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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2301, 21 September 1870, Page 2

Athletic Spouts. The annual sports under the auspices of the Dunedin Cricket Club will he held on October 15th. St. Andrew’s Church.—We hear that the Presbytery of Dunedin meet in >St. Andrew’s Church, Melville street, to-morrow evening, at seven o’clock, for the purpose of moderating in a call to a minister for that congregation. Gas.— We are requested to say that, in consequence of some ncce-sai-y repaiis to the gas mains in the Anderson’s Bay Hoad, gas consumers, on lighting up this evening, may sustain some little inconvenience consequent on air getting into the pipes, ’This may, however, he lessened by turning on the burners a few minutes before lighting. The Lakes. Oaten straw at L2, and wheaten ditto 10s per load, at the farm yard ! Well may the farmers rejoice—and especially at oaten-straw chaff at L 5 per ton, at the farm. Those who burnt their straw recently must he biting their lingers now. But why the differnee between oat and wheat straw, when the latter fs the favorite article for chaff in Victor’a, in the proportion of two-thirds wheaten and ono-thU-d oaten ? A co-operative store is about to he established at Queenstown. —Milk appears to be a very scarce article of Queenstown just now. It sells at Is per quart, and at that price there is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the inhabitants.

Launch at the Port.—Quite a number of per,pie assembled to-day to witness the launch of the new ,schooner built by Messrs Jackson of Port Chalmers for Mr Duncan Bain. The launch was a complete success, the vessel sliding gently and evenly down the ways amid the chceis and good wishes of the bystanders. The ceremony of christening was gracefully performed by Miss Dodson, who pronounced the name to he the Maid of Otago. The schooner is substantially built of native timber, with the exception of her decks, {which are of Baltic pine. The tonnage is about 00 tons register, which she can carry on a slight draught. The model is very good, the vessel having a good sheer, and line round sides, and though possessing great beam, has a fine entrance ami deny run. This is-a very creditable specimen t>f v4iat may he done in Otago. Martin's Bay.-Wc umler.stand the General Government have played the steamer Luna at the disposal of the Provincial Government, provided a sufficient number of jiassengera require transit to Martin’s Bay settlement. Under this arrangement, wc j presume only the actual cost incurred would

be charged as passage money. A settler at the Bay, on whose statement reliance can be placed, writing under date August 15th, says .-—“ The land is quite easy to clear, a-i the bush is light, and it is first-class, and quite level as far as I have seen of it. lam perfectly satisfied with the place as a home for myself and family, and 1 think that in two years we will have plenty of crons to keep us comfortable. I have built a house on one of the town sections, in one of the best parts of the township, that is if the town ever goes ahead. I can stand at the door and throw a stone into the lake, where the Great Eastern could come and lay. The place is much wanner than Dunedin, only a good d--al of rain falls here ; but when it is dry it continues so tor some time. I have had more than half the time dry weather at this season of the year, so you can judge for \ ourself that it cannot he very bad in the summt. Mr Porter, the minister, intends establishing a school hove.” PRESKNTATION. of the address by the City Corporation to the late Mayor (Mr Birch), took place in the Council Chamber this afternoon, in the presence of several of the Councillors and a number of the citizens, and was made by the Mayor, who, in doing so, mule a few remarks expressive of the respect entertained by the Council for Mr Birch. The addre-s. which was illuminated by Mr Weston, and is a splendid specimen of the caligraphist’s skill, reads as follows “To Thomas Birch, Esq., Mayor of Dune Tin. Sir—l have the honor to inform you that, at a meeting of the Municipal Council of Dunedin, held this day, the following resolution was unanimously passed ‘ That his Worship the Mayor, having intimat-d his intention not to contest the approadiiug election of .Mayor, the members of this Council desire to record their np_ rcciation of the c-nutcsy and kindness which have uniformly characterised his relations with them during the term he has occupied the : Civic chair. To the urbanity displayed by • him in conducting the proceedings of the Council is owing the quiet and orderly manner in which the various discussions and debates have at all times been conducted. . They consider the Citizens generally are iu- , debtor! in a groat measure to him for the establishment of the Mayor’s Court, and also for the admirable ar.d dignified manner in 1 which be has presided over the same, and in ■ bidding him a lieu in his capacity of Mayor, s wish him every success in whatever position lie may be called upon to occupy. I have • the honor to he, Sir, your most ohe-liont 1 servant, J. M. Massrv, Town Clerk, • Dunedin, 2!) th June, 1870.’”

Benefit. —A complimentary benefit was tendered to Mr John Harr, of Craigilcc, last evening, at the Masonic Hall. The entertainment, given under the auspices of the various Mutual Improvement Societies around Dunedin, was patronised by his Worship the Mayor, the City Councillors, the members of the Caledonian Society, and a large audience. T1 e opening chorus from “Ernani,” aml the eh r.isfron ,l Masanicllo,” and “Come where my love lies dreaming,” were given with good effect by the company. Mrs Mis’op’s song, “Coustancs” and “Love’s It copies i,” were very effectively rendered. Mrs Murray also sang the favourite Scotch ballads, “There was a lad was born in Kyle,” “ Follow Prince Charlie,” and a “ Highland lad,” in a manner at once accomplished and charming. Mr Mitchell sang the “Comet of the West” an 1 “ Walking in the Zoo,” each of which received an cue no. Songs fiom Mr Farrow and Mr Lyons were loudly appl aided; ialced, so many cu,copes were called for and responded to, that the Mayor, pn account of the lateness of the hour, was obliged to ask the audience to be kind enough not to recall any more of the performers. Mr Barr also gave some routings, both humorous and otherwise, which pleased immensely, and in answer to a request for a song, responded with a ditty called “ Ihe battle of the Barons.” But we must not forget to mention Mr Cavalier, who certainly contributed a most enjoyable portion of the programme. His playing on the concertina was splendid, and received the shire of applause it deserved. Mr E.iin also favored the company with a dance which was very well executed. Mr llcichardt gave valuable assist a nee on the piano, and Mr Hudson provided the refreshments in bis usual liberal style. City Council.—At this iiftevnoou’s sitting there w re present—Mis Worship the Mayor, Councilors Barnes, Cargill, Crilfen, Jack, Mercer, Thonernan, and Walter. Amongst the correspondence read was a letter from Mr 13. Bagicy, tendering his resituation as councillor for Bell Ward. The resignation was accepted, the usual fines remitted, and a fresh election ordered to lake place on Friday next ; the day of nomination to bo next Mon lay. The Mayor remarked that the icturning officers should be instructed how to act. His Honor the Judge—and it was of course with great diffidence that he said anything appearing to be an opinion different to bis Honor’s—had ruled tiiab anything outside the cross was a valid vo'e. it appeared to him that the Act was very clear upon the point; a mark within the co s was imperative. The effect of his Honor’s ruling would be very much to enable a returning officer to return any one whom he liked, supposing the election to be a close one. The City ■-'olicitor was clearly of opinion (with all due deference to the Judge) that the admission by hj s Honor of the particular vote v/biefi was not within the cross was wrong. ACersoipc remarks by Mr Walter and Mr Cargill, who po nted out that for the Council to simply express an opinion, and embody that opinion in an instruction to the returning officer, would only lie to add to the confusion The subject was allowed to drop. Mr J. P. (Millar was appointed returning officer (Mr Blair being the other candidate), and Mr M‘Culloch poll clerk, at the ensuing election. A letter was read from Knight and Cp., offering to aspha'tc pavement at 3a (3-1 per yard. The Council war left sitting.

MlN’iXO IXTEbLiOiCNOK. —The following extract from the Mail serves to show that in the Wakatip district mining operations arc being carried on with great vigor and considerable success :—At the Cardrona good average; results are being obtained, but the Chinese population has somewhat dccrcaicd. Attention is being devoted to the Matatapn distinct, Wanaka, which is likely to receive a fair trial this season. We have little doubt but that we shall have, ere the year closes, to chronicle instances of success in this almost untouched but undoubtedly auriferous area of country. The Anew district has maintained throughout the winter months its summer average of gold, forwarded by the escort. We expect to sec these esc >rts increased by a third, and trust we shall

have soon to note that our opinion is verified. It is based upon facts that have come to our knowledge from various parts of this sub-division of the Wakatip Galdhcid. Mining operations are being conducted with renewed energy now that the wint jr lias passed away. The cheapness of living is also an incentive to the miner to work the ground formerly looked on with contempt. One of our Warden’s Court reports shows the value of lialf-a head of water, at Bracken s Gully, and (he letters from the Twelve-mile describe the state of affairs in that quarter. In the Upper Slmtover mining affairs remain in the same position as last reported. All ore working with success, especially the Chinese clement which is weekly receiving large additions. All theneglcctcdbranch creeks,terraces, and old workings are being taken up sharply, and operations arc ext--nding beyond the forks. On the Lower Shotovcr fresh claims arc applied for, as also Ground adjoining the Morning Star, at Arthur’s l.'oiiit. At Big Beach the Chinese continue to meet success in their leased ground (formerly the Big Beach Company’s), and on the opposite side of the river the South Beach miners continue to obtain the fine returns of LIU to L2O per man per week. At Moke Creek the claim sold to the Chinese has returned more gold than they paid for it, viz., LSOO to 1.609. They continue to do well. In other parts of the creek we hear of good returns, and seldom of a complaint. The greatest keenness is exhibited in obtaining claims, and as predicted some months ago, this part of the district is soon likely to eclipse even its palmy and earlier days. Up the Lake the miners are working with average success, but no accounts have reached us from either the Dart, Bees, or Martin’s Bay districts, this week, ’flic Twelve-mile correspondent of the same paper says ;—An instance of individual success occurred the other day a Ciiinamau fell over a three ounce nugget, which, with the remainder of his week’s work, amounted to L2S —not bad for “ rice.

A special general meeting of the Otago Licensed Victuallers’ Association will be held to-morrow evening, at 7.30, at the Fire Brigade rooms.