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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2407, 19 December 1870, Page 2

The Californian Mail.—We have just received intimation of the arrival at Nelson of tke branch steamer with the Californian mail.

Political. —Dr Niven is a candidate for the representation of the Duustan in the Provincial Council, and Mr Brcmner is mentioned as a candidate for Hamilton? in the Assembly.

A Correction.—Mr Diack requests us to correct a typographical error in the statistics of his school. He informs us the highest number of pupils was 55, not G5 as printed.

The Colonial Prize Firing.— Timaru only sends one rcjirescntative to the Colonial firing—Lieutenant Beldy, of the Artillery, who made 41 points. Princess Theatre.—The “Tickct-of-leave-man’s Wife” was played on Saturday night to a fair home, and was well received. In order to prepare fully for the pantomime, the management have determined to close the theatre until Boxing night.

Attempted Suicide. —A man named James Goodlaud, evidently insane, on Tuesday last jumped off a dredge into the Molyneux, just below Alexandra. Assistance ?vas promptly rendered, and after some difficulty he was rescued. He has since been forwarded to the Lunatic Asylum.

Amusements.— Our readers will have seen large posters announcing something new. That novelty is a panorama illustrative of Dickens’s life and labors. We mi-' derstand it has been for months in course of preparation by an accomplished scenic artist. Wo shall be able to furnish further particulars in a day or two. Wo learn that the first exhibition will be on Boxing Day.

The Gaols of THE Colony.—ln addressing the Grand Jury at Wellington the other day, His Houor Mr Justice Johnston remarked that he had no hesitation in saying that, of the 2do persons committed to the gaols of the Colony last year, under sentences of imprisonment for indictable offences, the majority would gain their liberty in a worse condition morally, and in a state more dangerous to society than at the time of their committal.

The Interfrovincial Cricket Match. We understand that Messrs (f. K. Turtop, W. D. Murison, and If. I’antlin have been entrusted -with the task of choosing from the various cricket cluhs in the Province sixteen players, who will practice for the approaching interprovincial cricket match, and from whom the cloven to do honor for the Province will be selected. We hope those gentlemen will lose no time, as our neighbors arc already in full practice.

Agricultural Machinery. —About three months ago Mr Harabledon, of Moray Place, who has had extensive experience in the United States and Canada, made the hist reaping machines ever constructed in 5 Dunedin. They arc remarkable for their strength and lightness, and one of them shewn at Tokomairiro last Wednesday, side by side with English and other manufactures, was awarded the first prize. An honorary certificate was also given to Mr Hambledon, through whose enterprise we trust a very important industry has been established. Supreme Court. His Honor Mr Justice Chapman and a special jury have been occupied during the whole of to-day with the trial of the case Ross v. Chaplin, whufii js an action to recover damages sustained by the plaintiff consequent on the loss of his daughter by drowning in the Kakanui, on the loth December, 18(19, through the aliened carelessness of dames Duncan, one of the defendant’s servants. Mr Macassey appeared for the plaint!l, l ', apd Mr Smith, with whom was Air B C. Haggitt, for the defendant. The evidence was substantially the same as that adduced on the occasion of the first trial in June last. The case had not concluded at four o’clock.

ThE Factoral Rolls.— ln consequence ot tlm letter that appeared in our issue of I hid,ay, we have ppuje innuiry as to the mode of making up the EIeGtmuTRML, and the .authorised charges for them. i'Toni the explanations that have Ivmn given us, so far as the Registrar of Dunedin is concerned, ha evidently has taken every cave in his power to secure correctness. Re cannot by

any possibility kuow every one in the Pro vincc, mid is therefore to a great extent clc pendent upon the Registration Officers of the various electoral districts, and upon the electors themselves, who have opportunity of objecting to any name remaining on the roll in the Revision Courts. So far as the charges are concerned for supplying the rolls, they are fixed at tiic following rates Lists not exceeding 250 names, 2s ; above 250, and not exceeding 500 names 3s; exceeding 500, am! not more than 750 names, 4s ; from 750 to 1000 names, 5s ; and above 1000 names, 6s. Our correspondent will be able from this to ascertain whether the charge was correct. Concert at the Drill-Sued. —Tho concert at the Drill-Shed on Friday evening, as is always the case there, was a complete success. It was given for the benefit of the Benevolent Institute, and as the room was crowded, the proceeds will be an acceptable and opportune addition to the funds. Mr T. Birch was in the chair. The entertainment was varied, as it included ballads, comic songs, glees, a recitation, and instrumental music. Miss Edhouse gave her assistance, and sang several airs with groat feeling. This young lady has made great progress i lately. Her songs were rendered with taste and expression ; but we should judge tho rehearsals had been too few for the accomjf.anyisfc to understand the points. In this respect she was at some disadvantage. Mr Lyons sang two or three tenor solos most charmingly. His vo’ce is r;ch and mellow, and has been carefully trained. Four gentlemen gave selections from the Orpheus collection of glees with excellent effect; and two brothers played duets with two concertinas very pleasingly. Wc need not say that the comic songs of Messrs Mitchell, Wcstrop, and Warren were received with shouts of laughter ; and the dancing of Mr Hannigan was the personification of Irish drollery.

Prize Firing,—The competition for the prizes offered by the Provincial Government commenced at the Anderson’s Bay butts this morning. Ranges—4oo, 500, and GOO yards; live shots at each range ; entrance fee, la; one sighting shot at each radge : first range kneeling, other ranges any position. The first squad commenced at five o’clock a.m. The wind blew from the S. W , with squalls of rain. Forty men fired in two squads ; the following boincr the principal scores made : —Gunner G. K. Turton, Artillery, 45 points ; Lieutenant R. Smith, D.N.8., 44; Gunner Batchelor, D.N. 8.,43; Volunteer Begg, D.N.8., 4'2 ; Sorgt. Taylor, No. 2 Scottish, 42. The second squad commenced at 10.15 a.m. The clouds and rain had completely cleared away, and a strong, steady wind blew from the S.W. Twenty-one men competed. The scores made wore Volunteer Fr. derick, Mo. 2 Scottish, 45 points; Volunteer M'Laren, S.D.R., 45; Lieutenant Goldie, P. C. N. 8., 44’; Lieutenant Marshall, 5.D.11. 40 The third squad commenced at 11.15. This squad had the most difficult shooting of all, the wind changing continually from S. E. to the N.E. Twelve nun competed ; but none of the scores made by them came up the Government minimum. When our reporter left the fourth squad was about to fire, and a fifth squad will fire latter in the afternoon.

Supper.—A number of gentlemen connected with the Daily Times and Wilnesn newspapers met on Saturday evening at Wain’s Hotel, Manse street, for the purpose of bidding farewell to Messrs R. P. Whitworth and R. Wilson, jun., who have lately relinquished their connection with the establishment. About forty gentlemen sat down to supper, which was served in Host Wain’s best style, the chair being occupied by Mr C. Muston, sub-editor of the morning paper. After supper, a testimonial, elegantly engrossed on parchment by Mr Weston, was presented to each of the guests o'f the evening. That to Mr Whitworth was as follows: — “ Dally Times office, Dunedin, 17th December, 1870. —Robert P. Whitworth, Esq.— Dear Sir—The time has now come when the connection which lias so long been sustained between ns is to be severed, but we cannot allow you to leave us without expressing our regret that such should be the case. We shall all look with feelings of the greatest pleasure to the time when you were with us, and shall treasure up in our memories the recollections of the many pleasant hours we have spent together. We hope that your efforts in the line of life in which you have embarked may be attended with every success, and from the knowledge we possess of your abilities we feel confident that such will be the case. Wishing you every happiness, wc remain,” &c. [Here follow the signatures.] The testimonial to Mr Wilson was as follows :—“ Daily Times office, Dunedin, Nth December, 1870. Robert Wilson, Esq.— Deaf Sir—Wc, the undersigned, beg to express to you our regret that you arc nowleaving this office, in which we have so long and so harmoniously worked together. Wo hope, however, that, although wc shall miss you from our midst, you may meet with twery success and increased prosperity in your new sphere of life ; and in bidding you farewell svo again assure you that the time when ?vc were fellow-workers together will he looked hack upon by all of us with feelings of the liveliest pleasure. Wishing you all happiness and success, wc remain,” &c. [Here follow the signatures.] The evening was most pleasantly spent in toast-making and singing, the proceedings terminating shortly before midnight.

We notice by advertisement that, in consequence of the accepted tenderers having withdrawn from their contract, the Provincial Government are prepared to receive fresh tenders for the performance of a fortnightly steam service between Dunedin and Riverton, calling at Port Molyncux, Gatlin’s River, &c., until Wednesday, the 21st instant, instead of the 2Gth, as already announced.