SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

ARRIVALS.

Winn, s.s . Martin, from Fiji lona, s.s., Farquhar, from tiie North

DEPARTURES.

ljiupo, s.s.. for the South ivina, s.s,. for Coroniandel •June Douglas, s.s., Frasor, for Gisborne and Napier. (tern, schooner, for Russell. Thistle, cutter, Burke, for Russell. Lancashire Lass, cutter, for Tauranga.

IMPORTS.

.Ccr l_uiu from Fiji: 317 mats sugar.—John I. r Emu from Levuka: 869 mats sugar, 1090 sack., maize, 67 mats sugar, 50 bags pea nuts, 3 saeio-s coco. units, sundry cases fruit, 1 cask nioliisses, i pianoforte, 112 pioces furnace iron.— Tonks & Co. i Vi- Km a from Levuka : 1070 bags maize.ll3 do peas, _■> sacks cocoanuts,■_ cases green fruit, 1283 mats sugar, 112 pieces iron, 1 cases arrowroot, 1 piano, 110 bunches bananas, 200 pine apples, 1 cask molasses.—Stone Bros., agents. .'> i,ui._ jcoooanuts, HO bun-hos bananas, 200 pineapples, G3 bags peas.—Stone Bros.

"OIL ON THE TROUBLED WATERS."

The above expression is very often used in a metaphorical sense, but there are perhaps few persons who thoroughly understand the extent of its literal significance. The following inci dent wiiich is vouched for by the "India Times"" of November 6th, will help to illustrate this. The ship Ring Cenric, of 1-190 tons register. Captain Belts, recently arrived at Bombay from Liverpool with a cargo of coal. On the 30th July, the ship experienced a heavy gale near Tristan D'Acunha. It lasted five days, and increased to such violence, that the greatest alarm was felt for the. safety of the ship. The gale had lasted some little time, when the chief otliccr, Mr Bowyer, bethought him of a plan he had seen tried on some occasions when in the Atlantic trade to prevent the sea breaking in. In many cases a bight of rope is flung into the s a, to act as a kind of breakwater round the poop. This impedes the action of the ship, and makes her movements clumsy and heavy. Mr Bowyer had seen that bags of oil towed from each quarter, made tiie water perfectly calm in the wake of the vessel, the water breakingl against the extreme surface of tho oil, which acted like a stay. This, however, had only been in small vessels, and on one occasion he remem bered a can of oil being taken in a boat, which was lowered in a high sea to save a life, for tne same purpose. Mr. Bowyer got out two canvas Clothes bags of his, nothing else being available, and into each poured two gallons of nine oil, the cheapest they had on board. He punctured the bags slightly, and flung one over each quarter, lowing them along. The effect was magical. The waves no longer broke against the poop and sides of the ship, but at yards and yards away, where the oil had slowly spread "itself over the surface of the water. Around the poop, in tho wake of the vessel, was a large circuit of calm water. The crew were thus able to repair damages with greater ease, the ship was relieved of those tremendous shocks she from time to time received from the mass of waters which poured over her quarters and stern, and the danger was considerably lessened. The two bags lasted two days, after which, the worst of the gale having expended itself, no more oil was used. Four gallons of oil, scarcely worth 305., have perhaps saved the King Cenric, its cargo, and the lives and property of the crew. So alive has Captain Betts become to its utility, that he is having bags prepared, and intends always carrying a sufficient quantity of cheap oil in future.

The s.s. Taupo sailed for the South to-day. Passengers: Mr and Mrs Howe, Mr and Mrs Broadfoot, Mesdames "Watson. Morton, Lloyd, Reid, Rlake, Jones, Mrs Scanlan, and 5 children, Messrs Scott, Robinson, Ponsonby, Chapman, McCormiek, Carlyon, Goodacrc, Scriven, Palmer, Preston, Kelly, Carr, Mahoney, Kohn, Bcndall, Garlick.—H. & M.. agents. Our shipping reporter inspected, this morning, a dozen German ensigns, which have been worked and painted for the German manor' war Hcrtha, by Mr David Ross, o' Auckland. They are of all sizes, from 12ft. long to 3ft. The flags are principally composed of variously coloured bunting worked together, but the coats of arms in the centre and the iron crosses arc painted with a patent mixture, the recipe of which is only known to Mr Ross. The paint is warranted to stand any amount of wet without running. These flags arc, really, works of art, and do infinite credit to the skill of Mr Ross, who is -weli known as a deft wielder of tho brush. Tho s.s. Kina started on her first voyage to Coromandel this afternoon'at 5 o'clock. She had a good many passengers, and carried a fair quantity of cargo. She is likely to become a favorite boat in the Coromandel trade. The yacht Secret, according to a telegram received this morning, is to leave "Wellington to-day. The report that she is sold is not true. The schooner Pioneer cleared out to-day for Newcastle in ballast. This sets at rest the con trary reports as to her destination, which have been circulated lately. The schooner Atalanta has cleared for Tairua with a cargo of stones, bricks, &c. The schooner Daphne has entered out for Loma Loma. Since she has been in port she has received a thorough overhaul. The auxilary screw barqucntino Emu arrived early this morning from Levuka, after a passage of 1 i clays. Captain Martin reports having ex perienced a succession of calms on the voyage. The Emu brings a cargo of maize, sugar, fruit. Sec 7- Left levuka on the 18th at 4 p.m, under steam. Passed Kadavn next day. Had light S.E. weather, which lasted till 27th. Then got southerly wind with heavy S.W., continuing sea for three days. It then fell cabu, and we pro ceeded under steam. Made North Cape on Thursday, and Cape Brett at 6 a.m. on Friday. Light northerly wind down the Coast. The following are telegraphed from Welling ton as the latest Government immigration advices from London : —On the 13th November, J tiie Wiltshire sailed for Lyttelton, with 272 souls; on the 21st the Oxford, for Auckland, with 239; on the 18th, the Loch Lee, for Otago, with 17, who were landed sick at Weymouth from the Hurnnui ; on the 20th, the Hurunui, from Ply mouth, with 170, 23 were landed at Plymouth. and are to leave! by the Carnatic for Lyttelton about the '■> th December. Thirty-one immigrants insisted on leaving the Hurunui. The following vessels are engaged to take immigrants:—Fern glen, for Ha wke's Ray, on December.; North ampton, for Nelson; Wellington, for Westland, The above completes the Government require ments for the year, All advertisements have been stopped, and the staff reduced.

The barque Freetrader is expected from Noumea, atllokianga, where she will load with timber from Wangape.

The s.s. Jane Douglas left for Gisborne and Napier last evening. Her list of passengers ap peared in our last issue. The schooners Kriemhilda, Edith, Lrctilia, and Favorite are expected from the Islands daily. The whaling brigantinc Magellan Cloud, left, the Bay of Islands yesterday on her second whaling cruise, under the present management. She lias undergone extensive alterations dating her stay in port. Among other repairs, her masts and gear have been very much strength ened, so that should she have success in meeting whales, the chances of capturing them will be greatly increased. It is estimated that the sum of £20 will be required to make good the damage done to the yacht Bismarck. It is purposed to raise part of the money by subscription, and a list for that purpose has been opened at Messrs Oxley's store, on the wharf. The interest in the Regatta has evidently not yet abated, as is evinced by the numerous aqua tic contests that have lately taken place at the North Shore. A race of great interest came off last night between Messrs Geo. Kemp and J. Holland. At the start three to two and two to one were offered freely on Kemp, and as freely accepted. Kemp took the lead from the start and gradually increased his distance until rounding the buoy, when his opponent put on a tremendous spurt, and considerably reduced the gap. However, the younger man evidently had the race in hand, so that he sculled leisurely along, and won (with lots to spare) by about two boats' length. We expect to hear of another contest between the two men, as the vanquished is not satisfied of the superiority of his opponent

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Mails wil__ Close as Under :— For Thames, this day at 5.30 p.m., and on Mon day n^xt at 5 p.m. For Coromandel, per Argyle, on Monday next. at 11.30 a.m. For Levuka, per Augusta, on Monday next, at. 11 a.m. For Gisborne, Xapicr. and Wellington, per Southern Csoss, on Monday next, at 3 p.m. For Russell. Wangaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, on Monday next, at _ p.m. For Wangarei Heads, Waipu, Wangarei, and Mangapai, per Argyle, on Tuesday next, at 1 p.m. I Per s.s. Taranaki, on Wednesday, 7th inst, as under: — ' For India. China, Mediterranean ports, and Continent of Europe, at noon. For Taranaki, Southern provinces Austra lian Colonies, and United Ki.giioHl via Sue-and Southampton, (fox: __._te ra specially addressee), at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom, via Brindisi. and late letters for Southern Pr.vh.cesand Melbourne, at 1.15 p.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 1) a.m. Per City of New York, on Monday, 12th instant, as under:— For Kandayu, Sandwich Islands, United States 01.-vmenca, Canada, British Columbia, Central and .South America, and British and It oreign West Indies, at H a.m. CSFor United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, this day at 10 a.m. Late letters bearing an extra fee of Gd in addition to the postage, will be received by the Mad. Agent on boara up to time of sailing. S. B. BIBS. Chief Poatmaster.

BIRTH.

KIN G.—On Friday, the 2nd February, at Alten Road, the wife of Mr. Alfred King, of twins (boys).

MARRIAGES.

1 LITTLE—CHADWICK.—On the 21th January, at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, by the Rev. J. O'Dvvyer, Joseph George l.dtlle to Mary Chadwick, both of Auckland. TURNER-CLEMENT.—On the 21th January, 1877, at St. Matthew's Church, Auckland, by the Rev. R. S. Hassard, H. J. Turner. "Waikato. fourth son of the late Rev. A. Turner. Vicar of Whitchurch, Buckinghamshire, England, to Isabella Anna, youngest daughter of Mr. James Clement, Auckland, formerly of Newry, Counties of Down and Armagh, Ireland. j WILLIAMSON-CASSIDY.-On 2nd February, i at St. Matthew's Church, by the- Rev. R. S. j Hassard, William Henry Joseph Williamson to Gcorgina Cassidy. j

DEATHS.

SHAW.—On the 2nd February, at his late re sidence, Symonds-street, Thomas Shaw, for ■ merly of Vv'illesden, near London, in tiie 62nd year of his age. The funeral _will take place at _ p.m. on Monday next, sth inst. Friends a~e respect fully invited to attend. McVISY.—At Woodford, Epsom, on the 3rd February, Douglas Henry, aged 7 months, the , infant son of John Movey and Eleanoraßaird.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1877

■ i WJi, For the crrt«e that lacks assistance " 44>. For the wrong that n-e<lfi resistance. :,_ _or the future in the distance, , j f And the eood that wo can <Jo» j.'...

A CASE of general importance and interest lias lately formed tiie subject of a coroner's investigation in Wellington. The telegraph announced the main fact a few days ago — that a jury einpaimelled to inquire into the cause of death of a child named Frederick Blake, returned a verdict that death resulted from poisoning with an overdose of that rather popular preparation known as Mrs Winslow's .Soothing Syrup. From the- evidence as recorded in the " Post," it appears that the child was healthy up to Friday, the 12th ult., hut on that day fell ill. The mother took it that evening to the residences of Dr Kemp and Dr Grace, but both those gentlemen were out. The child was taken home, was very restless all tho Friday night, and Mrs Blake gave it a dose of Winslow's Soothing Syrup. On the Saturday morning, a second dose was administered. That <lay, the child w;ts taken to Dr Diver, who prescribed for it. Mr and Mrs Blake, in their evi dence, stated "that Dr Diver was told of the syrup having boon administered, but did not forbid its further use." On Sunday the child was worse, and on Monday it was taken to Dr Bradford. The evidence of this gentleman was " that the child was sleeping heavily. The pupils of his eyes were contracted, and he had a loud snoring respiration. From flic symptonsexhibited, Dr Bradford was led to believe that the child was suffering from narcotic poisoning. He asked tho mother if she had given the child any medicine. She said she had given it three spoonfuls of Winslow's Soothing Syrup during the previous night, and one"before she had brought it to him in the morning, in consequence of the child being restless. She said she had often used it before. Dr Bradford desired her to take the child home, saw it four times dining the day, and prescribed the necessary treat ment for poisoning. They managed with difficulty to keep the child awake for the first twenty-four hours. On Tuesday symptoms of congestion of the brain set in, and from that time the child gradually sank,'ami died on the Thursday." The evidence seemed to be conclusive that the cause of death was narcotic poisoning, and it was equally clear that Mrs Blake had not given anything else which could have produced the symptoms exhibited, nor had she exceeded the printed instructions on the bottle of syrup. Additional interest centres in the verdict of the jury from the fact that several years ago a similar conclu sion was arrived at by an Auckland jury. And still the apparently dangerous prepara tion finds a place in hundreds of nurseries, and is used more or less indiscriminately by mothers to soothe infantile fret fulncss, and obtain what may lie a dearly purchased respite from maternal worry. The authority upon which tlie Wellington jury mainly relied in forming thoir decision was Professor Taylor's Medical Jurisprudence in which it is stated that every ounce of syrup contains a grain of morphia. Against this evidence was tendered the evidence of Dr. Hoffman, who analysed the preparation with most varying results, finding in somo samples a grain of morphia —tho'most powerful narcotic alkaloid in opium; in oilier samples there was less, and in sonic none at all. Mr Skey, the New Zealand Government Analyst, had tested samples without dicoveiing the presence of the drug. But in other tests at the Colo nial Laboratory a result of one-sixth ofagiain to the two ounce bottle was discovered. A healthy adult may take half a grain of morphia without danger of serious conse quences, and it follows that if Mrs Winslow's syrup contained no more than a sixth grain per bottle, its administration in small doses would not be very deleterious. Morphia is not always readily detected, and hence, perhaps, some of the differences in the medical testimony. But it is evident from the careful investigations conducted by Dr. Hoffman and Professor Taylor, that the mixture frequently differs in its con stituents, and it is within the bounds of possibility that under a careless system of preparation, the poison is not always properly dissolved; one Vottle may receive the quantity of narcotic ingredient intended for half-a-dozen, while another goes minus. The instances made public of evil results from patent medicines are the exception, who can toll the story of the thousands of innocent little sufferers who have fallen victims to motherly indiscretion in ad ministering narcotic poisons to rid them selves for a brief interval of infantile frctfulncss ? The occurrence of one well authenticated case such as that disclosed in Wellington, is sufficient to warn mothers against the'dangerous character of these preparations. In the fresh atmosphere around their dwellings, those having the cure _ of children will nnd a more powerful soporific and health-giving principle than in all the liottles of soothing syrup ever poured down the throats of of squalling babies But if sickness does render drugs necessary, common prudence surely suggests that a mother should know what she is giving her infant —that she is not on the faith of quack poll's, deliberately poisoning the child with morphia. -|

Wk have had some very good specimens of lawyers' blunders in New Zealand. The number of Amendment Acts, and Acts for the further amendment of Amendment Acts, passed each year by the General Assembly, unmistakably attest the bungling, in digested character ot the legislation of this colony. It is unnecessary to recapitulate the references already made in these columns to the errors of last session. Fortunately in some instances, and most unfortunately and disgracefully in others, we have a rough and ready panacea for all sins of omission or commission that any Legislature or Ministry may be chargeable with. An Act of Indemnity condones all offences, even to the extent of misappropri ation of public funds in the illegal payment of unlawful expenditure, malfeasance in connection with the administration of Waste Lauds, or any other high crime and misdemeanour under the sun, short of arson and murder. Rut though the parliamentary annals of New Zealand exhibit many remarkable examples of faulty legislation, it has remained for Tasmania to cany off the palm from all competitors in this line. There a blunder has occurred which is probably unparalleled in the history of modern jurisprudence. In the session of > 187b', the Tasmanian Parliament passed an amended Juries' Act which imme diately repealed all its predecessors, provided entirely new machinery for the compilation of the Jury List, and new quali fications for jurors. The Act was not to come into operation until July, 1577, and meantime the jury system—that bulwark of British liberty—was entirely swept away. No doubt this was far from the intention of the Legislature, but such was the effect of the new Act. The consequences of the repealing section were entirely overlooked, no provision whatever being made for the constitution of juries during the interval. The effect was a singular mixture of tragedy and burlesque. At the criminal sittings of the Supreme Court at Launceston, on January I

eight prisoners were arraigned for trial °n various charges, ranging in degree from simple larceny to housebreaking and assault with intent. Mr R. B. Miller, counsel for the defence of six of the prisoners, pleaded ; not guilty, and objected to the empannelling of the jury on the grounds stated above. After argument by the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice, Sir Francis Smith, was clearly of opinion that no jury could be legally empannellcd, that there would bo little difference between an unlawfully empannelled ,-jury and a Vigilance Corii mittee ; and pronounced it his duty to abstain from what might not improbably be the "solemn mockery of a pretended trial." Six of the prisoners defended by counsel, and who had pleaded not guilty, were then, to their no small astonishment, set at liberty, and two unfortunate women, who had not enjoyed the benefit of legal acumen, and had, "in the guileless innocence of their hearts, pleaded guilty, were then sentenced to short terms of imprisonment. Tho moral of all this is, " Never plead guilty." The other prisoners, who have thus been discharged "without a stain on their characters," will now bo free to work their own sweet will, and steal the means to enable them to clear out of Tasmania before Parliament, which has been summoned for an extraordinary session, can have had time to amend the blunder. Altogether the situation is a very peculiar, not to say comical one. The police of New Zealand would do well to by on the alert, to place under surveillance any of these lucky escapors who may honour this colony with a visit.

A horrible occurrence is reported in the San Francisco papers. A confirmed drunkard named John McKinley, with his wife and five children occupied a house in one of the slums. He was in the habit of constantly beating his wife, and the family had been reduced to such a state of utter destitution by the drunken habits of the father that they depended upon the charity of neighbours for food and clothing. The brutal husband often seized any articles left in the house and carried them off to ex change for drink. Owing to the representa tions of the neighbours a warrant was granted for the man's arrest on the charge of habitual drunkenness, and a policeman went to the house. Here a ghastly scone met his gaze. Tho children, ragged, dirty, and half-starved, were huddled together in a corner. Lying on the bed was the dead body of the mother, and by her side the husband, stupilicd with liquor. A doctor was brought and found that theAVoman had died from small-pox, combined with ill treatment. The usual precautions were taken against the spread of the disease, the man and his children being removed to the hospital. A stained glaea window was procured some IS months ago from England to be erected in St. Matthew's Church as a memorial to tho bite Rev. I). Jones. For some cause, a portion only of tbe window was erected in tiie chancel of the church. We understand that the other portion has been temporarily erected in front of the large window in the south transept, to give the whole of the members of the congrega tion an opportunity of seeing it, and that a meeting of the parishioners will shortly be called to decide in what manner it is to be disposed of. Sir George Bowen in an after-dinner speech at Kilmore, Victoria, recently said : — "From Governors downwards, whatever Irishmen may have suffered at Homo, there can he u"o doubt but that they govern the world abroad, or at least that very large portion of the world, about one-fifth, which is comprised within the British Empire. At the present moment all the Governors in Australia are Irishmen, with one single exception—Sir A. Musgravc—and lie is going to Jamaica, and will be replaced at Adelaide by Mr Governor Cairns, who is an Irishman, and brother of Lord Cairns, the Lord Chancellor of England. So the Governor of Ceylon (Sir Win. Gregory) is an Irishman ; so, too, is Lord Duffcrin, the Governor-General of Canada; so also Sir Arthur Kennedy, at Hong 1 vong ;so also Mr Pope llenuessy, at Barbadoes ; and I am delighted to know that Irishmen pull well together in these colonies, and live in harmony with their fellow colonists of all races and creeds." To the Editor of the EVENINfI STAR : Sir,—T am charged by the Town Clerk five per cent commission for collection of ground rent of leasehold property in Queen street. On public grounds I shall be glad to he informed whelher such per centages form a part of the Town Clerk's screw, in addition to his £400 a year. ? 2nd. What tlie.se per centages amount to per annum, and lastly, if there is an account opened in the ledger for the same? —I am, sir, etc., C. GREENWAY. In fulfilment of the resolution of the Regatta Committee, the following letter and accompanying present have been addressed to Mr J. Ratcliffe, owner of the yacht Lavinia : —" Dear Sir, —I am directed by the Committee of the Auckland Regatta Club to present to you the accompanying set of studs and links as a mark of their appreciation of your conduct in rescuing the crew of the yacht Bismarck during the race on the 29th January.—l am etc., Titos. HENDERSON, JUNR.,'Hon. Secretary, Auck land Regatta Club." We have also received the following acknowledgement:—"Sir,— Allow me, through the columns of the St Alt, to return my sincere thanks for the hand some manner in which the Chairman and

Committee of the Regatta Club have thought lit to recognise the services which the Lavinia was fortunately able to render

the unlucky crew of the yacht Bismarck.

What I did was no more than common humanity would have prompted anyone to do under similar circumstances. It wan amply rewarded by the prevention of loss of life. The valuable present made by the Committee will always be treasured by me as a souvenir recalling one of those events which we. remember throughout lifo with special pleasure.—Yours, etc., James Rat- C_IFFB.

The accommodating tendencies of the enterprising proprietor of the Waikato coaches, Mr W. K. Carter, has once more prompted him to respond to the require ments of the travelling public. In anticipa tion of a considerable influx of visitors for the forthcoming races to be held at Ohaupo on the 7th and Bth proximo, he will run a daily coach between Mercer and Hamilton.

We learn that Messrs Baker and Farron, the comedians, opened on Tuesday night in the Queen's Theatre, Dunedin, under Mr Dunning, management. The house was very full and the piece, "Conrad and Lizette," was received with much favour. Mr Farron's Irish delineations are allowed to be by far the best seen in this country.

To the Editor': Sir, —In the reports on City Council book-keeping, Wright v. Bro die, Wright states that from the 15th of . Novomber,lS73,tothe3lst of October,lß7s, a [ period of nearly two years, only £73 las was paid for salaries. The city was charged with it good deal more, as the auditors accounts would shew. Mr Prime appears in the books, debit £131 ss. If Mr Brodie will refute the two statements it will go-a long way towards retrieving his reputation as a bookkeeper ; much more effectually than by writing a long reply, as he has done, without contradicting any of the many specific statements in Mr Wright's report. —Yours, etc., A. BLACK. The entries for the great Pigeon Shooting Handicap to come oil'at Hamilton the day after Waikato Turf Club Races, will close on the Gth inst. Tho conditions of the match are 7 birds each for a sweepstakes of £2, of which £lis to be paid on nomination, and £1 on acceptance, The winner will take 60 per cent of the money, the second thirty per cent, and the third ten per cent.

Two of the most important subjects per- | taining to life and morals, education and religion, seem to be passing from the sym pathies of the people into cold neglect. The meeting of ratepayers recently called have met with little or no response, and in several instances, as in City West, Parnell, and Stokes Point, new committees have not been Appointed. We believe, also, that many place of public worship is in debt, and the last news from Otahuhu informs us that the people of that district cannot pay the parson.

The " Now Zealand Presbyterian Church News," for tho present month, contains a large amount of readable and instructive matter, which will he found interesting, not only to Presbyterians, but to the gene ral public. The iirst article in the present number is an appeal to candidates for the ministry, followed by announcements of special "religious services, and a succinct memoir of the late Sir Donald McLean, from the pen, we believe, of an Auck land minister. In reviewing his poli ical career, the w rritcr says, witli much justice to the memory of Sir Donald :-— " The natives believed in Mr McLean,-ami this fact made his presence and influence a necessity to the Government and to the Country. It is to be regretted that his influence and counsel in the position which lie thus necessarily occupied were not always respected as they ought to have h.en. But popular Ministries arc seldom their own masters. They are often swept forward by impulses, which press outside on their judgment, and hence it was hardly possible that the evils which Mr McLean anticipated from changes in native policy, then arising, would all be averted. Had his sway and advice been more fully recognised than they were we should have heard less about native wars than it was the nation's sad destiny to listen to." We notice further that a scries of instructive papers on the " Christian amid the works of creation" is commenced, by Rev. Dr. Wall.is, and which cannot fail in winning the serious attention of thoughtful readers. News of the churches, sundry reports, the Temperance corner, treasurer's accounts, and pithy extracts make up ugoodly number, and creditably sustain the well-earned reputation of the " Presbyterian Church News."

Special services in the Presbyterian churches of city and suburbs next week, are announced in our advertising columns. We notice by Waikato Steam Cos. adver tisement their steamers will run from Mercer to Hamilton, everyday during next week. Return ticket at single fare, viz., 15s to Hamilton and back. We find that the version of the Wainui case given in our police report last night contained a number of exaggerated expres sions. The charge—a. case of abusive language, not assault—arose out of one of those neighbour's quarrels so frequent in country districts. Scotts and Elias had been neighbouring settlers for ten years. The statement that Mr Bees had spoken of the Scotts as four desperate young men is inaccurate, and the general high-colouring of the report throughout would tend to give outside readers fictitious ideas oi the importance of the case, and the nature of the dispute. The congregat ion of St. Stephens, worship ing in the Ponsonby Hall, has been success ful in arranging for divine service per manently every Sunday morning. The Rev. Mr. Runciman, an eloquent preacher, at present residing in Auckland for his health under leave of absence from his own congregation in Scot land, has tem porarily taken charge of the Ponsonby Church. It may be hoped that this connection" will ripen into his final acceptance of the pastorate of tiie influential congregation which is springing up in this important suburb. Under Mr iluneinnn's ministrations the congregation will doubtless grow and consolidate, and we wish it every

success. The man of unsound mind, named Wil liam Bochfort Harvey, whoso arrest was reported in our flclensville telegram yester day, was brought from Paparoa this morn ing by Constable Naughton. He was reported as very dangerous, and gave the constable a good deal of trouble on the way to .Auckland. He was medically examined by Drs Lee and Bayntun, and on their united testimony committed to the Asylum. The New Wesleyan Church, Ponsonby. is now almost, complete, and is announced for opening on 11th February. The church is a unique little structure, and stands on one of the prettiest sites in the district. The Building Committee have aimed at comfort and utility. This erection will meet the urgent call from many parts of Ponsonby. The Sunday-school begins on the same day as the opening of the church. .

The escaped prisoner, Charles Powell, for whose capture a large reward is offered, appears to possess a good deal of the wisdom of the serpent. Lately he visited a Maori settlement at Wangamoe, near Nelson, where lie was recognised from the published description. The Maoris disguised this fact, and treated him with a great show of hospitality, intending to seize him while he •slept during the night. He ate a hearty supper and then went to sleep. When the Maoris crept in to apprehend Powell, the bird had flown, taking with him several articles which he required for his journey.

The share register of the Union Beach Gold Mining Company, will be closed from Monday till Wednesday next, when a dividend will be payable.

Captain Brassey has retired from the command of the Thames Naval Brigade, which he has held lor four years. Wc learn that a .substantial testimonial is in prepara tion, as an acknowledgment of Captain Brassey's eminent services to the Brigade.

Tho " Wellingtiou Post" is responsible for the statement that a man was literally blown into the sea at Wellington lately. And yet they say down there that it never blows bard in Wellington.

The Milton Pottery Company, Otago, is to be wound up, the 'balance sheet shew ing a loss of £538.

The entries for the Canterbury Great Autumn Handicap will be closed on the 7th of this month.

The settling on the Papakura Races came off at tho Papakura Hotel last night. A very jolly party assembled on the occasion, and the cham pagne circulated freely. The following are the amounts paid over to the successful race-horse owners:—Mr A. Hill, £19; Major Lusk, £9 10; Mr Campbell, £19: Mr Walker, £15 Is; Mr Edgar, £19; Mr Wright. £l7s 2s; Mr Crosbie, £5 lis; Mr W. Walters, £99 15s.

On Monday evening next, a social tca-meetino_ associated with vocal and instrumental music, also a lecture on the poet, Cowper, will be among the proceedings announced for that evening in the Franklin Road Primitive Metho dist School-room. David Goldic, Esq., has kindly promised to preside, and the choir will siuar a number of the Olney and other hymns, suitable to the entertainment. The lecture will mainly treat of life incidents in the poet's career, examples of his poetry, the causes of his popularity, his constitutional peculiarities, guardian angel, wanderings, and letters. The members of the Auckland Shipwrights' Protection Society will hold a special trade meetmer on Monday evening next, at the Temperance Hall, at the usual hour.

Ihe programme of the "Saturday Night" at the Temperance Hall this evening includes a temperance speech, duets and solos, comic and sentimental songs, recitations, and step dances.

'Ihe ninth annual general meeting of the shareholders in the Bay of Islands coal company, will be held in the offices of Mr. T. L. White, on Monday next, to receive report and balance sheet, and to elect directors and auditors for the. current year. l'o the Editor: Sir,—Upon landing at the One hunga wharf yesterday I was charged ten shil lings wharfage for my goods, which filled one dray, and left a few packages for another. Can you inform mo if it was an especial extortion, or one to which everybody is subjected, and oblige -Yours, Viator.—! We should think it extortion either way.—Ed. E, S.l

The annual church meeting at Otahuhu was held on Thursday evening, in the district scnooi room? The Rev! S. Gould, and ten others, were present. From Mr Bowdcn's statement it peared that the church-goers could not raose enough to pay the ministers salary by £16, ana that 115 were' due on the previous year, making a debt of £31. There was no report to present. Mr M M Taylor was olectod parish church warden, and Mr Bowden wasappointed nun» tor's church-warden. MessrsThomasJohnston, S. Luke, J. Fairburn, H. Willis, J. Hall, A. Al. Shepherd, Plumley, and Toms, lunr., wore elected members of tho vestry. Messrs W S. Day and Goorgo Willis were elected auditoi s. Tho subjects of Sunday sermons are announced elsewhere. The Lorno-street Hall services avill bo resumed to-morrow, Roy. S. Edger having returned from the country Mr Douglas Russell, of Edinburgh, will preach in the Theatre to morrow evening.

fflThe Agents of the Union Company's steamer have very liberally offered the extra representa tives for the Colonial prize tiring, the privilege of travelling to and from Nelson at excursion faro, or a reduction of 30 per cent on ordinary rates, such return tickets to be in force for a month.The Govcrnmeot steamer Hinemoa will take the whole of the men from Nelson to llofci tika, and the representatives (with Captain A. Morrow, who has been appointed on the stall for tho firim.) will embark on board the s.s. Hawca, on the morning of the 12th, at not later than half past eight o'clock. Y\ c wish our men every success. The Auckland representa tives are•—J. W. Leigh, (Victoria Company); Volunteer J. Dorc (No. 3); and Volunteer A. A. Yates, (No. 3). Extra Men: Sergeant Hay, (No. 3): Haslett, (Victoria); E. R. Partington, (No. 3 Artillery: Gunner Bell, (Champion): Gunner Rose- Voluntcr McLean of Naval Brigade. Waiuku: Lieutenant Mellsopp and Lieutenant King. Thames : Captain Murray and another.

The Condemned Man Curtin.

On Thursday Ctirtin, who is now preparing himself for his approaching fate, sent for his sister and expressed a desire that after the execution she should not allow his body to be buried within the precincts of the gaol, but take custody of it herself in order to secure decent burial. Accordingly Curtin's sister waited on Major Green and Colonel Haultain, Sheriff. She was, however, in formed that no such disposition of the body could be made except with the distinct per mission of the Government, and we believe a request has been forwarded in that behalf by Mr Rees who defended the prisoner at the trial.

My Weekly Dose.

(BY THE DOCTOR),

" Ride si sapis." MY NEW

• -Martial MOTTO.

It lias been affirmed that there is nothing original now-n-dnys. But is this a fact ? Look at my new mottoes once a week, look at " Hansard," look at the Wangarei "Comet," look at Sadler's letters, and oh ! look at the classic poetry that adorns the Star's Police Court reports. And is there any other writer of a weekly or weakly agony on the face of the globe that treats his readers to a new motto each week ? 1 trow not. I have already exhausted half a dozen dictionaries of quotations for new mottoes, and have sent to Constantinople for one in Turkish. Then I mean to throw in a few from the Egyptian, Chaldean, Cop tic, and Chinese, winding-up with some from the ancient cuneiform—-inscribed tiles of tho Assyrian::. If this is'nt keeping pace with the traditional enterprise of the Star, perhaps some smart fellow will be good enough to tell me what is.

THE DOCTOR'S STICK

There were some people at the late cricket matches whose ideas of the distinc tion between mcum et tuum were rather hazy. Not to put too line a point on it, they were prigs. -Umbrellas disappeared in a very mysterious way, a great coat took to itself wings and vanished, and even the doctor's favourite walking-stick walked itself off. It happens, however, that I know the man who stole that stick. A fellow with a hang-dog, villainous type of countenance, whose grandfather was hanged for sheep-stealing, his father trans ported for breaking into a church to abstract two-pence from a poor-box, while his mother was sentenced to seven years for robbing a bed-ridden dame of her false teeth. The man himself ekes out a mise rable existence by body-snatching, stealing puppies, and occasionally way-laying little children and robbing them of their lolly sticks.

THE ORGAN QUESTION

Our good friends, the Presbyterians of Otago, have been exercising themselves lately, over the organ question. To high church Presbyterians a church organ is an invention of Auld Reekie, an abomination, a delusion, and a snare. They think with Pope : —

" Some to church repair, Not for the doctrine, but the music there." The Rev Mr Bannermann of that ilk hoisted hh anti-organ flag, and plunged into the thick of the wordy conflict. He denounced the church organ as anti-Scriptural, and wound up a fervid denunciation with the statement that "if the innovation were permitted, they would be worshipping in the manner of heathenism, Judaism, and Romanism." But Professor Salmon d bred an 82-ton gun at Bannermann when he replied that if the Kirk will accept of nothing except what is prescribed in the New Testament, Mr Baunermann among other things, would have to follow the example of Beccher, and the Good Templa'sby " greeting the sisters with a holy kiss." I think we need hardly go among the Presbyterians to find some clergymen who would not object to a more rigid adherence to the good old customs, even at the expense of parting with the church organs. But what connection is there between church organs, and Judaism ? I do not think that Moses ever referred to the instrument, and I have my doubts whether it existed in those days.

THE ANTI-SMOKING SOCIETY.

In a moment of weakness, I once joined an Anti-Shouting Society. I had just been let in for a " shout all round for all hands," the said hands numbering about fifty, more or less. I was acquainted with a distin guished member of the Committee of that august Society, and one clay we met, t'was not in it crowd, but down in Wynyard street, near the old Royal Hotel. We looked carefully about us and then slunk into a back room of the hotel, where I throw a neat three sixes, and my friend had to hand over 6d to pay for my drink, putting down at the same time another sixpence for his own. We had several drinks, our six pences ran out. and we forgot the rules of the Society. Next day we resigned. The Society existed, three weeks, and wound up by mutual consent of the members, the Chairman, the Secretary, and the Treasurer There was a balance-in hand of 2s 6d and they passed a resolution nem. con. to spend it in whisky. And it was so. I am re minded of these circumstances by sceim- a paragraph in an English paper describing the_ proceedings of "The Anti-Tobacco bocioty, and Anti-Narcotic Lea-mc." I fancy it is a branch of the " Anti-Babies heeding Bottle, and Anti-Patent Shaving. Lrush League," but am not quite certain as to rlus fact. At the great Conference of the Anti-Smoiters it, was urged that ''three great evils weighed on the world, tho use of tobacco for smoking, the use of alcohol for drinking, and the eating of dead animals " 1 Have a mental picture of that Conference Ive seen something like it before. Ati assemblage of attenuated specimens of half starved humanity, with porcupine hair, and cliurchyard countenances, looking as if they bad been homeopathicallv spoon-fed on water-gruel from their infancy. They suffer perpetually from bile, 'and then united livers would not make a luncheon tor a Solomon Islander. "I know their tricks and their manners" as the little sempstress said. They never feel the heart.

warming of the wine-cup, never sniff the delicious odours of beef-steak and onions and, alas ! never feel the soothing influence oi " Sublime tobacco, which from East to West Cheers the tar's labours, or the Turkman's rest Divine in hookas, glorious in a pipe, ' When tipped with amber, mellow, rich, and ripe." But what is the mysterious connection | between tobacco smoking, and flesh-eating ? Does it cause the soul of the smoker to yearn for beef-steaks, and mutton-chops ? 'if it docs, then there is an ever-ready remedy for weakly and sickly persons with indifferent appetites. LATEST FROM DUNEDIN ! DREAD FUL INTELLIGENCE FOR JUVE NILES ! ! THE COCOA-NUTS !!! My dear young friends, I regret to say that you have been_ grossly insulted and villainously victimised. Freedom has been outraged, the sacred rights of hospi rality treated with contempt, your birth right stolen by the rapacious hand of the alien and tho rival. It has happened thuslike. The heathen savages for whom you have been hoarding up your pennies, and for whose spiritual welfare you have made such enormous sacrifices, going with out your marbles and pegtops, and mag. nanimously forgoing your Saturday night's lollies—these heathen savages, not unmind ful of your kindness, went and gathered 14,000 cocoa-nuts, all prime and ripe and full of milk, and put them on board the Dayspring for you. Only just think of 14,000 cocoa-nuts to bo given away for nothing at all ! But and alas ! the vessel, with • her precious freight, in an evil hour put into Port Chalmers, and then a horde of children rushed on board the Dayspring in hundreds and thousands, seized upon the cocoa-nuts and devoured them, shells ami all, speedily eating up more than two thirds of the .4,000, and "doing" the children of Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and a score of other places be side out of their rightful share. By the time that precious Dayspring arrives in Auckland not a smell of a cocoa-nut will remain. About ten or twelve thousand have been voraciously devoured by those Dunedinitcs, and by the time the vessel reaches Auckland not a husk of a cocoa nut will be left on board. Their fathers roll us of our land fund, our share of tho public works and immigration ; the chil dren swindle us out of our cocoa-nuts. Shall these things be? Never! Hurrah for separation ! A JARVY'S MISTAKE. The refusal of the Christchurch City Coun cil, to renew thirty licenses to drivers of hacking carriages is an illustration of the adage " what great events from little causes spring." It has long been known, that the cabs in the town were in many instances, nothing but jolly boats to the great ship of prostitution, but, as in other nictropoli, a great evil was winked at because nothing occurred to draw special attention to it. An event, however, happened, that brought the ill doings of the delinquent Jehus pro minently under the notice of the city fathers, or one of them, very prominently Councillor , on leaving his place of business one afternoon bailed a hansom, with the intention of proceeding to his lares and pennies, in a charming rus in urbc, "a little way out of the town." Upon his getting in, the driver asked through the port-hole "{where to,.sir?" whereupon he replied, " oh you know," somewhat testily, being annoyed that so prominent apersonage was not at once recognized. Cabby thinking he had got an amorous fare, drove post haste to a noted place of ill fame, known as " the house with the green shutters." Here, to Councillor 's great astonishment, lie pulled up with a jerk that sent his legs in the air. The bona robas, who were on the verandah, naturally thought they were to be favored with a customer, and rushed out to welcome the city magnate, whom they surrounded and styled " a dear old thing." The staid and reverend alderman's surprise and indignation can better be imagined than described, nor were hi. horror and disgust lessened by the sight of Mrs and his daughters, who had been making a call, and were from the other side of the road, witnesses of the affair. Explanation followed, Mrs • was made to under stand that her lord was not iv fault, and Councillor brought, the matter so forcibly before the Mayor, that the result was a salutory thinning of the ranks.

CABLEGRAMS.

[Press Agency.]

The Cable Conference.

Proposed _;?ew Cable

SYDNEY, this day

The Cable Conference closed to-day. The following amongst other resolutions was carried :—" That the several Govern ments of South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia, will be invited to open negotiations for the construction of cables connecting their several colonies with Singapore or Ceylon, and the Govern ment of New Zealand enter into communication with the Government of the United States for the purpose of procuring their consent to contribute to the payment of any subsidy that may be payable in respect of the same, and further that in all negotiations of the several Governments, the necessity for procuring a reduction of the present tariff-rates be especially kept in view, the maximum rate being six shillings per "word.

Bank of New South, Wales Ad vances £3500,000 to New Zealand.

SYDNEY, February.2. It is understood that the Zew Zealand Government has secured an advance of £500,000 from the Bank of New South Wales for two years on favourable terms.

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before R. C. Bars tow, Esq., R.M.)

"CAROLINA."

Poor Charley Rice got tipsy twice, And could not straierhtly steer;. And in the night was found so tight, I he p'heeman brought him here. Charles acknowledged his error, and was fined 10s and costs.

BY GASLIGHT.

Two men, half tipsy, feelim. out of place, Were to the station led by Martin Grace.

Walter Sirkett and John Carroll were brought up, charged under the Vagrant Act, with being habitual drunkards, rogues, and vagabonds.

Sirkett denied being a rogue. He repu diated the vile charge. Detective Grace said he found the man in a shed in Kyber Pass Road. He knew him as an idle and disorderly person. He would not work.

Prisoner said he was a painter, but his physical weakness prevented him from following his profession. He was sorry to be continually appearing in Court, but he was deprived of the power of self-help. His Worship said prisoner bad been treated hitherto with great leniency by the Court. He must go to prison for one month. l

John Carroll was similarly treated

OVER REACHING. He dipped his fingers in another's till, Aim too.c too inrmcy'gainst the owner's will. Ana while escaping outward in the dark, ne was at once scoured by Sergeant Clarke. Joseph Ferris was charged with stealing the sum of £15 from the till of Alexander

THE EVENING STAR, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 187?



To-fflght!



-j^- O T I C E DRAPERY GOODS, NEW AND CHEAP!'. The undersigned have Purchased at Auction a LARGE LOT of NEW DRAPERY GOOD, mst landed ex City of Auckland, the whole of which having been bought at much under the .usual Warehouse Rates, .hey can afford to oiler to their Customers at Very Low Prices. The Parcel comprises :— Grey Calico, various qualities, from /3_d yard Strong White Calico at /I yard, or 3/10 doz. 72-in. Grey Sheeting, 1/ yard, good quality 72-in. & 80-in. White 'I will Sheeting 72-in., SO-in. & 90-in. Croydon Sheeting, 1/0 yard Huckaback Towels, good, /6 each, 5/9 doz. White and Unbleached Damask and Damask Table Cloths, from 2.6 9/1,10/_ & 11/1 Alhambra Quilts, good qualities, 3/11 Rough Brown Holland, from ,6 yard Half-dressed ditto, superior quality, very cheap at /10-1 and 1/ Black Lustre, and superior quality Black Bril liantine Lustres New Prints, good patterns, at /!._, /si, and /G, very cheap Harvard Shirting, good quality, /7. yard Fine Irish Linen, lot of Remnants, a bargain, from 1/1 yard Gents' Br. Cotton Half-hose do. _c merino feet Grey and Fancy Striped Me.- -In _ Kalf-hose, and other goods too numerous to mention. All Purchasers of Drapery and Clothing should inspect, our Stock, and prove that although NOT selling off, we are giving full value for MONEY. „_r One Shdling in the _ returned on all pur chases of 20s. and upwards. RUSH BROOK & BRIDGMAN, Uppf.r Quern-street, Auckland.



TJiURNITURE ! FURWITURE! Ladies and Gentlemen about to Famish are respect fully requested to inspect the Large Stock of DRA WING -ROOM, DINING -ROOM BEDROOM, AND GENERAL HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, In our New and Spacious Showrooms. t. & kTcooke, 67, QUEEN-STREET Adjoining Bank of New Zealand. y C O SGR AY E & C 0., Beg to announce they will bring forward A Fresh Lot of B A R G A I N S! ! ! Consisting of HEIR LATE SHIPMENT BY THE ORARI, Purchased at Homo at Job Prices, together with tho whole of their SUMMER, DRAPERY & CLOTHING, REDUCED IN PRICE TO SUIT THE TIMES Several Bales of CALICO, damaged by sea water, will bo Sold under Invoice Price. j_HfiS£_l~_ E____-



I^XOTICE OF REMOVAL. H. A TKINS B_GS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE t& H A S REMOVED!!^ TO TIIE 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 be adhered to: viz., keeping a good article, buying in the cheapest market, and selling at tho smallest profit possible. His New Shop shall always be known as The Cheapest in Auckland. Sill.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 OF DRAPJERY AND CLOTHING Will always be found, and tho PRICES THE LOWEST IN AUCKLAND ! H. ATKINS. T6~T0 URISTS "AND VISITORS TO 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 STABLEKEEPER, Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton, Waikaeo.



Tiie Medical Profession have declared Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suffering either from Incipient or Chronic Indigestion, Dyspepsia, and the dis orders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all who are in a | measure compelled from the nature of their ! occupation to take stimulants, and at the same I time are desirous of studying health by taking that which will act most beneficially on the system. Mr. Wm. Johnson, Government Analy tical Chemist, report: — " I have examined Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine, and find it to be remarkably pleasant in flavour, con taining about 16 per cent, of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear wholesome, Vegetable Bitter, combined with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider this Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Hotel keepers. Both in. flavour and effect Udolpiio Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps is the very antipodes of the cheap counterfeits of that in effable medicinal beverage which are sold in bottles in which the real elixir was previously contained. Tho true Schnapps confer health and strength and are palatable in the highest degree. The counterfeits are most pernicious and disagreeable.



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