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Evening Star, Issue 2936, 17 July 1872, Page 2

New J. P.’s.—Mesavs 11. F. Cutlibcrtsnn, of Otahu, and William Stewart, of Blackmount, are appointed justices of the peace for tlic Colony. Political.—Mr W. H. Cntten is acting Provincial Secretary and Treasurer ; Mr James Shaml, acting Secretary for Land and Works, and a member of the Executive ; and Mr James Allan, M.P.C., a Waste Land Commissioner, vice Mr Bathgate, resigned. The Permissive Pill.— Direct intelligence has been received from Westland to the effect that an active and energetic canvas for signatures to petitions in favor of the Permissive Bill is being prosecuted with marked success in Hokitika, Urey mouth, Okarita, Boss, and the various goldfields. Princess Theatre. The second concert last evening, by the Colored Opera Troupe, was in aid of the funds of the Dunedin and Albion Cricket Clubs, and was well attended. The programme of the previous evening was repeated and was well received. To-night the drama of “ Masaniello” will be produced.

Criminal Circuit.— -A proclunmtion appears in the last number of the New Zealand Ga wife, that the opening circuit of the Supreme Court for the despatch of criminal and civil business, will be held at Lawrence on the second Monday in December, and sittings will be continued on the second Mon ’ay in June and December in succeeding years. Leith Ward.— We hear that the ratepayers of Leith Ward intend to get up a testimonial to Mr Barnes, in recognition of his services as a representative of the Ward. A testimonial committee has been formed, and a considerable number of ratepayers have expressed themselves in favor of the object, and as willing to collect funds to enable it to be carried into effect.

Mayoral Elections.— At Tokomairiro, yesterday, three candidates were proposed for the office of Mayor for the ensuing year—Messrs A. D. Duncan, G. W. Langley, and E. Marryatt. The latter handed in a written protest against Mr Langley’s nomination, on the ground that he was an alien. Later in the day the Attorney-General was communicated with as to Mr Langley’s eligibility, and he returned this opinion “ The General Assembly Act of ISG7, aliens not being prohibited may vote ; but the Otago Act disqualifies aliens—therefore they cannot vote, for the right is not one.in respect of the mere holding of the leasehold, but is one created and depending upon the Otago Municipal Ordinance.” To avoid misunderstanding, Mr Langley retired from the contest. The poll takes place on the 22nd.— Mr T. S. Pratt has been re elected for Waikaiti, and Mr M‘Neill for Balclutha—both without opposition.

Juvenile Criminals.—The police arc taking praiseworthy steps in endeavoring to remove from the care of parents the custody (for some time at least) of children, whom'they have shown themselves to be thoroughly unfitted to bring up in the way thpy should go. Three of these cases were brought under the notice of the Mayor’s Court yesterday. In one, an intelligent looking lad Thomas Donoghue, aged about ten years, was charged with stealing wood from the yard of Mrs Monson, Great Kingstreet. The promptitude with which he answered the usual question as to how he pleaded—'* I plead not guilty”—and with which he shifted the nature of his defence when ho found the mind of the Bench made up, was an indication of the kind of training he was receiving at the hands of his father who appeared in Court, and who was given a bai character by the police. It was attempted to be set up, as a secondary defence, that the boy had picked up the wood ; but the evidence of the prosecutrix negatived that supposition, as she caught him in the act of removing it, and on her giving him chase lie dropped it, and took to his heels. The Bench, considering that it would be for the child’s welfare that it should be removed from the control of its parent, and believing that it would not have opmmitted the theft unless in some way put up to it, ordered it to be detained in custody for three hours, and afterwards to be sent to the Industrial School for three years, there to be brought up in the Roman Catholic form of religion. Two sisters, named Eliza and Jane Jackman, were charged with stealing fruit from a shop in George street. The first-named was sent to the Industrial School for three, and the other for five years,

Waste Land Board.— The busincs at the meeting of the Waste Land Board to day was nob important. Our report will appear to-mo. row. PoktCiialmers MunichualCouncil. —The regular meeting was held on Monday evening. There were present—the Mayor (Mr Dench), Councillors Cordon, Easton, M'tvinnon, Morgan, limes, and Neale. Considerable interest was shown in the proceedings, which lasted until about eleven o’clock. Councillor Easton’s motion, that the maintenance of George street ho taken over by the Council, was carried. The opinion of Mr Mansford, solicitor to the Corporation, respecting the letter received from Mr Larnach in regard to the alteration and amendment of debentures having been read the motion of Councillor Times, that the Corpo ration act on the advice of its solicitor, was affirmed. Mr Bolase’s tender for quarry No. S, one year at LlO per annum, was accepted. Mr Hansford’s tender for a section in Carey’s Bay was not entertained. Tenders for the construction of works in Wickliffe Terrace and Currie street, were, on the amendment of Councillor Neale, opened, and the tender of Mr J. G. Wright for Wickliffe terrace for the sum of LISO T2s was accepted, the tenders for. Currie street being left over for consideration at next meeting. Councillor Times then moved tint the Town Clerk ascertain if the properties on the Town Belt arc rateable. Councillor Easton’s motion for the lighting of the lamp at the top of Burns street by the Gas Company, at the usual rate per lamp being carrin 1, thou moved that all minutes with reference to the Private Waterworks be recinded, which provoked a warm discussion, the Mayor stating Irs opinion that the matter should have gone before the Provincial Council whilst in session. The Council had been so much divided on this scheme, that he did not feel the same interest in it that ho once did. Councillor M'Kinnon could not sec the reason why the Mayor should have lost interest in this matter. The discovery of the Act of IS7I was made in November last, and Councillors were of opinion that that Act would dispense with the passing of a private Bill,. After further discussion the motion was carried, as was also a proposition by Councillor James, that the Water Works Committee confer with their solicitor as to tho best way cf proceeding under the Act of 1871.

The fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society, will be hold in the hall below the Athcnamm at 8 o’clock this evening.