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Evening Star, Issue 2800, 7 February 1872, Page 2

The Telegraph.— The erection of the telegraph between Auckland and Ttturanga is proceeding rapidly. It has already been completed, to seventeen miles on the Thames side of Tauranga, and in a fortnight is expected to reach Hikutaia on the Thames side. Musical. Exchange Melbourne news says : —The great operatic event to which we have to look forward is the appearance of Signora Enrichetta Eosisio, who is to arrive here under engagement to Messrs Lyster and Cagli, by the May mail steamer from alcutta, where site is stated to have made a profound sensation as a vocalist. Caution to Bakkrs.— The bakers of Dunediis appear to hi- ignorant ■ f a very important Act, passed during last session of the General Assembly, which materially atfects the making of bread, and came into force on the Ist January. It is as well, however, that they should know that heavy penalties can be imposed for disregarding its provisions, and that the police may at any moment institute proceedings against offenders.

Corporation Cattle Yard, The new cattle and sheep yards, at the head of Maclaggan street, were opened for the first time for the transaction of business this afternoon. Before the real business commenced, the Mayor and Councillor Barnes addressed a few remarks to those present, the attendance being large, on the initiation of the market, and the .causes that had led to its establishment. Afterwards some 300 head of cattle were disposed of by Messrs J. T. Wright and James Milner, at averagely fair prices.

The Port Chalmers Accident.— We regret to announce that though strenuous efforts have been made by Captain London and a boat’s crew, as also by the police boat, to recover the remains of Isaac Samuel, who was knocked overboard from the Geelong’s deck by the fouling of the tow warp, at about half-past four yesterday afternoon, all search has as yet been unavailing, though the scene of the accident has been continuously dragged. Mr M Donnald, the chief mate of the Geelong, who was also struck at the same time by the warp, is progressing favorably towards recovery.

Postal — Suez Route. —From exchange files we learn that the Nubia was to be despatched from Melbourne on Friday, February 2, instead of Tuesday, 39th January ; and the Bangalore will leave as an extra mail-steamer with mails for India, Europe, &c., a fortnight afterwards—viz., on Friday. February 6. We also learn that it is expected that the Barocla, a vessel of 1874 tons and 400-horse power, a fast, powerful boat, will come down next month to permanently take the place of the Rangoon on the line. The complete time-tables for 1872 are not yet received, but arc expected by the next mail. In all probability the times of departure of the mail-steamers from Melbourne will be definitely altered from Tu.es? day to Friday in one half of the year, and from Sunday to Wednesday in the other, Waireka Branch Railway. A survey for this line for fifteen miles, Papakio being the present terminus, has been com Sleted. The Oamaru Times says It is oped by the promoters that arrangements may he made with the Board of the new Awaproko District, when constituted, for the extension .of the line to the point at which the Omai’ama road crosses the Masrewhenua River—a further distance of IQ -apics. We understand that, provided the consent of tbp General Road Board can be obtained, the three Boards, Windsor, Enfield, and Teancraki (which, under the new Roads Ordinance, will bo united under the name of the Waiareka district), will borrow upon the security of their rates L/ 25,000 for the construction of the line. On dlt, that negotiations are in progress b.etwepn the promoters and the contractors for the Port Chalmers line for the carrying on of the work so aoop as the requisite preliminaries can he arranged. The Opera,— “ Faust,” which was reproduced last evening, did not draw such a large au iieuce as might have been expected, considering that many were unable to obtain admittance on Friday evening. The opera was even played with greater spirit than attended its first production. Of course the singing and ac.iug of .''ignore Coy and Folli, and of Signori Coy, Dondi and Coliva, were ail that could be desired. The prima donna's singing in the opening scene of the third ait was greatly admired ; ami Signora Belli obtained a good ropnd of applause for her excellent s nging of the song, “Gently whisper to -her of love.” Signor Dondi was very successful with the songs of the “Golden calf” and “ Maiden now in peace reposing,” in the fourth act, the former narrowly escaping an encore. Signor Coliva received a call before the curtain at the end of tee fourth act ; his natural acting in the dying scene fully entitling him to that compliment. To-night, Verdi's opera of “Traviata ” will be produced. Benevolent Institute. —The usual statistical information appended to the committee’s report escaped our notice on Monday, We leant from it that during IS7I,

52 male and 272 female adult*, and 737 children, received outdoor relief—or a total of 1054, as agahist 903 in 1870, 610 in 1869, and 402 in 1868. 'At the end of the year 244 remained in the Institution books, who are reeciving relief, as against 253 last year, and 141 -in 1869. The religions of those bene fitted are thus stated :—289 Church of England, 465 Presbyterians, 200 Roman Catholics, 46 Wesley ans, 54 other denomi-; nations. Some families have received relief for five or six years, over thirty families for periods of twelve or eighteen months; but the majority of cases average between one and five months. There were over ninety casual cases. The ages of the adult inmates range from 23 to 83 years—seven persons being over 60 ; those of the children, 79 in number, from I year to 13 years. Thirtyeight were discharged during the year, at the end of whieh the numb r of inmates was -14 adults, 65 children ; or a tidal of 79, as against 84 in 1870, and 69 in 1869. The cost of each inmate per week is estimated at 6s.

The San Francisco Mail Service. —The Sydney papers report in full the interview the local Chamber of Commerce had with Sir James Martin on the subject of Webb’s steamers, when they urged on the New South Wales Premier the necessity for contributing at the rate of L 15,000 a year to Mr Webb’s line, on condition that the boats should make Sydney the terminus, leaving the New Zealand coasting service to be performed by local boats. During his remarks, Sir James Martin stated Mr Vogel bad proposed to the New South Wales Government to become parties to the contract with Mr Webb by paying L 25,000 yearly, half the subsidy, and having their mails carried from Auckland to Sydney in the A.S.N. Co.’s boats. This proposal, on behalf of New Zealand, was under eonaideration by the New South Wales Government; but “of course,” said Sir James Martin, “we were not at all likely to join in the contract on the terms proposed by Mr Vogel.” This would appear to be decisive of the fate of Mr Vogel’s Australian mission, unless he chooses to modify his proposal, and accept the conditional aid recommended by the Sydney Chamber of Commerce, or hat the . hauge of Ministers which has just taken place in Sydney will alter the aspect of matters—the latter a rather unlikely contingency, we think.

Queenstown as a Watering Place. A Mr Houston, of Johnstone Castle, Scotland, lately visited the Lake district, which he thinks admirably adapted for a watering place. He proposes a plan for attracting tourists ; advises that endeavors should be made regarding the issue of return tickets to and from Melbourne, Sydney, &c., in the form of coupons similar to those between London and Paris; the appointment of proper agents ; and also that a guide book should be published, in the shape of a small pamphlet. The Mail gives an extract from Mr Houston’s letter“ With regard to making I ake Wakatip attractive to tourists, I am exceedingly sanguine, and feel sure that the thing can be done. From my own experience,—and that, of course, is small,—l kn >w that there is a general desire in Victoria and New South Wales to escape from the excessive heat of summer. Tasmania is old and well-known ground ; New Zealand is fresh and unknown—in fact, so little known that no one dares to even think of going there. In addition to the Australians proper, there are plenty of English travellers knocking about the Clubs in Sydney and Melbourne, and also squatters from Queensland, cooling themselves in Sydney, and wishing they could go somewhere ffigg. ‘ Now, if the beauty bf the scenery and the accessibility of the approach to it were clearly and effectually represented to all these individuals,and hrought’under their notice, a large number would be attracted to the district. Unquestionably a very large portion of Otago, will never be of use except as a resort for travellers, tourists, and parched Australians. It should also be remembered that this kind of traffic never decreases, but, on the contrary, increases certainly 10 per ccpt. per annum. The result we wish to see brought ab mt will be accomplished some day ; it depends upon you or somebody else whether it is done in five or riyepty years, ” A meeting of the members of the Albion Cricket Club will take place at Hutchinson’s Prince Alfred Hotel, Great King Street, to-morrow, Thursday evening, at eight o’colock. The attention of Members of the Qtago Rifle Association is directed to the adyertjsemejit which appears in another column to-dyy. All persons taking an interest ip wrestling are invited by advertisement to meet at Wain’s hotel, on Friday evening, at 7 o’clock.