The Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1874

Evening Star, Issue 3608, 15 September 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1874

A deputation of leading citizens will wait upon his Honor the Superintendent tomorrow forenoon in reference to matters pertaining to the High School. Mr A. J. Maginnity, chief clerk in the Telegraph Office at Wellington, has received the appointment of Assistant-Manager of Telegraphs. Mr Lemon, the manager, will now bo in a position to visit the out-stations Mr Bathgate gave judgment in the last of the District Court cases to-day Franz Siedeberg v. Norman Wood, a claim of L 175 12s for money expended in completing two contracts. Judgment was given for plaintiff for L 73 15s and costs. A fearful death is reported in one of the Hokitika papers, Mr J. Fitzsimmons having boan gored to death and afterwards fearfully mutilated by two wild bulla. The deceased, who was a member of the Road Board, was h'ghly respected throughout the district. The adjourned charges of obtaining money under false pretences preferred against Sydney George Alexander, better known by his alias of “The Military Captain,” were completed at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, and prisoner was fully committed for trial.

A meeting of the local shareholders in the Heart of Oak Quartz Mining Company was called for this afternoon, to consider proposals to be submitted at an extraordinary meeting of the company to be held to-mor-row at Cromwell. The meeting was held at too late an hour for us to give the result in to-day’s issue.

A Qaeenstown telegram in the ‘ Bruce Herald’ to-day says :—“ Splendid specimens of gold-bearing quartz surface stone have been brought into Arrowtown from Bush Creek, and Scanlan’s Gully, Macetown, by Mr Jenkins, to-day. The gold is apparently as rich as the Cromwell Company’s stone, Bendigo. Mrs J. F. Tully died here this evening.”

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Port Chalmers, this morning, before Mr T. A. Mausford, R.M., William Seymoure, foV buing drunk and disorderly, was fined 10s or twenty-four hours’. The only civil cases were the following :—George Wilson v. Harry King, claim of L 4 Is 41 for meat supplied ; judgment for. complainant, the amount to be paid by instalments ©f LI per month. G. Wilson v. A. Larkins, claim of 1.4 19s 41 ; judgment for plaintiff, the amount to be paid by instalments of LI p.r fortnight.

Mr Bathgate this morning complained of the manner in which the reports of the Court proceedings appeared in the morning papers. That cause for complaint is found with the reports is not to be wondered at when the bad ac mstie properties of the Court-house arc considered ; and more especially has the difficulty referred to been felt by the reporters of late, the witness-box having b u en shifted nearer to the Bench, and the table used by the professional gentlemen considerably raised. Were the reporters’ desk placed in the front of the rail, as in tbe Supreme Court, a great advantage would be gained.

Mr John Hughes does not appear to find bis task of organising anew fire brigade for Auckland so easy as he imagined it would be. His first work w. sto overhaul the engines and gear of the late brigade, which he iound to be for the most part useless. A few days afterwards the superintendent of the late brigade called that body together for the purpose of formally disbanding them From tha ‘ Cross’s’ report we learn that Mr Asher informed the meeting that Air Hughes had asked him if any of the members of the brigade would be enabled to give him any assistance that ha might require ; aud requested that he (Mr Asher) would use his influence to get his men to join the new brigade, which he did. At this meeting the request, as presente 1 bj’ Mr As'rer, was refused by all the members present. It, however, seemed to be thoroughly understood (the report adds) amongst the members of the brigade that on any call being made upon them by Mr Asher in case of any alarm of fire they would rally round their old leader voluntarily and willingly, though not, perhaps, belonging to the new staff shortly to be inaugurated. It was further understood that an appropriate testimonial should be presented to Mr Asher as a token of regard and the appreciation of his services and character entertained for ihm by the members of the disbanded brigade, which he had started nineteen years ago.

Another large audience assembled at the Princess’ Theatre last evening, when the -Smith Combination Troupe produced one of the most attractive programme’s of their season. The performance opened with the duet of “The Matrimonial Barber, with L 600,” which was given with spirit and effect by Mr St. Vincent and Mdlle, Montebello. Young England and Alberto, on the double trapeze, performed with their accustomed shill and ability, and deservedly received an ovation. Ariec’s wonderful feat of walking across the roof of the theatre, by means of the aerial rings, is a thing to be seen to be properly appreciated- Ygl Vose —who, to use a hackneyed expression, is “a hot in himself ” —introduced his f ‘eccentric friends” Mrs Chatterbox and Bo bin Hedhieqid tp the notice of those present, and the peculiar and outlandish explosions he cau«.-d to issue from the mouths of his assistants convulsed the house with laughter. The climax, however, was reached when the “ talking hand” was put in motion, which not only spoke but drank, sung, and prophesied. The first part conciud-d with the DeCastro family in their weil-kn <wn acrob £ip evolutions, which met with unmistakeable approbation. In the second part, Vincent, whp appears to have made himself acquainted with the current t 'pics of the day, created immense amusement by ver-ifying the adventures of a person who has made hims.df notorious lately, and who will be brought still more under public notice. Air c’s balancing performance on the trapeze concluded the entertainment.

The tenth anniversary of the Court Pride of the Leith, AO. K., was celebrated last night by a supper at the North Dunedin Drill-shed. The large number of brethren and visitors (neatly one hundred) who attended. showed the forethought exhibited in engaging the shed, as there was plenty of room lor all, Bro. Gibb, C.R., presided, supported by Bro, Stevenson, D.C.R., BroWoodland, D.S., Bro Geddes, D.T., Ac. In the absence ol the S.C. R., the, vice-chair was filled by Bro Adams, P.C. K, Bro. Cotter acted as caterer, in which position he gave every satisfaction. ALer *tho usual toasts, Bro. Gibson proposed ’‘The Provincial Council," coupling with it the name of Mr C. S. Reeves, M.P <V. who responded. Mr Hardy proposed “ The Mayor and Corporation," responded to by ‘ buncillois Gibson and A oodlaud. The toast of the evening, “ Court Pride of the eith," followed, proposed by Bro. Woodland, after which Bro. iVlacfie, secretary to the Lodge, read the following report:—“On the 25th of June, 1873, there were fifty-five members good on the books, while the General Fund amounted to L6B 15s 61, and the Incidental Fund to L4O 10s 7d—giving a total at that time to the credit of the Court of LlO9 6s Id. Daring the past year six new members have been initiated, and four have join d by clearance cards, while two have withdrawn during the same time. The total amount of cash received during that time was LlB9 9s. There have been no deaths very little sickness—only ten members having declared on the sick list, to whom has been paid the sum of L 22 13s 4d, an average of a little over two and a-hal£ days of sick pay for each member m the Court, i'his will compare favorably with any other Court in the Province, and the average is a great deal less than in the United Kingdom, as it may be seen from the last returns published at Home the average is a fraction over seven days per member. During the past year there has been paid for medical attendance L4l 11s 6d, and for medicine*, Ac., L 23 12j, being a total expenditure on these two items of L 65 3s 6d. The increase to the General Fuad during the year amounted to LSI 7b lOd, and to the Incidental Fund L 36 Is lid. ■ The Secretary, in concluding bis report, exhorted all to work hand in hand for the good of their own Court and the Order generally, as by united effort alone can anything be made a success.” The next toast was “ The District Court officers,” in responding to which Bro. Stevenson said that * e , er . throughout the world rnustqred 270 districts, 4,107 courts, 446,988 financial members, and 9,442 honorary members, which showed a large increase in all branches over last year a returns. Bro, Stevenson also stated that the general funds of the Order amounted to L1,G25,0U7 ; the distr ot funds to L 235,024. The remainder ot the evening was spent in proposing toasts, varied by some capital singing, the vocalists being materially assisted by a gentleman accompanying them op a piano provided by the commi tee,'which latter body is entitled-to every credit for the success of the whole affair.

We thank the Government printer for Parliamentary papers received to-day. H S. Fish, jun., will address the electors of the City at the Masonic Hall this evening, at eight o’clock.

We have received from the Clerk of the Provincial Council minutes of the votes and proceedings during the session of 1874, for which we thank him.

We notice there is to be a sale to-morrow at the Australian Hall of high-class oil paintings, in handsome gilt frames. They are a selection of the best paintings we have seen here, comprising gems from the studios of well known artists, and are specially worthy of the attention of connoisseurs and those making a collection.