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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 1987, 17 September 1869, Page 2

Journalistic. —The Hokitika Daily News is defunct. Canterbury. —The Provincial Council is summoned to meet on the Bth of October. The subject of Provincial reform is expected to offer considerable attention. Fire. —The police have received intelligence that a fire broke out at the Pleasant Valley Hotel, Palmerston, at 1.30 p.m., on the 15th inst., by which a stable, barn, and other outhouses, together with a valuable horse, were destroyed. The fire was the result of an accident; and it is supposed that it was caused by the horse treading on some matches that were lying on the floor, which igniting, set fire to a quantity of hay in the stable. Mr Young’s loss is estimated at L 250. The Princess Theatre. This theatre was well attended last evening, to witness for the second time since Mr Talbot arrived, the tragedy of Macbeth. The lights and shades of the character were well depicted, and Mr Talbot received frequent and unmistakeable evidences of the approval of the audience. The Thane’s wife was taken in a very creditable manner by Mrs Jackson, the other characters being played carefully. This evening Mr Talbot takes his benefit, the pieces chosen being “ Othello,” in which Mr Talbot appears as the Moor; and “ A Regular Fix,” in which Mr J. Bartlett will take the leading part. The box seats are so well taken, that we anticipate a bumper house.

Breweries in the Colony.—The number of breweries now registered in New Zealand, under the “Distillation Act 1868,” is as follows :—Auckland, 10 ; Taranaki, 2 ; Hawkes Bay, 3 ; Wellington, 9 ; Nelson, 12; Marlborough, 3 ; Canterbury, 15 ; Westland, 9 ; Otago, 12 ; Southland, 4.—Total, 79. The following particulars have been compiled from the registration returns sent in from these breweries Beer brewed per annum, 3,576,432 gallons; sugar used per annum, 2.140,080 pounds; malt used per annum, 293.772 bushels ; and hops used per annum, 346,800 pounds.

Banks’ Peninsula. —The public will be glad to learn that the prospect of our having a goldfield in this Province is becom* ing every day more probable. On Saturday evening some stone was brought from M‘Queen s reefs, in which there was a large quantity of mundic. This stone was examined yesterday very carefully under the microscope, and a substance which had all the indication of gold, was distinctly seen. It was of a rich yellow color, and had all the appearance of being gold of the bet quality. Of course, until it has been tested, it is impossible to state authoratively that gold has actually been found. The stone was found in the creek at the point indicated by Dr Hector. The leader is one foot in thickness, and lies three feet beneath the surface of the creek.— Press, 14th inat. Death of an Old Victorian Colonists. —One of the very oldest Australian immigrants (says the Argus) died lately in the Benevolent Asylum, Ballarat. His name was John Manning, and he left England in the year 1803. Amongst his shipmates were Mr Fawkner and the celebrated Buckley, who was so long mated with the aboriginals. Mr Manning was one of the first to set foot in Victoria, having been a partner with Mr Fawkner’s father in the first flour mill erected in Port Phillip. Adverse circumstances and old age forced him to accept kindly charity of the Ballarat Asylum, where he has peacefully breathed his last at eighty-seven years of age. On the 23rd ult., Mr George Evan’s died. He was one of the party organized by Mr Fawkner, for the settlement of Port Philip. Velocipede Pace.— The ladies velocipede race at Collingwood, Melbourne, appears to have attracted a large crowd of people, Speakingof the sports, the A rgr assays, “ Contrary to the hopes of some and the expectations of many, tour “ladies” were found with sufficient courage to brave hostile comment, and undertake the arduous task of propelling as many clumsy tricycles a distance of half a mile. The task was however achieved by only two, the others wisely retiring from the contest. The spectators seemed more struck with surprise than admiration at the novel spectacle presented to them. The sports as a whole did not pass off very successfully, the most amusing item outhe programme—the velocipede hunt, with Mr J. Finlay as fox -being omitted.

Anglo-American Telegraph.—The year’s accounts show “continuedprosperity.” The cost of renewa's and repairs amounts to L 10,229, one-half of which, according to agreement with the Atlantic Telegraph Company, is a charge against the revenue of this company. The general revenue account shows a balance of L 54,826, from which the directors recommend that a dividend of 17s per share, free of income tax, be declared, which will absorb LSI,OOO, leaving a balance of L 3,826 to be carried forward. This dividend, with the three interim dividends of 10s per share already paid, and in-come-tax, will make a little over 24 per cent, for the year. The receipts have since September last averaged L 650 daily on the reduced tariff; and a further reduction has now come into operation. At the meeting, the dividend at the rate of 24 per cent, for the year was declared. A satisfactory arrangement with the Postmaster-General is stated to have been made.— Morgan's British Trade Journal. The Fijis.—Despatches from Fiji Islands have been received by Mr Finner, dated the 24th and 30th of July last, Mr Cook announces that he has received the deeds of conveyance for Suva and Benga. From the latter he anticipates a revenue of L 2,000, on account of cocoanut oil. Mr Finner further informs us that as the British Government have definitely refused the annexation of the islands, that a petition was being extensively signed to the American Government to grant the settlers there (who, he observes, are mostly British subjects) the permanent protection of the flag of the United States under their own system of self-government; and he further observes that King Thakombau does not want to cut the painter with America at all. He also states that the negotiations he has completed with the native authorities and the American consul have been eminently successful, inas-

much as they have resulted in securing to the Polynesia Company the whole of Suva Harbor, which port is destined to become the great commercial emporium of the islands.

The Otago Volunteers, including the Dunedin Artillery, Ist Battalion Otago Rifle Volunteers, and the Naval Brigade, wall muster to-morrow afternoon at 2.30 for parade, in front of the Custom house, on the occasion of Colonel Cargill’s return from Wellington. It will be seen by an advertisement iu another column that the Harbor Steam Company’s Golden Age will make a trip to Portobello to-morrow afternoon. Independent of the attractions of the place, the prevailing fine weather should entice pleasure seekers to avail themselvesof this opportunity of making an excursion on the water. The accommodation for pic-nic parties at Portobello is ample, and the fare is moderate. Passengers will return to town at a very convenient hour.