Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 4011, 4 January 1876, Page 2

In consequence of pressure on our space we are compelled to hold over a large quantity of matter, including some European and Australian news per Alhambra, our Police Court report, &c. The popularity of the burlesque at the Queen’s appears to be undiminished. There was another ftxll attendance last night. The last crushing of the Cromwell Company realised 5200za, but the local paper does not state the quantity of stuff put through. The first annual meeting of the new Fire Brigade was fixed for last evening, but on account of the holiday it was postponed until next Monday. The election of officers

for the year will then take place. An addition has been made to the criminal calendar. At Milton yesterday, Peter Scott (whom the ‘ Herald ’ describes as an old settler of Table Hill, and as being seventy years of age) was committed on two charges of sheep stealing.

The gold escort returns of the Province for the year 1875 amount to 112,4730z5, as against 115,7340zs for last year. The grand total since the discovery of gold in 1861 has been 3,161,9440z5, which, at L 4 per oz, gives a total value 0fL12,647,776.

The change of programme at the Temperance Hall last evening proved very acceptable to a very numerous attendance, by whom the oddities of the Marionettes, the duets of Miss Lane and Mr Carey, and the drolleries of Mr Willard were enthusiastically received.

A comical mistake appears in the last issue of the ‘ Dunatan Times,’ which speaks of Mr Pyke as having been the only person who was present at the declaration of the poll for Clyde, and reports him as having delivered a speech to himself. We regret we have not room for Mr Pyko’s soliloquy on that occasion.

There was a very large attendance at Barlows Circus last night. The riding of Young Roma was much admired, and the antics of the dogs and monkeys created a deal of amusement, especially to the young folk. To-night and Thursday this company make their last appearance, and we would advise those who have not yet seen the circus to avail themselves of this opportunity.

At the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning there was only one case set down for hearing—Edward Rivers v. Jane Rivers. This was an application to have an order previously made, by which the wife obtained protection for herself and children, rescinded, so far as the custody of the children was concerned. On account of defendant’s intemperance the order was refused.

The Grand Jury were discharged this morning, and before being dismissed made a presentment to his Honor on the subject of valueless cheques, and the easy manner in which the storekeepers receive them, thus encouraging crime. His Honor agreed with the presentment. The case sent from Tokomairiro yesterday, and the case of Jenkins committed by the Coroner forJaUeged arson, cannot come on this session. A Grand Juryman (Mr C. M. Howieson) was fined two guineas this morning for non-attendance. They appear to have had a .peculiar method in Tokomairiro of celebrating the advent of the New Year. The “-friaky-uus,” according to the ‘ Herald,' appear to have had a good time of it.... The following were a few of then performances Some conceived the happy idea of ImmCading .the road with beer barrels. Mr A. M'Laren received from some unknown friend a handsome New Year’s gift in the shape of a fire engine, which was placed in his front garden—the engine was afterwards claimed by the Milton hire Brigade. At daylight it was found that a large coach belonging to Cobb and Oo had mysteriously moYed from the White Howe

T 8 ” 1 t* a gatter it Abawa-oabj* Street. Somebody** baggy was alto found in the middle of the road, with its wheels in the 1 air, and looking very much as if it had been out all night. The police did all in their power to keep order, and in the darkness Gpnstabl© White very nearly arrested Mounted Constable Aitcheson, on suspicion of haying designs on some packing eases outside Mr Stewart’s shop. According to the telegraph board, but not by the Press Agency telegrams, the Mikado was the first to reach Auckland. .We prefer to believe the agency, which gives priority to the City of San Francisco. There should be a good run across to Sydney, as both vessels left Auckland on Sunday within a few minutes of each other, the City sailing ft t 1.30 p.m. and the Mikado ten minutes after. The southern portion of the mail will be brought down by the Hawea, which left the Manakau on Monday morning.

The Dunedin competitors at the late meet-, ing of the Caledonian Society entertained' the Christchurch competitors at a dinner at Dunning’s last evening previous to their departure. The health of the Christchurch competitors was proposed .by Mr W. J. Burke, and ably responded to by Mr Gough, of Christchurch. “The Caledonian Society,” coupled with the name of Mr Kirkcaldy, was drank with musical honors. During the evening there was some very good singing, and a very pleasant evening was brought to a close by all the company singing “ Auld Lang Syne.”

With regard to the Inter-Provincial Pigeon shooting match there are no particulars to hand yet from the Northern Provinces, with the exception of the fact that Canterbury could not get a team together. The conditions of the match were that ten men should fire in each team, at 13 birds each ; every bird, if killed by the first barrel to count two points, if by the second, one point. The highest possible score for each team would therefore be 260 points, but thfe Otago team on Saturday made only 156; T. Dodson making the good score of 23. The highest in the winning team takes the cup, a trophy valued at eighty guineas, biit we fear it will not come to Otago.

Lodge Pride of Waitati, No. 52, 1.0. G.T., yesterday held its second anniversary picnic in a paddock adjoining the new Good Templar Hall, Blueskin. A procession was formed by the school children and the newly-formed Blueskin brass band, followed by the lodges Pride of Waitati, Who Would Have Thought It, and Merton, together with a number of visiting members of the order from Waikouaiti, Palmerston, and Dunedin. During the course of the day a number of athletic sports were indulged in, and dancing was carried on with spirit. The day passed off most satisfactorily, and in the evening a social gathering and dance took place in the Hall, when some excellent songs were rendered, and dancing was kept up till a late hour.

A concert was given last evening in the University Hall in aid of the St. Joseph’s schools, which was very well attended, but would have been more so if the change from the Drill-shed to the Hall had been made more public. Mr J. J. Woods conducted and Mrs Woods officiated at the piano throughout the evening. Among the best rendered pieces were “Molly Asthore,” by Miss A. Tully ; “ Thou art so Near,” by Mr R. Carroll; the duct, “Peace to thy Spirit,” by Miss Hesford and Mrs Woods; the “Anvil chorus’’from “II Trovatore,” by the company ; and “ Strangers Yet,” by Miss Hesford. In addition to the names on the programme several amateurs gave their services, amongst the number being Mr E. Towsey, who was loudly applauded for his singing of “ Come into the Garden, Maud.” Altogether the programme was a wellselected one, and was gone through in a highly satisfactory manner.

The ‘ North Dunedin Rifles will parade at the Water of Leith Drill-shed to-morrow evening, at 7.30. The monthly meeting of the Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 12, will bn held in the Friendly Societies’ ball to-morrow evening at 7.30. The National Building Society will hold its monthly meeting, at tjhe offices, on Monday next, between 6 and 8 p.ra. We observe that the first of Professor Coughtrey’s popular summer coarse of lectures on Physiology will be given on Thursday, the 13th inst., at which admission will be free.