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Evening Star, Issue 3311, 30 September 1873, Page 2

The births, marriages, and deaths registered in Dunedin for the month of September are as follow :—Births, 102; deaths, 33 ; marriages, 23. A Parliamentary telegram in the Bruce Herald states that the Cintha and Matanra and Dunedin and Moerald Hailway Bills passed. The Minister of Public Works intimated that it was the intention of the Government to let the contract for the tunnel on the Dunedin and Moerald line as scon as possible, aa it would take two years to complete.

The amusing piece, “ A Practical Man,” and the drama of “ Belphegor, the Mountebank,” constituted the entertainment at the Queen’s Theatre last evening. Owing, doubtless, to the unfavorable weather, the attendance was not so largo as it otherwise would have been. Taken altogether, the performance was successful, Mr Hoskins in the first piece, and Mr Douglas in the second, especially distinguishing themselves. To-night, “A Practical Man” and “Green Bushes” will be repeated. We understand that numerous inquires are being made for shares in the National Building Society; also, that inquiries are already being made for large advances, so that there is every likelihood of the society leaving very little spare money on hand for S,pm,e tim,e tp come. A band prospectus, con-tff-injpg full information, will be issued imp>e4iatply 3ft,er thp despatch of the English wail. The society intends commencing business in Dunedin as PQon a? possible, and country agencies are intended fp be established in those districts where sufficient inducement is offered.

In the New Zealand Gazette of Sept, IS a statement showing the number, amount. &c., of savings bank transactions at the several chief and accounting post-ollices in the Colony of New Zealand during the quarter ended June 30 in the current year, is published for general information. The number of offices now open is 95 ; accounts opened durjng the quarter, 1,905; accounts closed, 942; nnmb.fcf .of deposits, 9,785 ; do of withdrawal?, 5,012 j yafucqf 4 e D.9 sifc3 » L 146.420 IPs 8d ; do of withdrawals, Lf.03,158 Ss I Id; interest paid on closed a.cqohptg, t$)() os 1 Id; excess of deposits over 3s ; do of withdrawals over deposits, D 54.5 12s 3d ; balance left in deposit. 143,262 10a 9d ; balance left in deposit at end of corresponding quarter of 1872, L 30,808 Os lid; increase, L 12.454 3s lOd. In the New Zealand Gazette of Sept. 18, a statement showing the number and amount of pest and telegraph money orders issued at the chief and accounting post-offices in the Colony during the quarter ending Juno 30, is furnished for general information. The total number was 12,591 and their value L 53.292 10s lOd ; as against, for the correslanding quarter of 1872, 11,17*1, value L4B 607 3s Id. Out df these, there were issued in New Zealand 1,507 telegraphic money orders, valued at 14,414 0s iyd, as against 995, valued at L4,8?4 IBs 2d'issued during the corresponding quafter’of the' previous year- " The ,p\whor of orders paid in the Colony during the Jjjw pwto* w^s 1

9.077, valued at L 38.325 17a sd. as against 7,705, valued at L 33.405 10a Bd, during the second quarter of 1872. The following paragraph from a Hoharton paper of Sept 6 will be read with interest by many persons in this Province:—“On the 30th of August, A. E. Bird, reputed the champion long distance runner of the world, got up some sports in the barrack yard ; and as he was announced to do ‘ eleven miles within the hour,’ a great crowd assembled to see him. Bird, however, did not attempt the task, and he was naturally mulh abused. This induced him to a better purpose, and on Tuesday afternoon, in the company of a large crowd of people, he commenced his long journey on the main road. He had at least a mile and a half of rough road metal, newly laid down, to travel over; bathe completed the whole distance in exactly six minutes over his time ; the tenth mile being finished under the hour.” A concert in aid of the Widows and Orphans’ Fund, M. U.1.0.0.F., was given last evening in the Head-quarters Drill-shed. Considering the very unfavorable state of the weather there was a large attendance. The room was hung round with flags and banners, which relieved the otherwise cold and cheerless aspect of the drill shed. The programme was sust lined by several wellknown amateurs with their wonted success. The lady who sang “ Sweet spirit, hear my prayer,” and “Juanita,” made last evening her first appearance in Dunedin, and promises to lend efficient aid to our amateur concerts. Mrs Murray sang “Ilka blade o' grass keps its ain drap o’ dew,” and, in answer to an encore in the second part, “ Whistle an’ I’ll come to ye, my lad,” in which she showed a just appreciation of the spirit and humor of the Scottish ballads. Mr Sinclair sang “ .Nil desperanduni” well; and Mr •‘■tewart’s “Bonnie hills of Scotland” and “ Kocked in the cradle of the deep” were well received by the audience. Mr Marsden succeeded, as he never fails to do. His songs were rapturously applauded an I heartily encored. Miss Webb, who has been for some time receiving m .steal training, sang “ I dreamt I. dwelt in marble hills” and “Come back to Erin.” Both songs were beautifully rendered, especially the latter, which is admirably suifed to bring out the fine qualities of this young lady’s rich and effective voice. She secured a very emphatic encore for the first song, substituting “ Wont you tell me why, Hobin,” and for the second “Jessie’s dream.” The comic singing and dancing pleased, as they always do, and a Scotch dance in costume by Master Murray secured a hearty encore. Mr Reichardt presided at the pianoforte. After the concert dancing was kept up with spirit for some time. >he promoters had some difficulties in bringing this concert to an issue, but may on the whole congratulate themselves on the result.

The annual meeting o£ the Warehousemen’s Cricket Club will be held on Thursday in the Athenseum Hall.

We have received a tract from Mr James Gilmour, examining the opinions of the Rev Alexander Reid on the resurrection of the body. As this is a matter of faith and not of evidence, we can offer no opinion of its merits.

The members of the Fire Brigade are rerjuested to muster in uniform to join tile torchlight procession to-morrow evening, at seven o’clock. It is also intimated that honorary members may obtain tickets for the supper by applying to the secretary. It will be seen by advertisemet that Messrs R. Harper and Co., who have for so many years conducted business as coffee roasters and spice manufacturers, have transferred their business to Messrs Stephenson and Co., by whom in future it will be conducted.

The current number of the Illustrated New Zealand Herald contains a well-executed engraving of the wreck of the Rangitoto, a fullpage engraving of the Rip disaster at Port Philip Heads, and varied sketches of Australian scenery, in addition to the average quantity of reading matter.

It will be seen by advertisement that Mr Pollock’s coal-mine has been purchased on favorable terms by a company, who offer to the public a share in the undertaking. _ A few months back, before the idea of a joint stock company was thought of, we described these pits, and the favorable prospects they presented for profitable working, The projected branch railway will bring them in immediate and cheap contact with Dunedin, and consequently the _ coal will command an extensive market, which, from the extent of the fields, can be readily supplied. We see that the bed of pottery clay, discovered in sinking the shaft, is likely to be utilised.