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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2643, 7 August 1871, Page 2

Supposed Pleuro. —Unpleasant rumours have been in circulation during the pnst week, that some of the cattle running on the Clyde commonage are | suffering from pleuro. From inquiries made by the Dunstan Times it appears that little foundation exists of any apprehension. The Clutha Railway.— Tenders for the Clutha Railway contract (10!] miles) were opened this morning in the presence of his Honor the Superintendent, the Secretary for Land and Works, and the Collector of Customs. Thirteen tenders were received. The amounts have not transpired ; but we understand several were under tire Government estimate. The successful tenderer will be known to-morrow. Fiji.— We have Fiji dates to June 18. A Supreme Court has been inaugurated. Mr Burtt has been gazetted as Premier of a Constitutional Assembly, and promises to resign upon a vote of want of confidence being passed against him. About 800 of the Fijian chiefs have sworn fealty to the King and bis constitution. The Government has imposed light and postage dues. Princess Theatre — We beg to remind the patrons of the drama that Miss Cssay Matthew’s benefit will take place this evening. An ample bill of fare has been provided as follows: Second act of “ Ticket of Leave,” “ Stage struck,” and the burlesque, “ Pilgrim of Love.” We understand that many seats in the circle have been engaged, so that a full house, of late a rarity, may be looked for. Intended Legislation. —■ In the course of the argument in Chaplin’s case in tin. huyiomc Ouuit 00-clay, counsel expressed the opinion that the profession should be afforded the opportunity of suggesting improvements in important measures intended to be brought before Parliament before they wei;e laid before either House; and his Honor the Judge agreed with the suggestion, remarking that he would write to the General Government to send down copies of the proposed new Bankruptcy Bill, in order that the profession might make their comments upon it. Perhaps the i-overnment would, at the same time, grant a similar favor to the Press of the Province. The Education Question. Some doubt having been experiened as to the correctness of our Saturday’s Christchurch telegram, (we append the following paragraph from the Lyttelton Times, which confirms it: —At its recent meeting, the Synod appointed a committee to watch the steps taken in the matter of public education, and to aid by petitions and otherwise in obtaining a colonial system of education in opposition to the denominational plan. The Synod desires to see that the bible is read daily in every school »t a specified time, but that the children whose parents or guardians may object, arc not to be required tp attend during that time. It is understood that the Presbyterian Church throughout the colony, wil petPion the General Assembly to this effect, both from its Presbyteries and congregations. A Hint.—A correspondent of the Brian Herald suggests that members of building societies might become their own insurers. He argues that at present the borrowing members pay insurance on the fn I value of their advances, and continue to.do so till the Society’s claims are satisfied ; but if this suggestion were carried out, the Society could adjust the insurance accounts every twelve mouths, and have only the accounts actually due by the members covered against fire, thus considerably lessening the borrowing members’ annual expense. The amount thus realised could be kept as an insurance fund, and when sufficiently large from time to time could be lout to the general fund for a given period at interest to be replaced at maturity. The borrowers having a share iu tin insurance fund would take every precaution to prevent fire on their premises, and as the investing and borrowing members would bear equal share iu the fire risk, so they would equally participate iu the insurance fund by its being used to hasten the winding up of the Society. Writing Up. —The journals published in the Empire City have achieved an unenviable notoriety by reason of the strong language they occasionally use. All previous attempts at tall writing have been eclipsed by that indulged in in the course of the row occasioned by the appointment of Mr Henry Anderson to a post in the service of the Wellington Provincial Government. The Independent and A dvertiser took the part of Messrs Hunter and Halcombe, who resigned their seats iu the Executive on account of the appointment being mads, and the Advertiser having made some remarks against Mr Anderson, the Post replied iu the following shameful manner : —“We scarcely think it worth while to tear to tatters the web of sophistry which our contemporaries have woven round this question The Independent merely proves that Messrs Halcombo and Hvmter, in throwing up their

seats in the.Executive, showed themselves to be small-minded and vindictive, while anything the Advertiser may say is vox prcetcrea | nihil. For this wretched thing—this scandal and a reproach to journalism, which day after day prostitutes itself to the highest bidder—this album for the effusions of destitute and discarded penny-a-liners from all parts of New Zealand this advertising medium, whose agents visit places of amusement in the evening,' and request, from the theatrical performers ‘ a little on account’ of their advertisement, which appeared that day—to prate about the Pont being bought, really evinces a degree of effrontery almost incredible. Why it is but a few months ago, during the election times, that the Adrertis r and its nominal proprietor were publicly reported to have been purchased for a L 5 note Bought fossooth ! that portion of the press in New Zealand can lie bought ivhich has fallen into the hands of nameless and needy adventurers, whose daily breid is gained by the exercise of their wits, and whose life is one contiuous round of lying and subterfuge. ” Hot this. Saturday’s Concert.—The first concert of the Dunedin Choral Society was given at the University Hal on Saturday evening : that being the only night on which the use of it could be obtained. As the concerts of this Society are not strictly speaking public ones, but ponfined to the members and their friends, the Hall, though well filled, was not crowded. The Society has only been a few months in existenc ■, and has consequently had to contend with the disadvantages insep>rable from a recent organisation : but it is only justice to Mr West to say that his efforts as conductor have 1 been rewarded by training the most efficient chorus Dunedin has yet had. It is no drawback to the value of those efforts that the Society has not only a large number of members, but that individually they possess more than average musical knowledge. Even musicians require to practise together, and to subject themselves to the direction of a leading mind.. The value of this concerted practice was shown in the precision and steadiness with which the choruses were giveiv throughout, and in the taste with which the - various gradations of force were observed. It is needless to speak of one chorus as being better given than another—for all went well. We cannot say that “ Judas Maccabeus” is a favorite oratorio with us ; we should prefer “ lilijah ” or “St. Paul” as being more in accordance with modern taste in music. There are, however, beautiful airs and duetts, some of which were introduced last evening. Mr Campbell's rec tative and air, “I feel the Deity within,” and “Arm, arm, ye brave,” were well suited to his powerful bass voice; and the duetts “Come ever Smiling Liberty” and “0 Lovely Peace,” were finely given by Miss Bell, assisted by a young lady. The last was generally considered the gem of the concert. Two young ladies sang “ Hail, hail, Judea ” very fairly. The second part was introduced by an instrumental piece played by the band. The choruses, as ill the first part, were all well given. If the tenors and basses could restrain their voices a little the parts would be bettor balanced ; but as the sopranos and contraltos muster strong, the power of the gentlemen’s voices was not so overmastering as has usually been the case in Dunedin A little more practice will remedy this defect. One remark we are bound to make, and that is, that if the value of ..or-ofiii pi-nj-aipp was manifest in the precision of the choruses, there was evidence that equal attention had not been given to the quartett. In “The Lady of the Lea” there was a quarrel at starting between'the vocal and instrumental parts ; and although the second and third verses were very sweetly and tastefully rendered, there seemed not to be implicit confidence amongst; the singers ; each of whom was fully equal to sustaining a part so as to give to a united whole the best possible effect. Mr E. Towsey sang “My Queen,” very sweetly, and the concert was brought to a close by two verses of the National Anthem, in which Miss Bell sang the solo parts exceedingly well. This lady has not for some years taken a prominent part in concerts as a vocalist. She was in line voice on Saturday evening, and by her efforts contributed largely to the success of the concert. Mr Arthur Towsey, organist to the Society, presided at the piano, and gave very effectual support to the band which was ably led by Mr S. H. Little. We should recommend Mr Towsey, however, to study the art of accompanying more closely ; for however brilliant as a player, he, at times, instead of supporting almost drowns solo singers. We should be glad to see the instrumentalists strengthened. If this can be done, we have no hesitation in saying that the Dunedin Choral Society will be one of the best in the Colonies. Mr Bathgate announces that he will address the electors at the Masonic Hall this (Monday) evening, at 8 o’clock. The attention of the officers and battalion committee is directed to a general order which appears in our advertising columns this evening. We notice that a concert is intended to be given as a complimentary benefit to Miss Webb, at the North Dunedin Drill Shed, on Friday evening next. The gratuitous services this lady has rendered on so many occasions have fairly entitled her to some consideration from the public.