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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2175, 27 April 1870, Page 2

Mutual Improvement Society.— At the meeting of the Society last evening Mr J. H. Clayton read a paper on the life and character of Queen Elizabeth, which led to an interesting debate. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the attendance was not large. We would suggest to the Committee the desirability of making the room in which the meetings arc he l d as comfortable as they can on nights so cold as last night was. The Princess Theatre. Whilst such weather prevails as we have had during the last two days it is not to be wondered at that people prefer to remain by their firesides than to vehture out even for the purpose of enjoying themselves. Those who were sufficiently venturesome to patronise the theatre last evening were amply rewarded for their hardihood, for, notwithstanding the depressing influence of an indifferently attended house, the company managed to pro-

ducc a good programme. Of the many songs sung, and which found favor, we need only mention Mr Howell’s “ Alice, where art thou,” and Mr Rainford’s “Nil Desperandum,” which were both encored, the singers having to come forward to bow the r acknowledgments. In the last menlioncd song Mr Rainford’s voice was heard to grcit advantage. To night, the performances are under the patronage of the Speaker and Members of the Provincial Council.

A Correction. — Mr Robert Winkfield requests us to correct a misrephrt in the Daliu Times, in which it was stated he was fined 10s for driving pigs on a footpath. The case, he states, was dismissed, through its not being provided for by any Bye-Laws. City Council. — A deputation from the City Council waited upon the Honorable Mr Fox this morning with reicrence to the Princes street Reserve and other matters of importance. Mr Fox, having list, ned to tho various statements, expressed his desire to see all the questions referred to fairly and speedily settled, and would give every assistance in his power to that end.

Amateur Performance. — Tuesday the 17tn May next, has, we understand, been fixed for the next performance of the DiUjedin Garrick Chib—and the comedy of “L.100,000,” and the farce of “More Blunders than One” will he produced. The Princess Theatre has been granted for the use of the club, on the most favorable terms Dunedin Hospital, Under date October 18th, 1869, Mr Hulmc, Provincial Surgeon, reported to his Honor the Superintendent, that at the beginning of the year, October Ist, 1868: there were 123 patients in the hospital, and 598 have been admitted since, making a total of 7'26 treated last year. Of that number 390 were discharged cured; 118 were discharged benefitted ; 17 received no advantage ; 7 were expelled for misconduct; and 153 died. There were 141 in the Hospital on the 30th September, of whom 79 were considered curable, and 62 incurable. The number of persons afflicted with preventible diseases was the greatest in spring and winter. One hundred and seventeen accidents were treated during the twelve months, of which 102 were new cases. hi the whole number 84 were discharged Ylrred, two were benefitted, one was not benefitted, two were expelled for misconduct, six died, and twenty-two remained in the Hospital.

' Lands and Works.— The report of the Chief Commissioner of the Waste Land Board and Chief Surveyor was laid on the table of the Provincial Council yesterday, and contained the following statistics : Bural land sold, during 1809, 23,208 acres; the amount realised was L 25,910 13s 9d, being an average of LI 2s 3d per acre. The town land sold ■ during the year comprised 1023 sections, covering 1061 acres, and realising L 8798 19s sd. The rates per acre varied from LI 10s 81 to L 175. The land revenue amounted to LI 14,040, showing a falling off compared with 1867, when the land revenue was the highest, of L 53,793 11s 7d. Taranaki Iron Sand. — A letter has been received by Mr W. 11. King, of Taranaki, from his nephew, Mr J. W. Cotching, of London, containing interesting information with regard to the iron sand. Mr Cotching was engaged in Mr C. Martin’s experiments, and when his process was found to be useless, this gentleman continued experiments, and finally took out a patent by which he states that he can smelt it as cheaply as any other ore, or cheaper, lie derides the efforts of local inventors, considering their process too expensive, and is prepared to come out and establish works, if sufficient inducement offers, for which he states that a great ironmaster and M.P. has almost promised the necessary funds. He has smelted 100 tons of the sand, and the process is announced as perfectly successful by Professor Abel and others. Political.— His Honor Mr P. A. Carrington, Superintendent of Taranaki, has issued his address to the electors of Omata, for a seat in the General Assembly. He will support the present Ministry, because “under their able administration war has almost ceased—peace is at last, after many years of strife, likely to prevail throughout New Zealand—and we may reasonably hope that the Colony will soon attain that position, both in wealth and population, to which its natural capabilities justly entitle it, the attainment of which the late disastrous rebellion has so long impeded.” He approves of immigration as a General Government scheme, provided moans a: c furnished for Supporting the immigrants by public works till they can gain sustenance without, and “considers it a very doubtful benefit, perhaps an injury to a Cqlony, to encourage pauper immigration - i.c. to introduce a class which, in a depressed state of the labor market, will most likely become solicitous for charitable aid.” He will oppose separation if, as he fears, the members of the late Ministry, in their desire for office, may endeavour to gain the Southern members by introducing an Act for the separation of the Colony into two Governments. He approves and will support the road-making policy of the Government by endeavoring to obtain a grant for continuing the much needed inland and mountain road, and thus placing us in direct communication with the now isolated settlement of Patea. ”