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Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2783, 18 January 1872, Page 2

Bush Fires.-— The late hot weather has caused numerous bush fires in the Tokomairiro district. A good deal of hush land was destroyed at Fairfax, and an extensive lire has almost entirely destroyed the bush lying between the Table Hill Reef and Manuka Creek.

Public Works.— The first portion, consisting of about 300 tons of girders for the Waitaki Bridge, wtre shipped by the Euterpe for Port Chalmers, which left Loudon in November last. A considerable quantity of plant and rolling stock for the Dunedin and Clutha Railway have been shipped by the Jessie Headman, the Margaret Galbraith, and the Euterpe, and may shortly be expected.

West Coast.—During the first week of this year, 22,0690zs of gold were shipped from the West Coast, 14, SOOozs from Hokitika, and 7026 from Greymouth. The gold from Hokitika included 7045 ozs from the Nelson diggings, that amount haviug been sent from Westport a few days prior to the departure of the Melbourne steamer. The value of this exportation is L 82,808. The Oest Coast goldfields, especially in the Grey district, are improving. The Customs revenue at Greymouth for 1871, was over L4OOO in excess of the previous year, and nearly LBOOO higher than in 1869.

Coal. —The results of analyses of specimens sent to the Government Geologist have been forwarded to the Superintendent. Dr Hector states that the sample of Brown coal from Kaitangata was “ a solid and compact coal, laminated ; homogeneous ; lustre generally bright, is evidently much waterlogged, and -will consequently lose a large portion of water on being exposed to the air for a length of time.” A sample forwarded from Saddle Hill has much the same appearance as a sample obtained from the same locality some years ago. Though it bears evidence of having been considerably dessicated, it contained a large quantity of water. Both are described as being “good brown coals. ”

Judge Richmond on Provincialism. —His Honor Mr Justice Richmond, in ids address to the Grand Jury at He.son the other day, had a few words to say about Provincialism. Speaking of the necessity of increased means for preventing crime, his Honor said“ He was no optimist, and did not believe in the possibility of the complete banishment of crime from amongst us, which indeed could never be accomplished so long as drinking habits were so prevalent in the Colony; but he did think that if the criminal classes were properly dealt with, their numbers might be very largely decreased. There were, however, various obstructions in the way of attaining so desirable an end, among which might be named the local jealousies that existed in Hew Zealand. Provincialism, in some respects, was no doubt an excellent thing, but one of its drawbacks was that it tended to prevent any united attempt being made for the suppression of crime ; there were also colonial as well as provincial divisions, which, at present, stood in the way, but he felt sure that the time would como when these would be got over, and the whole group of the Australian colonies would work together in the endeavor to lessen the amount of crime that now existed in them. Our system of police and gaols was so defective as to render any attempt to put down crime most unsatisfactory, if not impracticable, whereas, if proper facilities existed, in the shape of penal establishments, the gradual extermination of the criminal class might reasonably be looked for, as the irredeemable ones might be taken care of for life, and endeavors made to reform those who were less hardened.”

C'onoekt. — A concert in aid of the building fund of the Episcopalian Church at Blueskiu was given iu the Masonic Hall last evening. It must have been gratifying to the promoters to witness so good an attendance, the hall being well filled in every part. The concert opened with the overture to “ Tancredi,” which was fairly played. One gt Hills part songs, “Summer lougiugs,” followed, after which a gentleman from Melbourne favored the audience with “ The Spa,” which was unanimously encored. A lady wfio was chiefly instrumental iu getting up'the concept then’ sajig “The captive Greek girl” with considerable taste. “Flowers of the garden” by tw.o y/elj-kpown sisters,” “ Theßride of the castle,” by a lady amateur, and “ Va Penseira” by a lady who possesses a clear sweet voice, were the most noticeable songs of the remainder of the first part, all of which received vociferous recalls. The trio, “ Mynheer Van Dunek,” wc have heard sung better. The song, “Twice ten thousand Imps of darkness,” was ill chosen, and not rendered iu a manner suitable to the dimensions of the hall. In the second part, “The Seaplj.Qre was decidedly the gem. The duet “Ah, could I teach the Nightingale,” was nicely given, “I cannot bear to say Farewell,” elicited a re-demand, which was very properly not poipplied with. The quartet from “ Lutzow’s Wild (,'hasc, ” would have sounded better had the bass had power. “Man the Life Boat,” by the gentleman who sung “The Sea,” was encored, and “The Low-backed Car ” was substituted, this again being encored, “Widow Machree ” was given. This gentleman’s style is something quite refreshing, as he sings with animation and taste ; qualities very essential to render any song effective, and which most pf our singers in Dunedin are sadly in need of. Ip token of the appreciation by his audience of thp jpapuep in which he rendered these songs, he' was deluged by ladies and gentlemen with a showep of bouquets, “What will you do Lpve” was giyen by a gentleman who, on being encored, sang a song with an incomprehensible chorus, which to our mind smacked too much of the “free-and-easy” style for the occasion. The evening’s entertainment was brought to a close by the hackneyed “Chough and Crow” and the National Anthem. Mr A. J. Towsey presided at the piano, and accompanied the singers. It was a magnificent instrument, kindly lent by Mrs M‘Lean. Although we have commented somewhat freely upon this eon-

cert, it should hot be forgotten that it was hastily got up, and that the inteu- : tion was recognised by those attending rather than the entertainment itself. Viewed in this light all faults can afford to be overlooked. It was not music that was looked for. livery one present contributed something towards a higher purpose than mere passing gratification, and each recognised in the other a contributor towards a good cause. We trust the church in Blueskin will stand ages after this concert is forgotten. We are requested by the promoters of the concert to present their thanks to those amateurs who so kindly gave their assistance.