mittee., Was 1 not refused a public, enquiry ? Was not my solicitor prohibited from watching the case Was I not denied the assisfcantie Of a *elatiOn or friend f Wa. not the nvidence of seven adult witnesses, ■Which was favourable to myself, Omitted from the report forwarded to Ihe Central Board ? Was Eliza Lank h.m ever called upon to give evidence ? Did not Mrs Batger learn fr.mj Mr| Lankham the day before I was suspended that the rumours were without foundation / Wa3 the si-isrtiest particular given me to enable me to set up a defence ? Btit it is " impudent to expo.c the conduct of such gentlemen. Policy would have suggested to lick the feet of my oppressors, but when my character is assailed, my last effort shall defend it. I am, &c ,

William Edwards. [We think Mr Edwards would act much more wisely if ho contented himself with defending his character and refrained from attacking others. He may he the unhappy victim of a groundless suspicion, hut the evidence taken at the inquiry fully justified the committee in the course they pursued, and unless Mr Edwards can offer some better vindication than Invective he should keep quiet.—Ed. B.S.]

CABLEGRAMS.

[PRESS agency.]

Melbourne, Saturday,

The cargo of barley, per Prosperity, from New Zealand, was sold at an extreme figure. The National and the New Zealand insur ance companies are in for £1,500 each in the recent fires. The fire at Sandhurst, yesterday, did dam age to a considerable extent.

Sydney, Saturday.

Mr Parkes, the leader of the Opposition, has carried his resolution for the expenditure of the sUrpluß revenue in a comprehensive system of immigration and public works. The schooner Mary and Christiana was totally wrecked at the Clarence Heads. The crew were saved.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before B. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M., and P. Comisky, Esq., J.P.) DOWSWARD. Still they come, still they come, Votaries of beer and rum ; Still they go, still they go. Where Edenic pastures glow. George Pollard and William Waters, were each fined ss, for being drunk on Saturday evening. Mary Howley, a very old offender, was fined 20a or 48 hourß, and seven days additional. Andrew Macdonald forfeited his bail. A DISCREDITABLE HOUSE. Mary Ann Johnstone was brought up under the Vagrancy Act, charged with being a rogue and vagabond, and with being the occupier of a house frequented by thieves and prostitutes. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, she had a hus band who sent her five pounds per month. Detective Jeffrey said that prisoner had no occasion to lead a disrepatable life, but she persisted in doing so. He received a com plaint about the house, and went and found three men there in a state of drunkenness ; they were drinking brandy. Joseph Crow, residing in Victoria-street, deposed that for the last six weeks prisoner had occupied the next house to his. There were continual brawls in the house among drunkards and prostitutes, and it bee .me so bad that he was compelled to lodge a com plaint with the police. The language frequently used was very bad. Detective Grace deposed to scenes that he had witnessed in the house at various times, especially on Sunday evenings, but his evi dence was unfit, in its nakedness, for the public eye. The scenes were abominable. Sub-Inspector Pardy said prisoner bad frequently, during the last five years of her reckless life, promised to go to her husband at Sydney, who had often sent money to pay her passage, but she would not go, she seemed to prefer a life of profligacy. Prisoner said Bhe was not bo bad as she had been represented to be, but if the Bench would lot her off she would leave the coun try. The Bench could not believe her, and sen tenced her to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. ! BIDDY COLLINS. Mary Collins, alias "Biddy," was charged with stealing two pairs of boots, value 15s, from the shop of Mr Benjamitx Crocker, on the 27th instant. Prisoner, who had only just come out of prison, pleaded guilty. The Bench said tradesmen should be care ful in exposing their goods at their shop doors. Mr Crocker said that his goods were not exposed. The prisoner walked in and deliberately took the boots and walked out with them with the most perfect sang froid. He gave her into custody. Prisoner, who had nothing to say, was ordered to prison for three months with hard labour. STEALING A PURSE. George Pollard, a very old man, was charged with stealing a purse containing £14 in gold and notes ; also, eight receipt stamps, and a Highway Board receipt, the property of James Watt, on the 25th instant. The prisoner pleaded not guilty. He found the purse, but did not steal it. James Watt, poulterer, of Parnell, deposed that' on Thursday last he had a purse in his possession, containing the moneys and pro perty. His name was on the receipt. The money was in his left-hand coat pocket. He (prosecutor) was unfortunately the worse for liquor. He had been at the Exchange Hotel, Parnell. He found his way home j went to sleep, and upon waking up found that his purse had passed away with its contents. He immediately reported the matter to Con stable Jackson. The purse produced is the same that he lost. He knew prisoner well; lived in the same street for eighteen years.

To prisoner : I had no cause to suspect you. I do not remember seeing you in my com pany on that evening. Constable Jackson deposed that he arrested the prisoner on Saturday even ing on the charge of drunkenness, and when at the station he searched him and found the purse in his trousers pocket, containing one £5 note, six £1 notes, a half-sovereign, and the receipts. In another pocket he found 6s 7d loose in silver and copper. From the information previously received from Mr Watt, and the description of the money he had lost, he immediately suspected that prisoner was the thief. Prisoner said the purse, money, and stamps were his own; and not the property of another man. The next morning, when prisoner was sober, he again asked him about the purse, he said he had picked it up; he denied having changed a note at the Ex change, or to having appropriated any of the money ; it was exactly as he found it with its contents.

Mary Ann Devlin deposed that she was barmaid at the Exchange, Parnell, and that on Friday the 26th inst., prisoner came to the bar at noon, and had a drink; he tendered a pound note in payment. He said his son had sent him some money ; later in the day he came again, and called for two drinks ; she objected, when he said I need not be frightened, as he had plenty of money, and offered a £5 note, which he said he had got on a mortgage he had effected on his house.

Prisoner said he would not question the young lady's statement.

Joseph Baker, a gardener, of Bath-slreefc Parnell, deposed that he knew the pmotet and lived next door to him. On Saturdw there was an altercation between prisoner and his wife. Mrs Pollard had been out to work and on coming home sought admittance by knocking at the door. Prisoner roared out " Who's that knocking at the door'" HiL wife replied, when he said, "Get away out of this, you are drunk, and shan't come in " She replied,1 Pollard let me in,l am not drunk but you are diunk, on James Watt's money I suppose." He heard no more, there was a I dead silence, like a momentary sinking of the wind.

To the Bench : Ho had lived nine years in his house ; he knew very little of the prisoner's circumstances; be should not think it likely he would have such a sum of money in his possession, without mort gaging his house. This being the case, the depositions were read over to the prisoner, who said that he picked up the purse in Bath-street at seven in the morning, and one of the half-sovereigns about two yards away in a gutter. Had he known that the purse and money belonged to Mr Watt, of course he should have returned it; but he was kept in the dark until he got to the station.

The prisoner was then fully committed for trial at the next criminal sittings of the Supreme Court.

CIIY RATES,

Charles Hill, was summoned for non-pay. ment of city rates, amounting to 12s for pro perty situate in Union-street, Freeman's Bay. Mr Harrop, receiver of rates, proved the claim.

Judgment for plaintiff with costs. This was all the business.

THE RACES—(Concluded),

"HOTSPUR'S" REFLECTION THE SPORT.

TflE racing on Saturday, taken altogether, was the best that has taken place in Auck-

land for many years. The fields were good, and though the finishes were not particularly close, the difficulty which was experienced in picking the winner shows that the handi capping was good. Mr Percival, the secre tary, gave every satisfaction by his careful arrangements, and the Press are particularly indebted to him for his readiness to afford any information that was wantell. The' success of Major Walmsley in the Champagne Stakes was the most popular victory of the day j the cheers which greeted this gentle man when the clerk of the scales pronounced the anxiously looked for " all right," were refreshing to hear. I wish this excellent sportsman further success. This win was a slight compensation to him for the accident to his promising colt by Sledmere out of Moonbeam, which was alluded to by me on Friday last. The slipping up of Ariel in the Birthday Handicap, and the bolting of Isaac Walton, robbed that race of much of its interest, but it is a question whether the result could have been altered had the acci dents not occurred, for Ariel was going very unkindly, and Mr Watt's gelding won easily at the finish. By seleotion Bedouin would have made a better show had it not been that Mr Walters' colt ran against him in his capers, and nearly knocked him on to his haunches, thereby causing him to lose a lot of ground. The effort which it coßt him to ' recover this took all the steam out of him at the finish, after he had flashed to the front for a moment at the turn into the straight. The Don ran very gamely under his heavY weight, and his position at the finish showed Mr Etandley's opinion of him was not so far wrong. The three I picked out occupied the leading positions in ibis race, but I was unsuccessful in assigning then, their actual order. I wonder the Racing Club have not spent £10 on putting up a fence at the place where all the bolting takes place. One good mare, Rangi, was irretrievably ruined by getting among the scoria at this spot, and not less, I should imagine, than a dozen races have been spoiled, and yet nothing is done. The result is that many very un kind and not altogether undeserved strictures are passed upon the management, and the. sneer passes that if a certain big man had a horse bolt here, a fence would be put up at once. The result of the Champagne Stakes showed the wisdom of Major Walmsley on bringing out his colt on Easter Monday, and thus getting him used to a field of horses and a crowd. Aerolite was the only one of the four youngsters that ran at all kindly. Tho favorite ran very green, and for the first quarter of a mile did not seem to know what he was expected to do. The way he came1 up at the finish proved that he could have pressed the winner had he made a better start. He was a long way the most racing looking animal of the bunch, and has -a splendid stride. He will yet be heard of to advantage. The contest for stud honors in this race was between Derby and Totara, each of which had two representatives running. It has been usually thought that the Totara's would beat the Derby's, but the result proved in this instance the contrary. The " times " made in all the races was very poor as might be expected from the heavy going. The straight became very greasy after a race or two had been run, and it was to this cause Ariel's disaster was due. May Moon gave us another taste of her quality in the Hurdle Race, and handicappers will have to look after Mr Owen McGee S " novices "in future. She was the best bred animal engaged, and though she is a mere pony, standing but 14 hands, she is game as a pebble, and has a good turn of speed, The jumping in this race was particularly* , good. Waitara's missing the first hurdle was the only thing like a refusal in the race. My selections, Gainsborough and Darkie, took off the Selling Race and Cavalry Race in easy style, and why the Cross should say the latter was a gift to Derby I am at a loss to know. The starter, Mr Wynyard, the judge, Mr R. Graham, and the other officials were as efficient as could be desired in the dis charge of their duties. I should suggest to Mr Walters that he had better let Isaao Walton run his next race with his head in ft bag, and then possibly he may go straight, or at least he might try blinkers. ■■ Hotspur.

The following races came off too late for ourissna on Baturday:— , . ... „„* « Belling Bace, of 30 soys Distance, one mile ana a quarter. i Mt Jackson's m g Gainsborough • ,-• Mr Buckland's bh Eclipse . .. .. •• •• « M r Quinlan's b m Polly Plum, aged.. .. • •, v Mr Gallery's eh g Eclipse, aged .. .. m.J>q_ Mr Campbell's bg Derby, 4 years .. .. .••■., Betting: even money on Gainsborough; 3 to i agai-st any other. At the finish Gainsborough came i_. easily. The winner was put up to auction, ana was bought by Mr Bing, of Coromandel, for £61. ,- Consolation Handicap, of 20 soys. Distance, one mile. ■ » '■:■. !'J* Mr Young's br h Bedouin .. .. .■• "2 Mr Edgar's bg h The Don .. .. •• " n Mr Walters's eh m Hodea Bedouin won by two lengths, a lengh separating the Don from Medea. .. ■■ The Nixon Light House Cup (Pres/° ted _-by flft _h commanding officer), with a sweep of 1 e°v- eß\". Distance, one and a half miles. ; '■ ■ * MrW. Hunter'sblkh Datkie.. .. •• "2. Mr Searancke's Die Hard .. .. •• ~* g Mr W. C. Campbell's br g Derby .. ■■•• ■*' p Mr John Abbott's b m Confidential .. (..Darkey was favourite, and won easily. _ This race concluded the sports, which were u»» within half-an-hour of the appointed time. <

GOLCONDA GOLD MINING COMPANY.

Aw extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of the above c°mPa n7 r % Sj7 r ,. at noon to-day in the offices of Mr Robert Home, Insurance Buildings, for the purpose ~ of deciding as to the future^ operations m. respect of the mine. A cons.derablenumber of shareholders were present, F. wto«« Esq., in the chair. The chairman having explained the object of tha meetag, »« , siderable discussion followed, which Wgrf in the following resolution, fg&W? SgSjj j unanimously : "That the Goleonda .MWJ«« be worked by shareholders, and nc* ie«w\

fit Ifplii.wili MdiMf, Mif is, \m _WBS»SS«W-_B_SM!»»^iSK4s_«'_-__^^



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