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Evening Star, Issue 3263, 5 August 1873, Page 2

It is reported that large quantities of matches are being bought up in the Waikato district by the Aatives, and that the heads of matches are frequently used as substitutes for percussion caps.

Tenders for the removal of the Westport Times printing office are advertised for. The building once stood many hundred yards from either river or sea, but is now in danger of being washed away. With commendable solicitude for the morals of its staff, one of our Auckland contemporaries bus recently taken to sending one of its reporters regularly to church, and being evidently proud of the fact, the result of the visit is regularly auuounced in Monday’s issue under the heading of “Our Church Goer.”

A Wellington correspondent, writing of the Goldtields Bill, says “ The first sixty clauses of the Bill have been passed by the Goldtields Committee, with a few alterations and amendments. The question of two heads of water being allowed to run down its natural courst , upon being required for public purposes, has not yet been se-.tlcd. I'be passing of the Bill during the session is, in the natural course of events, certain,”

A public meeting was held at Bracken’s, on the 23rd ult, to take into consideration various important public matteis. Mi John Wright was in the chair, 'the fellow ing resolution was passed at the meeting : was proposed by Mr Wm. Aitkenhead, and seconded by i*ir Joshua Greaves, aud carried unanimously: “That the cordial thanks of this meeting be conveyed to Mr H. 8. Fish, for the manly aud sensible part

taken by him in the matter of the Kawarau Falls Bridge, when under discussion in the Provincial Council, being, in the opinion of this meeting, the only reasonable and dis interested course taken by honorable members on that occasion, and deserves tinthanks, not only of this, but the whole of the Arrow district.”

Napier papers, in noticing the death of Major Gumming, A.G, state that the deceased gentleman served eight and a-half years in ihe Colonial forces, and twenty three years in the Imperial army ; he was a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, besides being decorated with medals for services in the Crimea, India, and New Zealand. XLis repotted to have left a widow with three children in rather indigent circumstances, and the Government is being urged to grant a pension to Mrs Gumming. “Love’s Sacrifice” was played last evening at the Queen’s Theatre to a large audience. The representatives of the principal characters we e in duly the same as when this piece was produced at the Princess’s fome months since; therefore we will content ourselves by saying that Miss Colville never enacted the part of Margaret Elmore better than she did last night, while Miss Anstead’s Herminie was a spirited effort. The Matthew Elmore of Mr Hoskins is one of that gentleman’s specialties, and he proved himself worthy (if his reputation. Mr Musgrave made hia first appearance at this theatre in the character of ‘ aid Laront, and his entrance was the signal for an outburst of applause. The remaining parts were well tilled, notably those of Kugene de Lorrae and St. Lo, wlrch were sustained by Messrs Douglas and booth. The entertainment concluded with the amusing farce, “ Who Speaks First?” The monthly meeting of the Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade was held at the engine station last evening, Captain Wain in the chair. A letter from the City Council, granting the sum of L2 ‘ towards the purchase of boots for the Brigade, was read. It was resolved that a letter should be sent to the Corporation, declining the sum of L2O, the Brigade deeming that sum insufficient for the purchase of boots for thirty members. A letter was received from Mrs H. T, .Roberts, of Daylesford, Victoria, asking lor information respecting a Mr Alfred Perriman, supposed to be a member of the Fire Brigade. The Secretary was instructed to answer the letter, as well as a letter from the Secretary of the Christchurch Fire Brigade. The revision of the byelaws was allowed to stand over. Captain Wain informed the meeting that the new hose had arrived, and would be tried on the next practice night—the I3th iust. One of the Auckland papers recently devoted a s mewhat strong article to a criticism on the political honesty displayed in the management of public affairs in Westland, and made some unfavorable comments on the character of the men by whom the affairs of that county have hem administered, At this one of the Greymouth papers has waxed wroth, and thus apostrophises the writer “ Lot him look through the list of Auckland Superintendents, and say then if there is nothing of the past which he would wish to conceal; let him recall the frequency of fires, and their cause a few years ago; let him even rake up the records of the Courts, and he will find both Justices’ decisions and jurors’ verdicts which excite a stronger feeling than that of surprise; lastly, let him consider the history of the Thames Goldfields, and then tell us what Auckland public morality is, aa compared with that of Westland.”

Capital that would give excellent returns if invested in ordinary manufacturing industries continues to bo sunk in mining speculations. The Nelson Provincial Government Gazette gives the half-yearly statement for Juno 30 of twenty-two mining companies that are or have been carrying on operations at the Lyell and Maagahua district. Of this number eight have ceased operations. The aggregate capital was 1480,780; the subscribed capital paid up L 184.803; the calls made L 37.748 ; and the dividends declared L.5,879. Thus the excess of calls over the dividends was L3I.SG9 ! The same slate of mining affairs exists in the North, as will he seen by the following remarks of the Southern Cross of July 12 *• In the Provincial Government Gazette, issued yesterday, the statement of affairs, as required by law, of sixteen goklmiuing companies in the Thames and Coromandel districts are published for general information. The aggregate nominal capital of those sixteen goldmilling companies is L‘280,800. The greater number of the companies referred to have been in operation for several years. 4 hey were all being worked, save one, when the returns were sent in. Only four of the sixteen companies have declared dividends, and these aggregate only L 8,576 155.”

The Eoman Catholics of Victoria are now considerably perplexed. It is a well-known fact that many members of the H.A.C.B. ■*>. are also members of other friendly societies, such as the Foresters and Oddfellows. Recently, at Sandhurst, the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church have been refused to these individuals on account of their belonging, it is alleged, to secret societies. These parties have presented a petition to Bishop Goold, in which they set forth that they have acquired a large beneficial interest in the respective societies, and that it would be a loss and hardship for them to forego this advantage. Bishop Goold was requested to forward a rule that would at once settle the question whether the friendly societies were viewed by the Church as secret societies. In reply, the private secretary of Dr Goold, Drßleasdale, forwarded the statement “that these societies are included in the Pontifical Bull.” As this decision governs the case, not only of the organisations referred to, but also those of the Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, Kechabites, and many others, in which Homan Catholics are active members, a great hardship will be inflicted on the? ; e persons, *if they are compelled to withdraw from the societies, or else choose the alternative to be under the ban of the Church. “ Bohemian, ” in the Lyttelton Times, says “ Will anybody introduce me to the Committee of St. Luke’s Church ? I should like to know the gentlemen composing it. They offer Ll3O a-year for the services of a ‘deacon-curate’ —a curious hybrid name - for the parish of St. Luke’s, and in addition to the duties of a ‘deacon-curate,’ the fortunate man who is to receive this liberal allowance (L2 12s per week) is to discharge the more arduous duties of schoolmaster to the parish. He is to visit the sick ; seek out the lest sheep in this naughty world; baptise the newly born ; bury the dead; marry the living ; read prayers on Sundays, morning and evening, and on week-days ; preach original sermons, of course, occasionally ; and teach all the usual learning to a number of children for five hours eve:y day in the week save Saturday. And yet again, to teach in the Sunday-school on Sunday. Happy man ! Generous St. Luke’s ! Let me present ihem with an advertisement free of charge, as my donation to this happy consummaiion :—‘Wanted, a deacon-curate to discharge the duties of that official, likewise to teach in the day school for five hours aday. He must understand Greek and Latin modern languages desirable;music also, A married man preferred; likewise six children. He must keep up the appearance of a gentleman, ie., he must wear broadcloth (except in school hours, at which time he may wear cast-off clothes), gloves, light boots, shiny bat- His wife must be a lady, and stand patronage, likewise presents of old

clothes, for which she will be properly grateful. Salary—L2 I2a per week. Apply to St. Luke’s Committee.’”

The Lodge Pioneer of Dunedin, 1.0. G.T., will meet in the lodge mom, to-morrow evening, at seven o’clock, for the installation of officers. Election meetings will be addressed this evening as follow :---Cotter’s Caledonia Hotel, Great King street, Mr C. S. Reeves, at 8 ; Mission House, Russell street, Mr .Barron, at 8 ; Hull and Month Hotel, Maclaggan street, Mr A. Hurt, at 7 30; Mr J. P. Millar immediately after Mr Burt. Mr Barron’s < Committee will meet at the Committee Rooms, High street, at 7.