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Evening Star, Issue 2798, 5 February 1872, Page 2

Fire.—At half-past four on Sunday morning a fire broke out in a small shed situate between Cumberland and Castlestreets, used for fish-drying purposes. It is thought a lire, which had been left burning the night before, was the cause of the accident. The damage dope did not amount to more than £5. The Superintendent. —His Honor the Superintendent and the Hon. Mr Reeves, Resident Minister for the Middle Island, are expected to arrive in town overland from Invercargill, on their return from visiting the proposed sites of special settlements in this Province. We understand they have ' enjoyed fine weather, and that Mr Reeves is much pleased with the country. The Volunteers. The Scottish Company were to have fired the return match with the Greymouth Rifles to-day; but the wet weather prevented them doing so. The Greymouth Company fired on Saturday and made out 395, being an average of 39.5 points per man. The local company will" fire next week, weather permitting, the tai-gets being engaged for the remainder of this week. An Exciting Contest.—Oue of the most exciting contests that ever took place between pedestrians in this Colony occurred ac Greymouth last week. Two men, named Vaughan and Twohill, old rivals, ran a mile spin, for LSO a side. When they were within fifty yards of the winning post they were breast to breasr; at twelve yards from home Vaughan “cast a shoe,” but ran <fn lentil be was within a few feet of the tape; at the same time Twohill, who was a step in advance, fell to the ground. The umpire gave his .decision in favor of Twohill, as he fell partly under the tape. The Weather, —The heavy rainfall which commenced last nigh ?,ucl at present

shows little sign of discontinuing for a while, will be very welcome up country, where every industry has been greatly impaired by the severe drought. From the Naseby district we learn that during the whole of last week the heat was oppressive in the extreme. The sources of water throughout the district were m arly all dried up, mining operations, as a consequence, being at a complete standstill. That usually plentiful article the potato, sold for 6d a pound at Naseby on Wednesday. The Inangahua Reefs.—From a letter kindly placed at our disposal by Mr Haugbton, wo are informed that the luangahua Reefs are looking exceedingly well, and arc likely to afford employment to a large population. The average yield of gold from a considerable quantity of stone has been from two to three ounces to the ton. The township, Reef ton, already numbers a population of over 3000, and a newspaper, the Inangahua Herald, was, we believe, to issue its first number this week.

Mount Ida.—The question of watersupply upon the Mount Ida goldfields is assuming a serious aspect. The Mount Ida Chronicle appears to think that the special circumstances of the district will prevent advantage being taken of the Government scheme for advancing money by way of subsidy to works for the supply or reservation of water, and suggest that works for the purpose should be undertaken by the Government. Mr Warden tiobinson is now in town for the purpose of consulting with the Under-Secretary on the subject.

Bush Fires.— The strong south-west wind on Saturday last caused the bush fires at Sawyer’s Bay, Portobello, Deborah Bay, and the Lower Harbor to spread and burn fiercely, again endangering the homesteads of the residents in those localities. Sawyer’s Bay is exposed to southerly winds, and the largest tires took place there. A cottage occupied by Airs Ryan, and some sheds and fences belonging to Mr Manning were destroyed, as also other fences. More damage would have resulted had it nut been for energetic efforts of the residents and others. Constables Erridge and Sullivan are said to have rendered great service in preveutina the destruction of property. Sea Bathing. Two lads named Alexander Livingstone and Henry Yesey respectiuely, were charged with indecently exposing themselves by bathing near to the stuart-sbreet Jetty. Frequent complaints have been made to the police lately, of persons being in the habit of bathing in too close proximity to the railway line, which is now a favorite walk ; and it is boys that are the chief offenders against decency, The cases to-day were dismissed, the Mayor remarking that he hoped that the fact of the cases being brought into court would prevent a repetition of the offence. ’ Perhaps the' difficulty cquld be best got over by the City Conned following the example of Sydney and Melbourne by passing a bye law making : ;it imperative for all bathers to use a costume.

Fiji.— We have received copies of Fiji papers of as late a date as January 6. They contain the record of lata events, which illustrate the advancement of the islands The first is the election of the first Mayor and City Council of Levuka. The second is a grand fancy dress ball, given by the Speaker of the House of A ssembly and the Ministry, For the Mayor’s chair and the seats in the City Council, there were numerous candidates, and the contest was close. A Mr Morey was elected Mayor. The fancy bali seems to have been a great success. The papers contains a long list of the plain and fancy costumes worn. The ladies seem to have been considerably in the minority, and to have been less fond of fancy dresses than their lords. Among these Mrs Batters, once Mayoress of Melbourne, appeared as the “ Evening Star. ”

The Opera.—Saturday nights bill drew together a very large audience, all parts of the house being well attended. The second and fourth acts of “ ffrovatove ” were given with a success fully equal to that which attended its first production. Signora Polli’s singing of “ Stride la ratnpa,” and her acting throughout the scene,_ were much admired. Signora Zenoni was in excellent yoioe, and although the celebrated duet, “ AJt chc la m.orte/’ between her and Signor Rosnati was even better sung than on the first occasion, it escaped an enporo, which it well deserved, 'l'ko ceroic opera of “ Pipele ” concluded the performances. Signor Grandi’s performance is oue which it is impossible to see too often; and well backed as be is by Signor Coy and t lurt si. an‘d Sien.org, Coy, Domli, and Tournee e. the audience cannot fail to be delighted. from Pipele’s entrance till the culminating point in , that mirth provoking scene, where the poor porter, in an inexpressibly happy state of drunkenness, sings “ Auld laug syne,” and mocks the prima donna, the interest in the piece was unflaggiugly sustained, and the audiftnee kept in a continual roar of laughter, At the end of each jict Signor Grandi received a call before the curtain ;'the bolero sung ami danced by Signora-Coy was rapturously re-demanded, and Signora Cortesi’s song ixr the last act had to be repeated. Tonight, “In Ballo in Muschera,” will be produced.

A meeting of the Standard Property Investment Society, for the purpose of receiving subscriptions, &c., will beheld at the Society’s offices, Princes street, on Wednesday next, the 7th inst., between 6 and 8 o’clock, p.m. A special meeting of the Lodge St Andrew, No 432 8.C., will be held in the Masonic Hall, this evening, at 7.30.