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Evening Star, Issue 4027, 22 January 1876, Page 2

There are at present 256 medical practitioners in the Colony.

The children attending the St. Matthew’s School were to-day treated to a pic-nic at the Forbury. There were nine or ten expresses filled with the children, their teachers, and other friends.

The Primitive Methodists of Dunedin have secured for their pastor the Rev. J. Ward, who will enter upon his duties in April. In the meantime we understand that the office-hearers have renewed their lease of the large Temperance Hall for another year. Cromwell is agitating for the appointment of a Resident Magistrate and Warden for that district, on the grounds of its central position and importance. During the past three years it has exported 75,000 ounces of gold, as against 7,000 on the part of Clyde. A man named Charles Stephen Mills was committed for trial, on the 20th inst., by Mr Parker, R.M., Oamaru, at the ensuing sessions of the Supreme Court, Dunedin, on two separate charges of forgery at Oamaru—viz., one in the name of Charles Jennison and ane in the name of E. Alger, of Oamaru. There is no truth (remarks the ‘Cromwell Argus’) in the statement contained in the ‘ Dunstan Times ’ of last week, that the missing man Robert luglis has turned up at Blacks. The mystery as to his disappearance is as obscure as ever—if anything the impression that Inglis has made away with himself is strengthened. The Caledonian Society have determined to at once call for tenders for the removal of the fence round the North Dunedin Recreation Ground, and for its re-erection upon the Society’s Ground at Kensington, and for separate tenders for the purchase or removal, and in the latter case, for the re-erection of the grand stand on the Society’s Grounds. The Society will celebrate Bums’s anniversary in its customary manner.

The earth-closet system does not appear to work satisfactorily in Auckland. A local journal has the following regarding them : —The closets are there, but there is no power known which will compel on the part of the reluctant the use of the earth, without which the system is valueless. We have it from a medical man in large practice in the city and suburbs that the state of things in this respect existing in some localities and very extensively, is simply horrible; The foreman of the jury in Webb v. The National Bank informs us that the jury were directed to llnd what they considered to be the value of the goods when seized, from which finding would be deducted the amount due to the Bank. This, on inquiry, we find to be hardly the case. The record shows that a verdict was returned for plaintiff for L 3,000, and the Bank must take the usual remedy for the recovery of the debt due to them.

Mr Nugent Wood, whose “ Bush Flowers from Australia,” met with a favorable reception, has been encouraged, says the ‘Argus,’ to try her hand at a volume of short stories and shorter poems. These, together with some prose and verse by her brother, Mr H. Luplau, are now published under the title of “ Waiting for the Mail,” As the scene of the various narratives is generally laid in the Colonies, this will recommend them to the friendly consideration of a good many readers. From the list for 1876, published in the ‘New Zealand Gazette,’ we find that the number of officiating ministers under the Marriage Act in the Colony is as follows : Church of England and Iroland, 186 ; Presbyterian Church of Now Zealand, 51; Roman Catholic Church, 59 ; Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland, 40; Wesleyan Methodist Society, 61 ; Congregational Independents, 11; Baptists, 9 ; Primitive Methodist Society, 9; Lutheran Church, 4 ; Hebrew Congregation, 6; United Methodist Free Churches, 7 ; total of all religions and sects, 443,

We made mention the other day that Mr D. Hutcheson had received telegraphic intimation of the non-success of the search made by James Clark after the missing man Lindsay, Who formed one of Hutcheson’s West Coast track party. The ‘ Cromwell Argus ’ informs us that Mr Clark penetrated to within six miles of the coast, but could discover no trace of Lindsay or his dog. He must either have succeeded in reaching a remote part of tho coast, or have perishetf in the snowstorm which happened about the time he went a-missing.

Buckstonc’s capital comedy '* Leap Year ” was played at the Queen’s Theatre last evening, when there was a good attendance. The piece ran very smoothly, every character being well represented ; indeed, we have no hesitation in affirming that it was the success of the present season. Where all were conversant with the text, and vied with each other in endeavoring to attain the result .arrived at, it would be almost invidious to single out any particular performer, but at the risk of offending av© must certainly congratulate Mr Musgvave on his excellent acting as the nervous Sir Solomon Solus. The cast was almost similar 1 to that with which tire piece was played at the Princess’s about a year ago. The burlesque of “ Willikiuds aud Hys Dinah” terminated the performance. The management camrot do better than to reproduce the comedy at some future date. “Sin and its Shadow" will be played to-night.

The firing for Southland District representatives has, so far as Invercargill and Riverton are concerned, terminated thus : Lieut. Robinson (Riverton), 94; Col.-Sergt. Dunlop (Invercargill), 89 ; Sergeant Dunlop Ana Corporal Wesney (Invercargill), 88 and 85 respectively; and Corporal Horr and Sergeant Cuff (Riverton), each 84. Queenstown has yet to fire.

The annual social meeting of the Caithness, Sutherland, Orkney, and Shetland Association was held last evening in the Hall of the University, which was well filled. The President of the Association (Mr. W, J. M. Larnach) occupied the chair. After the tea had been disposed of, the Secretary (Mr Wm. Elder) read the annual report, which was a long and exhaustive one, and treated of a variety of subjects. As instanciug what good this society is doing, it may bo mentioned that a number of natives of Shetland arrived recently at the Bluff, by the Waitara, and were sent over to Stewart’s Island. The Association has authorised the Government agent at Stewart’s Island to procure anything which these people may be in need of, and to draw on the Association’s Treasurer for the amount. Mr G. C. Mathieson moved and Mr Hislop seconded the adoption of the report, which was earned unanimously. There were speeches delivered during the evening by the Revs. Dr Stuart, Waters, and Sutherland, and Mr Stout. Several ladies and gentlemen contributed the evening’s enjoyment by songs, recitations, instrumental music, &c. A novel feature of the entertainment was the bag-pipe music by Mr H. M‘Kay, who played a piece composed expressly for the Association. The usual votes of thanks terminated this most enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

The Artillery Band held their annual meeting last evening at the Hibernian Hotel; all the members of the baud were present, and the conductor occupied the chair. The secretary (Mr Haig) read the annual report and balance-sheet, which showed that the income of the baud during the year amounted to L2OB 9s, and the expenditure to Ll6O 7s, leaving to the credit of the band fund L4B la 3d. The number of members on the roll at present is twenty-nine, and the average attendance at sixty-one musters held during the year was twenty-four. Bandman Percy George heads the list for regularity of attendance, being absent only once during the year. It was decided to have the rules printed, circulated amongst the members, and to adhere strictly to them. Thequestion of procuring anew uniform was postponed for further consideration. Messrs A. George, Hannagan, and Stratton were appointed the committee for the ensuing year, Mr Connolly secretary, Mr Haig re-elected treasurer, and Messrs Palmer and Keys re-elected auditors. Mr D. Little was unanimously elected act-ing-bandmaster for twelve months, and Bandsman W. Oliver corporal. A special committee was also appointed to make arrangements for the annual concert of the baud, to be given on an early date. Votes of thanks were recorded to the retiring committee for careful management of the band affairs, and to the other office-bearers.

Inspection of the Dune ,in Artillery Band will take place at t'-ie Drill-shed on Wednesday next, at 8 p.m. The Ayrshire Association will celebrate Burns’s Anniversary by a supper in the Glasgow Pie-house, on Tuesday next. Members of St. Joseph’s Branch, H. A, C. B. S., are requested to attend a meeting in the South Australian Hall on Monday next, at 8 p.m. St. Paul’s Sunday School will meet to-morrow morning at 10, and afternoon at 3, in the Drillshed, as formerly, the now school not being quite ready. A seri-s of Evangelistic Serv'ces will be held next week in the hall below St. Andrew’s Church, commencing at 730 each evening The Rev. J. Gow will preside on Monday evening. Mr E. Stokes, tailor and clothier, has removed from George street to new and commodious premises erected by him at the corner of King and Hanover streets, opposite the Baptist Church. The proprietor of the Swimming School expresses bis intention of forming a class for instructionin the handling of boats, with a view to diminish as much as possible the risk of danger to those fond of boat sailing, etc. ‘ Hints on Swimming,’ a pamphlet now ready for publication, will shortly be followed by one on the handling of bouts from the same source.