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Evening Star, Issue 2866, 26 April 1872, Page 2

Journalistic. —The Taranaki News has changed hands, and is now the property of Mr Charles Brown, late of the firm of Brown and Duthie, and formerly Superintendent of Taranaki. Volunteer Ball. —We are glad to hear that the ball to night promises to be a very successful affair. It is intended to present tbe ladies’ prize to the Champion and a number of war medals on the occasion of the parade on the Queen’s Birthday. The University. — On clit that the ladies are about to take steps to found a scholarship to commemorate the admission of women to the University classes. We wish them all success, and feel sure that an appeal to the public will meet with a cheerful response. What Next ? — An Auckland telegram says that Captain Macpherson, at Alexandra, ordered the arrest of a militiaman for refusing to add “ Bir ” to “ Here,” when answering to his name on parade. The settlers are highly indignant with the treatment of the man, who was quickly released. No wonder. Important to Meat Companies.— It may be interesting, says the Atr/us , to shippers of preserved meats to know that among the late telegrams which have come to hand this mail there is one dated 15th March, which reports a very dull market in London for preserved mutton, and exporters are cautioned against making further shipments at present. A “ Scare.” —The Hocused victuallers of Wanganui have recently had a “ scare. ” A legal gentleman discovered that in 1807 an Act had been passed repealing that under which all the licenses had beep granted. Consternation seized every Boniface, but they were relieved when a second lawyer discovered that the Act of 1807 had been disallowed by the Governor. Interesting.—We ai’e to have another breach of promise case shortly. The Tuapeka Times is our authority for saying that a lady and gentleman, until recently resident in the Tuapeka district, will shortly figure in the Supreme Court as plaintiff and defendant respectively, in a breach of promise ease. The defendant is a stockrider, and the plaintiff is a “help.” The former had a legacy of a considerable amount left him, and was about proceeding to Australia to take possession of it, when an embargo was laid on him by the fair one, and he was compelled to find sureties to the amount of L 350 for his appearance at the trial. Professor Haselmayer.— We were surprised this morning by the announcement in the Daily Times that this accomplished wizard had arrived by two different vessels. How this new trick was managed perhaps he will he able to explain to-morrow evening. We understand that curiosity is so thoroughly roused to witness what he can do that seats are being rapidly secured; and in order to insure comfort, it has been arranged that reserved seats may be engaged four days in advance. This is an advantage where a friendly party is formed, and we have no doubt will be extensively availed of.

Piscatorial. —The following will be read with interest. It is taken from the Picton paper of the 3rd inst. :—Some of our fishermen had a good haul on Thursday night, when they went on their usual excursion. The fish they caught turned out to be veritable mackerel —not the fish known as horse or New Zealand mackerel, but the genuine mackerel, such as can be seen in Billingsgate any time during the season. The fish were very large, weighing as much as seven or eight pounds each, and the quantity was large also. Whether the fish is rare in New Z aland or not, such a haul of large and heavy mackerel has never before been made in Picton, and it adds another irguraent to those who contend that fishing as a trade—to be followed as it should be—would pay well in New Zealand. Even if there were no immediate market, dried or salted fish would be disposed of without trouble beyond the colony.

Reefton. —Steps are being taken by the Government to extend the line of telegraph from Greymouth to Reefton, a distance of about fifty miles. Most, if not all, of the line will be through heavily timbered country and extensive bush clearing, a work of considerable cost and labor, will have to be done. This, during the winter season, cannot be managed quickly, and the line will probably not be opened earlier than six months hence. Tenders for felling the b sh have been invited, and are to be opened to-day, and no time will be lost in letting a contract, Reefton is rapidly increasing in si?e, and will doubtless ere long rival the Thames in the yield of its claims. The reefs are said to be remarkably rich, and of immense extent. By next summer it is confidently expected that many thousands of miners will be at work in the district. Tho country is covered with heavy birch and pine bush. As yet there are no saw-mills erected, but hand sawyers are at work making good wages, timber heihg 30s the hundred feet. As instancing one of the anomalies sometimes found on new goldfileds, the Post mentions that while the rate of labor at Reefton is IDs a day, beef is sold at 4d per pound. Our Roads.—Tho attention of the Works Committee is called to the deplorable condition of the streets of thp City generally. The last few days’ rain has converted them into seas of mud. In our opinion this has been due mainly to neglect on the part of the municipal authorities. Had ordinary precautions been adopted when the roadways first showed signs of needing repair, and the ruts caused by the traffic been filled up, it would have involved a very small outlay; but instead of this course having been adopted, the streets are allowed to become almost impassable for vehicles ere the Corporation suddenly become alive to a sense of their responsibility, and cause them to be re-metalled, thus entailing more than double the expense on the community had tho repairs been made when required. The state of Stafford and George streets at the present time is a standing reproach to the members of the City Council who have been returned for the wards in which the streets are situated. In fact, in one portion of the former street opposite the Golden Age Hotel—it is utterly impossible for loaded carts to mako use of the roadway at all; they are obliged io go round by Walker

street instead. We would earnestly impress on the Corporation tbe advisability of taking steps, before winter in reality sets in, to remedy this state of things. While on the subject, we might call attention to tbe deplorable condition of Princes street south from Anderson’s Bay road to Hillside. It is a perfect sea of mud : and is A standing disgrace to the City. The Government who are responsible for its state, should lose no time in putting it into decent repair. Princess Theatre. Bose«,” a piece new to Dunedin, was played last evening for the benefit of Miss Surtees. We should have been glad had there been a better house. The comedy is a good one. The plot is simple enough—a tale of the changes wrought by circumstances in men’s minds and manners. It introduces to us a member of Parliament out at elbows, willing to borrow of anybody, and equally willing to allow his two daughters to marry, one a journalist and the other a blind musician. Fortune places him in possession of wealth, and he aims higher for his daughters, with whom, however, love is stronger than position, and the interest of the piece turns upon their continued attachments, sisterly sympathy, and final success. Incidentally we are introduced to a Mr and Mrs Jenkins — the lady very straight-laced ; the gentleman first very free and easy, and lastly equally straight-laced with his wife. The principal characters were sustained by Mr Morton Tavares, Mr Hydes, and Mr Musgrave and Mr Booth. Their acting was on the whole admirable, and they were well supported by Miss Surtees, Miss Anstead, and Mrs Ward. Being a new piece, there was evidence of some slight forgetfulness of the text, but not sufficient to become a serious drawback. The efforts of Mr Willis to place pieces on the stage in good style deserve the highest praise. We have scarcely seen more beautiful scenery on the stage than the fountain and pleasure-grounds of Mr Grant’s domain. It was artistically arranged and beautifully painted. “The Two Roses” well bo repeated this evening. Those who wish a pleasant hoar should see it. Native Timber. —The Colonial Government are endeavoring to obtain a collection of native timbers for the purpose of investigating their proporties, and as it is very desirable that the fullest assistance should be afforded them, and there are, no doubt, many who might wish to contribute varieties of the native timber of the Colony, we may mention that the District I'ngineer, Mr Blair, will receive specimens and forward them to the proper quarter. The following particulars for sending specimens of native timber to the District Engineer, Dunedin, will prove of interest to these who may have the means at hand of complying with the conditions ; “ Ordinary specimens of new timber to shew an average section of a full-sized tree, not leas than two feet long, and of the following thicknesses Trees under eighteen inches diameter, full section; from eighteen inches to three feet, halt section ; and above three feet, quarter section, the bark being left on in all cases. Samples of sawn timber of each tree should also be sent, shewing the ordinary form in which it is found in the market, say a piece of 4 inch by 3 inch scantling, 4 feet long; and a 9 inch by 1 inch board, 4 feet long. The whole to be accompanied by specimens of the leaves and (if possible) of the flowers or berries, and a note of the locality, and the soil in which the timber was grown, the season in which it was felled, and such other particulars as may be useful in arriving at a correct knowledge of its properties. Specimens of old timber may be of any convenient size or shape ; and in addition to those required with the new timber, each specimen should be accompanied by detailed particulars of the amount of seasoning it has received, the situation it has occupied, and the exposure to which it has been subjected, together with a note of the time it has been in use. Each specimen to be labelled and distinctly numbered, the matter being referred to in the description that accompanies it.” We might also mention in connection with this subject, that any parties who may have specimens of native timber they may wish to forward, on intimating the fact to Mr Blair, that gentleman will arrange as to the carriage thereof.

The Band of Hope will meet on Friday next, May 3, at 7 o’clock p.m. Mrs, Haamaan will resume the classes at her Dancing Academy, St George’s Hall tomorrow. The Quarterly District Meeting of the Ancient Order of Foresters will be held at the Royal George Hotel this Friday evening at 7 o’clock p.m. The fifth annual general meeting of the Standard Property Investment Society, for the purpose of receiving a statement and for the election of office-bearers, will be held at the Athemcum Hall, on Monday evening, at 7 o’clock.