SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

TfTpir , r . TV p !' This Afternoon, 4.9 m(j'l w Al'' l<~ 1 To-morrow Morning, 4.16 SUN SET.—This Evening. G. 42. STTX RISE. —To-morrow Morning, 5.4G MOON'S AGE.—Full M00n,25th,'6.53 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

lona.'-.5.. Farquhar. from tho North. I Fanny Kelly, ketch, from Wangaroa.

DEPARTURES.

Go-Ahead, s.s., McGillivray, for Gisborne and £ Napier. t Queen, schooner, Capt. Jones, for Hokianga. Christina, schooner, Edwards, for Russell. Kenilworth, schooner, for Lyttelton.

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

For Sydnoy—Zealandia, Ii.M.S., on arrival k For Hokianga—Queen, schooner, early Fur Sydney—Lovett Peacock, schooner, early For the South—Taranaki, s.s., 25th inst. For Southorn Ports—Rotorua, s.s., Tuesday, , •27th. I For Lyttelton—Kenilworth, schooner, at once. For Coromondcl—Kina, s.s., 6 o'clock this evening. For London—G-lonlora, barque, early; Loch UiT, barque, early For Wangar-oi—Argyle, every Tuesday

IMPORTS.

Per s.s. Taranaki: 16 cases Canterburylchoese. —T. H. Hall & Co. The schooner Jessie Henderson, from Lcvuka ( Capped anchor just as we went to press. t'Jio s.s. Go-ahead left yosterday evening for Glsborne and Napier, with a few passengers and a general cargo. The schooner Kenilworth left for Lyttelton to day -with a cargo of coke, timber, and doors and sashes. The schooner leaves to-night for Hokianga, with a general cargo. Tho schooner being built by Messrs Niccol at the North Shore, is to be launched this day week if possible. The s.s. Rotorua is due from Syduoy on Monday morning. It seems that the agents are informed that she left Sydney on Wednesday evening, and not Thursday, as telegraphed by the Press Agency. The schooner EfHe Meikle left Lyttelton for this port on the 17th inst., with a cargo of wheat, oats, bonedust, beans, &c. Tho schooner Fairlie is to leave Lyttelton for Auckland to-day. She has a full cargo of Southern produce. The barque Victoria, from Adelaide, with a cargo of wheat ior Bycroft andjCo., Onehunga, was off Manukau Heads last evening. She signalled for a pilot, and tho Tarn O'Shantor waa signalled and went down and took Captain Wing out to the barque, a distance of 20 miles. The energy shewn by Captain Wing in jso promptly meeting tho wishes of tho master of the Victoria, is m pleasing contrast to occur rences which havebeen the subject of complaint In this harbour. It is expected that the Victoria will reach the Onehunga wharf this evening or to-morrow. The Fanny Kelly brings 21,000 ft. timber, bales of wool, and ether goods.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails will Close as! Under :— For Thames, this day, at 5.30 p.m., and on Monday, at 11 a.m. For Coromandel, on Monday next, at 11.30 a.m. For Newcastle, N.S.W., pcrSoveriegn, this day, nt 4.30 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per s.s. Zealandia, im mediately on arrival from Kandavu. For Russell, Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, on Monday next, at i p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, on Monday next, at 4 p.m. For Wangarei Heads, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Argyle, on Tuesday next, at 4 p.m. For Taranaki and Southern provinces, per Taranaki, this day at 5 p.m. For Napier and Southern Provinces, per Rotorua, on Tuesday next, at 11 a.m. S. B. BISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

iCHADWICK.-On the 2tth instant, at her re sidence, Tunranga, the wife ot J. A. Onaci wick, Esq., J.P,, of a son.

DEATH.

HACKETT.-On the 21th instant, at his resi dence, Market Hotel, Grey-Street, Philip H. Hackett, aged 35 years. ■ The funeral will leave his late residence at half-past three o'clock p.m. to-morrow (bun day). Friends please accept this invitation..

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1877.

™ Tot the cavse that lacks assistance^ if For ll;c viiong that nceris resistance, For tlie future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

In a case at the Police Court yesterday wag determined a matter of vital importance to many settlers in the .scattered coastal districts around this province. Two 1111 ---certificated masters of coasting craft had been summoned for carrying passengers. Through tho ingenuity of Mr J. Ji. Russell, and exceptional circumstances connected with the cases, the defendants escaped, but a precedent was laid down which, we venture to say, will ho a source of great inconvenience and law-breaking. Mr Russell contended—and his argument was cleverly supported by references to the position winch yacht owners and other lovers of aquatics would occupy if a different interpretation were placed upon the law—that to constitute a passenger within the meaning of the statute, a person must pay money for his conveyance. In the two. cases brought to trial it was shewn that the causes of offence were friends travelling by the good will of the maste s The Resident Magis i trate sustained the objection, and gave a verdict for defendant on that ground. But it remains & feet that masters of cutters kin short coastal voyages to provincial Imi; -^usfc obtain eeKtir)cj»tes ; and where ports, 1. , Oji!iS of coHjTOuuication with the only in ud j a fiu( ., terj su :, (!t i ] jy Auckland is sup, ~ "of e i We i ei iey, a master witliout bucu V, || ie to . tne settlers nwwt persuau. ivtn&Uia&y take them for nothing or remain k -t +li e isolated. When tlie character 1.. service performed by these cutters is con sidered, the absurdity of the demand that '. the masters should pass an examination becomes patent. The idea of a full-blown f certificated Captain running the Fire- ] Jly, for example, to tlio Wade, < only requires naming to be appreciated. 1 The regulation either goes too far or not far [ enough. Public comfort, convenience, and ] safety will never be consulted until these vessels ore compelled to provide a state cabin for passengers, while the On-ptain is r Icg.'tlly bound to doff" the ctistdumry di&ha« i biii(> and appear j'ji suitablij attiroi A ] ujiiform on felio pftttcvn of ibx>J wofn by, Ouatome oftciala would he pDonl.lo.vl.V vij-j-ro* jo

jo hoped that fcho Government, so careful 'or tho lives aud comfort of Her Majesty's lego subjects, will make these important idditions to the regulations, so soon as a lull in constitution-mongering and Maori kotouing shall afford them an opportunity Eor attending to little matters of detail. As a liody, the Coasting masters, although destitute of Government tickets of compe tency, arc skilful seamen in their own line, and could teach the captain of a bifr sea-going ship a few wrinkles in the management of small vessels. It may bo asked" why watermen are entrusted with the conveyance of passengers over the briny ocean in their frail craft, while mas ters "of cutters, who virtually perform ferry service, are deprived of the right. The regulation appeals to lie one of the hun dreds of laws and by-laws that have found their way into our colonial law-books, but best meet public interests by remaining a dead letter. Unless in glaring cases of incompetency, the existence of the law should, we think, be quietly ignored by the Customs authorities. To carry it out in its integrity would go a very long way towards depopulating some struggling districts in tho province. THE secret of Dr. Pollen's ; moccss with Howl has only just been divulged. We learn from profoundly confidential channels, that in opening the interview, the Honourable Native Minister, producing from his coat tail pockot the last number of the S'fA!!, and adjusting his spectacles, read unto the noble chief those ins] kiting lines :— For tho cause tluii. lucks a.-s.sista.nec, And tlie v;oo(\ that wo can do. Rcwi is said'to have been visibly affected, while To Ngakau foil upon the doctor's neck and wept. ' Nothing, sayetli our informant, since Mackay's memorable interview with liewi's wife has gone so far towards the permanent pacification of the country. The two other linos were reserved for the grand meeting at Tanpo, the doctor fearing from the startling character of the first demons trations to' break the whole verse to tho tender-hearted savage at once.

The Governor of Fiji has a second time returned £2000 of his'sahuy to the colonial chest, thus reducing his own pay to £3000. What an example to high State Officers who fine! occasion to inaugurate stern retrench ment ! Some Governors we have known, were not above taking little perquisites in the way of archery implements, cradles, saddlery, and ho forth, in excess of salary, but here is a Governor who prepares to bring the screws of other oliicials within the straightened means of a colony by docking his own. We can imagine the howl that will be set up among the circle of Governors over the pernicious precedent. Nevertheless it might not lie out of place for the legislature to point out to our own Noble Marquess—just by way of informa tion, of course— the practice of his brother of the Cannibal Islands.

Two squalid looking women i;i a pcmi dnmkcn state, were busy yesterday with iin i;nc u'h petition, soliciting subscriptions from trades-people, for tiie purpose, us (ho petition stilled, "f burying Jane ruulgraiu daoently. They tmccecdud in gathering a number of half-crowns and shillings, ami mi"] it have gathered morn had tlioy Ik-oii sober. The money liowever, instead of being used for the funeral expenses, was spent in brandy, candles, and llowers, and a great wake was the result, worthy the |>en of an Irish novelist. The body lay in McArthur'H house where it was ruduly decorated Avilh flowers, sun-minded by candles, in the midst, of the most boisterous mirth. A correspondent describes the scene "aa hideous and lamentable, to the utter exclusion of that serious thought which death is calculated to excite." The Pacific Mail boat Zcalandia from San Francisco, is due here ae.eordirl.4- to time table to-morrow, and should leave for (Sydney the same day. A fortnight ago wo published a cablegram stating that the Zealandia left -San Francisco on the 3rd illHt.'or three days later than her proper | sailing date. If this is correct she is now only 20 days mil, and unless she makes a. wonderful passiigo, sin; can scarcely be here Wore Monday or Tuesday next. The Steamer b however, advertised to leave t< - morrow, and intending passengers must be on the lo k-out. An accident happened last eve "■ ing to a lad named James Smith, who was employed todo little jobs at the Giant's room inCjuocn strect. As the lad was lighting the gas for the evening levee over the verandah, he stepped on the glass, instead of the putter, and fell through. The people immediately picked the lad up. and took him into Mr ) Aicken's, close by, where it was found that his injuries were but slight and no bones broken. He was conveyed to the home of his parents in Hobson-street in a cab. The committee of the St. James's Mutual Improvement Association, have issued their programme of subjects for the ensuing winter months. The session will open on the sth proximo, with a musical arid literary entertainment. The subject of the essays are unifonnely good ;as for example Mr T. H. Haniia, on " Inventions and Inventors ;" Mr Spry, on "Character;" MrS. T>. Hanna, on " Air ;" Mr N. McKay, on " His Graoe the Duke of Wellington ;" Mr Steel, on " Charity ;" Mr McLeod, on " Heroism ;" | and a learning-essay of greater pretension j Dy Mr McCoskrie, on the " Scale on which | the Universe is built;" Mr J. U. Maeky, will discourse on " Church and State ;" Mr Kennedy, on the "Scotch Covenanters;" Mr Wiluigg, on " Pnncttlality ;" and Mr William Cooper, on the ■ " Romance of History." The subjects of Debates are. equally interesting; chiefly in relation to historic character, such as "Napoleon," and " Warren Hastings." Among the fore most debaters of the society, must be mentioned the name of J. M. Goddes, who will open two of the debates. Perhaps the most interesting of the evenings will be that in May, when the members will deliver extemporaneous speeches. The Thistle Hotel will bo illuminated this evening in honoor of the twentieth anniversary of its establishment. Several cricket matches arc in progress as we go to press in the Domain, viz., between the employers of Messrs Me Arthur and Co., and Messrs A. Clark and Son, and between the West End second eleven and the Pamcll Gramivar School. The result will appear in Monday evening's issue. We draw attention to the varied attrac tions of the Occidental Hotel to-night, when the new billiard-room will be illuminated with a splendour worthy of an Arabian Night's Entertainment. At an adjourned meeting of Volunteer Oliicers last evening, for the purpose of taking steps for the presentation of a suit able memorial to Major Gordon, present : Captains Derrom (in the chair)., Burns, Dignan, Anderson, King, and Lieutenants Clifton, Skinner, Payne, Kitchen, Saunders, Connolly, Nome, and Surgeon Dawson. It was stated the illuminated address, by Mr Morrow, would not he ready until Wednes day next, and, after some further conversa tion, the meeting was adjourned for a fort night Hen- Sclaotfc announces that ho Avill give his second concert in the Choral Hall on ■"4u.v evening next, Fj-i.. - are directed to our thiid page for Headerb. *^y services at tiie several subjects of Suik The opening services [■laces of worship. ""*-•»€» church, will )f the United Methodist in- "^flirt-street ?e held to-morrow in the A.. *n be remperance Hall, when sermons win reached by Revs J. A. Caygill, and lv. . Caylor. The members of the Scripture Gift con;- 1 aittee, have recently visited twelve school* ; n the city and suburbs, with a view 01 im« farting Bible instructions after school hmw. \ , «Ye understand that several ministera have i ' pnsented to aid in, tho work* which <?mm ' < &#Jf tQ PIW ft SMgPf* ' '

Mr Philip Hackett, of the Market P Grey-street, was found dead in his bq: ; morning at two o'clock. Deceased,? '" been in good health for some time, sufficiently well yesterday to take hWi for a trip to the North Shore. Oi ing he fell down, and bruised head. He retired to bed at an c; " and appearently in tolerable healtl the hour above mentioned passed > . an apoplectic fit. An inquest was >£■.:■ sidered necessary. Mr Hackett ffl sociated as a member, with tho Ode* and Hibernian Societies. It is exp that many of the members of these on . will follow his remains to the cemetery *:.-,. morrow afternoon. The men of the Naval Brigade, headed by their advancing band, underwent their iisual parade last evening in the presence of Major Lusk. The members of the Star of Newton Lodge are requested to meet at the corner of Albert and Victoria-streets at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of visit ing the Fraternal Home Lodge. Mr. Buckland, juu., ban mnde arrange ments for holding races on St. Patrick's Day in his meadow at Tamaki East, A considerable number of horses have been entered, and oilier sports projected, ho that the Tamaki people may look out for a holiday treat. (Mrs. Lundon, of theHowick Anns, will provide refreshment in a large tent,

A select quadrille party, will meet on \ Monday evening next at the Whan public j Hall. Dancing to commence lit half-pant \ eight o'clock. Music by the Hibernian li.uid. There is a rich treat in store for our cousins at the North Shore on Monday evening, when the Devonport Mall will lie enlivened by the presence of a. galaxy of talent seldom before seen within its Avails. Amongst these may be mentioned M.i*s Rena, Mr F. G. Macder, Maggie Knight; and Mr and Mrs 0. F. Searle, all popular and talented artistes. Tlie comedy of "The Jealous Wife," and the farce of "Blundering Biddy," with songs and dances will compose the programme. On Monday at noon, Mr It. Arthur sells by auction a consignment of the largest and best assorted invoice of Japanese goods, ever offered to the public in Auckland. The goods comprise lacquer ware, cabinets, work-boxes, chess boards, trays, tobacco cases, and whatnots, also porcelain work of very chaste designs, in vases, coil'ce and tea' cups, &c, &c. This will be a rare chance to secure some unique and rare ornaments for the dining-room. Mr Arthur has had similar sales in the past, but the goods then offered were not worthy of being compared to the present. Some sharp bidding is expected. The Parnell AVesleyan Sabbath school holds its anniversary to-morrow. The day's services will include sermon in the morning at 11 o'clock by Itev. Win, Kirk, eveningat (j.30 by lev. W. J. Wat kin. The afternoon service will be especially an attractive one. Th ■ now far-famed Sabbath -school lecturer, Hie llev. W. .1. Walk in, will address the children, and a treat is anticipated. The children, dining the services, will singsome sweet, pathetic pieces under the able tutor ship of Mr llyuu. The annual tea meeting will I)-.' held on Tuesday next at (5.30 p.m. At the do,-;'.: of cadi service a collection will hi; made towards the school fund. At about half-past one o'clock to-day a horse was being slung on board one of the ferry steamers when the animal fell into Hie water, and Uad a. long swim to dry land close to the, toll-house.

RAILWAY EMPLOYEE'S HOLIDAY.

TRIP TO PUKEKOHE. Tuk holiday granted to tin; employe* on tlie Auckland ami Mercer Railway, which has been looked forward to by them with j fevlii!;j>. of pleasure and delight for some, time, eventuated this morning, and -was I celebrated l>y a trip to Pukukohc. The splendid weathor Mas successful in inducing many persons to participate in Ihe trip, and at. the announced timo of starting, full 400 | had assembled at the railway station. The train, which consisted of 20 carriages was well tilled. A start was made at 7.40 o'clock amid ihe triumphant shouts of the crowds of children. At the Newmarket, Penrose, and other stations, large additions were made to the party. As thfi train proceeded through the various districts on the way to I'ukckoho, the working men and their belter halt's, fully appreciated the enjoyable trip, through "Beautiful country, and the children testified their gratification and pleasure by screaming and holoawinjj at a fearful rate. The train was decorated with Hags and evergreens, and presented a really holiday-like appearance. The party proceeded pleasantly until nine o'clock, when they arrived at their destina tion. A well-arranged programme of races for money prizes was then -gone through, and the various events spiritedly contested. There were races for boys and girls, young ladies, apprentices, sons and daughters of employes, married ladies, married and single employes, mid others. Mr. F. H. Lewisson gave a prize of £2, and Mr Partridge one of 10s. A pair of handsome butter knives were presented byMrHowden, to be competed for. Mr J. Harris presented a. glove box as an extra prize for the married ladies race, and a pipe as an extra prize for tlie married employes race. The results of the races had not reached us when we went to press, but will appear in our Monday's issue. The committee consisted of Messrs J. Taylor (Chairman), Dent, Luke, Hancock, White, E. Spragg, Jones, Cougliley, Mcn/ies, Withers, and Hender | son. They discharged their duties in a satisfactory manner. The officers of the sports were : Handicappcrs, Messrs White and Coughlcy ; starter. Mr Henderson; judge, Mr Elliot. They fulfilled 'their duties in a painstaking manner.

A Coal Hulk Sinks in Harbour.

A MOTHER AND HER CHILD DROWNED [PEE PRESS AGENCY.] WELLINGTON, this day. There was a fatal accident at about one o'clock this morning-, when the hulk Eli Whitney, with 300 tons of coal aboard, was observed to sink in the harbor, in deep water, about 100 yards from the wharf. The man in charge, Daveuy, was aroused by his wife, a young woman only sixteen years of age, hearing the rush of water in the hold. He got his wife and baby hur redly on deck, hut had no time to dress, and had just time to place thorn and himself on a large plank when the hulk disappeared. They drifted on the plank to the baths at the south end of the harbour where the man much exhausted, dragged himself to a neighbouring house for assis tance. The Avife was found dead, but the baby is missing, and is no doubt drowned. A furiotis northeny gale was blowing at the time, and it was intensely dark. The hulk carried no light. A report is current that il^e steamer Taupo, which left for Picton a jittie after mjdnight, ran into the hulk. Tho steamer was seen. vcry_ near it, and appeared to remain alongside for a few v»Mttttcs, and then steamed away. The i-- "«te about twenty minutes after the hulk Bu. 'liijiiji;. '{'he hulk was not supposed co.. ' "*«#h^q Captain Williams, insured. She beioi., •• *o$ Wellington cir° MtVNtOl* Hi' VPWeIS KUilillß ."^ i»ftß MUlV'v ill warned that the hylic Eti Whitni... *vtim i)<« thohavbo\irn cable's length &-w•*v.-i Quli, Wharf, Tho um\M»mtxluM« aVjpiit M of the water, on v<hi?h ft w>»tlA W*& >NIU pft ■

■ '"** ' -> ' ' ' ingeniof. • .'■ -i-w^ ■-..., .( ni!i; to the rescue, witfi a bran new patent " Native Policy "' which is to " restore the , entente cordiale between the two races,-" and cause them to live happily for ever after wards," like the heroes and the heroines of the' nursery tales. All "differences" between the pakeha and the Maori, are to "vanish and ilco away a.s the morning mists. We will exchange the kiss of peace with our dear brown brothers and sisters — (especially the sisters)- —our daughters shall marry tattoed husbands, and live in pas, (instead of living a.s they now do on their pas,) and we will take unto ourselves wives croin amongst the children of Maui. And fill this is to bo brought about by the expen diture of a paltry £100, which the " Herald " very sagely remarks " would be well spent." " Hence jarring sectaries may learn Their real int'reat (o discern ; That brother should not war with brothor, And worry and devour each other." And how is that happy result to be accom plished ? Why, we are to subscribe £100 to purchase a cup for " a grand race for Maori horses at Itangiawahia." Ever since 1 read ail about the scheme, my soul has thirsted to behold the man that invented it. I want to see him just once, to feast my eyes upon the great benefactor of two races, to bless—to bless him fervently, and then go away and die; in peace and charity with all mankind. AVill anyone hesitate to sub scribe his mite towards that £100 ? Perish the thought ! Twopence more and up go tho donkeys! I've pondered over this stupendous' subject a great deal and the more I look at it, the more grand and majestic it looms up before the mind's eye, Choukiczee, or anyother Chow to tlie con trary notwithstanding. Hut stay ! There is just one trilling Haw that might boil the pot over. Suppose, now, the thing were all arranged, the course selected, the " k'rect cards "printed, Hotspur's tips pub lished, itewi, Manuhiri, Winiata, and a few other speculative coves llit.ting around ottering "5 to 1 on the Te Kiuti favorite," Tawhiao in boots and breeches on the said favorite doing a preliminary canter past the Grandstand ; Frazer in the judge's box in a white hat, and a lovely flower in his button-hole; Tom Ilrown" yelling out "Clear the Course."! old Marks spotting tho favorite's points; Hurst meditating on his speech for the. luncheon, and Perkins doing a roaring business at 1 lio " Occidental liooth" (with :in unlimited number of burs) and Sub-Inspector Pardy in the act of saying " Here's luck " over his customary beverage. Wouldn't it make a lovely picture ! Gentle reader, an interval of five minutes. is supposed to have elapsed. Tawhiao and the To Ivuiti favorite are "no where," Llewi. Manuhiri, and the Kingite sports have "dropped their sugar," while .Joe I'jllis and the pakeha bookmakers have made a pot »' money. Rewi has gone for the Judge with a tomahawk ; Te Kooti lias scalped Porcival and made tracks with the entrance money ; old Marks with his usual euteness is going across country lor'•hum ;" Hurst is haranguing the natives with " Now my good people;, don't do anything rash ;" and Winiata is making things lively in the Grand-stand. Now what about the entente cordlain, eh V How about the " diflerenc-'s " between tho two races "vanishing?" It strikes me, my Christian friends, if 1 were such a durned fool as to be hanging around, (which I'll lay odds I'm not)- —I should vanish fast enough. MB WINCHCOMBE'S BONES. " Mr Winciieonibe's appearance with his bones was the signal for a shout." That is what I road in the Stai;, and I want to know (J) what there is about Winehcombe's bones more than anyone else's bones, (2) what the people had to drink on the occa sion of the "shout," and (3) whether Winchcombc ever appears without his bones ? Pending explicit replies, I am disposed to believe that Winchcombe, like-the Boneless Boy, and other great characters recorded in history, does sometimes, more particularly during .summer, lay aside his bsseus be longings, and go about in very little more than his skin. For in the very next sen tence I. read that "his second appearance with the banjo was an utter failure." Why was it an utter failure ? Obviously because this time he did not appear with his bones. I hope the failure will be a warning to Winchcombe and other persons who do similarly indiscreet tllingß without thinking of the consequences. REVIEW. What a wonderful man is that Archibald Tucker Ritchie, author of a book entitled "The Creation, —The Earth's formation on Dynamical principles, in accordance with the Mosaic record, and the Latest Scientific Discoveries." If I understand what the author is driving at, I gather that once upon a time, and a very good time it was, "The earth was not impressed with rotatory motion," and a fellow had time to sit still and think ; that then the earth was "surrounded by an atmosphereless ocean, which contained innumerable living creatures," and that finally a force called " the centrifugal impetus of the earth's proto-diurnal rotation " suddenly set the ball a rolling, and and is "sufficient to account for all the subsequent scientific phenomena," including fancy Imzaars, sewing machines, toothache] pull-backs and the Counties Act. Well} this all perfectly shipshape and intelligible, and Archibald Tucker deserves a bully sale for his book for finding it all out by himself. But what about " formation of breccia ?" Am I going to believe a man when he lias the unblushing Jiardihood to tell me that trousers were first-produced by the centri fugal mcttion of the earth ? No, no, Archi bald Thicker, I've crammed down as much as human nature could stand, but that last bit won't gee at all. They tell me Archy that you wrote the yarn in your " odd hours" (and odd" enough they must have been), and moreover that you are an octogenarian, or in plain English, SO years of age. Well, now, aren't you a nice old man to be trying to impose upou-xis with that cock-and-bull-story about the centrifugal motion ! 'Ger long ! for shame, you hoary-headed sinner, you ought to be put under a centrifugal pump. CONCERNING GIANTS AND BIG BUGS IN GENERAL. What a take down it is to some of our < local big bugs when they find that they can walk bell-topper and all under the arm of Chouekiezce. I saw one of our local politicians do this the other day, and the expression of that man's face was a study. Apropos of this I—or ought I not rather to say "we " on such an occassion—have been .officially authorised to contradict the rumour that Mr Hurst has made an offer to the giant to accept tho situation of Gog to the City Council, tui<3 that Mr Lonno?c has jiccoj'tcd an engagement as Magog. We dejmH'Ati' Bitch vulgar canards on j fcjjg tfJuU'Ui'.U'w vi ont" worthy public m.Qn ami 'iuutfa^eiiGni lewito, Ww L

.Ie matter was snggosted, aiid a : f. e mooting (CouncUlor Waddell in I ir) held at Somcrville's corner, icfinite resolution was come to save -as expedient to go and have a beer. < •■ I've .seen a good many giants m ; ' (mentioned in books), and 1 tlnnlc ■zee is a perfect fraud, without any ! ; . a£te title to the distinguished appella- ' 1 eiant. He measures only 7 feet, es Tho Emperor Maximinns stood - feet in his stocking vamps ; Corepms i aid ten f*et high without any heels nev boots ; and the body of Orestes Crding to the Greefip, was eleven feet and ialf 7riiis ia pretty tall, but I can go Uier than that. The Chevalier Scory, in flit voyage to the Peak of Teneriffe, found, in a sepulchral cavern, the skeleton of a eawnche 15 feet long;- and the giant Ferragus, slail! by Orlando, nephew of Charlemagne, was 18 feet high. This ought to settle Choukiczee, but I can mount higher still. Roland/a celebratedjanatomist, who wrote in 1614, .says some years before there was to be seen in the suburbs ot ht Germain, the tomb of the great giant Isoret who was -20 feet high. D'ye want any more: ? Why, I could keep on rising until the heads of the giants would bump up against the stars. But one more well authenticated case and then I'll pause. I quote: "Vallance of Danpluny, boasts of possessing the bones of the giant Bueart, tyrant of the Vivarins, who was slain with an arrow by the Count do Cabillion, his vassal The Dominicans had a part of the shin bone, with the articulation of his knee, and his figure painted in fresco, with an inscription showing that this giant was Twenty-two and a Half Feet Long !!! and that his bones were found in 170.">, near the banks of the Maederi, a little river near tho foot of the mountain of Cresal, upon which (tradition says) the giant dwelt ! | "Tradition says!" As for Count, and persons like Vallance of Dauphiny, they were notorious liars, and braggarts, and if the story depended upontheir uncorroborated, testimony we could afford to scout it as a gigantic fraud. But there are those tin impcachably respectable witnesses, the Dominicans, who couldn't tell a cram mer (not even a white one) to cheat his Satanic majesty, and there are the shin I bones, and the piece chipped off the knee, and we find a, stem array of irrefragable evidence staring us in the face, and we cant get away from it. However humiliating it may be to us pigmies we must swallow that stupendous giant with the frescoes and all the rest of it thrown in as seasoning. Further observations on this important sub ject are held over, in consequence of the sudden entrance of the Printer's imp, who from lately doing duty as one of the ink rollers in the new machine, has been pro moted to the dignity of conveying my "Coppee" with the ink still wet into the remorseless clutches of the ogre who pre sides over the typos. That ingenious youth pronounced the dread fiat of (To be continnerd in our nex.)

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Deforc 11. C. Barstow Esq. KM.,) A COMMON EIiKOR. Peter Jamcp, apparently a labouring man, -was charged with being drunk last night in Edwardes-street. The prisoner confessed his error. He had travelled a long way, and feeling thirsty partook of more than one glass of Auckland ale. "Which oo'r hh slumbrous senses ptolc, And laid him ova greensward knoll. lie was very sorry, and begged hard to lie pardoned, trusting that justic would be mingled with merry. His Worship : Can I trust this man, Mr Pardy, and let him go. Sub-Inspector Pardy : I have no objec tion ; he is a stranger to tiic police. The Court then discharged the prisoner, who bowed his thanks, took hits kit, and was shortly after whistling " over tho hills and far away." ALLEGED DUEACTT OF THK TJCKXSIXCJ ACT. In the charges against Mr Edward Perkins for having two bars in his licensed liou.se in Vulcan-lane, and "with suffering alcoholic liquors to be drunk at a bar on premises not duly licensed. His Worship made a few remarks, and said be had seen the premises, and was of opinion that Mr Perkins imag ined that by closing the door of the lower bar he was not ..committing an error. In this, however, he could scarcely agree "with Mr Perkins. According to the Act a land lord could sell on his premises, and take beer into bed-rooms, if lie liked, and at all hours. There was, however, a point to be considered in the present instance, and, instead of hastily deciding, he would suspend judg ment until the next licensing in March. Mr Hesketh said lie was glad that his Worship 3iad decided to allow the matter to stand over, as it was most important that publicans should know exactly the meaning of a public bar.

KAIPARA HEADS.

(PER STAR CARRIER PIGEON.) (From our own Correspondent.) Saturday, 1 p.m. There have been no arrivals since my last on Wednesday. The following yes els are anchored at the Heads, windbormd : Kate Brain, Matchless, and Jessie Niccolj for Dunedm, Workwortn, cutter, [for Paten ; Ausdalc, barges, and Nightingale, for Melbourne. All the vessels tried to cross the bar this morning, but were compelled to put back again. ; ■ The Telegraph is now in working order, between the Heads and Pilot Station, and reported the state of the bar this morning. I . ■ ...

HOBSON COUNTY COUNCIL.

THE ACT BROUGHT IN OPERATION. (From our own Correspondent.) A MEET pa of the Hobspn County Council was held (it the Post-office, Toka Toka, on Wednesaay last. On the motion of Mr. Hurndall, seconded by Mr Balderson, Mr Dargaville was voted to the chair, pro tern. Mr Hfiradall proposed, and Mr. Wilson seconded, " That Mr. Balderson be Chair man of the Hobson County Council," which was carried. Proposed by Mr. Dargaville, seconded by Mr. MitcheJson. and carried: "That, in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that the whole of the Counties Act be brought into operation in the Hobson County, lint that no rate be levied until the County be divided into two." Proposed by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Skclton, and carried : " That Mr. Dargaville be requested by this Council to point out the boundaries of the proposed new Counties to the Resident Minister in Auckland ; that the name of the Western County be Marsden, and that this Council unanimously concur in the expediency of such division." Proposed by Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr Webb, and carried :— ''■ That the Chairman be requested to cor respond with the Government, in order to ascertain what sums are available for special works in this County in teynia of Subsection (3) Clause (10) Counties Act \ Also that he b« empowered to incur any necessary expense for clerical assistance i and stationary," Proposed by Mr. Mitdhebon, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and carried ; - "That the Chnirman bo remiQated to convene tl»o uoKt Meeting of thiM Cnniip.il at Pfwavoa, t. uil j thereafter it ToU« %U

Tho meeting was characterised by tho greatest harmony, Mr. Dargaville, at the conclusion of the meeting said, "You have had the power of electing the chairman in y<r : own hands and I congratulate yon ori \e discretion with which yon have cxerc.f\ it." A vote of thanks to the' Chainnam con cluded the proceedings.

SHIPPING.

Four vessels are at the Heads. The Nightingale is bound for Melbourne.

DR. WALLIS AT NEWMARKET.

In accordance with advertisement, tho Rev. Dr Wallis last night, at tho Newmarket Half delivered a lecture on Local Self-Governnient and tho Counties Act." About 60 persons were present. Mr. Angus was voted to the chair, and in a few suitable words introduced the lecturer Dr. Wallis at the outset regretted that ladies were not present. It was a pity that it was not the fashion, but he must accept the position and address himself to gentlemen only. Ho had suffered the pangs of repentance for some hours but as he had promised to deliver a lecture he supposed he had better take a header into his subject at once. He would begin by remarking that New Zealand was one of the worst governed and most heavily taxed countries in the world. The former was proved by the fact of Ministers' offences having to be condoned last session, and the latter was shewn by comparing the burdens of New Zealand with tho old country and with other colonies. The lecturer quoted the share per man of the public debts in the chief countries of Europe. The highest of these was £32 against £70 per man in Xew Zealand. In Queensland the amount was £35, in New South Wales £20, Victoria £10, Tasmania £12. If some remedy were not introduced they had bankruptcy staring them in the face. The remedy for these evils wa.stoget insular separation and tho best and cheapest form of local self-government. The lecturer traced briefly the eilorts which had been made by Sir George Grey to obtain separation. At present Wellington was the seat of Govern ment, and that fact had a great influence on their present unfair position, because tho South Island always carried their schemes by threat ening the Wellington people with loss of tho seat of Government. It would be bettor for them if the Government were removed from tho North Island altogether. If it was taken down to Dunedin the whole of this island would he true to its own interests. Local self-government was a subject which should occupy much of their attention. A cheap and efficient system was essential to order. The antagonistic forces they had to contend with in political lite were like the centrifugal and centripetal forces in the physical world. Nature balanced these two forces exactly, and so this planet of ours pursued its beautiful course, and we had the seasons, and the return of night and day, heat and cold. We had analogies or correspondences to these forces in the political world. There was a tendency to anarchy, and a centralising force or tendency to despotism. Human reason and wisdom was the force which should balance these two forces. (The speaker now raised a laugh by addressing his audience as " Brethren." He begged their pardon, but they were all brethren after all. England exhibited a state of affairs in which human wisdom had succeeded in producing in the highest degree, order. Iho result of the well balanced condition of the forces be had described. The prevailing ten dency in New Zealand had of late been towards centralisation. All power was gradually going away from the people into the hands of ministers. Sir George Grey and others had tried to counteract them. At Dunedin they had given up the stupid idea of sending a deputation to JCncland, and now they had constituted a sort | of Via-ilance Committee to watch against this prevailing toncl-jncy. If Provincialism had been properly carried out it would have been one or the most, perfect representative systems, but its vital powers had been takmi from it, and it gradually languished, and at length had been knocked cm the iiead. In tho Municipal Corpor al ions Act, ami the Counties Act, th< Ayhadthe two measures which were to supply the place of the provinces. The Corporation Act was a capital measure, bat it. was never intended, that we should have a number of homoeopathic or iniinitesimal corporations. It Avas ridiculous to suppose that 118,000 people in about a dozen square, miles should have half a dozen boroughs. He was unable to account for the tendency to create these paltry boroughs. Why there was Karangahape, a sort of riant angled triangle, with its head in the Churchyard, and they wanted to make a borough of this, and give ita Mayor and nine councillors. (Laughter.) Itwsa an "attempt to bring about chc old system of rotten boroughs, which had been lately over thrown in England. Fancy having Auckland divided into seven boroughs. The thing was ridiculous. Hackney coachmen, hawkers, dog collars, would have to be licensed in each borough. He had a dog, and he did not see the force of having to take out five or seven collars. (Laughter.) A"nd when he spoke against this system, he found himself in tho. minority. Jsow he came to tho Counties Act. The question was, should it be "hung up" or brought into force. He would give them some reasons for thinking it should be "hungup." They bad been pro mised a respectable Counties Act, but perhaps because their members were too busy giving Yogel money to spend, they had not, been able to do this. So they had given them an Act which the Opposition, and Ministry too, thought so imperfect, that they agreed to alow it to become permissive. The generaltonorof public opinion after the passing of the Act was, that the Act should be hung up, and nearly all their councillors, before being elected, had promised to vote for hanging it up. The Act, at present, is like a piece of unripe fruit, and will be till next session. When ho was a boy his mother had told him not to eat unripe fruit, and he did not a.-; long as she was in sight, but when she was out of sight he got a stick, and down came the apples, and m cat them. (Laughter). The result was he had what his mother hadsnidhe would have, namely, a belly-ache. (Laughter.* So with the county councils; if they brought the Act into force they would have such a belly-ache they would never get over it. Then the Act gave undue borrowing powers to the Council, which no body of man should have. He objected, also to the councils being triennial, and thought a biennial term quite long enough. Astotneelectionof chairman ho saw no reason why tho country people should not elect their chairman as well as * the citizens elect their mayor. Another fault was that the meeting could be held anywhTCi The adaption of the Act would be not only a leap in the dark, but it would be a leap into a dangerous quagmire. If the Act. was Drought into force, the Councillors would have the power of levying taxes, and they would wield • that power. It had already been proposed in Men to spend the £1200 out of their £8000 revenue W salaries, but they Would do more than this, if they Were allowed to have their fling, It was intended in a few days to hold a semi'private committee meeting-, at which no reporters were to be: present, and the business was to ascertain what interest tho banks Would charge them tor advances. He would try to bo present and act as a reporter himself. (Hear). It had been in dustriously set about that if the Act were not brought into force, they would not have tueir subsidies. Mr Whit-'bor had removed that false impression. The fact was they would not lose any thin j. Then again, tb cy would find mat if the Act was brought into force, all the wealthy districts would leave the county, and taK<s three-fourths of their revenue with them. li» majority of the peopie in the country were un» doubtedly in favour of hanging up the Act, ana seven out of the nine councillors were pledged to votes the same way. This being so, ivnd their system of Government being- representative, it was the plain duty of the Councillors to go mm the public vote. He would not believe till he saw it, that these seven would so compromise themselves as to go right against public opinion. ThgViioad Boards were the people most inter ested in having the Act hung up, yet only one Board out of 20 had called a public meeting to record their opinion in favour of it. Every one of them should hold meetings, and record tneir opinions, and not look on as they were at present. He had one ambition paramount at present, ana that was to act as the hangman of this Act, ana if they could get Mr Wrigley to vote for tne execution, he would do tho job. (Laughter.) Dr Wallis concluded with a line peroration) calling upon his hearers to set their minds on developin*ithe extraordinary resources witn which GorTfiad blessed this country, a country which could be described in even more glov"P§ terms than the Canaan of old, for it could do said with truth that "Her sands are iron, ana out of her hills thou mayest dig gold." (I*™ cheers.) A vote of thanks was passed to tne lecturer, on the motion of the Chairman, ana th| assemblage dispersed.

On Tuesday evening next, the Naval Brigade and Hobson Company proceed to the Nortn Shore for a moonlight skirmishing, drill) ana sham flight, tinder the direction of Captain l* Roy. Blank cartridge will be issued, and we believe the boat leaves the boat shed at i w sharp, so that members intending to take pari< will need to be punctual. „ The select company of singers and performers last evening at the Lome-street HalJ, were highly successful with their various representa tions. Mrs Wilton's songs were muob. applaud™* while Mr Wilton caught the attention oc tna auditory by his clever comicalities. Tom bw ton was first rate in his farcical character; humourous and droll as ever, with a laugh a* the times. Mr E. Ship, the champion clog dancer, aided the amusement by Ms Msh. all a . Dutch impersonations. Tho Victoria Brass beat up successfully. We wish tho Bijou" roupa success in their modest but pleasing endeftVOura to gratify the public. To-night wilt he GhO IM* appearance of those talentedtfrtjsts, Tho second Sunday cvei> "W Service u> '™ Theatre Royal, under the atuftfloes of thp \ming jVlon'a Christian Association, will be bcla w« morrow evening from 8 to 0 o'clock. The 1W« Mr \\ atkin is expected to give ftn address. , ; As many cdtiaons have expressed a winn to»w Mr Kmnifit i« hU tV.vcs favourite ctuiractertt "PhiJ." "Fi-itz," luul "Jan." bofnro he rfopii?^ flttwJy fMin Auckland, that eminent perfovnifip (Mia musician hw cousentod to rtQßo.ttn.ttV«y Wi Mwidn^ oYWbHb KW fti B|W

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, f,' :-. r ':'.. '■' ,



■«&z&^£> Thep . s . OREGON Will leave^f or Waiuku as under :— Monday, 2 ]).m. Thursday, 7 a.m. Saturday. S a.m. Weather and other circumstances permitting". Orders to collect Goods left at Mr. G. Sibbin's Auction Mart will be attended to. _ M. H. ROE. •fafegfe^TPF O R C~O R0 M AiN DE L. The s.s. KINA J. Bewick, Master, leaves as under : From Auckland— From Coromandcl— Monday, 2 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m. Wednesday, 2 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. SIR, —Having seen an advertisement in your issue of 19th February, signed by 11. Miller, Lincoln-street, Ponsonby, I deny ever Laving contracted a debt without his knowledge, he himself having paid all accounts for the last two and a half years.—X. MILLER. X" AU R l &v iL * The Undersigned are CASH B U V E R S, AT BEST MARKET PRICES. CRUICKSHANK & CO., 61, QUEEN-STREET, Auckland. February 21, 1877. _ B~O~YS r~AND MEN'S CLOTHING STRONG TWEED FOR BOYS' WEAR , FLANNEL, &c, &c. A LARGE PARCEL OF NEW GO OD JUST OPENED UP AT RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN'S, Comprising— Men's Tweed Trouser3, in varioty, from 10/G Men's Strong Tweed Salts, at 30/ suit complete Men's Superior Quality Suits Paget Coats, and Boys' and Youths' Suits in variety Men's Moleskin Trousers, a really ;.?ood quality, at 7/6 per pair Strong Cotton Working Shirts in variety All Wool Crimean Shirts, good qualities, from 6/G And. A Lot of STRONG TWEED, suitable for Boys' wear, from 1/11 per yard Also. 2 Bales ALL WOOL WELSH FLANNEL, from 1/2 per yard New Prints, Furnishing Goods, &c. Inspection will prove that the above Goods are keally cheap, the whole parcel having been exceptionally well ijougiit in an over stocked market. OS 3 One Shilling in the & returned on all pur chases of 20s. and'upwards. RUSHBROOK & BRIDGMAN, Upper Queen-street. Auckland. "Vf OTI C E OF BBMOVA L. TT A TKINS BEGS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE OHAS REMOVED!!""®* TO THE Premises Next Door Below his Old Shop. H. ATKINS Begs to heartily thank his numerous Cus tomers for their very liberal patronage from his first commencing business up to the present time, and to assure them that although, his trade has increased to that extent, that his REMOVAL to more Commodious Premises was a neces sity, the same principles of business will still he adhered to : viz.. keeping a pood article, buying in the cheapest''market, and selling at the smallest profit possible. His New Shop shall always be known as The Cheapest m Auckland. H.A. will be happy to see all his old Customers, and as many new ones as may honour him with their patronage. A SPLENDID STOCK op DBAPpEY AND CLOTHING Will always be found, and the PRICES THE LOWEST IN AUCKLAND *



T OOSGRAVB&GO., Bog to announce they will bring fonvard A Fresh Lot of B A R G A I N 811! Consisting of HEIR LATE SHIPMENT BY THE ORARI, Purchaser! at Homo at Job Prices, togethor with the whole of their SUMMER DRAPERY & CLOTHING, REDUCED IN PRICE TO SUIT THE TIMES Several Bales of CALICO, damaged by sea water, will be Sold imderjlnvoice Price. mo tourists and visitors to JL WAIKATO AND THE LAKES. BUGGIES (DOUBLE AND SINGLE), AND SADDLE HORSES, ALWAYS READY FOR HIRE AT REASONABLE CHARGES. Parties intendingto go through to the Lakes provided with first-class animals by B. EDWARDS (Late of Cobb & Co.), LIVERY STABLEKEKPER, Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton, Waikaeo. R E~~T O N N E S!M Large Assortment of Beautiful Patten-is in CRETONNES Just Opened. FURNISH your House economically from the City Hall Arcade. 17IURNISH ymirbrawing-roomfrom 1 followay JT and Garlick's Choice Stock. "OURNISH your Dining-room, Kitchen, and JT Bedroom with substantial ana Cheap Furniture. BEDDING !—All made on tho Premises. "OEDDlNG!—Guaranteed Genuine. BEDDING!— To fit all sizes Bedsteads and Cots. . BEDSTEADS !—Half-tester, French, and Folding. . BEDSTEADS !—Iron, Wood, all sizes and prices. BEDSTEAD Hangings made to order. T INOLEUM!—The best covering for Floors JLi of Halls, Dining, and Billiard Rooms. Unsurpassed lor durability. __ T INOLEUM !—Especially prepared for Stairs, XJ iust opened ex Loch Urr. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN wanting Good and Cheap Furniture, Drapery, and Clothing, are invited to inspect Our Stock. Most Extexsivk Siiow-kooms in Auckland, HOLLOWAY & GARLICK, CITY HALL FURNISHING ARCADE, QU3SEX-STREET AJS'D LORNE-STKEKT. Auckland. JjiURNITZWE! FO-BN-ITVEE Ladies and Gcn'lem-ai tihont to Furnish arc rapect fully requcstfid to inspect Hie Large Stock of DICA WING - ROOM, DINING- -ROOM BEDROOM, AND GENERAL SOUSE HOLD FURNITURE, In our New and SpaciomShowrooms. T. & JkT'COOKE, 67, QVBEN-STREET Adjoining Hqnlof New Zealand. .



Look out for .shams in Hie shape of poisonouß imitations of the People's favourite health beverage, Uuot.l'HO WOLKK'S SciIIKDAM .AKO MATIC Hcttn-ai'lvh. Three: detestable BWindlos often bear counterfeit labels or names closely approximating to that of the true article. A close scrutiny should bo brought to bear upon preparations purporting to be the real bchnanps. The Medical Fuokussiox have declared Stkane's Supbubdativk AnoMATio lonic vv ink to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suffering cither from Incipient or Chronic Indigestion, Dyspepsia, and the dis orders arising therefrom. This Tome 13 also particularly recommended to all who arc in a measure compelled from the nature ot then occupation to take stimulants, and at the same time aro desirous oi: studying health bj taking that which will act most beneficially on the svstein Mr. Wm, Johnson, Government Analy tical Chemist, report:-".! have examined tjtcane's Superlative Aromatic lonic Wine, and find it to be remarkably pleasant in flavour, con taining about 1(5 per cent, of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear wholesome. Vegetable Bitter, combined, with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider tiiis Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Jlotel keepera.