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Evening Star, Issue 3391, 3 January 1874, Page 2

A special train will leave Dunedin to-mor-row morning, at 7.30, to meet the Yire and to bring the shipwrecked immigrants by the Surat up to Dunedin. informed that arrangements have been made to supply them with such clothing and other requirements as may be found necessary.

The Port Chalmers Wesleyan Sunday School picnic was held to-day, in the paddock of Mr M'Derraid, Sawyer’s Bay.

We have been requested to state that the mail via San Francisco will close here on the Bth, instead of the 13th inst., as formerly announced.

The pantomime seems to be increasing in public favor, for again last evening there was a capital attendance; the lower parts of the house being especially well filled. All are now well up in their parts, and the burlesque portion of the entertainment has deeideoly improved.

The diorama was numerously patronized at both the afternoon and evening entertainments, the children seeming to be thoroughly well pleased with the amusement provided for them. This evening will be the last opportunity that the Dunedin public will have of witnessing this entertainment.

The circus was again well attended last evening, and the various feats met with the apparent satisfaction of the audience. Young American and Mr Gorman went through some difficult evolutions on the flying rings very gracefully ; and the clown, Mr Murray, introduced several new jokes. ' Kennedy family had a crowded house last night, the performance being received as enthusiastically as ever, although Mr Kennedy had to apologise for not being in his usual good voice, owing to atmospheric influences. It was announced that on and after Monday next the company will appear at the Masonic Hall, The number of inmates at the Benevolent Institution on the 31st December, 1873, was 75, comprising 17 men, 4 women, 32 boys, and 22 girls. The number of cases of out-door relief during the month of December, 1873. was 292, comprising 18 men, 71 women, ana 208 children. This was done at a weekly cost of Ll7 10s 6d. An inquest was held at Mount Pleasant, on the 22nd ultimo, before Mr F. A. Monckton, on the body of a man named James Dodds, a bullock driver, forty years of age. Deceased, who is a married man, met his death on the 20th inst. by a waggon wheel passing over his head and neck. A verdict of accidental death was returned. As a boat containing a party of ladies and gentlemen was going to Broad Bay from Portobello, yesterday morning, by some mishap an oar was lost, and in the attempt to recover it the boat got half filled with water. The people on the Golden Ago a (which was passing at the rime) heard the-screams of the women, and picked up the company, who were more frightened than hurt. The Melbourne ‘ Argus ’ of the 17th nit. gives the following with regard to the discovery of coal near Sale“ A splendid block of coal from the Excelsior mine, near JHariewood, six miles from thb proposed railway line, was brought to Sale on Monday. The seam commences thin, widening to 2ft. at a depth of Bft. There are several seams- The main deposit is a seam of hard coal 31in. thick, resting on clay and sandstone. Above this are Bft. of inferior shale, with numerous thin seams of coal making into thicker seams. There is every probability a seam of coal Bft. or 10ft. thick will bo struck, as all seams dip ono way. The quality of the coal is very good, especially for gas purposes. It gives a much greater heat than charcoal. It is intended to place the mine on the market. Several banks of rich iron ore have also been found. Twelve tong of coal have been raised tp the surface.”

The model steamer made bv Messrs Ni and 0. Waft, the sons of Mr I. N. Watt, of this City,- was inspected yesterday by the Governor and Lady Fergusson, accampauied by a party of ladies and gentlemen, amongst whom were the Hon. Julius- Vogel- and Mrs Vogel, his Honor the Superintendent, Mr Strode, R.M., &c. A trough about thirty feet long has been fitted up at the Octal or Market, and in this the boat was floated, steam up, and all ready for christening. This ceremony was got through by the ladies present tasting some champagne, the name given to the craft being the Lady Fergusson. The bridge was afterwards taken off, and the engines handed round for inspection. His Excellency suggested that the model should be sent to London for exhibition, and the constructors were also complimented by the Premier for the ingenuity they displayed in making the model. The boiler is constructed of copper, and is a combination of the wet bottom and tubular principles; the fuel used is charcoal and Shag Point coal; the engines are direct-acting, and are fitted with the link reversing gear. There are also a donkey engine to fill the boiler, and a pump worked by an. eccentric on the main shaft, to pump out any water that may leak in through the main shaft stuffing-box, *r elsewhere. The hull of the vessel is iron; she is a full-rigged brig, and a very pretty model; is built on the scale of hnlf-an-mch to the foot, and, thus measured, would be of the total burden of 687 tons. The following are some of her absolute measurements Length on deck, 7ft 7ia; do on keel, 6ft 7in; beam, Ift 3in; depth of hold, 9in; draught forward, 6|in; draught aft, 9£in. She will be exhibited next week to the public. Last evening Mr Alfred Anderson, wbo has taken a part with the Carandini family as pianist, during their concerts here, took a benefit at the Queen’s Theatre, under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Lady Fergusson, the Hon. J. Vogel and Mrs Vogel, and the Caledonian Society of Otago. Captain Jacquemart and officers of the French warship Viro also purposed being present, but were denied the pleasure through the higher duty undertaken by them of giving assistance to the unfortunate voyagers by the Surat. The selection of music was a good one, and the bouse was literally crammed in every part. The vocal pieces were given by Madame Carandini, her daughters, and Messrs Sherwin and Gordon, while Mr Anderson, lyith the aid of a pupil, provided the purely instrumental. We do not know that we ever beard the ladies sing more effectively than last evening. In the first part the cavatina “Let me love thee” was finely rendered by Miss Fannie; “Auld Robin Gray,” unadorned excepting by genuine fed* ing, was given by Madame Carandini; the expression was almost faultless; while Miss Rosina’s “Sweet Spirit hear my prayer” could scarcely bo excelled in pathos. It seemed almost barbarous to have the deep sympathy that seemed to pervade the audience, rudely broken by the bursts of applause that were but the tribute due to the efforts of the singers. In the second part, Miss Fannie’s “ Dermot Asthore ” was faultlessly sung; a duet, “Sainted Mother,” by Madame and Miss Rosina, was an exquisite piece of vocalisation and cultivated taste; and the simple, beautiful Irish ballad, “ Knte O’Shane,” which never fails to charm when sung by Miss Rosina, formed the chief features. Mr Gordon’s flue voice was heard to great advan tage in “ The Slave Ship” and “ The Village Blacksmith.” We do not know of a more pro mising singer than this gentleman. His only shortcoming appears to be lack of experience and of the capabilities of his own voice, which needs a little training to come under the command of the feelings. As to Mr Anderson’s playing we need not remark. His extraordinary execution and brilliant touch always command admiration, but we do not think he docs himself justice in the class of music he selects. Brilliancy is not all. It may dazzle, but does not always reach the feelings. He was fortunate in having the assistance of a lady, already an advanced musician when placed under his tuition. Her playing does equal credit to his training and that of her former teachers. It will be seen that Madame Carandini will take a benefit on Wednesday, when she will be assisted by several members of the Dunedin Choral Society, in recognition of the handsome manner in which Miss Fannie and Mr Gordon gave their gratuitous assistance at the performance of the “Messiah.” The Society would gladly have secured their help on the usual terms of engagement of professional musicians, but the offer was generously declined, and the valuable assistance was freely and cheerfully given. This explanation is due ‘to Madame Carandini and her talented family, and we are quite sure that the kindly feeling shown by them will be reciprocated by the public.

The weekly meeting of the Sons of Temperance will be held on Monday evening, at the usual hour.

The monthly meeting of the Union Permanent Bulding Society will be held next Monday evening, from 7 to 8 o’clock.

The usual monthly meeting of the National Permaueaf; Biding Society will be held on Monday evening, from 6 to 8 o’clock.

Prayer meetings will be held throughout next week. _ The days and places of meeting are notified in our advertising columns. The committee of the Otago Benevolent Institution acknowledge in our advertising columns the receipt of several donations in aid of the charity.

The model steamship Lady Pergusson, lately built by Messrs N. and 0. Watt, will be exhibited in the Octagon, market on Monday next, and during the week.

The Commercial Building and Mutual Investment Society will hold its usual fortnightly meeting next Monday evening, at the Society’s office#, from six to eight o’clock. The 'Christian Record’ is rather weak this week, but we truet tljat now that firmness and decision are of importance, efforts will he made to give powerful help against sectarian tendencies. There is ample room for improvement.

M.essrs Kemp and Perriman, scenic artists, take a joint benefit at the Princess Theatre on Monday evening; and as it is mainly owing to the strenuous exertions of these gentlemen that the pantomime has proved such a success, we trust their efforts wilj be substantially recognised.

We have received copies of the ( New Zealand Tablet’ and the ‘Truth-seeker.’ The former replies to the ‘ Guardian ’ and Star ; and the latter contains an article on Sunday Trains, Signs of the Times, Notes by Caustic, and much ver 7 interesting matter. We beg to acknowledge the receipt, from the Chancellor, of the New Zealand University Calendar for 1874. In addition to the calendar, it contains a reprint of the University Act, 1873, the regulations and statutes, as approved by the Governor in Council, and the scholarship examinations of 1873.