The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1875.

Evening Star, Issue 3972, 17 November 1875, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1875.

The highly successful conversazione of the Otago Institute is the type of a class of entertainments which we should be glad to see become common in Dunedin. Amusement, pure and simple, is readily attainable in this City by all who wish for it; but it is only on very rare occasions that persons who are anxious to learn something while they are taking their pleasure are able to attain their object. Indeed, it is not going too far to say that scientific recreation is practically beyond the reach of the vast majority of our population. In no direction has more progress been made during the last fifty years than in that of science. Things which Newton or Boyle or Kepler would have given their right hands to see and know may now be seen and known by any persons of ordinary intelligence, if only proper steps be taken to provide the necessary appliances. The cost of such appliances is not great, and it is not difficult to find men with the scientific knowledge required for using them. In a word, the fruit is on the tree, and men capable of shaking this tree are not wanting ; but somehow or another the operation is not performed, and people have not the opportunity of tasting the rich, ripe fruit. No doubt there are hundreds of people in this town who have never had the pleasure of using a microscope, or an astronomical telescope, who have not had the chance of gaining the remotest idea as to the use of a spectroscope, and whose acquaintance with the electric telegraph is exceedingly limited ; while the number of those who could give even a tolerably accurate description of these instruments, and the principles on which they are constructed, would probably bo found to be small indeed. It cannot be maintained that the lack of knowledge about such matters arises from indifference, for no one who has made some little progress in a branch of physical science can have failed to be struck on observing the interest shown by persons in matters of this nature, when a new fact or principle has been casually explained in their presence in a moderately clear and intelligible manner. The fact is that the great majority of intelligent men and women are really disposed to pay more attention to such subjects than they would be willing to give to, say, the question of the Abolition of the Provinces, or even to gossiping remarks about their neighbors, Mr A and Mrs B. Unfortunately, however, there is a widespread belief that science is too exalted a matter to be meddled with by ordinary men and women, and that no solid scientific attainments can be made except by exceptionally gifted men. Persons who have been accustomed to hold this belief would be surprised to learn that there is almost no branch of science altogether beyond the reach of a man who has sufficient industry and mental activity to enable him to conduct an ordinary business successfully. Perhaps there is no

science which is thought to require such a great intellectual grasp as astronemy does ; yet one of the greatest living masters of the science makes the following statement with regard to it

The first conclusion which I would desire to impress upon the stnrlcut of astronomy, who enters upon the science with a tolerable uuderstandinE of ordinary practical matters is, that nothing is totally beyond his leach. Complete knowledge of every thoretical and instrumental detail can be only ohtained by those who will devote t > them a large portion of thoir lives ; but sound knowledge of the principles of nearly every part can be obtained by the reasonable efforts of persons possessing common opportunities for general knowledge. Wbat the Astronomer Royal says with regard to astronomy, Dr Tyndall would probably say with regard to the science of heat; Dr Huggins with regard to spectroscopy; Dr Carpenter with regard to microscopy. Each of these masters of their respective subjects would say that while very great original discoveries might be within the reach of highly-gifted men only, any person who was willing to devote a portion of his leisure time to such an object might chalk out for himself a useful and honorable scientific career, which would be very beneficial not only to himself but in a greater or less degree to the society of which he was a member. It is, therefore, a thing to be that so few persons should have their attention directed to such subjects; that indeed so many should be led to turn their attention away from them through these ill-grounded notions with regard to the difficulties that are supposed to confront students of them, Nothing could have a better effect in the way of dissipating these notions than entertainments resembling last night’s conversazione , modified, of course, to suit circumstances. We are quite certain that if Professor Shand with his spectroscope, and Professor Black with his chemical appliances, could perform their experiments and explain them to a gathering of the young men and young women of Dunedin, they could not fail to give many of their hearers the scientific “ complaint ” which, when once caught, is seldom or never permanently got rid of. Happily, it is never desirable that it should be. We hope that the public and the Press will lay this matter to heart, and see that something be done towards removing the reproach that may fairly be brought against Dunedin that it does absolutely nothing in the way of at least bringing modern science within the reach of all. We feel sure that if our City were compared with any moderate-sized English or American town the comparison would prove in this respect by no means favorable to Dunedin.

It has been objected to our remarks respecting the operation of the Diseased Cattle Act. that it is not a Provincial Ordinance, but a general law. Although this is true, it is not administered on a common principle in the different Provinces, the Cattle Board of Canterbury being allowed to differ from those of Otago, excepting in cases definitely proclaimed by the Governor, A children’s 1 polling bee has been success* fully tried in Christchurch. The match between Dunedin and Lawrence will be resumed this evening. Mr George Gordon, Town Clerk of Christ* church, died in that city on Msnday last. Messrs ! eid and M'Kellar intend to visit the southern and goldfields districts shortly. A young lad recentlv washed the dirt from underneath the old Bank of New -onth Wales building at Wi theritones, and netted gold to the va'ue of L 7 15a for his labor. The Provincial Government have been advised by the Immigration Department of the sailing from ondon, in October, of the sh p Corona for Otago, with 318 immigrants.

At Wellington, on the 10th inst., for the first time in New Zealand, a wife was permitted to give evidence on her husband’s behalf und r the new Evidence Act, which provides that a wife’s testimony is admissible, although not compellable. The Minister for Public Works informs Mr J. C, Brown, M. FI. R., that the report ef the Engineer-in-Chief upon the Babriel’a Gully Drainage Channel “is not of a character to justify the consideration of the construction of the work by the Government,”

In reference to the disposition of the Challenge Shield, the suggestion is made by the ‘ N. O. Times’ that it should fired f>>r yearly or half yearly by squads of ten men each, re resenting all companies in Otago, and le' the winning company retain it till the time for the next competition comes round.

The people of Awaraoko are justifiably indignant at the. disgusting delay in the opening of the Awamoko Railway. For the transit of grain, even were it opened now, it would be almost useless so far as refers to to the grain o? last harvest, because the harvest of 1874-5, of the Plain, has already reached Oamaru in the ordinary waggons.

The Oamaru Cricket Club have received a challenge from the D.C.C. to come to town and play them on or about New Year’s Day, and the ‘ N. O. Times ’ informs us it is more than likely that the challenge will be accepted. The D.C.C. will in all probability also send a team to Invercargill on New Year’s Day. The Albion O.C. go to Tokomairuo oa Christmas Day to play the Bruce Club.

A man named Hugh M'Millan was killed on the Ilth inst, while working in a claim at Potter’s Gully. near Roxburgh. The ‘ Tuapcka Times ' says be was caught under a fall of < arth which he had been endeavor, ing to bring down, and would in all probt bit ty have e c ipe i had he not slipped while attempting to run up the cham er. He unfortunately, however was caught by the fall and when taken out, about a quarter of an hour after the accident, life was quite extinct.

The ‘ Tuapeka Times ’ is surprised that, in rece.ving the deputation from ap mui the other day, •* Mr v> a candrew should have so far forgotten himself as to allow his zeal as a politician to outrun his discretion as Superintendent It presents other features of an qually objectionable character. It has a tioge of e.ectiou bribery, inasmuch as the electors of Tapunui are told in effect that if they vote in a certain direction they will be rewarded with ceitain material advantages ; md it they do not, the-e will be withheld, t also smacks of log-rolling, so that in whatever light we view it, the proceeding is a most do creditable one, and one which the Superintendent should not have been |a party to."

Cw’ncr to the strong counter-attraction if anu-hcr part of the City there a veiy numerous attendance at the Queen’s theat; e last owning. “The Shaughrauu” will be played for ;he remainder of the week. On Saturday last a cricket mitch was played at Montecillo between the High School and Carisbrook Clubs, and resulted in tne latter winning by seven wickets The High School made twenty-five in their first, and thirty-one in their second innings, while their opponents made fifty-one in their firs ■. leaving only five to be scored in their Second inn'ngs. and the latter number it need hardly be said they were not long in obtaining. The Oamaru horsewhipping case is likely to receive a new development. In the last issue of the local paper appears a communication by Mr Hood, who expresses himself satisfied that Mr Shrirmki had nothing to do with the letter which led to the Jracas, but adds—“l beg now to state that lam prepared to swear upon oath that Mr Mosley volunteer, d the statement [that w hrimski was the writer of the letter referred to] to me ; which also I can prove.” A meeting of the Anniversary Committee Star of Otago Lodge, 1.0.0. F., will be held this evening, at 8.30, at the Queen’s Hotel, Albany street. Officers and members of the Provincial (jTauo Lodge of are requested to Masonic Hall to-morrow (Thursday) at 7.30 p.m., to attend installation.

The Kenaii gton Band of Hope held its Usual fortnightly meeting in the schoolhouse last evening. Mr Morris occupied the chair, atm a numerous audience was entertained With an interesting programme.