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Evening Star, Issue 2970, 26 August 1872, Page 2

Valedictory.—The following new thing in advertisements appears in the H r esl Coast Times :—“ Mr and Mrs Schulthies being about to take their departure for Europe, desire to wish farewell to their numerous friend',”

Mr Cutten will address the electors of Caversham District at the Portobello Schoolhouse this (Monday) evening at 7, and at Haye’s Hotel, Kensington, at 7 o’clock. Mr. Tolmie will also address the electors at the Caversham Drill-shed thiseveningat 7.30, and at the Anderson’s Bay Schoolhouse tomorrow evening at 7-30.

Re-Union. —On Friday evening last a re-union took place at the Caledonian Hotel, Great King street, when the employes of the firm of Messrs Marshall and Copeland, Water of Leith Brewery, and the members of that firm, sat down to a supper, which did infinite credit to the catering of host Kuril. After ample justice had been done to all the good things provided, a very pleasant evening was spent in the interchange of song, toast, and sentiment, the company separating at an early hour, highly satisfied with the entertainment.

Supreme Court. —Mr Justice Chapman held a sitting in bankruptcy this morning ; but there was little business done. Alexander Mee, Peter Tressdeu, Thus. H. Erri ge, and Samuel Boyle received final orders of discharge. In Mee’s case the bankrupt applied for an allowance out of the estate ; and the Judge directed thetrusteeto confer with the creditors on the subject. The matter of David Henderson was, on the application of the provisional tiustee, adjourned to the 2ndprox., which date was fixed for the last examination of Richard W. Sheppard.

Presbyterian. —On the Bth instant, a meeting of the Canterbury Presbytery was held in Christchurch. The Presbytery unanimously approved of the moderation of a call for a pastor to the congregation at Hokitika. It was agreed to instruct the clerk to forward the call, with the congregational reasons for translation, to the Presbytery of Clutha, whereof the Rev, James Kirkland, to whom the call is addressed, is a member. The Presbytery further agreed to request and authorise the Rev, John Gow to represent the Presbytery before the Presbytery of Clptha, and urge the translation of Mr Kirkland.

Statistical.— -A reference to the birth and death tables in the statistics of New Zealand for 1871 shows, that did the population of the colony depend upon the natural increase, the disproportion of the sexes would soon right itself. During the year the excess of births over deaths showed an increase of 3,929 females as against 3,545 males ; and in the deaths for the same period a loss'of 1,595 males as against 1.108 females. Of those deaths 955 were of infants under one year of ago ; 178 one and under two years ; 154 two and under five years, making a total of infant mortality under five years of age of 1,288, or 47.05 per cent, of all the deaths in the colony. Shell Fishing. —ln the list of coastwise imports at Nelson, seventeen tons of Pavvau shells are mentioned as having beep entered at the Customs, brought from Kaikoura in the schooner Pearl. As many readers may wonder what kind of shells these arc, and for what purpose they are intended, it may interest them to learn that they bring a high price in the home market — from L9O to LIOO a ton—being used for inlaying mother-of-pearl, papier- raache, and working up into fancy goods of various descriptions. .Roughly computed, there are 9000 shells to the ton, which will give 153,000 shells for the cargo brought by the Pearl.

The “ No-Confidence ” Debate.— A private telegram from Wellington says : “The Ministry is apparently safe, notwithstanding Wellington jobbers, ratters, and place hunters. Mr Macandrew speaks tomorrow against Mr Stafford’s resolutions. Groat pressure is being used by the aristocratic lords against the Ministry ; and some of them are betting 5 to 4 against the Government. The means being used are disgraceful.” Greville’s telegram on the other hand says:—“ The Ministry have lost several more supporters within the past few days. They will probably be defeated by a majority of seven. Some very damaging attacks will be made on the financial statement, the accuracy of which is to be seriously challenged. The opinion that the defeat of the Ministry is inevitable is gaining ground.” Princess Theatre. Miss Jenny Nye must have felt gratified at the hearty welcome she received on Saturday evening on renewing her acquaintance with a Dunedin audience. It was hearty enough to convince her that she is as welcome and as popular as when she first came among us. The burlesque of “The Maid of the Barley Mow ” was played, with Miss Nye and Miss Beresford in the principal characters. There is no play for acting ; and but for the incidental music and dancing, it would be voted intolerable. There was some good singing, especially on Miss Beresford’s park, and for Miss Nye it must be pleaded that she was evidently suffering from a severe cold, in spite of which she exerted herself to the utmost to make the duetts in which she took part successful. Mr Musgrave was exceedingly amusing as the host. Tho Japanese entertainment preceded the burlesque, and both will be repeated to-night The attendance on Saturday night was excellent, the lower portions of the house being crowded.

Tiie usual fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Mutual Improvement Society will be held in the lower room of the Athenaeum to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at 8 o’clock. The tenth anniversary of the Pioneer Lodge, A.1.0.0F., will be celebrated by a supper at the Lodge room, Oriental Hotel, to-morrow (Tuesday) evening, at 8 o’clock.