The Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1873

Evening Star, Issue 3387, 29 December 1873, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1873

A post and telegraph office is to be erected at Mosgiel. There was a large attendance at the Princess Theatre on Saturday evening, when the Christmas pantomime was repeated. The name of his Honor the Superintendent was accidentally omitted from the list of persons who had the private entree to the Governor’s levee on Saturday. We would remind our readers that the entertainment at the Queen’s Theatre this evening is under vice-regal patronage. A capital programme is announced. Bachelder’s pantoscope improves nightly. As this is the last week this entertainment will be given in Dunedin, wo would advise those who have not yet visited the Masonic Hall to embrace the present opportunity. The sum of LIO,OOO is the amount of damages Mr De Coureey Ireland intends to sue Capt. Chapman (H.M.S. Dido) for. The ground of action is the alleged false imprisonment of Mr Ireland on board the Dido at Fiji. As an instance of early reaping of oats, the ’Lyttelton Times’ mentions that a miller in Christchurch has purchased a large parcel of new oats from a farmer on Kaiapoi Island, which are to be delivered before New Year’s Day. The effect of the combination by the banks to reduce the price of gold bears its fruit already. The minors in the Wakatip district have put up their backs. They will not sell their gold, and never, in our memory (observes the ‘ Mail ’), at any Christmas season has the precious metnl b«eu so scarce. The next escort v/ill, in consequence, be a very small one.

Tt is said that the deduction of five per con on the premiums allowed by the Governjnen Life Insurance offices to officiating monster and permanent officers of the General Govern meat, will cease on all policies granted after the 31st of December.

We notice that the last number of the ‘New Zealand Gazette’ contains the names of the public vaccinators in the Province, and the days on which their services will be placed at the aisposal of the public; but as neither notification is likely to be seen by those interested, we shall recommend the Government to advertise both. A monster sweep forLl,oooon the Melbourne Two-year-old Race —to take place at the New Year’s meeting—is advertised in rho Hokitika papers. There will bo thirty-two prizes, apportioned as follows ;—First, L 583 6s 8d ; second, L 166 13s Id ; third. LB3 Os Gd ; .starters, LB3 6s 6d ; non-starters, LS3 6s Cd. Ihe drawing takes place on the 30th inst. The local immigration agent at Invercargill (Mr W. 11 Pearson) despatched by the mail which closed on Friday, nearly 700 nominations, collected since the Ith inst, Ihc Aews thinks the fact speaks for itself in evidence of a web-founded belief in the resources of the district, and should confirm the Government in its resolve to lay on ships direct for the Bluff.

The circus was again well patronised on Saturday evening, when the programme of the previous evening was gone The vanous equine, acrobatic, and gymnastic feats were all successfully performed and were well received "Young American appeared in several now characters. A highly amusing farce, entitled “The Road to Doimybrook,” concluded the entertainment.

Work (remarks the ‘Wakatip Mail’) seems abundant enough up here on the goldfields towns. It has to bo sought after, and pcih.ips, after all, may not be the kind of labor in demand. Yet we are losing a good many hands. They state they cannot get work at remunerative rates, and therefore go to a place where they can get it and be regularly paid in cash, and not in kind or by contra accounts.

A case of importance to anyone finding money or valuables was decided at the Court of Petty Sessions the other day in Auckland, when two men were sentenced to fourteen days’ imprisonment, with hard labor, for retaining a purse and spending a portion of the money which it contained, after they knew who owned them. The sentence was a light one, owing to the fact that the purse and a portion of the money were replaced in the spot where the purse was originally found. writes in the ‘Australasian’:— “There has been some brisk gambling lately, and the luck has been a little against the professionals, who, I am confident, always playfair, especially when they are winning. One of the liveliest encounters was that of a spirited fellow who had lost at hazard L 2.400 by five o’clock a.m. Ho stuck to his men, anil by eleven o’clock had won back the amount with L2OO more. He then shaved and went to Dowling Forest races.”

The recent sultry weather is affecting the crops ami trade in the country. At Clarks, wc begin to hear of a slackening of the water supply. At Mount Ida the high parching winds have done a great deal of damage to all vegetation, many young trees being completely shrivelled up. The ‘ Chronicle’ fears the potato ciops will have been injured, and more so because from the previous fine season, the check to the rich growth will be felt more keenly. At Clyde the gardens have suffered severely. Mr Fcraud, of Monto Christo, estimates his loss by the ton ; while at the Teviot the loss is an entire one.

There was a good attendance at the Headquarters Drill-shed on Saturday, when the programme of the previous evening was repeated. Of Mr Kennedy’s songs, “ Scots wha hae” and the “Land of the Leal” were the most appreciated ; while his jokes and stories created infinite amusement. “ The march of the Cameron men,” by Mr David, was deservedly encored : and similar compliments were paid to Miss Marjory for “Will you no come back again,” and to the family for “ The Berks of Aberfeldy,” For the last mentioned “ Cruiskeen Lawn” was substituted. There will bo a complete change of programme this evening’.

It is officially notified that on the first of January the new issue of postage stamps will be as under The penny stainp-the Queen’s head on an oval ground, printed in mauve; the twopenny —the Qu-en’s head in a dotted circle, priij in crimson lake ; the threepence—the Queer's bead in a circle, printed in sepia browns the fourpence—the Queen’s head on a square ground, printed in Indian red ; the sixpence - the Queen's bead in circle and hexagon, printed in blue ; the one shilling, the Queen’s head on an oval ground, printed in green; the half-penny stamp to remain unchanged. The rate of postage on letters posted in the Colony for Australia and Tasmania will be reduced from 3d to 2d per half-ounce.

The ship City of Dunedin, which Strived in Port Chalmers to-day, brought 138 immigrants, equal to 115 adults. The trades and occupations of the heads of the families are:—one cooper ; two weavers ; five agricultural laborers ; four farm laborers ; one engine driver; four tailors; one shoemaker; one spinner; two carters ; two porters ; one shepherd ; two fishermen ; seven domestic servants ; two porters ; two miners; one ploughman; three joiners ; one housemaid ; two bailors; one farm servant; one gasfitter : one blacksmith ; one household servant. They will be coftvpyed to town by tbe s.s. Golden Age at op* o’clock to-morrow; and the time of their engagement will be advertised. The Surat, which left London on September 28, the day after the departure of the City of Dunedin from Glasgow, brings 213 statute adults, and may bo now hourly looked for. Applications have been received by the Immigration Officer for forty farm laborers and about twenty-four female servants.

His Excellency the Governor, attended by his Aid-de-camp, together with the Hon. Jnlius Vogel and lady, and a few friends, this morning visited the establishment of Messrs Guthrie and Asher, timber merchants. The party arrived at about cloven o’clock, and was introduced by Mr W. J. M. Larnach, the upper portion of Messrs Gibbs and Clayton’s factory being first inspected. Mr S. Clayton conducted the visitors through the different departments, explaining the various machines and processes used in the course of manufacture. A novel machine, for turning broom-handles, appeared especially to excite his Excellency’s interest, he trying his hand at turning one of those useful articles. They were then shown through the turnery and furniture departments by Mr Reynolds, and the sash and door, glazing, and store rooms ; after which came the heavier class of machinery, all of which was at work, and the extensive yard, with its large stock of timber and travelling crane for moving the heavier logs. The visitors spent an hour and fjvbalf in going over the premises, and, on leaving, expressed great gratification at what they had seen. We had intimation by telegraph tbe other day of a fatal accident at Arthur’s Point, by which a miner named Thomas W. Hatton lost his life. At the inquest James Arnai gave the following evidence Me W/ifi working with the deceased quarrying; there was another man working there also, called Thomas Karrison. They had put in a small blast, wheij. .suddenly the rock slipped, injuring Harrison and killing Hatton. The ground came over his head without touching him. There was about fifty tons of stuff came down.” Harrison, the man referred to in Amal’s evidence, and who is now in hospital, says ho was shot, as it ap- j peared to him, fifty yards ; that he remembers 1 seeing Hatton killed; but cannot recollect how the accident took place. The ‘Mail’ says the accident by which Hatton lost his life was no doubt the result of want of caution, and a blind refusal to listen to warnings, Nevertheless, exertions have been made to provide for the widow and fatherless. The brothers of the A.O.P. have performed their part in the spirit the society inculcates, and the public have with great sympathy extended their hand in aid of. the widow and orphans. The subscriptions already collected exceed LIOO. Icx a lecture on “ RomiueHccnses of an Immigration Officer,” delivered at Westland a few days since, by Mr Broad, 11. M., ho showed his audience the fearful results of chartering unsuitable vessels, overloading them with passengers, and of their being permitted to go to sea ill-found in provision.;, medical comforts, and

in boats and gear necessary for the safety of those on hoard - referring to the terrible sufferings of the passengers and alarming inoitah-y on board those vessels tier f r some time after the gold discoveries in Victoria were used as double-decked shb s. Tn the case of the Mayen Polo, upAjirds of 1,100 souls were crowned together for a voyage to the Antipodes. He also enumerated other which, t 'rough crowding between decks, insufficient water, etc., reached Port Phillip perfect pest ships ; typhus raging in a malignant form among their passengers, of whom an alarming percentage had in various instances succumbed to the horrors of the passage. Atthc conclusion of his subject, be expressed his opinion that even in the present improved condition of_ passenger shins, great reform, was necessary in the matter of providing sufficient boats. Even at the pre-ent time, in ships so well appointed as < Ireen’s end W)gram’s, the provision in that important particular was altogether insufficient, the boats being too few, and the ship’s long-boat invaliably being so hampered with sheep, pigs, or a milch cow, as the case may be, and fenced in with spars and general odds and ends, that hours would be lust in breaking it out ; and when that was accomplished it would be very doubtful if the boats were found to bo seaworthy. A very alarming bush-fire raged at Woodlands on the 20th and succeeding days. Largo quantities of timber and a couple of cottages were destroyed. At one time the manse and church were in great danger. The ‘ News’s ’ account is, that “ as it seemed impossible that the manse could bo saved, the furniture was rapidly removed to a safe distance. The roof was then maimed, and there being a small fireengine available and a good supply of water close at hand, the walls were kept wet; whilst a dozen buckets were used to pour water on the roof, which had caught fire. By great exertions the building was saved from _ destruction. There was over a quarter of a mile frontage of one vast flame not more than sixty or seventy yards distant, with the high wind blowing directly on the house; but the men stuck to their work with heroic determination, although nearly roasted and suffocated, and, after about an hour, saw their labor crowned with success, as the flame by that time was considerably lower. Some of the high trees close to the church and stable, which had been lighted by the sparks, burned fiercely for a long time, the wind driving flakes of fire in all directions. The stable and com' sheds were several times on fire, and as often extinguished. The Haines then spread towards the sawmill of Messrs Strang and Co., but did not roach near enough to do any damage. As the wind fell towards night the fire got lower, and although watches were set at the manse and .sawmill but little more danger was apprehended. On Tuesday, however, the wind rose again and fanned thi fire into renewed activity. It soon threatened the sawmill with destruction. The alarm was given about I p.m., when all hands turned out, and by clearing away the brushwood and plying the water freely, the danger was averted for the time; but on two sides of the mill the ground was covered with burning logs within a few yards of the buildings. At 9 p.m. a light rain reduced the fire and removed any further immediate apprehensiod. The damage done—not including the destruction of timber —is as follows : —Mr Gobi, about 3» chains fencing : at the manse, about 20 chains ; Strang and Co., about 40 chains of tramway burned. The manse and furniture were covered by insurance.” The time for receiving entries for the ensuing Caledonian games is extended till to-morrow even ng. The Rev. Mr Macrae will preach in Gaelic, in the ok) First Church, this evening, for the last time before returning north. ' A meeting of the Temperance Demonstration Committee will be held in the Athemeum on Wednesday evening next, at 7.30. The 110 th meeting of the Permanent Building Society of Otago will be held in the offices of the Society, Temple Chambers, to morrow (Tuesday) evening, at 7 o’clock The portion of the North Dunedin Rifle Company that has not yet competed for representatives will do so at the North Dunedin range to-morrow afternoon, at half-past 3. The first Flower Show of the season will be held to-morrow in the grounds of Mr J. Hyde Harris, Albany street. The show will be open from 2.30 to 6 p.m,, and from 7 p.m. to 12 o’clock. We have received from Messrs Mills, Dick. !vn<l Co., a, copy o£ the Otago Waste Lauds Act, 1872, edited by Mr J. A. Connell. A new and valuable feature in this compilation is an analytical index, which affords ready means of reference to the provisions of the Act, and is calculated to save much time when reference to them is fjeeded, ns well as to prevent liability to error regarding our ponderous and complicated land system.