Untitled

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1908, 17 June 1869, Page 2

City Police Court. —At this Court to-day, John M‘Crae was fined 20s, or in default 24 hours’ imprisonment, for being drunk. Richard Gee, was charged with stealing a decanter containing brandy from the bar of the Ray View Hotel, Maitland street, on Saturday evening. The prisoner pleaded that he was drunk at the time he committed the offence. He was sentenced to 7 days’ imprisonment, with hard labor. Fatal Accident.—A Child Burned to Death. —A shocking accident, which has had a fatal termination, befel a daughter of a man named Woods, a foreman on board the Geelong, residing in Russell-st., on Tuesday morning. From the information we have been able to obtain, it appears that the deceased, who was eight years’ old, after getting out of bed that morning, seated herself in her night-clothes, on the hearthside, before a blazing fire, and it is supposed that a draught, occasioned by the sudden opening of the door of the room, caused the ignition of her clothes. The little thing was fairly enveloped in flames before her danger was noticed by any of the house; and she was very severely burned before they were extinguished. Dr Allan attended upon the child until its death, which took place yesterday. Princess Theatre.—There was a tolerably good house last evening. The pieces presented were, ‘ 1 Giralda, or which is my husband,” and an Extravaganza, “ Once upon a Time, ” &c. It is always more agreeable to bestow a kindly word of commendation or encouragement, than to pass censure upon those who at great expense and risk, aim at providing the public with amusement or instruction. But we cannot allow our predilection to take precedence of our duty. Giralda, never over-refined in sentiment, through the interpolations of one of the actors, became so gross as to offend the sense of propriety of many [who were | present. This is so foreign to the hitherto pure character of the stage in Dunedin, that we are confident it will not be repeated It addition to this drawback it was badly played, few of the actors knowing their parts. The extravaganza was really pretty, well played, and seems likely to be a decided hit, The Assault on the Police at Waikouaiti.— At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Waikouaiti, on Monday last, Frederick Wain, Roderick Cameron, and Henry Francis were charged with assaulting and resisting Police-constable Porter in the execution of his duty, at Hawkesbury, on the 12th instant. Mr Smith defended Wain, and the Commissioner of Police conducted the prosecution. From the evidence of the Police-sergeant, it appeared that on the even, ing of the 12th, he and Porter were conveying a prisoner from the Commercial Hotel to the lock-up, when they were jostled against by Frances. Wain and Cameron were hiding ; and on the Sergeant gomg up to them to see what they were doing, they and Francis rushed upon him. He told them to stand back; and they stopped for a second, Up to that time he had kept them off him with h's life preserver. Receiving a blow on the head which nearly stunned him, he drew his revolver. Wain struck Porter with a bludgeon, at the same time exclaiming, “You dog, I’ll murder you.” Thinking that Porter was killed, the Sergeant fired one of the barrels of the pistol, which was loaded with blank cartridge, and the men ran away. According to the medical evidence, Porter received a severe scalp wound, about two inches in depth. It transpired during the examination that Wain had been fined in the Police Court the same day, for allowing gambling at his house, and that he had words with the Sergeant of police after the case was concluded. The hearing of the case was adjourned for a week, the prisoners being admitted to bail.

The Waikaka Goldfield. The Waikaka goldfields on Messrs Ainslie and M'Nab’s runs are likely to turn out really well. There are several men at work, and making on an average LI per day each man, at theflaverage depth orjfrom 2 to 3 feet.

There is, however, a scarcity of water, whicff compels them to go to great expense in cutting races for a considerable distance, in order to keep up a supply. It is fully exEected that in a short time there will be nndreds of diggers on the ground, who will work up a great' portion of the country, which the Government at present intend to take up in Hundreds ; but when it is proved to be as auriferous as it now appears, it is more likely to be proclaimed under the Goldfields Ordinance. Mr M‘Nab does not object to the workings going on, as long as his supply of water for sheep-washing is not cut off or diminished. The diggers are supplied with mutton by Messrs Ainslie and M‘Nab at 2d per lb for the carcase, and a man named Green takes occasional trips to the workings with stores. —Bruce Herald. Southland. —We take the following items from the Southland Times :—A meeting for the purpose of discussing the question of annexation to Otago, was held at the Prince of Wales Hotel on the afternoon of Saturday last, the 12th inst., and was attended by about twenty-five gentlemen. The meeting was a preliminary one, and after some discussion the following resolution was carried That a committee be appointed to communicate with the various country districts on the subject of reannexation of the Province of Southland to the Province of Otago, and to adopt such other means to promote this object as to them may seem tit : said committee to conssst of Messrs J. W. Mitchell, W. B. Kin. 1 swell, G. Dawson, T. J White, J. H. Smith, J. P. Joyce, L. Longuet, P. M‘Ewan, P. Dalrymple, T. M. Gierke, W. Craig, T. Swale, and 11. Swale, with power to add to their number. We understand that His Honor the Superintendent will offer himself as a candidate to represent the Bluff constituency, in the room Mr Longuet resigned. It is understood he will not be opposed. —From Stewart’s Island we learn that no tree has yet been found of the old man, Walshslager, who went amissing on the 20th of last month, although search has been made for him ever since in all directions. Our informant further states that Buckley’s party are still working at Euggedy Beach and Smoky Cove, and are making wages, Another party of diggers, from Orepuki, are also on the Island, on a prospecting expedition. They are now on the southern coast, but whether successful in discovering gold or not is yet unknown.

A special meeting is announced to be held at Watson’s Hotel, to-morrow (Friday) evening, at 8 o’clock.

It will be seen by our advertising columns that Mr Joyce takes his first benefit in Dunedin tomorrow night. This gentleman really deserves on the part of the public a handsome recognition of Its merit. Every character in which he appears he makes his own, and adapts himself so readily to its peculiarities that there is no sameness in his readings. No wonder that he is such a favorite with the public. Mr Joyce, tomorrow, will appear in one of his best characters, as Jesse Rural in the comedy of “Old Hands and Young Hearts; and an additional attraction is presented in the kindly assistance to be given by Mr Whitworth.