SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

BI.*HW ,TK.H Vfe*. fttw.-noot,. 12; t»morro« <non, n c ,;; 17 «tJ> Si ii,(. <i.,pi ag 75 j, UN an ; c To STCWd AciK—Wiriit Qmrter. S.d Feb. 1 3i p m

ARRIVALS.

.fitowena, ft, Sellar*. fion T.iuanßa iJiueeu, Khoone:, for Hokianga

DEPARTURES.

'CitrorStt) Francima, ss. f-rthe South Miunie C^sey, s .-, lor Hot Su,in 5 s and Warkworth

PR; i.i X 'T-! It.PfH Rte For *>ew Ynrl( —' (z2i* Fnx. iii'iine early F>' S- ne-—H ikhlH s-. mvli !f: -C-tyof S.n F.-ancieoo, - S9 14h Feb (E:'K'isli m»,.') for ihdSonib-piios'ju'thToihin*^1 * "fcouL Feb< *

VESSELS BY UNKNOWN.

City of San Francisco, troy- , g H 13lh iast Hero, sa, from Sydney, - „' ! nth W u Brndick Castle, ship, f' , , „ SJisbnry, »Wp>^. a CndonJ eailed Utta Nov Olenlom ship Wup r {rfm ndon . saUed 25th Oct ATd_,'ar, ship, / . om G i vgmv galled 2 f,th Octoher Jessica, baiv ae> from K = w Yoik . gaUe(l 2ud June Marathnn. OArq ,, ei from Now York . tai!e( i October 12 ;Bella M?_ ry> barque, from Efobart Town winnp c barque, from N«wcft3tle, sailad 15th Jan *L ISI' -0, brig, from Samoa, early **? no, brlgaottno, from Islands, early *. iel-Da. brigaiitin», fgom Samoa, early Frank Ga», schooner, from Sydney, early Amherst schooner, from Sidney E W. Tucier, schooner, from Melbourne Loch Leo, schooner, from the Islands, early Dauntless, schooner, from Fiji Coronpf., schooner, norn the Islands, eirly Marj' Melville, schoon from the I-lands J?»iHifc, schooner, frGm sydn-y, early

EXPORTS.

Shipned pc- Poutliern Cross, for Naplsr : , r> pockets hop?; per Leah, for Tauranga, 5 pockets hops, E. and H. I«aac.

Per St. Kllda—l winnow n? machine, 1 ca-o c»s'or oil, 2 CisVs ipgppd oil, IS lengths pipe, ] PR" holts, 1 pge Rasflttings 3cises 1 cask, 1 rg" ironmongery, 139 bars, 14 bundles iron 1 anvil, T and 6 Morrin.

The ship City of Auiklind i 3 filling up rapidly and will he rc-ady to sail for Lindon In a few diys. A few cub n na^engers' berths are still vacant, applica tion for wh! h should be made at onne. The City has nsuaVy mHde very rapM passages homo, and as s'io Is a fine seawor hy ship, and oas the advantage of a well-known, crt.eom skipper, iateuding voya;»crs should secure thcii" phssa?es in hnr without delay

The s Cty of "an Franc'<c > lef' for Ihe -South thh ■morning at tiglt o'clock nhi'P The loMemlng ias aengi s went n^.ty by her i-i -drfUlon to i> oxe wliow names we puM shed y-surdiy —Mr O. A Hvrris Mr Iv y, Mr Uich. Ste-sr .r«- Vtr Noal Shu is ex p»cud baik on h- 13r.b instint, aud is a pointed to sailf r San Ceancisco on tholidi, with the outwird End h n.ail.

Messrs T and 3. Mot-rin shipped per Pretty Jane— 1 roil sheet lead. 1 roll lead p -pc, 5 rases lreroi»e, 1 pump, 1 ciwk zinc, 1 case hardwire, 1 pge. 0 doz!>n washbowds, 2 cas^s ziac, 20 nuetst corrugated iri>ii, 4G gash weights, I bund c Won, 2 bund cm snovets, 3 ■wheels, 2 case's hardware, 1 pge tool?,l c.ise hardware, 1 case ironmongery.

COMMERCIAL.

One or two errors occurred in our report «of Messrs Grant and Morton's sale of Im provement Commissioners property yester day. The following are the correct quota tions :—Section 1, lot 12, £S per foot, Mr Johnson; lots 7 and 8, £10 per foot, Mr Whitson ; lots 3 and 4, £S 5s per foot, Mr SharJand ; section 2, lot 10, £15 ppr annum, Mr McClelland ; section 3, lot 19, £10 per annum, 'Mr J. Goodall.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE AUCKLAND

Matxs will Close as follows :—

For Thames to morrow, at 8 3'i a ro, and 430 p m For Australian colonies, per Granada, immediately aftfir arrival For Wargar.ia, per Buby, Uis day. at 4 39 i>m For Warguei, etc., per Fanny Kelly, this day, at 4.30 pm For Bussell, per Gem this d'ty, at 4.30 p m For WaDgarei. etc, per Sovereign of th« Seas, to-

marrow, it Ham; and per Clyde, at 6 p m For Napier, Ghborne, and Wellington, per Southern Cross, to-morrow, at 2 p m i"or Whitiancia, Tairna, Td>uranga, and Opotikl, per Rowena, to-morrow, at 4 p m For Taranaki, Southern provinces, 3nd Cha'lum Islands via Lytte tan, per»Pho3be, on S.turday next, at 1.15 pm

For Levttka, Fiji, per Llewellyn, on Monday next, at -10 a m For V rk, per tizzia Fox on Monday next, at

4.50 p m Mails for India. Chin*, Meditei-anean ports and Con tinent of Europe, Uniwd Kingdom vi» Suez and Southampton, and B in.ii.ii, wll bo made up per Tanpo, on Tua»rHy next, 8< h in t»nt. Per City of San Francisco, on Blond-iy, 14th instant, aa follows:— .

sfor KincUvn, Sandwich Wands, United States of *raericf>, Ciiiailii, British Columbia, Central and South America, ;>.nd British and Foreign V7est Indies at 11. a m

For tho United KinnuonT and Continent of Europe, at 11 am

For m n t orders, ragistercd letters, and news pap its, at 10 am Late letterti bearing an extrafee of 6*l in atfditinn to the postage, will lv; received on board by tbe Mail A?ent up to time of tailing." (Sieved) S. B. Ms?. Chief Postmaster,

BIRTH.

J^CKiON T —On tho 2nd February, at her resilience, "ynionds st i et. the wj c of Lieut Ci, J5 Gre^lev J.icksou, RoyalNa»y ofatou.

DEATH.

FOnn-^On ihP r e^ }~s ( ant, at Nolpon-s't-wt. thp rcHi.lPt.c-, ( ,f jmijro Mnnro, lii- iather-in-Uw, .'"iace Alfred Oeorue Ford, nv»d 30 years, son ot Jtlorac^ Alfred Ford, F.sq , of \V sum Supurmar.', Som.-rsetshi re, V.lig'atld.

Tho nnieal will le'ive Xclson-str ot to-morrow, 4th insiant, at 4 p m Friends are respect Hilly iuvited to attend.

GREENLAND—CharIes Fawlknor, infant son of Mr K. Greenland, "R-d 1 ycir and 8 inon'ha.

I he funeral will lake place to-morrow afiornoon, at :; o'clock. Friends will please accept this invitation

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

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1876.

For the cause th?.t lacks .WEvsttnce, For the me 15; t!'..it needs resistance,

And tile 4,-ood Ulat we can do.

Mr COLEMAN. Phillips, whose name will be remembered in connection with the inaug uration of every great effort put forth from Auckland for the development of the South Sea trade, has recently returned from land, and has naturally turned his attention again to bia favourite sul ject, the beautiful and fertile islands of the South Pacific*. To Mr Phillips belongs the credit of fully grasp-, iug the idea that Auckland's hope of a great commercial de9tiny is centred in the develop ment of extensive trade relations with thos^

islands. In a general way most people art prepared to admit this, but Mi Phillips has marie it his study, and from an extensive acquaintance with the islands he has been abie to give his theories a practical bearing and chew by the production of facts how Auckland might easily secure the full share of trade which her geographical position really entitles her to. We hardly know whether any effort will be made to resuscitate the South Sea scheme introduced upon the basis of Mr Phillips' suggestions by Sir Juiins Vogel, which, regarded from an Aucl-_ land point of view, was the beat of all the many big proposals with which the name of the ex-Premitr has become associated - infin itely more fraught with good to New Zealand than the cable project that has superseded ib —bub we atill hope me effort will be made jj that direction. Meanwhile Mr Phillips, in a letter forwarded to us, and pub lished in this morning's papers, propounds a self - reliant scheme which needs not that Auckland merchants shall put their trust in Miuistries or Parliaments, The primary idea in the present proposal is the opening up of steam communication with New Caledonia, but subservient to that is the creation of important trade relations with Queensland, Samoa, Tahiti, and the various groups of islands with which con nection could most easily, be made. The writer shews that already an importing trade of £700,000 per annum is afforded by New Caledonia alone. Bub the service might readily be arrangpd in such a manner as would connect the Frenen colony with the San Francisco mail servi c, and it is believed that a subsidy of £4000 would be granted by the Government of Ne\7 Caledonia for a, ser vice so desirable in every respect as the one thus sketched out A further subsidy from the New Zealaad Government would be fully justified for a trade of so much value to the colony. This, briefly stated, is Mr Phillip's scheme, and we regard it as the most important proposal that has been submitted for the consideration of mercantile men for a long period. The fact that many important , groups' of fertile islands capable of becoming great marts of trade are as near to this port, or very nearly so, as Auckland is to Invercar gill, has never been brought home with sufficient distinctness and import to the minds of the great body of the trading community of the city; and it is especially fitting at the present moment that some one should stand forth, and while pointing with one hand to the dark cloud thatjs hanging over the commerce of the city, the diminished Government expenditure, and the necessity for creating new channels of reproductive en terprise, should indicate with the other the cpnain'pathto wealth and a commercial pros perity which finds no para'lrl in our present or past experience. This is precisely what Mr Phillips is doing, and the more carefully the subject is pondered over, the clearer will become the conviction, that now, if ever, we should make an earnest effort to secure a larger interest in the South Sea trade.

Ts"_the preceding article we have dealt with ,the question wh*t we ought to do in relation

.;o the proposed .-•^tension of our commerce towards New Caledouia aad the South Sea Islands. The next matter wo have to con sider is, how this can be accomplished. Again, we think, Mr Phillips has bueu happy iv hs suggestions. The Auckland Hteatll Packet Company has alteady iod the way, and we see no reisoa why ie should not continue to enlarge its fleet and expand its business with the growing nece-sities and capabilities of ihe field which ie bus entered. We have been cha ged with unfriendliness towards bis company, hut so far from feeling any thing of the kind, we recognise in ita opeta tions a development of Auckland en terprise that should rather oniiat the sympathy of everyons having tha wel fare of the community at heart than provoke e nmity. We have on one or fc\Vo occasions criticised its management with severity^ but iv doing so we only censured what we believed at the time to ha unwise, and we have never been blind to the fact that the Company was undertaking a great work, one in which everyona possessing t stako iv Auckland must fool interested. Wo havo watched with satisfaction., the skillful piloting thafc has successfully steered the undertaking through the difficul ties that beset its infancy, and lias increased ifca business from small beginnings to its pro sent importance. No one can predict the posi tion which such a Company may reach under cartful management and commanding a trade like that which ia opened up by the com merce of the South P.ioi'ij. Tiio operations of the Company ate contracted by the limited number of iuve3Lora who have conn forward to aid in the enterprise. Outside this Company therein not one enter prise emanating fiosn Auckland having as its ilijeei the oreation of foreign trade by steam, and yet tho chief buitlou of carrying it on has oeen thrown on Uiu private resources of a few director. This should not bu ; and wo are convinced thai; if the trading community could be impressed with a propar appreciation of the importance to Auckland of the trade which might be opened up by'nn enlargement of the iSteam Packet Company's business, there ia nob a merchant, not; a storekeeper or private investor, but would come forward and aid iv securing the success of an enterprise in which the commerce of Auckland is ho closely bound up. In a future issue we shall refer more fully to this subject, and wo feel confident that its ventilation just now will re U t in some practical good.

During th^ month ending January, IS7C, there were 'JO deaths le^utared within tho city of Auckland. The number during the corresponding mouth of 187") wi'ie 32deatliH. For 187(5: Under 5 years, 12; under 'JO yearn, 4; under 50 years. 2 ; over ;"J0 yearn, •J. Tot;.l, 20 deaths.- For IS7"j : Under 5 years. 24 ; under 20 -years 1 ; under f)0 years, 7 ; over uO years, 0. Total, ,'J2 deaths. —Th-jre were no deatha in the hospital dur ing the mouth o£ January, 1870. The unfortunate man, Kobert Johnston. ,vho attempted suicide r \)y cutti'it; his throat with a razor on Monday last at Mercury Bay, and who, it was thought would recover in a few days, died last evening between the hours of five and six o'clock. The deceased was "in his prime, was a labourer, and for some days previously to the committal of the rash act, had been drinking excessively and was suffering from his indulgence, and while in that state, the wretched man cut his throat. There was no medical man at hand, *u'l one of his fellow lodgers did tho best he could in dressing the wound and staying the blood. It seems-however, that Johnston who appeared to be to consciousness, and apparently to, revive under tho treatment, shortly relapsed and died as previously stated. An inrjuest before the district eoro uer was to be held on the body thia after noon. A case appears in our police report to-day, where a " farmer, and man of considerable wealth," was fined to tho full extent for creating, and permitting a nuisance to re main on his laml, by the K»rangahape-road, to the detriment of the inhabitants of that district, as several respectable witnesses testified When appealed to on the incon sistency of his conduct, and the probable danger thai; would accrue from his filthy re fuse, he prou Uy defied all interference, either on the part of the Health Officer, and Chair man of the Board of the Highway, and was most abusive into the bargain. He would not even appear in answer to the charges, and we understand that be avows he will not pay the justly imposed fine, no that a " respect able farmer, and man of wealth," may spend ihree months among tho happy stone-break era of Mount Eden. It is singular how often lega are broken in England, in street encounters. Several cases have happened recently in London. At Lancaster, England, a vetorinary surgeon who could swim, stood by while a boy wasdro.vnin» in four feet of water, and made no other tffjrt to "save him than to try, unsuccessfully, of course, to geb tho body out with a hoe.

The teachers and children of St. Matthew's school met last evening aud presented a very handsome silver teapot, beautifully chised, with a suitable insciipfcion to Mr. Webb, their music teacher, previous to his marriage with Miss Glenny this morning. The testi monial was presented in the name of the teachers and scholars as a memento of their esteem for Mr Wobb during several years of mutual labour in the cause of education. Mr. Webb thanked them for their kindly recognition of hi 3 services, and hoped they soould work together in the same friendly tnanuer iv years to come.

According to the Indian Pioneer, it is the iutenuon of Colonel Baker, who was couvicted of an assault on a young lady iv a railway carriage, when his period of imprisonment has expired, to become a ttusaian, and enter the cavalry service of that country in Central Asia. As a preliminary step to that end, he has written in triplicate, so a3 to avoid mis-carriage, to General Kauff man direct, offering his services, promising, in the event of them being accepted, to dena tionalise himself and become a Rassian sub ject. His intimate acquaintance with many parts of Central Asia and his knowledge of the language of the people, would make him a formidable enemy to British interests in that district.

The Prince of Wales Lodge regular monthly meeting will be held this evening at the Masonic Hotel at the usual hour.

A strong article in favor of the wet sheet in scarlatina appears in the London Lancet, from the pen of Dr. John Taylor, of Liver pool.

Kong Ah Kang, a christianised Chiniaman, has been preaehiug the Gospel to large num bers of his countrymen iv {Sydney, and has been accredited by Bishop Baker for Bimiiar work on the Palmer.

An infant three weeks old with teeth and long hair has baen brought up as a neglected child, zfi Melbourne, and senC to the Indus trial School.

We regret to learn that another ofJMr Steedman's children has been attacked by scarlet fever, but on this occasion there are no dangerous syptoms, as the child, a fine girl, has a good strong constitution, it is expected that she will rapidlj^recover.— "Advertiser."

Extraordinary scenes are of daily occur rence in the Victorian Parliament, where the Opposition is employing the rules ot thw House to compel the Goveinmtjnt to dissolve. The following is a specinieu of what occurs nightly : - "When eleven o'clock came, a dis orderly discussion arose en a point of order. Mr Mair.-.y Smi'h called attention to tho cir cuiDßtauce that lUe hon. n.ember for Geelode; West Was ad l/cn.-ii!.: the v 'iYmntwe with his biekto the chair. Mr [jaiorconsidered that tli" hon. msmber for St. Kilda should be re primanded for raising such a point of order, and made a t-nfereuee to the ' Dove of Ar-rr-v «liich drew from Mr M'Lellan the r. mark tha* he would not tolerate <h<} hod. member's itrjpbrtin'ene'a Mr Thomas then o.itl'-d. attention to the presence of stran gers, and the galleries were cleared. The reporters having withdrawn, hon. members gave full play to their unbridled tongues, and one of the most disgraceful scones thrtt; have ever been wilneri3efl in the House was enacted. Messrs. Woods, M'Lel lan, Longmore, and Lalor had a prominent part in the personal!lies that wore indulged in. Intemperate and discreditable language was used, and gross charges were made against, the characters of different hon. mem bers, Mr Wood's tar brush, and the oireurn utanres of Mr Berry's retirement from the DnGfy Government being all raked up again together with the Times and Mines affair, and other matters of Parliamentary history. Ultimately the motion that the chairman do leave the chair was negatived, and progress wa* reported, ou the motion of Sir James M'Culloch at five minutes to 1 a.m.

It is just twenty years to-day since the wreck of the Josephine Willis, bound from London to Auckland, which was run into by a steamer in the h!uj»lish Channel. Uf the .'!."} survivors dub some balf-dozen ever came to Auckland; of these Mr. VV. 11.. ttipley, of the York Hotel, Newton, is one, and MrO. C. Fleming, Ooehunga, is another. Mr. liipley was the last mun that s.ood by the captain'd aid* until the vessel wont over, aud was afterwards one ol the ei^ht that clung to thi) spars, of whom one died, and seven were taken off. On this sa.l occasion about; seventy paoplo fouud a watery grave.

A great improvement has been made in the P.ilicu Court by the introduction of three new ventilators, the benefit; of which was s -nsibly felt by all present this morning The Court, unfortunately, is too frequently crowded with men who appear to lead an un productive and indolent life, and sometime, of which justices have often to complain, the heat caused by the ' closeneHM of the place aud the stifling breaths of the crowd havo benn moat unpleasant. This cause of complaint i* now remedied, and were the windows polished of the fifteen weeks dust, with which time has covered covered them, the Auckland Police Court iniyht weir somewhat of its pristine beaut)-, wittt the sportive sunshine upon its free mints, but now, Hudibrastic measure— Ho tliluk the dirt upon the glass, You can't »oc people as they pasj.

Mr. Eugene O'Couner who waa recently defeated lor the Buller district seems for some reason not explained to have been unpopular afc the Ahaura. After the election the bellman of that district paraded the streets and announced that an execution would take place in front of the .Star Hotel at nine o'clock ; and at that hour a large assemblage of men, women, and children had gather d together to witness a prodigious iflL'y, which had previously been suspended by the neck to a tree ; upon tho breast was a placard on which was written iv large characters—" In commemoration of tho poli tical death of the once great Eugene J. O'Connor." The scene having become a little animated, a well-known promiuont member of the order of St Boniface marlea few very appropiate lemaika upon the past career of the once mighty but now fallen one, after which a lighted candle was applied to the nother garments of the figure, and a splendid illumination was tne result, followed by a grand display of squibs and catherine-wheels, during which time the burning effuy was being unmecifully pelted with sticks aud atones, uutil not a trace but the ashes was X ft. Three groans were then given for Etigeije, and all retired mournfully. 3§Thc monument to the Duke of Wellington in St. Paul's Cathedral, London, after nearly twenty-three years, is now nearly completed. It is thirteen feot lorn;, eight feet wide, and tw«rity-sevcn feet high. The annual distribution of prizes to the scholars of St. Sepulchre* Sunday-3chool and the missionary meeting will take place this evening, selections of music by the choir and children of tho sohool will bo given. Bifchop Oowie, who lias jus; returned from his diocesan tour, will take the chair at half past seven o'clock. We are glad to hoar much more favourable news from Ohinemnri. The mines at Waite kauri give lirat-clasa prospects, and when the battery, now iv course of ereotioi, is com pleted the district will doubtles. become an important gold-producing oue. The committee of the Auckland Ship wrights Protection Society announce a meet ing of their order to-morrow (Friday) evening in the Albort-stroet Tempsranoe Hall for special business. All members are requested to attend, aud if failing to attend will ba ti aed. A mimed woman nimed Boyon has been condemned to death at tho Lot assizes, in France for murdering her seven children and a grand-daughter by pushing needles into their bo lies. She h.d ten children, saven of whom died under twelve months old, but it w.is not till the death of her grand daughter that an investigation was made. Her appar ent motive for this last crime was that the child might die before its father, who was apparently near death, and that she might tbus secure part of his property. When ask ed how she came to think of sticking needles into the children's body, she stated that at tho public-house she kepb there was oue day a conersation on infanticide, and it was 3aid babies did not suffer when murdered in this way. We have to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Southern Provinces Almanac, the oHest book almanac in the colony, this being the £twents -third year of its publication. The work is compiled with the usual care, the actronomieal and nautical table especially are very complete and accurate, good digests of official information, tariffs, railway time rabies, summaries of Ghristchurch laws, tidal tables, compass variations, and other information too diversified to particularise are sufficient to account for the wide circula tion which this year-book has obtained in the Southern provinces, for the benefit of which it is specially intended. An elopement from Palmeraton Ofcago, was spoiled recently by the capture of the run away couple while engaged in a po3t haste journey towards Port Cbalmers intent on a visit to Victoria. The fair truant was a young girl of great personal attractions ; the guilty swain—though not personally pre possessing was a successful vendor of poultry, eggs, butter, wheat, and other things much appreciated in this life.' At an early hour of the day he helped the fair creature to alight from one of the highest windows of her home, and, furnished with a scanty stock of wearing apparel, hurried away from scenes no longer charming. But inquisitive, meddling people, as the loving couple found, are well distributed in every country, and one of the genus would insist on this particular morning in being more than usually particular about having a friendly chat; and noticing the anxious, irritated countenances in the buggy, at once raised an alarm, and soon the once bappy pair were ran down. When the moment of capture arrived the old lady showered torrents of abuse, as well as blows from her ucnberella, on the devoted but down cast Lothario, and then, having advised the poor fellow to go home and "speed the plough," she compelled the young Jady, now the •• observed of all observers," to once more seek shelter and protection under the parental roof.

The creditors of the Bright Smile Gold mining Company held a meeting on Tuesday at the office of Mr K. M. Scott ; Mr W. Howe in the chair, when the following reso lutions were put and agreed to: "1. That creditor* of tee new company are to be paid prn rata only ; and old Bright Smile share holders, the public, and the creditors placed 0,l rqtial footing in respeoS to the allotment uf shades. 2rJ hat Messrs Rows, Eenshaw, a;.. 1 Watson be appointed to attend a uieot ii ' of the mine-owners,, with reference to a uJisral scheme of drainage. A3 representa tives of the new company. '£■ That Messrs Kowe and Head proceed to Auckland to ob tnih the signature of suhscribera for fhares n th 9 new company." These resoluti »ns wear a business aspect, which will induce aharc holdora to hopo that the Bright smile raoy smile brightly yet. A pumping associotwu haj yet to bs discussed, The Archbishop of Cashftl, Di1 Croko, has b'joome one of the Ticc-riesidento of the Sunday-Closing Association. The Associa tion has received a letter fiom Cardinal Gui le , ( wishing them every success in their efforts to 'check intemperance by removing the temptations to that vice which public houses, when left open on Sunday nights and Sundays, put in the way of unsuspecting and unwary people. — T'ailei, An undoubted case of foot and mouth disease in the human subject has occurred in JJJlinasloe,. in the person of a car driver named M'Cormaek. It appears that he drank some of the milk of a diseased cow, and in two days after exhibited all the symptoms which present themselves in the can) of sheep and cattle affected with the diru-a.' : o. A member of the London Medical Society lately stated tln.t he cured "chronic alcoholism" by administering raw beef juice, flavored with celery. The beef is rubbed through a sieve. The it quest on the body of Mrs Maclean, the old lady who was found dead in her room, will be held at the Criterion Hotel, Cook street, to-morrow (Friday) -o.t 2 o'clock in the afternoon. The members of the Excel -dor lodge of Good Templars met last evening in their lodge room, fheridan-itreefe, when the following oliicers wereinatallwl for the ensuing quarter: — Bio. Giradusf, W.U. ; Sister Booth, W.V. ; Bro. Cornish. Secretary ; Bro. Day, I<\S. ; S'sfcer McMillan, Treasurer ; Bro. Walter JI irrif, Chaplain ; Bios. Stanton and Smith, Guards. The gas consumers of the city will be glad ho learn that a reduction in the price of gas will be made in form of discount at 3s 9.1 per 10U0 feet iustead of 2i (M. This will reduce the nett price of gas to Us 3d per 1000 cubic feet, but this reduction will ouly be made on accounts paid within the usual date. A London woman, whose child was scalded very severely, carried it around to various hospitals, but without obtaining relief. They were too "full." The child died. An inquest was held on it, and th.3 hospitals censured - but'too late.

A PLEA FOR THE WIDOW.

[To the Editor of the Evening Star.] Sir, — Some days ago an appeal was made to the kind feeliugs of the public on beh df of tha poor widow Mrs Mulgrew which has resulted (as I have observed from the acknow ledgements which with your usual courtesy you have inserted) in realizing the amount of £2 ]. r >3 from the subscriptions of four individuals. Thanks to these tour. "He that giveth to the poor, lends unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will He repay him again "— with interest. But 13 this all ? Are there only four among your five thousand reuderu whose hearts are open to a ta!e of Borrow ? About three hundred pounds was niveu last ni»ht by tho public of Auckland for an hour's gratification with lilondin I but then there was a " quid pro quo," some thing to bo seen for the money. Here there is a poor widow left to fight life's battle with six hc!plesß little ones, and no one knows or cures that they perish ! Professed preachers of the Gospel of Christ, you never read the S'l'Aß, I gness! You are unaware, you must be, thut any such a case had'been made pnblic, or you would immediately have not only given yourselves, but have pointed out to others the same duty. Ministers of religion of the City of Auckland ! There is a poor widow not very far ofl", by name of Mulgiew, whose husband, a haid working man of honest re pute, was lately killed by a pure accident. This poor widow has six little children to provide for, and mighty little to do it wit h. Is ihis, or is it not, a case for the exercise of Christian charity ?— I am, Mr. Editor, until lately,?A Stbangbh in your Midst.

Firs in Quean Street

Tin-: ominous cry of lire disturbed the quiet slumbers of numbers of citizens last night, or rather early this morning, when it was found that signs of fire were sparkling upwards from tho house aod Bhop ot Mr .Neil Camp bell, tailor of Queen-street. The smoke and epirks were first seen by William Dickenson, who was accompanying two young ladies to their homes. Ha immediately raised an alarm, and Constable Gannon, who was on duty near the spot, ab once tried to arouse the inmates of Mr Campbell's house, but as no response was made, Mr Campbell and family being away at his suburban villa, Pon sonby, the conatablo broke open the door. Ho wont upstairs and found that the fire was confined to a small space, outside the chim ney stack, where it was rapidly burning. There was a bucket of water stending in the journeyman's room, which he at once caught up and dashed effectively upon the increasing flames, He gave the alarm, and a peison went and ran^ the junction lire-bell. A few minutes after the bell had sounded'the alarm, Mr. Broham, with a number of police, and Mr. Hugheß, of the Auckland Fire Brigade, with his men, were on the spot with their various appliances ready for action. By this time, however, the flames were subdued by the prompt exertions of Mr Dickenson and constables Gannon and Gra ham, who certainly deserve the thanks of the neighbours, who mutt hrve suffered con siderably had these men been less active in their immediate duties. The probable cause of the fire was owing, it is supposed, to the tailor's iron or "goose," from which the ashes havig fallen among some stuff, caused it gradually to kindle into a flame. We may mention, further, that Constable Jackson, of Parnell, was one of the earliest of constables on day duty who appeared near the scene of the lire, and. almost invariably, although so far from the city, Jackson is seen at fires that occur in the city very shortly after the outbreak.

TELEGRAPHIC.

GRAHAMSTOWN.

(From our own Correspondent.)

This day,

In the District Court to-day the claim Curtis and Bon, of Paranaki, v. Hoskins, ver dict for plaintiff with costs, £15 14s The bankruptcy case re Charles Wilson (liabili ties, £168; assets, nil) the discharge waß opposed, but granted. Tookey and Webh (liabilities, £1,508 ; assets, £13 7s 6'd). The evidence was partly heard, bui owing to the absence of the man who kept the books, the bankrupt Webb was unable to account for certain discrepancies in the book, and tbe case was postponed till next; Court day to secure the attendance of witnesses.

COROMANDEL.

(Prom our own Correspondent.) This day,

The new engine at the Union Beach is working splendidly. The water caused by the stoppage of tho^old engine, while this one

was being connected, ia out of the mine. More hands will be put on, and the mine worked in all its parts. Shares could not be bought here to-day for 808. The Kapanga is lowering the water ra pidly in the mine. . . , Business generally is very quiet indeed, but hopes are entertained of a revival.

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.) This dny. No News from Sir Julius Vogel- The Government received no news ot any consequence either by the Oineo or /dhambra. , The museum has been opened to tne public- Immigrants at Nelson. . A. lot of immigrants recently arrived at Nelson, came over to Wellington to-day. 1 They could find no employment there, ihey are "all good miners, and go to work on one of McKirdy's contracts on the Mastcrton railway. , The Corporation have fairly assumed the management of the Queen's wharf, and are conducting it pretty well so far. Death of a Trained Circus Horse. The Circus is drawing crowded houses nightly. The trained horse Tiger put his shoulder out last night, and was shot to day. Loss £250. Seeamer Kace- The steamers Manawafcu and Sfcormbira ran a dead heat between Wanganui and Wel lington side by side the whole way, and there was not a length of difference on reaching the wharf. . The number of steamers which arrived last month was 77 ; their aggregate tonnage being 10,092 toes ; number of sailing vessels, 57 ; aggregate measurement, 7,160 tons. Immigrants for Auckland- The Weliiugton t x>k away 100 Shakespeare immigrants to day to be distriubted between Nelsoil, Taranaki and Auckland.

BLUFF.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day, Saloon passenger per Omeo, Mr Cox.

TIMARU.

[Per Press Telegram Agency.] Wednesday. Railway to Timaru- The railway is to be opened for traffic throughout from Lytteiton to Timaru, on Friday next. The first section, south of Timaru, is completed to Pairoaiti, three miles, and will be handed over in a few days. Tbe immigrants by the ttoukar found employment immediately, at good wages. A great demand for labourers continues. Gloomy Farming Prospects. The low prices of grain, and tbe high rate of wa^es, make farmers' prospects gloomy. Fifteen pence a bushel is offered for oats, which will not recoup the outlay. Consider able loss has also been sustained through the late rains, beating down the crops ;md delay ing harvesting.

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.) This day. Tho Australian Calais- The sight fixed for landing f;he Australian cable is 14J ruiles from Nelson. The land lino will bd extended thither immediately. The cable is expected to be laid by the end of the present month.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow, Esq., R.M.)

A WOMAN DRU.SK,

An old woman, grey and trembling, was charged with being drunk and incapatne last night, and fined 5s and costs.

GKORGE HAYS' XEGLECT.

Geo Hays was summoned for leaving his horse unattended in Queen-street on tho 27th January. Defendant said he would plead guilty. He left, the animal for a few minutes to get his breakfast, taking care to give the horse a good feed of corn first. When he came out he found the hoise, which was of a iivdy dispo sition, h.id bolted his corn and then bolted towards Queen street. The Court imposed a fine of 2s 6d and costs, which defendant immediately paid. city RATKS. Twelve cases of non-payment of city rates which were set down for hearing, were set tled out of court. EDUCATION RATE. Mr Beale, solicitor, again appeared with his books, and a formidable list of names of education rate defaulters, amounting to about sixty, which he wiahtd to have adjourned until the 3rd day of March. Hi& Worship hoped that Mr. Beale would ariant;e so as to settle tneae matters at once instead of so many adjournments, as the adjournments gave Mr Cunningham so much trouble, as they involved a repetition of the labour of writing. Mr. Beale would not require any future adjournments, but would endeavour to bring up the whole bulk of defaulters on the 3rd of March. The case 3 were consequently adjourned. A NUISANCE. Thomas Bray, of Newton, was charged with creating and perpetuating an abomin able nuisance on his land abutting on the Karangahape Road, by permitting a quantity of night-soil to be deposited on his premises to the injury of the health of the neigh bourhood. Mr Rees appeared for the prosecution and said that as defendant had frequently been remonstrated with, and had insultingly re fused to remove tho said nuisauce, he would press for the whole of the penalty' for such offence. Francis H. Heighway, deposed that he knew Mr Bray's premises, and on the 27th January, his attention was called to the nuisance in question, which was of the most filthy description, in fact, he had never wit nessed a worse case. The stench arising therefrom, was perceptible a quarter of a mile away. The nuisance remained exposed for four days, tie was appointed under the Central Board of Health. De Alexander Young, health officer of the district, visited the premises on tho 27 Lh January, Saw the nuisance, which lie con sidered most injurious upon the public health. Ie was in a dangerous 3tate, and there was a well witnin a few yards of it. Thomas Barnes, Chairman of the Karan gahape Board, knew Mr Bray, and saw the nuieance. He was attracted by the offensive smell, which reached him at a Ions; diatanee. He spoke to Mr Bray upon the subject, when he told him to go to , but he did not see his way clear to that place. (Laugh ter.) He told him he must take proceedings, when Bray again insulted him with a bitter oath. JBe was not surprised, for he knew Bray to be a hardened sinner.

Mrs Julia Watts, a lady residing near, also Mrs Neale and Mr Lambourne were witnes ses and sufferers by the nuisance. His Worship said this was a case in which the full penalty should be iuflicted. Defendant was the a fined £10, or three months imprisonment, with costs £5 8s 6d. There was a second charge against defend ant for allowing the nuisance to remain on his premises, the evidence in which case was the same as the preceding. The defendant in the latter case was fined la. and costs 6s. 6d, or seven days. This was all the business.

Messrs B. Tonks & Co. sold to day, the lease of Mr W. Kirby'a coal yard for'sevea or ten years for £132 10 per annum Mr. Mal colm Niccol was the purchaser. Ttie horse and harness fetched £23.105, and the various stock of wood, coal, blue gum, etc., realised satisfactory prices.

The Murderer Ham,

It is remarkable, as Mr Oharles Dickens stated Bcme years ago in "Bousfhold Words," that the demeanour of murderers are exactly opposite to that ferocity of appearance which is generally expected in persons capable of the most diabolical crimes. ■■'■■■<■ Tbnrtell was a man of pleasing countenance, Greenacre wore a serious face, spoke in favor of religion pnd morality, at the same time that he cheated bis customers ia weight and adulterated his tea, and Palmer was a fair, polite man, of most gentlemanly exterior. We hardly expect to find a native of the Maori race to possess the gfnial features of • the Anglo-Koxon rsce with their fair hair and bJue eyes, still some natives have a pleating j exprepsion of countenance, and aeem to wear a perpetual smile. Kara, or Harry Wyn yard, was of this elms, and during the periods of his employment aft Mr Cleghom's, was regarded as an inoffensive kind of Maori, apart from his one propensity to take the property of others, and for which pro- , penalty carried into effect, he suf fered two separate terms of imprisonment in Mount Eden gaol, being committed from Otfebunga. Mr Cleghorn,_in consequence of his inclination to appropriate other people's goods to his own account, wished to he rid of him, but Hara intimated to Mr Cleghorn that if be did not know when he had got a good servant, he (Hara) knew when he had got a eood master, and so Hara. was suffered to remain on the farm at Epsom, v;hen the young man Packer was engaged, Hara seemed to take to him, and apparently delighted to be continually in his company. In the evening they would retire into a certain part ot the house, and while the Misses Cleghorn played the piano forte Packer who, like most Devonshire men, was an excellent singer. would gratify Hara by his well turned airs. Hara was of a quiet turn , though not habitually taciturn or sullen. This peculiarity, however, was ascribed to his w»nt of a knowledge of the English tongue, in which he seemed desirous of ac quiring a more perfect knowledge, than from any " moodiness of disposition, which a stranger might suppose he possessed. He was especially fond of accompanying the younger members of the family in their walks in the more retired parts of Epsom, but, as one of the young ladies said, "We little thought he could commit a murder or1 we should not have went with him, for he might have killed us all." Packer and Hare, even up to the night preceding the awful event, appeared to be on the most friendly terms ; but Hara knew that Packer possessed a cftrtain amount of money, and he resolved, at the sacrifice of life and liberty, to :t .i, „„ v,~ m-nvAcreA Vila friend.

THE MURDER AT EPSOM.

CORONER'S INQUEST,

The adjourned inquest on this fearful tragedy was resumed to-day at noon, at the Prince Arthur Hotel, Epsom. All the jurors were present. Dr Philson, the coroner, held the inquest, and the enquiry was conducted by Mr Broham, Inspector of Police. The first witness examined was Mary Ann Sutton, who deposed she was a general servant at Mr Cleghorn's. On the morntng of the 27th ult., at half-past four o'clock, she heard a movement in the yard. On looking out of her window she observed Harry, the Maori, push open the door 0/ the outhouse in which Packer slept. She heard Edwin say: " Halloa, Harry, where are you off to ?" She behind for a few minutes,, but heard nothing more. Harry was in the room when deceased. spoke to him. She dressed immediately after wards, and in coming out of her room saw Mr Wm. Cleghorn in the kitchen. Told him she thought there was some row over in Edwin's room. He asked her who it was, and she said, it was Harry who had gone over. He went into his room again. She then went across the yard to deceased's room, and rapped at the door. She called out " Edwin," but re ceived no answer. That was about a quarter of an hour after she heard deceased speak to Harry. Thinking lie was asleep, she went out and picked up some wood for lighting the fire. After she had gathered the wood she saw that the door of Packer's room was open, and she went to it and looked in., not seeing him she believed he had gone out, but could not swear he was not there. She could only see into the room partially. She then went into the kitchen again and told Master Cleghorn that Edwin was not in his room. He laughingly remarked that he hoped Harry had not taken him out into the paddock and quietly murdered him there, but he did not think there was much fear of that. He started off then with Mr. Stoddart to shoot rabbits. She scarcely had time to light the fire when he returned, looking very white* and said he thought something had happened as he had seen Edwin's feet. She asked him where, and he seemed hardly able to answer. He then said it was by the heap of posts, near the pigstye. She went out with him, and saw deceased lying on his face with the posts over him. The feet were not quite straight, but were sticking up, and were not covered There was a rug wrapped round the body. When she saw Hany going into Packer's she had no idea that any thing was wrong. There was nothing in tho words she heard to indicate anything wrong. She knew that deceased and Harry were not on good terms. Edwin spoke in a -loud tone when he said "Haloa, Harry, where are you off to." It was nothing unusual to see Harry there early in the morning. He was often there by three o'clock to help with the mowing. Deceased was the only person who slept in the outhouse. Harry lived at Onehunga. By the Jury : She did not see anything of the Maori after he went into deceased's room. He was in the habit of going straight to Ed win's room when he came in the morning, and his doing so on the morning of the murder was nothing extraordinary. Could no} say why she listened at the window after Harry went into the room, or why she should have made the remarks she did to Master Cleghorn.

To the Coroner : She was certain as to the identity of the Maori. She saw his face as he turned rouud to go into the room. She had known Harry seven months. Had never seen an)* other Maori like him.

By a Juror ; She did caution deceased to fasten his door. She had said so because she did not like to have anything ■ to do with Maories. This was after the disturbance about the money. William Gait Clegharn deposed that he resided at his father's, at Epsom. On the morning of the 27th ulbimo, he got up about twenty minutes to five, and went into the kitchen to get some water. The last witness told him she had seen the Maori cross the yard to the deceased's room, and had heard them talking. He asked if they were quiet now, and she said yes they were. Witneas was about to leave the house when he saw the last witness go out of the door. She returned shortly, and said they had both left the room. Witness said jokingly. I suppose Harry is quietely murdering him in the pad dock and then he laughed and said that was net likely. Shortly after, he took up his tun, and left the house in company with Martin Clsghorn to shoot rabbits. Went past the barn with his dog and in passing some posts his dog pointed. Said to Stod dart "there is a cat under the Dosts," on going up to the posts I saw a man's feet pro jecting beyond the posts. Took two or three steps backwards and said to Stoddart, 11 he's murdered," and then ran to the house and told the last witness what he had seen. She said " come with me and I'll see" and went back with me to the posts. Witness felt one of the feet and found it nearly cold. Ean inside and called his father who came down. Theu went off to Onehunga to bring Dr Zinzan and Constable Green. Did not go into deceased's room. When he came back with the constable tbe body had not been^retumed to the

XHK CVmOIG KTAB. THUESaAf, FJffißßUAßT^ljjj



BE:; EsFOlil) - STEEH.T CONGPvEGA TIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL. On THURSDAY EVFNI^ G. 3rd instant, at half past seven o'clock, there w'll uo an flxhihir.ion at the Beresfard Kail of the Sunrtav-whool Union's NE v Ptviip, ( iHA, ''TTu lhe Rhine to Italy." A des criptive lecture will be piven by Mr Buton. Admission : Is : children M . ST. PAUL'S CHURCH IMPROVE MS>T. Subscribers to tho abnvo fund ore respectfnlly in fntm.i.L that the amounti standing ag^ins' their name* are urgently required, and will he thauk'ully receive to meet demands by 'ho contractor, who will shor 1> com h lets his c nt'act. <">nhcr pt nni can be p»id to the accountaUhe >-Mionalßin« toG W. Hardwick, Verger; or to eiibpf of the undersigned, X W.' DYS,£ } Chnrchwdens. OPEOIAL TO HOUSEKEEPERS. CALL AT THE' CITY HALL, 1 NSPECT THE FOLLOWING GOODS, WHICH ARE OF EXCELLENT QUALITY, AND VERT CHEAP:— White SheetiLg, 2 yds wide VI per yard „ ~ Twilled, 2yds wide 1/6 „ „ Plain and Twilled, 2} yds wide.. 1/9 „ ~. i| „ ..i/ii .1 Good Waterproof Sheeting,"at 3/9 „ Colore-t Table Covers. 3/11; ivual price, 6/6 ~ 5/9 „ 8/6 Fancy Tallin Oil Oh lj-yis■ wM<\ 1/3 per yard Am• rican I.oa'her lj v >a w'd* 1/1 pt-r yard MahoKanv aid Oak Tible Oil 13>ize, 1/3 per jard.



Choap Pummpr flats for La-Jieß and Children „ Underdo'hinfeT ~ ' i, ~ Ckiiliiotf forMn and Boys ~ Drew fioodi, redn"*d prices 85 dozen White and Drab Stays, 2/3 and 2/U, a dscided bargain. HOLLOWAY & GAR LICK, CITY HALL, Quisen-Btreet, Auckland. JT OTI CE. J^OTICE. JUST TO HAND— \ Larffe Parcel of Double-width Watsrproof Tweed, Melton Cloth, Blue Diagonal, *c , specially adapted fur B^ys' Clothing, La<lJes' wear, &c, Bought at Auction at oon- Biderably leas tlmn En«liah Invoice Pri(se, and to bo sold very cheap. A i-so, Lawn Handkerchief a from 3a 9a v^r dozen—l2o dozens Linen Cambric Hai)Ukerohi«iH, from 5a Cd per doz. Upwards of 50 C "zen M«n'B Cotton .Shirts, P 1 Jean, X apior, tlie new V Shirt, etc Abysisnian Cord Tr skrs. Meri'ii Tw- c! Waistioatß, and a num ber of otlier Special Lines at much below usual i'ric(». INSPECTION INVITED. fiUS"H.HROOK & BRIDGMAN, [Late E. Hobbs], C'ltf PRAPBS.Y WARSBOUSB, uite the Army and Navy Hotel, Upper Qu bun-street, Auckland



4« 'THE WEEKLY BEGISTER.' 1 Bei.g a compendium of General Business lafonuati >n, with the despatch of Mails, fctcrmeis, Railway Trains, Coaches, 'Busses, &c, compiled and corrected every issue, ia NOW PUBLISHING EVERY MONDAY MORNING, Price: 10s. G». var. annum:, v B.—Tnff'TO)s.'ton as to Business Mepti*>jjß of all kinds — Viy,; Mining, Bankfl, Insurances, Public Bodies. A:o. ; also Momiulr or ngj Gojd TVmplar Hibrrnan, or other Societies, i .tcrteii oua'HS on iiM'.iat ou Ix-iu,' s-nl (nut hit. r than 1 o'clock uueach ijatuiday) tv tho Publisher, IIUOH RFiD Wyuduaui Chambers, j^ U T_ I C E. C. T. HARDING Having purchased tho joint business of Messrs V. AtchardandJ, Brown, Coal and Firewood Merchants, of Mechrnics' Bar, fcegi to intimate that he is pre pared to execute all orders for Coals, firewood. «c. on the most liboral terms, aiul hope^ hy strict iitten tion to »uisint-s!i to rec«iv.i a shire of that pawonagu so liberally accorded to. his piedecetsors. N.B.— Posts, Rills, and Palings always on hand. FENCING OP ALL DESCRIPTION. CAI!TI^o Done with Dkhpatch, All orders left nt Mr X Brtwin't ArcltLind Seeii Daput will receive ptomp attention. Westons, Wizard Oil and Magic PtMiß. —Rave cnrcil more wonderful caeca of Shewtnatinm. Gout. Neuralgia Aches Pains, ttwellings. Cabal BrcnsU, Scalds, and SaU-Itheum, upon th<- human frame than all the preteiided rcmecitca have Bincc the worl'l began. Those Grent MiH-riran Medicines arh com popod of vefictnblc oils 1 falinif puma, mots and herbs; and net li'w a charm upon pain ni^il inflatn matiou Price: Hnlf-R-crown. Sole Agenta: Kernp thorne, Pros Ho rn.nd Co. Radical changes for the better take place in ttio disordered and weulfeiifd Btomach, the torpid liver, the dormant or congested kidneys, the irritated bladdftr, thp ovn-ptrhinfid nerves, the rheu matic j lints and weakened imiseVs, when thut Supremely rfflclently stomachic nnti-bilirns remedy, nprvine blood depurt-nt and tonic, Upolpho Wolvk's Schiedam Aromatic SciiHAPPa in employed to rectiiy their di.sori.lors or ovorcoino their diaubililies.