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Evening Star, Issue 3620, 29 September 1874, Page 2

The next sittings of tbs Court of Appeal are fixed for November 9. The Divorce Court meets on November 16.

Wanganui papers report the death of a very old colonist, Majnr Durie, who arrived in the Colony in 1840, and was for many years Resident Magistrate for the district. The Timaru-Temuka section of the Great Southern Railway, as far as Young’s Creek, has been opened experimentally, but without any demonstration.

Mr Job Wain received a telegram at 1.30 to-day stating that the Shag river was very high, and the water still rising, and in consequence of the flood there would be no coach in Dunedin from the Dunstan or from Oamaru to-day. The advocates of women’s rights will be gratified to learn that the cause is advaucing at Westport. At the municipal election last week each proprietress of a well-known hostelry, recorded her votes “like a man.” The performance at the Princess this evening will be for the benefit of the De Castro Family. The programme put forward is a most enticing one, and should the rain hold over we predieb a fall house.

Mr Bathgate to-day delivered judgment as to the alleged stranding of the Easby off Waipapa Point on September 17. The Court held that there had been no stranding as contemplated by the Act, and ordered that the certificates be returned to the officers.

It may interest the members of building societies—wh’ch are now increasing in number in New Zealand—to know that, some doubts having arisen of late in England, a Bill has recently been passed by the Imperial Parliament to consolidate the laws relating to all such institutions. Victoria is about to follow the example of the United Kingdom, and pass into a law a measure to meet, on the model of the Imperial Act, the wants and requirements of Victorian institutions.

As there appears to be some doubt as to the terms of the Imprisoament for Debt Abolition Act, which comes into operation on the Ist proximo, we might mention that Mr Bathgate, during the hearing of a case of fraud at the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day, said that to persons who deliberately committed fraud the new Bill as to imprisonment made no change whatever. The law operated as formerly on all those who were guilty of incurring a debt fraudulently and without any intention of paying it. Last evening information was given to Sergeant Neil that a body had been found close to Mr Wm. Innis’s fish-curing establishment, Port Chalmers. The sergeant, accompanied by two constables, proceeded to the spot and brought the remains to the morgue. The body had evidently been in the water for some time, as it was very much decomposed. This morning it was recognised as that of William Smith, late seamln on board the ship Corona, now at the railway pier, whodi serted from the ship in company with another man at the time the vessel was lying down at the Quarantine Ground. An inquest was to have been held this afternoon, before Dr O’Donoghue, District Coroner.

After a lengthened retirement, the Colored Opera Troupe are again before the public, and a concert was given by them last evening at the Queen’s Theatre for a very laudable object—the Sailors’ Home Fund ; but owing to the very unfavorable weather,* the attendance was not so large as it would doubtless have otherwise been The first part of the programme served to introduce the members of the troupe, the whole of the company—twenty in number—occupying the stage. The solos were well rendered by Messrs Nisbet, Collins, Edwards, Norton, Harris, and Hassell; while the conundrums and local hits seemed to meet with general approbation. A pleasing feature of the entertainment was the overture from “ The Grand Duchess” at the opening of the second part, the whole being characterised by perfect harmony. The stump speech by the Siamese Twins, and the burlesque quartette “ The four crows,” were the most amusing items given. Mr Harris’s “I’m waiting, Bessie darling,” was the gem of the evening, and though loudly applauded, we were glad to notice that the Club rigidly adhered to ifs determination not to- respond to encore?. The cornet accompaniment by Mr Oliver to “ Hark, 1 hear an angel sing," was pleasingly executed. The burlesque on “ The Colleen Bawn ” did not form an agreeable wind-up, Mr Hume, in returning thanks to those present for their attendance, said that he was sorry to see that the fund for which the performance was given would not be augmented so much as the troupe had hoped ; but he had no doubt that the small attendance was due to the wet weather. Another performance would be given next evening in aid of the band’s funds; and next week another concert would be given for the bailor’s Home Fund.'

The concert at Port Chalmers, in aid of the Catholic Church, has been postponed for a month. A meeting for the purpose of forming a Servants’ Home in Dunedin will be held in the Athenaeum Hall, on Friday, at 2 p.m. Mr Anthony Mills, the author of a number of cemic songs which have been well received, has presented us with a copy of one on “ State Education,” written to suit a well-known air. It satirizes somewhat severely many of our schoolmasters aud public men.

. The entertainment in aid of St. Paul’s Schoel is postponed till Wednesday, October 7, The current number of the ‘ Illustrated New Zealand Herald ’ has for its title-page a wellexecuted engraving of Gulley’s picture of Wairau Gorge, Marlborough, There are also some pretty leproductions of the principal pictures shown tt the Victorian Painter’s Exhibition at Melbourne. The letterpress is, as usual, well arranged. The prospectus of the Ocean Beach and Peninsula Railway is published in the advertising portion of this evening’s Star, and investors are invited to take shares in it. There can be no doubt of its success if properly managed, and only a limited time is to be allowed prior to allotting the shares. Intending proprietors will therefore have to make early application. Full information is afforded in the advertisement.