SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

HIOE WATEF—Thi. Rftemcen. 12; to-morro* <fflorr>-ng, 0 3 ~ S.l» R«T Thl« PT«ning, 652 BTTN RISB-To i-BJOrrfw morning 6 18 MOON'S AOF—L_st quarter. 17.h,454 pm

ARRIVALS.

Jessie IficopJjTc.co-er fr^m Puep.tn Lun», G.«.- men' ps r"air>hi d from ■WelliDgtou Rowena, s s, from Tau anga

DEPARTURES.

Hero, ss, Logan, for Sydney and Melbourne

PRO.™-"TIM* T)RP\ ..TTJRE^. For Pamo*- Martha, brq c, early ; . nne McLeod, Schooner eariy For 1.«.r..10n <■ ... 0 f *nd.-'and sfc'n n'-nut "oh. 25 For Ton.-l'in- (j.r-i_. Ci f t,j p oii-i Im. b.vque. <arlv For th' Si'iuh—Wtl.ingtcn, sa, Saturday; Taupo, Tuesd'.y PS_ fcyttelton—Flirt, brigantine, early

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Bfttavia. barque, from Melb urne; salted 4th Feb Annie Lewis, barque, fr m New York ; sailed 19th Nov "Brrdirk Castle, .hip, from T.rndon ; sailed 1_ h De iS-Habnry, .hip, fiom le ndon ; railed lstn Nov _Edintmrgh C . tie, ship (VGMQi from London, sailed Kovemberis Jewica h.rqtifi. from Yn-k ; sailed 2nd Juno "Vision, brig from Pninoa early Uyno, britaiittne. from Islands, early Hel-na, brlgar _in». from Sanon, early Amherst schooner, from Sidney _. W. Tucker, schooner, from Melbourne

IMPORTS.

Per Glenlora: 1 r 0 , MnH jso'g V e»t .s. V. and Pf Taaaca; per Ardr-ar: 25 c\?es ling fl h, VV, burrels white herrings ,oj d. 20 fikins do E and Vi* I«-cs Per Je aio 'wiccol from Duntdin : 250 sacks flour, Barnett ar jQ _ evyi

ARRIVAL OF THE LUNA.

The Government p« Luna ftrlved at Onehung r_non after d ylifh. thi" _n.ri.ir_ from Wel'i gt.nr, after a finew.ai her passage atterde-l by at ff westerly breeze* through ut. Has enger-. HU Fx -l'e-cy the Marquis of Norn anhy. her ladyship the ftlu- chlorest of Normaeby. Lord Phinp. a.HC. Cap tain Milan, and i i. Exi-dl n.., 'sh. ueeholds-rvants— 12 In all. The Luna in . dditlon to h's Kxcullenc 'fl Ju?gage, brought nt. C iior-e- and 3 c_rri..g s, and a quantity of 1 ghthous. stor<a

The s.s. Hero left for f ydney ami Whoume at half Tiast 2 to-d.v. Thescei,^ on th* wh. f who.. shewe»t away w»s rcrv animated. Prtss^nger.: -Galoot, to Sydney : Mrs Gilb's-m, W. * Morgan, Mrs and Miss Matthews, Mr anfl Mr.. Kastwnofi. Mr and Mrs Cirey, Miss M. M o .s, Miss Tiylor, Messrs Eastwo-d F. Boony. F. Marin, R. Trean, i_. To et D. Oommons W. Curtis, C. Whealeleh, Rdwad D. D.vie*. V. Jcyot, J. FT Lonch. G E.gaH G O-llin's, R. s.'Hiv, G. Rolmes, 11, Mocol. and F. Wint-r. Sa'oon to Melbourne; Mr and Mrs Emwn, _t_3»r_ d E Edw.rds. ard J Pc ull r. Steerage 10 Sydney, 72. Steerage ti M lhoune. » Th- cutter ls.bel is sdvert.S'-d f r sile by Mr W h» is only two years old ar,d carries 18 toos «»-deadweight 'i he barque f!.enlora his corn", up barb' v-, h'ving disibarg.d al) he poider. >ho wi 1 he b-nhed at the wh»rf immed t 1.. ■» notice to c.ns'gnees ap pears in onr advertising columns. The schooner J<-s ie Henrleraim.whi.ih is loading tj-mber nt he Th iroes, Is .. st'tied f r L-yttelton. The c'ipi.er i-chnonc- .)e=i-ie M-col arrive! from Tlunedin last niffht with a cargo of Southern produce She is cons'sGHii to M-ssrs B I'onhs and Co C .i.t.in Peterson srports having t ai a iini-weaihir p^s-ac-e. Captain Le VesrO'ite s'ivs notice tha f. he «i!l nit 6e reap, nslble for dcMs c mtraced by meoiber. of lv. eref? without bl« permi<-ion. Mr Malnoitu Mccolwillin future at>. as ag nt for -therutter i?»wn and ihe sdioine^ Elsinore "trading regulnriT to the Bay of Islands _ Tbeth-ee-mastedchoon.r Franl. Ouv, after start urig (or Hi ki.nga yest^rda^. anchored i.ff the North Me*A toa»ait » favo-ah-o t hifr, „t wind. ihe ss Rowena ardved fiom Tau-anga last night -with a full cargo, and sevente n passengers.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND

B___i_. wilt, C_OBF. as pnr._ows: ForThimes to-morrow at 430pm S'or'F-rs ell, per Ebenezer. to-morrow at 11 am J.WT Whitianea. Tairua, Tiuranga and Opotiki, per Kowena. o. Friday m-xt, at 4 pm T_.or Taranaki and Southern provinces, and Aus tralian (Monies, per VV.HiDg-ton, on Saturday next at 1.15 r>m (Signed) S. B. Bl^, Chief Postmaster.

"STAR." CIRCULATION.

The following ia the Star's circulation for .he month of

JANUARY, 1576: ---copi_s. copies. January 1 .. 479. j arm ar. 17 .. ..365 3 .. 4 656 .. 18 .. _-«_ 4 .. 4 7'B .. 19 .. 4,707 B .. 4 8.V7 .. 20 .. 4,651 -- 6 .. 4676 .. 21 .. 475 7 .. 4 75. .. 22 .. 4,9.2 8 .. 5,0*8 .. 24 .. 4,4.S -• 10 .. 4 734 .. 25 .. 4,6 2 • - 11 .. 4,903 .. 28 .. 4 476 -• 12 .. 4 705 .. 27 .. 46 2 -. 13 .. 4 610 .. 28 .. 4 657 .. 14 .. 4.704 .. 29 .. 49K .. 15 .. 4 968 .. 31 .. 4,607 Total for the month enning 31st January, 1876, ONE BUNiiR'D AND TWKNTY TWnTHOrft iKD TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY.SEVEN copies I hereby declare the abovo to be a true statement ot the number of copies ©f the Evening Star newspaper, exclusive of supplements and extras, printed and pub lished during the month of January, 1576. Fkakk S. Dtjf»tjr, Publisher.

DEATH.

BR^WN—On February 15, 1870, at Hobson-street, Urnest Brown, the adopted son of Mr Herman Brown, aged Z% years.

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1870

For the cause that lacks as'"' For the wrong that - _^tan_9, For the futu— -«e<IS resistance, Ap-' -»«n tne distance, -*i the _ood that we can do.

Let not the stranger in the land nor the sojourner within our streets take the demon stration of this morning as a measure of our 1 oyalty. We regret that it wns so, but. the causes are not far to seek. We yesterday referred to the intentional iosultoffend to the people of Auckland through their Chief Magistrate. That tie people attribute this conduct to the instigation of the hated Dr. Pollen was evident enough to-day, and h.id it not been for the expectation of meeting tho Minister and giving him a thundering reception, there would probably not hove been twenly persons, save official, at the rail way station. Where ia the Doctor ? Where is Soapy Dan? r.n from mouth to mouth, and the disappointment Yt-nted itself in peeping into the empty carriage windows and in the suspicions expressed that ' c q na( j bidden himself under the '_e_ts. We rep rat for the sake of. i_fa Excellency, who is probably wholly xnho.en. of blame, tha. a U tL.is (occurred, and it is in the fe.cpe that he will take the oppor tunity of exonerating himself from any personal share in the insult that we re turn to the slight, given to the people, and that we mean to keep pegging at it until Honour is given to whom honour is due " It is under this motto that our ministerial contemporary the Cross this morning speaks as follows :—" We are informed, that due official notification was made to his Honor the Superintendent of the proposed visit of his Excellency the Governor, and the day of his arrival in the province." This is simply a deliberate and wilful lie. We see no reason for usiDg a mincing term. The state ment is utteily false, an:l we are astounded that our contempoiaty would dare to make it. We have been at tho pains to make investigation of the sulject, and this is the result. Never once before—we believe we can say it without any qualification—has a ny Governor visited the province of Auck -1 and without an autograph letter proceeding direct from the Governor to the Superin tendent intimating to him personally the intended visit. This is the accepted rule, and has not heretofore been omitted. On the present occasion the first communication on the subject was a semi private note from Mr Tonka the Mayor, to Sir George Grey, as follows :—

"My Dear Sir George,—The Governor will anive in this city to-morrow, landing at Railway Station at 10i o'clock a.m. Ms Mayor, I suppo.e it is my duty to greet him on his arrival, and I thai! take it as a favor if you will accompany me. An early answer will oblige. Yonrs faithfully, B. Tonks.— 16th Febiuary, 1876. To this his Honor replied as follows this morning ; — " My Dear Tonks,—Thank yon for your note, wtiich I only received late last night I have not received any intimation of the arrival of the Governor, nor an in.itatu n to wait upon him. I should fear to intrude un asked. Faithfully yours, G. Grey. Feb. 17, 1876."

One word of comment on the foregoing is wasted. If his Worship had received any offi cial communication from Ministers, it was very carefully veiled in his letter, most probably with the intention of not wounding the feelings of the Superintendent, for none respects Sir George Grey more than does Mr Tonks. But the invitation to " accompany " the Mayor was one that would by anyone be interpreted into a private and kindly-intentioned desire that Sir George Grey should not be left out in the cold. Furthermore it might have been natural to suppose that from the absence of the usual intimation his Excellency bad d.sired his advent to be of a strictly private and unofficial kind, and to our mind ib would have seemed an intrusion had the Superintendent pre sented h mself " accompanying " the Mayor. But the true facts of the case are now cub. It appears that Ministers tele graphed to Mr F. Whitaker coming events ca sting their shadows before. He was requested to placo himself in communication —not with the Superintendent, but with the M-vyor, and with him to arrange for the recepbion of Hi 3 Excellency. Mr Tonks appaiently fell into the snare which shows that the heads of the most sentible men can be turned by a little honour. Him we entirely exculpate from participation n this affront td Sir George Grey, but that ia gross and deliberate insult was intended t and given to the Superintendent of the pro -1 vince is beyond any question. That, the bitter and insidious enemy of Auckland, Dr. Pollen, was the instigator of it we are perfectly sure, but we are unxious to know if it was with the consent or approval of the Governor himself. To his Excellency we respectfully appeal for informal ion on this subject. We shall be deeply grieved if he should be un just y under the charge of manifesting a political bias and reflecting the hostility of his responsible advisers towards a man who for his brave defence of all that is honest and true lives in the hearts of the people of Auckland. That informa tion can be officially intimated through either of the morning papers if we from our freedom of speech are considered undeserving

of it. But we would with the very greatest respect say that on it will depend to a very large extent the nature of the relations t_3t will exist between the people of Auckland and the Governor during his sojourn here, whether that may be long or abort. We shall return to th_3 suhj >ot to morrow.

The Government has definitely refused to permit the Colonial Champion and other volunteers who failed to qualify at the firing for choice of colonial 1 (.preventatives by one or iwo points to take part in the approaching national competition even at their own expense. The result is that only one representative, Captain Morrow, will have an opportunity of sustaining the reputation so honorably won by Auckland volunteers in the competitions of previous years. The circumstances which have brought about this result are such as call for some united ao': on the part of the volunteer ' 7"*° n j men spend their **-■ - lor<^ Wfaen I year in *• -"Jje ftnc^ _ea__ year after p „ ■ • - public oause, they aro at least settled to have their wishes treated with some amount of respect, but in tho present instance every representation, even though j endorsed by the officer in. command of the district, has been rejected with the utmost contempt, and statements of fact regarding the capabilities of the weapon with which the Auckland volunteers are equipped were called in question without the slightest effort at inquiry. Every marksman who has put tho short snider to the test felt certain before the corn petition that the result would be precisely what the event has proved. Tho authorities have deliberately, and in defiance of all remon strance, disqualified the Auckland Volun teers from participation in our ii? national, aud the members of the force owe ib to their own dignity and self-respect, that, any re monstrance they now enter .hall be of a character which c_.i_o_ be dis regarded with the same coolness as that which has characterised tho attitude hitherto as-umed by the Defence < ffice. The Herald to-day says : '■ The intention of leaving the -orce is fieiiotisly entertained by numbers of our best shots." This course w< uM prove ineffective ; their resignations would .impl\ be accepted and there the matter end, ex cept that Auckland Volunteer corps would occupy a very much worse position than they did before in comparison with Thames and Southern corps. Nothing will meet the necessities of the case but a general resigna tion of the force in Auckland. If the marks men are to testify their sense of injustice, let every volumc.r stand by them. Had greater unity and persistence been manifes ted when the inferiority of the weapon and excessive minimum necessary to qualify were first brought under public notice, the .light which the force has suffered would never have been placed upon it There ia yet time for the volunteers to show the Government that they feel and will resent the injustice, ami wo would, therefore , suggest that a general meeting of all the corps be convened for the purpose of determining upon some decisive form of action. The reply from the Govern ment runs to the effect; that " it does not see why Anckland volunteers should be placed on an exceptional footing to that of other volunteers." Nor do we, and that is precisely the reason why we protest against the in justice of compelling them to make a pro hibitory minimum score with an inferior weapon.

We are glad to notice that the Cross haß completely changed its views with reference to the necessity for sending away our miners, a conversion probably more directly due to the pressure of publio opinion than the potency of our arguments. Our contemporary this morning points out the works indicated in our last night's article, and urges their immediate commencement by the Govern ment, adding, "If these requisite and really Colonial works were undertaken, the seeming necessity for removal from this Province of auy of the Ih.mts workmen would be abolished." Meanwhile the men have prac tically demonstrated tneir opinion by neglect ing to avail themselves of the proferred free passages. So far as we can learn not a single application has been received for conveyance to Wellington. Still, that there is a neces sity for immediate action by the Government to provide work for the unemployed at the Thames is undeniable, and we hope some thing more commensurate with the neces sities of the case will be offered than the first granbof only £1000. While the Govern ment can find £9,500 for f^ir Julius Vogel's holiday trips a little more liberality than that represented by £1000 towards supplying the necessities of three or four hundred men and their families may not unreasonably be looked for.

We have been asked whether Sir George Grey has given any personal offence to the Marquess of Normanby, which might palliate any aot of discourtesy towards him as Super intendent of this province In the first place we do not be'ieve that the insult which has been given to the Superintendent has been the act of the Governor, but has b.-en brought aboub by the machinations of that Arch-conspirator against a province tbat detests him, the Honorable Dr Pollen. In the second place Sir George Grey his given no such grounds for offence. It is true in the House he censured tbe Governor for having yie'ded to what seemed to him unwise advice, aud for having seemed to show a political leaning. ' But we learn that the usual courtesies of Parliamentary residence at Wellington have pissed between them ; that in company with the late Mr. Tolmie, M.H.K. for CtkVersham, the senior member for City West called on his Excellency and family, remaining for a considerable time, received the usual invitations to the hos pitalities of Government House, and was excused from their acceptance on the grounds of the delicate state of his health. There has, therefore, been no reason for any such discourtesy on the part' of the Governor, and it is therefore that we feel he is entirely innocent of participation in the small and paltry spitefulness of Soapy fan.

In another column will lie found an advertisement of stale eggs. The advertise ment is bona fide ; the eggs were actually to-day in wai.ing hard by Point; Biitomart, and had the " Minister in attendance" heen in attendance, he would certainly have had a salute such as no Minister in New Zealand ever before received. The Government steamer Luna is to leave for r^elson this evening in order to render assist mcc in landing the shore end of the Australian and JN'ew Zealand submarine cable, A Vienna despatch reports that Archduke Rudolph, Prince Imperial of Austria, will be crowned King of Hungary ia July.

W<_ are glad to learn that the directors of tbe Auckland Steam Packet Com .any have invited Mr Coleman Philips to meet them for a consultation upon tho proposed estab lishment of steam c.>muiun:c-.tii>n with New Caledonia. The proposal is au important one and we hope tho consideration bo.towed on the subject will result in Eome definite, ac tion.

A correspondent forwards us an extract from the Pall Mall Gazette of So. t 29 an nouncing the arrival of the Strathmore a-- Dunedin. We were aware that f-u.k a tuineur had found its way to the English pie?s. Rumors are afloat of negotiations between Germany and Belgium, which are supposed I ro indicate preparations for the ab'sorbfcion of the latter by the former. Tho following visitors arrived at tlie Ho* Springs by Annie Millbank on F- 1- — 1870 :—Mrs Mowbrs- "" _,-uruftry ,15; Dunn, Auck1- ■* v , _\V_|u_.gt__ . Mrs Mr y' ...—.a i Mr. WfAeeler, Auckland ; . __L_9Jrt_if..__, Wellington; Mr J. R. BfQwi_, Wellington ; Mr P. W. Croker jun , Auckland ; Mr J. . idley, Mercer; Mr J, Comrio, Auckland ; Mr P. Hunter. Sydney ; Mr Skeen, Melbourne; Mr John Duean, Melbourne; Mr and Mrs Foster, Napier; Mrs Couper, Napier ; Mr McKiller, Inver carsill. Several of the visitors who arrived last Saturday are much improved. Weather bright, and company enjoying themselves immensely. The North German Gazette says there is reason to believe that the Government will shortly take steps to prevent the abuses arising from the sale in Germany of American medical diplomas, nearly all of which purport to oome from PhilaiJlelphia. W_ iindet-tand that Mr. E. 'A. Turner, who arrived here last month in the capacity of ship's surgeon to die R. MS N. Company, and who appeals to possess an extensive knowledge of the practical uses of hydro pathy as at preeent applied with such sub stantial resul 8 in Kngi&uri. Continental Europe, America, and.the Australian colo nic., has been ova v_dt of inspection, bj invitation of R. Graham, Esq., to the Wai wera hot springs, and is so plessed with the locality and the numerous advantages of its medicated waters as to consider the place in relation to onr climate superior to any other he has met with in his travels about the world, and ono above all others most fitted for the e.tablii-hi-ent of an hydropathic sanatorium and resort for invalids. From an advertisement in our columns it will be seen that Mr. Turner has commenced the praccict if hvdrop-i hy at the Turkish b*ths, believ ing, from long experience, thar. he can accom tiiish more good by this means than by any "ther. The theory of his practice is puie air, diet, exeicise, dry heated air, governance oi passions, hot and cold and medicated waters, and judging from his numerous flattering testimonials from persons in all ranks of society and sufferers from all manner of diseases and accidents, some of them only recently presented to him by well known residents in and about this city, be is most successful in bis applications, which appeal to be founded upon common sense principles and natural laws. It is the intention of Mr. Turner to shortly form classes with the view of imparting a practical course of hydro pathic instruction, and giving lessons in ortho^cedic surgery.

The City Council yes.erday agreed to the proposed improvements in Custom-house, Commerce, Fort-sreets, and the Breakwater lioad, which will be at once dedicated by the Harbour Board. The cost is estimated at £G 508.

The London Times states that the amount of bullion deposited in the bank of England the past year, on balance, was tho largest ever recorded.

Stokes, tbe witness in the trial of Wain wright for the murder of Harriet Lane at Whitehall, has been banquet d by the Lane family. Harriet Lane's mother was carried from her bed and mado a long speech, pre senting a memorial to be handed down by Stokes to his posterity. Stokes is burlesqued in a London pautomime, and is not a favour ite wiih the people. He has received a numbe. of letters threatening his life.

We believe arrangements have been con cluded with tho manager of the Lydia Howarde Burle.quo Troupe for the produc tion of some of the most sparkling opera bouffes at the Piioce of Wales Theatre next week. Miss Howarde, the principal, has established a reputation as a burlesque actress and vocalist of marked merit in the Australinn Colonies. P.e.erriug to the files of the Colonial newspapers, we find that Mdllc. Solango Navoro, from the Theatre Comique, Paris. Mr H. Power, and other members of this troupe, have gained for themselves a high reputation. Tnis troup. opcus with Merve's opera bouffe "Chilpcric." Miss Howanlo takes the part, of Ch.il, King of the Gallia.

Lynch's popular^ company? of Bell-ringers will arrive in Auckland in time to give then ars t entertainment on Monday next.

The recent report of the Secretary of War shows that the total force of the United States Army is only 26 500 men. The re port shows that the work accomplished by the Signal Service Corps is alone worth tbe entire appropriation for tbe army. That Corps now keeps up 102 Signal Stations, and has been the means not only of making valuable contributions to meteorological science, but also of preventing great losses of shipping and incalculable destruction of life and property.

The motion by Councillor Prime for cut ting down Wellington-street, was referred to the Streets Committee for report. We should hardly think that the committee will deal with the proposal otherwise than un favorably, unless the work is necessarily undertaken in connection with the formation of Nelson-street.

The Epsom Murderer.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

ALEXANDRA.. (Per Press Telegram Agency.) This day. Winiata has not yet reached the King country Tbe authorities appear to have re ceived information that he is in our neighbor hood. Beiuforc .mints of four Constabulary arrived who are all on the alert.

Successful Laying of the Aus tralian Cable.

[BY TELEGRAPH.]

NELSON. [Per Press Telegram Agency.] This day. The cable steamers Hibernia and Duke of Edinburgh are now lying at anchor They report fine weather, and no mishap through out. About sixty miles from tho landing place, the cable was cub and buoyed, and the steamers sail this evening for Shroder's Mis take, where, weather permitting, they will at once commence paying out the shore end which is very heavy, weighing 10 tons to the mile. They hope to complete the connection within fourteen hours after start ing- The Barkly and Tui are still away, the latter having Dr L<=mon and Mr .*hapley on board. The General Government has des patched the Wallace in seaich of them. 2 30. p.m. The cable steamers sailed at 1 p.m for Schroders Mi. take. A strong N. W. breeze is blowing now and it is thought they will have to wait for the weather to moderate before commencing to land the shore end. Constant communication was kept up with Australia on the passage, and they were informed on the way of the splicing of the Cook Strait cable, No eignß yet of the Barkley or Tui.

Arrival of his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby.

Hrs Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, Governor of this colony, and the Marchioness of Normanby arrived at Onehunga £r aba Wel lington early this morning in the Govern ment steamer Luna. The steamer crossed the Manukau bar befbre daybreak being favoured with a bright moon^ aiid arrived alongside the wharf between six and .even o'clock, A special, train from Auckland at 9 o'clock .eaoneri Onehunga at a few minutes to 10. The passengers included His Lor^,. ship Bishop Cowie, F. Whi»»'-- P p 0 l" Green W' -'rca Es( *" -£N° r P ' „ <o or Campbell. Captain Heale, -~ a*. © sSofke> fiiq.j — Co*, Esq. The.c g-Sn.lenien immediately on their arrival waited on his Excellency on board the Luna, and congratulated him upon his advent to the Northern Capital. The party remained on board till the Vice regal party were ready to dis-ernbark which was a fow minutes after ten o'clock There was no coremony of any kind at tho landing The illustrious party walked straight to the train* and having taken thoir seat., the "train started and came straight through to Auckland. The demonstration at Onehunga was not very enthusiastic. Mr Hardington's hotel was decorated with flics, and there was a concourse of perhaps 200 people who gave three cheers for the Governor. I RECEPTION AT F()RT BRITOMABT. I The preparation-for his Excellency's recep tion were made at the Britomard railway station. Here on the platform at 10 o'clock the Volunteers mustered and formed line iv •he following order, beginning on the right :— The Engineers under Captain Anderson, I ieuteuant Kitchen, and Sub-Lieutenant Saunders. Tho Victorias under Captain Derrom, and Sub-Lieutenant Skinner. The Eobson Company under Sub-Lieuten ant Connolly. No. 3 Company under Captain Morrow and Lieut. Kelly. The N.-ival Brigade, under Captain Leßoy and Sub-Lieut. Parker. The Anckland SootHsh, under Captain Mowbray and Lieut. Mcuennan. The Nixon Light Horse, under command of Captain A. TO. Isaa.s and Lieut Calvert, were drawn up in line on the east Bide of the Breakwater road ready to foim a guard of honor to his Excellency. The whole of the Volunteers were under the command of Major Go don. The Band of the Engineer, under Band master Jtnpey, and the Victoiia Good Templar Band under Bandmaster McComi.h and Seageant Trayes were stationed jn the extreme right of the line. In the centre of the pi .tform,the reception party assembled shortly berore the arrival of his Excellency. This consisted of His Worship the Mayor (Benjamin Tonka, Esq). Header G. Wood, E_q , Provincial Treasurer, Captain Daldy, Chairman of the Harbour Board, and the following members of the City Council and Harbour Board :- Messrs. C. Yen der Heyde, J. Buchanan, H. Brett, W. J. Hurst, E. Isaacs, J. Cosg>ave, G. Holdship. The Town Clerk (Mr P. A. Philips), wis also in attendance. The general public assembled ronnd the station, and in Breakwater Hoad and Custom House-etree-, to tbe number of about 500. The special train conveying His Kxoe'iency arrived punctually at half-pasc ten the time set for its ai rival. His Excellency and the Marchioness of Normanby occupied a centre carriage, ac companied by Bishop Cowie. Frederick Whitaker, Esq.. M.H P., Captain Heale, and Dr John L. Campbell. His Excellency's suite occupied a separate cariiage, and con sisted of Lord Phipps, A. D O, and Captain Malan, Private Sec. As the train drew up the Volunteers presented arms and the bands played the first strain of the National Anthem.

His Excellency at once alighted and cor dially shook hands wi.h his Worship and the other gentlemen assembled to welcome him, and mutual felicitations were ex changed

His Warship then said : "Your Excel lency, On behalf of the citizens of Auck land, J have great pleasure in welcoming yourself and Lady Normanby back among us. We trust that your stay may be a long ono, and I can assure your Excellency that nothing on our part shall be wanting to make it so."

His Excellency replied : "On behalf of Lady Normanby and myself, allow me to express the pleasure we feel in returning to Auckland aud meeting this warm reception. On my last visit I as.urred you that I should take the earliest opportunity of raakint» a lons stay in Auckland, and now I hope to be able to remain here two or three months,"

Three hearty cheers were called for and given for " His Excellency the Governor." "<>ne cheer more" was given for the Mar chioness of Normanby.

Tbe Vice-regal party then walked to their carriages, which were drawn up at the end of the platform. When the open carriage conveying his Excellency and the Marchioness of Nor manby reached the detatchment of cavalry, Sergeant Martin and two troopers assumed the position of oat-riders in advance of the carriage, and the remainder of the troop fell behind it. Thus esco ted the vice-regal party and suite, who followed in two other carriages, drove at a rapid pace to Govern ment House, via Custom - house - street, Queen - street, Shortland-street, Princes s'treet, and Waterloo Quadrant. The reception was cordial without being enthusiastic, and was evidently dictated by the feelings of loyalty, which our citizens have always manifested towards her Majesty the Queen. The moment of His Excellency's arrival at Oovernment House was notified by the commencement of a vice-regal salute of 17 guns from the Auckland Aitillery. Fags surmounted the houses in various parts of the city, and the ships in harbour were decorated in like manner. The carriages wero provided by Mr Quick in the tip-top style which usually character ises his turn-outs. Rather an amusing incident occurred when the procession reached the corner of Custom house-street <-nd the Breakwater road. At that point, as our readers ar« aware, Mr Dempsey, the contractor, has a large number of men at work. Whether by preconcerted arrangement or not we cannot; say, at any rate the idea bore the impress of spontaniety, but when his Excellency's carriage hove in sight the men with general consent knocked off work and hastily formed up in line on the side of the road. One of them assumed command, and gave the order " present arms " In an instant every "pick" was brought to the shoulder, and the motions of a royal salute were gone through with these quaint arms. As the Governor's carriage passed, the' navvies gave three hearty cheers for the Marquis of Normanby and the Marchioness of Normanby, and added directly afterwards " Three groans for Dr Pollen " The discor dant sounds intended for these were being given when one of the men who had been looking intently for the Honorable doctor, burst out with " Why where the devil is he ?" The men were taken aback for a moment by the non-appearance of the late Premier, but the exclamant of the above question soon came to the rescue with — " Well it doesn't matter whether he's here or not, we'll hoot him all the same," and hoot him they did

A weak female will berate a man for letting her stand up in a horse car, and she will then dance from 10 o'olock till 2. This shows th at danoing ia better than standing up.

The San Francisco Mail.

ANCHOVIES A$D TOAST.

[Prom our London Correspondent.] London, December 16, NEW PICTURE.

Every one has been to see Mis. .Thompson's now pictures ",0 uatjpe Rraf." The sensation dinned by iiei' picture of the •' Roll Call" will still be in your memory. Even Mr. Ruskin, that indiscriminate slaughterer of everything ■ •"".Ciind 111 art Was comp etel} 7 overcome by i it when he approached it for the first time, , and pronounced upon it a stirring eu'ogy. Tt i 3 certainly a most remarkable painting. The picture represents a regiment of British , Infantry defending a position against French ; Artillery and Cavalry during the hard fight ing of Quatre Bras. The regiment has made ' a stand in the middle of a field of standing rye which has been trampled down by the repeated traversing of troops. In the centre of the painting is the band of devoted men. There they stand, grim old warriors, with the wrinkles of former campaigns, holding their muskets in a grip of iron and watching for a chance to pot a Frenchman ; andlthere too are recruits out for the fir.t time, who have got over the first flurry, and drunk with excitement are ready to leap out of the ranks and lay about them with the butt ends of their weapons, but are restrained by discipline. In a conspicuous place is a poor fellow hard hit, who even whilst death's seal is on his fac« stands in his place constant to the last, whilst a horse, riderless, which has lost its master in the last charge is leaping up iuto the air in the agonies of death from » volley of bullets. The brokeu and irregular square has evidently suff.red terribly from the fire of the French Artillery, but the gallant remnant stand, as British soldiers ever stood in the hour of peril, nor show a sign of flinching. The chief surprise about this picture is that, it should hive been conceived and painted by a female head and hand. It would have been a fine work coming from any easel, but how a woman could have imagined such ex- V quisitely nervous and realistic work connec ted with a field of blood and fire is a nine day's wonder. Miss 1 hompson is now engaged in depicting the return of the remnant of the " Six Hundred " from Balak lava charge, and we are all expecting wonderful results from her palette. MUNIFICENT DONATIONS FOR MIS SIONARY WOBKS. I am not sure if I said anything last mail about Stanley and his Afiican explorations. He wrote a long account of his discovery near the Victoria Kyanj.l ri a powerful and partially civilised native chief named Mtesa, who expressed himself very anxious to have teachers sent hjm, and to be instructed in Christianity and the arts. The consequence of Stanley's account of this pleasant native is that two anonymous people came forward and offered £5,01)0 a piece to the Church Missionary Society to send out a mission party to tbe country of this same Mtesa, so that after all Stanley is doing the work of a regular thoroughbred missionary. Stanley's geographical discoveries confirm those of Speke and Grant in 1860 in a remarkable manner. There is no doubt now that the Victoria Nyanzi is avast inland sea, and not a network of lngoons as was supposed, and that it is supplied from the northern slopes of the watershed crossed by Stanley in his journey from Zanzibar. It is more than pro bable that tbe source of tbe Nile is to be found in the Victoria Nyanza, but there is still some uncertainity about it. Then there is still the question as to the connection be tween the Victoria and the Albert Nyanzas and as to the source of the Albert Nyanza, which is said by some to be supplied from the "Unknown Lake," of which Livingstone beard at Nyangwe in 1871. Possibly Lieut. Cameron may bring us some information which may enlighten us on these points, and in the meantime should Stanley's health be preserved, he has an immense work before him It has come out at last that after all Stanley is no American. Neither is his name Stanley, but Rowlands. He is a Welshman, hailing from Denbigh, and assumed the name of Stanley when he went to America years ago. In ISGS 6he served in the American Navy, and in 1860 came over to visit his mother, who is still alive. His Buccess in Africa so charmed the Americans that he did not care to let out that he was a Britisher. So in England he has been playing in the Tole of a Yankee, but in Wales he speaks his native Welsh. EXPECTED OUTBREAK IN INDIA. From time to time during the visit of the Prince of Wales to India there have been rumours of an unpleasant kind circulating with regard to the war in the E.st, bud ifc is qui.e certain that the Government do not give any weigh* to them. Nevertheless a general feeling seems to be gaining ground in India itself that we are on the eve of troubles in that country. This trouble, if it comes, will not arise from the people of the country itself, and nothing could be more loyally demonstrative than the conduct of the popu lace during the royal progress through all the large centres of civilisation. Still we have now some bother in the direction of the Srraits Settlements, and certain regiments have been ordered to Penang. The move ments of Russia are certainly suspicious, and although they may mean nothing it is im possible to get at the real truth of what is going on in tbe way of military movements in Central Asia. It is quite on the cards that the mimic campaign before the walls of D.lhi may eventuate in something more serious than a mere militrry pageant. THE MARQUIS OF NOEM-.NBY'S OPI NION OF NEW ZEALAND. Some letters have arrived in England, from the southern end of your colony, complaining of the scarcity of work, and complaining of the indiscriminate introduction of Govern ment immigrants. I know that cries of that kind are easily raised, an. none of the New Zealand papers say anything about distress— quite the contrary. The other day, speaking at m Meihodist Missionary Society's meeting, a Mr Leeman, M P for the city of York, sated that; he had received a letter from the Governor of New Zea and, a Yorkshire man, who in giving an interesting account of the. state of things in that colony, said there was no part in the world where wages were so high, and wherejjthe general prosperity was so marked.

MR SINGLETON ROCHEFORT AND CITY WEST.

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.) Sir, —My intention of becoming a candidate for Auckland City West, in the event of Sir George Grey resigning his seat for it, has been already made known through your columns. It is mentioned in the Herald of the 14th that Messrs Clark, Farnall and Tonks will be, according to report, candi dates for the same seat, and that an election requisition in favor of one of those gentlemen is being got up. This practice, under our pre sent mode of voting, is most objectionable. It was revived duriog the late elections by the Bask of n ew Zealand in favor of one of its own members, who was a candidate for Auckland City East. To trade in money and negotiable securities, is the legitimate busi ness of a banking company. So long a. its operations are confined to transactions of that nature, it may be useful to the community wherein it has been established ; but whenever it deparrs from it to intermeddle in politics, its usefulness becomes impaired, if not de stroyed. Erom matters brought to light, through the exertions of Sir George Grey during the late session of the Assembly, and from the disclosun-s made by Mr Bridges be fore afcommittee of the House of Represen tatives, it would appear that the Bank of New Zealand is the de facto government of the colony ; that those who, since June or July, 1869, have styled themselves

" Ministers of the Crown," were or are, ia reality, tbe men of business and puppet, of the Bank, and that its direotora have power to exalt and to'abase, to appoint and .o move to ruin and to enrich, as to then) T _iy seem gOod. This certainly is not |-*\_ hy Btate of things. Until very recent!; t „.lic elec tions in England were conducted by oral voting J the ©lector appearerl at the polling, booth, and declared aloud the name of the candidate for whom he wished to re oord his vote. Under this mode of proceeding, electors who were depend, ent upon or in the power of others h»d to endure much hardship and oppression. The tyrant-landlord would insist upon big tenants voting as he should dictate, or upon hi3.vacating his farm. The manufacturer and the master-tradesman used to act inasimila. manner towards their workmeD, and so did the cold and crafty creditor * towards his debtor. After an agitation of many years, the ballot—secret voting—was substituted in its stead, and with beneficial results. The object of it ia that men may vote as they think fit and proper, without being subject to the dictation, importunity, or influence of others, and that one man may not know for whom another haa voted. Now all this ig frustrated by getting electors to sign requ.. sitions, and by candidates or their friends canvassing for votes. _ The practice is not only improper, but it is by no means clear that it is not an illegalty for which the Queen might institute a criminal suit, as it tends to render nugatory an act passed, not for the private convenience of individuls, but for a public purpose, namely, to ensure to all electors a full, unshackled liberty in exercising the elective franchise. During my residence in Melbourne, I had a vote for the election of members of both Bouses of the local legisla. tri>e of Victoria. If any person, at an elec tion, ever asked tne for whom I intended voting, the invariable reply was, " That is a secret." I made it my duty to make enqui. ries respecting the capacity and morality of the candidates, and, at the proper time and place, I voted for the one whom I deemed tho most fit. I never thought by so doing I was conferring a favour upon him, but simply that I had discharged my duty. The elec tive franchise is a trust reposed in us, and, as in the case of all trusts, it, is to be exercised with honour and integrity, and with an eye to the puMic good. I will solictt no man for his vote, because I do not think it would be right to do so I trust the electors of Auck land City West will have sufficient self, respect and sense of duty to refuse to affix their signatures to any requisition, or to .promise their votes to any candidate or other person soliciting the same, and that they will, at the proper time and place, exercise, free from all trammels, the trust reposed in them for the public welfare. Singleton Rochfort. Auckland, Feb. 10, 1876.

MR FIELD AND THE PONSONBY RATES.

(To the Editor of the Stab.) ' Sib,—May I be permitted once more.to trespass en your space and the patience of your readers. One of the advantages of being a Collector of rates is the opportunity it offers of becoming acquainted with a great number of amiable, well-disposed peo ple, on the other hand, occasionally, persons of a very different character are met with. Out of upwards of a thousand Ratepayers, whom ib is my duty to call upon, I can count upon the fingers of one hand"the number of those who are cantankerous and maliciousiy disposed.—l am &c, .Thomas Jenkins. [This correspondence, if contin ued, must be carried on through our adver tising columns. Ed. E. S.]

A TRIBUTE TO GENIUS.

Vex not thou the Poet's mind With thy shallow wit, Vex not thou the Poet's mind, ,•.; For thou canst not fathom it.' . g , . — Tennyson.

(To the Editor of the Star.) g lE . —When the poet laureate wrotei the stanza above quoted, he surely must have had in his mind's eye, a prophetic forecast oi the dawn of a brother bard, whose lyrical ef fusions would be destined to shed an unfad ing lustre on his illustrious name, and illumine'the age and country in which he wrote. Need I say I allude to the sweet lyrist who nightly thrills all hearts with his touching melodies, drawn from that pure well of inspiration, the Police Court? So great is my admiration of this charm ing poet, whose graceful imagery and playful fancy remind one of Owen Meredith. and Catnach, of the Dials, that I would fain in my enthusiasm, echo the aspiration of the Swan of Avon, when he puts in the mouth of ODe of his creations the following aspiration : Oh, that the fountain of thy mind were a well that I might water an ass at it! . The animal would needs grow' sleek and plump by sipping at such a Helicon, and might in time bray forth in tuneful numbers stanzas that would be quoted side by side with the following flowing versicles :— Oh. that I might live and die With the Maid ot Ponson-by. 'Twere sweet to breath my la+est sigh For thee, sweet Maid of Ponson-by. On earth no other charms c*n vie. With thine, dear Maid of Ponson-by. 7 'lis futile—vainly do I try To paint the Maid of Ponson-by. With rapture I exclaim " Oh, my Ecstatic Maid of Ponson-by, No sum could e'er the graces buy, That deck the Maid of Ponson by. My eye! ,5„. Au o__A.__'S li_TO_A_B. The theme is inexhaustible. In conclusion, why, oh why, waß the legend of Joseph and Mary not done into poetry a la Wemmick? Was the spring of inspiration temporarily choked up ? Was the Toper Ehymster not up to the mark ? To miss Buch a magnificent theme—such scope for ingenious rhymes— for instance :— Shindies they had had by dozens, Scarcely were they cater cousins. Though guiltless of alleged offences, The plaintiff paid the law exoenses ; The Bench observed it would leel pain, • > If e'er they came to Court again. Here was a chance for a domestic epic, and to be ruthlessly thrown away. I sincerely trust such a disappoinment will not be again inflicted upon Boothitts Secondus.

HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

In the cut flower department, Mr Jnstlce Gillies was almost the only exhibitor, trie pot plants and splendid apples cultivated and trained by Mr Walker, his expert and judioious gardener, made a pleasing addition to the snow. Mr Gxorg>) Warbur toa also, of City West, whose gardening experience in Cheshire, have served him well in New Zealand, exhibited some fine plants and a fine specimen of tbe sunflower. We noticed the prizs taken for fruits and plants in our last issue, and now give the list of the successful competitors in

VE(J. TABLES. Judges—Messrs Lee, W<_rbu-ton, and Beay; Ist prize for best collection of vegetables, Mr Thos. m Lawson ; Ist prize for cauliflowers, Mr TaomaJ | Goldie ; Ist prize tor best bunch of cwrotß, Mr V. . || O'Brien; Ist prize for best bunch of onions, Mr wu- | ji, Ham Good; Ist prize for best bunch of parsnips, Mr t], V. O'Brien; Ist prize for best head of cabbage, Michael Burke ; Ist prize for best bunch of rhubarb, m Mr Edward Good; Ist. prize for best bunch ot, radishes, industrial Home, Howe-street. '^P" <>J~ prize for best collection of vegetables exhibited oy m destitute children cf any Home or Naval School, l" '7 7'; §1 prize, Kohimarama Naval School. Ist cliw certificates gg of merit: Cucumbers, Mr Edward Good; peas, «-r | George Alderton ; pumpkins, Messrs Murdoch anu | Sinclair. Collection of vegetables, honourable men- , tion : Mr W. J. Palmer ; onions, Mrssrs Warbnrton, g Cromble, and Banks; beet, Mr W. Brook ; collection | of vegetables, Mr Reay, Epsom. Certificates m merit: Collection of vegetables, Mr Currie; T. <«oo» -j onions and vegetable marrows; Mr Kesael, °?™ 0i! j parsnips, pumpkins, potatoes, and rhubam, b» l| Spe.km.n, collection of vegetables. . __ .. I' j.hecllection of plants, not for competition, sn»w» . ,|, by his Honor Mr Justice Gillies, Dr Home, *•;»•_.. M Macfarlane, Van Breda, L. H Green. Robert Granam, ? ,, »j, and Mason, were highly commended,. ■~ _.._ B n !' If! Best kept and most productive vegetable' g^ 0-™, §, IS Ist prize, of L 2 2s. Mr Thomas Lawsen t»".^?„ £_><:'$ Villa, Ponsonby; 2nd prize of LI U» 6a, w-%*a- *T ~ , Arc». Spring Bank, Ponsonby; 2nd P**29j B?"?,''i /'' LI lis 6d, Mrs Hendry, Kyber Pass Boad; 3rd pnxe, \ LI Is, Mr Cornish, Napier-street. Tb«r« *?"«„.„ competitors. The judt.es were Messr. Bullen, masou. and Gieen. The other competitor, wern »em ■ 7si

v_riw_i*.'-i_; __njHSi>_. T, -MBKtT ART H 1876 *T^i^s_jMT^_!iAß_9srffl_erta)Kra2i_u__' ' '(.uctsrumm* * -..n r... ___*_-______~.«,-_-™-_.. . ■



WANTED, Bricklayers to build two OliirnneTS ; labour only ; nil miitivial on the grouu d—App'y C. Brookes, Blue Boot. Que b s-reet v*^ QH,P 'BENVENUE,' jy§>^\ k5 FROM LO.VCON. All accounts anel elaiins ajrainst wSksSSSESSsskw the ship Benvenup mug bereutle-ed in duplinnte to the uiiderai/_n( d, by 4 o'c ocic TO JV.O-...0W (Fridai), or fey "ill n be recognised. JOHN RATGER, Agent New Zealand Shipping Co. (Limited) -.uckla.'d, 17th '-ebruiry, 1876. T~ HE JfJNCTfON DRAPERY WAKEaOUSi. FOR ..Q.OOD yALTJE FOR M ONBT' Dhapesy, Clothing, Habepdashery, Bosiery, Hat 3 and Caps, Furnishing Goods, ETC., ETC. W Special __iw_b in Clothing, _c, PtriteHAs.D at Auction below Value, and to b. Sold Vicky Ch_ap. A LARGE AND OOMPLETr. STOCK IN EVERY DEPARTMENT. INSPECTION INVITED. f&~ 5 % Discount allowed to Cash Purchasers in ill Goo-is auiouuting to twenty suilliiigs and upwards. Orders promptly executed, well selected, and securely ! packed. JttUSHB'ROOK & BRIDGMAN, [Late R. Hobbs], JUNCTION DRAPERY WAREHOUSE Opposite tbe Aanvlind Navy Hotel, Upper Quern--street, AnfIKLANTi. OPECIAL TO HOUSEKEEPERS. CALL AT THE CITY HALL, i- INSPECT -. THE FOLLOWING GOODS, WHICH ARE OP EXCELLENT QUALITY, AND VERY CHEAP:— i. Whit. SheetiDg, 2yciß wide 1/1 per yard „ „ Twillerl, 2,. ds wide.... 1/6 „ „ Plain and Twilled, 2'jvd- wide.. 1/9 „ ~ .. ~ 2J- „ .. I'll „ .rood Waterproof Sheetinp, at _/9 ~ Colored Table Covers. 3/11; u-ml price, 6/6 ~ 5/9 ~ 3/6 Fancy Table Oil Clo'h 1. yda wide. 1/3 per yard Am-ric-n I.er_*her ]J y's wide. 1/1 per yard Mahogany aud Oak T.ble Oil 'Bai_K 1/8 per jard. Cheap Summer Hats for Ladies aud Cuildren „ TTnd. relolhioe ~ ~ „ Corhinor for M"n and Boys ~, DresH Good*, ledum d prices 85 dozen White and Drab Stays, 2/3 and 2/11, a decided bargain. \ & HOLLOWAY &-, OASLIOK, H| CITY HALL, Hi Queen-street, Auckland.



West.-,.™, Wi_A_. On. and MA-io Pills.—Have cv.-'i more wonderful capes of Rheumatism. Gout. A'wrn.'.v. Aches Pains, Swellings, Caked Breasts. Scalds, and Salt-Rheum, upon the human frame Hian all the pretended remedies have since the world be.an. These OTrat american Medicines am tuffl -los >d of vegetable oils 1 eaiing gums, roots and herbs: and act like a charm upon rain and inflam mation Price: Ralf-a-crown. Sole Agauts: Kemp hrrne. Pt. F.er and Co.



Tr. mendo_S FaiIUTPS, involving the loss of mil'-nni. > _Vn ne ttr in the financial world. Far rnnre rlei'l- r»ble fnilu'-es rften happen in the d imam rfneMcine pali nts b ing somiime. mad-i iho Vic tims of mis'ake" t-c-.tmenr. But the re-'ri of the past oVe-1 ot dis. I- ft- a single im tanee of f n'ltire to Mir-on th. part of that .npr- meiy .ffici- nt remedy fnrkidrev a fl bl.de- niliinnts, dyspepsia, undue n 0,.,-.. px'-U urnt and g iiera-l rm of strength, UrOLrno Wo_fk'b Sciiie.am Aromatic Schnapps.