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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2146, 23 March 1870, Page 2

Political. Mr D. Hankinsou, M.H.11., assigns the following reason for resigning his seat in the Assembly .-—Because he feels that he no longer fairly represents the opinions of the constituency on the principal political question at present at issue, he being a firm opponent of annexation to Otago. American Circus.— This interesting place of entertainment was well supported last evening by a numerous company, who were well pleased with the general programme. Barlow’s Troupe.— Hot withstanding the races and various other amusements tu-day, this company performed to a crowded house this afternoon, in fact hundreds were refused admission on account of there not being sufficient room to accommodate them. The performances were as usual received witli great applause, and the various tricks and antics gone through by the dogs and monkeys gave general satisfaction. There will he a morning performance with a change of programme on Saturday next at . half-past two. Shocking Accident.— A very painful accident, and we regret to say that it terminated fatally, occurred this morning. A party of youths, residents of the Water of Leith, started last evening, at about eleven o'clock, on a shooting excursion. They kept together until a little before six ‘o’clock this

morning, when they divided into twos for the purpose of scouring the bush. The two farthest in the rear were two lads named George Miller and Alexander Cowie, At the time the accident they appeared to have been resting. Suddenly a report was heard, and Miller "was seen to fall. Cowie at once ran to his assistance, but he appeared to he insensible. Another of the lads went into town for medical assistance, but before Dr Burns reached the scone Miller had expired. The lads are not very clear as to the cause of the accident, hut Cowie gives the most intelligent and likely reason. He says that Miller 'was standing leaning over hi's gun, the nipple of which was pressed down on the cap, and the unusual pressure on the cap, which was too small, caused the gun to go off, the contents lodging in Miller’s head, entering under Hie chin. The body was brought into Hutchison’s Prince Alfred Hotel, Great King street, where it now awaits the inquest, which w u understand wid bo held to-morrow. Ihe poor fellow was only nineteen years of age, his parents reside in Queen street, and he was a member of the North Dunedin Rifle Company. Dr Burns expressed the opinion that death mhsb have been instantaneous, the shot no doubt having penetrated the brain.

Provincial Scholarships. The Dunedin correspondent of tbc Bruce Ileruld writes as follows The examiners have recommended to the Board of Education the necessity of placing the common schools in a better position relative to the scholarships than they now enjoy. In a nrevious letter I think I pointed out that the common schools do not stand the same chances as the High School in the competition, and stated that public attention had been directed to the inequality. I believe I am correct in stating that the matter forced itself upon the attention of the examiners at the same time, and that they have now recommended to the Board of Education that the four highest of the unsuccessful competitors at the late examination should receive free education at the High School for a number of years, viz., the two highest for live years, and the next two for three years. The Government, it is said, have favorably considered the proposal, and it is likely that the Provincial Council will bo asked either to increase the number of scholarships, or make some such provision for the future as indicated by the examiners. Colonial Prize Firing. —The competitive firing for the selection of representatives from the Auckland province, to fire for the Government prizes at Dunedin, took place on the 11th iust. The weather was dull, with light drizzling rain, and occasional wind from the south-west, Lieut. Smith with a considerable number of the Prince Alfred Light Horse, wore on the ground, but declined to compete with the breech loading carbine against the medium rifle. The fact is that under present arrangements volunteers armed with the carbine are practically excluded from the prize firing, the disadvantages of firing with that weapon at long ranges against the medium rifle being such as to render their chance hopeless. The following volunteers have won the honor of representing the Auckland volunteers in the forthcoming prize firing :

According to the Wanganui Chronicle, the scores of competitors for the colonial prize firing in Otago and Wellington will compare very unfavorably with those of Wanganui this year. The practisings are most promising. As high as 51 out of a possible (iO have been scored at the different ranges of 400, 500, and GOO yards, and 45 is a fair average of many. The decisive trial of excellence will be at Wanganui on the 28th, 29th, and 50th instants, when one range will be fired by all competitors each day.

m 0$ w >> »>> +3 O O O o E-i § JO CO Pt. A. Eoardman, No. 1. A.E.A . 12 10 10 44 Lt. A. Morrow, No. 4, A.R.V. 16 18 14 48 Pt. H. Madclison, do IS 10 11 45