The Evening Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3698, 29 December 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1874.

Not the least important event of the past week was the turning of the first sod of the Peninsula and Ocean Beach Railway. In it self it is not likely to be so useful as many other lines now in course of construction, or which necessity may at no distant date lead to the making of. But even on the score of utility much may be said. The rapid increase of population in Dunedin has produced the usual inevitable effects. It has provided a market for garden and dairy produce which the limited area of country hitherto devoted to these industries is now insufficient to supply. ,The consequence is that prices have risen so much for them that they are rapidly assuming the form of luxuries. Potatoes are dearer than bread, and green vegetables command rates that remind one of the effects of a new and unexpec td goldfields rush. The Peninsula, with its rich and fertile soil and sunny slopes, has always been considered the garden of Dunedin, and the facility and rapidity of railway communication will enable cultivators and dairymen to relieve our scarcity with profit to themselves and with benefit to the City. To the proprietors of land on the Peninsula this must prove a great advantage, for the value of property depends upon the use that can be made of it. That which cannot be cultivated or otherwise utilised because of the expense of taking its produce to a market, may be the very best land in the country, but, under those circumstances, remains on a level with the poorest. Unite it by railway with a market, so that ten times the quantity can be conveyed in half-an-hour, and at a fraction of the expense that a single dray load would cost, and at once the impediment is removed. Man has assisted nature by the removal of an obstacle, and given value to that which was previously worthless. Precisely the same remarks apply with regard to building sites for residences outside the City. Scarcely an available plot of ground can be now selected for a dwelling-house within the limits of Dunedin. We are sometimes told to look back to the example of our forefathers, who, it is affirmed, showed their wisdom by living on the premises on which they conducted their businesses. No doubt they stuck to their s Bops well, and rose early and sat up late. We remember two of that class, for instance] who being opponents in the Same trade, and on opposite sides of the same street, used to sxt and watch each other, each being determined to be the last to put up bin shutters. Many a stratagem was resorted to on either side to induce the other to make the first move. We do not think anything was gained by it, for more lamp oil was spent on the rivalry, and more acrimonious patience was expended on the contest than was gained by supplying the chance customers. Bat apart from that, modern business, when concentrated on a small area like that of Dunedin, renders town property too valuable for dwelling-house purposes. It is cbeapier, healthier, and pleasanter to enjoy thi fresh air and elbow-room of a house outside the town, than to coop up a family in the heart of it. We look upon every mile of railway construction, therefore, as adding so much to the habitable area of ' 'unedin. Had it nob been tor facilities for access to and from business, London and the great manufacturing towns of England could never have extended as they have done. Precisely similar results will follow in New Zealand, on a small but rapidly-increasing scale. fcso that while the promoters of the line have been induced to form it through clear-sighted self-mterest, they have, at the same time, conferred immense benefit on the town itself. Will it pay ? we have heard asked. That is one aspect of the question. Wo are not prepared with statistics for an answer, hut at the estimated cost it does not need a p ' ophet’s inspiration to reply “ y t ssooner or lat_r it will pay well.” There is, however, one question that people do not often ask, and that is, “ Will it pay to let the property be idle, and to allow settlement to take another direct on ?** The owners of the land say “No-the railway will cost ,j something, but even if we gave the money: for its construction prq rata to our several interests it would be cheap at the price, for l it will add tenfold to the worth of our invest-; ments.” The formation of this railway is remarkable as one of the first fruits of this phblro works system. The prom'oters

not waited for Government help, but have shown the way in which people can help themselves. Many districts must follow their example unless they are prepared to be left behind. There have been some good wasbings-up at Tinkers. According to the ‘ Dunstan Times’ one claim yielded 800oz, another 600oz, and several others proportionally well. The eleven of the D.C.C., who will play against Invercargill on New Year’s Day, will be Allen, Clark, Collinson, J. C. Fulton, Johnston, Kettle, Lambert. Morrison, Marshall, D. K, Rhodes, and Tait. Some immigrants with means are certainly finding their way to the Colony. According to the * Herald,’ some of the late arrivals by the Bebiugton the other day purchased land in Napier at 1.4 a foot, and at once pro- ; ceeded to put buildings upon it. Three thousand five hundred of the emp’oyers of female servants in Sydney intend subscribing 15 each towards a fund which will be devoted to bringing out from England 1000 thoroughly domesticated young women. This step is necessary in consequence of the high notions of the Sydney servants. Speaking of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, the Christchurch ‘Press’ says “As long as the principle of nornination is retained, we may be pretty sure that the Council (speaking of it as a whole) will remain what it is at present—a collection of political old fogies and rich, respectable nobodies.” The Western District Farmers’ Club has been moved to pass the following resolution : —“That this association sincerely regrets that the Government of New Zealand should so ignore the two chief interests of the Colony as to refuse to Crown grant a paltry three and three-quarter acres of land to them for show purposes.” In a recent lecture on “Liquids,” at the Royal Institution, Professor Tyndall mentioned that he had learned from Cant. .Shaw, head of the London Fire department, that a ?cra’ch in the nozzle of the fire engine delivery pipe, which an ordinary workman might overlook, will reduce its throwing power from 300 to 150 feet. Val Vose’s entertainment at the Temperance Hall, last night, was only moderately attended, but the programme was faithfully adhered to. Johnny Trotter and his com panion cracked new jokes ; Messrs Price and Hobbs sang to the satisfaction of their audience ; Frank Verten was doubly encore 1 in one of his negro eccentricities ; and Mr Saunders’s harp solos appear to be as welcome as ever.

The only cases at the Port Chalmers Police Court, this morning, were two charges of ship desertion, preferred against William Paul and David Latham, articled seamen belonging to the ship Invercargill, who were arrested early this morning by Constable Nicol while coming from the new jetty to the railway pier. Both pleaded guilty, and were sentenced to six weeks’ hard labor. Mr Mamford, R.M., presided. We have been furnished with the results of the Kakanui Races, run yesterday, she Hurdle Race £ieaM fell to Theodore, who won the first two heats, the Kakanui Hai dicap to Exile (weigh-el at Sst), Ringleader (Bsc 7*o) being so*pad, and Envy (Sst 111b) third; the Maiden Plate to Unknown ; the Publican’s Purse to Exile, Unknownheing second, and the Consolation Stakes to Ringleader, with Envy second It must be a fine thing to be a plasterer in Victoria. We recently read of the Colonial Bank there unsuccessfully advertising in Melbourne for four weeks for plasterers to go to a country place named Nagambie at 15s a day. all expenses paid, and the pay to count from the morning on which they left town till the evening of the day on which they returned. Ultimately men were induced to accept a pound a day with the extras just mentioned.

A woman named Mary Morcombe, wife of James Morcombe, storekeeper. Walker street, attempted to commit suicide last night under the following circumstances Between eieht and nine o’clock her husband went into the hor.se and found a rope, which had been used as a swing for the children, hanging from the lintel of the door, and his wife’s head in the noose and her feet above the ground. He immediately unslipped the noo e and gave her into custody. She was brought up at the Resident Magistrate s Court to-day and committed for trial. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court today, a woman named Mary Fleming, who has during the last two years been employed as domestic servant at the shop of Messrs Herbert, Haynes, and Co., was charged with stealing drapery and other goods to the value of over L 52. The information alleges that, the offence was commi ted on or about the 16th inst. ; but the thefts are supposed to have ranged over a considerable period. Accused was arrested by Detective Henderson. and most of the stolen property was found in her boxes. She fainted when placed in the dock this morning, and had to be removed to the Hospital.

It appears that the paragraph we inserted in our local column last evening correcting the mistake in the ‘ Guardian’ as to the time when the All Saints’ B zaar was to he opened was the more necessary as, depending upon its reliability (heaven kuows why) the misleading advertisement found its way into our own advertising page. Of this we were not aware at the time of writing the contradiction, or the advertisement would have been withdrawn. With characteristic effrontery, the ‘ Guardian,’ instead ol apologising to the public for being the misleading cause of this doable blunder, seeks to cover its fault by a clumsy attempt ata joke at the expense of the Evening Star. The only excuse we can find f6r such ill-timed jesting is the supposition that the writer has been practising for playing the character of clown or pantaloon in the pantomime. We regret that the error in our own columns should have occurred.

There waa a capital downstairs and moderate circle attendance at the Prince.-s’ last evening, when “Cinderella” and the pantomime were repeated. In the second act of the opera Miss May again sang “ She wore a wreath of roses ” charmingly, and for an encore gave a pleasant Irish ditty. Not the least charm of Mias May’s ballad singing is her remarkably clear enunciation and in that respect our amateurs might, with great advantage to themselves, take a lesson from her. Mr Hallam again introduced “ ihe Pilgrim of Love,” which was well re ceived. In connection with the psntomime it is only right to state that owing to the illness of Mr Briggs, the property master, none of the expected tricks can be brought into requisition, while all credit is due to Mr C. U. Newton for the manner in which he las< evening performed the business of clown, which he undertook at a few hours’ notice.

The third annual examination of Mr A. M’Leod’s school, held in the North Dunedin Drill-shed, took place on the 23rd inst. Tne examination was begun in the morning by Messrs Halliwell and Chapman, of the Middle District School, and continued during the day by the Kev. Dr Copland, Messrs James Wilson, and D. White, of the North Dunedin District School. The sewing department, which is conducts I by Mrs Fiulayson, was examined by Mrs Copland, Mrs Wilson, and Mis Gibb, The articles exhibited as specimens of the work done during the year that the girls had made great jnrdgr'eßß in sewing, kpjttipg, 4'c. All

present expressed themselves highly pleaded, I notonlywith the marked progress which the giris had made under Mrs Finlayson, but also with the good sense which she displayed in j practising her pupils in making article* of wearing apparel. The examiners compiimeuted Mr M‘Leod on the efficiency of his pupils, and congratulated the children on the care taken in their instruction. The work, they said, was thoroughly done. A fire occurred in the malt house of Mr James Wilson’s brewery, Rattray street, this afternoon, having originated in the malt kiln. The maltster, the only person on the premises, went to dinner in the lower portion of the building at about 12.30 p.m., and had not been away long before he observed a larger quantity of smoke than usual, and on proceeding to the kiln found the wooden wo* k near the door to be ablaze. The tire spread rapidly, but the Brigade were on tim spot almost immediately upon the alarm being given, and succeeded in confining the fire to the part in which it broke ; out. Overheating of the malt kiln is the supposed cause of the fire. Mr Wilson estimates his loss (which falls almost wholly on the building) at L4(JO, which is covered by insurance in the National and South British Companies. The stables adjoining were in considerable danger at one time, and the horses and vehicles were all removed. Alluding to the article in the ‘Daily Times’ on Wednesday last re “Asiatics,” the * Press ’ says the apology comes too late, for “ our contemporary is mo e than anyone responsible for the state of things described. He was foremost in raising the cry against the * Asiatic * immigrants. He did bis best to give them the bad name. It was his incessant vituperation which mainly assisted to make them odious in the eyes of em ployers. It is easier to do mischi f than to undo it, and in this case we fear the mischief is beyond remedy. We can at least hope, however, that our contemporary will profit by the lesson. Hd he remembered six months ago the necessity of distinguishing between the good and bad, and the injury that may be done by confounding them in one common censure, he would have been spared the pain of reflecting that he has helped to inflict a ‘ genuine hardship ’ on ‘inoffensive, industriou* men,’ and has branded * good men and true ’ with a stigma which he acknowledges to be undeserved.” The Registrar-General’s report on the vital statistics of the various boroughs of the Colony for the moutli of November is published in the ‘ Gazette.’ The following is a summary Auckland—population, 12.755 ; births, 47 ; deaths, 15 ; proportion of deaths to the 1,000 of papulation, IT7 Thames—population, 8,073 ; births, 17 ; deaths, 3 ; proportion of deaths, 0 37. Wellington—population, 10,547 ; births, 58 ; deaths, 11 ; proportion, 1 04. ‘ elson—population, 5,662; births, 17; deaths, 6; proportion, 106. Christchurch—population, 10,294; births, 57_; deaths, 18; proportion, 175. Dunedin population, 18,499 ; births, 85 ; deaths, 53; proportion, P'B7- Hokitika—population, 3 352 ; births, 11 ; deaths, 2 ; proportion, 0*59. The births were 292 in November, against 294 in October; the deaths were 22 fewer in number than the deaths in October. Of the deaths, males contributed 62; fenules, 46; 63 of the deaths were of children under 5 years of age, being 49 07 of the whole number; 37' of these were of children under 1 year of age. The deaths of chili! ren under 5 years of age were fewer by 3 than those in October. There were three deaths of persons of 05 years of age and upwards—viz., 1 female of 73, and 2 males of 65 and 68 respectively; 2of these deaths occurred in Auckland, and 1 in Dunedin. This afternoon the bazaar in aid of the building fund of All Saints’ Church was opened at the University Hall, The building was gaily and tastefully decorated, and the d splay of articles both for useful purposes and for ornament was perfectly bewildering. Stall No. lis presided over by Mrs W J. M. Larnach, Miss Hart, and Miss • proale, and is noticeable for the quality of the goods with which it is covered, ’i here are some well-dressed dolls, a handsome wool-wotked chair, and innumerable articles of f-nev work of every description. Mrs Chapman and Mrs Cook occupy stall No. 2, the m st prominent features of which are| perhaps, the beautiful bannerets and a banner screen. Next is Mesdames Mayer and Statham’s stall, conspicuous in which are two magnificently dressed large-sized dolls, and a cradle and complete out tic of baby’s clothing. The neighboring s'all is attended to by several young ladi* s, and at it are dispensed bouquets, fruit, flowers in pots, toys, &c. Stall No. sis under the care of Mesdames Stanford, Jack, and Black, and contains a large variety of goods which we have not space to properly notice; and the last stall is talten charge of by Mesdames John Maclean, Blair, and Hodgkins. This contains a large doll’s bouse, which opens throughout, and the interior of which is handsomely furnished ; a beautifully-worked fender stool in wool and beads ; some pretty screens, cushions, antimacassars, &c In connection with this stall is a collection of water-color drawings, which will be disposed of by art union. The pictures have been contributed by Messrs Hodgkins, O’Brien, the Hon. Mr Fox, and numerous local amateurs In the centre of the hall is a heavily-loadeded Christmas tree, which will be lib up this evening and its contents distributed by lottery. A piano is provided, on which several ladies kindly performed during the afternoon, and we hear that in the evening the Artillery Band will be in attendant. . The Wabari Rifles will meet for Adjutant’s inspection to-morrow evening, at 7.30. The Guiding Star Lodge 1.0. G.T. will meet at the usual place to-morrow evening, at seven o’clock sharp. A branch of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand was opened at Invercargill to-day under the charge of Mr John Dalglish. We call the attention of Volunteers to the general orders in our advertising columns. It will be seen that Otago will, in fact, have eight good representatives at the Colonial prizefiring.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Mormngton Band of Hope was held last evening in the District Hall; Mr Hardie in the chair. The attendance was not quite so large as on the previous evening, but those present thoroughly enjoyed themselves in listening to readings, speeches, &c., by several members, cincl the chairman intimated that a meeting and concert would lie held on Monday evening January 11, in lieu of the usual annual picnic. * Mr Britton, master of the Industrial School desires us to acknowledge with his thanks the receipt of 32 books, comprising the ‘ Band of Hope, the ‘ British Workman,’ ‘ Children’s u u ’nr other useful publications, from Air H. Wise ; six pairs of fowls and two tins of lollies from “A Friend;” four pairs of geese and four pairs of fowls from Mr J. T. Chaplin • o VO t i? s r$ f from Mr B. Isaac and the liev, Mr Zachariah; about 150 buns from Mr R. Hudson; and a cheque for L 5 from his Worship the Mayor. The last-mentioned gift is to enable the children to have a treat on New Year s Day, and the charitably disposed cannot do better than forward a little for the same object. “ Echoes of the Week,” a newly-revived feature in the ‘ Illustrated London Mews ’ bear the well-known initials of G.A.S. ’ borne idea of the profits of “ shebeeniug” may be gathered from a case heard at the Edmburgh police court. A man named Fitzsimmons was fined L3O for having sold whisky "Without a licence, and it was stated that since January ;572, ho has paid L&Oin finfes f or this ojtehbe, .

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE’S OOUKT. S

Tuesday, December 29. (Before J. Logan and J. Brown, Esqs., j.P.’s)

Drunkenness.—John M‘Ray was fined 40s, with the alternative of three days’ imprisonment ; and for assaulting Constable Wrnon whilst in the execution of his duty L 5, or one month’s imprisonment. John Haggerty fined i2, or seven days; Mary Alien, *LS. or fourteen days ; John Sullivan was discharged with a caution. Assault. - Jane Mouson was charged, on remand, with assaulting Constable Scott on December 25, and with damaging his clothing—On the first charge she was fined L 7, or two mont'.s’ imprisonment; on the other L 5, or one month ; and was further ordered to pay L2, the amount of damage done. Theft. —b'dward Robertson, for stealing twenty-eight empty bottles from the booth of Francis Elliot, at Green Lland, was scut to gaol fur one month. attempted Suicide. Mary Morcombe was charged with attempting to commit sui c.ide by strangling h.rself with a piece of rope, in a house in Walker street, ou ihe evening of December 28.—Prisoner was com mit' ed for trial, bail being allowed, herself in the sum of L2O, and two sureties of LlO each. Theft by a Servant.—Mary Fleming was charged with stealing from the shop of Messrs Herbert, Haynes, and Co., where she had been employed as domestic, on Liecember 14, a large quantity of drapery and goods, of the valui of L 52 10s. Prisoner, wha appeared to be much affected, fainted when placed in the dock, and had to be carried out of court, and the case was adjourned, till next day.