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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2294, 13 September 1870, Page 2

The Customs. —This department has issued an important notice to the effect that all persons who have paid the increased duties since the 29th June last can have the amounts refunded by giving full particulars, such as stating the date and number of entry, whether export or home consumption, &c. claims must be sent in immediately. Supreme Court, —Thecommon jurors summoned for tp-day had a very light task, simply to answer to thefr names and be discharged from attendance, The only case set down for trial, Fuller v. Murray, has been postponed for a fortnight, it being very probable that it may be settled by arbitration. The trial of special jury cases which include a case of slander has been postponed until October.

Immigbation. —ln the Assembly, on the 6th instant, on the motion of Mr O’Rorke, it was resolved “ That, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that any scheme of immigration that may be devised for the settlement of the North Island should contain a provision for the introduction of such a body of settlers as was introduced in the years 1847-9 into the Colony by Sir George Grey, for the protection of Auckland, under the name of the “New Zealand Fencible Force,”

The Police Gazette. —This unassuming publication oftentimes contains matter for reflection, but the last number is an exception to the rule. Save the robbery of gold at Clyde, and the treasure which has since been recovered, the list of property stolen is of so meagre a character that one is led to wonder that persons should turn thieves for such trifles, A L 5 note and a gold watch are the most valuable of the articles described, while the list includes such insignificant articles as a wheelbarrow, a pair of blankets, a couple of bolts, and a few pieces

of palings. The number of warrants out against offenders is not large, and only one is for a, serious offence—av clerk in ploy of a London firm, who absconded with L 350 of his employer’s money, is anxiously asked for, a reward of LSO being offered for his apprehension. Reports of coroner’s inquests continue to occupy a painful prominence. There are no less than sixteen cases all within the'month. The number of apprehensions during the month was 45, exclusive of those for drunkenness and other minor offences, which numbered 70. In 34 of the number convictions were obtained. Population of the Colonies. According to the Nelson Colonist, the following are the population returns of the Australian colonies and New Zealand, with the number of members for each Victoria, with a population of about 800,000, has only thirty members in the Upper House, and sixty in th* Lower ; New South Wales, with a population of about 500,000, twenty-one members in the Upper House, and seventytwo in the Lower; South Australia, with some 200,000 inhabitants, has but eighteen members in the Upper, and thirty-six in the Lower; while New Zea'and, with 250,000 of a population, has fifty members in the Legislative Council, and seventy-six in the House of Representatives. Taking mere population as the basis, New Zealand has four to one as compared with; Victoria, nearly three to one in comparison with New South Wales, and considerably above that proportion when we take South Australia into account.

Princess Theatre. —The members of the Garrick Club give their annual benefit in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Institution, at the Princess’s, on Friday evening. On this occasion will be presented, the operatic burlesque of “Othello,” and the two-act drama of “The Porter’s Knot.” The lessees of the theatre (Messrs Willis ai d Campbell) have shewn a laudable desire to promote this charitable object by placing the the house at the disposal of the club free of charge. His Worship the Mayor will patronise the entertainment; and, looking at the success which has hitherto attended the efforts of the Garrick Club, we may safely predict a crowded house. It is needles to refer to the claims of the Benevolent Institution to public sympathy and support. Of its ever readiness to relieve distress most of our readers are aware ; but they may not be acquainted with the extent of its benevolent operations. The total number of inmates for the eight months ending 31st August was 92 : of whom 15 were men, 3 women, 46 boys, and 28 girls. Of the out-door relief afforded during the same period, the, total number was 279—namely, 18 old or sick men, 65 women, and 196 children. The extensive relief thus afforded has required an average weekly expenditure of L 25 10s 6d. On the other hand the total receipts—from subscriptions, donation*, &c., during the eight months—are but L6OO. It will be thus seen that the expenditure has considerably exceeded the income of the Institut’on. The revenue derivable from the Government subsidy depends entirely on the amount subscribed by the public ; but this scource of income is closed until the amount of public subscriptions for the present year is ascertained. We trust, therefore, that with a view to augment rather than impair the usefulness of this valuable Institution, the public will render substantial aid in the forthcoming entertainment.

Port Chalmers Town Council.— A meeting of the Town Council of Port Chalmers was held last evening. Present The Mayor, Councillors Fernio, M'Kinnon, Innes, Clark, Gordon, and M‘Galium. Mr J. H. Harris’s letter, containing papers from the Town Cl rk of Dunedin with reference to the reception of his Honor the Superintendent, was ordered to he acknowledged. A letter from a number of ratepayers in Magnetic street, asking for the formation of a drain alongside the footpath, was read. r ihe Public Works Committee were empowered to do the work, but not to expend more than Lls upon it. This resolution was adopted on the motion of Councillor Fernie, seconded by Councillor M'Kinnon. Mr Lee’s letter in reference to Curry street was referred to the Public Works Committee. A letter with reference to water supply and other plans recommended were left to the Committee to report. Mr Fleming’s letter giving up a section held by him was considered sufficient notice, as he had no lease from the Council. Mr Macfarlane’s letter was read, claiming a certain sum paid for witnesses’ expenses in the case of Crawshaw and another v. Corporation of Port Chalmers. He offered to take LlO 10s if paid at once, and LI Is 8d for another account due to him by the Corporation. Councillor Fernio moved, and Councillor M'Callum seconded, the proposition, That the two items be paid. Councillor Innes moved an amendment, That only the sum allowed by law be paid. Councillor Gordon seconded the amendment, which was carried. The, report of the Public Works Committee was left over for consideration, as was also the plan of the Ajax road, through the latter not being completed. The Clerk reported that rates to the amount of LIBO required collecting. Leave of absence for three months was given to Councillor Fernie. The Council passed a resolution to ask the people of Port Chalmers to make the day of Mr Macandrew’s arrival a holiday; and the Council then adjourned to the 2Gth inst.

An entertainment will be given in the school-house, Mornington, this evening, at 7 p.m., at which a series of dissolving views will be presented. Mr Barr’s paper on the “ Mechanics and Mechanical Economy of Railways,” and Mr Wilding’s paper on “ Central Forces,” will bo read at the Otago Institute tonight. This evening Dr Carr will re-appear at the Princess Theatre, and we do not doubt that the curiosity excited by our yesterday’s announcement will induce a large number of persons to gather together to witness the mysteries over which he presides. The strange phase of human nature exhibited by Dr Carr cannot cease to be attractive so long as its laws are unknown ; and it may be doubted whether the greater interest will be roused by tbe unknown, or by tbat which will become everyone’s property when tbe promise is redeemed of revealing the secret. His first stance takes place to-night.