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Evening Star, Issue 3323, 14 October 1873, Page 2

'there are no criminal oases, and only one civil ease to be tried at the sitting of the District Court at Tokomairiro, which will be held ou the 20th inst. The Bruce. Herald learns, upon good authority, that the Rev. J. H. M’Naughton, of Anderson’s Bay, will bo the Moderator of the Presbyterian Bynod for 1874. An extra wire is now being hung between Dunedin and Tokomairiro, a palpable evidence of the increase of telegraphic communication, as of business generally. The principal members of the late Queen’s Company—Misses Colville and Willis, Mrs Douglas, Messrs Douglas, Booth, Musgrave, and Steele - proceeded to Christchurch today to play a season tie re. Mr G. W. Geddes accompanies them in the capacity of business manager. A “star” in the shooting line (if wc may be allowed the expression) has arisen at Poverty Bay. Irani the Standard we learn that on Saturday. 20th inst., a Poverty Bay Volunteer, Mr Thelwall, at a rifle practice, scored 77 points out of a possible 80, comprising 17 bull’s-eyes and .‘I centres. 'J he first ranges were 150, 2)0, and MO yards, at which the full possible score of 00 points was attained. The last range is not given, but whatever it was, 2 bull’s-eyes and 0 centres were made. We quite agree with our Poverty Bay contemporary in thinking that it is safe in saying the feat above noted has never before been accomplished in New Zealand, “If it has,” says the Standard, “we shall be glad to hear of it.” (Saturday’s programme was repeated at the Masonic Hall last night to a large attendance This entertainment improves ou acquaint ance, and it certainly is entitled t) the liberal support accorded to it. As on the first occasion, the entertainment commenced with a duet on the piano by Messrs Seymour and Bykes, which was played in a masterly manner. 'I he same gentlemen also played the “Edinburgh Quadrilles” as an overture to the second part with great musical skill, and were loudly applauded. ■he various melodies on the handbells, the quartettes and quintettes, Mr Verten’s pleasing ballad-sing-ing and magnificent negro delineations, were as heartily and enthusiastically welcomed as ever ; in fact, taken as a whole, this performance may be pronounced a genuine sue cess, and, judging from appearances, it will steadily grow in public favor.

At a meeting of the shareholders of the National Permanent Huilding Society last evening, the following gentlemen were appointed as directors : —Messrs C. S. Reeves, Rossbottom, T. George, Baird, U, F. Hardy, R. Hudson, G. H. Marsdeu, A. Rennie, and R. Smith. The first meeting nf the Society, for the purpose of receiving subscriptions, was appointed to take place on Monday evening next, between the hours of six and <ight o’clock p.m., and thereafter on the first Monday of every month. A meeting of the newly-appointed directors was then hold, and Mr A. Rennie appointed president for the first year. Some discussion then arose as to the appointment of a secretary, and it was decided that advertisements should be inserted in the papers inviting tenders for the office of secretary ; and it was resolved that Mr C. H. Chapman shoo'd act as secretary until a permanent one should be appointed. The number of shares in this Society, for both town and country, is unlimited. A large number have already been applied for, and jpsmy more applications promised. A public meeting was held last evening in Crickmore’s Royal Assembly Rooms, Port Chalmers, to take into consideration general matters connected with the Mechanics’ Institute. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and made a short introductory acß dress, in which he explained the position of the Institute. Mr T. A Mansford proposed that steps be immediately takeu to bring the Institute under the Free Library Act, which was seconded by Mr A. M'Kinnon, but was lost by vote of the meeting. Mr Downes proposed that a committee be formed to carry on the institute upon the former basis ; seconded by Mr 8. kfijls, which was carried. The following were appointed an interim committee : —His Worship the Mayor, Revs Johnson, Maxwell, Leeson, Messrs H'Farlane, Elder, A. M ‘Kinnon, Downes, Murray, and Sutherland, to receive subscriptions and appoint a night of meeting for the election of officers and consideration of business. A vote of thajiks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

Mr Hydes has every reason to be pleased with the reception he met with from the numerous audience that assembled within the walls of the Queen’s Theatre last evening. Goldsmith’s comedy of “ &he Stoops to Conquer” was produced with an exceedingly good cast, and the efforts of the representatives of the principal characters were appreciated by those present. Owing to the illness of Mr ’Hoskins, Mr Douglas appeared as Young Marlow ; and as he bad not had suflioient time to study the part, he threw himself upon the indulgence of the audience, and stated he would read his lines from the book. Notwithstanding this obvious drawback, Mr Douglas pulled through in a manner that reflected great credit upon him, and it was quite evident he evoked the sympathy of his heaters by his excellent acting. During the interval, what was announced as a prize of “ a fat pig” was drawn for by the occupants of the pit; and although the little arrangement savored somewhat of a “sell,” still the all'air passed off with the utmost good humor. The entertainment concluded with the amusing farce of “ A Quiet Family,” The first competition for the medal given by Professor Long, teacher of gymnastics, was held in the Gymnasium last evening, when four pupils—Messrs b’. Muir, J. Murray, T. Muir, and T. Booth —contended for the much-covcted prize. They were examined in vaulting, and went through various exercises on the trapeze, horizontal and parallel bar, Hying rings, and horse. On the bar, the Messrs Muir, who each vaulted 6ft. Din., were pronounced to be the best van Iters of the season ; Mr Booth vaulted 6ft, 4in., and Mr Murray retired after clearing Oft. In the exercises on the rings, Mr T. Muir secured first place. After a close inspection of the various exercises, lasting a little over two hours, the judges—Messrs Beal and Kirkcaldy—awarded the medal for general proficiency to Mr I*. Muir, while Mr Booth was placed next. During the interval, Mr Long and pupil (Mr Mills) had a fence on the single-sticks, the latter showing both aptitude and proficiency in the art. The competition, we are informed, is to be an annual one ; and we look with pleasure to the next. The class now numbers 150, and all the pupils speak in the highest terms of their master. During the present season the hours of attendance are from six to eight

in the morning, and five to six in the evening Mr Long also gives instruction to the hoys and girls attending the High Schools, both of which arc liberally patronised. “Sensational” telegraphing appears to suit the tastes of the Auckland people, if the pages of the local Star can be accepted as a criterion. While Parliament sat, that paper was almost Hooded with the messages of its “own,” from whose effusions we make the billowing extracts as indicating their general tenor :—With reference to the late caucus, it is said, under the head of “ Telegraphic Intelligence ” —“ Behold the little mouse hath been born, and the labors of the political mountain have ceased.” Then-as to a Bill called “The Auckland Improvement Bill,” it is said—-“ Most disreputable lobbying is used against the Bill, apparently from pure vindictiveness.” In the Legislative Council the Lords are said “to be in a murderous mood, and glare savagely on the innocents.” Referring to the fate of the Loans Bill, we are told that some of the more mercurial supporters of the Ministry “mouth revolution and spit wildfire,” Then, later in the day, that “ there is a great ferment am mg members, and they are buzzing about like bees.” Again—“ Yesterday, three or four new benches were brought to the Council, and laid in the passage, probably silly bravado. Then that “ there is great hectoring towards the Legislative Council by all the Government myrmidons,” Also, that “the Independent is playing the Government bully valorous'y, and the erstwhile plucky little Post has fallen from its high estate, and is playing a miserable echo.” In the latest munb.-r to hand (that of the 2,'Jrd), we are told that “Mr Vogel had the indecency,” &c., “Mr Fitzherbert gave Mr Vogel a scathing for the indecency of the attempt “Mr Vogel brazened it out“ Mr Pox (on the third reading of the Licensing Bid) clapped his hands and laughed immoderately.” Then, in allusion to a warm colloquy between Messrs Vogel, Holies ton, and Sheehan (said to have been overheard in the reporters’ gallery), this remarkable telegraphic correspondent says—“ I could not help reflecting that though people say Christian friendship and Masonic friendship are enduring, these cannot surpass the friendship loaned in gambling hells.” Again, in allusion to the Timber Floatage Bill, “ God help the millions, when so much is done to float a few miserable logs.” Mr Sheehan’s name, in these wonderful telegrams, crops up in every direction, as if he were really the Daniel O’Gonuell he likes to compare himself to.

We have received from the RegistrarGeneral a series of statistical tables for the year 1872, in auticipition of the amount of statistics. Exclusive of aborigines the population is set down at 279,500, of whom 102,404 are male and 117,150 female. This estimate shews a nett increase of 12,574 our 1871, or 5,978 males and 0.001 females. The increase by i nmi.ration was 6,775 males and 8,950 females, together 10,725. The increase by births was very nearly a like amount, viz., 5,510 males and 5,285 females ; total, 10,795. But from this gross increase of 21,529 must be deducted the loss by emigra turn, which was 4.417 males and 1,835 females, equal to 5,752 ; and by deaths J,890 males and 1,299 females—together 3,194 The decrease was there! ore equal to 8,9/6, which deducted from 21,520, leaves a bajance of addition to our numbers of 12,574 as stated. The populations of the diiierent Provinces can hardly be even approxi mately ascertained, as no record is kept, nor is one possible, of removals from one part of the Colony to another. Of the immigrants, Auckland received 2,527, of whom 1,408 were men, 671 women, 218 boys, and 170 girls. During the year 1,776 left Auckland for other countries, viz , 1,165 men, 876 women, 180 boys, and 105 girls, leaving a balance in favor of immigration of 751. Wellington was more fortunate, the difference in favor of settlement being 1,271. To Hawke’s Bay 870 were added; to Nelson, 8 ; to Canterbury, 1,128; to Otago, including Southland, 1,781. The only territorial division that showed an absolute decrease is the County of Westland, fivm which 1,281 sailed from Australia, and only 659 arrived, showing a decrease of 572. Amongst the tables is one giving approximate returns of immigration and emigration for twenty years. It seems to have been a very irregular affair : pretty steady up to 1860, but very fitful after that time. In 18 50 the excess of immigration over emigration was 6,064 ; in 1861 it reached 16,222. Cold digging had begun to attract and tfre influx next year rose to 20,991 ; in 1868 it peached 1)5,120, and (fell in 1864 to 8,527, rising again in 1860 1q 12,809, from which it increased in 1866 to 7,599, and iu 1867 to 4,859. The low'est point was reached iu 1868, when only 860 were added to our numbers. This was really the lowest point of depression, and the intimate connection between depression of trade and stoppage of immigration is worthy of especial observation. It will be seen fpm an advertisement in another column that some of their fellow-work-men have commenced a fund for the relief qt those who sulfered severe injuries at the accident in the Cutting. A meeting is now called of the subscribers to the fund and of others willing to assist in this very laudable effort, for the purpose of appointing a treasurer, and taking such other measures as may appear desirable. The meeting whl be held in the (Glasgow Arms at half-past seven to-morrow.