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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2576, 20 May 1871, Page 2

Public Works. —We understand Mr W. N. Blair lias been appointed resident engineer in Otago under the Public Works Act.

Lecture. —We understand that a lecture will be delivered by the Bev. R. S. Nevill, Bishop-elect of Dunedin, on Friday next, at the Athemeuni, in aid of St Paul’s Sunday school.

Nelson Land Law.—The Provincial Government of Nelson has introduced a Bill for amending the "land laws of the lovinco, so as to admit of the sale of laud on deferred payments. Educational. —We hoar that the establishment of a grammar school is contemplated at Queenstown. Mayor’s Court.—At this Court this morning, James Williamson was lined os for being drunk; William Wi son 10s, for disorderly conduct; and Edward Robinson a:-.d Mary Ann Harris LlO, or three months, for using obscene language, -Masonic Hall.—The Panorama of the Over. and Route is to be exhibited for the last time this evening, and we would recommend those who have not yet seen it not to lose this opportunity.

Political.—We arc requested to contradict the statement that is going the round of the country press, to the effect that Mr C. E. Haughtoii has received the appointment of permanent Goldfields Secretary, and intends retiring from political life. No such idea lias ever been entertained excepting in the visionary brains of the writer of the paragraph. The Clutha Railway,—lt will be seen by the advertisement in our advertising columns, that tenders are inviCd for tire construction of about ten mi'esat the Clutha end of the Southern Trunk Railway, 'i bis distance will bring the line up to the Saddle, at Mr James Adam’s property, Tokomairiro, and next to the Dunedin end, is the heaviest portion of the line. Queen’s Birthday Races. The Tradesmen’s races, at the Forbury Park on the Queen's birthday promise to be productive of considerable sport. Tire horses entered for the hurdle race are Pilgrim, Lottery, Forbury, Sur rise, and Plying Childers ; and for the Birthday Handicap, M ; ss King, Little Nell, Ranger, Banjo, Tiger, Merryman, Flying Childers, and Gamester. A feature of the programme will be a butcher’s race for a puise of Lls, which is likely to attract many entries. The privileges in connection with the meeting were submitted to auction to-day and realised LB2,

Mining Commission. — Atyesterday’s sitting, a seiies of alterations of the Goldlields Act of ISG6, the principal of which were indicated in the report of the first day’s proceedings, were adopted, and others held over for further consideration. It was resolved to recommend a careful consideration of the Victorian mining statutes, which, if found suitable to the circumstances of the Colony, should be included in the new consolidation Act ; that the gold duty should be reduced at the rate of sixpence per ounce per annum, until abolished ; that the clause in the Hundreds Act, 1870, giving pastoral tenants a right to G-10 acics on runs within goldfields should be repealed ; that waterrights gmay be granted when required for supplying a township, or for domestic purposes, and also for the working of machinery At to day’s silting, the interim report of the sub-committee was brought up. It recommends the adoption of secs. 3 to 23 of the Victorian Mining .Statute, 1805 ; that holders of u frier's rights should have permission to use unoccupied Grown lauds for the purpose of depodting tailings; that miners should be relieved from the consequences of fouling rivers and streams in carrying on gold mining ; that it is desirable to make compulsory the establishment of mining boards; that annual statistical reports on mining should be laid on the table of the General Assembly ; that, in the opinion of the Commissioners, the Government should grant bonuses to the discoverers of quartz reefs and other valuable discovciies. Princess Theatre. —The “ Indian Act” of the drama of “ Creeu Bushes ” was the chief attraction at the theatre last night, the occasion being the benefit of Mr Walter Hill. As Miami, Miss Carry George played so well as to cause us to regret that the whole drama was not presented instead of one act. Miss Lizzie Bushe, who appeared as Geraldine, was likewise very effective, p'aying with much energy'. Mr Hill, as Grinnidge; and Mr Musgrave, as Jack Gong, contributed their quota ; and a new scene painted by Mr Massey, aided very greatly

the general good effect. The entertainment concluded with “The Miller and Ins Men.” very probably the version produced more than half a century ago at Covent Oard-.-n Theatre, under the direction of Mr Farley, but to us by no means so famous or interesting as the adaptation of that celebrated drama by the late Mr Parkcs, of the Minories, with characters. “A penny plain and tuppence colored.” In the course of the evening, Mr Hannigan danced a jig, so well, and so much to the the taste of his audience, that he had to repeat the performance. The same bill of fare is announced for this evening.

Concert. —A vocal and instrumental concert, in aid of the Wesleyan Church building fund, was given last evening, in the hall beneath the church. In view of the unfavorable weather, there was an extraordinarily large attendance. _ To tempt persons to leave their cosy firesides on so inauspicious a night, there must have been some unusual impelling motive. Whether the intention was to promote the object of the concert, or to hear some really excellent music, is of course a matter of speculation, but it is an indbputible fact that, whits; those present wore enabled to contribute to the church building fund, they were also gratified with a rich musical treat. The programme was divided between sacred and secular music, and the selections were judicious. The concert viewed as a performance of so-called amateurs, was perhaps one of the most snccisiful ever given in Dunedin. Of the choruses, we cannot speak too highly. They indicate I a careful and painstaking preparation, were rendered in a highly effective manner, and wire rewarded with a just m-ved of praise. The duets were also admirably given and well received Mr Marsdcn, t ■ whose excellent capabilities we have frequently referred, and who possesses a rich tenor voice, sang the recitative, ‘ Comfort ye my People, from the “Messiah,” in a Irghly pleasing manner ; and in the song of “ Mabel,” which he gave later in the evening, though not io successful, he was warin'y applauded. But the gems of the vocal performauc s were those given by a young lady : “ But the Lord is mindful,” and “ Who’s that tapping at the Garden gale? ’ which were very well rendered in her very sweet voice ; and a soprano and contralto duet, by two ladies ; all of which won irresistibly on the audience. The efforts, too, of the othr vocalists met with Ihe approbation they deserved “The Four Jolly Smiths,” with chorus in unison, b ing very effectively given. Miss B ill rendered in her usually brilliant manner, Leybach’s fantasia “Theme Alltmandc” on the piano; and in reply to a vociferous encore, substituted some very pretty waltzes with like charming effect, and which secured the unanimous plaudits of the audience. One of the best hits of the evening was the duet on the piano and violin by Miss Bell and Mr Little, which was one of those delicious tit-bits with whicli a musical audience like to be treated, and which amply justified the cordial recal with which they were favored. At the conclii'iou of the concert, the Rev. Mr Real made a few appropriate remark*, thanking the performers for their kindly efforts on behalf of the Church, and especially M ss Bcdl and Mr Little, to whom, he said, the audience were chiefly indebted for so charming a musical entertainment. We trust that the public may lie favored on some future occasion with another concert of the same high character ; and with more propitious weather, it can hardly fail to be as great a pecuniary, as a musical success.