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New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1308, 25 January 1868, Page 3

Crowded-out. —In consequence of the arrival of the Knglish mail, a number of letters and several other matters ot local interest are unavoidably postponed, as also our critique on Madam Carandini's concert last night. Masonic (Lodge St. Andrew.)— The regular monthly meeting of this lodge will be held at the Star Hotel, at 7 o'clock this evening. An English paper of recent date says : —" An organised effort is being made to secure a direct representation of the interests of labour by the return of working men to the next Parliament." Postponement.—The sale of Mr. Palmer's furniture lias been postponed until Thursday, February 6th. Sale of Fancy Abticles. —We perceive that the sale of fancy articles in aid of the refuge for the Destitute and Lying-in-Hospital, is announced to take place early in March. The object is one that recommends itself earnestly to the support of the charitable and benevolent. The names of ladies by whom contributions will be received appear in the advertisement.

Sabbath Sebvices.—The Eev. J. L. Parsons will preach in the Wellesley-street Chapel at 11 o'clock to-morrow. The usual Sabbath service will be held in the Parnell Hall and Odd Fellows' Hall.

The .Rev. P. H. Cornford wi'l officiate for the Hcv. A. Macdonald, at the Congregational C'mpel, High-street, on Sunday morning, at 11 o'clock.

Sudden Death. — A man named James Munroe died suddenly at about a quarter to eleven o'clock last night, at the Shakespeare Hotel, Wyndham-street. The deceased had been working for some time past at Mercury Bay, as a bushman, and had come into town about Wednesday last, and taken lodgings at the Shakespeare Hotel. He complained frequently of a pain in the chest, and last night requested that a doctor might be sent for. Dr. Goldsboro was immediately sent for, but he arrived only in time to discover that life had fled. An inquest will be held to-day.

The Clerk of the Resident Magistrate's Court informs us that in the case of Mary A. Gilberd v. Knight and wife, in which a nonsuit was recorded at the Resident Magistrate's Court on Thursday last, it was not-by any mistake of his (the clerk's) that the names of the husband and wife were not conjoined as well in the summons as in the declaration. He also informs us that the summons was made cut in the office of plaintiff 1 s solicitor, and sent to the Clerk of the Court for signature and service.

Caledonian Games.—The Committee met in their rooms last night. Several motions were brought before them for consideration, among others, that of having a flag made for the occasion. A very fine drawing of the lion rampant of Scotland was sent in by Mr. Williams, sailmaker, which was ordered to be prepared; the meeting then adjourned till Monday next.

Smuggling.—The Customs authorities appear to have become alive to the necessity of adopting strong measures in order to check the wholesale system of smuggling and defrauding the revenue now being carried on. It appears that suspicions had been entertained by the police in reference to the movements of a certain schooner which had cleared out with a quantity of goods under bond. These" suspicions were communicated to the Customs authorities, and last night a party of the latter apprehended two men, named James Miller and Samuel Wield, and lodged them in the lockup on the charge of a breach of the Customs regulations. Subsequently a Custom-house officer, accompanied by Mr. Parker and Detective O'Hara, went off from the Wynyard pier and took charge of a small yacht in which a quantity of the smuggled spirits had been detected. The prisoners will be brought up at the Police Court this morning.

Wateejien's Licenses.—The following is a list of the licensed watermen for the port of Auckland, for the half year ending 30th June, 1868 : —Joseph Cook," Herald" ; Thomas Hunt, "The Sisters"; Joseph Noyer, "Sunbeam"; George Xean, " Galatea " ; Henry Hawkes, " Sea Belle" ; Thomas Davis, " .Light Brigade''; William Marshall, senr., " Pet"; J. C. Farrow, " Flirt"; Charles Strong," ttosey"; J. Fletcher, "Brilliant"; George Strong, "Tender"; J, Conley, " Curacoa." The aDove are the only licensed watermen for the present half year, allowed to ply at the Queen-street Wharf and Wynyard Pier.

Wett Zealand Instjbance Compact. — An extraordinary general meeting of tlie shareholders of this company is convened to be held at their office on Monday, 10th pros., for the purpose of amending, altering, and repealing several of the provisions of the Articles of Association, and full particulars of which can be seen at the office during office hours, until the day of hearing. The Expected Visit of H.E.H. the Duke of Edinbubgh.—His Boyal Highness, Prince Alfred is expected, as most of our readers are aware, to arrive in Port Jackson on Tuesday next, when the Naval lieception promises to be a very successful demonstration. The public landing and procession through the city will take place on Wednesday. On Thursday a presentation of addresses, and levee will take place at two o'clock. On Friday there will be a grand review of her Majesty's Forces and Volunteers in the Outer Domain; and on the following day, Saturday, the Prince is expected to patronise the annual race meeting of Tattersall's Club, at Kandwiek, that meeting having been postponed in order that his Bcyal Highness might be present. Prior to the presentation of addresses on Tuesday next, both Houses of Parliament will meet to agree to addresses to the Prince. —Sydney Herald.

Peovincial Council.—The Council met yesterday at the usual hour. In reply to Mr. Carleton the Provincial Secretary said that in the last settlement of accounts between the General Government and the province the sinking fund to the half million loan had not been provided for, but that the subject was in course of arrangement. JBeferring subsequently to the same subject the Provincial Secretary said that he had allowed £6500 as the sinking fund and interest of the half million loan, but another letter had been received to the effect that the liability on that account was near £10,000. A letter had also been received, pointing out a liability for sinking fund on £90,000 (New Zealand Guarantee Loan) at 6 per cent, for purchase of land from natives, but against this there was a set off, the amount raised being greater; but both these liabilities would take off the £12,500 to half been paid by the General Government during the next half-year. The Provincial Secretary proceeded to go through the estimates under the different heads. He indignantly denied the assertion of Mr. Ball, that there was any intention to repudiate any just debts, and that of Mr. Carleton, that there was any intention to do injustice to the hospital or the destitute. The grants on this account were grants in aid. In the present position of the province many would have to be deferred. The £2400 liability on account of the railway could be met, if necessary, by selling 350 tons iron at £10 a ton. The export of gold had risen from 500 ounces in September, to 3000 ounces in December, but this he described as a " fancy estimate." As to the £5000 reward, it was the intention of the Government to appoint a commission to consider and decide on the several claims. JELe trusted that the reductions in the sums for the police, gaols, hospitals, &c., would give satisfaction, but the two first was experimental. Mr. Carleton moved an amendment to the motion for going into supply, that the items of supply ought to be submitted. He contended that to have these was one of the ancient privileges of the Council. The time having come for the orders of the day to be considered, the further consideration of the estimates was postponed. A motion by Captain Cooper, that sufficient reserves of land in each district should be set apart as " school reserves," was agreed to. The "House" was counted out at twenty-five minutes past seven o'clock.

Police. —One drunkard was punished at the Police Court yesterday, and Henry Sardison on the recommendation of Drs. Stratford and Hooper, was ordered to be placedinthe Hospital as being of unsound mind. Francis Falcon, a foreigner, on remand, was charged with stealing several articles of female clothing, and pieces of drapery, the property of Thomas Powell, from the Mechanics' House of Call. There was a certain belt among the stolen property which formed the principal link in the chain of evidence which secured the prisoner's conviction. A great number of witnesses were called, and the history of the belt was detailed with all the consecutive minuteness of a certain interesting juvenile story detailing the erection of a house. The Bench found the prisoner guilty, and sentenced him to three months' imprisonment witu hard labour.