Untitled

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2456, 30 December 1870, Page 2

Dickens’s Panorama.—There was a fair attendance last evening, when the panorama was again well received. There will bo an afternoon exhibition, for the convenience of. schools and families, on Saturday. The Princess Theatre. The Pantomime went off exceedingly well last evening, and was well attended, its interest does not decrease, and in fact the more it is seen the better it is liked. The pieces will be repeated this evening. Progress.—Yesterday evening the first coach of the new line between Oamaru and Dunedin arrived in town. It is entirely new, and does much credit to tbe builder, Mr Ogilvie, being fully equal in every respect to the best built American coaches. The horses and harness also looked well; in fact the whole turn out was as well .appointed as anything seen on the road for some time. We believe the booking-office is at the Empire Hotel. 1 The Crops.—We (Tuapeka Times ) regret to state that the corn crops in the Tuapeka district are suffering severely from blight. Large patches of oats in some fields are completely withered away. The blight is not confined to Hat land, but is covering the hill sides as well. Thousands of small green insects can be seen feeding upon the corn blade, and changing its color to a purple red. Our Tuapeka farmers begin to feel very uneasy, and are at their wits’ end, not knowing any remedy to apply. The Colonies and America.—As an evidence of the importance in which steam communication with Australia is held by tbe leading commercial men of America we may mention that among the passengers by the City of Melbourne to Auckland was the agent of the Central Pacific Kail road Company, who is making a tour through the Colonies for the purpose of disseminating information for the benefit of intending travellers across the American continent. The Proposed Loans.—The Colonist has the following :—“Wo loam that the comprehensive plans of the General Government have been received with favor in London ; and that Dr Featherston has written, saying that the Colony can get all the money that is required without'difficulty. We believe, too, that Sir Charles Fox, the eminent railway contractor, has written to the Colonial Government, offering to construct all the railways that arc required, on a guarantee of six per cent.” PioNic. —The pupils of the Port Chalmers Grammar School were treated to a pic-nie yesterday. Nearly 200 mustered at noon, and in charge of 51 r Mackay, Rector, and Mr M‘Farlane, marched to Mr Perry’s grounds. The fineness of the weather, and the ample provision that was made for their comfort and amusement could have but one result—viz., that a happy day was spent. The games were of the usual character, and were entered into with great spirit. This treat was given to the pupils instead of the usual reward of merit—viz., prizes. The Clutha Railway. —The General Government appear to be thoroughly in earnest in promising to go on with the construction of this important work. To-day their engineer calls for tenders, which will be received up to February IS, for the construction of section 1, from .Dunedin to Caversham. As this is the only portion for which working drawings are ready, a greater length could not immediately be proceeded with ; but instructions have been given for immediate preparations of drawings for further portions. We believe this immediate action lias been taken in consequence of the numerously-signed petition presented for the immediate prosecution of the work.

New Invention. —The Nelson Examiner states :—At the rear of Mr M'Artney’s premises in Bridge street may be .seen the model of a boat dcs’gncd by Mr Atkcrston, which if successful when tried Avill cause a great change in the future construction of steamers. Thu model, which is nearly s(Jft long and will seat comfortably 32 people,’has a double keel, between which and over two drams passes an endless hand with floats after the manner of a Californian pump. The floats working between the two keels will it is believed have a power of propulsion greater than ordinary paddles or the screw. The boat is built of corrugated iron, securely framed and planked inside, and is, calculated to sail’well if line lines will give her speed. When tried she will be worked with a double wench, but she might easily be fitted witli a small steam engine, and she would make an excellent boat for excursions of jdeasure in our bay. She is lugger rigged and quite ready for launching. The experiment will really be an interesting one, and wc hope a trial of the boat will soon be made. We have been asked to draw attention to Mr Dc Carle’s sales of freehold property and unredeemed pledges to-morrow. Wc are told that the land must be realised upon, a fact that seems to point to profitable investments. Tub annual Ball of the Dunedin Artillery will be held in the new Post OlHce Hall this evening. Every effort has been made to make it a brilliant success, and judging by the preparations for it there can be no doubt that the result avill be as wished for.