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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2360, 25 October 1870, Page 2

Supreme Court. —The trial of the case of Anderson v. Burke »ill now enter upon its eleventh day. The whole of to-day was enga.-ed with the addresses of counsel, that of Mr smith for the defence occupying three hoars in its delivery, and Mr Macas<cy, at four o’clock, had been two hours speaking. His Honor’s summing up will in all probability occupy the greater portion of to-morrow.

The European War.—A meeting of Germans resident in Dunedin was held at the European Hotel, George street, last evening, when the result of the appeal for subscriptions in aid of the wounded and orphans in Germany was made known. The German consul (Mr Henry Houghton) occupied the chair. Subscriptions to the amount of L 240 were acknowledged, and nearly all the country lists have yet to be senj; in.—At a meeting of the committee of French residents, held at the Otago Hotel last evening also, it was stated that during yesterday alone the sum of LBO had been collected, and only a partial canvas o£ the city made. It was resolved to establish a “French Patriotic Fund,” and the hon secretary was instructed to distribute suoscription lists throughout the City and Province.

The Princess Theatre. —A most amusing comedy, entitled “Playing with Fire,” was presented list evening to a moderate house. The grotesque situations arising out of the p'ot are of a novel character,"and called forth continuous bursts of laughter from the audience. The thread of the story may bo thus renderedMr and Mrs Herbert Waverly (Mr W, H. Metcalfe and Miss Lizzie Bushe), disappointed in the happiness expected from marriage, trust their complaints to their respective friends. Very romantic and very foolish plans are adopted by each to rouse each other to demonstrative affection, and there are some very cross purposes initiated by others in pursuit of married happiness. A Dr Savage (Mr Lawrence), who is made the confidant of his numerous friends and who in his good nature endeavors to serve them all, is placed in very ludicrously difficult situation’. The whole plot is admirably worked out. Mr Lawerence sustained the character of Dr Savage with humorous ability. We cannot speak too highly of the admirable acting throughout, Miss Carry George pourtraying the jealous wife in a strikingly effective manner. Nor was Miss Bushe less succ ssful in the delineation of her part. While the major plot is being enacted a minor plot of no loss interest is being developed. Uncle Timothy (Mr Mnsgrave) appears bent on the matrimonial state, and applies to Pinchbeck (Mr G. W. Collier), valet to the doctor, who also combines the duties of a matrimonial agent, to give him the necessary introduction. Mrs Crabatickc (Mrs Edouin Dryer), however, having an inkling of the amorous old gentleman’s intention, is determined to frustrate it, and the meeting between them takes place at the house of Pinchbeck. It would be impossible by merely describing the plot to give any adequate idea of the fun that is caused in its development. Indeed, the piece must be seen to be thoroughly appreciated. As “Placing with Fire” will be repeated for the last time this evening, we would recommend .all lovers of real amusement to visit the theatre and witness its performance Port Chalmers Town Council.— A regular meeting of this body was held in the Town Hall, Port Chalmers, last cvcirug. Present The Mayor, Councillors M'lvinnon, limes, Miller,|l aw, Clark, Gordon, and Vl ‘Galium. The following business was transacted : Amongst the correspondence were letters from Messrs Ross and Go., and from Mr M'Lcod, surveyor, as to the proposed water supply ; and from Mr\oisyas to permission granted to construct a drain. Mr Miller called attention to a nuisance caused by persons depositing rubbish on a picc of ground off George street. He said complaints were made by the inhabitants ; and bis own opinion was that a manure depot was required The Mayor also stated that he had received complaints about the matter. After some further discussion, the matter was left to the Public Works Committee to appoint a spot whereon to deposit rubbish On the report of the Water Works Committee being called for, the Mayor intimated f at he had made inquiries, and was promised some information from the promoters of the railway about bringing water from Dunedin along the lino of rail. As ho had just come from town, ho would ho in a better position to bring up a full report next meeting. Mr Miller said it was useless to talk of bringing the water from Dunedin. They had the water at their own doors ; and the Mayor could give it from his own land without requiring compensation. But he knew that his Worship required compensation, and he should resign the chairmanship of the Water Supply Committee, as it seemed like making his own bargain. The Mayor said he should certainly require compensation if such a large quantity of water, as 7GOO gallons, was taken from his land. The water was used for driving his mill, it formed part of his income ; and unless an agreement was come to, the Council could not take it, without first obtaining the passing of a special Act enabling them to do so. Mr Clark was in favor of the Mayor resigning the chairmanship of the Committee, as he was an interested party, but Mr M'Kinnon was of opinion that his Worship would act fair towards the town, Mr Miller hoped that for his credit’s sake the Mayor would resign the chairmanship. His Worship having expressed his willingness to do so, ' Mr MTCiunon moved and Mr Gordon seconded to act on the Committee,” and the' motion was carried accordingly. The Mayor consented to act, and requested Mr Miller, as convener of the committee, to call a meeting for an early day.—Mr Law moved, and Mr M 'Calhim seconded, that tenders be called for forming Ajax road. Mr Miller objected, as did Mr ' lark, until the Council were informed where the money to pay for the work was to come from. The financial report was read, and the Mayor said in explanation that some of the items put down at the commencement of the »u-

hicipal year, such as license fees and rents of reserves, had lapsed ; but he hoped to get some money due to the Council from the Provincial Government, and in the meantime they could advertise the reserve, and then they would be in a position to obtain an overdraft, to do which would be better than to stop the works. It was resolved that tenders he called for.—ln answer to a question by Mr Clark, the Town Clerk said there was about LIO'J unpaid taxes to be collected. In many cases the unpaid amounts represented absentees’ properties ; but in all cases ten per cent, interest was charged. The t lerk was ordered to proceed aga nst defaulters without delay —A number of accounts were passed for payment, and ordered to be paid.—The further consideration of the bye-laws was postponed until next meeting, and the Council adjourned until the 7th proximo. The City Erection. —There was a very large attendance at the Masonic Hall last evening to hear Mr Bathgate explain his views upon Provincial affairs. Mr J. W. Jago occupied the chair. Thp candidate in a few prefatory remarks explained why he had come forward on the present occasion. Eighteen m mths ago he was one of the two candidates on the popular side, and acting on the advice of his supporters, ho had retired in favor of Mr Dods sooner than jeopardise the chances of that gentleman’s election. He had found that had he stood a great many who did nob vote for Mr Dods would have given him (Mr Bathgate) their support. It was, however, to - be regretted on all sides that one holding his views had not been returned. Personally he was not ambitious of a seat in the Coined, although he should feel complimented if returned, but if they could get a better man, who could and would enunciate the measures he conceived essentially necessary to the well-being of the country, he would be content. Taking a retrospective glance, ho coutenled that in some measure, the present depression was owing to the action of the expiring Parliament. None of the productiveness of the Colony, which he valued at two millions (double that of .Great Britain—that was at per head of popula ion) found its way back into our pockets, simply on account of our class legislation legislation of the most stupid and injurious kind, and it was folly to try to force land laws down the people’s throats when these laws were of an injur.ou* character. The Band Act of 1866 he denounced as a most iniquitous measure, and the Hundreds Regulation Act, he characterised as a measure mod; calculated to put a stop to settlement, for if there were any land worth settling on, such a price would have to be paid that no public estate could stand it. His (Mr Bathgate’s) first remedy aeainst the present unhappy state of things, was a reduction in expenditure ; next he objected to the outlay of L 14,000 on immigration. He wanted immgration of the light sort, but objected to forced immigration. What was wanted were men who had a little capital, who could come amongst us and pay their way. His plan would bo no Government assistance, but make the country attractive by means of a liberal land law, like that of America, where a man c mid buy half a section of 320 acres, or a whole section of 640 acres, and have five or seven years to pay it in. Thirdly, he would support reproductive works ; railways, for instance, if made without corruption and economically worked, and from his own experience he knew that could be done. If a railway could be got at at LSOOO a mile there was no railway in the Southern hemisphere that would pay better than the Clutha line ; the money borrowed for it would not only pay the interest bub a dividend. Railways also had a tendency to increase the value of laud. Fourthly, he should encourage local industries and local institutions which needed fostering, and lastly, he would go in for education. He defended the action of the Otago University and stated he should be glad to see that institution open its doors freely to all who had the intellect to avail themselves of its privileges. In conclusion, he said that if the electors’ thoughts on political matters were in unison with his, he claimed their votes. He would warn them against being led away by any such cry as that of free s •- lection. He would sweep all land laws from the statute book, and begin over again, with no free selection, unless on the condition of cultivation and res dence The candidate answered a number of questions to the evident satisfaction of the meeting. A vote of confidence in the candidate was proposed .by Mr Stout, seconded by Mr Kempthorne, and carried.

Mr. Fish will address the electors at the Masonic Hall this evening at 7.30. ,