SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH WATER — /This Aftkrnoon. 11 fS „_.._ _ (To- morkow Morning, 12. STJN- SETS-This Evening, 5 57. STTN RISK - YO-morrow Morning, 5 45 MOOtf'g AGS-First Quarter. 26th, 11 42 am

ARRIVALS.

Taupe, 33, from the Pouth Oifcf o£ City, PM ss, 3000 tons, from the South

DEPARTURES.

vi ".vciuey, i-M gg, sooy tons, for san Francisco, _ Via Kandava and Honolulu < English mall) Pnnt-o Alfred, birquentine. for Kaipara Vint, brigantine, McKenzie, for Lyttelton

IMPORTS.

<J!l W°fl? msV f«° m Lyttelton '-'6U sacVs potatoes.

EXPORTS.

rer oouiaern W os3, for Napier :-20 colls wire, 2 drums otl. 140 9aah weights. 7 bdls iron pipe. 15 bars iron, 1 case, 1 seed sower, 1 drill plough, 18 bales hoop iron. 2 casks hardware, 2 bdles scythes, 6 bars steel, 8 iegs white lead, 10 kegs nails, 2 nesta tubs, T and S

DEPARTURE OF THE CITY OF SYDNEY WITH THE ENGLISH MAIL.

The P.M. Co's s s City of -*ydtiey, left soon after 3 srclock thisjifternoon for San Francisco, via Kandavu, aad Honolulu with the English Mail on board Sho *pok the following passeDeers -—Bookedin Auckland, For Kandavu : Saloon—Mrs C*rey and. two children. iTor San Francisco : Saloon— Capt Keer, Mr Ander son, Mr C J Bostock. Mrs ,T L Campbell and Misses Campbell (2), Capt Henry Rurton. and Mrs Burton. JHr A B E~s«. For San FrunciSro : Steerage— Alexan aer Stanton, James "Porter, James Finlay T L Povnton. For San Francisco : From Wellington, tJ? Harter> T W JMgertwood. Steerage, I. From ijTttftlton, cabin. Mrs Graham. Steerage, I. From Otago, steerage I.

The PM Co'a ss City of? Sydney arrived from the South this moraine early. Passengers :—For Auck land, C J Bostock, W Talford, Mrs Friend and child, Mr Twentyman, Mr Murch, C Abraham, T H «haw, C E Watts, Mr Nancirrow Mr Abrahams Mr Macfar lane, Mr McOann, Miss Bright. Mr and Mrs Harding, Miss Wsrry. Mr Mitchell, and 2 steeraee. The birque Mary Ann Annison finished discharging ncr T,ytteltnn cargo on Saturday Captain Hushes muet be congratulated on tne state of preservation in wmch he has turned oat his produce Nothwithstand lng the heavy weather encountered by the vessel on Cne voyage not a•• ingle bag was damaged. The ss Taupo arrivsclm tho Manukau to-day with the following passengers:— Mrs Reynolds, M*s Cope and_ child, Me-srs Lally, Jones, Morrison, Cftpel, Levinshon. Williamson, Gnuk, Sneddon She left Dunedin 5 wn on ttie 19th, and arrived in the Mamifeau to-day. "We are indebted to Mr H. W. Earbor, purser, for files

COMMERCIAL.

Messrs B. Tonka and Co., held a large sale of new English furniture, ex Sam Mendal io-day at their mart. The goods consisting of chimney glasses, drawing room suites, lustres, and oil paintings realised satisfactory prices. The pianofortes sold from £27 to £50 each. The sale well attended.

Messrs M. Jones and Co., sold the schooner Venture to-day for the sum of £165. The purchaser was Mr Sibritzky.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING ASSOCIATION.

Bank of New Zealand—£lß 12s ; buyers, £18 10a. National Bank—Buyers, 68s. Colonial Bank (40a pd. up) -Sellers, 32s 6d. National Insurance —Buyers, 255. South British Insurance—Sellers, 563 6d. TTnioo Sash and Door Company—(new) 60s; sellers, 603 Homeward Bound - 2s 2<l, 2s 3d. Crown Princess—Sellers, 5s 9d. Waitekauri, 20s 6d ; buyers, 20a 6d. Queen of May, 9s 9d (paid up). ITnion Beach-Buyers, 50a ; sellers, 555. Tokatea-Sellers, 10s 9d. Tairua, (dble.)—Sellers, 20s. Golden Arrow—Buyers, 2s. 9d. United Kingdom, 2? 6d. Julius Vogel—Buyers. Is. Joseph Newman, Chairman.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mai will close as under: — or Thames this day at 530 pm and to-morrow at 3 30 pm For Coromandel per Argyle on Frday next at 230 pm For Russell. Wangaroa, and Mongonui per lona on this day at 4 pm For _ Waiwera, Kawau, and Matakana, per Annie Milbank, to-morrow at 10 am For Wanganui per St Kilda to-morrow at 1 pm For Taranaki per Go-ahead to-morrow at 1045 am For Wangarei Heads, Waipu, Wangarei, and Manga pai, per Argyle, to-morrow at 4 pm Signed) 4. B. BIBS. Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

MEYER—On the 23rd instant, at her residence, Symonds-street, the wife of Eliott Meyer of a daughter.

FARQUHAR—On the 21st Sept., at her residence, Hobson-streer, the wife of Alex. Farquhar of a son.

MARRIAGE.

BARKER—MAGTSE—On the 21st September, a the residence of Mr. J. Cnllen, Woodbine Cottage, East-street, Nbutou. by the Rev. Wm. Tinsley, John Henry, ol '• st son of Mr. Robeit Barker, to Milen Magee. to of this city.

BUCKBY—WAYJIOOTH—On the! 22nd September, at All Saints' Chur.:h, by the Rev. E. M. Bree, ■William Buckby, third son of the liev. R. Buckby, Byell Rectory, Pembrokeshire. South Wales, Engla.d, to Mary Ann, only daughter of J. Way mouth, Esg , Auckland.

DEATH.

MIDDLEBROOK-On the 25th September, at Dnke street, Newton, Henry Cockcroft Middlebrook, aged 15 years. The funeral will leave hia mothers residence, Duke street, Newton, on Wednesday, the 27th instant, at 8 o'clock p.m. Friends are respectfully invited to attend.

TIERNEY —On the 24th inßtant, at Cross-street, Newton, John Tieroey, aged 59 years. The funeral will leave his late residence at 4 p.m. te-morrow. Friends are invited.

GIBBINS-On the 22nd September, at the General Government Magazines, Mount Eden, Ellen, the youngest daughter of Thoma9 and Mary Ann Gibbins.

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

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1876

fm the cvtse that lacks uslxtxnca. For tue wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, Ajid the f cod that we c*n «».

While public attention has been mainly rivetted, in parliamentary matters, upon the great party struggle, a number of little measures have found their way, almost unnoticed, through the legislature. One of these is a little bill introduced into the Legislative Council by the Hon. Dr Pollen, to amend the Marriage Act. Hitherto, ministers of the United Methodist Free Church have only obtained licenses to solemnize marriages through certificates issued from year to year under the clause of the Act which provides for the registration of any parson who, although not connected with the denominations enumerated in the schedule to the Act, shall present a declara tion, signed by twenty-four persons, in the presence of a Justice of the Peace, certifying that the applicant is their officiating minister. These certificates, however, have to bo renewed annually, andithia condition was felt, of course, as a hardship by a large denomina tion like the United Free Church Methodists.

The object of the Amending Bill is to place the name of that denomination on the schedule, and make other alterations neces sary to bring the Act into conformity wish the titles at present borne by various religious bodies. The marriage statistics fo'1 1875 bung out the usual curious Jesuits. PtvsbyttirUa ministers maintain tht* la-sjes!; share of t-b« business, having celebrated 973 of the 3,209 marriages performed in the. colony, hue of these 444 were in Ofcago and Southland. The Church of England cornea next with 821 ; Wesleyans, 406 ; Rornaa Catholics, 381 . Registrars, 336 ; Primitive Methodists, S2 '; Independents, G5 ; B;ptis*q 63: Unite I Free Church Metliodis.s, 60; Lutheran, 9 ; Hebrew, 8 ; and Church of Christ, 5. Of the total marriages in the colony, the troth of virginity was plighted between 2,652 bachelors and spinsters. But the arch attrac tions of interesting and sympathetic widow hood had appeared superior to maiden simpli cityin the eyes of i 239 bachelor wooing hymen for the first time. The widowers were nearly equally successful in laying seige to the hearts of 203 blushing damsels, who in the first gush of love's young dream had permit ted themselves to believe that men who haVQ so large a share of tenderness in their composition as to prepare for a second sacrifice on cupid's altar, must be very nice men indeed. From this, it would appear that if the advice of the late Mr Weller to "bevare of viddies, Samivel !" was sage and salutary, a like caution is necessary to steel the hearts of the fair against the blandish ments of widowers. Only 115 of these gentlemen, we observe, risked being reminded of the merits of the late John Thomas. With the girls, the ages of from 21 to 25 are the most prolific in marriages, 1216 having em barked on the troubled sea of matrimony between these periods ; 263 had, however, commenced housekeeping a year younger ; 273 between 19 anrt 20 ; 215 between 18 and 19 ; 107 between 17 and IS ; 40 between 16 and 17 ; 12 between 15 and 16; and one young puss under fifteen considered herself equal to the responsibility of marrying a man of the mature age of 33. No man seems to have been equally daring, but the youngest placed on record is the case of a youth of seventeen who brought to the altar a blushing bride of thirty. Another gallant of eighteen had fallen victim to the well-de veloped charms of a lady who confessed to thirty-five. But very young marriages are, fortunately, not popular with colonial youths: only fifty-six masculine minors ventmed on the experiment last year. The ages of 20 to 25, gave up 767 to the order of benedicts; between 25 and 30 years 983 became husbands, and 40 were added between 30 and 35. Thereafter the numbers dwindle down gradually. One old couple, both over 65, linked their fortunes together, and four men who had passed David's allotted span, thought that they, at any rate, were not o'er young to marry, and while one selected a willing and buxom lass of 23, and another one of 27, the other two patriarchs, were obliged to rest content with partners who had turned 50. It may en courage some of our fair readers to know that, between the ages of 25 and 30, there were 592 ladies married ; 227 conquered be tween 30 and 35; and 133 over the latter age, and under forty ; while age proved no absolute harrier up to 70. We cannot, how ever, advise them to delay quite so long.

Mr J. L. Hall's impersonation of Kip Van Winkle has been spoken of as the nearest approach to Jefferson's world-renowned per formance, ever attempted in the colonies. The announcement of the piece on Saturday night drew a crowded house, many being turned away from the pit and stalls. We believe maDy who were present on Saturday who have seen the same part played by the best actors were of opinion that Mr Hall's impersonation was even superior to that of Mr Jefferson. To-night the piece will be re peated for the last time. We have been informed by Mr Lodder, that the Llewellyn did not leave Sydney till Friday last, and not on Wpdneßday as erroneously stated in telegram.

The Christchurch Football Club has enter tained the interprovincial representative team at a dinner, when the toasts included the Auckland, Nelson, and Wellington teams. The chairman (his Honor the Deputy- Super intendent of Canterbury, Mr Harman,) in the course of the evening said he had watched the result of the matches with very great interest, and had come to the conclusion that one member of the team particularly was deserving of some slight token of esteem from him, as president of the club, for his very excellent play. He scarcely need tell them that he alluded to one of the Potts Brothers —G. Potts—(Loud chers) and he had much pleasure in asking him to accept it in the shape of an appendage for his watch-chain. Mr Potts then came forward amidst deafen ing cheers from the the rest of the company, and the chairman presented him wf.u a gold model of a football, bearing the inscription, "Geoffory Potts, Interprovincial Football Team 1870," and also the donor's monogram.

One of Auckland's chief exports is that most valuable of all New Zealand timbers kauri. Kauri, to the mill-owners of the North, is an immense source of wealth, and it is a timber the demand for which is a grow ing one from all parts of the Colonies and from England, its chief uses being for ship bulding, house-decoration, and furniture making, Messrs Guthrie and Larnach of Dunedin have not been slow to recognise its great value, and with the view of possessing a stock they have just succeeded in purchas ing 3,000,000 superficial feet, equal to GOOO tons. This immense quantity is to be supplied to the firm by the Avcklamd Saah and Door Company, from their mills at Kaipara ; the contract time for delivery being eight months. To fulfil such an order as this, as well as to keep their own works going, is proof of the fact that the producing power of the mill must be something very great,— Otago Guar dian.

A correspondent under the signature of "True Education" writes attributing the prevalence of larrikinism among respectable youths, as complained of by a Ponsonby correspondent, to the neglect of religious education, and family worship. He says :— " Keep the only standard of right and wrong shut out of sight and mind and memory, and the result can only be dissappoinfcment to your expectations. The best school education of itself may only produce an intellectual scamp, a refined rogue, or cultivated criminal. The daily influence of the Holy Scriptures are as needful to a reliable character as is our common bread to a healthy body."

Mr Schwartze, watchmaker and jeweller, announces his removal to those new and well situated premises in Queen-street adjoining the Albert Hotel. This is the same position in which this tradesman carried on business before the destructive fire occurred which Bwept the block of buildings away that ex tended from Wellesley-street to the Thistle Hotel, and is now replaced with so fine a series of buildings, rivalling in appearance portions of the best streets in the leading cities of the world. Mr Schwartze has the latest improvement in machinery, and every facility for turning out the best work at his establishment. A good stock of jewellery is also on exhibit.

The number of illegitimate births registered in this colony during 1875 was, according to the Registrar General's Statistics, 198, or equivalent to 1.36 per cent of the births registered. This is considerably less than the English rate in 1873, which was 5.2 per cent. After that, who will charge the colonists with a lack of national virtuo.

Yesterday was an eventful day ■with the i coegregatitm and children attending Sfc. ! Patrick's Cataedral, and one which will long be remembered by them. In the morning at the 11 o'clock mass* the Rev. Father O'D*yer officiated^ and read the Bull of his Holiness, Piu3 the Ninth, pro <f(6,itniag the Jubilee for 1875-76. The Jubilee, we. may state, is a season of pec.m^e, when the religious fervour of the people may be more especially excited, and Wtien. if the conditions laid down are ob served, what is known as an Indulgence may be gained. A Jubilee takes place every 25 ye«ri. The reason why the Jubilee was not proclaimed here before was through the non-imp iint<nent of a bishop ; and when Dr M<<rar< received his authority from Rornt' -a administrator of this diocese, he immediately ordered its proclamation. The Jubilee season commences here on Sunday next, and will continue until the end of tho present year. In the afternoon, at three o'clock, the interesting ceremony of renewing the Baptismal Vows, by the children, took place. The children, all nicely dressed, the girls in white, with wreaths, and holding candles in their hands, and the boys bearing lilies and flowers (emblems of innocence and purity), together with the Inmates of St. Mary's Orphanage, with their pretty blue dresses and snow white hoods, altogether presented a most edifying and pleasing spectacle. The proceedings commenced with the singing of the litany of the Blessed Virgin by the children's choir, Miss Chad wick presiding at the harmonium. The Rev. Father Macdonald tkvin addressed those present, explaining the ceremouy, and expressing his gratification at tho edifying sight which he then witnessed, la doing so he passed high eulogiums on the indefatigable zeal of the Sisters of Mercy, who attended so studiously to the spiritual and moral education of the girls, and to the Christian Doctrine Society, of which Messrs Peter Dignan, Clifton, and Little, are most active members, for their care and attention to the boys. Miss E. Buckley, on behalf of the children present, then read fche usual declaration, and prayer being offared up, the proceedings torminated.

The Auckland Journal of Commerce ap peared on Saturday in a much improved shape. From comprising only four pages of matter, it now appears with twelve sheets of closely printed information of the utmost importance to merchants and shippers. The proprietors, Messrs Barber and George, have evidently bestowed much care and labour in compiling! their publication, which now de serves a foremost place in every merchant's oflice in Auckland, besides being likely to secure a large foreign circulation. It really constitutes a compendium of Auckland trade. The most prominent feature of the journal under its new guise is its complete list of stocks in bond. This is tabulated in the most elaborate manner. Every article of merchan dise is specified under its trade hfet.cHng, and iv parallel columns we hay in bond at the time of last issue; quantity received into bond from date of last issue to date of present issue ; quantity delivered for home consumption; do. delivered for export and removal coastwise ; imports d.p. from ship's side ; and stocks in bond at date of present issue. Such a record cannot fail to be vory valuable to importers and shippers. The present list comes up to the 21st inst. Then we have a list of exports tabulated as free, New Zealand produce, and Island produce. There is also a separate list of Island imports. The Hat of prices current is very exhaustive. Thus we notice no less than 15 kinds of brandy in bulk quoted, and 24 kinds in case. The information comprises stock and sharemarket reports, cargoes of vessels sailed and to arrive (with consignees' names), goldfields reports, shipping intelligence, exchanges, etc , etc. The proprietors have obtained a fair share of advertisements which are not put altogether, but are dis tributed, a few being put on each page. The journal is to appear every four weeks, and the subscription is £1 Is per year for two copies. If it is kept up to its present stan dard, it should be a successful venture, as meeting an acknowledged public want. Diptheria is very prevalent in Auckland at the present time, and especially among chil dreD. Mr McLeahy, carpenter, of Union street, lost two of his children last week by this disease; one died on Friday and the other on Saturday. The bodies were con veyed to the Presbyterian Cemetery yester da> afternoon, followed by a considerable number of sympathising friends and neigh bours. The " Bolton murder case," as xt was termed, has resulted in the conviction of three men—Birch, Ainsworth, and Atkin — of manslaughter, and in Birch being sen tenced to fifteen, Ainsworth to ten, and Atkin to seven year's penal servitude. Sel dom even in this country has murder been done on easier terms. The victim of the violence of theses ruffians, a man named Thompson, was literally stoned and kicked to death for no other fault than that he had accepted employment at some works where strike had occurred Iv passing sentence on the prisoners, the Judge. Baron Bramwell observed that "he knew of no tyranny so great as that which prevented a man from doing his best for himself in a fair and honest way. It was impossible not to feel indignant at finding that, because a man did this, he mush be beaten and his life taken from him. The outrage was a most cruel one."

It is a curious fact that last year, out of a population of 76,233 in Auckland, there were only 2,847 births, while in Canterbury with a population of 75,018, there were 3,345 births. On the other hand the deaths in Auckland numbered 1,491 ; in Canterbury, only 1.20G ; and in Obago, with a population of i 03,818, there were only 1,393 deaths. The proportion of deaths in this province to every 1000 inhabitants was unhappily the highest for the colony, namely, 19 56 ; against 16.08 for Canterbury, and only 13.42 for Otago.

The game of football has its admirers At Wangarei Heads. Our correspondent there writes :—"I pen you these few lines to let you know of a spirited and well contested game of football which waa played in Wangarei Heads, on the farm of Mr W. Proctor. The contesting parties were Parua Bay v. Wan garei Heads. The Paruaites were slightly heavier than their opponents, but did not seem to be in such good form as the Heads champions. The gatne, after a three hours severe struggle resulted in favour of the Heads by one goal an<? three touch-downs, against one touch-down to Parua. Con spicious amongst the players of the Heads were Mr George Caundle and J. Thatcher ; the later especially for his fine drop kick ing, and the former for his splendid runs. After the match was over, both , teams adjourned to the residence of Mr W,. Proctor, were a merry evening, consisting of danceing and musio was spent."

Mr Stewart, the proprietor of the Albert Hotel, Queen-street, has found it necessary to make large additions and alterations, which an increasing business seemed to re quire. The Albert is the largest hotel in the city, and was built mostly with the view of accommodating travellers and families, and since its establishment it has afforded a com fortable, well-conducted home for many ladies and gentlemen. The additions made by Mr Stewart comprise 35 single bed-rooms and 3 suites of rooms for families. The hotel therefore contains over sixty bed-rooms ; there is also a new dining-room, 18 by 38, capable of dining sixty persons with comfort; also a new parlour, 28 by 18, elegantly fitted up, and commanding a beautiful view of the city. The whole reflects credit on the enter prising proprietor who seems resolved to keep pace with the times. The new Primitive Methodiat?JChapel at the corner of Franklin and Wellington-streets, is being pushed on very rapidly, the frame work being now so far put together as to indicate in outline the shape of building.

The children of the Various Sunday-schools in the city were yesterday furnished with a circular in respect of the projected Industrial Exhibition, which is to be held in the Drill shed, on the Prince, of Wales birthday and five following days, viz., from the 9th to the 15th November. We understand that num bers of little fingers and heads are at work for the forthcoming display, which will equal if not surpass the childrena exhibition of 1874. The exhibition, as before, will be under the direction of the Auckland Sunday School Union. The Shetland papers contain a story of the descent of the Icelandic volcano of Askya by two men, who found themselves at a depth of 3000 feet in the crater, on the brink of a lake of boiling water. This is an exciting story, and would be more so, had not one Jules Verne taken three men—Professor Liedenbrock of Hamburg, his nephew Axel, and Hans, a guide over a mare internum at the botaom of Snsefell in the same islnnd on a raft of " su-rtubrand" taken them a sail for hundreds of leagues under the earth, and landed them safely at a port in blurab-line under Etna, when a providential eruption ejected them on the Sicilian meadows. The art of inventoin is dying out. Dr Carr, the mesmerist and phrenologist, has been exchanging civilities with the editor of the Wairarapa Standard. The following letter from Dr Carr, said to have been for warded to the offending journalist, has been published :—" Sir,—l beg to return, in half penny stamps, the one and four pence you paid me four months ago for a chart of your head. In doing so, permit me to say a word in explanation. During the 25 years I have been in active practice, I have examined all kinds of heads, from the head of a sucking pig to that of a barber's pole, but your head is. without doubt, the most extraordinary phenomenon of the kind I ever witnessed. But for the fact that you presented the thing to me poised upon a pair of human shoulders, I should have imagined that you had made a mistake and brought the fore-quarter of ,a jackass to be operated upon. 1 have often heard your readers complain of the unmiti gated twaddle with which your columns are rilled, but if they had read your head as I do, they would not be in the least astonished. — I am, &c, The Doctor. It is said that a difficulty is likely to occur about the visit of the English cricketing team. Wellington and Nelson have declined to come into the agreement concurred in by Dunedin, Christchurch, and Auckland, and there is the additional stumbling-block that in the two great Southern cities their cricket grounds are so held that no charge can be made for admission. A. select quadrille party in connection with the Hibernian Band, will meet to-morrow evening, in the Cook-street Hall. Dancing to commence at eight o'clocfe The town and country division of Nixon'a Light Horse Cavalry Volunteers will meet for their half yearly inspection this evening in the Drill-shed, in fuil uniform, with swords and carbines. The entertainment for the benefit of Mrs McManus and family will be given this evening by a number of ladies and gentlemen, in the Catholic Institute, Wellington street.

Fires in the City.

On Sunday morning, at half-past two o'clock, the sleeping city was aroused by the clanging of the fire-bells, and in a brief space of time the quick patter of feet were heard on the pavements and hard roads city-ward, which indicated too plainly that another calamitous fire had broken out, and it was soon dis covered that such was the fact, and that the millinery establishment of Milne and Choyce was on fire. It appears that Mr Perkins, of the Occidental, was the first, or almost the first, person who made the discovery. Mr Perkins was driving home in his buggy from his Junction Hotel, and on reaching the lower end of Upper Queen-street, he dis tinctly saw a volume of smoke issuing from the roof of Cheapaide House. He at once leaped out of his buggy and ran to the fire-bell at the junction of Grey and Wakefield streets, and vigorously pulled the bell. Con stable O'lieilly was near the spot, and at i once proceeded to the shop. Feeling positive that the fire was» raging inside they took down several shutters and went into the shop, but observing no fire there they went up stairs, and found that the fire was in the next premises, occupied by Mr McGarrigle, the photographer. The door leading to Mr McGarrigle's rooms was forced open, and on going thitherward they saw flames issuing from the small room used by the artist for storing chemicals. On bursting open the door of this small room the flames and smoke burst forth with such stifling power that fresh air waß found to be absolutely necessary, and they rushed to the upper story. It was clear that the upper part of the house mnst { go, and consequently efforts must be at once I made to save the stock in the lower rooms. By this time many hundreds had assembled and were busy in removing the goods. Mr Superintendent Hughes, and the members of his brigade, were quickly on the spot, within ten minutes or so from the time of the outburst, and they worked well and vigorously. The hose was fixed by the house of Mr Hewin, grocer, and the play of the engine soon deluged the shingles with a bowers of water. The heat for a time was intense. The goods of Miss Milne's shop were quickly cleared, and placed on the opposite side of the street. Mr McGarrigle's pictures in the lower hall were all saved. After the labours of the active brigade, seconded by the willing hands of the people, the fire was mainly suppressed, and its ravages limited. At half past three o'clock, the fire was subdued and shortly quenched. The thanks of the public are espcially due to Mr Hughes and his firemen, and Mr Broham, Sub-Inspector Pardy, Sergeant Major Mason, and the members of the constabulany for their efficient and well ordered assistance on" the occasion ; also, to those of the assemblage who worked with heart and will in endeavouring to save the premises. A few thieves were round about, and one was caught ia the act of stealing some socks and rolls of ribbon ; his name will be seen in our police report.- Messrs Milne & Choyce are the greater losers by the confiagation, which destroyed their new stock of spring goods. Mr Linabury is also a sufferer, although the fire did not extend to hi»? premises. His stock was insured for £l,£oo. It is conjectured that Mr Me- Garri^le has suffered to the amount of £200, and M'.tfne and Choyce to £1,000. These amounts are formed from rough estimates. Nothing a.fc present is known respecting the origin of tho fire. INSURANCES EFFECTED : — The following i 3 the correct list of in surances :— BUILDINGS, — New Zealand £SOO Victoria 200 £1000 Estimated damage £200 MIINK AND CHOYCB STOCK, — Northern £1,000 South British 750 Transatlantic " 200 National 500 Imperial 500 Norwich Union 250 Total ... £3,200 MCGABRIGLE, Standard £1,000 McGarrigle's Stock (photographer):— Transatlantic £500 Standard £500 £1000 linabtjry's stock (Drapery) :— National ... £500 Standard £1000 £1500 Of course the main damage has been sus tained by the stock of Messrs Milne and Choyce. Persons ara at work to-day ap praising the goods injured. The amount of , the firm's dlaim is not at present known, but it is likely to be something considerable.

A meeting of the managers was to take place this morning, but it bad to be post poned in consequence of its being mail day. Yeaterday, Sunday afternoon, another alarm of fire was rung out by the firebells, when dense volumes of smoke were seen issuing from the premises of Mr Hay ward, undertaker and upholsterer, Wyndham- street near the Herald office. The street was speedily lined with people. No difficulty was experienced in effecting an entrance, as the door was found unlocked. The seat of the fire waß at once ascertained to be in the cellar, which was full of smoke. Within a short timeof theaiarm, SuperintendentHughes and some of the brigade arrived on the scene. Com munication was effected between the hose and the hydrant over by the National Bank, and a plentiful supply of water thus being secured, the firemen commenced a vigorous attack. At the same time another hose was got round to the back, and an onslaught being made at this point too, in half an hour the workers and the occupiers of premises round about had the satisfaction of seeing the volumes of smoke gradually decrease until they ceased altogether. The fire originated in about half a ton of flax and tow which lay in the cellar. How it was caused is impossible at present to say. Mr Hay ward states that he was last on the'premises about half an hour before the fire broke out, and then there was no smell or appearance of anything being wrong. He declares that he locked the door after leaving, but it is probable that he is wrong on this point. The affair caused a great commotion in the thoroughfare, and upwards of five hun dred persons assembled, Had the fire gained the ascendancy, the Herald office would have been in considerable peril. The firemen de serve great credit for their prompt appear ance and action. The flax was insured in the Norwich Union. The buildings are un injared. The alarm was first given by James Con way and Harry Holbrook, who noticed the smoke while standing talking at the bottom of the street. Oonway went to ring the bell while Holbrook raised the alarm on the spot.

AUSTRALIAN CABLEGRAMS

DISCOVERY OF HUMAN REMAINS,

Setember 23. While digging at Gonlbourn, yesterday, a man found remains of two murderers who had been gibbetted in chains and buried forty years ago. The highest flood ever known is reported from the Tumat district; no lives were lost.

A schooner, name unknown, has been wrecked at the same place as the Elmgrove. Six dead bodies have been seen on the beach.

THE LECTURE ON VENICE.

To the Editor of the Evening Stab. Sir,—Like other listeners to the Rev Mr Tomlinson s lecture on "Venice" at the Young Men's Rooms, Wellesley-street, ou Friday evening, I felt a keen sense of disappointment, and the more so, as I had been previously informed that the lecturer had visited that famous city of the past. A lecture on Venice, occupying bnt twenty minutes in its delivery, iB some thing remarkable, and could result in nothing bnt disappointment. Mr Tomlinson told his audience that he had seen the city, and glided along its grand canal, which was a pretty sight by moonlight, and far more charming than in the light of day, because its defects were visible to the naked eye. He also told about Venetian Councils, and gave a few historic particulars with which every school-boy is familiar, but left unsaid, everything of real interest in connec tion with the Venice of to-day. Of her commerce teree centuries ago, Bhakespere told us in a few lines ; " Should I go to church, And see the holy edifice of stone, And not bethinn one of the dangerous rocks ? Which touching but my gentle vessel's side, Would scatter all her spices on the stream ; Enrobe the roaring witers with my silks Here we have a slight view ol the kind of commerce in Venice of the past, and in other passages of the same play, we get glimpses of law, and the manners of Venetian society. If we want a little maonlight we find it in one of the sweetest passages in the whole world of written poetry, in the avenue to Portia's house, where Lorenzo and Jessica sit listening to tne sounds of music, possibly from the gondolas on the still waters :— "How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music Creep in our ears ; soft stillness, and the night, Become the touches of sweet harmony. Sit, Jessica; look, how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold ; There's not the smallest orb, that thou behold'st, But in his motion like an angel sings." This is poetry, but tbe listener to Mr Tomlinson's lecture on Venice, could learn nothing of its poetry, its paintings, its painters, its relics of genius, its decaying palaces; nothing of the terrible significance of its Lion of St Mark, nor its " Bridge of Sighs." upon which Childe Harold st^od ; nothing of its being the first Italian city of printed books, and where a gazette was originated in 1600 : nothing of the passage of the Venetians to India, by the Cape of Good Hope ; nothing of its fine academy, and fine art schools ; nothing of its charitable institutions, naval collage, magnificent theatres, and libraries; nothing of its sufferings when possessed by the French; nothing of its commerce in glass, salt, hemp, timber, and silk nothing of the Adriatic fisheries and steam boats ; nothing of the influenc eof Austrian rule upon the Venetian people, and nothing of their homes, religion, and habits. Hence with others, I was disap pointed at a professed lecture on a grand historical republic, which occupied a proud position as Queen of the Seas for more than a thousand years.—B.

DISTRICT COURT.—This Day.

(Before F. D. Fenton Esq., District Judge E. WA.TEBS V. HENRY WILSON. Clam, £73 4a.

This was a claim for promissory note and interest.

Mr Hesketh, for plaintiff, stated that the matter was very simple. It was a claim for money lent in the year 1874, in instalments of £10 each and one of £1, making £61, and £12 4s interest. The money was said to have been advanced on behalf of defendant while engaged in a pearl-shell venture, as a working partner. The defendant pleaded a set-off, which involved a claim beyond the jurisdiction of the Court

Edward Waters, plaintiff, deposed that he advanced £1 to Captain Pennell for Mr Wil son, the six ten pounds were paid to Mrs Wilson on the statement of Captain Pennell; that Mr Wilson had ordered him to make the application. He advanced the amounts at*-his own option ; Mr Wilson had no claim upon him. He was concerned in the pearl venture on the first voyage, with Messrs Penaell, Holland, Wilson, and Garnett. Mr Garnett retired after the first voyage. There was an agreement, and upon the second voyage, Mr Garnett's name was taken out. Mr Wilson went on both voyages. The shells were valued at £120 per ton, but when they squared up in Mr A. A. Brown's office in Wyndham-street, on account of the two voyages, they were £447 deficient. He ad vanced the money in the belief that the venture would be a success, and turn out to be pearls of great price. He did not arrange for interest. After Captain Pennell called, he saw Mr Wilson, who was thankful that he had promised to advance moneys to his wife.

To Mr Wilson : I was not under the im pression that there were moneys coming to the working partners out of the first voyage. To His Honor: I was quite ignorant of the value of the shells.

Mr Wilson said there had never been a squaring up of accounts, or matters would show differently to what was proposed. There never was a second agreement after the first voyage. The shells fetched £142 per ton in London. The second was a verbal agree ment, and there was a balance still due to him.

Mr Waters said there could be nothing due to Mr Wilson as there was a dead loss of £447.

His Honor said he could not see how Mr Wil son could sustain his plea.

Mr Hesketh having made some remarks called upon the defendant, who was duly sworn.

Henry Wilson then deposed that he was engaged in the pearl shell venture, and the sums paid to Mrs Wilson were at his request through Captain Pennell. Had Mr Waters not have promised to advance money to his wife, he should not have went on the second voyage. After some further evidence His Honor reserved judgment until Wednesday, in order that plaintiff and defendant might assist each other oat of the difficulty, His

tt rt «^- otfttine that he was inclined to evidently -wrong in his view. He .lonld be possible for defendant. EI( . H0? HENRY A >'D BKOWH V EBAIN AND BISHOP. Claim £68 8s Sd . This action which had been left over tor | arbitration was adjourned for a fortnight.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before E. C. Barstow, Esq., KM.) DRTIJSK. William Brown, John Howe, and Peter Matherson were convicted of this offence and lined in the usual manner. A BRUTAL ASSAULT. Peter Antonio, a powerful coloured man, was charged with committing a savage assault upon one John Douglas in Abeicrombie, lp , street, od the night of the 23 rd mat. , fed c John Douglas, who had his head envelopec in bandages, and who looked very weak from *" loss of blood, deposed that on Saturday night he called at the house of a young lady named Lizzie Nelson, as he wished to see her. He was admitted, and had scarcely got inside when Miss Nelson called to the prisoner to kick witness out. The prisoner immediately rushed at witness, knocked him down, and then kicked him on the head inflicting serious ID3Con?table O'Reilly deposed that he found the last witness lying outside Lizzie Jselaon b house covered with blood and calling for help, as the Rigger, Antonio, had nearly killed him. Witness" went inside and arrested the prisoner. Dr Dawson had to be cdled to attend. Douglas. The wound on the head was Sepriso Pn'er growled out a long rigmarole very little of which was intelligible. The essence of it appeared to be that Douglas had made himself a nuisance, and that he denied having kicked him. , Mr Barstow considered the charge proved, and sentenced the prisoner to pay a fme of 403 and costs, or go to prison for 14 days. A KTSFKACTOB.Y SEAMAN. Patrick Gunning was charged with wilful disobedience to lawful commands on board the British ship Loch Fergus. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. Captain Cann deposed that yesterday on board the cook told him that the prisoner was hindering him from cooking the dinner. He went to the galley and found the prisoner sitting at the door. Cook said he had turned him out of the galley and called him very foul names. The prisoner denied tms, and when witness told him to go foreard he refused to. He ordered him: to co twice, and he still refused Then the prisoner attempted to strike the lad, which he prevented, on which the fellow put his fiat in witnesses face and called him beastly names. Thomas Marshall deposed to the circum stances, which were just as related by the captain. ~ The prisoner denied the charge and said he was simply telling the boy he couldn t cook, " which the potatoes was so bad last week they could'nt be eat. The Bench found the prisoner guilty and sentenced?him to four weeks' hard labour and to pay the costs. WITH DEAWIT. The charge of assault against the man Cosgrave alias Costello was withdawn with consent of the Bench, the solicitors for the parties, Messrs Tyler _ and Joy, having arranged the matter amicably. STEALING AtfTER THE FIRE. William Pute pleaded guilty to stealing sundry articles belonging to Messrs Milne and Choyee, diapers, on Sunday morning Mr Sub-Inspector Pardy explained that the offence was committed about three hours after the fire yesterday morning. His Worship said as this was prisoner s first offence, he should let him off with a light sentence, namely that he be imprisoned for one month. ALLEGED BREACH OF LICENSING ACT. John Porch was charged with selling alcoholic liquors at the Exchance Hotel within forbidden hours on Sunday, the 1/th inst. By permission Mr Campion, the manager of the hotel, appeared for Mr Porch. Mr Lasshley defended. Constable Haslett was on duty in Queen street on Saturday night. At half paßt two on Sunday morning, his attention was called to the Exchange Hotel by the barman, George Poole, who said he had just had to turn out a man who had abused him. He found the man, whose name was Alexander Wright, lying in the gutter. With the assistance of another constable, he got him to the station. On the following Monday he was charged with drunkenness and dealt with by the Court. He bad passed Durham-street ten minutes before, and Wright was not there then. By Mr Laishley : He was quite sure the barman said he had put the man out. Constable Abrams corroborated Constable . Haslett's evidence. Alexander Wright, a settler, residing a4 Remuera, said he was in the Exchange Hotel on the Saturday night. There was a rafle of a hoise and cart on. He was there till half-past twelve o'clock. He was about drunk then. He was supplied with brandy between twelve and one. He recollected being dragged down stairs by the barman and Mr Campion. The witness was cross-examined at some length by Mr Laiahly who then addressed the court for the defence and called. George Poole, who deposed he was the barman at the hotel. Wright was in the Exchange Holel not once but two or three times on that evening. The last time he came in was about ten o'clock. He was down-stairs at first and then came up-stairs, when witness when witness served him about five minutes to eleven. He would not give him any spirits, but gave him a bottle of sodawater, as he wag the worse for liquor. Io consequence of his continuing noisy, ha turned him into the street about half-past eleven. After the house olosed on Saturday night, It was his duty to clean up the house ror Sunday. In pursuance of that duty he stayed on the night in question till ■ 2 o'clock. Between 12 o'clock and that hour, he wonld swear he did«not supply "Wright with liquor. He was cot on the premises. As to the circumstances related by the constables, he would swear that when he spoke to Constable Haslitt, and referred to having turned WH»?ht out, he alluded to his ejectment at half-past even. James Butterwocth said he had been subpeened by the prosecution in the case. He was renting the billiard 100 mat the Exchange Hotel up to Saturday the 17th inst On that night he saw Wright in the hotel, and also saw him turned out of the upstairs bar, shortly after eleven o'clock. He did not see him after that. Eoland B Campion, manager of the hotel, deposed that he had given his servants instructions, never to serve intoxicated persons with liquor. He did not as iat to put Wright out at all. He only gave orders for htm to be put out. This was the case. Mr Barstow said he had no option but to dismiss the case, It was very singular thit it was always soda water did the mischief in tbese cases, (laughter). THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, 2^ Mr Sticfeley the manager of the Industrial School £g appeared to apply to the Bench that the term for p^ pt which a lad named Michael Breen had been committed to the school might be extended lor two years. He was thirteen years old, and had been originally com mitted from the Thames. The boy, who was in Court, said he was quite willing to go back and remain under Mr Stickley. The mother of the boy here came forward, ana claimed her boy. She did not want him to remain m the Home. It was time he came home and got his own maintenance. Besides he was fifteen years oia, not thirteen. She had made a mistake when sne gave his age before, and could prove her present assertion. She had all the ages of her children, mentioned in a book. Mr Barstow requested her to go and get the book.

SIMONSEN'S OPERA COMPANY TO NIGHT.

To-night Simonsen's Opera Company commence a short season of three nights at the Prince of Wales Theatre. The programme of performances has been advertised, and is very attractive. As these three nights will be the last occasions on which the Auck land public will have an opportunity of hearing the vocal efforts of the talented artistes comprised in the company we may expect a crowded bouse at eao representation. This evening's performance is for the: beaefit of Slgnor Carmini Morley, the great tesar,

jfiVSNlNtt $TH% MONDAY, 81FTEMBEB % IWI.



/~IIRCULAK. A, LI2TABT7HT Sc CO. Finding that their late Premises were too small to allow of their doing justice to their numerous Cus tomers and increasing Business, havo taken those COMMODIOUS PREMISES (lately in the occupation Of Mr. W. Wilson), 204 and 206, QUEEN-STREET. Tney take this opportunity of informing their numerous friends and the general public that they will inaugurate the opening of their new Emporium by holding a UNIVERSAL SALK. For One Month our Entire Shipments of BP&ING and SUMMER DEES* GOODS. MILLINERY, CO3TUMES, GENERAL DRAPERY and CLOTHING will be in cluded in this GRAND SALE. A. L. & Co. beg to tender their sincere thanks to their many friends, and the general public, for their liberal patronage, and feel assured that not hing will be wanting on their part to insure a continua nee of *hat support bo liberally bestowed on them since opening. DRRSS GOODS. The immense choice of Fancy Dresses, comprising all the Latest Novelties in fabrics for Ladies' Cos tumes snd Walking Dresßes, render it next to im possible to supply a complete list of the Stock now on view. Ladies will find i i this Department a selection of Goods unsurpassed as regards Variety of Material and Colouring. A PERFECT GIFT. 6000 yards of Spring and Summer Dress Materials, bought a job, and must bB cleared, from 4M. ALL REMNANTS UNDER COST. A Large Stock of Summer Skirtings, in plain, checked and striped Unions. FANCY DEPARTMENT. The Fancy Department comprises every novelty in ladies' Hosiery, Gloves, Ribbons, Ties. Umbrellas, JTancy Goodß, Haberdashery, &c, &c. SHOW ROOM. The attention of Ladies is particularly directed to the extensive choice in the Millinery Department, Including a selection of the very latest introductions Of KngU-b and French M'llin«ry The Stock of Underclothing is also very large, complete, and well assorted, and Ladies can be supplied with every requisite article. DRESS AND MANTLE MAKING. Dresses Made on the Premises. Costumes and Dresses made in 24 houra* notice. Mourninc; Orders promptly executed. You can rely on a Good Fitting Dress, fashionably made, and at half the usual Auckland price. A large Stock of Dresses and Costumes always on hand and made to order. i^Mfe, *** Price List to be had on application. Hh a. linabury & co., 20* & 206> Queen-street.



T. & EL COOKE, Cabinetmakers, Upholstekers, &c, Beg to inform their friends and the public that they have «r [REMOVED jsjf To the new and spacious Show rooms in Queen-street, next to the Bank of New Zealand. In, addition to the usual varied assortment of ililfniahitjg Goods, T. aDd 3. C. have just Opened Large Shipments of Iron Bedsteads and Toilet Glasse ex Bebington and England's Glory. TO" O T I O E. A. LINABTJRY & CO. HAVE BEMOVED TO THEIR NEW PREMISES, 204 snd 20C. QUEEN-STREET, Late In tfee occupation of Mr. Win. Wilson. GRAND DISPLAY OP NEW GOODS! "DRICES TO MEET THE TIMES. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN Are determined to sustain the character of the JUNCTION J)RAPERY For Supplying the Public with GOOD VALUE FOE MONEY !!! THE NEW SPRING GOODS NOW COMING TO HAND, HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY SELECTED AND "WELL BOUGHT and are being marked off at tsr Prices to Meet the Times. "©* CASH PURCHASERS OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING Are invited to inspect our Stock, which is well assorted in every Department, and includes a number of Special and Job Lines, bought in an over stocked Market at a Conbidebablk Reduction', and offered at correspondingly Low Prices !!! W Remember the address :— RUSH|BROOK & BRIDGMAN, (Late R. Hobbs), JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE, ] (Opposite Army and Navy Hotel), Uppetc Queen-street, Auckland. The New Peason Cod Liver Oil, 1876. Guaranteed perfectly pure and free from smell or unpleasant flavour. The quality is especially fine. ---2s 6d and 5s a bottle —J C. Shabland, Apothecaries' Hall, opposite thn Post-office. Manning's Worm Powders.— A safe and ffectual Vermifuge. Prepared only by J. C. SHAR LAND. Is a packet.—Apotheoabies' Hall opposite the Post-office. Hemus & Trigg, opposite McArthur, Shera and Co.'s. will sell the Balance of their Winter Drapery and Millinery for Two Weeks, at Cn«t. in order to make room for Spring and Summer Goods to arrive soon. Mark Twain on Bad Musicians.—The musical public and general readers are cautioned not to purchase Weston's Wizard Oil and Magic Pills, •without carefully examining the outside wrapper— and be sure tnat the words " None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, Fbank Weston, Sydney, N.5.W.," are engraven thereon. Any other so called preparations of mine, are unauthorized by me, and calculated to mislead the public—signed, Fbank Weston. Sole Agents : Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. Price. Half-a-crown. It makes one Shudder to think of the immense quantity or unmedicated firewater consumed for medicinal purposes THe liquors of commence are absolutely devoid of remedial virtue. Luckily there Is a most desirable substitute for such exoitants which never overspurs the brain or nervous system, but which imparts strength, overcomes a morbid habit of body, assists convalescence, and promptly rectifies organic irregularities. Ask or send for UDOI/PHO WOIiFK'S SOHIBDAM AROMATIC SCHNAPPS.