The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1873

Evening Star, Issue 3378, 17 December 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1873

The Arrow Miners’ Association has voted Mr Pyke its thanks for the manner in which he had represented the district in the Assembly. At Oainaru, last week, one James Earl was fined in the nominal sum of Is and costs, for neglecting to register the birth of his chib!. The full penalty is LlO. The performance at the Princess Theatre this evening will be for the benefit of the Bernard Brothers. “A husband to order’’and “Who speaks first?” will constitute the programme.

Messrs D. Reid, M.P.C., J. Hhand, M.P.C., and the President of the West Taieri Agricultural Society waited upon the Superintendent this afternoon to ascertain if his Excellency and his Honor would bo pleased to attend the Society’s forthcoming show. His Honor replied that his Excellency would make no arrangements until he arrived in Dunedin.

A meeting convened by circular was held at the City Council Hall this afternoon, to make arrangements for a public banquet to be given to the Honorable Julius Vogel. The meeting was very numerously attended. A large committee was formed, and it was resolved to invite the Premier to a banquet to be given next week, and to solicit subscriptions for a testimonial to be presented to him.

The entertainment at the Masonic Hall last evening was largely patronised, and was successfully carried out. Mr Bent ia one of the most amusing lecturers we have ever listened to, and the rich. anecdotes with which he intersperses his address are well told. His songs and dances also wore enthusiastically applauded by the audience. Professor Saunders played selections on the harp, and received a deserved encore. The performance will be repeated tonight.

The performance at 'Theatre last evening was for Miss Fannie’s benefit, and though the attendance was numerous up-stairs, it was neither commensurate with the character of the programme nor a proper recognition of the ben cjfcw re's, merits. Miss Fannin gang the descriptive Bong, " The Raft” »ad the

“Lady of the Lea” admirably, and was encored for both. The efforts of Madame, Miss Rosini, and Mr (Jordon were, as usual, thoroughly appreciated. The Cromwell Miners’ Association is taking action respecting the price of gold. Letters will be sent to the various Associations urgi”" a combined effort to compel the break-up of the present combination of the banks. The_ plan suggested is to sell to one bank only, which it is expected would cause the others to offer an advanced price. In connection with the Reduction of a shilling an ounce at Cromwell, the “Observer'’ remarks that it has been shown both refiner's and assaycr’s receipt notes for a parcel of Otago gold sold by him to the Lank of England, and for which L 4 5s an ounce was given. A statement has also been made that L 4 per ounce was given at Orcpuki for gold which is almost as fine as flour, and therefore proportionately impure. It certainly seems strange that such a difference in price exists. The statement made editorially the other day by one of our morning contemporaries that the average earnings of the miners in Otago were from °oos to 70s per week was flatly contradicted at the last meeting of the Arrow Miners’ Association. Mr Pyke, M.H.R., who was present, said such reports were calculated to do a great deal of harm. In the first place, they were calculated'to deceive persons at a distance for whose benefit they were specially compiled. But the injury was not alone in this way:’ When matters were discussed in Parliament, as tor instance the reduction of gold these statistics were quoted, and it was said, “ A by these miners are doing far better than any other class.” He need not point out the fallacy of such reports, as they were self-apparent.' Even the authorised Wardens’ reports were hardly to be better depended on, as they were princi-. pally guesswork. In reply to questions, he further stated that it was of no use his stirring in respect to the reduction of the gold duty, unless the miners also bestirred themselves ; the proliability was, that instead of the duty being taken off. another sixpence would bo put on again. He was constantly with the remark that the miners were satisfied, or else they would petition for redress. He would advise that a monster petition be got up for presentation at the next session of the Assembly, so that the true feelings of the miners might he known. The revenue derived from gold was Provincial; and, therefore, unless well seconded, it would he of no use for him to ask for relief in this matter, 'The Provincial Governments were opposed to the duty being taken off.

Tho annual examination of the pupils attendin'' the Kaikorai District School took place in the School-house, Linden, on Friday. Nearly 230 children wove present. The classes were examined by the head-master, Mr M‘Lauchlan, anil the second master, Mr Anderson, The Rev. A. Blake, M.A.. and Mr A. H. Boss also took pait in the examination, the former gen tleman questioning the pupils on subjects treated in the school reading-hooks, and on the geography of Europe ; Mr Ross on the geography of New Zealand and on land measuring. Mes«w Reggand Curie (members of committee) and several parents and friends of the pupils evinced their iutcgi;sl> in the progress of the school by being presonjv The Inspector of Schools, had he been present, w'Quld have been delighted by an inspection of the industrial work produced by the pupils under tho care of Miss Hbuvart. Not only were there exhibited shirts and kpjtted stockings, but stockings darned in a most admirable manner. All present appeared well satlslicd with the evident thoroughness of the knowledge which had been imparted to the pupils. No prizes were given, the Committee having resolved to provide a pic nic for the children and their friends instead, the pic-nic was held on Saturday in tiie grounds attached to the residence of Mr M‘Lauchlan, the head master, who, with Mrs MdLauchlau, did all in tlmir power to nuke the children happy. Upwards of three hundred children and their friends were present, and were plentifully regaled through the liberality of tho committee - several members of which were present, and seemed fully to appreciate the good feeling which appeared to exist between teachers and pupils—with pies, tarts, and tea. Swings and balls were provided for the children, and games of various kinds were played by those of larger awrtb. A most enjoyable afternoon was spent, ti>o of the meeting - if we except a little dampness occasioned by a shower of nail)—being sustained uninterruptedly from its commencement to its close. The attention of Volunteers is directed to the general orders in another column. The Peninsula will leave the Old Jetty, for Portobello, to-morrow, at 10.30 a.m., returning at 4 p.m. The share list of the Standard Insurance Company will piose (Jirmfgjmut the Colony on Wednesday next, December 24, A meeting of boiler-makers and iron shipbuilders will bo held in the Harp of Erin Hotel, St. Andrew street, on Friday evening, at 7.30. We have received a card almanac published by the Victorian Insurance Company, It is very elegantly got up, and conveniently arranged for reference. The congregation of All Saints’ Church are making efforts to obtain a new organ, more suitable than the one now in use to the requirements of the Church since its enlargement. The organ desired for the Church has been erected in Mr Haworth's new store, Bond street, and the subscribers to the fund and the congregation are invited to attend a trial of its capabiliticß on Saturday next at 3 p.m., when Mr A. J. Towsey, who has kindly given his services, will perform several choice selections.