CALAMITOUS FIRE IN AUCKLAND. Estimated Loss of Property £70,000. THE HALF OF CENTRAL QUEEN-STREET BURNT DOWN. FIFTY-TWO BUILDINGS DESTROYED, CONSISTING OF FOUR HOTELS, SIX GROCERIES, SEVEN SHOEMAKERS, THREE BUTCHERS, THREE WATCHMAKERS' SHOPS, AND TWENTY-NINE OTHER BUILDINGS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIX, Issue 5006, 8 September 1873, Page 1 (Supplement)

CALAMITOUS FIRE IN AUCKLAND. Estimated Loss of Property £70,000. THE HALF OF CENTRAL QUEEN-STREET BURNT DOWN. FIFTY-TWO BUILDINGS DESTROYED, CONSISTING OF FOUR HOTELS, SIX GROCERIES, SEVEN SHOEMAKERS, THREE BUTCHERS , THREE WATCHMAKERS' SHOPS, AND TWENTY-NINE OTHER BUILDINGS.

Foe a long time past Auckland has been free from destructive fires. The conviction of Haley aad the cessation of fires were almost simultaneous. Since hia arrest and conviction, only one serious fire has taken placo in Auckland, viz., the Government offices and the Custom-house. This occurred in November last, almost at the close of the last sitting of the General Assembly. Since then the losses by fire have been very insignificant, especially in tho city Indeed it has been a common observation for months past, tho long time which has j elapsed since the last disastrous firo. Every goodenjoyedhereisbutof short dura tion, however, and so ithai proved on this occasion, in regard to our exemption from fires. While long ranges of closelybuilt large wooden buildings line our streets, it is in vain to expect at all times freedom from destructive fires. During a lengthened period of dry weather, old wooden buildings become so thoroughly dried, that a spark from a chimney even would be enough to set them ablaze ; under such circumstances, when a lire breaks out in a wooden warehouse, there need be but little astonishment should the fire spread with great rapidity- Such were the circumatan^M existing hero on SumUy morning. Although August was a rather wet month, since September came in, we have enjoyed tho moat beautiful weather that the most exacting farmer or gardener could desire. In fact Spring had burst upon us all at onco. The result has been that all old wooden buildings " became very dry, and on Saturday last clouds of dust blinded tho pedestrian whose business called him out into our principal business thoroughfares. A strong N.E. bree/o was blowing all day, which freshened somewhat during the afternoon and evening. Thus it continued until midnight on Saturday — wooden houses as dry as tinder, so that the slightest spark falling on their roofs would be likely to be dangerous, and a dry breeze blowing which would fan the smallest flame into a disastrous fire were there sufficient materials for the flames to work upon. Just as the hour of midnight was striking upon the town clock it was observed that the shop of Mr. Powloy, linendraper, Queen-street, was on fire in a back room, near the roof. Iho fierce clangour of the firebell at the junction of Grey and Wakefield streets, aroused slumbering and retiring citizens to a sense of danger. As soon as 12 had struck upon the town clock the alarm was taken up by the New Zealand Insurance Company's firebell, and in an instant thereafter the whole of the firebells in the city were furiously ringing out their harsh and unwelcome sounds. Those who had retired to rest hurriedly attired themselves, and hastened to the icene of destruction. In less khan five minutes after the first harsh notes of alarm were rung out on the midnight air, thousands of citizens were hurrying by every street and byway to the scene of disaster. The fierceness with which the fire bells were rung seemed to inspire a general sense of terror, and to create an impression that the fire would be a fearfully disastrous one. This foreboding of evil was fully realised ; for the destruction caused by the fire on the morning of the 7th instant has spread disaster and ruin amongst a large number of families. When tho Government Offices were burned people regretted the event, but by far the greater part of the loss fell upon the General and Provincial Governments, and the merchants who had their promises burned on that occasion had their losses pretty well covered by insurance. On the present occasion, however, the case is entirely different. Over fifty families have been suddenly deprived of their means of obtaining a livelihood, and many have lost almost their all m the fell destruction which ensued.

blowup ns'it u c«s (!io i i- v°> lV ' se 'l an e.ldy ol the iluuio which thui >«Hn'e,i continuously hgamsl ilio end ol tin hop occupied by Mr. W. Fare}', grocer, whose promise-, wvre immediately on the north tulo of tho passage above refoircd to Viom this cause tlio fire at fiist to make more pro?rci>i rroopn.tj up against the ;\ind than it did, before tho wind. This, of cor se, was but for a time, for when the fire fiend had made n suflicient clearing within which lie could career dream-like at pleasure, the prorjte^>> of deduction southwards wa^ terntic. After the fire had got beyond the control ot tho futile attempts of the lire brigades to arrest its progress, the scenes of destruction were painful to witness. Large two storey buildings were seen standing entire, and not a spark of fire upon them. Suddenly there would up-shoot hissing tongues of tlame, lap themselves round the doomed building, and almost instantly it ceased to exist. The fearful roar and rapidity with which the work of destruction waq carried on ma_y be readily guessed when it is stated that ."-.2 building?, covering an area of more than two acres of ground, were, reduced to ashes in the short space of two hours.

i.ivo 'ie!p . ' tins pnrfunilar juncture. f<u' ■t \\4s ( ■'! I hat the tiro ought not to he a'lowcd to pirxeod further northward than ibr (lend wall. Had an engine been biought to the ]il;ico at this time a very small supply of water would have sti\cd tlie progress of destruction in tins direction. For hilly a quarter of nn hour mis the progress of the lire arrested hero, and the Central Hotel was almost reduced to ashes before the roof of Mr. Xeumegon's shop, which was composed of shingles, caught lire, The opportun'ty w::s neglected, and the resvlt was th.it home {.3,000 or €0,000 worth of property was destroyed more than should have been. When the roof of Mr. 2s T euinegen's shop caught fire the combustible character of the contents of the building, which time had not permitted to remove, soon revived tho fire to its formor intensity. The shop adjoining Mr. .Neumogen's was occupied by Mr. J. Young, butcher. ATheu the Brigade saw that Mr, JN"euinegon's shop waB doomed, and having failed in their efforts to pull it down, a number of persons got on to the verai dali of Mr. Young's shop, and began nourishing about with axes, for what purpose it w?s difficult to conceive, as it was plainly to be seen that it would be impossible to chop the building to pieces before the fire was upon the axemen. Tins turned out (o be %i o, for after pulling down the \erandah, and making n feeble attempt to pull tho building low n, the efforts were given up, and the lire speedily consumed tho building. As tho progress of the lire had hitherto been so rapid and irresistible, sullicient warning had been given to Mr. CJaley, baker, and Mr. C. 13. Smith, greengrocer, and Mr. P. Darby, of the Thistle Hotel, to do what they could in getting their stock and furniture removed. Mr. Smith, whose shop was next to that of Mr. Young, got almost the whole of his articles out, as also did Mr. Caley. A considerable quantity of Mr. Darby's furniture was got out in safety, but a good deal was ultimately consumed. Tho greats part of his stock was got out safely. The lire was occupied but for a very short time, in eating up the premises occupied by Mr. C. B. Smith, Mr. Caley, and Mr. Darby. The heat at this time win most intense, and drove the spectators to a very considerable distance frcm tho burning buildings. Mr. "Darby's Hotel was a large square block of budding, and when the lire got a firm hold upon it the buildings on the oppo-ne side oi (J leen-siieei \»eio m i n i.loruMe danger. The paint upon their fionn became aU blistered, and the water thrown upon them by the Firo Brigade was instantly vaporised. Tho deficiency of the supply of water at this stage was plainly visible. When tho men had pumped for a short time they wore obliged to ceaso work until the water had filtered again in tho dam ot the engine. During this cessation of work the action of the heat upon tho buildings on tho eastern side of the street wai truly wonderful. Almost as soon as the ilow of water ceased the roofs and fronts of the shops began to smoke furiously, which was only stopped by water again being applied. It was with the utmost difficulty that the members of tho Bngado and others succeoded in preventing tho buildings north of the Saving's Bunk breaking out into ilarao. As Mr. Darb} 's JLolcl gradually sank before the ravages of tho liie tho small buildings to tho w cstw ard of it caught fire. The various out-offices belonging to tho hotel were consumed. The woikshop of Mr. Cunie, COacll aild -vrlicclvriiqUfc, nlin'U w.is situated belaud the hotel, <uid in front of Messrs. "\\ hitson and Sous brewery, bad a very narrow escape. Before the firo approached closely to his place, Mr. Currie, with the assistance of friends, succeeded in getting out a number of carts and other vehicles that were upon his premises ; and, almost by a miracle, tho workshop in which he had his benches and forgo erected, were saved when the progress of the firo towards Elliott-street was arrested by tho pulliDg down of a fence.

un Sergeant O Connor iu>ho<! into Mrs Policy's shop, but was dm en b if lc b\ tho smoke ana flames. Noividr (oulil be procured, or it is believed tint Ilie sergeant could have extinguished t/ie (he l)«(bre much damaeo h;id been doue So far the progress of the fire in a iioilherly direction has only been dealt with We now follow ild C'juini» fowarda the Xew As we have said, a strong north-cist wind Mas blowing, and the flames weie qviii kly communii a<sd 1o J.imicson's boot I'lop. Mr. .lannoson, hov ever, saw the danger, and, with assistance, lie managed to save the whole ol his stock. The buildings were all of wood, and the wind carried the sparks on the roof-'. The consequence was that, before the fire had readied the. United Service Hotel, "Webb's Music Saloon (containing the wax-woiks), in Wellc=>le> street, was on flro. By halfpast l^o clock no fewer than live chops had been consumed, viz, Policy's, Jamieson's, Mathieson's Broad's, and (irey's. Every efl'orfc was used by the firemen to stay the onward progress of the devouring element, hut, on account of 1ho scarcity of water. their ellorts were in vain. The. shops of Blair and Lambert (grocers) and Streeter (butcheri, contained much inflammable matter, and aft or blazing furiously for a few minutes, they disappeared. It is said that the inmates of tho United Service Hotel were nol aware of the existence of the fire- until three or four houses had beeu consumed, and the- flumes wore greedily devouring Blair and Lambert shop. Shortly after 1 o'clock tho United Service Kotol caught, and the flames, strengthened by tho great amount of spirits on the premises, shot up fnr into tlu i heavens. Myriads of sparks wore carried by the wind as far as St. -Fane's Church. Wollington-stroet, and the/ wore constantly falling on tho roifs of many houses in a direct lino between the church and tho scene of tho fire. Tho hotel burned for about half an hour, "Mr. Hancock, however, being able to savo a portion of his property. During tho tuno the hotel was burning frequent loud explosions took p'ace, every ono being accompanied by the falling of some portion of the building. It is repoited that Mr. Thomas Kussell purchasod the hotel and two or three of t lie shops ad|oining it for t'»,()(M shortly before hi3 departure for England. Much sympathy is expressed for Mr. Hancock, tho proprietor, who had spent a veiy large Mini of money in decorating the hotil, whu'i w.is one of the be->t in Auckland. It is stutcd that ho received nearly £'7uQ worth of stock about a week ago which he hud not insured. In tho meantime, as before stated, Webb's Music Saloon, in which the was figures had been placed on exhibition had cnught. The wind had quickly wafted tho ilames to the adjoining houses. It is stated that the whole of the wax figures were removed in safety. The Aberdeen Boot Factory was the next victim, and was followed bv Francis's tinsmith's shop and Eobinson's boot factory. Laudable efforts were mado to save the premises occupied by Muir (grocer), Posseniskie (tailor), and Butterworth (dressmaker), but in vain. The fire had gained too strong a hold to bo easilv put do-vn, or, in fact, to be put down at all with the appliances at hand. From Butlerworth's tho fire took to Mr. Wall's private residence in Elliot-street. Tins house was completely burned, but a small house next door to Wall's was saved, and the fire prevented from spreading, by <i {esv bravo men uho-io courage should not Lc forgotten. The whole of the birluings" dcstioyoJ b^vir^n Webb's saloon and the house that was saved belonged to Mr. Wall, and wore insured in the ltoyal Insurance Company for k;c ».

l phcd w lth rtalor m buekits and lieic j it \\ ; I'-ai "*■!"•• Tliomus Mori m ami Mr Dnv -<, of \ ic'lccrs cud Di'Vis, proverl themselves of the utmost service in assisting ana guiding the efforts of the men who had placed themselves for the nonce under tlicir charge. It was found, as stated previously, that the Domain water supply, as furnished through the ( hoii>, was (jinte incapable of being made to n:ich tlie ilarao over the second storey window, against which all efforts were now being rnudo. Mr. Davis, by spring- I ing oa "Williams's signboard, nnd receiving a push from Mr. Mo ii nn, scrambled on to tho roof. Buckeis of water were then hauled up by means of a rope, and tho flames extinguished ; but whilst all this was being done, and tho fire mastered in this quarter, the ilauies on Coupland's hay-storo had communicated with tho stabling, aud thonce, unnoticed, insidiously crept along the .dividing fences and communicated with. Sheddan's cooperage in Wellesloy-street. Here iho .fire seized upon tho dry wood in the building with startling avidity and quickly gutted the shop. Coupland's corrugated store, containing produce, on the west side of Sheddan's, wa> quickly in ilames, and on tho east mJo of Sheddan's the entire weatherboards of Ward's shop hn/'ome iiulokiy ignited. The root was of corrugated iron ; but slowly and surely the devouring element forced its way, partly against the ■wind, and its progress to the corner was only ;i imtfcr of ;i very lew moments. Mcinliiiio it w <h found that not only Ind the wooden dividing fence carried the lire to Sheddan's place, from Coupland'a hay store, but Ly a similar means the flames had communicated with Marsh's and Saunders's back premises. Seeing the irresistible progress of the lire towards the new Market-house, his Worship the Mayor gave immediateorders (or a number of axes to be procured from J. and .1. Dickey's, ironmongers, for the purpose ot pulling down as much a^ possible of Lcndruni's stables, so dangerously near to the cast end of this not uninipo->ing cruciform .structure. Despite the willing hands, however, wielding the axes, scarcely any appreciable damage had been done before the flames came tearing along, and enveloped the wholo blook in ono grand yet deeply saddening conilagration-

cjvort'd tha' s-puu. \, r- {i.idiiig thm w,iy in L',iLii( jni)'i' ,i.in li.t > 1 e u'-noi of the pLice through iho Lnivre boards A largo amount of piopi r'y rras taken outside and deposited m places of safety. A hose ua-i obtained, and water was thrown on. the Queen-street t'ront of the Market-house, and although tho force of water applied was not very great, still Iho safety of the building may be attribi'ted to the fact that water was applied, and thai bo much of the building was constructed of corrugated iron. r JLhe wood work under the clock is literally black, and the windows on the same side are gone. However, the building is and the above-mentioned is the ®nly damage done. It may be intimated that tho Market-house is insured in the South British Insurance Company for C-l,oOi> It is scarcely needful to mention that if the Market-house had caught fire, the carriage factories of Messrs. Gee and Potter, and Cousins and Atkin, would also have been destroyed. As it waH theao firms had to keep the whole of their employes at workin ordor to extinguish the sparks as they fell on tho roofs of Ihftir building. It was extemoly fortunate that Mr, Marsh's new building, at tho opposite cnvnci to the Anchor Hotel, was not further advanced, or the probability is that it would have also been destroyed. In Cook-street the roofs of two houses were fired by tho falling sparks, but, thanks to the exertions of Inspector "Broham, no ««M'ious damage wa<? done

!- niiulcra & luiloi'^- <\wp i) .i iK i ' , porkbiUHw i"'h Mi<".p Cunt ei bury oyster saloon J'onrinoi's walclini.ilicr's shop Wilhc'ius, Anchor Hotel Lendruiv'a sLibhs (lu'lmul 'Williams'*) ■\VLi.<x^r,LY Srui:i: r . Webb'a muMo saloon ( ,cLuyicd by wax work exhibition) Aberdeen boot factory Eobinson's boot factory Francis's tinsmith's shop Mint's grocer's shop IL. L Posseniskie's tailor's shop ]3attcrvrortli's dressmaking establishment ,-,11 i a. Coupland's produce store (with hay lOlt and st<ible> Sheddan's cooperate AVard's painter's shop Adams's saddler's shop "Wilharas's umbrella repairing shop Hurt's grocer's shop Jones's musical instrument shop Elliott Stkket. I\Er. Wall's private dwelling We classify the property destroyed as follows — I hotels, 0 grocer's shops, 7 shoemaker's shops, 1 draper's shop, 3 butcher's shops, 1 baker's shop, 2 tailor's shops, 1 dressmaker's shop, 1 produce store, 1 cooperage, 1 painter's shop, 1 saddler's shop, 1 umbrella repairing shop, 2 oyster saloons, 1 locksmith's shop, 1 photographic studio, 1 livery stable, 1 tinsmith's shop, 1 musical instrument shop, :t greengropor's shops, 2 confec(innrM*'* shops, - pawnbroker's shops, «> ujitchmaker's shops, 1 eatinghouse, 1 Chinese tea shop, 1 chemist's shop, and a music saloon.

Si. Hi iiki.i '-. D\Y.— This Saint is siul to ha\o' bjen ch.iocn by tho Xoimau Kings. L'uo lepio&ontation of his ii^ht with the tliagon occult in Norman sculptures, but it n not-ilu i> i posai bh to distinguish him fum St. Michaol in legoml.uy art. lie was. lust formally adopted as the patron saiut of England by the Synod ot Oxford in 1'2±2 ; at least several authorities say so, but it is inoic piobable that the earliest appointment of the kind was at the Synod of Exotei in 1287. Tho aabeasment roll of the Otahuhu disti lot may bo Been at Mr. Hall's store at that place. Objections will be heard on Wednesday, the 17th instaut, at noon.

UNDER Tlltf VKU YNDAir. TnK bluster of the Opposition on the Provincial Ln.ui Bill Ii.h ended in smoke; tlie mountain i»i labour lias brought fortli a mnerablo mouse ; and the anticipated division, that was to try the strength of the Government ho fear fully, remains but aa a record of the only blissful dream that has lightened up tbe cold Caves of Adullam this Region ; a dream wlvieh, alas ! for the aspn.idons of the Opposition, proved a baseless fabric, and, passing away, has " left not a rack behind." I can picture tho gleo of Messrs. Cullies ami Wood unilor the inspiriting lnllucnco of full rounds of applause which they hftTO not often enjoyed of late ; and ■till more clearly can wo imagine their chagrin on finding that their rousing eloquonce had failed to bring forth fruit, but withered in an uncongenial air, learing them to pondor with AVolsey on the truth that —

This ii the state of man ; to-day ho puts forth The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms, And boars his blushing honours thick upon him. The thud day comes a frcst, a killing fioit ; And «hea he thinks, good easy man, full sun ly His greatness is a-ripening— nips bin root, And then ho falls as I do. A local Mrs. Partington wants to know why there 13 all this fuss about Educating Bill. She says if Bill is ignorant Of what is becoming for a young man of proper declivities to bo constructed in, why doesn't hia parents send him to lcliool, and not have the whole country in a llaro-up about him. So far as putting religion into him goes, she Hays it's a very hard mattor, as she knows by her Ike, to drive any good into them young scamps of boys ; and she don't think an Act of Parliament will do it, because she's tried a broomstick on Ike, but it has failed to effect any reform. The old lady after giving expression to these views, wiped her glasses, and proceeded to spell down the parliamentary news with a dissatisfied air, when she alighted on an announcement respecting the Auckland Improvement Commissioners which seemed to afford her some relief. " Wei!," she observed, "them Commissioners do want some improvement, with their impudence wanting to constipate people's property, and making streets up lulls that no predestination would dare to climb. It\s nil very well for you voting folk* to go up such proclivities, but when you reach my time of life you'll not be so active." I really cannot see why there should have been so much fun in the House on the reading amongst Sir George Bowen's allowances of half-a-orown for mending the groom's trousers. If hou. members had only considered what a figuro Thomas would have cut behind my lady's oarriago without his trousors being mended, they would have seen at onee that this, at least, was a work of necessity. It is really too much to expect a Governor on a moderate income to pay for mending ■what Thomas no doubt destroyed m the arduousnes of hi* exertions for t ho public good. The matter seems trilling, but probably if a select a committee had been appointed to impure into ami report on tin-, item it would have revealed a patriotism and self, sacrifice of no ordinary character. Perhaps it was not Thomas's fault that the trousers w ere torn at all, for the whole blame may really be laid at the tailor's door for making the garment too tight in the outset; and it is even possible tlint the unfortunate rent was caused by Thomas's exertions to render a due obt isance to one of the very members of Parliament who grumbled most at having to pay the damage. It must have caused tlio unhappy wearer sullicient mental agony to shullle out backwards, without having fresh holes picked in his breeches in such a public way. It could not surely be expected that his Excellency should make good nt his own cost a damage arising under these circumstances ; and as public decency forbade the neglect of the work, whit could he do but send 111 a requisition . J It seems to me a \ery improper subject to lay bare in such a public assembly, and I wonder what the ladies in the House thought of the proceeding. The story of the tuo miserable old crones who, upending their Sunday in tippling, closed it with the doath of a neglected little infant, will do more to excite attention to the evils of dunk, and especially of Sunday trading in liquor, than a thousand teetotal speeches. One gleam of hope alone is gathered from this horrible episode in real life, and that in derived from a most gloomy source. The death of tho infant cannot be regarded without some feeling of thankfulness that a human being should have been removed from a world where it had mode its advent amidst so many unpromising surroundings, and with such utterly hopeless prospects. Jiow can we fairly apportion the guilt of this shocking tragedy ? Are the women alone to blame, or should those who furnished the means of debauchery not be held equally culpable r 1 The Templars have a good field for the employment of their powers, and they will carry with them tho bent wishes of all the intelligent members of the community in their crusade against the gigantic evil— drink. The two children, Moss and Carroll, dealt with at tho Police Court on Tuesday, are also examples of tho effect dissipation in paronts has on their oilspring. Mr. Warden Fraser would appear to have boon selling mining lessees as well as mining leases. Tho chances of turning an honest penny by sharp practices in Una community now are so small that the worthy Warden might hayo let the ■peculators fight it out amongst themselves ; one or other of them was bound to get to the windward of the rest, and thus inculcate a salutary lesson. The Aucklanders have got so universally sharp now-a-days that there is no scope at all for genius — so much so, that tho knowing ones are actually being starved out; and 7 notice that two of our keenest brokers are trying their hands on the unsophisticated agriculturists of Adelaide, whose hernia are at present turned by glowing accounts from the Darwin goldlieldH. It ifl astonishing that ao mauy farmers, who might Live been expected to know the substance when they see it, should have been caught w ltli chaff, but so little ih done in that way here just now, and assuredly from » lack of ability rather than of w ill, that w ( may reasonably assume that most of w. hare reached tho status of " old birds." Messrs. Piesso and Lubm, tiio ominenl perfumers, and a member of whose iivn: is now in Auckland, have adopted a novel atylo of advertising. It is a common occurrence for newspaper peoplo particularly (on what principle f am at a los< to know, unless it bo that members ol the Fourth Estate are supposed to b< given to that aort of thing mor< than others) to receive a handsomi envelope neatly addressed, which when opened, discloses a highly perfumed circular, conveying clabo rate instructions for obtaining th

fullest possible satisfaction from kissing, and general directions for bringing the art to perfection. ! don't know thai met pcDjtle dud it neeessarv to study the subject, the time and circumstance* rendering any fixed rules liable to bocome irksome, if not altogether impracticable Tho cool deliberation which Messrs. Fiesse and Lubm regard !is tho first element of success and perfection is not always possible when a stern parent, who disapproves of such practices, is wandering about ; il also assumes a quiet acquiescence on (he p.irt of (lie >nung lady, which Messrs. lVsse and "Lubin, as connoisseurs of the art, must know cannot always bo depended on. 1 think that, on the whole, this is one of those matters best loft to the untrammelled judgment of the parties concerned. It is in keeping witli the reputation of the firm to know that Mr. 1'iesse himself is s(c)ont from afar, which may also be said of tho various goods supplied by tho Jirm. The public nro at present being victimised at a b.i/aar. One gentleman has managed to soil about a hundred halfcrown tickets for the rallle of a poodle, which should be treasured by the winner as tho most valuable dog m the colony. A young lady has made a cosy. ostenruMy for the purpose of keeping eggs warm, but really with the premeditated design of ejecting an entrance to the pocket of some miserable, individual who perhaps above all things abhors eggs. Another has produced a wool-work skyc-terrier, incapable of inflicting physical injury, but quite able to cause the keenest mental torture by the manner of its attack. Tho hall is filled with myri ids of harmlesslook ing but remarkably aggressno articles, wliu h lunl their way into visitors' hands before they are well aware of their exact position. To young men of susceptible temperaments tho witching glances aro mcc irresistible than the extensive stores of finery ; and bachelors nightly jcar away pocketsful of babies' shoes, ?mall frocks, &c, which they have not Lhe most remote conception of turning to *ny useful account. Surely the parsons ivill never rest peaceably under tho roofs Df masses raised at so large a sacnlice of peace of mind to tho young members of their congregations. I mast crave pardon for having, last week, neglected the theatrical company now performing at the Prince of Wales. Of our old favourite, Mrs. "Walter J till, I need scarcely aay a word. She looks no los= youthful and charmingly graceful then she did when first [ had the pleasure of witnessing her excellent delineation* ; ii Auckland. The other ladios of the company are not specially brilliant, but all manage to fill useful parts with very fair success. Messrs. McGowan and Collier, the leading gentlemen, arc really good in thsir own special lines, and are fairly supported by the rest of the company. The manager sooms desirous of placing a good class of pieces on the boards, and he deserves encouragement. Altogether the company is a very good stock company, and one can enjoy an evening in witnessing their representations with considerable satifaction and pleasure. Cwco.