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Evening Star, Issue 3276, 20 August 1873, Page 2

The North Otago Times asserts that if we had a House of Ladies instead of a House Lords, which consists for the most part of persons of doubtful sex—persons who, for want of a better name, may be designated "masculine oldwomen"—the Bill for the legalising of marriage with a deceased wife's sister would be even now converted into an Act of Parliament. The Provincial receipts for the quarter ended June 30 amount to L 138,912. From Crown lands there was received L 107.086 5s 6d; gold export duty, L 4.233; goidfields revenue, L 3.284 ; pilotage, L 750 ; jetty dues, L 775 ; dog tax, LI, 128 ; rents, &c, L 162 ; from the General Government, L 10,544; repayment, LSOO ; education, L 1,068 ; railways, L5.48G j tolls, L 3.388 ; and licenses, L 231.

While on duty in George street at a quarter past ten o’clock last night, Sergeant Hanlon observed smoke issuing from between the shutters and between the roof and sidewalls of Mr Leckie’s butchery shop. The place being closed, he forced open the back door, and on entering found the building densely filled with smoke. A large quantity of sawdust, together with some old papers in the fireplace, were on fire, and the flame was extending to the floor, which was partly covered with sawdust. A bag lying in front of the fireplace was scorched, and a rod about two feet long, with one end in the fire and the other end out of it, partially burnt. With the assistance of a man named George Forster, the sergeant put the fire out. Mr Leckie’s son and the shopman were the last in the place, and they state that the rod was not in the tire when they closed the shop,

In our issue of Thursday last appeared a paragraph taken from the Nelson Examiner . in which the arrest of an tlleged bigamist named Dr Morton, was very circumstantially narrated. It struck us at the time as being strange that such an uncommon occurrence should have escaped the notice of the local paper, and have been unknown to the police authorities in town. On inquiry we found that the latter were 'as much surprised as ourselves, and in the ox dinary course it turns out that there never was a Dr Morton residing at Palmerston, in this Province, nor did anything occur there which could in any way have called for the assistance of the “ local police ” in the way described in the paragraph referred to Unless it be that the affair happened at Palmerston, Wellington Province, the Examiner has got hold of some cock-and-bull story. Very few people are aware that the runners of this paper have established among themselves an organisation which, while it protects themselves, ensures a prompter and better delivery of the Star than there would be if there was an absence of unity of action The circumstances which called that organisation into existence have no interest for the public, who. however, will be glad to learn ttafc it lias been found, after twelve montlia* experience, to answer admirably the purposes for which it was established. Its first year was completed yesterday, and the occasion was celebrated by a supper, held at Wain’s hotel. The chair was occupied by Mr G. Horder, and the vice chair by Mr J. Jackson, and among the guests were the proprietor and editor, together with some of the staff of the paper. There were some speeches and singing, and, altogether, a very pleasant evening was spent. The Australian Gazette, published in London, speaking of the necessity of a steady stream of immigration flowing into New Zealand, says :—“ There is the soil, its fertility, its mining wealth, the happy climatic mean, the immense seaboard, with all its commercial facilities, the practically unlimited supply of land, the railways, with comparatively now very little to carry to any extent, and, in effect, aU that constitutes a progressive, solvent, and prosperous country —the population alone excepted. Herein lies the true peril of New Zealand. It is a deficiency of persons to enjoy and multiply the great things with which Nature has so richly endowed these favored islands. When the laborer sets foot in the esuntry, his creative power must be made available—employment, in a word, must be waiting for him. Then we shall have no round men in square boles. Money will beget money, and all the fears will vanish with the morning mists of a New Zealand sun.” A slight, though very inconvenient accident, took place at the station of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers railway to-day, on (he arrival of the train which left Port Chalmers at 11 30. In consequence of the lever at the points not working properly, the engine was turned off the lino ; a carriage standing upon the siding was run into, and .ne compartment broken. On examining the engine, the Bogie plate and pin were found to be broken, so that the engine was uuable to take the 2.30 train to the Port. It was expected, however, that the five o’clock train would be dispatched as usual. The accident occurred at an unfortunate time, as the second engine was hors de combat through the wheels being in course of being turned, and consequently was not available as a substitute. This, ss a matter of course, rendered the interruption of the traffic unavoidable. The cause of the accident is at present a mystery, as on examination of the point lever, which, when free, returns of itself to its proper position, it was found to have been jammed by a stone. This may have been done by the pointsman in the course of shunting trucks or passenger carriages not required on to the siding, and carelessly overlooked ; or it may have been a malicious act ou the part of some one. The matter is in course of investigation, and we trust will be thoroughly sifted, for although, happily, no one was hurt, life and limb should not be imperilled by thoughtlessness or malevolence. A very pleasant meeting took place at Wain’s Hotel, last evening, the occasion being the presentation by the No. 2, Scottish Company, of volunteers, of a parting testimonial to Lieut. Henderson, on his departure from the Province. There was a very good muster of members, and amongst the visitors were Major Atkinson and Captains Stavely and Copeland, apologies from Captains Wales and Jack being received. In making the presentation, wbi lx consisted of a handsome Albert chain and locket, with the inscription “Scottish Company, O.R.V. To Lieut. Henderson, Dunedin, August, 1873,” Capt. Jamieson said they had met for the purpose of bidding farewell to Lieut, Henderson, who had been one of their most energetic members, a constant attendant at drill, and, in fact, a model for volunteers. It was a source of gratification to all the members of the Company to be enabled to show their esteem for that gentleman by making him the present which the speaker had now the pleasure of handing him. Lieut. Henderson replied in an appropriate manner, intimating his appreciation of the compliment accorded him, and that he should always take great interest ixx hearing of the welfare of his company, and its keeping up the reputation of being second to none in the way of shooting. After the presentation, the evening was passed in a convivial manner. Capt. Jamieson gave a few remarks with reference to the opinions expressed of late by several persons in high positions, that the Volunteers of New Zealand were degenerating into mere shooting clubs. This he thought unjust, as excellence in shooting was at present the main test of efficiency. If the Government required anything else of the Volunteers, the latter were willing to accede ; in that case the reward should be given for efficiency in such subject, instead of in shooting. The blame, if there were any, rested with those who made the regulations. Lieut. Spalding, in proposing the toast of the “Stranger Visitors,” spoke to a similar effect. In reply to the toast, Major Atkinson said he was glad to say that every company had entered into protest against the lax system of management that now prevailed in volunteer affairs, and that Otago had commenced the agitation. He would also recommend more uniformity, both of uniform and of mind in the local corps, so that there should be no little differences and jealousies between the different companies. Captains Copeland and Stavely expressed similar opinions, the latter also thinking it advisable that all Rifle Companies should learn the xxsc of the big gun. Vol. Ross proposed the Press, connecting with the toast the name of Mr Bell, of the Evening Star, whose piper had always been a supporter of the Volunteer movement, and of late had devoted extra attention to the subject. The meeting dispersed about midnight. The adjourned meeting of sharcholdei’s in the Arrow River Goldmining Company will bo hold in the Provincial Hotel, at four o’clock, on Friday afternoon. Those who attended the concerts that were held last summer in the North Dunedin Dxill Shed will be in a position to appreciate the services rendered on many occasions by Mr Warren, and we are glad to see that it is intended to acknowledge them by giving him a complimentary benefit on Friday evening next. The entertainment, which will be under the patronage of the North Dunedin Volunteers and be presided over by the Mayor, will be a very enjoyable one. The programme is much above the average, and contains the names of many established favorites,