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Evening Star, Issue 3177, 26 April 1873, Page 2

“Plot and Passion” was reproduced last evening to a moderate attendance. The “Peep-o-Day Boys,” and the farce of “Slasher and Crasher,” constitute to night's bill.

From an advertisement published in the Em, of January 19, we learn that Mr Sothern, the original “ Lord Dundreary ” of the stage, has made arrangements to visit the Australian colonics during the mon’hs of fSeptember and October next. A meeting of the Society for Investigating Spiritualism was held last evening ab the Athenaeum, but it was so poorly attended, no doubt, owing to the rain, that it was adjourned for a fortnight. A balance sheet was read, auditors were appointed, and the advisability of forming a Progressive Society was discussed.

A meeting for the purpose of receiving the names of persons desirous of joining the Protestant Alliance Society was held in the Lower Hall of the Athemcum, last night. There wag a fair attendance, and Mr Walker, special Deputy-grand Master, from Victoria, occupied the chair. Thirty-five members have been enrolled up to the present time, and|the following were elected a preliminary committee: —Messrs Skelton, Pa mer, Bacon, Sly, Crawford, Humphreys, and W. Easton. One good effect of the English Adulteration Act is that it has led to the discovery of the real composition of many articles of daily consumption. The latest discovery is a rather startling one, and was made by a Dr Tidy, who declar s that jam is not jam - that is to say, the composition which usually passes as jam : those imposing pots of preserve to be seen in grocers’ and fruiterers’ windows. These arc, according to Dr lidy, made of the sweepings of warehouses, rotten lies, and glue '! No wonder then that “roleypoleys” are somewhat apt to disagree with the tender stomachs of the eaters.

The scion tide world (says the Naples correspondent of the Swiss Tniics ) will learn with gratification of an experiment performed by the Professor of Physiology of the Naples University, Signor Giuseppe Albini, consisting of the transfusion of blood into the veins of a lady JO years of age, dying from amemia, caused by frequent ho’tnoniiage. Professor Albini, setting aside the old theory of injecting the blood, attempted the transfusion direct from the carotid artery of a young lamb, placed in connection with a vein in the arm of the patient by means of a guttapercha tube, furnished at either extremity with smaller glass tubes to cover the incisions made in vein and artery. The impelling force was given by the pulsations of the heart of the animal and the continuity maintained by the elasticity of the artery, ine, experiment was entirely successful. As a neat thing in the way of apologies we beg to lay before our readers the following letter, published in several papers : “ io Justin Aylmer, Esq., Ross. (Sir —Referring to a leading article in my issue of the 2nd instant, written by myself, wherein I made certain statements respecting your conduct as a magistrate, I beg to retract them all as being false and malicious ; and I have further to apologise to yon for the gross libel contained therein, and to express my deep regret that I should have so far forgotten myself as to have inserted in my paper, not only upon the occasion alluded to, but upon many previous occasions, that which was untrue and calculated to defame and injure you. Signed, Richard Cuming, printer and publisher Jwss Neii's. Ross, April 7, 1873-” Messrs Harrop and Neill have just c onplcted several challenge medals lor dilleicut Volunteer Corps, which, for chasteness of design and beauty of workmanship, arc equal :,f that clast- manufactured in any part of the world The first is a circular seven idarsilvermedal, with embossed fern wreath hj tlio centre, enclosing crossed rillea. The clasp is frosted silver, and it bears on the f "ys th* initials of the Company, “P. RA ~ IS7J,” in old English characters. It is foi the Portobello company. The second is also a seven pointed star for Nelson, but it difters somewhat in form, being oval instead of circular. A corresponding variation was rendered necessary iu the embossed centre. On the reverse is the inscription, “Nelson City Volunteers.” The third is in the form ol a Maltese gross, with the

figure of a volunteer taking aim in a kneeling position, in embossed gold. This handsome medal is for the Gisborne "Volunteers, Napier. The fourth is also in the form of a Maltese cross, with crosscd rifles of gold in the centre. It, is for No. 1 Company of Cadets. Messrs Harrop and Neill have also received orders for making two champion belts of similar design, but in different colors. The derign, which is very elegant, was prepared by Mr Neill. The fallowing extract from a letter by Mr 0. Thorne to Mr Bird, Secretary of the Canterbury Flax Association, is published by the Christchurch papers, and will he road with interest :—“ 1. have now a piece of perfectly beautiful huckaback towelling made entirely from Phormium, and hear that a damask table-cloth is now positively in the loom ; but i cannot send you a sample of these, as they arc all wanted here. If i find any to spare, thru you shall have some. Mr Lockhart is proving a most fervent and practical disciple as regards the use of Phormium : he has manufactured for Dr Featherat n twine—seaming twine, roping twine, various kinds of fishing net, tow yarns, which he lias had dyed and is now manufacturing into carpets, 'fine yarn, from.the line fibre, which is being woven into fine table-cloths, and his report is ‘ that the fibre improves in working on acquaintance.’ 'J his is exactly what I early maintained and Mr Forbes confirmed. Your friend, bir Daniel Cooper, Bart., favored mo with a visit on the 19th instant; ho seemed greatly interested, and thinks Sydney is the place where more enterprise would be shown in growing, dressing, and manufacturing Phormiurn. Will the New Zealand colonists let this industry slip from them ?” A me'ting of the Education Board, at which were present His Honor the Superintendent (in the chair), Messrs Turnbull, M Vcrmid, and Bastings, was held yesterday. An application was forwarded on behalf of the Queenstown School Committee, re j nesting that the district school should be formed into a grammar school. The Queenstown Town Council, through the Town Clerk, wr to in support of the application, Mr Hislop also wrote, saying the attendance at the school in November last was far short of that of other schools which had been raised to the standard of grammar schools ; besides that, from the short time most of the children had been attending the school under their present master, while their attainments wore moderate, there were very few whoso qualifications in the higher branches were sufficient to enable them to be taught by the head master of a grammar school. From the present position of the school, its being formed into a grammar school was merely a question of time. Should the Board resolve t) recommend the pa-sing of a Bill by the Provincial Council, with a view to establishing a grammar school, he would suggest that the recommendation be made, with the distinct understanding that the Board would no} feci itself compelled to establish the grammar school, ti i it was saisfied that the attendance and Cab; of advancement of H.e '\Yarr;uit‘ **. a L-hnuirc llKl'ic in ity notion. It was resolved to c.-k the Provincial onmi! to pass a Bill creating the school a grammar school, on the unders auding stitcd by Mr Hislop. The Board then ad journo I,

The Canterbury memben of the General Assembly arc about to make a graceful acknowledgement of the many favors bestowed on them by Lady Bowen, during their periodical visits to the seat of Government; while Sir George was Governor. They have had manufactured for presentation to Lady Bowen a beautiful gold cross set with precious stones, and a silver casket, which form an elegant souvenir; and the following notice of the articles appears in the Lyttelton Times :—The cross is of Greek design,' and nearly four inches in length. A sapphire of great purity and large size occupies the centre, encircled by eight small diamonds, eleven much larger diamonds being so arranged in settings on each of the four sides of the sapphire as to form a cross of brilliants on a dead gold groundwork, producing a very rich effect. The casket is made as a repository for the cross, and the design is very neat, with sufficient yet not tos much ornamental chasing. The interior is lined with white silk velvet, and the inner side of the lid bears the following inscription: —“ We tbo undersigned, members of the General Assembly, resident in the Province of Canterbury, request your Ladyship’s acceptance of the accompanying cross, in grateful recognition of the hospitality and kindness which we have always received at Government House during the tenure of office of his Excellency Sir G. Bowen, G.C.M.G.”

The Commercial Building and Mutual Investment Society will hold its fortnightly mooting on Monday next, at the usual time and place. Applications for the new issue of shares in the Otago and Southland Investment Company close on Tuesday next, the 29th inst.

By an advertisement, it will be seen that the Committee of the Athemeiun offer for sale, a quantity of periodicals, &c., at very much under the original prices. The Rev. Mr Main is announced to de r liver a lecture on “ Inspiration ” to the Fifat Church Young Men’s Association, on the evening of Wednesday next.