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Evening Star, Issue 3267, 9 August 1873, Page 2

The usual foitnightly meeting of the Dunedin Band of Hope was held in the Oddfellows ’Hall, George street, last evening, when several songs, recitations, and addresses were given to a numerous attendance. The fining of three men—John Quin, Vincenzo Ahnao, and Joseph Hansmann—for drunkenness, each in the sum of ss, with the option of imprisonment for 24 hours, was the only business transacted at the City Police Court this morning. The Government have confirmed the appointment of Sub-Inspector Mallard, who for some time past has only been acting in that capacity. The promotion is deserved, for Mr Mallard has proved himself to be a highly efficient and obliging officer. “The Heir-at-Law” at the Queen’s Theatre last evening drew a very large audience, which is not to be wondered at, for the Dr Pangloss of Mr Hoskins is one of those excellent things which nobody can tire of seeing. To-night “ Othello” will be played. There was what may be termed a miscellaneous performance at the Princess's last night, the occasion being for the benefit of Miss Sara and Mr Clifton. The attendance was fair. To-night the theatre will be opened, under the management of Messrs Collier and Macgowan. The Canary and Poultry show next week promises to be a very successful affair. Over 3 0 entries—ninety-five being for poultry, fifteen pigeons, six dairy produce, 175 canaries, twenty-six magpies, parrots, (fee.—have been received, and Mr Bills, the birdfancier, will send a not inconsiderable mis- j cell<vneouß collection of his own.

We understand that the outcome of the proceedings at Wednesday’s meeting of the Waste Land Board, to winch reference was made in our leading columns yesterday As that Mr Eliott has been served, at the instance of Mr John Douglas, with a writ for libel. Very heavy damages arc claimed. Mr Clapcott’s readings were not so largely attended last evening as they should have been, but those who were present heartily enjoyed themselves. MrClapcott will read at Cavorslv-un on Monday evening, and we would advise the people of that suburb to take advantage of the opportunity that will bo afforded i hem of spanning a very profitable and enjoyable evening. The odicer in charge of the Scandinavian female immigrants entertains a high opinion of them, lie says, “I. have groat pleasure in learning from very many of their employers that they are giving great satisfaction as domestic servants. Their willingness to be taught, their aptitude to learn, their industrious habits, and their respectful manners, compensate in great measure for the disadvantage of their being foreigners.” The following resolutions were carried at yesterday’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce That the Chamber invite the Otago members of the Assembly to take steps to secure this session a more equitable adjustment of the whole tariff, without increasing the taxation of the Colony.”— “ That this Chamber is of opinion that in adjusting the rates of percentages to be imposed under the proposed ad valorem duties, they should be fixed, as far as practicable, at a uniform rate.

The Southland papers and the Invercargill correspondents of several up-country journals have been “pitching into” the Dunedin Post Office officials for supposed blundering in connection with a bag of English letters that miscarried. We have been informed by a passenger that the bag in question, which was legibly addressed to Invercargill, had been sent on to Melbourne, and was brought back by the Alhambra on her last trip. The fault is therefore with the Southland authorities themselves, and the local papers should make an amende. The Telegraph Department can use great expedition when it likes, but those occasions are so few and far between that they deserve to be mentioned when they occur. We had an example last night. Mr Richardson’s Public Works Statement was made in the House of Representatives, and its delivery occupied about two hours. At ten o’clock the wiring of the summary of it, which appears elsewhere, was commenced, and finished at midnight. Close upon 3,000 words were thus transmitted in two hours, while on ordinary occasions messages of barely one hundred words will occupy double and even treble the time.

The usually peaceful neighborhood of the Masonic H all was yesterday the scene of unwonted excitement, that effect being produced by the efforts of the rival parties interested in keeping possession of the building There is some difficulty in getting at thf real facts connected with the storming of the hall; but in order that our readers may be able to strike the “happy medium,” we give the account of each party. The Masons say that their bailiff, feeling thirsty, betook himself to the Criterion Hotel to “liquoi up,” having previously locked up the building ; that Mr Hudson’s men, who were on the watch, availed themselves of the opportunity afforded by the absence of the enemy to pick the lock and enter the building, in possession of which they left one of their number ; that the Masons hearing of this coup de main mustered in force, gained an entrance by smashing in a window, through which they ejected the representative of the so-called purchaser, and retained possession themselves. The other account is that two of Mr Hudson’s employes went to the Hall early yesterday morning, and finding the door open entered. They inline diately sent for Mr Hudson, who, after placing new bars on the door, left in possession two of his men, who remained there till between four and five in the afternoon, when a body of Masons, numbering nearly thirty, armed with crowbars, and headed by a Justice of the Peace, marched up to the door and attempted to burst it open. Being unable to do so, they broke in one of the windows, and thus managed to get into the building. The men inside, however, determined not to be put out, and offered resistance ; but the Masons soon got the best of it, for after a struggle of close on half-an-hour they succeeded in ejecting Mr Hudson’s men; and after barring the windows, and protecting the place by placing men right round the building, they sent for the police. We believe that a case of assault, arising out of the row, will shortly be held at one of the local courts.

B. Bees publishes a challenge to Lefevre to run 100 yards for LlO a-sido. A special meeting of the Sons of Temperance is called for Monday, to consider proposals for investment of funds.

The usual monthly meeting of the Union Permanent Building Society will be held on Monday evening, from seven to eight o’clock.

The current number of the Australasian $/, richer is by far the best number that has been produced. Besides admirably executed engravings of Colonial scenes and public buildings, there is a full-sized plate of the Kip disaster at Port Phillip 1 leads. The engravings, for clearness, and the letterpress for general got tip, equal anything produced by the illustrated papers at Home. Mrs Walter Hill takes a benefit at the Princess’s on Monday evening, when the bills announce that the principal members of that company will make their last appearance in Dunedin. “ Lady Audley’s Secret,” a musical interlude, and the farce of “Sarah’s Young Man,” which served to introduce the Macgowans to a Dwnedin audience, constitute the programme, which in itself is attractive enough to draw a good house. But Mrs Hill herself has good claims on the theatre-going public, and we hope to see them acknowledged by a full attendance.