LOCAL EPITOME.

MISCELLANEOUS

NAVAL INTELLIGENCE. A SCB3CEIITION- ball was given on Feb. 23, in the Parnell Hull, to the officers of H M .S.S. Blanche, upan the eve oflier departure from this port. The notice was nxtivmely short, ! nevertheless «omo eighty couples were present, besides those in whose honor the bull was got up. The walls of this large roam were hung I with burning of alt nations, and several minor decorations were extempnused for the ! occasion. The whole affiiir hail been placed ' in the hands of Mr. Halo, confectioner of Parnell, who succeeded, notwithstanding the short notice, in decorating the rooms very effectively. The. catering w.is, of course, in the same hands, and was complete in every detail. There were fifteen dunces upon the printed programme, which occupied the tiine from half-past nine o'clock to the small hours of the morning.

VOLUNTEER INTEL LI G-EXCE.

IN'TERKATIOJTAT, KIFLE M.4TCII.

Oil Feb. 2-i the competitors met at the ilount Eilen Ritle Range to lire this match, .'heconditionswere: Eight men a-side; ranges, 00, 500, and GOO varus j seven shots each angc ; 200 yards, standing, eighL inch bull'sye ; 500 and GOO yards, anv position, target 11 feet by six. The day was gloomy, with a trong M.E. wind blow •"S. whicli afterwards ncreased into very nearly a gale, with rain. Che teams fell in shortly after one o'clock,' md the Englishmen having won the choiec, ipened the ball. It will be seen by the 1111lexed scores that at the end of the lirst range he Irish were one point ahead of the English, •nd eighteen ahead of the Scotch. By the ime the larger targets liiul been erected at he next ranges (500 yards), the wind was ery strong, and tho rain incessant. ; and the argets became almost indistinguishable from lie background, in consequence of the black mint of the bull's-eye streaming over md turning the whole into a ningy >ro".vn. At this range, the English inished wkh 135 points, ihe Scottish being econd, with 121 points ; and tho Irish last, villi 10C ; and the scores, so far, were : — Snglish, 276; Irish, 245; Scottish, 215. It 600 yards it was with dilliculty that mything whatever could be seen of the butts, or tile rain fell in torrents, anil at last the iglit became so bad that., although hits were tnown to be made, it was impossible to ell whether any signal was up or not ; and t was agreed to finish the match on a future lay. In the number of roumis fired at the 500 yards range, the KnglUh succeeded in Iniwing three points more tiheu'l, and the icorc.s stand at —Knglijh, 315 ; 2S-i ; md Scottish, 2SO ; thua leaving to the two ast a struggle for second place. We append i list of the scoring:—

In accordance with the decision of the umpires, the match was concluded on Saturday, March 4, by each of tho representatives of the various nationalities having the opportunity of tiring seven rounds at the GOO yards ran«o. The total scores at this range were as follows : 5!); Irish, G3 ; Scotch, 37. The lota! result is as follows : English, 3.SG ; Irish, :S 12 ; Scotch, 252, so that the En-K.-h team marked 24 points more than the Irish, and 54 points more than the Scotch. It is to be hoped that at any further international match the weather will permit of the total firing being concluded in one day, and so prevent an adjournment and the little differences which are too apt to be created when the atl'.iiris not finished at one time. The competition among thi" young men of the three great, nationalities of the United Kingdom, as to which of the chosen representatives of each are tho best marksmen, is one that can be faii-lv and honorably, and we will add beneficially, indulged in. We hope the international match may become an annual event.

MATCH BETWEEN CHRISTIE (OTAOO) it WAT.KEH (THAMES.) —O.VE THOUSAND POUNDS A-SIDK.

M>. Christie, of Ot.igo, 11113 accepted Mr. Walker's challenge to fire for £1001) α-siie, if the matcli is sliot oil' in Otago, and Mr. Walker hus acceded to the ter:n->. TUA..ME3 SCOTTISIt V. CA PT. WALKs' 3 CO., (OTAGO.) The following are the total snores of tho team selected from the Thames Si-ott.ish, fired on Feb. 24, at 3011 .yards, -RIO yards, and 500 yards. This is the return mat eh with Captain Wiiles's Olago Company, the latter having been victorious in the first match, by 48 points :—Sergeant Campbell, 40; Sergeant Girvan ; 44; Volunteer Sharp, 42 ; Ensign Stewart, 41 ; Captain Murray, 41 ; ColorSergeant Schofield, 30; Volunteer Partington, 39 ; Corporal .Somerrell, 3(i ; Sergeant Snodgrass, 30 ; Volunteer Wilson, 23. Total, 380. —Captain Murray has received a letter from. Captain Wales, containing the detail of the firing of his company in the match against the Thames Scottish. The following is the score:—Captain Wales, 40 ; Ensign DoiKrlua, 47; Sergeant Speight, 37 ; .Sergeant WedTlerepoon, 34 ; Sergeant Wilson, 38 ; Corporal McGregor, 34 ; Volunteer Oreagh, 41 ; Volunteer Hamilton, 32; Volunteer Fuller, 40; Volunteer Trevena, 34. Total, 377.—[The victory rests nominally with the Thames men, but as from some cause or other only nine, instead of ten men, fired in the Otago team' the superiority of shooting lies with the Volunteers.] ° BALL TO CAPTAIN J. M'COSH CLAEK. On the 27th Feb., the members of No. 3 (the Parnoll; Biilo Volunteers gave a ball to their Captain (James lleCosh Clark, Esq.), in celebration of his recovery from his lute accident. The affair took place in the Drillehed, in Princes-etreot, which was gaily decorated with flags of all nations, interspersed with glittering trophioa of arms. A cold refection waa laid out in one of the anterooms, and was well patronised during the evening by the wearied votaries of terpsichore. A little after half-past eight o'clock, Captain Clark arrived, and wag supported into the ball-room by Major Gordon. The room was by this time well filled, nearly the whole of the company being present, as well as almost all the officers of the Volunteer force. Lieut. Harrison made a brief speech, on behalf of the Company, expressive of their respect and esteem for Capt. Clark, and congratulating him on his recovery, to which that gentleman responded in appropriate terms. Dancing then commenced, and was kept up into the " weo sma , hours ayont the twal."

Wo learn that the uniform of the Auckland Scottish Voluntoers has been sent for from Melbourne, and is expected to arrive in about a month. The jackets uro to bo reel, and tho kilte the same as thoau worn by tlio 42nd Highlanders. Tho inea uro to wear tho Glengarry cap, and the officers the Highland bou - net, with plume and feather.

On Fridny evening a concert was given in aid of the funds for the erection of a Presbyterian manse, under the patronage of the Scottish "Volunteers. The concert passed oil very well. In the interlude Mrs. Murray presented the prize 3 to the successful competitors at the late competition. Miijor Cooper made a few introductory remarks, and the presentation of the prizes was then proceeded with. The champion belt, presented by Messrs. Rowe and Thomas, and won by Sergeant Campbell, with an aggregate ueore of 137 points, was placed on his shoulder by llrs. Murray, amidst the cheers of those present. The gold medal, presented by Mr. J. I). Grant, and also won bv Sergeant Campbell, was pinned on his tunic by the lady amidst renewed cheers. Tlio second prize, of a beautiful greenstone po:idaut, richly set in gold (presented by Easigu Stewart and Sergeant Girvan), was presented to Captain Murray. The third prize, a gold riii" (presented by Mr. Ah gren;, was preseiued to "Volunteer Burn-, ; and a complete set of'tiurns' anil Scott's poems fell to the lot of Volunteer MeLeod. A money prize of £2 2s, presented by Mr. John iSrown, of Tararu, for the best attendant at drill and parades during eix months, was awarded to Volunteer Wilson. Three money consolation prizes, presented by Captain Murray for competition umongst the unsuccessful competitors, were then "awarded to Volunteers Partington, Sharp, and Brown. Captain Murray said that the great success of the Thames Scottish was to be attributed to the manner in which they had been supported by the public and the hoHorarv members, as much as to the attention of officers and men. Our Thames correspondent writes: — ' lue funeral of Sergeant Philips (late of the Thames Scottish) tool, place on March 13 with military honours, the band of the Kitle. Brigade and Naval Volunteers heading the procession, followed by the whole of his comrades, and detachments from the various

corps. A Sapper and Miners Corps has bcon formed at ihe Thames (alter the uiouel of the Victorian Engineer Corps) ; under tho command of Captain G-ol Ismith.

Tiio ollii-ers of the Ilobson Company were examined in the Catholic Institute, Wellington street, on .March 5. The examining oilicera were Captain Derrora (Victoria Company), Captain Batger (No. (J A.R.8.), and Cuptuin Dargaville (Engineers). The o Ulcere examined were" Cuptuin Burns, Lieutenant Shinaghan, and Ensign Clifton. The company mustered in good force. There were also a good number of the friend* of ttio members prescul. Tho company was divided iuto llireo squads, and the oilioers put tliem through the limnual and platoon exercises in very good style. The whole were then reformed, and Capfc. Burns put them through various very creditubly. The examination passed oil' very well. Tho Ilobson Company had a church parade o.i Sunday morning. There was a very good muster. They mot at tho Catholic Institute. Wellington-street, and headed by the band of tho Royal Company, marched to St. Patrick's Cathedral. After church was over, they were reformed, marched back, and dismissed. In tho firing for tho Cadet Chauipion belt, R. Lynch, of the Auckland Grammar School mado'gS points, or two points behind fc-ergeam Earl, of Chrislchureh, Canterbury, who made the highest score yet ascertained, viz., S7. At a meeting of tins No. 3 Company Ilauruki K.V., recently, Mr. J. E. Macdonald was elected successor to Lieutenant .DoJd, who had resigned. A General Government gazette, of the 19th ult., has the following : —Prince Alfred Troop Cavalry, Clius. Robt. Cholmondory Smith to bo cup'tuin ; No. 1 Co. A.R.V., dt. John 11. Burns to be saptuin, Ensign J. B. Mclutyre to be lieutenant; No. 2 Co. A.K.V., Albert T. Devore to be ensign; Thames Nuval Volunteers, Albi-rt. Bruce to be sub-lieutenant. The services of the Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers have been ac:cepted. A carbine match between the Hawko's Bay Cavalry and the Taupo Constabulary, cime off ut iS'a'pier, last. Saturday, tho Veomunry Civulry men scoring '20-', tj tho Constabulary 255.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

On Sunday, the 111" Feb., Archdeacon Mannsell proceeded to Wiiiuku, unci held Divine service in the school-room, :it 3 ]). m., before a crowded audience. The school-room wiw not large enough to hold all Lhiit mine. Tlie Archdeacon hud been staying with Mr. E. Hamlin, M.P.C , at Brookside, and visiting the settlers round the distriet during the week. As it was observed the school-room was too Btimll to accommodate th« coneivgation, tho trustees of the We.leyan Chapel offered the ArehJeaeon their chapel to preach in on the following Sunday, which was accepted, and u very large assemblage came to hear the discourse, "which was listened to with great attention. I believe it was the Arclideacon'e intention to vUit the Waiktito before his return to Auckland, but something turned up which prevented him. A ehureh meeting was held in the church at Mauku, on the 2Sth Feb., at 7 p.m., when the V.nerab'.e ArcluUaeon Mannsell took the chair and opened the meeting with prayer. The a-jeounts. for tho past two years were brought forward by Mr. Crispe, and passed. Major Ijusl; and Mi-. Crispe were elected people's churchwardens, and Mr. T. Crawford was appointed Hi-hop's churchwarden by the Areheacon. M.ssrs. lverr, H. Crispe, and Baden were appointed a committee. The Yen. Archdeacon preached on Sunday morning, the 25th February, Waiuku to a large congregation, and in the" afternoon at Maukn ; and during tho week, held various meetings on Church matters, with a view to obtaining more regular clerical aid for this large and important distriet, numbering ft scattered population of between two aud three thousand souls. e An important public meeting of pcr eO u favourable to the establishment of a Pr e sby teriau Church at. Newmarket, under tho pastorate of the Rev. James Co.-ih, M.A. ( Wlls held in tho church at Newmarket, March 11, and numerously attended. Mr. John Angus presided. Resolutions were unanimously adopted, anirmiim that such a church should be established—that the Rev. Mr. Cosh should be invited to take tho pastoral superintendent , !), and that lie should bo paid a stipend lit the rate of £300 per annum. A committee was appointed to carry out tho resolutions. At the close of the proceedings, the persons present subscribed their names to the list of those who had pledged themselves to attend the pulpit ministrations of the Rev. Mr. Cosh. Already about 130 sittings havo been tiiKrn. The meeting seems lo havo been highly successful, and no doubt tho perfect unanimity which prevailed, and the encouragement and support, promised, will have tho effect of inducing tho Rev. Mr. Cosh to ueeept tho call to the new church to be established at Newmarket.

The anniTersary services in connection with St. James'a Presbytoriun Church took place on Sunday lust. The services were conducted in the morning by the Rev. R. F. llaeNiccol, and in tho evening by the Rov. C. W. Rigg. The collections amounted to £17 IDs Oid.

A coiTospondont writes from Wmigurci Hc.-iils :—" The Kev. Mr. Me Rue landed out of the "Duke" eiirlyon Saturday, .March 3, and proceeded immediately to Wuipu, his intended place of labor. There was just time to give notice to all of his arrival. It was most picturesque, on the fino Sunday morning, to seo so many young and old wending their way to attend Uiviiie Service, and recalled old times and scenes gone by. Is is hoped tliut •Mr. Mcßao will visit the JUeada occasionally, wiiere no doubt he will bo well received."

Tho Kor. Mr. Hamilton, Presbyterian Church minister, preached at Cambridge twico in the Wcsleyan Church to a numerous audience. A considerable number of Presbyterians hero are anxious to have a minister of that persuasion settled in the district again. Tho opening of tho Preabyterian Church at

Tararu was celebrated by a soiree on the 25th Feb. The Rev. J. Hill presided. The tea was pr ivided by the following ladie3 : —Mesdames Uuthank, Bathgate, Hill, H. Mackenzie. Jung, Wick, J-teadman, Thorburn, Darrow, Wilson, Vaughan, Sorensen, Hansen, Weekes, Seward, Fricker. An excellent choral parly was present, under Mr. Mitchell, and during the evening solos were also sun<j bv Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Robson, Miss Kay/Mr. Pulleine, and Mr. Newberry.

The Rev. J. Buller has been giving an audience in the Wesleyan Chapel, Grahamstowu, an acejunt of h's visit to Melbourne to attend the lute Wesleyan Conference. He is reported to have said tliit an experiment was now being tried iu Victoria between protection and free-trade. For the most part he found that intelligent men thought that protection was a great mistake, and that free-trade was mucli better, but the working classes were of opinion that protection wus a great advantage to then, and as there was nearly manhood suffrage, they carried the day. The effect was—although the working classes were not sufficiently intelligent; to see it—that it lessened the price of labour, and increased the price of provisions, and al : o did much to paralyse the foreign commerce of Victoria. There were political mistakes in every country, and iu this as much as in others.

On the Gth March the Rev. C. W. Eigg gave- au account of the proceedings ol the General Wesleyan Conference, to a vorr larce meeting of the members of tlie Wesleyan congreation, in the Pitt-street Chapel. The Gruftim Road Wealeyan Chapel Anniversary was celebrated on Feb. 22. There was a sumptuous tea provided, to which about two hundred persons sat down, and showed how highly they appreciated it. At the public meeting which was held afterwards (J. C. Stone, Esq., presiding:), eloquent, interesting, and impressive speeches were made by the Kev. Messrs. Berry, Waters, and Lawrv ; also, Mr. Joseph Newman, and oilier gentlemen, w'.io did much to ina'.e the proceedings a complete success. A vote of (.hanks was accorded to the chnirman, and tlio meeting closed witli tho benediction. On Monday evening, the 26th of February tho anniversary of tlic Hamilton YWsleynn Church and Sunday school was celebrated, the chief attraction being a lecture by the Rev. J. Berry, on " The Waikato : Past, Present, and Future." Tho gathering took place iii the Hamilton Hall, Colonel Lyon occupying the chair. Tho meeting was opened by singing a liymn, after which the Rev. J. Law engaged in prayer. The choir was in attendance, and during I lie evening sang several pi. ces of sacred music in a very creditable manner. Recently, tho Rev. C. 11. Sehnaekenberg formally opened the new chapel at the Okete, near Raglan, preaching the - e to a iarge and attentive auditory. The :iew chapel, although a small building (2 (■ feet by 1G feet), is" a credit to all concerned in the erection, great care having been taken to ensure its stability, which it certainly needs—from ils exposed and elevated position. It is built in the Gjl.hic style, lined throughout, and well lighted with largo windows, the upper panes of which are of stained glass. The opening was as usim'. celebrated by n tea meeting. The trays were provided by Mesdames Gibbeson, Ilarsant, McDonald, Sclmackonberg, Wallis, and Wilson. Upwards of one hundred persons, iiU'ludiug the juveniles, of whom there was a large gathering, sat down to partake of the gooil things provided.

Tho second anniversary of the Wesleyan Church, Coromandi'l, took place on the 27tli Feb., when a large picnic took place. The Royal Alfred wus chartered to convey visitor; from Grahams!own. There were over 300 persons entertained at ten, and a meeting was subsequently held, presided over by the Rev. <r. BuUer. The rep >rt wus read by Mr. Moore. It wis a most satisfactory one, and showed that £210 4s 5d hud been received us th;> income of the jenr, of which £100 had been kindly giren by their Thames friends, and stated that there wus no debt whatever owing, but that they would have to appeal for ns.-isfuncc to their friend:?, :ts tiie present building was inadequate to the size of the congregation, which was daily increasing in numbers. Tho anniversary of the Cambridge Wes-lcy-.it> Sunday School, was held on Suivlay, February the 25th, wiien an appropriate and impressive sermon wus preached by the Rev. J. Berry. Notwithstanding the unfavorableness of the weather the congregation was very good, the rliurch being full." The collection ut the close of tho service amounted to £1 13s ed. On Tuesday evening a tea meeting wus held, and the weather being fine the gathering was much larger than on the tiubbuth. Tho Rev. J. Berry was then culled upon to give a lecture, the subject of which was " AVaikato : Past, Present, and

Future." The lecture was highly interesting ! and instructive, aud called forth frrquoiit 1 applause. The choir at intervals sang a. few I verses of appropriate hymns, which contri- ', buted greatly to the interest of the mcetiug. ' A vote of thanks being given to the lecturer and to the ladies, the meeting was brought to a close. During the evening reference was made to the desirability of putting up a house for the Wesley an minister somewhere in the neighbourhood of Cambridge. A number of the members of the congregation remained behind for a short time io consider tlm mat'er. Tho anniversary services of the Edwardesstreet Primitive Methodist Church, were held on Sunday last. The Rev. J. Berry preached in the morning, and the Rev J. J. Lewis in evening. The collections amounted to JtG 7s 7d. A tea meeting took place in the Baptist Chapel, on the 26th uIL, which was a very successful affair. A£r. T. S. Murray, of the Bank of New Zealand, presided. It was announced that arrangements had been made to secure the servi -es of the Rev. W. Jones, of Hackney Road, London, and who was expected in tho llelenslee. The report of the treasurer showed that £100 had been collected during last nine mouths, and £150 more would be required to put the church out of debt. The new Congregational Church at the Thains was opened on Sunday last, the services being conducted by the R-γ. Warlow Davies, M.A., aud tho Rev."B. Backhouse, agent of the British and Foriegn Bible Society. The offertories amounted to £20. The Rev. B. Backhouse, travelling agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, has been lecturing during the past week in the various churches and chapels in town and country, on the operations of the Society, lie has been well received, aud his interesting addresses have been attended by large and appreciative audiences. Tho annual meeting of | members of the Young Men's Christian Association, for tho election of officers, took place in their Rooms, Wellesley-street, on March 8. After partaking of a social tea, the Rev. E.N. Bree (president) took the chair, and the business of the evening was proceeded with. After some general observations by the Chairman, the Rev. Mr. Backhouse- (agent; of the Bible Society, at present on a tour through the colonies) gave an interesting address relative lo hi 3 travels, and the special work on which he is at preseut engaged. The secretary's and treasurer's interim reports were then read. Afler some general conversation on 'ho financial condition of tho Institution, the following resolution was passed : " That, this meeting bo ' now adjourned to the fourth Friday in March ; that tho present committee be requested to act iu the interval ; ana that the beat thanks of this meeting be tendered to the officers and committee of the Institution for their services." A financial committee was ap-

pointed to inquire into and report on the various trust accounts, with a view to consolidating the liabilities of the Institution and arranging a echemo for their liquidation. OBIXDAUY. Wβ have again to notice with feelings of regret the removal, by death, of another of our oldest colonists, the late Mr. Jame« Kemp, of tho Kerikori, Bay of Islands. The

deceased gentleman, who -was a native ° Norfolk, came out under the auspices of t' le Church Mission, having arrived in this cou"trv in 1819, ns one of that early band of missionary pioneers, to assist in proclaiming peace niul pood will to the yet benighted New Zealander, and had thus been over fifty years an uninterrupted sojourner in thi3 island. This mission, undertaken at that early date, was one of no ordinary character, aisd ii would seem that the same Providence which led these men to devote their youthful energies to the good work, had also armed them with resolution and nerve to face the trials which lay before them. This resolute spirit and undaunted courage was, especially conspicuous in the character of the late Aivhdeacon Henry William?, who as their recognised leader and counsellor, never evaded the pith of duty. Whilst carrying out the general objects of the, Mission, Mr. Kemp's practical knowledge of medicine enabled him successfully to devote a part, of hi? time in alleviating the sufferings of the natives, while many of our wounded soldiers and sailors remember with gratitude, his personal attendance and good otlices during the disasters in the North. To many of our citizens lie has likewise been favorably known, and on the political events of the day his judgment was considered to be sound and his views liberal. Several of his colleagues have already passed away —a few yet rimain, —and whenever the incidents connecter! with tlie early settlement of this co.ony shall be placed on record, the names of the early missionaries —linker) together a3 they are by the hallowed associations of the past —will, we doubt not, be held in veneration by generations yet to come. The funeral of Sir. Kemp took place Feb. 22, at St. Stephen's, Parnell, and was largely attended.

We regret to have to record a most lamentable occurrence, which took place on tke Bth March, at Maungaturoto, Kaipa-a, by which the liev. Mr. Hooker, weil known as an earnest and zeilous minister in the district, lost his life. It appears that Mr. Booker was engaged with his youthful eon iu Jelling- u rather large rimu tree. In its fall, the tree took an unexpected direction, and came down upon Mr. Booker with such force as to produce concussion ot the br.tin, at the same time breaking one of his arms and a leg. Death must have been instantaneous, as the unfortunate gentleman never gave the least sign of consciousness after the accident. Preparations were being made on the same day for holding an inquest. Mr. Booker was a most popular minister in his district, and on all sides his loss is regarded, humanly speaking, as irreparable. Mr. Booker has left a widow and an only son. The rev. gentleman came out from England some ten years ago with the Nonconformist emigrants, and with the intention of ministering to them in their new home. In consequence, however, of the untoward circumstances attendant on the settlement, or rather nn settlement of the party, he, in common with many others, remained in this city. The Congregational church at Newton, blown down during the famous gale of last year, was erected through his efforts, and there the rev. gentleman laboured for some years. In the year 1868 he was appointed by the Congregational mission to labour in the North. Since that period he has continued to minister in that district up to the time of his death. Mr. Booker waf held in high esteem, and much beloved not only by the denomination to which he was •ittached, but also by a wide circle of friends of other Churches. His sterling piety, his many useful acquirements, his gentle manner, his prudence, his readiness to serve others in any way in his power, and at the cost of any selt"-deniul to himself, endeared him to all with whom he came into contact. His loss will be keenly felt by the Congregational body, and the gap mado by his death will not easily be filled. The sad tidings have been received with great regret and universal sorrow.

NATIVE IXTELLIG-ENUE.

The famous chief Taraia Ngakuti, died lately at t!:c Ohinemuri, Thames. Ereatera Tariia, a nephew, has sent down to have a collln made for his uncle, and has given precise instructions as to size and make. The order has been received by Mr. Guilding, in the absence of Mr. Mackay, and he has telegraphed to Dr. Pollen on tho subject. Ac-'ording to tho native order, the coflin is to be made of lead, with a glass top, so that deceased might be preserved and exhibited to the tribes who will probably come to the tanqi from all parts —from Kapiti to North Cape. We have been informed that the Rarawa chief Busby died at his kainga on the Bth Feb. The deceased was ono of tho most inlluential natives in the north, and had long been the leading man in his own tribe, lie

' was a staunch friend of the Europeans. ! A great " tangi" has been going on at the I native settlement of JL'arawai, because of I the death of an old man named Patara, who ! died on Feb. 20. Patara was little known amongst Europeans; he was of the old school, keeping to his " kainga," and perhaps had not been more than once or twice in Shortland at all. He was, however, of considerable rank according to native estimate. The remains of Patara were interred on Saturday last at the old " tapu" ground. T'e Hira and Mere Kuril came over from the fishing ground to the settlement of I'arawai, to "assist' at the tangi. Te Hira made but a short stay, and came no nearer to the township, contenting himself with a distant look at the good-sized , town, with huge chimneys and smoky canopy, that has grown up so swiftly in a place he had long known as a settlement of ; his people. Taipari and the rest of the : Ngatimaru were kiud to their " ariki," Te Ilira, and loaded two boats for provisions for , him. There were given him ten bags of , biscuits, ten fat pigs, and also patiki (Qat lish), ! mango (sharks), whai (sting-ray), and tea, ; sugar, kumeras, and potatoes. To Hira ad- ; dressed the Ngatimaru, telling them he had 1 consented that the wire should pass over to : the East Coast by way of Ilikutaia, but that I ho couid not consent that the Ohinemuri countrv should be opened for goldminiug, ucr that a road should be made through it. He counselled peace and eeucord with the I Europeans. i The Native Minister has released the Maori prisoners from Dunediu gaol. Some time ago our Southern exchanges informed us that this step was to be taken, and the freed captives settled on land in this island. The bump of mercy, if not of wisdom, is evidently largely developed on the crauiuma of our governors. For some time past Tito Kowaru has been hovering about the Patea district, but not meeting with support from the settlers, has retired to his former security at Ngatimaru, lorty miles inland of New Plymouth. He is eaid to be willing to submit ta trial if Colonel McDonnell will place himself in the same position. From the Wanganui Herald we learn that " the loyal natives on whom the Government lately made a friendly demand for the return of their arms, have discovered that Sir George Grev made them a present of GOO stand, as a recognition of distinguished service rendered at Wereroa. If tho Government want these, arms, we suppose it will have to pay for them out of the loan, which solves every dillicullJ-" The chief William King (of Waitara notoriety), recently passed through the town of New Plymouth, on his way to the meeting of natives at Pariaka. It is the first time he has been there since the breaking out of tho war in IS6O. A large native meeting has taken place lately at Ohiuernutu, on Lake Rotorua. Tho meeting was convened by the Aruwas, and over 1,000 natives were present. The discussion on political matters was of a friendly character. With regard to the execution of Kereopu. they were unanimous in expression of opinion that he richly deserved his fate.

Our Tauranga correspondent writes m that a large native meeting was held at Wbakamarama on Ist March, to discuss the merits o[ Kereooi's execution.

A number of natives came up from the Bay of Islands on the 3rd of Mureh in the r> , Comerang. They proceeded to the Waikato io tnke part in the forthcoming meelin" o f Kingites.

A party of about Gfiy Ngapuhis are on now their way up the Waikato, to attend the nttirmeeting' at. They :lr ,,' present at To Wlieoro'e settlement at Koliikohi.

From Alexandra our correspondent write us that Paul of Orakei, and his party l,.f> that settlement on the 16ih instant'for Tokangamut.u. Six canoe*, laden with dried sharks sting-ays, and eeis, had passed up the river the previous week, so that the assembled natives ran no risk of starvation.

A collision b:is taken pla.e between r j'e Kooti's party and a detachment of the na'ive contingent under Cupt. Preeee, without k=3 on either side. Au account of the uffuir w jjj be found elsewhere.

Two parties arc out after Te Kcoti that of Inspector Ferris, which captured three of his gang recently, and another under command of Lieutenant Pitt.

Judge Kogau lias gone to II 'torua to iioMa Native Lands Court in that district.

ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES,

The Rev. Mr. Booker, of Knipara, was killed by the falling of u tree on the Oth Hard] particulars appear in another column. Tlio body of the unfortunntc young man Joshua Storey, who was drowned from the cutter Lapwing, its reported in this journal was picked up in harbour on the 2-Hli Feb.! ing, and an inquest was held upon it. The body had sufl'ered greatly from the attacks of fish and from being so Ion" a period of time in the wuter. —The. cutter Lapwing being away, the evidence of the person* on buarj could not be taken, but the mate had ]~[• a statement, of the facts behind him, from which it appeared that, the deceased was standing near the stern of the cutter when the bpeu'i jibed and knocked him overboard. He sank at once, and was never seen to rise afterwards. —The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death!"

We are sorry to have to record another death by drowning, which took place at Kiverhead at an early hour on the 23rd Feb., under peculiarly distressing circumstances. So far as we have been able to learn, the facts of O.k melancholy affair arc as follow : —Mr. Fred Hesketh (brother of our respected fellow townsman Mr. Kαwin Hesketh, solicitor), has been engaged for foinu time back pith O'Afeara's survey party at Kiverhead. He and two others of t.lin party, named Teasd'.ile and Stebbing, occupied a tent near the township being surveyed at Kiverhead. About six o'clock in the morning he got up ami left the lent, telling the cook that he was going to wasli si shirt. He then crossed over the hill in the cireclion of a water hole used by the party. At breakfast-time, not having returned, his mates became alarmed, and Teasdale told Si ebbing that he was afraid something serious must have occurred. It seems that deceased was subject to epileptic fits, anil that he had had one on the previous llonday. Another was not expected to come on him for a fortnight. Teasdaie and Stebbing then went over the hill to the waterhole, when the first, thing they saw wa< the shirt, of deceased floating on the top. Deceased himself was lying at the bottom of the hole on his face. The hole was about three and α-lmlf feet deep, lie was at once taken out, and every effort made to bring him round, but without avail, for the unfortunate young man was quile dead. il is surmised that while engaged in washing the shirt he must have been seized with a fit and fallen into the water hole. Teasdale and Stubbing at. once came up to town and reported the unfortunate affii>',and the body w.\s brought up by the. s.s. Geii.ini, and removed to the Wuitematn Hotel, pending a coroner's inquest. The jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death."

On Sunday, Feb. 25, an aci'ident occurred at. Kiiukapak.ipa, by which the younger son of Mr. Goodwin lost his life. From what we learn il. appears that two brothers went over the creek to look (or the cows, between G and 7in the morning. During the time they were across, a flood rose, so that the log on winch they crossed when they returned, was under wnler. They therefore stripped, and the eldest boy carried their clothes across to tl:e other side, and then went back to help his younger brother. Just when he got over, the water again rose so rapidly that it had raised the log from its bearings and it tilted both boys into the creek. The elder boy wa3 washed upon a stump and with difficulty go: on higher ground ; the younger was never seen afterwMi-Js alive. The.'whole of the people in tho district turned out, and search was commenced and kept up until dark, but a? the flood did not go down th.-y were unsuccessful that day. The search was resumed again shortly after daylight next morning, when a thorough search of tho creek was maile. Ultimately the body was found about iifty yards from where it dropped iu. The father of the boy had been hurt some three months ago, and was only slowly recovering, and at the time of the occurrence was in Auckland. His feelit:gson receipt, of the news may be guessed. Tho coroner's jury returned a verdict of " Accidental Death."

We have to record another f:it:il acjidcut in connection with shipping, which look placi/ on Feb. 22, on board the Caduceus, lying alongside the Queen-street Wharf. It" appears tliat one of the seamen was engaged about five o'clock in the evening making uu a topgallant sail on the house on deck, when bis foot slipped and lie fell across the ootubiiijj of the hatchway, a distance of about eeve" feet. He was aviated to his berth, and did not appear to be seriouslv injured, but fle short I} - b(<g!i:i to vomit, and immediately afterwards was found to be jinking rapidly. Dr. tiartmau, who was on the wharf at the time, was called by Captain Roberts to look at the unfortunate man, whom he atoM'e pronounced to be dead. He was si fineyoum; seaman, only 2-1 years of aje. A coroner's inquest, was subsequent}- held. The evidence of Dr. iiartmami wen!, to shew that he had laailc a post mortem examination, and that lie b:ui found a. fracture in t.li« temporal bone of ;bu skull, which was sutfi.-ient to cause death. There was a large qunt ity of ext ravaged blood bev.tvti the skul and the brain, 'ii■•' jury returned d verdict of " accidental death. Immediately after I he close of the enquiry the funeral took place. The bottv was followed to the grave by Captain Robert?, the officers and men of the Cadueeus, and a larje number of the seamen belonging to the other vessels ia port. The melancholy event threw quit* a gloom over the babour during the day, and most, of the vessels in harbour had their flags half-mast high. An accident of a very painful nature occurred to Mr. John Binelow on the sth March Whilst employed in a small boat, towing a heavy spar through the passage at the watermen's etuird, he fell overboard, and, unfortunately, laid hold of the timber he had been towing, which, rushing on with the impetus which had b.-en given to it, jammed his k:imi against one of the piles, crushing it iu .1 panful manner. Two watermen, who were Ufiir at the time, dragged him out, and he wa.> shortly afterwards conveyed home. }\{> an j" informed that he is very likely to lose Ins .:am. by the accident. , Mr. William Hay was lately found dead near Boss. HU body was followed to t.ir cemeetry by a large party of friends of ti:e uVceased, and an impressive service was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Sorter, Presbyterian Minister. Mr. Hay was father of Mr. John Hay, who was lately drowned in Wellington. A liltle boy about seven years of age, w.lO was playing about on the wharf op. the JrU March, near the ste;;s used by the >ortli Shore ferry boats, fell over into the hartcii..

A. teaniau of the s.s. l'hccbe —Bricketts—"t oneo jumped after him and succeeded :.i holding lI P l ' !e '' ,^c f'-llow until assista::-■•• came, and tlll '3' wcre boih rescued from thenperilous situation. From Tauranga we learn of a serious acriiSeiit. wliieh befel a little boy, u son of Capt- Seliars, on the 12th insl. The little fellow was paying on the beach ut Xe Papa, mid was accidentally run over by a ur«y, be!o., S inf: to Mr. Percy. Oμ,. of th,- child , * broken, iiul it i- expected Iv.nt, tlie idurk'S will nut be ol :; permanent character. \n atviiit'iit, which muht also li.ivc resulli it fit'il v, hsippen.-d recently to Mr. Heine, of ,'|,,' North Devon tribute parly. 11 o we:it e'.'.iwi beiow to k.ock some st..tfd..w» from •';,-.-side of the ctri>e. and as he was working lie heard a noise as of a slone coming down, 3ihi threw himself back. Fnliin' into usiuinn nature, a quantity ol :lie stone, of whicii ab'nil two tons- tell allog.-lh.-r, i-jine on to his lf.Ts bruisi"!! them very sever, ly, but fornot tireakr-g any bones, which seems a miracle, i-iis left thumb was broken, and tue hsiuiie of the hammer he held was crashed eiean in two so that lie must be ria'idi.Tid v< rv fortunate to have c.ime oil' as Delias he .lid.* An accident from an explo-ion of a shot.

.• L 'urri'ii on l'Vb -2, in tiie n.iit which is driven for the U-o.dcii Calf and Central Il'i v companies fivin the Moanutairi ereek, w-'-iVeby two workmen, named William Outline n:id Wiliiam O ibl-i, sustained severe

; : 4 ,:; '.he luiiiu-l, und had just charged a hole • L i."tj:iip::i_' in the shot wMi u tamping bar, ••:v.;:itrii i:i tlii? usual manner with capper, nhi-:i '.ho shot exploded must mysteriously :is t' e iv..i was . eii-u used. Outline wus severelv b'i':r::t and cut ..bout. the luii.iis- and arms, and Iv'-.V. had the third linger of his right h md b:X-::- He was also lunch b.ai/eJ in the aL>.iii:::e:i. w;:."iv he h:i i apparent Iγ received a

W tin , ui_ht of t!n '.'ill March, Captain iMli'u:., of ;he seh oner -N ukulau, me! e -h i -erums ac. Lien!, b> falling through an ap-rlure i:\ t':u- planking of.he u'ynyard Pier. J le i::«i !••>'' ol n!s nu * broken, ana narrowly ""'■'•■ a..videi\t occumd on the Dili March n ■! u:'i'i named W. Vic Nab--, employed on the'r-iiway workout- Mechanics' 8.,y. 'liht. , *;>- :■ s'.ip'of a pioci' of earth w.ieh 101 l upon a:ll i craned hn.s. 110 was at o;,cc conveyed t.i tLo ilosj.H-.il. I' p>ll iu.p:ir:o~ at ::.-.- iloL-I'il.ii, we i.-.rncd thai n> bones were broke:: i:ur any internal injuries sustained. li:e l'.'.Mi was very much brui.-cd, buL save the ami ihe siuek u> liir system, 1 o tu bi> careful upon these cutting-, winch upL>v:ir l.i be sleeper than usual, no dollOt j» ;; v [o • he exigencies of tlie givund. 0:i the 6th Mi-.rch a ratlin- singular ae- • •> ic'i* t"o:-. piiue at. the Cit • ol' Loi.iiou mme. While the maiia-er, -Mr. T. li. Hicks, was A.mii'.i ui.i the '.-hull, ami had reached •< disum-e on the ladder, abon , . ten feet from the bottom, a heavy wei lit Mas heard descending. Quick as lightning Mr. Hicks grasp-.-0° ti'.i' .adiit-r wilh a firmer hold, and Lα no sjo::.r iijne <o lii-n Ik- reeeiied a tr..-::ii".njc-uj blow on the chest, whieh severely i:ij'.ir.'d i.i:i', but •niU did :i->t ou-> him to j 'iiivije his urasp. On descending tu the bottom, i it was ijjud'l'.i.U till- e.;u=e oi the are: J- ul > m< a i^r'<• ,iu>' (since d.-ad), which in the | cour-e o: L'i= ab >ve, lu*de a n.is.uke, : below. Mr. Uicks , injuries! lure and found so s.-iere as tu I ;:i-i.-eiji::ii-.' i.i? being confine I to his bed or jouid time :j cuuic. A vt-rv i.arrow escape from drowning took j;.i •_■ o.'i tin; i-eb., avout 8 a.m., ! :.-..::. :):e Fenuu.ie, lying at me Queen- ; --.ree: wuarf. It seems tiial- t:.. , n.eii were j t-Mja^t , :; lining the poop awning, when one of ; »-:i» securing it" ieil i..to the water, 'i he ship- \ w;.,) was a-sisimg him it: liie l.me, ; kiij.viLg I'.ial he wu.ii :i..l twin;, in,me- ■ ciijSc-iy in aliei- him—a romewhat :vck.e.-f but al the r>lllll , tune daring aei on ; :.:; ;:urt, seeiiig thai he iniUM-ii wa= but it : '•a-.eh hula 01 hi- shipniati- >mio, 1: 1-1 i.eedicia i::y. ' Had = ;.o-- a boat be. 11 quirkiy '■ luiverc-d iroin the ?inp, t!ie probab.iity is lhat both men would have been liiowmd. , A workm:;n Lained \\ null, e.ipiged upon ti.e Work- at Britomar:, niet wilh au acci'.lent on -Saturday lasr. A large picee of curia fed upon him," wh.ell buri.-d l.un. Wnen eilrieatei), it is- iutin. that hi= ifji "as broken »boTC the aia-i.-. IJr. .'.i. h. JU. v<as Sent fir, and «as ain.vri i.umeuiateiy 111 atte::dai-i-f, a:;..l :f-!ide:ea ail iurnsan Kr.ce. The tieuiaiid? iiiit'io 0:1 t!:e services of meciica: uieii lor »c-cjuen:6 of this ~iuii, and tSe rrltdi!it = = Wilh V.-i.K-ll they leliJIT Slli-ll : sIT-,ices, tilliile then: iu .somu rev.aid. Ihere •huiiid surrlv b-.- ro:>e J'lniii, to wiiic-ii the ' wori-:e:i Iheu.selvt; Houid be nil in;: to Ou Tu'.Vdjy, s as .-si:-G- A. i Arrey was criming Ij.> the iia'.;;pihi ierrybo;;t, three out u! lour vah.abL' l.jr.-e.-, belongin 2 to Mr. i>. Clarke, which were b.-ing s.niin hi:iifi.-e_: yarjs of the ie Pajut bea-jh, were J accidentally drowned. One of the uorses | ij-pi-sra to" have taken crtiu:j;, arid iurmd j ;->:. Ijij iiijf, i'oiili!!!.' the tethers of the other ! two, n::d tlitre must have b> en b>.ii]uiliing j wroiij in the manner ui a.ljiirt.Dg the ropes or of towing the aninmls. Some anxiety had be-u fc!t re.-periing tlip fjU- of Mr. Co.ile, an old s.-ttit-rj in Auckiaji'J, w!:o lnid been luU-iiij; for some j ■ijy.-. II- was f.utid on :he morning of 21sl I Feb., ;:: t!>,-; bn-!:, at Ka para, l:\ Messrs. Be.-.;.-ii and \V;:\-on's Iruveiln-, wlnUt lint Zcntleaiai! -.vas cr<j?=i:is; Ir.im Kiverheiid to | itai-'ara. It ertui- thul (-oyie liad Lft-en j '■va:j.ii.Ti:;c about the uil-ii for • d .ys and j eigij , . niji.ts, and when \nc ed up ivai in a j very i-i'-iust.-'! Mute. ii,' w :s it o'i'-e placed j 0!i i.urieLack, and tak II to tlie ii-i'if - iv:iv i.uuse b t -.v,eer. hiveiiuad and ili-!en s vilie. A few i:iiim!-5 after t.he p.-. .Vrhr is'-.-t h:id ■■■oLiL- !o au anchor un the a.-d Aliireh . the "-ea=2.?r D.ronp.rt w.-ii!. .-.lon-.ile und tot. j :»t i;!i:i..-r tiie rjmnson abaf: lh« pa,!d.c-b'..x. Her a,,-.v iim- was lurdlv mafi,- Cist wlien the \>y--\.- Ksel! b.-jjan to r.V :lv. : backwanls, and : -ofi'.e fiuiis i-dlchin;; tin; bi'lwaike "■ tU-JX-voiiport. drove that 'i.ep into '.;■■ water, to that tin: O'-iMipsnla ! .r the ■■.>>xc::t tlioui;lit t!i .t. -lie its under. " Fu:l 3 ;.£>Ld a-ter.l" roared 0.,t. the of t"e iiltie iio:il, but liiu bow lin.* l.ad b>-en laa'if fu-.i, and ti-i- or>ier 1:011! 1 no: obeyed. ■ went "he p.idille its I'tiny rister an I tiKniu U ' h ■!• almost '« to her beam en Is. Tin- la lie ..n board | acreaim-d with fear, '.he jn.-ii Mi/n.-d w!:ite, ami | •■■vcrtii of th. 111 tried u> li-mi on bu.ird the J -■"c-'uraika. One lady jumped iucoutitirn-ly ,; »er the bulwarks into tin- p.iiiee aio.-i;;-for siif, ty. thinkiiip on:y of tile '-'to of name qui pent She vr.is speedily '■j...'x,;\ bi unutiii-r la.lv H-.il one ol'th.: iiiiwc<i.:r,e L'Cr.der. Hut the 'e-.orni wad Boon over ; ['■' '-'■'£ paddle beciiinc quiescent; thu liitle and no bo iy Was hurt. A ■'J'.eriiiLii's boat alongside the. JJevouport "-a, howi-Ter, fw.imped. A ra-.-e was fixed 10 come off on the 3rd "'March bf.we.-ii the yachts Sparkle, and Sv -J'l>. Course fr,,m ihi- Qm>en-.ttre.-t, wliarf I '3 Oru::ken iiay, and hack to Ih-: ivh,.i-f. The j jaoiitsmi-n — luur \ o ra ,.|, | jO al—took llieir ; ! j! «c= on boani about three o'clock, and the ! •Mii.a wore got undenveigh and ran two or ! '■"Tee tinj,-3 up mid t.i the w.-stwiinl of 1 f --vlarf beC.re -t final start. The "■:> t v.-hj fai.jni,,,, 5 | uly from (he sot.thward, ; •t-.d tlie Spurki./cureeue-.i nM alimut onto '■■- j a-,:> ends once or tv ice. A niany K-oj.le wer K 1 hem from near iho ""■"aifij'i hoiisr on the whart, aii-i several "'! sails c-xjiressed tlieii- opinic.ii tlial. (he ajurkie u-juld c.jj-izj. An.: cr.-u b fore the rai'e -.mij con::iieii ei their icitlioil liirsicd ouL I j be rorre t, for a pidi' of wind ;,1 >'?1.I. h.-r mainsail and over she went. Her

ocvujm:its weiv 11-. Allan, Mr. Dacre Mr. U Hcderson, «:id Mr. if. Ellis (el,iupinrcpoii.:r of tl.e Jnihj H.iUhern Cross). As soon us .«iif .-apM/.ed i |, e water police, who were ab-iut to Mail, unavon police duly up the river, ut once put oil" to the scene of the accident, and the cutter Sylph (which ra leading at the time the Sparkle capsized) put about as quickly us possible, and rescued the crew, who wero clinging to the siukin" boat. °

Ihn Nebraska wn9 welcome to some of our Southern friends, in suite of the fact that elio brought no muil. since she was the bearer of Kee Chang, the Chinese swmdler,who some time since sold a quantity of spurious cold to ■io.m, of the Southland bank,. Ch.mg managed to let in the banks t>. l.lio exU-ut <>f £500 ami cot away to Newcastle, lie wus there apprehended and brought, to Auckland, and in charge of Constable Brumaii wus sent South in the Nebraska.

A very severe pale swept over the Wangarei district in the middle of last month. .Mr. MeLi-od's store, at the Kuakaka, was partly stripped; at this place Mr Aubrey's out-houses and stublcs were blown down ; the verandahs of O. HeLeod and Captain AlvOivi;..!-':! houses were torn away ; a chimney in course of erection by Mr. Morgan was knocked down, und a great quantity of fencing, and trees were torn up. In Puma a skill' was curri.-d bv the wind half a mile uml lodged in n tree. Two small vessels wero also lost, on the coast, happily wiihou' ljss of life. The gale also swept over the Kaiparu district, and accompanied with ruin; the weeks were higher than had been known for many years.

Wo learn that the costs of the prosecution have been allowed tiy the Government in the actions known as the Pap-irata perjury cases (Mauiiiiiu' v. McGeoch). We In.ve'uol" heard upon what ground the remission Iroin liability fur eoslts has bet-n allowed. We presume it would be upon the certificate of his Donor the Chief Justice that t lie case was a proper one to be tried by a jury upon a criminal indict me:.t.

On I'eb. 2S a somewhat, painful scene too'-: p'.ice in the l'olieo Court. A resd-ti.ble looking widow woman, with a pretlv child in her arms, informed the magistrates flint six or s.-v.-n wi-elii ago the child—a little bnv—was left in her e.ire for two day?, but siu.'-e then ..he had never heard of the molher who jjan the eluld to her care. She knew nothint; ol :!ie child's parentage, beyond (he fact thnt his father had been once employed gum diguinu at Kiverhead. His Worship ilii-e.-ted'~thT> iippiieaut to give the fullest information po-sible, wilh a view to ei-auirv. 'J'lib poor, forsaken little fellow did not he.'d the conver-

s:iti.ni much, but. laughed and iudiiliied his euriur-ity—seriously c-ontempialing Mi-. Cunningham—without a thought that hi was the subject, of a very s.ri .us conversation. —Ou the following morning Mrs. lT.irlev asiiin came before the Mnaijtrnl,-, and said she had given to the police all the mformition in her power.—Sergeant Paray faid tlie applicant, had been to him, but che could, or would, fj've but little informal ion. If the applicant were renliy in earnest, and would lay the necessary informntior. lie thought the motlier of" tile child could be. found.—His Worship: Tt. is (ho father of the child that should he found. I cannot make an order on (he mother. Does the applicant say she knows no'hi .jj about, either the father or mother? What, is the am- of the child ?—The applicant said she was alraid the father was a wort!.less, drunken fellow, that was no go id to nnyhiviv. She believed 1 hat the m ither had another youii£ bubv iu arms. The cliil I was two years old. —Sergeant Pardy : I think, your 'Worship, that it the applicant woul 1 tell 113 n!i sho knew of the whereabouts of tlie mot 1 er of the child, we might through the mother find the father.—llis Worship though! the applicant wouiii hardly take tlie child from a person someihing of tiie anter-e lents of one or both the parents.—The applicant only Um-vr that tiie mother had been a serr.mt in Q'lecnFtrcet. Believed she was in Gr.ilnimitown. B.liev* d the father's name was Irn'hatii.— His Worship direc.ed that the police should malt- inquiries iu G-rahamUown and Kiverhead. An extraordinary occurrence took place nt one o the banks in town on Fs'->. 20. A .-eltler named B-..yle, living at Maukii, presenled a cheque 'for £1 U, wiiie'n w.13 cashed. After he had gone, the lc!!-r found that, he was £10J short, and itjs 1111 leithe impression that he had given it to Bovle. Tiie police were commu-ii-c.it-d "with, and at once apprehended Boile, who denied that he had received more than the cheque was drawn out (or. Boyle was brought uti at the Police Cou t, on the 7th March, charged with larcenv iu receiving i.IOO from a teller in the Bank of New Zealand more than he was entitled to upon p.iyment of a cheque. The intent was ait-mp'ted to be male out on tlie ground that the pri-mu-r cauntel the money, so that he must, have known he had more than he w;is eniitcd to, and thai he took the money away, mid (■•inverted it to his own use. The enquiry lasted tiil an advanced hour in Ihe du'v. Tho Bench (Messrs. Darg.viile and "iMchi,;, Justices ol the Peac) were of opinion lhat the oU'encc of larceny had n-jt been male out, and discharged the prisoner. They declined to make an order upon the police to give up to him the property found on the pri-oner, who will be obliged to recover it by legal process.

A case came before the Kcst-lenl. Magistrate on which ihi judgment went by dt-htull. ; the facts are a little singular. It appears thnt a true son of JEscu-apius g 't. in del;:, t>. some chemi.-ts in town to the .-xlent of £1-1 odd. It was known dial, the Doctor would p-ohahly be " ->!r" in the ' Nevada.' The bert way was to arrest him at once und thu- nut, ou "'ho Ft-rew." A warrant w.13 issue i upon applicntiou, ami "tin; leech" w-ds arrested. Bui si range to .-ay hu slipped through the holdf.ists of au-hJritv and g.it off by t'ie ' Nevada' in spite of Magisterial caligruphy.

Isabella Franklin, asingular looking woman who described herself as the " widow of a en)) Inn and paymaster of the 10i.lt regiment," (a stuti-mciil which we learn i= quite tr.i.-) , was broiiL'hl. up before the Kesi.lent, M.u'is'rate on Saturday, upon a charge of inducing a little h.iv n-uncd Irwiu to übscnd fr-nn t.he Ind-.istrial School, by which she maiii: herself umeuabl.: to the penalties provided by the Xeghcted and Criminal Children's Act. It transpired during the proceedings lhat. the hid is also the son of a late captain iu one of Her Majesty's Regiments in the line, soinelime quartered iu New Zealand, and thai, not only t:,e boy hut also a Meter had been iiidu'.-ed to leave their homes. Tiie prisoner when orileri-d to be removed, huppe I and danced towards the ilooriu an extraordina-y m nner. liis Worsliip said the uii('oriuual:> woman K|jpeared to be more fitted for a iutmlic asylum lliiiti to b« where she wa-i. It. wus also slated iu Court that while the lud was with h.-rshewas ou her way to pawn hid boots and that tuough her fre.ikd were very much like those of a lunatic, (here was "a d-thod ia a [great many of them."

MEETINGS AND AMUSEMENTS

Xlie distribution of prizes to Ilio scho'ara of the Auckland Uritimiiur ijcho-1 t».ik plu.ee ou l"Vb. 26, i.. the Provincial Uounc 1, in the lii-OsuiiL-B of a very assemblage- of ladire unil i<i.'iitli'inei!, ami a number of political and social notabilities. The whicii were extreme , y interesting, will be found fully reported in another column. It was at tWlt intended tlmt I lie; prize* should have been distributed by Judge Arney, who is in I'atir.tngu. JJia Honor Lhu riupirmteii'leuL i- also ii-oiii town. Jin- duly devolved, therefore, oh ilr. Lu-k, tlie Provincial Secretary. Tucre are now 17ti ocholurd in I Mi; Grainiuur Sehoul. which may be described an in a. very ilourislniiir condition. X!io annual meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Comint-rui* vtat held on JTcb. 2J, at the office of the Uh.iuiber, Prreont: Captain iiuldy (in xAie chair), and Muura.

W. GralmiMe, l>. A. Philip*. T. llaefarlane, |i:irgaviile, S. Cociiraue, Ua.risiin, lieather. The. minutes of the List meeting were read and coiilirmed. The annual report of the Chamber was then read. It was simply a synopsis of the work done by (he Chamber during the past year. Xhe following officebearers were then elected : — Mr. Von dor Heyde, chairman ; Air. Daldy, vice-chair-man and treasurer. Committee :—Messrs. llealhcr, \Y. Graliame, J. M. Slier-., J. M. Clark, Dargavill,', T. S. Tiiine, and L. A. Xatliau. Messrs. Or. \\ r . Owen and 1). B. Cruickslmnk wore appointed auditors for the ensuing yeur.

Xlie tiiiMual nieetiu" of members of the Auckland Mechanics' Institute, wus held on Feb. T2, in the hall of the Institute, to receive tho report of the committee, and to elect officers for the ensuing year. Mr. Wiiitaker, President of the Institute, occupied the ciiair. Xhe Secretary read the minutes which were confirmed. Also the balance-sheet (which it was resolved to r.-ad first), an 1 tic report of the committee. The report was in effect that there was a deficiency as compared witli the former year of £19 ISs Bd. This deficiency arose i.i loss of receipts for hall of £22 -U. There were no special entertainments ibis year, which produced i.'2l ISs the former year, ana no donations from friends, which the former year amounted Jo £G 15s. At tho same time, the subscriptions for the year exceed those of the former year by £9 11." Gd, although the number of subscribers were less by eight. This showed that the number of full subscriptions hud increased. The liabilities on the 31st of January amounted to £83 9s sd, showing an increase of liabilities over last year of £4 13s lid. The number of members (subscribers) hut ycai- was -il'i. X'he number this year is •115. The following ucntleuicn were el.eted olli.-ers : President: Dr. J. R. Nicholson ; Vico-Presidents: Mr. P. A. Philips (Mayor), Air. James George ; Treasurer, Mr. Ko leriek McCay. Committee : Messrs. J. Brown, F. J. Farrell, J 11. Jugger, T. h. While, J. V. Cawkwell, C. 11. Mcintosli, J. Sievwright, it. Crmwcll. J. Jliddams, J. 11'. Burns, W. Whyle, J. Wilcoi. — Mr. Whiiaker received a rote of thanks by acclamation, upon his retiring from the Presidency of the Institute, witli which he has been c.miieotrd for thirty years. In retiring, he said such an institution deserved the substantial support of every Government.

The annual meeting of the Educational Soei-.-tyw.-is held on Tuesday evenim', theGtli March, in the Voting Men's Chri.-tian Association Building, Albert-street,—Hugh 11. Lusk, lisq., Provincial Secretary, in the chair. The report, of tlie directors for the year 1871 w:is read by Mr. Rice, and was, on Ihe motion of the Mayo.-, seconded by Mr. 11. > T . Warner, adopted. Tho prizes drawn from the establishment to 31st December, IS7I, have amounted in value to ;015. Twelve pianofortes and three harmoniums were issued. The singing classes are conducted by Mr. .1. Browne. The advanced class has proceeded to p-irt singing. The ladies' school had also progressed satisfactorily, and the report of the l.nly principal (Miss Turner) was annexed to the directors' report. The average attendance during the two quirlers preceding the 3Ut December was 60, and 50 scholars. The head musical teacher is Mrs. Wooley ; the second teacher, Miss Kilger. Kurliii ami algebra have been learned in the first class, Lit in by the second class, and French by all the classes. Ihe receipts for tho vear 1871 amounted to £111-1 10s lid. Asset's, £Sl7 10s 9d ; liabilities on account of ballot, i'-l-tS. Seven instruments, however, had been issued, valued at i.29i, reducing this liability to £151. There had been expended nn musical ins' ruincuts £I^3.—Mr. Rice was re-elected treasurer "for the ensuing your. — Messrs. Upton, Hale, Chambers, and Wilson were elected directors for the ensuing year.

The tifth annual meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society took place on March 13, at the oiH-je of the society, Princesstreer, for t ne adoption of the report, election of ollieers, &c, &c. There was a h.rge attendance of members, and James Fanner, Esq. (president of the so.iety), occupied the euair. The following b-ilanee-alieet was then read : —" Auckland Acclimatisation Society,iu aeeoui.t wilh T. Kirk, Treasurer, .March Ist, IS7I, to Feb. 187-. —" To subscriptions and donati'ins, £ID'J I-J-s Gd ; game licen-e fees, £41'7 10s 3d ; admisjion lees, .'155 ti 3.1; sale of birds an 1 plants, £10S 10* ; tmluee due to Bank New Zealand, £1-1-7 15s 7d ; balance am- to honorary secretary 111 London, £15 VJi 7d ; ditto for shipment, now iu transit, £150 15s 3d ; accounts unpaid,

. cbruarv £25 7s C.I. Total, 1-1 Id. —" By bal nee due to U uik of New Zealand, February 2S, 1871, £31 5i il.l ; wag- s, including ranger's, £-125 4s SJ ; birds, fi-.li, &-.-., (is od ; food for birds, Ac , £G3 Ml 51; printing, advertising, &c, L3l- Us -I I ; garden expenses, £G2 lGs 10d ; permanent improvements, -111 35s !\l; premium on hawks' heals, £15 lUs ; cash in hands of treasurer, C.j 2s ; birds now in transit, £153 15s 3I ; sundry expends, £25 7s G.I. Tol.il, £12 0 -J-> lid.-Dr Campbell was unaniniousiy elected President, and Mr. Firtli Vice-Presi-dent. — Council — Messrs Ja*. Farmer, J. WilHamuli. \V. Morrin, -S. .'.tor.-in, Pabi.er, O. B. Oiven, T. Kirk, T. 15. OtllieS, D. L. Murdoch, S. Jones, —. Hum, W. Hay, 11. Chamberlain, B. Tonks, W. J. Hurst, W. Hassett, T. Mac-(r.ii-lane, R. Cirnish, Uuhbs, \V. Swaiisou, J. W. JI .11, and E. 11. Power.

The h'ftcenUi annual meeting of the Ladies' Benevolent S ciely was li.ld on March 15, in the 1-OOUI3 of the I'oung lit .'s Christiin Association, —his Honor the ■-mpcriiitciidcut in the c'liiir. The report mid balume sheet f,)r tiie past year were read. Several resolutions were passed. The society is in a comparatively [ ro-p> rous condition, though its funds are not adei|'ia!e to all the cases of distress which arise in the year. Mr. Russell in his speech said t.he sum raised, though grem as ciiinpar.d with (ha: subscribed in e.>me other y.a;-s, was yet very ili.sproportiomite to the wi'iiilh and l>opiil"ali.)ii of Am-klaiid. Tins ollicc-bearers for lh-: year were c ected, and votes of thanks j) isscd to the Voung Men's C.'irisli:m A-isociali ,11, to the choir, and to the •,up.-nn , e,,d,.,it f,-r presiding.

Xhi! iirst of the Pi-nnam-nt Co-i»|it'rative liuil and Investiiu-nt Soriely v.-a 3 hell on Dili Alurcli, in the i'oiing Jim's ClirUiian Ad-wkition R wnis, Dr. J. 11. iM.hoUuii, M P.C., in the chair. Tint a very wide inH-re-t was fell, in tliu dUriing of this nciv ."oeu-ty wad evident, the room being crowded with p.-ojil,-, iwl. of whom during the cvciiiuj; became shar«Uoldori I'hu following i;eiillL-ini!ii were elected uflici-rd : riveidenl, Dr. Nicholson ; Vice-Presid.-iit, J'. A. Philips, Esq.; TriHteca, W. C. \Vil,o ;, JCsq., A. Jlenlli.-r, Ksij., W. Katlray, .lisq. Auditors, Geo. Fmser, Itsq., R. C. Carr, E-q. ; .Si.-crelary, John Uatger, E-q. Couiiuittee, Alessrj. iiattli-y, O. Tnorin-, jun., Sinullfleld, Tiiouipdon, Ciiss, CjupUud, (Jherry, Walts, and Gatliind.

llie annual meeting of the Port Albert branch ol the United Kingdom Alliance tojk place in the chapel (in the 15th Feb. Tea was provided, of wh.ch about sixty persons parLook, and the chair was taken by Mr. J. Shepherd, .M.l'.U., who reviewed the proceedings of tlieycar. Theofliec-bcurers U|i|ioiiit.e.l were : —PreMdent, Ihr Jiev. \\\ Worker; Vice President, Mr. J. Shepherd, i1.P.0. ; Sfcrt-tary, J. '1 , . Hurtm<ll ; Treasurer, O. Plurniiier ; Uoinmittee, W. Cutler, T. Gubb, if. Judson, H. Cut forth, and JR. AiulioUoii.— ihe Rev. a. Jidgt-r, Captain Goooh, J. P. ; Mr. K. lN'iehul.Hon, Air. Cutler, Mr. llartiu-11, Mr. T. Gubb, M.-. Stcveuton, and othero made a few remarks, and the proceedings were enlivened by the performance of a selection ot by a suitable choir.

A new tent, in connection wiih the In.lepi<n leiitOnlur of Kecliabitei was opened on the 27th Feb., at Ci-runmndel. The ceremony vras cuu.lucted by lico. W.J. dpeinlit, P.O. It., under authority from the New Zealand district. A dozen members were initialed ; a. number of others who had signified their aousent to join the order not being ttble to

attend. .After the initiation, the tent was named "The Star of Corouiaudel," and a number of brethren were appointivJ to the various offices, of whom Ur-;. Wilson wus chosen chief ruler, and Bro. G. Hoskins secretary. The presidingolficer then delivered a short address explanatory of the duties of the member.-, and closed the tent iu due form, wishing it God-speed.

A public meeting was held in the Courthouse, Wangarei, on Thursday, February 29, to elect ii committee and ofli e"bearers for the ensuing year lor the Literary institute. The following gentlemen were elected cominitteonieu : — Ihe Kev. J. Wallace, Messrs. R. ICay, l<. Reyburn, J. Wilson, D. Home, and O. Kyan. The. Kev. J. Wullace declining to act, on account of his many duties, Mr. R. Keybtirn. M. I'.C, was elected President, and Mr. B. Kay, Vice-President. On tho motion of Mr. Jut. Wilson, Mr. D. Ilorne, member of committee, was chosen Secretary.

On Friday, the lGtli February, this soiree was held in the Presbyteriaii Church, at ICirktowu. Between 130 and 140 persons were present. The ladies providing the trays were Miss McLeod, Mrs. McLennan, Mrs. Kichardson, Mrs. J. Bell, und Mrs. Drevcr. Full justice was done to the excellent tea, and thc tubles wero cleared.—The Rev. J. Wallace, who, we regret to siy, was very unwell, was called to the chair. The rev. gentleman, in his address, referred in terms of eulogy to the ac ion of his ougregaiion in the K'luriholiore district, who hud so energetically set to work and built the church in which thoy were then assembled, and which would compare very favourably with other churches in older established places, and was out of debt.

'llio anniversary of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge of Oddfellows, was celebrated on the 13th Alureh by a eoireo mid bull. Tliero waa a very numerous attendance. Tim large interior spaco was hung round with fl.igs of nil nations, and occupied bv leu inblr.H, upon which tea, cakes, and confectionery of nil kinds were laid out with profusion. Tlio tables were tastefully decorated with flowers. The company sat. down to tea at. seven o'clock. After lea sever.d addresses were, delivered, illustrative of the benelits conferred by the Order, upon not only it 3 own brotherhood, but. upon society at large. Tht* interval was enlivened by recitations, &o, s,.in.! of which were well rendered. The dnnein;! iMiimienced at half-past, nine, and was kept, up tii an early hour in the morning.

A fully attended committee meeting of the Auckland Alliiim-c for the suppression of the liquor traffic was held in the committeeroom of Ihe Young Men's ChrUian Association on March 15 ; Mr. Coupland in tlio chair. The business of the nieetiiif! was to tuke action to oppose the granting of the new licences applied lor. A circular proposed to ba sent to every Christian minister in -luukluiul, soliciting their co-operation in the work by recommending the society to the notiee of their various congregations, was road to the meeting and adopted. It was also agreed Unit u public meeting be held to advocate the ciuse of the Ailiaiicc in its efforts to prevent t.l.'e granting of new licences, and that u sub committee, consisting of live of the members, bo delegated to act in this matter. It was proposed and carried that, an appeal be made to the public (through the Press) for donations in aid of a general canvass against the granting of the applications for new houses, and those which were refined last year. Although the committee are opposed to the licensing of all or any hotels, the majority ruled that It would be better to c.fTer oppositions only where there was some probability of success.

Aucthcr nf those time-honored institutions for which the people of Otahuhu and neiglib.'Urin" districts are proverbially fond, i'.r , a soiree and concert, came oil" in The Public Hall on the :!S:h of February. The iillair wl3 promoted hy the committee of the public school in Ihi! Mm wre district, a-id they wisely appointed 11 good working committee of goi tiemen, counting of Messrs. K. Cooper, Jl. Badley, C. and W. Pegl.-r, J. Scott, F. Andrews, and W. NieliolU, .Mr. 15 iddley filling the onerous position of chairman of committee; and judging from the number that sat djivn to partake of the si'i.id things generously provided liv Mrs. A. Wallace, -Mrs. J. Wallace, Mrs. li.-ii»oo:l, Mrs. II- Vercoe, Mrs. W. FU-mii»<j, Mrs. A. Anderso:., Mrs. W. Niclu.lls, Mrs. W. SeoM, the Misses Westnev, and Miss Wiiimore, — the c.mlidence reposed in them was not misplaced. After the coneerL, the bi.dvofthc hall was cleared for the dance, which was enjoyed by a large company till early morning.

On March 2, at. a meeting luld in the Academy of Music, Graliaiiulown, aMineis Ai-i-i.lo t Relief Fund «as established, (.'apt. Fraser ..resided, and Messrs. Fra«er, Macksy, Skc.-ii,', Kichiirds, Uorlett, Urove, Swaii. Craig. Ehrciifreid, and I he K.-ts. Messrs. Hill, Lush, Nm.nl, and Bull.r, and all tln> mine iiiniwiji'rj (in I lie fiflil ffi'rt! appointed a g m-iiilii-i' 10 curry out ill" nbjec's in view.

'J lie ih-sl meeting (»r the- Wimgnroa Hand of Hope look pl.ue in tlie chapel on t.l.e loth l'Vb , hi. 7 11.in., when, notwithstanding the inclemency of lliu weather, n goodly number Ijolh of children mill adults teslifie'd to llicir int.-re.-.t, in the cause of temper wire hy their presence. Several speeches and recitations were given, iniersperscd with temperance songs, and a Vcrv pleu.-ant evening was spent. Attho close of the meeting, several came forward and

signed tin l pli-'lsie, winking the number now on the roll (J5. It, is intended to hold these meetings every month, and an increasing interest appears to hi; taken in tlie cause by the inhabitants in general. V IRKS. About half-patt cinht p.m. on March fi, Ilio city was alarmed by the loud ringing of the fire-belN. It was'f.uimJ tlnit the lire was in B-irni'-k Square. Ktrnonr lirst hud it thut Uoveniment. Hulls,; was on (ire. It turned out I.) be a s!::all woollen building at. I lie rear nf the Utd Coiiuniss'iriiit 0111.-e. Small as t>ii- was, it burnt very (i.-rcely for a time. 'I':.ere was, fortunately, a [»ooil supply of water at haul, and, by t lit; pluck and per-B.'veraii.-e of iiue or two speetators. I lie fl lines nvrc koI. nnd-r. '1 ho mof only was totally desiroyed 'I he fire, from the co'iiiiiienceinent to its 'beiii;,' extiuuiii.shecl, did not lust more tha i twen'y minutes. On the iiisjht of Mareh 13 a fire broke out at Olaliuhn in a small c, ill.ige, the properly of Mr. W'iliun Frost. Fortunately, an earl* nlnr:n was iiiven.and tlie lire was eitinuuished b-foro much diiinaije was done. There ii foine. reason to iVar thiit it was the work of an incendiary. A pane of glass was found broken in a window ii: the lem-to at the back. Tim principil done was to the canvas ai.d paper of the ceiling an 1 the shingle" of tlie roof in one or two placea in one of the Wk rooms. The liou-o has been uno.-e.upied for eonie tune. No onu was seen about, by those fi'Sl at the lire, hut. no efforta will bo Bjmreil to inveslii;ale the allair. A four roomed cottiige, biluated in Tra fal"ar-atreet, < )iiehiiiii;a l was burnt down on Friday iiioniiiij- last, (March 14) about I o'clock. Tlie bright blaze awoke Iho nearest n< i»hboiirs, and they at once went to the »pot. There were two tanks of water, but though the was wet, the fire had taken too htronn hold of the building, which was complet.i-ly destroyed. Ihe adjoining property, belongnm to Mr. Brierly, was save I with greut ilillie-.illy. Theru oan bo Hi tie doubt that this lire w.is wilfully raised, as the ' eolliige was in onh r, iloors anrl windows well secured; but it. had becnuuo. cupied about livi-wc<ks. It, was the properly of Mr. \V. Duvii's, of GraiiuuiM-owii, and waa insured in tlie Victoria otlice for ill 80.

A I. about -± ii in. on .March 14, a tire occurred in th t! More of Mr. F. Xmv, (yroc,-.), Knritiigulmpo lloa I. Tho alarm was lir.-L sounded on i.li.! NVwtun UV.-.-Ik-11, and was 80.HI taken Uj) by the bells of Lljo city. Tho Newton u'lvmcn were quickly nil ihenpot witli their engine, and by tluir praieworthy mid exert ions prevent t-d the lire from upnu-iing beyond iliu building in which it Mr. luepectur liruliaua quickly

put in an app-aniuce and did good service ] with the meiii'iers of the police fori-i- wi.-.ch 1

yiAu lit till ttpji -aMULi; v <CC with the ineuiniTj of the police fern- wi.-.ch were ]»re--*Mt iu kr-j>ing the crowd b;>'-.-.. t /it? preini.-es «ticl r»; were totally cu.is-.i ;:ed. No uiu wi? in Mr Lee's store at tht? time of tlie breaking out. of the fire, and Air. Lee's son, who was there at 9 o'clock in the evening, declares that all lights vrere extinguished at that liuie. r Xhe origin wad, in all probabilitv, quite accidental. The premises were the property of Mr. Young Warren, of Shortland-street, and were insured.

At an early hour on the 19ih March, an alurm was given in Newton, and a bakehouse opposite the Nuval Hotel, and belonging to Mr. J"ohnstone, was found to be on fire. A number of persons were shortly on the spot, und by means of buckets and a supply of water extinguished the flames. Some were discovered in the neighbourhood of the oven on fire, and circumstances seemed to warrant the police in apprehending Johnstone, and he was charged at the Police Court accordingly with arson, and remanded. We understand that the house ami furniture were only insured for £100, and that this amount does not. represent half the Vfdue of the property endangered. The Insurance Company have .ec.ined to prosecute, considering that the conflagration was palpably the result of an uccideHt. Ihe proximity of tho rugs to this oven is sa>ily accounted for by the fact that it is the practise in bakeries to dry rubbish in this manner overnight with a view to kiudling the fire in the morning. [Jolmstone was subsequently acquitted, the evidence in the opinion of the Resident Magistrate not warranting committal.]

SPORTING AND AMUSEMENTS

The Hamilton annual races came off on the 28th and 29ih Feb., inner, be considered as red letter days in the sparling calendar of the Wtiikato, for no more successful day could have been expected. The result far outdid the most sanguine expectation. There could not have been less than 500 to 600 persons upon the ground.

We understand that Mr. W. Wallers, who is at p. .-sent in the Southern provinces with his racing stud, and has been successful in some of the bile events, lias sent up orders for Young Dainty to be forwarded South as soon as possible.

The running match between Williams and o'llare for Jβ 10 a-side, came off, on Saturday evening, the 2nd of March. There was a large gathering in the Barrack Square. The arrangement was to run three heaLs oi 200, 300, and 100 yards. The first heat was won by Williams, but only by about two yards. Tiio second heat was won by O'Jlare, Williams running 150 yards shoulder to shoulder, and yielding to his competitor. In the final heat, contrary to all expectation, O'llare won the race by about two feet. It ie said that a good deal of money changed hands on the event.

A running match took place in the Albert Barracks on the Oth of March, between Pivot t and Whisker ; distance one mile ; for £10 a-side. The men got well away together, and put on full steam at onco. The distance was five tituo round thj course. Pivott was evidently running his very best, and Whisker worked hard to keep up with him, but it was too it ucii for him, for after going four times and-11-half rouii 1, and when they were still well together, he cave up. Pivott kept up a rattling pace and of course came in winner.

A cricket match was recently played in the Albert Barracks between a single and married eleven. The following arc the names of the piavers : —Single : Messrs. Pocock, (J. Gleeson, E. Willis, K. Whitaker, Purchase, Unwell, Clifton, l< , . Whitaker, A. Whitaker, Bro-.vn, and G. Carter.—Married : Messrs. Hees, Fleming, Muinford, Yates, Nicholson, L'uikliam, IJucklaiid, Shiirpe, Gratland, Bowden, and Ward. The single were the victors.

The Theatre Koynl was well filled in every part of the house on Thursday, Feb. 29, on the occasion of the benefit of Mrs. Glover (Mies Jessie Ituyinond), a most deserving young actress. The performance was under the patronage of I'aptuin Charles Taylor, tlu Scottish Volunteers, and the Xaval 'Brigade. The first piece of the evening was the drama of "The Emigrant's Daughter," in which the members of the Auckland Garrick Club appeared, and uipported tue Ocneficicrc with great success. Mr. Lancelot Booth afterwards rea 1 one of Longfellow's piiems, entitled "The Old Clock on the Stairs," with great tust.e, eliciting, at its conclusion, a loud burst, ol applause. Mr. Glover then danced thu Highland tling in character in his favorite und well-known style, and the performance concluded with the amusing Scotch drama, in two acts, entitled, "The Bonnie Fishwife," in which Mrs. Glover appeared to great advantage as Mi?s Thistledown and Maggio Miicfiirliiiu-, and sang " Culler lierrin" in excellent voice, lime, and tune. Mrs. Glover is reaily a prei.lv singer, and we M.ould like to hear her v.iitv more often thus engaged.

Mr. J. I'. Hy.les took a farewell benefit at the. (Jity Hall on the 3-lth February, owing to his departure for t.lic South. There was an excellent attendance. ihe great feuture of the evening was the reappearance ill Auckland of (he celebrated tragedienne, ALidumcDurct, who was playing here about two years ago. This lady arrived on the previous morning by the City of Melbourne, en route for Honolulu, anil hearing that Mr. Hydes was taking a benefit, oflVre.l her services. Signor Douato the oiiii'-leiiged .lancer, Bang and danced with great, taste and ekill. Mr. Hydes mnde n farewell speech, which was racy in the extreme. The Is'aval Brigade Troupe took part in the performance. Miss Flcra Anstead also proceeds South to fillfi lan engagement. Thut young and rising actor, Mr. Launcclob Booth, 'has "left for the South, to join the Theatrical Compiuy at present playing in Dunedin.

Mr. Barry, the bicycle rider, and Mdlle. Vietoire, the'feinnle performer on tho trupeze, (botli of whom arrived from Sydney) have been performing in Auckland. The Prince of Wales bus been re-opened by Mr. Jones's dramatic company, assisted by the Zivistowski Sisters.

We observe 1 hut Mr. Tavares, the tragedian, abrupt.lv tcniiinalo 1 hid connection wilh the Theatre «..ynl at, Ohristchureh, in oonsequence of the iiuiiidenl, slll)μort which he received from the compiiny. 'I'liß coinpliineiitrtry concert to Mra. Morressy ciitne oir on March 13, at tlie City Hall, mid we were very much gratified to find so hirue ami respccublo an attendance. The Hull was very well tilled, and those who were there had every reason to congratulate then.nelvi's upon hiiving been present. The band of the Ariiliery Volunteers was present, and broke the iee at the eoniineiicent of eneh part of i.lie p.-rfoniianre, with some oxeeedingly (joiid iniiMC. Nearly the whole of the sougs and inalrunuMilal pieces were by amateurs; and we must really confess to having been very much phased wilh the manner in which tho entire programme was executed. A number of amateur* p;n»e a performance at the City Hall, on the 2Sth February, on behalf of tile widow of the Lite Win. Fairweather. The entertainment was under the patronage of the Ancient Order of Foresters. A number of Fiji natives recently arrived in tl-o schooner Janet Grey from the Fiji. We understand they »re on a " travelling" excursion, ami that they will proceed to America and England to be exhibited, under the superintendence of their employer, who Ims engaged them for a certain term for that purpoee. Mr. Joe Small, the comic sinner, who got so awfully " elated" by (he b'an Francisco A cws Letter when he appeared with the Uurundinie, hue arrived in lMmedin, from Hongkong, by Uie Whirlwind. The Wi.irlwind brought 350 Ciiineso iniinijjranta. The silver cup, presented by Messrs. Shaw and Saville to t*ie Nelson Regatta Club, was won, on the 271h ultimo, by the Mieimehaha, belonging to Air. Cross, beating the Lightuintf, ateasrs. Burn and iloore, aud the Dolly Var- | deu, Mr. eonaonbj.

■VCLVLMA/nZ VTlu>[

T'—> .*_-elim -isation s oc-:y he, »v '.■arsi, hf)i;t-..'ed a caliber ..f u .Idfr iC3, ;.ellow liani.iii-rs, and other v.Jua. , .'- K giish birds. Tiie golJfinehea are not likely to Uie oi" starvation, con.-Hering the amount of thistles which are pertaitted to seed in the neighbourhood. We hope that everyone will afford as much protection ami encouragement to these birds as p-.s-ible, as thev are calculated to be very useful a"- some future date when their numbers have b.-en laj-gdy iiicres-s-J. Ml'. J. C. Firth i= nVs-rnng of thanks for his public sj.irit in having undertaken and successfully carried out the task of depositing the Canterbury trout in the Waitoa a.,.: Piako rivers. It appears t'lat soin.- 36 Hsh were liberated in tlies,-waters, an 1 thai the natives have promised not to molest them for five years. During tliat period they will, doubtless, have inereased to a large extent, although we much fear that the immense numbers of eels which exist in these rivers will do much to hurt the spread of these delicious fish. Eels are nota'jly fond of the spawn of trout and s dmon, and these pioneers of our future stock of "speckled beauties" will have up-stream work before the " contemplative man's recreutiou" has become an established fact in the rivers of the North Isiiind

Mr. W. Buckland liberated 15 earp in the lagoon nt Cambridge oil March -1, which, it is to be hoped, may bu allo.vel to multiply unmolested. He expects to be able to bring up a number of trout soon.

AGRICULTURAL.

The Wanaarei agricultural show took place on the 20th F-'iruary, and was very well supported. At the of the show about forty-five persons s*t down to an excellent dinner, at the .Settlers' Uolel. Sir Robert Douglas, Bart., (in the abs.-uee of Sir S. OsborneGibbes, the Piveident. c>l the Society) was in the chair, and the indefatigable Secretary, Mr. Robert. Ciissong, vire. The he:,l'h o! iler .Miijeity the Queen, ;iri>p.'-seil bv Sir R. Douglas, was "drunk with all honors. This following toasts were also proposed :—" The Suecesslul Co-opetitors " bv Sir R Dougias, responded to by Mr. T. Sie'ph.-ns and Mr. G-. llawken ; "'1 lie Uneueee.-sful Compelitors," by Sir R. Dongliis, responded to by Mr. K. Sissons, rrgrelting the absence of Sir Si. Gsborne Gibbes ; the healths of Mr. 11 .hen Sissons and Mr. -e.xumbe, mid Mr. Kay, through whose exertions the fii-st iigrioulliiiMl show has been so successful, notwithstin..liug mimy drawbacks, was received with very great applause j the health of Sir R Douglas, VicePreeident, and Mr. Thos. Cotlle, Treasurer, proposed by Mr. R. Sissons, wis enthu-itis-tically received ; " Success to the Agricultural Association of Wungarei," by Mr Smeator ; the health of the host. Mr. George parlor, was drank with much applause. Several sp.-eches, bearing on the Associalion, were delivered, and those by Sir It. Douglas and Mr. ii. Sissons were much appreciated.

The Waikuto Agricultural Show was lield at, Cambridge on the Oh March, uii-t wis 'i g> eat. euecess, considering that it. was I lie lirst of I lie kind ever lield in the Waikxto, uml consi during, also, tliut it was very hurriedly got up. I hnvu nut. time to give anything like h full report of the alfair. The ju.iges of horses were Messrs. JJibbln, With.-ral und JT -rater; of sheep and pigs, Messrs. Wuddington and Walker ; of cattle, Messrs. 'i'lcklepenny, Thompson, unci dtorey ; of cereals, Messrs. Steele and iSycrofl; and of ia'ple.i.eiits, Messrs. Steele and Ityeroft.

The agricultural show which took plate at Mahuraujji on the 2Glli Feb., was one ot the moot successful met-tings of the kind which has ever been got up in the JS'orth. It, uue held in and uoout the Public Hull. Die judges for produce and poultry wore Mr. H VYhilsoii and -Mr. K. Koberlsun, and lor live stock the sume judges acted with .Mr. Oliua Morgan. Some ol the exhibits) were ex cellent; t:,o settlers of Maliuraiigi district iiave every reason to be proud of the results of their efforts. The show was followed by a dinner, to which over hull' a huurded guests sat down. Mr. K.C. Ujer, M.P.J., presided, an t Mr. M. Angove occupied the vice chair. JL'lie society is, we are to hear, growing boili in menus und influence, und is ivuciriug the patronage of most of the settlers A "letter was received by the committee from Sir Ueo. Grey expressing regret at beiiijj unable to atleud, through urgent business re:jiinng his presence at Aupier. Tim Waiuku Agricultural Association's Show took place on the -Olh February, and was very successful, considering the iucle-nu-ncv ot the weather. The judges for live stock'wero W. X. ii issett, Geo. Uawke, and John Lfdv ; for farm produce, Juhu Alay (ol jL'aumur."), \V. J. Harris, mid (J. T. 110.-kin-. About forty gcntleinen sat down to mi excellent dinner. Mr. K. Coustabh- (President) occupied the chair j Mr. U. ilosking (VicFrcs.dcnt) lite vice chair. Xho usuul toasts were given, und duly responded to. POLITICAL. Mr. Andrew W.ndrop has been appointed LTunuiian Consul for the c.ty of Auckland, and I lie porta and cities adjacent. Ttie I'lvaunrj I'oal learns that a requisition is in course of beiug got up by the Kungaikei settlers, catling upon the lion. Mr. l< ox, i.lie Premier, Io re.-ign his eeat as tlui representative of that district in iho Oencral Assembly. information hu3 been received in Auckland that ministers, after mature con.-iderution, have decided tbat the Assembly shall meet, nuxt session in Wellington. It is announced t .at, the U-overumout will su'imit a new coiutitu tiou, und a scheme for amulgaiuatiag some ol the: provinces. A short Session is expected, and the Assembly will be dissolved if tluOroverninent iHeasur a are not carried.

Arrangements have been made by the Minister of Public. Works .or tlio Middle island, for two spccal settlements of Scandinavians. Two blocks, of IUO.OOJ acres each, luive been reservist! in Stewart's Island, unil on llie foulbisiiet eo.ist of Olago, belweun Cabin's and Waikau rivers.

Air. U. i'onks has resigned his seat in the Oily Oiiuucil. Mr. S. Jona and Mr. C. Greenwuy ;iro candidatej for the vacant seat.

The Auckland Oily (Joniieii at a rei-eut meeliii;,' a lopled a congratulatory address to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, on luc recovery of 11.11.ii. the triuce of Wales.

Mnjor Jacksou has been elected a member of the General Assembly for tuu Waikato district, vice Oapt. MePliersou resign'd. Air. John aheehan has been elected member of the General Assembly for Kod.iuy, vice Mr. li'urnall, resigned. Mr. Sbechaii is the first member of the General as.-embly, of the iiuropean race, born iu the colony. VV. fieeil, Ksq., Inspector of Customs, returned by the Nevada Irom an official trip to the iSavigator islands. Mr. iiejd was instructed by the Government to proceed to the lor the purpose of exa ..iniiij; nml reporting as to their suitability i.s a mul etation, and generally whether it would be advisable for the Colonial Government to recommend to the Imperial ttoveniiuent the annexation of t:.is interesting group as a dependency of New Zealand, ou account oi its commercial position.

Some time since we hi t to commend tho public spirit of Messrs. Q.ii k in proposing a through coach from AuuKlan.l to NtipiL-r. ii. will be seen by nu udvertisew.ut in unotlier plttce I lint they purpose a rouiewliat novel t-xtetmi n of Lli«ir bujineas. They Imvu uii"iin«J the services of uuiupclent guUlea Lu conduct tourists through tlio Lake scenery, tlieiiiselvea alao supply sudcllu horses, which cun be obtained til Cambridge. All the distri ts round Tuuruiifja, Mnk.lu, Rmoru.-i, Kotaintihana. (Hot Lukte), l»upo. anil Nipioiwill be readily aceestiDle to lh.- tourUl. Ihe teruia are ino.lrr.ite, imd we doubt nut the courenieuce thus supplied will be turned to excellent aa well as prufitabla a^tuuut.

"ur own cjrr.'-p.jinluiii., wrnin? from Wuiuku, says;- ilr. E. Constable has just completed sending away fil>> bales of flax for America. I believe Mr. Wnlker is the person to whom it is consigned, and there are seventy ■oni more nearly ready. This shows well for t.liH district. Mr. Constable's sleira-engine, at Stony Cr.'ek, line be.-n m full w,. r kinir oHer for some months past, and it is needless to say is the nit-iiii-s nt keeping a great number of hands .it work. 1 don't, know what ,|,r!-.l:rv ..f |1,.. , i •.- mvc; \-,\ iiladv, but it is focrciiiing great.

From a Southern telegram we learn tha*. the sr!i .oner Onenu-ga has'heen I.>.«t. at Oauuru. She was insured ill the Xe.i 2-_-.d.iiid Insurance ofli -e.

;'. A. Philip?, K.-q., Mayor, of Aucklincf, hii.« written to tii • ilimr oi lireymouth, encl .-ins a draft t'.>r £ti t- oil, in aid of the siiiV.-r.-rs bv the l}r.-vmoiith A ,orU.

J'lie cutter lay reeeiifiy brought up a t)n of Ciinl, as a sample, ffotii the seam lately diei-overed at Wangaproi. His stated to be im ex-elieiit hou.-eii .Id eoal, an.i Mr. Alex. Beverida--, who brought it u;>, his beeu offered til per ton for all thai he can supplr, if equal to i-ampie.

A bonus of H2MO Is oll'ere.i by the General Government tor the tirst hundred tons of printing paper prodded in tiie colony by in:ii-liinerv. lhe reqnir.-d qua-.titv must bo produced before the 30 h J ui.,-, 1573. The weight of each printing ream is to be not less than thirty pounds.

Our co-resp mdenl, tells us that Mr. Bedlingun, wlio Una f.ir some time paat been enga eil in borin;; for coal at. Wanaarei has readied ;i depth of 200 feet, and that the indications promise a discovery of coal within a fortnight. We trust that Mr. IW ngton'a enterprise will b * well rewarded by he die-

S. Su'herlan.l, "atiilor by trade." writes to the I'jst roii'plaining ihiit, while there is lick of employment for men of his trade, the uniforms of the Armed Constabulary are partly made in London by slop-workers, and. that the remainder is civen t,j a. "sweater" in Wellington, who i-mplovs wom.n aud girls at 2s Gd. a week.

A steamer named the -Southern Cross was recently launched !rom the yard of Messrs. Dtithio and Ross, shipbuilders, intended for the East Coast iraue.

Oi.c ol tin: steerage passengers of the ehip Naomi, named S.'ptiuiaus Mace, died oa the passage out. of general debility. The Press ol a laic date says : —" We understand that the de ith-rate in Christchurcb. and the suburbs, among infants, is alarmingly high, and that in one day last week as many as thirteen burials w « recorded. From all accounts the epi.l.-mic an-wers to that known in Knalniul as choleraic diarrhce i." Prom the Culuniit we learn that the same disorder "has been somewhat prevalent in Nelson."

According to the I'ost, a " clear caeo of hydrophobia has occurred at Wellington. If i.liis be the faet it will be the (irst of the kind that lias happened in the colony, we believe. If are liable in this count,y to rabies, the Dog Nuisance Act must be enforced more stringently than ever. T.iere is soul to be regular weekly steam communication between ihis port and the risii'g seltlenieni. of rauranga. dinsidering the niaguilicent harbour and I'ertiie soil which, the hitter possesses, to say u.itbing of its situation, which must cause u. I ■ eventually 'he ureat outlet (or Liie. pr.i.lu r the lands of lint interior, we are glad to i>. »r that steps are being taken to bring it into nearer communication with this part of the province. A weekly service is lo be effected by means of a s-eamer, whieli will also call at Opotiki. She will be owned bv Messrs. Macfarlane and Kelly,.

A purl v nf Dve left Auckland, on February 21, in the. yacht Zjliac, for the l'iako, on prospecting expedition. Good accounts have reached town recently, and good gold is eaid to have been found iii the locality.

The derelict vessel picked up by H.ftl.S. Basilisk ou" Can) well has proved to be the Peri, of Auckland. A late gazel'e contains the annual returns of spirits iHstiUed in the col my. We Grid that trie amount dir-tiilod au.t lion-led during last Tear was 55.952 gallons, and the amount taken "out, of bond for home consumption was 29,221 gallons, und h> exportation It gill.ms. The auuu.it remaining in bond was 52,038 gallons.

\\ r e understand I hat a telegraph clerk has proceeded to HUiita'U to open anew telegraph s atimi tiieiv. lie iius the neeessiry apparatus, togeiher with a lent, in which the business is to" be temporarily c-.ndni-te I. The station will be twenty-one miles in advance of that at the Thames, leaving only the bush section to complete the eouiKviim »-iUi Wellington. We are glad to b- able to record this substanli.d I'.icC which proves that the work is in a fairway towards completion.

l'he am 'lint of liol.i fro.n the Caledonian for February was 3,Wo'J ozs me.ted gold, or an increase of 455 ozs. upon the yield of the previous month. A Permanent Co-op native Building and Investment Society has been recently formed in Auckland.

Dh.tlu-ria is m:'.V;g its appcaranco again in Wellington, Sim! !;■■ ii.lnib tarns are iu;j their prennseo «itu eulphur us a precaution irv measure. We "understand 'hat a considerable number of lell.Bi-s recovered fro :i tlie wreck of the Rangoon were received lately in tlie mails per I'ara inki Irom t lie S.ulli. The letters were forwarded to Nelson IVoui the Melbourne Postoffice.

The number <>f forwarded during the iinal quarter of l:i-iVtur iva. 97,641, being mi increase of <d7,-IJ3 on those of I lie corresponding quarter i<l , Hie previous year. Tke call revenue received w=. £6,i00 Ua. lid., being an increase of £I,GJ7 lit. lid. on the lust q.iarler of 1870On the 9ih March, ut six o'elock, n.m., the (leuioliiion of For;- Lin oniart was comme.ieed in earned by the lirac charge :>f pow.ier bei.itf ex,)l.).ie 1. The tontriel is in t.:,e hands of Mr. Owni Joiu-5, an.l .luring the osist few divis ;i nu nber of men liiivu been .•iii|)'ovd in uw.iy Hie buildings nearest to tlint, purl i..n of llie Kort Unown as " Soldiers.' Poini," and also in putting iu a tunnel for the puipose of undermining the JTortwi.li gunpo.vder. Tliis tunnel was pat in it di-uiiu-u 01 soiiiu sixty-two feet in a direct .i,ie At the en.l of mis were two other eros's tunn.-li", each ten feet long. At the extreme end of the fu.-lhesi tunnel, the charge of now. er whs 'aid in bugs, the amount beinp fifteen On the rxploeioa takui' pl:n:e eiveli side of the Point was observed to eway gra.iually outwarde while the centre of the Point rose in the air for a considerable distance and then collapj- £.,., tiuutii'i tli of tons of etutf came with a crash on to the ro.idvvny, making a breach, up which the people could atlerwarde walk into ;he od fort. Ii was then found that the entire point of the elitf had been striken and craet-ed. The ainoaut of atuff aeluid y blown down was estimated at some three or four hundred tons, while fully a thousand tons inuot have beeu loosened. Tuere is au eulubluture in front of the Artillery Uarraeks, Fort Britomurt, which it would be well to preserve as a memorial of this (so far as New Zealand is concerned) historic site. The inscription is, •' Erected by a detachment of the BUih Kegiment," with the date. Enlabluturcs of I his description arc constantly used iu Eiuland as records of buildings, monuments, or reuiurkuble places no longer existing or uo changed as to Dβ lorgo>t,n Fort lir.tomart m a years willljeleveHe.Ho t.i-li water- an,lUu* rt . i rlit nmrK tlio pWCe

c 0,,.0 i.. c UUI >» of . d wIU ho!d Hie on ibeMlh AtuyneH. * u ' K o f Islands. '■'TL -t-'":. t:i M./or of WellingtonJ^OO'iXJiautuui.

Name and County of 200 SOD COO -2 Domicile. yards. yards, yards. -° Dufaiir, Middlesex .. 23:13223 :viCi:i:>:« 0i)2 3. r > Brighton, SiiiTolk .. 2232:«l 3123242 324 17 Thome, Middlesex .. 3232432 2UH300 000 2S Devore, Wilts .. .. 2233333 2343223 000 3S llyett, Gloucester .. 3322332 4333-223 332 4lj Skinner, Mnnmouth .. 2:U-i>43 O4Of>:s4 300 35 Clarke, Norfolk .. .. 0331223 0133224 333 44 Boardman, Lancashire .. 2223222 3242224 404 42 315 IRISH. Tierncy, .. 2322333 0000022 222 2S Crawfo'rd, Tipperary .. 2222324 :SI3j323 0:iO 40 Osborue, Cork .. .. 333.1432 2423322 044 47 Warren, Mayo .. .. 3:S22r22 3323340 022 31) Naughton, Cavan .. 3222324 233'>232 030 30 Keeffe-Tipperary .. 3:1320:12 0243322 223 3'J Morrow, Longford .. S312-224 22')«302 20.) 31 liell, Down .. . 0332322 KW0U03 030 24 •2-S4 SCOTTISIf. Cameron, Ayr .. .. 0423432 3130333 020 30 Stirling, Perth .. .. 324:)220 2200102 232 33 Aitki-ii, Renfrew.. .. 0322300 30.41124 300 20 Juhnstone, Stirling -. 024 1203 3423301 010 33 Silibalil, Kilinlm.fe'll .. :;322222 ",04420 1 C22 3(! .McLean. Inverness .. 0323332 2011200 230 33 Ctid. Fife .. .. 2333223 30324U2 032 37 -Macdoual.l, Perth .. 3032322 4043223 230 33 2S0