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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2711, 25 October 1871, Page 2

Supreme Court. —The sitting in banco that was to have been held to-day was adjourned to Wednesday next. Cricket. —We understand that a University team and the first eleven of the Citizens Club will try conclusions on Saturday next.

Plans of Towns. —In the House of Representatives, Mr Charles O’Neill has introduced a Bill for regulating the plans of towns. The object of it is to prevent the construction of narrow streets in centres of population. We have only to look at our own city to sec the wisdom of the measure. Ln England, where land is so valuable, there may have been some excuse for narrow streets, but here, where laud is vulgarly speaking “ dirt cheap ” such a. system seems perfectly inexcusable. The Labor Market. —It is officially notified in the Gazette that there is kept at each police station in the Province, a register in which employers of labor are requested to enter their names when -wanting to engage servants, giving particulars as to the class they wish to employ, the period for which to engage them, and the rate of wages they wish to pay. The members of the police force in charge of the different stations have been instructed to afford every possible information on the subject to men wishing to obtain employment. Princess Theatre. Three pieces will be produeed to night, the comedy of “A Banker’s Love.” “the Household Fairy,” and the farce of “ How to settle accounts with your laundress ” We notice by advertisement a new feature in the arrangements at this house. Half-price admission to the dress-circle is announced for half-past nine. Whether it is an arrangement intended for this evening only, or one that is to become a rule of the house we are not informed ; but we have no doubt that if generally adopted, it will add materially to the managerial coffers.

Fiji.—Our morning contemporary, in commenting on the Australian news by the Gothenburg, stated the person whose massacre by the Tanna natives was telegraphed from Sydney, to be Mr Charles Grnt, for some time connected with Messrs Bates, Size, and Co., of this city. It would appear that the news so telegraphed was originally brought to Auckland ; and the Fiji papers received there give the name of the murdered person as Mr Glutt, a settler on the island of Tanna, Information as to Mr Grut’s position, coupled with the fact just mentioned, warrant us in believing that ho was fl.ever on that island.

The Hotanic Gardens.—We are glad to learn that arrangements are in contemplation to secure the services of the battalion band, under the direction of Mr Martin, to play at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday afternoons. Since the Government has withdrawn its support, the band is kept together by private effort, and we are glad to s»y that the subscription list to the finds necessary to p»y'tb.9 expenses of the band, already numbers some ftf jibe most respectable names in the City, We trust it will be largely supported, as in every City, ij? is found a good instrumental band is a great inducement to the inhabitants to enjoy the pleasure of a promenade in places so attractive for scenery as our Botanical Gardens, Fort Chalmers Smuggling Case.— Our Port Chalmers readers will remember the case of Charles i)lack and Thomas Davis, who in 1809 were convicted of smuggling, and were detained in gaol for some time through being unable to pay the line ‘that was imposed on them. Since then the jnen have twice petitioned Parliament to institute an enquiry into their case. On the 14th inst. in answer to Mr Bradshaw, the Colonial Secretary said It was very clear that the men were in the habit of buying up sheepwash tobacco, and converting it into tobacco fit for smoking, and having that knowledge, probably that was the reason why they had not been able to produce sufficient evidence at the time of the hearing of the ease to exonerate them. Looking at tfe facts of the case, the Government did not consider it necessary to move further in the matter,

Lunatic Asylums. —The joipi committee of the two Houses of A ssembly appointed. to consider the subject of our lunatjc asylums, have agreed to the following resolutions, which are to be moved in the Legis(Jouncil by the Hon. Dr. Buchanan (1.) That the asylums in the colony have not (save in some localities) either proper or sufficient accommodation for the receptiou and care of lunatics. (2.) That it is expedient that the General Government should take measures jo cause proper provision to be made in those parts of the colony where the present provision is insufficient. (3.) That a duly-qualified Medical' Officer from the United Kingdom, Having special knowledge and experience ip thg treatment of the in- j sane, be forthwith engaged and appointed, ; and who shall have the supervision and cop-1 trol over all the lunatic asylums in the colony. (4.) That t e question of a general central asylum be postponed until next session, by which time information will have beep obtained from reports of the Inspecting Medical Officer, which will serve to guide the action of Parliament. (5.) That whilst steps should be taken to improve all the asylums in the colony, the state of that at ■ Karori, near Wellington, urgently requires immediate attention and reform. That the honorable the Speaker be mj nested to transmit a copy of these resolutions to fhe honorable the Colonial Secretary, for the com sideration of the Government, with the view of their being carried into effect.

Soiree. — A public tea meeting was held last evening in the Congregational Church, Port Chalmers, to welcome the Kev Mr James Maxwell, who has entered on the duties of the pastorate. The church, which was deiisely tilled, was tastefully

decorated with flowers and evergreens, and the tables, which 'were provided by the ladies of the congregation, were abundantly supplied with the delicacies of the season. Upwards of 50 Dunedin friends, by their presence and efforts contributed to the social enjoyment of the evening. After tea, Mr McFee took the chair, and paid a high compliment to the ladies of the Port for the spirit and skill shown in providing repasts of this kind, and called upon upon Mr Davin Stevens (the secretary), who briefly narrated the leading events in the history of the ehurch during the past year, and referred to their late pastor, the Rev. Mr Smith, who had bsen removed from them by a painful mental disease which he doubted not had been aggravated if not caused by his arduous labours amongst them. The Rev Mr Maxwell then briefly addressed the assemblage, and publicly thanked the congregation for the cordial welcome he had met with since his arrival amongst them. His desire was not to buiid up a sect, but to preach Christ crucified, and he trusted that the Divine blessing would rest upen the pastor of this and other churches in an abundant degree. The Rev. Mr Roseby, who was the next speaker, stated that he had had the pleasure of knowing Mr Maxwell for a number of years —for four years they had been fellow-students at college, and had worked together and had since been warm friends —and he could personally testify that their pastor was a genial-hear ted man, who enjoyed a high reputation as a preacher, was of irreproachable character, had been a diligent student, and was a devoted and pious Christian. He exhorted them to give their new pastor the utmost confidence and support. The Rev. Messrs Johnston and Smalley and Mr Jago then addressed the meeting, and the proceedings terminated with the usual votes of thanks to the ladies and those present who had contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. The proceeds, the amount of which we have not ascertained, are to_be devoted to the liquidation of the building fund.

The Annual Ball of the Peninsula Division of the Dunedin Volunteer Naval Brigade is announced to take place at the Drill Shed, Portobello, on Friday evening.