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Evening Star, Issue 3424, 11 February 1874, Page 2

Bachelder’s pantascope again attracted a pretty numerous attendance to the Masonic last evening, and the various views as described by Mr Bent were well received. His Honor the Superintendent has received » telegram from the Bluff, stating that his Excellency’s yacht was seen steering eastward through the Straits yesterday afternoon. The Variety Troupe’s performance at the Princess s was largely attended last evening, and the different performers were loudly applauded. Mr O’Brien appeared to have recovered from the effects of the previous evcning, and on making his appearance was received with quite an ovation by his friends, who seemed to be present in large numbers. A change of programme is announced for this evening. It is evident that they have not in Birmingham such a jury as the one that tried the case of Orkney v Bell, else we should not find the ‘ Inquirer,’ a powerful Unitarian journal, using the following language towards a Mr Perks, who in a recent municipal contest had attacked a Mr Kenrick, the Unitarian cadidate, and the body to which he belongs “Mr Perks’ rhetoric betrayed his want of elementary school education, and his consequent unfitness for any civil office, save that of Mr Bumble.” The ‘ Age ’ the other day called the “ Leviathan ” Grace a. Bumble, but we doubt very much whether an action for libel would lie in Melbourne for so doing. It appears that the proclamation proroguing Parliament from February 10 to April 10, was drawn up on January 10, aud has been chasing the Governor for some weeks. Two nice questions will arise out of yesterday’s proceedings at Wellington. First, if only five lionorables and like number of commoners were in their places, as therefore there could not have been a quorum in either chamber, how came it that either house could proceed to business or adjourn, as both did ? Second, as the Governor must necessarily prorogue both Houses when ho gets to Wellington, can it be maintained that a session has been held, and will hon. gentlemen who have attended be entitled to their honorariums of 1.105? A deputation from the Licensed Victuallers waited upon his Honor the Superintendent this morning, to ask him to undertake, on behalf of

the Provincial Government, the cost of an appeal to the Supreme Court from the decision tt- tt 6 Lic ? nsin S euc h in Richmond's case. Hjs Honor, in the course of the conversation, said he was surprised at the action taken in the matter, as the Provincial Ordinance being uurepealed was still in force, and will remain in force until the new Act comes into operation. Ihe Provincial Executive took legal advice as to the course taken l>y them : every step being in accordance with it, and, so far as he was concerned, he had done nothing without the consent and sanction of the Executive. He recommended those interested to subscribe the necessary amount, as the Government had no power to entertain the question. Several definitions of the term “drunkenness ” were given at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. The first time the word cropped-up was in a charge of larceny, when the arresting sergeant described the prisoner as ‘ sensibly” drunk, which seemed a new phase to his Worship, who asked witness to explain the term; the reply being that he meant his man was not so drunk as to be bereft of his knowledge. The next time it occurred was in a civil case, when one of the crew of the W;dlabi described Captain Leys as being “so drunk that he did not know what he°said,” Another sailor said he judged the captain was drunk because he used abusive language the like of which he never heard him use before; while a third considered him nearly tipsy because he could not keep hia feet. The last definition appeared to give infinite amusement to Ins Worship, who said he thought that instead of being “nearly tipsy,” he must have been a next-door neighbor to drunkenness. A discovery of iron ore, the importance of which can scarcely be estimated, has been made in the Longwood district. The Riverton paper is not at liberty to publish the locality or give any particulars, further than the report of Professor Black on samples from the lode forwarded to him, which is as follows Dunedin, 16th September. Specimen No. 101 is an excellent sample of specular iron ore. It has the same chemical composition as hematite.and is one of the best known ores of iron. When perfectly pure it contains 70 per cent of iron, the balance—3o per cent. —being oxygen. The sample analysed yielded a little over 60 per cent of the metal, 26 per cent oxygen, and 12 per cent silica and other impurities. It is from this ore that the best Elba iron, long so famous,was manufactured. Prom the above analysis you will see that it is ponsiderably richer than the Taranaki sand, and is free from titanium, so objectionable in that deposit. I should say that if there is quantity of the ore easily accessible to coal, it will be one of the most valuable discoveries made in the Colony for some time— James G. Black, Provincial Analyst.” A report from the Professor, dated 2nd December, on another sample, states that “ it is an excellent ore of iron, us it contains 70 per cent of the metal.”

It would appear that an amicable settlement of the dispute between Messrs Borton and M‘Mas ter and the Maerewhonua miners cannot be effected, as the parties prefer to raise the issue of legal right before the tribunal of a local court. The ‘ North Otago Times’ admits that it will he productive of ultimate advantage that the law of the case should be clearly defined, but says there is no disguising the fact that a decision adverse to the miners will be a fatal blow to goldmining at Maerewhenua, and pro tanto a blow to Oaniaru. Whatever may be the upshot of the present proceedings, it will be a question for the careful consideration of Parliament at its next session as to how the recurrence of similar difficulties may be avoided in the fiuure, and some legislative provision must be made without delay for protecting the interest of one of the most important industries in tho country—that of goldmining. If need be, compensation must be made to the runholder, for it is clear that under no circumstances can the Colony afford to have a serious check placed upon its gold mining industry. In the meantime, however, tho miners at Maerewhenua should not be left to bear the whole brunt of the cost of trying the issue, but may faidy claim the assistance of the whole mining population throughout the Colony. -A-f meeting of the Oamaru Dock Trust on the 7th instant, Mr Steward, with the view of ascertaining the position of the Trust at that date asked (1.) How much had been paid, or authonsed to be paid (including the vouchers passed to-day), to the contractors ? (2.) What was the balance available for future expenditure? (3.) What was the distance the wall had been carried out? (4.) To what further distance would the cement now on hand and to arrive, carry tho wall? and (5.) What would he the length wall which could be constructed with the funds available ? It was stated, in reply, that the total sum paid, or authorised to be paid to the contractors, including the vouchers passed to-day, was L15J02 7s 7d; there was a further sum of 10 per cent, due to them, but against this there was a refund. Altogether, if payment for machinery, plant, cement, engineer, in fact all expenditure incurred to date, were taken to account, the amount expended would be in round numbers Jj-0.000. _ With regard to the second question, the Colonial allocation being 1/24,000, and the Provincial L 20,000, there would remain (supposing the harbor tramway to be taken over by the Government at L 5,000), the sum of L 24.000 still to bo expended. The distance to which the wall was now earned out was 2SGft from the starting point; the concrete on hand, and to arrive, would be sufficient to carry the wall 250 ft further, and the funds available, would he calculated, suffice to construct 400 ft, in addition to the 286 ft already constructed. This would be a total of 686 ft, of which 550 ft would be conremainder being the reclamation at the shore end. The following resolution was carried That, in the opinion of the Trust, the contractors are not proceeding with the works in a manner likely to ensure their satisfactory completion within a reasonable period, and that the engineer should be instructed to put in force the powers of the contract to ensure greater vigor in the progress of the works.”

. A deputation from the City Council, consisting of his Worship the Mayor, and Councillors Ivamsay and Keeves, waited upon the Superintendent this morning, in reference to the L 2.000 voted by the Provincial Council at its last session to aid the improvement of York place. It was pointed out that on tbe strength of the Provincial Council vote, the City Council had entered into a contract for the improvement of York place, at a cost of about L 5.000; the work was begun but the contractor died, and fresh tenders were now called for. Since then the Corporation had received intimation that the L 2,000 had not been placed on the supple mentary Estimates last session, and therefore was not available. The object of the deputation was to inquire if the Government could not devise ways and means, so that the Corporation could get a share of the money and go on with the work. —His Honor replied that the resolution of the Council was passed on the last sitting' day of the Council, and thus the vote was not included iu the Appropriation Jjill. Of course the Provincial Auditor would not certify to anything not included in the Appropriation Bill. The Government, would, however, have been willing, upon the strength of the Council s resolution, to have granted a special order for it, but unfortunately when they came to look into the matter he (the Superintendent) found he had overrun the constable for special orders at least he had reached the limit to which the law allowed him to go. It _ was not the desire of the Government to withhold the money; the simple fact was they could not get it.—The deputation inquired if the matter would have to be fought over again, and the Council have to chance the rejection of the vote ? The Corporation would not Shave proceeded w jth the work if they had thought there was any doubt about the vote. Could not the Government advance a few pouuds, if there remained that sum unexpended ou account of special orders, and so acknowledge the vote of the Council?-His Honor replied that the vote would have to be put in the Appropriation Ordinance. He did not think the Provincial Council would reject the vote, to do which would be repudiation ; and, under the resolution passed,, jthe Corporation might make sure of the money. Bpt there was no possible way of getting the mopey now* it was a physical impossibility to get one’s handintp the , Treasury. He found that the resolution : ‘ pledged” the Council “to make good the! amount/’ Ho would have had no hesitation in passing a special order on the strength of that resolution, if there had been any money availablc.—The deputation were a little late iu waiting on his Honor, and i it was ex-

plained that the delay arose in consequence of thejr having acted on his Honor’s suggestion in reference to Cumberland street, and had had an interview with the Finance Committee of the Presbyterian Synod. The offer of the Government to level and plant the face of the lull was laid before the Committee, who, however thought they were not in a position to do anything, Mr Cargill being strongly of opinion that the land was vested in the Superintendent, ihe views of the Committee, so far as the deputation could learn, were opposed to giving up the Church land for the purpose of forming the street, unless they got an equivalent.—His Honor thought it was a mistake to say that the lands_ were vested in him. If such were the case it was a very simple thing. He, however, would look into the matter.

Cricketing hero though lie be, and “ gentleman as he ought to be, Mr W. C. Grace seems to be an arrant snob. Several paragraphs confirmatory of that opinion have appeared in the Australian papers. The Press of Warnauibool is pretty unanimous on the point. \\ nting of the recent illustrious visit to that town, the ‘ Advertiser’ says :—■“ The English cricketers as a body have left anything but a good impression on the people of this town; but this, so far as we can understand, is mainly due to the conduct of the captain of the team, Mr u . C. Grace, who disgusted everybody by his uncouth manners, enormous self-conceit, and vulgar language, including expletives that have long been obsolete or banished to the stews here as well as in England. In Waniambool the mistake was made of paying him too much attenteon, but as the thing arose from an excess of hospitable feeling it would be ungenerous to find fault. Residents in places he may be niore 011 their guard.’” ihe Examiner ’ thus notices the departure of the Englishmen : —“ The professional portion of the team went on board at five o’clock, and the gentlemen at about seven. There was no demonstration made, and there seemed to be a feeling of relief when the last lot was seen. The public ball given in honor of the English cricketers took place at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday evening last. One piece of flunkeyism was done at the ball. When Mr G. W Grace entered the room the band ceased playing dance music, and struck up ‘See the Conquering Hero comes!’ Of course the dancers ui i * eave their pleasure while this abominable kow-tow-ing was going on. Some of the cricketers of the Warnambool Club met on Saturday to say good-bye to the Melbourne contingent, Messrs Conway, Cooper, Caggin, and Allen, Mr Hickling. on behalf of the club, complimented them on the courtesy and friendliness they had shown while there, and said he hoped to see them down again to play a genial match. He further remarked that he was sorry he could not speak in similar terms of those who had represented the English team, and thatthe less said of them the better. As a specimen of what a gentleman the captain of the All-England Eleven is, we may state that, after insulting one of the Warnambool cricket committee, he afterwards excused his rudeness by saying that he thought he was one of the ‘ reporters for the Press.' We omit any expletives that might have been used. Had it not been for *’ ie ‘ reporters of the Press,’ such a person as W. C. Grace would never have been known to the general public.” The North Dunedin Cadets will muster in ii ll V2' vn Drill-shed, on Thursday (to-morrow), at half-past seven. Mrs Hamaan’s annual ball at St. George’s Hall last evening was a thorough success, being attended by over 100 couples, by whom dancing was spiritedly kept up till nearly four this morning.