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Evening Star, Issue 3287, 2 September 1873, Page 2

Mr William Hautrie West, brother to Mr G. R. West, of this place, leaves England in the Agnes Muir this month, to take charge of the organ for the Episcopal Church at Invercargill. The Bruce, Herald understands Mr Alexander Bain, Balclutha, has submitted to the General Government a plan whereby the proposed line of railway, Clutha to the Mitaura, can be made to protect the town of Balclutha from the inundations of the Clutha river.

The popularity of “ The Palace of Truth ” is steadily on the increase. Notwithstanding the uninviting state of the streets there was a really good attendance in all parts last night, when the comedy was again admirably played, Mr Douglas s acting being unexceptionable.

We have been favored with a telegram from Mr Prosser, the Dunedin representative of the New Zealand .hipping Company, who is now in Christchmrch, which states that the Company has received a cablegram, dated London, August 20, to the effect that the Caller Ou had been loaded, the Duke of Fdinburgh was loading, and that the Burat and Elizabeth Graham had been chartered. All the vessels are for Otago.

A few of the emp’oy&s of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway met together last evening at the Occidental Hotel, to take their leave of Mr D. Robertson, stationmaster at Port Chalmers, who has resigned his position in consequence of being about to leave for Western Australia. The occasion was marked by the presentation of a testimonial in the shape of a silver watch (bearing a suitable inscription); and a gold chain. The presentation was made by one of the employes, and was responded to in appropriate terms by Mr Robertson. Several toasts and songs followed, and a very pleasant evening was spent. One item in our Melbourne telegram today will be read with feelings of the deepest regret by many persons in Dunedin, and particularly by those connected with the Press. On the 22ud ult. there departed from this life Francis Gifford, for many years the able editor of the Wellington Evening Post, which journal he raised from next to obscurity to the front rank of Colonial journalism. Disease of the heart carried off in his prime one whose talents marked him for a successful career in his profession, and whose sterling qualities and geniality were appreciated by his friends and recognised by those who had occasion to differ with him in thought or action.

AnEuropean miner,known as “Maorißill,” from his associating with Maoris in the early days, and who has spent some years past in the Mai tin’s Bay settlement, lust week returned to Glenorchy (head of Lake Wakatip) with a quantity of gold in hia possession, obtained by him at Big Bay, and variously estimated at from 12 to 18 ozs. The Bruce Herald's travelling reporter examined an ounce of the gold, which ho had sold at Kinloch to supply immediate wants. The sample was fine scaly gold. Two other miners named Morrison and Thomson recently visited Queenstown for Big Bay, and visited the head of Lake Wakatip last week. They report the average earnings of tho miners there are L2 to L 4, but as much as LlO a day is otherwise reported to have been obtained there in shallow ground, and all are said to be well pleased with their earnings and prospects. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Mornington Band of Hope was held last evening in the school room, and in spite of the inclemency of the weather there was a fair sprinkling of children. Several recitations and readings were given, and two prizes awarded to young ladies. The chairman said he should give prizes to the young ladies, and the secretary of the Dunedin Band of H®pe intimated his intention of giving a prize to the boys for the best recitation at the next meeting. The secretary (Mr Mathesou), who has been connected with the Society for two years, is about leaving for the North Island, which will be a serious loss to the Society, as he has always been very energetic in forwarding the interests of the Society and the cause of temperance. At the close of the meeting he read his farewell addr as, which was received by those present with .good wishes for his future welfare.

The Rev. Mr Kininmont gave his final readings, prior to his return to Victoria, in the hall under the First Church last evening. Mr Charles Moore, President of the Young Men’s Association in connection with the Church, was in the chair, and, as on Wednesday last, the choir gave their assistance, to vary the entertainment. The hall was completely filled, numbers being unable to gain admittance, while those who were fortu-

nate enough to get in were amply repaid for the disadvantages consequent upon the crust an I the bad ventilation of the building. WV can only enumerate a few of the items of tin programme, which were all well received the favorites among the readings appealing to be extracts from “ Man.sic Waueb,” “The Resurrectionists,” “ : ab and his friends,’’{Sand “ Home;” while of the musical portion “ Far away ” and “The Laud o’ the Leal,*' by two ladies, and the glees sung by the choir, met with great approval, they being well accompanied on the piano by a lady. At the conclusion, the rov. gentleman, in answer to a hearty vote of thanks, made a few remarks to the effect that he should never forget his visit to New Zealand, for one reason because he had been wrecked ou the passage. From his life being mercifully spared on that occasion he took it that there had been a work for him to do in Dunedin, and that he trusted he had done faithfully. “Auld Lang Syne,” in which the audience assisted, concluded the meeting.

The annual meeting of the members of the Dunedin Golf Club was held at Wain’s Hotel last evening ; Mr C, K, Hovvdcn, captain of the club, in the chair. The chairman stated that it appeared by the balance-sheet that the club had a balance in hand, after sending Home the sura of LIO for the purchase of material for the game. There had been a considerable addition of members since the past season, and much interest was shown among them. After the balance-sheet had been passed, a sub-committee was appointed to petition the Corporation to take steps to prevent the cutting up of that portion of the Town Belt used by the club by horses and vehicles. The following office-bearers were then elected Captain—Mr C. R. Howden; hon. sec. and treasurer—Mr T, Andrew, jun. ; committee—MessrsJ. Davie, W, D. Munison, and Shand. The spring competition was fixed for the second Saturday in October, when the Bruntsfudd gold medal, presented to the club by Mr W. D. Murison, will be played for. The competitors will play on their merits, but will still be handicapped, the prize for the winner of the handicap being a set of clubs presented by Mr R. Smith. The three other annual competitions will be : For Mr Howden’s present of a St. Andrew’s cross, on November 30 ; the club’s gold medal on December 20; and the club’s silver cup on March 23, 1874 There wall also be monthly handicaps, to ascertain the play of the various members, so as to form a groundwork on which to handicap them for the annual competition. The usual monthly meeting of the Dunedin Volunteer Fire Brigade was held ac the engine-station last evening ; Captain Wain in the chair, Mr Hood’s resignation was read and received. Letters from Major Atkinson and the No. 1 Company City Guards, asking the patronage of the Brigade to the concert to be given at the Drill-shed, were read, and permission granted to the members to attend in uniform. The patron age of the Brigade was also granted to a letter received from the Secretary of the Widow and Orphan Fund of the M.U. 1.0.0. F. to abenefittobegiveninaidof that fund on Monday, 29th inst. The secretary was instructed to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of a letter, enclosing a cheque for 1.5, from Messrs Marshall and Copeland, wh© thanked the Brigade for thoir exertions during the late fire. A letter from the City Council authorising Captain Wain to procure boots on the most advantageous terms, and leaving the arrangment as to making new uniforms in his hands was read and accepted. Captain Wain stated that arrangements had been made by which the Brigade would be supplied with their new uniforms by their next anniversary (October 1). The secretary was instructed to acknowledge the presentation by Mr Hudson of a book to the library. A proposition that the anniversary be celebrated in the usual way, viz., by a torchlight procession and supper, was agreed to. Messrs Jacobs, Dodson, Hammond, and Braithwaite were re-elected honorary members ; and Wednesday week was fixed for the usual practice night. The new fire alarm signals which are to come into operation on the Ist September are : —South Ward, one toll and peal; High Ward, two tolls and peal; Bell Ward, three tolls and peal; Leith Ward, four tolls and peal.

The forty-second monthly meeting of the Third New Zealand Building and Mutual Investment Society will be held at the office, Exchange Chambers, this evening, at 7 o’clock. The number of inmates at the Benevolent Institution, Caversham, on the 31st August, was 78—comprising 18 men, 3 women, 36 boys, and 21 girls. The number of cases or out-door relief during the month of August was 301— comprising 19 men, 71 women, and 208 children. This was done at a weekly cost of Ll6 175,. _