SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE

HIGH WATERffiK n_i'c«.-._3 BUNaET.-Thls Evening, 8.52 BUNRIBE.-To-morrow Morning, 8.35 MOON'S AGE.-Now Moon, 18th. 2,29 P.m.

ARRIVALS.

TO-DAY,

DEPARTURES.

LAST EVENING. Argyle, s.s,, Crawford, for Wluumarol Midge, schooner, Robbie, for Levuka Atlantic, Boh., Scott, far Rarotonga TO-DAr. Howard, ech„ Anderson, for Whongaroi

PROJECTED DEPARTURES.

London—Antaros, loading Levuka—Taiaroa, about Monday, 37th Melbourne nnd Southern ports-To Anan,

Friday „ , Taranakl and South-Penguin, Tuesday RubboH, Whangiroaand Monßonul-WeUlngton or Glenelg. Monday Tauranga—Glenelg or Wellington, Monday or Thursday Whongaroi and Whangarei Heads— Argyle Tuesday and Friday Wolwora and Rnssoll—lona, Saturday Woiweraand Whangarei—lona, Wednesday Mangawai- Fingal, Thursday Mercury Bay—Fingal, Monday

VESSELS EXPECTED.

Halo!on_,shlp(J.N.M.S.), from London; loading Oxford, ship. (M,'I\L.B.I, from London; sailed Decembers Pareora, Bhip, fCJ S.G.W.), from London; sailed December 23 Aloefltis, barque, (H.0.M.N.) from Liverpool, via Wellington; sailed. November 7 ~ . ArabeU- > r jar qne(P,K.Q.V.),fromLondon; aaile- A. T. -taUkneoht, barque, from New York;, . . s'*ilod December 8 .-■_._, Adamant, barque (N, J.F.8.), from London; load ing ' Tj-Ownthorpe, barque (M.X.8.D.), from London; |

sailed Oot. 31 Oabarfeldh, barque (S.Q.M. J.), from New York: sailed November 1 End Held, barque, from New York Gwendoline, barque (J.H.L.G.). from Now York, Via Oamaru; sailed August 30 Kermalo, barque, from Sydney, via Newcastle. Mendozo, barque, from Liverpool; loading Remington, barque, from London; loading Bohamyl, barque, from New York; loading India, barque, from Dunedin Annabel], brig, from Sydney Kstello, schooner, from Dunedin Pirate, schooner, from Huahlce Christine, sohooner, from Timaru Belle Brandon, sohooner, from the Islands

IMPORTS.

Per Dnneralg—lo cases staroh, 20 oases corn flour, 28 cases cocoa and chocolate, 100 cases llmcjuico, 25 cases raspberry balm, 20 cases ginger wine, _5_ hhds vinegar.—T. H. Hall and

EXPORTS.

Per Atlantic ,jor Kat-etonga-31 mats sugar, 20 bags rice, 21 cases keroslne, 6 oases salmon i cases sardines. 3 paf-ages drapery, 1 cask castor oil, 1 cask linseed oil, 12 cases preserved meat, 2 bags beans,9 calls rope. 20 kegs salt beef, 30 bores soap, 20 bags potatoes, 10 sacks flour, £0 Oases biso-its, 80 empty casks, 2 kegs butter, 7 packages sundries.

Per Ryno, lor Robo Island-20 packages (8281b) tobacco, 9 cases preserved fish, it oases kero sene, 35 mats sugar. 100 bass rice. 9 boxes toa, 20 gallons Australian Wine, 10 boxes cigars, 1 case whisker, 3 casks bottled alo.l case apparel, - flrums oil, i oases jams, 100 feet sawn timber, 30 tins biscuits, 30 tins flour, S cases dress prints, 21 tins paint, 12 paokaxes sundries.

Inwards Coabtwisk.—Totara, from Port Charles, with 32,000 feot kauri timber; Start, bom Whangarei, with 19 tons coal, OU-WABDs Coastwise.—Start, for Whan garei ; Dream, for Tairua; Reward, for Whan g-rei, The as. Oreti la expected to arrive from Southern ports about daylight to-morrow. Bhe proceeds South again at 1 p.m. The sohooner Uael has cleared at the Cuatoma for Hot-lang- In ballast H.1.G.M.8. Habioht will be dooked at high water to-morrow. Tha sohooner Ryno bleared at the Customs to-day for Hose stand, and will sail thither to-morrow morning. Passengers: Messrs B. Hlrd. O. Dunnett, K. 0. Nicholas, H. G. Carr, P. Paulsen. The new schooner building at Messrs Sims te Brown's yard has fonnd a purchaser ln Mr A. B. Donald. Tho vessel, which is 61 feet keel, 19 feet ■ beam, and 8 feet 6 inohes depth of hold, will pro bably he employed In the Island trade.

KAIPARA SHIPPING.

P_.ni, this day. The Stag is loading here. _: 4lpaka H-ADS, this day. Arrived—Roderick Dhu and- Clansman for Makarau. The Oamaru put book on Monday.

Smokers, whose Indulgence In the weed Is oontinuous, should use just snoh a oordlal as Udolpho WoMrrts -c_i__»_m ahomatKo Schnapps, for these palpable reasons: Tobacco drains too salivary glands and deranges the nervous organism. It is a powerful drug, that tells on the strongest constitution. It Invites dyspepsia, heartburn, Indigestion, nausea, often bringing on tremors, and its fumes impair the vision. While thin elixir may obviate these results, It will certainly brace the system against its pernicious effect;).

Man Notice.

mails will close as undid-.-- This Day. For Thames, per Enterprise, ot 5.30 p.m. tatrasDAY. 16th Instant. For Wa-Wera, Te Kapa,, Craiglbbt--i, and WarkWOrt_, per Rose Casey, at »■*.__, For Thames, per Hotomahaj.-. at 10.30 a.m. For Waitara, New PiytodSfi-, and Wanganui per MttogregOr, it 11 eta. For Coromandel, per Coromandel. et3 p.m. FOr Tauranga, Ohlnemutu, and Opotiki, per - WelltogCtfo. at i p.m. For Mahgawol, per Fingal, at 5,30 p.m. Friday, 17th Instant. For Gisborne, Nopfor, Southern ports, and Aus tralian Colonies, per Te Anau, at 11 a.m_ For Whangarei Heads, Porua, Waipu, Whan garei, Tonglhuo, and Mangapal, per Argyle. at 1 p.m. Monday, 23th instant. Per b.s. Zealand!-, as follows i— For Sandwlob Islands, United States ot America, Canada, British Columbia, Central and South America, and British and Foreign West Indies, at 1 p.m. For United Kingdom and Continent ot Europe, at 1 p.m. For money orders registered letters, and nowspaporc'ot 11,30 o,m. Late lotters bearing an extra toe of slxpenoe, In addition to the postage, will be reoeived by the Mall Agent on board tho steamer up to the time of sailing. This mall will bo duo In London, on Mon-' day, April 10, 1832. N.B.—Payments on account of Property Tax will bo received at this offlco between 8 a,m. and 5 p.m. S. B. Bisa, Chief Postmaster. Chief Post-office. Attokland.

Meetings, Entertainments, Etc.

February 15,1882. Thsatro Royal—Mastodon Star Minstrels and Champion Dancers, 8 p.m. Wellefcley -street Baptist Church—EvangoU-t-o Borvice, C3O p.m. Epsom Hall—Ratepayers' meeting, 8 p.m, H,A.C.B. Socloty-St. Patrick's HaU; 8 p.m. 3eresford-street Church—PubUo meeting for the purpose ot forming an Auokland Auxiliary te the London Missionary Society, _*.3-~

Notices to Co-respondents.

T. J. Henshaw (Onehunga)i-H it will afford any satisfaction to your troublesome frlonds wo may state that yon were hot tho writer of the letter signed " Burgess." Y. H. Ni B.—The versos are unaulted to our columns. No sham.—Tho points pro. and oon. have already been pretty fully a'rgfeod 10 our columns. The question Is Dot whether tho publicans or tho temperance party con gain the upper hand; It ia really this—Can mon of such well-rocognls-d probity b. agreod upon as wiU command publio confidence, and ad minister the law honestly aa they find it ?

Birth.

C ARTEB.-Cn Februarr llth, at hor residence, C-lllngwood-street, tho wife ot David N. Carter of a son.

Death.

CROMWELL.-On February 11, 1882, Florence Isabella Cromwell, eldest daughter ot James and Susan Cromwell, of Park Road, New market, aged 1 rears and 7 months. QBE.—On February llth, at Northcoto, tho Infant son of Ignatius and Alice Oee, aged 8 months, KKMP.-On the 12th instant, at his father's residence. West-Btreet, Newton, George Arthur, the beloved son of George and Emma Kemp, aged 6 years.

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1882.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the Wrong that needs resistsnee For the future in the distance, And the good that wc can do.

IN ottr obituary noticea to-day is recorded the death of a fine little boy who has fallen a victim to the prevalent epidemic of scarlet fever. We also learn that in tho same street, West-street. Newton, there are.many other cases oi fever, eight in one house alone, and six in another. Tho drainage of tho street is wretched; the gutter—a mere water worn clay channel—is overgrown with noxious weeds that collect all.the passing filth, and disseminate foul gases under the heat of the sun. The attention of tho high way authorities to some ot the Karangahape side streets is most urgently needed, and other suburban bodies should take warn ing. It is observable that the fever bas latterly assumed a much more malignant typo, and a higher percentage of deaths ia now recorded. We have often raised a warning voice relative to the total want ef precautions in dealing with this most infectious disease. The Thames is tbe , only place where anything like systematic measures to stamp it out were attempted, and-there the precautions of tho Board of Health were completely successful. In Onehunga, at the outset, the grossest negligence prevailed, and the town is paying dearly for its carelessness. We have heard of one milkman, owning about twenty cows, who permitted his children | when recovering from the fever to milk the cows and deliver to his customers around the town, while tho skin was actually peeling off their hands. Dr Scott avers that fifty cases in the beginning of January were distinctly traceable to this one cause. The act seems to have been done in ignorance,but under a proper administration such ignorance would bs impossible. The plea is a very poor excuse to parents mourning the loss of dearly loved children who would "nave been living it men in authority had taken steps to enforce the hygienic regulations which the law places at their command, Onehnnga has suffered enough to rouse tbe Board of Health to action, and we hope that without equal suffering other suburban bodies will take warning by its misfortunes.

Arctic Exploration.

The historian of a thousand years hence, in summing up the leading features of the nineteenth century, will probably (most assuredly, if he is at all cynical) charac terise as the most notable scientific craze of the century the rago for Arctic Exploration. Even the sober utilitarian of the present day may be pardoned for regarding as a veritable wild-goose cbase the search for a "North-West-Pasaage," or "Anopen Sea in the region of the Pole," and setting down these ideas to be as vain and un profitable as the alchemist's dream of the Philosopher's Stone, If people could only divest this subject of the halo of mystery whioh lends a fleeting glory to it, and forget the melancholy interest which centres in it and invests it with an air of romance, they would assuredly long ere this havo asked : Of what practical value would this pasaage, or sea, or both of them, prove to* tho world ? And would they, if round, ever repay the immense expenditure in men and money which has already been wasted in fruitless endeavours to find them ? And to such questionings the practical man might fairly reply that no answer is re quired, for year after year is only demon strating more fully that no such passage and no such' open sea exists, or can by any possibility exist. The tenacity with which men cling to fallacious ideas, and their unwillingness to give up long-cherished de lusions, are well exemplified by the his tory of Arctic discovery. Long beforo tho ill-fated Franklin Expedition left the shores of England in 1845, keen interest had. been aroused in these dismal Polar countries, and great commercial advantages were promised from the discovery of tbe North-West Passage which was confidently believed to exist. On that voyage and the many successive voyages undertaken to elucidate the mystery of its disastrous ending, a sum of over £1,000,000 sterling was expended, and tbe lives of many brave men sacrificed. The repeated failure of these attempts did not, however, - damp the ardour of discoverers, zealous in the cause of Science or of Commerce; and year by year, crew after crew of gallant men have continued to in vade the inhospitable Polar regions, only to return, if they returned at all, baffled and disheartened. The practical Iruita of these expeditions have hitherto been nil ; but the old glamour still asserts its sway over the minds of men, and refuses to be dispelled. Nor is it likely tbat the disastrous ending of the cruise ot the exploring steamer " Jeannette" will effectually remove the enchantment which lures men on to engage j in this fatal quest. From America and the different nations of Europe there come, on the contrary, tidings of fresh adventures being undertaken, For somo years, Commander Cheyne, of England, who is an experienced Arctic voyager, has been collecting funds to organise an expedi tion, in which he proposes to employ I balloons as a means of reaching the Pole. Tho renowned Nordenskjold speaks of setting forth shortly on another voyage of discovery ; and the German Government, by la'ost accounts, is determined to partici pate in the barren glories of Arctic explora tion. In all this, viewed unsentimentally, we see only something to be deeply and sincerely * deplored. We do not deny tbat in the ranks of "those who have failed" are to be found some of

the greatest heroes whom the world has •ever seen; and to those who have perished iv a noble though fiuitless fight, aa well as to those who have achieved success, we accord all honour and praise; But it is the fcupremest folly, to refuse to be w.rned by failure, and to go ou battling for an idea which experience proves to be fallacious. Geographical science can unite well afford to dispense.with exact in' formation as to the North Pole, tho development of steam locomotion, and tho opening up of short inter-continental routes of travfil,__move the necessity for seeking a shorter passage through these frozen seas, and there isnopressingcallfordeVelopingthe commerce in oil and furs which alone these desolate regions can be expected to yield. Such a forlorn hope as these Arctic expedi tions constitute might well be left as a dernier rissoi . for the employment of our energies, enterprise, nnd capital. While vast fertile tracts of America, Africa, Aus tralia, and the many islands of the Pacific remain unexplored and uncolonised it cannot ,bo said that there is no field for the display of exploring energy and commercial enterprise in a way calculated to benefit the whole human family. There are, besides, in the regions we have named whole realms of scieoce lying ready to yield their stores of instruction and profit to the faithful seeker after knowledge, It would add to the sum of human happiness if tho money and energy expended on Arctic ex ploration were directed into these channels, and for this reason we cannot but deplore the misdirection of these powers which still continue.. By all means.let men subdue the earth, and make tho wilderness blossom its the rose '; but there is no need for them tackling the toughest part of the job until they have proved their powers by a'ceomp lishing the easier work.

War Clouds in Europe.

When the slave population of ancient Rome had attained such proportions as to make their dissafection a source of danger, the noble, were Wont to secure their own safety by fttirring up party strite ! between diffel*ont sections of the en ' slaved thousands, which thus effectually prevented any general combination On their part against their taskmasters. A policy, the same though dilTcrent, is pursued by some absolute Governments in modern days when, in ordor to allay popular agitation for constitutional or social reform, they en gage the people in tile exciting enterprise of a forolgn war. Evory despotic Power whose subjects aro discontented is thus a standing menace to tho peace of the world, The Russian people continue to show the most revolutionary spirit, aud their rulers continue to apply the old remedy, which is akin to the medical device known as " counter-irritation." To anyono who has paid any attention to the methods of Muscovite diplomacy, it has been evident for some time past that the Czar and his advisers were animated by the old restless spirit of negression, and only wanted a pretext for entering upon some warlike adventure. As Russia finds at every step that Britain is the power which most persistently and eilectually hin ders her ambitious schemes, the first indication of an access of the war fever is usually found in the Rus sian Government, through the inspired organs of the Press, Hinging petty taunts and insults at Britain. Such a spirit was recently shown on the question of the out rages committed on Jews in the Kussian Empire. Tho press of St. Petersburg, us soon as it learned that subscriptions were being made throughout the British dominions on behalf of tho unfortunate victims of Russian fanaticism, insultingly condemned the movement aa uncalled for, aud as amounting to a slight offered to Russia. More recently, when public indig nation meetings in Britain have been urging Her Majesty's Government to offer friendly intercession on behalf of the persecuted race, tbe Russian press has become bolder iv tone, and has declared that the Govern ment of the C.ar would, on uo account, tolerate such interference. The boautitul consistency of Russia, after having made similar outrages the ground for declaring war against Turkey, requires no comment. There need, however, be no apprehensions ,of trouble between Britain and Russia on this score. Mr Gladstone and his Cabinet wisely perceive, no doubt, the present temper of Russia; and will also appreciate the difference between outrages committed by au _ inflamed populace and those emanating from a corrupt Government. Neither neod war bo at present feared because of the insidious eastward march ot Russia, though in the course of hor operations tbat Power is violating her most solemn pledges and assurances to Britain, The Power with which Russia is now on the verge of hostilities is Austria, and the casus belli is the Slavonic rising in various of the Austrian Provinces. It is now ascertained that this insurrection has been fomented, and is being carried on, by Rus sian agents and officers, and it is probably also helped by Russian arms and Russian gold. Tho famous Kussian General Skobeloff has been making a most bellicose speech to his soldiers, antagonistic to Austria ; and though the Czar's Govern ment, with their accustomed doublo-dcul ing diplomacy, havo declared that this speech docs not meet with their approval, the assurance is worthless so long as Skobeloff remains uncensured for his action. It is further asserted that Russia Is massing troops near her wes tern frontier, and that she has concluded a secret treaty with Ronmania in anticipation of war being declared against Austria, The Austrian army is accused, whother truthfully or not makes little difference in tho result, with com. mittlng atrocious cruelties upon insurgent prisoners; and Kussia will probably make this the means of arousing the indignation of her Slavonic subjects, an_t a pretext for the declaration ot another " Holy War." The position ot affairs in the East ia certainly most critical, and any day we may expect to hear of an outbreak of hostilities on a gigantic scale.

To-day, being the date on which the first instalment—one half-penny in tho £— of the Property Tax is due, a considerable sum waa received at the Post Office. The second instalment—one farthing in the £— is due on March Ist. Taxpayers in arrears are liable to a fine of 10 per cent, on the amount due,

Complaints are being made ot tho ex treme liveliness of the larrikin element in Waketield-street. Pedestrians are not only subjected to annoyance and insult, but pro perty itself is not safe. Several panes of glass in a shop-window were deliberately amashed the other night, and practical jokes of an undesirable character are of nightly occurrence. It is to be hoped that Superintendent Thomson will take effective measures for the prompt suppression of the nuisance,

A meeting of shareholders of the National Insurance Company will be held on Friday, the 10th of March, to consider certain resolutions respecting a new issue of shares, and tho proposed increase of tho capital reserve

A drawing contest between A, Bowdcn's bay horse and G, Ferguson's black mare took place this morning, the course being up Victoria-street without stopping. Each horse had to draw one ton, The stakes of £5 a-side were won by Bowden, whoso animal proved victorious.

Another good house greeted the Masto don Minstrels last evening. The pro gramme was entirely new, and was ono of the best yet produced by the company. The ballads of Messrs Wesley and Jackson were encored, and the comic songs of Messrs Gilmour and Wilson were ot outstanding merit. The farces—"The Coalheaver's Revenge," and "You don't say so," were much above the average of such perfor mances. "Pin-a-4 in Black " is announced for to-morrow evening.

Mr Thompson (the husband of that favou rite operatic artiste. Miss Carry [Godfrey) is arranging for a band contest. The event will be novel, and will doubtless prove a great attraction,

Tbe expanded theory of two acids and one base in vegetable matter has been do monstrated by the recent fluid production of Mr Edgar King, of 96, Grey-street, whose concentrated c.mponnd .decoction of " Jamaica Sarsaparilla " has of late years attained a popularity in the environs of London, As a powerful sedative and puri fier of the arteries throughout the body, and a tonic grateful to the abdomen when the blood is unduly heated, and a general alterative to persons in delicate health, the preparation is invaluable to those who re side near tbo tropics.

The second exhibition of the Society of Arts_ will be held early ia April next. Special prizes aud certificates have been offered for the best pupils' Studies from the flat _or. from the round; for the best " original design "in several subjects, and for amateur studies in monochrome and water colour. Portraits painted from photoeraphs will form a clas3 if four com petitors enter for the prize. Full particulars of all entries should be sent in to the secretary by the Ist of March,

The-monthly inspection of tho A Bittery Now Zealand Regiment of Artillery will bo heldat the Drill-shed on tomorrow even ing, .-.very member is requested to attend,

A meeting of tbe Scripture Gift Associa tion was held last evening in Mr Ewing> ton's office, Queen-street. Mrs Wallis re» ported favourably of her Bible instruction class in one of the schools under her supervision j upon tho average 240 children attended. Mr S. Kout reported on tbo progress made during the past year, but more funds were wanting to increase the good work. The society had (riven to scholars during the year, 3,?18 prise books. It Was resolved to hold the annual meeting of the association on the 28th inst. in the hall of the YoUng Men's Christian Associa tion, which it was hoped would be largely patronised.

A Mclbourno correspondent writes i— " Several sensational, not to _ay horrifying, events have occur.d Orconio to light within the last few days. While cutting plops in the bush near Stanwell, a miner came acrosn the headless trunk of a human being. It is patent that a horrible murder has been committed, tho_gh some wlseacVcs endeav oured to suggeat suicide as an explanation, As however, even if the man succeeded in beheading himself with an American axe, it Could scarcely Do expected that the trunk could pick tip and carefully conceal the head from View, this theory has been aban doned. The body is that of a tall, slender, but unusually powerful man, Apparently the murder was committed about two months ttgo, In all probality the head has been thrown into a deserted shaft."

A number of gentlemen connected with the Northern and Auckland Clubs inter ested iv tho formation of a Racquet Club was hold yesterday afternoon at the office of Mr O'Sullivau, Sh6rtland-street. Captain Davency, Captain Rich, and Messrs Datga ville, Bhera, and Jackson wore elected a committee, and Mr O'Sullivau secre tary and treasurer, Tho committee wero authorised • to make terms with Mr Glocson for thb Use of the Racquet Court. And to receive tho names of gentlemen wishing to join tho club. The annual subscription fee was fixed at £i Is, Captains Davctiey and Rich and Mr Nicholls were appointed a subcom mittee to draw ud ruloi, The meeting then adjourned till Saturday afternoon.

Theflratpublicent.rtainr_cnt ia conncc* tion with the Hope of Wairoa Lodge (South) was given on the 10th inst., and was fairly patronised and generally successful. Song?, ducts, and music comprised tha amusoments, sustained by lildio-t and gen tlemen of the district. Our correspondent says:--" It is very dillieult to got up a suc cessful affair at Wairoa, ns settlers enter tain such opposite opinions respecting social gathoiiugs—one-third professing to hate dancing, and two.thirds regarding it as tbe most cburming part of an evening's diver sion. As soon as the Templars retired, the dancers rushed in en masse aud filled the hall, and their appetites wore so much sharpened by bodily exercise that all the provisions vuniahed in a vory brief space of time, and tho urgent cry for moro met with uo real response." The following were the pcrtormcrs:—Misses E. Low, Crcightoo, A. Wilson, L. Wilson, Hawkins, E. Wil son, Mrs Watcrton, Messrs Wilson, Shaw, Melutyrc, Scott, A. Hoye, F. Creighton, J. Creighton, Joseph Crcightoo, biuith, Rumbal, and Moore.

A meeting of the congregation worship ping at St. John's Church, Nonhcote, was held on Tuesday last to arrange for the en largement of the present building, Tho Rev. F. G. Evans occupied the chair, Plans had been submitted aud tendcra called for by Mr W. I. Hammond, who has kindly given his services gratuitously. It was agreed that, with certain modifica tions, the tender of Mr Johnston should be accepted. Tho enlargement will take the form of a transept and chancel, and will givo accommodation for sixty additional sittings. It was stated that £40 wero still required to make up tho requisite amount. Towards liquida ting this n Harvest Thanksgiving Festival will bo held in the church on Wednesday, Febrnary 22nd, when the collections will be in aid of the building fund, Also a concert will be held in tho district schoolroom, on Wednesday, March Ist, which, it is hoped, will considerably augment the fund. The enlargement of this church affords nu excellent opportunity to benevolent persons to aid in advancing the church's work in the suburbs, whoro the people are trying to obtain suitable accom modation for divine worship.

To the Kditor: Sir,—Oavingroad tbe para graph in Monday's STAK.hcaded, " Drown ing at Kaipara," I tbink there ought to be an Investigation by the head authorities at once. That a man in this state of drunken ness should be put on board the s.s. Durham agalust the wishes of the captain, speaks very ill of the persons who supplied bim with drink. I should say, Mr Editor, it is a publican's duty to take care of a man when he is staying in tho hotel and obtains his drink there. But this is not so about some parts of the Kaipara river j inly two weeks ago I saw a man picked up in a boat speechlessly drink. It took an hour before he could speak. Ho bad several bottles of spirits with him, and about twenty pounds and some odd silver. Hero is a _man who might have been drowped- and nothing more heard of him. It waa a very rough day. Previous to this there was a gum digger under delirium tremens at large, with a sheath.knife and tomahawk; he was tunning at a mad pace. If this man had met anyono wo might guess the rosult Many of your readers will not wonder at the numerous cases of drowning when they road tho above. — 1 am, &c.,— CORBIQ-NDA.

i At Sheffield recently, Mr Dossy Weight man, coroner, held an inquiry into tbe death of Amelia Turner, who died under very painful circumstances on her wedding day. In tho morning she was married to Joseph Turner, an iron plater, and went home with, her husband to one of the suburbs. The man was not sober, and went ■to bed, leaving his wife downstairs apparently in good health. Awaking in tho evening he found his bride lying on the floor downstairs, to all appoar ances "nicely asleep." A friend, believ ing sho was unwell, bathed het forehead with vinegar, and the husband covered her with wrappers,,after which he went to the Huntsman'?; where he stayed until a quarter to 11 o'clock at night. When ho got home his bride was still lying on the floor, and her mouth was covered with froth. Finding sho was dying he wont for assistance, but on his return she was defld. The woman had a stroke, and was subject to giddiness, and the medical evi dence was she had fallen downstairs, and died from an effusion ot blood on tbe brain. It was elicited at the inquiry tbat the husband was tipsy when he got home, and did not know how long he had been away. Tho verdict was that the woman had died from effusion of tho brain, caused by a fractured skull.

In a recent Issuo of the " Australian News " it was stated that the City Council of Sydney had received a letter from a gentleman representing a syndicate in London, offering ■to light tho streets with electricity at a cost of 25 per cent, less than tho contract prico for gas. Wc believe Sydney is one of the colonial cities where the lighting of the streets is rather economically per formed, and would threfore present to an Electric Company the best field for operat. ing. From tho news by the last mail, how. ever, there appear to bo serious difficulties yet in the way of electric lighting. An English paper to hand, dated 6th December, says:—The attempt to introduce the Brush system into the streets of Edinburgh has resulted ip failure. At Cockermouth tbe Local Board, in the beginning of August last, agreed in a great hurry to hand over the town to be lighted by six Brush lamps and forty oil-gas lamps. It was then the opinion of some members of the Council that "all tho world" would go and see the brilliant spectacle presented by tho now system of light ing The "world"onlycomes

to Cockermouth to laugh at the authorities, and to complain bitterly of the state of the streets after nightfall; and it is reported that communication between the Local Board and their lighting con tractors is now carried on through the medium of solicitors. At Goldlining, where the proposal to light the streets by electric lamps actuated by water power was carried out some weeks since, and was hailed at the time by a section of the London daily press as a Heaven-sent inspiration, the attempt to use water power for such a purpose haß completely failed, and a steam-engine has been installed vice water-wheel dismissed from ser vice. . . The arc lights maintain an in termittent existence, to the mingled amuse ment and vexation of the inhabitants ; the Swan lamps, which were originally worked in conjunction therewith,have been replaced by oil lamps of tho well-known disappoint ing type. Meanwhile the Gas Company, with a philanthropic regard for human life, not unmixed with more selfish considerations, maintain on the bridge which crosses the river that has proved faith less to the electricians, a powerful new burner which gives light with irritating steadiness and provoking reliability;

Mr B. Maclean, Judge of the Assess ment Courts lor the various city and subur ban districts, notifies by advertisement in another column when appeals will be heard, ' "

The following paragraph appears in tbe Dunedin "Morning Herald rt of Monday 6th inst!-"The Key. Mr M'JSicd), of Auckland, occupied the pulpit of the North Dunedin Church yesterday, at both morn ing and evening service?. We understand that it is the intention of the congregation of this church to moderate in a call to the ltev. A. C. Giilies.'1

We have had the opportunity of sampling the white and strawberry wines manu factured by Mr J. Wendel, of Grey-street. The white wive is not unlike champagne, aad is specially recommended to invalids by Mr J. M. Titnney (Provincial Analyst), ~hile the strawberry wine ia very palatable. In fact both are pleasing beveratres, and only require to be known in order to command au extensive sale, They are excellent tonics.

At a meeting of the creditors of i. Rowlinsouj held to-day, a resolution was passed recommending the granting of an order of discharge. The creditors of John Taw appointed Mr Thomas Macffarlane creditors' trustee. A meeting of the creditors' in the estate Of W. E. Allen was adjourned till to-morrow* The .New Zealand Drng Company re cently suspended operations for a short time at their Sulphuric Acid Works at Kaikorai Valloy, in order to effect some slight alterations in tho plattt, but work has again been actively resumed, and, as over (50 tons of acid bas now been pro duced, the company have fulfilled the con ditions required by the Colonial Secretary for the award of the bonus of £500. The manufacture of a similar quantity for the noxt two years entitles the company to an additional bonus of £500 per year, or £1,500 in all.

Up to till, pte-dnt time (saya the Mel bourne "Age" ot January 23rd) nothing ia known as to the fate of the Eurynome, Which sailed from Goelong in May last with a largo cargo of wheat for the United Kingdom. Thero is some reason for aup posing that she was destroyed by fire, arising from spontaneous combustion j in this case the hull may be met with, or tho crew may have escaped tosome uninhabited island in the Pacific, and may yet bo heard of. Captain Pottsr has left a wife aud five children in London, and the steward was a married man with a largo family. Captitiu Pottor was greatly beloved for hia gentleness and high principle. He has a brother and sister in this colony, and was vory anxious for the latter to accompany him on his ill-fated voyage.

His Honor Judge Mac Donald ban reserved judgment in the District Court case ot Woodward v. Phillips and Son, wherein £100 is claimed for an alleged breach of agreement caused by the the discharge 6f plaintiil' from tho defendants' employ. Tho d-ifondants contend that the laths which the plaintiff was ordered and refused to re place in the shop, wero measurements ond records of business, and tbat the order was a reasonable one, which the plaintiff was bound to obey, On the other hand the plaintiff claims that they were his property, and that the defendant, John Phillips, gave an order which the plaintiff was not bound, as part of the contract, to obey ; therefore there was no wilful disobedience on his part, His Honor said ho would givo his judgment in writing.

Yesterday several membeis of tho lock out committee waited on the manager of the Union Sash and Door Company to see if there Was any possibility of an agreement being come to. They asked Mr Herbert if be was willing to take back all tho lock outs. Mr Herbert said he wonld take back as many as he could find work for. He would not ask them to work overtime, Tho deputation asked him whethor, if they were asked to work overtime, time and a quarter would be allowed, to wttfch Mr Ilwbert replied tbat it would not. The deputation, hopeless of coming to terms, then withdrew.

The hearing of the petition made by Mr W. Hollis, of Lyttelton, against the return of Mr Allwright for that constituency, on the ground tbat aliens had voted at the election, was commenced at Lyttelton yes terday, before Judges Johnston and Wil liams, The petitioner was represented by Messrs Harler and Briton, and tbe respon dent by Messrs Holmes and Uowlisbaw. The Returning Officer waa represented by Mr Ailwrigbt (tbe respondent) and Mr Adder, Tho Bench considered the question waa a claim of aliena to vote, and in the view of another case at Watakinui, thought it was best for the counsel to argue the points, and they would reserve judgment till after hearing the second case, as the argument raited in that might influence an opposite judgment. Mr Holmes, in answor to the petition, quoted authorities to show that there waa nothing about alien voting, drawing particular attention to the residential qualification, and that after the roll revision no name could be removed. Tho Registrar could en quire if the claimant to vote was an alien, and if so, the claim to vote could bo refused. The Act of 1880 did not provide that aliens should not vote, whereas the provisions of tho other Act did, bnt they liad been repealed by the first-named, which alao pto vided they should not bo registered.—Mr Hurler, for the potitionor, replied, contend ing that it was quite possible that aliens were placed on tho roll, out the Act of 1866 prohibited them from voting, Tho caso was adjourned till the 23rd proximo.

At the ordinary meeting of tho Onehunga Borough Council on Monday evening there wore present -.—The Mayor (Mr Codlin), Messrs Baric, Fleming, Hartnett, Hastic, Hills, Jackson, Kclsall, Tapp, and Waller. An application by Mr Wilson for reduction of rent on a reserve leased by him, and nLso for extension of the term, was referred to the Reserves Committee. It waa decided to offer a building site in Queen street, applied for by tho' Onchuoga Land Society, by public auction, fcr 21 years.at an annual rental of £8, to be then re-let, with buildings, at a valuation, A warrant from the Treasury stated that tbe subsidy for nine months was £84, less £60 for contribution to hospital and chari tablb aid. The water supply to vessels during the month of January was reportod to have been 25,650 gallons t. 38 vessels, realising £12 16s 6d. Mr Stewart, C.E., recommended that a Tangye's pump be procured, and fitted up; and that the reservoir be raised four feet. It was agreed to carry out the recommenda tions under Mr Stewart's supervision, Fifteen additional cases of scarlet fever in six fresh houses were reported by Dr. Scott, A letter from the Colonial Secretary in formed the Council tbey had no control over the harbour or quarantine regulations. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Jackson, "Tbat a man be appointed to act as In spector of Nuisances, Dog Banger, and various other offices under the Counoil by laws, and also to work on the roads."

THE ROTORUA SALE.

The " Otago Daily Times " states that the Thermal Springs Districts Act, under which tho Rotorua township is advertised to be sold on lease of 99 years, was drafted at tho suggestion of Judgo Fenton. The Met enables the Governor to take the place of native owners, with their conaent, aa land lord in the localities concerned : to make terms by way of lease with persons desirous of settling there, and to lay out any lands, execute any works, build any buildings, and make any arrangement or regula tions whatsoever .that may be necessary for achieving the objects of the Act. The Governor is not to be hampered by any existing legal technicalities, but is to get possession of tbe tracts of country in question as best he can, and administer them, when in posssesaion, as best he may. "By this means," continues our Otago contemporary, "tho Governor stands between the Maori owners on tbe one hand and tbe European monopolists ou the other, and founds a settlement for the benefit of both, and of the public in addition. The ultimate consequences of this pale cannot be fore seen; but it may reasonably be assumed, without indulging in any visions of the far distant future, that this lovely region, hitherto uninhabited save by a scanty native population, will at once become peopled by a numerous and well-to-do .European community. The difficulties of access will, it is expected, be speedily removed by the construction ot a section ot railway bringing Rotorua into daily communication with Auckland; aud as soon as that is done tho progress and , prosperity of the new settlement will bo assured. As a political step, the establish ment of a large population in the midst of the native districts in the interior of the North Island will be of immense value ; but that, in our opinion, is a minor consideration compared with the advan-' tage to be derivod from constituting the hot springs of New Zealand the sanatorium of the world. We can well imagine the grati fication with which the author of this admirable scheme contemplates the ap proaching fruition of labours which it has been one of the objects of hie life to accom plibh,"

SCINTILLATIONS.

"Be brief, for it Is, with words as with sunbeams; the more they are condensed the deeper they barn."—Soothe.;

Passages of Arms.—Sleeves. ■ ':'• Inn Subordinates.—Tavern servants,

" Stirring " Times.—Morning hours. One of the penaUie'a of crime.—The halter.

Men go to the dogs; foxes run away from them. A Dead take-in—No payment to the body-snatchers. A man of an uncertain stamp—The Post master-General. ~,_.. A Matchless Story.—Ono in which there are no weddings. . Mr Lalor, Speaker of tbe Victorian Assembly, left for Waikato yesterday, ac companied by Mr F. J. Moss. There are now in India 9,591 miles of completed raihoads, During August, 15,923,717 gallons of petroleum wero exported from Philadel phia. The Napier Jockey Club have endorsed the Racing Club's disqualification of Murtagh. Messrs Davidson and Conyers' tender for Wanganui bar contract haa been ac cepted. The backbone of a well'organised orches-' tra—The trombone, Cricketers are just like girls—Alwaya looking out for catches. Does the caterpillar mend its ways when It turns over a new. leaf 1 The prettiest girl spoils her looks while she is sucking an orange. A state which is numerously inhabited, but which ia not oa the map.—The state of suspense. Question lor physiologists.—A boy at tending a Board school wishes to know if a cool head can be considered a num(b)skull,

Mr Keith Ramsay was re-elected chair man of the Dunedin Harbour Boaid yester day. The harvest at Taleri Is not turning out well, owing to the ravages of, small birds and bad weather,

The tender of Messrs Davidson and Conyers (£9,754 7s) has been accepted for the formation of 16j miles of the Rivcrton to Orepuke railway line, Otdgo. The proprietor of the New Zealander Hotel, Wellington, was fined £1 yesterday for allowing billiards to be played after hours,

It is probable that Ilcrr Carl Schmitt will conduct the Choral Society's Orchestra dur ing the exhibition in April, at Christ church.

Auckland lost one of its beat cricketers by the departure of Mr D. Lynch for Nel son in the Hawea yesterday. Madame Soldenc has organised a strong opera-bouffe company for an Australian tour, which \iill probably last from 9 to 10 mouths, Madame hopes to reach Mel bourne about the end of 1882.

A vessel which will have a capacity of 3,200 tons, or more than 100,000 bushels ef grain, is being built at Cleveland (U.S.A.). A good cement for repairing glass is said to be secured by dissolving line glue in strong acetic acid to form a thin paste. Yesterday a three-roomed cottage at Burkes, on the Port Chalmers railway, was burnt down. The fire was caused by a spark from a passing train. Insurance, £140, in the Standard Office.

The ship Dunedio, which sails to-day from Port Chalmers, will take 5000 refri gerated sheep home. Sir C. McMahon, Sir John O'Shanassy, and other Melbourne shareholders, have arrived to visit the Gisborne petroleum fields.

The Ponsonby Highway Board intend to hold a meeting for the consideration of the sanitary question in view of the prevalence of infectious diseases in various parts of Auokland.

A man has been knocked down for less than this I—A Herman traveller in Africa characterises a peoplo he came across as " intensely black, dolichocephalic, platy rhino, prognatbus, dichotomatic and doli chodactylic."

Advice gratis—Ask no woman her ace. Never joke with a policeman. Do not play chess with a widow, .never contradict a man tbat stutters. Be civil to rich uncles and aunts. Take your oldest hat for an evening party. Always sit next the carver, if you can, at dinner. Mr A, Boardman has withdrawn from the candidature for a seat at the Board of Education.

The child Abbott, badly injured at Christchurch on Saturday, is dead, and one of the others is found to be much worse than was supposed. Mrs Abbott was sister tb the late Dr. Campbell, and only a few months ago her mother had the misfortune to break hor leg. A dreamy writer says it would be curious to follow a pound of silk from its spinning until it becomes a lady's dress. No doubt, but most men would prefer to follow it after it became a dress, and while the lady was in it.

The Mining Inspector at the Thames had no lefs than 158 cases of forfeiture of claims for non-working, before the Warden on Monday. There were 17 cases for breach of the regulation. Messrs McLean and Sj>na start on the Alexandra Bridge aboot the Ist of April. It will be 264 ft. long, with a width of 12ft. cloar cartage way, and 40ft. abovo the level of the stream.

A lady put her watch under her pillow tho other night, but could'nt keep it there because it disturbed her sloop. And there, all tho time, was her bed "ticking right underneath her, and she 'never thought of that at all.

" Sam, you are not honest. Why do you put all the good peaches on the top of the measure and the little onos below ?" " Same reason, sab, dat makes de front of your house marble and de back gate chiefly slop bar'l, sah," " What is your occupation ?" asked the magistrate, as ha beamed at the burglar through his spectacles. " Wot ham I, yer worship!" replied the burglar in his most silvery tones, " why, a houso cleaner, in course ?"

• A petrified woman has been discovered hear Halifax. It is suspected, that her husband gave her lOdols. without her ask ing to got a new autumn bonnet, and she was petrified with astonishment.

AUCKLAND REGATTA CLUB.

The annual meeting of tho Auckland Regatta Club was held in the upstairs room of the Waitemata Hotel last evening. Thero was a good attendance of committeemen, but tbo genoral public were very poorly represented, Mr John Waymouth presided, and called upon the secretary to read the balance-sheet, which showed:—Receipts: By balance from 1881, £16 17s Sd; sub scriptions, £.21 8s 9d ; entrance fees, £74 14«; sale of cards, £11; tickets, flagship, £17 17s; total, £541 17s. Expenditure : Prizes, £356 4s; advertising. £21 13s; en graving, £7 . boat-hire, £19 ss; band, £9 ; miscellaneous, £44 5s 2d; total, £457 7s 2d. Balance carried forward, £84 9. lOd, The balance-sheet was adopted. On the notion of Mr J. B. Graham, seconded by Mr Buchanan, a vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing com mittee for getting the last regatta off successfully. The following officers were elected, for the ensuing term :—Patron, His Worship tho Mayor; vice-patron, the Chairman of the Harbour Board ; president, Mr C. H. Street; vice-president, Captain H. F. Anderson; treasurer, Mr Thomas Henderson, jun.; secretary, Mr R, E, Isaacs; auditors, Messrs J. Coupland and J. B. Graham; committee, Captains D. H, and John McKenzie, Hearing, and A, Farquhar. Messrs Gouk, 11. W. Hender son, Wm. Buchanan, D. Oxley, C. Dacre, M. Niccol, John Marshall, E, Mitchelson, and John Waymouth. After passing a vote of thanks to tbe chairman, the meet ing terminated.

ORGANS OF DEEP-SEA ANI MALS.

DUKiNG his researches on the fauna of the Caspian Sea, M. G. Grimm has studied the modifications which are undergone by the organs of sense in animals which inhabit great depths. Among them several have well-developed organs of sight, which seems to prove that even at very great depths light is not completely absorbed. Such are the Caspian Mysis, the Gammaracanthus Caspius, several Booeckiie, and others; but on the contrary, there are at the same depths many species whone eyes are quite atrophied, and in these species we observe that other organs of sense receive a greater development. Such is the case in Niphar gus and Gnesimus. But whilst Nipha-gus Caspius bears well developed organs of smell and of touch on its antenna;, in Gnesi mus, which, as well as tho former, has but rudimentary eyes, only organs of touch arc to be found on its jaws. M. Grimm ex plains this last difference by the circum stances that the former species usually re mains in water, whilst Onesimus likes to remain in the mud at the bottom, where it searches for its food very much Like a mole

CABLEGRAMS.

[Reutek's Xblkobams.]

TWO MORE MURDERS. LONDON, February 13. ! Intelligence is to hand from Ireland tbat Mr Lloyd, a magistrate, and a policeman named Bodybe, have been shot. No trace of the perpetrators ot the outrage has yet been found. MR GOSCHEN'S VISIT TO BERLIN. LONDON, February 13. In the Honse of Commons to-day, Sir Charles Dilke, tho Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question, stated that the recent visit of tbe Right Hon. J. N. Goschen to Berlin was purely personal and private, and was not in any way one of a diplomatic character, MR GLADSTONE AND THE CLOTURE, LONDON, Eebruary 13, It is rumoured that Mr Gladstone in tends to make the proposed introduction of the cloture into the House of Commons a Cabinet question. THE COLONIAL MAILS. LONDON, February 13. The Australian and New Zealand mails, via San Francisco, which left Auckland on January 3, were delivered here to-day. The mails via Suez and Briudisi per P. and o.' steamship Caithage, which left Melbourne on January 4, and the supple mentary mails, per steamship Orient, from Melbourne on January 5, were aIBO de livered here to-day.

AUSTRALIAN.

QUARANTINE PASSENGERS.

MELBOURNE, February 14. It is announced that tho paaaengera by the P. and O. Company's steamship Mirza ' pore, who havo been isolated from the ! 1 small-pox patients,' will be released from quarantine on the 20th inst. ; THE WRECK OF THE FIONA. SYDNEY, this day. The wreck of .'the Fiona, as it lies at Seal ' Rock Point, hasbeon sold at auction for £440. The cargo realised £131. LAYCOCK COES HOME AGAIN. Elias Laycock, oarsman, sails fos England by the steamship Liguria on Friday. It is understood that he goes for the purpose of asissting Trickett, . ■ THE INTERCOLONIAL CRICKET MATCH. SYDNEY, February 14. 'The intercolonial cricket match was con , tinned to-day. The Victorians were all' disposed of for a total of 315 runs. Palmer was not out for 76 j Bonner scored 44. The Victorians followed on their second innings, and when the stumps were drawn for the day they had lost two wickets for 191 runs. IBlackham made 96, and Horan 61, both not out, SHIPPING. . SYDNEY, February 14. I Sailed, this afternoon : The Union Co.'s I steamship Wakatipu, for Wei lington.

POLICE COURT.-This day.

(Before — Hull, Esq., J.P.) Dednkabds. — Three persons were charged with this offence, ana.fined 5s and costs each.

Eliza again—Eliza Rice made a mov ing appcai to the Court, and would not get drunk any more.— 5s and costs.

Cheap Lodgings.—Martin Dyer was charged under the Vagrant Act with being found on the premises of Government House, on the 14th inst,—Sergeant Gamble described prisoner as a loafer and petty thief—of ten found at the back doors.—The Court allowed the old man his liberty on promise of amendment. Love of Dress.—Mary Igoe, a young girl, was charged with the larceny of two dresses, a skirt, case, and other articles, value £10, on the 28th ultimo, the property of Mdlle. Lena Gray Fleming, Sylva Cottage, Grey-street.—Mr Laishley appeared in de fence.—Sergeant Gamble said tbe prisoner was only arrested last evening. Se would, therefore, ask for a remand, which was granted until Tuesday next.—Mr Laishley asked for bail, which waa allowed, herself in £20, and two sureties in £10 each. (Before Superintendent Thomson and B, Ireland, Esq., J.P.s) Throwing Stones.—Joseph Tye was charged with using insulting language to Susan Seacup, and throwing stones at her, threatening to ''crack her nut."— Mr Laishley appeared in this case, and said this was a very gross case. Mrs Tye wdnt to the house of Mrs Seacup, in a state of intoxication, and, not only used the' most disgusting language, but threw & number of stones at the poor woman. So often had this conduct been repeated, that her husband, who was going into the bush, brought this case in order to protect Ms wife. The accused pleaded not guilty. Susan Seacup deposed that she resided in Alexandra-street, Saw Mrs Tye on Thurs day evening. She began to abuse her in the Lane, and called'her most filthy names, (paper handed in), witnesses were present|; Mrs Clark heard much of the abuse.—Mrs Tye was drunk, she came to her door after insulting ber in the Lane.—The offen sive language was repeated on Saturday evening, both by Mr and Mrs Tye: they found fault with complainants' children,— To Mrs Tye; It is the truth ; you used.tho language on two evenings.—Jane Graves, residing in the same street, was close by; hoard Mrs Tye call Mrs Seacup a ; she was certain ot it; MrsSeacupdidnot provoke ber; rhc language was repeated on Saturday. Ormond Seacup corroborated, and Tye challenged him out to fight; he refused ; considered that protection for his wife was necessary, as he was going into the coun try.—Margaret Clarke, aunt to Mrs Sea cup, heard the noise, put her basket down, and tried to appease Mrs Tye's temper, but could not stop her tongue, which was going at a fearful rate.—Mrs Tye stated that her tongue was certainly very active, but her language was discreet; she would ask the Bench to hear her daughter. — Letitia Tye stated that the disturbance arose through Mrs Seacup's boy, who an noyed her mother; did not hear any swearing.—Thomaa Tye was not called.— Mrs Tye wished for an adjournment; her husband was not present on the occa sion of this charge.—The Bench was of opinion that the insulting language had been used, which nothing would justify; but as the accused was about to leave the neighbourhood, she would be fined 10a and costs, or 14 days,

an Excited Baeber.—Edwin Austin, hair-dresser, of Karangabape-road, again appeared in answer to a charge of making use of barber-ous language in a public place, on the sth.inst. Defendant pleaded not guilty.—The following evidence was adduced : .-George Evans deposed that he saw the accused on tbo Sunday evening, standing at his door in the Karangabape road, he was very violent, and made use of I very bad language towards Mrs Simmonds, | The people were passing on their way from church. To Austin :He was not told what to say : hoard you with ray own two ears.—Charlotte Simmonds, wife of George Simmonds : She was passing ; defendant was committing a nuisance against a door; she told him he was a dirty man, and micht exercise common decency; he then used most tearful language — (words put in). The Conrt: What have you to say to this charge; Defendant: Your Won ship, I am a quiet barber, carrying on a quiet business in Newton, but I am the victim of larrikinism, and this charge was brought against me through spite by the last witnesp, who haunts me like.a ghost, I had to pay for several panes of alass which sho broke for me. Oh, she's a terror! Mrs Simmonds denied this, also the statement that Sim* monds owed a^uarter'a account for shaving, —The Court said the language was clearly proved, and imposed a fine of 40. and costs or 14 day's imprisonment.

CHARGE OF ARSON.

(Before J. E. Macdonald, Esq., R,y.i

Joseph Mbbrick, of Albert-street, g |_ r . rendered his bail and appeared in answer to two charges of setting fire to dwelling, houses on the Ist of January last, with intent to.injure James Dempsey and D ' Noel Gamier. The case was taken in the upper conrt in order that the current cases might be dealt with in the lower conrt at the same time, and for the better hearing of the witnesses, . Mr Pardy conducted the case, and Mr Samuel Hesketh appeared in defence of the accused. Elizabeth Williams, servant in Mr Mer rick's family, waa cross-examined by Mr 8 Hesketh, on her evidence, which appeared in the STAR, but notlllng contradictory to her former statement was elicited.—Anni. Birch, wife of George Birch,deposed that she and her husband came into town on the "• evening of the fire: called at Merrick'a • found that Mrs Merrick and the family were out, but Merrick waa at home.—Wit. nesß then detailed tbe circumstances oi hearing the fire-bella, and learning that the fire was at Merrick's, I Wm. Gibson, gardener, of St, John's College, deposed that he was in town oa New .ear's Eve, in company with Mr and Mrs Birch. Knew Mr MerricK'a house. Went there oa New Year's morning", j Knocked at the front door, Waited some ' time. Was about to go away when the door was opened by Mr Merrick. He said the children were not at home. He was fastening up to go to the wharf. Did not enter the house. Walked towards the Star Hotel with Mr Birch. Merrick was not with them, Birch went across to the Foresters' Arms. Immediately after, he heard the alarm of fire. Saw the smoke issuing from the bed-room window over the shop. It was very black. Did not notice the back port ot the house. To MrS. Hesketh: Was sure Merrick said he waa just locking up, He was not jolly, but '___% perfectly sober. I_\_\ David Clements, landlord of the Black ■ Bull Hotel, Albert-street, knew the accused. His shop was near the hotel. Heard the alarm of fire on New Year's morning about 12.25. He was in hia sitting-room when the alarm was given. He ran out. Saw a • dense cldud of black smoke issuing from * the upper window of Merrick's house, next to the Star. Tried to wrench open the abutters, but did not succeed, Got the door open. Could not reeog. nise young Scarrott. Thought the family were in bed. His object was the gettin? them out. He rushed throngh the shop into the sitting-room. There was I no fire in the ahop. Found the fire on the left hand side, under the stairs, issuing from a cupboard, and curling round the atair-case. The handles were on fire, but be could . not get up stairs. He called " Merrick 1 Merrick !" but re ceived no answer. Found the fire running under the flooring towards the shop. See ing danger, he got out as soon as possible. It looked to him as though a train of some* thing had been laid along purposely. , There was a very strong smell of kerosene, Was sure the fire proceeded from the cup* ' board. There was no fire elsewhere, and no candle in the rooms below. He did not see one. He ran oat and closed the ' 'M Cross-examined by Mr 8. Hesketh j There was plenty of smoke in the room, He burst the doot open and was the first man who entered thehouse. Had not com .4 , |,:I plained to the police about the house. John Hughes, Superintendent of the Auckland Fire Brigade, depoaed that ho remembered the fire. The alarm waa given about 12.30 on the morning of the Ist of January. The fire was by the Star in Mr Merrick's bouse. Noticed that the fire was through the whole block, running along the roofs. He succeeded in putting the firo out. He then examined the premises. Keroaene smelt strongly, and some thing else, like cocoa oils. He bad his suspicions by the dense black smoke, that oils- were burning. Timber never caused such smoke. He saw scarcely any signs of fire in the shop; not enough ti des troy anything. Went upstairs. Found it pretty much ss below. There had been a fire in the passage, distinct from the fire below. There had also been distinct fires in Merrick's bed-room. The fires had burned downwards. Saw a chest of drawers in the bed-room between the chimney and recess, close against the wall. They had been on fire. The floor around them had not been burnt. He had no doubt but thoie drawers were set on fire. They could not '«i have ignited irom either of the fires pre- Ml viously referred to. The floor on which the drawersstoodwaauntouched, the bottom of the drawers clean, and the feet intact. ' The bed was not made; in fact there was ■ very little bedding in tbe room. On the :' following Monday he. made a further ex amination, and on the floor of the shop > from the bottom of the staircase, there was a mark, where the fire ran, which had the appearance of having been dashed along. Had no doubt,but it was- some kind of oil. ' Mr jjesketh: That is your opinion. Mr Hushes: It is more than opinion; I | will, swear that it was the trace, of in flammable oil; had it not been so it would not have burnt so rapidly. "t' i To Mr Pardy : The partition of the cup board was burnt out. Witness explained and pointed out two channels in the step under the door, formed by burning liquid, evidently run iv beneath the brickwork, He found that tho fire had travelled from the stairs right away into the roof. Found no traces of lire in two of tbe rooms. Only found them in the bottom floor, and in Merrick's room. The, drawers wero comparatively empty. He made a rough estimate of the goods from the remnants, and he should say tbat £5 or £6 would have covered. thoir value; nothing like £40, as had be_**F > stated, He handed over the care of the ruins to Captain Butler and tho detective. Cross-examined by Mr Hesketh: Knew that thero had been three fires, because of three distinct burnings.' The ftte went straight up and ran nlong the roof. (Left' Sitting.) .

EDINBURGH.

IT is; not, mere local vanity -which makes Scotchmen believe that, in point of position Edinburgh is not only unsurpassed, but un rivalled Dy any cities in Europe, with the possible exceptions of Corinth and Constan tinople. Venice and Florence are wonder- j ful dreams; and tlio first especially is an .amazing freak of architecture—a city on the sea; but they depend more for the passion of admiration they excite upon what i is' in them than what .nature has done , around them. Innspruck and Geneva arc grand, and magnificent in the surrounding majesties of nature; but they haye little, ..,"■ interior,, and their natural glories of imme diate neighbourhood can scarcely be said to equal the Scottish metropolis. Vienna, Berljtaj Paris have no castlecrags like those which rise so proudly over the northern city; and their rivers have none of the wild beauties of those which are to be found here, and they .are at a distance from the ever-living and ever-changing sea; while the absence of the great excitements of trade and manufactures have constituted this spot the retreat of quiet wealth and learned leisure, and, in certain and recent periods of its. history, have made it indeed a very Athens in renown, for the presence of its large constellation of poets, philosophers, historians, and preachers. Probably there is no spot on the lace of the earth of which so much has been well said and well sung. The novelists, like Scott and Gait and tlie Wilsons, not to mention a number of other and many inferior names, have sot the social manners of the people, the scenery, and the historical incidents in such a pleas inglight; the ppets, like Scott again, Burns, Foigusson, and Ramsay, have made every variety of beauty familiar to all readers by their verse. No other spot has been honoured by such a crowd of artists and engravers, illustrating .and realising the chttrm of scenery, the romantic structure of old buildings, or the curiosities of old manners. And then the archroologists and historians of Edinbursh and Scotland, like Burton, Rogers, Pitcairh, Chambers, have explored every cranny where a factor a forgotten incident might be supposed to lie. Edinburgh is a place of which not only its citizens, but all England and all English colonies may well he prdudl—'• leisure Hour." ', *'

FEE AUCKLAND EVENING STAJR, WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY 15.



I| ÜBTBIAN BKNTWOOD T. ft: H. COOKE £*■ Cane Chairs, Austrian iS^eOT^eet:? 6* 1^003.0^ Couches and ' T™"" ■*"■3*"• Lounges. Austrian Bentwood Cane Rooking Chairs. ___________________ Tte H COOKB ™ ROOM SUITEB In m UnMnitoeeL 8uk> Tapestry, Rep. and Cre i_4«neen-street. to^6 Walnut Tables, What- nota and Canterburys. MAHOGANY, CKDAR . «.. ~.,..._„ Bimu, and Kaur. Dm __* muDou v ii~h n_lroi o .]-, and American ; Cloth. IKON Half-Tester Bod l_3.«ueen-stree„^adsß. Iron «ump ft*. Bedsteads, Iron Cots. _ . „ ___^, PATENT Spring Boiler T. &H. COOKE, A BUnds and Venetian 123, Qneen-street. Blinds, GUt Cornices and Fronoh-pollßhed Cornice Poles CARPETS, Hearthrugs, „ „ linoleum, Floorcloth, 123, Queen-street, Matting, Door Mots, Bath ' Mats, to great variety. LIBERAL DISCOUNT to . __.__ ..,_..,.v™ G—"h Purchasers. All JffiumriMrt. SP? 1? delivered free ln town. ._*, Mui-.u.uwh Catalogues postfree on appli cation. __.'___« «„„-™ "RBDROOK FDRNITUBr. T. & H. COOKE. JL) ln Choice Mottled Kaur), 1.3, Queen-atreet. Wardrobes,Becftoads. Wash atanda and ToUet T_fc.es. TV Bl RECEIVED : , get May Queen and Coromandel, LABaE! SHIPMENTS OF brussels and tapestry Carpets, ... (ALL SKW PATTOBI-B). A Splendid Assortment of French and English CRETONNES, LACE AND NET CURTAINS In Great Variety. Brass and Ikon Bedsteads and Cots, iron venetian blinds ; (all colours). VERANDAH BLINDS. PERAMBULATORS. FURNITURE of every description ln stook i and made to order. ' ■';;' ' INSPECTION INVITKD,



Tijr IN E S AN D JTALIi, WHOLESALE AND KETAIIi OABINKTMAKERS AND UPHOLSTKRHBS, AND CARPET WAREHOUSEMEN, SHORTIiAND-STBBKT. I', A' B T W E E X ofthh GREAT CLEARING-OUT SALE OF SLIGHTLY DAMAGED GOODS AT ,),•„■ AT INABUKY a po.'S, * ■• __-_ V/Stiaiia **2J)O W orth of REMNANTS to bo sold at SAL F - P R I C E. Wo have made farther Reductions on [the I General Stook In order to dear out a large I portion of Goods SLIGHTLY DAMAGED. AN msPKCTIOS INVITKD. A. L INABUKY & ca, m and 206, Queen St.



Special Advertisements TUNCTION DR A P B-R "XT WAREHOUSE. ' i- WILLIAM R. HRll^|M_iN. 150 Yards bOBt quality 27 Inch Cocoa Matting, 250 Yards beat Quality 86 Inch Coooa Matting, ta^e Do. of Hoar-- R-gs,|s to 8s «d 80 Large sl.e Coloured Alhambra Quilts, Is'Cd 250 Yards Marono and Scarlet Moreen, la yard, formerly 2s 6d . • 200 Yards Russia Duck, all linen. Is yard 300 Yards Army Duok. lOd ; 1200 Yards 72 taoh Hessian, _d yard, 5Jd by the pleoe Large Lot good Black Crape (bought oheap), 2s9dto-slid 10 Pieces Fink, Bluo, Groen and Yellow Book Muslin, is .d pleoe Large Lot of Ladies' Fichus acd Capes, from 28 6dtO 25s 30|Good Black Silk Jackets, from 25s Groat Variety of Ladles' Print and Sattoen Summer Skirts, from Ss 9d Good Stook of Ladies' Umbrellas (all prices', from Is 6d „ - „ . ___.„ ,„ ha > Good Stock of Gents' Umbrellas, from, Isi6d Gocd Stock of Men's white Shirts (plain and plaited front-), from Is 6d Boys-BS-O-e. and Norfolk Suits, from 6.6 d Large Stook of Men's White and (.olour-d Mole Trousers at a small advance on Men-Wino Pants and Shirts from Is lid Carpet Ba.s, from 0a 6d Leather Portmanteau, 27s od WILLIAM rTbRIDQMAN, Upwr Quoon-streot. MOLESKIN TROUSERS I MOLEBKINTKOUBERB Blnce tho Abolition ot Duty on o Piece Goods, THE NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FACTORY ARE AGAIN TO THE FRONT, And can now supply their Customers wlth MOLESKIN TROUSERS At2s%le-8



ThanUsuai,Wholk_a_-I--.io-. TRY THEM ill To be had at all the Retail Branches of tho NEW ZEALAND CLOTHING FAOTORY. Auckland Branoh t QUEEN-STREET (Opposite Theatre Royal).' And at Albert-street, Thames. TUST RECEIVED, Per Steamer, BLACK BROCHE GRENADINE, for Dresses and Mantles BLAOK AND COLOURED MADRAS NETS BLACK AND COLOURED MADRAS MUSLINS BLACK SPANISH FIGURED NET BLAOK SPANISH LACES WATERED SILKS AND RIBBONS A Very Complete Stock ot BABY LINEN and CBILDRENS' and LADIES' UN DERCLOTHING TABLE LINENS, SHEETINGS CALICOS FLANNELS, &c„ Sec, MILNE AND OhOYCE, Queen and Wklleslky-str-ietb, auckland. GARLICK & CR AN WELL still sell all Drapery and Oiothicgon theCii-OPBRA- TfvE Cash Principle. Prices muoh lower than If they did a credit bnstaesß. CITY HALL ARCADE.



DRESS GOODS.—Tho greatest variety and a beautiful assortment Is to be found j at our Establishment, with Trimmings of various kinds to match, and sold at ' Co operative Cash Prices. GAKLICK & CRANWELL. MADKAS MnSLIN, la 8d and la lOd per yard; Coloured Luatroa from Gd to 2a 3d, our own importing and a eolal good value: Black Silks at various prioes, but these at Is 3d and 5s 3d are unusually cheap. GARLICK & CRANWELL, MOURNING GOODS. - Black Cash meres. Crape Cloths, Balmorals, Dress and Bonnet Crapes, Mourning Gooda, to suit all classes of Customers, at the City Hall Arcade. GARLICK & CRANWELL. fTMBBELLAS AND SUNSHADES. ---%J Fashionable Sunshades, plain and fanoy, in Batln and other kinds of coverings. Just opened, some very pretty Children's Parasols, we advise an early selection. GARLICK & CRANWELL. MANCHESTER GOODS. - Sheetings, Calicos, Bed Quilts, Blankets; large lot of White Lace and Muslin Curtains. CITY HALL ARCADE. CRETONNES.— Upwards of 60 patterns to seleot from, some ot them the hand somest In Auokland, varying In price from Sd to Ss 2d. Linings and Trimmings for same, White and Fancy Dimities. GARLICK & CRANWELL. MILLINERY AND FANCY GOODS. —Large Stock of Trimmed Hats and Bonnets. Milliners on the premises to execute orders in beat style and with despatch. Straw Hats, all the leading shapes, a capital line just opened at Is. GARLICK & CRANWELL. FANCY GOODS.-Silk Mantles, Che nllle Dolmans, Capes, Fanoy Scarfs, Children's Fancy Dresses, Feathers, Flowers, Underclothing, &o.; all at low cash prioes. GARLICK & CRANWELL. MEN'S AND BOYS' CLOTHING -A . well-assorted Btook at Co-operative Cash Prioes. Men's Trousers and Vests, Suits, Men's and Youths' Imperial Sao Suits, Boys' Tweed and Knlokor Bolts. Some special lines In Trousers, Waistcoats, Sec, worth Inspecting, fi ARLICK & /CRANWELL, OITY HALL ARCADE, Anokland, SPECIAL DALE OF XpmST-CLASS CUMMER /100DS, TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN. _9TA GREAT SALE TO OF DRAPERY AND CLOTHING WIU be held on tho premises of J. COSGKAVE & CO., QUEEN-STREET. AUCKLAND, It wiU be perhaps surprising to many that we adopt tbo present course at this season of-the year, bnt we do on principle alone. First! To counteract the Influence brought to bear on the nnblio In these extraordinary types. Second: To give the Inhabitants the benefit of some very intensive Shipments, aa well a*largo purohase made at auotion. And third: To-let the people jf Auckland see whore they can get the best value for their money. The Duty on all Manchester Goods being re duced by 16} per cent, and being large purchasers lately, thia reduotion win be a great boon to Housekeepers and the publio ln general. No Goods will bo Entered during the Solo, OASH MUST BE PAID FOR ALL PUR CHASES.- T nO.QKAVB & pO„ Queen-street, auokland. 2MITH AND ARNOLD, ARCHITECTS, 01/0 CITY COUNOIL CHAMBERS. „ L6O BOXES" CHOICE NEW SEASON'S TEA, Bx Mall Steamer, | -';, . .225, Each.' . j HEWS,. yiotorla-atreet. J



. Mr Hazell, who was formerly rough-riding Scrgcant-Majqr in Her Majesty's Service, announces that he is prepared to break in horses, aud to teach riding to both ladies and gentleman. Mi-Hazell's qualifications being undoubted, perfect reliance may be placed in the performance of his engagements.



The man who is in the highest state of prosperity, and wbo thinks his fortune most secure, knows not if it will remain un changed till the evening.



Young ladies and gentlemen about to start housekeeping will be relieved of a moat deal of trouble by calling on the undersigned. You can ascertain in a lew minutes the cost of furnishing a three, four, five, or six roomed houso. Not only oan you form a o.rreet oatlmuto, but you can see all tbo goods ready for delivery at the Various prices. Garlic-: and Cranweli keep a larger Btook of carpets and bodstoa.s than any other houso in Auckland; also the greatest variety of household furniture, most of it manufactured by their own workmen. Fivo per oent. discount allowed for cash at time of purchase. New-comars aro invited to stroll through the City Hall Arcade, and satisfy themselves by an inspection of the stock of the good value we offer, nnd the readiness we ure onabled to execute orders entrusted to our oare -Garliok and Cranweli, Citflr Hall Arcade,— (Advt. ......



A .treat many neuralgic diseases, when aggra vated, become spasmodic, and it is In this part tloul-r stage or typo of the disease, that the great molilfler, known as Udolpo Wolfe's Schiedam Aromatic Schnapps, asserts Its supremacy. It soothes the nerves by its gently diffusive proper ties, allays irritation by its quieting effects, and trnlnz tho system, strengthens the organs, so as tolperfeot functional



A customer explaining to a horse-dealer of the bad points of a horse offered for salel the dealer, with au air of philosophica resignation, said, "Well, of course1, the horse \mi his bad points and his good points. We all know that. But what I insist on is that there's no deception about his bad points. We can sec them; they stand out piain. But we can't none of us tell how many good points he may have till we comes to know *em. That's what I say." The customer said he'd '.'think it over." -~, "■"•