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Evening Star, Issue 3198, 21 May 1873, Page 2

“ Medea ” and the burlesque of “Ixion” were repeated to a fair attendance last evening. To night the burlesque will be preceded by “ Aurora Floyd.” The following are the names of those chosen to represent Oamaru in the forthcoming football match, to be played on the 21thMay, with Dunedin, vz F. D. Holdswortb, L. Fenwick, F. Fenwick, C. Fenwick, A. Y. Smith, C. F. Corrigan, M‘Cann, Lynch, H. Connell, W. Young, M. Anderson, J. C. Fulton, N, C, Wade, J. O’Meagher, George Young. Emergency men :D. VVade, T. M. Smith, G. A. Fenwick. The attendance of students at the Otago University during the past year amounted to 70 as against 81 for the preceding year In alluding to the decrease, the University Council remarks:—“lt was not to be expected that the number of students who entered their names in 1871 would continue, for under the circumstances of the case that number was exceptionally and unexpectedly large. SStill there is reason to believe the University has taken a firm hold on the community.” The branches taught were— English literature, attended by 7 students ; Latin, 23; Greek, 9; Mathematics, 30 ; Mental and Moral Philosophy, 9; and Natural Science, 33.

When rogues fall out over plunder, or when one “confesses,” it is exceedingly awkward for confederates ; how awkward it is we now have an instance. Mr Bickle has, since he took up his quarters in the Tiraaru gaol, confessed to that dirty bit of iniquity re the foundation stone affair, and confessing involved a friend. The friend, it appears, had, after the abstraction of the coins and Masonic papers, left Tima; u for change of air. But the police were not long in finding his new residence, and himself also, for he is caught and awaits the law. The Herald states that the accomplice’s name is Robert Waugh, who was a fellow-workman of Bickle at the Masonic building. All hope of recovering the document placed in the bottle which was abstracted is lost, it having been burnt. A meeting of the Mutual Improvement Society was held last evening, in the lower hall of the Athenaeum, when Mr R. Wilson delivered the first lecture of the course to be given during the session. The subject chosen was the “Theory of Development,” in which the lecturer contended that while Mr Darwin never pretended that his doctrine was proved, still his theory gave the only reasonable explanation of nature. It threw a flood of light upon ancient systems of belief, and disproved dogmas which had long perverted the mind. Reasons were given for supposing that the forces which produced man were still in action, and must eventuate in the advent of an organic type still more perfect. Diagrams were exhibited illustrating the cellular theory, and showing the gradual evolution of the most perfect from the simple organisations, - A vote of thanks to the lecturer, and to the chairman, Mr Wm. Bolt, concluded the meeting, after which thirty members were admitted. Woman’s devotion (says the writer of “ Under the Verandah,” in the Melbourne Leader) is not confined to civilised lands, of which the secret official records of the Fijian Kingdom would afford a proof. The man Clancy, lately sentenced to death at Sydney for the part he took in the Carl massacre, had, before he was captured by the Cossack, been united by the bonds of matrimony with a dusky subject of King Cakobau. On Clancy being arrested, his bride determined to save the man of her choice, and reaching the Cossack in the middle of the Jnight, got stealthily on board, and managed to release her husband from the custody of his guards. Gently he was let into the water, and the woman following, the pair gained the canoe, and Clancey was rowed to the shore, and concealed in the bush with such success as to defy all the efforts of the crew of the Cossack to find him. Application was at last made to the Fijian Government for the aid »f native trackers, and the request being complied with, Clancy was again discovered,

and again made a prisoner. Civilisation, by the aid of savage skill, triumphed, and rendered the heroic efforts of a devoted woman futile.

In connection with the operations of the Industrial School for the last year, there is one feature well worthy of being recorded. Of the inmates, thirty-three have been let out for service, under license of the cstablishlishment, viz., eighteen boys and fifteen girls. The joint earnings of these amounted to a sum of L 212 Is 6d, which has been deposited in the Saving’s Bank to the credit of the several children. It is interesting to know that the savings of eleven boys and nine girls belonging to the institution amount to sums under L 5 ; five boys and one girl have between L 5 and LlO ; two girls have between LlO and Lls ; one boy and three girls between LIS and L2O, and one boy upwards of L2O, The inspector reports that the conduct of those already hired out, and under the jurisdiction of the school, is very satisfactory, and that a greater demand for boys and girls from the institution exists than can be conveniently supplied. Another very encouraging item is contained in the report. It is a statement by the inspector, to the following effectln the course of my journeyings through the Province, I have an opportunity of occasionally seeing or hearing about the children who have been hired out, and I have seen some of them attending the district schools. It is not improbable that in future reports I may bo able to give a favorable account of the conduct and welfare of many of these children, and of the warm interest taken in some of them by the persons into whose households they have been received,” Mr Fish’s land fund resolutions are noticed in very uncomplimentary terms by soma of the Northern papers. This is what the Thnaru Herald says of them “The Colony of course is much indebted to that bounceable individual in the Otago Provincial Council who recently took upon b'raself to speak so very discreetly in its name. Patriotism is to be admired, but what can be thought of a Provincial M.P. who allows his love for his Province so to overcome his better judgment as to utter the trash wired last Thursday. The telegram seuder, however, was forbearing by not giving his name. This for him is fortunate, for whether he he a Bomet»dy or a nobody his brilliant idea of mooting a wrong done to Otago—at present but suppositious—would but draw a peal of derisive laughter from the North Cape to Jacob’s Kiver. Surely this indiv dual must be an Irishman fond of a row. He assumes that the Assembly is about to pounce on the future proceeds from the sale of the Otago land; and, says he, if anything so iniquitous is dared to be perpetrated, the Council— i.e , the Provincial Council of Otago —will take that *as a signal for instant separation, and a declaration of the independence of the Colony,’ What will they say in Downing street when such a fearful threat reaches Imperial ears ? What will the old lady in ThrcaTlneedle street say when a disruption of the mighty British Empire is about to be consummated. Opposition, of course, there will bo none, and New Zealand, owing to a happy thought of an Otagan, will be blessed and he independent. Bsware ! Auckland, Wellington,‘-Canterbury, and the minor Provinces, you arc as dust in the balance ! Otago is not only Otago, she is New Zealand 1”

The annual soiree of the First Church Young Men’s Association will be held in the First Church on Friday evening at half-past six o’clock.

An emergency meeting of the Otago Kilwinning Lodge will be held in the Masonic Hall, to-morrow evening, at half-past seven o’clock sharp.

1 be successful contractors for the WintonKingston line is Mr J, M. Blair, and nos Messrs Blair and Watson as stated by ut yesterday, the partnership having been dissolved.

A performance will be given at the Queen’s Theatre, on Friday evening, in aid of the funds of the Provincial Brass Band. Further particulars will be seen in our advertising columns.