The Evening Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3590, 25 August 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 25, 1874.

We trust the proposal for the formation of what is termed a “ Working Men’s Club and Mechanic’s Institute,” will not fall to the ground; although we should have been glad to have seen a title chosen better calculated to enlist the sympathies of the artizans in the Colony. We think it very unwise to perpetuate those class distinctions that have arisen out of circumstances in the Old World, that do not exist in the Colonies. We are not blind to the fact that modes of life influence style of thought, expression, and social intercourse. Our workers, with their sound, practical good sense and limited incomes, would not feel at home in, nor enjoy the artificial phases of society adopted by those who happened to have been born and nurtured among the rich. Workers have riches to acquire, and in order to do that, must practice frugality and self-denial. They would not feel happy in society where, apparently, one object was to compete with others in giving outward evidence of being able to spend lavishly on trifling pretexts. The hard hands of honest toil would ill brook being covered with delicate kid gloves unable to bear without splitting the motions of strong, active muscles. But there is no necessity for being debarred refined enjoyments that they coul d with pi easure par ticipate in. W hen after years of well-directed energy they can look back with honest pride upon a successful life, through partaking in those amusements that tend to relax without enervating the mind, they will be prepared to take part in all the requirements of the more elevated positions in society to which they have attained. We consider this object should be steadily kept in view. It is not necessary that the frivolities of fashionable life should be imitated ; but it would be well if its amenities were practised among all classes. Philosophers and social reformers point to the breaking down of class distinctions, on the ground that all men by nature are equal; weall admit the truth, but yet class distinctions remain, and will continue so long as class thoughts and class manners prevail. Let there be a common style of thinking and speaking, and manners in common, and class will die of itself. Nor is this so improbable as it may at first sight appear, The education children receive at school is essentially identical for both rich and poor, ft .differs in degree in proportion to the period spent in acquiring it. It is the b.poje a#d social education that is different, and these depend on the parents themselves. It was found in Great Britain, in competitive examinations for the Civil Service, that the children of the middle class were worse educated in common branches of knowledge than those of the poorer class, who had had the advantageof being taught in schools conducted by trained teachers of the British and Foreign School Society. So marked, in fact, was the distinction, and so glaring the necessity, that in many ladies’ seminaries teachers so trained are employed in the tyiOEC solid and abstract departments of the school. Knowledge is the same both for rich and po.pr, and their brains are formed alike. There therefore, be no wide separation of purpose. Jf the one class enjoy a game at bib iUa,rd£ at their private table or their ,qlub, the working man is equally capable fo enjoying it through co-operation. If one class enjoys a game at chess, so can the other ;if one ip.eets with,friends at his club and discusses with jbfiem the politics or passing events of the day, sp may the other. There is no necessity for heartburnings and jealousies in the matter, and when the clap-trap argument about “ the poor man having as much right to have his glass at his club as the rich man ” is put forward as a reason why the pipe and the pot should be introduced, ow reply is, that since rational enjoyment is .sought after at moderate cost, it would be unwise to introduce au element that would m.Qs£ certaiuly defeat that object. The pror posed club meets, to some extent, a necessity. There are hundreds of young men throughout the Colony who have not convenience for enjoying a rational evening, who would be delighted to have the opportunity of a couple of •hours’ pleasant reading or recreation without feeling in honor hound to “ shout ” for their .friends or figfppanions. Such an institution would elevate them in their own eyes, and j would tend to purify much that is objectionable in the present modes of passing spare time. The “ working classes, as the promoters of the insti-' tution please to term our artizans, must, do this for themselves, and do it with’ the conviction that to a certainty it will exert a reflex action upon; those who now assume to be. leaders in society. The history of most useful reforms shows that they! first took root deep dov/u. among the; masses, and grew upward until they! reached tlm highest circles, even the'! throne Puritanism purified the Coui t, notwithstanding occasional re-: lapses; Methodism revived the sleeping Church ; .Radicalism wrought reform in Parliament; the masses of England repealed the com laws; the; Sunday School, .that has done so much, Whs thfc wefck of a poor man ; and

ever true liberty, equality, and fraternity are enjoyed on earth, they must spring from below. Society is what men make it. When, therefore, farsighted, liberal, and benevolent men come forward to give a helping hand, let their gifts be accepted as an acknowledgement of that common humanity that binds society together. We shall be glad to find the undertaking fostered by all classes, being confident that any institution which benefits one is for the advantage of all.

His Honor Mr Justice Chapman will sit in Banco to-toorrow. Mr J. R. P. Stamper has been admitted and enrolled a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. An up-country contemporary reports that a great many young lambs are being dropped on Mr Hell’s run, Wairaea Plains. It is feared that should rough weather come, the mortality amongst them will be very great. Cons tables M’Laughlin and Henderson have arrested two men, named Benjamin and Thomas Burgess, on a charge of violently ass aulting Thomas Jerome on Sunday last at Anderson’s Bay. The charge, which is of a very serious nature, will be heard at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-morrow. The * Bruce Herald’ says that of the entire distance of fifty-one mi'e* be-ween Dunedin and Balclutha over which the railway line, when completed, will extend, already over twenty-seven miles of rails are laid. Work is now likely, with the approach of good weather, and the assistance of three locomotives on the line, to advance much more rapidly than hitherto. Last evening the Lodge Guiding Star, 1.0. C.T., held an open meeting in the Knox Church class room, when Bro. J. W. Jago, P.G. W.C T., delivered a most able and instructive lecture on the “ Progress of Temperance.” Ihe lecturer traced the progression from its origin of the cause he advocated, and stated his willingness to continue his subject on a future occasion, should the lodge desire it. A unanimous vote of thanks was accorded him at the conclusion of his interesting lecture.

The following gentlemen have purchased and presented to the Museum a valuable collection of shells brought by the barque Victoria frotp the Mauritius :—Messrs D. F, Main, J. M Kerrow, J. M‘Gregor, Gunn and Ross, W. D. Murisop, J. T. Thomson, J. Logan, J. Hislop, >s. B. Cargill, R. L. Livingston, J. Batkgate, Sutherland, Robert Gil ies, W. Hodgkins, A. W, Morris, Keith Ramsay, R. Wilson, J. Neill and Co., •J. M. Ritchie, Charles Nichols, Driver, .Stewart, apd Co., Hogg and Hutton, J, Mackerras, L. O. Beale, A. C. Strode, Job Wain, jnn., J. Chaplin, J. Hill Jack, P. Barker, J. Mitchell, H. Tewsley, W. D. Stewart, and Matheson Brothers.

A rather knotty point came under the notice of the Bench at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, tis Worship having said that service of a summons by an informant was illegal, and that it should always be served by a constable other than the informant, Inspector Nitnon replied that he had no constables to serve his summonses, and being thrown on his own resources, he found himself, after what had fallen from his Worship, in a perfect fix. His Worship admitted that there was a dilemma, and as the only way to overcome it suggested that Mr Mraon should apply to the Council for a clerk to serve his informations—a course which will doubtless be pursued, A drama, bearing the title of “Three Phases of Life," was produced at the Priu cess Theatre last evening to a large audience. Mrs Hill, as Isabel, played with feeling and effect ; Mr Hooper’s Jt'ugene Le Mare calls for especial praise, and he showed what he is capahlp £>f doing when the opportunity is afforded jjiim. Messrs Musgrave and Keogh distinguished in the low com dy business. AJ. Beda’s perform auceson the trapeze were heartily applauded; Miss Marlineau received an encore for the song, “I ana so volatile," and also danced a hornpipe with snrit. Mr Wiltshire, the pedestrian, takes a benefit to-night, when, in addition to entertainments, the drama of “ Mary, Queens of Scots," will be played. To-morrow evening is announced as the last performance «f the season, when Messrs Sjbeele rind Keogh, the lessees, will take a joint benefit. Considering the efforts made by those gentlemen jto .carter for the public amusement, a substantial recognition of them would be a graceful act on the part of the patrons of the theatre. The entertainment given by the Kennedy Family at the Temperance Hall, last evening, attracted a very large audience, and was successful ijji oygry respect, without wishing to disparage t&e effort? of the younger members of the troupe, ibere own be no second opinion but that on Mr in a great degree devolves the task of amusing his auditors, and that he succeeded in doing so wus sufficiently proved by the lavish applause bestowed upon him. We look upon Mr Kennedy as the beet delineator of Scottish character that has ever visited this C;ty, If is memory is never at fault; he make? himself at home with his audience, without being ?£imiij.r or vulgar; and secures their undivided'attention when he is in possession of the stage, whether thp subject he deals with be humorous or pathetic. Ihe first part was opened by Air Kennedy, who narrated several characteristic Scotch anecdotes, which were well received; Ihe second part being introduced by the Misses Kennedy playing a piano duet. Throughout the evening several glees and songs were given with precision and effect. Mr Kennedy, in compliance with a promise be made in the co.urse of the evening, sang the popular melody, ' “Aljstpr Al‘blister," in excellent style. .entertainment concluded with the sipgiqg of Lang byne,” in which the audienpe heartily joined. An entire change of programme is announced to-night.

A meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held last evening, at the Empire Hotel; Captain Hutchison in the chair. The Pro* gramme Committee brought up their reports and programmes for the Spring meeting and the meeting in March next. These, having been -considered, were adopted. The following were then appointed 1 for the ensuing year ;—Stewards, the Hon, K. Campbell, Messrs H, Driver, Shand, junr., F. Meonao, W. H. Tagc'ajrjt, U W. Cutten, Joseph Keany, H. Scott, and G. Dowse; President, Mr John Stephenson, Vice-President, Captain Hutchison; Treasurer, Mr James Marshall. The President, Vice-President, and Treasurer will also be ex officio members of the committee. Judge, Mr John Stephenson ; barter Mr George Dodson: Oleru of the bourse, Mr Jl. Gourl«y; Handicappers, Messrs 0. Moore, G. Dodson, and J. Keauy. ’J he following are the events for St. Andrew’s Day, aov. . 30: Handicap Hurdle llace, 30 sovs. ; Maiden Plate, 20 sovs. ; St. Andrew’s Handicap, 85 sove , vvibh a sweepstake of 2 sovs.' added; Selling Trotting Race, 20 sovs. (3onppl<ition Handicap, 20 sovs. The following are* the principal events for the annual meeting in Marchs—' Maiden JPJato, SO sovs. ; Dunedin Cap, same as last year, nauiojy, 000 tfovs., with a sweep of 10 sovs. each added; a takes, 60 sovb, ; Publicans’ Handicap!' luO sovs. • Sailing RaUe, Op sovs.; Handicap Hurdle

Race, 80 sova. ; Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap, 200 sovs. ; lloua Stakes, 75 sova. ; Novel Race, 100 25 sovs. ; Master Rowe Stakes, 10 > sovs. j Town Plate, 100 sova. ; Forbury Handicap, 150 sovs. ; Flying Handicap, 60 sovs. : Consolation Handicap, 80 sovs. The regular meeting of the Lodge Pioneer, 1.0. wall be held this evening, in the Oddfellows’ Hall, at 7.30. The twelfth anniversary of the Pioneer Lodge 1.0. will be celebrated by a soiree and ball at St. George’s Hall to morrow evening, at seven o’clock. We notice by advertisement that Herbert, Haynes, and Co. announce Wednesday, 26tb, and Thursday, 27th of August, as the first two show days of the season for their spring millinery goods. In our advertising columns will be found the prospectus of the Southern Hotel Company, Limited. The objects of the company, the capital of which is to be L 40.000, in 40,000 shares of LI each, is fully explained, and the names of the provisional directors are given. It will be seen that the erection ef an hotel worthy of the name is proposed, as it is to contain 200 bed-rnoms, and every possible requisite for a first-class establishment.