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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2167, 18 April 1870, Page 2

Life Insurance.— We are indebted to Mr M. W. Hawkins for the minute and accurate investigation of the Government life insurance premiums, on which our observations are based.

New Industry. —We are informed that Messrs Albert ISmyth and Co. have shipped for England, by the the Queen Bee, thirty-four casks of preserved meat. Before the vessel sails, in all probability the quantity will be made up to ten tons. We trust this is but the beginning of a large and increasing trade, and that the return will prove so profitable as to induce a continuance and extention of operations. Masonic Hall. Notwithstanding the counter attraction of the Christy Minstrels, the T.ancashire Bellringers continue to secure good houses. On Saturday night the room was as usual well filled, and the audience went away delighted with the sweet music discoursed by tbe bells, with Miss Liddle’s singing, and with Mr Hilton’s “Girl of the Period,”. To-night equal attractions are provided, and we do not doubt the Hall will be full. Deputation. —This morning a deputation, consisting of Messrs James Allen, G. Finnic, J. Pryde, and William Brown, waited upon his Honor the Superintendent, for the purpose of representing to him the inability of the Walton Road District to keep in repair the sea coast line of road from Green Island to the mouth of the Taieri River. The deputation represented to his Honor that, .Qwing to the development of flax preparing in the district, the traffic on the road had so increased $s to render it impossible to keep it in order, £S the District Road Board had not power to impose tolls. It was not only necessary that there should be increased cartage, through supplying the mill with flax, but a large quantity of coals and other material was necessary, so that the road was much cut up. The deputation therefore urged upon his Honor the advisability of the Government taking the road into their own hands, and making it a main road. His Honor intimated that the proposal should he considered by the Executive. The deputation stated that a memorial to the Superintendent and Provincial Council, embodying a statement of the faefi, yras in course of preparation; and his Honor pointed out that such a step would bring it in a tangible before the Council. The deputation thanked his Honor and withdrew.

Kaiijiojjai Mutual Improvement Association.-—Tif, is association held its first annual meeting, since its commencement, on last Friday week. It appeared frou* the secretary’s report that there had been thirtyeight paid members, and that the attendance had averaged from twenty to thirty at ordinary meetings. Four public lectures and one concert bad been given ; and essays, debates, and recitations had occupied the attention of the society at its regular meetings. The following office-bearers have been elected for the ensuing year, viz. t—President—Mr George Hepburn ; vice-president —Mr James Cunningham ; committee—the Rev. Mr Alves, M.A., Mr Clelland, Mr M ‘Laugblan, Mr Gardiner, Mr Fisher, and Mr Ellison. The treasurer’s balance for last year amounted to the sum of fourteen guineas, which is intended to be devoted to the purchase ,of a library bqoji as additional funds are raised. The society contemplates having a soiree on next Friday fortnight; and the meetings for next year will be commenced on Friday first by an inaugural address :from .the president, Mr Hepburn, and a public le.cture by the Rev. Mr Alves on the subject “God in Scripture.”

The Election for Superintendent in Canterbury. —Mr Moorhouse’s candidature has elicited the following comment by the Editor of the T'maru and Gladstone Gazette :—“ Ihe dulness of every day life in Canterbury has once more been startled, by the appearance of Mr Moorhouse again on tbe stage. It is a peculiar idiosyncrasy of some individuals that they are ever thrusting themselves into disgusting couspicuousness. The peculiarity is similar to that seen developed in some inebriate men. _ They will buttonhole any unfortunate individual who should have the misfortune to approach them. They are under the delusion that they are all the world and no one else is anything. The past political character of Mr Moorhouse has been of so unsatisfactory a nature to the public outside bis own particular sphere, that did we not know his unexampled egotism, we should be surprised at his 1 cheek,’ in again appearing as a candidate for the Superintendency of Canterbury, The outlying districts will no doubt' show a just appreciation of Mr Moorhouse and his madness.”

Princess Theatre. The Christy Minstrels gave their opening performance on Saturday evening before one of the largest audiences that have assembled within the walls of the theatre for some time. Although the programme presented was not one calculated to show off the troupe to very great advantage there can be no doubt they made a very good impression. The troupe, which contains some ten members, includes some good voices, Messrs Rainford and Braham being the most noticeable ; they also include some good instrumentalists—particularly Mr Northcote on the cornet-a-piston, and Mr Chittenden on the violin. On Saturday evening the performances commenced with the overture from Zampa which was fairly played. A chorus from Ernani was afterwards given ; “ I see her in my dreams,” by Mr Sayers was deservedly applauded, but we cannot say the same of Mr Bent’s “Sweet Isabella.” Mr Rainford keeps his voice amazingly well, and his two songs were sung with the precision and care for which he has always been noted. The second part included some step dancing by the Brothers Collins and Mr Robson. The golden shoe dance by the former is about the best piece

of dancing that has ever been seen hero, and was rapturously re-demanded. The brothers afterwards gave a song and dance called “Sally come up,” which was equally well received. Mr Robson also danced well. The gem of the concert was “Thou art so near,” by Mr Braham. This gentleman possesses a rich and powerful tenor voice, and he did full justice to Eeichardt’s exquisite melody. The responses were admirably.played by Mr Chittenden. “ Thou ancient man ” was sung in Mr Rain ford’s best style, but did not appear to receive the amount of favor it deserved. We had alnio t omitted to mention Mr Cowan, the “tamho” of the troupe. He seems to overflow with humor. His comicalities are exceedingly funny, and have the advantage of being new. On the whole,_ the troupe’s opening performance was a decided success, and there is little doubt that they will draw good houses for some time. Yacht Race.—The match between a number of yachts belonging to the Otago Yacht Club took place to-day. Five of the yachts that entered put in an appearance, Mr Burke’s Champion being the only one conspicuous by its absence. The race was to have begun in the forenoon; but it was past one o’clock before the boats got into position. Messrs Guthrie, Asher, and Co.’s lighter the Edinburgh was used as a flagship, and was moored off the end of the training wall. The course begun at the flagship, thence round a flagboat off the Pelichet Bay jetty, thence round a flagboat off Macaudrew’s jetty, and back to the starting point, rounding the flagship on the return; twice round, the distance being equal to 12 miles. At 1.32 p.m. a start was effected, the yachts getting away well together, notwithstanding that the Anonyma and the Gipsy managed to “collide.” The Royal Alfred was the first to get in front, but was soon overhauled by the Gipsy, the Anonyma being close at their heels. When a little more than half the distance between the flagship and the first buoy was reached, the Anonyma had the best of ic; hut shortly afterwards she took the ground, and remained “hard and fast” for fully four minutes. When she got off she was all behind, the Gfpsy leading by a considerable distance, with the Spray second, and the Royal Alfred a very respectable third. It was, however, fated that the Anonyma should again go on the ground, which she did before she got up to the buoy, and a further detention of nearly 14 minutes took placef thus destroying any chance she might have had. The other boats rounded the buoy off Macandrew’s Bay much in the same order as they were in passing the first buoy, hut the Anonyma gained considerably on the Dauntless, and overtook her shortly afterwards. The flag-ship was passed the first time round as follows :—Gipsy, 3h 4m 10s ;* Spray, $h 50s ; Royal Alfred, 3h 11m 15s-; Anonyma, 3h I2ip 10s; Dauntless, 3h 12m 40s. The result of the race was as follows : Gipsy, 1; Spray, 2 ; Royal Alfred, 3. The time at which they passed the flag ship the second time round was : Gipsy, 4h 2lm 55sec ; Spray, 4h 37m 35sec ; Anonyma, 4h 38m 40secs ; Prince Alfred, 4h 46m 40secs ; Dauntless, ih 48m 32secs. The Thames.—Fifty passengers arrived from Auckland yesterday by the steamer John Penn. Thirty others, who had also shipped at Onelnniga, proceeded by the vessel to Greymouth. and Hokitika. They may be said to form the first numerous instalment of -what promises to be a return rush, from Auckland, where the state of affairs is described as deplorable. Among the fifty who have made Westport their destination, there are' several old West Coast paen, but the number includes also some Californians who only recently arrived in Auckland, and who have not been op. the Coast before. On arrival mert of both classes betook themselves to the new rush on the south side of the river, and have already resolved to set in. The statement of some, from the prospects they have already had, is that, while they could with difficulty earn 3Qs or 35s a week in Auckland, they can average from L 5 to LG a week here, after very little loss of time,' Qthgr diggers have come up to the same ground from the seuthr ward during the past few days, and yesterday there were some cases of “jumping” which required the- presence of the Warden. Westport Times.

The Fifth Annual Meeting of the Dunedin Town Mission will be held tomorrow evening in the room below the Congregational Church, Moray Place. Tea will be on the table at 6,30 p.'m.