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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2521, 16 March 1871, Page 2

Public Ball.—At a meeting convened by the Mayor to-day, it was resolved to give a public ball to the Governor on Tuesday evening. Erratum. —We are requested to correct an error in the prize list of the Royal Horticultural Society. In the list of gardeners’out flowers, for 12 dahlias: 1. William Arrol; 2. John Mackenzie, read: 1. John Mackenzie ; 2. William Arrol. Princess Theatre.—An attractive bill of fare is provided for this evening’s entertainment, viz., “A Harvest Storm” and “The Serious Family.” The performance is under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor, and should the weather clear up we expect to see a full house.

A Disgraceful Scene, — Under this heading the local pap r chronicles the fact that two women at We-.tpcrt, a little more than a week ago, agreed to settle their differences by a stand-up fight on the beach. The disgraceful combat lasted halt’-an-hour, and was only terminated by the complete exhaustion of one of the women. It is said that a crowd of men witaessel the fight. Shame!

Water Power. —At the last meeting of the Otago Institute, a paper was read by 3 Mr J. T. Thomson, explanatory of his model of, a new application of waterpower, by which' the current of streams can be made to do the work of lifting water to a considerable height by means of a fan screw. The West Coast Times claims the priority of invention for two Hokitika residents, Mr P. Smethhurst, and Mr J. P. Klein Mr Smothnrst, it is stated, did go so far as to apply for a patent some seven or eight years ago, hut he did not follow the matter up.

Water Supply to Goldfields. Mr Hanghton took a good deal of evidence at Tuapeka relative to the water supply. Various parties were examined, and although many of the opinions vary as to the modus operandi, yet there is a singular unanimity as to the desirability of getting a greater supply at cheaper rates than at present. It is the opinion of many intelligent and practical m ; ners that if water were lo lie had at about L 3 per head of 100 inches per week, there is plenty of payable ground in the district to give employment and good wages to double the present population. From Lawrence to Tuapeka Mouth, both sides of the Tuapeka river for sixteen miles are highly auriferous, and want only water to unearth the treasure.

Art.—His Excellency .the Governor at eleven o’clock to-day inspected some gems of sculpture cut by Mr Godfrey, of this I own, in wood and Kakanui stone. No description can do justice to the delicacy and finish of the workmanship. The first specimen is a bracket in native wood, after the stylo of Gnnrlly Gibbons, in which the hop, the sunflower, the rose, the tulip mingle with peas and grapes. Next is a clock case in Rakan.ud stone. A beautiful has relief of the mrtko , : aud robin, into which are introduced specimens of the fauna of New Zealand, cut in Kakaoui stone from Mr Hunter’s quarries, was presented to his Excellency by that gentleman,; hut perhaps the gem of* the exhibition is ■“ The Wild-pigeon and the Mouse," representing the dead pigeon of New Zealand pendant by the legs, and amid a profusion of foliage the mouse and a fly, delicately worked and truthfully formed. Although N r Godfrey is scarcely known in Dunedin, he has taken prizes on three occasions in London and Melbourne. In spite of the rain, a goodly number of visitors examined these lovely sculptures, and at the solicitation of some who wished a more public recognition of their merits, they will remain on exhibit at tljp Council Chamber a day or two longer.

Education Board.—A meeting of the Board was held to-day in the Superintendent’s office. There were present—the Superintendent, Messrs Reid and Duncan. Deputations from East Taieri, Tomahawk, and Shag Valley were in attendance. In reference to the application of the inhabitants at East Taieri, the West Taieri school cpmmittee, in answer to the request of the Board, replied that the effect of granting the application would bo to reduce considerably the number of pupils attending, and otherwise injuriously affect the West Taieri School ; but that the establishment of a side school at Mosgiel would be of benefit, and if thought advisable the Board should take into consideration the interests of the Greytown district. The North Taieri committee reported that ic could not recommend the establishment of a side school at . osgiel, which was within easy reach of two schools in the dstrict. It was stated close upon sixty children residing in the immediate neighborhood would attend the school if it were erected ; and the Secretary reported in favor of the application, which after some discussion was granted, the usual allowance being given, together with a rent allowance of LIS. The subsidy in aid of the Tomahawk School was ordered to be continued for three mouths, to allow the Secretary to report as to the necessities of the district. The Shag Valley deputation brought under the notice of the Board the necessity for a grant in aid of the erection of a new school building. The present school was described as a mud hut, which was inconveniently situated, being almost unapproachable —subject to floods, and most uncomfortable, A more convenient site, of an acre section, had been offered by a resident in the district. The matter was referred to the Executive, The Board adjourned till Saturday.

It is notified by advertisement that the Harbor Company’s steamer Golden Ago will make a special trip to Port Chalmers, m honor of his Excellency’s visit, to-morrow (Friday) morning, at 11 o’clock, returning at 4 p.m. The sailing of the Beautiful Star is postponed until Saturday afternoon, at 4 p.m. Mr Hepburn and Mr Driver will address the electors of the Waikari district in the Schoolhouse, Waikari, this evening—the former at 7.30, and the latter a': 8.30.

All claims against the Royal Horticultural Society of Otago are requested to be sent to the Secretary on or before Friday, the 17th instant. Prize takers will receive their prizes the same evening, between seven and eight o’clock.