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Evening Star, Issue 2902, 7 June 1872, Page 2

Immigration.— We understand that passages for equal to 53 statute adults, under the Nominated Immigration scheme, were applied for by friends in the Province. Of those applied for 114 adults are from England ; 18,t from Scotland ; and 23 from Ireland. The lists were transmitted per this day’s mail.

Political. —Mr Caldev, M.H.R. for Invercargill, met bis constituents on Monday last. At the conclusion of his address the following resolution was carried :—“ That the meeting having heard Mr Calder’s explanation of the course pursued by him during the late session of Assembly, desires to express its approval of the same. ”

Football. — A football match will be played by the Dunedin Football Club on the South Dunedin Kecreation Ground to-inor-row, commencing at 3 p.m.; sides to be chosen from among the members of the club on the ground by the captain and deputycaptain. We would remind members that a meeting (at which a full attendance is requested) to re-consider the rules will be held on the ground.

The Telegraph. —A comparative re turn of telegrams which have passed throngl the Department for the quarters endec March 31, 1871 and 1872, has been pub lishccl. We glean the following figures re garding the increasing use made of the wires —The number of telegrams forwarded ii the quarter for 1871 is 84,278, which com pared with the return for the correspond ing quarter of 1872 (104,020 messages shows an increase of 19,742, representing however a comparatively small increase ii cash, L 872 6s 6d. The cash returns for botl quarters are; 1871—L. r )880 18s; 1872 L 6753 4s 6d. The value of Governmenl telegrams for the same quarter is: 1871— L 3048 13s ; 1872—L3325 Os 6d. But there is such a close approximation in the amount! for the last mouth in both quarters, as com pared with previous, that one is led to the conclusion that this has been the result of restraint put upon the too indiscriminate use of the wires in the discharge of official duties. The amount for March, 1871, LllsO, and foi 1872, L 1169 10s 6d. Grand Juries. —At the recent criminal sittings of the Supreme Court at Wanganui, his Honor Mr Justice Johnston is reported to have said, while referring to the system of Grand Juries :- “ The principal function of the modern Grand Jury is to act as a tribunal of investigation, preliminary to the trial of persons charged with serious offences. After a long experience I have come to the conclusion that the abolition of Grand Juries in England would comparatively be a desirable object. Where there are so many able stipendiary magistrates, there can hardly occur any great acts of omission which would necessitate the functions of a Grand Jury being called for. The Grand Jury acts, as it were, as a check upon the actions of the lower tribunals, as in the case of an indictment consequent upon a committal, a variety of circumstances would tend to show that incalculable harm would ensue by placing a man upon his trial whom the jury had no moral doubt was perfectly innocent. In this respect the wholesome check of the jury “is not actually visible, except from actual experience. I am of opinion, however, that all cases of a capital or political nature should bo submitted to the investigation of the Grand Jury, but in all minor cases it would be more desirable to leave them to the cemmittal of the R.M., unless in special cases, in which the judge may deem it necessary or advisable to take the opinion of the Grand Jury, Aquatic. We have been asked to give publicity to the following circular, which explains itself : —“ Wellington; Hew Zealand, May, 1872, —Sir,—lt is proposed to hold an inter-colonial and inter-provin-cial regatta in the Harbor of Port Nicholson, on or about the month of February next. There will be races of various kinds, but the chief event of the meeting will be a contest between four-oared gigs, of any description, with, or without coxswain, for which it it intended to offer a prize of Ll5O, in money, or iu such other form as the winners may prefer. The course will be straight, or nearly so, aud v ill extend over three and ahalf to four miles of water. A race for fouroared inrigged gigs is also contemplated, for which a liberal prize will be offered. It is also intended by the committee that a race for whaleboats, fitted with all necessary gear and appliances for whale-fishing, shall be included in the programme, for which a prize of at least L will be offered. All the races will be open to all-comers,

professional or otherwise, provided that they are accredited representatives of the Colony or Province from which they cotne. I am directed by the general committee to ask you to give their intentions as much publicity as possible among the boating community of your Colony (or Province), and to enquire whether there is any prospect of your Colony (or Province) being represented at the proposed regatta, aud, if so, whether by one or more boats- Your early attention to this matter will be regarded by the committee as a great favor.—l am. sir, yours obediently, R. Kent, .'Secretary.”

Entries for the next match of the Dunedin Rifle Club must be made before Wednesday, 12th inst. The Committee will meet at Bennet’s Royal George Hotel at 8 p.m. on that day.