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Dunstan Times, Issue 1296, 31 December 1886, Page 2

The Blacks Distrkt Summer races which are held in Malakanui Park, between Ophirand' Tinkers, open to-morrow (Saturday), the|lst January, and..finish on Monday. A first class programme is offered and large fields ofj horses have accepted for each event. On the evening of the ls£ a concert is announced to take place in the Schoolhouse in aid of the cemetery iund; pnd on Monday evening a cmcert and dance is also announced for the Schoplhouse. The sports which take place to-morrow, January Ist, at Alexcndra, presents an opportunity to our athletes to try their prowess and skill. The programme of events includes pretty well the whole catalogue of sports, thus giving a gco.l chance to all, whilst the amount of the prizes should be sufficient to attract large numbers both athletes and onlookers. The domain where the sports are held could not be excelled, there being a good sward of , green grass all over it. We have received from the Government a copy of the Gazotte containing " The Regulations under the Mines Act, 1886." In reference to the Mines Act, we notice that the Government intimate that the Act, together with the regulations made thereunder is just published at three shillings and sixpence. From the Mines Department, Wellington, we have also received a prettily got up card conveying to us the compliments of the season, with best wishes. We most gratefully acknowledge the" compliment paid us, and injreciprocating heartily wish for the future success- of the interest rcpre- ! Edited. . I

The concert of Sacred song and Christ' mas Carols, as advertised for last Friday, Christmas Eve, was given in the Town Sail, Alexandra, and indeed, was one of the best and most enjoyable concerts that has been given for some time, and in this respect was a marked success. General regret was expressed that on account of Christmas Day and the Sabbath following in succession, many of the business people *Bd others were prevented from attending, and some only pat in an appearance for a ihott time. The msdience, though not so large as it might have been, thoroughly appreciated the excellence of the music. All the carols and pieces rendered by the choir were exceedingly tasteful,- and the music was high class. The soloists and instrumental performers likewise acquitted themselves exceedingly well, and the whole programme was gone through without a hitch. Without any flattery, it maybe state'! that it is not often that an up-country audience is favored with such an excellent musical performance, and it is to be regretted that a considerable number amongst oiir population ase not yet so cultivated in musical matters as to appreciate such a performance, but taste and musical culture will advance, and we hope again to hear of a similar treat provided for the public in th.g distriot. The annual examination of the Alexandra Public school took place on Tuesday, 21st mat., when the prizes were distributed by Mr J. E.' Thompson, Chairavm of the School Committee, who suitably addressed the children. The attendance of parents aud members of School Committee was not numerous, but the children exhibited much proflciency in the various parts which they performed in "the way of recitation and singing. At the close of the proceedings, on the motion of the Rev. Mr Lothian, a hearty vote of thanks was awarded to Mr Aldred and Miss Bowden, the teachers, for their succe-sful labours. The holidays were announced to terminate on the 31st January next. The concert and dramatic entertainment given in the Town Hall, Cromwell, on Monday evening last in aid of the Caledonian sports fund was a most successful affair, and the singing of the various performers was of no mean order. The duet "II Trovatore," by Mrs iCogan and Mr Earthy was given in good taste, but Mrs Cogan's efforts were completely frustrated by the lack of spirit in Mr Hartley's singing. Miss Sharcoe and Miss Richards were in good voice, and deservedly demanded encores. Mr Anderson, who gave two selections on the violin, is a good player, with fine touch and artistic expression, and is undoubtedly a great acquisition to the musical talent of Cromwell, The screaming ficoe of "Doing Banting," ran very smoothly, the players being part perfect. Mr Turton as Alderman Podge, was excellent, and his make up so perfect that it was only his intimates knew him. Mr DeKavin, as Professor, was inimitable and sustained his part to the end. Miss Richards made a good Miss Fatuna, whilst Mr W. can but say the piece was put on the stage in a parfect manner, aud all the company sustained their respective parts, The trial crushing of a ton of stone from the new quartz discovery at the head of Campbell's by Parker Bros, turned out about 3ounces, but it is thought the trial was not a fair one, as the battery at Conroya," where it was crashed, was not in the best of Older, moreover the water was both scarce and dirty, and still farther those in oommand were not sufficiently masters of the situation for the work. Another trial is to be made but this time at White's battery, when better things are expected. We should be very sorry to repeat one half we have heard about the richness of this reef, but we fully believe it to be worth a trial. It is reported that a man named James Day has discovered another reef somewhere in the same ocality. There appears to be some probability of an attempt being made to seenre some of the capital which appear* to be plentiful in London for investment in;mining claims for the development of some of the Otago mines. The Tuapeka Times understands thst a movement is on foot to [amalgamate the various mining interests at Blue Spur with the object of floating a company at Home to work them as a joint concern. Overtures have already been made to the several companies as to what price they would be willing to sell out at. The Australian Medical Gazette devotes an article to the Tiinaru poisoning case, and says:—" For ourselves, we may say that we are proud of Dr Macintyre as a professional brother, and return him the thanks of the profession for tho credit reflected on

it by his bold yet prudent action. We would call special attention of our readers in New South Wales to this case, and point out the fact that from this point of view Thomas Hall was very unfortunate, in so far as that under the circumstances he resided in New Zealand, wher» proper precautions are taken with the regard to the practice of medicine, and where certificates as to the cause of death are only received from registered medical practitioners who have given proof i hat have received a proper professional education. Had be resided in New South Wales, he might have carried out his designs with but little chance of detection, by the aid of one of the numerous uneducated men who are practising', medicini in it, unchocked|byregulations,ani whose certificates as to the cause of death are received by the Registrar Gener*! and his subordinates as all sufficient. In all probability no suspicion would have been aroused in the heaven-in-spired practitioner's mind. With all due deliberation, and thoroughly believing what we state, we are confident that numerous oaseo of criminal poisoning cccur every year in the senior colony, which are undetected in consequence of the utter absence of any precaution on.any part of flic Government to ensure that no body shall be disposed of until the cause of death is certified to-by some person whose opinion in such a matter is at some authority,"

In referring to the marriage, the advertisement of which appears in another column, the 1 Essingdon and Flemington Chronicle ’ says . —The church was crowded with invited guests and friends, who evinced much interest in the ceremony. In the evening Mr Thomson, the bride's father, who had erected a large marquee in honor of the occasion, entertained about 100 guests in a truly sumptuous manner. All manners of games, dancing and other amusements were indulged in till the * wee sma’ hours. The costume of the bride and those of the bridesmaids were recherche in the extreme. The bride was the recipient of some 70 presents, which were both costly, useful and ornamental. The happy couple left by the evening train mid accompaniments of good wishes interspersed with showers of rice and old boots, which are considered the marriage honors of the day. On their return Mr and Mrs Thomson will reside at Brunswick, where though changing her resi. dence her n me will remain as in days of girlhood. ‘ May the Thomsons never grow less.’

An Order-in-Council in the Gazette of December 23 declares that the cat is the natural enemy of the rabbit, and it prohibits the killing or capturing of any such animal outside the boundaries of any city, borough, or town district.

At the inquest, on the boy Morton, reported-Jo have hung himself (referred to in our special telegrams last week) out of a morbid desire to emulate a neighbour who lately committed suicide, it was made clear to the jury that death was the result of an accident. The neck was dislocated and the feet of the body resting on the floor. It is supposed that the boy .had been on a beam overhead and slipped and fell in such a position that the rope dislocated the neck before the feet could reach the floor.

Some little time back the Victorian Legis lative Assembly passed a resolution in favor of granting a free pass over the Victorian railways to those members of the House prior to the advent of the iron horse. Hr Vincent Pyke, was one of those members and he has just received the free pass, which will form a handsome memento of his connection with the Victorian Legislature. The present is a handsome pendant of solid gold, bearing the Victorian arms and the following inscription Hon. Vincent Pyke.—Victoria railways free pass.” Mr Pyke was in 1855 elected to represent Castlemaine in the Legislative Conned of Victoria and in the following year, when the new Constitution came into force was was again returned to represent that con» stituenoy in the General Assembly. Ho held that position until the year 1881 and during part of the time was a member of the Nicholson Administration, holding office successively as Commissioner for Trade and Customs and for Public Works. In the year mentioned Mr Pyke resigned office in order ’to take charge of the Goldfields department in New Zeiland. Forcloso confinement, want of air, seden« tary habits and brain tire, trust in Hop Bitters (American Go’s) Read.

The following additional particulars concerning the attack on a child by a ferret are given by the Heroert correspondent of the North Otago Times: that in the afternoon Airs Dobbs was bnsied in the front room of her house with ordinary domestic duties, while her baby, a fine healthy girl of seven months old, with beautiful large blue eyes, lay on a rug on the floor beside her. There were no other children in the room, and the mother, having occasion to go out to tho clothesline, left the baby lying on the floor. She had hardly gone 10 yards from the door when she was alarmad at hearing the child screaming, and on hastening back to tho room a horrible sight presented itself to her gaze. A ferret belonging to Mr Dobbs had escaped from its cage and had attacked the child. The ferocious brute, which had a litter about three weeks old, was tearing with teeth and claws at the right eye of the unfortunate infant, whoso face was streaming with blood. Mrs Dobbs drove the animal off and carried the victim to Dr Levinge, who alleviated the little sufferer’s pain, but pronounced the eya hopelessly destroyed. On inspecting tho ferret’s cage, which is some 10 yards from the house, it was found that the door of the cage bad nut been properly closed, or had been tampered with by some of the children ; end it is surmised that the animal had escaped early in the afternoon and had been concealed in the room before Mrs Dobbs left it, as she was not absent from her child more than three minutes. The brute has been caught s nd, together with the whole of its litter, killed.”

A romantic atory comes from Piaceim, where" Lucia di Lammermoor "'was being perforned at the theatre for the benefit of the prima donna, Elvira Brambilla, An ele. gant young man (Signor Fiore, of Milan } occupied a stage box, applauded enthusiastically each air of Lucia, and threw to her three boquets, to each of which a valuable jewel wa3 attached. At the end of the perform; aces the young man asked to be introduced to the singer in her dressing room, and after a few minutes of conversation suddenly exclaimed " I have seen and heard la Baambilla. The object of my life has been attained." Aa heutterel these

words he drew a pistol from his pocket, pointed it at his head, fired.and fell dead afc the feet of the popular singer. District Judge Raw on practically agrees with Mr Justice Williams as to the manner in which the Probationers Act should be administered. In the case of a man named Benjamin |Ward, convicted at llawera of the larceny of a saddle and recommended by the jury to probation, Judge fiawson said in his opinion the Act was mainly intended for young persons and children, and he was not inclined to give a licenso to people to steal once without fear of imprisonment. In consideration of the jury's recommendation, however, the sentence would bo only three months' imprisonment,