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Evening Star, Issue 3417, 3 February 1874, Page 2

We understand that the Provincial Government intend to an immigration barrack at Riverton. Mr Paul, the Secretary for the Surat Relief I 1 und, has received L 33 from Oamaru, the proceeds of an entertainment; L 4 15s 6d from Waikouaiti; and from Messrs Guthrie and Asher, LlO 10s. The total amount contributed up to this time is L 754 14s, The regular monthly meeting of the Volunteer Fire was held last evening. A letter from the City Council, relative to hose, was readand received, Mr Lewis stated that he had nothing to report in the absence of the captain, unless it was that the new uniforms were being quickly finished. Mr Haydon, of the Imperial Hotel, was elected an honorary member for the next twelve months, MrH. Walker, of the Red Lion Hotel, was also elected an honorary member, after which the meeting terminated.

A young lad, named William Todd, 15 years old, and sou of Mr Todd, farmer, East Taieri, met with rather a sudden death on Saturday last. A bullock having bolted out of the farm yard, the lad jumped on a bare-backed horse ai j followed it so as to prevent it leaving the yard. A short time afterwards the horse was found returning riderless, and the lad was almost immediately picked up insensible. Dr Inglis, who examined him, stated that he had received concussion of the brain, and he died a few hours afterwards.

A meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held last evening at the Empire Hotel. Amongst other matters brought up for discussion was that of the improvement and enlargement of the grand stand, and the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to take the whole matter into consideration, and bring up a report upon the subject:—Messrs Moore, Scott, and Marshall. The stand will probably be brought forward a considerable distance, and the entrance to the saddling paddock will be a circular arch at the side. The question of the formation of a good thoroughfare from the main road to the grand stand will also be considered by the committee. A committee (Messrs Dowse, Dodson, and Gourlay) was also appointed to report upon the best course for the steeplechase to take place in March next. The committees will visit the ground on Friday next for this purpose and that of examining the grand stand, and will bring up their reports at their next meeting.

The Queen s Variety Troupe opened "at the Princess last.' evening to one of the best houses we have seen there for many a day. The stalls and pit were inconveniently crowded, and the circle was well attended. Each member of the company met with a favorable reception, but that accorded to Mr O’Brien was such as is only given to a very old and deserving favorite. Of course the principal member is Miss Lizzie Watson, whose forte is comic singing, though she is a capable ballad singer. She has immense “go,” and of necessity is very taking in her character songs. Mr Braham is a vocalist of the Rickards stamp, but must not be compared to that singer. Still he pleases his audience greatly, which is sufficient, and where he strikes out for himself, as he did in his Quilp-like song, can be very amusing. Alex. O Brien is the same as over, and people laugh as heartily at his Salamander Sam as if they had not seen it before. He is assisted in the negro eccentricities by Mr Baker, who has a pleasing and light tenor voice, and dances well. Mr Kiley represents the Irish comic element, sings very well, and represents “The Bobby” to perfection. Lastly, there are Mle. Blanche and M. Hanraew, who perform on the trapeze with considerable success. All the songs last night were encored; and it almost follows, from last night’s reception of the troupe, that they will have a successful season.

A meeting of the Caversham Cricket club will be held in the Drill-shed, Caversham, on Friday evening, at 8 o’clock. A meeting of the Council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society will be held in the City Council Chamber to-morrow at 2 p.m. An adjourned meeting of gentlemen intereated m the establishment of Turkish baths will be held in the Criterion Hotel at eight o’clock to-morrow evening. A deputation of the Dunedin School Committee, with a number of citizens, will wait upon the City Council to-morrow evening at 6.45, to confer with them as to the site of a Fourth School prior to the meeting of the Council