The Evening Star. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3689, 18 December 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1874.

We intend to publish a supplement tomorrow. The pressure on our columns has compelled us to leave over both news and correspondence. At Lawrence the other day a fireman unsuccessfully claimed exemption, from serving on a Coroner’s jury. A policeman appears to be wanted badly at C.inton as the ‘Glutha Leader’ reports some disgraceful occurrences there lately. The only business at the Port Chalmers Police Court this morning was a charge of drunkenness against John Stewart, who was fined lOj or twenty-four hours. The case of Thomas Bateman v. Thomas Poynton was struck out. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Tokomairiro. on 1 uesuay, George Jones was committed for trial at the next sessions of the Supreme Court o i a charg-, of arson, bail being allowed, himself in LIOO and two sureties of LSO each. An appeal has been made against Mr Bathgate’s decision in the test Comet case Anning y. Martin. Paul v. Martin—an action arising out of the same transaction which was to have been heard to-day had therefore to be adjourned for a month till the appeal was decided. The recent accident at Wellington happened this wise :—The two girls, i-.'oss and Ganger, were having a quiet chat by themselves, when the elbow of one of them inadvertently struck and upset the kerosene lamp, igniting tirst their clothes and then tUe room. The sequel so far is known. The construction of the railway between Clinton and Mataura was commenced last week at the Clinton end of the line. The entire distance is about twenty-five miles. A sub-contract extending over a distance o' ono-aud-half miles has been let. With that exception (remarks the ‘ Clutha Leader’) the rest of the work will be executed by the original contractor, Mr Maonamara. An accident occurred at the Graving Dock this morning by which a shipwright "named William Boggerry got hia foot; severely jammed. He was engaged with another shipwright in turning over the centre-board belonging to the ketch Edith Reid, when it slipped off the skids a:id jammed his foot. He was immediately taken home, and it being found that his leg was severely bruised he was conveyed to the"Hospital. I here was a manifest improvement in the attendance at the Princess’s last night, when “Kathleen Mavourneen,” with Mrs Hill as Kathleen, and Mr Ntecle as Ter.mce, was played. To-night the performance will be for the benefit of Mr Clinton, when “The I icket of Leave Man,” followed by a new farce will be given. Such a programme ought to ensure a crowded houss. The dramatic season terminates on Monday. 1 he annual installation ceremony of the Port Chalmers Masonic Lo' ; ge took place last evening. The members attended in great force, and a large number of visiting brethren from the sister lodges in Dunedin testified their Masonic feeling and respect for the new master, Bro. John Louden, by their presence at the halL Among those present were—P. Ms. Bros. C eorge Smith, Caldwell, JLanseigne, Graham, Sanders, Kerr, Marsden, and Hodgkins. The installation ceremony was most

impressively rendered by P. M JBro. Thompson, the Deputy Grand Master f<>r the dis trict of Canterbury, assisted by P, M. Bio Joyce. After the Worshipful Master hut installed his < fficers for the current year, the brethren sat down to an excellent supper provided by Bro. P. M Dench and a most agreeable evening was spent. We were clad to notice from the observations made both in lodge and afterwards that Masonry flourishes to such an extent as it apparently does in Port Chalmers.

A deputation of members of th?. Sailors’ Home Committee—consisting of Messrs Fish. B. B. MarHn, Walter, and Paul (secretary) waited on his Honor the Superintendent this morning with a view of getting the temporary use of the old immigration barracks in Princes street south for the purposes of the Home. Mr Fish said they had been endeavoring to get or rent a suitable building, in preference to erecting one—as the Horn;. 1 might be considt red in the light of an ex periment for the first twelve months—but could not ; no such place was to bo got, and they had to fall bac 1 ' upon the old barracks. These the Government had vacated, and he bdieved the Corporation would not object to their being used as a Home for a term ol twelve months, and what the committee asked was that Government would grant it the use of them for th t time, and, eventually, hand thc-m over to it permanent ly. The committee had been led to expect, by his Honor s own mouth, a more liberal subsidy than the L2OO promised, and under the circumstances thought that aim nnt should go for the repairs necessary to make the building habitable, and that the latter should be given also. Even if the L2OO were given, Ll5O more would be required to fit the place for the purpose intended The deputation referred, not to the whole barracks, but to the three-storeyed building which is end on to the street His Honor said the Governmeut proposed removing the barracks, and, on having them valued, they had been estimated as worth L4O I. A large sum bad la’ely been expended on them. The -'ailois’ Home idea was at present so tentative—’f an actual scheme were laid down, showing some promise of permanency, anil requiring more money, he had no doubt the Government would not bo particular about another LIOO or L2UO.—Mr Fish thought his t'onor would endorse the action of the committee in trying it as an experiment for ths _ first twelve months. Shipmasters visi iug this port assured him it would be a success, and the secretary to the Sydney Horae bad wiitten to him to the effect that that was greatly successful—Mr Walter remarked that if the Government would allow the shipping office to be in connection with the Home it would he a great advantrge.— His Honor sai l he had thought they would get the Pelichet Bay site, but it appeared the land would be required for an alteration in the railway line. However, they miubt rest satisfied that Government would grant the use of the building they now desired, for as long a term as it stood there.

A regatta will be held at Waihola on Boxing ®ay. A very good programme has been issued, and, wind and weather permitting, a good day’s racing may be anticipated.

The proposed testimonial to Mr Reynolds is likely’- to be earned out. A preliminary meeting of gentlemen desirous of forming a committee will be held in the Provincial Hotel on Monday evening. The drawing in Reith and Wilkie’s Art Union came olf on Wednesday evening at the Temperance Hall. A committee of ticket holders was chosen mu] conducted the drawing, which was successfully gone through. There was a large attendance. The winning numbers appear in our advertising columns. The Treasurer and Secretary of the Horticultural Society will be in attendance at the Occidental Hotel this evening, for the purpose of giving the prizes won at the flower show on Wednesday last; and we are requested to state that the winner of any piize must attend in person or semi an order, as. failing that, no money will be paid after to-night.