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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2174, 26 April 1870, Page 2

The Telegraph. —Owing to the violence of the gale last night tho wires both North and South have been more or less damaged. During to-day communication was interrupted with Napier, Wellington, and West Coast stations.

Concert. — We understand that the Concert, which was announced to take place this evening, in tbe Asylum, in honor of the Volunteer Representatives, has been, in consequence of tbe inclemency of the weather, postponed to Thursday evening next. The Caversham Election. —The returns in addition to those we published last night were received at about half-past six o’clock, and the result immediately made known. At Portobcllo Mr MTndoo obtained 35 votes, Mr Cutten 9, Mr Graham 4, and Mr Robertson 5 ; and at North Harbor Mr M ‘lndoe 14, Mr Cutten 0. Mr Graham 2, and M r Robertson 2. Mr M Tndoe was thus elected by a majority of 75. The Weather. —It is seldom that such stormy weather as we had last evening, and which has continue:! throughout the day,

has been experienced in Dunedin at this period of the year. The wind blew in gusts, accompanied by a heavy fall of snow, which covered the ground and lay until between ten and eleven o’clock this morning. About nine o’clock a sudden gust blew down the end wall of Air Fargie’s store in Princes street. The bricks fell into Princes street; but we are glad to say without injury to any one. The damage done will not exceed twenty pounds. Wool Sale, —Messrs Driver, Maclean, and Go. report as follows : —The sale of wool at our stores, High street, this afternoon, was fairly attended, and, owing to the favorable advices from the Home market received by last mail, the biddings wa - e more animated than at recent sales, a id ad the lots catalogued, amounting to ,'520 bales, were disposed of at a slight advance on lato rates. Greasy fetched a,}d to Sjd per lb ; washed, lid to l.Tjd per lb. The Lancashire Bellringers. Notwithstanding the inclement weather, ihe New Masonic Hall was crowded last evening and the Bellringers and Mr and Mrs Hilton must feel equally gratified with the maimer in which their talent has been recognised in Dunedin. To-night, and we believe tomorrow night, the company will play at Port Chalmers ; at Tokomairiro on Thursday and Friday; on Saturday at Clutha; and on Monday at Lawrence. We have no doubt they will meet with every success. The Colonial Firing.—The firing, which, as our readers arc no doubt aware, takes place at Air Lindsay’s property, NorthEast Valley, commences to-morrow morning, at nine o’clock. We believe that arrangements have been made by which the representatives will be conveyed on to the ground by coach ; and that the necessary accommodation has been provided for both the Volunteers and representatives of the Press. We have been informed that the Cadet representatives for this Province are Masters laine, Smith, and Weston, from the High School; and Master Reid from the Middle District School.

Volunteers’ Capitation Grant. — The Wellington Independent of the 9th inst. says :—“We are glad to learn that the Government purpo-es to increase the capitation grant to the Voluntears. It is a step in the right direction, for we do not think that the Volunteers have been ■well treated by the late administrations. But the promise of an increased money allowance is not enough. We havs had occasion more than once to animadvert on the character of the weapons with which many of the best in the country are armed, and until a change is made in this respect, discontent will not be removed, nor will the efficiency of the corps be increased. The fac is, that for the ordinary New Z, aland fighting, a light double-barrel gun is a much better weapon than the heavy long rifle, loading at the muzzle ; and many of our Folunteers, going into action with the weapons serve-1 out to them, would stand little chance of success against a mob of Maoris, armed as they usually are. The Princess Theatre. —Last night the Christy’s Min-trels were much better patronized than could po sibly have been expected. It would be idle to go through the programme and to comment upon every piece of music snug and every novelty introduced. Although there are differences in the manner in which each vocal and instrumental piece is given, ari-ing from natural gifts as well as acquirements, care and study are manifest in each. Of Mr Hanford’s splendid singing wo need not speak—nor of Mr Braham’s. Both have improved their voices by care, practice, and study, until they can give to each phrase, the precise effect designed. Air Howell is not so highly trained, but with less experience has still the ad van age of an uncommonly sweet and manageable voice, and promises to be a superior artist. The dancing of the b’others Collins is excellent, and Mr Bent’s adventures at the Shamrock are as droll and as drolly given as any lover of fun can desire. We cannot imagine a more enjoyable entertainment than is nightly provided by the Minstrels, nor one more likely to be advantageous to students of music.