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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2289, 7 September 1870, Page 2

The Mayor’s Cradle. —We understand that the presentation of the silver cradle to his Worship the Mayor will take place at the City Council Chambers at 3 p.m. on Friday, and that it may ho inspected by the public from 10 a.m. to the hour of presentation that day.

Fish Poisoning, —At Oiunavu lately there have been a couple of persons poisoned by the indiscriminate consumption of shellfish, particularly mussels. In one case a woman suffered great pain for several hours, but recovered under Dr Gibbs's treatment. Perhaps the mention of the fact would act as a warning to people here

Accident. —A very serious accident occurred yesterday afternoon to two men named Murdoch and Henderson, who were engaged in quarrying on the Town Belt. tamping a blast, through some unexplained cause, the powder exploded and severely injured both. Henderson was able to walk to the hospital, but Murdoch was so seriously injured that it was found necessary to convey him thither. Fortunately, Mr Bain, the Town Belt Hanger, happened to lie near, and through his timely assistance the wounded man was removed without delay. It is not known whether or not the injuries are so serious as to cause blindness. North Dunedin Drill Shed.—The sixth entertainment under the auspices of the North Dunedin Mutual Improvement Association, which will take place on Friday evening, is likely to be equally effective with any that have preceded it. The programme is varied and attractive, comprising instrumental music; songs, comic, descriptive, and sentimental, by well-known amateurs ; besides other amusement. We need not re{>eat that the proceeds are to be devoted to iquidating the cost of liuiug the drill shed.

Benefit. — We understand that a complimentary benefit, under special patronage, will be given to Mr John Barr (Craigilcc), at the Masonic Hall, on Tuesday evening, September 20tb. The object, which is to enable Mr Barr to publish a volume of entirely new works, will, we have little doubt, be warmly seconded by his numerous admirers. A programme, comprising music, readings, recitations, &c., is in course of preparation, and will, we are assured, be rendered especially attractive. When the object of such an entertainment is known, it needs no prophetic power to predict its ample accomplishment. Supreme Court. —Throughout today there was a large attendance to watch the trial of the prisoner M'Lennan for the Clyde gold escort robbery. The accomplice, Rennie, was in the witness box for five hour?, during the greater portion of which he was under cross-examination. The trial is sme to extend over a considerable part of to morrow. The grand jury returned a true bill in the case of O’Brien for assault. Tne case of assault from Clyde not having been concluded in time will bo postponed until next session. The grand jury made a presentment ■ n the subject of the gold robbery which will be found in another column.

City Council. There was very little business of importance transacted at this afternoon’s meeting of the Council. There were present His Worship the Mayor, Councillors Barnes, Cargill, Mercer, Walter, and Thoneman. Among the correspondence read was a letter from Mr B. Bagiev, call ng attention to Mr Justice Chapman’s decision in re Regina v. Bagley, and suggesting that means should be adopted with a view of having it considered. Alluding to the more personal part of the question, he pointed out that, in consequence of the acts of the returning officer, there was no choice for him but to accept the office of councilor ; otherwise he rendered himself liable to a fine of LSO. Under those circumstances he submitted that as the action in the Supremo Court had been caused by the act of the returning officer, and through no fault of his (Mr Bagley) tho Council should take steps to indemnify him. He based this claim on equity and comm n sense, n.s it was not one he bad any legal power to enforce. Mr C. Clarke wrote on behalf of the Town Council of Port Chaim rs, inviting the co-operation of the Council in tho public reception to he given at tho Port to the Superintendent. The reports of several committees were read and adopted. Councillor Barnes’s motion that the contractors for the Pitt street works proceed with the work, fai'ing which would be completed at their expense, was carried. Mr Barnes proposed, and Mr Mercer seconded, that the rates be collected half-yearly, viz.: 30th June and 31st December in each year. The motion was opposed by Mr Walter, on the ground that the expense of collection would be so much greater, that an additional rate would be a necessity. He contend, d that the motion was not destined to serve those for whose benefit it was brought forward. He shewed by statistics that there were 267*2 paying rates varying from 2s 3d to L2 ; 802 from L2 to Lo ; 151 fromLo to LlO, 157 fromLlO to L2O; and 62 who paid more than L2O. After some discussien the matter was referred to the Finance Committee for consideration. it was resolved to indemnify. Mr Bagley for his law costs.

A notice appears in another column informing jurors summoned for attendance at the Supreme Court on Monday, I2th inst, that they will not he required to attend until Tuesday, the 13th, at ten o’clock.