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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2571, 15 May 1871, Page 2

Mining Conference, The delegates held their first meeting at the Provincial Council Chamber to-day, but the proceedings were private. A report embodying the results of their deliberations will be drawn up and submitted to the Executive, after which it will he published. New Rush. —We are infonned that a rush has set in to the newly-surveyed township of Oplnr (Blacks No. 1), caused by the striking of gold by Bolderson and party. We hope the place will not belie the name bestowed upon it. We are informed that, anticipating the ground proving payable, a memorial against the sale of the laud comprised in the township was sent to town some time ago, but no notice was taken of it. Another memorial on the same subject has been forwarded to Mr Shepherd, M.P.C.— Danstan Times.

Accidents. —A sad accident occurred at Alexandra on the 9th inst. A son of Mr Cameron, of the Caledon-au Hotel, had been watering the donkey purchased by the townspeople, and on returning was thrown on his head. The unfortunate lad’s skull was fractured, and he is now in a very precarious condition.—Yesterday morning, as Mr Fredk. Jones was driving from his house at Green Island to town to attend church, the carriage was upset on turning round a corner. All the occupants were thrown out, Mrs James Smith had her ankle sprained ; Miss Smith her collarbone broken ; Miss Jones was much hurt, and Mr Jones had three of his ribs broken.

Princess Theatre.—There was a fair attendance at the theatre on Saturday, the pieces being “ Still waters run deep” and the “Model Husband.” This evening the Irish drama call “Peep o’ Day” will be performed for the first time these three years ; “ Peep o’Day” is a general favorite, and will no doubt meet with success.

Masonic Hall.—The Panorama at the afternoon exhibition on Saturday \vawell attended, there being more than four hundred children present. It is announced that this evening (is the last at the Masonic Hall; to-morrow night it will be exhibited, at the Drill Shed, Water of Leith. We cordially advise those who have not as yet paid the panorama a visit not to lose the opportunity, , Concert. —A concert of vocal andi instrumental music will be given on Friday evening in aid of the building fund of the Wesleyan Church. The programme is a good one, and Miss Bell, by invitation, has consented to give her services as pianist, and, we believe, will play a solo in the course of the evening.

Small Pox.—From exchange files we learn that a good deal of alarm exists in some parts of the Colony on this subject. Several cases are reported in various provinces, but they do not seem to be authenticated.

Land Transfer Act.—We take the following with reference to the Laud Transfer Act from the Wellington Independent .—Mr. Moorhouse, the Begistrar-G euei al of Land, has returned from the South, where he appears to have had his time well occupied in attending to the necessary detads connected with the issuing of laud brokers’ licenses. Some of our southern contemporaries are bristling with advertisements from those who are seeking “to get to windward” of the lawyers, and in one journal we noticed counter advertisements from solicitors, who offer to conduct business under the new system at the same rates as the land brokers. Although a very fair beginning had been made previously, we are informed that since the brokers l ave got to work the influx of business into the offices in Christchurch and Dunedin has been very great. We believe that up to the present time between forty and fif y applications for licenses have been granted.

Steam.—Hatching eggs by steam, ploughing by steam, brushing hair by steam, have all been wonders in their respective days ; but now, says a t-'an Francisco pap r, comes a big garden where vegetables arc raised by steam. It is two acres in extent, and situated at Lake View, near Chicago. The entire space is covered with glass, and a powei ful engine and boilers supply through a network of pipes laid beneath the beds, the warmth and moisture required. Already

lettuces, radishes, onions, cress, and other salad “stuff” are above ground, and in a week or so will be in the market. ■ Cauliflowers, cabbages, beets, turnips, and other vegetables have been sown, and will make their appearance in due time. This is cheating Jack Frost with a vengeance. Life Assurance. — We learn that Captain Baldwin has met an unexpected success at Queenstown on behalf of the Government Life Assurance and Annuity System. Our correspondent says “ the captain” most have been taking a leaf out of the books of the- Yankees, for the lecturer of the Government Office is to be seen at early morn, and then again as evening steals 0:1 also about. Amid these hours he is supposed by the local hybrids either to be the victim of proposals or the clerk for the nonce, that draws up the forms for lives, &c., that have been accepted. Is it not well that we should ask the cost of assistance rendered or engaged by Captain Baldwin? That the Government scheme is a sound one and has the guarantee of the State, few, except ultra politicians, will deny ; and further, that it is a public good.

A New Invention. —An ingenious contrivance for supplying the syrup in the manufacture of rerated beverages and drinks, at the same time that the bottle is Ailed with rerated water, has recently been patented in Victoria, thus saving the labor of one man. In addition to this the stoppers provided for bottling are self-acting, and do away with cork,jwire, or string as now used ; the pressure of gas from within closing the stopper, an I only needing a slight pressure from outside. Being made of Ihjnum vil v. they never wear out. A contemporary states that Mr Thompson, Stafford street, Dunedin, has purchased the r ght of using this patent in Is'ew Zealand, an t there is no doubt but that the manufacturers of rerated waters will take advantage of this new patent and economical invention.

The Lakes.—At the Lakes, our correspondent says : —“The arrival of the Nevada, and the success of the loan scheme, have in some carters given great saiisf .0tion. In only one quarter, says our correspondent, was the news received with anything like dissali-faction. There the gnashing of teeth might b; heard, and the unrea'ised prophecies of the great Dunedin oracle mourned over.” Our correspondent goes on to say that the news of the ibating of the loan has given relief to a prevai.ing dulness. Advices state that business was never slower in Queenstown and Arrowtown than during the last fortnight. According to leports a reiction has set in. The local residents seem to blame the Chinese element as the cause ; other correspondents say the flush of prosperity has departed only for a period, lie all this as it may, it is evident some change is taking place at the Lakes. Perhaps people have dealt too quickly and rapidly in land ; in buying township allotments at high prices, and in building houses thereon, upon money borrowed at heavy interest. —Quito a rivalry seems to exist in the matter of establishing a newspaper in the Lake' District. No sooner does the Cromwell Ary ns propose to send forth its off-shoot in the name of the Arrow Advocate, than the Wakatip Mail is in the field with another proposed off-shoot. It is said that the latter adventure may not be carried out. At any rate the Lake people are being cultivated and wooed to their hearts’ contents between the Brace. Herald, Oamaru Standard, and Croni'dl Aryan. Mining news at the Lake is without importance owing to the frosty weather preventing operations. The Chinese are said to be increasing rapidly, and they hold the ground. The escorts, we are informed, will nearly in the future depend upon what the Chinese may choose to send forward.

We notice that the City Council have removed their offices to the old Athenanun Buildings in Manse street.