SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

vnr-n witvp (This Afternoon, 6.38 HIG-H WATER--j To . mOITOW Morning, 6.56 SUN SET.—This Evening, 5.57 SUN KIsSK.— To-morrow Morning, 6.16 MOON'S AGE.—Full Moon, 29th, 5.28 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

DEPARTURES.

IMPORTS. Ex Saucy Lass from Dunedin:—-10 sacks, 10 half-sacka. and 80 qr.-sacks flour, GO sacks bran— T. 11. Hall and Co. Per Loch Lee, from the Friendly Islands :—i t bales wool, 100 tons copra. 2 bales o.nd 10 bags fungus, 6 tons pearl shell. 6 bales cotton.—Owen and Graham.

The Hawea will be detained until 8 o'clock on Friday morning, should the mail not arrive before G o'clock to-morrow morning. The s.s. Pretty Jane is to leave for Gisborne and Napier thi3 afternoon at 4 o'clock. The p.s. Oregon will run an excursion to Manukau Heads on Good Friday, leaving One hunga wharf at 10 a.m. The brigantine Helena from the port arrived at Tonga on the 16th February. The. s.s. Argyle left for Wangarei last evening. The Mazeppa will have taken in all her stufF by to-morrow or next day. Her departuro for Noumea will take place about the end of the week.

The cutter Staffa arrived at Tonga on the 16th February, and was sold to Messrs. Ruge, Heddc man and Co., of Hapai. There is very little Samoan or Tongan news to hand by the Loch Lee. Messrs GodcfFroi and Sonintendsendingouta trading expedition to the Salmon Islands; it is to leave in April. The last season was a very poor ono, the hurricanes having done much damage to the cocoanut trees. me schooner May Queen and the ketch Pearl •were trading among the Navigators Group when the Loch Lee was there. The proprietors of the Rotomahana have determined to issue return tickets at cheap fares for The Easter holidays. The schooner Queen is advertised to sail for Hokianga direct on Thursday. The s.s. Kina is advertised to run excursions to Coromandel and the Thames on Good Friday and Easter Monday, leaving the Queen-street wharf each day at half-past nine in the morning, and returning in the evening of the same day. The three-masted schooner Loch Lee, whose arrival from the Friendly Isles we noticed last Bight, bring 3 a valuable cargo of cotton, copra, and pearl shell. She has been away ficarcely three months, having left hero on the 3rd January. She had a very stormy passage, down of 19 days. Left Tonga for Auckland on the 13th inst.. and had strong easterly winds till ■within 2t>o niiles of destination. Since then experienced light winds, making the Poor Knights on Sunday last. Passengers :—Mrs Stevenson, Messrs. Nash, John McGregor, Allen Baxter, John Wright, William Gray, Charles Sponsberg, William Gentle, George Bacon, Captains McQuarrie, and Colin Camp bell.-^Owcn and Graham, agents. Messrs Cruickshank and Co. have received a cablegram from Sydney, informing them of the arrival of the Hero at that port yesterday. (Tuesday), after a rapid run of five days. She left here last Thursday afternoon, and the pass age thus bears favourable comparison with the runs of any of the other reputed fast boats now plying between Auckland and Sydney.

COMMERCIAL.

Mr R. Arthur held a fruit sale te-day at his Queen-street Mart, but the fruit was not generally of good quality. Sydney oranges fethced 4s 3d to 6s 3d; lemons. 6s Od to 8s; pippins lid to 2d : Auckland apples. 3Jd. At Grant and Morton's sale to-day of groceries, oilman's stores, etc., there was a good attendance ofTthe trade, and a good many lines disposed of in small lots. The prices, however, ruled low.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

Matt,r wit.!, CI.OSB as Ujjtjbu :— For Thames, this day, a». 5.39 pm., and to-

morrow, at noon and a.30 p.m. For Coromandel. per Kina, to-morrow, at 5.30 p.m., and per Argyle, on Saturday next.

at 11 a.m. For Australian Colonies, per City or Sydney, immediately after her arrival from Kandavu. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, and Austra lian Colonies, per Hawea, to-morrow, at

5 a.m. For Waiwera, Mahurangi, and -Te Arai, per Anne Milbank. to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For New Baledonia, per Mazeppa, on Saturday

next, at 9 a.m. For Chatham Islands, per Omaha, on Saturday

next, at 11 a.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per

Rowcna. on Saturday next, at 1 p.m. Per s.s. Taranaki, on Monday, April 2, asfol- For India, China. Mediterranean Ports, and Continent of Europe, at 7 a.m. For Taranaki, Southern Provinces, Aus tralian Colonies, and United Kingdom, via Suez and Southampton (for letters specially ad dressed), at 8 a.m. For money orders and registered letters,

on Saturday, 31st inst., at 5 p.m. For newspapers, at 6 a.m. For New Hebrides, per Dayspring, on Monday.

next, at 6 a.m. For Russell, Waagaroa, and Mongonui, per lona, on Monday next, at 1 p.m. For Norfolk Island, per Southern Cross, od or about Wednesday, 4th April.

N.B.—Friday, the 30st inst., bcinp; a Post-office holiday, tlie mails usually closing on that day •will bis made up on the previous evening, at 7 p.m

S. B. BTSS. Chief Postmaster.

DEATH.

WATTS.—On the 27th March, 1877, at Auckland, John Ross Watts, late Sub-Inspector of the N.Z. Armed Constabulary, aged 30 years.

HUGHES.—On the 28fch March, 1877, at Albert street, Auckland, James, fourth son of Ellen and the late Lewis Hughes, formerly ot bkip ton, Victoria, aged 10 years. — BaUarat (Victoria) papers please copy. The funeral will leave his mother 5 residence at 2,30 p.m. to-morrow (Thursday).

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1877

fot the cftwe th.it lacks assistance, <J For the wrong that needs resistance For the future in the distance, And the jjood that we can do.

The Canterbury politician, o» we think we observed when reviewing Mr Stevens' address to his constituents, is a peculiar being. He occupies quite a distinct place in the New Zealand storthing, marked partly by the disparity between himself and the members of all other provincial districts, and partly by a certain similitude among all the Canterbury men, irrespective of their varying shades of political opinion. The average Canterbury representative is a very weak dilution of Mr Stafford. He aspires to the establishment of a patrician school of colonial statesmen, the chief products of which have, as yet, been a belf-complacent inanity and a bucolic travesty of what may, perhaps, be a worthy model. As the produce of the rough bush still approximates in certain respects to the pure Glenlivet, hut is readily detected by its rank .smell and flavour, so in the Canterbury man we have an adulterated poisonous decoction, which belies by its crudeness the respectable brand which has been fraudulently affixed to the bottle and cork. We have a dyed fustian attempting to pass itself off for good broad cloth. The one other quality which presses hard in the wake of the all-prevalent self-sufficiency of this brummagem party, is a blind devotion to self-interest, and a com plete ignorance of all the world beyond Jthe borders of the Plains. Where else in New Zealand besides Canterbury would a mem ber of parliament have uttered, and an audience have cheered, the following pas quinade on an important, energetic, and prosperous section of the colony. Tbe extract is from a speech delivered by Mr Wason, last week, to his constituents, and relates to the advantages which tlic member for Coleridge saw, or thought he saw, in separation from the North Island :—

I could soe plainly what an luJvftUt&gft if. would bo tons to bo dbsuveretl from tun-eldoi' brother; for our brother, 1,0 say the Imiat w! it, n y^rjr g$ torn ItyPty $$9 &Wl* v?> »<? **»

grown up a slender, sickly, effeminate child. Weakened in his youth by struggling against internal disorders, his constitution is entirely enervated by the constant absorption of Govern ment funds, he will yet require years of nursing, and gallons of the Vogclian mixture in the shape of hard cash ; to put him on his legs and keep him there. (Applause av6 loud laughter). While W e—reared in a hardier clinic, no internal dis orders having disorganised our digestive organs, our constitutions never impaired in deleterious drink—stand beside him in the pride of our manhood, supporting his feeble frame, burden ing ourselves with his cares. (Applause). That this is no overdrawn hyperbolic is well proved by the speech of the Hon. Major Atkinson, who very candidly confessed the inability of the North to get along without the South; and upbraided "the acute men of Aiickland for being taken in by the canny Scot.'' (Laughter).

We have never had the pleasure of seeing Mr Wason, although what "\vc have heard from and about him, inspires us very much with the sentiment of the patriot who gave birth to the sentiment "See Cologne and die." Coleridge, who acted on the advice, lived to relate how he did see Cologne and survived, although the 270 well-defined stenches, and innumerable slinks, very nearly killed him. Lacking the higher privilege of personal communion, our readers will call to remembrance with some interest, that Mr Wason is the honor able member who brought Mr Dignan before the Speaker on a breach of privilege ques tion, the said breach being a threat to deprive Coleridge of a representative by a process of braining in the lobbies with a chair. Whatever motive of scientific research may have animated the member for City West in his fell resolve, wo arc satisfied that the operation would have been barren of results, if carried out with the expectation of find ing anything inside. We feel a moderate assurance in filling up by a process of allusive reasoning the details necessary to identify in the minds of the grateful North the manly form, of our great benefactor, who, with "constitution never impaired by deleterious drink, is standing in the pride of manhood supporting our feeble frame, and burdening himself with our care." We can just liguro him out as a big, over grown,but well-meaning young man,uneon taminated by anything more deleterious than his mothers milk, which is still fresh upon his palate, and with an instinctive love of Alpine suits, knickerbockers and cloth waist-belts. Every allowance must, of course, be made for such an one when entering on the slippery ways of politics, but a word in season may be of use to him. If, however, Mr Wason still persists, as member of the legislature and a light and guide to the people, in giving utterance to inflated nonsense such as that quoted above-—if, like Dogberry, he insists upon being written down an ass, we shall have to do it. When a man who is in a position to know better, indulges in ad captandum twaddle, with the object of tickling the ears of a miscellaneous audience not given to think ing, he can hardly expect us to undertake the trouble of setting him right. But if, as avc may charitably believe, his attack on the North is an honest expression of his own crude notions, we may be tempted to enlighten, if we cannot altogether pardon, his gross ignorance. The blue-books were accessible to Mr Wason, and if lie had desired to instruct his auditory, and qualify himself for taking part in the parliament of his country, he should have consulted them. Had lie done so, he would have found that for the three years preceding, and the lirst two years following the inauguration of the great Public Works scheme—that is, between the years ISO'S and 1872 inclusive —Auckland, contributed to the general purposes of Colonial Government £1,110,324, and the maiilv,sclf-sa<;rificing brother Can terbury, only £721,026. The £524,268 which the latter province derived from sell ing the Crown Lands, and which has alone created its boasted wealth, Canterbury took very good care should not. be handed over to its eldest brother, and denounced him as a robber when he asked for his legitimate share. In what instance has the eommuuity,of which Mr Wason is so distin guished a member, contributed one shilling of its ill-gotten gains towards the necessities of the North ? The boot lias been on the other leg. _ Not withstanding the larger contribution of Auckland to the consolidated fund of the colony, which was offered as security for Vogel's gigantic borrowing policy, the land of "manhood" managed, by the union and persistence of its members when directed towards the plundering of the public chest, to get the lion's share in the expenditure of the loans. The measure of assistance rendered by the stalwart South "in its pride of manhood, supporting its elder brother's feeble frame " is fully told in the Public Works Minister's .Statement : Ex penditure, on North Island, £2,189,187 ; South Island, £3,978,581. If it suits the Canterbury school of politicians to over look the .source of that province's rapid development, the people of the North are not quite so blind. Mr Wason's simile is a bad one. The North Island stands in the relation of father, not brother, to the South Island. And, like an ungrateful progeny, the province;'* of the South, after their parent had patiently borne the burden of supporting them in infancy, have basely conspired to defraud the old man of his estates. For. the first half of colonial ex istence, the contributions of the South Island toward purposes of Government were exceedingly small, but the North did its utmost to acquiie and develope a valu able estate there for the general good. Now, the labourers sent to work in the vineyard have turned on the lord who created it. Still, the measure of their iniquity has not been iilled. Prepared to forgive past transgressions, the North has said to the South "keep your plunder, and go your way in peace, but leave us alone in future." The demand for Separation has come from the North, which linds the friendship of Canterbury altogether too overpowering for its well-being, but the eagerness of the squatocracy to "support our feeble-frame " and " burden themselves with our cares," defeated the demand. The desire for independent existence, freeing the South from all liability on account of the North, has invariably come from Auckland, and been rejected by Canterbury. With such a fact staling him in the face, Mr Wason's speech can only be ascribed either to ignorance or impu dence, and avc leave him the choice.

Although it was arranged to close the City Council ofHces from Friday until Mon day inclusive (Easter Holidays), we learn from the Town Clerk, thus to enable rates to be paid to the last day of this month. The City Council offices will be opened on Saturday 31st inst. After that date the names of persons whose rates are unpaid will appear on the defaulters list for public inspection.

"Dominie dominant" is the term which the "Lyttelton Times" applies to Mr McMurdo, the schoolmaster at Wangarei, who lately had recourse to a horsewhip in order to vindicate his character.

The "Waikato Times" in a leading article, says that the force of 350 men, to which the Constabulary has been reduced, is insufficient, and that large sums will be required to bribe bounceable natives into quietude. The " Times " highly commends the work accomplished by the Constabulary on the Cambridge and Taupo road, ten miles out of the twenty between Cambridge and Waipa having been completed, so that in six weeks it will be possible to take a dray between the two last mentioned places. The cuttings are eight feet wide in the solid, two sawn timber bridges, and four rough timber bridges have been erected, and the party is now engaged in putting up a bridge of sawn timber, 10ft, wide, 70 m length, and with 36ft. piles, over Sandy Gully. When these works shall have boon completed there will he a good dray road to Waipu, jini xham $ Wte tawte to Tww

In our yesterday's report the name of Mr. Barr was misprinted Barnes.

The portable engine, Chilian mortar, grinding mill, sawing and graving machine, timber jacks, and other portions of the extensive plant used by Mr. J. Taylor at the new hospital, will be sold by auction on the ground on Thusrday, April 5, by Messrs. M. Jones and Co.

The Chicago Minstrels are engaged to appear at the Theatre Royal, Auckland, on the 11th prox. They are now playing with great success at Napier.

His Honor Judge Fenton apologised to Counsel this morning, in the District Court, for unavoidably delaying the business on the list for Monday, the 26th. The delay was caused by sturdy adherence to a sense of duty by the railway clerk at Newmarket. His Honor on presenting a note in payment for a ticket to Hamilton was told by the clerk that he had no change, nor was tho clerk, it seems, willing to send for change. His Honor explained that two Courts would be delayed, and unnecessary expenses incurred if he could not reach Hamilton in time, but that was not the clerk's business, although a promise was made to pay him by return. His Honor then left the station with the view of getting change, and during his temporary absence the train started, and the business of the Hamilton and Auck land Courts was consequently delayed.

To the EditorJ: Sir, —I see by your paper of Tuesday's issue that the person lined for short weight in the name of Thomas Barnes, .should have been Thomas Barr, butcher, of Newmarket.—l am, Edward Richards.

Captain Wright of Irish-street, Parncll, adjoining Mason's nursery, informs us that lie and his family experienced a shock of earthquake a few minutes after seven o'clock last evening. The shock was sensibly felt by all the family. The lamp reeled upon the table, and the cat sprang through the window. Captain Wright says the shock was very similar to those which he felt in St. Helena.

A meeting of the Officers Commanding Corps in the Auckland District was held last evening in the Drill shed to decide the conditions which will be adhered to by competitors in competing for the District Belt presented by Captain J. Me. Clark. Major Lusk in the chair. It was decided to fire on Monday next the 2nd April at the Mount Eden Range, tiring to commence at S a.m. Conditions same as last year, G shots at 200, 400, and 500 yards, any position. Volunteers armed with the carbine to use them at the first firing with the rifleman then change weapons and fire the match over again. The highest aggregrate in the two matches to bo the winner of the Belt. Ammunition to be issued on the ground. Ties to be shot oIF, one shot from the car bine and one from the rilie at the longest range.

According to promise we give the result of the firing on Saturday last at the North Shore, by the Naval Brigade Volunteers, with the Armstrong guns. The greatest number of points which can be made, accord ing to the mode of calculation, are for eight shots, 288. No. 1 detachment scored a total of 2HO points, and N<>. 2, 238.

Mails for the Australian Colonies, via Melbourne, per Albion, close at Hokitika, at JO a.m., on Friday, the 30th inst.

The New Zealand Shipping Company have received advice of the arrival of the Waimate from Lyttclton, after a passage of 9 ) days ; all well. Yesterday tho Canterbury Rowing Club, Ch'istchur.-!), won first prize in every race.

Dr Loo has determined to contest the scat for City West, in the forthcoming elec tion, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr B. Tonks.

The meeting r>f tho Auckland Improve ment Commissioners announced to be held this afternoon, did not take place. Those of our readers who are acquainted with the barren tract of country, known as Knraka, extending from the .South road beyond Drury to Mauku, will feel interested in learning that tho rat-tail grass hn.s been found to take root and subsist where all other grasses woul die. The success which has attended the sowing of rat-tail on the soil of that desolate district, promises to transform it into a good pasture ground. Tli3 gentleman whose experimenting with this grass has led to the successful result mentioned, will deserve well of Karaka settler* and others puzzled what to do with tracts of naturally barren and gum lands in the province.

Mr. DeLias has marie arrangements with Mr. Emmet to appear at the Theatre Royal for a short season, commencing on Monday next.

A cricket match will be played at Ellerslic on Easter Monday, between two elevens of Remucra, captained by, W. S. Bnckland Esq., and E. Hcsketh Esq. Buckland's side will consist of Jackson's 2, Scarborough, Barley, Colebrook, Bullen, Widuey, Bowman, Leggett, and Bishop. Hesketh's side will consist of Hesketh's 2, Jones' 2, Littlewood, Baber, Airey, Burke, 11. S. Jones, and Edmonds.

The District Court and offices will be closed from the 30th of March to the 3rd of April; both days included.

KAIPARA.

PER STAR CARRIER PIGEON,

KAIPARA HEADS

Wednesday, 10a.m. Arrived on 25th, Hannah Broomfield from Wellington, Sarah Pile from Wcstport. 28th, Clemntis from Mamikau. 27th, Durham s.s. from Auckland at 1 p.m. There has been no departures. Vessels at Heads : Julia F. Carney for Adelaide, Torea, Onward, and Marion, for Lyttclton. "The Minnie Casey sails for Auckland to day at 2 p. m. KOPURA. The following vessels are here: —Kiuma. Manniou, and Hannah Brooraflcld. ARATAPU. Miss Kilmansegg, Peri, Nellie, and Clema tis. At Dargaville : Ada Wiswell.

AUCKLAND STOCK AND MINING REPORT.

Bank of New Zealand—Buyers, £19 15s ; sellers £*^0 National Bank—Bayers. 60s ; sellers, 07s Od. Colonial Bank (40s paid up)— Buyers, 37s (id. Thames Gas Co.—Buyers, 23s (id. National Insurance.—Buyers, 30s. Union Sash and Door Co. (old-issue)—£S 2s Od. Red Queen—6s, 7s; buyers, 6s; sellers, 7s. City of London—Sellers, 15s. Moanatairi—£lß, £18 10s, £19 ; sellers, £1S 10s. Inverness—Sellers, 8?. Waitekauri—lS.s, 19s Gd: sellers, 20s. Alburnia—Sellers, 21s fid. Young New Zealand—7s, 8s ; buyers, Bs. Union Beach—42s, 14s 6d ; sellers, 42s 6d. Tokatea —Sellers, Bs. Piako—9s, 10s ; sellers, 9s. Waiotaki—2ls ; sellers, 225. Queen of Beauty—Sellers, 30s. Kurauui Hill—l9s (id, 20s Cd; sellers, 20s. Thames—Sellers, £3 15s. Shannon and Fergus—Buyers, Is. JOSEPH NEWMAN, Chairman.

THEATRE ROYAL.

Miss Jessik Rayjioxd, a popular local actress of considerable talent, took a benefit last evening in the Theatre Royal, but did not receive that amount of support which wn,<; expected. The house -"--as but thinly attended. The principal piece of the evening was a new play by a local actor of Scottish birth, entitled " Such is Life, or Fair Face and False Heart." The leading character was Miss Raymond, who per formed, her section of the drama with energy and skill, although her several situations were by no means enviable. As a literary performance, the play was not without merit, but was rather overdone with stage exaggrera -lions. and wanting in hearty natural effect, and scenes ot human interest, The drama was succeeded by a simplo farce. Miss Raymond delivered a poetical address with much pathos and elocutionary power, on the trials and nre.« carious ohm-actor of an aotpr'a me, wmeft WP»i

DISTRICT COURT.—THIS DAY.

(Before F. D. Fenton, Esq,, District Judge). McCaslin v. F. Cherry. (Karangahape High way Board). Mr Tyler for plaintiff, and Mr Hesketh for defendant. Claim, £45 Gs Bd. His Honor proceeded to give judgment in this case, ■which was a claim for delivering scoria to the old Board under the chairmanship of tho old Board. His Honor considered that Mr Cherry s three reasons for not settling with plaintiff wore untenable and bad. The evidence showed that the scoria was delivered and put in the places where it was ordered to be put by Mr Barnes, and the third reason was equally bad, as it was a supposition that could not reasonably be enter tained. His Honor could not help that Mr Cherry should have nought interviews with his predecessor, Mr Barnes, and settled matters, which he might easily have done instead ot appealing to a court of law. Judgment would therefore bo for plaintiff, deducting for tickets marked "private," amounting to 8s 8d; leaving £1118a to be recovered, costs, £8 16s. National Bank of New Zealand v. Gillan and another, claim, £15 3s 9d. Mr Hesketh for plain tiff. Robert Gilflllan, clerk in the National Bank, deposed that the defendants, Messrs Gillan and Robinson were indebted in the sum of £15 3s 9d, balance of promissory note, given for tho purpose of securing an overdraft. De fendants did not appear. Judgment for plain tiffs, coats, £5 9s. Th's was all the business.

Arrival of the Alhambra at Hokitika.

LATEST AUSTRALIAN NEWS.—THE MINISTERIAL POLICY.

Melbourne, March 22nd. We arc Ri:ill axiously awaiting the Ministerial Policy, which the Post Master General has intimated will bo liberal, and if accepted, ■will advance the best interests of the country. It only requires the promiers manifesto to mako the election campaign complete. Professor Pearson and Sir Gavin Dufty have been tho chief speakers of the week, the latter, the Stonewall action. Kendall's bowiing secured him the pmc dip. On Saturday there were ten thousand persons present. , , , The heavy rain has been succeeded by very hot weather. Southern Cross won easily the two handicaps at Kingston. A tender has been accepted of over £23,000 for tho now law courts. , All places of amusement are doing fairly. Bailey and Cooper's circus at Adelaide is averaging £GOO daily. Business is dull. Shares maintain full prices. The number of arrivals from New Zoaland during the week fcave been large.

DEPUTATION TO THE HON. F. WHITAKER.

MESSRS BRYLEY, Norwood, anjl "liynes, waited upon the hon. the Attorney-General at 3 o'clock yesterday, to present a petition from the butchers of Auckland and suburbs, with respect to the slaughter-house ques tion.

The petition prayed the Government to aid in lowering the present charges at the Newmarket slaughter-house, and request ing that the sale might be postponed in the meantime. The petition also referred to the filthy state of the present slaughter house, and the necessity of reform. The question of a iicav slaughter-house M ras also raised.

Mr Whitakcr said he had endeavoured to remedy matters by letting the slaughter house for six month's. He thought it .strange that the petitioners had put up with the present slaughter-house for 20 years, and had now made this request only 24 hours before the sal<.\

The deputation said they had made the request in consequence of the Counties Act being hung up. They quoted Mr Fisher's report, shewing that while in Napier the butchers were charged £20 a year, in Christ church and Wellington only 2s 6d a year was charged in private slßughter-houses. Mr Whitakcr coincided with the deput ation as to the necessity of reforms in the management of the slaughter-Uouse, the present notice was too short. He also re garded the slaughter-house fee.': as excessive compared with private slaughter-houses. However the notice was too short, and the matter was now in a state of transition.

Moanatairi.

Tiik Manager received the following tele gram this morning, which was duly posted :

Grahamstown,

Amalgam on fire from yesterdays speci mens will give 2,300 ounces of gold, exclu of the large stone reported. 12 cwt. of fine specimens broken this morning, leaving good show as ever. — Robert Comer.

SUPREME COURT.—This Day.

IN BANCO

(Before lJis Honor Mr Justice Gillies.) RE S. COOMBES. Mr J. I>. Russell applied for a declaration of the complete execution of a deed of arrangement made between Samuel Coombcs and his creditors.

There being no opposition, his Honor m;ide the order.

TAIRUA GOLDMIXIXG COMPANY,

Mr Whitaker applied for tho direction of the Court as to the service of notice upon all persons interested in the Tairua Gold mining Company, respecting the winding up of the Company. His Honor directed that notice lie served at the registered office of the Company, and that notice be gazetted seven days before the hearing, the notice to be advertised twice in the Auckland and Thames papers.

RE STEWART AND ANDERSON DEBTORS,

Mr Hesketh for the trustee, Mr Tyler for opposing creditors, Stewart and Mac don aid, of Glasgow. Mr Hesketh applied for a declaration of complete execution of a deed of assignment to J. M. Clark, for the benelit of New Zealand creditors.

It was provided in the deed that creditors since the letters of license were granted should be paid in full, which was the ground of opposition. His Honor pointed out that only 15 creditors out of 36 were set down as having assented to the deed.

Mr Hesketh quoted section 157, applying to the case of creditors absent from the colony.

His Honor said the section strengthened the neceesity of three-fourths of the whole body of creditors being present or repre sented.

He was of opinion that the consent of threc fourths in number, and value of the whole of the creditors were necessary, in order to complete execution of a deed. Mr Hesketh said there was no doubt that the colonial creditors had kept the estate afloat, while the home creditors were being communicated with.

His Honor said if the New Zealand creditors, since the letters of license were signed, had sold for cash, they should have taken care to get the cash in delivery, other wise it might be contended that they ranked with the general body of creditors* Mr Hesketh said the New Zealand creditors could have taken steps to satisfy their claims without consulting the English creditors.

Mr Tyler submitted that the deed must make provision for an. equal distribution among all the creditors, or it would be invalid.

His Honor said it was impossible for him to declare the deed completely executed, as a majority of the creditors had not signed it, and his present impression was that the deed was nneqnal. The creditors who claimed preferential rights, had voluntarily consented to deliver goods on credit, and therefore they would rank with the other creditors.

FREEMAN V. WATERS. 3\lr Tyler for the applicant, Mr Brookfiold for respondent. This was an application for a decree Jit the ca^e of the will of Ann Mills.

In this case a decree was applied for some time ego, but it was adjourned in order that notice misht bo given to partiea iv Aw«i»» who Wsti etaio> mm the'

will of Ann Mills. The order as to notica was subsequently amended. Mr Taylor read affidavits, shewing that the order had been complied with, but no claims had been received.

Mr Brookfield said he was instructed to consent to the decree, the only question having been whether the required time- had elapsed. His Honor said that considering that 20 years had elapsed from the death of the testatrix, and her manifest intention to give the property to the plaintiff, in the event of the claimants not turning up, he would make a decree that accounts of rents &C, be taken, and defendant convey the- pro perty to the plaintiff; costs to be paid out of the estate. '

RE BISHOP, DECEASED. Mr Whitaker applied under the Trustees Relief Act, 1862, for an order authorising money to be received out of the Treasury, .is the share of Peggy Phillips in an inter ested estate.

His Honor granted the order.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

(Before Albert Beetham, Esq., and John Cosgrave Esq., Justices.) William Bray, for drunkennes3, was fined 5s and costs. William Thompson, a strong able-bodied man of about 45, was charged with being a rogue and a vagabond, and having no lawful means of subsistence.

l^risoner pleaded not guilty, but the evi dence given by Detectives Jeffries and "Grace represented him as one of the greatest loafers about town. There was nothing to prevent his working, but he seemed to prefer skulking- about the suburbs to get ting an honest living. Sergeant O'Connor gave similar evidence. A list of convictions, extending over nine years, was proved against the prisoner, who said in answer that he would try and work if he got another chance. The Bench, after commenting severely upon the prisoner's mode of life, sent him to gaol for the full term allowed by law, namely two years imprisonment with hard labour.

TRY ONCE MORE. James Young was charged with deserting his wife, and leaving her without support. Defendant, who seemed a respectable looking man, pleaded not guilty. Mr Thome appeared for the defendant. Mary Young, an elderly woman, who shook violently as if with palsy, while giving her evidence said, that she lived in Durham-street, and for the last seven weeks her husband had not been near her, and had not given her any money. Before he left her, he struck her, Maying she was drunk. He wanted her to give him bed and bedding, but she declined, as what tilings she had in the house belonged to her, and were her own earnings. He had been away from her before. Mr Thome .called the defendant, who acknowledged that the .greater portion of complainant's evidence was correct, only she had not given the reason for his two desertions. Twelve years ago he left her because her drunken habits rendered it impossible to live with her. He came back to her seven months ago, thinking they might pass their last days happily together, but it was no use. She was just as bad as ever, and he was obliged to go away again. After some further evidence, both parties agreed to try again, and live together peace fully, and the case was di.Miiis.sed. Maurice Mahon, a miserable looking man, of about 35, was similarly charged. Prisoner said lie could not get work. Detective Jeffrey said lie had known the accused for many years, and had often tried to assist him, but it wa.s no use. Prisoner was sent to prison for one month. A Madman ia Court.—Extra ordinary OiitTrarst, Henry Sheldon, a tall, dark-looking fellow, who took his station in the dock with his anus folded and a scowl on his visage, was charged with a breach of the Vagrant Act, by being found by night without lawful excuse on private property in the Breakwater lioad. When asked if he pleaded'guilty, prisoner replied in a defiant tone, " No, I don't; I never did such a thing." Sub-Inspector Pardy was detailing the circumstances under which pri soner had been arrested, when Shel don began making, or rather muttering a statement, only a very small portion of which was intelligible. It was to the effect that he had been very badly used, and that when arrested ha was not in any body's enclosed premises. Mr Beetham ;Be silent, please. We cannot hear you now. Prisoner : " (Excitedly). But you shall hear mo. M;£Bi;eth«m : Be quiet sir. Prisicmer : I tell you I will be heard. Mr Beethaui and [the Clerk together : " Silence !" At this the prisoner seemed to lose all control of himself, and burst into a fearful lit of passion, clenching his fists, and at the same time pouring out the following torrent of heated lan guage : —l'll make you listen to me. I don't care what you say. Who are you, I should like to know ? Justices, indeed ; pshaw. I'm above yon or any one else in this court ; I'm a mariner! I'm a naval officer, that's what lam ! I'll d d soon make you hear me. Look at my head. That scar was caused by the blow of a truncheon.— Mr Cosgrave : Is he right ? Prisoner : Right, ? Yes, as right as you are. What right have you to sit there and administer justice ? What have you ever done? Nothing but loaf aY ;; Auckland all your lives ! I'll be bound you neither of you ever fired a shot or steered a ship in your lives. And yet you sit there and mete out pretended justice. During this harangue the constables in ! Court closed round the prisoner, whose fa-ce ,1 assumed an expressioi of deadly hate andi malice, and whose excited manner -Warranted' the belief that he might at any moment" attempt violence. He stopped at length, and Detective Jeffrey gave his evidence, describing how ■ and where he arrested prisoner. He had ; known Sheldon for many years. He was ■ once sent to Taiiranga. He was a loafer. The Clerk : Have you any questions to ask of the detective ? Prisoner :. No, I have not; except, per haps, to ask him to say exactly what he accuses me of. The place was open, I say and I was not asleep. I simply went in to light my pipe. {To the Court) : Let him tell you how he got me out. Ho draped me out, lie twisted both my arms and kicked me—(turning to Jeffrey)— tell them that if you dare, and if they are justices. Other evidence was given to the same effect as Jeffrey s. Mr Beetham : It will be necessary to look after you. _ Prisoner : I don't want any of your look ing after, much obliged to voii for your kindness. A\ hat I want is justice. . Mr Beetham : The sentence of the Court is that you be kept in prison without hard labour for three months. As the prisoner was being removed out of *&£s£* a ship ior *""■Si THE murderous ASSAULT. »W?1 ft" 8™"1. a sinister looking man of riZ,.l J' ,?' ??? char £e<l *™ having Sa%srs hs:i^' MeG»th ° coi To^srSip mi(? x & ivifecamotothis ,¥ ntkJ? n "iT'Onred to the prieonOT, liS£" "l 0 cil"rsi! ™»reiul o«'i «*W iv

Mr Madde73, MtlS^St 85 employed m the fase, and had 1&V pn«ouer that he oulci nTapp e t& d> anih^i »%*■ to fin his gx* h\ :. Mr Pardy said L fact w« the «L I had plenty of ninfey, bufa^olnSvS?l^ ' to pay a solicitor^ Mr Madden and the caJl ;: ordered to proce*. ■•**/-*> Dr. Philson exposed that on Tn r cou?t SW •*hofe^^HßL: •wounds or fraetursTSheNvas olrfL^ sensible, and stal*J that she hisw? the injuries from ] ia r husband. He riTu imagine that the. inuries were infliST I kicks and blows. Jiieiiad an infantßw .? ! old in her arms. Sic had some severe ■ ' tusions on her thsmt, which musty*' I been caused by gmt violence. SJte^T [ on favo-ar-'.My, ami was discharged at I own request on tie 26th inst. Sh • t still in a weak stati. Her life -was not t danger. , Mary McGrath, vho presented a pitkk spectacle of weakness and ill-usage **a ■ was acconimodateti with a chaw VhT , giving her evidence, deposed that E , husband was a shoemaker, and they lived Abercrombie-street. On Saturday, the rlk . inst., her husband said he should (joint , the Domain to see the children. The - own children were there. Instead of ooinl , there he went into a public-house, and Jt , drunk. He returned two or three times . during the evening, up to half-past nine at night. There was some money owin* them down tiio street, and the person called j and paid it. It was Bs. for a pah- of boots. > She then went out to get some meat for : Sunday, taking the baby Avith her. Shi was absent for about 20 minutes, and on her P return found her husband standing at the l door in his .shirt sleeves, and as soon as he caught sight of her, he began to abuse her [ and call her all sorts of names. He pulled her from the shop into the kitchen, and struck her several blow.s with his clenched , fist. He also pulled out n quantity of her ' hair, and commenced to kick her. She could recollect nothing more. She did not return to sensibility until the following day when she found herself in a fearful state' , being neither able to see or move. She , was then lying on the floor. Her husband I afterwards lifted her from the floor on to the 5 bed. He said he felt sorry for her face, and [ he would give her something warm. He I ; procured water several times, with which to I \ bathe her face, and brought tea scvefaj I I times, but she could swallow nothing. sii 6 f k remained there until four o'clock on Jdnnday i , evening, when a neighbour named Mrs 1 I McCarty brought her some brandy, and water, and tea. Her son brought Mrs , McCarty. On the following day she was I removed to the Hospital by the police. Her j husband was drinking all day on Monday, r and threatened to do for her" withajug. Hj I \ raised the jug us if to strike witness, but , Mr. McCarty prevented Mm from doing I so. Sh^i was still suffering from the injuries, This was not tbe first occasion on which j she had been illtreated by him. She had s been married to him for 10 yea rs, and dnr [ ing that time she has suffered greatly from his cruelty. The jacket (produced) was the . one she had on at the time. Her husband. . wore the shirt (produced) when he assalted her. (Both articles of clothin towere saturated with blood, and presented a horrible spec ' tacle.) Her husband abused her both when ; drunk and sober, and was quiet to every- j 3 body but her. When in England, he was { imprisoned for[l2 months for assaulting wit ness. She had three children alive, the eldest of whom witnessed the assault, she did not provoke her husband to assault her. • They arrived by the "Jessie Oaborrie" about five month's ago. r By Mr. Madden, counsel for the prisoner ' —She had not been in an improper house j that day. On the Friday she went to see \ an old lady who was ill. When she re- J t turned her husband threw a last at her. ' Patrick McGrath, a lad of eight years'of age, undei'stood the nature of an oath. He . was a son of the prisoner in the dock, fie ■ membered St. Patrick's day. His mother I on that day went to buy some meat for , Sunday. When she brought the meat ' home his father threw it at her. He called " her all the names lie gould think of. He \ r pulled her into the shop and then into the i | kitchen by the sleeves of her jacket He ( gave her a* thump under her right ear with his clenched fist, and kicked her. She was \ then on the floor. He hit her about the head and body with the flanks , which he got out of the shop. He. said these were not sharp enough, and w.-nt into I the shop and got a knife, which he held over her, and then put it on the table. He gota peg knife and struck her about the head and body with it. He brought a leather , strap and fastened her hands with it. After \ having exhausted his strength, he left her lying on the floor with her hands tied. She \ was left in this position until the next morn ! ing, when her father lifted her into bed. The lloor was covered with blood, which was wiped oft" by his father. Ho slept in the kitchen during the night, and heard his mother groaning, but she did not speak. | Cross-examined fey Mr. Madden: Wit- \ ness tried to go to call some of the neigh* : hours, but his father brought him back and beat him. Heard his father tell his mother j not to go to Mrs. Hawkin's house. No one 1 had told him what to say in Court Heard j his mother say to his father when he was striking her : Phillip, forgive me this time, and I will not trouble you any more. His ft father then beat her worse. j The boy gave his evidence in a remark* ! j ably clear and intelligent manner. |' Frederick William 'Wright, a duly ijuali- i ' fieri medical practitioner, residing h^ Par* j ne'l, remembered Tuesday, the 22nd \mU \ j when he was called in to see Mrs. McGrath. j '■^wolJTjn. a- it iiOin" straugulatifflfe^Tne J breast was much bruised, and on tHb-right and left thigh there was a braise as large as a breakfast plate. He thoug-ht it a marvel to see her in Court now. The swelling <m the lioad ami face l:o ptiributed to strange lation, andiKvas of opinion that the large contusions oji the thigh was caused by the ; shoemaker!^ clamps. , | To Mr. *Madhen :. The surface wound* j could not )aave been produced by a bloff 1 from the hi|mau hand. Mrs. McGrath had i been confined about five weeks ago. . ! Hugh McCarthy, a labourer, residing in Abercrombie-street, next door to the pfi' sonor, deposed that on the morning of bun- . day McGrath said to him, " I made my w« woman's head as big as a pot. She was drunk last night." Witness had lived thert some time, but had never seen her drun* or misbehave herself in any manner wHat* ever. He had heard shouts of murder pre vious to this, but had not interfered. Sarah McCarty, wife of Hugh McCarW deposed that at about G o'clock she mm Mrs McGrath moaning. She went in, D» almost fainted at the sight, Mrs Mcwa» was sitting there saturated with blood. »£» wished to get some warm water to d»w? her face with, but McGrath refused. $.jp ness insisted on procuring some hot 3»% and bathed her for three hou-s. She ift « •her body completely blackened, Ijie ij^j: was covered with blood and matter, j* large pnflV wound luul beea canwi ™I"" bwK of her head. While she was Mm MqUrath prisoner took uj> j» ff.y Avhich wivi ljfiug o» foe taWe^wHW 111-

THE EVENING STAB, WEDNESDAY, MAKCM 28, ISII.



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