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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2566, 9 May 1871, Page 2

The Nevada.—This fine vessel, after a splendid run of hardly fifteen hours, arrived at Lyttelton this morning, where she excited as much interest as at any of the ports she has visited. She sailed again a little before four this afternoon and may be expected at Port Chalmers to-morrow morning early. The c vptain and officers of the vessel are to be entertained at Dodson’s Provincial Hotel, ou Thurtday evening by the inhabitants of the Port. We should like to see something done by the people of Dunedin.

Princess Theatre. A nautical drama, entitled “The Lost Ship,” will be played this evtning for the first time in Dunedin. The performance will conclude with “The Widow’s Victim.”

Masonic Hall.—We notice that a panorama of the mail route, via San Francisco, will he exhibited at this halite-morrow (Wednesday) evening. From the high opinions expressed by the Northern press we anticipate not only an amusing but an instructive entertainment. The great interest now felt in this new postal route will, no doubt, result in considerable public support being awarded this pictorial entertainment. Fatal Accident. —The police received information last evening that a fatal accident occurred on the South Koad, near the Meat Preserving Works at Green Island, and on mounted-constable Bevan proceeding out there, he learned that a teamster named Peter Cameron, while driving a three-horse dray laden with oats into town, had been killed through tbo dray falling on him. The road near the works has been newly and heavily metalled, and to avoid this teams are u ually taken off the road, and driven along the sides. It is supposed that Cameron took his dray too much off the road, so that the off-wheel slipping down the bank, the dray fell through a fence into the gully below. Cue of the hands at the works observed the accident, saw the dray roll over, taking Cameron, who had been seated on top of the oats, along with it. Assistance was promptly obtained, bnt when the dray was lifted, he was found doubled in two with his head between his legs, and quite dead. On the deceased were found deposit receipts for L 357, and 1.8 17s 9d in money. Ho was unmarried, and has a brother residing at Otakia.

Volunteers. — The second competition for the North Dunedin Rifle Co.’s belt and money prizes took place yesterday at Pc’ichet Bay range. The c mditioua were, 200, 500, and 600 yards, 5 shots at each range, Hythe position, at 200 yards, any, at 500 and COO yards. Subjoined are the scores for the two competitions : Ist com. 2nd. Total. Corporal Hutchinson ... 30 45 Vol, J. Hutchinson ... 42 38 Sergeant Nightingale ... 38 38 ~ Pollock ... 30 45 Vol. Black 40 81 Major Atkinson, on behalf of the same company, at their last monthly inspection parade, presented Volunteer Cherric with a handsome gold Albert chain, locket, and greenstone pendant, subscribed for by the members cf the company, in appreciation i f his valuable and indefatigable services as Secretary of the company. Wc also understand the same company are about to make further additions to their drill shed, in building an armoury, committee rooms, &c. ; they also intend to have the gas laid on, which will be a great improvement on the present system of lighting. The total cost of improvements will amount to about seventy pounds, Ropata’s Last Expedition. According to the Lyttelton Timed Auckland correspondence, Ropata’s last expedition was undertaken in consequence of information received a few weeks back that Te Ivooti in the Uriwera was again at the head of fifty men, desperadoes like himself. Only half these men were armed, and Te Kooti was meditating a sudden sweep on some outlying settlements to obtain supplies, especially gunpowder and caps. When this news came Kopata and his men were not, and for some time previously had not been, employed by the Government. The news, in fact, found the Ngatiporou harvesting grass seed

at Poverty Bay, and earning from 10s to 15s per day each man at that work, which is lucrative while it lasts. Ropata got news of Kooti’s movements from the Defence Minister, and wanted to start at once in pursuit, hut his men demurred. They were earning good wages, and were asked to undertake another dreary bush expedition at the rate of half-a-crown a day per man. The tribe had suffered severely from former expeditions ; the country to ho traversed was a trackless waste of mountains clothed with dense bush and tangled scrub, where it was next to impossible to earn the LSOOO offered for Roots ; and, in brief, Ngatiporou “couldn’t see it.” Ropata is a capital Maori orator, but it was only with great difficulty that he succeeded in getting them to go in chase once more. Only a limited number of the best men were taken, and Ropata is of opinion none of his men ever behaved better than these companions of bis latest bush fan a. Unluckily for all concerned, Kooti appears to be as successful in evading his pursuers as Nana, Sahib or those Australian bushrangers who have contrived to escape the punishment due to their crimes. It must be a great dissapointment to Ropata, who has set his heart on some day catching the cruel murderer of his uncle llaruhe, to say nothing of the reputation Ropata would gain, or the L50.)0. it is reported that no more expeditions will be sent in pursuit of Kooti, unless he ventures to emerge from the labrynth in which he lies concealed.

A Match between the members of the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery is announced to be fired at tho North Dunedin range on Wednesday, 24th inst. This match will be open to all members of the Battery who have never won a prize.