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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2158, 6 April 1870, Page 2

Inquest. —An inquest was Lokl at the Dunedin Hospital, yesterday, on the body of a man named John Bush. A verdict was returned that the cause of death was paralysis, and general debility. Runaway Horse, —Yesterday afternoon, a horse attached to an empty dray bolted, and galloped furiously from the Water of Leith, through King street, Fredcrick street, and was stopped in George street. The only damage done, was to a verandah post at Mr Scoble’s. Rifle Matches, The deciding match between the Oamaru and East Taieri Volunteers, was fired at Oamaru on Saturday last. The weather was all that could be desired'. At the 200 yards rauge, the Taieri men were seven points ahead ; at 400 yards each squad made 121 ; and at 500, after an exciting contest, the Oamaru men pulled up 5 out of the 7 lost at the first range, leaving Taieri victorious by two points. It is a remarkable coincidence that the first match was won by Oamaru also by 2 points. Private Brown was the highest scorer for the Taieri, with 47 points ; and Color-Sergeant Livingston, for Oamaru, with 50 points.

The Hippodrome. —Lust evening, this company performed to a large audience, who as the various parts of the entertainment were brought forward, showed their approbation by frequent and well-merited applause. This evening- is set apart for the benefit of Herr Christoff. Several novelties will be introduced, and should the weather prove favorable, a large attendance may be expected. Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society. —The first meeting of the Dunedin Mutual improvement Society was held in a room beneath the Athemeum last evening. Dhero -were about thirty gent'emea present, most of whom were enrolled as members. The following are the names of those gentlemen who were appointed office-bearers : President Mr C. Smith ; Vice-President Mr T. Beveridge ; Secretary, Mr T. Low ; Treasurer, Mr Norman. Committee— Messrs Anderson, AMier, Clayton, Bo t, and Barron. The first ordinary meeting will be held on Tm sday next, Such a society has long been needed in Dunedin, and we heartily wish it success.

Oamaku Dock Trust. —At the meeting of the trust on Saturday application from engineers with reference to the supervision of the dock works were received. Applications were read from Mr J. M‘Gregor, engineer for the Dock at Port Chalmers, enclosing testimonials from the Otago Dock Board, Dunedin Waterworks Company, and others, and stating that he had made arrangements to obtain, if appointed, the assistance of Mr Blair, C.E. ; ulso from ten other applicants, viz , four from Melbourne, four from Dunedin, one from New Caledonia, and one from Oamaru. Mr M‘Gregor was unanimously appointed to the office. The Telegraph. —lt is to be regretted that the absurd ukase of the Stafford Ministry, which prevents heads of departments furnishing the press with information of benefit to the public, remains in force. Had it been otherwise we should doubtless have been in a position to have informed our readers as to the effect of the new telegraph tariff for the first week of its operation. As it is it must be left to time and the department. Wo are, however, in a position to state that at the Dunedin station the business has increased to such an extent that an addition to the staff of operators and messengers is rendered necessary.

Inquest on Fire. —At Powell’s Family Hotel, Queenstown, an inquest was held on the 31st ult., by Mr Warden Beetham, coroner, into the circumstances connected with the burning of a stack of oats belonging to Mr William M‘Laron. The fire was discovered at six a.m. on the 28th. Several witnesses were examined as to the origin of tho fire, but no evidence was given determining it. A verdict was returned “ Origin of the fire unknown.” The inhabitants believe it the act of an incendiary, and agreed to offer L6O reward on the discovery of the perpetrator. Aurora Australis. —There was a very fine appearance of this natural phenomenon last night for some hours. 1 1_ was particularly beautiful just after midnight, when about one-third of the sky was covered with rose colored clouds streaked with hrighter’bands of pink and white, while violet and slate colored clouds formed the outer grouping of the masses of color. In the portions of the sky free from clouds there was a peculiar light, amid which the brilliantly sparkling sta;s gave all the appearance of a true dawn, which, combined with the stillness of the night lent illusion to the scene.

The Third New Zealand Building Socikty. —The first general meeting of this Society was held at the office of the Society last evening; Captain Dickie was called to the chair./ He said that, in anticipation of a larger number of members being present than the office of the Secretary could accommodate, it had been resolved to adjourn to the Masonic Hall. The adjournment having taken place, the Chairman stated the objects of the meeting, and called upon the honorary Secretary to read the rules which had been drawn up by the Provisional Committee as the constitution of the Society. The rules were read clause by clause, and adopted without amendment. /The meeting then proceeded to elect office-bearers for the year, when the following gentlemen were elected : —President, W. J. Hislop ; Treasurer, Mr A. Hill Jack; Trustees, Messrs J. A. Walcott and P. 0. Neill. Directors, Messrs Garrick, Win'er, Davie, Wilkinson, Wright, Graham, Griffen, Tresider, and Capt. Dickie. Messrs Ho worth and Hodgkins were elected Solicitors to the Society, and Mr F. H. Hardy, Surveyor and Va'uator ; and Messrs Begg and Langley, Auditors/ It was resolved to hold another meeting at the office of the Society, Exchange Chambers, on Tuesday next, the 12th inst., for the receipt of subscriptions and sale of money. The meeting was largely attended, between forty and fifty members being present, all of whom expressed high satisfaction as to the operations of the provisional committee, a deep interest in the progress of the Society/ lb was stated that about 800 shares had been taken up.

Sheep Breeding.—A Sydney paper publishes the result of an experiment made lately by Mr Robert Tooth, in New Zealand, to try the value of a cross between the Merino and Lincoln sheep. The sheep were first crossed and then bred Troth ways, so as to givcti one of Lincoln blood and two to one of Merino, but breeding back to the Merino destroys the good effect of the first cross in a great measure. The Merino flock in its original condition, averaged of wool, fetching Is 8d per lb, while the halfbred produce averaged 41b of wool each, which at the same sale realised 2s per lb. The second cross with the Lincoln brought up the average to olb a head, the wool fetching 2s per lb, or 10s a fleece, ayainst the average of 4s 2d for the Merino flock. Besides the cross-bred sheep gives 801b of mutton at two years old, more than dopble the weight to bo expected from the Merino, and is much more steady and easily managed. This experiment has been carried on during a period of live years, and coincides exactly with the results obtained in Victoria ami New South Wales by persons who have tried the Lincoln when it could obtain grass enough without too much travelling. Nomenclature of Steam Vessels. —An official return shows that down to the Ist January, 1860, there had been registered at the porta of the United Kingdom 2,916 steams vessels, their aggregate registered tonnacc being 904,191 tons, and their gross tonnage 1,341,106 tons. The date of build ranges from 1823 to 1868—the oldest is the Ann and Jane, of Newcastle, of 27 tons. The list of the names is a loyal list. Three

bear the name “ Her Majesty,” 16 that of Victoria, ami there are twelve Queens, four British Queens, eleven Prince of Wales, seven Alberts, eight Alexandras, and namesakes of other members of the royal house. Tnerc are two Dagmars, and two Denmarks. Our own country finds upon the waters ten Albions, three Anglias, an England, five Canibrias, ten Britannias, a Great Britain, three Caledonias, seven Sco'ias, five Erins, three Hi hernias, three St. Patricks, and a Brian Boroimhe. Then there are four Britons, a True Briton, a Scotchman, and an Irishman. Of birds and beasts and fishes we have three Hawks, a Sea Hawk, a Sea Swallow, seven Lions, eight Tigers, three Camels, five Bulldogs, four Bees, two Ants, six Dolphins. Heroes of sacred and profane history are represented. There are ten Samsons, five Ajaxcs, three Apollos, two Catos, one Tubal Cain, besides three Amis, four Fairies, and four Fairy Queens. Lords and ladies of high and low degree have given their names to our ships ; dukes and earls, Paul Jones and Paul Pry, Anne Smith and Susan Gibbs, Kates and Nellys, Gallilee and Euclid. There is one Bridegroom, but two Brides; one Nun ; and last, not least, an Irish steamer, Number One.