Untitled

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2391, 30 November 1870, Page 2

Mayor’s Court.—There was a blank sheet to-day. Postal, —lt will bo soon by the postal notice that letters intended for the English mail may bo posted until 1 p.m. tomorrow, and newspapers until -10 a rn., instead of 8 a.m., as already announced. Tun CoURLAYS. This clever entertainment was repeated last evening at the Masonic Flail. There was a fair attendance, ami the performances were well rendered. This evening, “ Mrs M‘Gregor’s Levee” is to bo presented, and we shall be surprised if there is not a crowded house.

Princess Theatre.—There was a fair house last evening, when “Black Sheep” was repeated. To-night a groat dramatic treat may he expected. The “Lady of Lyons” is to be presented, in which .Miss Bowring will take the part of ami Mr Steele that of Claude Mvlnuto ; and “ My heart is in the Highlands” will he the afterpiece. Rifle Match. —A match hot ween ten members of the Port Chalmers Nava' Brigade and a similar number of (he Brace JUilh s took p!ae * this morning, each party (Ling at its range. The condition 1 ; we ■ l,ve shot'; at 4(1(1, dUO, a uUi )oya (la, onon.-iitmg shot at cedi range ; 4(H) yards kue !mg, other ranges any podtion. At the i’okomannro raii,"c it was blowing a very severe gale. If it had been otherwise we are incitiled to think the country team won'd have given a mncli hotter account of themselves. The total scores were:—Naval B; igade, dll; Bruce Lilies. 220 ; Hie first mentioned team thus winning by 85 points. The return match w 11 he tired on Saturday week.

Acclimatisation. —Mr Howard, the curator of the Southland Society, after a fatiguing journey, arrived at Kingston at 9 a.in. on Tuesday, with the young trout destined for Queenstown. He left the ponds near Invercargill on the previous morning, and arrived at the lake without the loss of a single fish - the whole hundred being alive and well. Had the steamer been in readiness, they would probably have ail arrived safety. Through some mismanagement, however, the steamer did not arrive until nizht, and the return trip was not made until Wednesday. While waiting at the head of the lake nine of the fish died, and another on the passage across. Ninety hj althy yoireg fish we o placed in the ponds at Queenstown —a very successful experiment, on the result of which the Southland Society is to lac congratulated. Thomson’s Road Steamer.— Somo four hundred people assembled at the reclaimed ground yesterday afternoon to witness the public trial of the road steamer imported by Mr J. L. Gillhs. at half-past live o’clock. The steamer was driven across the reclaimed hind to where a number of the waggons belonging to the Provincial Government arc placed. Seven of tdiese were attached to it, and when well filled with men and hoys, they were drawn by the engine with the greatest case, at a very fair speed, when the state of the waggons is considered, they not having been in use tor years, and the great power of resistance ofF-wed by their wheels. The steamer was driven backward and forward, and appeared to he work d with the greatest ease, its movements

especially when turning which it did almost w-thin its own LngHi, app'a-in. to he watched with much interest and satisfaction. Subsequently a largo American waggon closely packed with people was aitaelu d to it, and with it the steamer proceeded into Stuart street, d hey rounded Moray Place into Great King street, and to the Water of Leith. The speed attained on the level road varying from about four to seven miles an hour. The trial was satisfactory in every way.

Mil Clank’s Motion.—The Council have spent more than a week in expressing their determination not to adopt the suggestions of his Honor in pointing out such works as it is desirable to have executed under the Genera] Government scheme. They have had their sav, given their reasons, proclaimed their prejudices, and forwarded the reply to his Honor, who in a temperate manner expressed his regret at their decision, and gave his reasons. There the matter ought to have culcd. Nobody supposes they would reverse their decision But Mr Clark, whose qualifications for criticism the loaders of the li 'veiling Star cannot doubt, has given notice that to-morrow he will move a replication. Wo hardly think that even Mr Pcid’s tail arc so lost to all sense of decency us to allow such a motion to lie discussed. No other objects can be sought than t • insult his Honor and prolong (he session. If such a course is tolerated, instead .of a pound a day during iho session, wo had better pay a yearly salary to country members, and have the Council sitting permanently. Members might then become readers for the press or any other pleasant literary engagement to spend their time and improve their ABC. Consistency. —When “ Provincialism” and “ Provincial Institutions” meant a dignified conservation of the lights of the Province, the control of the goldfields, and the prosecution of public works out of the revenues of the Province, Mr lloid and Ids tail were in opposition and undoubtedly adverse to them ; now that they mean shutting up the land from purchase and settlement, stagnation of trade, and paralysis of industry, Mr Reid and his tail are in power, and have become their champion; ; their watchword is Provincialism. The conclusion is irresistible. When in opposition, they sought to destroy Provincialism, and now they seek to accomplish the same end by professing attachment to it. Inconsistent in most other matters, they arc con-istcnt in this one settled purpose. Mr Reid showed it by his votes in the House of Jli pros •ntativos; he lias shown it in his opposition to all progressive measurers ; ho lias shown it in his opposition to the Superintcu hut ; he has shown it in his opposition to tb- Industrial s-Ae'iu- of the Hcno'a’ Government. In his jirniii.--ions <n at tael.incut to Pnviue al In■titutions. he reminds one of a butcher erowning au animal with a garland of flowers that he intends to slaughter with Ids own hands.

Accidents.—An accident of a voiy i painful nature occurred to a female passenger by the coacb from Queenstown to Clyde last week. One of the horses became restive, and in kicking struck tire passenger with his hoofs on both her legs, inflicting very severe injuries, which necessitate!! her removal to the Dunstan Hospital, where she now lies.— On the *24 th instant an in lust was held at Clyde on the body of a lunatic named Morgan Thatcher. 'J he verdict was. died from •‘softening of the brain.”—At Tinker’s Gully a miner named Young received severe injuries from a fall of earth while working at his claim.—On Sunday morning, the wife and child of a bullock driver, named Tie, at the Waipori diggings, were fmmd dead in hod. The mother was discovered lying on top of the child, in which position she must hj ive been some time before they were found. It in slated that she was of intemperate habits, and bad been the worse for drink on tho previous Friday, but not on tbc Saturday night.—On (Sunday, a chiid belonging to Mr Itoht. Heidi, while amusing itself about its father’s mill, at Kaikiku, fell amongst the machinery, before assistance could be rendered the jtoor little thing was mangled in a frightful manner. It only lived for a few minutes afterwards.

Gaol Return.—The following i« the shite of FT. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending the 26th November, 1870 : Awaiting trial, 10 men, 1 woman; under remand, 0 men, 0 women ; penal servitude, 01 men, 0 women ; hard labor. CO men, 19 worn; n ; in default of bail. 2 men, 0 women ; debtors, d men ;—total, Hid men, 20 women. Received during the week, 6 men, G women; discharged, 4 men, 1 woman. The Holiday.—The fine weather enabled pleasure-seekers to patronise the many amusements provided for them to day. T(ie Harbor ('onpany’s boats made excursins I’ortobolb, Port Chalmers, and the Maori Nail:, and were extensively patronised, the Colden Age in particular. Those who wont to the Kaik evidently cnj< ynl the sport oli’ercd them. Some of the horse races in which the M aeries took part, wee hotly contested, the stakes being parses collected among the excursionist*. —The races, under the auspices of the Yacht Club, attracted a good deal of interest. The first race was for a prize of 20 sovs., .and another prize of 10 sovs. The first race started from Pclichet Bay Jetty at 9 o’clock. The course was from the starting point round buoy boats in Macandrew’a Bay, and oil - the end of the retaining wall, twice round. The Anonyrna allowed the Dauntless, Gipsy, and Spray seconds, the Royal Alfred 2 minutes 521 seconds, and the Belle and Frolic 4 minutes. The Anonyrna won, after making the Club allowance, by about three and a half minutes —Mr Street’s Gipsy being second. A foul at the beginning of the race militated against Mr Street’s chance of success. The second race had not finished when we went to press. —To-night there will be a holiday programme at the theatre; “Mrs M'Grognr’s Levee” ought to attract visitors to the Masonic Hall ; and, lastly, there will be an assembly at the South Australian Hall.

Mining Intelligence.— Operational are still being pushed ahead most vigoronsly at Iverson’s Hoof, Conroy’s Cully, stone which continues to look firstrate being raised in large quantities Work at Butcher’s Cully is to bo resumed short!}'. The acfrom Blacks arc encouraging. One Part}’ there has boon making LIP. per week Per man tor the last mon’h, and there is no party but is making good wages. There is room at Blacks fur a large increase of the mining population. The quantity of gold obtained from the last crushing at the Cromwell Company's battery was about 250 ozs. Only five stamps are at work, the remainder being under repair. This accounts for the apparent diminution in quantity of the yield from the machine. Mining matters, as a rule, in the Alexandra district are healthy. Tire whole of the. largo sluicing claims arc in full work, but it is feared the supply of water will not last. The new teef in Iverson’s claim, Conroy’s Gully, is expected to run on the whelo six to eight ounces to the ton. Mining operations in the Wakatip district remain as last reported. The miners continue to steadily pursue their avocations, but water for sluicing purposes is scarce in places. New claims are being taken up, and even ground looked upon three years ago as worthless is being applied for. This is duo to the Chinese element. The district is generally healthy, and no time is being lost in making preparations for the Christmas holidays.

Martin's Bay.—A party of six men, among whom were Messrs Martin and Welsh, of Mr Thomson’s survey party, came over the Saddle from Lake M'iverrow on Friday last, having made the journey from Jamestown to Head of Lake in three days. ’The Saddle is free from snow. The track cut by Mr Thomson and party is carried some six miles up the llollyford, and surveying operations are still being carried on. The party describe the settlement as being short of provisions—nothing but tea and Hour remaining either in the hands of the storekeepers or the survey party. Settlers are unable to remain there, b cause they can obtain nothing to eat save fish and game : a matter of some difficulty. The settlers comprise a score of men, and throe families. The heavier portion of the saw-mill still lies on the beach where the Esther Ann wag wrecked, and nought in the wav of enterprise seems starting. Neither the Waipara or any other vessel has called at the Bay for the last three months. The weather has been tolerably fine. A party of men are working up the beach on Big Bay, in order to try the terrace. The}' also are living on flour and what they can obtain. They make 10s per man per day, and sometimes loss. No prospecting has been done to any exlcnt by any of the numerous visitors—the programme being to go straight to Big Bay, and there remain until the return is made. Lake Alabaster has been visited by Mr Thomson, with Martin’s assistance. It is not more than a mile and a-half up Fyke’s Creek, and is a lake of the same character as Lake M ‘Kerrow, precipitous on the western side, and gradually terraced back to the foot of tbe range. The scenery is varied and beautiful in the extreme. The principal portion of available land seems to be at its head, where the main tributary enters, in a valley three-quarters of a mile wide. It presents strong indications of an auriferous character, and as yet has been almost unvisited. —Lake Wakatlp Mail. The Waterworks Company.—The Company appears to have gained nothing bv their appeal to tbe Provincial Council. The petitions of' its directors and shareholders were referred to a select committee, who reported as follows ;—“ Your committee having taken into consideration petitions from Robert Gillies, Esq., chairman to the Dunedin Water Works Company, and from shareholders of the same company, are of opinion (without assenting to all that is advanced in said petitions), that Julius Vogel, Esq., in his official capacity of Provincial Treasurer, consented (although in our opinion he was not bound to do so) that sundry items stated to he law charges chargeable against capital, should be paid out of uncollected rates, with a view to relieve the Water Works Company from the serious financial difficulties they were then placed in. That the succeeding Treasurer, Ceorge M'Lcan, Esq., as will bo seen by his evidence. subsequently settled accounts with the Water Works Company, recognising Mr Voxel's StJtb-me.nt, although not satisfied with it. Your committed are, therefore, of opinion that however incorrect may have been the settlement, still that it was a settlement that should now lie recognised by the present Provincial Government. Your committee are further qf opiniqu that the proposal of the present Provincial Treasurer, os regards the future settlement of accounts, although not coming under the exact terms of the written agreement, is a fair and reasonable one, and would recommend the Waterworks Company to give their consent toj the same. Your committee, in conclu-

sion, would remark that, although a written agreement existed, it does not appear to have been strictly adhered to ; and therefore that now a distinct understanding should be arrived at with a view to avoiding in future disputes between the Government and the Company. ’’ Last night Mr Gillies moved that the Government be requested to give effect to the committee's recommendations, and in doing so explained that the members of the select committee were unanimous in their opinions as to the, dispute, although there was some slight difference of opinion in regard so one or two expressions used in it. The committee considered that, as an agreement had bema entered into between the Company and various Provincial Treasurers, and as the Company had done useful public sendee, it would be an act of grace to give the Company what it wanted. The Provincial Treasurer expressed himself otherwise, and took groat pains to defend his conduct in the matter. The Secretary for Land and Works followed, contending that there had been no no breach of faith on the part of the Government, as contended by the Company, and expressed his determination, should the Council allow’ the law charges, as a country member, to urge the advisability of putting the Ordinance in force and levying a rate upon the City, in order to make up any loss occassioncd to the revenue of the Province on account of the guarantee. The motion was negatived by ID to 7. Mr Reynolds has given notice to the effect that an address be presented to the Superintendent, requesting him to place a sum on the estimates sufficient to settle the disputed item claimed by the Company under the head of law charges ; but there is little chance of its finding favor with the Company. Should the Council refuse to pass such a motion, the Company will have to take the matter into n court of law.

It will bo seen by tho advertisement that % general meeting of tho Dunedin Jockey Chib is appointed to bo held tomorrowevening, at the Empire Hotel. It is expected that important business will be brought under consideration, and amongst other things the inauguration of race meetings on tho new course at Forbury Park. It is hoped that the members of the dub, as well as all persons interested in racing, will attend.