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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2738, 25 November 1871, Page 2

The Telegraph. —Thanks to ilio action of Wr Steward, M.H.K., the Telegraph Odice at Oamaru is now kept open till 8 p.m. Railway Construction. —We nnierstand that the General Government have decided to go on with the immediate construction of the Mataura railway at once, and the construction of the first ten miles of the line will be called for before the close of the year. Gaol Return.—The following is the state of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending 25th Nov. Awaiting trial, 12 men, 1 women ; under remand, I man, 0 women ; penal servitude, SI men, 0 women ; hard labor, do men, 17 women ; in default of hail, 2 men ; debtors, 0. Total, Id“ 4 men; 18 women. Deceived during the week, 0 men, d women; discharged, 4 men, d ■women. Acclimatisation. —On the authority of a competent observer, we are able to stale that a colony of blackbirds which built their nests in the neighborhood of the city, have succeeded in rearing their brood unmolested, and have now taken wing. We should have noticed this fact earlier, were it not obvious that to have told of their sitting would have led some unprincipled persons to seek after their whereabouts. On this ground we withold other information equally interestfng respecting English and other imported birds. We regret to say that the shanghai nuisance is still continued amongst hoys. The Moa Flat Sale- —The Lyttelton Times concludes an article on the above subject as follows : —The conclusion at which we arrive, after a careful consideration of tile documents laid before the Select Committee of the Legislative Council, and the evidence they collected, is this—That Mr Clarke, through the nervous anxiety, and

mental incapacity of the Acting Treasurer, has made a cry advantageous bargain, and that the people of Otago have substantial grounds of complaint against their rulers. Wo hold, also, that the Superintendent, Treasurer, Provincial Solicitor, and Secretary of Lands, though absent in Wellington when the sale was made, are principally to blame. They knew well enough, or ought to have known, that negotiations were going on, and it was their duty to watch every stop with the utmost enro. This they do not appear to have done, though there was every facility, and it follows that they ought to be held responsible.

Princess Theatre. —This place of amusement will be opened on Monday evening, by the members of the American Excelsior Minstrels. The Northern Press speaks highly of this talented company, whose performances are represented as combining all that is excellent in high-class music with all that is humorous in comic song. The following are some of the names of the members of this troupe: —Messrs Kelly and Holly, original golden shoe dancers and comic delineators ; Mr Alexander O’Brien, single songs and dances; Mr Amery, baritone ; Mr Clarke, tenor; Mr Herman, violinist and alto singer; Professor Saunders, harpist; Mr N. Reeves, second tenor and violinccllist. Such combined talent will hardly fail to draw crowded houses during the stay of this troupe in Dunedin.

Christchurch Regatta. —The paragraph in our last night’s issue having reference to the above, was founded on a misconception of a telegram from Christchurch. The meeting, on Tuesday, had reference to the K'livipoi regatta, and it is that which is to be held on Boxing Day, instead of in January, as first announced. This alteration was carried by a large majority ; and in the coarse of some remarks by a Mr Mellish, who advocated ’that the regatta should be held on the day previously announced, that gentleman is reported m have urged that it would be advisable to hold the regatt as near the time of the inter-provincial match as p issible. That match was likely to be held same time in February, and he knew perfectly well that crews could not be got to keep in training for such a length of time. They would say, “ Oh, we have had training enough, and are in perfectly good form for tho interprovincial match,” but he knew from his experience in boating that a very great deal depended upon thorough training. If the Kaiapoi men only persevered, the chances were that the provincial race would would be placed to their credit. The Opera in Auckland.—A correspondent of the Hawko's Boy Herald writes The Opera Company is performing here, in the Prince of Wales’ Theatre, to well filled houses. From remarks I have heard, it would appear that novelty has a good deal to do with the attendance. The night before last, I listened to the performance of “11 Barbiere di Sivigilia,” “ What do you think of it, sir?” asked a gentleman. “I like it very much, ” was the reply. ' ‘ Do you agree with me, may I enquire?” “Well,'’ rejoined my friend, “ hanged if I know ; what is it all about ? Do you know ?” Another gentleman thought a good song in English from one of the Carandinia was worth a bushel of “Hightalian Moprer.” The Prince of Wales’ Theatre, in my opinion, is not well adapted for high-class music, for at times the singers’ voices get disagreeably blended. Last night, “ Lucrezia Borgia” was given, and the criticisms within the th-atre were nearly as truthful and edifying as those which sometimes appear in the local papers. Notwithstanding the high prices of admission—seven guineas for 24 nights—it is said the company are losing money. 1 much uestion if so delicate an exotic as Italian Operas would thrive in Auckland beyond a very brief period. Concert. — The concert last evening at the South District School, in aid of the school prize fund, was a decided success This year it was held in the building new.y erected in William street, which was crowded to suffocation, many person having to leave through being unable to obtain admittance. The conceit comprised an average selection of vocal and instrumental music, and as we have not space to notice the efforts of each performer, we must content ourselves by referring to the principal. In the first part Mr Whittington, an old pupil, gave one of Artemus Ward’s lectures with his accustomed success ; Misses .Sinclair and Calcutt sang a duett, the singing of the firstmentioned lady being much admired ; and Mr Westropp sang “ Hard up and broken down,” wliioo c .me in for the inevitable encore. The chief feature of the second part was the debate on “Compulsory Education,” in which twenty-three toys took part, and which was sustained with great vigor. The Misses Jago gave “ Whispering Hope ” as a duett, and in answer to a well-deserved encore, “The (lowers of the forest” was given, notwithstanding the apparent hoarseness of one of the young ladies. Songs by Messrs Sinclair and A. J. Towsey (who presided at the piano), and a reading by Mr M’Carty, were also well received. His Worship the Mayor presided. New Zealand Coal.— Mr John Kebbell supplies us ( Wellhujlon Independent) with the following particulars of trials of coal at Messrs Kebbell’s mill I have been obliged to refer back to past trials for a comparison, as the engine was doing more woik at the time of experiments in 1869 than in 1871, when the Colingwood and Grey coal were experimented on. Compare English coal in 1869 and 1871 In 1869: In each casehalf a ton was accurately weighed. English steam coal supposed to be'and looked like Hartley, lasted 3 hours 3b minutes, rapid generation of steam if required. Newcastle, N.S.W. lasted (114 lb waste) 3 hours 59 minutes. Bay of Islands (28 lbs waste) pure clinker, 4 hours 20 min. The clinker of this coal injures the bars as bad ns South Wales coal of England, otherwise a good steam coal with live-eights spaces between bais. In 1871 ; English coal same ns above lasted 4 hours 25 minutes ; clinker and waste about the same as N.'-.W., above. First trial of Collingwood lasted 4 hours 55 minutes, 2nd do, 5 hours. This coal cokes sufficiently only to prevent it running through the bars, requires no further attention than to put on coal to keep the bars covered : clinker and w as e similar to N.S. W. Grey coal (I could only get one half ton,) lasted o hours 5 minutes. This coal w r ould make the purest coke, as the waste and clinkers were practically nil, I used to bo well acquainted with xorththupaberlaud and Durham coal in England, and can only compare it with the celebrated Tamil el J Moor audTam field seams, and consider it not iufe ior. In our furnaces it was found.rather objectionable, on account of its coking qualities ; it required attention

to break up the surface to allow sufficient air to pass, but where a stoker is always on watch the objectiou vanishes.

The members of No. I Company City Guards are requested to meet for battalion parade on Monday, 27th inst., at 7.30 p.ra., in front of the Custom House The Union Permanent Building Society’s Office will be open this evening and every Saturday evening, from 7 30 to S o’clock for receipt of subscriptions, &c. The North Dunedin Rifle Volunteer Company will parade on Monday, the 27th inst in front of the Custom House, at 7.30 p.m. for Batallion Drill and Government inspection. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Investment Society for receiving subscriptions, &c., will be held on Monday evening, Nov. 27, from six to eight o’clock. A full rehearsal of “ The Messiah,” by the members of the Dunedin Choral Society, will take place at the University Hall on Monday evening. AH members, vocal and instrumental, who intend taking part at the Christmas concert, are expected to attend.