The Evening Star SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3880, 31 July 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1875.

A fall report of the Financial Statement will be found in this issue, but, owing to pressure on our space, the draft of the Abolition of Provinces Bill is held over till Mon* day. The last brick in the Chain Hills Tunnel was laid this morning, at four o’clock, and this practically completes the work. The rails will be laid through in about ten days’ time. The single men by tbe ship Aldergrove were removed from the Quarantine Island to the railway pier this morning by the Government lannch Vire, and conveyed to Dunedin by the 11 a.m. train. Amongst the relics by the mail steamer Schiller was a letter containing a sum of money, sent Home by Mr R. M. Marks, of this City. We learn, from a reply received by the last mail, that the letter was perfectly legible. Three charges of drunkenness constituted the business brought before the City Police Court to-day. The offenders David Thomson, Jerry Doughoe, and James Cheyne —were all fined ss, with the alternative of twenty-four hours’ imprisonment. Messrs Ramsay and Mercer, J.P.’s, presided. Mr C. S. Reeves addressed a meeting of Leith Ward ratepayers at Cotter’s Hotel last night, and received a vote of confidence ; and Mr Gibson was equally well received at thn same place. Of the candidates for Higlf Ward, Mr P. Chapman met the ratepayers at the Mission Bouse, Russell street, and was awarded a hearty vote of confidence and promises of support. A general meeting of the St. Paul’s Young Men’s Association was held last evening, when a lengthy programme was satisfactorily gone through. By invitation several ladies were present, and some of them kindly lent their assistance. The programme consisted of readings, recitations, and songs. As those who took pait iu the entertainment were old amateurs, it is not necessary to mention names, but, as a whole, the affair passed off exceedingly well. At the conclusion it was announced that the business for the next meeting of the association would he the reading ®f the 1 Quarterly Magazine.’ None but smokers can fully appreciate the value of a pipe in time of trouble. This fact was touchingly illustrated in the Wellington Resident Magistrate’s Court last week, when, according to the ‘ New Zealand Times,’ two men were up on a charge ot violently assaulting a woman. They were remanded for two days, and, on leaving the dock, a sympathetic friend who had been watching the proceedings anxiously, put something into the pocket of one of them. He |was detected in the act by the police sergeant, and he likewise was taken into custody. The person was searched, when it was discovered that the sympathising friend had merely presented him with a pipe as a salve for solitude.

Last evening, at the Empire Hotel, Edwards took up Delaney's offer to run ten miles while he walked seven miles, and the match is to oome off on the 14th prox. More interest is, however, being shown in Wain’s doings, the date for his attempt to walk 100 miles in twenty-four hours being fixed for Friday next. The instalments of the stakes —LSO a-side—-are regularly paid up, L3O having already been paid by each side. Wain does steady work daily, and every alternate day has a twenty-five mile spin at least in the Drill-shed, where the match is to be held. He is in capital condition, and—which is of no small importance in so arduous a task—-is confident of success and determined not to give in.

The meeting held at Kensington last evening, for the purpose of considering the advisability of forming a lodge of the Independant Order of Good Templars, was at. tended by about twenty persons. Mr Robert Jack was called to the chair, and in a few short and impressive remarks he urged the importance of a lodge in the district. After Messrs Wilson and Oswald had also addresse the meeting, Mr Clarke moved, and Mr Shacklock seconded, that an application for a charter be forwarded at once to the Grand Division, with the request that they may see fit to open a lodge on Thursday, sth August. It was intimated that a considerable number were ready to join the lodge when opened. The committee ’’appointed at the general meeting of residents of the various townships on the flat, for the purpose of taking steps to establish a municipality, met at the Ocean View Hotel yesterday. Mr Goodison was in the chair; and the following members were present: Messrs Thomas, Melioan, Roughton, Glass, Eason, Barrowman, ud Maloney.

A resolution proposed by Mr Moloney, and seconded by Mr Glass—“ That copies of the memorial to his Honor the Superintendent he left at the various business places in Dunedin, enumerated in the advertisement, for the signatures of all owners of properties on the flat who reside in Dunedin ” —was carried. It was stated by Mr Eason that upwards of 300 signatures had already been obtained. ... Mr Barrowman was appointed secretary, and the meeting adjourned till Wednesday next, at 7 p.m. At a recent meeting of the Wellington Jockey Club it was decided to hold an autumn meeting’ in addition to the spring meeting. The ‘N, Z. Times ’ says this is a step in the right direction, andjif other clubs would follow the example, the quality of horses competing would soon improve. If an owner of horses has but one opportunity a year of bringing out his stock, it can scarcely be expected that they will show much form, for the simple reason that, with the exception of the three or four months immediately prior to the meet, -they are thrown out of training and rent to draw watercarts or some such work. If it could be managed to have a succession of meetings in the various Provinces, it would pay owners to keep their horses up all the year round, and consequently be always able to bring them to the post in condition when big events are to be competed for. Colanial youths are noted for their sagacity. A proof of this, says the ‘Mew Zealand Herald,’ may bo observed on the wharf any day during the discharge of vessels where potatoes form a portion of the cargo. “ Baked potatoes, all ’ot I” is then with the Auckland gamin the order of the day. A watchful observer will detect the boys on the watch for a good-sized stray potatoe, which, when pounced upon, is at once carried to one of the donkey-engines used on the wharf for the discharge of cargoes. While the engineer’s back is turned Irom his charge, the potatoes are thrust into the ash-pit of the engine. The process of cooking being over, another opportunity is embraced to hook the potatoes out with a stick, Having provided themselves with salt from a damaged bag discharging from an English ship, the boys retire behind a pile of bales or cases, and their enjoy their banquet. Having finished their repast, they disappear beneath the wharf to finish the day with schnapper fishing,{a portion of their take being usually bartered for a stick of tobacco, and the evening is spent on some doorstep with a social pipe, and the proceedings enlivened by chaffing passers-by. The special meeting of the City Council held yesterday afternoon to confer with the several owners of riparian rights likely to be affected by the new Water Supply Extension Bill, was attended by Councillors Barron, Fish, Gibson, Isaac, Walter, and Woodland, his Worship the Mayor presiding. A copy of the draft of having been distributed amongst those present, Mr {Wilson, brewer, raised objections to it, saying he would oppose it to his last shilling unless the Corporation guaranteed him a plentiful supply of water. Mr J. Smith, Corporation Solicitor, explained the meaning of the fifth clause, which empowered the Corporation to make compensation to those holding riparian rights, either in money or an equivalent, by constructing a compensation reservoir. Where water was wanted for other |purposes than machinery, such as domestic uses, they would be entitled to a similar amount as before, gratuitously. He suggested that Mr Wilson should procure from his own solicitor such an amendment of the clause as was needed, to which he (Mr Smith) would be happy to give his best attention. Mr Wilson expressed satisfaction with the course proposed, and the meeting terminated.

A grand house greeted Mrs Darrell at the Princess’s last jaight on the occasion of her benefit, every ‘part of the building being crammed, and this large audience was rewarded with one of tho most successful and gratifying performances ever given on a Dunedin stage. “As You Like It ” constituted the main portion of the programme, with Mrs Darrell as Rosalind, and to witness that lady’s charming rendering of one of Shakespeare’s most charming heroines was a great treat. The life and vivacity with which ahesplayed ; the clear, distinct utterance of each line and word; the telling manner in which the innumerable witty points and smart retorts were delivered—all combined to form a perfect picture of the atithor’s admirable creation. Mrs Darrell was continually interrupted with rapturous applause during the progress of the play, and was loudly recalled at its conclusion. The part of her lover, Orlando, was suitably played by Mr Darrell, but it does mot call for the display of a great amount of power. So long as the character is made pleasing and sufficiently love-stricken all is done that is requisite ; and in Mr Darrell’s hands neither of these qualities was missing. The melancholy Jaques found a representative in Mr Steele, and occasionally his efforts {to do justice to the language of his part were very commendable ; but, on the whole, we are of opinion that he might have done considerably better. Mr Saville made a very excellent Touchstone, surprising a great many present, who had no notion that this gentleman could lay aside his stiffness, and show so much life and humor. Miss Willis’s Celia was played spiritedly, and with good effect. Mr Musgrave was the faithful old servingman, Adam, and acted the part very feelingly; while MrJHoyle had a great deai of work thrown on his shoulders, appearing in two or three characters, and filling all very creditably. Mr Stoneham and Mr Clinton gave satisfaction as Oliver and the exiled Duke respectively, with the exception of Mr Clinton’s thick manner of speaking now and then marring his efforts. To-night “ Flowers of the Forest ” will be produced.

About 400 persons attended the public meeting at the Temperance Hall last evening called to consider the present unsatisfactory supply of gas to the City, and for the purpose of eliciting any suggestions which might assist the City Council to secure a more economical supply of gas in the future, both for public and private purposes. His Worship the Mayer presided. The first resolution, proposed by Mr Garrick and seconded by Mr T. Hetherington, “That, in the opinion of this meeting, the supyly of gas has for a considerable time past and wholly unsatisfactory in price and quality/' was carried unanimously. Mr R. K. Murray then proposed and Mr J. P. Armstrong seconded the following motion : solved, that the City Council be urged to construct without delay, in a suitable site, a new gasworks of such extent as will enable the Council to provide, throughout the whole City; the benefits arising from an ample supply of gas for public and private purposes.” Mr S. S. Hutchison, who was well received, then addressed the meeting at considerable length with regard to his charaoter and engineering reputation and in reference to his former connection with the gasworks. He had to build the present works on the swamp being unable to get a site nearer town, and had to erect works from a lot ®f second-hand, incongruous : metal. The only things that emanatedjrom him were the retort-house and gas holder, and he would submit them to any engineer in the world as a most creditable work. Mr Hutchison then entered into a long, personal explanation, complaining that a large amount of odium had been unjustly cast on him, and that vile and slanderous calumnies had been hurled at him without his having an opportunity of openly defending himself. The present gasworks could

not supply the City with sufficient gas, and he suggested that they be used for lighting Caversham and the Forbury, the mains now laid in Dunedin to be purchased by the Corporation and be connected with the Corporation gasworks. Mr H. S. Fish agreed with what had been said of the inefficient gas supplied, and argued that there must be something wrong with the work?, since they were paying 35 to 50 per cent, mare for their gas than last year. His amendment—“ That, inasmuch as the question of the value of the present gasworks and their suitability for the supply of the City is at present being investigated by a competent engineer, it is unwise to express any opinion thereon until the report of the engineer is presented to the City Council was negatived. The following resolution, proposed by Mr Armstrong, seconded by Mr Duthie, was, after discussion, carried That this meeting desires to record its entire confidence in Mr gas engineering ability and personal integrity ; that, in the opinion of this meeting, Mr Hutchison has been overlooked by the Council when appointing an engineering valuator to assist them in their negotiations relative to the existing gas property, and that his services should, in the interests of the Oily, yet be secured; and that the chairman be requested to present the resolutions of this meeting to the Mayor and Council at their next sitting.” The meeting then closed.

The monthly meeting of the National Building Society will be held on Monday evening, at 8 o’clock. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building Society will be held on Monday evening. A Young Men’s Breakfast Meeting will be held at Murray’s Hotel to-morrow morning, at eight o’clock. Messrs Cargill, Couzens, and Scanlan have retired from the South Ward election—the two latter in favor of Mr Rossbotham. The skating rink this evening will be the scene of special attraction, as the final match Melbourne v. Dunedin will take place. A number of members of the rink will also give exhibition of their skill on the roller skates.