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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2580, 25 May 1871, Page 2

Lecture. —The lecture of Air. Nevill, Bishop Elect of Dunedin, will he given to-morrow in the Athemeun-i. We hope there will bo a good attendance. Ihe proceeds will be given in aid of the St. Paul s Sunday School.

Juvenile Sports. —The sports at the Caledonian Ground yesterday were well attended ; and tbe various events for which money prizes and valuables were given, were hot y contested. The committee have a surplus in hand. Princess —There was a very fair attendance last evening, considering the numerous counter attractions. The programme comprised the petite comedy of “The Soldier’s .Daughter,” in which Miss George was deservedly admired; and the farce of “ Turning the Tables.” An allegorical tableaux was shown between the pieces, and called forth considerable applause. Both pieces will he repeated this evening. ■ Political. —The Provincial Secretary has given notice that on the Ist June he will move certain resolutions on the Laud Laws intended to give greater facility for settlement than is afforded by the present law. The resolutions are divided into two parts, under heads A and 15. Under the first head, ibis provided that applications by persons of mature age may be made for an occupation license of blocks of land not within a Hundred not exceeding 320 acres in area. 2nd. ihe application is to be accompanied by a sketch by a clistiict surveyor; the survey fees to be paid by the applicant, and no application to comprise land within a mile of a homestead, or any premises required for working a run or washing sheep, unless by permission of the runhoidcr. The conditions on which the licence is to be granted, are residence on the allotment, fencing it within twelve months, cultivation of one-tenth within twelve mouths, nontransferability of the licence, and payment of a yearly rental in advance of 2s lid an acre. It is propomd that no person shall hold more than one license ; that if one-fourth is cultivated within throe years, the licencee shall have power to purchase at 20s an acre, or obtain a lease for five years, at a rental of 4s an acre, at the end of which he may obtain a Crown Grant upon payment of the difference between the rent paid and 20s an acre. The compensation to pastoral tenants not specified, to I e paid at the rate of not exceeding Is per annum, to be allowed as reduction of rent, payable by pastoral tenants. Under the heading B, the resolutions propose that any purchaser at the price of 20s an acre, in a Hundred or block of land open for sale for six months, may buy 320 acres on deferred payment, and receive an occupation certificate on paying 4s per acre. The conditions are residence, cultivation of one-tenth within twelve mouths, and payment of the remainder by four instalments. (mly one occupation certificate is to be held by the same person.

Ball. —The anniversary ball of the Loyal Dunedin Lodge, MU.1.0.0.F. was held in the .Oddfellows’ Hall last evening ; and despite the inclement weather, was well attended. The room was nicely decorated with flags and devices. Dancing was kept up till an early hour this morning. The refreshments, supplied by Alessrs. Donaldson and Galloway, gave universal satisfaction. Soiree. —There was a large attendance at the soiree of the First Church Young Alen’s Christian Association, which was held in the class room beneath the church last evening ; the Rev. G. Sutherland, president of the Association, being in the chair. After the good things provided by Air Hudson had been done justice to, a public meeting was held. The report, which was read by Mr. Mollison, stated that the Society was in a more healthy condition than at any previous period of its existence There bad been a marked improvement in the essays and discussions of the members during the past twelve months, as compared v ith those of previous years, and this improvement in stylo of writing and fluency of expression was more especially noticeable in the case of members who, when they first joined, could with difficulty express themselves. The average attendance at the meetings held during the past twelve months was about eighteen or twenty, while there are forty members enrolled. The funds of the soc ety are in a satisfactory state, there being, after allowing for all expenses, a balance of Ll6 (is Gd to the credit of the society. Two lectures had been delivered before the members and essays on various subjects had been contributed by the members thomselves. There had also been discussions, readings, and prayer meetings ; and delegates had been sent to the gatherings of kindred societies. An [alteration has been made in the rules by which, instead of limiting memberships to adherents of the First Church only, any Protestant of good moral character may, if professing faith in the Holy Scriptures, become elegible as a member ; and it is thought this step will result in aTarge accession of members. During the evening addresses we e delivered by members of the society, and representatives of other mutual societies in the City and suburbs, which, interspersed with songs and recitations, made the evening pass away very pleasantly. The proceedings terminated by the company singing the National Anthem.

Hyde, Mining workings at the Upper Taieri, are reported to be improving, and an abandoned sluicing claim below Hyde, which has been taking up by Ward and party of four men, is giving a return of lOozs. per week, per man. The holder of this claim states there is an unlimited area of sluicing ground in this locality, where good wages can be made by any industrious parties who would wish to settle down there for the win* ter. According to the correspondent of the Walkouaili Herald :—The Chinese in the district are fast falling into the habits of our Europeans gold-diggers’ love of adventure and propensity for rambling over the goldfields of the Provin.e. A bullock-driver brought down last wwek twenty-four of the Celestials from the .Serpentine. The driver informed me that he was to receive Ll per head, certainly a nice lb,tie sumfo. - ten days’ work. The survey of 2501) acre block in this district for agricultural purposes is fast

advancing to completion. The splendid weather we have had lately has greatly contributed, no doubt, towards the success of this undertaking. I may here remark that two-thirds of this block is almost a dead level, and can, with little labor or expense, be brought under the plough, and a crop taken of the land during the ensuing season. In a short time this block will be in tbe market for selection, and I have no doubt that a few of the coveted sections will be hastily taken up. This block is heing^surveyed into 50 aero sections, under .the Goldfields Act.

Masonic Hall. —Mr and Airs J. B. Steele {nee Adelaide Bowring)_ gave the first of a series of entertainments in the Masonic Hall last evening. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather (which was a good specimen of a New Zealand winter) the Hall was comfortably filled. The performance commenced with a petite comedy, entitled “ Who speaks first,” in which the husband and wife having quarrelled, each obstinately refuses to speak first, and thus bring about a reconciliation. The task is, however, undertaken by a Captain Charles (Mr J. B. Steele), who at last, by a good deal of tact and manoeuvring, not only succeds in his good intentions, but turns out to be a longlost brother of Mrs Militant. The nonchalance of the gallant Captain was admirable ; Aliss Adelaide Bowring, as Mrs Alilitant, was excellent; and Mr Westropp, a gentleman amateur, showed considerable study and attention to the part allotted to him. The piece was loudly applauded. A song by a gentleman amateur followed —the music was good—hut the words of the song (whether from the .acoustic properties of the Hall or otherwise) could not be distinguished. Air Forbes, a recent arrival, sang in excellent taste and with good voice, “ Where are the friends of my youth.” Air Westrqpp, in character, sang “ Brown, fixe Tragedian,” to the intense delight of the audience, who in-isted on an encore, which was cheerfully responded to. The second portion of the entertainment was a selection from “ Leah the Outcast,” the part being especially adapted for showing to advantage the great talent and capabilities of Aliss Adelaide Bowring. The delineation of the character of Leah by this lady was admirably conceived and chastely carried out —the giving up of home, kindred, friends, and faith for the love of the Christian, the struggles of conflicting pa-sions incident thereon were thrown out in striking contrast with the violent passion and hate as pourtrayed in the malediction scene. The audience seemed taken by surprise, and justly expressed their approbation by a unanimous call for Air and Mrs Steele after the fall of the curtain ; Mr J. B. Steele took the part of Rudolph. Songs by a gentleman amateur, Mes rs Forbes and Westropp followed, and were vociferously encored. The entertainment concluded with a selection fr.nn Sheridan Knowle’s “ Love Chase,” Mrs Steele as Neighbor Constance and Air Steele as Wild* ake; both characters being p'ayod to perfection. Mr Thomas White presided at the pianoforte during the evening, playing Thalberg’s “ Home, sweet home,” and selections from “ Alartha.” Air and Mrs Steele intend playing for Alons, Fleury’s behefit at the Princess Theatre on to-morr .'W (Friday) evening, so that their entertainments will possibly not be resumed till next week.

We were in error in stating that the testimonial presented to Captain Wain, at the Fire Brigade’s social meeting on Tuesday evening, was made by Air Tofield ; it was manufactured by Air Telfcr, Rattray street.