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Evening Star, Issue 3071, 21 December 1872, Page 2

There was no business transacted at either the Resident Magistrate’s or Mayor’s Court this morning, A Government Gazette notifies that on and after the Ist day of January, 1873, the postage on newspapers posted within the Colony for delivery at places within the Colony, will be reduced to one-halfpenny each.

The master of the Industrial School, at Caveraham, proposes embracing the occasion of his Excellency the Governor’s visit to the institution, sometime next week, to give the inmates a fete, T rieuds and patrons are invited, and amusements will be provided for the young ones. At a recent meeting of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the Chairman said that the Drawbacks Act, passed last session of Parliament, had been of great benefit to the merchants of New Zealand, and added, that not a single recommendation of the Chamber had been neglected by the Government.

In Christchurch recently there were two runaways. The Press says that “in one case, a. buggy and horae started from the railway station, the driver being thrown from the shafts, up Madras and High streets into Cashel street, along Oxford terrace, and down to the pound.” Rather a long throw that !

There are now in bloom in a garden in Port Chalmers two small rose trees, on each of which, on one stem, there arc two distinct colored roses, the one a deep crimson, and the other a light rose color. The stems are last year’.'' growth, and have neither been budded nor operated on in any way. The trees were grown from cuttings by tfie gentleman opw owning them. It is stated that a writ has been issued at the instance of the Central Government, against Captain Adair of the barque Queen of the South, in connection with the charge preferred against the Captain at Lyttle on some eighteen months auo, of conveying political convicts from Western Australia to New Zealand. The matter will be brought before the Supreme Court at an early date. Miss Rose Evans is a lucky actress, or else she has a very clever agent. The idea of a young lady whose merits do not go beyond mediocrity, if indeed they reach it, commanding a salary of Ll6O a week, or rather more than three times that of the Chief Justice ! But as she was the only actress in the market, the directors of the Theatre Royal had nothing to do but to give in to the terms she demanded.—Melbourne Leader. Dr Hector is a passenger by the Luna, and he is here for the purpose of scientific observations, especially regarding our coal deposits. After leaving Dunedin, the Luna will proceed to Preservation Inlet, where Dr Hector will make as careful an examination of the coal deposits of that locality and neighborhood as may be possible under the circumstances. The steamer will then coast round to the Grey, where she will probably fill up with coal and return to Wellington.

There was some little excitement created in Nelson on a recent morning by the rumor that one of the seamen on board the Tararua had shot one of his mutes, and quite a crowd assembled at the Court House when the case was brought on for trial. The story is as follows On Friday last William Murray, a coal-trimmer, and bichard Vaughan, a seaman, had a quarrel, when Murray threw the latter down and "it his nose very nearly off. On Monday morning Murray, who was the worse for liquor, again attacked Vaughan, as he lay in his bunk, with an open knife, when Vaugbaq drew a revolver that be bad with

him and shot him through the fleshypart of the leg. An information was then laid by Vaughan on account of the first issault. Murray was not so badly wounded a to prevent bis walking from the lock-uj to the Court House, but Dr Boor, who .tteudsd hi stated that he considered bevas in a state of intoxication, and unfitted hj defend himself or to cross-examine witness.

At the weekly meeting of the diectory of the Caledonian Society, held at Wan’s Hotel last evening, a good deal of busness was transacted. It was reported, in onnectiou with the school competition for theSocioty’s prizes, that Professors Shand and Jacgregor had kindly consented to act as judges. The competition takes place in the Iniversity Hall this day week; and at the elemtionary competition, which will be held in the afternoon, the attendance of parents aid others is requested.

The amended regulations for lominated immigration, now in force, provide that families and single men can receive passages to the Colony on payment, in advance, of four pounds for each adult (between the ages of 12 and off years), and two pounds for each child under 12 years of age. Frte passages are granted to girls of 12 years of age and upwards, accompanying their parents, and to single women between the ages ol 16 and 35, provided they are able to produce proof of good character to the satisfaction of the Agont-Geueral in London ; and »gratuity of ten shillings will be paid by the AgentGeneral to iieadsof families emigrating under these regulations, for every such single woman, not being a member ol the family, brought out under their protection. If the persons nominating friends do not wish to pay the passage money in advance, they can give bills at the rate of LG per itatutc adult, which become duo 30 days after the arrival of the immigrants. If necessary, however, longer time will be allowed, and arrangements may be made with the Immigration Officer for the payment of the bills by instalments. Applications lor passages can be made at «ny money order post-office, or at the Immigration Office, Dunedin.

It is not to be wondered at that Canterbury holds the premier position of all -New Zealand as a horticultural centre. The cottage gardens around the city form a subject upon which visitors pass the highest culogiums ; and inno small degioe is this healthful sign of thrift and induitry to be attributed to the encouragement and liberality of the wealthier classes, who ir, addition to supporting the Horticultural Society, most generously offer special prizes fur the best kept cottage gardens, which is awarded upon the report of a committee of gentlemen who visit and inspect the gardens of those who compete for the prize. This visitation is in itself an incentive to keep the gardens clean, and in a high state of cultivation, the effect of which, in adding to the other attractions of the city, cannot but be well known to any person who baa passed through Christchurch. This year Mr J. T. Peacock, M.H.R., has offered prizes of ho for the best kept garden, which is not to exceed hj i If in acre in extent. If something of this kind were done in Wellington, it would go a long way to supply that stimulus to our nursery-men and amateur horticulturists, the want of which is a great bar to the attainment of a high standard in horticultural matters here Wellington Independent. From the last statement published in the New Zealand Gazette, we observe that the amount of deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank, .Napier, during the quarter ended 30th September was L 2442 His, and the amount of withdrawals, including principal and interest, L 1756 15s Bd, leaving a surplus of L 713 6s Id. The amount of money orders issued at Napier during the same quarter was LIB7B, and of money orders received was L6lO 18s lid. It is satisfactory to observe that, as regards the whole Colony, the business done in both departments shows a very great increase on that done during the corresponding quarter of 1871. In the Post Office Savings Banks throughout the Colony the balance left in deposit on the 80th vSeptember last was 1.35,557 2s 7d, as compared •with L 14.468 5s 2d on the 30th September, 1871. Under the heads of money orders issued and paid, we find totals of L 52,172 2s 5d and L 36.658 17s 2d, respectively, as compared with L4U.032 Os Cd issued, and 1.25,632 17» lid paid during the corresponding quarter of last year. These results are gratifying, both as showing the increased prosperity of the Colony, and as indicating the fact that the Post Office Savings Bank and Money Order system is proving itself every day more and more unmistakeably successful. Sheridan Knowles’ comedy of “The Love Chase,” and the farce of “ A Comical Countess,” comprised the entertainment at the Princess Theatre last evening; and, so far as cast, costumes, acting, and correct reading were concerned, nothing more could be desiied. Indeed, it may be said that the performance was the most perfect and enjoyable given this season. Entertainers and audience alike seemed to enter into and enjoy the comicalities of the author, while vociferous and repeated appUuse marked the general appreciation. Mr Hoskins and Mias Colville represented the principal characters of Wildrake and Constance respectively, and so won the sympathies and approval of the house that they were honored with a call before the enrtain three times. Messrs Douglas and Collier played well, while Mr Musgrave excelled in the part of Bir William Koudlove. Miss Cassey Matthews’ Widow Green was very humorous; while Mrs Hill, as Lydia, displayed careful study and judgment, A little more animation, however, would have improved the part, Ihe minor parts were more than respectably well represented, in the afterpiece Miss Colville and Mr Hoskins took the leading characters, and sent away the audience, which was very large, in good humor. This evening’s performance will end the season, and the theatre will be closed until Boxing Night, when the usual Christmas pantomime will be produced.

The members of the Court Enterprise, A.0.F., will meet ou Monday Evening instead of Tuesday. A Special General Meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club will be held at the Empire Hotel on Monday Evening at 8 o’clock. The usual meeting of the Commercial Building and Mutual Investment Society, will be held next Monday Evening, from 6 to 8 o’clock. We notice that the Harbour Steam Company’s steamer Golden Age will leave the Jetty with excursionists to the Dido tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock. We would direct attention to the Caledonian Society’s notification appearing in our advertising columns. The sale of booths takes place ou the 28th inst. In our advertising columns appear testimonials, presented to Mr W. B. Marsh, on his retiring from the service of the Harbor Company, by the leading mercantile houses in the City, and his reply thereto.