SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

HTf-TT -\ V v rp-nio ! This Afternoon, 1.(5 iiiuii. »ALLu- ]T(Haon , olv Morning, 2.2G SUN SET.—This Evening. 7.3. Si ) N i i! s B.—To-morrow Morning, 5.27 MOON'S AGE.— New Moon, 13th, 8.38 p.m.

ARRIVALS.

syren, brig-, Sanity, from Sydney. Atlantic, schooner, from Lytteltou. lOlsiiiore. schooner, from Russell. DEPARTURES. Taranaki, s.s., for the South Eclipse, s.s., for Russell.

IMPORTS.

Per Syren from Sydney:—lßßß bags boncdust, f> packages earthenware, 079 felloes, 11 pair (shafts. 11 drays, 50 cases vestas, 18 casks sherry, 2 cases pianos, S5 packages merchandize, 300 cajje-s kerosinc oil, 100 cases fruit, 25 casks bottled beer. — Henderson and Macfarlane, agents. Per Syren from Sydney: 5 packages earthen ware.—E. and H. Isaacs. 97d felloes, 21 pairs shafts.—E. Porter and Co. 21 casks sherry.—H. S. Meyers and Co. 50 case? vestas, 300 cases kerosene, Barnett and Levy. 3 cases merchandize. Owen and Graham. 1 case merchandize, Ireland Brothers.

_ The brigantine Ryno made the passage to Savage [slancl in 9.'.- days. She was there when the Kriemhilda called. The schooner Elsinore brings 51 tons of coal from Russell, and the schooner Spitfire io tons. The schooner Atlantic nrrived in harbour Ihis morning from Lyttolton, after a very long and foul weather passage. She comes in ballast. The schooner Canterbury has been purchased from Mr Cashmore for £050 by Mr Hill of the Wuikato, and others. We understand she is intended for the Island trade. The s.s. Eclipse, belonging to Messrs J. Casey and .Son leaves this afternoon for the Bay of Islands, where she will trade to the differpnt settlements, making Russell her head quarters. The brig Syren arrived from Sydney this after noon with a general cargo. She has been 12 days on the passage, and has had fine weather. She is consigned to Messrs Henderson and Mac farlane. The s.s, Argyle left for Wangarei this after noon. The schooner Pioneer has left for Newcastle. The s.s. Go-ahead will leave for Gisbome and a apier to-morrow afternoon. The s.s. Taranaki leaves for the South this afternoon. A sailing match has been arranged between the yachts Mystery and Water Witch. They both sailed in the race for yachts under 6 tons m the Regatta, when the Mystery was victor ious.

CHIEF POST-OFFICE, AUCKLAND.

-MAILS WILL ULOSB AS UXDKR: — For Thames, this day at 5.30 p.m., and to morrow, at 9.30 p.m. For Coromaadel, per Kina, this day, at 1.30 p.m.; per Durham, to-morrow, at 1.30 p.m. For Whitianga, Tauranga, and Opotiki, per Rowena, this day, at 1 p.m. For Russell, per Eclipse, this day, at G. 30 p.m. For Waiwera, Warkworth, and To Arai, per Anne Milbank, to-morrow, at 10 a.m. For Gisbome and Napier, per Go-ahead, to morrow, at 3 p.m. For Australian Colonies, per Rotorua, on Tues day. 13th instant, at 5 a.m. Per Australia, on Monday, the 12th instant, as under:— For Kandavu, Sandwich Islands, United Stater, of America, Canada, British Columbia. Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 11 a.m. For United Kingdom and Continent of Europe, at 11 a.m. For money orders, registered letters, and inv.vspaTjers, this day at 10 a.m. Late lettei'3 bearing an extra fee of Gd in addition to the post age, will be received by the ' Mail Agent on board uy> to time of sailing. S. B. JSISS, Chief Postmaster.

BIRTH.

O'BRIEN.—On the 4th instant, at Mount Eden, the wife of B. L. O'Brien of a daughter.

DEATH.

BARCLAY.—On the 7th instant, at her parents' residence, Jcrmyii-street, Mary Catherine, the youngest daughter of David and Sarah Bar clay, aged 10 months'. The funeral will take place at 3 p.m. to morrow.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1877

For t!ic Cftvse that lacks assistance, Vot lire wrong that needs resistance, For tlie future ill tlie distance, Ami tlie trood that we can do.

The Harbour Board is apparently awaken ing to a consciousness of its supremely ridiculous position in relation to the dock, ;iud desires to wash its dirty linen hereafter in privacy. This, at least, we presume is the object of the motion carried yesterday relegating the next discussion to a meeting of the Works Committee to which all the members of the Board shall be invited, instead of convening a special meeting of the Board. If, as we infer, the exclusion of the press and consequent security from public criticism is the object of the resolu tion, we warn the members that it won't do. The .subject is one of too great importance to the community to be dealt with at hole and-corner conferences. We may be mis taken in our surmise. Possibly the ordinary practice will be departed from, and reporters admitted with the non-members of committee. These remarks are therefore only suggestive and anticipatory,offered inthehope of saving the Board from dragging itself any deeper through the mire. The amendment carried yesterday, reversing the resolution of two weeks ago in favour of enlarging the dock, describes wii h singular conciseness the exact state of the case, if it docs not shed very great lustre on the wisdom of thu Board. The amendment was thus worded : " That this Board, while recognising the necessity for the depth of the dock being increased, is not of opinion that it is advisable to spend any more money on the present dock." That is to say, " This Board believes and openly confesses that in proceeding with the expenditure of ;i hundred thousand pounds of public money it lias made a blunder which it now finds to lie irreparable, although the Board at the same time '•' recognisesthc necessity " for repairing the error if there was any chance of doing so. This motion was carried by the casting vote of the Chairman, and expresses, we believe, the honest opinion of nine-tenths of the practical men in the city. There is an impression abroad that, however closely bound up the future of Auckland may be with the possession of shipbuilding facilities unexcelled by those of any other port in the colony, the expenditure of more money on the present dock site would be "throwing it into the mud." For so inadequate and unsatisfying an exploit it were hardly worth realising Mr Boylan's dark visions of bankruptcy and a Receiver from Wellington as the crowning climax to the career of- blundering. Mr Masetield's motion, attempting to hit a i happy medium between the two extremes, is probably the best way out of the dilemma. An additional depth' of three feet would make the dock safely accessible to the ordinary class of merchantmen-—always pre supposing that the channel can be kept clear without ruining the Board. It would like wise, render the depth of the dock more in. proportion to its length. This is tho leastfi i-uinous termination we can expect from the j pigscutciuiQuscofljuuQtiu'eolckgumstttmjgs, i

Taking the most sanguine estimates of tho available depth of water on the sill of the present dock the margin is two narrow for vessels of the class contemplated in the de sign to enter safely ; and if a matter of £3000 or £4000 will give the additional capacity, the money would be wisely ex pended. We dismiss the idea of a dock capable of accommodating mail steamers with regret, but the objections to a heavy expenditure on the present site are of a character that will not yield to sentiment.

THE public have, ■we suppose, no right to complain if insurance companies choose to throw away their money without damage to others, but circumstances may arise in which the reckless acceptances of fire risks is a positive) mon ace to careful non-insuring citizens. It might form an interesting topic for one of those literary societies which delight in determining such knotty points, to discuss the question whether the so-called beneficent system of assurance has been a bane or a blessing to mankind —whether its advantages have not been more than counterbalanced by the encouragement offered to carelessness and crime, the conse quent destruction of valuable property and ruin inflicted on law-abiding subjects. Some such view appears to have suggested itself to the mind of Dr Hockon, district coroner of Duncdin, at a recent iirc inquest. lie said :—" There is one thing to which 1 have before culled attention in similar in quiries, and that is the carelessness dis played too often by insurance oDicers in effecting insurances. This case has features about it similar to those on which 1 have commented as presenting almost a prem ium for the commission of crime. 1 do not imagine that such a thing was intended, but it seems to me that a temptation and inducement to incendiar ism was offered. The premium was increased to the extent of £100, and there appears to have been no inspection of the property insured for a period of nearly two years. This is not as it should he. 1 have observed the same thing before at inquests, and though there is no means of effectively dealing with the evil, in is quite withi^i your province to suggest some remedy. Tins you might do in the shape of a rider, which might be so framed.as to arouse public opinion and invite the attention of insurance companies to the matter which is of serious import to the community." The case that called forth this expression of coronorial sentiment was one on which an insurance £450 had been effected on house hold furniture. After the fire, an estimate made by the inspector of the Company shewed the value to be not more than £•200, and a furniture dealer's estimate placed the iignre at under £140. The owner of the house, Mr .lames Wisharl, tailor, stated in his evidence that a rep suite in the house had cost £4(>. His wife, however, on being pressed, stated that she had only given £1S for it in Melbourne, but the owner told lim it cost £4(), and she estimated its wirih at £.%'. The jury returned an open verdict appending the following rider : — " The Jury wishes to state that they are of opinion that there is no evidence {■> prove any over insurance, but would call the attention of the insurance company to

the necessity of more frequent inspections." It is undoubtedly true, however, that there is a large amount of recklessness in accepting risks upon movable property, and the pre sentment made by t lie jury in Dtmcdiu is worthy of the attention of local oHiccH.

The London "Times" correspondent says : —" Between Parnkiu and Deliyrad and the mountains between the former village and Saitschar arc nearly eleven tlionsa:id moil, women, and children, almost naked, and literally starving. Dr. Ziemaun, (lie agent of the Manchester society, has just returned from a mission of mercy to these poor fugitives. He found them, in this dreadful weather, without a roof to shelter them. He saw lying in rags dead and dying iv- J'auts, and nearly a hundred sorrowing1 i women in the last stage of pregnancy. Near Parakiu and in those mountains lie erected sheds, in. which four thousand two hundred and sixty-one of them have now .some sort of shelter. To over ten thousand of them lie gave a little temporary relief in food and clothing.

Persons daily ascend and descend Jacob's bidder, but the descent must be made in the carefulest manner, or a fall i-s all11of?t inevitable, and, ' especially if an extra drop lia.s boon taken. Last evening, in making a decent, a female, respectably attired, missed her footing ami fell from Iho lower steps to a distance of eight or ten feet, and had her forehead severely cut by a stone against which she fell. fcJhc went to a chemist in Princes-street where her wound was bathed and dressed.

Such of the members ot tlio musical world of Auckland as belong to the Chora] Society, welcomed last night at their re hearsal a gentleman who comes here with a reputation as a musician second to that won by no one in Australia. We refer to Heir Schott, who for years held a high position in Melbourne as the principal of the Victorian Academy of Music, and leader of the German Musical .Society. Mr Schott is well-known as a composer of some pieces of rare merit, as well "as an accomplished and brilliant pianist. His most celebrated performance, however, is on the oboe, one of the most difficult —but, when mastered —sweetest of instruments. His playing upon it was for years a feature at all the best concerts in Melbourne. The Ilerr also gives a series of florid variations on popular airs upon a penny whistle, which create as much wonderment as Mr Emmet's performance on the harmonicon. It is probable that Ilerr Schott will, in conjunction with a small but good dramatic company lie has with him, give a series of entertainments in the theatre. We hope that some inducement will be held out to him to make Auckland his homo, as in addition to his excellence as a musician and composer, Mr Schott is an able teacher.and his genius should exercise some influence upon musical progression amongst local students.

We are glad to find that instances of un selfish devotion and disregard of mere pecuniary emoluments arc still to be found in connection with the work of the ministry. It may be true, as some contend, that the rage for money seeking of the present aye his .stamped its impress also upon tlie churches", but many ministers furnish a bright and worth example of a contrary. We may refer to one of the most recent that lias come under our notice. At the last annual meeting of parishioners of St. Mary's, Parnoll, a unanimous resolution was passed that the clergyman's stipend bo increased by £50 per annum. The Yen. Archdeacon Maunsell, while thanking the meeting for its expression of good will, said lie had already siiliicient for lii.s wants, and that as tlie parish was not yet out of debt, he hoped no olt'euce would be taken if lie declined to accept the increase. The example is com mendable.

Mr. 11. Arthur will hold a large property sale to-morrow (Thursday), as per advertise ments, to which we direct special attention.

The fortnightly meeting of Court Zealan dia, No. 4741, A.0.F., takes place this evening at eight o'clock, in the Court-room, Young Men's Christian Association.

We would remind persons appealing to the Assesment Courts that appeals must state on what grounds they are made, and in form to the fourth schedule of the llathig Act, or as near as possible, We learn fchat a large number of appeals are already lodged, that state no reason for appealing, and iv some instances aro not signed, or d^kilv §uch autieca will bq ns<jl<j6fii

The Chancery Lane robbery, by the Kelly's and the trotterman, Nichols, re sulted in their being committed for trial at the next criminal sittings at the Supreme Court. The disclosures shewed that the inhabitants of Chancery Lane are not Jim proving in their general character, and, on the Sunday when O'Connor was robbed, the noises, singing of vulgar songs, and coarse language in connection with drinking was fearful in the extreme, as some of the residents in JShortland-street well know.

During yesterday afternoon, a telegram was received from the Minister of Justice by Mr O'Brien, governor of Mount Eden gaol, authorizing the transfer of the body of Martin Curtin to his relatives. The coflin containing the remains, was removed in a wagon at 8 o'clock in the evening, and was accompanied by four persons in the capacity of mourners. The cortege on its way to the Catholic cemetery attracted some notice, and about fifty persons assembled at the entrance. The coffin was carried by bearers to apart of the cemetery close to the western fence, where a grave had been dug in readiness. There was no funeral service, and the work of interment occupied a very short time.

To the Editor : tSir,—A local appears in your issue of Feb. 3rd, the latter part of which is hardly correct, and, if unex plained, would be likely to convey a wrong impression. In commenting on education and religions matters, you say that education and religion seem to be passing from the sympathies of the people into cold neglect, and finish by singling out Otahuhu as the place where the people cannot pay their parson. The report, in Friday's Stau, of the meeting held here for the election of a School Com mittee, where one of the candidates polled 100 votes, proves that, at all events, Otahuhu is not indifferent to school mat ters. As to the statement that "the people of Otahuhu cannot pay their parson :" the clergyman, Mr .Gould, is paid quarterly through the Standing Committee. Besides paying the minister's stipend, in 187;"> the balance of the church debt, amounting to more than £Br>, was collected and paid ;

and last year (1876) the parsonage has been repaired, and £77 5s (id paid to the con tractor on account. It would be better if correspondents, iv reporting meetings, ■would send copies of the official balance sheets, instead of reporting wrongly. I enclose copies of the balance sheets, duly audited and adopted at the church meeting, on Thursday last, and shall feel obliged by the insertion of them in your next issue. I am, etc , SAMUEL Like. —[We have re ceived the balance-sheets, which are too lengthy for publication at this late period after the meeting. They may be scon at this ollice —Ed. E.S.] We republish from an exchange, part of Lord Chief Justice Cockburu's summing-up iv the case of Spill v. Manic :—" Now, the presumption of law being in favour of the absence of malice in the defendant, and the only evidence of malice being his descrip tion of acts done by the plaintiff which were capable of a two-fold construction, the presumption of innocence which attaches to the writer must also, where his act is cipable of a do:ib! ■ aspojt, still attend him. St:irtin; with (he presumption of in nocence iv his favor, we must assume thai the defendant did entertain that view of the p'aintili's acts which induced him to belisve, and honestly to believe, and say that the plainiill's conduct was dishonest and disgraceful. We have not to deal with the question whether the plaintill'did or did not act dishonestly and disgrace fully ; all we have to examine is whether the defendant stated no more than he be lieved, and what he might reasonably believe. If he stated no more than this he is not liable ; and unless proof to the con trary is produced, we must take it that lie did stale no more."

To the Editor: Sir,— l think I lust the mail for Europe and the South to-day, through having to "wait nearly live minutes before a clerk at the Post-oHiee counter came to supply me •with stamps. When lie did put in an appearance lie was in no particular hurry. 1 may have been in time, but why is there no "Too Late" notice put li]), as elsewhere?— Yours, &c., Tj;avi:i,li;i:.

A Poverty Bay paper says that the credit system existing there is the cause of the main drawbacks to the progress of the district. The "Daily News" combats the prevail ing opinion as to the probable return of Mr Gladstone to the position of a party, leader. The "News"affirms that Mr Gladstone's retirement from the leadership of the . Liberals was the expression of determination < arrived at after long and serious delibera tion, based upon deep-seated and permanent influential motives, and therefore not to be set aside by any change of personal inclina tions, or by the accidents of politics. Mr Gladstone has, we have reason to believe, more than once and quite recently renewed the expression of his original purpose. He has declined to take action, or even to appear publicly, on occasions which might lead to a misunderstanding of the course be has taken. The plan of life on whi :h he determined when he took farewell of his followers nearly two years ago in his letter to Lord Granvillc remains unchanged, He has felt it bis duty to tike no step which should bear the appearance of putting himself forward in a position which he has deliberately quitted, and so increasing the difficulties of those on whom by his action and in part by his suggestion, an arduous and difficult post has been con ferred. This is, we believe, the substance and meaning, if these arc not the precise words, with which Mr Gladstone has replied to and declined solicitations and marks of honour bearing a party character. But, as we ventured to sa.y when Mr Gladstone's retirement was first announced, the loss is not all loss. If bis action is restrained in some directions by the position which be has assumed, and by the relations in which it places him to his successors and to their political followers, it is enlarged in others. The loss to party interests is a gain to interests far deeper and more permanent than those of party. Mr. Glad stone has been enabled to speak for and to the nation as a whole, to rouse its .sympa thies, and to guide its action, in a manner which would have been impossible if he were still the recognised -leader of the Opposition, and the destined head of the next Liberal Government. It is as an Englishman, and the most illustrious of living Englishmen who can still actively serve the State, and not as a party man or as a party leader, that Mr Gladstone has taken the line lie has adopted iv the great controversy which now engages Europe ; and it is in this character that lie will attend the National Conference., which could scarcely be considered complete with out him. We have received a sample of Manilla Max, grown at the Great Barrier. The plants were put in the ground in a very young state, about four years ago, and have , not been subjected to any cultivation what ever. The leaves are about 3ft. 6'in. to 4ft. , in length, and are much thicker and solidor than the New Zealand flax. When cut, j they are comparatively dry, and are wholly f destitute of the gummy exudations peculiar to the pkormium tenax. The fibre is also very strong, and is much more easily pre- ] pared than that of the indigenous plant, l Mr Blair, upon whose land the fiax has been l grown, expresses his opinion that there I would be no difficulty in cultivating any l quantity of it in this part of the colony, and", f moreover, that it would very much improve ° upon tin; present specimens if properly at- t tended to. These specimens are very inter- c oisting, and in the face of the present market T depreciation «>i the phormium tenax may tJ well afford a subject for profitable discus* iion at tho next Accliijituwation Society ■' "

"Resident in Union-street" who has neglected to forward his proper name, has singular notions of what constitutes evi dence. He undertakes to assert that there was no row in Union-street, because HE did not see it. Possibly lie was in bed.

A ball on board the German man-of-war Hertha was given last night by Captain Knorr, and his officers. A large number of guests were present, and the affair was a great success. The Hon. Mr Whitaker, Dr. Pollen, and His Worship the Mayor (W. J. Hurst Esq., were among those present. A great feature of the entertainment was the taste displayed in the decorations of the vessel, the acme of which was reached in a beautiful fountain, embowered in the richest flowers and shrubs, which occupied the centre of the upper deck, where the dancing took place. Devices of various kinds, English as well as German, orna mented the canvas Avails and cieling, and nothing was left undone that could conduce to the enjoyment of the visitors.

On the case of " the late Martin Curtin," a correspondent writes : —"Sir, — I was very*nvuch interested at the result of the efforts of those Christisfti and philau throphic people, who endeavoured to obtain a reprieve for the above ; but 1 must say I was not surprised at their failure. Life in the bush is very solitary, yet nil colonials will allow they consider themselves more safe there than if living in towns. T infer the reason is, that the almost total absence of vice, drunkenness, «S:c., in the country, which prevails in cities in a great measure causes the absence of crime, and thus ensures the safety to the settler's life. I maintain that crime in the bush,especially such as the late unhappy man committed, must be punished with the utmost rigour of the law. In my opinion the fear of the gallows stays the murderers baud, and thus ensures protection to human life, and to totally abolish capital punishment, would be to remove that sense of security which we should all share and prize. TUvclvc of his fellow-men found him guilty—therein I am satisfied. I notice that of late years in the old country, no matter how foul or diabolical a murder may have been, a lot of misjudged persons agitate for a commutation of the sentence of the convicted offender, converting mercy into an encouragement to shed blood.—Yours respectfully, DIOGENES.

Mr E. Hadrill wishes us to correct an advertisement which appeared in our Saturday's issue regarding the Crown Hotel, Grey-street. By a printer's error the schedule of prices from a former ad vertisement of Mr Adams, late proprietor, was attached to Mr Hadrill's new announce ment. The new proprietor wishes us to .state that he is not a purchaser of all descriptions of bot ties. The mistake appears to have caused him some annoyance by constant applications to buy from him liquors at impossible prices, and to sell bottles of no earthly use save to au apothe cary or sauce manufacture]'.

At the lute usual weekly meeting of the Fraternal Home Lodge 1.0. G.T., the officers for the ensuing quarter wore installed by Bio. Baxter, L.D., assisted i.y Bros. French and Kemp as follows:—W. ('.T. Bro. .!. Cobine; V.T. Bro. W. J. Ilisfc; Secretary, Bro. T. 7Jell ; Financial Secre tary, Sis. M. A. Knox ; Treasurer, Bro. J. Lovctt ; Chaplain, Bro. Joseph; Marshal Bro. Craig; [.(!. Bro. W. Donaldson ; DM. Bio Keubfii Smith ; A.S. Bro. K. Allen ; D..M. Bro. Iloneycombe; K.H.S. Sis. J. Donaldson ; L.H.S. Sis. M. Donaldson.

We understand lhal the partnership account between Mr .1. M. Shorn and Messrs McArthur and ('(>., has heen satis facferily arranged privately byacompromise of Mr Shera's claim.

Reference was made in a recent telegram to the fart that Mrs Bates had received in formation of the murder of her sister, .Miss Alice Wren, by Madame Cora, at the Cape. A private letter from ('ape Town gives an account of the tragedy. Most of our readers will remember Madame Cora, the lady pro fessor of the magic art, who was here .sonic time ago. Prior to Madame Cora leaving Australia for the ('ape, she added to her company Miss Alice M. Wren (a sister of Mrs V. M. Bates) as a vocalist. The letter in question states that, in a fit of jealousy, Madame Cora, in Cape Town, strangled Miss Wren, and was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death for the murder. The sentence has, however, been commuted to solitary confinement for three years. Mr Bush, Madame Cora's husband, has gone to Kngland. Madame Cora was well received in Auckland some live years ago.

A considerable number of the mcinl>crs of ! the Choral Society met in the Choral Hall last evening, and went through a careful ro hcrasalof Mendelssohn's "Athalie," under the guidance of Mr Edger. Mr Schott, as sisted on the harmonium. The execution of Woodgate at Picton was accompanied with some features ■which wen1 uiii(|iie in the history of criminal juris prudence. The sea I Void was erected by a cooper, nil the carpenters ot Picton having refused the job. A man named Samuel Chandler, a chimney sweep, "was engaged as hangman, but in a communicative mood he told his fellow-passengers to Picton of what lie had undertaken. The consequence was that lie could get no accommodation, and whs literally driven out of the town. Ultimately however, a hangman was secured, and the usual preparations were made. Woodgati addressed the gaol officials, thanking them for their kindness to him, and also the persons who had signed the petition for his reprieve. He concluded " I die in peace with all men." We copy the following from the " Express" :—The hangman, while adjusting the cap said to the prisoner, " Good bye, old fellow, I wish you a pleasant journey. You're only going a few days before us, perhaps 1 might follow you to-morrow, or next day myself." He then adjusted the rope, and again said, " Well, how do you feel ; is it comfortable, or is it too tight?" Woodgate replied, "No." He was still looking upwards. The hangman again said, "Well, good-bye. I wish you a pleasant journey," at the same moment-kicking the bolt with his foot, and the drop fell, Woodgate dying without a struggle, bis legs below the knee and his bands just twitching twice at an interval of a few seconds. The hangman then faced round, and addressing the spectators, said, " Well, gentlemen, are you satisfied ?" There was no reply, and be again asked, " Are you satisfied that I have done my duty." Dr Tripe said there was no doubt that no man could have done it more elliciently, as the neck was quite dislocated. Just when the body was being taken down, Detective Farrell, of Wellington, came on the scene, with a note to the" Sheriff, intro ducing a man avlio bad arrived by the Hinemoa from Wellington, who was willing to undertake the duty. The Sheriff, how ever informed the gentleman that bis ser vices were not required. There was con siderable speculation in .Picton as to who the man was who performed the loathsome duty. He stated that he had been in the navy as a seaman, and boasted of having served as an artillery-man at the time of the Indian Mutiny, when lie "' slung them up iii dozens." The hangmen subsequently slipped away unobserved, by the Hinemoa. To the Editor : Sir,—Will you kindly inform me tnrough your valuable paper if a Road Hoard can cut a street so that it loaves a per pendicular bank 13 feet high, fronting several properties leaving no way of obtaining access to our housos but by a ladder placed upright against the bank. How are we to proceed 'o obtain a way into our properties, the frontage to the street being destroyed, igainst the. wish of three-fourths of 'the •esidcntS; and to suit the views of a clique ;hat arc m power, working to suit their own snoa {— Youi'B truly, Ratefaveh.— [Suburban ■atemiyors have a legal remedy against destruc] lye levels n I hey take action in time.- -3Sd, E. a. MrK.F. Jouc. Civil Knurin«or, will open lug nodhamciu miri* atvbjtdchival drawing class this vnilng, in ihn Jiortc).TrainingScho.o.l, Qhoral

Anglican Synod at Nelson, notices of books &.C., and Sunday school lessons. There are alac• two supplements, one containing the annual leport of the Mclancsian Mission, the other a copj of a memorial to the Primate Bishops, ( lcrgj ■, and laity, of the genera Synod by the bishop oi: tho diocese of Auckland on the subject ot tho Now Zealand Hymnal, with resolutions and list ot hymns appended as approved at the last meet ing of the Diocosan Synod. The Churchman s Almanac for 1877, for the diocese of Auckland is issW with the Gazette. Mr Richmond Thatcher, agent for Mr Emmet, has placed on view at the shop of Mr Lcwisson, Queen-street, a unique ornament composed or ancient silver denarii, lot into sold in the form of a necklace, joined by links also of gold. Iho coins are in a very excellent state of preserva tion, the inscriptions, legends, and impressions on both the obverse and reverse sides nemg remarkably distinct. The jrennincness of the coins is vouched for by Mr Edward Kccve, Curator of tho Museum of Antiquities m Acw South Wales, and their date ranges from the reign of Augustus Ccosar to that of Claudius Cscsar. Silver coins were first used m Jsome about 281 8.C., the standard being founded on the Greek drachma, then cquivclont in value to ten (ims, the now coin being therefore called a denarius. Upon the reduction of the «s the denarius equalled sixteen ascs. The weight ot the denarius at the end of the Roman Common wealth was about GO grains, or m value, rather moro than BUI, but under the Empire the weight was reduced to 52*5 grains, and the value to 7Jd. The coins of the Augustan period have always been remarkable for their extreme beauty and pcrmenanoy, and the one in the ornament under notice is a striking example of the fact. Besides the coins mentioned, there are others of the Vespasian, Titus, Vitcllius, Hadrian, JScroa, and Domitian period. The coins struck m the reigns of Vespasian and Titus commemorating the Conquest of Judea, and in the necklace is one of this period struck in honour of the taking of Jerusalem, It bears the motto " Judrca Oapta," and on the reverse side a female figure sitting under a palm tree. I Cad rian'B coins were principally struck in commemoration of Jus Journeys. ' The age of these coins is over 1800 years. * They were discovered in the course of excavations on tho site of an old Roman encamp ment in Sussex. This beautiful specimen of bi jouterie was originally designed for presentation to Madame Ristori, but owing to the shortness of her stay in Sydney was diverted to other hands. Its intrinsic value is estimated at about £50. Messrs McElwaino and Gladding waited upon Mr A. K. Taylor, Chairman of the County Council to-day, to present a requisition bearing 37 influential signatures, requesting his attend ance ut a public meeting in the Mprningsidc school-room, on Friday, and desiring to be informed whether it was his intent ion ' to fulfill the promise made to oppose the adoption of the Permissive clauses of the Act." Mr Taylor stated in reply that the members of the deputation had done their best to keep him out of their council, and still he had got in, and it was his intention most de cidedly to work the Act in its integriiy. Mr Taylor said ho would attend the meeting, and had intended to call the ratepayers together when he considered it convenient.

A spcciul meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society •will bo held this evening in St. Patrick's Hall for the purpose of electing a trustee. AimmouroiiS ■Waiter in the Kelson "Times"' mentions the following as among the symptoms displayed by the admirers of cricket during the visit of the All England Eleven: A sudden demand upon the iowellers for ornaments em blematical of the noble game ; a treat of oysters, given by an enthusiastic Nclsonian to throe Duncdin bagmen, under the impression that being strangers they must needs be English cricketers'; and a faux pas committed by a lady at a public dinner table, ■who, forgetting her usual propriety and quid manners, actuated by sur rounding circumstances actually I$AtX-ed for ISAT-tor pudding. Nothing short of ii match, d'ye mind, will euro that " yonug pusson.' In euchre phraseology "he passes," but the (Jrcymo'ithians intend '"to make it clubs." In reference to the Kleven breaking their en gagement to play at Greyrnonth, he says:— " The captain of the Grey Cricket Club happens to bo a lawyer, anil in consequence an action for breach of contract is to be brought forthwith. Beyond actual loss, inferential damages will be claimed, of which tiie following bill, already filled, is a specimen :— Bennett, Agent All England Cricketers, l)r to Dr Blank- To loss on profit of setting two £ a. d broken arms and one do. leg 12 10 0 ~ Do. on sale of one glass eye 15 0 ~ Do. on sale. 131 V yards of sticking plaistcr" ... C 7 (i ~ Contingences, lotions, etc., left on hand . . . .800 Total . £28 2 6

Fatal Accident on Board the Hertha.

Tins morning, about S o'clock, a seaman [belonging to the man-of-war Hertha fell overboard, and was drowned. The name of Hi o unfortunate man was Nowajefsky, and lie was a native of East Prussia, by craft a li.sherinan, and serving his time in the navy. He assisted in the Neptune pageant which formed part of the merry making on board the vessel last night. It- appears after Ihe festivities were over he ami his comrades were permitted to fall upon the good things, and Nowajefsky took more drink than was good for him. This morning lie was unwell, and went over into the heads to vomit. A minute after, lie was seen by several of iho sailors to fall into the water. He struck the martingale in descending, and it is supposed that be was partially stunned ; at any rate lie did not rise again after disappearing beneath the surface of the water. Ropes and life buoys were thrown out, but, of comse, in vain. The cutter was ordered out with men with grappling-irons and rakes to search for the body. Their efforts were unsuccessful for two hours, but at last the drowned man was hooked up close to the starboard davits. At Jive o'clock this evening Dr. Eppengwill hold a post mortem examination on the re mains. The funeral will fake place to morrow. Deceased was a single man, and a Roman Catholic.

HARBOUR BOARD.—YESTERDAY. (Concluded).

THE DOCK QUESTION. Mr Malcolm Xiccol's amendment having been earned, it became a substantive resolution, and tne chairman said it was open to any gentleman to propose amendments. Mr Mays', upon this said he should take each of Messrs Jones and Hare's offers, and move-them as separate amendments. He would move, that the offer of Jones and Ware to deepen the dock to 19 feet tor £7,257 bo accepted. Mr Meyers seconded. The amendment was not favourably received, and was lost by 7 against three Mr Mnseiiold then moved that in the opinion of the "Board it is desirable to deepen the sill of the dock 3 feet, and that the Chairman bo requested to ascertain the expense of this additional deepening. Mr Isaacs seconded this. Some discussion ensued, after which the matter was referred to the vv orks Committee, an intimation being sriven by the Chairmen that the members not on the coni mitte would be invited to attend. Mr Kissling then moved that further discussion of the matter bo adjourned till Tuesday next at half-past two. I here were a» equal number of votes for and against the adjournment, which was carried on the casting vote of the chairman. The usual statement of accounts was made by the secretary. A report of the recent sale of allotments in Custom-Honsc-strcct and Break water Road was made by the Treasurer, who was instructed to see the leases signed at once 1 lie Harbour-Master's report upon the working of the dredge was received. Mr Mackenzie! £%h?S °tV h° pilofc service, given in our last nights edition, was abandoned in favour of an amendment proposed by the chairman and ™w£l il 1]? tte, n! aß epo( the.pilot service be referred to the Pilot Committee, with instruc- SertlnV^W W I3? ard il^ 'I'c next ordinary meeting. Mr Bo.vlan's motion on the subioct ot money expenditure was amended by the Sfe mB n»«datloa. proposed by Mr Kiccol that the proposed resolution be made a b^aw;No° «» *k W 0 tho Bolrd^ under 0} law Ao. ,>O. Mr Mays gave the following loS H °nnfl wife?*' '7 bat #c offer of Messrl th« dock »X^ aeeneninß and lengthening accented1 «, w" al"nX, ftn approach thereto, be accepted, subject to the work being done in SrihfthA p-lanH ttml specincftioSspre" X, i ,pyJlie Engineer and approved by the Board. The meeting then separated.

THEATRE ROYAL.

hwmu ainu house last cveninir on Im^ ihu-a ilpliiiilSgi

CABLEGRAMS.

(SPECIAL TO THE STAR).

j^h APPROVAL OF THE EARL OF iSiHg BURY'S ACTION. A public meeting held in London approved, of Lord Salisbury's action at the Eastern Conference. MELBOURNE—THIS DAY. Glen Innes Gold Cup—Thyra, 1; Maude, 2; Wrangler, 3. Geclong Cup—Pride of the Hills, 1; Sul tan, 2 ; Spark, 3.

[PRESS AGENCY.)

The Grand Vizier Dismissed.

Turkish Integrity Upheld.

LO NT)ON. February, sth. Midhat Pasha, Grand Vizier, lias been dismissed, and Edhini Pasha appointed his successor. In a circular the Port c vigorously v pholds the integrity of the Turkish Empire. MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENT. SYDXET, February 7. Mr Baker has accepted the portfolio of Minister <>f Lands.

Nothing except the mails and passengers were .saved from the .steamer Singapore. Melbourne, February 6. Sailed: Tho Ringarooma with the New Zealand Suez mail.

SPORTING NOTES.

Tiir: following are the weights declared to. day for the Rodney races, to come off on the 22nd inst :—

Rodney Handicap of 40 soys. ; 2 miles.— Derby, lOst; Indian Warrior, 9st 7lbs; Young Ratan, Ost 71bs ; Kararna, 7st Tibs ; Mainroyal, 9st; Tobj~.(late Sir Charles), Sst Tlb.s : Napanapa, Bst. Ladies' Purse ; IV, (ftj9j.es.—-Young Per. former, lOst ; Indian Warrior, lO.st; Young Ratan, lOst; Darkic, Ipst ; Toby, 9st Tibs; Tc Kootf, 9st 711)8. Mr Campbell hassolitT)c:by to Mr Scott. Waikato Races begin to-day and extend over to-morrow.

Mr "Edgar's rncchor.se, The Don, left for Napier in the Southern Cross yesterday, his owner having elected to send him to 11iq Hawkes Bay meeting in preference to the Waikato where he Avas entered for the Handicap and Hurdle Race. JJarnej Coyle goes in charge of the horse. Mr .Walters has sent Kingiishcr and Isaac "Walton to represent him at tlie Waikato meeting. Hippocampus will not run at the meeting. Mr. Owen McGee's game little mare May Moon, and Mr Kelly's Islesnian have arrived at Hamilton from Tauranga, having travelled overland.

The nominations for the Canterbury Great Autumn Handicap of 300 soys., close to day.

The Greymouth Jockey Club meeting will come off this year on the 17th and 19th March. The principal race is tiie Club Handicap, 175 soys., 2 miles. The entries closed on the 3rd of last month, and the acceptances arc due on the Sth instant.

A monster pigeon snooting handicap is announced to come oil" at Hamilton on Fri day next.

The Wellington Jockey Club races begin to-dfiy. A line of telegraph having been constructed from the ITutt course t<; the city, we may expect the receive the results much more promptly than in past years.

Paparoa Riding, Hobson County.

The Nomination.

(PER STAR CARRIER PIGEON)

Tuesday. The nomination for County Council took place at Paparoa School (Paparoa Riding), Hobson County.

The following gentlemen were nominated —Messrs Webster, Aricll, J.P., Spragg, Skelton, Rees, Hurndall, J.P., Balderson, Wilson, Curtis, and John Sykcs.

The Polling.

Polling. This day. At the declaration of the poll the follOAV ing members wore return od as elected :— Hurndall (Manngaturoto) ... 83 Skelton (Paparoa) 07 Wilson (Paparoa) 64 Baldiston (Kaiwaka) ...' ... 55 Mr. Rees (Matakoe) obtained 54 votes. t Five voters came after the poll was closed to vote for Mr. Rces, but did not arrive in time, owing to freshets, which made the creaks difficult and dangerous to cross. . There were heavy raim on Saturday and Sunday. NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING. The was a narrow escape from drowning here yesterday. Two men were practising in skills. One skiff filled and turned bottom up. A boat put off from Mr. Rees's place and picked them-up.

POLICE COURT.—This Day.

I (Before A. Beetham and J. Cdsgrave, Esqs.; Justices). DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Two persons, a man and a Avcinati, were convicted of this ottenc c, and punished in the usual way. ON THE STREETS. Eliza Symonds and Mary Burke, were charged with having created a disturbance in Coburff-street. Constables McGrath and Kidd deposed to seeing the two prisoners fighting yester day ; Mary Burke was the aggressor. The Court discharged Symonds, and sentenced Burke to pay a fine of £5 and costs, or go to prison for one month.

ATTEMPTED SWINDLE. ~ John Thomas Dyson was charged with having obtained 'by false pretences a valuable security, to -wit, a receipt for £400 from Mr Wright Lindsay, of Epsom, with intent to defraud. Sub-Inspector Tardy briefly recapitulated the circumstances of the cage. Wright Lindsay sworn deposed that he was a fanner, residing at Epsom. Pie kDeW the prisoner. He came to witness last December about buying a faun which witness had for sale at Ararinm. He asked about the price, extent, and cultivation ot the farm. He said lie had recently received £500 from home, and it was deposited at the Bank of New Zealand. They came to terms about the sale. The price was to be £600, of which £400 was to be paid in cash; the balance was to be paid on completion of the deeds. Prisoner gave witness a cheque for £400 on the Bank of New Zea land. That produced was the cheque This was on the 30th December, "lie cheque was dated the 3rd January. It wf post dated by the prisoner, who said tne Banks were closed, and it was no good presenting it till the 3rd. /Witness pre sented it at the Bank sh«W aft ced, 1%, o'clock on the 3rd, and it w«s -refuse* \-.h>*" ment. The clerk said therd %ero no fumWj and the drawer was not known at thcbaiiK. When prisoner gave him the cheque j« gave in return a receipt. Prisoner said Jie should take poffift>aish in a week or two. He never saw the receipt or the prisoner Fii'tevwnrds tiil ho was in custody. -.„ Dy tha prisoner: Yon asked me tow™? tlio i-hoqiic out, mid saia you would w Yyu iM g){|u the chc^uc^

THE EVENING STAR, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY T, 1877.



-pj" O T ' I G E DRAPERY GOODS, MEW AND CHEAP!! The un(lersisrno'J have Purchased at Auction n LARGE LOT of NEW DRAPERY GOODS, Hist landed ex 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 Calico, various qualities, from /32-d yard Strong1 White Calico at ,'i yard, or 3/10 "doz. 72-in. Grey Sheeting, 1/ yard, good quality 72-in. & SO-in. White Twill Sheeting 72-in., SO-in. <fe 90-in. Croydon Sheeting, 1/6 yard Huckaback Towels, good. ,6 each, 5/9 doz. White and Unbleached Damask and Damask Table Cloths, from 2/6 9/J, 10/4 &11/1 Alhambra Quilts. Rood qualities, 3/11 Rough Brown Holland, from /ft yard Half-dressed ditto, superior quality, very cheap at ,'loi and 1/ Black Lustre, and superior quality Black Bril liantine Lustres New Prints, good patterns, at /IJ, /51-, and /G, very cheap Harvard Shirting, good quality, 111 yard Fine Irish Linen, lot of Remnants, a bargain, from 1/1 yard Gents' Br. Cotton Half-hose ro. <£< merino feet Grey and Fancy Striped Me: is > Vialf-hose, and other goods too nuraeroiu to mention.



All Purchasers of Drapery and Clothing should inspect our Stock, and prove that although not selt/ixg off, we are giving full value for MOSEY, 627" One Shilling in the & returned on all pur chases of 20s. and upwards. II US II B R OOK & BRIDGMAN, Upper Queen-street, Auckland. JG O S G 11 A V E & C 0., Mq% to announce they will bring forward A Fresh Lot of B A R G A I N S! ! ! Consisting of HEIR LATE SHIPMENT BY THE ORARL Purchased at Home at Job Prices, together with the ■whole SUMMER DRAPERY & CLOT RING, REDUCED IN PRTCtO TO SUIT THE TIMES



Several Bales of CALICO, damaged by sea witter, will t>« Sold nnripr Tnvoioo Prir.fi. T INOLEUM! J-J CARPETS! (Ex 'Tamaya') FURNITURE J" INOLEUM!—Unsurpassed for Durability; -J Soft and warm to the feet. X INOLEUM!—Jicst covering over invented. JIJ for Dini-tig Rooms, Halls, Offi ce:?, and JJiliiom Rooms. X INOLEUM!—A lartro variety of Patterns at JU the City Hall Ai'ctdc. T INOLEUJvi .'. —Fitted to any size, or shape JIJ room by Hollo way & Gavliclc. CARPETS I—Juaf landed, Velvet Pile, very vv handsome. CARPETS!— Beautiful Brussels, latest de signs, for Drawing J.looms. CARPETS!-'- Kidderminster, large variety. Tapestry from 2/11 to 1/6. ITIUItNITURE !—lnlaid Walnut Centre Tables, ModernDrawingroom Suites TEWRNITURE !—Ritthiffroom Suites, Bedroom J_ Furniture for all classes. FURNITURE!— The best Show in Auckland! Show Rooms lGGit. Ion.?. LIBERAL DISCOUNT to _ CASH PURCHASERS. B" UY your KUHNYTUUK, DRAPERY, AND CLOTHING ATTitrc CITY HALL ARCADE. IIOLLOWAY & GABLICK, Proprietors.



T N B A N X R U P T C Y. a . ■ In the matter of " The Debtors and Creditors Act, 1870," find in the Bankruptcy of AU'JUCD McIvKXZIK NOKMANiiY, of Auckland, Tailor, a Debtor. X(>';ec is horuby given that a Meeting of the Creditors oi" the said Alfred McKenzio Nor iiKinhy ~\,':.U be held at my oflicc, Supj'ejiic Court House, Auckland, on Friday, the Oth day of February next, ;it 11 o'clock in the forenoon, to fdvo in Order of Discharge to the above-named Bankrupt. Datod this Cth day of February, 1877. TIIOS. MACFFARLANB, Trustee. Wjr. Cole:.ian, Vulcan Lane, Solicitor for the Debtor. ?AA CASKS CEMENT (KBS) 16s. 20,000 Fii'e Bricks (Stourbridgre, £\l 10s, Fire Clay Casks Plaster (American), fll 52,% i) Slates (Countess). JiEANE & JENKINSON,



"VT OTICE OF REMOVAL. H. A TKINS BEGS TO ANNOUNCE THAT HE OFHASKEM 0 V E D ! ! TO THE Premises Next Door Below his Old Shop. IT. ATKINS Begs to heartily thank his numerous Cus tomers for their very liberal patronage from his first commencing business up to the present time, and to assure them that although his trade has increased to that extent, that his REMOVAL to more Commodious Premises was a neces sity, the same principles of business will still be adhered to : viz., keeping a good article, buying in the cheapest, market, and selling at the smallest profit possible. His New Shop shall always be known as Tub Cheapest in Auckland. H.A. will be happy to sec all his old Customers, and as many new ones as may honour him with their patronage.^ i A SPLENDID STOCK OF DRAP.ERY AND CLOTHING Will always be found, and tho PRICES THE LOWEST IN AUCKLAND ! H. A T X I N S.



~W7IURJXIIURE! FURNITURE! Ladies and Gentlemen about to Fiirnl&h are respect fully requested to inspect the Large Stock of DRA WIN a -ROOM, D INI NO- -BOOM BEDROOM, AND GENERAL MOUSE HOLD FURNITURE, In our Neiv and Spacious Showrooms. T. & R.'COOKH, 67, QUSENSTRBET Adioinina Bank of New Zealand.



The Medical Profession have declared Steaxe's Superlative Aromatic Toxic Wine to be a necessity to all in search of health, and especially to those suffering either from Incipient or Chronic Indigestion, Dyspepsia, and the dis orders arising therefrom. This Tonic is also particularly recommended to all who are in a measure compelled from the nature of their ■occupation to take stimulants, and at the same time arc desirous of studying health by taking that which will act most bcnelicially on the system. Mr. Win, Johnson, Government Analy tical Chemist, report: — "I have examined Steane's Superlative Aromatic Tonic Wine, and find it to be remarkably pleasant in flavour, con taining about 1(J per cent, of a very pure alcohol, and holding in solution a clear wholesome, "Vegetable Bitter, combined with a fruity spicy aroma. I consider this Bitter a very superior article."—Sold by all Storekeepers and Hotel- Iccepers. There is no comparison in point of flavour and remedial properties between that incomparable medicinal beverage, Udoumio Wuij'k's SCHIK dam Axiomatic Scunapi\3, find the imitations of it put tip in empty bottles of the real article. The true Schnapps is positively delicious, and an unfailing remedy for the diseases to which il is adapted/ The counterfeits have a detestable flavour, and are deleterious in the last degree.