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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2218, 16 June 1870, Page 2

Supreme Court.—The trial of the special jury case, Ross v. Chaplin, commences to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. Coal.—Coal has been obtained on the fann of Mr Sutor, Flax Swamp. Samples have been exhibited in Waikouaiti, and judged to be very good. The Sax Francisco Mail.-—This morning intelligence was received in town that the Lord Ashley which left Lyttelton on Thursday morning at one o’clock with the southern portion of the San Francisco mail on hoard, had broken down ten miles outside Lyttelton Heads. The Maori which left Lyttelton to-day at two o'clock, will bring down the mail, and is due here tomorrow evening. Masonic Hall, This high-class drawing-room entertainment will re-open tomorrow (Friday evening). We cannot speak too highly of the character of the entertainment, which is in every way entitled to public support. The performance is of a diversified character ; the characters powerfully drawn and admirably illustrated. It is not often that an entertainment possessing so much intrinsic merit is open to the public of Dunedin. We can most cordially recommend a visit. North Dunedin. The concert given by the members of the Colored Opera Troupe in the North Dunedin Drill Shed last evening, was, considering the counterattractions in town and the weather, a decided success. The room, which is now lined throughout, and has a very comfortable appearance, was well filled. The programme was for tho most part the same as that presented by the troupe on previous occasions, and was faithfully carried out. During the interlude the President of the North Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society (Mr Birch) delivered a short address.

Another Engineering Muddle.— We are informed that the Shotover River has eaten into the west bank over forty feet since boring operations for site of the ffridgo ■were commenced. Even since the bridge has been built the river has encroached alarmingly—some ten feet—and has worked round the extreme span. It is said on good and experienced authority that it will he absolutely necessary to do something to stay further damage. It is suggested that two wing-dams be erected to divert the current, so as to throw the body of water into the centre —one some distance up the river (above the upper ford), and another nearly opposite the Ferry Hotel. It is a great pity this was not done when the monkeys and other machinery were on the ground—the more especially as the matter was, we believe, pointed out. If not done speedily, there is danger of the bridge being unapproachable in case of a heavy Hood ; indeed, it has once occurred that the water was almost level with the approaches.— Wukatip Mail.

Disgraceful Vandalism. —It seems we possess in the community at least one individual more fitted for a penal establishment than for residence in a free country, for on Thursday morning an act was committed which nobody but the deepest-dyed scoundrel could be guilty of perpetrating. A hawser was made fast to the bow of the Layard on Wednesday night by order of the purchaser, Captain Cain, and fastened to the shore for the purpose of holding the brig with her nose to the sea and getting her upright. At twenty minutes after six o’clock on Thursday morning, the hawser was all right, but shortly afterwards it was found cut in two, jut when it was likely to be of service. It is thought either an axe or a tomahawk was used. A statement was put abroad, perhaps to screen the offender, that the hawser had been worn through by the rocks. Any person with an atom of brain must know better, when he examine, the hawser. The person who cut the ropes would probably just as soon use a knife to the throat of his fellow men, and we sincerely hope ho will ho found out and sent to gaol. It is said there is some prospect of discovering and bringing to justice the perpetrator of this foul act, as the police have taken the matter in hand. It was evidently hoped by the culprit that the brig would swing round broadside on to the sea, and drift on the rocks, and then break up. The sea fortunately went down and the object was not gained. This does not, however, lessen the heinousuess of the dastardly act.--Thnat'u Humid. The Post Office.—A proclamation in the New Zealand Gazette makes the following regulations regarding private boxes at the Post Office. The regulations date as from May 1: —The fees payable in respect of each privates box shall he—For a term exceeding six calendar months and not exceeding one year, two pounds (L2) ; for a term exceeding three calendar mouths and not exceeding one calendar month, one pound (LI); for a term not exceeding thice calendar months, ten shillings (10s); for a term not exceeding six calendar months and not exceeding one year, when the box has been already lot to the same person for a term or successive terms exceeding in all six calendar months, expiring within a week of the beginning of the new term, one pound (LI) : for a term not exceeding six calendar months, when the box has been already lot to the same person for a term or successive terms exceeding in all six calendar months, ten shillings (10s). All such fees to be paid in advance : Provided that no private box shall lie let save for a term ending on the 31st day of March, the 30th day pf June, the 30th day of September, or the 31st day pf December next, after the day on wjiieh the sapje shall be let; and that where there are two or more applicants for the same box at the same time, the preference shall be given to the person desiring to have the same for the longest term.

A Modern Bluebeard. —Dr William D. Potts, alias Duvall, an old resident of Newark, New Jersey, has been convicted of the murder of ins fourth wife, at Janesville, Wisconsin. Dr Potts is a native of New Jersey, and was born near Trenton. At the age of 14 he was known as tire “Boy Preacher,” and continued in the npuistry until 30 years of age, when he engaged in the practice of medicine. Dr Potts came to reside in Newark ten years ago, and opened a botanic dispensary at No. 140, Broad-street. He had lived in Trenton, where his first wife, a young lady of Plainfield, had died suddenly of mercurial rheumatism of the heart. The first Mrs Potts was dead about a year win n the Doctor moved to Newark. He professed to cure persons of diseases by the laying on of hands ; gave out that he was the ‘ ‘ seventh son of the seventh souand by these pretensions and by his botanic dispensary, sue, ; cpcfled in carrying on a profitable business. : Ho dressed in black, had a heavy beard, and long, well cared ‘for hair. He soon made the acquaintance of a young woman of wealth, and married her, much against the wishes of her relatives. Mrs Potts brought upon her husband a considerable property, which he squandered. After his marriage lie lived four years in Newark, and was forced to leave because of the suspicion which the death of the second wife aroused in the minds of his neighbours. She was found one morning lying dead at the foot of the stairs leading to her room, and was buried without any satisfactory account being given of her death. The doctor then went to Buffalo, changed his name to Duvall, and married a Miss Katie King, who died two years ago without apparent cause. About ono year ago he married a Miss Elizabeth SMoore, of Janesville, Wisconsin. After living with her si* months, she was in turji killed, her death having been the result of poison administered by her husband, arid under the pretence of giving her a medical preparation. I' pon his trial for this murder, the doctor testified on his own behalf, and gavp an explanation of all the circumstances surrounding the death of his wife. The jury found him guilty of the charge, and the judge sentenced him to the State prison for the term of his natural life, —New York Tribune, April 24.

The time of sailing of the John Penn it; altered from Friday, the 17th, to Saturday, the 18th instant ; and the Maori will not sail till Tuesday, the !41st of June.