The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1872

Evening Star, Issue 2889, 23 May 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1872

The meagre telegraphic items received as the gist of two months gatherings of news scarcely require comment. Whether it be owing to the inattention or unskilfuluess of the compiler or absolute barrenness of incident we are not in a position to say until receipt of our files by the Nebraska, but it seems to us that the most trivial scraps have been picked out, as in past days goods unfit for other markets were considered good enough for the Colonies. Last evening the arrival of the Nebraska was announced just too late for insertion in the Star. The first telegram was received shortly after eight o’clock. Had it contained one line of matter likely to interest the public we should have published an Extra, but slip after slip came in filled with mere gossip ; with the details of the winning of races by horses unknown in the Colonies and uncared for ; with items of news already to hand from other sources, and it was not until most of our population were thinking of retiring to rest that the really important intelligence reached us, that there is a prospect of our San Francisco service being liberally subsidised by the United States Government, and that in all probability that Government has abandoned the claims for indirect damages in the Alabama dispute. Common sense would have dictated transmitting these most important details, and the state of markets, first instead of last. That they were delayed so long is the reason why the public were not put in possession of the news last night. We shall endeavor to have this foolish stereotyped style of telegraphing corrected. So far as the world’s news is concerned there is the usual catalogue of rumors of war, founded or unfounded. But little reliance can be placed on the absurd suggestion attributed to Bismarck that France shall reduce its army t022,500 men. It may be possibly a mistake, however, and the German minister may have required a reduction of its number to the extent of 22,500, under the idea that the present army of France is too large for the safety of the German territory. Unluckily the time has not arrived when the internal state of any European country is so assuredly peaceful as to justify such a step as is said to have been demanded. Even in Great Britain it would be a dangerous experiment with Fenian hotbeds, and Dilke nests of republicanism, ready to send their emissaries to stir up strife whenever the strong hand of physical power relaxes its pressure. Spain is again in a ferment; but as the insurrectionary fever is chronic in that fine but misgoverned country, its influence on the world’s prosperity is literally nothing. What little trade it has, has been subjected to similar depressing conditions for sixty years. If by some magical process the people could be brought to a united effort to uphold the Government as it is, instead of taking sides to seat or to resist placing an adventurer on the throne, there might be a chance of retrieving its once influential national position. It would then add to the wealth-producing and wealthdiffusing power of the world. But it will be years before the traditions which the people are vainly struggling to uphold, cease their pernicious influence over the peasant mind. Like many of our own Maoris, they are ignorant of the value of peace, and look upon those who would divest them of forms of Goverment founded upon a blind superstition as enemies instead of friends. There, as elsewhere, education alone will X’elievc them from their thraldom. It is a slow process, because men do not desire what they do not know how to value: it is a slew process, too, because marred and hindered by ecclesiastical interference and superstitions. At one time in advance of the age, the Church had its use as an educational institute ; but it has stood still while the human mind has advanced and passed beyond its teaching. It is now everywhere a drag instead of a means of progression, and will remain so until it easts aside its traditions, and places itself once more in the van of thought and science. Spain, France, Ireland, stand prominently as beacons warning the world of the evil of ecclesiastical influence, and pointing out that it will not do to allow the clergy to interfere so as to limit the character and extent of popular education. An unusual number of casualties to steamboats are reported to have taken place. We can never divest ourselves of the conviction that in nineteen out of twenty cases they would have been avoided by the exercise of the commonest care and prudence. As commerce extends the risk of frequency of these occurrences increases, and the

attention of every Government should be directed to devising such deterrent measures as are likely to induce greater watchfulness on the part of those to whose care so vast an amount of property and so many valuable lives are entrusted.

Football. —A. match will be played on the Southern Recreation Ground on Saturday between sides chosen by tho captain and vice captain. Law Expenses.—On the motion of Mr G. F. 0. Browne, a return has been prepared showing ail the law expenses incurred by the Provincial Government for the three years ending on the 3let March last. The total for the three years, including the Provincial Solicitor’s salary during that period, is L 4,012 10s sd. An Explanation.—We felt surprised at the announcement iti our telegram from Queenstown, that Mr Macassey had threatened the Star with an action for libel for publishing an extract from the Wakatip Mail As this appears to be the impression there, and as it has apparently obtained publicity, we think it due to that gentleman as publicly to say that we have bad no intimation from him that such is bis intention.

Notices of Motion. —The persistent ardor with with hon. members of the Provincial Council continue to rush forward with their notices of motions and questions, at the earliest possible moment every day is really something alarming. This afternoon near 70 notices were given, of which some 17 or upwards were from Mr Reid, who having read some three or four and announced the number to follow, the House wisely resolved “That the remainder be held as read.”

Aquatic.—The return match be tween the Peninsula N.B. crew and the Dunedin crew will taken place on Saturday ; start to be made at 1.30 p m. ; course from the Harbor Co.’s jetty round a boat off Grassy Point and back, a total distance of 44 or 5 miles. The crew of the “Otago,” the Peninsula boat, will be C. Macandrew (bow), lOst; E. M'Cormack, No. 2, list 21b ; John Edwards, No. 3, list; G. Clearwater (stroke), list; Jones (coxswain), 7st. The crew of the “Unknown,” the Dunedin boat, will be S. Muir (bow), lOst 10lb ; F. Muir, No. 2, List; A. Grant, No, 3, list ; A. Creagh (stroke), lOst 101b ; and Smith (coxswain), 7st. The Peninsula boat will fly the St. George’s Ensign; and the Dunedin boat, a St. Andrew’s Cross. Princess Theatre. —Though • the attendance during the last few evenings has shown signs of improvement, it is by no means commensurate with the efforts made by the management to place novelties before the public, or to produce sterling plays in a creditable manner. “ Randall’s Thumb” is so well played and so excellently mounted that it alone should draw good houses ; and when in addition to producing pieces that have that merit in themselves, the lessees are unceasing in their endeavors to give a good entertainment, they have a right to look to theatre goers for support. Last evening, in addition to “Randall’s Thumb,” Messrs Prosser and Roberts, gymnasts, made their first appearance. The former is a skilful and and graceful performer on the horizontal bar ; and favored the audience with some exhibitions of muscular strength, which for neatness of execution have not been excelled here. Both afterwards performed on the single trapeze in a manner which called forth the loudest demonstrations of approval. City Improvements. —There is now a probability of something being done to create another recreation ground at the northern end of the C.ty. The City Council and Mr Gebbie, the well-known gardener, have come to an arrangement by which that portion of the old Botanical Deserve which lays below Union street will be turned to account, and the citizens receive, at the same time, the full benefit of the improvement. Subject to the consent of his Honor the Superintendent, which, iu view of the utility of the work, will doubtless be at once granted, Mr Gebbie will obtain a seven years’ lease of the ground, which he undertakes to lay out, under the direction of the City Council, in walks and shrubberies with flower borders, the public to have the free use of the grounds from daylight to dusk. Mr Gebbie also undertakes to plant hawthorn hedges, aud proposes such other improvements as will tend t« make the grounds, iu a short time, a favorite place of resort by all classes of the community.

The attention of members of the Dunedin Artillery is directed to an order which appears in our advertising columns. The Installation of Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand will take place at the Masonic Hall To-mor-row (Friday) at 4 p.ra. A Tea Meeting to celebrate the Anniversary of the Dunedin Band of Hope will take place in the Wesleyan Hall, Stuart street to-morrow (Friday) evening at G. 30. The annual soiree of the First Church Young Men’s Christian Association will be held in the hall below the Church on Friday evening, the 24th inst. Tea on the table at 6.30.

We have to acknowledge the receipt of a neatly-printed brochure, entitled “ Spiritualism ; or, the magnetic teaching, its methods ” —being three lectures delivered in Dunedin by Mr James Smith. We have been requested to state that the date of the amateur 'performance in aid of the Rowing Club cannot be fixed until the arrival of Mr Tavares. The date will, in all probability, be announced in our issue tomorrow.

We notice that to-morrow (Queen’s Birthday) the Harbor Steam Company’s boats will run to Port Chalmers at reduced rates. If the weather be fine, a large number of persons will no doubt avail themselves of the accommodation thus afforded. A boat is announced to leave Dunedin for the Port after the close of the theatre.

Mr. Haselmayer has made arrangements to give two afternoon performances specially designed for children atttending schools ; one on Friday and the other on Saturday. As it will be impossible to issue tickets at the reduced charge for admission at the door, those designing to attend must obtain them at Mr Begg’s Music Warehouse, which will be kept open to-morrow specially for the purpose enabling them to provide themselves with tickets.

Professor Haselmayeb’s entertainment "’ill take place at ; the Masonic Hall this evening. In addition to the magic busi* ness which of itself would assuredly draw a crowded house, Mr J. Small is announced to appear in one of his comic characters.