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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2398, 8 December 1870, Page 2

Masonic Hall. The Gourlays make tlioir last appearance this evening, prior to a tour through the comitry. The programme is an attractive one, and the performances arc under tiro patronage of the Colonial Treasurer, the .‘Superintendent, &c. Sudden Death. — Last evening the police received intimation that a man named dames Holt, aged 00 years, lately employed as a cook at the fellmongcry at the Kaikorai, was found dead in his bed. Ho was much addicted to drink of late, was married, but had no children. Princess Theatre. — Last evening “ Foul Flay ” was repeated to a moderate house. Mrs Steele was very successful in her assumption of the character of the heroine, and was ably supported by Messrs Steele, Lawrence, and other members of the company. To-night, Tom Taylor’s “Hidden Hand ” will lie produced. The Koad Engine.— Another very successful trial of the road engine took place yesterday afternoon, and was watched with interest by a large'number of persons. The engine was taken upon High street, as far as Alma street, with the greatest ease, and at a very fair rate of speed. The easy maimer in which it travelled over comparatively unmade roadway was the subject of general comment. The Bombardment of Paris.— The terrible conflagration in Paris occurred before the commencement of the bombardment and not after it, as stated in a telegram iu the Daily Times. It was caused by the ig-

nition by some enemy of a depot of 10,000 casks of petroleum stored near the powder magazine, at the Buttes de Chamont ; 6,000 casks were destroyed. Post Office Savings Banks.— During the quarter ending September 30, the sum of L0G,715 los 8d was deposited in the various Post Office Savings Banks of flic Colony by 5455 depositors. The sum withdrawn during the same quarter was L 51,"54 0s 9d. There remained therefore on deposit the sum of L 15,461 14s I Id. The total balance to the credit of depositors on September 30 was L 274.911 10s lid. Judging by a comparative statement, the Post (ffllcc Savings Banks are steadily increasing in popular favor.

Presentation.—To-day, a pleasing little re-union took place in the stores ot Mtsars M ‘Landress, Hepburn and Go., when Mr G. F. Reid, on the part of a number of gentlemen frequenting the Sale Rooms, in most appropriate terms presented Mr Robert Rutherford, the respected cashier of that firm with a handsome silver snuff box, as a partial return for the numerous pinches which they have received during the last six years out of his old mi'll. The snuff box bore the inscription—“ To a regular snullcr, R. Rutherford, by the surrounding irregulars.” Revenue Gold Returns. The amount of gold exported from the Colony for the September quarter was 124,047 ounces, being a decrease of 16,729 ounces compared with the corresponding quarter of iB6O. Auckland shows a decrease of 4637 ounces ; Nelson, 3905 ounces ; AVest’and, 6367 ounces; Otago, 1578 ounces; and Southland an increase of nearly 300 ounces. It should be explained that the difference in quantity from Auckland, as compared with last year’s return, is accounted for by some of the banks allowing their gold to accumulate awaiting the passing of the new Gold Duty Act. The Customs revenue collected in the Colony for the same quarter was L 190.499, being a decrease of L 14,601. Auckland shows a large decrease, Wellington and Canterbury an increase, and Otago a decrease of L4OOO.

Accident. — We are indebted to our correspondent for the following particulars regarding an accident which occurred at Shag Valley on the 26th ult ; —“On Saturday last an accident of a serious nature, though fortunately not fatal in its consequences, occurred to two boys, the sons of Mr Runciman, of Shag Valley. The father and mother of the boys had been to the bush for a load of firewood, and a heavy log of timber was dragging behind the dray, on which the two boys were seated. When close to Mr Runciman’s house the log turned over, and the unfortunate boys were thrown underneath it and dragged a short distance. The head of one aud the ankle of the other were underneath the log, causing a severe laceration of the cheek to the former, and considerably bruising the ankle of the latter. There were carried home by the parents and Dr Drury was sent for, who was soon in attendance. The two hoys are both doing as well as can he expected.”— Waikoua'di Herald.

The Close ok the Session.— Mr Calder spoke a few truths yesterday when characterising the conduct of the Government in regard to Southland as disgraceful, and the action of the Council itself as a severe satire on Provincial institutions. If anything were needed to support the latter proposition, it was yesterday’s proc:edings. A motion by Mr M ‘lndoe, proposed more in the light of a joke than in earnest, L d to a “free light,” in which the Secretary for Land and Works bore a conspicuous pait. There is not a greater objector to personalities than he, yet he managed to indulge in them pretty freely. But in one of the victims of his fierce onslaught he found “ a Roland for his Oliver.” Mr Calder during the short period he has bad a seat in the Otago Council has not spoken much ; but when he docs speak, he speaks to the purpose and well. He carried the House with him yesterday afternoon in his brief denunciations of the actions of the Government. It may be here said that, on the whole, the Southland members have loft an agreeable impression of their abilities—notably Messrs Wood, M'Gillivray, and Calder. 'd them and the other members it may he fairly said in the words of a contemporary : —“ They are men of moderately good attainments, and the district may ‘ lay the flattering unction to its soul ” that it is fairly represented. They have neither the exquisite pretensions of Oamaru, the pig-headed propensities of Tokomairiro, nor the shallowpat edness that comes clown from the goldfields.” The “ fun,” if such it might be called, was cut short by the entrance at a little after one o’clock of his Honor the Superintendent. The prorogation speech was attentively listened to; and it Avas curious to Avatch the countenances of some of the “tail” Avhcn his Honor enunciated his vieAVS on the administration of government. The announcement of his Honor’s intended recommendation of a speedy dissolution Avas received Avith loud applause, Avhich had hardly subsided Avhen the session of 1870, and tho last session of the present Provincial Council, Avcre at an end.

Port Chalmers Town Council.— A regular meeting of the Town Council was held last night. Present—The Mayor (Mr H. M'Dermid), Councillors Hose, M'Kinnon, lames, Miller, Law, M'Oallum, T!ie minutes of tlio last special and a regular meeting were read and confirmed, and the correspondence read. With reference to a letter from Mr George Wilson, asking permission to cross the footpath in front of his s-ahles, it was agreed that he must make a

proper crossing, and that the clerk inform him and all other persons by whom crossings are required for horses. Ac., that they must he made to the .satisfaction of the Public Works Committee. The request of the Daughters of Temperance for permission to use the Town Hall on Friday night was granted. A letter from Mr Thomas Parkinson, asking permission to sub-lease part of section 378 to Mr M‘Donald; permission granted. Mr D. Miller asked permission to take some stone, for the purpose of a drain, from Constitution street. Mr limes objected, as it might form a precedent, and Mr Law also objected to any person interfering with the contractors in any shape, as they (the contractors) had no power to give or sell any stone or earth to Mr Miller or any person. The application was refused. M r Miller said he was quite content to take the stone from the top of the hill, away from the works. This application was granted. Mr Law moved, and Mr Rose seconded, that the rural and town sections he at once advertised for sale. Mr Millar Mashed the proprietor of the h'renin;/ Star to he communicated with, and a yearly contract to be eu-

tered into by the Council for advertisements - not to exceed L3O per annum. It was agreed for the present to have bills printed. Mr lanes moved, and Mr Law seconded, that Mr John Robinson's tender be accepted for the section on Flagstaff' Mill, but,Mr Miller painted out that for the present the Council had no power to let the section. '1 he matter was left over until next meeting to inquire in 1 o it. Mr Miller gave notice to in >ve that all horse and cart work be Urnderedfor in future. The Mayor then made a statement as to what lie had done in the Provincial Council as requested by the Town Council. He said he bad laid the bye-laws before the Council in proper form, and asked that an address be presented to bis Honor the .Superintendent asking for a sum of money to be placed on the estimates, to make up a difference in the subsidy, hut was opposed by the member for Port Chalmers—and the money was lost through the action of that gentleman, as he would not admit that there was any money due to the Council. But ho (the Mayor) had gone very carefully through the books of the Council since that time, and found his (the Mayor’s) statements to bo perfectly correct. He could not see Mr Taylor's object in acting as ho had done. It was for him (Mr Tayler) to explain. Mr Law thought that something should be done, and Mr Miller moved that the Mayor and Town Clerk have power to vindicate the action oi the Council through the public press. The proposition was seconded by Mr Law, and carried. The Council then adjourned until Monday, 19th December.

The regular monthly meeting of the Otago Kilwinning Lodge, No. 417, S.C., will be held tins evening, at 8 o’clock.