SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

awning ™^ x*R~Vb** fcftarnoon 4 37 ; to-maw* ■Rssap.fi'-1*534 •wßn-*- MOON'S AO^p.^ Moon> 4tb> 8 . 52aE1t

ARRIVALS.

Grlimj^fc, ujwque, rrom Newest >c

-. DEPARTURES. £?, w™a i »s, Sellars, for Tauranga ™c Ji^ikle, schooner, for Duncdin, via Wangapoua Byre a, brig, f or Sydney (from the Manukau) Sissy, schooner, for the Thames

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

*or the South—Hawes, S3,lst September *, or the Islands—Edit*, schooner, early "or Newcastle—England's Olory, ship, at ones For Calcutta—Bebington, barque, early For London — DUpussuna, barque, 31st August Robina Dunlop, barque, early For Coromandel—Argyle, ss, every Monday For Lyttelton—Vxllejcj, barque, at once For Dnnedin via X aipara— Argosy, schooner, early For CalifoTnia-.fcrownthorpe, barque, early For the Wad'j— Firefly, schooner, at once

VESSELS EXPECTED

City of Sydney, ss, from Kandavu (English mail via

'Frisco) 10th instant John Mathias, from Portland, US ; sailed 7th June Taupo, ss, from the South, 2nd September Oceola. bri?antine, from Adelaide, early Canterbury, schooner, from New Caledonia, early Mary Melville, schooner, from New Caledonia, early Pearl, ketch, from Penihyn Island, esrly Martha, barque, from the Isiands, early Walmea, ship, from London : sailed SOth May Loch Fergus, barque (NSRD), from London, sailed 30th May Huramri, ship,rom London, early Glimpse, barque, from Newcastle, sailed 22nd Inst Abernyte, ship, frojn London, sailed June SO Shaun Lee, ship (HXJS). from London City ot Auckland, ship (K.MTR), from London, sailed Orari, ship, from London, sailed 1 st July Agnes, schooner, from Chatham Islands, overdue Helena, brigantine, mhe Islands, early Prince Alfred, barquentine, from Lyttelton ; sailed

27th Instant Wollomai, schooner, fiom Lyttelton; Bailed 27th instant

IMPORTS.

Per Bam Mendell: 135 cases oilman's' stores, 50 caßes red heart, 10 qr-cask* lemon heart rum, 50 drums Rangoon nil, 1 case Llonite goods, 30 cases whiskey. 10 hhds English ale, 50 barrels crushed loaf sagar, 50 ca'es old torn -Kummer and Co, Per Sam Mendel, from London :—350 bundles iron tubes, 55 boxes tin plates, 400 kegs blasting powder, 14 mowing and reaping machines, 2 sani rollers, 18 packages machinery, 1 case steel, 1 ao electro plate, 4 Cases biscuit-making machinery, 42 bars Lowmoor iron, 1 bale cotton wasts, 3 crates buckets, 1 cask. knife-cleaners. 4 casks milk pans, 2 do tinned dishes, 1 cask screws, 42 axles, 1 cask carriage bolts, 18 cases bedsteads, 1 case coffin furniture, 5 cases fireproof safes, 1 cask tee-hinges, 2 casks pipe fittings, 3 casks salts of tarter, 4 do saltpetre, 2 bags nitrate of soda, 20 kegs bi-carbonate of soda, 20 kegs antifriction grease.—E Porter & Co. 3 cases lustres and vaseß, 1 do skipping ropes, 3 d;i electro-plated goods, 2do marbles, 2do baaketware, 1 An balloons. 1 do walking sticks, 2do photo albums, 1 do musical albums, 2do brushware, Ido gent's studs, suites, &c. 2do fancy soap, 1 dojunframod oleographs, 2 do papier machie goods, 1 do musicil instruments, 2 do tin canisters, 1 do tin plates, 1 do tin candlesticks, 1 do tea-pots, 1 do cart whips, 3 do sundries, 1 tierce glass basketß, etc.—M. Levy,& Co. 5 or. casks, 80 cases. —Henderson & Macfarlane. 2195 packa?e3, 12000 slates, 93 cases, 25 qr. casks.— Owen & Grah im.

8 bales. 13 boxes type, and machinery.—Henry Brett, Evening Btar. 741 packages, 1 box. 5000 fire brick 3, 325 tons coals, 7 tanks. —Oruickshank & Co.

13 packages, 2 case3.—T. &S. Morrin. 6 packages —New Zealand Herald 100 boxes.—JJarnett <fe Levy. 4 packages:—Stone Bros. 200 qr. barrels.—Jno. Iteid. 22 cises drapery and clothing.—T. McMasters. 7 cases furniture, 6 do iron bedsteads, 2 do iron mongery, 2 bales mattings, 1 case linoleum, 1 do fancy baskets. Winks and Hall

20 cases soda water bottles, i ditto glass tumblers, 6 ditto bohemian glassware, 1 bale manllla bags.—E. 4H. Isaac;.

Per Glimpse, from Newcastle : 450 tons coal, 30 tons coke, 15 tons bones.—Henderson and Macfarlane, agents.

EXPORTS.

Per Syren, brig, for Sydney : 133,000 it timber.

THE SAM MENDEL.

TDK report of passage furnished by Captain Steele of the Sam Mendel shows that this fine vessel has hart a very pleasant voyage from London, notwithstanding than some very heavy weather was experienced in tha Southern Ocean. All the passengers arrive In good health, no deaths are recorded, and the most serious mishap reported is an accident by which 1 passenger put his ancle out. C ncerts and theatrical representa tions helped to while away the tedium of sea life and Captain Steele has received a glowing testi monial as the unanimous expresion of the thanks of the passengers for his untiring exertions for fieir comfort The report runs :—On Tuesday May 80th, at 6 a.m., left the East India Dock; Wednesday discharged the river pilot at 2p m In the Dowds ; Saturday June 3rd, discharged the Channel pilot off Start Point, five days out; encoun tered then strong south-west windß, with thick weather. Passed Madeira June Bth, and St Antonio June 2Cth Had light N.K. trades. Crossed the line on June 30, thirty-two days ont On July 8 passed the ißland of Trinidad, hiving met with light south-east trades On Monday July 24 we passed the longi'ude of the C*pe, from where, down ti Tasmania, met with a succession of heavy north-weit and north-norfh-west gales. On the Bth instant rounded Tasmania, eightj days from London, and on ths Monday following, ■was off the New Zealand coast, with westerly winds. On Tuesday night sighted the Little Barrier, and anchored in the powder ground (at half-past four on Wednesday afternoon.

The barque Glimpse arrived at one pm to-day after another very fast passage from Newcastle, which she left on the 22ad instant.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND

Mails will close as under: — For Thames to-morrow at 530 pm For Coromandel to-morrow at 2 30 pm For London, direct, this day at 4 pm For Wanganui te-morrow at 8 am For Rarotonga to-morrow at 9 am For Waipu to-morrow at 4 pm For Taranaki, Southern provinces, and Australian colonies to-morrow at 12 45 pm Late letters for the Southern provinces, Sydney, and Melbourne will be received till 1 pm Signed) S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

STEVENSON—On August 25, at Ponsonby, the wife of R. H. Stevenson of a son.

MARRIAGE.

CHRISTMAS -WATKIN—On the22nd August, at Bt. Sepulchres Church, by tho Rev. B. I. Dudley, George Jam°s, third son of Mr. F. Ohristtnaß, Builder, Newton, to Sarah Jane, third daughter of the late Mr. William Watkin, Parnell, both of Auckland.—Melbourne papers please copy.

DEATH.

OLIVEE—On tho 30th Instant, at her residence, North Shore, Mrs. Oliver, wife of the late William Oliver, aged C 6 J ears. The funeral will le&ve her late residence to morrow (Friday), Ist September, at 3.30 pm Friends please accept this Invitation.

WALLER—On the 30th iDstant, Jane, relict of the late James Waller, aged 73 years. Tho faneral will le&ve the residence of her son, Mr William Cummins, Hobson-street, on Friday, Ist September, at 10 o'clock a.m., for interment at Otahuhu.

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

THUESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1876

tt«r«he ciott that lacks isslitanco, For the wrong that needs resistance For the future, in the distance. And the c'ocd that we e»n do.

Confusion worse confounded has followed the appearance of the Premier in the capa city of billet-hunter. The Ministry either mis-calculated the influence of the step on the House, or felt that their former position was daily becoming untenable, rendering it imperative that re-construction should come in some form. Probably, the first feeling was that two or three influential members could be induced to join the jCabinet, bringing an accession ; of- strength that would carry through the Agent-Generalship and the Go vernment measures in a modified form, All efforts in this direction have utterly failed. Then followed the proposal to work through the session with the stump of the old Cabinet; but the whips and other Minis terial feelers who test the political atmosphere by buzzing round, button-holing honorable members whose support is absolutely neces- Bary, have reported the weather unfavourable The only alternative is absolute and uncon^ ditional resignation, and Major Atkinson upon whose shoulders the task of Cabinet making has been thrown, will probably, our correspondent telegraphs, adopt that course, —recommending that Mr Whitaker be sent for by His Excellency. By insisting upon this step, Mr Whitaker has consulted his own dignity and that of the House, which has been treated very cavalierly in the periodical shuffling of portfolios from hand to hand*

ffhe acceptance of tbe Premiership as a gift from Major Atkinson would not tend to improve Mr Whitaker's political reputation*

and jis?a very different matter from being called upon by the Governor in a Constitu tional manner to" form a Cabinet. The feeling in Auckland towards the now Ministry will depend wholly upon their policy. Our grievances are of a character that cannot be removed merely by a change of men. Wo 'require measures of reform that will permanently remove the heavy disa bilities under which this part of New Zealand 1 aboui-s. And the only shape in which this reform can prove acceptable must be one not involving the prostration of the people in forma pauperis before Parliament. We ask not for bribes, but for simple and per manent justice, and any measure capable of accomplishing that end will, we doubt not, receive fair consideration. The personnel of the new Cabinet is now quite uncertain, and if Mr Whitaker undertakes the task of get ting 'together the new team, he will probably ask for a further adjournment when the question comes tip in the Assembly to night. The unexpected turn which events have taken must have excited a strong feel ing in the breast of Sir Julius that the time of Dr Featherston's demise was ill chosen, the adjustment of such little arrangements as the one iD contemplation being capable of so very much more peaceable settle ment during the recess than when the House is in session. Hl3 position in relation to the coveted office, if the Ministry which proposed the appointment resigns, is not very clearly defined, but probably some understanding will be arrived at, securing the influence of the new Govern ment for the ratification of the appointment.

TriE Opposition have, we learn by telegram in another column, a new scheme under consideration for the preservation of local self-Government. The proposal is to make Abolition permissive. At first sight, we are not preposessed with the principle of the proposal, the tendency of which seems in the direction of perpetuating, if not increasing the inequali ties under which we now labour. But very much would depend upon the terms ofFered this province—its means and responsibilities. The statement that an adjustment of the debt would be made on the same basis as that proposed in the Separation resolu tions, is vague. Unles3 the powers of the provinces are vary largely increased, and a system of complete Financial Separation established Sin every province that asks for it, a clashing of authority must, we fear, ensue. Without more definite details, however, no intelligent opinion of the merits of the proposal can be formed.

The following balance sheet shows tho result of the entertainment for the benefit of Mrs Williamson :—Kent of hall, £1 5s ; music, £2 Gs ; printing and advertising^ £3 ; piano and cartage, 15s ; sundries, 83. Total expenditure, £7 S3. By money taken at doors, £5 93 Gd ; tickets sold by friends, £12 10s Od. Total, £18. Balance to Mrs Wil liamson, £10 12s.—E. W. Ward, manager. To-niglifc is the last night on which the City Hall will be open as a skating rink, the lease having expired, and skaters will do well to take advantage of the opportunity, aB they may nob have another for some time. Mr R. C. Greenwood held a very success ful sale at Mason Brothers nursery, Parnell, yesterday. Several thousand's of trees and shrubs were disposed of at good prices. As an indication of the extent to which horti cultural pursuits are attracting attention in the vicinity of the city, the sale was most satisfactory. A Provincial Government land sale in Ocago a fortnight ago realised £42,000. A most extraordinary attempt at suicide was perpetrated at Waipori, Otago, last week by a miner named Maxwell. Maxwell, who had been suffering from the effects of drink, becoming seriously ill, was removed to the hut of one W. Cleaver, a neighbour. A man named EIHb proceeded on the 9fch instant to the township to prooare some brandy, and the assistance of the po lice. On returning to the hut, Maxwell was found in a bunk oovered with blood, and when questioned by the constable repli-d, " I was ordered to kill myself with a tomahawk." An axe was found outside the hut, close to the chopping block, covered with blood, and with this it was apparent the injuries had been done. On examination Maxwell was found to be frightfully injured, and the constable therefore ordered his irn mediate removal to the hospital, where ho arrived in an unconscious state on Thursday night. Dr Stewart was in immediate at tendance, and found a large circular wound on the crown of the head, and the skull literally smashed, several pieces of throne having to be removed in the dressing, leaving the brain visible. The injuries fmust have been inflicted with the greatest determination, as the severity of them plainly shows. When Maxwell was questioned, he gave hia mate and the constable to understand that he had given himself repeated blows before succeed ing in his object, which is very apparent, as the part injured is completely battered. The unfortunate man's life is despaired of.

Loomb's Hotel, Panmure, has been fixed upon as the meeting place of the Pakuranga hounds, at eleven o'clock, on Saturday next.

A soiree will be held this evening, in the Otahuhu Public Hall, the proceeds to bo devoted to the repairing fund of the parson age. A female refuge for the rescue of unfortu nate girls has been opened in Christchurch. Its objects are : To provide a temporary home in several departments : 1, For fallen women, not yet hardened to vice, and desirous to retrieve their position. 2. For those who have become hardened in vice, but profess themselves anxious for an opportunity of reform. The Napier people are comforted by the Government organ in that placef the Herald, with the assurance that it "does not put much faith in the grant-in-aid which the boroughs and counties are promiaed in the new state of things from the General Govern-

mentr The regular monthly meeting of the Prince of Wales Lodge will be held this evening at the Star Hotel, Albert-street, at the usual hour. To-morrow evening at St. Sepulchre's will be held the second of the anniversary ser vices, consisting of Metrical Litany and a sermon by Yen. Archdeacon Pritt. Mr Crook exhibited his beautiful lime-light views of the more remarkable places in the cities of London and Westminster, in Pon sonby Hall, last evening, for the benefit of the Sabbath schools in that district. The views included poet's corner, Henry the Vll'a ohapel and tomb, the heroes and philanthro pists of the past, St Pauls, and scenes in the Regent's Park Gardens. The views were much applauded. The entertainment was pleasantly diversified by songs, Mr Eowe presiding at the piano. Mr John Eyan sang the "Village Blacksmith," Miss Hurst, "Leaf by leaf the roses fade," Mr Forder, "Nil Desperandum," and Miss Hammond, '' Rock me to sleep, mother." The Ponsonby people were pleased with the treat, and ex pressed their gratitude to Mr Crook, the pianist, and the vocalists. The following are the approximate arrivals and departures for the next three weeks of steamers running between India and the Straits : Arrivals—August 31st, Septemb r Bth, 9th, 10th, 15th, 18ch, and 22ud. De partures—August So6b, September Ist, sth^ 6th, 9th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th, and 21st. We have to acknowledge £1 from Dr Ken derdine for Mrs Hanna.

The Italian Government is evidently not disposed to be forgotten in the settlement of the Eastern question, in which, as a Medi terranean Power, it is directly interested, according to a semi-official article in the Dirilto, Italy has 340,000 men, drilled from ono to five years, in her first Army lme, 300 000 of whom would be ready at a week a notice to take the field, all provided with breech-loading rifles. Her field artillery is completely provided with breach-loading field pieces, and the cavalry has been "newly mralrjtpri " She has, more over, six ironclads in the Mediterranean, and eight inedockjnine wooden frigates, and a large number of wooden vesopls All this means that Italy could now, if she felt the necesity, send out an army of 50.000 men, completely equipped, without any serious strain, except upon her finances- a force quite sufficient to make the aid of Italy most important to any power able to Hupply her with funds for the begin ning of a campaign.— Spectator. The next of the winter series of lectures in connection with the Young Men's Chris tian Association, will be given to-morrow evening in the large room, by the Eev. Wm. Tinsley, of Edwardes-street Church. The subject will be of an admonitory nature entitled " Young Men, their Dangers and Duties." The intricate cross-cases between the Kenealy and Byers families of Remuera. occupied the p,ttention«and time of the Bench yesterday about five hours. The cases in volved a number of assaults and returns, including face-scratohings, throwing stones, biting fingers, rescuing sheep, and trying to break their legs, destroying cauliflower, treading down oats, making wry faces, and a number of other silly tricks, which came out in evidence, but which were unnoticed by the yawning reporters. A number of witticisms were also exchanged by the legal eentl^men and the Bench. For instance, Mr Hesketh asked a witness what grounds he had for believing that the Byers took their do«s into Kenealy'a for the Impose °f rescuing sheep? The answer was, My fathers paddock." In fact, the fun ran so high that ono of the solicitors got as far as Pinderism, as the following effusion shews— In case Kenealy afr*inst Byers, Pno nr other may be " liars ; Aril in Bvors v. Knnnaly, Both cinnot be truthful, really. The bench, after a patient hearing give judg ment as follows, remarking upon the trumpery nature of the cases, and hoped for the peace of Remnera that they would endeavour to live in harmony Jin the future. Ist case, assault, withdrawn ; 2nd case, W. D Knncaly, fined 2s Gd and costs ; 3rd case, William and S vrah Jane Byers, fined 2* fid and costs, and in the 4th case. Sarah Jane was fined 2s Gd and costs ; and there ended for the present the rows of Remuera. Lieutenant Cameron, R.N., C.8., who has recently returned from a most successful ex ploration of Central Africa, urged, in a recent lecture before the Colonial Institute, the cora menccmentlof a colonization scheme, after the manner pursued by the East India Company. He said that a large portion of the counbry round Lake Tanganyika was very fertile, and produced large crops of cotton. The climate was salubrious, and the place was well fitted for a sanitarium. The inhabitants were, however, uncivilised ; and the surplus popu lation was kept down by cannibalism Through the country which he travelled he came across mines of various sorts, such asto render the land ono of the richest countries ■ producing metal in the world. There were gold mines, silver mines, iron mines, and last, but not least, coal mine 3. The whole of the country westwards of Tanganyika was a marvellously fertile and well-watered coun try, and after leaving Tanganyika he had only five or six attacks of fever. But it must be said that he never gave the climate a fair chance, for he had no' got proper things to eat or sufficient shelter. The climate in many parts was somewhat similar t.o that in British India ; and anyone who could live in the South of Furope could live in the parts where he had been. At present the whole of Africa was one vast slave-field ; the slave trade was increasing, and whole districts bad been rendered desolate by this inhuman traffic. By placing steamers in the river Congo they would have connection with the whole of the African rivers, and would be able to open up trade with the ivory merchants from Egypt As regarded the traders on the West Coast, they were cruel men, and guilty of every species of barbarity ; and the ivory brought from there was stained by the blood of thousands of poor creaturos who had been slaughtered. While admitting that a great deal of good had been done in Africa by missionaries, ho was of opinion that many men who, having failed as cobblers and hairdressers, and who suddenly fancied that they were moved b\ the spirit to do good to the poor negro, did more harm than good An Afiican knew a gentleman as well as anyone, and he was of opinion that African missionaries should be gentlemen both by birth and evlncation. The Hindoo girls are graceful and ex quisitely formed. From their earliest child hood they are accustomed to carry burden* on their heads. The water for family HS->

always brought by the girls in earthuu jars, carefully poised in this way. This exercise is said to strengthen the muscles of the back, while the chest is thown for ward. No crooked backs are seen in Hindostan. Dr Henry Spry, one of the company's medical officers, says that " thiß exercise of carrying small vessels of water on the head might be advantageously intro duced into our boarding schools and private families, and that it might entirely superr sede the present machinery of dumbbells, backboards, skipping-ropes, &c. The young lady ought to be taught to carry the jar as these Hindoo women do, without ever touch ing it with her hands." The same practice of carrying water leads to precisely the same results in the south of Spain and in the south of Italy as in India. A Neapolitan female peasant will carry on her head a vessel full of water to the very brim over a rough road and not spill a drop of it; and the acquisition of this art or knack gives her the same erect and elastic gait, and the same expanded chest and well-formed back and shoulders.

Last night a disgraceful attempt was made by some larrikins in the Giafton Road, to destroy the Assessment List ef the Grafton Road Highway Board, which was hanging at the door of Mr Sawkins, Grocer. The latter gentlemam observed the boys tear off a por tion of the list and run away. He followed, and fortunately overtook them, and secured . several pages of writing, whicb^had cost the careful secretary a great deal of time and labour to prepare, and which are of great value, as being the original Assessment List. One of the Hihgway Boards had great diffi culty in compelling payment of a large sum due to the Board some years ago, through the destruction of the original list at one of the fires. The mail for "Rangoon closes at Penang at seven p.m. on Friday. Telegrams for Eng land should be wired to catch it. To the Editor : Sir,— I have read with great interest tyour leader of yesterday and the report of Messrs Waymonbh and Wright. The ratepayers have much to thank you for exposing many disgraceful matters in this city which would, but for the "Evening Star," have been hushed up. The state of City Accounts, if correctly described in these reports is a lasting disgrace to the city ; and but for your fearless action, the present con fusion and incorrectness would no doubt have gone on unremedied. That the City records should be kept in a manner that woald dis grace the smallest tradesman is a subject affecting evey ratepayer, and I for one thank you for coming forward to introduce a new order of things.— Yours, &c, Ratepayer. From a telegram in another column, it ap pears that the office of Sherriff will be ap pended to some other office, saving £500 a year. The position will, no doubt, as stated yesterday, be given t© Major Green, who, as Deputy Sherriff is unquestionably entitled to it.

At the meeting of the Caledonian G.M.C. yesterday afternoon, the director's annual report was read. It was not a cheerful docu ment for the shareholders, as it stated that it had been found necessary to suspend opera tions till the shareholders had decided upon a course of providing ftmdi for futnre action. It stated also that the Directors had had in serious contemplation, the advisability of amalgamating with neighbouring mines. The balance sheet shewed that there was an over draft at the Bank of New Zealand £1037 13* and that the gold taken from the mine during the year had reached 1180oz Stfwts, value £3266 3b 6d. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mr Lennox was elected a director in the place of Mr Thos Russell, and Mr Wardrop was re-elected Auditor. _ A murmer was raised at the Directors taking the £250 honorarium in the present state of the mine, but the chairman pointed out that it would be unreasonable to expect people to work for nothing, and the vote was passed. An expression of opinion was elicited that travelling expenses should be allowed to Directors charged to visit and report upon the mine. The meeting generally deprecated any attempt to amalgamate with other com panies till after the lower levels had been tested. The meeting then terminated.

THEATRICAL AMUSEMENTS AND TRADE STAGNATION.

A correspondent writes in the following strain : — " Sir.—ln your issue of yesterday, "Little Nell in a new character ;"—it cer tainly is a novel one. A sprite of a girl, here only a few weeks, and says her employers owe her a balance of £100 for playing in Auckland, and £18 ditto in Grahamstown. It seems from this statement that play is better paid for than labour in this befooled, unfortunate city, where a hundred of half stawed honest people cannot earn sufficient to koep body snd soul together ; where pood tradesmen this very morning, with pale faces, are walking the streets in search of even a small job to get a breakfast for their hungry children. When, as a rule, it is the young and thoughtless who can obtain the best places and pay in the city, it is these and other pptty officials that keep up play actors, and encourage them to pick the last morsel of flesh off the already bare bones of Auckland. Could not these idle creatures ho persuaded to go to honorable service ? There am plenty of placps open for girls every day. where the>y sould earn an honest living and acquire habits of industry, and eventually become honorable "useful women and men. The man that cultivates a yard of land and grows a dozen af cabbage, does more for the colony than all the vile swarms of actors that ever disgraced onr pavements with their unholy feet." Our correspondent pursues this idea at greater length, and includes in his denuncia tions, our importers, as "the enemies to colonial industry." We believe, and the knowledge must be a source of deep regret to everyone, that the depressed state of trade is felt very keenly by hundreds of honest and industrious men in Auckland ; but our cor respondent's spleen against the stage discloses an embittered, if not a bigotted spirit. Ho is, moreover, inconsistent with himßelf. He opens by complaining that Little Nell has earned eomo hundreds of pounds in two or three weeks, and then proceeds to ask why she doesn't hire herself out for general scrub bing at as many pence as she now gains pounds a week by thn pursuit of her profes sion. His ideas of the " idle" nature of the theatrical life are equally vague. Our cor respondent may rest assured that an actor, playing new pieces every night, or alternate nights, must go through an amount of drudgery that would Bend any ordinary labourer on strike. The theatrical profes sion does not necessarily involve either immorality or idleness, and an acquaintance with those who follow the business would reveal to our correspondent, quiet and res pectable'peoplc, straggling as hard to main tain their families by providing amusement for the people, as he does, possibly, with mallet and screw-driver. The nature of man domanc's recreation, and the player's part may, in its way, be quite as useful and no more unholy than the tinker's or tailor's. We give prominence to ,our correspondent's views because he undoubtedly represents the crude opinions of a section of people, and it may be worth while to shew him that the narrow hoarding spirit which he condemns in the latter part of his letter, is the one practically advocated in his sweeping condem nation of the theatrical art. If everyone possessing means were to Bet his little mind wholly upon hoarding, a four roomed cottage would provide him with shelter, and mole-skin prove better wear than black cloth. But what would be the effect on the working population ? Three parts of mankind live on the luxuries and pleasures of the other fourth Does our correspondent suppose that the money spent at theatres goes into some mysterious long-stocking, instead of fir 'r ,' its way into circulation through the 'ivdinarv channels of trade? Who received the £10.000 spent in the erection of the new theatre? What becomes of the bulk of the £300 or £400 & week expended by Mr Simonsen to produce opera as it is presented nightly for the entertainment of those whose means 9nable them to enjoy it ? Or who benefits by the circulation of money in cabs and extra dresses? It would be easy te shew that many of the class sweepingly condemned by our correspondent have taken away less than they brought into the city, although during their stay they were instru mental in setting a large amount of coin in circulation. Nine out of every ten members of a stock company spend their wages in butchers', and bakers', and tailors' bills, much the same as onr correspondent spends his, and find very little over on Saturday < night. Only wandering "Stars " or companies ever drain the place, and the brevity of their engagements, together with lost of travel ling, reduce the apparently extraordinary remuneration which has excited our corres pondent's surprise. It is probably more difficult to find an actor who has waxed rich from the proceeds of his labour than to dis cover the same phenomenon Lin any other business.

CITY COUNCIL—YESTERDAY.

(CONLCUDED.)

The Engineer of the Waterworks sent up his monthly report. In this it appeared that the work of laying the pipes was rapidly approaching completion, and a belief was expressed that there would ba nothing to binder the water beiDg laid on before the end of the year. ACCOUNTS. The fortnightly financial statemeut was made, and adopted, and a return of rates and rents was presented. TBVDBRB. The tenders of Messrs Kirty and Gleeson, £241, was accepted out of four sent in for surface-picking Lower Queen-street. COUHCILLOR GOLDIB, ANT> THE SELLING OF CORPORA- . TION FROPEaTY. Councillor Goldie asked three questions of which notice had feaen given :—(1.) Whether two of the City Water Carts had been sold? (2) By whom instructions for such sale had been given ? (3) Who were the purchasers, and what was the cost of the carts to the Council, and the price obtained for them ? In reply, the acting-Mayor said it was true the c*rts ; had been sold by hiß authority, on *,he recemmemU tion of tlio City Surveyor. The/ had cost the Council £16 15s each, and had been sold to Mr S. Morrin for £12 cash, as they were much out of repair. Councillor Goldie said his object in asking the ques tions was to elicit the opinion of th« Council, as to whether it was right, that Corporation property should be sold by any officer of the Council. Beveral Coun cillors agreed with Councillor Goldie, that this should not be done. WATERWORKS BT-I-AWS. The draft of these regulations was referred to a com mittee, comprising Messrs Prime, Isaacs, Goldie, and Yon der Heyde. REPOBTS. The chairman said there had been an official en quiry into the mode of keeping the city accounts. four accountants had sent in reports. After some discussion the reports were laid upon the table (two of these appeared in ourassue of last evening.) Councillor Goldie havirjg given notice of motion with regard toj the removal ef night soil, the meeting adjourned,

PARLIAMENTARY.

Major Atkinson unable to Form a Ministry.

Overtures to Mr Whitaker.

WELLINGTON

(From our Special Correspondent.)

This day.

Every effort waß made yesterday by Ma jor Atkinson to get together a working Ministry, but it is understood, without much success. Offers were made to Mr Whitaker to take office as Premier if he liked, and to exercise a powerful voice in the selection of the others, but he declined to have anything to do with the tail of Vogel s Government. Mr Ormond was also pressed to take Me Lean'a place, McLean being very anxious to be set free, and feeling that his power over the House is gone. He is understood to have expressed himself willing to g6 into a new Government with Mr Whitaker, but not otherwise. Other attempts were made to induce men of less experience and past reputation to join, but with no success. Expected Abandonment by Major Atkinson It is now sa d that Major Atkinson wVI give up the task, and advise that Mr Whitaker be sent for. If so, it is said Mr Whitaker will accept rffice, and that he can easily form a Government much stronger than' Sir Julius Vogel's. Mr Ormond could easily join as Native Minister, while any of the Canterbury men, excluding, of course, Mr Stafford, would work with him. The Opposition Tactics. How the Opposition would view change ie doubtful. To Mr Whitaker personally they would not object, it is understood, but it would depend largely on his views Lo- far they woald support his Government. It is said their present programme is to bring in a bill to make Abolition permissive, that is, to allow such provinces which are to be governed from Wellington, and such as do not, to go on as before, with an adjustment of the burdens as proposed in Sir George Grey's Separation! resolutions, and clauses forbidding legislation by Assembly, except on the subjects originally reserved in the Constitution Act, for parts of the colony still retaining provincial institutions. Stonewall Opposition- Of course such proposals would meet with the strongest opposition frem a majority of the House; but it is said the Opposition hope by refusing supplies to compel its acceptance- No doubt some might vote for the Bill wko opposed the]resolutions, such as Mr Rollestor» and one or two others, but many who have always been opposed to the working of the old provincial system would object to its perpetuation, and it may be doubted how far Stonewall opposition would succeed. The Sheriff of Auckland. Mr D. M. Luckie was, I believe, an applicant for the position of Sheriff at Auckland, rendetedvacant by the death of Colonel Balneavis. Probably the govern ment would have given it him, but they had determined io reduce the the salary from £GSO to £150, and append the duties to some other office.

ENTERTAINMENT AT PANMURE.

The entertainment given on Tutsday evening in the Panmure Hall, in aid of the Catholic Church choir, was a decided success. The entertainment was under the patronage of the Auckland Br&ncb, No SI, HACBS, and a large number of that popular Branch, with their lady friends, added much by their presence to the success of the cvtiniog's entertainment. There were over 200 guests present, and many expressed their opinion that the gathering assembled on that evening equalltd those of the like, given by the young1 men of the district some years ago, spending their Christmas and Easter holidays from the Thames Gold fields, when the Very Rev Father Fynes was the pastor of the district, under whose management every social Rathering passed off with great eclat. But on Tuesday evening laßt, the Key Father Riordan, the present respected spiritual director of the settlement, is to be congratulated on the success of the first Soiree given by him. At 7 pm, the members of the HACBS and friends, in one of Crowther's large four horse' busses, proceeded from the corner of Queen and Wellesley-streets, followed by two more of Quick's four and two-horse' busses, containing the Hibernian Band, its Shareholders, and other friends from Auckland The members of this efficient Bind enlivened the journey by playing some choice selec tions of music and on arriving at Panmure, struck up " The Min«trel Boy " and " Patricks Day." to the intense delight and cheers of the inhabi tants of that quiet and rural locality. There was a good tea provided, and after ample justice having beenjdone to it, fragments cleared away, and seats re-arranged, a good chair-programme was gone through. The performance of the " Tamaki Pigeons" and ''Panaaure Turtle Doves" calls for no special mention, as each Pigeon and Dove did its best to please the audience ; but it was frequently remarked that if a little more s udy to cultivate the imitation of the "Darkey Ideom" was indulged in, it would re dound muoh to their futute popularity. Dancing commenced at 10 p.m., and was kept up with un flagging interest by the light fantastic " trippers" till fo*r o'clock next morning. The following progrimme was entirely and satisfactorily gone through :-First set Quadrilles, Schottishe, I/ancers, Valse. Caledo nian, Mazurka, D'Alberts, Varsovianna, Polka, First Set Quadrilles, Schottiehe, Lancers, Valse, Caledo nians, Mazurka, Irish Reel, D" Alberts, Varsovianna. liish Jig and Hornpipe, Polka and Galop. The mußic of the band was most efficiently rendered, but the gem of the evaning was the playing of a grand military march by the splendid instruments and big drum of the Hibernian Band, at the request of the Rev Father Riordan, who had been for miny years military chaplain to the British troops in India, and who has himself instructed bands in that portion of Her Majesty's dominions. The conclusion of this march was received with great applause; after which the National Anthem brought the nights's perform ance to a very plsssant finale. The Rev Fathers Riordan and Paul, of Onehunga (who I omitted to mention in the former portion of this communication) were most unremitting in their attention on the guests during the evening's entertainment, and expressed their deep sense of praise on the regular order and decorum of each guest assembled in the hall, which waß neatly decorated with flags and evergreens, flags having been procured and forwarded by a member of the Hibernian Band. I wish the reverend gentlemen in charge of the inhabitants o£ Panmure many more (financially and numerically speaking) occasions of amusement as that which was given on last Tuesday evening. Three cheera were then called for by Mr f ims, school teacher, for the gratuitous services of the band and the patronage of the members of the Auck land Branch of the H.A. C.B. Society, which was heartily given.—A Correspondent.

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

This Day. (Before R. C. Barstow, Esq.," R.M.)

The weekly court for the recovery of small debts was held to-day, but the lisc of cases was few in comparison with those of previous weeks, and a number of these were settled out of court. JODGMKNT FOR PLAINTIFFS. Dr Dawson v. Hugh Hood ; claim, £2 55., professional services (Mr Brock for plaintiff). Mr Barker proved the claim, and deposed that defendant, who is now in Poverty Bay, admitted the debt; costs £1 9s 6d. Predk. Archatd v. Frederick Stephenson ; claim £6, money lent; costs 14a. Zachariah Vare v. Thomas Lupton; claim £30, money lentj costs £3 12s. FRANK PASCOE V. W. HAGKRTY. Claim £3 ss. Mr Brock for plaintiff. This was a claim for board and lodging for defendant's wife.

Defendant denied the debt. He told plaintiff that he would not be responsible for more than one week, for which he was willing to give 80s. He met with an accident which incapacitated him from working, and he solemnly warned plaintiff not to keep his wife longer. . Plaintiff said he was a lodging-house keeper, and had kept defendant's wife four weeks before he warned him. He kept her altogether six weeks and then sent her away. Judgment for 50s and costs £1 9s Gd. JAITETTE MACDCDALD V. LAURENCE CHEIS TOPHER. Claim, .-£4 4s ; rent. LAURENCE CHRISTOPHER V. JANETTE MAO DONALD. Claim, £1 17s. Mr Thorne appeared for Mrs Macdonald, and Mr Joy, L.L.8., for Mr Christopher The particulars of thesV claims have been previously stated, and by n^utual agreement were submitted to arbitration ; Mr W. H. Kissling being appointed arbitrator. The award was put in, to the following effect: Mr Christopher to pay ttu" ™m of £4 4s, and 15s Bd, costs ; and Mrs McDonald to nay Mr Christopher the sum of IS.?, and 7s 6d, costs. SARAH JANE WHITE V. EVANS. Claim £18 12a for rent. Mr Kissling for plaintiff. William Evans deposed th.ufc he had been living for ten years in a house in Freeman's Bay, and did not owe any rent. Saran Jane White deposed that Mr Evans took the hotjse of her at 6s a we^.k, and he owed for G2 -weeks. He agreed to that amount. Defendant said he did not owe a pe^ny to Mrs White, he was " jaek-of-all-tr&dea," seaman, carpenter, plasterer, and tailor ; he came up from the Thames, and fnrinshecl the house in Freeman's Bay, even to the fltft iron. He found a home for her and her children. He certainly lived in the house,, r but had paid no rent, for reasons which a, 3 letter would explain to the court (letter put r m). j As the letter referred to matters foreign t*b the case, they were not read. * Mr Kissling said that Mrs White only ', wanted to get possession of the house, but defendant would not clear out. It was shewn that defendant had agreed to pay a weekly rent of sa. His Worship then gave judgment for c plaintiff £15 10s, costs £2 ss, defendant, to 7 give up possession ?.t once. t " APPLICATION". In the case of John Young, grocer, against Mark Sandford, rabbit dealer, of Motutapu, 8 Mr Robinson, solicitor, applied for a judg a ment summons against defendant, as he had o not paid anything off the account, and the c rabbit trade was very good just now, and defendant in receipt of fair profits. 0 The application was granted. lt Several cases were adjourned until nex ;e court day. !S This was all the business.

POLICE COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before G. P. Pierce, Esq., J.P.)

DRUNK.

John Harvey and Jno. Wilson, surren dered to their bail for being' drunk, aad were each fined 10a and costs.

BEMANDED,

A charge of disobedience to lawful com mands on board the England's ©lory brought against a Beaman named Jno. Hill, was postponed till to-morrow at the request of Mr Laishley, the solicitor for the defence ; and also in consequence of only one Magis rateb dng in attendance. Air J. B. Russell for the prosecution, loudly protested against the adjeurn.ni nfc, and said the sction of the Justices ought £obe brought before the hij>herauthorities. HessJd he did not refer to Mr Pierce, but to others who should have been attending to their duties.

Two cases, one a charge of assault, and another a charge of apprentices absenting themselves from their employer, were struck out by permission of the Bench.

THE OPERA.

"LA SONNAMBULA."

The sudden indisposition of Miss La&ibert prevented the performance of the " Bohemian Girl" last night, and " La Sonnambula " produced in itß stead. A large and fashiov" 1" able audience, including the Canterbury anfc 1 Auckland football teams, filled the house, and the announcement of the substitution was received good-humouredly. A short concert preceded the opera. The overture; to the " Hermit's Bell," well played by the orchestra, was followed by a song, "Happy be thy Dreams," by Mr Florence. This provoked loud applause. Mr Martin Simon sen next gave one of his much adtaired violin solos, " Annie Laurie " with variations. In response to the shouts of applause which this produced, the skilful maestro gave an amusing and clever version of the once popular air, " Pop goes the weasel." The comic effects produced by the artiste's instrument in this, fairly threw the audience into convulsions of laughter. The solos were accompanied on the pionoforte by Madame Simonsen. Mr Markharo gave " Tis hard to Love," and in response to an encore complied with " The Hungry Man," a very humorous affair. The Opera was then com menced and gone through capitally. Madame Simonsen never appeared to better advantage. Her pathetic singing and splendid acting in the final sleep-walking scene were both magnificent, and drew tears from eyes which rebelled at the unwonted suffusion. Signor Morley's representation of the loving and sor row-stricken Elvino was wonderfully good, and his singing of " All is over" and " Still so gently," was suitably acknowledged. During the evening Mr Simonsen announced that instead of II Torvatore which bad been set for to-night, the grand opera Bouffe of La Fille de Madame Angot would be produced in answer to repeated solicitations. The an nouncement was received with cheers. La Fille de Madame Angot, we need scarcely inform our readers, has been one of the most successful operatic compositions placed upon the boards during the last decade. It is the work of a previously not very well known author named Lecoq, whose fame has been thoroughly established by his brilliant pro duction. The plot is eminently French in its character, clairette, the daughter of the historical Madame Angot has been adopted as the Child of the Market, and is about to be given in marriage to a barber, named Pom ponnet. She takes a strange method to avoid the marriage, which in distasteful for her. Her lover, Ange Pitou, is a writer of seditious songs, and she siugs one of these in the streets for the purpose of being arrested. She is snccessful in her ruse, and is brought before Madame Lange, the favor ite of Barras, and the lady against whom the song was aimed. Clairette and Lange find they are old schoolfellows. Pomponnet comes in and exonerates Clairette, and ac cuses Pitou, who is a secret lover of Mdlle. Lange. An agent of the police, also struok with the charms of Barras' fovorite, surprises her with Pitou, and Lange concocts a story that Pitou has come to see Clair ette and join in a meeting of conspirators, which is to be held at midnight. This meet ing comes off, and the house where it takes place is surrounded by the hussars, of Angereau. At a signal from Lange, the con spirators manage to hide their badges, and pre tend to he assisting at a fete to celebrate the marriageof Clairette and Pitou. The soldiers are deceived and join in the fun. Both Clairette and Dange rind they are in love with Pitou. By an jingenioas device, CKirette mina^ej tohave Lange and Pitou surprised together before the market. A row takes place, but all ends amicably, Ciairette, at the finish becoming Madame Pomponnet. JJ

EVENING BTAE, THUBSDAY, AtfOTSI! 31, 18ft.



TDUSHBROOK and BRIDGMAW jL\> invite the attention of Purchasers to a number of SPECIAL LINES, just to hand, BOUGHT at AUCTION, and to be Sold at a considerable Reduction upon Usual Price. "Waterproof Tweed at 3/6 per yard—a Bargain Imitation Nelson Tweed, first-class for Boys' Cloth Ing, and very cheap. BLANKETS! " BLANKETS I White Blankets, all sizes Bine Blankets Grey Blankets. Onr Blankets are well bought, and the large demand for them is a convincing proof that they are FIRSS-OLASS VALUE. go H 3 MO M S (Zj 3 o 9 « fc . w 3 3 Wlnoeys, Costume Cloth, French Merino, and Fancy Dress Goods. flannbls, shirting, calicoes, bto. General Dbapeby and Clothing of Every Description. f>% (Is) Discount allowed on all Purchases of 20s an upwards. Patterns and Prices forwarded on application. Country Orders executed with care and despatch. RUSHjB^K'OOK & BRID;GMAN, "Dppbk Qtjebn-strkbt, At/ckland. A LINABUBY AN BOO.' OFFICIAL NOTICE. £6,500 WORTH OF BBAPEBT ANB CLOTHING TO BE 80LB. The PARTNERSHIP of A. LINABURY & CO. expiring by limitation, our EXTENSIVE STOCK MUST BE CLEARED, amd our Accounts called in, to settle existing Partnership business, we now ofier Our ENTIRE STOCK of DRAPERY & CLOTHING, etc., etc., at COST. Wo Mapn Business!!! CASE with us is, the LOWEST PBIOES the People of Auckland have ever seen. this is no Humbug ! We do not make Low Pricesa ©it one Une of Oooda only, but on the ENTIRE CASH will BUY these GOODS CHEAP I tiT SALE NOW ONI! OF LOOK IN AND SEE 111 . ***i -£. LIN A BUMY $ CO., 224 mdJSto, Queenrrtrett. fcat-a'iln 1., |M| , ' '-»



NO T l 0 E. —,—, T. & H. COOKE, BINETMAXERS, UPHOLSTERERS, &C, Beg to inform their friends and the public that they have aar ekmoved jem To the new and spacious Show rooms in Queen-street, next to the Bank of New Zealand. In addition to the usual varied assortment of FurnisM* R Goods, T. and H. C. have jnst Onened Large Shipments of Iron Bedsteads and Toilet Glasse x Bebineton and Tngland's Glory. THE PRINCIPAL CARPET WAREHOUSE IN NEW ZEALAND. HOLLOWAY AND GARLICK KEEP A STOCK TO SUIT ALL CLASSES, WE ARE TAKING STOCK THIS MONTH. CASH BUYERS WILL RECEIVE jB3" Special Advantages "©» In Purchasing between this and the 31st instant. FOR SALE. PAINTED PROSCENIUM DROP CURTAIN, &o. at the City "Sail. CHAIRS and SEATS, now In use at the City Hall. Delivery will be given after Ist September, 187 G. Apply to HOLLOWAY <fc GARLICK, PROPRIETORS. J COSCRAVE & CO ANNOUNCE FOR POSITIVE SALE Their Magnificent Stock of Winter DRAPERY and CLOTHING. Large Portion of he Stock is REDUCED to COST PRICE and TJNDER. Quantities of Useful and Valuable Goods in all the Depart ments will be snbjflcted to Un paralleled Reductions.



SPECIAL fiHEAP T INES AT 130 AND 132, QUEEN-STREET. HEAVY JLANKET3,I2s 6d por pair GOOD WHITE SHEETING from Is 3d per yard A Special Line in LONGCLOTH, 5%d per yard STOUT DRESSES from 9d per yard SUPERIOR BLACK VELVETEEN, 2s 9d per yard BTOTJT WINCEYS, WA Per yard. s. & j. kTvaile, 130 AND 132, QUEEN-STREET. Hemus & Trigg, opposite Me Arthur, Shera and Co.'s. will sell tho balance of their Winter Drapery and Millinery for Two Weeks, at Cist, in order to make room for Spring and Summer Goods to arrive soon. Relief from Cough in Ten Minutes — BHARLAND'S CHEEKY PECTORAL relieves the Breathing and gives refreshing Sleep. This is a cer tain and speedy remedy for all Disorders of the Chest and Lungs; in Asthma. Consumption, Bronchitis, Coughs, Influenza, Spitting of Blood, Hooping Cough, Hoarseness, Loss of Voicej &c. &c. Is. Qd. a Bottle. —APOTHECARIES HALL, opposite the Post-office. Mark Twain on Bad Musicians.—The musical public and genpral readers are cautioned not to purchase Weßton's Wizard OH and Magic Pilla, 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.," aTe engraven thereon. Any other so cal'ed preparations of mine, are unauthorized by me. and calculated to mislead the public—Signed, Fra.ke Weston. Sola Agentß : Kempthorne, Prosser and Co. Price. Half-a-crown. Why will people dose themselves with terrible alkaaloids like Quinine, which is a most dangerous drnj*. and at the best affords only a lesnite in cases of Chills and Fever, when there is a harm less, effectual, and speedy remedy which totally era d cates any complaint of an intermittent or remittent character. And why do they not anticipate such d-seises by protecting themselves againit the effects f malarial poison with such an antidota and pre ventive as Udolpho Wolfe's Schikdam Aromatic Schnapps.