YESTERDAY’S NEWS.

Evening Star, Issue 3148, 22 March 1873, Page 3

YESTERDAY’S NEWS.

The volunteer representatives performed a very graceful act before leaving Nelson. They subscribed £4l, which was handed over to the reception committee for dist ibution among the various charitable institutions of the City of Nelson.

The only criminal case at the sitting of the Oamaru District Court on Tuesday, was Recinav. John Leith, for aggravated assault near Oamaru, in January last. The prisoner was found guilty, with a recommendation to mercy, and Judge Ward sentenced him to fourteen days’ imprisonment, without hard labor.

A very sudden death took place at Hillingdon, Akatore, on Tuesday morning. While engaged in family worship immediately after breakfast, Mr John sen., aged 51, during the singing of the two last verses of the 91st psalm, fell off his chair and almost immediately expired. The deceased had been apparently in good health, and did not complain of any illness ; in fact, he had always been a particularly strong, vigorous man. Dr Fergusson was sent for, and from bis examination of the body and the history of the seizure, his opinion was that death was the result of an apoplectic fit. The Bruce Herald informs us that Mr Noble came out to the Colony about 1857, and has, since shortly after his arrival, resided in that district, and was much respected by his neighbors and acquaintances.

The Magnet Variety Troupe repeated the programme of the previous evening at the Queen’s Theatre last night to a largo and delighted audience, lottie’s graceful, exceedingly clever, and truly sensational performance on the single trapeze was only surpassed by her efforts on the treble trapeze, assisted by her brothers Frank and Victor The deafening applause with which each feat was received must have been as pleasing to the performers as it was deserved. Messrs Buckley and Holly acquitted themselves admirably, while Mr J. Small brought the house down with “The Unfortunate Man,” and other equally ridiculous but humorous songs. The remaining items of the programme were well received, particularly a violin solo by Mr J. Herman. There will be a change of entertainment this evening.

A meeting of Mr Fish’s friends and supC‘ ra was held last evening at Wain’s , Manse street. There was an attendance of sixty-five gentlemen, and Mr P. Sherwin, senr., was called to the chair. The Chairman informed the meeting that it would be illegal to transact any business in a hotel, and an adjournment to the com-mittee-room, next the Ship Inn, was made. It was then unanimously resolved that the gentlemen present form themselves into a Committee to secure Mr Fish’s return. A permanent Chairman of the General Committee, and Chairmen of the sub-Committee* for each ward of the City were appointed, and the meeting adjourned.—A numerouslyattended meeting of Mr Prosser’s supporters was held last evening, in the lower room of the Athenaeum. A Committee was formed, and the necessary arrangements were made to ensure the return of their candidate.

Spiritualists in Dunedin boast of the wonderful healing powers possessed by Dr Dunn, but in Waitahuna, says the Tnapeka Times , they have a doctor of at least equal skill, and nearly as great pretensions; but they make no boast about him. His name is Ah Ma Ki, and if he effects but half the cures he professes, he must be the “real Mackay,” though he hails from China, and not from Caithness. The most complicated disorders he diagnoses at a glance, and the most serious and apparently incurable he undertakes to cure with assuring confidence. “Dat’s noting, dat’s noting ; you all light ro-morrow,” is his response to all. The promise of a cure so sudden and complete might stagger all but the most gullible ; but when the doctor announces that he deals on the “ no cure, no pay” system, the doubter is at once convinced of his faith in his own powers, and he unhesitatingly places himself under his care. The dector at once makes a charge, varying in different circumstances, for drugs, and, as the cure is seldom completed on the morrow as promised, the charge is repeated, till the patient begins to suspect that the “ no cure, no pay” system is not altogether so cheap as at the first blush he imagined. As the doctor is his own chemist and druggist, some persons would make out that be turns the sj’stem to very good account, even though the cures are not so invariable as he promises them to be.

A correspondent informs us that he has learned from a few of the old passengers of the Philip Laing (tl}e consort of the first ship to Otago with the early pioneers, who landed at Port Chalmers or Kaputa Bay on the 15th of April, 1848, that at the meeting, to be held on the 24th instant, as advertised, will be discussed and determined the manner of holding and celebrating the 25th year, or quarter-centenary, of their landing in Otago. It is the intention that a pic-nic of these old pioneers, with their wives, families, and family connections will} be proposed to bo held at or near Port Chalmers, where they first landed. It is also intended, if possible, t© have the attendance of tbq two children, male and female first born in Otago, belonging to the old passengers, and to present these two pldest born with a suitable and substantial gift of Provincial industry, most likely a first-class genuine suit qf Mosgiel tweed, the product qf one qf the veritable pld Philip Lping passengers. After the pic-nic the anniversary will be concluded with a speial gathering at Dunedin. It i§ also intended to take into consideration th e ad visa bjlity of forming an Early Pioneers’ Club, fpr celebrating the anniversary in future, in ponnectioa with other kindred old pioneers ; also to collect and preserve old reminiscences of events and early settlement, and lor beneficiary purposes. It has been mooted that mementos of twenty-five years ago should be reproduced, by obtainingjpaintings of ‘‘The Landing at Po?t Chalmers in 18,48,” “Dunpdin as it was at that time,’-’ and a portrait of Captain Ellis, who commanded the Philip Laing.

A very pleasant entertainment was given last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall by the Dunedin Band of Hope. The chair was occupied by Mr J. W. Jago, who, in opening the proceedings, congratulated the committee on the large and interesting gathering over which he had the honor of presiding. It would bo thought necessary for him to say a word as to the circumstances which led to their meeting there, instead of in the Wesleyap. Hall, where the Band of Hope is wont to meet. All, howeyer, that he would say was that he had no sympathy whate ter with the aptiop which lp<l tp, the change in their place o| meeting, and while giving thp gentlpman concerned credit for |he of the mptive from which he had acted, he belipved he had maeje a mistake which he hoped that gentleman would live to rpgret; and he trusteef the day would yet pome when religions' liberty would be more than a name, and when each would be ready to extend to each the liberty he claipaed for himself. At q, subsequent period of the meeting, when introducing Dr E. C. Dunn, he said ho had great pleasure in introducing that gentleman to the meeting, as it afforded an illustration of the thoroughly unsectarian character of the temperance platform. One knew there no religious differences, but was ready on that platform to strike palms witk ever 7

good man and true, whatever his religious opinion, who was ready to join heart and band together in a common effort to nd the country of the terrible evil of strong drinks. Dr. Dunn delivered an interesting and instructive address, illustrative of the use of alcoholic liquors and tobacco, and of excessive eating, during the delivery of which he was greeted with frequent and hearty applause. The rest of the entertainment cons'stcd of songs, duets, recitations, Ac., by members of the Band of Hope and several friends, who kindly gave their assistance. Miss Lack presided at the pianoforte.