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Evening Star, Issue 2968, 23 August 1872, Page 2

Rather Utopian. One evening 1.- st week some of the Bendigo people met ami calmly discussed the propriety of starting a company to turn the Molyneux between Civ ic and Alexandra, and work the river’s bed.

Princess Theatre.—There was a fair attendance last night, when the programme of Wednesday evening was repeated. There is to be an afternoon performance tomorrow, at which the children from the Benevolent Institution are to be admitted gratuitously.

Garrick Reefs. —The last crushing of the Star of the East Company yielded 81 ozs, 17 dwts. from 186 tons of stone. The Elizabeth Company obtained 74 ozs. from 11 tons of stuff. The United Company’s battery is now crushing for the Heart of Oak.

District Road Board Elections.— The poll for the North-East Harbor subdividon of the Peninsula district, took place at the Schoolhouse yesterday, and resulted in the return of Messrs diaries Hunter, Alexander Stuart, and William Hooper These gentlemen having thanked the electors for the support received, Mr Cutten, the candidate for the General Assembly, availed himself of the opportunity of addressing the voters pn sent; but with what result we have not heard.

Naval. A Wellington contemporary hears that some important changes arc likely to be made in naval affairs on the Australian station. The squadron is to be increased to ten vessels, the r arcissus (a 50gun frigate of the Sudji class), now undergoing an overhaul at home, to b e flag ship. The command will be assumed by Admiral Campbell, who recently took the Plying Squadron from the Cape of Good Hope to England. Commodore Stirling is to receive an appointment in the Pacilic.

Acclimatisation. —Mr Jaaies Payne ofGreymcmtb, who, with other gcntlemcu, has been interesting himself in the matter of introducing salmon and trout ova to the rivers of the West Coast, recently addressed a letter on the subject to Dr Hector, and received the following reply:--“In reply to your letter of the 20th ult., 1 beg to inform you tiiat 1 understand Government have determined that all the ova by the lirst shipment is to be sent to the Maltarewa Doiuls, in Southland, and 1 suppose the young lish, when reared, will be afterwards distributed to various parts of the Colony, Small-pox. Statistics show tlpit during the ten years from 1850 to 1800, fifty thousand persons have died of small-pox in Eugland, of which number nine thousand four hundred and twenty-five perished in one year; that is to say, five thousand lives are sacriiiced every year by stupidity anil neglect, A Newcastle (N.S.W.) paper of a recent date says :—There are now four vessels lying in quarantine in the centre of our harbor, having arrived from Melbourne. They are all flying the yellow flag, and, we are told, cannot be released until they have been twelve days from Melbourne. It is no longer an object to make quick trips from Melbourne.

Long Memories.—During the discussion at the Roslyn institute on the vexed question of masculine apd feminine mental ability a teacher said he found girls more apt in acquiring a knowledge of mathematics than boys, but he did not think they re* membered the science so long. The president, in reply, ivma’ked that might be perfectly true ; but if men retained a knowledge of mathematics longer than women, they must have prodigious memories, for Mrs Somerville, now aged 92, wrote to a friend a short time ago, and said that, although her physical powers were not equal to what they bad been, bex- intellect was as powerful, and her memory as retentive as ever, and that she applied her leisure hours in solving questions in the higher mathematics, for amusement.

Soiree.—The annual social meeting in connection with Knox Church Young Men’s Society was held in the class room adjoining the church on Wednesday evening, the Rev, Dr Stuart presiding. After tea, Dr Stuart, in a few appropriate remarks, referred to the objects and claims of the society, and introduced to the meeting a more than usually interesting programme of music and addresses. Without mentioning all the excellent things said and sung on the occasion, we might particularize the pleasing efforts of two ladies, one of whom sang “ Auld Robin Gray ” and “ Love’s Request,” and the other “Da’ the airts.” The duet “ the Sailor sighs ” was nicely sung by the latter lady and a gentleman. Gleoe were sung by the choir of the church under the direction of Mr Francis, tbe precentor. We

must congratulate the society on this pleasant renmou, the only drawback to its enjoyment having been the crowded state of the small room in which it was held.

Marriage with a Deceased Wife’s Sister. — There is one very good and strong reason why the Bill now before the Assembly should pass into law. A similar law is actually in operation, or shortly will bo—for, contrary to expectation, it was sanctioned by the Imperial authorities—in South Australia, and if any man in New Zealand or the Australasian Colonies wishes to marry his deceased wife’s sister, it is simply a question of pounds, shillings, and pence. The rich, or even the moderately rich, could at any time accomplish the object of their desires, but the poor would be altogether debarred. Such inequalities ought not to exist, and we therefore hope, though we fear the “ Lords” will prove obstructive, that success will attend the efforts of those who are promoting .a desirable and even necessary reform. —Lyttelton Times. The Pod growing humorous on the same subject says : —There is one argument in favor of the question, which has been overlooked. It gives men an opportunity of having only one mother-in-law—an obvious advantage—and had that view been pressed upon the House it might have facilitated the passing of the measure through Coramitece.

Presentation. Last evening a meeting of the ratepayers was held at Krull’s Caledonian Hotel, Great King street, to present a testimonial to Mr John Barnes, the representative of the Ward in the Municipal Council, expressive of their appreciation of the services he has rendered to the Ward. His Worship the Mayor, and Mr Walter, the representative of South Ward, with several gentlemen from different parts of the City were present. On the motion of Mr Strachan, the Mayor was chosen chairman, and Mr B. C. Haggitt in an appropriate speech drew attention to the improvements in tne Ward, effected mainly through Mr Barnes’s attention to its requirements, and begged his acceptance of a gold watch and {chain, which had been purchased by subscription for presentation to him. The watch is a very handsome hunting watch, with a massive gold chain, together valued at about fifty guineas. In the inner ease is an inscription as follows :— ‘ Presented to John Barnes, Esq. by the citizens and ratepayers of Leith Ward for his valuable services in the Council. Dunedin, August 22. 1872.” Mr Barnes, who seemed much affected, thanked the donors, in a short speech, in which he alluded to the straggles of his early life, through having to contend with the world without the aid of parents. He said that, with the exception of a sixpence, it was the first present he had ever received ; but he trusted that, having had the honor to have his services recognised, he should continue his endeavors to deserve the approbation of the inhabitants of the ward and of the City. He had certainly done what he could for the ward, but without the assistance of the Mayor and Councillors he would have been powerless. He considered that the Corporation desired to fulfil their duties to the City as a whole ; and to this recognition of their not merely representing wards, but the whole municipality, was owing the improvements made in every part of it. The health of the committee who obtained subscriptions for the testimonial was drank, which was acknowledged by Mr Peter Gibson, the treasurer, '-'everal gentlemen gave songs, and a very pleasant evening was spent.

Mr Cutten will address the electors of Caversham district at the Drill Shed, Cavcrsham this (Friday) evening, at seven o’clock, and at the Tomahawk Schoolhouse, to morrow evening at seven. Mr Tolmie will also address the electors this evening at Ray s Kensington Hotel at 7 80 and tomorrow (Saturday) evening, at the Green Island Drill Shed at 7.30.

The Otago Sable Orphans give their Entertainment in aid of the Widows and Orphans Fund of the Manchester Unity, 1.0.0. F., at the Masonic Hall this (Friday) evening, at 8 o’clock.