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Evening Star, Issue 3254, 25 July 1873, Page 2

There died at Riverton, recently, a man named Dallas, who had resided in that locality for the space of forty-two years. On dit, that a number of the inhabitants of Dunedin, desirous of once more hearing Miss Aitken’s readings before her leaving the City, hare signed a requisition asking her to give an evening’s entertainment, and that she has consented to do so on some evening not yet fixed.

An unusual thing occurred at the election for Mayor at Cromwell on Monday. Each of the candidates polled fifty votes, and a fresh election bad to take place in consequence. At Queenstown Mr Malagban polled 153 votes to 94 polled by his opponent, Mr Bridge.

The propriety of holding entertainments by school children lias been a question upon which public opinion has been divided here ; and those who have condemned the practice will learn with satisfaction that the Dunedin School Committee has determinedly set its face against the system. Application was made to it a few days ago to sanction an entertainment to be given by one of the schools, and refused. The old Scotch drama of “ Gilderoy,” with Mr Macgowan as Jock Muir, was played at the Princess Theatre last evening, the performance terminating with the burlesque of 11 Cupid and Psyche,” which now goes admirably ; Miss Sara’s singing and the spirited acting of Mrs Magowan being highly rebuked by the audience. MrClifton’slocal song, with its allusions to the foot-race to he run tomorrow, was very taking. Both pieces are to be repeated this evening.

The pair-oared race between Merriman (stroke), Mills, and Jones (coxa.), pulling the Primrose ; and Logan (stroke), Wilson, and Frazer (coxs.) takes place to-morrow afternoon at one o’clock. The course is from the jetty round a buoy off Grassy Point and back. This race has been looked forward to with groat interest, and a very exciting contest is expected. As was anticipated, considerable interest is now being taken in boating, and we understand that several races are on the tapis.

“The Lady of Lyons” was played at the Queen’s Theatre last night. There was a good attendance in the lower parts of the house, and the dress cirle was largely patronised. The cast of “The Lady of Lyons” was the same as that of the preceding evening, with the exception of the part of Claude Meluotte, which was magnificently played by Mr Steele. From the beginning to the end of the drama he was vehemently applauded, and, together with Miss Colville and Miss Anstead, was repeatedly called before the curtain. “ The School for Scandal” is announced for to-night. The hearing of a number of cases against Monsieur Bessac, late French master at the High School, occupied the greater portion of to-day at the Resident Magistrate’s Court From the evidence of the plaintiffs (eleven in number, and representing L 227 18s 6d of debt), it appears that hearing the defendant had taken out a passage in the Hadda, under the name of Charles Brown (having previously applied, under the name of John Terry, for a passage in the Thomas and Henry), they went to the Court, and having made their affidavits, the debtor was taken into custody as he was preparing to abscond, his luggage being then on board the vessel. He was held to bail in each case for the amount claimed.

A Greytown correspondent of the Bruce Herald writes; —“I am sorry to say that this township is beginning to become notorious for petty thieving. A farmer laid down some oats on the bank of the river to cross over in the morning, but when he came to cross it he found that no less than five bags had been taken away. The contractor, also, who is making the culverts across the railway, lost in one night over 600 feet of sawn timber. Although the contractor who is supplying the material for fencing the railway hue has offered a reward of 1-5 for information to lead to who is doing the thieving business, it seems without effect. I think it is high time that the Government was interfering in the matter, as it is a Government township, and nearly all sold. I may mention, however, that there is not an officer of the police nearer than the West Taieri or Dunedin -thirteen miles.”

An inquest was held at Queenstown on the 14th hast., before Warden Beetham, coroner, on the body of Wm. Williamson, a miller, who met his death on the 10th. From the evidence adduced it appears that deceased, while serving in the Royal Navy, received a severe injury in the chest by being crashed between two boats, from the effects of which he suffered frequently. On the 9th inst. he complained all the day, and was spitting up froth, tinged with blood, to such an extent that he was not allowed to remain in bed, from fear of suffocation. A man named George Grant, a neighbor, who had been sitting up with the deceased, fell asleep about two o’clock on the morning of the day on which he (deceased) died, and on waking shortly before five o’clock found he had left the hut. Grant, on going outside, found him dead, but still warm. Deceased was forty-four years of age, a native of the north of Scotland, and, it is believed, an unmarried man, A verdict of “Died from natural causes” was returned.

The City was a loser yesterday to the extent of a direct money loss of L 4,000, and many indirect advantages, owing to the force of circumstances. In the Provincial Council Mr Fish’s motion, for a vote of 82,000 to aid the Corporation in improving the lown Belt, was lost by two votes; while had Messrs Reynolds, Bathgate, and Major Richardson been in their places, the money was certain to have been voted. We believe, however, it is intended to take advantage of the forms of the House to secure a perhaps little smaller vote. It is only a question of timej fpr in a full Council the City Corporation is sure feo get the assistance it asks for, in what is admittedly a Provincial and City work. The City also lost L 2,000, which was asked to form a playground for tho children attending the Middle District School, by levelling certain sections at the head of York place. On the division, two hon. members voted with the noes by mistake; but the error could not be rectified.

A meeting of Mr Beck’s supporters will be held, at the Sussex Hotel, George street, this evening, at 7.30. Mr If. Fish’s friends and supporters will meet in the Provincial Hotel, to-morrow (Saturday) evening, at eight o’clock. Mr George Belcher announces that he will give a sparring exhibition, at the Masonic ITail, to-morrow evening, and invites all the lovel'S of the noble art to rally round him.

• Mi’ J. P. Millar is a candidate as City Councillor for High Ward. Wc have been informed that the match between Drake and Fox will come off to-morrow afternoon, in the Caledonian Grounds, irrespective of the weather. The grand stand will be open to visitors.