SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

«SKS, s*-*lll* «***™> »M: to-mono.-

ARRIVALS.

Julia Prloa, scnooner, from Russell

DEPARTURES.

Queen, gchooner, for Hoklanga

1 _.i?Jo £f IP 6,* p ""y Jane:—l case axes, 2 kegs nails, hoo- i h J'i, 1 re" bel«n <f. 1 Pkge fenders. 1 bundle fronmn™ nd,B ' T,&l 69 ' s P**» PWh fittings. 3 ca-es bow naf. 9rr T U ba, r3 £ bn-"J(,,e'' * plato lron ' - ke« norse naiig. I parcel.—! and 8 Morrin

IMPORTS.

EXPORTS.

Per Sonthep. o ross f or j\r a pler: 1 case safe. I case on?.' , ° K aßPS,Dardware 3 nlrmtrhs. 2 bundles shares, 1 * „.._.'. t.'i ldle' hal»dl-s. 12 lenuths brass tube, 2 casks, j cases D.ordware, 1 package saws, 1 keg, 1 case glass. _

Can anyone inform us whether any vessel has called *_ _*! m(Jay Isiand since the loss of the captain and part of the crew of the Vibella there ? We have not heard or any pe.forming this call of humanity, and it is awangre that the fate of four fellow-creatures has not roused more ponnlar sympathy. The r-arque Vallego is now 96 days from Liverpool, »nd may be expected to shew up soon. She has some machinery for the Auckland "Water "Works on board, In addition to general cargo. She is consigned to the New Zealand Shipping Co., and comes direct to this port instead of via Lvttelton. as at first supposed; a portion of her cargo is for that port. The auxllary screw steamer Emu is to leave the Thames for Sydney at the end of the week. She Is loaded with sawn timber from Shortland Saw Mill. All accounts against the Ship Carnatic must be rendered in duplicate to Mr Batger by Friday at 10 a.m.

"We congratulate Mr IMley of the North Shore on being the successful tenderer for tbe building of the ■choonor yacht wanted by Mr G-. Hennings, of Fij". The yes.el Is to be about 25 tons register, andjwill be act a*>out immediately. The schooner Julia Prfos arrived from Russell this morning with a cargo of coals.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Wails will Clos__ ah -follows :— For Thames this day at 580 pm, and to-morrow at 230 pm For Coromandel, per Argyle, on Friday next, at 230 pm Por Wangarel this day at 4 pm Por Norfolk Island, per Marlon, to-morrow at 9 am Por Walwera, Matakana, Mahurangi, and Te Ara to-morrow at 10 am Por Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian Colonies, per Hawea, on Friday next at 10 45 am "Gat* letters will be received till 11 am For Australian Colonies, per Hero, to-morrow at 11am For money orce/s, registered letters, and news papers at 10 am Late Utters for Sydney and Melbourne will be received till 1125 am for London direct.l per Carnatic on Friday next at 4 pm * Per City of New York, on Monday, 31st Instant, as follows :— For Kindavu, Sandwich Islands, United States of America, Can-da, British Columbia, Central and South * merica, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 11 am For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 am For money orders and registered letters and news papers at 10 am Late letters bearing an extra fee of 6d In addition to the postage will be received by the mail agent on board the steamer up tc the time r f sailing. (Signed) 8. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1876

*hit (he c»vat that lacks asst-tanc*, For Die wrung: that needs reslstanol, For tile future in the distance,

And the eood that we c*n «k».

Verily, if facts and figures will convince

any intelligent person of the causes that

have led to the extraordinary dovelopement of the Southern provinces of New Zea-

land daring the past few years, and the slow progress of the North, Mr Richardson's exposition of the public works policy of the General Government must do so. We have, year by year, as the appro priations were made, drawn attention to the inequitable distribution of the monies for which the credit of the whole colony was pledged. But, with the Aockland members divided, and deaf to everything but their own petty squabbles, remonstrance and entreaty were in vain at a time when action might dave been effective ; and now, with the Treasury empty and credit bankrupt, appeal is. idle as the wind. Mr Richardson -news that the actual expenditure upon railways in the North Island has been £1,780, 956; in the South Island, £3,403,538. The North Island is credited with £491,636 for roads, but a large proportion of this outlay is represented by nothing more than the pay of Armed Constabulary, and the tinkering of the native contingent. We say without hesitation that the bulk of the half million thus credited to the North has been waste, ully squandered. In the South Island the outlay npon roads was £194,721, all expended upon substantial work executed by contract. In the North Island the length of railway autho rised is only 392 miles, and 32S miles have been undertaken; the unfortunate Kaipara line being the principal one shelved. In the South Island 638 miles were authorised, and 603 are completed or in progress. The expedition with which the Southern lines have been pushed forward is equally in dicative of the sympathies of the Minister who rules the department. There are now open for traffic 404 miles In the South Island, against 145 miles in the North. In water races the North has received £58,636, and the South £222,283. The statement last evening rings the death knell of the Kaipara railway extension to Auckland. The Government do not propose any appro priation for that purpose. To say that we ate surprised at this, wonld be untrue ; but to express utter disgust at the habitual lying indulged in by members of the Cabinet in relation to this work, is but mildly suggestive of the feelings with which the announcement of last evening will be greeted. Excuses of the most paltry kind—delay in completing the survey, the scarcity of labour, and finally the excessive claims for compensation— have been successively put forward by Ministers in explanation of the postponement; and now they have omitted the line altogether from the schedule of works to be undertaken dur. ng the ensuing year. Again the Minister of Public Works has the temerity to come forward and declare that " heavy claims for compensation," caused the . witholding Of the proclamation, and that if these were per. sisted in, it would be necessary to survey a new route, knowing, as he must have done, that the claims referred to had arisen through an alteration in the route made within a few weeks of the opening of the session. " Ex cessive land claims" on the Auberley and Waitaki and other Southern line* have not caused the abandonment of those works, and the Government possess ample power to take what land they require, in defiance of any unreasonable demands which owners may make. The other lead ing work in this province, — the extension of the Waikato railway from Mercer to Punui, which the Minister of Public Works last year promised should be completed by June, 1876, will not be finished for another twelve months The proposed expenditure in Auckland during the year, is confined to the sum necessary for com pleting the Waikato line; £20,000 for the Kawakawa railway ; and (if the money is to spare), £14,000 for a new Onehunga wharf and £15,000 for the continuation of the Kaipara railway half a mile beyond Helens ville. The total expenditure upon public works since the initiation of the policy has b«en £6,132,295, and the liabilities are estimated at another million sterling. But the money borrowed and expended amounts to twelve millions, and two milliont more are required. The expenditure upon immi gration will only account for a small portion of the deficiency, the balance has gone chiefly in interest and in departmental extravagance

[Since the foregoing article was in type, Mr John Lamb has placed at onr disposal the following telegram relating to the Kaipara railway :—"Wellington, this day.—Richard son, in his Public Works Statement, said last night that the Government intend to proceed with the Blverhead and Auckland railway line if the persons holding land did not claim too much for compensation. If they did, Government wonld have to find another route. —J. A. Tom."—We can only

Bay that if the Minister of Public Works gave any promise that the Kaipara railway would be commenced during the ensuing year, the Press Agency summary of the speech, and the schedule of appropriations do not shew it.]

j« We have received the following telegram j from the. newly-elected member for City -1 West:—"Nelson Wednesday, 10am.—My t. hearty thanks to my friends and constituents. >• Their confidence Bhall not' be misplaced, •* —B. Tosks. " s' The next of the series of winter lectures at the Young Men's Christian Association j- Rooms will be given on Friday evening next ■c by Mr Worthington, Head Master of City East School. The subject is: " Our c Century," and from the well-known ability >t of the lecturer, and his familiar acquaintance with historical literature, which he may be !t said to have made a speciality, a great treat -, is expected, ThS lecture will be divided > r into three parts, and at each interval a selec- j y tion of music will be given. Mrs Mitchell >r has kindly consented to sing a couple of her favourite songs, and Mrs Kaye Wright will Q perform some selections on the pianoforte. t, The Foresters in connection with the is Court Zealandia, No. 4741 will remove this }" evening from their old quarters at the Pro -0 vincial Hotel, Princes-street, to the Lodge room, at the Youug Mens' Christian Associa tion, where the Court in future will be carried on. Members are desired to meet in regalia, in Princes-street, at seven o'clock sharp, in order to form a procession, headed [by the excellent band of the Naval Brigade, whose fine martial and patriotic airs, will make the welkin ring with minstrel sounds. . The Pakuranga hounds will meet on Satur day next, at eleven o'clock, by ihe Howick Presbyterian church. Within the last fortnight, a number of dogs have been poisoned in the neighbour hood of Franklin Road and Wellington street, and their loss have caused consider " able grief among their mourners. Yester day morning a person in the district found his fine dog dead and stiff, near the garden *** gate. The animal was worthy the brush of c Landseer, or the pencil of Harrison Weir, , and its owner had refused £5 for him. As he looked upon the dead body of hia faithful t dog he sighed, "An enemy hath done this !" A public meeting of the cricketers of d Auckland will be held on Friday eveniug r next at half-past seven in the office of Mr Batger, Queen-street, for the purpose of 6 appointing a committee for making arrange o ments for the proposed visit of an All i- England Eleven to Auokland. 0 The committee of tho Otahuhu Mutual g Improvement Society have put forth a prom ising programme for their next quarter. August 21st is the date of the first lecture ou 8 "Phrenology." E.says during the sessions r are promised, on the " Clouds," " Shakes j peare," "Labour-saving Machinery,'" and other papers. There will also be debates on " Agriculture aud Goldmining, their com h parative value," " Civilisation and Christi ;, anity, in relation to savage life," and on the subject of Dr. Ellis's late lecture on Adam. Otahuhu is therefore advancing. The members of the Ponsonby Literary a Society will meet in tho All Saints' school . room, to-morrow evening, when recitations g and readings from Tennyson will be given by t Mr Frank Hammond, Mr Warnock and others. The only business before the Police Court c this morning was the sentencing of two V drunkards. One of these Anne Swift, was f convicted for the thirty-third time, and yet put on as many aits in court as if it was her 1 first offence. Just before the time for her 1 appearance she professed to be taken very a bad with "spasms," and had to be assisted i out of the dock by two constables. She was sect to Mount Fden for twelve mouths, as an ihcorrigible. Georga Lawson, who had " been admitted to bail, appeared and pleaded i guilty, and was punished by the usual fine. s Messrs A. Beetham and G. Donne were the . presiding magistrates. . The members of St Matthew's church will hold a social tea-meeting, in the Lome-street 3 Hall, after which there will be a kind of 3 conversazione, interspersed with music ami . recitation, to end with a humming bee, for which, we learn, that two prizes will be given. Rev Mr Hazzard is of a social disposition, and 7 these pleasant gatherings, where every one, , even though suffering with a slight cold, or a . touch of toothache, must look happy, tend to I awaken reminiscences of his days at Battersea, ere he came across the great waters to this » New Zealand city. The locality of Mr Has- J sard's earliest labours, by the silver Thames, , was always noted for its sooial and literary circles ; its fine congou tea, and Battersea' buns. It was on the skirts of the pretty 3 tree-and-lake decorated park, overlooking the t water where the Kew and Richmond steamers . glide too and fro, and where the several rail ways run over each other, that Pope, Swift, Mallet and Thomson used to sit on the slop s ing lawn and partake of the hospitalities of . Bolingbroke, in the locality then famous for robbers, rabbits, and asparagus. Mr Hassard knows something of tbe pleasant tea-drinking ' circles of Battersea, New Wandsworth and 7 Clapham, and may have joined such cosy . assemblages and Sunday, school feasts in green j enclosures where may be seen occasionally in spring-time the primrose "That peepa be neath the thorn." The meeting of to-morrow ' evening, at Lome-street will be pleasant and , agreeable under the genial influence of tho j , " cup that cheers but not inebriates," as poor Cowper has it, and the fine flavour of congou ' and cake, and the silver melodies of speech, • music, and song. : The Victoria and Hobson Companies met last evening for Monthly Inspection under Major Gordon. There was a very good mus ter of both companies, and the several drills were dona most creditably. After the rolls had been called, Major Gordon handed the Marksmen's badge to the captain to distribute, the following volunteers in each company being the successful competitors : Victoria Company: Volunteer E. Cooper,rifle and three stars as best shot in his company in close firing. Sub-Lieutenant Skinner, colour Serjeants Self, Volunteers Putman, Eady , Moss, Serjeant Logan, and Volunteer Taylor. Hobson Company : Lieutenant Clifton, Ser jeant Finlay, Vol. McCarthy, Bandmaster McComish, Sub-Lieutenant Connolly, Vol unteers Gooseman, Taylor, O'Connor, Little, Carson, Lieutenant Clifton, receiving the three stars, as best shot in the class firing of his Company, The Hobson Company are evidently improving in their shooting. The Victoria Company have not by a considerable number, so many marksmen as last year. This is accounted for by the fact of the members'of this Company positively declining to risk their reputation, as some of the best shots in this district, by firing for the Marksmens badge with the miserable apology for Rifles which have been issued to them. A working man named Richard Wilson met with an accident while working in the Newmarket stone quarry yesterday morning. The unfortunate man with some other work men was engaged at the crane, when he had occasion to climb up to the top to bring back the chain which had run back over the wheel right to the hook. While thus employed he missed his hold, and fell to the ground a distance of over 30ft. He was picked up insensible, and at once taken to the hospital where Dr Philson attended to him. His head was badly cut, and he was much bruised • about the body. It is not expected that he i is dangerously hurt. ] The fruitfulness of the dames of Newmar ket has been lately the subject of much re- i mark, not to Bay admiration. We have - heard of five cases of twins within the last 1 fortnight. We believe that there is no fonnd- i ation for the rumour that it is the slaughter- t house. However it is a fact that notwith- - standing the nuisance it is said to be, the 1 Newmarket folks wont part with it. The annual meeting ofQthe Remuera rate- ' payers, will be held in the school-room Bear ' Mount Hobson at half-past seven o'clock to- " night. a

We __aye to acknowledge 5s for Mrs Ing son from "BB." The ratepayers of the district of Devonport, North Shore, will hold their annual meeting to-morrow evening, in the Devonport Hall, at half-paßt seven o'clock. The committee of the Auokland Skating Olub have resolved to meet for practice every Wednesday evening during the season, in the Choral Hall, this evening's meeting will open at the usual hour. By an announcement in our advertising columns, it will be seen tbat Friday, the 29 .h inst. has heen fixed for the re-opening of the Prince of Wales Theatre, and the first ap pearance in New-Zealand, of Nell the Califor nia Diamond, who came here with a repu tation for talent, of the highest order. The box office as usual is at Upton's, where seats can be secured, for which there will, no doubt be prompt and numerous application.

OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

A SUCCESSION of mails and long-winded reports has sent Our correspondence into hopeless arrears. The accusing pile of neg lected manuscript suggests a vigorous re medy. We take up number one at random :— STRIPED STOCKINGS AT DEVONPORT. A shy young man writes from Devonport. His modeßty has been shocked by the dis play of striped stockings at the skating rink held in Devonport Hall. He wishes to record his surprise that " young ladies should mix themselves up with a lot of young fellows from town," and wants to know whether they could'nt have a night to themselves. " Devonport " is only just opening his eyes to the vanities of this wicked world. He will soon find that " mixing up with young men " is a way the girls have got—a little weakness, in fact, inherited from their mothers and grand mothers before them » no doubt very repre hensible, but such is human nature. "Devonport " has our sympathy ; if we had our way, girls should be put under lock and key - every one of them, and flirtation be made punishable under city by-laws. But what can be done? With the doors shut, those young scarrps of fellows would be at the windows. We feel that here the potent influence of the Stab is unavailing, the dear little creatures must' have their own way, though blushing youths retire in discomfiture, and newspaper men sit down and weep. SELLING DRINK AFTER HOURS. "An Elector of City West" asks us to lend our aid " to this cause that needs assis tance by exposing the evil that arises from publicans harbouring unfortunate or weak minded men on Saturday and other nights from their wives and families after the hotel doors are closed by law." Our correspon dent draws a painful picture of the anxious wife awaiting her husband's return to his wretched home, and his still more wretched children. The miseries of the Sunday traffic are also described with a good deal of force, and "Elector" urges the Inspector of police to use more stringent measures for the pun ishment of breakers of the Licensing laws. THE EMANCIPATION OP WOMEN. The Rev. Dr. Wallis has provoked a lively controversy on the legal and social position oi the weaker half of our race. We have four letters on the subject, three in favour of the reverend doctor's views and one adverse. It is worthy of a passing note that tho feminine hand predominates in communication, favouring the views of the lecturer, whil« the opposite side has been marked, without exception, by an advocacy in bold masculine characters. Some of the latter desire to sail under falee colours. We have, for example, a letter signed "Grandmamma," whieli speaks of the desire of the writer to aid " with whatever lies in the power of an old lady;" but unless caligraphy is a delusion and a snare, tbe "old lady" has worn trousers ever since his mother transferred his knickerbockers to a younger brother. The writer, however, speaks pretty well to the point. He argues that the best wives and mothers are those "who were early trained to wifely and motherly cares," and urges that " it is unreasonable to expect that oui ' sewing girls' will remain spinsters, and it i. as unfair to expect them to make competent wiv;.B and mothers. They go to labour at t very early age, from eight or nine o'clock in the morning to five or six o'clock at n'ght, with frequently long hours of overtime. Stitch, stitch, stitch, in a half double-fold posture, in badly ventilated rooms, six day. in the week, from month to month and yeai to year, is a species of slavery which few young women can sustain without permanenl injury." After describing at some length the evil effects of these unwholesome occu pations, the writer pleads as a first step it the " Emancipation of Women," " that girl, may not be sent to work at trades until tfaej are at least sixteen or seventeen years of age. (2) That the working hours may be reduced, and (3) That they may havo Saturday after' noon of each week a half holiday." A SAD STORY. One letter from Parnell, in a pretty feminine hand, telling the bitter story of experience, is eloquent in pleading the cause of the weali against the strong. Our correspondent says —" Sir,— I and a dear friend in like circum stances, who is with me in this, desire tc offer you and the Rev. Dr Wallis our sincere thanks for the pleasure we havo felt in perns, ing the lecture on the "Emancipation oj Women." Yes; it is high time something should be done to improve the existing state of things affecting women married. True indeed it is that a consciousness of powei makes a brutish man more brutal; and sc also does the exeroise of meekness, forbear ance, long suffering, forgiving affection, fail to lead him to kindness or thoughtfulaes. toward the patient wife, who year after yeai waits and watches over him, hoping against hope. Yes ; it is high time to make some alteration in a state of things' that place, power in the hands of a man no more fitted to use it than to tyranise over a weak woman, and then torment her with the shameful truth that " she is the weakest" and musl put up with it. Such a man possessed >uch a wife, and after many years of recklessness on oue side, and labour and sorrow on th. otber, he flattered her by remarking in hei presence that not one woman in a thousand could be fouDd like his wife. She had been tried in all ways, and nothing could drive her to do evil. Well, sir, after a few more years she cut herself adrift, an d blesses God for the courage to do it, and for the know ledge that He never forsakes any who help themselves, trusting in Him. " Emancipa tion"; yes, truly it is, and my heart bounds with the assurance that it was no wrong I did. Priestoraft and law alone do not—can not make husband and wife.—-Yours, etc., Heath:." LETTER FJ3OM-SMITH'S INTENDED. "Smith's Intended," and "W.C.C." deal very severely with that "husband and father" who took alarm. The former, after giving Smith a " piece of her mind," com pares his extravagances with hers. She says:—"l only pay 10s per year for my false hair, when it costs my intended hus band 5s per fortnight for Mexican Hair Re storer, after eating piokled cockles. But, Mr Editor, I wondefr how Mr Smith got on, going through the marriage ceremony so many times. It must have touched his dignity to say he would love and cherish until death, "a brazen hussie." You most know that I would like to get married to Smith, but if he is such a vixen, I should have to obey him. I would remind him beforehand that although the man is the head of the wife, a good wife is a crown to a husband, and that is higher than the head. But I've firmly resolved that Smith shall walk.—Yours, eto., Smith's Intended. W.C.O. gives the "husband and father" " particular beans." He thus concludes : — " Women are well used > to having their various articles of dress criticised, but they are not nsed to hear the ungodly assertion

made th&t they have no souls, and that souls were out of fashion when they were made. I should like to have it proved to this would be autocrat by two or three good, strong specimens of woman-kind that if souls of one sort were out of farhion when they were madej they still possess soles of another description, which he would soon know if a hearty application of the same, as he richly deserves, were mades to his hindermost quarter." DEFAMATION OF THE PONSONBY BOYS. The youths of Ponsonby feel injured because one of our contemporaries wrongfully stated that they held up their hands at the late highway meeting. One of them writes, denying the impeachment, and pertinently remarks, "coz how could we, with two policemen at our sides all the evening." Our correspondent considers the imputation a base slander on the (rising generation of Ponsonby, and severely remarks: "If some of the ratepayers had behaved as well as the boys, the ratepayers of Ponsonby would not be a laughing-stock to all sensible people."

REMUERA HIGHWAY DISTRICT.

A meeting of the ratepayers 'of Remuera Highway District was held last night in the Mount Hobson schoolroom, and was well attended,—MrS. Short, who was appointed chairman, explained that the object of the meeting was to secure as candidates for the office of trustees, at the approaching annual meeting, men who would pledge themselves not to allow the main road to be so neglected as it had been under the old Board, who had done little else than spend the ratepayers' money on the Beach Road —Mr J. M. Lennox pointed out that out of £600 receipts no less than £449 had gone in this manner, and as the greater part of the road had been washed _way of course the money was wasted. He proposed that Messrs James M. Clark, Banks, snd S. Short receive the support of the rate payers 'of the main road. — Mr W. Graham seconded.—After some discussion in which the f-ot of the three gentlemen living so close together was quoted against their election, IVf r Banks withdrpw bis name and proposed tha*: Messrs J. M. Clark, Frank Buokland, and G. Hesketh be supported.—Mr Lennox agreed to withdraw his motion, and Mr Banks' motion was carried.—A vote of thanks to tho chairman concluded the meeting.

PARLIAMENTARY.

[From our Special Correspondent ]

WELLINGTON.

This day.

Regulation of Elections.

The Regulation Local Election Bill, as passed by the House of Representatives, provided that it should come into force by proclamation of the Governor, upon request iv writing of two-thirds of the local body then in office. This has been altered in ' the Upyer House after a stormy debate, so that the power to ask the Governor to proclaim the new Act in force can only be exercised after a decision in its favour by a majority of the ratepayers present at a meeting to be called for that purpose. This amendment will probably be agreed to by the House of Representatives on the Bill coming back. The resolution of the majority at a meeting will not compel the Board to ask the Governor to proclaim, so that it does not shut out the influence of proxies in deciding the question. If adopt ing the new system, thene being still available in electing the Boards, a majority of two-thirds of which must endorse the action of the ratepayers. The Act will hardly become law before the end of the month, and of course no meeting can be held until it is law which can have any effect under Its provisions. The proposal now made to introduce proxy voting in the new Act will hardly pass either Houses. Municipal Corporations' Act in the House, yesterday, a good deal oj work was disposed of. The first business was the second reading of a bill to grant the site of a church at Waiuku to trustees, which was read a second time. The House then went into committee on the Municipal Cor porations Bill. The debate on question of giving votes in proportion to rates was re sumed, and carried on hotly for about an hour and a half. The Ofcago members were principal opponents of the clause on the ground that the bill would be useless in that province with such a provision. Finally Mr Basting's amendment to allow one rate only to each burgess was rejected by a large majority, and Mr Ballance's (Rangitikei) further amendment limiting votes to three, was, by a much smaller majority, also thrown out. The bill now stands as originally printed in respect of voting. A few verbal amendments were made, but no serious alteration before the adjournment of House. PUBLIO WORKS STATEMENT. After dinner Mr Richardson made his Publio Works Statement or rather read it, but in such a manner that but little was 1 audible, and what could be heard could not be understood. The printed copies are not yet distributed, so it is impossible to give a clear idea of what the statement amounts to. It Is a singular fact that no member on the Government benches can ever be clearly heard in the House except the Native Minister when angry (he never speaks unless he is so), and he had better not be heard for his own sake. Mr Whitaker's Resolutions. Sir Julius Vogel made a Ministerial State ment after Mr Richardson, to the effect that now they had the Financial Tables aud Pulbic Works Statement he hoped Mr Whitaker's resolutions would be taken on Friday. Mr Whitaker agreed to this, aud will move his resolutions as sub stantiative motions. Mr Wakefield is to do the same, so that Friday next will introduce the first great debate of the session. BILLS IN COMMITTEE. The House subsequently went back to the Municipal Corporations Act, and passed clauses with few amendments up to 49th, then went to the Rating Bill, and, having re committed the Bill, considered the clauses reserved until the Government should bring them down in an amended form. In these no serious alterations were made, and none affecting the principal of the Bill, as originally brought down, except that the maohinery is simplified a little. It would still be oppressively expensive to country highway districts, although not unsuitable tto the circumstances of boroughs. Unfortu nately both sets of circumstances cannot be fairly dealt with in one bill, which is the radical defect of both the Rating and Regu lation of Elections Act, and will render their operation of very partial advantage. FANCY DRESS BALL. Nothing but routine will now be done in the House until Friday, and probably the house will not sit on Thursday evening owing to a fanoy dress ball to be given by the Premier on that night, about which all Wellington has gone crazy, much to the advantage of local milliners and tailors in the Empire city.

Public Works Statement.

(BY TELEGRAPH.)

The Hon. Mr Richardson declared his nubile works statement in the House of Representatives last night. The following is a summary of the facts which possess special interest for Auckland :—

BAIT-WAYS. The railway works had not been pushed on so rapidly as in the two previous years, but care had been taken to avoid delaying those approaching completion, so that fcbey might be made remunerative as early as pos sible The estimates had been generally interfered with by the necessity for lining several tunnels, at a cost of £59,000, over the whole colony, and by the constantly increas ing traffic, which, he was happy to say, had. augumented largely. Increased station ac commodation was requisite, and also large additional provision for the rolling stock. THE KAWAKAWA RAILWAY. would be in working order during the present year. To develop the traffic on THE KAIPARA AND RIVERHEAD RAILWAY, an extension beyond Helensville would be necessary. The proclamation for the River head and Auckland line was witheld, owing to the heavy claims for land compensation. Should they be persevered with, it would be the duty of the Government to alter the route. The exceptionally bad winter had delayed THE MERCER TO NEWCASTLE LINE. Tenders are now being called for the per manent way. It would be twelve months before the line could be opened. The mile age of railways is— NORTH ISLAND : 392 authorised ; 145 open for traffic; and 183 in progress. SOUTH ISLAND : 638 authorised; 404 open for traffic; and 199 in progress. , The total is 1,030 authorised and 549 m nroeress. The amount spent on railways during the past year was £1,630,,014 making a total expenditure on railways of £5,215,018, with liabilities, extending into 1878, of £983 253. This includes all existing contracts and plant and material ordered from home. The great additional cost of land has been referred to in detail, and it becomes a question whether the districts through which future extensions are made should not provide the land free before any expenditure is incurred towards construction. ..urther explorations have been made from CANTERBURY NORTHWARDS TOWARDS BLENHEIM but, as it is doubtful whether the best route has been discovered, this exploration will be continued during the present year. The survey from HOKITIKA TO GREYMOUTH show the cost of the proposed line to be £222 000 as against the original amount stated of £85,000. Some deviations are uuder survey, by which a reduction in the former amount is hoped for. ROADS NORTH OF AUCKLAND. A comparitively small amount has been scent on new roads during the past year. Up to June, 1875, £47,252 had been spent on roads north of Auckland, exclusive of the Mangere Bridge. The expenditure and ha bilities last year amounted to £6,889, leav ini- a balance of £5,858. It is proposed to expend this balance on the bridges, requisite to make the main trunk road from Auck land to Bay of Islands passible for ordinary traffic. A re-vote of £17,872 unavailable for technical reasons last year, will be asked for to meet the liabilities incurred on the presumption that the money was available for roads generally in the North Island. A considerable number of the Armed Constab ulary have been employed, principally in maintenance and repairs. No extra pay has been given, and although, taking their time and ordinary pay into account, the work has not been executed as cheaply as^ let by contract, yet it has been done in addition to their constabulary duties. It is clear gain to the country. WATER RACES. The Thames,Wasmea, and Mount Ida wrter races, and Waipori Slndge channel are all I nearly completed. RAILROADS OPKN FOR TRAFFIC. The railraods have been worked with the following results during the past year : — Receipts. Expenditure. Kaipara Railway .. £2,497 18 9 £2 638 10 3 Auckland and Mercer .. 22,487 16 10 19,416 18 1 Napier and Waipukuran 12,417 2 4 7,902 12 0 Waltara and New Ply mouth 1.833 12 8 1,290 12 0 Wellington and Upper Hutt 9.429 6 3 6,293 10 2 Picton and Blenheim .. 3,516 8 2 8,083 9 9 Nelson and FoxhiU .. 2 431 4 1 2,303 17 9 Brunner and Greymouth 1J063 8 8 883 11 8 Making a total for year £65,776 11 4 £44,703 7 8 ! —Leaving a balance of £11,063 3s Sd. The receipts from the Canterbury railways for the year ending 31st March, were £185, SO6, and the expenditure £124,513. The receipts from the Otago railways during the same year were £90,790, and the expen diture £66,852, leaving a credit balance on the Canterbury and Otago railways of £85,232. The Auckland and Mercer traffic has not been so large as was expected. Objections hare been made to the rates, but it is im possible to lower them, if the line is to be worked so as to leave a margin above working expenses. It is a very prevalent opinion that the public ought to have the same amount of accommodation as on the railways in England or the adjoining colonies, where the cost has been so much greater, but the fact is that the rates charged are generally below those charged in England, and only in Otago are they as high as those charged in Victoria. If the accommodation now aßked for in various parts of the colony, and which, to a great extent, has been given in Canter bury, is, as a rule, to be acceded to, the cost of the lines will be so increased as to require the rates to be generally raised. The aim of the Government will be to equalise the rates, and they should not be higher than those in the southern parts of the Middle Island. SUMMARY OP EXPENDITURE. The total expenditure to the 30th June last, under the Immigration and Public Works Act : — IN THE NOKTH ISLAND. Railways £1,780 956 g,ead* 491,636 Waier Races 58,636 Total North Island .. .. 2,331,228 .IN THE MIDDLE ISLAND. Railways .£3 403,533 5 r oad* 194,721 Water Races 222,283 Total Middle Island .. .. S 820 648 Bundries ' 30;523 Total expenditure £6,182,295 PROPO3BT) EXPENDITURE on railways for the current year. An amonnt is E r<y?. 0... *? be asked t0 covor contracts and other liabilities during the current year on the followim. railways, viz :— B Kawakawa Railway" £20,000 A uckland-Punia 161000 Napier-Manawatu 47*000 Welllegton-Masterton .. .. 137 000 Waltara-Patea 37*000 ' Patca-Manawatu 114000 Nelson-!*oshlll.. ~ " 7700 Pic-on-B.enh«"m .. ~ " 4,4^0 Greymouth-Brunnerton *.'. ".* 19*000 Westport-Ngakawau .. .. 49*000 Auberley-Waitaki .. .. " 79700 Waitakl Bridge .. 1130 Waitaki, mv .rcargill, and Lawrence Winton-__KS .. .. £ "fig The following £I'o61 '064'600 » _ a ... NEW WORKS 1 "voted, will not be put in hand until the Govern | ment are assured that the necessary means are available :-l. The extension of the Rive-head and afc« K?.V Wf y fr£ m th» prMent temporary statin of h»W-»-mile. and the erect on ?Lt* h%li %Lt& eh vessels can with ease discharge their cargo. £15 000. 2. A new wharf at Onehunfa in connection with the railway, £14,000. 3, The ex tension of the main south line from New Plymouth towards Patea and WangMaul, £20.000. 4. The ex tension of t*e main line from Napier towards Wel lington, £10.000. 5. To extend the Nelson and Fox « iSS? tatP the port- *8.000. 6. To meet present liabilltes at Greymouth on the Brunner railway, and

i t . uimni )ii to provide funds to continue the hartour works at | moderate speed, £25,-00. 7. For Works rt W«J Sort £3 000. 8. To complete the Plcton and Blen heim Railway into Seymour equate in tbe centra Ol Blenheim, £10.000. 9. For connecting tha Kalapoi and Bvreton railway with the Oxford and Ran g iora0r a rSlwavV-28,000. 10. New surveys, .610,000. The total fo. new railway works is ttM.OOO. Consider! in? how small an amount of work has been done in the north of Auckland, it is. proposed to ask fo, £10,000 for completing the main trunk road to the Bay cf Islands for dray traffic, and for a maincrosg. road from Wangarel Heads westwards. The .ip... ience of the past year confirms the opinion previously expressed, that, with prudent management, the rail ways will yield, taken as a whole, a very considerable contribution towards the interest on their cost. The estimated revenue on the lines at present worked by the Government is stated at £132.000, and that on the Canterbury and Otago lines at £185 800' and £127.800, respectively, making a total of £445,000. If the estimates prove correct, the railways open for traffl. ought to yield next year about 3 per cent, on their capitalised cost.

Australian Cablegrams.

(PRESS AGENCr.

Sufferers by Floods.

Theft of Postal Pillars.

SYDNEY.—THIS DAY,

The Government have despatched a steamer to the Clarence for the relief of sufferers by the floods. Five letter pillars have been broken open, and a number of letters abstracted.

MELBOURNE.—THIS DAY.

ggAshe, the Barrumree murderer is sentenced to death. , . The Exhibition Commissioners ark the Treasurer for an additional vote to the credit of the Colony at Philadelphia.

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ASYLUM.

Anothkb of those extremely popular entertainments for the benefit and amusement of the unfortunate inmates at the Whau Lunatic Asylum was given last evening by the members of Mr P. Doran's troupe, assisted by several local amateurs. There was a very large audience, the room being crowded to excess with pleasure seekers. The entertainment was opened by an overture by the fnll and efficient orchestra under the leadership of Mr J. McGuiness. Comic and sentimental songs were given by Misses Ash and Lawrence, and Messrs O'Hare, Jamieson, and Sceats. The songs and dances of Messrs W Mettam, O'Hare, and Forbes, were highly relished by all present. A stump speech by Mr J Bsauregard was splendid The recitation by Mr A fcmith " The Labourer's Complaint," was given with all Its original humour, and was loudly applauded. Mr Eugene Matt-ton, tho bonele.s boy, was highly successful in his remarkable bending feats, which were performed in a faultless manner. Mr William Doran, the local comique, excited much amusement by his clever impersonation of " The Blighted Gardener," which kept the audience in roars of laughter, as did also the " Watermelon Man." by Mr P. D.raa. The locil hits introduced by the latter gentleman were very pointed, and excited much mirth among the audience. The enr. rtainment wound up with the side-splitting farce " The Escape from Paris," in which Messrs P Doran, Smith, and McEwen, sustained the leadiDg characteis. After refreshments had been {partaken of, the hall was cleared, and dancing commenced, and continued up tiU 12 o'clock, Mr Sansom acting as MC.

SUPREME COURT.—This Day.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Gillies and a special jury ; Mr James Pattison, fore man.)

Divorce Case.

GRACE V. GRACE, RESPONDENT; HARA PATA, CO-RESPONDENT. Mr Brown acted as interpreter. Mr Laishley appeared for the petitioner, and opened the case with full particulars thereof. The following are the issues :— 1. Was William Henry Grace married to Eliza Tinipoaka on the 24th December, 1870 ? 2. Did he afterwards cohabit with his wife? 3. Was there any issue of the marriage ? 4. Did the petitioner have any communi cation with the respondent between ? 5. Was there any collusion between peti tioner and respondent ? 6. Was petitioner an accessory to the alleged adultery ? 7. Did petitioner connive at the adultery, and had he condoned by subsequent inter course ?

7. Was the delay in taking these proceed ings caused by the want of money ?

William Henry Grace deposed that he was a native interpreter at the Thames, and the petitioner in the present suit. He was married to Eliza Grace, the respondent, on the 24th December, 1870, at Sbortland by Rev Father 1 Navard, Catholic priest. Her maiden name was Eliza Tinipoaka. On Friday last he saw a register of marriage in the hands of the officiating minister at the Thames, and 1 saw the Father sign the document produced. ! He signed the register at the time of his 1 marriage. Eliza Tinipoaka also signed it. : After the marriage they lived together : first, in Shortland for a month, and then at Para wai until January, 1573, when they went to , Ohinemuri. One cay she went out, and did not return until eleven at night. He remonstrated with her. She was apparently under the influence of liquor, and had a hunting whip in her hand, and with which she struck him on the shoulder, doing him serious injury, he carried his arm in a sling for three weekß after; she then went into his bedroom, and tore up his clothes. Mr Mackay, Craig, and other gentlemen were present, and tried to pacify her without succeeding; she then went away with her father to his place, about a mile away. The next day, he went to the Native Land Court at Shortland. She re mained away for about three weeks, when she returned to Shortland, and saw Mr James Mackay who persuaded him to take her back at her request. He refused at first, but by thejearnest solicitation of Mr Macky, he con sented to do so, on condion that she promised in the presence of Mr Mackay and other per sons, to abstain from drink, and conduct her self with propriety. To his Honour : He did Dot then snspeofc that she had been guilty of any other crime. To Mr Laishley: He took her back, and they lived together until July, when Bhe asked permission to go to meet some native relatives at Ohinemuri who had arrived from the South, but she was not to go to the hotel, but keep with her father who was living at Ohinemuri; she went, and in three or four days after he received information that she was drinking, and had acted improperly with a young native, named Rapana, who had since died, she had committod adultery with him he was informed by Re Re Papa ; he believed the information from the truthful character of his informant; he sent up a boy that was with him. During his married life, he -urmshed her house as well as his means would allow, and nvariably treated her with kindness. He always allowed her sufficient money to find food, and allowed plenty of money for dress ; there was no issue ; there was no collusion or connivance between him and Eliza Grace in this proceeding, ?P r between him and the co-respondent. He did not commence proceedings earlier because he had not the means. This was the sole cause of the delay. He had consulted Mr ) Hesketh as to the probable cost, and found that the cost was beyond his means, but so soon as he was able he commenced these pro ceedings. Mr Robert Graham and Frediick omter were intimately acquanted with his pecuniary circumstanses. His Honor informed the jury, that their duty would be to ask the petitioner any questions they might consider it right to ask, rather than receive implioity, a one-sided statement. To his Honor : He had known the respon pent about seven months before marriage; she was then represented as twenty; he believed that she was perfectly chaste up to that time ; he had ample opportunities, from bojhood, of making himself acquainted with ■the manners and customs of the natives. He used frequently to see her tipsy in the streets of Shortland; he took no steps after to re fj u'as he conßidered that his endeavours *S*t> been ÜBeless J Bhe had taken up with Rapana and came out with the natives

___£_!___.___^J^*S!^^



JJETURNING TO ENGLAND. H. EENDELOW "WILL DISPOSE OF HISJLARGE STOCK OP IRONMONGERY AT COST PRICE, TO EFFECT A SPEEDY CLEARANCE. CHAFF CUTTERS, for Hand and Horse power; CHEESE PRESSES, 80s each WHEAT MILLS, 50s Enamelled and Galvanized Iron Furnace Pans COPPER FURNACE PANS, 1/10 ft Spades and Shovels Draining Tools, all kinds Steel Digging and Hay Forks Hay Knives Chaff Knives, Adzes Scythes and Grubbing Hoes Avery's Platform WEIGHING MACHINES Rakes, Hoes, and Augers Galvanized Iron "WIRE NETTING, all sizes Galvanized Iron Tuba and Buckets Selves and Riddles Cart and Plough Traces, 4_d_b Cow Ties 1/4 each, and Backboards 4. ft STEELYARDS up to 4001b8 Iron Barrow Wheels, 121 n. 8s; 14in., 4s each Slashes and Bill Hooks Drain Grates, Cattle Bells IRON SACK TRUCKS, 18s eaoh Cross Cut and Pit Saws Milk Pans and Strainers COPPER. IRON, and TIN KETTLES GARDEN ROLLERS I un Wedges and Maul Rings CaRPE-TERS' TOOLS of all kinds Stable Lanterns Land Chains and Arrows A Large Stock of EARTHENWARE, DINNER WARE, TOILET StiTS, CUT TUMBLERS and WINE GLASSES, &C. &C, &Q, CITY WEST No. 2 PUBLIC SCHOOL, Wellington-street. EVENING CLASSES. ENGLISH, ARITHMETIC. BOOK-KEEPING, 40. —Mr H-Lbrison and Mr Ptcroft. Terms, la Cd per week. Junior Elementary Class, Is per week. FRENCH.—Mons. F. Pkltzbe, of the College of lenri Quatre, Paris. Terms, is per lesion of one konr. Three lessons per week, 2s 6d. GERMAN—Latin, Algebra, and Geometry: Mr J. . ?. G. HirasEN, of the University of Kiel. Terms, Is •r leison of one hour. Three lessons per week, 2s ' A. Two or more subjects by agreement. ) Book-keeping Cla-s for Ladles. ] Monsieur Pemzrb. and Mr Hinsbn beg to intimate ] _»t their evenings are fully occnpied, but they are i pen to accept a lew additional Morning or Day en- t igementa with Schools or Private Pupils For ' ms,eto., apply at the School, p ' i



Hemus & Trigg's Cheap Shirting, 6£d yd Hemus & Trigg's Cheap Wincey, from Bid per yard Hemus & Trigg's good quality Wincey, 7|d per yard Hemus & Trigg's new Dress Materials, from 4Jd yard Hemus & Trigg's Embofsed Silk Scarfs, all colors, 1/3 Hemus & Trigg's Cheap Flowers, in great variety, 4£d Hemus & Trigg's Cheap Hats, new shapes, from Is Hemus _ Trigg's Noted Trimmed Hats, from 3s lid. For one month purchasers to the amount of 10s will receive a Silk Scarf, a pair of Hose, Cuffs, and Collars, Straw Hat, or any article worth Is, or Is in money.— Note the Prices.—Hemus <fe Trigg, 216, Queen-streflt. The New Reason Cod Liver Oil, 1870. Guaranteed perfectly pure and free from smell or unpleasant flavour. The quality is especially floe.- ---2s Od and 5s a bottle —J. C. Sharland, Apothecaries' Ham, opposite the Post-office. Manning's Worm Powders.— A safe and effectual Vermifuge. Prepared only by J. C. SHAR LAND Is a paoket.— Apothecaries' Hall opposite the Post-office. Mark Twain on Bad Musicians.—The musical public and general readers are cautioned not to purchase Weston's Wizard Oil and Magic Pills, without carefnlly examining the outside wrapper— and be sure tuat the words " None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, Frank Weston, Sydney, N.5.W.," are engraven thereon. Any other so called preparations of mine, are unauthorized by me, and calculated to mislead the public.—Signed, FraskWeston. Sole Agents: Kempthorne. Prosser and Co. Price. Half-a-orown. Life is a burthen to the unhappy victim of chronic dyspepsia and constipation. Not only are the two above-named diseases generally co-existent, but their manifestations resemble those of dangerous organic diseases with which the sufferer imagines him self to be afflicted. Thus mental torture is added to bodily suffering. Banish both evils with Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps.



That wu a pretty conceit of a little three year-old who, when gathering flowers and finding one with an unusually short stem, exclaimed that he «found it sitting down '