The Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 3041, 16 November 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1872.

Quit Publication. — We tire again compelled to hold over our leader. Sporting.—ln Christchurch, a few days ago, L2OO even was offered, but refused, that Mr‘Webb’s Revoke colt would boat Mr Robinson’s Papapa in next year’s Derby.

Iron Mine in Auckland.—The Wio Zetland Hf-rald mentions having seen a “splendid sample of steel” from the iron mine lately opened near the Miranda Redoubt, in the Province of Auckland. The ore from the mine in question (which belongs to an Auckland firm) is said to contain 60 per cent, of iron, and good coal is found close to it.

Keligious — The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand lias been summoned to meet in Christchurch on December 9. The Rev. John Elmslie, of Wanganui, has been nominated as Moderator. The annual session of the Wesleyan Circuit opened in Christchurch, the Rev. A. Reid presiding, but so far the business done is unimportant.

Caversham. —A public meeting was held in the school-house, Caversham, last evening to take steps to establish a public library in the district. There was a good attendance. Resolutions, favorable to the object of the meeting, were unanimously adopted, subscription lists opened; and a committee appointed to canvas the district, draft lules, select a list of books, and report to a future meeting. A sum of L2O was subscribed by those present. Slander Cask at Auckland. —The case of Lincoln v. Dent, an action for defamation, has just been tried at Auckland. Damages were laid at LSOO. The parties are gum-dealers at Wangarei, and the defamatory words were in effect “that the plaintiff used ‘ wrong’weights,” and in consequence the Natives and others would not bring their gum to the plaintiff, who lost his business and was driven into the Bankruptcy Court. The trial lasted two days, and the jury awarded the plaintiff LIOO damages. Princess Theatre. — The “ Game of Speculation,” which is Mr Hoskins’ best comedy piece, was played as well last evening as we have ever seen it performed, notwithstanding the depressing influence of a very moderate attendance. The afterpiece was “O’Callaghan on his last legs,” with Mr Douglas as the hero.—To-night, “Richelieu” will he repealed ; and on Monday that wellestablished favorite, Miss Jenny Nye, wall take a benefit prior to her departure for India,

Our .Representatives.—We have received a letter from a correspondent, wlio suggests that now the two M.H.ll’s for the City are in town, they might find it convenient to meet their constituents to give an account of the late session. Messrs Keyuolds and Bathgate ■will no doubt avail themselves of a suitable oppsrtunity to do so, but we believe the present time is not convenient, as the first mentioned will only remain in Dunedin for a fortnight, during which time he will be busy with his private affairs ; while Mr Bathgate has to return to Wellington next week. English Telegrams.—At the annual meeting of the Canterbury (’hamher of Commerce, the Chairman (Mr Coster) congratulated the Chamber on tlio establishment of telegraphic communication between the old country and Australia. The subject of a cable between New Zealand and Australia bad been discussed at a former meeting, and a resolution was passed in favor of it, but nothing practical had as yet eventuated. In the absence of a cable, it was a question whether the Chamber should not express an opinion that a subsidy should be given to boats running between Australia and some New Zealand port or ports, in order that they might have the latest English and Continental news with regularity and despatch. Latest from Fiji.—The Flirt arrived at Auckland on the 13th instant, and brought late papers, the following a summary of news contained in them The question of annexation to Britain is being warmly discussed, but opinion is much divided.—The Imperial schooner Ethel, commissioned to suppress the slave trade, is cruising amongst the islands.—The Ban rebels have formally submitted to Cakobau, —Capt. Hill, of Kabi, was arrested, charged with being accessory to the murder of several natives.- 'The Government has agreed to take Indiaruhber from the natives in payment of taxes. —The Government has purchaser! the schooner Maria .Douglas.—Mr Holmes, formerly planter at Talviuni, endeavored to levant. Hennings, his principal creditor, followed in a steamer and overhauled Holmes at sea.

Entertainment.—The annual concert in aid of the school prize fund of the outh Dunedin chool took place last evening. The lion. John Bathgate occupied the chair. The pupils, assisted by several ladies and gentlemen amateurs, went through a diversified programme, one of the features of which was an amusing parliamentary debate, in which eigbteecn of the pupils took part and displayed consideaable oratorical skill. Mr H. F. Hardy proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen and to the pupils who had contributed towards the evening’s amusement; and the Hon. J. Bathgate, in replying to a vote of thanks to the chair, said he had been so much impressed by the recitation by one of the pupils of a “Plea for prizes,” that he had

determined to give one himself ; and, with the permission of Mr Park, he would award it for the most proficient pupil in elocution, leaving the boys themselves to be the judges. The Leader of the Opposition.— “ Save me from my friends,” will have to be Mr .Stafford’s cry, if many of them speak like Mr Travers did at the Wellington meeting last week That gentleman is reported to have said that he looked upon Mr Stafford as having made the most disgraceful fiasco that any Premier ever made. He had made one or two declarations in the course of his speech when he first took his scat on the Ministerial benches which did not entitle him to the support of the country, and in consequence of which he (Mr Traveiv) emild not have supported him had he been in the House. Those declarations were altogether of a mistaken character, and such as no great statesman in New Zealand ought to have made. The chief of the declarations which ho complained against was that relating to handing over the confiscated lands to the Natives.

Masonic Hall.—On Monday evening Mr Pickards wdl make his first appearance before a Dunedin audience, it is he of whom a correspondent of the Canterbury Prc. s, who writes a good deal of truth disguised in humor, said, when expressing a sound sentiment on the subject of those stupid songs which have lately been imported into the Colonies from the London concert halls. “I’m on the tiptoe of expectation. I’m shaking in my boots until Mr Rickards, the greatest comic singer in the world, appears. I say, do you think he will be a superlative edition of what comic singers are now-a-days. Ido hope not. I declare a comic song in these times is nearly always one of the most painful things a man can listen to. ‘Walking in the Zoo,’ ‘Captain de Wellington Boots,’ and them sort, more inclined to weep than laugh. ihe majority of comic songs now are only excelled in their inanity by the utter imbecility of the gestures of the singer. Them’s my sentiments, but I believe Mr Rickards is really funny. If so, it will be a change.”

Submarine Gold Mining. — A number of gentlemen at Green Island interested in the submarine boat for working the beds of auriferous rive s having requested Air Nuttall, co-patentee, to explain the principles of tlie invention, a public meeting for that purpose was held in the Drill Bhed there—Mr Kagarty in the chair. Mr v utta,l explained in an elaborate manner the mode of working the boat, and its utility for the purpose for which it was designed, and the great results likely to he expected from it, owing to the almost unlimited area of its operations, and the immense quantity of rich deposits which the boat can surely extract. One gentleman in the meeting said that his brother was employed in a submarine boat by the Knglish Government in removing a large rock from the entrance of Portsmouth harbor, and that there was no work under water bat submarine boats could do. About forty shares were sold, and every one appearing to be satisfied, no questions were asked. The meeting terminated with votes of thanks to the chairman and to Mr Nuttall, for the able manner in which he had performed his duty, and for his spirited enterprise in bringing forward a scheme of general benefit to the community.

Reward of Patriotism. —It is seldom that self-sacrifice for the public is recognised in any shape. Notably “ the public” are ungrateful. Who would have believed that Mr Mervyn, M.P.0.,M.H.R., would have been rewarded with a colored crown as a recognition of his services ; yet true it is he has been, and sad as true ; he stands a monument to warn ambitious cockatoos. Why or .wherefore let Roxburgh tell ; but on Mervyn’s arrival there he was entrapped into an opposition camp. We utterly condemn the use of tar and feathers. They are nasty, sticky companions—too close by half ; but tar and feathers were deliberately provided and devised to greet Air Mervyn on his return from Wellington. We do not know how he escaped, unless it be that the genius of Roxburgh, scorning the past, devised a new and more enduring mark of disapprobation. Let Roxburgh tell who struck out the thought and who carried it into execution ; but Air Mervyn was not only taken to task for his approval of the sale of 20 000 acres of land to Messrs Cargill and Anderson, but a mark was set upon his crown as Cains upon his forehead. It was wicked, very wicked, of the Roxburgh g-niue. Air Mervyn, pressed by argument and heated by contention, laid down his hat, and immediately a phial of Hudson’s dye was emptied into it, which, on placing the covering on the block, converted the wool or hair in a beautiful mauve color. We are told that the pillow at the inn where he slept has not yet been restored to its natural white. His hair is gradually assuming its natural hue ; but day by day ho is reminded of the strength of Koxburghan condemnation, and of the slow restoration to his normal condition by tho very gradual outgrowth of nature overgoverning Jnelson’s dye.

A general meeting of the H.A.C.B.S. will be held in St. Joseph’s school-room on Monday evening at S o’clock.

The annual meeting of the Union Permanent Building Society will be bold in the Masonic Hall on Monday evening, December 2, at S o’clock. The residents and ratepayers interested in the formation of Caacle street are requested to attend a meeting, to be held at White’s Queens Hotel, Albany street, at7>3o p.m. on Tuesday. A soiree and concert to celebrate the first anniversary of the Dawn of Light Division, No. 70, Daughters of Temperance, will be hold in the Oddfellows Hall on Tuesday evening, November 19, at half-past 6 o’clock. The usual monthly meeting of the Union Permanent Building Society for receiving subscriptions, applications, &c., w 11 be held at the office, Princes stieet. on Monday evening next, from 7 to 8 o’clock.