The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 1873.

Evening Star, Issue 3211, 5 June 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 1873.

We are reliably informed that Mr Andrew Mercer intends to contest the Mayoral election.

Satisfactory tenders have been received for the construction of the Awamoko railway, a distance of twenty-one miles. The accepted tender will be decided upon immediately. “ Othello ” was presented at the Princess’s Theatre last evening to a fair audience. Mr Kayner’s Othello was a scholarly and skilful rendering of the character ; but the same remarks do not apply to the lago of Mr Collier, who did nut create a favorable impression. The afterpiece of “The Irish Boy and the Yankee Gal” was repeated. Tonight the burlesque of “Macbeth” will be played ; and, from what we have heard, it will be well worth witnessing.

A meeting of gentlemen desirous of forming a rowing club was held at the Provincial Hotel, Port Chalmers, last night, and, judging from the enthusiasm displayed, it will result in a very good club being formed. A suitable boat is at present the only drawback; it was therefore resolved that a couple of gigs he obtained to practise in until a proper racing boat is built. A subscription list was opened, which was liberally subscribed to. The entrance fee was fixed at ten shillings, and the annual subscription at a guinea.

The popularity of Charles’s Diorama seems to be on the increase. Last evening a large and appreciative audience assembled in the Masonic Hall, to witness this pleasing and instructive exhibition, abounding as it does with pictures, which convey to the mind of the spectator a thorough realisation of the subjects they are designed to illustrate. Mr Milburn gave several comic songs during the evening ; while Mr Perrier accompanitd his interesting lecture with some lively anecdotes, which added considerably to its success.

Drake and Fox, have been matched to run three events, viz.: 100, 150, and 200 yards on the North Dunedin Recreation Ground, on the 19th July, for LSO aside, and the championship of New Zealand. The articles were signed last night, and the first deposit of 140 a side duly posted. Mr James Marshall has been appointed stakeholder; Mr George Dowse, starter; and Mr W. C. Kirkcaldy, referee. We have had no opportunity yet in Dunedin of seeing what Drake can do, but judging by bis past performances in the Colony, the most notable of which was his beating Fat Twohill at Greymouth, about twelve months ago. in a race of 150, 200, and 300 yards, for the championship of the Colony, and LJIQO & side. Fox has his wo k cut out for him. Drake will shortly proceed to Wellington, but will be back in time to go into training to fulfil his engagements.

An extraordinary general meeting of the New Zealand Submarine Goldmining Company was held yesterday afternoon, at the Friendly Societies’ Hall; Mr D. F. Main in the chair. After reading the notice convening the meeting, followed by the report of the provisional directors as to the position of the company, and that of the company’s engineer (Mr Douglas), on the progress made in the construction of the boat, the chairman tfotedthe objects qI the meeting-via., the

appointment of a permanent board of directors, and the consideration of the affairs of the company generally. These latter, he said, were in a satisfactory state, with the exception of the delay in the completion of the boat, caused by a trivial dispute between the contractors and the directors as to a clause in the building specifications. After considerable discussion on that subject, ■which. we understand was settled satisfactorily, the following gentlemen were elected directors : —Messrs D. F. Main, Harvey, George Grant, James Baxter, and H. S. Fish, junr. ; after which the meeting separated. There was a special meeting of the City Council last evening, to consider two important proposals for borrowing money for City improvements. All the Councillors were present. Cr. Thoneraan, in the absence of the Mayor, occupied the chair. The first matter considered was the expediency of borrowing 1 10,000 for general improvements, L2;500 to bo spent in each ward. The proposition was met by an amendment by Cr. Ramsay that High Ward’s share should be L 3.000, and South Ward only L 2.000, which was negatived, only the two members for High Ward voting for it. The original proposition was then agreed to. Cr, Walter moved a resolution to borrow L-5,000 for the purpose ©f improving the Town Belt. Cr. Ramsay moved the following amendment This Council approves of the scheme for improving the Town Belt, and is willing to spend L 5.000, or any less sura, in improving the Belt, on the condition that the Government guarantee to assist the Corporation in labor or cash to the extent of £ for £.” On being put to the vote, the amendment was declared carried, four— Crs. Barnes, Ramsay, Mercer, and Neale—voting for it; and three —Crs. Walter, Rossbotham, and Woodland—against it. At this stage of the proceedings the Mayor took the chair, and ruled that on the amendment being put as a substantive motion, it was competent to move further amendments, altering the sum named, until such time as the Council agreed to a sum or resolution. Cr. Walter thereupon moved that the Council vote 14,500 for the purpose named, and, after a short additional debate, a proposition by Cr. Neale, that L 2.000 be borrowed on City debentures, for the purpose of forming a carriage drive through the Town Belt, in accordance with the City Surveyor’s plans—was substituted for the further amendment, and carried unanimously. 'I he ordinary meeting of the Council was then held. A good deal of business was got through. There was an animated discussion over a report (which will be found elsewhere) by a Special Committee on the Corporations Ordinance.

There was a good attendance at the Queen’s Theatre, last evening, though not commensurate with the merits of the lady for whose benefit it was set apart nor the excellence of the programme. Considering, however, the counter-attractions, Miss Stephenson may feel justly proud of the estimation in which she is held by the theatre-going public of Dunedin. The performance commenced with the fourth act of ‘’The Marble Heart,” in which Miss Stephenson gave a vivid representation of the heartless and mercenary Marco, Mrßurford and Mr Hydes affording able assistance in the parts of Raphael and Volage. This was followed by the screen scene from “The School for Scandal,” Miss Stephenson appearing as Lady Teazle. No greater proof could be given of the ability of this talented actress than the manner in which she sustained this character, and her efforts were enthusiastically applauded. The other parts were well filled, with the notable exception of the individual who attempted to impersonate Joseph Surface, who was anything but well up in his text, and nearly succeeded in spoiling the entire effect of the scene. But the palm must be given to Miss Stephenson in the selection from “The Hunchback.” The fair beneficiare, as Helen, played with the utmost vivacity, and her eudeavors to induce her bashful cousin Modus to avow his love for her were natural in the extreme, and evoked uproarious mirth. At the conclusion of this scene, Miss Stephenson and Mr Burford received an unanimous call before the curtain, Mr Burford returned thanks to the audience on behalf of Miss Stephenson, and took the opportunity of announcing that his benefit would take place on Friday evening, which would be the last appearifihee but one of Miss Stephenson and himself. We heartily trust this gentleman will have a bumper house, as he certainly deserves it. Since his connection with this theatre he has steadily grown in favor, and everything he has undertaken has been carried through with an earnestness which fairly entitles him to public support. The performance concluded with the burlesque of “ Lalla Rookh.” The Presbytery of Dunedin met yesterday in the First Church. The Presbytery was constituted as follows :—Rev. Messrs Blake (moderator), Will, Copland, Gow, Johnston, Greig, Davidson, and Gillies (clerk.) Elders: Messrs Rennie, Duncan, Wales, and Souness. The principal business transacted was that of a reference from the Kirk session of Knox Church, in which Mr John Logan was reported to have been on the platform of the Queen’s Theatre during the delivery of lectures by Messrs Dunn and Peebles. The reference was sustained by the Rev. _Dr Stuart, moderator of Knox Church session, Mr Logan appeared in person on his own behalf. After a lengthened investigation, during which Mr Logan protested that the charge preferred against him had been changed from that of appearing on the platform of the theatre to one of sympathy with the doctrines promulgated by Messrs Dunn and Peebles, the Presbytery found as follows. —“That Mr Logan, a member of the Deacons’ Court of Knox Church, by the public and private countenance he gave to Messrs Peebles and Dunn, on the occasion of their Sabbath evening lectures in the Queen’s Theatre, at which doctrines were promulgated antagonistic to the Christian Faith, thereby causing a grievous scandal to the injury of religion generally, and the Presbyterian Church in particular; and further having considered the written statement given to the session by Mr Logan, expressing his conviction that Messrs Peebles and Dunn were doing a great Christian work, and laboring hard and disinterestedly, with God’s help, to elevate mankind, and again declaring them to be eminently Christian men ; further, that it is duly given by the evidence containei in the documents sent up by the session that Messrs Peebles and Dunn had at their lectures promulgated doctrines directly antagonistic to the Christian Faith and to the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church ; and whereas, in answer to questions put to him by members of this Presbytery, Mr Logan expressed his inability to distinguish between the Divinity cf Christ and that of Moses or other men, thereby has given evidence of unsoundness in the Faith, as believed and taught in this Church, and set forth in the standards thereof; this Presbytery resolves to depose, as they hereby do depose Mr Logan from the deaconship, and further suspend him from Church privileges until repentance is expressed to the satisfaction of the session.”

Mr A. Mercer’s address to the electors will be found in another column.