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Evening Star, Issue 2965, 20 August 1872, Page 2

Waitaki Bridge. The tender of Mr G. F. Reid, Stafford street, for conveying the bridge materials, ex Napier, to the Waitaki river, has been accepted.

Inquiry.—The inquiry which was to have taken place at the Dunedin goal to-day bv the visiting magistrates respecting the escape of Plummer, was further postponed until Saturday next at two o’clock. The “ Gazette.” —The last number of the New Zealand Gazette notifies that the Sch; olhouse, Gr.en Island, has been appointed a polling-booth for the Caversham Assembly electoral district; and that on and after September 1, the Tokomairiro Postoffice will be known as Milton.

Immigration.— The Hon, Mr Gis* borne, writing to the Agent-General on the subject of the introduction of Scandinavians into Hawke’s Bay, says “Oa the voyage out, every inducement should be offered to them to short-draw their rations. The provision thus saved, or its value, will materially assist in fresh starting them on arrival ”

The Mosgiel Woollen Mills. The reputation of the Mosgiel tweeds, manufactured by Messrs A. J. Burns and Co., has reached the Home countrj r , and has led to the receipt of orders for several pieces of tweeds and white serges. Samples have also been written for and forwarded to a Glasgow hj uise in extensive business. We trust that the quality of the goods, which has already secured large consumption here, will recure equally favorable approval at Home.

Princess Theatre.—The popularity of the Japanese appears to bo on the inciease, for each succeeding performance witnesses a larger attendance. Last night the lower parts of the bouse were crowded, and the circle comfortably filled The farce of the “ Dead Bhot ” was well played ; , and the Japs repeated their performance. The management intend adding to the popularity of the entertainment by producing on Saturday a burlesque, with Miss Jenny Nye as principal character, and Mrs Charles as vocalist.

Green Island Coal Mines.—Mr Pollock, of Green Island, who has for some time supplied so large a quantity of coal to Dunedin, has made arrangements for further prospecting the coalfield. He has arranged to sink a further depth—to about 200 fe?t from the surface and for sinking a shaft about half a mile distant from the Main Fouth Koad. An engine of ten horae-power is to be placed on the ground, and it is expected that it will require three months’ work before the shaft is sunk to the lower seam, which, from samples obtained by boring, is of superior quality, 1 fc is intended to construct a tramway to the main line of the South Poad, which may be continued to the proposed line of railway It is also proposed to put a small locomotive on the line, and thus to economise power as much as posdble. Weather at Naseby.—The Chronicle says:—Since our last issue snow and frost have been the pro dominating influences, thereby depriving the miner of his opportunity of washing-up, and suspending all mining operations. On all sides we hear of coaches delayed, passages lost, and hairbreath escapes from suffocation in consequence of the depth of the snow, Cobb and Co.’s coach arrived here on Tuesday evening, fifteen hours behind time, and was unable to proceed till next day. In connection with the present bad weather we have full authority in stating that a miner resident in Speck Gully, on his return home, was unable to find his ordinary domicile, the whole affair being buried in snow. A favorite dog was, as we are informed, left chained up to guard the hut, and was also buried up in his kennel. His fate we have not yet ascertained, Kaikorai, — A meeting of owners and occupiers of land and householders, was helcl in 'tiie Ivailtorai aclioolKon.se last nlglvt, for the purpose of electing a school committee for the remainder of the year ; this was rendered necessary in consequence of the boundaries of the educational district having been altered. More than usual in-

terest was taken in the proceedings, a very large number of settlors having at-en-ded. No fewer than twenty-four candidates were proposed, nine being the maximum number of members required by the Education Ordinance. The following gentlemen polled the number of votes following their respective names, and were declared duly elected, viz.: James Curie, 58 ; H. H. Ross, 49 ; Mr Wales, 42 ; W. Callender, 33; J. Cunningham, 37 ; W. Lambert, 36 ; A. (j. Begg, 34; J. Laing. 34; and J. Gillies, 33, A vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr Ross), terminated the proceedings. • Harbor Improvements. —The Golden Age, on her nine o’clock up trip from the Port yesterday gob stuck hard and fast in t'.e narrow, shallow channel at Black Jack’s Point, and was detained for nearly two hours. We are told that all the money and labor recently expended in this particular locally have, for all immediate practical purposes, been thrown away. It would seem that a given extent of channel having to be deepened, the whole available money and means were expended on one particular portion, which has been deepened to the extent of some nine or ten feet at low water, and the other portion left in its original bed of about three feet at low water spring tides. We have it upon very good authority, that if, instead of deepening a portion to nine or ten feet, the whole had been 1 »wered to say six or seven feet, it would have suited all real requirements for years to come.

Mayor’s Court.—There were only two cases before the Court this moruing, but one of them is likely to involve a more serious charge than at present appears. In the first Janet Mi'ler was fined 40s for drunkenness. In the other Joshua Eccles was charged with assaulting his child, aged seven days ! . Only sufficient evidence was elicited to justify the remand applied lor by the police ; but it appears that the drinking propensities of Ecclea’s wife have again led him into trouble. Though only conlined last week, she has frequently bad rec mrse to the bottle, and whilst in an intoxicated state was assaulted by her husband. In one series of row's which appear to have taken place, Eccles, in attempting to deal his wife a blow, struck the child she had in her arms on the head, causing the blood to flow fiom its ears. The wife was too ill to appear, so the police hud to ask for u week’s remand, which the Bench granted, declining to admit Eccles to bail, as the doctors are unable to say whether or not the child will live. The Mayor and R. H. Leary, Esq , J. P., were on the bench.

An Old Mason.—The death of a very old Freemason is thus chronicled by the Nelson Colonint “Mr Thomas Perry, nr, mere properly, de Berri, a lineal descendant of the French Duke de Berri, died last week at the very advanced ago of ninety-six years. He was made a Freemason in the Grand Lodge of England in the year 1821, the Duke of Sussex being then Grand Master. The father of deceased was son of the Duke de Berri, who, escaping from France m 1793, in the Reign of Terror, ultimately settled in Colchester, England and obtained the freedom of that city, under the name of Berry. The son passed much of his time in America and France, mixing largely in the political intrigues of those days, and ultimately died in Colchester, at the very old age of one hundred years and four days. His son, the subject of the present notice, appears to have continued in trade more steadily than his progenitor, and to have acquired some means. He was subsequently induced to emigrate to these shores (through the representations of sons who had settled here previously), then being at the ripe age of seventy years. He will be remembered as having been in the employ of the Nelson Government for many years ; and the craft will recollect him as having been for a similar period an office-bearer of the Nelson Lodge. Old Botanical Gardens.—About thirty persons answered Councillor Barnes’s appeal to meet at White’s Hotel last evening io consider what steps should be taken to have the Old Botanical Gardens put in order. Mr R, H. Leary was voted to the chair. The meeting was addressed by Mr Barnes, who explained that he had called it at the request of several ratepayers, fie said, a strong stand should be taken against the Government selling the gardens in sections, as had nearly been done on a former occassion, and that the Council, if it obtained possession of them, should keep them for recreation purposes, and not let the land on building lease. It was resolved “That a petition be presented to the City Council, urging its members to impress upon the Government the necessity for the completion of the works for the protection of the river banks in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens ; that this meeting is of opinion that no gravel should be taken from the river bed, only in three places ; and that the old Botanical Garden Reserve should be placed under the control of the City Corporation, so soon as the work already commenced by the Government be completed.” Other resolutions were carried, affirming that in the meeting’s opinion the reserve should be made over by the Crown Grant to the Corporation ; and appointing Messrs Leary, Grant, Moenan, Sherwin, Harrop, and Williams, a deputation to wait upon the City Council to present the petition, and to request that body to urge the matter upon the Government. It was resolved to call a meetin? to consider the conduct of Mr Thoneman, as Councillor for the Ward. After passing a vote of thanks to Mr Barnes, the meeting broke up.

The Otago Sable Orphans will give an entertainment in aid of the Widows and Orphans Fund, Manchester Unity I. 0.0. F., in the Masonic Hall on Friday next, August 23rd.

Mr Gotten will address the electors of Caversham district at the Anderson’s Bay Hchoolliouse this (Tuesday) evening at 7 o’clock—to-morrow (Wednesday) atj Green Island Drill Shed at 7 o’clock.

The Members of the Alexandra Lodge, A.1.0.0.F. are invited to a lecture to be delivered by Bro. George Bell, entitled “ Reminiscences of a Commercial Traveller,” at the Lodge rooms, Manse street, tomorrow (Wednesday) evening. We would remind our readers that Mr Percival’s collections of paintings, comprising architectural and landscape subjects, is to be disposed of by Art Union tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon. The drawing will take place at Mr Percival’s, Optician, George street, at 2 o’clock. We notice that the annual soiree of the Knox Church Young Men’s Society will

be held in the Class Room adjoining the Church, tomorrow (Wednesday) evening, at 6.30. The Rev Dr Stuart will occupy the chair. An excellent programme has been provided, and, as several well-known gentlemen will deliver addresses, we have little doubt there will be a crowded attendance.