The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3687, 16 December 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1874.

The San Francisco mail will be delivered here early to-morrow, the Luna having left Lyttelton at nine o’clock this morning, Mr Weldon is now making his annual inspection of the police in the Province. The ‘ North Otago Times’ informs us that the last cylinder of the Waitaki bridge has been sunk, and all that remains to be done is the fixing of the girders. The testimonial which the people of Christchurch intend to give the don Mr Bowen in recognition of his services as Kesident Magistrate is assuming substantial proportions, and is expected to amount to LSOO. If the statement going the rounds that an English trout has been taken in the Wairca, Auckland Province, that measured 17£ in. in length and 17in. in girth, is correct, it is a pretty strong proof of the adaptability of English trout to New Zealand waters. Among the passengers by the Cyphrenes was the Rev S. Antliffa, D.0., the ex-Presi-dent of the f-nglish Conference of the Primitive Methodist connection, who is on a two years’ tour of the Colonies, He may be expected to reach Dunedin about the end of January. Mr T. A. Mansford, Resident Magistrate, attended at the gaol to-day, and remanded Henry Bedford, charged with forgery in Victoria, to a further term of seven days. In the meantime should the warrant of his txcellency the Governor be received, the prisoner will be forwarded to Melbourne per first steamer r At the Crown terrace, Arrow, numerous parties observed the transit of v enus from beginning to end ; and at Arrowtown, for three hours after the first contact, the weather was most favorable. It is stated that the German scientists who at the Auckland Islands observed the transit intend visiting New Zealand before returnin home. At the adjourned meeting of the Sailors’ Home Committee yesterday, it was stated that LOGO had b> en collected, and the Government had , romised L2uo. Messrs Martin, Ramsay, Fish, and W alter were ap pointed a deputation to wait upon the Superintendent with the view of obtaining the immigration barracks m Princes street for improvement as the Home, and the Secretary was instructed to communicate with the City Council on the same subject, Mr Paul was elected secretary. “Black Sheep” was played at the Princess last evening for Mr Steele’s benefit, but the attendance was rather limited, 'j he cast, so far as the principal characters were concerned, was similar to that with which the piece was produced here last season. Mrs Hill as Harriet Routh played excellently throughout, and was called before the curtain at the close of each act; and Mr Steele gave a magnificent representation of the part of stewart. Miss Lilly May made a decided impression as the potboy, Jim Swain, and in the last act, where he shows his devotion to Mrs Kouth by refusing to leave h-r in the hour of trouble and has to be dragged away by the “bobby,” she had the unusual com pliment paid to her of a call before the curtain in the middle of the act “Flowers of the Forest” is announced for to-night. Floating swimming baths are coming into fashion at Home, and the first just placed on the Thames is described as being a handsome temple of iron and glass. It is built of corrugated iron and glass, with a dome at each end ; its entire length is 180 feet, the width 31 feet, and the bath itself, which affords a swimming area of 135 feet by 25 feet, is paved with encaustic tiles, fitted at ea; b end with huge filters capable of purifying water at the rate of 1000 gallons per minute, and flanked on both sides by dres - ing-rooms, hot baths, &c, A feature of these baths is that at certain hours they are set apart for ladies, a staff of male and female profes-sional swimmers being always at hand to give lessons. During the winter months a stream of hot water is conveyed through the bath to regulate the temperature. The success of the first of these baths at Hungerford Bridge has been so great, that a second at Pimlico, having a swimming area of 200 feet by 40 feet, was commenced in October last.

His Honor Judge Chapmen held a sitting in bankruptcy at the Supreme Court to day! Un taking his seat on the Bench, kia Honor said that as there was a long list, and he had to go to Invercargill in the afternoon, he would be unable to take opposed cases. In answer to Mr Smith, his Honor said that it was possible he would sit in banco during the day, w hereupon Mr Smith asked that the cases of Scott v. Brodrick and Worthy. Voiyell, in each of which he had to make a motion for a new trial, should be adjourned, which was done. On the application of Mr M’Keay, January 18 was fixed for the final examination of the following bankrupts : James Moreombe, G-. S. h*eisb, and James Cheescman. Final orders of discharge were granted to Alfred Wood and Norman Wood (whose losses were osyiug to unprofitable con* tracts), Charles Alex. Martin (his Honor remarking that the only piece of reckless and injudicious conduct on bankrupt’s part was one over which the Court bad no jurisdiction --marrying with insufficient means), to David Black fciorley, to Thomas Cross, and Achille Fleury. Complete execution of deed of arrangement was returned in the case of Wm. Harper. Several applications were to January 18, because of the bankrupts’absence, or because of the trustees’ report not haviug been received.

A dramatic entertainment by the pupils of the Dunedin Collegiate School will be given in the Masonic Hall on Friday evening.,

The Harbor Company’s p.s. Golden Age will make an excursion to Macandrew's, Broad Bay, Portobello, and Port Chalmers to-morrow, leaving the old jetty at 10.30 a.m. and returning at 6.30 p.m. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Mormngton Total Abstinence Society and Band of Hope was held in the District Hall on Monday evening; Mr Hardie in the chair. The attendance was excellent, and the programme, which was really good, got through in a manner reflecting great credit upon the performers. The chief item of interest was the favorite farce. Number 1 round the Corner, or Nothing to Wear, ’ which was rendered in a very effective manner, causing endless amusement. After the meeting the committee agreed to postpone the annual picnic until March, and give a tea-meeting and concert after the Christmas holidays.