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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2623, 14 July 1871, Page 2

Port Chalmers Railway.—Preli-mi-iary to beguiling the railway tuuuel at

Port < 'balmers, Mr George Dodsons stables adjoining the Port Chalmers hotel, are being removed, a number of men were to-day engaged in removing the building to the opposite side of the road.

New Seeds. — Dv Hector has advised the Government that he has provided six samples of wheat and two of oats, sent by the Boatd of Agriculture of the United States. It is intended, we understand, to test their adaptation to cultivation in the province by placing them in the hands of some good practical person. Scarlatina. —The distressing news comes from Tapanui that scarlatina is still raging there. Mr A. Allan’s children are in such a fearful condition that he has been compelled to close his hotel to prevent infection. Mr Purdue’s children have also been very ill for some time, but we are glad to say they are now recovering. Every precaution is being taken to prevent the disease from spreading.

Sudden Death. The Tuapelca, Times announces the death of the late librarian of the Tnapeka Athenamm, Mr F. J. P. Thornley, who expired in the hospital on the 13th. Mr Thornley had long been the victim of consumption, and had of late been getting weaker daily. A few days ago, in a fit of coughing, he burst a blood-vessel, from the effects of which he never rallied.

Refreshing.—By a return courteously handed to us by Mr Hill, of the Customs, we find that the exports fo.- the quarter ending 30th June last amount to L3!)8,8IG 16s 3d, in comparison with the quarter ending June, 1870, L 262,033 11s. Among the new exports preserved meats figure conspicuously, amounting to L34.69S in value ; tallow, 207 tons ; antimony, 8 tons ; and lard, 04 cwt. Narrow Escape.—Mr Charles Kembell, fruiterer, Princes street, and his daughter, had a narrow escape this afternoon. They were proceeding in his light cart along Princes street, when the horse became frightened, bolted, and swerving from the road, rushed across the footpath at the corner of Liverpool street, where there is a deep excavation ; but for the slight embankment there they would have been thrown into the cutting. As it was, they escaped with a fright. Headquarters Drill Shed.—The Provincial Council have agreed to the proposal of the Government to grant a reserve of a piece of land situate at the corner of Dowling |and High-streets upon which the Old Government stares stood for the pur pose of a site of a head-quarters drillshed, gun-shed, and armoury. The site is- entrusted to a trust, consisting of Lieut, Col. Cargill, Major Bathgate, and Captains M ‘Faeland, Wales, and IStavely, and it is proposed to erect upon it a building that will cost from LISOO to L2OOO.

New Reef,—A prospecting claim was applied for the other day at the Warden's office, Lawrence, for a reef discovered in the Laramerlaw Creek, about three miles from Waipori township. The prospectors have traced the reef some GO or 70 yards. The thickness of it is about one inch on the surface, and it increases as they follow it about three inches to the foot. The course thereof takes is KN.E. and W.S.W., with a dip inclining to the north. The prospect gives a grain to the pound of stone, but the prospectors intend getting two tons of the stone crushed this week at theO.P.Q. battery. Female Immigration.—The Hawke’s Bay Ihrold of the sth, publishes the following extract from a letter from the Hon. the Colo iial Secretary to his Honor the Superintendent of Hawke’s Bay:—“ The AgonGeneral will bo instructed to send out from twenty-five to thirty-five single women every three months, if suitable persons can be obtained, and with this view he will, 1 have no doubt, gladly avail himself of the Kev. Mr Barclay’s agency. Failing his success in securing a sufficient number from Scotland, the attention of the Agent-General will be called to your preference for young women from Germany.” The Honorarium, —Mr J, C. Brown’s endeavor to obtain his LI a day for his services to the Province is not yet crowned with the success wished for by the hon. member for Tuapcka, “ There’s many a slip ’twixt the cup and the lip.” It now appears that the matter is left in this position. The Bill, as amended, provides that the honorarium to country members shall not exceed 20s, and not more than 10s to town members ; but tbe resolution previously adopted fixes the amount at 15s all round. The Speaker has ruled that the Bill has no effect upon the resolution; and rumor says Mr Gillies is bound to act, and will act, upon the resolution.

Princess Theatre. —There was but a moderate attendance at the theatre last night. Possibly this might be accounted for from the fact of the pieces selected having been so often and so well performed at this place of amusement on former occasions. Wc would suggest to the manag .merit that dramas and farces (and their name is legion) that have never been presented to a Dunedin audience might, from a commercial point of view, be more likely to succeed than old stock dramas, in which established favorites and “stars ’’ are wont to shine. This evening the burlesque of “Endymiou” will be played for the first time, in which, we are informed, will be introduced some excellent singing and dancing. The Waikouati Puver.--It is stated on the best authority that gold exists in the upper branches of this river in quantities to remunerate the industrious and patient miner, and that a few miners have for some years been engaged mining there to tbesatisfaction of themselves. As a proof that gold exists in these localities the Wuilcouuti Herald mentions the fact that several miners who have made a start and left for fields holding out prospects of larger, although not so steady yields, have again returned to their old and despised love, knowing that their labour there would be rewarded by “ tucker” certain, and something over. The ground is undoubtedly poor, but by the hydraulic process adopted by those working there, steady and satisactory returns are being made.

Whaling.— A large black whale, estimated to yield about six or seven tui.s of oil, is reported to have been eapaired by Ellison’s whaling party, and towed in to Waikouaiti yesterday. The whale, which is a female or cow whale, was attend- d with its calf. This was also killed, but sank about a mile from the shore shortly after its capture, with the harpoon and line attached. As the weather continues line, hopes are cn-

tertained of its recovery. Meanwhile ;,the party is said t ) be busily engaged in extracting the oil from the blubber at the fry works at Waikouaiti, and it is to be hoped will yield fully as much as estimated, as it will tend to stimulate effort in developing this important industry. Mr C. Bradshaw’s party also sighted and gave chase to whales yesterday ; and if the weather continues fine, other captures may be shortly expected.

Child Immigrants.—The Southern Cross, in its issue of the 21st ult., takes up the subject of the introduction of children as immigrants in a leader. After giving a sketch of Miss Macpherson’s training school, taken from the Dally News's report, and alluding to the success which had attended the corresponding work carried on by Miss Bye in behalf of young girls, it remarks that the excellent results of both “suggest the thought that this immigration of children is in many respects the ver.V best form of colonisation. * * * Not’the least important

feature in the scheme is this, that, through apprenticeship, and the power which it affords, the expenses could he recouped without the risk of failure which would attend an engagement made with adults for the repayment of expenses, so that the system of children immigration could be made almost wholly self-sustaining. We by no means advocate that such immigration should be conducted to the exclusion of adult immigration ; but we do assert that the importation of girls and boys, according to the noble system of Miss Rye and Miss Macpherson, would be productive of great convenience to present settlers, and the highest ultimate advantage to the Colony.” Masonic Hall. —Mr. Henry Clapcott gave one of his readings from popular authors in this hall last evening The attendance was small, owing no doubt to the inclemency ot the weather. Mr. Clap cott’s reading of “ Edinburgh after Floddeu” was given with excellent effect and well received, as also his rendering of the “ return and death ” of Enoch Arden. Although it is difficult to curtail such selections without destroying the connection ot the story, we opine that very long extracts arc wearying, and in such a dismal piece as “ Enoch Arden,” become depressing, however well read and effectively given. In “ Serjeant Buzfuz’s address to "the Jury ” Mr. Clapcott succeeded admirably, and the same may be said of his scene from the “ Rivals ’’ and “ Caudle becomes a Mason,” the audience clearly showing by their applause their appreciation of selections of this nature. Mr. Westropp sang several comic songs ; one “ Put it down to me,” was irresistibly droll and taken in conjunction with Mr. W.’s admirable make up, caused much laughter and applause. Mr. Towsey sang two songs, his best “ Stonewall Jackson ” bein" well received. When we say that Mons. hleury discoursed sweet music during the evening we are within the mark in saying that a most enjoyable time was spent by those present, and we can only regret that such intellectual entertainments as these are not bitter appreciated and patronized by the public of Dunedin.

Ferocious Attack by a Dog upon its Mister—The Southern Crocs says .- “Warnings have been given time after time of the danger people incur by keeping savage dogs about their premises. Some pride themselves in possessing dogs of as savage a disposition as possible, especially of the bull and mastiff breeds. In doing so great risk is incurred, for it is well-known that dogs of the former breed, or crosses between the two, have often been known to turn upon their masters and frightfully mutilate them. An instance of this nature occurred on the 27th June, whereby a citizen had a very narrow escape of losing his life About half-past tan o'clock last night there were two men in the bar of Mechanic’s House of Call Hotel, talking moderately loud, The landlord, Mr McArthur, has a very large savage bull-dog, usually kept on chain, and just at this time it had broken its chain and come into the bar, Mr McArthur, knowing the dog's ferocious dispostiion, ai it had lately severely torn one of his children, feared that it would make a rush upon his two customers, and ho therefore caught the dog by the collar, when the brute turned upon him in a most savage manner. The dog is a large and powerful animal, and before assistance could be rendered, Mr McArthur was cut and tom from the middle of the left thigh to the ankle. His right ankle, both his hands, and bis right wrist and arm were fearfully mangled. Mrs McArthur brought an axe, and one of the men struck the dog with it, and thereby got its hold released. The blood flowed copiously from Mr McArthur’s wounds, a large portion of the floor of the bar being well watered with human blood. Dr Hartmann was sent for and dressed the wounds, and is of opinion that, with care, no permanent injury wil result, although Air McArthur will of necessity be for some time confined to bed.” The Gold Export Duty. The people of Lawrence are up in arms, and arc determined to have the export duty abolished. At a public meeting held tlure last week the following resolutions were carried : tax upon the gross produce, without regard to what may have been the cost of production. So that a miner may expend a large amount of capital on mining and contribute a large amount of capital to the revenue, and yet be a loser by bis investments, and that in many cases the abolition of the export duty would enable investors to make a profit, whereas at present they lose." “ That the revenue from miner’s rights, licenses, rents, and charges, other than the export duty, is, in the opinion of this meeting, quite sufficient to meet all the special charges on account of the goldfields.” “ That the gold miners contribute to the general revenue in a greater proportion than other inhabitants of tbe colony, and arc entitled to have justice administered and police protection defrayed out of that revenue. The only exceptional expenditure >s the gold esc >rt service,” “ That the system of entrusting to various bodies the expenditure of money, which they are not responsible for raising, is subervisive of political honesty, a great waste of public money, and a heavy drain upon the revenue ; and that, therefore, the expenditure in subsidising Hoad Boards and Aiunicipalities, beyond, in the case of the last, a limited assistance during the early years of their existence, is unsound in policy, productive of jobbery, gross corruption, and waste of public money in works Leneticial only to private individuals ; audit is suggested that a cessation such subsidies would enable the Government to dispense with a taxation which weighs heavily upon and retards the development of ouo of the leading industries of the colony ” The “Press” in Wellington.—

Great alterations have taken p'ac* of l ife in the intei nal arrangements of" some of the newspapers in Wellington—Mr Gillo i, "the same gentleman whom Mr Pox was indiscreet enough to designate a double dyed scoundrel, who was hitherto connected with the Pont, having joined the Adve> User, and one of the ablest gentlemen formerly connected with the Aoverti cr having joined the Post. As the politics of the two journals were hitherto diametrically opposed outsiders cannot help watching with some degree of interest to discover whether the change in their personnel will bring about any change in their principles. The grotesque ness of the situation is heightened still further by having the Independent looking on, unable to conceal its delight at the perplexity of its confreres. It remarks “Our morning friend apparently has anew man-at-arms, who handles kis weapons with considerable skill. Indeed, he displays such ready dexterity in thrusting at the weak parts of the armadillo covering of his evening contemporary as to lead to the conclusion that he had once worn the armor himself. With cruel delight, in Saturday’s issue, he pricks the Post very deftly under that part of his anatomy commonly known as the fifth rib. From the well-known gallinaceous courage of the evening journal, we anticipate for the readers of both that their daily dish of news will be seasoned with more than the usual piquancy. We are almost inclined to sympathise with the pitifu' position of the Post in its desponding and regretful looks at former consistency on the one hand, and the open eyed, hungry-looking way it sniffs at the Provincial flesh-pot on the other. We much think, after all, that the Post is but a badly-bred bantam, that, instead of fighting it out, will in this inslaucc be found to be a ‘ wheeler.’ With the serenity of a bystander we shall await the result of this pleasant passage of arm-i.” Englishmen in California. The following is from a San Francisco paper:— Every steamer which arrives from Australia bring to our city a number of Englishmen, returning from that country to their native land, and the mistakes and little accidents which occur during their sojourn hero are often very Laughable and ridiculous. By the last steamer a certain scion of a noble family in England arrived and registered'himself at the Occidental Hotel Feeling a little dusty after his journey, he went into a barber’s shop for the purpose of indulging in the luxury of a shave and shampoo. He hung his coat on the rack, and submitted himself to the tonsorial operations with abandon. After the cleaning and brushing had been completed, he put himself inside his coat and felt for his pocket-book to pay the bill; but his portmonuaie was gone, and although every receptacle about his person was examined, the missing book, which contained LSOO in English bank-notes, and a sum in sovereigns, could not he found, an I he was obliged to borrow seventy-five cents to pay the barber’s bill. On the same evening, when another of our English travellers was about to retire, he put bis coat outside the door in the hopes that it would be nicely brushed for him. Unfortunately he left several hundred dollars in notes and coin in the coat, and in the morning, much to his dismay, he recovered that article of dress as dusty as ever, but minus the money. ■Straightway he went to the office of the hotel, and said to the clerk, “ Mr Clerk, I’ve been robbed ; I’ve, been robbed, sir !” and he then detailed the facts of the case. The clerk told him he ought to feel very glad that he got his coat back, and advised him not to put his money outside his bedroom door hereafter.

The Permissive Bill.—The Premier has been again lecturing on this subject in Wellington. In the course of his observations he is reported to have, said The objects of the measures were not properly understood; it was to take out of the hands of the Bench of Magistrates, and to place in the hands of the people themselves, the power of regulating the liquor traffic, and of granting or refusing publican’s licenses. As a magistrate, during all his experience, he had never but one case where a license had been taken away, and scarcely a case where a license had been applied for and not granted. Let a publican be guilty of the most atrocious conduct, still he would get a renewal of his license. It was high time that the system was changed. The people of Mew Zealand were considered qualified to exercise the privilege of self-government; they were entrusted with the election of school committees and road boards, the Superintendent of the Province, and virtually of the members of the Government, both G.neral and Provincial, and it was only now sought, by the Permissive Bill, to entrust them also with the power of granting or refusing publicans’ licenses. It was not a teetotal measure, and many of its warmest advocates were not even teetotallers. The bill only enabled the parties living in the district whore the public house was to have a voice in the matter, whether a license should be g anted or refused. This was what the advocates of the Permissive Bill required ; and they had no doubt that when the matter was left to the people themselves, the greater part of the public houses would he swept away from the face of the earth. Sir Wilfrid Lawson’s bill gave power to the district to say whether there should be any publichouses or not in its limits. The Auckland bill gave power to tw.-lhirds of the men and women of the district to decide on every individual license. Mr Fox explained that the Per missive Bill, if one was introduced in the coming session, would not be a Ministerial measure. Mr Tiioneman will address the electors at the Royal George Hotel (Bell Ward), this evening, at eight o’clock, We beg to remind our readers that Mr R. P. Whitworth will take a benefit at the Masonic Hall this eveping. We would remind members and friends of the A [.o.‘>.F. that the installation of the officers of the oyal Alexandra Lodge takes place at the Old Masonic Hall this evening. Mr Birch will address the ratepayers to-morrow (Saturday) evening at Mrs Maguire’s Imperial Hotel at eight o’clock.