Untitled

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2707, 20 October 1871, Page 2

Sudden Death.—We learn from the West Coast Times that Mr W. Weir, late of the firm of Weir Bros., Hokitika, and formerly of Dunedin, was found dead in his bed at Christchurch.

Masonic Hall.—An entertainment comprising dissolving view's, illuminated with the lime light, and a descriptive lecture and music is announced to be given at the Masonic Hall this evening.

Princess Theatre.—The management is determined to keep to its promise to produce novelties. To-night an entirely new programme will be put forward. The new comedy of “Kind to a fault,” and the farce of “She and He woul i’nt,” will be played by the company ; and during the interval there will be a musical melange, in which Messrs Wcstropp and Dixon will appear.

Yesterday’s Inquest —An error crept into our report of the inquest on the body of George Wells yesterday. Dr Hammond was made to say that the taking a dose of sulphate of zinc was the cause of death ; while what he really said was that death resulted from a do e of some irritant poison, the nature of which could only be told by analysis, which had not been made. Presumed Libel.—At a mooting of the Hokitika Hospital Committee, held last week, the Hon. J. A. Bonar in the chair, it was resolved “ That the legal opinion of Mr Button be taken to ascertain as to a criminal prosecution being instituted against the West Coast Times, in consequence of the article published in that paper.” The motion was carried without dissent. The article complained of was published in a recent issue "f that paper, and had reference to an inquiry into some recent mysierious circumstances which had occurred in the hospital.

Light Dues. — The amount of light dues collected forlthe year ended 30 th June, 1870, was 1.6013, and for the year ended in June last, L 5573, The falling off in last year’s dues of L 430, as compared with the dues of the previous year, arose from the tonnage of vessels arriving from beyond seas, and the number of steamers plying on the coast, being less than in previous years, and from the steam rs now carrying the English mail being exempted from payment of light dues. An Order in Council fixing light dues at certain ports, and for slightly increasing some of the existing rates, was issued on the 23rd June last; the additional revenue that will be yielded under this order will only be trilling. The chanyes in the rates were made, not so much with a view to increasing the revenue, as to remove the anomaly of rates being charged at some ports and not at olhrs. and to fix charges on vessels visiting ports benefited by the new lights. Novel Application of WaterPowkr.— Mr Moutray, of Nelson, ha® just constructed a novel and simple substitute for the smith’s bellows. He provides a twelvegallon <ak, which stands on one end. In the upper part is inserted a two-inch pipe, about six inches long, having a funnel-t'>p. In the bung-hole of the barrel is inserted another pipe, communicating with the forge ; in the bottom is placed a small waste pipe to carry off the water. At the mouth of the funnel is a small pipe with a nozzle I-Bth of of au inch in diameter. This communicates with the water supply. A stream of water from this small opening flows rapidly into the funnel, and carries with it a considerable quantity of atmospheric a i r> This air cannot escape through the waste pipe at the bottom of the cask in consequence of the water which is itself being driven out The air in the barrels becomes condensed, and, escaping through the bung-hole pipe, blows the forge fire with more regularity and vigor than any couple of pairs of the best blacksmith’s bellows that ever were stem The principle of the application is simplicity’s self, and the result is most effective. It is literally blowing the fire with water, and making the water supply its own air.

Dog Island Lighthouse,—Mr Seed, in his report on the Marine Department, says:—“On the occasion of my visit to Dog Island lighthouse, at the end of February last, my attention was directed to a crack in the masonry at the base of the tower. I should here state that soon after the tower was erected it was found that the mortar used in its construction was bad, and that it had to he raked out from between the joints of the stones on the outside, and replaced by Portland cement. Since this was done, the d feet above referred to appeared. I thought that sooner or later it might endanger the safety of the tower, which is a 100 feet high, and is built of subblc stone work, and accordingly I applied to the Government to instruct Mr Blackett to inspect the structure, and report Avhether, in his opinion, anything Avas required to be done immediately to strengthen and repair it. Mr Blackett soon after visited Dog Island, and reported that it Aras necessary, for the safety of the tower that it should be strengthened without delay. He Avas authorised at once to prepare the requisite draAvings and specifications, and to have the repairs proceeded with as quickly as possible. All the other lighthouses are in good order ; they are all amply (supplied with stores, and the lightkeepers arc performing their duties zealously and satisfactorily. The Marine Surveys, —About the time that the business of the Marine Office was handed over to the Customs Department, the attention of the Government Avas directed to the large expenditure that was going on in connection with the marine survey, and soon afterwards the Government arrived at the conclusion that it was desirable to carry on the surrey beyond the completion of the work then in hand. Therefore, the marine surveys have for the present been brought to a close. A risumt 1 of the work performed, and of the cost of it, is given by Mr Seed in his last report on the Department. By reference to previous re-

ports of the Marine’ Department, it' will be seen that the marine survey commenced on the 15th December, ,18157, at the Kaikoura Peninsula, and that the following places have been surveyed, viz., Waiaa-au, Goie Bay, Flaxbourne, Cape Campbell, Port Curtis, Entrance to Otago Harbor, and West Coast of Middle Island from Jackson’s Head tc Cape Fouhviud. The amount expended by the Marine Department on these surveys up to the end of June last was;—ln the financial year 1867-8, L 4.347 5s lOd ; 1808 9, L 2.222 18s Sd; 18(59-70, L 4.333 lls 5d ; 1870-71, L 1,222 15s lOd; total, L 12.126 lls 9d. The expenditure in 1869-70 includes a payment of L 1,200 to the Government of New South Wales for the surveying schooner Kdith and upwards of LBOO for fitting her out; she was afterwards sold for L 1,250, thus leaving the sum of L 10.876 lls 9d as the total cost to the General l.overnmeut for the marine surveys specified above. St, Andrew’s Church. —A social meeting of the congregation and friends of St Andrew’s Church was held yesterday evening to celebrate tire induction of their new minister, the Lev. John Gow. Tables, decorated with vases and cut flowers, were ranged in the centre and on either side of the aisles, and presented a very pretty appearance. The church was crowded. The Lev. J. M'Naughton, moderator, occupied the chair, and was supported by the Levs. Dr Copland, Sutherland, held, lloseby, Gillies, Johnson,'Gregg, Clirk, and Davidson. The chairman gave a short introductory address, congratulating Mr Gow upon the new sphere opened to him in Dunedin, and wishing him much joy in their midst. The Rev. John Gow, who was well received, said it was not because he was dissatisfied with his former sphere that he had come amongst them. It was to the credit of the people of Otago that they had established the means of obtaining a good education for the young, anti his own family had arrived at that period of life when it was necessary for them to have such if they were to have it at all. He did not undervalue the call for its own sake, one aim would be to preach Christ crucified, but it was greatly owing to the inducements mentioned that had led him to resign a good and successful position at Hokitika The Revs. W. Will, G, Sutherland, A. Keid, T. Roseby, D. M. Stuart, Dr. Copland, and Mr Paterson followed, testifying to Mr Gow’s catholicity of spirit and his readiness to co-operate with the ministers of other deucmieations. t-evera! anthems were sung by the choir between the speeches, and ih? meeting appeared to be much enjoyed by the largo congregation present. The Mistake! op the Ministry.— The Nelson Colonist remarks : The greatest mistake of the Ministry was in making overtures to Mr Stafford of a seat in the Cabinet. What led Ministers to make even a second hand proposal of this kind we cannot divine. No more suicidal step could have been taken than the carrying into effect of such a proposal. It would have alienated their friends; it would have broken up their party. The mere proposition of itself tended for a time to damage them in the eyes of the public. What could they have gained ? Only the addition to their ranks of an arrogant and overrated man, whose ability lay in detail, thanks to the departmental officers who coached him, and to a memory which not improperly has b-en de- ■ signated “very surprising.” But they would have received a politician with a damaged reputation; damaged by his conduct last session in the matter of the Government policy, in which he professed to Relieve, and yet was watching events while one of his old lieutenants assailed it at all points. We shall not further refer to bis action in regard to the lease of the Governor’s residence, and matters therewith connected. Nome of them are on record, and have done Mr Stafford more injury ns a polideal leader than half-a-dozen adverse votes of the House, and deservedly so. How Ministers, then, could have gone so far as to make a proposal of this kind to Mr Stafford, even as an experimental test, is one of those inscrutable mysteries which seem at times inseparable from po'itical life. That a proposal should be made to Mr John Hall we can understand. He has much in common with the Ministry, and has none of the faults which people are now everywhere discovering mark Mr Stafford. The usual concert of the Dunedin Abstainers’ Union will he given to-moirow evening at eight o’clock in the Congregational Hall.