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Evening Star, Issue 3382, 22 December 1873, Page 2

The collection at the First Church yesterday in aid of the Benevolent Institution amounted to L2O. Whilst at Hokitika, the Governor visited the Provincial gaol, and ordered two prisoners to be discharged from custody. There will be a general census of the Colony in 1674. The month in which it will be taken is, however, nut yet lixed, and is subject to the appointment of the Gbvemor-in-Council. Mr Homer is making good progress with the Martin’s Bay track, lie has formed that portion of his contract near the Hollyford seven feet wide, and quite enough for dray traffic. A woman named Donald has been imprisoned in Mount Eden Gaol, Auckland, in default of payment of a tine of LlO imposed upon her lit "Russell, for inciting American wlialers to desert. Her term of imprisonment is three months. The immigrants by the Hovding to Napier have presented a silver teapot to the tirst mate. He was very much liked on the voyage, and the captain was thoroughly unpopular. “ Worth a Struggle,” followed by the farce of “ Who Speaks First ?” was repeated at the Princess’s on Saturday evening to a moderate attendance. The performance _ this evening, which comprises “ The Woman in W liite ” and “ Whitebait at Greenwich,” will be for the benefit of Mr and Mrs Searle. Mr D. M. Buckie, M.H.K., in responding to “The Press,” at a public dinner at Auckland, the other day, said Newspaper men, while having a true sense of their duty and responsibility, should have three characteristics. The three IPs, of course were necessary, but he alluded to the three Fa-fact, fairness, and fearlessness.” At the recent University matriculation examination at Melbourne there were 226 candi dates for examination in algebra, 160 in geography, and 51 in Greek. Two young ladies were amongst the Greek candidates. At .Sydney one hundred and tifty-two candidates have passed the University examination. The Wesleyan College stands highest amongst the colleges. MBs Dixon took the Fairfax senior prize, and Miss Badham the junior prize. There was a very fair attendance at the Queen’s on Saturday evening, when a most enjoyable conceit was given. Madame Carandini secured a deserved encore for “Tell me my heart Miss Kosina a similar compliment for “ftweet Spirit;” Mias Fanny, for “Jessie’s Dreamapd Mr Gordon, for “ The British JJon.” Mr Anderson’s piano solo, the unaccompanied pieces, and the operatic selections also met with the audience’s marked approval. On their arrival at Queenstown and Arrow, Messrs Turnbull and Bastings wore _ wafted upon by various local bodies, who discussed with them the projected sales of the W akatip runs, and other matters affecting the welfare of the district. The‘Mail,’ in an editorial discussing the results of the interview, says; “ Where doubt and discontent reigned, satisfaction and confidence now exist. The explanations given by the Provincial Secretary and the Sccretaiy for Goldfields have exercised a benehoipj influence.”. Tfjis is iai extraordinary instance of a man’s enthusiasm’ in the cause of science lasting until the very hour of death, and leading him to gain knowledge from his own case: I lie Berlin medical journals record the death from cholera of Dr Gtto Obtrmeier, who had gained a high reputation as a scientific investigator of disease. When seized witli this fatal illness ho was engaged in researches on cholera. He was so devoted to his inquiry that, after ho became aware of the condition in which he was, ho made some microscopic observations on Ins own blood. His deatli occurred after an illness of seven hours, in the thirty-first year of his age. The ‘Napier Telegraph’ has an article on the iucfiSfwd value of laud in Hawke’s Bay, in the course pf y,];i;]i it states that “ land that was dear at 5s an aero during depressed times, is now worth L2 to menAvho a l',Q satisfied with a five per cent., or even a less return.'’ The same paper also states it is a fact that “the country is gradually falling into the hands of capitalists,” though at the same lime it believes that these capitalists made the their purchases “with the object ,vf seeking safe and fairly remunerative investments. The following observations, made by Professor .Strong, of the Melbourne University, at a school prize distribution at Geelong, deserve to be inscribed in letters of gold and hung up_ in every school-room ; - “ There was one thing which struck a new comer to this Colony, and Unit vyas the almost universal prevalence of bad language ; and if there was one thing lie would Kay boys to do, it war- to avoid such language, e Moujd ?.ak thetu uev<4 tv Ute language on i

think a thought, if. that were posshle, that they would not use or think in the presence of the woman whom they respected the highest iu the world.”

At a recent meeting of the Invercargill School Committee the question of teaching the pupils gymnastics and military drill was discussed. Mr Hislop said that in Dunedin the officers oi the Militia and Volunteer Department drilled the boys on behalf of the Colonial Government, and he understood that the Government had taken charge of the military drill of all the youth of the country. Tire Board of Education had not hitherto made any grant for drill in schools, Mr Kingsland asserted that their boys and girls went walking up and down the streets at an angle of (5 degrees, and all lor the want of a little training.

Iu charging the jury in the libel case, Healey v, ‘The Napier Telegraph,’ Judge Johnston said; —“Much misapprehension existed in regard to libel, as if people connected with newspapers should enjoy an immunity from punishment if they broke the law which no other people possessed. For himself, ho had a great reverence for the Press. In a now country like this, where new experiments were constantly being made, the_ protection of a free Press was of very great importance. A bold and fearless Press would no doubt find it very difficult at times to carry out successfully its its object, wdthout laying itself open to actions of this nature. In the old days, tmth was not held to be a justification of libel; but, in these later days, truth was a justification, although it would be necessary to prove, not only that the libel was true, but that it was in the interests of the public that it had been published.”

At the banquet to the Interprovincial cricket and rifle teams at Auckland, Mr I'. B. Gillies said he had been asked to respond on behalf of the General Assembly; lie could scarcely tell why, for the General Assembly had done nothing for cricket. But lie was aware that cricket had done a good dual for the General Assembly. It was not by the best “batting” that victories were won in the General Assembly any more than in cricket. It was not the most slashing play that won the game there any more than iu the field. Those who aspired to success in politics would learn a good deal even by studying cricket. A cool head, a clear eye, and a steady hand were required iu the “ House” as well as iu die field—that was, if they Wanted to make a “good run.” Neither was it all bowling or fielding that won the game in politics, any more than in cricket. It was by a calm and steady purpose pursued perseveringly, neither overrun, so as to he put out, or too aspiring, so as to be “ caught out.” On Saturday evening last, Major Gordon inspected the Dunedin Volunteer Artillery. The battery mustered very small indeed, there being about seventeen men on parade, exclusive of officers. The battery were put through a number of movements by Lieut. Tunis, after which Captain Jack ordered the guns to be taken outside the shed, and the company went through the gun drill in a very creditable style. Major Gordon said he had to compliment the men on their guu drill ; ho would leave the rilie drill alone, as he was informed that the majority of those present were recruits at that drill; but he would remind them that, though they were artillerymen, they ought first to make themselves acquainted with rifle drill. He said lie noticed as he travelled through New Zea’aud that the drill-instructors iu the various Provinces who were paid by the Government were in the habit of looking after themselves and neglecting their duty. He intended t« report very strongly to the Government about them. The Major also stated that the Artillery Band was the finest he had seen in the Colony. A most agreeable performance was given on Saturday afternoon in Mr Haworth’s store, Bond street, when the new organ recently imported by Mr G. R. West, ami erected in the drove place, was tried by Mr A, J. Towsey before an appreciative audience. The organ, which is of a melodious tone, and possessed of considerable power, is a handsome instrument, and in every way suitable for a large church. It contains sixteen stops, two manuals, two-ind-a-half octave pedals, and three composition pedals acting on the great organ stop's. The fact that there are nearly 700 pipes in the organ will give some idea of its completeness. The pieces chosen by Mr Towsey were *omc of the gems from the oratorios, and fully showed the great capabilities of the instrument. An unexpected treat was also provided in the presence of Mr Gordon, who delighted the audience with Ids magnificent singing. Messrs E. Towsey and Lewis also sang several solos, with good effect. A most agreeable afternoon was brought to a close by the Rev. R. L. .'StaufoiA proposing a vote of thanks to Air Towsey and the soloists, which was carried by acclamation,

Many Victorians ami old policemen will recollect Constable f-himmorhayes, the pick of the ’Victorian Police, whose exploits were chronicled by every paper in the Colonies not many years since. The discoveries he made and the arrests he accomplished wore something astonishing, and as he was as civil and obliging as he was intelligent, he received promotion with unexampled rapidity—indeed, an inspectorship loomed in the distance, when queer stories about the vigilant policeman began to circulate. It turned out that his house at the Metropolitan Cemetery was the abode of the worst characters in Melbourne, and the result of the inquiry then instituted was his transference to (lippslaud. There he has been guilty of such practices that a second board of inquiry finds it would be detrimental to the public interests to retain him in the service, from which be has now been dismissed. The 1 Telegraph’ remarks upon his case that_ it should be a caution to other’s against allowing themselves to tamper with their position oven by small beginnings, for there was not one man in the Victorian Police who had such a chance of rising to the top of the tree a few years since as the quo who has now loft it in disgrace. The drawing for prizes in Mr K. T. Wheeler’s Art Union will take place at liis ollicc, Stafford street, at seven o’clock tips evening. A special meeting of the Temperance Demonstration Committee will be held in the Athemeum Hall to-morrow (Tuesday) evening at 7.30. We are favored by Mr W. O. Ball, the agent in Dunedin, with a card almanac published by the London and Lancashire hire Insurance Company. It is beautifully illuminated, and contains a tastefully executed elevation of the central office in Liverpool. The new self-delivery reaper Mr C. F. Held it landing ex Albion, is worthy of the attention of agriculturalists. It is the most perfect machine its maker, Mr of Melbourne, has pvpr elaborated. In view of the scarcity of hands likely fco be felt in the coming harvest, it would he wise for onr fanners to follow the lead of the Canterbury burners, and use self-deliverers more than they do. This machine can be changed into a back-delivery reaper in a few minutes by any ordinary farm laborer, there being an extra platform rake and rakeman’s seat supplied with it for this purpose. Its selling price is L 55.