Untitled

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2779, 13 January 1872, Page 2

Port Chalmers. The Diorama of the American War will bo exhibited at Crickmore’s on Monday evening. We have little doubt this interesting exhibition will receive the liberal support it deserves. The Graving Dock.—The clock is now pumped out for clearing and inspection, and a considerable diminution of the leak is observable. Tbe dock is now quite ready to receive shipping—a few posts and ring bolts for convenience in making the vessels fast being all that are required for its completion. We undei’stand that the Luna is likely to be the first vessel that will enter. Gymnastics. —At a meeting of the Gymnastic Club last night, which had been convened for the purpose of arranging for the disposal of the funds, the secretary reported that, after paying all expenses, there was an available balance of L 8 1.35, which it was decided to hand over to the Lowing Club, as a contribution in aid of the expenses of the crew to bo sent up to Christchurch.

Gaol Return. —The following is the state of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending 13th Jan. .-—Awaiting trial, Omen ; 0 women ; under remand, 1 man, 0 women, penal servitude, 83 men, 0 women ; hard labor, 85 men, 18 women ; in default of bail, 2 men ; debtors, I. Total. 122 men ; IS women. Received during the week, G men, 4 women ; discharged, S men, 3 women. Bush Fire. — We are informed that a furious bush tire raged in Hawkesbury Bash the whole of Friday, and consumed a large quantity of firewood bush, and three small cottages. All the valuables in two of the houses were saved ; and at the time of our informant leaving this morning, the stables attached to Hawkesbury House were threatened. Early yesterday a fresh breeze sprang up, and caused the lire to spread considerably. Rowing Club. — At a meeting of the members of this club last night—Mr Pordyce in tbe chair- —a committee was appointed to revise the rules, which it was agreed should be printed. The secretary reported that subscriptions to defray the expenses in connection with the forthcoming rowing match at Christchurch had been liberally given—the total amount subscribed being L3U. It is expected that the expenses, including the cost of the new boat, will amount to LIOO. The Accident at Balclutiia.—The police report of the drowning of Richard Haworth at Balclutiia, on Tuesday last, shows that the deceased and his mate had got into a boat at tire ferry for the purpose of proceeding to the island. Haworth, while lifting a chain in the bow of the boat, missed his footing and fell over-hoard, being swept down by the current before even an alarm could be raised. Both men were the worse for liquor at the time. Haworth’s body had not been recovered up to yesterday morning, although a diligent search was made for it. House of Representatives.—The following appeared in the Wdlhujton Independent:—“Mr Ralph Richardson has, we believe, vacated his seat for the district of Nelson Suburbs, in consequent of private affairs requiring his presence in England. The candidates spoken of are Mr J. C. Richmond and Mr D. M. Luckie, editor of the Nelson Colonist. The contest will probably be a severe one, as it is known that the constituency is tolerably equally divided in political opinion.” The Nelson papers states that they have the best authority for contradicting the above, as Mr Richardson’s resignation is without foundation. Novel Postman.—On the recent passage of the Ballarat to Auckland, in lit. 29 deg. South, 30 deg. West, a Cape pigeon was caught, and after having attached a letter to its neck it was liberated. The following account of its recapture may be thought interesting .- —“The brig Elizabeth Brown, Perriam, arrived at Rio Janeiro, reports Sept. 3rd, Cape Frio bearing about S. W. 30 miles, caught a Cape pigeon with hook and line, which had a piece of cloth carefully secured to its neck, on which was written, as far as could be deciphered—‘Augusts, 1871, Barque Ballarat, from London for Auckland, 50 days out, lat. 22, long. 30 S. Bill Babot, of Poplar.’ ” A Theatrical Joke. —The Auckland correspondent of a Northern paper writes as follows : “ I have been told of a good thing about our clever comedian Johnny Hydes. He has been playing in the burlesque of ‘ Ixion,’ in the character of Minerva. In one of the scenes there is a supper, at which all the gods and goddesses unite in a jolly feed. To give the supper-table an appearance of reality, mine host, Mr Norman, on the opposite side of the road, sent over a large well-cooked ham for the gods to have a make-believe feast on, But the gods and goddesses felt that after all they were only mortal, so instead of a sham feast they made it a real one, and the ham speedily assumed the shape and form of a well-cleaned bone. Our host remonstrated. ‘ Johnny,’ he said, ‘ I am told it was you who commenced it. That ham cost me thirty shillings. It was too had altogether.’ ‘ Well,’ replied Johnny, ‘ you see 1 was bound to do it. I was in the character of Minerva, and not in the part of Ham-Id alon .’ Johnny is forgiven now, but host Norman sent no more hams for show which were not to be for use,” A Pretty Bouquet Holder. — In the dross circle at Auckland, on the last night of the opera, there was a lady in possession of a bouquet holder which excited general admiration, it was not a costly one, for if it could not have been obtained for the accepting, a halfpenny would have been its outside cost to purchase. It was neither of gold nor of silver, nor was it gemmed with pearls or set with precious stones. It was simply the flower of the lily, with a portion of its stock serving for a holder. The yellow stamen had been plucked out, and the flower became a cup to receive a small but very choice variety of blossoms, tastefully arranged, with duo regard to colour and general effect. The lily bouquet-holder was tenderly bound round with a narrow baud of white satin ribbon. Could anything have been prettier in conception and design? “ Sweets to the sweet.” A scented flower, the reservoir for scented flowers ; as lovely in its way as the poet’s description of “golden fish in globes of crystal. ” Poor Taranaki.—The prospects of the marriagable young ladies of Taranaki do not appear to be very bright, according to a letter addressed to one of the Taranaki journals. The writer says there are three hundred unmarried young women in the province of Taranaki, and proceeds to point out a remedy for this anomolous state of things. He says .-—Now, sir, I wish to tell you plainly what I would like to do if I had the power in this province, for after all it only requires a little forethought and planning, and I tell you, Mr Editor, it is a pity to see so many fine young women unprovided for, when the evil can he easily remedied. I would give every settler’s son who would marry a settler's daughter fifty acres of land, and to every settler’s daughter who would marry a settler’s sou twenty five acres of land, making seventy-five, in all, and ensure him of employment, if required, at least three deys a week at a fair wages for a least four years, making roads to their sections of land ; the remainder of their time I would insist on their dealing and cultivating their land or forfeit the same, until they had at least forty acres cleared of the seventy-five, before they would be entitled to the Crown grants. If some such plan was adopted, we should not require any immigrants from England, Scotland, Ireland, or any other country, at the Government 1 expense.

The adjourned annual meeting ot St. Paul’s Chu'rdi will be held in the room under the Athenanun on Monday evening at 8 o’clock. The adjourned monthly meeting of the No. 1 Company will he held on Monday evening next. To muster in front of Custom bouse at 7-30. The Committee of the Benevolent Institution acknowledge by advertisement the receipt of Lid from the M U. 1.0.0. M, being the proceeds of their fete on Boxing Day ; also various other donations, particulars o£ which will he found in another column.