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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2178, 30 April 1870, Page 2

Representative Volunteers. —We understand a supper will be given to the representatives of other Provinces at Murray’s rooms, Rattray street, this evening, at seven o’clock. The Mayor’s Court. —There were only two cases in the Mayor’s Court this morning. John Bell, abas Reddam, was fined L 5, or twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, for drunkenness ; and Benjn. Blake 10s, or twenty-four hours. The Volunteers. —In Mr Hislop’s, watchmaker, Princes street, window to-night will be exhibited a centre-second gold watch and chain, valued at thirty guineas, and a handsome colonial gold pencil-case, to be presented to the winners of Monday’s match. Southland Goldfield.—From the Southland Times, 2(ith inst., we learn that the property of the Longwood Water Race and Ground Sluicing Company, with all the Company’s tools, &c., was sold by auction for LSO. The cost to the Company was over LOGO. The Port Chalmers Railway.— Mr Clifford affirms that we had no right to state that exorbitant demands had been made by owners of property on the line. We have authority to state that one landed proprietor defied the Superintendent or contractor to take his land, declared he would shoot any man who made the attempt, and asked L 2400 for forty acres of laud unimproved. This is one instance only. Martin’s Bay Settlement. —We are in receipt of a pamphlet, being a “ Narrative of a voyage to Martin’s Bay, and of a return journey overland,” by Mr R. P. Whitworth. It contains (34 pages of reading matter, and three maps illustrative of the tracks and general features of the country travelled over, and the land regulations under which the new settlement is to be peopled. To intending settlers and others interested in the new settlement the narrative cannot fail to prove of interest and value. Ball.—The ball given to the representative Volunteers at the New Post Office Hall last evening, was a decided success. The room was very tastefully decorated, the varied costumes of the Volunteers ami the elegant dresses of the ladies producing a pleasing tout miserable. Dancing was kept up until an early hour this morning to the strains of the Volunteer hand, led by Mr Martin. At the supper, which was supplied by Mr Job Wain, the health of Colonel Harington was proposed and enthusiastically received. There were about 120 couples present. Late Provincial News.—By the arrival of the Lord Ashley, we are in possession of our files of Northern papers, from which we extract the subjoined items of interest, The Press, 29th iast., has the following telegraphic intelligence Mr Rolleston addressed a crowded meeting at limaru ou the night of the 27th. He was loudly clicored throughout a }o#g speech. He answered a number of fjuesti.bi?s satisfactorily. At the conclusion the following motion was passed unanimously, not a single hand being held up against it--“ This meet ing begs to thank Mr Rolleston for his address, and pledges itself to support him at the coming contest for the Superintendency ; but,at the same time it desires to record its protest against the existing Provincial system, it being subversive to the general welfare of tiie Colony, and especially prejudicial to outlying districts.” —At a meeting of the subscribers thp proposed steam company, held at Wellington f-hf? 28th, the provisional directors stated that thpy jjad been unable to get the Capital required, ami asked leave to retire, After passing a vote of thanks for the directors’ services, the meeting separated, being unable to form a company.- Commodore Lambert’s successor is Commodore Stirling, who will arrive in the Clio about August.—The Challenger leaves for Australia next week.—The Taranaki made a most satisfactory trial trip to-day ; she leaves for the South iu a few days. Scijoo lmasters’ Association. A meeting .<# schoolmasters was held to-day, in the Education Olives. A large attendance of teachers was present. The president (Mr Park) occupied the effaig. The minutes of last meet mg were read and confirmed. Mr R. Stout road an able paper on “State Education.” Opposing the idea of State education as being hostile to the interests of the community, several speakers disputed the correctness of the principles advanced fry the essayist—viz., Montgomery, Mack lip. Hawthorne, Russell, and Stubbs. The latter g ntlemap apologised for not being able to enter upon the qhpstjpn, hep?g suffering from cold, Mr Stout the?? addressed the meeting, but owing to the lateness of the hour, the meeting was adjourned for a week.

The Princess Theatre' The Christy Minstrels were last evening again greeted by & jaygc and appreciative audience, the dress circle and a tails being comfortably filled. The programme was a well selected one, and satisfactorily gone through, every piece being loudly applauded, Mr Bent (bones) was particularly happy in his delineation of nigger wit and humor, especially in the introduction of local hits into the comic history of England ; as was also Mr Cowan, in his laughable conglomeration of comicalities. The "ems of the evening were Mr L. Br*hap>’s “Death of Nelson.” which which admirably fgnclered, and Mr T IT. Rainford’s bass song, .“My old friend John,” was' given wjjth ' correctness and effect. In Let, every rpymb ,r of the company appeared determined tp please, and unmistakably succeeded, as was evidenced by frequent and demonstrative applause. This evening is announced as bein'* the last appearance of this talented troupe t}p the Princess Theat e, but we understand that they have made arrangements to give a series of popular entertainments during the ensuing X3 ek at tlie Magonic Hall. Sensing Ordinance. The Licensing Ordinance that was read a fecohd time yesterday, apd referred tog, Select Committee, provides -that .Ml except temporary licenses, may be continued oiji application to the Provincial Treasurer, apd payment' pf the license fee by ap endorsement statjpg that tlie fee has been paid, and the license renewed for the period mentioned. Should any objection be made by the Commissioner of Police, or Ohipf Officer of Police within the district or Justice of the Peace in writing,

application must be made under the_ provisions of the Licensing Ordinance, 1865. By the 3rd clause if the fee inadvertently be omitted to be paid on the 3lst December, the Superintendent may on specified conditions, renew the license on payment of a sum not exceeding Llo in addition to the license fee. The fourth clause provides ter dispensing with the lamp at nights nnder certain speciiied conditions, and firth provides that no further fee shall be chargeable for the temporary transfer of a license than LI if paid to the Provincial Treasurer. The Gas Works.— The report of Mr W. N; Blair, C.E., on the state of the Gas Works, which was laid before the City Council at its last meeting, has been forwarded to us, Mr Blair states that, in carrying out the inspection, his object was to give a correct valuation of the works as they stand, independent of any commercial or speculative value attached to them. He, therefore, tirst estimated their cost as if newly erected, and then made deductions on account of defective materials employed, and for general depreciation. He _ did not take the original cost of the works into consideration in forming his estimate, as it is no criterion of the present value; neither did he consider the design of the works, their situation, or general fitness for the requirements of the City, as these matters do not come within the scops of the present enquiry. All the buildings on the ground were measured and the quantities taken from the drawings, but the foundations and all underground works were taken solely from drawings. Mr Blair finds that the laud on which the works stand has been well drained; the outbuildings are composed of good materials, and are in good repair; the purifying house, governor house, store, and smithy are valued at L7OO. which is considered higher than the proportionate cost of a similar building recently erected here. The retort house, which is the principal building in the works, is 68 feet long, 65 feet broad, and 24 feet high to the eaves, and 36 feet to the highest part of the roof. The original intention was to have it twioe the present length, so as to contain four retort beds, and au iron roof was imported for that purpose. The unused materials of the roof are still lying on the works. Mr Blair goes on to s.y “ There appears to have been considerable difficulty in getting a good foundation for the stone buildings. They are all founded on a bed of concrete, supported on timber framing. Several cracks are visible in the walls of the retort house. They are attributed to the pressure of a large quantity of coal which was at one time stored in the house ; my impression, however, is that irregular subsidence had something to do with them The retort house is built of Anderson’s Bay stone, with a heavy cornice of Caversham or Lookout Point stone. The masonry is ashlar, well laid, but the mortar used is of a very inferior quality, scarcely any traces of lime being visible. The Caversham stone is almost completely worn away, and the other is rapidly approaching the same state, large masses having already fallen from the projecting surfaces of the stones. In calculating the amount of depreciation on this item, I have assumed that the masonry in the retort house will require complete renewal in seven or eight years : but I question if it will stand half that time. The iron principals of the roof are as good as new, so I have given their full value. Considerable attention has been bestowed on the foundations of the brick chimney at the south end of the masonry shaft, and it is still quite straight and s did, notwithstanding its great weight. The superstructure, however, is not of a substantial character, being composed of Caversham stone of the most friable kind, and decaying fast. The base cannot now susta n the load intended to be put on it. 1 The temporary chimney is of brick ; its foundation had sunk on one side, throwing it considerably off the perpendicular. This however has been rectified to some extent, and it may serve its purpose for years to come. The retort bed is well built and bound i together ; it is set down at nearly its full ' yaliie. The gas-holder tank was apparently ■ designed with great care, and every precau- • jbiop jkakeijt to stability; but the foundation must hay# as it now Inclines to ope side ip a most unaccountable manner. The fireclay retorts are in good order, and the hydralic main, &e., also good, no depreciation having taken place beyond the usual wear and tear. The gasholder was once upset by the wind, but from external appearances, Mr Blair is inclined to believe it is in tolerably good repair. The sum of L 2.765 4s 6d is put down as the present value of the plant, and Mr Blair says ip, reference to it:— ‘ ‘ The whole of the appliances fop a gas works of the same size as the Dunedin works, and including a retorthouse roof, scrubber, exhauster, and steam euSine, station meter, crane, and tar tank, can, at the present time, be purchased in England for L 2.000. The roof is not included under this item in my estimate, and the above-mentioned articles are altogether wanting in the Dunedin works. Of course, freight and cost of erection have to bo added to ’ sum before we arrive at the value here.The* were opened at several points. The castpoii pipes' were' found to be as good as new, b»t the malleable ipoipvas | very much corroded ; and Mr Blair infers that the paper one, which extends from the works to Princes street south, will not last very long. The report concludes as follows : —Ti e total value of the works is—lf new, L 18,271 19s; amount of depreciation, 1,3,271 19s and present value, L 15.000. The whole of the works Ijave been measured carefully, and the prices taken are such _as would give a fair profit to a contractor, with materials and labor at the current rates. In estimating the amount of depreciation, I have given the Gas Company the benefit of any doubt that may have arisen in my mind; and I have every confidence in stating that the sum of L 15,000 is a full and fair price for the works as above enumerated.” Tfl[K eiglifcceiifli monthly meeting of shareholders in F^e.elfold Land Building and Investment Society aiqioupced to be held at the offices, Princes street',' on Monday evening, at seven o'clock, for receiving subscriptions, &c. The fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Mutual Investment Society for receiving subscriptions, &c., will be held %t tlje offices of the Society, Princes street, ou Monday evening, from 6 to 8 o’clock. Also at Port Chalmers, qii Monday evening, from 6 to 8. A special general meeting of the Dfiiictjjn St Patrick’s Society is announced t» be held tip B'uuth Australian Hall on Monday at eight o’clock, for the election of officers, enrollment of members, and the adoption and revision of general Jaws for the society, ,■

THE COLONIAL FIRING. firing was commenced early yesterday the rapid firing match feeing continued with the following results : yds. yds. Tofcal * Hazard - 7 14 21 Moore - 10 13 23 Gibson • 17 6 23 Raise - 5 15 20 Cameron - 16 4 20 Gillies - 21 12 23 Gully - 20 5 25 Henderson - 25 4 29 Batham -21 6 27 Tressider - 29 11 40 Surman -000 Robertson • Retired Grant - 35 2 37 Buchanan * 40 14 54 Kirby - 29 2 31 Small 6 6 12 Ren uf - 14 8 22 Anketell *606 Campbell 16 8 24 M'Kenzie • 8 4 12 Dick • 19 10 29 M'Kenzie - 22 4 26 Wearing - 32 7 39 Day - 33 2 35 M‘Gregor 42 6 48 Livingston • 23 4 27 Hardy - 29 2 31 Smith - 35 13 48 Morrow - 9 2 11 Maddison - 29 12 41 Boardman • 21 9 30 BLke . 17 0 17 Allan 12 0 12 Williams - 16 4 20 Barron - 28 10 38 Liddle - 16 3 19 Buillot - 33 6 3J Patou - 28 8 36 Goldie • - 33 16 49 Wilson • 22 11 33 Brown * 7 2 9 The next competition was for the 4th set of prizes (running) and by it was decided the championship. So many of the marksmen were close upon one another, that their scores in the match decided their chance of being winners; and, as might have been expected, a considerable amount of interest was centred upon it. As it turned out some of the marksmen who we e well up for the championship fell back altogether in this match. The conditions were—range 200 yards, time five minutes, to commence from the first shot at the word “commence;” to cap and fire at every two shots the competitor to carry his rifle, rod, and everything he made use of in firing round a post fifty yards off, loading when he liked, but not capping until ho arrived at the firing point. Of the forty men who had to fire only some ten men—of whom Goldie,Tresseder, Smith, Buchanan, Wearing, and Paton stood foremost—had what might be considered a good chance of the belt. Before the firing commenced, Goldie stood first by four points, Buchanan coming next ; then Smith, and Tresseder fourth. Goldie fired in the first squad, obtained a total of 15 with eight shots ; Smith got 12 with nine shots ; Buchanan 15 with a like number of shots; Wearing 17 with eight slants; and Paton 18 w.th nine shots. Tresseder fired in the last batch, and required 25 points win and 24 to tie Goldie. He commenced well, scoring four centres in succession ; then followed five outers, bringing up his score to 22, He had loaded, and had almost readied the firing point,-to commence another round, when the bugle sounded to cease firing. Tims it is that Lieut. Goldie pulled off the belt, Tressiver coming second. The following are the scores in this match : 200 Yards. Hazard - - 33332222222-26 Moore - - 4433222-20 Gibson - - 43222222-19 Halse - - 433322—17 Cameron • - 3333322222—25 Gillies ■ • 33322222 19 Gully - - 43333322—22 Henderson- - 33222222 -18 Batham - - 3322222-16 Tresseder • • 333322222-22 Kirby - - 3333332222-26 Small - - 2224433-20 Renouf - - 443222222-25 Ankeiell - - 43222222—19 Oampfedl - r 42222—12 M'Keuzie - - 432222-15 Dick - - 4433222—20 Sergt. M'Keuzie 33322—13 Wearing - - 32222222-17 Day - -• 43322222-22 Morrow - - 332222222—20 Walker - - 43222222—19 Boardman- • 43322—’4 Blake • • 43322222-20 Allen - - 44332222 -22 Williams • - 422222-14 Barron , * 3382222-17 Liddell . . 43333223-29 Ballot - - 3332223-17 Patou - - 222222222-18 Surman - • 222222222-18 Grant - - 4332222222-24 Buchanan - - 3222222—15 M‘Gregor- - 433332222—24 Livingstone - 322222—13 Hardy - - 2222224-16 Smith • - 33222—12 Goldie - - 333222 —15 Wilson r : 3322—1Q Brown - - 43222—13 Renouf , . 33222222-18 In this match Hazard, of Auckland, takes the first prize of L 9; Cameron, Renouf, and Kirby having each made 25, had to shoot off, and the result was that Cameron of Canterbury, took the second prize of LB, having in shooting made 27 points, apd Renouf of Napier, the third of L 7, having made 18 points. The Consolation Stakes were next fired for, and resulted in Liddle taking the first prize of L 5 with a score of 29; Boardman the second of L 4 10s, with a score of 27 ; and Wearing the third of L 3, with 27. None of the others made the minimum of 27, which would have entitled them to the fourth and fifth prizes. The day’s shooting concluded with the Cadets match, in which the following scores were made

150 200 Total Piercy • . 02233 33203—20 Weston - - 24002 20022-14 Smith • - 22333 22222—23 Sinclair - - 22424 03023—21 Hester - - 42232 23232-25 Reid - - 22233 34023-24 Taine - - 32222 20200-15 Collet - - 00300 30023—11 Hadfield - • 30220 03002—12 Hester, of Canterbury, therefore takes the first prize of L 6 ; Reid, of the Middle District School, the second of L 5; and Smith, of the Higji Schoojj the third of L 4. Smith, of Canterbury, was being over the age, ' 1 •

[ The regulations decided that the champion- ! ship is awarded to the highest agregate scorer in'the five sets. With the belt he receives a gold medal and the sum ofL4O. Sets Ist 2nd 3rd 4th sth Total Goldie - 40 59 17 15 49—180 Tressider - 36 62 17 22 40—177 Buchanan - 38 58 19 15 54—175 Wearing - 40 53 11 17 39—165 Paton • 42 52 16 18 36—164 Smith - 37 51 15 12 48—163 Grant • 39 44 18 24 37—162 Wilson • 44 56 18 10 33—161 Gully - 39 61 14 20 25—159 Maddison - 33 49 II 19 41—158 Heudersou • 40 59 12 18 29—158 Cameron - 35 58 18 25 20—156 M‘Gregor - 38 32 14 24 48 —156 Moore - 42 53 17 20 23—155 Dick • 32 57 16 20 29—154 Hazard • 44 41 18 26 21—150 Boardman - .41 54 10 14 30 Batham - 32 61 12 16 27—14S Kirby - 31 48 13 25 31—148 Gillies - 29 51 15 19 33-147 M'Kenzie 38 57 12 13 26—146 Renouf • 25 50 16 25 22—138 Hardy - 35 42 11 16 31 —135 Halse - 41 41 15 17 20—134 Small - 35 60 13 13 12-133 Barron . 22 44 12 17 38-133 Campbell • 34 48 14 12 24-132 Williams - 37 44 15 14 20-130 Blake - 38 42 12 20 17—129 Suraan - 42 57 12 18 0—129 Day - 27 33 11 22 35-128^ Livingstone 32 41 15 13 27—1288f Morrow - 28 55 13 20 11—127 Gibson - 35 46 3 19 23—126 Liddle - 24 49 12 22 19-136 Brown • 41 41 13 12 9—116 Anketell - 34 48 15 12 6-115 M'Kenzie . 25 49 13 15 12—114 Buillot - 22 22 12 17 39—112 Roberton - 33 47 16 retired —■ 96 We feel sure that the people of this Province must <eel gratified that for the fourth time the Champion Belt has been won by an Ctago marksman, and we feel equally sure that every one must be glad that it hf* beeujjborue off by Lieutenant Goldie, for it will be remembered that ho was the highest scorer lust year; but the General Government did not include the belt in the competition. While we may fairly congratulate ourselves upon the manner in which the Otago representatives as a whole have acquitted themselves, we cannot loose sight of the fact, that tho shooting of some of Uio other representatives shows a marked improvement. Some of the Auckland men are notable examples, and Wellington, Nelson and Canterbury, as Provinces, exhibit decided improve* ment. It is remarkable that the ten highest scorers are all South Island men—the three foremost Olago Representatives—while the highest North Island man only obtained tho same aggregate number of points as the lowest South Island man. Equally remarkable is it that Volunteer Maddison of Auckland, should be the highest aggregate soorer, and yet not have won a single' prize. In connexion with the firing, it may not be generally known that Dunedin was chosen as the locality, purely in compliment to its marksmen, as having invariably attained the premier position. It is fortunate that Mr G. S. Cooper the Undersecretary for defence, should have been present during the contest, so as to judge for himself of the arrangements ; and it is just as fortunate that Lienteu mt-Colonel Harrington should have been in charge. Both these gentlemen must have been convinced that the season of the year is much too late, and doubtless they will recommend an alteration for the future. There are one or two things which strike us as being capable of amendment. The conditions of the contest just ended were, that no district was to send more than three representatives, while no competitor was eligible unless he scored 40 points. The injustice of this has been fairly represented. Canterbury, and, wo believe, Wellington, have as many districts as Otago, but we return meu qualified in the ratio of nearly four to one. In the other Provinces, men who score only : 40 are returned as representatives, while hero as high as 44 has been excluded. Either a higher qualification—say 44 or 45—should be imposed, and every man who makes that number should represent, or a given number of marksmen —to be chosen by paefe district—should fie rdfqufed \yithoqt any qualification. It should also be w gut non that a volunteer should be returned as an efficient, according to tho Act, to entitle him to compete. There is just this other suggestion we hj ive to make: The holder of tho Champion Belt should be allowed to compete without qualifying. The reaso iis obvious. The firing Jis to be brought {to a proper close on Monday, when a contest will take place betwren the ten highest North Island, and the ten hi heft Bouth Island men. The efforts of Lieut.rCql Harrington, and other gentlemen, haVe resulted jn something like £4O being raised, which is (o bo expended in prizes for the highest scorer on each side. The highest on the winning side will get a handsome cup, and the highest on the losing side a gold pencil-case. The Allowing are the names of the competitors:— North—Maddison, 15S; Dick, 154; Hazard, 150; Boardman, 139; Kirby, 148; Batham, 148; M'Kenzie, 146; Renouf, 138; Halse* i 34 ; Small, 133.—Average, lie. South— Goldie, 175; Wearing, 165 ; Patoq, Iffl; Smith, Ififf ; Grant, 163; Wilson, J6l ; Gully, 159 ; Her.» derson, 158.—Average, 153 6 10,