DUNEDIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 726, 17 March 1876, Page 3

DUNEDIN.

{from our correspondent.) March 13, 1876. In the way of amusements of late we j have had quite a plethora—the Marionettes, ! the Palace Circus, Blondin, and the Simmonseu Opera Troupe—and all seem to have done, or aregdoing pretty well. Mr C. Bright has given three of his Free Thought lectures, in the large tent of the Circus, the audiences on each occasion being about three thousand. The Waste Lands Board have passed a minute to the effect—That it is desirable that an auctioneer be appointed. The Executive recommended that Mr R. B. Martin should be the man. f ft is hard to tell what is the peculiar qualification possessed by that gentleman that all the licensed auctioneers should he ignored. The matter is looked upon as a job of favoritism which is not creditable to the Government, as from experience wo have had the effects of the employment of amateur Knights of the Hammer in the sale of Crown lands. An accident occurred on board the Comorang ; sho(was about to sail on Saturday evening, having some of the Circus horses on board, when a portion of the boiler gave way, the steam putting out the fires, and severely scalding two or three of the horses very badly. A man strayed on the Clutha line, close to the Cricket Ground, and was knocked down by the engine. He got his arm broken and bruised a good deal. It is supposed that ho was under the influence of drink. Mr Louis Basch, the Secretary of a Building Society, charged with embezzling a cheque for five pounds, has been again remanded. Ho is out on bail. About 1500 persons witnessed Blondin go through his performance on Saturday afternoon. There is not much said now about scarlet fever. Of late the medicos agreed to differ in the matter, and have had out their wordy war. It is more than likely wo shall not hear much more about it. The follow who asked for a look of his sweetheart’s hair was informed that “it costs money, it does.” A Safe Profession —Semblins overheard two scientific gentlemen in a private conversation. One says, “ Doc., I sec you have your shingle out as a regular family physician ; how is that ? I thought you wore intending to practise the veterinary.’* “ Well, I’ll tell you, colonel. I did practise at that, and expected to keep on at it. but it’s so awkward, sometimes, you know; a valuable horso dies on your hands, and •there’s a develish sight of talk about it—everybody speculates upon what the horse is worth, and how he might have boon saved, and there’s a chance for a suit of damages—malpractice, and all that ;hut in this family line, if a child slips the hooks, j or somebody’s wife or mother-in-law dies, 1 the ground is turned up and dug over on the old story, and there’s none of that foolish talk.”