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Evening Star, Issue 3341, 4 November 1873, Page 2

It is stated that the following lands have been selected, and will shortly be thrown open under the deferred payment systemA block on Tolmie’s and Conical lulls station, S,Oi)U acres ; a block i*n M'Nab’s, 5,000 acres ; an ■ a block on MMveuzic's and Logan’s of 3,000 acres. An extraordinary vacancy having occurred in the Milton Town Council, by the resignation of Mr W. L. Philp, one of the representatives of South Ward, the election to iill the vacancy took place at noon on Saturday, when Mr John Smyth Fleming was oleeted without opposition. The B nice. Herald reports that at the Woolshed miners are actively at work along the creek. The late high state of the river occasioned considerable damage by the Hooding and tilling up of claims, breaking of dams, &c., but this has now been repaired. All the miners seem well satisfied with the returns obtained, and are hopeful for the future. There are about 150 men at work, a large proportion being Chinese. Some short time since, a public meeting held at Koslyn carried resolutions allinmug the desirability of abolishing the toll-bar there, and to-day a deputation representing the district, and consisting of Messrs Cunningham and Sheriff, waited upon the Superintendent to urge that the wishes of the residents might be given effect to. After hearing what Mr Lunniogham had to say, his Honor said he thought a good case had been made out, and promised to lay the matter before the Executive. The Freemasons of Canterbury have resolved to establish three scholarships, “which, while assisting the parents of the successful competitors in their education, would also fully enunciate the principles of the Order.” They are to be of the annual value of L 25, each tenable for three years; one is to be competed for each year, and “open to the children of subscribing Masons, and to the children of deceased Masons, who may have been subscribing members within live years from the date of decease to any lodge in Canterbury.” The age of competitors is limited to twelve. Very little other than formal business was transacted at the Fire Brigade's monthly meeting last nigbt. Mr Bird, the Christchurch agent of tbe Liverpool, London, and Globe Insurance Company, wrote asking to have the small engine now at the Bell Tower forwarded to Christchurch, Captain Wain and the oflicers did not think they could spare it without risking the interests of the insurance company it belongs to ; and it was agreed to write to Mr Bird to that effect. The arrangements for the Brigade’s picnic and social gathering on the lUth iust. wore read and voted satisfactory.

The Supreme Court case White v. MTvclkr was proceeded with to day before his Honor Mr Justice Chapman and the Special Jury. Mr W. H. Gotten, late Commissioner of Crown Lands, was examined at considerable length as to the adjustment of the boundary lines in the year 18GG. After this, Mr Sanders, solicitor, gave some technical evidence regarding the arbitration case. Ihe case for plaintiffs, after having extended over seven sitting days, during which the evidence of fourteen witnesses were taken, closed to-divy. it is understood tlio cnSG for the defence will occupy the next eight or ten days. A meeting of the Council of the Otago Hi tie Association was held in Mr Sydney James’s oliice last evening, to make arrangements for the annual matches of the Association. Capt. Stavely was in the chair. I here were present—incut. Wilson, Vols. Smith, Nightingale, M‘Gregor, and Creagh. It was resolved that the matches take place on Friday and Saturday, the 12t)i and Uth of December ; and that the moneys collected he devoted solely to the purposes of the annual matches, and nottowauls defraying expenses in sending competitors away. IheiSeere-ary was instructed to write to his Worship the Mayor, and ask if he will, as heretofore give a cup to bo competed for on the occasion. A number ol gentlemen were appointed to collect subscriptions in town anil the adjacent districts, and report progress on Tuesday, December 18.

All inquiry into the death of Wm. Rutherford, who was killed at Manuka Creek on Thursday evening, was held on Friday. It appears that the off wheel of the waggon had struck the stone portion of the parapet on the right baud side of the road, and which gave way. The deceased then called to bis learn, and the animals, feeling something to be wrong, at once exerted their whole strength. The wheel must then have gone over the bridge, and the progress of the waggon was arrested by the post of the wooden portion of the parapet. ,At this point the chains of the leaders must have snipped, ami the strain being stopped, the waggon would at once fall over. The depth of the fall was at least thirty feet. A verdict of “Accidental death ” was returned. The body of John Paton, drowned in the Taieri River on the 22nd ultimo, was discovered floating down the river, near its mouth, on .Saturday las(;—the tenth day after the accident. An inquest was held at the Taieri Feiry yesterday morning. From the evidence adduced it appeared that upon the day of the accident the deceased was sailing down the river in a punt belonging to Mr Amos M‘Kegg of the White House Hotel. M'Kcgg and a man named Bryant were also in the punt. The deceased was steering with an oar, and M‘Kegg having to go down into the hold for some purpose, asked Bryant to take the rudder and assist Paton, as the punt was difficult to steer. This Bryant went to do, and while standing beside him he noticed the oar jerk out of its place, when deceased lost his balance and fell overboard. MTCegg, hearing the splash, at once came on deck, and both he and Bryant called out to deceased to seize hold of the steer-oar which was floating beside him. He, however, could not swim, and seemed confused and excited, lie made no attempt to get at the oar, but threw' up his arms and then sank. The jury returned as a verdict that the deceased was accidentally drowned. There was a good attendance at the Princess Theatre last evening, “ Arrah-na-Pogue” being the principal piece. Hiss Stephenson, as Arrah, played with feeling and earnestness, and evinced a thorough conception of the character. The part of Fanny Power was sustained by Miss Raymond, who proved herself equal to the occasion, Wc consider Mr O’Brien’s Shaun the Post one of his best efforts ; and the manner in which he depicted the confiding, self-sacrificing Irish peasant, who, notwithstanding appearances, was content to believe in the fidelity of his “own true love,” is worthy of especial commendation. Mike Feeney, the villain of the drama, received ample justice at the hands of Mr Rurford ; while The O’Grady, as represented by Mr Hydes, was brought; as prominently forward as the nature of the character would permit. The minor parts were tolerably well filled, although it certainly does grate upon one’s ears to hear the Irish brogue blended with a pure Cockney accent, which was the case last evening. Mr Kemp, the scenic artist, has painted some very pretty and appropriate scenery for tins piece, and we are glad to perceive that he is gradually getting rid of some of the old set scenes which have done duty for so many years. We would once mure remind our readers that Miss Stephenson takes her benefit to-night, when we trust her merits as an actress will be substantially recognised. The next meeting of the Otago Institute will be hehl on Tuesday evening next, in the University Buildings, The regular meeting of the Lodge of Dunedin, No, !>:•»!, E.U., will be held in the Masonic Hall at 7.30 this cvenihg. The annual meeting of the Albion Cricket Club will he held in the Prince Alfred Hotel, (freat King street, at 8 o’clock this evening. The JHrtnnjrli..st for November is mure than usually varied in its matter. The “Notes of the Month” contain strictures upon the current literature ; the interesting narrative of the German Mission is continued ; and there is a letter from the New Hebrides by Mr Milne. The remaining matter is, as usual, general information.