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Evening Star, Issue 2903, 8 June 1872, Page 2

Acclimatisation. The Hon, Mr Waterhouse stated the other day that he estimated there were at least 100 doer in the Wairarapa district.

Court op Appeal.—Wo learn by telegram that in the case of Catamore v. Murray the appeal was dismissed with costs, the Court supporting the judgment of the Court below.

Akaroa Guano. —The guano found lately at Akaroa, it is said, is likely to be of some commercial value as an article of export. A sample has been submitted for analysis to a competent person, and he reports that it is not so good as Peruvian, but that it compares favorably with a good deal that is exported to England.

Interesting to Ornithologists.— A new species of bird, or rather a specimen of a species, hitherto unknown here was captured by a dog near Otepopo a day or two ago. It resembles the English landrail or corncrake, it has plumage a little darker than that of a quail, a long green beak, and red eyes. It is to be sent to the Dunedin Museum,

New Zealand University Scholarships.—We are authorised to state Otago furnished fourteen candidates for the New Zealand University Scholarships, including one from Wanganui. Of these six have been or are being educated at the High School, Dunedin, We trust they will prove successful in the competition.

Judge Ward’s Appointment.—lt is currently rumored in town that Mr Macassey has issued a writ against Judge Ward for an alleged libel in the Timaru Herald. That paper, it will be remembered, a little back published a strongly worded article on Mr Macassey’s action in the Provincial Council in reference to Judge Ward’s appointment; and it is supposed that Mr Maccassey regards Judge Ward as the writer. Gaol Return. —The following is the state H. M. Gaol, Dunedin, for the week ending June S.—Awaiting trial, 2 men ; 0 women ; under remand, 0 men, 0 women, penal servitude, 34 men, 0 women ; hard labor, 41 men, 13 women; imprisonment, 0 men, 0 women ; in default of bail, 2 men, 0 women ; debtors, 2 men, 1 woman. Total, 81 men, 14 women. Received during the week, 12 men, 4 women j discharged, 17 men, 2 women.

Justices of the Peace.—There is a nice controversy going on in Auckland as to the qualifications of many gentlemen in that Province who are in the Commission of the Peace. Some of the criticisms on the subject are very uncomplimentary ; and »ve notice a humorous writer in the Star advocates the dividing of all J.P.s, and that when the local R. M. is absent, the duties of the Bench should be discharged by the newspaper reporters. Fiji.—The young community of Fiji is just now exhibiting an extraordinary

amount of vitality of a mischievous nature. Some party called the “ Mutuals ” maintain a hostile position to the established order of things, 'ihey have taken the cutter Volunteer—lately sold by order of the court—from the police, to prevent her sailing until a man of war arrives. The Burt party are also arming a large number of neutrals, fearing bloodshed, and a notice has been furnished that they will oppose the side first commencing hostilities. Dr Reilly, a well-known medico, it appears has been assaulted, besides having received a threatening letter from one signing himself “Hell Fire Jack,” secretary of the Vigilance Committee. Accidents. —A chapter of accidents comes from the Tuapeka district. At Switzers, on the 27th ult., a tunnel caved in burying a man named Daniel Arkenstall under many tons of earth. The deceased was a single man, aged 33, and without relatives in the colonies.—An extraordinary accident befel a miner named Slowiey, who works as a “hatter” about eight miles below the Beaumont ferry. On the afternoon of the 29th ult. he shot at a wild boar, which being hit turned on him. He was then standing on the face of his claim, and either had to wait for the attack of the brute or jump down to the beach, a depth of twentyfive feet. He chose the latter course, which resulted in his sustaining several injuries. Badly hurt as he was, he crawled a distance of four miles over some very bad country to the house of the nearest neighbor, and is now under the care of Dr Halley of Lawrence.

Nelson Election. Turveydrop, remarks the Independent , was never so felicitous as he was at the late nomination at Nelson. In proposing Mr Richmond, Sir David Monro, in his most pompous maimer, warned the electors against returning men “of the class of Mr Luckie,” of which he said the Assembly contained already too many. Hear him:—“He would only say this, that if they should happen to elect Mr Luckie—which he felt pretty certain they would not do —they could not make a greater mistake. M Luckie belonged to a class which, in a representative body, was not at all of a desirable character. There were already in the House too many men of Mr Luckie’s stamp. If the electors of Nelson were true to them selves they would not add to that number. The presence of Mr Luckie would not add to the dignity nor the wisdom of the House, nor increase the weight of Nelson in the councils of the nation.” Unfortunately the electors read this warning upside down, and somehow got it into their heads that the “class which in a representative body was not at all of a desirable character,” was the sham aristocracy of which Sir David is such a distinguished ornament. No doubt he thinks with his fellow-mourner-, the Kreninu Post, that the Nelson constituency has disgraced itself, and we fear very much that there is a strong disposition throughout New Zealand to incur similar obloquy. There is no use concealing the melancholy fact that the political “swells ” can no longer have it their own way, nor look upon political power and patronage as things to be exercised only by the elegant half-dozen or so who, at one time, appeared to be the inevitable rulers of New Zealand. No doubt it is highly improper and very offensive to sensitive people, but it is nevertheless a fact that the reign of political snobbery is over.— lndependent.

Members of the A.T0.0.F. who are interested in the Building of an Oddfellow’s Hall, are requested to attend the meeting at the Loyal Leith Lodge, Krnil’s hotel, on Monday evening, at 8 o’clock.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building and Investment Society for receiving subscriptions, &c., will be held on Monday evening from 6 to 8 o’clock. Professor Haselmayer was unable to give his performances at Port Chatmers as announced, in consequence of the non arrival of the Albion in time, and of his other fixed engagements in the up-country districts. He will yet, probably, afford the Port Chalmers residents an opportunity of witnessing his magical entertainment.