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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2370, 5 November 1870, Page 2

Depreciation.— Under this heading a Thames paper reports the sale by auction of tho British Hotel, Shortland, or rather a building formerly known as such, for L2t>. It cost the late proprietor LI6OO to go into it.

Princess Theatre. —There was a a good attendance last evening, the performances being under the patronage of the Superintendent. To-night, the popular drama of the “ Corsican Brothers ” will be produced, Mr La.vronce sustaining the dual character of Frauchi.

Schoolmasters’ Association. —The usual monthly meeting of this association was held to-day in the Education Office, Mr Park, president, in the chair. Mr M'Farlane, Grammar School, Port Chalmers, read a very interesting and instructive paper on teaching the first principles of decimal arithmetic. The paper was fully discussed by the members. It was decided to hold the next meeting of the association on the 3rd Saturday in January, 1871.

A Strange Qualification.— A contemporary is responsible for the following At a total ah.?! incnce meeting, held lately in one of the up-country districts of Otago, one of the speakers related that, “until lately, he was one of the greatest swipers in the country, and had a touch of the ‘ blues ’ on the occasion of his last spree. ” In recognition, perhaps, of his moral courage in making this statement, he was elected President of the Society.

Gaol Return. —The following is the s ate of 11. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending the sth November, 1870 : Awaiting trial, 7 men. I woman; under remand, 2 men, 0 women ; penal servitude, 92 men, 0 women ; hard labor, 56 men, 15 women ; in default of hail, 2 men, 0 women ; debtors, 4 men total, 163 men, 16 women. Received during the week, 6 men, 5 women; discharged, I man, 3 women. The Citv Election.—The official declaration of the result of the po ling on Wednesday took place to-day at noon, on the terrace of the Government buildings. Besides the Returning Officer, there were present Mr Fish, his proposer, and a couple of persons whom curiosity directed to the spot, and a solitary representative of the fourth estate. The numbers declared on Wednesday proved correct. Mr Fish made a few remarks, and the proceedings terminated.

Cricket. — The wet weather put a stop to the matches that were to have been played this afternoon. The match between the second eleven of the D.C.C. and the Albion C.C., was commenced, the latter taking the field. W hen seven runs had been obtained, Brown was run out, and at that point the rain came down so heavily as to render further play impossible. The game will be playod out in all probability on Saturday next. On Wednesday next, a match will be played between the Dunedin and Citizens Clubs.

Concert. —As we anticipated, the concert by the pupils of the Middle District School at the Masonic Hall, last evening, attracted a crowded audience. The programme, which comprised an average selection of vocal music and readings, was spiritedly gone through, and with a couple of exceptions, where nervousness prevente I the performers from creating that favorable impression they -would otherwise have done, all acquitted themselves very_ creditably. Mr Bathgate occupied the chair, and Mr Moss presided at the piano. Meat Preserving.—The Southland News says: —“The project for establishing meat-preserving works at Elbow, mooted some time since, is likely to be soon carried into effect by one of the leading squatting firms in Otago. The proposed site is one of the best that could he selected for such an establishment, being the centre of an extensive pastoral district—its only disadvantage being the scarcity of fuel in the neighborhood. It is believed, however, that this difficulty will ho overcome by the employment of a Thomson road steamer to convey the meat to the Winton terminus.”

North Dunedin Drill Shed.— A concert of popular secular music will be given next Friday at the North Dunedin Drill Shed. Some of the leading vocal and instrumental amateurs in the town, w’illtake part in it. and Miss Bell has promised her assistance as pianist. The programme is a good one, and already a very great number of tickets are disposed of. It is intended as a complimentary benefit to the Dunedin Musical Society in recognition of the gratuitous services rendered by several members in the late series of concerts.

Change of Starting Hour.—It will be seen by the advertisement that Mrs Steadman’s coach will, during tbe summer months, leave the Gridiron Hotel at a quarter past five o’clock in the afternoon, instead of at half-past four, and that the change will be made on Monday. As this will enable us to forward the Evening Star to the various townships on the evening of its publication, arrangements have been made for doing so ; and this will add to the already increasing country circulation of the paper. The addition of a country circulation to the largo town distribution of the Star gives it still greater advantage as an advertising medium.

A Needy Case. —On Thursday, the 27th nit., we drew attention to the distressing position of Mrs Abc-rncthy, whoso husband died on the passage from Homo on board the James Nichol Fleming, and who is thus left with a large family of children dependent upon her. We are glad his Worship the Mayor has interested himself in the matter, and that subscription lists lie at the various banks. We do not doubt they will be readily sub'-crlbed to, and that thus this widow, far from home and friends, will find that in the Colonies even strangers to her can sympathise with her misfortune. Gape Diamond Mines. —Our Australian telegrams give fresh accounts of the richness of these mines. The Natal Herald of August 26, speaking of them, says “ The diggers arc still finding diamonds on an average of live to six per day. During the week Mr Ricketts, who has been working about eight months without success, was rewarded for his labor by turning out a beautiful gem of 264 carats, valued at L2OOO. There was also three other stones of about 12 carats washed out by different parties. Mr Paaenfufus found one which he sold to Mr Pincua for L 325. Of the Biocmfouteln people who found since I last wrote aro— W. Cowie, four small diamonds, valued at LSO ; F. Le Clus, five ; F. Daniel, a pretty little stone, about 34 to 4 carats, worth about L4O to L SQ. I am afraid’ we will not succeed in getting sucl) another rich spot as the first ‘ kopejestill, on the whole, diamonddigging pays, although the work is very hard, an t the finds few and far between.’ The Free Stale, Friend, writing of the fields, sa ya : —“The diamond fields on the banks of the Vaal are incomparably the richest in the world. The Brazilian mines do not

cover one-twentieth the area of ground, and there the finding of a 20 carat diamond is a nine days’ wonder. The Vail river fields, on the other hand, extend at least over 1000 miles, and gems of 20, 30, oud 40 carats arc picked up daily. Our mines arc not likely to he exhausted for a century, even if 20,0 )0 diggers are constantly employed in disinteri ing the precious stones. Moreover & large portion of the Free Stitc proper is diamondiferous, and nearly every week we hear of fresh discoveries—the most recent one being in the Kaurcsmith district. South Africa w. 11 proliady at no distant period, be governed from the hanks of the Vaal, and then—if not before—the sleepy Capcites will realise the fact that diamonds have revolutionised. this c mtinent. A great republic of English-speaking people, that will swallow up all she South African States, is distinctly looming in the distance.” The Rev. Robert Scrimgeour will preach in St. Andrew’s Church, Melville street, to-morrow morning and evening, at the usual hours. We notice that the Harbor Steam Co.’s p.s. Peninsula will make a special trip to Port Chalmers to-morrow afternoon to meet the F.angitoto and Tararua, which are expected to arrive.