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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2723, 8 November 1871, Page 2

Tins Invercargill Fire.— The late fire in Invercargill having been supposed to have been caused by an incendiary, it is notified that the Governor will grant a free pardon to any accomplice giving inforformation. The Match Tax Watched.—During the discussion on the stamp duties Mi Gillies suggested that instead of a tax on receipts for L2, they should impose a tax on

photographs. Mr Vogel said it would he ipiite time to impose fancy taxes when they went into fancy expenditure. The Bishop of Dunedin.—At the meeting of the Auckland Synod, the Venerable archdeacon. Maunsell moved—“ That the President be requested to forward to the Bishop’s commissary in Dunedin the resolution expressive of pleasure at the appointment of the Rev, S Tarratt Neville to the Bishopric of Dunedin.” The motion was seconded and agreed to. Criminal. — A female named Marion Maria Hogan Webb, formerly redding in this (ity, was committed for trial at the en suing criminal sessions, on a charge of having, on the ]4lh August last, at the Kawarau Gorge, feloniously married Thomas Stewart Brodie Leslie ; her former husband, John Webb, being then alive ; and a Chinaman named Ah Teang, sentenced at Lawrence on the 4th iust., to two months hard labor, on a charge of stealing from the promises of Lawrence Johnston, at Tuapeka Flat, on the 3rd November, a quantity of potatoes, valued at five shillings, were received into the gaol yesterday evening.

Communication with Auckland. — Greville’s agent in Dunedin informs us that his principals are prepared to despatch special couriers overland net ween Tauranga and ihc Thames, so as to effect speedy communitiou with Auckland. The want of direct telegraphic communication between the principal towns and Auckland must be a serious inconvenience to business men, and any endeavor to connect the break in the line is deserving of public support. The first telegraphic message under the new arrangement has been received by us, and is published in the usual column. We may add farther that Greville and Co. propose shortly to canvass throughout the principal towns for contributions towards tho maint nance of a regular service ; and if they meet with support, it will be made bi-weekly.

Walking Match. What was announced as “The Great Walking Match,” in which the old and erst while favourite pedestrian Gwynnc undertook to walk 18 miles in three hours, came off in Auckland last week, and resulted in a failure. After doing 14 miles, with five minutes to spare for the ground walked over, Gwynne was suddenly taken with cramp, when he was compelled to succumb ; and this at a time when he was being backed heavily against time. A large number of sporting men, and the lovers of pedestrian feats, had assembled on Mr Cunningham’s paddock, Newmarket, to witness GWynne’s performance, and there was a general expression of dissappoiutment at the breakdown of the old “ ped,” there being no doubt either than that he had done his very best.

A Gallant Swain.— A scene which was not announced in the programme, but which nevertheless afforded a hearty laugh to the audience, occurred at the Academy of Music at the Thames, on a recent evening. In the epilogue to the “ Heir-at-Law,” Cecilia Homespun is made to address the ladies of the audience, the iuteutien of the author being that some person should be singled out to give effect to the point. This occurred on the evening in question, but the man who sat uifch the lady so singled out, not relishing the joke, felt himself aggrieved, and complained to the management, demanding an apology, Mr Jones came before the curtain in the interlude, and explained the matter, but the explanation, instead of mollifying the feelings of the worthy swain, had the contrary elfect. He loudly complained of the indignity offered to the lady by whom he was accompanied, but his voice was drowned by cries of “sit down,” “put him out,” and other equally irritating remarks.

Princess Theatre. —It will be seen by the advertisement that the Princess Theatre will be opened to-morrow evening by Miss Edith Palmerston, assisted by Miss Jennie Nye and others. Of Miss Palmerston’s ability we need not speak. She has been twice here before, but on neither occasion has she had opportunity of giving full effect to her undoubted talent. This time she will be supported by an old favorite, Miss Jennie Nye and several others, and will therefore not have her energies overtasked, as always seems to be the case when almost the whole burden of an entertainment has to be sustained by one person. The pieces selected for to-morrow are “ Wild Oats” and a “ Day after the Wedding,” with dancing and an allegorical tableau. It is highly desirable that a place of rational amusement like the theatre should be supported, and, as the taste for readings has grown almost to be a passion with the people of Dunedin, they are ablo to witness them of the highest class when given on the stage. We trust this effort to sustain the drama, although, in its light and most amusing aspect, will ha successful. The Key to the Chinese Question. —The problem as to how it is best to deal with the bugbear of the Chinese immigration has been solved in a sentence by Mr G. B Barton, He was invited by the select committee of the House of Representatives to state his views on the subject, and he com plied with the invitation. In his written reply to the committee, he states that he thinks it desirable that steps should be taken with the view of checking Chinese immigration, and he adds “ The step I would recommend is this : The Government of New Zealand should place itself in communication with the authorities at Hong-Kong and other Chinese ports, for the purpose of representing the actual state of affairs on the subject, and making it known among the Chinese themselves. There can be no doubt that they are now flocking to Otago under gross misapprehensions. They have been led to believe that there are millions of acres in Otago open for occupation ; that the climate is mild, employment easily obtained, wages high, and provisions cheap. If it were made known to them that the facts are just the reverse, their emigrating tendency would probably be checked at once.” The Wellington Independent adds : —“ In strange contradiction to this most strange recoinmeuda ion Mr Barton gives it as his further opinion that l ' a capitation tax would neither drive them out of the country, nor prevent them coming into it.” The Education Question. —At the meeting of the Auckland Idocesan Synod, hi Id last week, the Kev, F. Gou'd moved: 1. That this Synod regrets that the General Assembly of New Zealand has not passed tin Kduca'ion Bill lately brought under their consideration, inasmuch that the bill contemplateb the recognition and aid ol denominational schools, and permission, when local boards desired it, to have the

reading of Holy Scriptures and the use of daily prayer. 2. That this Synod desires to impress upon every member of the Chqrch the importance of using every effort to obtain from the General Assembly in the next session an education Bill involving the principles that were contained in the Bill abovenamed. 3. 'i his Synod considers the Common Schools Act of the Province of Auckland unsuitable to the wants of this Province. (1). Because it is in its ma n provisions inoperative. (2). Because it practically leaves the greater part of tho money voted for schools to the absolute and uncontrolled disposal of the Boar a of Education. (3) Because the offices of inspector and secretary are filled by one person. (4). Because it is impossible for any right-minded teacher to comply with the terms of clause 31 which enjoins that the instruction shall be purely secular and that morals bo taught. (5). This Synod is of opinion that as a temporary measure the main provisions of the Education Act of 1857 would again secure a fair encouragement to educational efforts in this province. (6). That a memorial be drawn up by the President and signed on behalf of this Synod, and presented to the Provincial Government at its next session, praying that they will prepare the scheme of an Educational Act fo; the colony, and that in the meantime they will pass an Educational Act, embracing in its main provisions those of the Education Act of 1857.” The Rev. W. Taylor moved a rather lengthy motion as an amendment to the whole question, having for its object the appointment of a committee to draw up a petition on the education question for presentation to the Provincial Council and the General Assembly at their next sessions. The amendment was carried.

To-morrow's Holiday. —Amongst the treats projected in celebration of the Prince of Wales’s Birthday to morrow, is one which combines benevolence with pleasure. The Ancient Order of Foresters have arranged for a trip to the Maori Kaik by one of the Harbor Company's steamers, and it is intended, with the help of fc>t. Patrick’s Band, which will accompany them, to enjoy a dance there, and such other sports as may be improvised. We do not doubt, that with such an object in view, the number of persons taking advantage of the opportunity will be so large as to secure a substantial addition to the Relief Fund, to which the surplus is to be devoted.—Next in the order of time, are the pic-nic got up by the members of the North Dunedin Rifles Company, who contemplate a visit to Sawyer’s Bay, and the annual pic-nic of the Dunedin Band of Hope, which is announced to take place on the grounds in front of the residence of Mr W. H. Reynolds, the procession to leave the Octagon at 9.30. The centre of attraction in town will be the volunteer sports at the Caledonian Grounds. The arrangements of the committee are so complete, that it only requires a continuation of the present fine weather to ensure success. —A rifle match between members of the Artillery is to be fired in the morning, and in the afternoon a cricket match will be played between an eleven of the D, C. C. and eighteen Albions.—Special trips will be run by the Harbor steamers to Fort Chalmers and Portobello. —At Sawyer’s Bay, pic nic’s and rifle shooting will afford amusement for those interested in those pastimes. We understand that a large number of Dunedin volunteers will contest with the P.C. N.B. Several prizes are to be given by the inhabitants of the Port to the crack shots, which will no doubt have a favorable effect in stimulating the day’s sports.

A meeting of the Kebekah Degree A.1.0j0.F. wiil be held in the old Masonic Hall to-morrow evening, at eight o’clock. The Annual General Meeting of the Union Permanent Building Society will be held at the offices of the society on Monday 27th inst, at 8 p.m. The Companies Nos. 1 and 2 and the Dunedin Naval Volunteers, will muster in front of the Custom House, to-morrow morning at 10.30, to march to the North Dunedin Recreation Ground. A musical entertainment in aid of the North Dunedin School Prize Fund, is announced to take place at the Masonic Ha 1, on Friday, Nov. 17th. Mr E. |B. Cargill, M.P.C,, will occupy the chair. The second concert of the Dunedin Choral Society, will be given in the University Hall, on Friday, Nov. 21st. A rehersal will take place at the University Hall on Monday evening next, for Band and Chorus. Members of the Fete Committee and members of all the Courts of the A.O.F. arc requested to meet at the District Chambers, Royal George Hotel, to-morrow (Thursday) morning, at 9 o’clock, to join in the procession.