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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2264, 9 August 1870, Page 2

Bridging the Waitaki. —We (Oamam Times) have been shown by a gentleman in this town certain correspondence respecting the bridging of the Waitaki on the same principle as that of the. bridge now in course of erection across the Rakaia, viz., the use of pipes driven into the shingle. From this we learn that a light temporary bridge to carry a tramway could be erected on this principle at a very moderate cost, aud that a substantial bridge 4000 feet in length, and sufficiently wide to allow of the passage of two drays, and with considerable weight, carrying capacity might be constructed for LI 5,000. It may be mentioned'that

the iron-pipe bridge constructed over the Rakaia, has stood the- highest floods witnessed in thb river for the last six years, without maintaining any damage. Princess Theatre. —The counter attraction at ''the Masonic Hall was of such a character that'we could not expect other than a limited attendance at the theatre. The spirseness of the audience had not, however, a depressing influence on the performers ; on the contrary, they could not have played with more spirit had the benches been full. Selections from Hamlet were first given, but of them we only saw the eloset scene, which was well played. The selections from the Love Chase, which were afterwards given, were alone worth going to bear. They were, in onr opinion, the gems of the performance. Mrs Darrell fairly exceeded herself in the scenes where Constance imitates the gentleman, and in that in which Wildrake declares his intention to marry. Mr Darrell was a very respectable Wildrake, but would have been better had his knowledge of the text been a little more perfect. Both performers were called before the curtain, and we may here remark that a similar compliment was paid them at the conclusion of “ Leah.” In the curse scene, in the latter piece, Mrs Darrell was excellent. Mr Darrell’s other contributions were well received, especially the “Queen’s Letter,” which he sang with much taste and<4eeling. It is a class of songs he is well able to give, and in which we would prefer to hear him a little oftener. Mrs Darrell’s recitations were also well received.

The Lakes.—A correspondent of the Dunstnn Times writes as follows: — •‘The wreck of tho Esther Ann, from Dunedin, at the entrance to Martin’s Bay, is considered as unfavorable. This vessel had on board the machinery for a new saw mill, besides several famili -s of settlers. If the entrance to the harbor comes to be considered dangerous by underwriters, the rates for i surance will be increased to such an extent that few vessels will load for the new port while trading vessels will not care to call at all. The desirability of establishing an overland mail, via the Wakatip, is now being discussed, and the Government will no doubt be petitioned upon the subject. It is thought that a very moderate sum per annum will suffice to pay for the conveyance of the mail overland. In mining matters there is nothing particularly startling. The severe frosty weather in the high ranges has caused almost all operations to be suspended, and there are plenty of places up the Shotover whore the sun’s rays never penetrate at this season of the year. In agriculture, almost the same may be said. The frosty weather permits but little work being done. A very large quantity of land has been taken up on the Crown Terrace within the last fortnight. There is some very fair land-here, but it has hitherto been considered at too great an altitude for cultivation, and what is worse, there is no dray road. Everything will require to be sleighed or packed. Both drawbacks may, however, be easily overcome, ”

Masonic Hall. —Mr Kobert Heller gave his first entertainment at the Masonic Hall last night. It has been neatly fitted up. The narrow platform has been extended to make room for the necessary apparatus, and the elegant drapery, artistically arranged, has transformed the once bare walls into a very pretty minature stage. Mr Heller divides his entertainment into four parts, which he denominates somatic conjuring (we suppose to signify its materiality) : musical: supernatural and sensational. As to the first, conjuring, every trick was neatly and dexterously performed. In an age of wonders, we need wonder at nothing, although such things are done under our very noses as pass belief. The fortunes and misfortunes of a handkerchief, for instance—how it goes into Mr Heller’s bauds whole ; how its first misfortune is a rent; how it is squeezed into a pigmy ; how it is burned to ashes, and how after all its mishaps it reaches the owner's hands perfect as it left them, is seen by everyone present. But how all these transformations are effected may be very plain to those who know, but to those wiio do not, it looks marvellous. Just in the same way it is difficult to account for the manner in which Mr Heller gathered money from the air: and that found out, it is still more perplexing to know how he passed it into a hat direct: into a hat obliquely : into a hat round his body or through his body : into a hat through the brim : into a hat through the crown, and after all passed back the hat to the owner with a crown in it—as Mr Weller said Yet all these and many other wonderful things were done-some of which were explained in a very lucid manner, although it left us not a whit the wiser. The music we could better understand. It was to our minds in some respects scarcely less marvellous for precision and accuracy than the conjuring. Mr Heller’s piano is oue of Erard’s grands—fine and powerful in tone. His execution is rapid, even, and equal with both hands. In Thalberg’s Caprice his left-hand p'aying was really splendid. But biilliant as is Thalberg’s composition, the fantasia which had for its theme “The last rose of summer,” was the most pleasing. It was played with an equality of touch, rapidity of execution, and depth of feeling seldom equalled. The supernatural followed the music. Mr Heller says there is nothing mysterious in it—perhaps not to him—but we venture to say that no table ever answered questions so invariably accurately as the boy who sat blindfolded and enveloped in a shawl on the stage. The sensational, in which a young lady appeared in some way or other to have been concealed in a gentleman’s hat, brought the amusement to a conclusion ; and although the Hall was crowded, it is not too much to assert, that there was not oue present but was delighted with what he saw and heard. Mr Heller’s manner is very pleasant. He keeps his audience continually amused by his remarks. The furniture and apparatus are elegant and costly, and in every respect the entertainment is superior to anything of its 1 ind hitherto seen in Dunedin. Town Council, Port Chalmers.— A special meeting of the Council was held last evening. Present—The Mayor, Messrs Eeruie, Ennis, M'Kiunon, Miller, Law, (dark, Gordon, and M’Cullum. The Mayor said he had called the Council together, as one of the auditors, Mr Toms, had refused to sign the declaration. The Council must therefore take action in the natter. The Mayor then read the clauses bearing on the subject, viz , the 31st, -4th, and 25th of the Municipal Corporations Act. The Mayor considered that as Mr Toms had signed the nomination paper in conjunction with his proposer and seconder, he had rendered himself liable to the specified penalty of L 23, and he hoped the Council would at once take action, as the law allowed only

fourteen for another 'election, -i ;T|Ujrexpcnses could be paid hy a part of the penalty, and the surplus returned if the Council thought proper; that was to say, if a penalty was inflicted. A letter was read from Mr Toms, claiming exemption, he having served as audit >r within five years. Mr Clarke moved, and Mr M'Kiunon seconded, that proceedings be taken. The resVnfcion was carried. Tho Mayor said in consequence of the motion, a notice of a new election for an auditor must be given by the Town Clerk. The Council then turned its attention to the question of finance. Mr Clark considered there would bo no difficulty in obtaining money, and he hoped the works proposed would be gone on with. He therefore moved that the Mayor and Finance Committee apply to the Bank, and see what money could be advanced, and the rate of interest to be charged. Mr Miller hoped a financial account would be brought up next meeting. Mr Clark said L4OO was due in taxes, rents, and subsidy, and the application to the Bank was only intended as a security for carrying out the contracts at once. Mr Law seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Miller moved, and Mr Fernie seconded, that the finance committee bring up a report at the next meeting of the Council, which was agreed to. Mr Fernie moved, and Mr Clark seconded, that a committee of the whole Council meet on tho 10th instant, for the consideration of the bye-laws. The motion was adopted. A letter was real from Mr M'Clcod, offering to prepare the specifications and superintend the works for five per cent, on the contract prices. Mr Fernie moved, and Mr M‘Kinnon seconded, that four per cent, be offered. Mr Clark moved an amendment, and Mr Ennis seconded that per cent, be allowed. Mr Fernie hoped the works would not" be stopped for a paltry I!, per cent. He was sure no surveyor would work for less than 4 per cent., and that was little enough. The motion was carried. Mr Fcruic moved, and Mr Clark seconded, that specifications for cross streets he laid on the table at next meeting, which was agreed to. An amended plan of Constitution street was laid on the table. Mr Fernie said with regard to the plans as amended, it was for the purpose of saving money. One third of the cost would be saved by adopting the amended plans, and he moved that the public works committee consult with the surveyor, and report at the next meeting. He also gave notice of motion to rescind a minute to enable the amended plans to he used. M r Law seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Clark moved that the Council appoint a legal adviser. Pie considered L2O would be well spent, and be knew a gentleman who would do them justice. Mr Miller seconded the proposal. Mr Fernie moved an amendment, which Mr M'Kiunon sec nded, that the motion be brought forward that day twelve months. They had had quite enough of law and lawyers, Crawshaw and another, for instance. The amendment was carried by the casting vote of the Mayor, and the Council adjourned to Monday, 15th July.

The Adjutant’s inspection of the Dunedin Artillery, and Dunedin Naval and Ist Battalion O.R.V.', will take p'ace, in front of the Custofn House, ou Thursday next, at 7.30 p.m. Mr J. T. Chaplin will meet the ratepayers of South Ward this evening at Crone’s Hotel, Maitland street, at 7.30 a.m.; andat the Peacock Hotel, Princes street, South, at 8.30. Mr E. B. Cargill will address the ratepayers at the Polytechnic Hall this evening, at 7 o’clock.