SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIGH watkk—This afternoon, 9 2 ; 10-mortow morning, 023 9t7K ajBX— TWi evening, 4 40. BITN KlSS—To morrow morning, 7 4 MOOD'S AGE—Full Moon, 7th Juno, 1216 pm

ARRIVALS.

Kowena, ss, Sollars, from Tau^-ng*

Wave of Life, schooner, Lombard) for Dunedin, via Wanparoa Southern Cross, ss, Holroes, for Napier

PROJECT ED DEPARTURES.

lor flio Routh-PliQ)bo, ss, Saturday: - Lluli )u> OH>

Tuesday Vot London-Carnatic, ship, early ; »»lp«sannd bnrfiuo, early For San Francisco and Oregon—La Bscocesa, ship, early For Coromandel - Argyle, s», Mondays and Fridays For Wangjimi—Argyle every Tuesday For Hb.v of Islands—lona evory Monday For fJisborne and Napier—Pretty Jane, S s, Saturday For Tauranga—ltowona, s s, every Friday

A schooner is signalled as wo pi to prcfls, Tho departure of thi Hero for Sydney ps flxod for to-morrow (^aturday) at noon.

Tho ss Kownna arrived yesterday evening from Tanrargi with thn following passengers:—Mi33 Snodgrass, Dr Honry, Krv T ,Tonfi3, Dr Wilson, Messrs Hervry. Orasslstf, Mahonoy, Chadwick, Stone. C.-irew, Goodfellow, Thompson. Nation, Sergeant Smith, and <i lunatic and threo in tho steerage, Tho S3 Snuthorn Cw,s left yesterday evening for Napier and wollinfjfcon, taking tho following paa -Bengcrq-I\lr and Mrs V/aito. Mr and Mrs Conroy, Mrs AVellwood,-Mrs Braithwaite, Mr McLean, and on>< In the 3teerage.

The barque Star Queen 283 tons register cleared at New York on she l«h April for Lyttelton and Auck * i, following nre tho articles included in the Auckland portion of tho manifest:—3l7l cases kero sme oil, 100 do spirits turpentine, 30 do axes, 20 do nonda w^ter, 10 do pain killer, 50 do milk, 10 do swaparilhi, 150 do lobsters, 200 do oysters, 299 do chairs, 125 bbls rosin. 3 hoxea mdso, '20G do clothes pins, PO% <!o manufae'd tobacco 26^ do do, 10 cases Inn-iles, 17 pkgs machinery, 47 cases clocks, 4Cdo drugs,

COMMERCIAL.

Mr Alfred Buokxaud's Weekly Ret-out.—Foa der: At tho Haymarket, on Friday last, fodder was plentiful, and at low vnluep, varying from Is to 3s per cwt. Horse Stock: was offered in less than usuil numbers, ,with a dull sale, the creator part being ■withdrawn. Those sold realised lato values. Cattle and sheep.—At Bemeura on Thursday very few dairy or store cattle were brought forward. Late prices ruled. Fat cattle in average numbers, 130 head pen ned of better than usual quality, So3the It 01b., being the average obtained for best quality. Store sheep in moderate numbers and dull of salo. Fat sheep in usual anpply—6oo penned ; bidding dull, and above 200 withdrawn ; prices given, about 2| the lb. Actml averages wore 45 head, Walter Ramsay, £9 123 6d ; James Bell, 17 head, M 10s; Richard Soccombe. 50 head. £10 7s 6d ; W McDonald, 7 head, £8 14s 6d ; W McLaughlln. 10 head. £1 7s 6d ; 4QO long-wool wethers, 15a each ; aged ewes, 7a each.

At Mr E,. Arthur's market sale to-day, the following prices were realised :—Potatoes, S3 6d to 4a cwt; onions, ; }d to |d )b ; carrots, 3s to 3a 9d cwfe ; parsnips, Is Gd cwt; pump kins, 3s 6d to 4s cwt; oats, 2s 9d to 3a bushel; butter, BJd to Is lb; bacon, GM to lOd lb; cheese, 3d to 6d lb ; tea, 27s per box. Messrs B. Tonks and Go. sold at their mart to-day, a quantity of bacou and butter. Tacon brought 9d per lb, and butter Is Id.

Mr M Jones held his usual murket-day sale of produce and poultry to-day at his mart, Queen-street. There was a large attendance, and ths bidding was very brisk. Prices obtained were—Geese, 4a Id; fewls, 2a 3d; pigeons, la 6d each ; retriever pups, 108; cheese, 8d to lOd ; potatoen, £5 per ton; onions, Id per lb ; buttor, 10|d lb. Mr Greenwood reports his U3ual Friday's Bale of poultry, produce, held in the market house, noon as follows :—Fowls, good ones rather scarce 2s 3d to 4s each; ditto, poor ines plentiful, Is 3d to Is 9d each ; geese, ss 9d to 4a Cd ; ducks, 2g to 2s 6d ; turkeys, poor ones, 2^ to 2i 9dcach ; ditto, tioodofibs, 3s (3d to 43 6d. Potatoes, £4 5a to £5 pur ton ; oniona, not saleable ; cheese 8d per lb ; trees,

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails wilt, Ci^oije as follows :—

For Thames this day at 6 30 p m For Tawmaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Phcobe, to-morrow at 045 a m ; Mails, for India, China, Modetorranoan ports, Con tinent of Europe, Unites Kingdom, via S'iez and Southampton, and via Brindial, will be made up ' per Taupo on Tuesday, 30th instant For Waiwera, Mahnrangi, Te Arei, oto., per Annio Millbank, to-morrow at 10 a m

For Australian Colonies, per Hero, on Saturday nexi ,' «tll am

For Tauran^a to-morrow at 3 p m Per Australia, on Monday. June 5 aa foUow3 :— For Sandwich Islands, United States of Amwiia, Canada. British Columbia, Ceitrul and South America, and British and Foreign West. Indies, at 11 a m For Dnited Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 a m For money orders, registered letters, and news papers, st 10 a m Late letters bearing an extra fea of Cd in addition to tho postnj,"), will be Toceivod by the mall svgont on board up to the time of sailing. (Signed) H. B.':Bim, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

PERKIV3—On tho 23th May, tho wife of E. Perkins, of a daughter. MACHICOIi-On the 25th May, at St. Jaineu' Manse, Mrs. E, ]?.' Mncnicol of a sou.

DEATH.

DIXON—On the 25th May, Edward Dixon, aged 4S years — Belfast and Armagh papers please copy. The funoral will leave his iato residence, Union IVrvneo, ITnlon-Btreot, on Saturday, 27th instant, at 330 p.m. Friends are invited to attend.

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

For the ctiuse that lac'ts. assistance, For the wrong that needs rcsistsuM, For tlie future in th! ciii.tar.cc, And the eooci that vc can do.

people,

FRIDAY, MAY 26, 1876

Two cases of a very disgraceful character have come before our Courts this week, dis closing a phase of life which we instinctively shrink from referring to. But under coyer of that'aversion which has prevented tho ex posure of the social canker to public reproba tion,' the leprous spot has increased until public decency demands that no longer shall a false delicacy aid in the protection and per petuation of an abuse which shocks every moral sense and cries to heaven for vengeance. There exists in Hobson-street a.building once known as the Temperance (!) Hotel, but now occupied aa a furniture shop and kept by a Mrs Coiizens, a woman notorious in Police Court records for brawls with her husband. . This female has leased thirteen or fourteen small cottages at the rear of the main building, some of which she has systematically let for immoral purposes. The respectable tenants of adjoining properties have thus become en forced spectators of the daily rounds of bedizened vice, until the neighbourhood was utterly unfit for the abode of anyone with a pretension to decency. Under these cir ciimstances an appeal wag made to the police, who gave, a number of the.. occupants of this cottage^ notice xfo leave forthwith, which they complied with; but one, a woman o>f known bad character, named "Walker, returned to hei old haunts, and in this way the matter Brat came under the notice of the Magistrate. The police having taken action to compel the complete purification of the'neighbourhood, a rent-book was pro duced to show that the house complained of was in the occupation and paid for by a man, with whom tho girl Walker was living, and it was contended that she was thus beyond the reach of the law. We shall say nothing of the creature who per mitted his name to bo made uae of for this disreputable purpose, but it is sufficient that the Bench sustained the defence ; and Couzena having triumphed over the police, now laughs her neighbours to scorn. In; connection with this raid, however, there has come to light a diabolical system of traffic in human frailty and

misfortune from which we turn with a sickening shudder. Photographs of the establishment have been distributed very widely, especially among sea-faring men, for the guidance of strangers to this haven- But the fate of the poor creatures who once get into the toils of the presiding harridan calls most for our pity. By advances of money, personal adornments, or furniture in the first instance, the girls are placed at the mercy of their so-called landlady, and then commences a system of extortion that would make the heart of a Shylock bleed. Ovor four pounds a week have been exacted for the accommodation provided by one of these small cottages ! Drink is supplied to the occupants who re-sell it at 5s a bottle for ale ; 10s for Wine ; £1 for champagne, and J other things at equally extortionate rates, Cheap jewellry ia forced upon them at extravagant; prices, and woo unto the Wretched creature who darea to murmur. Kept perpetually under monetary obliga tions ; without home ; without friends ; what alternative have they but to submit ? Only yesterday this woman had the effrontery to come into a British Court of Justice, and sue for money advanced for the purpose of keeping a once decent married woman in a life of infamy, and that noble bulwark of British rights sustained the claim ! With ample means at hsr disposal — the unholy profits of this vile business— the best legal talent is ready to champion her damnable cause; and the police, public decency, justice and every moral restraint that preserves society £rom degenerating into a putrifying sink of iniquity, are openly set at defiance. Surely this will not continue for ever ! Its existence so long in spite of every effort of tho police to root it up, impels us reluctantly to lay bare the moral leprosy which will horrify and disgust our readers. But if the exposure results in Magistrates exercising a more rigid supervision over the quibbles and excuses v, hich have served to perpetuate the evil so long, we shall be satis-

We heartily desire that tho proposal to obtain tho Ellerslio courao as a rcoroation ground for the people in perpetuity shall succoed. Of the Bchome in the abstract there can be no difference of opinisn, although we have reserved the right to criticise its details, as wo shall, in the interests of the public, con tinue to do of any proposal brought forward for the croation of a public trust. But we notice in tho Herald to-day a letter signed " Amicus," which misrepresents tho condi tions under which the prizes are offered, and would lead to the impression that the writor has either n6t read the prospectus or is very obtuse. Tho footnote to the prize list should, it might bo supposed, have been sufficient to convey to tho mind of anyone that tho prizes are either payable in money or in articles of value, and nobody suspects that tho v/inner of the £1000 or tho £150 will take it in plate. " Amicus's" main ob jections are thus disposed of. Wo feol unto thi3 scheme liko a father to a son, prepared to fight its battles, but affectionately spank having routed " Amicua," wo would mildly express tho opinion that, instead of taking the huff at our suggestions relative to tho trusteeship, the promoters should have vouchsafed some information regarding tho manner in which the trustees, who aro to have the supreme control and management of tho ground, in tho interests of tho people, will be made suscopfcible to public influence. We caro not one pin's point who these trustees may bo so long as their tenure depends upon periodical elec tion. Nothing can bo more conducive to the promotion of a schemo of this kind than healthy diacussion, which tends to croate confidence. Only the purposes of a little swindle can be served by a shrinking from open critical examination, and as we are satisfied that this scheme is a good ono, and that the want of a recreation ground of the kind for tho people of Auckland is a necessity patent to the eyes of all men, we shall do our best to secure its succesa so far as we can consistent with our first duty to the

THE GOVERNOR AND THE SUPER INTENDENT.

In an article a day or two ago we stated that his Excellency the Governor had re plied to the first letter from Sir George Grey relative to unlawful transactions in native lands that the complaint should properly be addressed either to the General As sembly or to the law Courts. Sir George Grey replied in a strong letter shewing that the pre rogative infringed was one belonging to the Queen and not the Assembly, and that even an appeal to law was only possible by one empowered to use the Queen's name. His Excellency has now replied authorising the Superintendent to enter an action in the name of the Queen, and, in all probabilty, this course will be pursued. Mr Justice Gillies is at present absent from Auckland, and the early meeting of the Assembly renders the time inopportune, but, we understand, that should the Judge return in time, proceedings will be at onca entered.

Tho Stab supplement of to-morrow will be full of interesting matter, nicely con densed and seasoned with sweetness, and garnished with wild flowers and lilies of the valley. The Mount Smart poet will find something pleasing to his palate, wreathed with summer leaves; the young girl will bend over its revelations of tender passionate delight j the young typo who peeps through the keyhole of the passage door will find tlie key to the dark mysteries, and the angry: spiritualist will experience material influences at his extremities on taking up the supple ment. Bits of fun, slices of pine-apple, kisses of affection, and paragraphs of para graphical Deauty will be gathered by devoted readers lor the strengthening of the digestive organs and purification of the stream of life.

A highly entertaining and successful soiree waa given on Wednesday evening at Hamil ton iv aid of the funds of the Congregational church of tho district.

Tho spire of the new Knox Church, Dun edin, has now nearly reached its full height. Above the masonry there will be an iron finial, richly ornamented, 10 feet high, the tip of which will be 165 feet from the kerb ing in George-street. The basement of the tower is six feet above the footway, the tower is 73 feet, and the spire proper 76 feet high. The spire has been co far completed that ono can judge of its beauty, and it is evident that when the woodwork shall have been removed/ the tall needle will present a bold and grace ful appearance, forming almost as noticeable a landmark as the steeple of the First Church. .',,.. ; ;! V /•_ r :i ;•'. : A*

The match arranged for to-morrow after" noon between the Graffcon and Ponsonby Football Clubs, has, in consequence of the races and for other reasons, been postponed until the following Saturday.

On Wednesday, at a meeting in the Pres byterian Church, Onehunga, the Rev Mr. Brown, on behalf of the members and adherents of the Church, presented Mr T. JR.. Grillnun with a harmonium, as a token of gratitude from the congregation. In making the presentation, the rev. gentleman said that the servicoa rendered by Mr Gillruan for five years as harmonist had been acknowledged by repeated votes of thanks, but the member ship thought that thanks alone were inade quate in representing the feelings entertained; hence, the harmonium was purchased. Soveral members also spoke in the same strain. Mr Brown also presented Mr Gill man with a series of the latest standard scientific works. Mr Gillman replied in suit able terms. The Harmonium is a splendid instrument made by Alexandre, of Paris, and hag eleven stops.

In reference to the question as to bets, answered in our yesterday's issue, we were in error in stating that wagers would be "off" in the case of a Sunday intervening between the postponement and the running. This restriction, which used to exist, has now been removed. It will bo seen that this does not affect the decision of the query submitted to us by our correspondent.

Professor Schem, one of the best Amer ican writers on statistics, estimates the number of the population of the globe under the government of ' Christian rulers to be 655,459,411. and the number under non- Christian rulers at 711,382,580.

The union of the English Presbyterian and the United Presbyterian churches of Eng land is to be celebrated at Liverpool in May. It is reported that " a gentleman in the north " intends to give the sum of £25,000 for a church extension fund, aa his share of the celebration.

The following curious prophecy is quoted in the Sahwday Fevitw of the 25th March, in a critique on a book on " Scotch Epitaphs and Inscriptions." The verses were com posed by Mr Andrew Burbage in IGOI, and their literal fulfilment in England at the present day is very remarkable : —

A Snot our King? Tlio lumping stato That d»ymunt neod a crutch. What next ? In time aHcot will prato Aa Primato of out Church. Wlion suoh shall bo, why then you'll soo That cUy it will bo found, The Haxon down through London town, hhall burrow untied ground.

Some very curious stories, illustrative of the strange phases which courage aHSUinos, are relatod by the London Spectator. The Chinese of the southern deltas, who have little activo courage, though the Chinese of the north and west have plenty, will die fora bribe to oave a richer criminal from the sen tence he has earned. The Bengalee, who, alone, among mankind says calmly, " Anne h/ieroo," " I am timid," as if cowardice was a matter of moral and sooial indifference, or rather creditable than otherwise, goes to execution, aa Macauley noticed, like a hero, and will encounter an inevitable and agonizing death without a Hatter of the pulse. His nerve is as great as Wainwright's, who died without a perceptible change in the steadiness of his heart-beats, but who—unlike the Ben galee—with an object before him, would pro bably havo rushed upon the cannon. The Malay, who cannot be induced or compelled to face rockets, dies aa tranquilly aa Cas3a bianca ; and the Cingalese of the coast, who will figfct nobody, meets death without a murmur or a pang. Au English sailor of the old typo, who would face anything earthly except a black cat, has probably twice as much fear of death as tho cultivated woman, resignedly, yet faint in the presoncc of any noisy danger. Tho wild romancer, Gustavo Aimard, states as an act within his know ledge, that a Spanish oflicer shot himself dead rather than cross a rope suspension bridge, and wo can vouch for the following story, though we must not give tho names : An English onsign, just joined before tho first Sikh campagin, went to his commanding officer, a relative, and told him that ho could not face the shot ; that ho should disgrace himself, and must resign. His relative com forted him kindly, told him ho was only nervous, and thought ho had soothed his fear; but the lad, as he stepped out of tho tent, shot himself through the brain, inviting death rather than meet a call upon his courage. A young lady graduate of a Western med ical college, when asked by her father what ho should get her for a birthday present, caused that gentleman to turn pale by ex claiming : ' Oh, my darling pa! if you would only go to the hospital and buy mo the head and arm of a man, I should be the happiest girl in the world. I could dissect them on

the kitchen table, you see !'

The committee of the Young Mens' Chris tian Association have issued their Byllabus of lectures for the passing winter, and ifc is gratifying to notice by the list that the fear of Mrs Grundy is passing away from the In stitute, that the subjects are of a more varied character than those of last year which of necessity meet a greater variety of tastes. The names of soveral gentlemen of unques tioned abitity, and range of knowledge are observable in the new programme, which shew that a nioro genial spirit is pleasantly subverting the old idea "As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be." Two of our best school-masters will lecture in the coming session. Mr Josiah Martin of the Training school on "Nature's Chemistry with Illustrations,",ja subject upon which Mr Martin is well qualified to discburse. Mr Worthington, of St. Paul's school, is an nounced to speak upon "Our Century," which.will be as instructive as a chapter from Macaulay's History of England. Among ministers, we see that Dr Wallis, ;of Newton Kirk, will lecture on tho "Eman cipation of Women." All persons who are acquainted with Dr Wallis' logical and thoughtful mode of dealing with themes of religious, philosophical, and social importance will be glad to hear him on tliis subject. Eev. W. J. Watkin will treat of "British Colonization," a topic of much interest at the present time. Rev. W. Tins ley, Primitive Methodist minister, is also an able lecturer, and his promised sketch of "Young Men—their dangers and duties," will, we believe, be accepted with the same feeling of satisfaction as responded to his oration on " Scotland and her sons." Bishop Cowio will take up the subject of the " Ca non of tho New Testament," and express his well-matured views thereon. The Rev Mr Tomliuson's subject is not announced, but it might be on " Music," in which the reverend gentleman possesses critical kno\^ edge. The Rev S. Edger will give his admirable lecture on "Socrates," which is profoundly interesting, as shewing that the Athenian philosopher indicated by his life and teachings the near approach of Chris tianity. The Rev David Bruce, whose excellent lecture on "Stonewall Jackson" is yet remembered, is also among the goodly company. Dr Ellis, who ha 3 earned a well-deserved reputation, will lecture on the poet Tonnyson, the poat of the age, and to whoae poetry Dr Ellis will do as much justice^ ts may be possible in one lecture. There is a meaning and harmony in Tenny son's later works which needs the profound critic to bring them within the scope of the ordinary understanding, and Dr Ellis we believe is the man to do this. The opening meeting will be held in the Lome-street Hall on the 2nd of June, when His Honor Sir George Grey will deliver the inaugural address.

The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Rifle association -will bo held at the Young Men's Christian Association rooms, on Monday evening next, at 7.30 p.m. sharp, when the prizes won at the recent competition will be presented. A full attendance is requested.

An advertisement which appears in another place in our columns, to-day, informs our readers and the admirers of theatrical talent generally that they are about to lose Miss Lizzie Morgan, who leaves for Sydney to morow by the Hero, a lady who has adorned the Auckland stage for a time which has seemed all too short. Miss Morgan during her brief career upon the boarna, has at tained high proficiency in her profession, and she has succeeded in winning multitudes of admirers, not only by her studious and pains taking efforts to do justice to the parts Bhe has filled, but; by her charming happiness of disposition and manner, qualities, which are quite as valuable in public as in private life. Another treasure which Miss Morgan possesses, and which in itself would suffice to gain her profitable engagement, is a sweet nnd musical voice of great range and flexibility which she has carefully culti vated, and can use with unfailing effect. The songs "Silver Threads among the Golden" and " Whip poor Will," which have now become " household words" in Auckland, for their plaintive tenderness and beauties of sentiment and composition, were first sung in this place by Miss Lizzie Morgan. The former song has been publißberl by the proprietors of this paper, and 1,200 copies were readily sold. The artiste who ia now going from us will leave behind her in these two favorite melodies a lasting memorial of her popularity. We may mention that in Wellington this actress made quite as great an impression as in Auckland. In her dual character as singer and actress, Miss Morgan has been no slight attraction in the Company which has lately been playing in this city, and her loss will not easily be compensated for. In bidding Miss Morgan good-bye, we wish her every success in the wider sphere in which she is about to enter.

On slaughtering cattle upon Sunday H.vv'.A. writes: Kir, —It wonld have been better if "Humbug" bad put his pen and ink to a better use than in writing that there are thousands of complaints of a more soriona nsi.ure than butchering cattle on the Lord's day. If the Sabbath day were better kept there would be fewer crimes. But I fear "Humbug" ia one of those men who do not regard the Lord's Holy Day, or ho would try to atop this great evil. And as for fools wages,l hold them in disdain. Now, Mr Humbug, I am neither a fool nor a man, but a woman who dearly loves to honour the Sabbath day.—Youra, etc., H.W. A.

A sad case of suicide occurred in Newcastle, N.S.W., lately. Mr Alfred Henderson, a clerk in the Bank of Australasia, was for some reason which has not transpired, sus pended from his duties in the bank. A few d*ys afterwards he was found dead in his bed, and a doctor, who was immediately sent for, gave it as his opinion that death had resulted from poisoning. The deseased was a young man, and was liked very much by all who were associated with him.

Alluding to the Samoan row, the Alia Californian says:—"We are not aware of any law or custom that authorizes the Captain of a war-ship to seize the property of the citizen of another nation for violating the laws of the other nation, and we suspect that the Captain of the Barracouta has assumed too much responsiblity. Mr Platt tells us that according to the best information he oould get, tho Peerless was sold for 2,100 dols., though worth 9,000 dols. at least."

Judge Ward, in a recent judgment in a bankruptcy case, under the new Act, said that creditors should bear in mind that a largeproportionof tho assignments of property mado by debtors in favour of single creditors are voidable, if not as fraudulent preferences, at all events as acts of bankruptcy.

A letter was received by the Dunedin Hamour ooaru irom t« !£..<., .ov>,.{,, a tnmol-o a channel to Dunedin capable of bringing up tho largest ships, and to maintain it in good order for 10 years, for the sum of £250,000. Ho proposed to do this by means of his countrymen and Chinese patent machines which ho would explain to the Board did they so desire it, but tho Board did not seem inclined to bo interviewed by this Celestial dredger.

The condition of the lower,classes of popula tion of Egypt is very deplorable. They have no voice in the Government, and are little if any better than serfs and slaves on the great landed estates of tho Pashas, who exercise almost an absolute power of life and death over these miserable creatures, called fellahs, The Government at any time may seize and place large numbers of them at labour on the canals or other public works of the country, cr draft them into the army without even an allowance of daily food as compensation. Recourse is had to the lash and the bastinado, to wring from the miserable people all in the way of taxes that an absolute and exacting Government may chose to demand of those whom it considers as its property, to have and to use as it may see fit. In fact, the whole treatment of the people by the Govern ment is brutal in the extreme. No real sign of progress can be seen anywhere, and the antiquarian can contrast the signs of an an oient national splendour with the sickening evidences of decay everywhere visible at the present time in this miserable country. Cent uries of oppression and ignorance must leave its mark deeply and indelibly stamped on the character of any people, and the Arabs of Egypt are no exception to its debasing re sults, to which may be added the evil effects of their religious teaching and traing, leaving them without patriotism or love of freedom sufficient to either achieve independence and good government or to successfully resist foreign invasion if it should come.

The Spiritual Scientist of Boston, through which the moßt earnest and thoughtful Spiritualists confer with each other has beeu doing good service in sampling the profes sional mediums of that city, and showing what humbugs at least nine-tenths of them are, even if there should be truth in spirit ualism.

We inadvertently omitted to correct an ad vertisement from the City Council in our issue yesterday evening. The tender for Newcastle coal should read tenders for New castle and New Zealand coal. The advertise ment as amended, appears in our issue this evening. Intending tenderers should note.

Seven Million of children, it is said, are instructed in the Sunday schools of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States.

Much gossip is afloat respecting the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, writes the London correspondent of the Liverpool Courier. On the Ist of April next the Duke will sail for i the Mediterranean, where he intends to have a two years' cruise. About the same time the Duchess will go to Russia, where she intends to make at least a three months' stay, but in reality the date of her return to England ia very uncertain. Now, the Mediterranean is not like India, where the Princess of Wales could not very well ac company her husband ; nor is the Duke's cruise connected with affairs of state. The consequence is people are asking why the Dqchesa does not go with her husband and spend at leasb some portion of her long absence at one of the numerous health resorts on the shores of the Mediterranean. What make 3 the matter still more extraordinary is that the Duke and Duchess are discharging their servants and Belling off stock, while Eastwell Park will be completely shut up in a short time. It was expected that the Duchess would go on a visit to her august parents, but the longest period report fixed for her stay in the Russian capital was originally three or four weeks.

" Only a lock of golden hiifr," The lover wrote : " Perchance to-night It formeth on her pillow fair A halo blight." " Only a lock of golden hair," , Tno maiden, smiling, sweetly said : And she laid it over the back of a chair, And went to bed.

An inquest was held on the 23rd insfc,, a the Aratapu school room, on the bodjr o Philip Paddon, a carpenter, recently occupied at the Aratapu saw mills. The coroner was Thomas S. Webb Esci. The chief witness was James Layther, who deposed that on the 15th of May, he in company with David Eeid, Samuel Wood, and the deceased, started in a boat with the body of Keid s child for the purpose of burial at Mount Wesley. At the close of the ceremony, they adjourned to the Mangawhare Hotel, where they stayed half an hour. They left and got to the island, two miles away in safety. Layther and Wood sat in the stern of the boat and were chaffing each other. UJtimately they quarrelled, and Wood, shak ing his fist at Paddon, called him a liar. Wood immediately rose up, the boat upset, and the two men fell into the water, saw Wood strike out for the shore, and Paddon struggling in the water. Witness and Eeid held to the boat for nearly half an hour, when Eeid lost his hold and sank; ho had no power to help Eeid. In a quarter of an hour, Mr Stehr, manager of the Aratapu Mills, came with a boat and saved him. They were all sober at the time of the accident, and sober when they left the hotel. There were two bottles of grog in the boat; Wood purchased one and Paddon the other. He saw Eeid drink a glass of brandy, and a nobbier, and Paddon three or four glasses. Margaret Houlahan, was also, in the boat, and gave corroborative evidence. Mr Stehr, Henry Manning, Jane Brown, David Jolly; and others having given similar evidence, the jury found that the deceased, Philip Paddon, of Aratapu Saw Mills, was accidentally drowned in the Wairoa Eiver, on Monday, the 15th May 1876. A similar inquest at tended the inquest on the body of David Reid. The evidence of the several witnesses shewed that the men, although they had taken drink, appeared sober, and were quite capable of taking care of themselves. The subscriptions for the widows and families of the unfortunate men have already reached the sum of £70.

We learn that Mr Severn, the popular scientific lecturer and experimentalist, has been engaged by the committee of the Auck land Institute, to deliver a series of lectures at the opening of the Institute and Museum buildings. Mr Severn's lectures are ex tremely entertaining and. instructive, and will form a good beginning to the future scientific and other proceedings of this im portant Institute.

Mr J. Daniels of the Waiokaraka Pumping Association met with a severe accident (on Tuesday last, which may result in the loss of his two fingers. Mr Daniels was in the act of lifting the new plunger, and making it ready for sendingtbelow, when it slipped, being greasy, and caught Mr Daniel's hand inflicting fsevere wotfnds en his hand and fingers.

The Wesleyan Missionary Society of Eng land iB organizing a party to visit the mis sions in Paris, Milan, Florence, Italy and Kome.

We notice that the Marionettes will close to-morrow evening, and afterwards will depart from these shores for the shores of America. At the afternoon matinee to morrow, little children will be admitted for sixpence, and in the evening Little Eed Hiding Hood will give away several beauti ful prizes, consisting of a massive goblet, sardinier, sugar basin, and two claret cups. The proprietors, like Hon Julius Vogel, are desirous of encouraging real merit, and so they offer a liberal discount to fathers having more than twenty children, and who may introduce them in due course.

CABLEGRAMS.

Destitute Diggers.

Collapse of a Crowded Balcony.

[press agency.]

SYDNEY.—THIS DAY.

The Government are giving free passes to destitute diggers unable to visit the country in search of work.

During the Fire Brigade procession yester day night the balcony of an hotel crowded with spectators collapsed, and several were seriously injured.

The San Francisco Mail arrived on Wed'

nesday.

Melbourne, Thursday.

A large fire at Messrs Harper and Co.'a mill, Flinders-street, Melbourne occurred to-day. The mills and bonded stores adjoin ing were destroyed. The damage is estimated at £100,000.

The Wellington and Dunedin firemen per formed creditably at Ballarat. A banquet in the evening was very disorderly.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. BarstowE?q., R.M., and Cap tain Burton, J.P.) JUVENILE THIEVING.

John Hill, a little boy, was brought up charged with stealing a pack of cards from the shop of Mr Harris, Queen-street.

The little rascal, it was shown, went into the prosecutor's shop and bought a small quantity of paper, and while the shopman waa engaged procuring his order he stole the cards.

Sentence was deferred till to-morrow. AGE AND DKINK. Mary Robinson, an old woman, who is constantly up before the Court when her release from gaol gives her an opportunity for indulging her passion for drink, was charged with her usual offence. She made a long story, but the Bench after consultation sent her buck to Mount Eden for six months. MR GREENWAY's BETTER HALT1. Mrs Christopher Greenway appeared be fore the Court, charged upon a summons with using insulting and abusive language te William Henry Butler. Mr Joy appeared for the complainant, and Mr Rees for the defendant. Mr Joy opened the case, shewing that Mrs Greenway had accompanied her . worda with threatening gestures, and had constantly behaved so badly that complainant was afraid that at any moment a breach of tho peace might occur. '

Defendant: "I never did; I never did.' (Laughter.)

Mr Rees contended that the information was informal, but the Court decided that it was sufficiently explicit.

William Henry Butler, the complainant, deposed he was a partner in the firm of Butler and Mclnnes, painters and decorators in Wakefieldstreet. On the 11th, ho had to go to Kobson-streeb to carry but a contract for decorating a house belonging Mr Pooley. iHe had no business with either Mr or Mrs i Greenway. When he entered the premises he saw Mrs Greenway. He was in company with Mr Foley. Mrs Greenway entered the building first and they after. As they went in Mrs Greenway turned round, and said, addressing him, " "You d d bullock puncher." She was very excited, and foamed at the mouth. She shook her fist at him, and said, "I'll have none of your d d shilling papers hung in my house." He had no communication with Mr and Mrs Greenway about the paper. Mr Pooley took him on one side, or he might have put her out of the house. He had not Been her since, but previously she had insulted him often. He was in fear of his life, but, as he had to go back to the house in the course of his business, he thought it probable that a breach of the peace might occur. ,

By Mr Eees : He had addressed a letter to Mr Greenway about the paper. "When he said he had no communication with them he

meant on that day. The letter m. duced and read, and van a notice toMr S Mrs Greenway that unless they C C the papers for the house he s £ have to choose them himwlf. fi Greenway bad had words with him a fi the papers. She told him he might Ift letter in bis pipe and smoke it. On i On v at some papers defendant said there S none there she would paper her water Jj Cross-examined by Mr Joy: Tho roi produced was that which was used for a house in Hobson-street, and about which M Greenway had made the offensive remarks !! was the same as he bad supplied Mr Walk of Hamilton, and other people, at 4s 6dT' yard. The kitchen and wash-bonse J£. papered with other papers valued at l a o5 and 2a. Mr Pooley was the person to W received any complaints. James Hammond, a workman employed in the house, corroborated the language used He thought it was " bullock-driver." Jno. J. Pooley, a son of the contractor deposed to hearing the language, and Beeini defendant shake her fist at him. She threw a piece of paper at his (witness') feet, and called it D d shilling paper. By Mr Rees: The papers were not ob. jected to bo far as he knew. He could not say why Mr Buttler had brought the com. plaint nine days after the offence. Mr Eees said he was prepared to maintain that the reason was because the papers had been objected to in the meanwhile, and the object was to terrify Mr and Mrs Greenwav into taking them. * Joseph Pooley, contractor, described the interview. When he heard the language and saw that Mr Butler was likely to lose his | temper, he took him on one side. He was I certain that the paper produced was the Bams pattern as that which was thrown at his son's feet. By Mr Rees : Since the 11th the papers had been objected to by Mr Cameron, the architect. He had informed Mr Butler of the objection. The papering had been finished since the row. By the Court: He was aware that Mrs Greenway had chosen other paper at Messrs Holland and Butler's. He could not Bay whether he had seen a letter (produced) from Mr Cameron forbidding him to use the paper objected to. After some further argument on the legality of the wording of the information, Mr Eees said be would call as witnesses for the defence, Mr and Mrs Greenway and Mr Cameron. Mr Joy objected to Mr Green way's evi dence. All witnesses had been ordered oat of Court, and that gentleman had been in Court neerly all the time. The Court allowed the objection. Mr Cameron then went into the box, bnt Mr Joy objected to his evidence, as he was not there at the time of the insulting language being used. The Court decided to hear his evidence. Mr Cameron's testimony went to show that Mr Butler had known of the objection to the papers. Butler had told him that he wanted to make £10 out of the papers, Mr Butler : What a liar ! His Worship said if he heard any other observation of the kind in Court he should commit the person using it. By Mr Joy : At the time he had refused Mr Pooley a certificate for the work, he had not refused to pay Mr Pooley some money he owed him. He only owed him £5 not £30. Mr Rees objected, and the objection was allowed. t Mrs Greenway deposed phe was the de fendant in the present case, t They selected their papers at Holland andJßutlers', because they were good and cheap. She told Pooley that they had selected the papers. On the 11th she recolleofcad seeing Pooley and his son at the house. She protested against the paper, both to the father and the Bori % She did not see Butler at all and never made use of the language alleged. She only said " A bullock driver would put better paper on his walls." By Mr Joy : She did not use the expression " d—-d bullock driver," nor did sheihake her fist. All that had been sworn against her was untrue as regarded the bad lan guage- This was the conclusion af the case. Their Worships, after conferring together, decided to dismiss the case, but ordered both parties to pay their own costs. . LUNACY. On the medical testimony of Doctors Ellis, Stockwell, and Young, James Webb, a half caste from Opotiki, and William Hannnh, formerly in Mr Crowther's employ^ were sent to the Lunatic Asylum, as being of unsoand mind. This was all the business. , ":i

THE PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.) Sib, —"One who has been an Inmate" ap» pears to take ifc for granted that in " hia interest" he can judge the present by the past, a delusion which very few persons would be presumptious enough to indulge in now-a-days. Does he mean to say that the rations have been all good during the laßt month, and, also, that the patients have them served out so that they can partake of them with any degree of comfort ? or, did the happy state of affairs which he describes exist three or four years ago? . "One who has been an Inmate" does not appeat to be able to see any difference between plain food of good quality and luxuries, and, further more, shows a disposition to make all the inmates suffer because "a large proportion of the cases have their origin directly or in directly in drunkenness. " I feel almost tempted to ask him to what unfortunate oir» cumstancs he attributes his stay there. One thing is quite clear from his letter, that hia style of making the innocent suffer with the guilty is quite in harmony with the heartleßS ness which he displays in ridiculing the idea of a sick man's strength being overtasked, even supposing it only amounts to working a pump to quench his thirst. In conclusion, 1 have merely to say that no one would be better phased if matters could be proved to be in a satisfactory state than- Humanity.

(To the Editor of the Evening Stab.)

Sir,—l noticed a letter in the Stau of the 23rd inst., signed " Humanity," comment ing on the general arrangements of the Pro vincial Hospital, which savours so well that I have good cause to believe it was written more in,the interest of a devised scheme for the purpose of carrying out personal spite. I have no doubt if the matter were searched to the bottom and the truth told, its origin would be found in a quarter from which it would least be expected. Ido not wish to say anything more at present.—Yours, Bosh HUMAKITY.

MR COLLIERS' LECTURE.

(To the Editor of the S'rAß.}

Sir,—Your reporter is slightly in error garding my essay on " Stage and Actors. 1 did not bully the Auckland public, but simply told a few truths. Why do I stay here to be ruined ? Because, during my two years and four monthp' labor in this city, I have not amassed enough money to move myself to any town further than Onehunga. Your reporter accuses me of imitating Mr Charles Clarke. As I have never seen that gentleman on stage or pulpit, I want to know you know how I managed it.—l am, etc., G. W. Collier. P.S. Regarding the assertion that 300 persona visited the City Pall on Wednesday, the enclosed docket will probably convince your reporter how very far he is from the truth.-[The docket shews the total number of tickets sold to be 147.—Ed. E.S.]

£#58 Wm W© SM'B, i&lßAir. MAT i_, MM



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