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Evening Star, Issue 2951, 3 August 1872, Page 2

Princess Theatre.—“ Life in the South” has been withdrawn for “Fettered” and the farce of “We have all got faults of our own,” which will be played to-night. Mr Hydes takes a benefit on Tuesday night, when we hope to see a good house.

A Distinguished Visitor. —Mr Anthony Trollope, the celebrated novelist, is expected by the Albion. It is said that Mr H. Pearson, Commissioner of Crown hands, has been requested by the Government to accompany Mr Trollope as far as Queenstown should he decide to proceed north wards overland.

Road Board Election.—At the nomination yesterday (Friday) for the Flagstaff sub-division of the Halfway Rush Road District Messrs David Nicol, Jonn Jolly, and John Campbell were returned without opposition. Jhe nomination for the Waikari sub-division takes place at the school-house, at noon, on Tuesday next, the 6th inst.

A Novelty.—A fancy dross ball was held at Timaru last week, and, according to the local paper, was an astonishing success. Considering that such a small place as Timaru was able to furnish the necessary costumes, we should think a similar entertainment could not only be given here, but that it would be largely attended because of its novelty.

Political. —Mr Robert Stout, solicitor, offers himself for the representation of Caversham in the Provincial Council, in the room of Mr R. S, Cantrell resigned, and we hear that there is a likelihood of Mr H. S, Fish, junr., contesting the seat, For the representation of the same district in the House of Representatives, the names of Messrs Tolmio, Gotten, and G. E, Barton are mentioned as candidates. Schoolmasters’ Association.—The usual monthly meeting of the Otago Schoolmaster’s Association was held this day. There was a full attendance of members. Mr Russell, Mornington, read an able aud important paper on the subject of compulsory education, or rather compulsory attendance at schools. The subject matter gave rise to a very interesting and important discussion. A more extended report will appear in Monday’s issue.

The Mails.—Great dissatisfaction has been expressed that the northern mails were not sent on in the Phoebe ; in which case the letters would have been delivered yesterday. A correspondent says the authorities at Wellington must have been aware that the Rangitoto was to call at Timaru ; and that the Phoebe would arrive at Port Chalmers some time before the other boat. Certainly blame is attachable somewhere, and the matter should be investigated.

Flax Manufacture. The Suez telegrams notify the successful floating in London of the Colonial and Foreign Fiblc Company. The capital of the company is LIOO.OOO, in 20,000 shares of L 5 each, but the first issue was confined to 10,000 shares. The prospectus says that “ the company has been formed for the purpose of extracting and importing in a perfectly cleansed condition New Zealand hemp, aloe, and other fibre-bearing plants, through the acquisition for the United Kingdom and New Zealand of the patent rights granted to George Henry Andrews and William Gibbs for improvements in the method of treating fibrebearing plants and the machinery employed therein,”

Ewing’s Case.—lt will be remembered that the petitions in favor of the remission of the sentence of John Ewing, convicted of shooting a Chinaman, were referred to Mr Justice Chapman. \ Wellington correspondent writes ia reference to the matter:—“ The case of Ewing is meeting with due consideration. Judge Chapman, it appears, does not consider it a case for mitigation of sentence, still I think a good case has been made out that the punishment should be raiiigated : certain rules are laid down by Government in eases such as this, and it is a difficult matter to act contrary to the views expressed by the Judge. The friends of Mr Ewing may rest assured that every legitimate endeavor to relax the rule will be made by the representatives from Otago.” Immigration Agents. —The following petition is being circulated in Southland :—“ That we (the memorialists) consider that an increase of the rural population is urgently required for the welfare of the district, and that there are many parts of the country which are admirably adapted _ for agricultural settlement. That we also believe the ecclesiastical institutions of the United Kingdom are well adapted to supply the best class of immigrants with all the necessary information. We therefore earnestly request that surveys of farms and townships should be made in localities that can honestly be recommended .to the prudent immigrant, such as the Aparima, Jacob’s River, and Mataura ; that such sections should only be given tp actual residents on a system of deferred payments, and that maps should be freely supplied to the parochial clergy of England and Scotland, with as much local information as possible, together with the names and addresses of the various ministers of the religious denominations. ”

The Provincial Move. —The Tuapelca Timed is aghast at the “ audacity ” of the Superintendents and their tails, who are described as harpies resolved to have their salaries and endowments no matter what may be the cost to the country, in asking to control the Public Works and Immigration scheme. Says onr contemporary : The Government have refused to grant these demands, and we a"e sure that it will have the hearty support of the country in the course it has adopted. Were the views of these Superintendents and their satelites adopted, all the worst features of American political corruption would be reproduced in the Colony : log-rolling and jobbery would be rampant in the land ; and the borrowed millions would vanish, as many millions have before, under Provincial auspices, without leaving a trace of their expenditure behind. What have Provincial authorities done that they should be entrusted with the carrying out of a great national policy ? The history of the Provinces is a melancholy record of misrule and extravagance . , . We hope the Government will not yield an inch to the demands of these rapacious Proviucialists. If a dissolution takes place and the country appealed to on that point, a large majority of Government supporters will be returned,” Concert.— The entertainment given at the Lunatic Asylum last evening attracted a very largo audience, whi- hj would have been more numerous had many wUo desired to gain admission, and were unable to do so, been aware of the arrangement as to the issue of tickets. The programme was divided into three parts, and the first, which is usually the best, comprising as it did a good selection of solos and concerted pieces, was on this occasion the least successful. However, three of the pieces were capitally rendered, and they compensated for the defects of the others. The anvil chorus from “Trovatore,” with mechanical effects, was admirably done—indeed, we have not heard it excelled, if ever equalled here. The solo “Dreams of Youth” was also well given, though in the refrain we should have liked to have heard less of the falsetto, and the violin passages played piano. “ Oh gently breathe ” was nicely sung too. The second part was alone worth the price of admission. It was a succession of good things. The double dances were excellent, and had to be repeated; the solo “Tell me, Mary,” excellently sung, was also encored, and led to the substitution of the over-popular “Jennie who lives in the dell ” ; Mr Gough in his sand dance was exceedingly gr ceful; and Mr Hobson’s speech on “ Stumpology ” bristled with negro witticisms, and was well spoken. The entertainment concluded with the farce of “ A Curious Subject.” Laruikinism in Southland. On the 22nd inst., three boys were brought before the Resident Magistrate at Invercargill charged with railway offences. In the first case, Albert Gebbes and Charles Crack, whose parents occupy a very respectable position, thought it amusement to take a truck out of the station yard one Sunday afternoon, lever it over a pair of locked points, and by the aid of poles, punted it some three miles up the line. Knowing that they had done wrong, and afraid of being found out, they then attempted to remove it from the rails altogether, and partially succeeding, left ft there, forming a most dangerous obstruction on the line. Fortunately the obstruction was discovered before the train passed. In their case a fine of 40s and costs was imposed. The other matter was more serious. Michael Carroll, a lad 13 years old, was charged with placing two pieces of iron on the Wiuton line with intent to overthrow a train. In evidence, the railway manager said a more dangerous piece of iron could not have been selected ; the spot chosen was a curve, the train passed it at the rate of 30 miles an

hour, and the driver could not have stopped it even if* he had seen the obstruction. It also transpired the boy’s parents lived in Dunedin, and that he had run away from them ; that the Inspector of Police at Invercargill had received instructions to send him back, and was enquiring for him when the offence was committed. Me was committed for trial. The Southland Times advocates an amendment of the Act, by which magistrates might deal summarily with similar cases, and inflict whippings. Carroll, it ap.cars, will have to remain in gaol six mouths awaiting trial.

Oddpellowship. —The officers of the Grand Lodge, A.1.0.0.F., were installed last evening, in the lodge-room of the Loyal Alexandra Lodge, by Grand Master Bro. B. C. Haggitt, as follows:—G.M., Bro Michie; G. Treasurer, Bro. Gourlcy ; GW., Bro. Alexander; G.M., Bro. Neale ; G.C., Bro. Soares; G. Chaplain, Bro. Long; G. 1.G., Bro. Matthews, Advantage was taken of the occasion to present the retiring Grand Master with a testimonial of the respect in which he was held by the brethren of the Order. The presentation, which took the form of a silver cup bearing a suitable inscription, was made by the newly-installed Grand Master. Bro. Haggitt, in acknowledging the gift, which was a great surprise to him, stated that since his connection with the Order, a period of fully ten years, he had held office ; and although he had ceased to occupy the high position of Grand Master, he would continue to take an active interest in its welfare. The cup having been filled with champagne, the health of the retiring Grand Master was pledged and enthusiastically received by the brethren present.

The adjutant’s inspection of No. 1 Company (City Guards) is postponed till Monday, 12th inst.

The adjourned general meeting of the Dunedin Ride Club 'will be held in the lower room, Athemeum, on Thursday next, at 8 p.m.

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.

Mr W. H. Cutten announces his intention to offer himself as a candidate to represent the Caversham district in the General Assembly in the room of Mr Cantrell, resigned.

The Buttery of the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery will parade at the Gunshod on Tuesday next, the 6th inst., at 7.30 sharp. Adjutant’s inspection of arms and quarterly meeting.