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Evening Star, Issue 3010, 11 October 1872, Page 2

Novel Industry. —Some short time ago attention was drawn to a novel musical instrument in the shape of a tin violin, made by Mr Billens of the Papanui road, Christchurch, This has so far proved satisfactory, that he is now taking a tenor violin of the same material, and contemplates, in due course, a violineello, with a prospect in the distance of an ultimate double bass. The Princess Theatre. ■— “ Nell Gwynne ” was repeated last evening, and was well received by an audience, which w is more than averagely numerous For Mr Hoskins’ benefit to night, Sheridan’s comedy of “The Rivals” is to be produced with a cast that is not often seen in these parts. Apart therefore from Mr Hoskins’ claims for support, there is sufficient inducement to warrant us in believing that there will be a full house.

The Libel Action Against the “ Post.” —The portion of Karaitiana’s letter to the Evening Pod, on which the action for libel taken against that journal by Air Ormond and Mr M‘Lcan will, we hear, bo based, is the following sentence : —“ These Government men (Messrs Ormond and M‘Lean) said to the storekeepers, ‘ Be strong to give spirits and goods to the Maoris, so that they may got into debt, and be compelled to sell their lands.’” The AttorneyGeneral and Mr Allan, we learn, are retained by the prosecutors. Acknowledgment. The following parliamentary papers have been received by us from the Government Punting office:— The Financial Statement, further despatches from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor ; and the Report of the Goldfields Royal Commission of Inquiry (1871) N.S.W., appointed to inquire into the working of the goldfield of that Colony. Judging from the amount of useful information to miners embodied in this report, it was very necessary that it should be printed, as it will probably exercise a great influence on our raining legislation in future. Cricket. —A general meeting of the Dunedin Cricket Club, called by requisition, to consider the action of the committee with regard to the appointment of Hendley as the Club’s professional, was hold at the Shamrock last evening, at which there was a very large attendance. Considerable interest was manifested by the members present, several telling speeches being delivered on either side, but ultimately the action of the committee was sustained by the meeting by a majority of 12 to 6, several members present not voting. Mr F. Muir, hon. sec., and Mr

Collinson, one of the committee, having resigned, Mr J. Allen and Mr W. Begg were elected in their places. We were pleased to hear it stated that LSO has been already promised towards the erection of the new pavilion. It was suggested that the High School boys be allowed to practice during the season on the ground.

Temperance.—The usual quarterly meeting, for the purpose of installing the officers of the Dawn of Light Division, No. 70, of the Daughters of Temperance, was held on Wednesday evening, in the < onerrogational Hall, Moray place. The instating officers were— Bro. Asher, of the Hope of Otago Division, Port Chalmers, who acted as D.M.W.P. ; and Bro. R. W. Adams, of the Antidote Division, Dunedin, who acted as D.M.W.C. The following officers were then installed Bro. T. Hoseby, W.P. ; Sis, R. Adams, W.A. ; Sis. H. L, Nicol, R,S. ; Sis. A. Graham, A.R. S. ; Sis. E. M‘Daren, F.S. ; Si a. F. Palmer, Treas. ; Sis. Stevenson, Chap. ; Sis. M. ISicol, Cond. ; Sis. M. Sutton, A.C. ; Bro Selby, O.S. The Division is making very satisfactory progress, having a membership of 105, being the total number initiated since its inauguration, October 11, 1871. During the past quarter 27 members have been initiated, showing clearly the great interest taken by the members of the Division to gain others to the principles of temperance, which have proved a blessing to many homos. The Otago Waste Land Bill.—Our Wellirndon correspondent writing on the 3rd insfc., says Sir David Monro proposed tho recommittal of the Bill, for the purpose of introducing certain clauses regarding commonage. However, after remarks made by several members, he said although he would not withdraw the motion, he would simply take the voices upon it. whereupon the motion was negatived. Mr 1. L. Shepherd also proposed that certain clauses of the Bill should bo recommitted ; Mr Reid opposing. Upon the question being put, and a division called, the ayes were 30 and the noes 15. The Bill was then read a third time. Thus has passed a Land Bill for Otago that has been for two or three sessions warmly debated on the floor of the Provincial Council and two sessions in the House of Representativeg_a Bill that has engendered a good deal of bad feeling on the part of both supporters and opponents. It is to be hoped, if it should get through the ordeal of the Upper House, that the provisions contained in it will be faithfully administered by the Waste Land Board, not as a political body, however, aud that the clauses of it will be fairly administered so as to allay irritation both amongst the pastoral tenants and. bona fide settlers. The late Government. The Tnaptha Times has always given a strong support to Mr Stafford, aud in its last issue, while advocating a Coalition Ministry, thus refers to the late division :—“ The last deal of the political cards has resulted in Stafford being euchred by Vogel. Such a result, though not desired, was not unlocked for. Few imagined that the heterogeneous following of Mr Stafford would continue successfully to oppose the solid phalanx which Mr Vogel led," and fewer still thought that a Government composed mainly of Superintendents and provincial officers could for any length of time command the confidence of the House. We confess we were surprised at the suddenness of the attack, and the success which attended it ; but we cannot say we are altogether dissatisfied theieat. The Stafford Ministry, as constituted, was not the Government the country wi-hed. and their speedy defeat does not cause unmitigated grief. Mr Stafford is, if his public utterances be any criterion, a < entralist—an enemy of Provincialism —the champion of local se f-government—and as such the majority of people in the Colony are willing to support him. But he obtained office through the insteumentality of the ultra-provincialist party, the loaders of which he took into his Ministry. By this course he has greatly damaged his reputation. We believe, to such an extent had he lost the good opinion of the Colony, that had Mr Vogel not carried his no-coniidence motion by a brilliant coup de main, a more ignominious defeat awaited bis Ministry. There can be little doubt, as the session progressed, Mr Stafford’s supporters would have gradually fallen into the ranks of the Opposition.

An entertainment in aid of the Fife and Drum Band of the Dunedin Band of Hope, will be given in the Mornington School House, on Monday evening, at halfpast 7 o’clock.