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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2300, 20 September 1870, Page 2

Dinner to the Superintendent,— We believe the committee have completed their arrangements for the dinner proposed to be given to Mr Macandrew on Friday, and that it is likely to be numerously attended. Presentation. — We understand that his Worship the Mayor will present a testimonial from the City Council to the late Mayor (Mr Birch) to-morrow afternoon. The presentation will take place in the Council Chamber, at two o’clock.

Supreme Court. —Mr Justice Chapman held a sitting in banco this morning, when the question of costs hi v( Bogina v. Bagley was argued. Mr Macassey appearing for the relator (Mr Woodland) and MiBarton, instructed by Mr Harris, for the defendant. After hearing counsel his Honor decided that the costs on both sides should be paid by the defendant.

Very Good Reasons.—The following is rather neat in insolvencies Max Marcewald, of East Melbourne, gentleman. Causes of insolvency : Want of employment, and insufficient remittances from insolvent’s relations in Germany to support insolvent. Liabilities, L3B 19s; assets, L2 ; deficiency, L3d 18s. Mr Barr’s Benefit.—Out men of genius are too few to be neglected. It will, therefore, be with pleasure that our readers will have observed the proposal to aid Mr Barr, of Craigielee, to publish an intended new ’work. His writings have long been favorably known in the Province. His pen has been ever ready to give pleasure to others without reaping profit to himself ; and wc trust that such effective help will now be given him as will enable him to accomplish his present object. A concert takes place to-night at the Masonic Hall for (his purpose, which we trust will bo well attended. Parliamentary Sittings.—A great many people have no accurate conception of tile long hours of sessional toil undergone by lion, members, and think the honorarium a princely perquisite that is easily earned. A lew figures, however, may disclose the nature of the sinecure that M.H.R.’s are supposed to enjoy. It is generally noticed that the duration of each succeeding session is longer than its predecessor ; that the amount of business transacted whether beneficial or otherwise —is greater ; and that the hours of sitting are more in number. We have not the figures of previous sessions; but during the one just passed we believe members sat someth nglike -54 days; ou 20 the House did not rise till two hours after midnight ; and that the sittings averaged over eight hours. Add to this the at- , tendance at committees, and the inevitable amount of necessary and preparatory work that an active im-mbcr must do outside of i the sittings of the House, and some idea of the fagging wear and tear of sessional duties . may be arrived at A Legal Point.—The Argus of a late date says :—A novel point as to the va- ( lidity of the manner of administering the ! oath in the various law and police courts, was raised by Mr F. Stephen at the (-ity ) Court, but as it was not pressed tin ques- . tion was not argued, and consequently no decision was given. During the hearing of a ' case of perjury—Ewart v. Adams—Mr Ste- ' phen objected that it was not legal for the ; court crier to administer an oath before f a judge, or for the clerk to do it before a ’ magistrate, as the law strictly required that the' 5 judge or magistrate should administer ' the oath himself. Mr Sturt, P. M., said that I the magistral administered an oath through p the clerk of the court; but Mr Stephen said that frequently the magistrate was talk- ! ing to his friends on the bench while his 1 deputy was thus engaged. The objection 1 was allowed to drop, though Mr Stephen . said he could support it by the law books. i The War in fifty Germans responded to the appeal of tlie , Noith German Consul, and met at the ' European Hotel, last evening for the purpose ! of devising measures for.raising funds for the 1 relief of German soldiers wounded in the [ war and of the widows and orphans of those , who may be killed. The following resolu- ’ tions were carried unanimously ;—“That the 1 Germans of Dunedin express their hearty • sympathy in the war now being carried on in ■ Bn rope by the German nation, which has been forced upon the.ni by the French Emperor." “That the Germans of Dunedin ' will follow the example of their countrymen ( ip Australia, and assist the sufferers from the war.” G Tliat a committie be appointed to 1 collect subscriptions amqpgst the Germans of Dunedin and their English fellow,colonists, ’ to consist of the following gentlemen : Messrs Houghton (chairman), Haytnan, ■ Brehner, Eggcrs, Hatnaan, Levien, Meyer, Hirsch, Zicle, Luhning, Reicheldt, Stein--1 mete, and Dr. Beaver, with power to add to their number.” Mr L. Hayman was chosen i treasurer, and Mr Hapiaan secretary to the i committee. About Llol} was subscribed in . the.room. We find, by our files, that very [ successful meetings have been hel lat Hoki- ’: tifea and Wellington ; and the Germans of , Christchurch by Id a, incoming to-night for the • same purpose.

An Ekysiuyi you Lawvkkh. —Wanganui must be a lively place to live in. With a population pf some three or four thousand, it is hj perfect hotbed for litigation. Not long ago we copied ipto our columns a paragraph from a Wanganui paper stating there were more lawyers in Wanganui iu proportion to ithe population than in any other town in fhe colony, and by the papers to hand yesterday we notice that there is already an abundance of work cut out for them. All sorts of actions are being brought. Mr H. Anderson, proprietor of the Ohrqmle., has commenced proceedings against Ins contemporary the Herald, which challenges him, in a moat pugnacious manner, to go on. Another newspaper proprietor is also in trouble, an action having been commenced by Mr MoMinn against Mr Hutchison, newspaper proprietor and bookseller, for false imprisonment, damages being laid at LI,OOO. A Mr H. B. Roberta has been requested to apologise ((;f m alleged libel, with an alternative of sustaining fin action for LI,OOO damages ; and lastly an action has been commenced against Mr David Feat and Mr John Gotty for an alleged broach of coptract, damages being laid at L 2,300, Wo do not know the number of lawyers who contrive to subsist in Wanganui, but it is pretty clear that there is such a ta tc for law in that enlightened place, that instead of devoting their energies to resisting Hau-hau attacks, the inhabitants might act on the suggestion which Dick makes to Cade in Henry VI.- “The lirst thing wo do lotus kill all the lawyers.”