SHiPI'LNG INTELLIGENCE,

HIGH watitr 1 This Afternoon, 10.12 im>ja WAl^^-| To - morrow Morning, 10.33 SUN; SKT.-Thisr Evening, 7.18. SUN RISE.—To-morrow Morning1, 4.62. MOON'S AGE.—Last Quarter, 7th, 1.46 a.m.

ARRIVALS.

Rowcna, r;.s.. Scilars, from Tauranpra Oceaij, schooner, Rawlings, from Mercury Bay Echo, from Raglan (in the Maunkau).

DEPARTURES.

tj»o-anean, s.s., for Gisborne and Napier itapido, barque, Trapp, for London Cum Alpine, schooner, for "VVanjjaroa Lancashire Lass, cutter, for Tauranga

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

x- vx xj-juuon —\jity or AucKiana, istn.; oueniora, barque, early For San Francisco—City of Sydney, s.s., IGth inst (English Mail) For Sydney and Melbourne—Hero, s.s., Monday Stiinst For Sydney (from Onchunga)—s.s. Rotorua, 30th January For the South—Hawca, 9Ui inst. For lauranga—Rowena, s.s., lor Coromandol—Argyle, s.s., Mondays and 1< rid ay 3 ForLcvuka— Jessie Henderson, schooner, early l^or v\- angarei—Argyle, every Tuesday £or tlio Nortb—Tona, s.s., erery Monday ror Dunedin—Southern Cross, mission vcs3el, ea.-ly.

VESSELS EXPECTED.

lI.M.FS. Pear], from Sydney, early. Hawea, s.s., from the South, to morrow Oceola, brigantiiie, from Adelaide ; s tiilcd 12th December Loch Urr, barque, W.Q.K.L., from London ; Bailed 30th September Bella Mary, barque, jrom Hobart Town ; sailed 23rd Dec. Transport, brig,from Sydney: sailed Glenlora, barque, from London, sailed Oct. Bth. Pioneer, barque, from Mauritius; sailed 12th November. Mirzapare. barque, from Melbourne Rebeccah Jane, brig, from Melbourne, early Omaha, brigantine, from Chatham Islands, early Favorite, schooner, from the Islands, early Edith, schooner, from the Islands, early Ltetitia, Kchooncir, from tjie Islands, early KriomhiMa, schooner, from Sirsvarrow' Island, early.

The Echo, schooner, arrived in the Maimlcau from Raglan to-day, with product?-.

The 8.8. Hero is to make her annual charity excursion trip to-morrow, leaving the wharjC at 10 a.m. She sails for Sydney and Melbourne on Monday.

The schooner Minnie Hare put back yesterday after startingfor Napier, in consequence of heavy ivp.athev outside.

The new cutter Lancashire Lass has sailed on her maiden trip to Tauranga. She is a very .shapely craft, and quite sustains Mr Barbours reputation for turning smart aud seaworthy coasting craft. The barque Rapido has sailed for London. She :3 in capital trim, and Captain Trapp is con fident or making as rapid a passage as last year. The clipper barque Cabarfeidh is now loading for Adelaide, for which port she will have a quick dispatch. The well-known cutter Vincent is advertised for sale.

By kind permission of Captain Murray, the little steamer, Eclipse, belonging1 to J. Casey and Son, will make frequent trips to H.M.S. Sapphire every Thursday and Sunday, betvreen the hours of 2 and 1 o'clock in the afternoon, starting- from the Custom House steps. Those who have not yet enioyed the sight of a model Englishman of war have now a splendid opportunity, which they should not fail to take advantage of. The s.s. Go-ahead left for Gisborne and Napier yesterday evening, well laden with passengers and cargo. Passengers: Mr. Carrol, Mrs. Bai ley, nnd (3 steerage. ?}■>?. barque Tamnya cleared to-.lay in ballnsi for Oh!!-. The schooner Atalania has brought 23,000 feet of timber from T-.v.raa. The Fanny Kelly, ketch, from Wnngaror, brimr? 2{j,OO6ct. timber, 16,000 shingles, and siiT!(iriss. The cutter Thistle, from Russell, bring 3 -15 tons of coal and 15 hides.

AUCKLAND CATTLE MARKET.

Mr. Alfred Bucklaxd's Weekly Report. —At Reimiera. on Thursday, fat cattle were in full supply— HO head sold—prices irregular, but, on the whole, late values sustained. Store sheep in moderats numbers, and late values. Fat Bhoop short, of usual supply, and better worfh Is per head. Fat lambs in less numbers than usual, but with no improvement in values. Calves and pigs in moderate supply, and late values. Prices given were: Dairy cows at calvin"\ from £6 to £10; well bred calves eight months old, 35s to 403*; IS-raonths old steera, £ 117s G.I; coarse bred yearlings, 103 ; two-yaar old steers, oSs to 60s; -three-yesr-clds, £15s each; dry cows varied with quality, from -15s to S2s 6d each ; fat cattle. 25s to 2?s the lOOlbs. Store ewes in low condition, lambs at side, 12s the couplo. REPOKT. — We quote hacks from £3 to £15 5/.; light harness horses, from £l-i to £20. At Papa kiira, there was, as usual, a lnrge muster of SjOclc and a fcood attendance of buyers, and the result ofsak-s y/as highly satisfactory to vendors. We quote—Dairy cows, £3 to £l 01"2/6; yearling steers, £3 2/tf to £3 17/6; li-year old steers, from £i 5/ to &i 15/; weaned calves, £1 7/ to £2 ; store cows, £1 5/ to M 12/6 ; beef, 27/6 to 30/ per lOOlbs. Sheep —l?est wethers sold from 13/6 to 15/; fat ewes, 11/ to 12/; fat lambs, from 7/ to 12/. Pigs- No noteworty alteration in value.

CHIStf i'OST-OFFICE. AUCKLAND.

Mails -wilt. Close as Undeb:- For Thames, this clay, at 4.30 p.m., and 5.30

p.m., arid to-morrow, at 4.80 p.rn For Coromandel, per Argyle, on Monday next,

at-11.30 n.m'. For Chili, per Tamaya, this day, at i p.m. For Wliitianga, Tauransa, and Opotiki, per

Rowena. thisday.iat 4 p.m. Fov WaJheke, perSpey, this day, at & p.m For V. ri>i\vi'.rn, Maliurangi, Matakana, Manga w&\, Vfaipu, &c, pei' Annie Milbank, to morrow, at 10 a.m. For Levuko, (Fiii), per Jessie Henderson, to-

morrow, at 11 a.m. For Whitiangi, per Ocean, to-morrow, at 1 p.m. For Gisbomo and Napier, per Southern Cross,

on Monday r.ext, at 11 a.m. For Kc;v Caledonia r.nd Norfolk Island, per

Josephine, on Monday next, at 1 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per Hero, onjMondny

next, at 11 a.m. Per ilawea, on Tuesday, 9th January, ac under: —

For India, China, Mediterranean ports, and Continent of Europe, at noon. Jj'or TaranaJri Southern Provinces, and Australian Colonies, United Kingdom, via £?nez and Southampton, (for letters specially atidre-ppcd), at 1 p.m.

For United Kingdom, via Brindisi, and ]ate letters for Southern Provinces and Melbourne, at 1-20 p.m.

For money orders, registered letters, and newspapers, at 11 a.m. S. 13. BIS 3, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH,

ATKINSON.—On the 2nd January, 1877, at her reaiden.ee, Upper Qussu-sfcreel, the wife of Mr. Atkinson (late U.M.C.) oi" a daughter.

MARRIAGE.

CAMPBELL—CLARK.—On the Ist instant, at tiis resilience oi tho bride's father, by the llov. G-aurg;o licovrn. JUavitl, eldest son oi .Sir A. Campbell, Waiuka, lo Jessie, eldest daughter ol jlvlv. i J. (Jiui'k, Ojioliungii.

t t » WITH WHICH Atlfe INCORPORATED 14 %^fe*jn^ Ittfes," " fffee Startling fttos," «A

FRIDAY. JANUARY 5, 1577

tor the cawse that lacks assistahe*. For the wrong that needs resistance^ For the future in the distance. And the good that we can do.

The sequel to the Engineer Voluntcei Militia scandal which. throtiaH tl'e ex posures in the STAR, attracted a good deal of attention, has only just come to hand', in the form of a parliamentary paper. How Captain Rowe sold a Government horse for £35, and only paid in £30 to the Govern ment account, and how Sergeant Craig charged him with pocketing the balance^ and with falsifying the pay-sheet of two men, in order to put pay for which' they had not worked, into his own pocket; and how charges were trumped up against Craig and other non-commissioned officers, including one of stealing the paper on which the evidence of the charges against Captain Rowe was written; and how Sapper Faw cett accused Captain Schofield of indecent exposure and drunkenness ; and how the various non-commissioned officers of the corps who gave evidence in these charges were cleared out, is all part of the written history of that remarkable attempt at military navvying which this exposure of corruption and rott.eimes.--s was the chief means of breaking np. Major Gordon, the officer appointed to inquire into the charges against Captain Ro\rc, reported that the Court of Investigation was of opinion that Captain liowe was not guilty, and that the accusation had been * made maliciously. This report was the oc casion of a very acrimonious correspondence now first brought to light in the paper to hand. Captain Rowe's defence rested on the rather extraordinary ground that Major Cooper, on behalf of the Government, had authorised the sale of the mare at £30, and he had not pocketed the £5 difference be tween the sum for which the marc was first sold to Mr. Lovett and the amount paid into Government account, but bad paid it back to the purchaser. In reply to the ' second charge, lie averred tliat the money was drawn against clothes which two men had thrown on his hands, and" that it was refunded as soon as he discovered that they had deserted and would not work out the amount. Major Atkinson, who was tem porarily administering the Defence Depart ment during Sir Donald McLean's absence, when Major Gordon's report came in, replied expressing "no little astonishment" at the manner in which the enquiry had been coiii ducted and its conclusion. He said the evidence had clearly shewn that the mare was -worth £40 ; that Mr. Lovett actually paid £:)o for it, and tlic Public Treasury only received £30; that Captain.Rowc paid Mr. Lovett £5 public money without authority, and the Government lost £5 through his deliberate act. And further, that it was " established beyond dispute that the accounts of two men were falsified by the order of Captain Rowe, and that he drew and applied that amount to liis own use, but after Craig's charge was laid, the seven days' pay wrongfully drawn was, under false pretences returned to the public account." In the opinion of Major Atkinson, the charges were fully proved, and he called upon Major Gordon for an explanation of his finding. That gentleman replied sharply, declining to recognise Major Atkinson's right to express censure, contending that the Court was a military one, and that any dissent from its finding must come from the Superior Officer who convened it Sir Donald McLean. At the same time lie maintained the correctness of his find ing, and arguing that the charge of pocketing the money, was an intrinsic part of the allegation. "The evidence," he says, "proved that Captain Rowe did sell the mare for £35, that he credited the Govern ment with £30, and that lie did not pockot the remaining £6; therefore the Court acquitted him." Major Atkinson aid not appreciate this style of raason ing, after Captain Rowo had been dismissed, a icttor was sent by th'a under Secretary of Dufouce cimw

terising Major Gordon's letter as " rep rehensible, totally subversive of discipline, asd extremely disrespectful," and demanded ' '' an ample explanation and apology." On receipt, Major Gordon expressed willingness to' cancel tho pprtions objected to, but the Ministry refused to accept this, and in a series of letters that followed, the Under secretary held out a threat of suspension from duty unless an ample apology was j forthcoming. Major Gordon then appealed i to the Governor, as Commander-in-Chief, j for a Court of Investigation. Here j this "phase of the curiously complica- ' ted proceedings ended, Major Atkinson stating in his evidence before a Committee of the House, that the Court was not granted, lie considering it absurd to put the country to the expense of a Court martial because a Minister had found fault with an officer concerning the conduct of what he (Major Atkinson) regarded as a purely civil matter. Ths Governor thought "the inquiry ought to be granted ; Major Atkinson would not submit to have Iris authority thus called in question, and the disputants came to a deadlock. Some of the evidence taken before the committee on the petition of Small and Barlow, who claimed compensation for loss of office and expenses through their efforts to bring under tho notice of the.Government various frauds "and irregularities in connection with the corps was very curious. Lieut.-Colonel Moulc stated that the Court found that Ca.pt. Scholield '-'was not guilty of being drunk at the time stated in the charge, although he was intoxicated at a later hour." " It was the custom to dismiss oJnccrs against whom a charge of intoxication had b.'.eu proved, but Captain SchofxcM's services were retained tiil the corps was disbanded. He could not 1 aay why, iVing absent in England at the ; time." "He said Craig was dismissed before Ihe brought the charges against Captain Kowc ; 1 lie other men were not dismissed, they resigned after the inquiry. Mr Swanson suggested that it might have been made warm for them, which Lieut,-Col. Moulc thought was possible, but he did not think they were entitled to compensation. Major Atkinson stated that it was entirely through the action of the petitioners that a "nest of j corruption was routed out," and he con sidered they were entitled to a reasonable allowance for expenses. And so the inquiry closed, and the parliamentary paper leaves us to conjecture whether the claim of the petitioners was satisfied. Tho moral of I the narrative, however, is very plain. If any subordinate finds himself the witness of tiddly-winking by a superior officer let | him keep his own counsel.

A batch of correspondence relative to the San Francisco mail service, lias been laid before the New South Wales Parliament. It includes a letter from Messrs Gilchrist, AVatt and Co., strongly favouring to the direct route to San Francisco via Auckland. Comparing the relative merits of this port and the Bay of Islands, the Sydney agents remark :—

i " The comparative rates for calling at Bay of i Islands or Auckland, named by the New Zea i land Government, appear to ii 3 out of all 1 proportion, seeing that the two ports arc only i about 120 ]ui!t-s apart ; and th a same rate of sub ! sidy is named by the contractors for delivering i the mails at cither of tho two; but as thoy ao not exorcss any preference for either, it. remains for this Government and New Zealand to decide which they prefer, and we are of opinion that the calling at Auckland would be much more advautageous to New Zealand passengers, and conduce greatly to the increase of trade between New Zealand and this colony, as well as afford other advantages which will more than compen sate for the short additional time in postal service. The Bay oi' Islands, thOKgh well situated and a good harbour, ha 3no waixnxe accomodntion, and there are no lights on that part of the coast; the population is limited to sonic 150 souls, so that all supplies in the way of meat, vegetables, etc., would have to bo brought from Auckland; and aa there ia no white labour available, any help required in tho way of discharging or loading cargo would also have to be imported from Auckland, as the natives are of no use. Moreover, we understand that a coastal service from the Bay of Inlands would be more expensive, as the east coast trado of the North Island has always been unre jmzneratlve, wnilofrom Auckland the mails can be economically arid speedily distributed from the Manukau, and aa the New Zealand Govern ment share the subsidy, it appears but equitable I that one of their leading cities should be a port 'of call for the steamers, to afford some fair equivalent for the advantages this Colony derive from the trade tho mail service opoiis up with America. The comparative dis tances arc as follows :■ -From Sydney via Eay of Islands, to San Francisco, 7008 miles: ditto via Auckland ditto, 7201 miles, or a difference in time of about 17 hours at 11 knots; but in view of the delay attending the calling at Bay of Islands from the disadvantages already set forth, the additional facilities and dispatch the vessels would obtain in Auckland, would, in a great measure, compensate for the time lost by the detour, and as communication by wire is now-a-days so general, regularity with our mail service, and comfort of passengers, arc of more importance to the community than a few hours' saving in time. We therefore re spectfully venture to hope that early permission may-bo granted to change the route to a direct voyage via Auckland, aud that the Governments may arrange to accept the ofTer of the contrac tors to perform this service at a reduction of £10,000 per annum on the present rate, or £30,000 per aiinum." A Jettcr from Mr. Clyde, President of the Pacific Mail Company, adopts the same i view, upon the recommendation of Captain Dow, who visited the colonies a few months ago to arrange for an alteration in tho service. President Clyde says : —

" Captain Dow suggests the charge of the calling port in New Zealand from the Bay of Islands to Auckland, in order to give the steamers the advantage Bf a portion of the valuable trade which he represents is now done by a small Steamer [This;, we suppose, is the disrespectful, way in which the Pacific Mail Nabob' Speaks of the s.h. Hero.] between Auckland and Sydney, and which, it' the Hay of Islands was used as the calling poi't in New Zealand instead of Auck land, tho steamers could not take. Beinc? upon the anct. you will bo able to estimate the value of this tr ido : as Captain Dowxe presents it, it seems to me quite sufficient to lead to a selection of Auckland in place of the Bay of Islands."

lii the last published letter, the New South Wales Government still persists in the demand that Bay of Islands shall he the port-of-call, tlxd Colonial Secretary of that colony writiug to New Zealand, on the 29 Mi Novemljefas follows :—

"W"o are unwilling to assent to the extra delay to the mail services of this colony that would bo involved in the making of Auckland the port of call in New Zoalaud. The only solutiorn which appears to us to be open is th'S — that the company receive £75,000 for i.he route by tho way of the Bay of Islands. That this colony pays £i0,0i!0 of that subsidy, and New Zealand =835,01/0, the reason for allotins to New South Waif's the lartrcr share, being that it is tuts colony that -chiefly uses the service for the extra distance 'from Now Zealand to Sydney. Nbv/ South Wales would thus save £5.000 on its present share oC subsidy, in consideration of tho prolonging^ oi! its inai! service: and Now Zealand would obtain a quicker service by reason of the not calling at Fiji, and would have £10,009 applicable to the performance of its coasting service, tho cost of which would probably not be more than £"000, or at most. £6,000."

We hesitate to characterise theac proposals in appropriate terms. New Zealand, having permitted the abandonment of the coastal service, and sacrificed' all claims to the terminus, is to be denied the right of a pprt-of-call suitable for its passenger and goods traffic, and (the cost of the coastal service included) to contribute a larger sum in subsidy than its generous partner in the arrangement. New South Wales, mean while, saving £5,000 "in consideration of the prolonging of its mail service." Dis guise it as they may, the cause of this persistent adherence to the Bay of Islands is the desire to deprive New Zealand 'of the whole of the commercial advantages of the service, and to secure for New South Wales a pre-eminence and monopoly. The position which the co-contracting colony has endeavoured to force upon New Zealand is that of a mere coaling-station, useful as a contributor of one half the large subsidy, but with no manner of claim to con sideration in the performance of the service. We cannot for a moment suppose that our Government has met these demands otherwise than with a j peremptory refusal, The ssihsf itutiou of j Auckland instead of tho I*ay, as the port-of-;

call, and the payment of £35,000 a year subsidy by this colony, in addition to the performance of its own coastal service, would offer a fair basis of settlement. The New South Wales Assembly is now in session, and the question of the future route must be speedily determined. President Clyde, in this communication already referred to intimates : —"I cannot longer under any circumstances, advise the con tinuance of the coastal service, and unless I see reason to change, shall have telegraphed you long before this reaches you, that we cannot continue the coastal service, and that ~the steamer, of January 3rd will commence the ' C ' service."

There is a plague of caterpillars at Braid wood, and they have eaten up every green thing. The streets were swarming with them, and some of the residents had the greatest difficulty in keeping them out of the stores and houses. Some Vandal at Tauranga cut off the tail of a horse belonging to Mr Oliver. The animal now goes about with-a wretched stump, with which it vainly endeavours to keep off the flies. Some time ago a public hall was proposed for Onelmnga, but the want of interest manifested caused the scheme to collapse. Within the last fortnight the Freemasons have bestirred themselves, and several private meetings hare teen held. At the one on Thursday eveniig Mr Hardington war, called to the chair, Mr Waller acting as lion, sec, it was resolved that a company be formed, to be namcl "The Onehunga i'ublic Hall ...Company," Arrangements were made for the purchase of a piece of ground between Mr Blakey's shop and the Hibernian Hotel, Qucm-street; instruc tions have been given to Mr Bartlcy to draw the necessary plans, and Mr Hughes to prepare the legal documents required. The whole of the mctioy necessary to purchase the land and defray the prelimi nary expenses lias beeij subscribed. It is proposed to have the biilding about 70ft. long by 34ft. wide, aid a corresponding height. As soon as tht plans are finally agreed to we will give tbj particulars. The name given to the builung will be " The Masonic Hall." We observe that several alterations have been made in the list of arizes to bo offered this year for the Workim Men's Horticul tural Exhibition. As Hie exhibitor takes place on the 7th Februay, and all plants must Be in possession o the exhibition at least one month prior tcthe Show, intend ing competitors will Iwc to hasten their preparations. In the pize of 15s for the best collection of C pot plants, the word "miscellaneous," and the two following prizes of 7s 6"d and 20s respectively for the best colection of 3 pot pints, and the best collection of fruit hade dso be made "mis cellaneous." A specal prize of 30s lias been given by Mr Boyd for the best miscellaneous collection by gentlemen amateurs of twelve plants, tour of which mast be in flower. It

' is hardly necessary to point out the large ! amount of benefit which is Conferred upon • all classes of the community by periodical ; exhibitions of this cla». "hey afford an ! encouragement and sl'.nnuis to the in ! dastrial classes to employ tliiir leisure hours . ia tho cultivation of plots (f ground which would otherwise be wasb, lead to the adornment and increased otroctivencss of 1 homes, if not to the iiupDvement of the ,' table; in the younger ncmbcrs of the I family they foster a taste or healthy and [ refining employment in tit ilower garden and conservatory. It is tj be hoped that ! tiie next .Show will do crcjit to the com j pctitors and to the indutrial classes of Auckland as a body. We hear that tlic neighbors of Mr Clark, i the destruction of whose luiso by lire was I reported in last evening's Star, intend to I raise funds for the relief <f the houseless | family. Mr Clarke is an honest, indus trious man, and strictly tenperato, having bei'ii a member of the Goal Templar order for some time past. In the estate of Thonus Luptou a bank rupt, the liabilities wcrefeet down at £6'oo, and the assets at £470. ■ Lady Normanby is reported to be seriously indisposed, aid in consequence, the Governor has postjoned his intended visit to Mil ford Sound. | Rev Mr. Macnicol old a very good anecdote last evening in the course of his speech at the Wcllcsleyitrcet chapel. The rev gentleman, in referring to the prevail ing tendency to worshijjmblisters, spoke of an oid custom in Scotlai.d where reverence was paid to wealthy pew-occupiers by a Sunday nod of obeisaneq )n one occasion an old D.D. of the chnrdi of Scotland omitted to recognize in the accustomed manner, the ladies St. Mmr. The next day the ladies reminded tie old divine of h is seeming neglect, whenkewi fctily replied, "Ladies, the worship of Angels is not permitted in our church." The ladies were proudly satisfied with tho aiswer. A splendid German coucct will be given this evening, in the Lorncptreet Hall, by the admirable band of the pod ship Hertha, now in the Auckland watcß. The concert will be under the Ipadoship of Kapell meister Weber (a musical name) and the proceeds will be given ;o the Orphan Homes of tho city. We lelieve this will be a line musical*treat to faose ladies and gentlemen of taste who nay be present. Wo refer our musical Eadors to. the elaborate programme in oir columns.

In the Onehunga Court on Wednesday, before It. C. Barstow, Esf., R.M., Henry Treanor, for a breach of i.hcMunicipal Police Act, by being away from hjs horse and dray when in the street, was fin?d 5a and costs. P. Molloy, a noted youth o) 15, was charged Avifch stealing a German silver spur, value 4s, frojn (ho house of H. 6'Noill ; -\vhicli he

afterwards disposed of i'lolloy admitted his o!?tnee,-aiid was disclETgcd with a cau tion as to his future conduct, the Bench re marking that if it wore notfor the lad's age he should have been orderel a whipping.

j The meeting of the Nev Zealand Lead | and Galvanised Iron "Worife Company was concluded yesterday afternoon, after we' had gone to pre3B. Mr Snnit consented to take £1500 of the prico ol iis stock in fully paid up shares. Tho chanaaii said that would make 431 shares vhich had been already taken up. It war moved by Mr Craig, and seconded b; Mr li.Coloinan, and agreed to: "That Messrs T. T. Masefield, Henry Keane, Captain Elliott, William Brauston, and" ft'r Linabury, he •elected directors of the Company for one year." Mr Craig moved, aid Mr Linabury seconded: "That tlie buiiiipss be taken over at once from Mr Smajjfc and that the directors be empowered to -nake all neces sary arrangements." Thifjwas agreed to unanimously. ' The next resolution agreed to was : " that Mr Coiemrti bo authorised to draw up the articles of association." It was st.ited by the chaittnan that the 1 directors hoped to be able ; to arrange, with Mr Smart and Mr Jenlaiis to • act as manager and secretary respectively. Mr Winter's name haying beju added to the directory, the meeting separated, after the chairman had expressed a^'ish to meet the directors on the works to-diy. By the mail we have news of Sir George Arney being in excellent health, and spirit. His latest feat was a fourteen miles walk over the Malvern Hills near Worcester, Sir George proving himself independent of the donkeys and donkey-boy, ivho swarm the mountain. The late Chief Justice was noted for powers of endurance, and had many a long walk with tie active Major You Tempsky, and on thosa occasions the ' pov/ors of the sinewj, and fethletio warrior ' wore taxod to the utmost by his older but ' not Johs active judicial competitor. i

General TchcrnaiofFs organ, the " Kussku Mil-," publishes an article entitled " Eng land and Constantinople." "The English press," says the writer, "is now discussing the fate of Constantinople with the same noisy irritability with which it lately dis cussed the ' Bulgarian atrocities.' It is difficult to imagine anything more reckless and foolish than the claims of England to the ancient capital of the Byzantine empire. These pre-occupations of' the English in regard to a foreign harbour situated at the other end of Europe, and connected by in dissoluble bonds with the history of the nations of the Greco-Slavonic race, isone of the most unceremonious manifestations^ of the old British idea of exclusive dominion over the seas. Such, however, is the force of habit that the piratical designs of the English are regarded in the European Press as quite natural, while similar designs on the part of another State would provoke general indignation and unanimous resist ance. . . . The English have nothing

to do with the entrance to the Black iSoa. Their appearance there, in the vicinity of the channel which they themselves describe as the key of Russia, would be equivalent to the appearance of the European fleets in the British Channel for the purpose of restraining English ambition. . . . We

do not want Constantinople ; all we want is that the Bosphoras and the Dardanelles should be unconditionally free and open to us, and not in hostile hands. The slightest attempt on the part of England to occupy this channel would inevitably provoke a war with Russia."

" We have seen Brett's Almanac for the present year," says the "Coromandel Mail," "and we have no hesitation iv sayiiigthat it is not only the best book almanac printed in the Province, but it is,'we think, beyond all dispute the best published in any part of the Colony. It contains an immense amount of information admirably arranged. Nothing superfionous, but nothing omitted that should be known in an annual of this kind. It is a manual, a guide, a complete vade-mecum ; a reference for obtaining all sorts of information relating to the Province specially and tho Colony generally. It has been compiled, collated, written and edited by Mr Leys, the Editor of the Auckland Evk:n ting STAB, and if that gentleman will condescend to accept our encomiums he has them. There is a completeness both of detail and condensation which could not have been accomplished without an amount of labour, research, and painstaking almost marvellous. Some of the advertisements are magnificent specimens of the typogra phers' skill and taste. Not a few would answer for a type-founder's specimen book. For variety and excellence wa would say Mr Brett possesses the best set of founts of any printing firm in the Colony. A shilling expenditure for the purchase of this Almanac and sent home to friends in the old country through the post, would convey morej information a.s to New Zealand than by the reading of many books."

A Wellington telegram says : —" Mr. Richardson, this afternoon, resigned his seat in the Executive, and the portfolio of Minister of Public Works. Mr Donald Reid was sworn in as member f>f the Execu tive. The distribution of portfolios is not finally arranged."

The Paris " Libcrte" states that a young man named 'Marti uengo, a clerk in t!ie employment of his uncle, a merchant at Marseilles', has just inherited :i sum of about SO millions of francs. Several years ago a General of foreign origin died in Holland, having no presumable heirs. His largo fortune went to the Dutch Treasury. Nothing was heard of the General's family or his money for many years, when a short time ago the French Minister of Foreign Affairs arid Prince Bismarck informed the Dutch Government that the inheritance -.vns legally claimed by'membersof the General's family established in Marseilles and Cier uiauy. The Hague Cabinet made some difficulty at first, but was ultimately obliged to yield. The amount' lias now accumulated to the enormous figure of 159,322,500fr., the whole to be divided between (ho two heirs. On the Ist Janu ary, 1877, the Dutch Government will com mence Van restitution of the money by pay ing 16,000, OOOfr., but will only have dis charged the entire amount in 10 years.

An Indian contemporary is credibly informed that the Russians arc organizing a ilotilla of 50 ships on the Caspian, of 500 tona burthen, cadi fitted for the accommo dation of 2009 soldiers. Tlie.sc ships are under construction by a Glasgow firm, and two of them have already been set up. Again, the same power is accumulating a very largo number of trucks at Orenburg, for the transport of troops by land, after the pattern or those used by the Prussians in the Franco-German war. Russia's recent conquests in Central Asia musk bo. costly boyoud all ordinary conception, if only a part of this formidable machinery of repression is to ."be maintained on their account. But rumour on the spot credits her with'xilterior designs against China, as part of a larger scheme of aggrandisement.

If all the strawberries in Auckland were of the " Edith" species we tliink ths stock would bo very soon exhausted, and straw 'berrics would soon reach a fabulous value. Mr GJSmith, of Newmarket, in a confiding moment Bent a sample of the " Edith" straVbcrry to be placed on view at this oifico. They were "on view" for a period of about live minutes. No sooner had the luscious sight of these large, bright, straw berries attracted the notice of the editorial staff than a descent was made upon them, and they disappeared in the twinkling of an eye, while a printer's devil .stood afar off and licked his lips in undisguised envy and mortification of soul. In the brief space of two minutes 1 here was not a scrap or solitary strawberry of the "Edith," or indeed of any other descriptfon, to bo soon, and the hungry editorial staff, with appe tites whetted for'the gory fray, like, Oliver, "asked for more." The whole staff are singularly unanimous in their praise of the ."Edith." •- ~•-; -,-• ■

The case of Louis Pierre Dugieaux, for forgbry at Gisborne, will be "taken on Monday next at the Supreme Court; and oil Tuesday the case of Martin Cnrthi, who statute charged with the crime of .''wilful murder.

Mr Lomaz of the cii'tter Kattarina has called ami given iv the following version of the boat accident. The cutter was sailing up towards the Watchman and the Club's batswing was coming over from the North Shore. The oarsmen did not observe the vessel crossing their bows, or if they did calculated upon clearing it. Instead of doing so, the bow of their boat struck the dingy, towing astern of the cutter, and got entangled with it. Messrs Dacre and Henderson immediately got into the dingy, but seeing one of the skulls floating away, Mr Henderson jumped into the water and swam after it. The cutter was drifting away from him, and those on board, therefore, dropped anchor. Lomaz wishes this statement made in contradiction of the assertion that the cutter had ran down the batswing, or had neglected to rescue the Oarsmen. Kg says there Avas no danger at any time, and Mr Dasre was not even wet.

ihe Waikato Times" bewails the fact that the temporary lack of advertisements has caused an increase in its literary matter. The " Times " naively says : " We take the opportunity of mak ing up for previous short commons, by present ing our readers with a perfect gorge of mental pabuiunl, though, for our own parts, we had as lief read advertisements a3 either original or extract matter." Wojearn from the "Bay of Plenty Times' that Kawirl TangUu, the principal leader of the Pmrakau tribe (who 30 persistently opposed tha opening of Kainaai, as acting under the direction of Kinjy Tawhino) hasjiiEt returned from inter viewing tho Maori Potentate, and has only to chronicle tluit hie Majesty cannot quito see -why his asaißtaises should bo asksd for, tho Kaimai eQiinu-ybeint-outjiifiuhiu dominions, UtWl"iU

Wo wor.ld remind those who desire to enjoy a holiday, and at the same- time to contribute towards the funds of the various orphanages in Auckland, that Captain Logan will make the usual trip to Motu tapu to-morrow, leaving the wharf at ten o'clock. Tho fare is moderate, and the entire proceeds will be devoted to the orphanages of Auckland.

The cricket match North Shore v. West End, which was commenced at the North Shore three weeks ago, is to bo played out to-morrow afternoon. One innings a-side has been played, the totals being : North Shore, 82; West End, 41. A match be tween the first eleven and the next 18 of the Auckland Cricket Club will also bo played in the Domain.

The Railway Commission will sit to enquire into the condition of the Auckland railways, as soon as the Commission respecting the gaol and asylums, has concluded its labors.

THE GAOL AND ASYLUMS.

The following is the copy of a letter which lias been addressed by the Hon. F. Whita ker to His Worship the Mayor, W. J. Hurst, Esq., W. Swauson, Esq., M.H.R., J. S. Macfarlane, Esq., M.H.1!., T. Morrin, E S q. ;— " General Government Offices, Auckland, January 3, 1877 : Sir, —In con sequence of the abolition of the Province of Auckland, the Lunatic Asylum, -the Hos pital, and the Gaol, have, from the Ist January inst., come under the charge of the Colonial Government. lam desirous in taking over these establishments that their present state should be fully investi gated and reported on, and suggestions made for their future management, and I have the honour to request that you will act together with the other gentlemen named in the margin as Com missioners for this purpose.—l have, &c. (signed), Fred. WHITAKER." One of the subjects which will come under the consideration of the Commission will be the making the Gaol more self-supporting than it now is, and of devising some plan of deriving larger revenues from the Hospital and Lunatic Asylum reserves.

ALL SAINTS,

The annual meeting of the parishioners of all Saints Church -vva9 •held.in the church at 730 o'clock last evening, the Bey. E. N. Bree, incumbent of the church, in the chair. There was a large attendance. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The accounts for the half-year were read. They shewed a surplus over the ordinary expenditure, which was absorbed by a bonus given to the pastor. The meeting generally expressed great satis faction with the prosperous condition of the church, as shewn by the accounts, and they were adopted after some discussion. The Rev; Brce nominated ]\lr Paine, senr., as minister's church-warden for the ensuing year, and Mr Roes was elected parishioner's church-warden for the third time in succes sion. The report of the superintendent of the Hun'dav-sehool was read, and shewed an cncouragiiigincrcasc on the previous year. Votes of thanks were passed to the out going church-wardens, .Sunday-school teachers, organists, and choir. A church committee of ten wa< elected. A vote of thanks to the chairman ended the proceed ings-

SUPREME COURT.—THIS DAY.

CRIMINAL SITTINGS.

(Before His Honor Mr Justice Gillies and a common jury).

His Honor took his scat at ten o'clock. BRSAKiKG AND ENTERING. Thomas Jones, aged IS, and Patrick Bedford, aged 30, were arraignad upon an indictment, charging them with breaking and entering the premises of Messrs' Ktone, of ilic Thames, on the ,'llst October, and stealing therefrom a number of carpenters' tools. The prisoner Jones pleaded guilty to stealing, and Bedford pleaded not guilty. Mr Brookiield opened the ease for the prosecution, and Mr Itees appeared in defence. John Henry Smith, manager for Messrs Stone, deposed that their warehouse was at the corner of Owen and Burkc-strects On the 31st October, he was the last person to leave the store, and left every door fas tened. The next morning he found Mr Hazard at the store (Hazard kept the key). Oil going to his office lie discovered that a

i robbery had been contniitted, by things lying about, and an attempt having been made to open the safe. He gave informa tion to Detective Brennan. They found two windows broken at the back of the store, by which means an entry had been effected. lie missed American adzes, a dozen chisels, two gimblets, &c, (pro duced). To Mr Ilccs : He identified the adzes as the ; property of Stone Bros, by a private, mark which he had put upon them. They .were not sold, as the entries had not passed the book. William Hazard, storeman, deposed that when ho went to the store on the morning of the 31st October, Jig immediately missed .the ftlzef*, which ho had placed on the counter for a certain purpose on the .previous night, fiuh-lnsoectov Billion deposed that he re ceived information of the robbery on the Ist November. Ho went to the store and found that it had been broken into. Went to Bedford's house, and . found Bedford, .Jones, and Cooper in the kitchen which opened into a back yard. lie asked per mission to search the house, which Bedford granted. He stood at the back door, Avhile Brenu an searched the house. His attention was-arrested by something at the other end of the yard. He went v and turned it over, and saw that the ground had been disturbed. On removing the earth he found a bag, containing the stolen articles. He arrested the .three men, who denied all knowledge of the xobbery. Mrs Bedford burst into tears, and said to Jones, "Tell the truth Tommy." He immediately said. " I did it, and* the other two men had nothing to do with it." ■ ! "

Detective Bronnan gave evidence : "while Mr Bullen was in the yard he heard Bed ford whisper to Jones, and tell him to say that he did it. Had often seen Jones and Bedford together. Had seen them in Owen-street about 9 o'clock on the evening of the robbery. * To Mr Rees : He did nofc induce Jones to make a statement to criminate Bedford, nor did he promise that Jones should get off if lie would inculpate Bedford. Jones made a voluntary f-tatement. His Honor reminded Mr Rees that the statement had not been produced, but that he might make it evidence against Bedford. Mr Ilees then addi eased the jury for the defence. His Honor having gone carefully over the evidence, the jury found a verdict of not guilty in the case of Bedford. A second charge was then preferred against the prisoners, namely, that on the same date, the said Thomas Jones and Patrick Bedford did steal and take from the office of Edward Macdonald, the sum of 2s fc and:ls. sd. in postage stamps. Jones pleaded guilty, and Bedford not guilty. The evidence in the latter case was not taken. His Honor said that Bedfovd had had a very narrow escape, which he hoped would serve him m f utiire. ' Ho was then discharged. Jones was sentenced to one year's im prisonment with hnrrl labour, ' ' Tho Court was then adjojmied Until Alojulay morning ai ten o'docjc,

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before R. C. Barstow Eso.. R.M.I

DRUNK. "For I'm toppy, for I'm toppy, And I know the reason why." La Pcrichole Elizabeth Nelson, a showily dressed, and impudent looking woman, who entered the dock smiling, Avas charged with being drunk. Prisoner ; " Oh, I'm guilty. I wasn't drunk, but I may as well confess, it." (laughter.) Magistrate : Five shillings and costs. Prisoner : (Smiling) Very well.

A TRUANT APPRENTICE. Martin Kellisher, a boy of 15, was charged at the instance of Capt. Casey with a breach of the Merchant Shipping Act by absenting himself without leave and without sufficient reason from the steamer Lily, on which he was bound ap prentice. Capt. Casey said the boy had gone away on New Year's Day without leave, and remained away 20 hours. He was a very bad boy. Capt. Breton, the master of the Naval Training School, from which the boy had been taken, gave the prisoner a good character. He asked him some questions which were answered sul kily. The Magistrate said he did not wish to act harshly to the prisoner, and discharged him with a caution. The Fracas in tko^Bartor's Shop. John Ebcnczcr White was charged with committing a violent assault on John Hill Syinonds, barber, at mid-day yesterday. John Hill Symonds, barber and hair-

dresser said lie carried on business in Queen street. The defendant came "in to his shop yesterday to have his hair cut. When wit ness was performing the operation, defen dant kept putting his fingers through his hail. Witness asked him not to do it, as it WOtlld keep him all day long. Defendant replied by calling him a low scoundrel, and said lie had never been so much insulted in

hislifebefore. Witncsscalleddefendantaliar, upon which the latter struck him a light blow under the right eye. As the defendant repeated the blow, and witness had no as sistance, he struck him back. Ho believed he hit him in the face. Witness then sent his boy for a constable. When the officer came, defendant took hold of the basin in the washstand. He could not say what object he had in doing so. At first he asked the officer to take defendant into custody, but afterwards he asked him only to remove him. . The defendant was very violent. By Mr Tyler: He did not know Mr White before the assault. When Mr White put his h;mds through his hair, he did not make any allusion to the manner in which, witness was handling him. He did think defendant was the Avor.se for liquor. He did not insult Mr White in any way, nor did he call him a liar two or three times before Mr White struck him. Thomas James Wood, a boy of 13, an assistant of Mr Symonds, was called a,s a witness. Mr Barstow examined him as to the nature of an oath. His Worship asked him if he knew why people were sworn before giving evidence. Witness: "Clo to hell sir." (Roars of laughter).

S'inic other questions being asked which the boy answered equally satisfactorily, he was allowed to give his evidence, which in the main corroborated that of Mr Symonds. This witness was closely cross-examined by Mr Tyler. He did not hear Mr White complain of the manner Mr Symonds was cutting his hair. When Mr; "Symonds told Mr. White to keep his hands down, the latter said he had been all through some places (he could not recollect the names), and had never been so insulted before. It was after this that Mr. Bymonds said it was a lie. Mr. White did not call Mr. Syinonds a low lived scoundrel till after this.

Constable McQnilp was next called, and merely deposed to arresting defendant in Mr. Symonds' shop. Mr. Tyler addressed the Court for the defence. He maintained that the evidence as given by the witness, shewed that Mr. White was at least to be excused for striking Mr. Symouds, and quite justified in calling him a low lived scoundrel.

[ The boy's evidence proved that it was not I till after the blow was struck thnt defen dant called Mr Symbnds a scoundrel. John E. Whitojthe defendant, was placed in the witness box. He was not under the influence of liquor yesterday. He was next door to a public abstainer. He had taken no strong drink of any kind for nearly a j twelvemonth. When Mir Symonds began | cutting his hair, he did it in such abunghijf fashion that he was afraid lie might cut half of one of his ears off, and he was compelled to put up his hands several times, and ask ! him to be more careful. Symonds then addressed him in very rough style, and said, " Ke.vp your hands down, will you ; I'm not going to be kept here all day for you." He could not at first believe that the" man was addressing him, and he said, "My good man, are you addressing me ?" His answer was; "Yes I am; who are you; do you think you're the Queen?" Witness said, "No I don't, but you might be civil." He added, "I've, been operated upon by barbers all through Europe and other places, and I was never spoken to in such an insult ing way before. Yonr conduct is perfectly brutal." Mr Symonds then left off.cutting his hair and said to the boy, "Here, I'm not going to have anything to do with the man. Witness rejoined "Come, you had better finish the job now you have began ; don't let me be a figure." Mr Symonds then became very abusive, and when witness told him that he had been uncivil, he said "you're a liar." Defendant said Don't call me that again, or "I might strike you. He repeated the epithet and daponcnt did strike him, and Symonds struck him back. Thcro was a ring or something hard on Symonds' hand. Mr. White was quite certain he did not strike Mr Symonds after the. boy had gone for the policeman. His object in taking up the jug when the constable arrived was to wash himself before he surrendered himself, as his nose was bleeding. He looked in vain for water in the jug. It was like every thing else in the shop, cracked and dirty. (Laughter;) By Sub-Inspector Pardy : He was ex cited, but not so nmch as not -to know what he was about. He recollected almost every thing that took place. Tiiis finished the case.

His Worship, after deliberating, said every tradesman was bound to be civil to his customers. Civility was included in the contract of service. He was of opinion that the prosecutor was to blame, and should dismiss the case, ordering the defendant to pay the costs of hearing, and the complain ant the costs of the information. A charge of assaulting Constable McQiulp, while in the execution of his duty was next preferred against Mr. White* Mr. White pleaded not guilty. Constable McQuilp, said he was called upon yesterday by a boy to go to Mr. bymonds shop. He went there, \rhsa Mr .pymonds told him to take tho defendant into custody. He hesitated about taking him, and after a pause Mr. Symonds said lie was willing to take an apology, and told defendant to go out. Ho took defen dant by the shoulder to put him out, and bo resisted. Upon this 'he took defendant by the collar, and forced him out. Defen £ TPS very violent- When outside the snop defendant struck him in the mouth twice. He had at last to force him down, »n« put tho handoulfe on. The witness'was subjected to a lons and naming wrosa-oxamlnation. The ten mws waa to uhow tliat tho constable had

THE EVENING STAB, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1877.



"XT ° T x c E DRAPERY GOODS, NEW AND CHEAP!'!! The undersigned have Purchased at Auction ■ a LAIIG3C LOT of NEW DRAPERY GOODS, just landed ox City of Auckland, the whole of •which having been bought at much under the usual Warehouse Rates, they can afford to offer to their Customers at Very Low Prices. The Parcel comprises :— Grey Colieq, various qualities, from /3Ad yard Strong White Calico at /i yard, or 3/10 doz. 72-in. C4'-er Sheeting, 1/ yard, good quality 72-in. & 80-iu. White Twill Sheeting 72-ii:.. SO-in. ?c DO-in. Croydon Shooting, 1/6 yard llssckaback Towels, jrood, /G each, 5/3 doz. "White and Unbleached Damask and Damask Table Clotlis, from 2/6 ---9/1 10/1 & 11/1 Alhambra Quilts, good qualities, S/ll Hough Brown Holland, from /6 yard Half-dressed ditto, superior quality, veiy cheap at IWh and 1/ Black 'Lustre, and superior quality Black Bril liantine Lustres . New Prints, good patterns, at /if, lot, and /C, very cheap Harvard Shirting, good quality, /< i yard Fine Irish Linen, lot of Remnants, a bargain, from 1/4 yard Gents' Bi". Cotton Half-'ioso do. do., merino feet Grey and Fancy Striped Merino Half-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, wo are giving full value for g2T One Shilling in the £ returned on all pur chases of 2(H. and upwards. BUSH BROOK & BRIDGMAN, UPPBH QrjKBN-STUKRT, Auckland. Readers who need a fashionable coat, Or fancy vest and trousers, please to note. TTT L- POSSENISKIE, In thanking his patrons and the general public ior past favours, bsgs to intimate that ha has $2, REMOVED REMOVED -©a to more central premises (Fikst Shop in Shoetland-steebt), AND HAB UST OPENED A NEW AND CHOICE SELECTION OF TWEEDS. FANCY COATINGS AND VESTINGS, &C,i. &0.. &O.



T INOLEUM ! J_J CARPETS! (Ex -TAMAYA') FURNITURE! T INOLEUM!—Unsurpassed for Durably; JLJ Soft'and warm to the fcoi.. _• X INOLEUM! —Best cover'ng ever inven :1 JU for Dining Rooms, Halls, Offi ces, and billiam Itooma. T INOLEUM !—A large variety of Patterns at JU the City Hall Arcade. T IN'OLEUM!—Fitted to any size or shape JLJ room by Hollo way & .GarJ'.ck. ARPETS!—Just landed, Velvet Pile, v~y handsoma. ARPBT3 !—Beautiful Briib }V latest de- signs, for Drawing Rooms. CARPETS t— Kidderminster, large variety. Tapestry from 2/11 to 1/6. IT^URNITURE !—lnlaid Walnut Cena-e Tables, jl. . Modern Drawingrroom Suites XHURNITURE !—SituiiiKroom Suites, Bedroom J? IT ami.' are for all classes. FURNITURE I— The best Show in Auckland. lJ Show Rooms 160 ft. long. J IBERAL DISCOUNT to i i_J CASH PURCIJASERg. T>UY your FURNITURE, DRAPERY, AND JL> CLOTHING at tuk CITY HALL ARCADE. HOLLOWAY & GAKLICK, • PnOPRTETORS. TjIURNITURE! YURNTTUB E ! Ladies and Gentlemen aba ;b to F'trnUh arc. reaped fully requested to inspect the Large, Stock of pit A fFTNG Ji ) OM t DIN ISO - & O') II BEDROOM, AND Q EN URAL EOUSEIiOLD FVRXITUIIE, In our A'ccj ay.l £ pa-ions Shoier.oom s T. & H. ~COOKB t , or. QUiEsr-srutisr Adjoining Sank of New Zealand.



Why Poison the Sick with the liquors of com merce when a pure stimulant containing vege table agents, which endow it with extraordinary alterative and. strengthening1 properties, which never excites and invariably ail'ords relief, is just as easily procured. If the patient is wep,k or nervous, his kidneys, stomach, or bOTrels out ot! order, let him have recourse to that safest, surest, and pleasantest of regulating tonics, Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Sch napps. Mark Twaix o:% t Bad Musicians. — The musical public and general readers arc cautioned not to purchase Weston's A^'izard Oil and Magic Pills without carefully examining the outside wrapper—and be sure that the words "None Genuine without the Signature of the Proprietor, FRANK WEBTON, Sydney, N.5.W.," are engraven thereon. Any other so-called preparations of mine, are unauthorized by me, and calculated to mislead the public.—Signed, Frank Weston. Sole Agents: Kempthorne, Prosser and Co.— Price, Half-a-crown.



I A Urn let at ' | Twwd pgs&atr I.; |q S Sep' Wias j.7 ""$ \ ~7Tl'-i ¥» Itataqfl ""| 1 " ' g~~ ~"'w