Untitled

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2556, 27 April 1871, Page 2

Telegraphic. —Communication with Eiverton was opened this morning. Chinese Immigration. —The barque North Star arrived to-day from Poo-chow with 240 Chinese, who are to be sent immediately to the Tuapeka district. Another shipment may be expected shortly.

The Graving Dock.—The engines of the new Graving Dock were again started yesterday, and though quite now, so well did they do their work, that in about four hours the immense quantity of water which had filled the Dock was ejected to within a few inches of the bottom. It was then discovered that an upheaval or rising of the bottom for a few inches had occurred (principally on the left side looking from the gates), commenc ng from within a few feet of the invert, and extending for about sixty feet. Those who have had an opportunity of inspecting the dock, may have observed that the central blocks of stone on which the wooden keel blocks are placed, are laid across the base line ; those on the side or wings being laid parallel with the sides of the dock, 'll he displacement, though not of a serious character has principaly taken place where those lines of masonry join, forming a crevice through which some water is coming, but which’may be stopped by being tilled with cement or concrete. As to the cause of this accident it would be premature to pass an opinion before an official survey has been held, though the generally-expressed opinion is that it may have been caused by the shock of earthquake that occurred a few days back. This opinion is strengthened, as up to that time no appearance of the present displacement could be observed ; and further, that the masonry has for its foundation a solid rock which, in forming the dock, had to be blasted before the concrete could be laid.

Princess Theatre. was repeated last night with an alteration in the cast that was certainly for the better. The chief difference consisted in substituting Mr, Corbet Gourlay for Mr. Oripps in the part of Dougal; besides this, the characters of Hamish and Robert were played respectively by Master Johnny and Miss Minnie Gourlay, for whom a dance was introduced in the third act, which so well pleased the audience that au encore was demanded and acceded to. This evening the performance will commence with “ Mrs. M‘Gregor’s Levee,” to be followed by the “Harvest Storm.”

Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society. —A meeting of this society, to which the public were invited, was held last evening in the hall below the Athememi, Mr, Beveridge, the President, occupying the chair. The subject discussed was Free Trade v. Protection. The debate was opened by Mr. Stout, who affirmcl ‘‘That free trade is just and equitable, and best adapted to advance the prosperity of the Colonies,” and maintained his proposition in an able speech which lasted upwards of an hour. Mr. Fuller followed, championing the cause of protection. As the two speeches occupied together two hours, the adjournment of the debate to Tuesday next was proposed by Mr. Jago and seconded by Mr. Asher. The interest taken in the subjeit was evidenced by the large number of persons assembled —the hall being well filled. A number of new mnmbers was enrobed. A Moot Point in Acclimatisation. - The Melbourne Leader, writing of the operations of the Victorian Acclimatisation Society, says: —“Never was a society so unfortunate as this Acclimatisation Society, and never were the labours of a society so universally and so deservedly condemned. In the Essendon and Moonce district the litres are a nuisance, and are shot as such in defiance o£ the law. In the Yeringand Upper Yarra districts the deer are committing terrible ravages in the gardens and cornfields, and as a matter of course they are shot by the settlers. The sparrows and mynahs, are however, so great a curse in the Melbourne district that gardeners are at their wips end what to .do with them. We have heard of .one gentleman —a prominent horticulturist, and who, in years gone by, was usually an exhibitor .of choice fruits, who, in despair at the havoc .caused by .these birds, has resolved to cut his iru.it trees down. Xtis positively not worth the expense and trouble necessary to maintain .fruit trees in health, if the crop is lost year after year through this peat. But, perhaps, a greater evil still is the tacit rebellion to the law; and the growth the poaching spirit, as evidenced "by the destruction waged against the hares, the .deer, and other animals which have .cost the country, through .the Society named, a very large amount of money to introduce.” A Meeting of the Germans in Dunedin will take plage at (the European Hotel this (Thursday) evening, at 8 o’clock, on business of importance. A notice by the Sheriff appears in our advertising columns, to which' the atteuiion of Special Jurors is directed. In consequence of the s. s. “ Storm Bird ’’ being detained at Invercargill, we are requested to state the steamer Taiora will be despatched in her place, leaving the wharf to morrow morning.