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Evening Star, Issue 3379, 18 December 1873, Page 2

Our Port Chalmers friends will be surprised to find the leader of Tuesday evening reproduced; but the explanation is simple. The pressure of news was so great, and received at so late an hour, that, in order to save the train, we were obliged to arrange a special edition for tiic country, and to exclude the leader from the town edition. To-day being the semi-annual Fast Day of the Presbyterian Church, was observed as a close holiday. The Kaikorai Church bazaar realised L2lO clear, and the congregation hope to wipe off the remaining debt of D4O in a few weeks. The total number of nominations in Riverton by Mr T. Daniel, under the free ini' migration system, up to the I.lth inst,, amounts to 562. The first goods train run on the Mataura railway came down from Woodlands on Tuesday morning, the freight being meat for the llebington from the Pjeserving Company’s work.

There was another good attendance at the Masonic Hall last evening, and the audience appeared thoroughly satisfied with all they saw and heard. Mr Bent’s comicalities were much relished, while Mr Saunders’s harp solo was encored. The musical portion of the pro gramme will be changed this evening. At a meeting of master bakers, held at Murray’s Hotel last evening, it was resolved to raise the price of bread to 8d the 41b loaf, on and after Monday next. The masters complain that the short hours conceded to the journeymen, ami the present price of goods in the trade, left no margin for profit. The pigeon match between Mr B. Christy and Mr William Dunbar, senr., for L 5 a side, came off yesterday afternoon at Sawyer’s Bay, Mr Christy winning easily. The match was eleven birds each, but afterwards it was to be decided by seven birds, Mr Christy killing six out of seven ; Mr Dunbar two out of seven. An accident happened at the saw .mills at Sawyer’s Bay yesterday afternoon to a man named Peter Robinson. He was helping to roll a log to the ways, when he fell, the log rolling over him. Dr Drysdale was immediately sent for. Although Robinson had no bones broken he was much bruised, and complained of inward pain. To-day’s “ Gazette” notifies that the following lands have been thrown open for occupation on deferred payments: —0,000 acres at Waipahoo (runs 78A, 788, and 107 A); 2,01k< acres at Glenkeuich (runs 175 A and 10S); 5,000 acres at Waikaka and Chatou (run 111); 1,50 ) acres, Lower Hawea (run 250) ; 2,500 acres at Highlay (run 100); and 2,582 acres at Tcviot (run 100). Last evening a youth named Cherry, with several companions, was riding on the tramroad waggons in Castle street, adjoining hi Andrew street. Cherry fed off, and was severely injured, through one of the wheels passing over him, but to what extent we have not been able to learn. We believe the police cautioned the contractors to chain the waggon wheels in future, to prevent accidents. The inspection of the town companies of volunteers was commenced last evening by Major Gordon, inspector of volunteers ; No. 1 City Guards and the North Dunedin Rifles being brought under his notice. The Guards' full strength is G1 rank and tile, and of these 42 put in an appearance. The strength of the North Dunedin Company is 51 rank and file; 27 paraded. Lieut.-Col. Cargill and Major Atkinson were present at tire inspection. Hokitika boasts of a poet, who signs himself “ John Cross, poet laureate of Westland.” He actually read a copy of his own verses, welcoming the Governor, in the very presence of Sir James himself, and was thanked by him for the same ■— “ Welcome Sir James, stem Caledonia’s son, Whose sway vice-regal nobly has begun.

* * * * * * * “ But Westland long lay bid beneath a cloud, Whilst mightier provinces her glories shroud. * « * * * * * “ Her cold manacles aside are thrown, And Westland now unfettered stands alone,” A woman named Margaret Ann Wilson, alias Mitchell, alias Stoy, was arrested at Invercargill, on the 13th inst., on a charge of having committed bigamy at Cromwell in June of last year. Sergeant Fleming, in giving evidence before Mr M’Culloch, R.M., said: “At first she denied being the person in question, but she soon admitted the charge, and said she would like the case to be heard at Invercargill, so as to put the person charging her to all possible expense. Her second husband, ('harles Stoy, a German, was with the prisoner when I arrested her. Prisoner told me that she was married to Stoy, and also that she had her marriage certili cate with her. She was remanded to Cromwell. There was a very good attendance in all parts of the Princess's last evening, when the performances were for the benefit of the Bernard Brothers. In the comedietta “Who speaks first ?” which was the opening piece, Miss Tilly Andrews made her reappearance as Mrs Militant, and was well received. An interlude followed, the principal features of which were the character song “The Hose, Shamrock, and Thistle ” by Miss Andrews, which was redemanded, and a shoe dance by Messrs Wilkinson and Mason, which had also to be repeated. Mr Bernard performed on the horizontal bar. The afterpiece, “ Barnum's Show,” evoked roars of laughter. “ A husband to ordpr” and “ Who speaks first V” arc announced for this evening, It is a matter of wonder that the performances given by the Caraudini Company are not more liberally patronised. Last evening the ate tendance was very poor indeed, but nevertheless the Advertised programme was faithfully carried out. “The Declaration,” from “The Grand Duchess,” by Miss Fannie and Mr Shenvin, was the prominent feature of the first part of the entertainment. Mr Cottercll’s sketches of character arc an agreeable diversion, and he was as ever successful in his efforts to amuse. This evening the first pari will consist entirely of sacred music, comprising gems from the compositions of Handel, Haydn, and Rossini, the second part consisting of ballad ami operatic selections. Miss Rosina’s benefit IS announced for to-morrow, and from the high estimation in which this lady is deservedly held there ought to be a liberal reponse. We are indebted to the “ Buller News” for the following very flowery description of society and manners at the Lyell“ Blackening eyes, chewed thumbs, free fighting, and stubbing are amongst the delicacies of the season, in which the good people of the Lyell have been revelling during the late period of excitement. On Saturday evening, after the little jollification indulged in on the discovery of the rich leader in the Monto Christo, one of their men named Hayes, under the influence of strong potations, became very abusive, and gave such provocation to an Italian named Gobaido Campini, that a light ensued, during which Hayes received a frightful stab from Campini from a sharppointed sheath knife. The knife penetrated the depth of the blade, and then glanced off in an oblique direction, leaving an ugly, if not dangerous wound, about four inches long and nearly as deep. The assailant, who is represented as a quiet, inoffensive, industrious man, has been committed for trial.” We are as apathetic in regard to cricket as our Canterbury neighbors appear tq lie. The meeting convened for last evening to initiate arrangements I™' the Tnterpvorincial Match, which ip to hr played oil the JUth and 13$

prox. all but fell through. It was nearly nine o'clock before a bare quorum could be got together, and then Mr Rattray wus voted to the chair and business proceeded with. Mr Turton was for postponing the meeting for a week or a fortnight in the hope of securing a better attendance, but the general feeling was that it would be better to at once elect a Match Committee, which was done, Messrs Tnrton, K. Fulton, and E. T. Collinsou being unanimously appointed. The method of practice was incidentally mentioned. Mr Allen, as one who played in the late match against Auckland, did not approve of the mode of practice then adopted, and advocated that a batsman should be allowed a single wicket for half-an-hour. Mr Paramor having been appealed to, said the net .vas popular in Britain for longstoppin". He would suggest that the Club have a field night once a week. The net might be used, and memshould be allowed as much batting as possible. On the proposition of Mr Turton, Mr Paramor was then elected working captain. In the afternoon of the opening day of the Nelson Exhibition, JutOe Richmond, addressing the spectators, said “I have been requested to mention a circumstance of some interest in connection with the day of this opening. It so happens that on this very day, one hundred years ago, Cook took leave of these shores on his second return voyage to Europe. One hundred years brings great changes. The mention of (look puts me in mind of another great navigator, whose connection with this Colony, and this particular Province, curiously marks the changes which time brings about. Tasman, you are aware, was the discovei or of New Zealand. His first land-fall was made on the 'West Coast of this Province, very near the Puller, lie was in search of gold, like all the navigators of this period. There had been rumors of a large island in the Pacific full of gold, and inhabited by Jews. Is it not strange to think that Tasman and his crew absolutely hit upon a payable diggings, without finding it out ? Rut they had not learnt to look for gold as we do, ,wfth the tin-dish, cradle, and longtom. They expected to find it hanging round the neak, and from the ears of the Natives. They were right enough about the gold. As to the Jews, they had not yet arrived. When the gold became an ascertained fact, we were not long 'without a good supply of those whom Sir Robert Peel used to call ‘ gentlemen of the Hebrew persuasion.’ They are never far behind when gold is to be had ; and they are quite right too. This, then, ladies and gentlemen, is my apology for interrupting the band. It was thought that you would be interested by this reminiscence of our great benefactor, Capt. James Cook.”

The share list of the Union Steamship Company will close on Tuesday, January Oth. The practice of St. Paul’s Church choir will he held to-morrow (Friday) evening, at eight o’clock instead of to-night. A meeting of Masters and oast Masters of Masonic Lodges will be held at the Provincial Hotel to-morrow evening at eight o’clock. We have received a copy of the song “ Swing on Old Pendulum,” which Mr Gordon’s excellent singing has made tolerably familiar to recent visitors to the Queen’s Theatre. It is well printed by the Auckland Star office, and is on sale at Mr West’s, An entertainment will be given by the Sheridan Dramatic Club to-morrow evening in die Lunatic Asylum Hall. The performance will commence at eight o’clock with the comedy of “ Upstairs and Downstairs,” and will be followed by a musical interlude and farce.