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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2384, 22 November 1870, Page 2

The Steam Dredge.—We have Just heard that the steam dr. dge New Era sunk at her moorings last night. The cause of the accident we have not been aide to ascertain. Captain Thomson and several gangs of men are engag d in the endeavor to raise her, Several notices ef questions in reference to the matter have been given in the Provincial Council, and the re lies of the Government will be received with interest. The Athen.eum, By the May Queen a case of books was received, which adds 220 volumes to our A theme inn library. By this importation wc are put in possession of the complete works of Thackeray, Miss Muloch (John Halifax, Gentleman) Anthony Trollope, some of the oiler standard novelists, Captain Maryatt’s works, i\liss Braddon’s, Mrs H. Wood’s, Warren’s, and Cbas.

E cade's works, a most interesting account of the parks and g miens of Paris, travels in Central Caucasus, “ The lons* vocation in the Alps,” a most elaborate volume on Spiritualism in America. Although some of these necessar ly include works already in the library, there are many works by tin-, different authors that have not been before in the hands of the Dunedin public, and which are rendered doubly valuable by the decease of the authors. To politicians and staticinns not tho least interesting of the new works is the Sth Census of tho United .States, and as a Colonial work, the History of Ballarat, the Harbor Company v.-ry liberally brought up the case free of charge, and without delay.

Port Chalmers Town Council.— At the meeting of the Town Council last evening, there were present Messrs Hose, M‘Kinnon, Tunes, Miller, Law, Clark, Cordon, and M’Cullum. MrM‘K.innon was in the chair in the absence of the Chairman. A letter to Mr Taylor, asking kirn to bring the subsidy question before the Conned was left over for e msideration. An offer by Mr Elder for flagstones was Ift over for consideration. \ motion by ' : r aw, seconded by Mr Clark, that no payment be male to Mr J cksen of 1/25, without a surveyor’s cerliticdo, was carried. After som- consideration it was icsolved as n am ndment by Mr Inne«, that footpaths he made as soon as the Public Works Committee h;H stone and material With re pect to Mr John Robertson’s offer to lease section 140 at L 3 per annum. Mr limes moved that it be accepted. Mr Clark would only consent to the issue of a budding lease ; he considered it one of the best town sections, and that tenders had not been sufficiently advertised for. Air Gordon moved an amendment that the offer stand over till next meeting, for further tenders to be sent in. Air Aliller seconded the amendment, which was carried. Mr Law protested against opening tenders, and then putting them off fer a fortnight. Mr Neil’s tender for section 283 at L 3 per annum, was accepted. The Public Works Committee’s report as to the Manure Depot was ordered to be laid on the table. In reference to the Water Committee’s report the Chairman said, as a member of the Committee he thought the engineer should attend with the Committee to go over the ground. Mr Clarke made some remarks as to what he had done, and hoped tho services of tho engineer would he allowed by the Counc 1. The report was ordered to stand over. Several accounts w< re passed for payment, and the clerk was ordered to s m at once for all rates not. collected. Tne Council adjourned until the oi hj December.

Pout Chalmers —The adjourned meetin ’o : the M-irii'e Artillery Company was held last night at Pencil’s Hotel, Port (Jhalmer.. The attendance was large. Capt. Thompson was chosen Chairman. He stated that the Adjutant had told him of a mistake in the name of the corps, and suggested it should be named the “The Naval Defence Corps.” in reply to a question by Mr Barton, the Chairman said the corps would bo armed in the same manner as the N aval Brigade. M r Dench thought, that as in that case no Great Gun drill could be expected, it was desirable that the meeting should consider whether it would not be as well to join the present Naval Brigade. The Chairman stated that the only arms that could be supplied were the old riiles- the cannon belonged to the Naval Brigade, and the Government would not go to any expense until the Company was formed. Mr Barton under the circumstances could sep no inducement to form a Company. Capt, Robertson suggested that a prize of Loll was to be given shortly, and the Company, if formed, could compete for it Mr. Burke then remarked that as the Government would not assist, it was not lik> ly the services of those willing to come forward won d be had -when they were -wanted. After some further conversation, Mr Barton moved, as an amendment to a motion by Mr Turner to call the company tbe Fort Chalmers Naval Defence Corps, “That no further action be taken until the Government offer some inducement to the people of Port Chalmers to join in the defence of the Province.” He pointed to the different spirit evinced in Victoria, to the high state of discipline of the Sandridge Naval Brigade, in consequence of which there were always plenty ready to join. The amendment was seconded by Mr adler, and carried nan. con. Captain Robertson said that those willing to join the Naval Brigade would receive every encouragement. A vote of thanks to the chainna’i closed the proceedings.

A general meeting of the members of the Otago Jockey Club will be hel l at the Umpire Hotel to-morrow (Wednesday) evening, at 8 o’clock.

Holders of tickets in the London Portrait Rooms Art Union arc notilied by advertisement that the drawing will take place at Chiaroni’s Frame and Picture Warehouse. George street, on Saturday next, at 3 pin. Subscriptions are requested to be paid at once.