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Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2499, 18 February 1871, Page 2

General Assembly.—ln a proclamation, dated February 6th, the Assembly is further prorogued until April Bth. The Premier. —lt may be some satisfaction to opposition papers that the health of the Hon. Mr Fox has been completely x-estored.

Southland. —The dispute between the contractors and the Government about the Oveti Railway is settled, and the line is opened for traffic. The Fire Brigade. —The privileges of volunteers has been extended to the Dunedin Fire Brigade, their services as volunteers having been accepted by the Governor on the 17th ult.

New Hundreds. —The Crookstown and Wairuna Hundreds are proclaimed—two of the ten recommended by the Commissioners. The others are under consideration. This proclamation places 49,000 acres of land in the market.

The Swedish Immigrants.—From our Wellington advices, we learn that a portion of the above, who recently arrived in the Colony, arc to be localised on a piece of land in the Rangitciki, Manawatu district.

Corporation Debentures. We called attention a few days since to the advantageous disposition of a portion of the Corporation Debentures in the Melbourne market. We have just received information that the balance of parcel of City Bonds, placed in the Melbourne market by Messrs Bright Brothers, have been sold at prices ranging from LIOO to LI 12 for each LIOO bond.

Judicial. —The following is from a Wanganui paper:.— “W-: learn on the best authority that some important changes are likely to be made in the judicial bench. Chief Justice Arney will shortly leave for England, where he intends spending the evening of on honored life. Mr Justice Johnston will be elevated to the Chief Justiceship, and Mr Dudley Ward will be made a Justice of the .Supreme Court, and be located in the Wellington district.

Attempted Murder. — A most deliberate case of stabbing occurred in Christchurch on Wednesday last, when a woman named M‘Leod was stabbed several times by her husband. There is not, however, any fear of fatal results, hut the escape was a most narrow one. The unfortunate woman was evidently stabbed in the breast, but the breast bone fortunately diverted the blow, causing the knife to go into the flesh, and come out again a short distance on one side. M'Ceod is in custody. Provincial Council Elections.— The writs for the Provincial Council elections have been issued, and a list of polling places appears in the New Zealand Gazette of the 7th. Mr Burnside is returning officer for Dunedin, North Harbor, Waikari, Kaikorai, Caversham, and Peninsula ; Mr W. Reid, for Port Chalmers and Blueskin ; Mr T' W, Parker, for Oamaru (town and country),. Waitaki, and Moeraki ; Mr J W. Murdoch, for Waikouajti north and Waihemo; Mr J. Fulton, for Taieri; Mr J. Dewc, for Waihola, Milton, and Matau ; Mr W. M. Simpson, for Waitahuna and Tuapeka ; Mr J. P. Maitland, for Clutha; Mrfl. S. Neish, for Mataura ; Mr J. N. Wood, for Mount Benger; Mr J. Pyke, for Duustan and Rawarau; Mr R. Beetham, for the Lakes ; and Mr H. W. Robinson, for Mount Ida.

Election Intelligence, —Mr Macandrew addressed a large meeting at Caversham and was very favorably received. Mr Calder was in the chair. A t the close of the meeting Mr Durden proposed and Mr Harrow seconded, a vote of confidence in Mr Macandrew. Air Rutherford proposed and Mr Roberts seconded, an amendment substituting the name of Mg Reid for that of Mr Macandrew, which waa negatived by a large majority. Three groans were given for Mr Reid. We have received a letter from Waikonaiti, contradicting the report thatappeared in the Daily Times of this meeting, and expressing a belief that a majority will vote in favor of Macandrew. We havd also a letter from Green Island stating that at Mr Macandrew’s meeting, about 400 were present. He carried the meeting with him He was questioned by Mr George Lloyd, who, however, was not listened to, Mr Macandrew’s answers to other questions were satisfactory to the meeting, and a vote in bis favor was almost unanimously carried. To Correspondents. — W e have received a mass of correspondence, graphic and, witty, respecting the coming election, which we would use if we could, but should not have time to put it in type if we would. On Aloud ay, unfortunately they will be useless. First—“ Common Sense” comments upon His Worship the Alayor in a very uncomplimentary manner. We have no doubt the Mayor will be much obliged by our consigning his letter to the waste paper basket. Next? “ Reflection ’’ puts him in the gutter in a few readable rhymes. As be has no wish,to go .there lie inust congratulate himself on Ins escape. If “Old Boy” had not signed his name in speaking of his Worship, we should have thought him an old woman. Nevertheless he does not spare him, so he is let off easily. Then in the coming contest for the Superintendency, we have “The ceming fight betweed the ‘Portohello infant’ and the ‘Taieri pet,’” in which the good condition of the one and pluck of the other are duly described. Betting—3 to 1 on the “Portohello infant.” First blow, 5 to 1; first and final knock down Mow, 10 to 1. “Truth” gives a boM description of Mr Reid’s reception at Aloroington, and forebodes, from the fading lights that shed their Jujid glare upon himself arid friends, that his

prospects are as gloomy as the shadows were deep. We are sorry to dispose of the talented efforts of our friends in this summary way. They deserve better fate. With regard to Mr De Carle’s explanation as to the Clutha Railway, it shall appear on Monday.

Gaol Return. —The following is the s‘ate of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending the 18th February, 1871 : Awaiting trial, 2 men,* 0 women ; under remand 1 man, 0 women ; penal servitude, 92 men, 9 women ; hard labor, 59 men, 28 women ; in default of bail, 1 man, 0 women ; debtors, 2 men -—total, 156 men, 28 women; Received daring the week, 4 men, 6 women, discharged, 7 men, 3 women. 1 0ne of these at hard labor, under sentence received since his commitment for trial.

Social Gathering. The social gathering given in the University Hall last evening, in connection with the Geneial Synod °of the Church of England, was a complete success. Besides the five bishops, many of the clerical and lay members of the Synod, and clergymen of othvr denominations, nearly 600 persons, of whom a large number were ladies, sat down to the excellent tea provided by Mr Hudson, Fleet street, who not only literally loaded the tables with great variety of provision of excellent quality, but, we are informed, liberally contributed his quoin to the funds of the Institution by largely sacrificing the profit to which be was fairly entitled and which his efforts deserved. The five large tables were arranged beneath the arcoes, thus leaving the body of the hall free for promenading. The first table was preside! over by Mesdames Chapam, Cook, T. Cargill, Lady Martin, and Mrs J. Smith; the second by Mesdames Baldwin, Butterworth, Driver, Edwards, and Wight; the third by Mesdames Nichols, Rat "ray, and lurton; the fourth by Mesdames fish and Stevens assisted by Miss Fish ; end the cross-table by Mesdames Catoraorc, Howoith, an I Webb. In addition to these were a large number of young ladies who assisted at each table. The Hall was most tastefully_ decorated with flags and banners, chiefly under the superintendence of Mrs J. Smith, whose exertions were untiring. After tea the Rev. Mr Edwards introduced the Primate, and presented him with an address, congratulating his Lordship on the satisfactory manner in which the proceedings of the Synod had been conducted ; and in reply his Lordship returned thanks on behalf of himself. the other bishops, and the members of the’Synod, for the kind reception they had experienced in Dunedin. During the evening addresses were delivered by the Bishops ( f Nelson, Waipan, and Auckland, and by the Rev. D. M. Stuart. The_ Battalion Band played some excellent music at intervals during the evening. The proceeds of the gathering are to be devoted in aid of the Benevolent Institution.

Mr Macandbew will address the electors from the steps of the Provincial Buildings this evening, at 7 o’clock. A lecture in aid of the funds of St. Paul’s Church will be given in the Masonic Hal l , on Monday evening, by the Bishop of Auckland, on “ Wanderings in India.”

We have been desired to call attention to an advertisement in another column in which it is stated that owing to the confirmation in St Paul’s Church there will be no Sunday school to-morrow afternoon.

usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Mutual Divestment Society for receiving subscriptions, &c., will be held on Monday evening, Feb. 20, from 6 to 8 o’clock.

The Rev, John Williams will preach in Hanover street Baptist Chapel tp-morrow morning and evening at the usual hour. A reference to the advertisement cp uinus -will shew the subjects to be preached upon.