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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2587, 2 June 1871, Page 2

On Dit.—lt is the intention of the new Executive to complete their number so soon as they feel safe in their seats, by tho addition of Mr J. C. Brown, and probably the Hon. Dr. Meozies.

The University Council.—A meeting of the Councils of the Otago and New Zealand Universities was held to-day, but no definite resolutions were arrived at pending the arrival of the members en route by the Phoebe. We hear the points of difference are not very wide, and that there is good reason to hope arrangements will be made for establishing one University for the Colony.

Appointment. —Mr W. N. Blair, C.E. of Dunedin, is gazetted a District Engineer under the Public Works and Immigration Act, in the New Zealand Gazette of May 27.

Died in the Snow. —A Chinaman, name unknown, was found dead on the snow on the Waipori ranges on.the 29 th ult. Death of an Old Settler. —Mr. William Lapsey, who, for the last seven years, has been wet known and respected in the Tuapeka District, died in the luapeka Hospital on the 25th ult., after an illnesi of four months. The funeral took place on Sunday, the 28th inst., and was attended by about 200 persons, the procession being one of the largest ever known in Lawrence, The deceased, having been a Freemason of long standing (since *1836) he was buried with Masonic honours, a large number of the members of that order, iu full regalia, taking part in the ceremony.

Political, — A special Gazette, issued to-day, notifies that his Honor the Superindent has accepted the resignations of the Cargill Ministry; and that be has been pleased to appoint Messrs D. Reid, J. B. Bradshaw, J. Bathgate, and W. H. Cutten, to be members of the Executive Council vice Messrs E, B. Cargill. Geo. Turnbull, C. E. Haughton, and D. M’Arthur resigned. Mr D. Reid is appointed Provincial Secretary and Secretary for Land and Works ; Mr Bradshaw, Treasurer and Goldfields Secretary; and Mr Bathtrate, Provincial Solicitor. Statistical. —The New Zealand Gazette of the 29th ult. contains a statement of the deposits made in the various Post Office Savings Banks of the Colony, for the quarter ending March 31st. From this it appears that during that quarter there were made 5687 deposits, representing an aggregate of L 68,712 16s Bd. The withdrawals during the same year amounted to L 61,327 13s 4d, leaving a balance to the credit of depositors of L 5,385 3s 4d—this Quarter showing the heaviest withdrawals that have taken place since the system has been in operation During the corresponding quarter of 1870 the number of depositors was 3,734, representing L 64,896 13s lOd, while the withdrawals amounted to L 53,143 15s 4d.

A Hint to Our Caledonian Society. —The following is extracted from an advertisement in the “ M. A, Mail,” Castlemaine, of Easter sports at Sandhurst“ A grand Chinaman’s race, in full Mongolian costume, for a little pig. Each Chinaman cariying weight on a bamboo in two baskets. Irish jigs, Scotch reels, nigger breaks. A prize for the handsomest man, A prize for the ugliest man, and a present for the fattest baby. The Dunmow flitch of bacon will be presented to the happy couple, neither exceeding 25 years, who are adjudged the best matched pair, have been married 12, and not more than 18 months, and can solemnly declare that they never had a rumpus. ” Princess Theatre.— An audience equally as large as that of the preceding evening greeted Mr Barlow on the repetition of his entertainment last night. The performance went off with complete success, the dancing of Messrs Holley and Buckley being specially admired ; Mr Bromley had to reappear twice in his character songs, and on each occasion was equally successful; apart from his singing, Mr Bromley possesses the viscomica which if carefully encouraged, will some day day entitle him to be ranked as a comedian. Of Barlow himself, an olio of oddities, we can say no more than that he was as fresh and as lively as ever.

Chess.—The annual meeting qf the Dunedin Chess Club was held yesterday, for the purpose of electing office-bearers for the ensuing year. Mr Henry Howorth was elected president, Dr Yates vice-presid nt, and Mr David It. Hay secretary and treasurer. With a view to still further popularise this scientific gone, it was unanimously resolved to reduce-the annual subscription to half a guinea. Whenever the Club receives about a dozen more members, it is in contemplation to hold a tournament, to be open to all the players in. the Province, so as to thoroughly test its chess-playing capabilities. There have been similar tournaments in the Provinces of Auckland and Canterbury lately, and there is no reason why this Province should not excel in chess as well as in rifle-shooting. The enthusiasm displayed at this meeting of the Club augurs well for its success. Gentlemen desirous of joining the Clnb may do so by applying to the secretary, W.e heartily wish the Club every success.

A? Last.—lt is quite refreshing £° find that the opposition journals have something to say in favor of Mr Vogel. The Press, commenting upon the telegraph returns recently published, observes It is but fair to Mr Vogel to say that he is the first Commissioner whp has understood the principles on which such a service as the telegraph should be conducted. His predecessors' hay.e regarded it, if not .exactly A 8 0 revenue deportment, $t all events as one of which it was an essential condition that it should be mode to pay. In order to make it pay, they resorted to the system of high prices, the charge for a message rising in proportion to the distance it had to be con-

veyed. We have often remonstrated against this twofold mistake. It was a complete error both as to the end and the means —as to the object of the department, and, even supposing that object as necessary as was imagined, as to the means of accomplishing it. In the first place, the primary purpose of the telegraph, as of the post-office, is not to create revenue, but to afford accommodation to the public. The important question therefore should be, not, what does the department cost, but what amount of accomodation do the public require. If after satisSail requirements there remains a us, as in the case of the Post-office in England, so much the better ; but even then it should be employed first of all in improving and extending the service, nor should any part of it be made available for the general expenses of the Government, until those objects have been fully attended to. Rifle Club. —At a meeting of vountcers held at Wain’s hotel last evening, _ it was resolved to form a rifle club in Dunedin. Lieut. Grant, D. N.B, was appointed treaurer, and Sergeat Nightingale, N.D.R. secretary ; and the following were selected as tho committee : —Artillery, Corpl. Greenfield, Gunr. Reid; No. 1 Compy. , Corpl M'Gregor, Vol. Creagh ; Waikari, Lieut. Marshall, Corpl. Mackenzie; No. 2, Corny., Ensign Drewe, Scrgt. Cowie,; North Dunedin, Vols. Lees and Allan; D.N.8., P.O. M'Keuzie and Gunr. Batchelor. Some regulations for the conduct of matches were approved of, after which the meeting, adjourned.

Thames Goldfields. —A gentleman in Auckland reports that the excitement in Auckland is daily increasing, and far exceeds anything ever known there. One gentleman’s income from the Caledonian alone amounts to L 20,000 per month. Home Coromandel stock, ja few days ago unsaleable at 8s 6d fetches now L 7 10s. Tookey’s claim is rapidly rising in repute. On the Caledonian claim over LIB,OOO was spent befo re the “ color” was seen; but the first fortnight’s working freed it from all debt. He considers that other claims if worked as the Caledonian, are sure to yield corresponding results. No good can be expected from any mine on which sufficient capital has not been ex pended. The dividends paid from the Caledonian and other claims are being rapidly invested in others, so that a complete development of the resources of the Auckland goldfields may now be expected.

The Bishop of Nelson will deliver a lecture in the Masonic Hall at 8 o’clock this evening, on “Periods, persons, points, prospects of contact between Presbyterians and Episcopalians. ”