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Evening Star, Issue 3015, 17 October 1872, Page 2

Appointment.—Mr Hector M‘Neil Campbell has been appointed Sheep Inspector for the North-Eastern District, Supreme Court. — The trial of Aitken v. Pritchard was resumed to-day, the greater part being occupied by the examination of the defendant. Princess Theatre.— <l The Octoroon” was played to a fair house last evening, and to night wall be replaced by “The Lady of Lyons.” Political. —A private letter from Wellington says that it is highly probable that Parliament will be prorogued at the end of this week, or on Monday next at the latest. It is understood that Mr O’Rorke, on joining the Ministry, will have charge of the Immigration department. Incurable. —Greville continues to send his political “sympathies” by wire to the various papers he supplies with telegrams. His Dunedin agent, acting, we should Imagine, under instructions, telegraphed the other day that hero there was a strong feeling of dissatisfaction at Mr Vogel’s conduct in ousting Mr Stafford ! Hoiree.— Doubtless the weather interfered considerably with the attendance at the celebration of the anniversary of the Mutual Improvement Society, at Oddfellows’ Hall, last evening. Those present, however, thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as there was plenty of music and singing. Mr Sykes presided at the piano, and Mr Murray catered. Congratulations. —Grey mouth must have been exceedingly delighted with the result of the late division. Not content with lighting bonfires, when the defeat of the Stafford Ministry became known, the Mayor, with the consent of the majority of the Councillors, sent a congratulatory telegram to Messrs Vogel, Fox, and Beeves upon the event A reply was received the next day from the late Premier, asking the Mayor to convey his thanks to the Council and Burgesses of Grcymouth for their congratulations. Colonial Art. —A few weeks back we drew attention to some very beautiful chess and work tables, mamfacted by Messrs Howell and Hay, of the Octagon. A few days ago, desirous of seeing anything new in fancy work produced by them, we wore shown some very elegant fans made of different kinds of New Zealand wood, which are well worthy inspection. The beauty of the wood and nicety of the workmanship would create great interest if they were shown at the Vienna Exhibition.

Public Opinion in Southland.— The Invercargill correspondent of the Bruce Herald, discussing the chances of a dissolution, says ;—“ I believe that upon the whole the balance of support is in favor of the Vogel Ministry, and that if a dissolu'ion were to take place now, the returns would show a majority in their favor. 1 account for this by the prevalence of an opinion that in any Ministry of which Stafford was leader, or into which the ‘ Stafford ’ element .entered to a considerable degree, the public works of the district are not ro likely to receive their fair share of attention.”

Aquatic.—Last evening a meeting of the Inter-Provincial Boat Pace Committee was held at the Athenmum, when it was resolved to at once put those men who had entered themselves for the race into training, and as others may wish to enter, all gentlemen desirous of doing so arc requested to at once communicate with Mr Begg, tire hon. secretary, Considerable discussion took place with reference to building a new boat, but it was ultimately decided that no steps should be taken at present in that direction. Messrs Sale, Kirkcaldy, and Green were appointed a suh-cprnmittcc to select the crew from the candidates. As the race does not take place till February, 1873, there will bo plenty of time to train ; and there is no reason why Otago should not carry off the palm in rowing "as she does in other InterProvincial contests In any case it is to be hoped the public will assist the gentlemen who have taken action in this matter, as without substantial support and sympathy they will not he able to succeed. But we hope for better things from them, and expect to see the movement strongly supported. Lecture. —The fifth of the series of lectures in connection with the Loyal Alexandra Lodge, A.T.0.0.F , was delivered last evening by Pro. if ark Cohen, who chose for his subject “The Pise and Progress of the Newspaper Press.” There was a good attendance, and the various sister lodges were wmll represented. The lecturer displayed great research in tracing the rise of newspaper literature, and introduced several anecdotes in the course of his address, which were heartily applauded. At the termination of the lecture it was unanimously carried that a vote of thanks ho recorded on the minutes to Pro. Cohen for his having so kindly come forward to amuse aml instrnct the brethren of the Order. Wo believe it is contemplated to request the lecturer to re-deliver his address on a future occasion. Bro. R. Wilson will give the next of the scries, on “ Darwin’s Theory of Development.” We Lave bec-i? mj nested to state that a motion was carried last evening, to

the effect that after next lodge night the meetings will be held fortnightly, instead of weekly as heretofore. A Useful Return. —The banks have replied to the Government circular asking them to assist, in order that the statistics of the production of gold presented to ! ’arhament sbou' d distinguish the quantity derived from quartz and alluvial workings respectively, so as to enable a correct opinion to be formed of the relative imp .rbanco of there two branches of gold mining. The only hanks ?who have been able to furnish any statistics are the Bank of Otago and the Bank of Australasia. The Bank of Otago hj is not pm chased any quartz gold during the six quarters ended .June Both, 187-. The Bank of Australasia had purchased four times a- much quartz gold as alluvial. The Bank of New Zealand p omises returns, but the Bank of New South Wales, through its inspector, leads it to be inferred that it cannot furnish any return without very groat difficulty, and then that the return could not correctly specify the respective kinds of gold purchased, but the bank will assist as far as it is abb?. The Union Bank states that no sepa-ate record is kept of the two kinds of gold, and that it is therefore impossible to furnish the information applied for. It would appear to be desirable, if our mining statistics are to be of any value at all, that steps shon’d be taken for securing their accuracy by law. The Nebraska.—The following letter from the Superintendent of Otago is addressed to the captain of the Nebraska : ■ “ On board the Nebraska, Wellington, Sept. 28,1872. Bear Sir,—As a passenger hi the Nebraska from Wellington to Dunedin and back, I cannot refrain from expressing the great satisfaction which 1 feel at there being such a vessel trading on the coast of New Zealand, Never before have I experienced any pleasure in a sea voyage, or escaped the nausea which are common to most landsmen during the first few days at sea. On board the Nebraska, however, it is like being on b rm finna, and without the slightest feeling of discomfort. I look upon it that, apart from postal considerations, and from those of commercial relations with the United States of America, the advent of ships of this class upon our coast, enabling the people of the various provinces to interchange visits with out the discomforts which usually pertain to a sea voyage, as calculated to exorcise a highly beneficial influence upon the political interests of the Gol-mv, and I earnestly wi-h the lino of which your ship is the precursor e mry success. As a public man, I deem it right to contribute my mite towards dispelling the prejudices which ha~e been so assidously sought to he raised against the line, and will only repeat that your ship is by far the most comfortable one in which it has been my lot to travel. 1 on:y hope I may be fortunate enough in my future travels by sea to bo a passenger m your ship.—l. am. dear sir, yours faithtuliy, J. Macanprew. Captain Isaac Harding, steamship Nebraska.” The Bankruptcy Law.—Judging from a paper which has been handed to us we should say there is no question of greater moment or one which calls for more immediate legislation than that of providing some simple and inexpensive mode of winding up insolvent’s estates, more especially small bankrupt estates. The case before us is one which discloses a most remarkable and extravagant expenditure in the winding up of the bankrupt’s estate, which we should say, would make any one pause before seeking that relief which the protection of the insolvent Court is intended to afford, who did so with a desire to realise for the benefit of his creditors to the best possible advantage. Indeed, if the creditors were wise, they would accept a composition from the bankrupt, if offered to them on anything like reasonable and equitable terras, The assets of the bankrupt in the estate we have referred to realised some L2BO odd, and his liabilities were something o er L 260. What would our readers suppose was the dividend, after the payment of expenses? Four shillings in the £ ! the cost of management and winding up having reached the sum of LI3O. This statement may seem somewhat incredulous, but it is nevertheless correct, if any reliability is to be placed on the document handed to ns, which wc have no cause fq doubt, as the items of expenditure are given v/ith explicitness and candour. Gut of the USD realised after payment of expenses the insignificant sum of LSQ remained as divisible amongst the creditors.—lUtikouaiti Herald.

The fortnightly meeting of the Society for Investigating Spiritualism will be held in tne Lower Hall of the Athenaeum at eight this evening. A meeting of the Dunedin Band of Hope will lie held to morrow (Friday) evening at 7.3U, in the Wesleyan Hall, Stuart streetThe annual .entertainment of the Citizens’ Cricket Club takes place in the Head-quarters Drill Shed, to-morrow evening. A canital programme has been arranged; prizes of some value are offered for the best conundrums in politics and cricket, and there is to be a select ball. A lecture will be delivered by Capt. Baldwin, in the Drill Shed, Green Island, to-morrow (Friday) evening, at eight o’clock; subject, “Life Assurance—its History, Principles, and Advantages,” Capt. Baldwin's lectures have been listened to yvitli great interest wherever he has been, and tjio success that has attended his efforts is tl;c beet proof of the soundness of his views on a subject sr t jntep.vqvep with family welfare.