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Evening Star, Issue 2797, 3 February 1872, Page 2

Fire.—A fierce bush fire was burning at Sawyer’s Bay this afternoon. A cottage, occupied by Mrs Byan, and some sheds are reported to have been destroyed. Almanac. — We have been favored by the agent to the Australasian Insurance Company with a copy of its almanac for I§J2 ft is got up in a -neat style by a house ip Melbourne, and comprises besides the calendar all the useful information usually given in these annuals.

The At h en ab um,— By the Sue? mail ,-this Institute has rece ved all the new magazines, and also the following books; — Report on Spiritualism,” by the committee ,of the -Dialectical Society of London, and ‘•‘Saint Simon and Saint Simonism,” a .chapter in the history of socialism in France, by A, J. Booth. Schoolmasters’ Association.— The usual monthly meeting of this body was held to-day, in the Government Buildings. Mr Milne, Caversham, President iff the chair. There was a good attendance, The Secretary’s account of receipts and expenditure, and the Treasurer’s balance sheet were laid before the meeting, and approved of. It was resolved to hold the annual dinner on Friday, Ist March prox. Gaol Return.— The following is the state of H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending 3rd Feb. Awaiting trial, 1 man ; I woman ; under remand, 0 man, 0 women, {tenal servitude, ffS pjen, 0 women ; hard abor, 33 men, 18 women; imprisonment, 0 men, Q women ; in default of bail, 2 men, ,0 women ; debtors, 1, Total. 120 men ;19 womnn. Received during the week, 2 men, 2 women ; discharged, 5 men, 3 women. The Prince of Wales, —How the mistake arose in telegraphing that the Prjnce was dead is thus explained by the Argus : The arrival of the branch steamer off Glenolg was telegraphed a little after midnight. Soon after we had the telegram announcing that the steamer was in sight we got a second message, stating that a signal was shown by her—tne signal being one lantern, By the code of uigut signals arranged for the last mail by the associated Press correspondent at Adelaide, ‘ ‘ ono lantern” was to signify ‘' the Prince of Wales is dead. ” The message was received, the import of the supposed signal was ascertained, and the information being regarded as of important public concern, was freely circulated The effect ,gf the former news had ten led to make thg Pripce’s death a probable event, the signal now seemed to report it as an actual one : and the message was received without question. Subsequently, however, when the full telegraphic despatch came to band it was found that the statement was quite unfounded, and also that—so far from its being true—His Royal Highness w&S happily in a fair way of improvement.

Prison Labor,—The frequenters of the baths at Pelichet Bay jetty will be glad to learn that a gang of prisoners is employed in repairing and strengthening the baths by driving a number of piles, and erecting a close picket fence which will effectually prevent the entrance of unwelcome visitors. This is being carried on under the supervision of tradesman overseer, Strong, who lately finished a somewhat similar work at Black Jack’s Point—a platform on piles to enable the light-keeper to have easy access to the light at the Point in any weather 1 . When finished at the baths we understand the gang will be sent to Port Chalmers to erect beacons, and assist in completing the < J raving Dock, A. gang of prisoners has recomm need work on Bell Bill, for the purpose of reclaiming the lagoons, the Vauxhall road being almost finished, with the exception pf the bridge, which will be proceeded with as soon as the requisite piles are forthcoming. We observe, with pleasure, that the widening of the Caversham road having been completed the gang employed there fs now engaged in supplying a long felt want—the trenching and retrenching of the Southern Recreation Ground. A small gang has also been sent to effect some improvements in the grounds attached to the girls’ portion of the High School, and jto the Rector’s residence, near the Town Belt.

Girls’ Provnicial School.— The additional accommodation provided at the Girls’ Provincial School, affords increased facility for teachers, and boarders. A large dining-room has been constructed on the ground floor, which was much needed to prevent unhealthy crowding ; two large additional class rooms have been provided up stairs, and one down stairs, attached to which is a lavatory and cloak room ; additions have been made to the dormitories, and two bath rooms are provided. Much as lias been done by the Provincial Council, we trust more will be found necessary ; for we hope to see an increased and increasing number of girls attending this first tu tion. One thing is imperatively required, which the Municipal Council can do, and which we have no doubt they will cheerfully accede to : the footpaths leading to tiro Girls’ Provincial School, and, as a matter of course, the Boys’ riigh School next door, the Middle District School, the school kept by the Fev. Mr. Stanley, and St. Joseph’s School (the approaches to which are common) are of the most wretched character. Something like one thousand to twelve hundred children tramp over them at least twice, and many of them four times aday. The footpaths are rough enough in dry weather, but in winter and wet weather they are simply reservoirs of mud. For the sake of the health, cleanliness, and comfort of the children, asphalte or flagged footpaths are needed, such as are Lid down in thoroughfares far less frequented; and as every one is interested in securing the means of comfort to so large a population of small people as well as the means of education, we should think the slightest possible representation made to the City Council would induce them at once to do the work.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Investment Society for receiving subscriptions, &c., ■will be held on Monday evening, February sth, from six to eight o’clock. In connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Rev. Benjamin Backhouse, the 'ustraliau representative of the Society, will preach in the morning in Knox Church, and in the evening at the Baptist Chapel, Hanover street. In the afternoon he will address the children attending Sunday schools in Knox Church ; and we should think the teachers of the various Protestant schools will take advantage of the opportunity given to the children of taking them thither. It is intended to hold a public meeting in the Wesleyan Trinity Church on Monday evening, when Mr E. B. Cargill will take the chair. We refer our readers to the advertisement for fuller particulars.