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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2476, 23 January 1871, Page 2

Princess Theatre.—“ After Park ” does not appear to lose any of its popularity. On Saturday evening it was presented'to a very good house, the lower portions being well tilled. This evening it will be repeated, together with a favorite farce. The Clyde Gold Robbery Reward. —Mr A. C. Strode, R.M., has been commissioned to settle claims for the LISOO reward offered for the apprehension of the perpetrators of the Clyde gold robbery. Air Strode is expected to arrive in Queenstown on the sth proximo. The Prybread Mystery.—lt is rumored that Mrs Boulton, the heroine of the Drybread ho ly snatching case, who was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, was’ after three weeks’ incarceration, liberated on the petition of some Dunstan residents.

Communication with England.— The Sydney Government have received proposals for a steamer to rim from Java to Norman town, where telegraphic communication now extends to, and thus bridge the gap in the telegraph line from Australia to England. This would supply English news of 12 days o'd. The importance of such communication, in the present citical state of affairs in Europe, cannot be over-estim ited. The High S tiool.— Mr Gow, the newly appointed writing master at the High School, arrived by the Gothenburg. We have before noticed the almost wonderful command he has over the pen, many of the specimens of his writing being hardly distinguishable from the most ea efully executed copper plate impressions. We hope now that the High School pupils will become remarkable not only for scholastic but ealigraphic attainments. The SUberintendencv.—On Saturday afternoon Mr Maeandrew addrsssed about I2(l of the electors at the Water of Leith Drill Shed, Mr Beeves presiding. Mr Stout made himself conspicuous by tiring the patience of the audience, who ultimately refused to hear him. Tu the evening, Mr Maeandrew addre>sed 550 of the electors at Port Chalmers, the Mayor presiding. Votes of confi lence in the candidate were carried by large majorities at both places. Masonic Hall.—At this place of amusement on Saturday evening Mr Sykes repeated the programme of the previous evening, but wo regret to say to an audience by no means commensurate with -the merits of the entertainment. All the conjuring tiioks wen- done in a clever manner, and Mr Sykes’s pianoforte playing was greatly admired. He announces that be will make bis last appearance to-night, and we should advise those who desire to see a really good evening’s entertainment to patronise him. Testimonial. —On Saturday afternoon a well-earned testimonial was presented to Mr Alexander Frazer, who has been many years cmii-tectcd with the JJuiti/ I < ,/, gv air I 'Witness Company,'and who lias lately left that yippjpy. The testimonial, which was

beautifully prepared by Mr Mollison, was presented by Mr D. Campbell, manager of the Company. It is signed by all the employees, and expresses regret Mr Frazer’s severance from the office, and kindly wishes for bis future prosperity. In those wishes all who knew Mr Frazer will cordially join.

Sc noo lm aster’s Associat iox. —The Otago Schoolmaster’s Association met on the 21st inst. in the Education (diicc. The secretary reported that the annual dinner had taken place on the previous evening in Mr Murray’s, Kattray street, and had c ane off with great success. The rules of the Association and library were brought up, passed, and three hundred copies thereof directed to be printed. The seer--tary was directed to prepare a catalogue of the books in the librar , to be laid b for' 1 next meeting. It was propose') by Mr Park that a committee, consisting of Messrs Gardner, Stewart, Milne, Stables, and the mover, be appointed to compile a handbook of English composition, for the use of the schools of the Colony, and submit it to the Association for publication ; which was carried unanimously. The next paper will be read by Mr Park, South District School, on “Discipline.”

Political. —Speaking of the state of political feeling in the Dunstan district, the Times says:—“A little more activity in political matters is perceptible this week. For the Provincial Council we are likely to have a pretty fair field of candidates to choose from. Dr Niven has opened the campaign, and Mr Worth has almost declared himself Mr Mervyn and Mr J. C. • rown, though still in the background, are expected to enter the lists. Air John Hughes is expected to arrive in Clyde next week, but wh--tliei’ he will oppose Mr Carnaby for the Cromwell constituency or contest the Clyde district we are at present unable to say. For the General Assembly Mr Fraser, late M.P.C., has, at the request of a number of electors, come forward ; and a report that Mr A. Brough, solicitor, of this town, is going to. stand is in' circulation, Mr John Hughes is also spoken < f.—Thee ntest for the Superintendoucy, although the election is so close at hand, excites very little attention in any part of this district. The principle reason of this is the cavalier treatment the electors have received from both the candi-dates--neither of whom have issued an address, or in anyway brought their clauns for the support of the’district publicly forward, Mr lieid. being comparatively unknown in the district, has not a great many avowed supporters; but although Mr Macandrew is the favorite, his ..marked reticence relative to bis past actionsi’and future policy will not induce bis friends to exert themselves greatly on his behalf.”

Colonial Defence. —Every Government in the Australasian colonies, save that of New Zealand, is bestirring itself in the above matter. The Government of New South Wales are taking very energetic measures in regard to the defences of Sydney and its harbor. In addition to the permanent foice now being raised, a large number of men have now r been engaged and set to work constructing batteries at the Middle, George’s, and South Ho ids. At the latter place an Armstrong battery of guns of the heaviest calibre is to be erected. At the Middle Head will be placed a boom, which it is thought will obstruct any vessel attempting to pass through. A thousand torpedoes are to be sunk, each containing 1,000 lbs. of powder The South Australian Government have taken steps towards raising 1 000 Militia; and in additmn to the preparations already made by Victoria, Here is a proposition that the Government of that Colony should immediately call out 10,000 men as Militia, to bo armed with the breachloading rifles possessed by the Volunteers, giving to the latter body 4,000 Martini Henry riles. When will the authorities of New Zealand be up ami doing '!

Port Chalmers. —The annual parish meeting of the members of the Church of England was held in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday evening, the 11th inst. The Ilev. T. L. Stanley in the chair, It was notified to the meeting that only one nomination paper had been received, nominating Mr W. G. Downes as a representative in the Diocesan Synod, and that he was therefore duly elected. The yearly report of the Church officers and committee was then read and adopted. Messrs D. Rolfe and 0, Hudson were elected Church officers, and Messrs Mansford, Crickmore, Connor, Dench, Fail, Neave, Nichols, Peacocke, and Stumbles were elected as committee men. A discussion took place respecting the qualification of those who are entitled to take part in any questions which affect the order and government of the Church, when it was resolved that a memorial should be presented to the General Svnocl, and that the lay representatives of Dunedin bo requested to support its prayer. The plan of the proposed Church by Mr Lawson was laid on the table and approved of. Votes of thanks to the retiring committee, the organist, the choir, and the '-‘iinday school teachers, was ordered to bo recorded on the minutes. A similar vote to the ch,irman brought the meeting to a close.

A meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club will take place this evening at half-past eight.