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Evening Star, Issue 3227, 24 June 1873, Page 2

The Presbyterian congregation of Invercargill have adopted the English Presbyterian Hymn Book. We understand Mr R. Oliver intends offering himself for the representation of Waikouaiti in the General A ssembly. There are two Maori publicans in the Province of Wellington—the one in the Wairarapa, and the other in Wanganui. A gentleman informs the Bruce Herald that, when returning from Table Hill tbe other evening, and when descending th* ridge above Mr Nicoll’a farm, he repeatedly heard the call of the partridge. A man named King was recently severely injured at Nokomai by a land slip, which crushed him against the reef, actually tearing the boots off his feet. It was an hour before he could be extricated, and it is feared his spine has been injured. Speaking of the l egislative Council, the Hawke's Bay Herald declares that “it is utterly out of the question to suppose that

the country will tolerate so preposterous an anachronism as a body of nominated lawgivers much longer.” We have been informed that an information has been laid by the Beturning officer against Henry Moore for attempted impersonation, at Anderson’s Bay, last week, and that the hearing has been fixed for Friday. When the matter was previously before the Court, no information had been laid. An effort is being made in Christchurch to float a small company for the purpose of publishing a Bradshaw’s guide for the Colony. The intention is to have about four hundred pages, one hundred of which would be devoted to pestal, railway, shipping, and telegraphic information for the various Provinces, illustrated by maps, A memorial to his Honor the Superintendent is being signed by settlers in the Molyneux, Kaitangata, and Wangaloa districts, praying “that steps may be taken at the coming session of the Provincial Council, and, if necessary, of the General Assembly, to obtain the requisite authority for the construction during the ensuing recess of the branch line to its being opened contemporaneously with the Southern Trunk Line to Balclutha,” Chinamen are gradually elbowing their way into occupations which hitherto, at least in Otago, have been deemed sacred to the Caucasian race. Some of them have found employment as navvies, some as farm laborers, some as fencers, and lately we (Bruce Herald) observed a few “diamond cracking” by the roadside. The Celestials seemed to take to the work kindly, and hammered away with the philosophic indifference to things mundane so characteristic of the European “lapidary.” We fancy the Chinese will be adepts at stacking the metal for measurement. “ Atticus ” writes thus in the Melbourne leader : —“ Do they grow claimants at Wagga Wagga ? The most recent novelty is that a man named Maher, who was a hospital patient in that township, states that he is the Maher advertised for in connection AO . . .« .. c .1 , i_i._ Ti-a. * _l_ /"'i 1..

with the estate of the late Patrick Coady Buckley. He makes the revelation that he has in his possession a will executtd by Mr Buckley in favor of himself and wife. The property is stated to be worth some L 45,000, ao that the stakes are worth playing for. Maher, like De Castro, will not want for backers.” The newspapers at Sleepy Hollow have at least the merit of being outspoken. The tfelson Examiner remarks as follows “We entirely agree with the writer of an article in the Colonist , that it is uncandid and futile to pretend that Nelson is not both absolutely and relatively in a very low condition at present. Newspaper writers have very mildly echoed the public complaints, which are verified at every auction sale where the fixed property of the district is offered for competition—an operation very rare now-a-days.” The vitality of a falsehood once circulated is astounding. We (Hawke s Bay Herald) observe that Mr M urra y« M.H.R., in a recent speech to his constituents at Bruce, Otago, took occasion to remark, with reference to the Napier and Paki Paki Railway, that it was simply made to suit Messrs Ormond’s and M‘Lean’s property. As for Mr M‘Lean’s property, everyone who has ever seen a map of Hawke’s Bay must know that there is not a run in the Province which derives less benefit £rom the railway than it; and as to Mr Ormond’s, It derives about as much as the average of the land in the Province, not more. The Australasian wishes to know what an ordinary mortal can do with an income of five millions a year ? He cannot spend it, and it is accumulating a frightful responsioility if he saves it. Using it is out of the question, and the alternative advice of the Roman Emperor to the man who found a treasure, “ Abuse it,” is equally difficult to

follow when applied to such enormous sums. These considerations arise from a calculation 'iven by its London correspondent, that Lord Dudley’s forty coalpits yield 16,000 tons of coal daily, and return a “grand total profit of L 4,992,000 per annum,” leaving a margin for small coal, &c., that would divide into a good many respectable incomes Prevention is better than cure, and if the practice followed by some of the Queensland Magistrates were adopted here there would be no need for an inebriates’ retreat. At Dalby, in Queensland, the Bench was lately prayed that a prohibition might be issued against one William Boss, on the grounds that he was, by the immoderate use of intoxicating liquors, wasting his estate and ruining his health. The request was granted, and a prohibition was issued to all publicans, storekeepers, and persons selling spirituous liquors, forbidding them to supply any such to Ross for the space of twelve months, under certain penalties. This is indeed striking at the root of the evil, and the result of the course taken will prove far more effective in putting a atop to drunkenness, than the philanthropic efforts of private individuals. Mr Wiltchire, who somewhat over five weeks ago undertook the very difficult feat of walking 1.000 miles in a like number of hours, is now rapidly approaching the end of his journey. At a quarter past ten o’clock

last night (remarks the Lyttelton Times of the 21st;) he had completed his 890 th mile, and though suffering greatly from general drowsiness, there is every promise of his ability to complete the distance according to the conditions. It now takes him 14 minutes to cover each mile, and as an instance of how far he is affected by want of rest it may be said that he falls asleep when standing at the post while waiting for the signal to start on his second mile. In starting he is also very often quite bewildered, and walks some distance with an unsteady gait before he becomes really conscious of what he is doing. In every other respect he is quite well, his bodily strength being almost unimpaired. It would appear that diphtheria is catching, if the following extract from the Ballarat Star is correct. That paper writes ; “ Whatever may be the nature of the virus which produces diphtheria, it appears to be communicable by inoculation. In the recent outbreak of the disease at Alfredton, two persons were seriously affected by handling clothes upon which some of the diseased children had expectorated. One, the eldest daughter, washed some of the clothes used by a deceased child, and whilst doing so the virus was communicated to her blood through a wound iu the hand. In a short time a pustule arose, and a red mark spread up her arm, and afterwards symptoms of diphtheria developed themselveo. Happily, she was not virulently attacked, and has recovered. A neighbor who visited the sick family was attacked in a similar manner, although the diphtheria symptoms were not fully developed. These facts may, possibly, have some useful bearing upon the nature and treatment of this mysterious and fatal disease.” Taking into consideration that Mdlle. Legrand was announced to take her benefit at the Queen’s Theatre last evening, there was anything but a favorable response to the appeal. We regret this on account of the beneficiart, who, by her lady-like acting while at this theatre, has secured many admirers. “The Iron Chest,” with Mr Fairdough as Sir Edward Mortimer, was the principal piece, and we need scarcely say that prominent part was rendered in a manner that reflected great credit on the gentleman who represented it. Miss Flora Anstead has very seldom been seen to better advantage than as Wilford; she looked and dressed the character properly, and was well received in the course of the performance. Miss Gassy Matthews played well as Blanche, and met with a warm reception. Mr South’s Adam Winterton was to the life : he depicted the garrulous, yet withal faithful old retainer, in such a natural style as to convince us that the “old man” is his peculiar line of busi ness. The only other character worthy of especial mention is that of Mr Aveling as Fitzhardinge, who played exceedingly well. The performance concluded with Shakspeare’s comedy of “The Taming of the Shrew,"

Mdlle. Legrand and Mr Fairclough sustaining the parts of Katherine and Pctruchio. To-night, “ The Iron Chest” and “ Miriam’s Crime ” will constitute the programme. Last night a new piece was produced at the Princess Theatre, named “ The Ship on Fire.” The plot is truly nautical, involving piracy and other villainies intended to defraud a young baronet of bis estates and his bethrothed. Edwin Gage, of unknown parentage, is a midshipman on board one of Her Majesty’s vessels, and not being able to call any one father or mother is ill-naturedly teased by his brother officers and led into insubordination. Mrs Walter Hill appeared in that character, and not only made a very handsome middy but played the character very effectively. He found an excellent guardian in Ben Bowline, a brave, chivalrous British sailor, through whose attachment the papers necessary to his identification as one of the Trevor family were obtained and preserved. Ben Bowline was represented by Mr Rayner, who played with great care and ability. There were several other characters requiring peculiar talent s for instance Palmyra, a dumb girl, by Miss Lizzie Bushe, and the situations were exciting and interesting. The scenery was good, and altogether “The Ship on Fire” excited considerable interest. One indication of the thorough ventilation of the house was given last evening. Notwithstanding the discharge of gunpowder and the pyrotechnic displays, although the smoke hung like a cloud over the stage for some length of time, it caused ho inconvenience to the audience, being scarcely even smelt in the dress-circle, and it might be traced as it gradually rose and passed through the vent immediately above the gaselier. After “ The Ship on Fire,” Miss Fanny Sara and Mr P. Clifton gave what was termed a “musical olio,” in which they sang several character songs in a style that secured enthusiastic recalls in every instance. Miss Sara has a contralto voice of considerable compass, and sings well. Mr Clifton makes up well, and fairly convulsed his audience by the style in which he sang “Old Sarah Walker.” We have not ° i • i • i • i* „ i! • r>

seen his equal in bis peculiar line in Dunedin. The pieces will be repeated to-night. i