Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 3558, 18 July 1874, Page 2

The San Francisco mail is again behind time. The Macgregor was due at Auckland yesterday, but there was no sign of her arrival at that port up to the time of our going to press. We are informed that Mr L. 0. Beal and Mr Warren, both late of the Bank of New Zealand, have been appointed on the staff of the Colonial Bank; also that Mr A. W. Morris will hold an official situation in the same establishment. The ‘Clutha Leader’ states that a Mr Mackay, from Dunedin, arrived at Balclutha one night lately, and found the hotels so lull t'iat he could not get a lodging anywhere. He lay down in a comfortable spot and slept soundly. On waking up he found he was in the cellar : a house had been built over him in the night—such is the fastuess of life at the Ferry. The ‘ Wanganui Herald ’ states that, “led by ffonare Matua, the Maoris have appointed one of their race to attend the ensuing session of Parliament and report to them all the proceedings that are of any interest to them. His expenses will be paid by subscriptions. A meeting, to be held in Wellington, has also been call d to consider the welfare o! their race, and it will be attended by delegates from various parts of the Colony.” We observe by our Christchurch files that the company formed by Mr Towers, and which left here some short time back for Christchurch, has been very successful in that city. Mias Rosa Towers, especially, has

won golden opinions from the public and the Press—both local papers being unanimous in their criticisms as to the merits of this clever little lady. We are glad to perceive that the estimate we formed of Miss Towers’s ability has been thus confirmed. The company leave for Wellington on the 2lst. Mr Small announces that he will give his last entertainment- at the Queen’s (heatre this evening, when prizes to the value of L4O will be distributed. Taking into consideration Mr Small’s thoughtfulness in closing the Queen’s last evening, m order to second the efforts ot the Dramatic Club in their laudablo undertaking, we feel confident that when we state that te-night is set apart for this gentleman’s benefit, there will be a crowded Rouse.

We have much pleasure in stating that this morning Mr W. J. M. Larnach handed to Mr H. S. i'ish, jun,, a cheque from Mr Joseph Clarke and one for LSO from himself, both suras to be given over to the funds for the establishment of the Sailors’ Home. In so doing Mr Larnach intimated, although not exacting it as a condition, that both he and Mr Clarke would prefer that their subscriptions should, if possible, be applied specially to providing a library in connection with the institution.

There was not much business transacted at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day. Margaret Toomey, an immigrant by the Caroline, and John Moren, charged with being drunk and disorderly, were let off with a caution; and Henry Pearson was fined 20s, with the option of three days’ imprisonment. On a further charge of using obscene language, Moren was mulcted in the sura of 20 s, in default forty-eight hours’ imprisonment with hard labor, Messrs T. Birch and C. Plextnan, J. P.’s, were the presiding justices. An inquest was held at the Mosgiel Hotel yesterday, on the body of Jane M‘Neil, who was drowned at Silverstream on the previous day. Deceased, it appears, had been a passenger in a coach from Mos giel to East Taieri, and during the passage she opened the coach door and jumped out. As she was under the influence of liquor, the coachman did not stop for her, and it is supposed that she must have stumbled about until she fell into ihe ditch where she was picked up. The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally drowned. Several members of the Dunedin Athemtum forwarded the other day, through Mr David K. Hay, honorary secretary, a very handsome tea and coffee service and salver to Mr 0. B. Winter, now ot Napier, as a slight mark of appreciation of his services to the Institute for a period of seven years. Mr Winter has been promoted to the managership of the Bank of Australasia ia Napier. He always took a lively interest in the Atheuseum, and we are sure that the service now presented him wdl be a pleasing recollection of his connection wi hj that Institute.

The case of Wallace v. Dewar, was concluded at the Supreme Court yesterday. The plaintiff claimeM Ll,ooo damages for malicious prosecution. The plaintiff’s declaration stated that defendant maliciously, md without reasonable or probable cause, charged the plaintiff with unlawfully and maliciously pulling down a building which, with other property, was held by the plaintiff for a term of years then unexpired. Ihe plaintiff was committed on the said charge to take his trial, but was acpuitted by the jury. The jury, after deliberating for abmt an hour, gave the plaintiff L 250 damages.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Port Chalmers, this morning, before Captain Thomson and Dr. Drysdale, J.P.’s, Henry Ford, for disoueyiug a summons, after offering an ample apology, was discharged. He was then further charged by the chief officer of the s.s. i-asby with disobeying orders. He being willing to go on board, aud the chief officer to take him, he was discharged. William Hayes, for being absent without leave from the ship Caroline, was sent to gaol for fourteen days, with hard labor ; and vVilliam L ster, charged with embezzlement; of cargo from the ship Hindostan, was remanded until the 24th iust.

Whilst au lack Clutha recently, we (‘ Clutha Leader’) were highly gratified by seeing and listening to the chattering of some of the Australian magpies turned out some time since in the vicinity. To those who have spent any considerable time in Australia, the sight of one of these birds will recall many old associations and happy memories. We congratulate the Acclimatisation Society ou the success which has hitherto attended their efforts in acclimatising these tirds. Californian quail, also, are very plentiful at Inch Clutha, while partridges are now very plentiful upon the ridges in the vicinity of the Molyneux river from Inch Clutha to Tuapeka Mouth, Parties who have traversed these districts inform us that scarcely a gully >’a passed without a covey being flashed. Pheasants and game also abound in the same locality. No engagements were effected at the Immigratioa narracks to-day. Twenty single girls and eight young men were forwarded to Milton, a special coach being laid on by Cobb and Co. for that purpose. Forty of the single men by the Cartsburn (the first batch from that ship) were brought to town last evening. The remainder of her immigrants are to be temporarily quartered on the Quarantine Island; while those on the Sussex will probably remain where they are till Tuesday or Wednesday, when the barracks w ill in all likelihood be able to accommodate them. Three families left the barracks this morning, having taken houses of their.own ; and others would follow could they find accommodation. More immigrants’ cottages are evidently wanted, several married couples being unable to take work, as they cannot get houses. All the single girls by the Hindostan have been engaged, as have those by the Caroline who were fund suitable. The greater portion of those by the latter vessel have not learned to cook, and this is found to be a serious inconvenience, several ladies Laving declined to take them as servants on that account.

The quarterly summoned meeting of Court Pride of Dunedin, No. 3780, Ancient Order of Foresters, was held in the South Australian Hall, Princes street, on Tuesday evening last. The balance • sheet presented showed a profit on the quarter of L 57 13s to the Sick Fund, and L 22 10s 4|d to the Management Fund; total, LBO 3s Hd. This being the end of the financial year, the Secretary read a report, from which we take the following:—The membership has increased during the year from 191 to 210 ; sick Fund, from (1,357 18s 11s 1 i 4*-l to L 1,545 lie Bgd ; Management Fund, from 1485 14s t»£d to L 547 2s 2£d ; being a total of L2,U92 13s lid, or a profit of L 248 19s 5d for the year. The following officers were elected for the ensuing si* mouths :—C. K., Bro. Andrew Chisholm ; S.C.R., Bro. Alex. Watson; Treasurer, Bro. F. Tofield ; -,ec., Bro. J. Wilsou; 8. W., Bro. J, M. Crerrey; J. W., Bro. F. Whitmore ; S. B , Bro. a. Bine,air ; J. 8., Bro, M. Butler; . ssistantSec., Bro. J. .s imon. A P.G.R’s neck ribbon and framed certificate wore voted to the retidng Q.R., Bro Wm. Fink. A hearty vote of thanks was tendered to the retiring officers for the veiy efficient manner in which they bad filled their respective offices during the past term. A meeting of the Harbor Trust was held this morning : present—The Mayor (in the chair), Messrs Davie, M'Dermid, MMSeil, Neill, Beeves, Stout, Tewsloy, and Thone-

man. The finance commitlee reported that they had applied to the Uxovernmeat t» have banded over to the Board the dues receivable from jetty, harbor, and pilotage fees, and that Mr Turnbull (Provincial Treasurer) had stated in reply that the applica- ion would be laid before the first meeting of tke Executiye. Till the reply was received the committee did not feel in a position to do anything. It was reselved that the report be approved.—Mr M‘Derm id objected to anything being done until it was clearly shown the Board was really in existence, and had power to act.—Mr M ‘ Veil pointed out that a beginning must be made at some time, and that although the Board was not yet in a position to raise the whole of the L 250.000 they were empowered to do, still they could get sufficient to go on with. —lt was decided to advertise in the Dunedin papers for a secretary, at a salary of LSOO per annum ; aid also, in the Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, Melbourne, ~nd Sydney papers, for an engineer, at a salary of LI 000 per annum.—A telegram from Mr J. L. Gillies was read, placing the library of the Provincial Council at the disposal of the disposal of ti;e Board for its meetings tempo arily.—Messrs M'Meil, Beeves, Thomsen, and Tewsley were appointed a works committee, and the meeting adjourned till Satur* day next.

Mr Ramsay addressed a crowded meeting of the electors at the Mission House, Russell street, last evening. Mr William Couston was voted to the chair. The candidate, having fully explained his views on general matters affecting the ratepayers, stated, in reply to questions, that the report that ha was the only Councillor who favored the reduction of the daymen’s wages was altogether incorrect. The Councillors were unanimous that the daymen’s wages should be reduced to 7s per day, as the wages paid to ratepayers outside the Council, similarly employed, were only 6s and 7s per day. He also denied that he ever endeavored to prevent the working man having a vote. The man who was strongly in favor of plurality of votes was Mr Fish. He also denied that his name had been taken off the Volunteer roll. Me had been elected an bon. member of the company to which he belonged. Mr Ramsay, also in referring to the abuse heaped upon Messrs Larnach and Clarke and himself on the Mechanics’ and Working Man’s Club question, treated with contempt the insinuations as to his (Mr Ramsay’s) motives in bringing the matter forward, but deprecated the insulting doubt thrown out by Mr Walter as to the bona Jides of Messrs Larnach and Clarke, in offering their handsome donation to the proposed club, and informed the meeting that the same gentleman had presented through Mr Fish a similar donation in aid of the Sailors’ Home. Mr George Le-lie preposed, and Mr William Beath seconded the usual vote of confidence in the candidate, which was carried unanimously. —He subsequently met a crowded meeting of the ratepayers at Cotter’s Coledonian Hotel, Great King street, Councillor Gibson in the chair. The candidate was severely cross-questioned, at the conclusion of which Mr Alexander Allan proposed that Mr Ramsay was the fittest of the candidates to be elected Mayor for the ensuing twelve months, which was seconded by Mr Simon Hanlon, and carried unanimously, only two hands being held up against it. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.

A performance of the Press Dramatic Club, assisted by several members of Messrs Steele and Keogh’s company, in aid of the funds for establishing a Sailors’ Home, was given at the Princess Theatre last night. The object and the known ability of some of the amateurs drew a large audience, which might have been increased had not the prices to some parts of the house been raised. The fir t piece was “Time aud the Hour,” a drama in some parts powerfully written, and generally an ambitious one for amateurs to attempt, but the result was not altogether unsatisfactory. This was owing mainly to Mr Steele’s filling the part of vSir Philip Deverell, a character well suited to his style. Mrs Walter Hill, as Marian Beck, bad a not very trying part, as was the c.«e with Miss Willis (Lucy Fairfax) Miss May, as Mrs Montgomery Brown, had, of the lady characters, the most to do, and she made the part very amusing. We have seen Mr Mitchell to much greater advantage than he appeared as Sparrow, and, for a wonder, his memory seemed at times to fail him. Mr Bracken (Sam Medlicott) played well, especially in the last scene, and set the other gentlemen a good example by speaking his lines clearly, instead of mumbling them as though holding a Conversation with the carpet. Mr Buchanan was rather given to this fault, otherwise his Mr Franklyn was good. Air Lord’s Montgomery Brown appeared at first as though going to be a failure, but that gentleman wanned up considerably as the piece went on, until he eventually came in for the largest share of applause, aud was called before the curtain at the end of the piece, Mr Hunter, as (harles Franklyn, had not much to do, the exigencies of the drama requiring that he should come to an untimely end just as he was getting confidence ; but Mr Robertson's George Aylmer wanted more life and energy. The first scene was very tame and dragged considerably, but a vast improvement was shown all round afterwards, the climax in the sleepwalking scene making up for any failings. The amusing farce “ A. Dead Shot” followed, in which Mr Mitchell was all at home *nd very comical as Mr Timid. Mr Buchanan made a good blustering Captain Cannon, a f)art better suited to him than that in the first piece j Mr Donelly’s Mr Wiseman was satisfactory ; and Mr Mansford, having only a small part, filled it as was requisite. Mrs Walter Hill and Miss Vivian, as Louisa Lovetrick and Chatter, kept up the spirit of the farce throughout. Between Mae pieces Mr H. S. Fish, jun., said he had been requested, on behalf of the Club, to tender its thanks to Mr Steele for kindly consenting, at almost the last moment, to play the part which had previously been assigned to a gentleman in the Club, aud, on behalf of the committee for the Sailors’ Home, he thauked the Club for their services on the present occasion. There was now about L4OO in hand, which, with LIOO promised by Mr Clarke and some other subscriptions, would bring it up to about L 75 0; and, as the Government had promised to give pound for pound, the r expected shortly to have some L 1,500 in hand, with which they would make a start with the building.

Mr Ramsay will address the electors in Fagan’s Hotel, Princes street south, this evenant* in tlie Rising Sun Hotel, Walker street, at 8.30. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building Society will be held at the office of the Society, Princes street, on Monday evening, from six to eight o’clock. Mr Ramsay’s General Committee will meet tins evening at nine o’clock. On Monday evenil) address the electors in the Oddfellows Hall, George street, at eight o clock. b

Mr Walter will address the electors this evening, m the Mission House, at 6.30, and in agau s Hotel and the Rising Sun Hotel, after Mr Ramsay. Mr Walter will hold a meeting on Monday evening, in the Masonic Hall.