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Evening Star, Issue 2862, 22 April 1872, Page 2

The Axe and the Saw. —A match of this nature come off at Oamaru last week, and resulted in an easy victory for the sawyers, Messrs Bell and Henderson, who cut their half-cord of wood in 32 minutes. Matheson, who was the champion for the axe, gave it up for a bad job, after chopping for about one-third of the time. Athenasum. —The following books have just been received at the Dunedin Athenteum via Suez mail;—“Freeman’s Norman Conquest,” vol. 4. “ Faust,” a tragedy, by Johauu Wolfgang Von Gothc ; translated by Bayard Taylor, 2 vols. ‘ ‘ Poor Miss Finch,” by Wilkie Collins, 3 vols. “ Middlemarcb,” book 2, vol. 1. Hydrate of Chloral.— The value of this drug as an antidote to strychnine was tested conclusively by Mr Coggins, chemist, Oamaru. A valuable water-dog bad been by some means poisoned, and exhibited the symptoms which indicate the effects of strychnine. The dog had fallen to the ground, and was, apparently, in the last gasp, when hydrate of chloral was administered. After two doses the animal recovered its feet, and was soon able to walk, and yesterday appeared to be none the worse.

The Telegraph. —The usual interchange of compliments passed between the Colonial Government and the Provincial authorities on the occasion of the completion of direct telegraphic communication with Auckland last week. The Premier telegraphed to the Superintendentof Auckland congratulating him and the people of that province on the accomplishment of a long-desired object which ‘ ‘ will confirm the unity of the colony and contribute to the prosperity and progress of both races of its inhabitants,” and to this message the Mayor, in the absence of the Superintendent, replied. Dr Pollen, the Government agent, was the first to use the wires, and he telegraphed to the Colonial Secretary that the rapid completion of the work is owing to the zeal and energy of Mr Floyd, while Mr Gisborne, in his reply, acknowledges the share Dr Pollen and Mr Mackay had in the work. Princess Theatre. —The announcement of Mr Tavares’ benefit on Saturday evening brosglit together a capital house, all parts being well attended. Mr Tavares could hardly have selected a better play than “ Hamlet ” in which to show his abilities as a Shakespearian actor. His impersonation of the Dane has many new features, is an even performance throughout, and is a thoroughly scholarly reading. The famous soliloquies were well given, while his best effort was in the scene with the Queen, where he charges her with perfidy. Miss Surtees was only a passable Ophelia, while Miss Anstead, the Queen, appeared to exert herself to the utmost in a character which is not to her liking. With the exception of Mr Musgrave, as Polonius, the other characters do not call for notice. We are glad to observe that Mr Tavare’s engagement has been prolonged for a week. He reappears as Hamlet to-night. Feat in Acclimatisation. A brother of Mr Graff, of the firm of Blackadder, Graff, and Co., of this city, is entitled to the credit of having accomplished one of the greatest feats in acclimatisation ever attempted on this side of the line. Mr Graff here being of opinion that grouse would be extremely well fitted for the mountains of this Colony, prevailed upon his brother, who was leaving his native country for Otago, to bring some out with him. Accordingly Mr Graff procured some grouse eggs, and set them under a hen, and was fortunate enough to obtain six young grouse. Of these, one was killed fighting, and Mr Graff, when he left Hamburg for Hobart Town, had five young birds. After a voyage of 158 days he arrived in port with two couples of birds, one having died soon after the commencement of the voyage. At Hobart Town the local steam company acted with great liberality, and conveyed Mr Graff and his interesting charge to Melbourne free of cost. The Ary as, to which we are indebted for the foregoing particulars, informs us that the grouse are in excellent condition, are quite as well grown as birds of their age would be on their native heather, and that Mr Graff will come on to Dunedin by the first opportunity.

Fast Young Men. —The departure of the Zavistowski Sisters (the burlesque actresses) for California, has enabled the Auckland papers to give us a little enlightenment as to the manner in which they were regarded by the young swells ot Auckland. It appears that they have been the rage there—have been “boquctted,” “ champagned,” and picnicked ad libitum, The number of presents (says one writer) these girls have received from said fast young fellows must be very great. lam told that a subscription list was opened for the purpose of purchasing them a piano to wile away the time across the Pacific ; but although the young fellows were willing enough to pay for the pleasure of the girls’ actual society, they were not willing to pay very dearly for anything that would enhance the pleasure of their departure, consequently the gallants who had put their names down for L 5 and LlO “called off” at the last minute, and the young girls went without their piano. It was perfectly sickening to see the crowd of young bloods that went to see them off, and who kept kissing their hands to them till the vessel was nearly out of sight.

A Rich Claim. For some clays past Mr Warden Beetham has been investigating a case of encroachment at the Upper Shotover. One Henry Eager is the complainant, and Grace and party the defendants, the damages being laid at L 12,000. After a week’s trial the Warden and the Assessors found for the plaintiff in the sum of L 8,255 damages and costs ; but the case will not end there, as notice of appeal has been given. The Mall makes the following reference to the case There is no doubt, however, that Skippers has been wonderfully rich, and that the Otatjo Daily Times, when it challenged some remarks of ours, as to the distributive yield of gold about a year ago, was in possession of pretty correct information. It attributed the yield very justly to one or two rich claim? at Skippers,

In this causa celebre we have strong corroboration of the assertion that, between several parties of miners a large amount of gold, equal to 1.100,000, or L 150,000 was taken out and shared—within two years between less than a dozen men. The actual time of working was far less than the two years, for the run of gold was followed, when struck, with keenness of instinct known only to miners when on ‘ good gold.’ The assessors have refused an application, in conjunction with the Warden, for stopping the working of defendant’s claim.” The winter season of the Gymnasium at St. George’s Hall will commence on the 25 th in st., The members of the Dunedin Abstainers’ Union will meet to-morrow evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, at 7.30. The anniversary tea meeting of the Congregational Church, Port Chalmers, will be held to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at six o’clock, after which addresses will be delivered by several ministers and laymen. The fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society will be held in the Hall below the Athenaeum, to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at 8 o’clock, when an essay will be read on “Woman, and her mission and place in society.”