The Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3790, 17 April 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1875.

“ The Wandering Heir ” was repeated last night at the Princess’s to a good attendance in all parts of the house, and this evening it will be played fcr the last time. If ** M.” wishes it we will hand his letter to the proper authorities, the most straightforward and certain mode of redressing the grievance of which he complains. Mr Hunt, ef Ashburton, writes to the * Press *.to say that he has found the water in which elder leaves had been boiled an effective cure for cabbage blight, which, after an absence of twp or three seasons, has re-appeared in force in many districts. A newly-arrived immigrant, who. was arrested at Auckland the other day on a charge of larceny, volunteered the statement that he did not believe ten of his shipmates had a pound in their possession and were therefore landed absolutely destitute. Two novel enterprises have been initiated in Auckland. The masons are building at a cost of LIO,OOO a hall to be used as a club, where travelling masons may put up, if they so desire, in preference to going to an bote); and a local firm have just completed a hairdressing establishment solely for ladies. Ladies’ cricket matches appear to be becoming more popular. By the papers by the mail we notice that the ladies of Buckinghamshire have been following the example of their Victorian sisters and bee.n playing matches. Eleven ladies of the pariah et Nash have beaten a similar team from Qreat Harwood by a 116 against 86 runs, and with an innings to spare.

The police lost no time in tracing the man who stuck up and so brutally assaulted Andrew Hill in Melville street on Thursday night, and last evening Sergeant-Major Bevan arrested for the offence one John Sullivan, who was to-day brought up at the City Police Court and conclusively identified by three witnesses as the assailant.

Yesterday afternoon a deputation from the committee of the i’ owing Club, consisting of Messrs Fenwick, J. A. Cook, S, Muir, Arlidge, Frankriss, and White, waited upon the Superintendent with the view of ascertaining what assistance the Government would give the Club in removing its shed and placing it on piles rn a new site. It was explained by Mr Muir that the Club numbered only thirty members; that they had expended L3OO and were now in debt, aud the removal of the shed, to do which would fall very heavily upon the Club, was at once required by the Harbor Board, which intended to reclaim the site. His Honor replied that he believe 1 the piledriver now belonged to the Harbor Board ; but, if not he was inclined to assist the Club, and would bring the matter before the Executive.

The Provincial Council of Westland has already gained notoriety. for the extraordinary manner in which its proceedings are occasionally conducted ; now it appears to be desirous of establishing a reputation for endeavoring to pass peculiar Ordinances. Lately there was introduced and discussed in the Council a measure for taxing billiard tables, which sought to impose an annual tax of L 5 on billiard saloons, with LlO penalty for evasion of the Act—a tax not likely to be burdensome, especially as it it prooosed to give as a quid pro quo permission to the licensee to keep his rooms open day night. But two other revenue-raising Ordinances have occasioned much adverse comment. One was a land tax to defray ostensibly the cost of compulsory education, the other a tax on all horses and vehiol- a Fortunately people of the Province (remarks ike * Star ’) the power of the Council is limited in the important matter of taxation, otherwise the people might have cause to regret with exceeding bitterness their folly in placing the power of administering public affairs in the hgpda of menof s raw and men devoid of prinwple.

At a meeting last evening of the council of the Rifle A Raociation it was resolved that on account of the lateness of the year only Wo matches should be fired during the present season—the first on Saturday, the Ist M ay; 400, 600, and 600 yards; fire shots at each range; first prise, Mr Mason’s cup. Several other prizes will be given for the same event. The second match will be fired on Saturday, the Bth of May ; 200 and 500 yards ; seven shots at each range ; first prize, National Association’s medal. Other prizes w ill a'so bo given in this match. The conditions will be the same as those of last year. Entries will close at the secretary’s office on Wednesday, April 28.

A meeting of the Turkish Bath Company (Limited), was held at the baths yesterday, for the purpose of electing an auditor. T here were twelve shareholders present, and Mr Asher occupied the chair. Mr Sydney James was elected auditor, and the remuneration fixed at three guineas. Mr TJrquhart Macpherson, in referring to the prospects of the company, said that for the first few months the money taken at the baths was about equal to double the amount of; the working expenses, and he wished to' know for the information of the shareholders, whether th,ese rates .had been maintained. The chairman replied that after paying preliminary expenses, the directors expected a. dividend of 10 per cent, would be declared in September—that would be nine months after the commencement of operations. Although the baths, he said, were exceedingly, well patronised, it was not expected they would do so Well during the winter months a i they had done during the summer. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

The Port Chalmers Choral Union gave their first concert in the Masonic Hall, Port Chalmers, last evening. Owing to >the boisterous state' of the weather there was not anything like so large an attendance as might have been expeoted. Precisely at eight the Mayor, as president of the Society, took the chair, and briefly addressed the audience, explaining the objects for which the Union had been formed, and craving their favor should any shortcomings be' apparent on this the occasion of the S ociety’s first concert. Mr 0. Sykes played a prelude and the ladies and gentleman of the choir afterwards sang the opening glee “ Blow, blow, thou winter winds,” which was well received. Songs, duetts trios, and glees followed in quick successions to the evident satisfaction of those present/ the comic song, “Major K. N. Sepper,” by a wellknown amateur, being vociferiously encored. Decidedly the sweetest.song in the drat part of the entertainment was “Strangeis Yet.” The zeal of Detective Shury, a very deserving and conscientious officer, yesterday caused him to get into trouble. At the midday adjournment of the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice issued instructions that the witnesses in Regina v. Miller, the case then being tried—and one Flora Carter in particular—should not be allowed to communicate with one another. - On the Court resuming, Mr Stout, the accused’s counsel, elicited from Carter that she had, in the meantime; been spoken to by Shury, who told her that, in giving evidence, she was to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. For this Shury drew down upon himself a severe rebuke from his Honor, who said he did not think a constable would-have so far forgotten his duty as to break through an order given from the Bench. Later on, the Crown Proiecntor took occasion to say that he did not think Shuqf had said mucfy to the witness Carter.

A meeting of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0. G.T., Trill be held en -Tuesday evening to nominate officers for the ensuing term. The adjourned extraordinary meeting of tbe shareholders m the Shotover Goldmining Company wilt Whcld in the Temperance HMI. on Tuesday evening,. at seven o’clock. A meeting of natives of the shires of Lanark, Renfrew, and Dumbarton, for the purpose of forming an association, will be held in Murray’s Hotel on Monday evening, at 7.30. A meeting of gentlemen for the purpose of raising a fund for the relief of the wife and family of Captain Speuoe and the sufferers by the less of the Euphrosyne, will be held in the City Council Chambers on Monday afternoon at 4 o’clock.

Mr Rainford, who it will be remembered Injured himself at the close of the performance jriffht of the last appearance of the English Opera Company, has announced his intention of taking a benefit at the Queen’s Theatre on Friday next We feel sure he will receive a bumper house, which, after so long a period of enforced idleness, will no doubt be very welcome.

There is now on view in the shop window of Misers Maearthur and Sinclair, jewellers Princes street, where it will remain till Friday, the Challenge Belt of the Scottish Company, which is to be presented to Captain Jamieson at the ball on Friday next The belt has been much improved and added to by them. On a silver plate appears the following inscription Macullum Jamieson, on the breaking no of thb company, April 23, 1875.” While beneath the wreath of national emblems whieh appeared on the belt originally; a second P lat » ha« been added with this further inscription— _ For valuable services rendered from its formation;” and the erest and monogram of Mr Jamieson.