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Evening Star, Issue 3070, 20 December 1872, Page 2

We received particulars of the explosion at the Drill-shed too late for insertion this evening. To-day the weather was exceedingly hot; the temperature between 10 and 11 o'clock being 110 degrees Far. in the sun. The two patients are progressing favorably on the Quarantine Island, and everybody seems perfectly satisfied. The Board of Health meet to-morrow in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Fort Chalmers. The Supreme Court sitting hi banco has been occupied during the past two days hearing arguments in the case of Ogilvie r. Bmk of New Zealand—an appeal from a decision of the Resident Magistrate at Oarnaru. The Mayor to-day received the following telegram from Akaroa, from Major Pitt, 4. D.C. to the Governor : —“The Luna leaves here this day at noon. If we arrive early, we shall remain down the harbor until the hour fixed b/ you for the landing. I have received the copy of your address, with which the Governor is much pleased. The calm and even tenor of the way of the people of Port Chalmers is not easily ruffled by any event tending to add to their interests or importance. The docking of H.M.S. Dido is calculated to bring the Port into favorable notice, but not a cheer was heard, nor a jubilant note, nor a flag raised, as she entered the Graving Dock. The philosophy of Port Chalmers is proof against such good beginnings. Some people are uncharitable enough to call it apathy. We are favoured with a proof copy of the programme of the Annual Race Meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club in March next ; the first day includes a Maiden Plate of SO sovs., 11,I 1 , mile; the Forbury Handicap of 200 sovs., 1J mile; >t. Kilda Stakes,—a weight for age race of 60 sovs., I mile ; Selling Race of 50 sovs., mile ; and Selling Hurdle Race, 40 sovs,, mile. The Second day includes a Handicap Hurdle Race, of 80 sovs., 2 miles; the Dunedin Jockey Blub Handicap of 250 sovs., 2 miles ; Town Plate, weight for age, 90 sovs, miles; Novel Handicap of 100 sovs., I.J mile ; Consolation handicap of 60 sovs., 1 mile ; and winds up with a Hack Race of 20 sovs. The programme is of such a varied and attractive nature, that it aught to induce the best horses from the other Provinces, and even from the Australian Colonies, to enter for different events.

We last evening examined a sample of coal from the newly-struck seam of Mr Andrew Pollock’s pit at Green Island. We have from time to time pointed out that he was engaged prospecting for a lower seam than he has hitherto been working. He struck it at a depth of 173 feet —there is then a seam of about (JA feet thick, separated from a deeper seam, from 16 to 18 feet in thickness, by a thin stratum of sand. The specimen shown us was from the surface of i the 6i feet seam. The fracture was clear and clean, and on testing it by a jet of gas, the flame was hot and bright, and almost free frdVn smoke. The comedy of “The Rivals” was again repeated at the Princess’ last evening, with undiminished success, although the audience was not so large as might have been expected. Attractions at another place, and the probability that the people are saving themselves for the festivities of the coming season, no doubt lessened the attendance. It is to be hoped, however, that nothing will prevent the many friends and admirers of Miss Colville from giving her a bumper house on the occasion of her benefit this evening. Independent of the continuous efforts of the fair recipient to amuse others during the past season, the programme announced is attractive and deserving of patronage. A slight accident occurred at the Dunedin terminus of the Port Railway shortly before eight o’clock last evening. A goods train, drawn by the Rose, which was at the moment being driven by Mr G. Proudfoot, had just arrived, and the waggons were to be snunted on to the curve, while the engine proceeded along the straight line past the goods shed. The point was in charge of the stoker, a youth,- who, whether from inability to hold it, or inacquaintance with the work, does not appear clear, let it go after the fore-wheels of the first waggon had passed, the consequence being that it and \ the succeeding waggon were thrown off the I line, The first waggon, in its zigzag course, smashed a portion of the goods shed, but fortunately did not injure the carriages there, although itself greatly broken. The Tunpcka Tlnm admits it was in error in stating that Brogden and Co. had entirely dispensed with Chinese labor on the Clulha railway. It appears that the first batch of men were physically incapable of performing more than two-thirds of the amount of work expected, consequently, they wore discharged. A fresh batch of better working Celestials was engaged, the _ majority of whom earned their wages. This l»st experiment proved so satisfactory, that it was determined to continue it. The incapables are being gradually weeded out, their places being filled by useful navvies, ho difficulty is experienced in procuring Chinese labor, large gangs of Celestials being camped at various places along the line, waiting for employment. Thirty-eight Chinamen are now at work on the railway between Adam’s Flat and Tokomairiro. This number is expected shortly to be considcraly augmented. To-day has been appointed, under sanction of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to be observed by members of the Anglican Church throughout the world, as a day of supplication to Almighty God, for the increase of the ministry, and more especially for a larger supply of men qualified to offer themselves for the work of evangelising the heathen. The proposal emanated from the Society for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts and being by them communicated to the Church Missionary Society, was warmly taken up by that body. Both societies, it may be said, have been much impeded in their operations, and unable to occupy promising fields of labour, owing to the insufficient supply of men suited to the mission work. Much interesting matter will be found in the minutes of the two societies, published in the Church New* of this month, in which also are the special collects, Psalms, and lessons, appointed by the Primate to be used in this diocese on the day referred to. .Special services will be held at St. Paul’s this evening at half-past seven o’clock, when a sermon will be preached by the Bishop of Dunedin. This morning, Messrs Cobb and Co’s coach that leaves at 7. -TO in the morning for Tokomairiro, Balclutha, and Tuapeka was accidentally overturned while descending the hiil at Look-out Point. It appears that in descending the hill the off side wheeler fell and went under the coach, which in consequence capsized. The horses then got away with the fore part of the carriage and dragged the fallen one four or five hundred yards Both wheelers arc badly cut. We are sorry to say that the passengers did not escape unhurt. The Rev. J Williams, who was sitting on the box when the capsize took place, has an arm broken in two places, besides having his face badly cut. Another passenger, whose name we could not learn, had Ins wrist broken, and the driver (Birmingham) is badly shaken, He stuck to the reins, and did his best to prevent damage. ’• he chief damage to the coach is that the roof is shattered through the overturn. The passengers .able to go forward were detained about half an hour, when they were forwarded by another coach. Mr Chaplin was on the spot within half an hour after the accident, and paid every attention to the necessary arrangements. Rumor says that the accident \ias either caused or aggravated by a passenger very foolishly seizing hold of the reins, instead of leaving them to the driver We have frequently seen nervous men do this. The very attempt betrays an utter want of judgment, and is almost certain to induce the very danger they are anxious to prevent. No passengers should be allowed to touch a rein unless requested by the driver, and if their nerves are not equal to the contingencies inseparable from driving, they ought never to sit on a coachbox. The Dunedin Choral Society’s second concert for this season took place last evening, ar. the University Hall. Owing to improved arrangements, room was made f-.r a larger audience than at the last concert, and although there was apparently, more room to spare, a greater number of persons were present. The chief aim of the Choral Society is to cultivate a taste, for classical music, and with this purpose in view, the selection was a good one. No musician will question for a moment that Mendelsohn’s “Elijah” is a composition involving the highest effects in harmony ; and, difficult as it is for non-professional musicians, the choruses last night were given with a precision that surprised us, Wc need not comment upon each separate piece. We do not say they were perfectly executed. We have heard them given with more attention to the balance of parts—the bassos more subdued, the sopranos not at times overpowered, the contraltos firmer and more decided ; but we never hard them, as a whole, better gone through by amateurs than last evening. Much of the precision and accuracy was, no doubt, owing to the band, which, we are glad to say, is much strengthened and more effective than hitherto. But it would be unjust not to point out that to Mr G. R. West’s perseverance the success of last evening’s performance is mainly owing. We need say nothing of the solos. They are, unfortunately, to a certain extent, beyond the control of the conductor. We arc inclined to think a little concession on that point would be an advantage. They were sung in a very good amateur style, and entitled to that extent of commendation, In the second part, the overture was well played. It is not, and ngver will be popular. In fact Ralfe’a compositions are not destined to last. That which is most worthy of notice in the second part was Mr Towsey’s playing of Beethoven’s Andante. It was equally tasteful and brilliant, As Miss Edhouse permitted her name to be mentioned in a programme of the concert at the Masonic Hall, we do not hesitate to say that the hearty encores she received were well deserved. The Market Chorus was artistically gone through, and on a fair comparison of the attainments of the , society with past ooeoer ts, wo consider the

advance is simply mavellous. Mr A. Towsey accompanied on the piano throughout the evening. It is an excellent instrument, we understand lent by Mr J. H. Harris. We notice that the society purpose giving a concert during the visit of His Excellency the Governor to Dunedin, when the “ Lay of the Bell” and the “May Queen” will be given. Railway construction, we believe, is a subject to which our Governor designate, Sir James Fergusson, has had occasion, both in the Home country and in South Australia, to devote a very large amount of his time and attention. His views upon it, as expressed in a speech made by him in July, 18(59, it will be observed, coincide substantially with those generally accep able in this ' olony, and on which our anticipated success in our. railway undertakings is based- At th' celebration of the opening of the Bo seworthy and Forrester’s line, which forms part of the line now in construction from Adelaide to the Burra, and which cost about L5,0Q0 a mils, he declared emphatically his opinion, founded both on personal experience of railway management in England and upon the system adopted, after full consideration, for Indian lines, that railways of this character ave the most appropriate for new countries. Given a large extent of country to open, and a moderate amount of capital for the purpose, the real question is, how can the money be made to go as far as possible. Something must be sacrificed, and that something is speed. Safety, carrying capacity, regularity, and punctuality, are essential upon every railroad, and with them we cannot dispense. But we need not insist upon travelling at the rate of forty or fifty miles an hour. Speed will doubtless come in good time, but that time is a long way distant yet. Sir James Fergusson also expressed in strong terms his belief that cheap railways, if they are pro perly used, will last as long as any railway can be expected. If, indeed, trains are driven at express speed over lines not intended to bear such speed, the lines will soon be destroyed, . In India the branch lines, as they are called, although they sometimes extend five bund ed miles, carry the same rolling stock as the main lines, but at half the speed. “So,” says Sir James, “I believe that all the traffic of these districts can be carried for twenty years with perfect safety and economy.” He further adds that there' are three conditions with which we must comply if we want to cet value for our railway expenditure. The direction of railways must be determined upon their merits, and without reference to any political or party considerations. The surveys must be made by the most competent men that can be found. The line must be thoroughly well constructed. In other words, railway engineering and railway construction cannot be either jobbed or scamped. We hope that we shall be able in this Colony to fulfil these conditions, and at the same time to get as many miles as our money will give ns of railways that will bear a speed of twenty miles an hour.

The Foresters will meet at the Royal George Hotel to-morrow, at 3.15, to take part in the procession.

Members of the M.U.1.D.0. F. are requested to meet at the Oddfellows’ Hall. George street, to-morrow afternoon, at 3 o’clock, to take part in the reception. The following notifications a r e advertised for to-morrow’s procession ; —Members of the Court Pride of Dunelin, A.0.F., will meet in the Court Room, Wain’s Hotel, at 3 o’clock. The Brethren of the 1.0.G.P, to meet at the Oriental Motel, at 3 p.m. The Fire Brigade to muster at the Kngine Room, in fall working uniform, at 230p m. The No, 2 Scottish ' ompany to meet at the Drill Shed, at 3.15 p.m. The North Dunedin Rifles meet at the Octagon at 3.15 p.m. We would urge the desirability of members of the Volunteer Companies turning out in full numbers, for the general credit of the force.

The Dunedin Choral Society, at the expressed wish of his t xcol’cncy the Governor, will give another concert on Friday. 3rd January. The program me will consist of “The Lay of the Bell,” and the “May Queen.” Members of the (Society are requested to attend practice on the following nights .-—Saturday, 21st; Saturday, 28th ; Monday, 30th inst. ; and on Thursday, January 2nd The Dunedin Cricket Club intend to send an Eleven to Oamarn to try conclusions with the local Club on Boxing Dav. Seven gentlemen have volunteered to play ; the others will doubtless be selected to-morrow on the ground. The promotion gained by Mr W. P. Street, the new clerk to the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Dunedin, is well deserved. During the ten years lie has been in the department, he has by his close attention to business, secured the esteem of his superiors, and by his urbanity, the respect of tlm.-e whom business called to the Court. Mr Morse, the acting clerk, leaves, we believe, at the end of the year; and we take the opportunity of remarking that in him the public had a courteous and obliging officer.