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Evening Star, Issue 4015, 8 January 1876, Page 2

At Auckland recently George Wells, for the curious offence of not turning off the steam on board of the Llewellyn on the 3rd inst., was fined LI, and sent to prison for seven days.

The inquest on John Cowley, an old pensioner who died suddenly at Oamaru on Wednesday, resulted in a verdict that deceased died from organic disease of the heart accelerated through an excessive use of alcoholic spirits. One of the oldest residents in Maerewhenua (Mrs Bottling) died there very suddenly last week. Within a day or two of her death she was quite well and active, and it is supposed that heart disease arising from her great stoutness was the cause of death—the deceased weighing upwards of 22 stone. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, Port Chalmers, this morning, Thomas Easton was charged with being drunk and disorderly in the streets there yesterday, and was fined ss, with the usual alternative. He was also advised to leave the district without delay, his antecedents being well known to the police. The Marriage Reform Association is a reality, though few people, on reading the account in the ‘Saturday Advertiser ’ of its first meeting, were prepared to accept it as such. The object of the Association is “to counteract and oppose the useless pomp and senseless finery and the absurd extravagance which at present disfigure the ceremony of marriage.”

There was a pretty numerous attendance at the Queen’s Theatre last evening, when the pantomime passed off with even greater smoothness than hitherto. An afternoon performance was given to-day, and it is almost needless to say that the large number of children who assembled were delighted with the comicalities of the Clown and Pantaloon, and the dancing by the ladies. The Sydney papers state that a violent hail storm has occurred near Invemell in that Colony. Young corn and pumpkins were cut off, wheat was threshed out, fowls had their legs broken^—some of them being killed outright—and sheep were going about with bleeding backs and limbs. The hailstones were unusually large, and more spherical than they generally are when of uncommon size.

At the Temperance Hall there was what was known as a “special” night, and the house was filled in all parts. This specialty consisted of each visitor receiving a smartlywritten little work consisting, of a biography of Mr John Smith, the proprietor of the Combination Troupe. The programme of the previous evening was repeated, and the various items secured a large amount of applause. Mr Willard’s violin solo with imitation of the poultry-yard is alone well worth hearing. To-night Willard’s spiritual seance will be introduced.

There was a short sitting of the Supreme Court in banco this morning, before Mr Justice Williams, when Mr F. JR, Chapman applied for a writ of habeas corpus in Jenkins’s case. His Honor expressed his willingness to liberate Jenkins on the latter’s own recognisances. Mr Chapman, as no one appeared to show cause, asked that the rule might be enlarged till Wednesday next, in order that more time might be afforded the other side. His Honor granted the request, and Jenkins will be liberated till Wednesday, when the case will again come on.

A case of what looks very like sheepstealing occurred in the Waikaia district a few days ago. As Mr Crillanders, runholder, was riding along on his way to the Waikaia races he saw a number of sheep—thirtyseven in all—bearing his brand enclosed in a paddock on the farm of a well-known and apparently prosperous settler, who has lived in the neighborhood for the last twelve or fourteen years. Mr GUlanders, after satisfying himself that the animals were his, gave information to the police; but on going to the farm it was found that the proprietor was not “at home.” The ‘ News ’ informs us that the alleged sheep-stealer has been arrested at Switzers. Under the Act of last session some important alterations have been made in themode of registering births and deaths. Principal of these are that in the case of births the occupier of the house or tenement in which the child may be born, and every person present at its birth are made responsible for the registration, in the event of the death, absence, or inability of the father or mother to do so ; and, in the case of deaths, the occupier of the house or tenement, and each person present at the death; and in default, the undertaker is responsible. Also, that one of the responsible persons must attend to make the registry in person, unless they, or one of them, give a written authority to some other person to do so, who should be of an age to understand and become responsible for the truth of the Earticnlars, and for the penalties. It has eon the custou hitherto for any friend to register a birth without a written authority. It is important, therefore, that the public should know that Ibis can no longer be done,

Two charges of drunkenness constituted the business at the City Police Court to-day. James Miskelly, alias Kelly, was discharged with a caution, and Anri Manning, an old offender, was fined 40s, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment. Mr Pyke presided. A man named Robert Inglis, a stonemason, has been missing during the past four days, and grave apprehensions are felt for his safety. He had been drinking heavily of late, and on Saturday morning he left Perriam's Lowburn Hotel, since Which time nothing has been heard of him. It is feared he has met his end in the Clutha River. The ‘Cromwell Argus ’ reports that the police are making search and inquiry. The Dunedin School Committee met at the office of Mr Sydney James, the secretary, this afternoon. Every member was present, Mr Livingstone (Chairman) in the chair. Mr J. Menzie, jun., was appointed second master of the South School, vice Mr Lindsay, transferred to the Normal School as second master in the Practising Department. The report and balance sheet to be laid before the general meeting of ratepayers to be held on Monday night, were adopted and the Committee adjourned. A special train will leave Port Chalmers for Dunedin at 9.30 a.m. on Monday, returning at 3.15 pm. A summoned meeting of the Pioneer Lodge, 1.0.0. F., wiU be held at the Oriental Hotel on Tuesday next. A meetinsr of the Dawn of Light Division Daughters of r emperauce will be held on Monday next, at 7 30 p.m. The installation of officers of the Loyal Leith Lodge, I. 0.0. F., will take place at the Lodge Rooms on Monday evening. We have been requested by Messrs A. andT. Inglis to notify that this is the last day on which exchanges may be made for art union tickets. On Monday week Miss Edhouse tikes a complimentary benefit at the Temperance Hall. The public cannot luvo forgotten Ihejiaany and gratuitous services this lady rendered in past times, whenever she was called upon; and now that, through ill-health, she is obliged to appeal for support, we hope it will meet with a cheerful response. We are glad to hea’- that most of onr principal amateurs have volunteered, so that a very enjoyable concert may be anticipated. We were to day shown, by Messrs Brown, Ewing, and Co, a piece of calico, being part of a sample bale received direct from the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, New Hampshire. There has been a good deal said in interested circles in the old country as to the competition of the cotton manufacturers of America with those of England in the - markets of the world; indeed there is danger from the rival y o f America in England's own markets a large quantity of American calico having been actually imported to and sold in Manchester. The sample shown by Messr i Brown, Ewing, & Co. is said by them to be the finest piece of calico of the class they have seen. It is both in color and texture much superior to the same class of Enelish-made poods, and can be sold here at a price which, considering the superiority of the article, is noc at all in excess of the cost of British goods. Our English manufacturers will have to look to it, or they will find America a formidable rival in the production of those goods, f r the mvnu« . facMrre of which England has hitherto had the premium.