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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2267, 12 August 1870, Page 2

Masonic Hall. —=- Mr Heller repeated bis entertainment last evening to a full house. Everybody «as pleased. The Clyde Robbery.—We believe wc arc correct in slating that onc_ of the stolen live pound notes was paid into the Branch Bank of Ne\y Zealand at Oamaru. Rumored Earthquake. —We learn that some persons in the City felt a slight shock of earthquake to-day. For our parts, we did not observe it, but as the bells of some of the public offices were caused to swing by it, it seems probable that it occurred. Kaipai, Tareha, — During the recent discussion on the reception of a petition against the Thistle Act, Tarcha wound up the talk by asking if the House had nothing more serious than “Scotchmen” to talk about, and advised members instead to attend to the troubles of the country. Lecture.—The Rev. IT. Bull gave a very interesting and instructive lecture at the Wedcyan Church, Port Chalmers, last evening. The subject was “ John Knox.” There was a very good - attendance ; and the Rev. W. Johnston occupied the chair. The lecturer in discussing his subject, touched on the reigns of Henry the Eighth ar.d Edward the .Sixth of England, and James the Fifth and the Queen Regent of Scotland, and also of Bloody Mary, showing how the the great work of the Reformation was hindered by persecution. He instanced Knox’s sufferings as a galley slave in Franco ; his return to Scotland ; his call to the Church, and many temptations by the Queen of the Scots and her people ; his fearless conduct before that jn-ince.-s; his attempted massacre, and providential escape ; and concluded by showing the effect of his life and ministrations mi the present time. A vote of thanks was awarded to the lecturer on the motion of Mr Gilbert. Princess Theatre. — Mr and Mrs Darrell’s benefit comes off to-night at the Princess Theatre, under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor and the City Council. The bill is a good one. “Lucrctia Borgia,” for the first time in Dunedin, will lie given, with the assistance of the Garrick Club, who have handsomely come forward to assist. Mrs Darrell, of whose talent we need not speak, will appear as Lucrctia. The after amusements are of lighter cliaractcr, and will he very much varied. Mr Darrell, as the “ Young Girl of the Day,” will make his last curtsey to the audience, and Mr Hilton will give some of his racy character songs ; while Messrs Whitworth and Henry will meet in friendly duel with the foils, (i I'Angelo. Wo have been requested to correct an accidental mistake in the advertisement in the Daily Time# this morning, in wliieh it is stated the Theatre will not open to-niglit. We do not: uppose that anyone who reads the advertisement will be misled, for a few' lines further down it is stated the performance is to take place on Friday evening, the 12th August—and that is the evening. Wo trust, however, that this correction will reach the eye of anyone who might otherwise have been disappointed, and that there will be a crowded house.

Runaways,—More than one gentleman has succeeded iu eluding the vigilance . of his cieditors in Auckland of late, and making his escape with a tolerably full pocket to America or some other haven of rest. We do not know, however, of any instance on record iu which a creditor was so skilfully baffled as in the case of a gentle-man—well-known at the Thames —who took his departure for San Francisco hy the City of Melbourne. On the occasion in question, just as the City was about to start, our traveller came on hoard, and iu order to avoid the possibility of any too solicitous creditor espying him, he ensconced himself snugly behind a screen. A brief interval elapsed, when an anxious creditor—who had evidently an idea upon the subject—appeared upon the scene, and, as luck would have it, the fugitive was at that moment peering suspiciously from his hiding place. The creditor at once caught sight of him, and rushing up, gre tid him warmly with, “Why, yon arc not going to leavens, arc yon?” “Hush, hush,” said the runaway without hesitation, “don’t use my name, for goodness sake—l am watching a man who owes me 1 200, and who is trying to bolt.” Satisfied and consoled, the creditor departed. So did the City of Melbourne with the debtor. This is an illustrat'ou of one of the advantages which Auckland derives from being the port of call. The Estimates.— I The estimates are being rapidly proceeded and great progress has been made within the past fortnight in the business before Parliament. It is more than probable that this month will see the end of the session. “ An Ambassador from Now Zealand to the Court of St. James’s” was proposed in a half jocular manner by Mr Bunny, when the House of Ropresontatives was discussing the vote of LOGO, the annual allowance of our Colonial Agent in London. The mere mention of so stately a title created much laughter hut the hon. member for Wairarapa was imperturbable; he hinted at severance from Imperial rule, independence, &c., and coolly asked why this Colony should not have its Ambassador (agent or representative) like the Colony of Victoria. The Iron, member deserved the thanks of the House for relieving the monotony of discussing the Estimates. “ Reception of H.IUI. the Duke of Edinburgh, nothing !” said Mr Carleton, Chairman of Committees, as he road over the miscellaneous items in the Estimates iu the House of Representatives yesterday. A hurst of laughter greeted the announcement. The amount was simply left blank by the lion. Treasurer, but we have no doubt his Royal Highness will he appropriately entertained out of that unfailing and mysterious financial fountain known as “Contingencies,” when he arrives in the Colony. It will be remembered (says the Post) that when Sir George Grey was removed, the Assembly endeavored to reduce the Governor’s salary, but that the Home Government refused to assent to the reduction, as a new Governor had been appointed at the old salary. On Thursday, Mr Bunny very properly drew the attention of the Government to the necessity of taking steps in time to reduce the salary

- ’«>X& , at the termination t>f,the pfMpuV.GovfittiOr s term of office. -He said that ho{K&d intended to move that the item be struck out; but would not do so, as it might savor Of disrespect to the present Govefiapr. V It was, however, certain that the Colony could not afford to pay such a salary to an officer who was simply required to represent Imperial interests, whatever they might be. He had no objection to a Governor, but if the home Government wanted one it should pay him. Apart from the salary; the presence of such an official cost the Colony a good deal for suite, travelling expenses, steamers to go about in, and other- things. Mr box, thinking this an allusion to' the purchase of the Luna, denied that the Governor had anything to do with it, a'd said that his Excellency had frequently interfered to prevent the expenditure of money calculated to promote his Own comfort. We arc glad to learn his Excellency is so economically disposed, but we think the public will agree with Mr Bunny that, if the Colonial office wants an agent here, it is not fair that the Colony should have to pay his salary.