Untitled

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2583, 29 May 1871, Page 2

New Hundred.—The Government has received information that the proclamation of the Strath Taieri Hundred, appeared in the New Zealand Gazelle of last week. This will bring into the market about 20,QU0 acres of the best agricultural land in the country. The Accident at Port Chalmers. —We regret to state that Jehu .'Hark, who unfortunately fell into the graving dock, died in the hj spitalthis mo uieg. New Zealand University.—We understand that the meeting of the Council of the New Zealand University, which was to have taken p'aco on May 1, has been po.t poned for a few days. Dunedin Bishopric. The consecration of the Rev. T. S. Novi 11 is fixed for the -Ith of June, and will take place at St. Pauls. The B shops of Christchurch, Wellington, and Wai.pu arc passengers by the Wellington on their way to take part in the proceedings, which promise to b; of a very imposing nature. The Bishop of Wellington will preach on the oeca-ion. At'missiou to the church will be hy ticket only. Athen.eum and Mechanics Institute. -1 he following new works have been received by this Institute Two Tours to Paris in ISIS and 1818 by the late Lord lalmerstt n ; Life of Brougham ; Darwin’s Descent of Man, 2 vols. ; Mivert’s Genesis of Species, and a new novel called “ Vira.” There is also tie usual supply of magazines, and amongst them we noticed the new magazine “The Dark Bine,” which has been most favourably received by the critics.

The Graving Dock.—The leak in the dock is uoav ve-y trifling, the cause of the pressure tawing been relieved, the leak is apparent by the subsidence of some puddle and clay from the inside of the piles, Avhich abutting in the stone-AA r ork, form the pier head of the dock. We understand that the construction of the Avork is strictly in accordance Avith the plans and specifications. Black’s Deep Lead. —This lend is likely to ansAvcr fully the most sanguine expectations of the members of the Ida Valley Company. The last report is that a Igav days ago one machine full of stuff produc’d 35ozs. of gold. This fact should speak Avell for the future prospects of the company, and in the opinion of the Mount Ida Chronicle, act as a stimulus to the miners in the Naseby district to form a company to test the main bottom in that district. Taking the Oath. —A legislative attempt is to be made during tin ensuing session of Parliament to abolish the taking of oaths by plaintiffs, prosecutors, ami Avitncsscs in our courts of law. A Nelson member is to take action in the matter. Gaol Return.—The folloAving is the state of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the Avcek ending 27th May AAvaiting trial, 2 men, 1 Avoman ; under remand, 0 men, U Avomcn ; penal servitude, 91 men, 0 avoiucu ; hard labor, 50 men, 21 Avomen ; imprisonment, 0 men, 0 women ; in default of bail, 0 men, 0 women; debtors, 3 men, 0 avoiucu. K eccived during the Avcck, 12 men, 4 women. Discharged 9 men, 5 Avomen. Scientific. —His Honor the Superintendent has received a letter from Dr. Hector*, in which he states that he is informed by Professor Ellery, the astronomer at Melbourne, that an expedition is being organized to proceed to Cape York for the purpose of witnessing the total eclipse of the sun on the 12th December next. The expenses to each person who joins the party, it is stated, will not exceed £25, and any scientfic gentlemen in New Zealand wishing to be present can avail themselves of the opportunity. The phenomenon has a peculiar interest from the fact of its being the last total eclipse that will be observed from this part of the earth’s surface during the present century. The expedition will start from Melbourne about November 20. Accidents.— The Mount Ida district keeps up its reputation for accidents. The last mail brought down intelligence of two that happened last week. At Surface Hill a miner named Provan Avas severely injured by a fall of earth ; and a miner named M'Evoyhad his arm injured by its coming into contact Avith the cogAvheel of a sausagemachine. —On Saturday night, John Stark, a fireman employed in the engine-room of

the Graving Dock, while returning from work, about; 11 p.m., missed his footing when near the head of the dock, and rolled step by step to the bottom, where his fall was partly broken in consequence of there being about eighteen inches of water in the dock. The accident was noticed by one of the dock ban Is, who immediately obtained assistance, and on Stark being got out he was taken to Dench’s Hotel, where he was attended by Dr O’Donoghne up to his death, which occurred this morning. Princess Theatre. Mr. P. W. Lawrence and Mr. Collier anno nice that tomorrow evening they bid farewell to th Dunedin s : age and take a hcneliL W do not know any more deserving then themselves. During the time th u y have been amongst us they have lab ured carefully to render every piece pro luced a success, and amidst the discouragement of meagrely attended houses they have taken the same pains to fu 111 their duties as if they had been playing to assembled crowds. They have been singularly unfortunate in the time of their stay amongst us, and have had to fulfil engagements during the excitement and turmoil of three elections, during which pol tics naturally attracted more a'tcntion than the drama. We trust that tl cir perseverance and talent will meet handsome recognition to-morrow evening, and if they should again visit Dunedin they will not have the difficulties to contend with that have lain in their way durfng the last six months. To night “Love and I’ridc " will be played, and tomorrow evening an attractive programme is promised.

Criminal. Henry, alias Stephen Rimes, seaman, late of the ship Undaunted, committed for trial at the ensuing sessions of the Supreme Court, charged*, that h°, on the 3rd iust., at Clyde, being then servant to Mr Morrissey, did receive and take into his possession certain embezzled money to the amount of Lll 2a, his masters property, was received into the gaol on Saturday evening last, escorted by Constable Aicbesou, of Tokomairiro.

Our Educational System. Dr. Mcr.ui delivered another discourse on this subject at St. Joseph’s last evening, but his remarks were confined to a personal defence from attacks made by the Wellington)/c'mu'/ip Pod.

The Unemployed.— At tlio request of the leaders of the meeting in the Octagon on Saturday, we mention that there were one hundred per-ons pr sent. While our report stat'd there were only twenty persons present who took a buna fide, interest in the proceedings ; it is possible a larger munb-r were there before th • proceedings terminated, as they laste ’ a considerable time after our reporter lift; when he was present to ere was not mere than the number stated. Sympathy with the Pope, —At a meeting of Catholic xe idenls at Nasahy on the 2lst inst.—the Rev, Father Norris presiding—the following resolutions were alop'ed : —“ Resolved—That this meeting views with horror and indignation the pillage of the property of Christendom, at the instance of the King of Italy, in the City of the Popes ; protesting, in its humble way, against such robbery in the name of religion as against wanton sacrilege, and in that of order, as opposed to revolution and the invasion of the most ancient right of Europe; and appealing to the nations against the ind gnity offered to the Holy See.” “ Resolved—That we express our warmest and deepest sympathy with his Holiness, who is now a prisoner in his own capital, and that we proclaim our voice against those who persecute thus lowly the sovereign of two hundred mdlions of souls.” “ That our revered Bishop be requested to convey to the Holy See this expression of our heartfelt sympathy.”

Works of Art.—Most of us are aware that in our coal measures are the remains of forest trees Avith beautifully-figured stems, which lead us in imagination to suppose the vegetation of our days to be less picturesque than that of the carboniferous period. Our fern trees are so common, and clothed Avith such a tangled exterior, that probably many do not know Avhat beauty lies beneath. But on removing the rough dead stdks of the fronds Avhich surround the trunk, it Avill be found marked very much after the manner of the fihjil aria and Lepidodendron of the coal measures. This beautiful marking has been turned to some account by Mr Horn, Avho resides at the corner of Castle and Hanover streets. With much patient labor he has made a sort of wooden vase of elegant form, about sixteen inches in height, carefully carved and polished, from fem tree trunks. Though

apparently one piece, it ready is composed of 500 separate piece, so nicely fitted and arranged as to form an ornament regularly and beautifully marked. This has been the Avork of a skilful artist, during months of Avant of Avork. It is an evidence of patient industry on his part that should commend him to the notice of any to Avhom his talent might prove useful. The specimen is to be seen at Mr Livingston’s, in Princes street, nearly opposite the Government Buildings. Mr Horn has made several other ornament d articles in the fame Avood, Avlich, though not so elaborate, are very handsome. The Convict Rennie.—lt Avill bo remembered that George Rennie, the informer in the Clyde gold robbery case, was sentenced at the last September sittings to five years’ penal servitude. It was thought at the time that, in vlcav of the circum stances Avhich induced him to-give tlie in _ formation that led to the recovery of the’ treasure, a free pardon Avoukl follow as a matter of course. Some steps Avere taken in this direction, aa*c believe, but the Colonial Government have only acted on the convict’s petition. A short time sin e he forward id a petition to the Colonial Secretary, in Avhich he based his claim to a pardon on the promises contained in the proclamation. The Government have replied that as the event has not happened on Avhich the performance of those promises could be claimed by him—namely, the giving of evidence leading to the conviction of the offender—the pardon could not be granted on that ground ; but as his evidence Avas used against the accomplice, and appeared to have been satisfactorily given, he Avas at liberty to apply for a pardon on that ground, Avhich Avould be faA'orahly considered. But this pardon will only be given on the distinct un - derstauding that his claim to reward or to pardon under the promise is not admitted. Immediately on the amended petition being despatched from hence, the necessary pardon will be fonvarded from Wellington. The JjAkes.—An indication of the progress made by the Lakes district during the past year is given by a correspondent of

the Dunstan Times, who says: The district has been going ahead in a most remarkable manner, satisfactory to the inhabitants thems Ives and astonishing to strangers. Queenstown lias almost doubled its proportions during the interval, and the impovement is still going on. In proof of this I have only to remark that notwithstanding the addition of a steam saw mill at the head of I ake Wak dip and three hrieknnkiug establishments, building materials were never so scarce. lu fact the demand is considerably in cxce-s of the supply. Messrs J. W. Robertson and Co., arc running the Antrim st anicr twice a week to Kingston, bringing up goods and passengers, and twice a week to the heal of.the Lake, returning with full cargoes of sawn timber, firewood, fencing materials, Ac. The little Victoria steamer and the whole Heet of sailing vesse's are taxed to the utmost and th-dr united carrying powers are unequal to the work required of them, For a tizans here is abundant employment, We employ quite a little army of carpenters and they are a very scarce article at even fifteen shillings per day, while stonemasons ami bricklayers are in demand in like proportion. Handsome shops with plate glass fronts are now no novelty. Our worthy Mayor has set a notable example in this matter. His new premises in Rees street would be a noticeable object in any of the leading thoroughfares in Dunedin A marked improvem- nt has also been experienced in the outlying districts. The bead of the La! e Moke Cr ek, and Skippeis, alike partake, in the general prosperity. In fact I may say that people arc now only but si >wly awaking to the immense resources of the district and have set themselves to the task of developing them. Q-iartz mining and mushing is being successfully prosecuted, dredging the ehotovor has been proved a most remunerative speculation, and 1 hear 'hat a company is in course of formation for dredging the shores of the Lakes, (.lie points and hays of which, whenever 'ha bed rock cm be reached -are found to c .utain go'd in highly remunerative quantities. Agriculture is also prosperous—the farmers never did so well before, or was produce ever so h'gh, and what is better, there is a bri.-R and constant demand. The agency of this beneficial and prosperous change is different to conjecture •Some say it is due to the Chinese : while others deny it in t»to. lam inclined to the belief that our celestial brethren have d me good, and will continue to do so, providing they do not come in overwhelming numbers, when we should have to cry out, “hold enough,” or wo shall be eaten up in the cud by the queer eyed long-tailed strangers.