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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2271, 17 August 1870, Page 2

Erratum.—ln our yesterday’s report of the interview of his. Honor the DeputySuperintendent with the newly arrived immigrants, instead of “he could employ fifty men,” it should have been “hp could have employed fifty meu.”

Telegraphic— The General Government have protnised to establish a telegraph station at the Arrow. The E. P. Bouverie. — We. understand that the cabin passengers by the E. P. Bouverie entertain Capt. Tilley at Mr Murray’s to-night. New Zealand University Bill.— The General Government propose to grant to the Otago University L.3000, and not L3OO, as stated. Private telegrams state that the Bill is sure to pass both Houses. The Clyde Gold Robbery. The man Elves who was arrested at Gamam on the charge of having in his possession one of the notes stolen from the lock-up at Clyde was again brought up before the local B.M. and discharged, there being no evidence against him. fl e stated that he had been at work in the Horseshoe range, and knew nothing of the robbery. Electoral. — A late Wellington telegram says:—“ The electoral districts have been settled in committee. In the Otago Province, the goldfields and goldfields boroughs electoral districts are done away with. The new district of Wakatip includes the provincial districts of the Lakes and Cardrona. The Dunstan includes Cromwell and Teviot. Mount Benger includes Nokomai. Mount Ida includes St. Bathans, &c.” Eire at Oamaru. —At about a quarter-past eleven ou Monday night the glare of fire in Wharf street south drew numbers of the citizens to the vicinity. It was then discovered that the house of Mr Greenfield was on fire ; and, on enquiry, it was ascertained that the conflagration had been caused by the chimney catching fire. In a few minutes the bin ding (a wooden one) was burnt to the ground. Wet blankets spread over the adjoining houses prevented their ignition, and the damage done was limited to the building in, question. We understand that the (premises were insured. Fortunately there was no loss of life; but one of Mr Greenfield’s children was, we understand, slightly burned. Employment. —We notice in our advertising columns that the Government, acting upon the suggestion thrown out in the Star a few days since, has determined upon calling into activity all the unemployed labor (of the Province, in the formation of roads, &c. By a wise combination on the part of those who really deserve employment, and by a disposition to accept a fair, though not exorbitant remuneration, there is we are glad to see a chance of all persons obtaining employment, and thus bridging over the present unprecedentedly depressed times. The Unemployed. This morning, a number of unemployed men waited upon his Honor the Deputy-Superintendent'to ask for work. We believe there were not many new comers amongst them. We are informed that two pieces of road are iu course of coustrnction, on which men can he employed, and that through the winter they have been reserved for those who wanted work and were willing to take them at a given price per chain. One is a horse track through the bush to Blneskin, the other the North Taieri road. It is only since the Eucnimj Star moved in the matter that this information has been received iu the office, and we think the Provincial Government would have done wisely to have given greater publicity to their arrangements. It is the intention of the Government to give work to the newly arrived at Bclichet Bay. Sudden Death — .We sincerely regret to have to chronicle the sudden death of Mr John Page, of this town, a well-known and much-respected member of the community. His sudden decease has caused a profound sensation. Rumor reached the town at about half-past four o’clock yesterday (Monday) afternoon, that Mr Page had been found dead in the Lime-kiln Gully (the range of the Oamaru Volunteers), and number of persons immediately proceeded thither, only to find that the news was but too true. : It appears that certain members of the Company were proceeding up the gully for the purpose of repairing the targets, and discovered the deceased lying, with his hat over : his eyes, in a natural and easy posture. On approaching, they found that life was cx- : tiuet, although the body was quite warm. The corpse was removed to the Commercial Hotel, where it was examined by Drs Wait and Ebbs, who, we understand, arrived at the conclusion that death had resulted from apoplexy or congestion of the brain. Deceased was a sergeant in No. 8 Company, and his remains will, we believe, be interred with military honors. He was a member of the Town Council, and was generally esteemed for his {disposition and many good qualities. He was also connected for some time with the press of the town, and went to Martin’s Bay with the last expedition as reporter for the Oamaru Time*. City Conncil.—At the fortnightly meeting to-day, his Worship the Mayor presided ; present—Councillors Bagley, Cargill, Barnes, Griffon, Mercer, Thoncman, and Walter. Letters were read from the Provincial Secretary, ashing that immediate possession should be given to the promoters of the Port Chalmers Railway of certain sections on the wharves and quays reserve ; also conveying the sanction of the Deputy Superintendent to the leasing oi a portion of the old Hospital reserve for Volunteer purposes. Mr Strode, R.M., wrote on the subject of the business the Mayor’s Court, and conversations with the Mayor in regard to it. Mr Strode submitted a memorandum in effect as follows:—“ That the business of the two Courts should he conducted in the same building, the Mayor and Justices to sit daily at ten a.m,, to hear all night cases; and on Tuesdays and Thursdays to hear cases under the Justices of the Peace Act, and cases involving breaches of the byelaws ; the Resident Magistrate Jto sit at 11a. m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the disposal of Civil business, Mr Strode pointed out that by the proposed arrangements all the fines at present reverting to the Corporation would continue to revert to it ; that a very material saving would he effected to the Corporation in respect of cleaning, &c., and clerk’s salary ; that the present staff of the Resident Magistrates Court was equal to the work required by both Courts ; that by the arrangements proposed, departmental arrangements must he more complete and satisfactory, and tlpe administration of justice more effectually carried put. The subject was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs Cargill, Thoneman, and Walter, for consideration. A letter was read from Mr George Turnbull, J.P., calling attention to a letter of the Inspector of Nuisances reflecting on some recent decisions in the Mayors Court. Mr Turnbull as one of the

Justices referred to expressed surprise thst no serious notice was taken of the letter, and stated that unless effectual means were taken of preventing a repetition of one of its officers publicly impugning the decisions of the Bench in such an offensive manner, he must decline to take part in any further proceedings in the Mayor's Court. Mr Watt then wrote on the same subject. In a discussion that followed, Mr Walter_ characterised the Inspector’s letter as “insulting and most presumptuous," and Mr Barnes, while admitting that the letter complained of was rather stro g, thought the Inspector had Ixien misled by the instructions he had received ■Mr Cargill moved a resolution expressive of the regret of ths Council that the letter had been allowed to pass unnoticed reprimanding the Inspector for his conduct, and instructing the Town Clerk to recommend him to bo more discreet in future. The resolution was carried. Left sitting. Masonic Hall. Mr Heller’s entertainment continues to attract large audiences. We should be surprised if they did not, for there is enough to be seen, enough to be heard, and enough to be guessed at, to commend it to the lovers^of the real, as well as to the lovers of the marvellous, Mr Heller not only does strange things and provides strange treats, but he explains how he does them. We confess to being slow scholars, quite content to witness the ease with which our senses can be played upon, and to accept the wondrous instances of clear supernatural vision presented to us as something beyond our ken. And moreover, Mr Heller’s paius-taking explanations do not throw much light upon the latter mystery, the unravelling of which he tells us, not having been accomplished in Victoria and Sydney, is a triumph reserved for Dunedin —if we can. As the Americana would say—it beats table-rapping by a long chalk. Then his piano playing is superb—not a wrong note in the melody, nor a false chord, no matter how rapid the passage nor how complicated the harmony. What can be done on the instrument is shown, as w'ell as how it may be done by the player. One of the most extraordinary instances of facility of execution is a rapid shake with a finger of each hand. Some may think this an easy matter. If they do, let them try, and they will find long and careful practice necessary to do it evenly. We do not remember hearing anything played with more feeling and pathos than “ Anld llobiu Gray,” on the orgue melodique. We should not have given the instrument credit for such power of expression had we not heard it. A soft sweet breath of music, gradually swelling into smooth, full harmony, and as the theme suggests, dying away, leaving a placid, saddened feeling on the spirit, was draw'n from this unpretending little organ. We need not say such effects can only be produced by a master hand. Lastly, the Marionetttes—those funny little Niggers w’ho do their tricks, crack their jokes, sing their songs, and join in chorus very much better than many who pretend to be guided by brains. When next we sec a troupe of pot-up gentlemen with black faces bringing down Caucasian refinement to nigger absurdity, for the delectation of the multitude, we shall not forget how nearly their antics approach to the perfection of the wooden heads of Mr Heller’s Marionettes. All that we have told and much more is to bo seen and heard to-night. It is worth seeing ; but as a change is announced for to-morrow, this is the last chance. Mr Hilton has announced his intention to open, the Princess Theatre tomorrow evening. He offers great attractions, and is likely to be well supported.