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Evening Star, Issue 4034, 31 January 1876, Page 2

The vital statistics for the Dunedin district for January give:—Births, 161; deaths, 44; marriages,, 35.

Two informations under the Railway Act will be heard at the City Police Court tomorrow. One of the cases is a charge for altering a railway-ticket; the other of cattle trespass on the Clntha line. The once celebrated claim at Manukerikia, latterly known as Kett’s, but previously as the Frenchman’s, has changed nands. The ‘Tuapeka Times’ says a of claimholders from the Big Beach at Queenstown have purchased it for LI,OOO.

The official inspection of the line from Rangitata to Temuka, with a view to taking it over from the contractor, was to have been made to-day, and the • * Lyttelton Times ’ states that the official opening will take place some day during the week. It is the intention of the Borongh Council of Timaru to celebrate the event in a befitting manner.

According to the ‘ Colonist ’ there is a likelihood of the Waimea election being upset on the ground of informality. It is alleged that the polling place for the Upper Matakitaki wold be at Day’s old store, but we are informed that no such place exists. A number of electors, who, it is stated, wold have voted for Mr Shephard, gathered at May’s store, jbut as there was t no returning officer present they were unable to record their votes.

There is (says the * Post’) a gentleman, Mr J. A. Dodge, the avant courier for Wilson’s Great American Circus, who can do some astounding feats with a bit of yellow soap on glass. In a few seconds he will, on a looking-glass or window, produce with his bit of soap a poster or announcement in any style of caligraphy or lettering that may be desired. The rapidity and artistic style of the work are something wonderful, and must be seen tp be appreciated. The letters stand out clear and sharp, almost like mosaic work.

; The following annual returns on the position of the Wesleyan Church throughout the Colony were read at the recent Conference ; —Churches, 144; other preaching places, 177; ministers, 66 ; Home missionaries. 7; Sunday-school teachers, 1,041 ; scholars, 10,000; local preachers, 214 ; class leaders, 190 ; church members, 3,302; on probation for membership,' 628; catechumens, 189; European, attendants on the ministry, 24 799; Maori attendants, 2,534; deaths of members during the year, 24. There has been a net increase in the number of church members of 201, with 628 on probation. Wanganui some time ago went into the London money market for L30,Q00 loan, and failed to negotiate more than a small part of it at the time. At a recent meeting of the Council the Mayor said that be had an interview with the Bank Manager, and he had informed him that the advances on the loan must close when it reached L 20,000. He had already been paid LIB,OOO, so that there was only L 2,000 more forthomto spend. Wanganui, therefore, has got the money locally* and “chanced it ” as to whether the negotiation of the loan in London would be successful or not.

The Rev. James Buller, at the recent Conference in Wellingtoh, signified his intention of visiting England, having retired from the active work of the Wesleyan ministry. Thereupon the Conference adopted the following resolution :—“ The Rev. James Buller having requested permission to retire as supernumerary, the Conference records its great respect for his character as a Christian minister, and its high appreciation of his labors during a period of thirty-nine years; his kind and courteous bearing in the official position he has occupied among his brethren, a£ Super intendent of Circuits, Chairman of Districts, and President of Conferences. His efficient discharge of the duties of those offices has greatly endeared him to all, and the prayers of his brethren will not ccasc that, he may b(j*spared for many years to serve the Church either in England, which country. he is intending to visit, or wherever Providence may direct his future course.” An influential committee has been formed for the purpose of presenting a suitable testimonial to the rev, gentleman before he leaves the Colony.

A young man Ebenezcr Fulton Colley, who is described as a clerk, waareceived into the gaol yesterday from Inver* cargill, escorted by Constable Boyce, charged with embezzlement. He was brought before the Police Court this mornings and re* manded.

-We regret to have to report that Mr James Snand is seriously 'ill'from the effects, we believe, of a sun-stroke sustained by him yesterday. Two medical men aid’ in attendance upon Mr Shand, and it is hoped that their efforts will soon have a beneficial effect.

By the Witch of the’ Tees, which arrived at the Bluff on Friday night, the Matanra Paper Mill Company have received their plant and, work people. Mr Bryant, the company’s manager; also arrived by the some vessel. The ‘fumes’ states that the large building at the Mataura Falls is now ready for the reception of the machinery, and no time will be lost in having it erected. Like their brethren as Havelock, the Good Templars of Napier have been falling out. Two members of the lodge have insulted the Chief Templar (who is a lady), and also the Chaplain and. the Lodge-Deputy, “by calling them one and all liars in open lodge.” The offending brethren, were tned and expelled for this, but when the sentence was forwarded to the “D.D.,”— we (‘Post’) believe is not a naughty word, but only means District-Deputy—that high official being a relative of the culprits took their part and refused to confirm it. Then the “G.W.0.T.” was appealed to, and he informed the lodge that unless these two members were reinstated, the lodge must resign its Charter. This the members o£ the lodge intend to do. A three-act drama'entitled “Cigarette'” being a dramatised version of Ouida’s .novel of “Under Two Flags” was produced at the Queen’s Theatre on Saturday night. The first act is laid in Europe, and one ; Bertie Cecil of noble family, in order to shield a younger brother, who has forged a bill for a large sum, escapes to Algeria, the prevailing opinion being that he is the real culprit, and escapes merely to . save detection. In Algeria he joins the French army stationed there, and his polished manners which he finds it impossible to conceal, though his birth and position, remain in obscurity, and smart repartees ' soon win him the affections of Cigarette a v ivandiere in the army, in fact a veritable Josephine. After ten years of campaigning he is discovered by bis brother, but declines to return to England and adopt the title to which he has become heir, and forces his brother to promise that bis discovery should remain a secret. Bertie is afterwards condemned to be shot for striking a superior officer who had insulted him, and as the sentence is being carried into execution, Cigarette, who has discovered bis true position and acquainted the authorities, with the same, rushes to the trysting place with his reprieve, and the bullets intended for her lover penetrate her breast. The curtain falls as Cigarette expires singing “ Viva La France ”; this making an excellent tableau. As the heroine, Miss Stephenson was well suited, the part being one of those light characters into which She is enabled to throw much spirit and enCrgy. Mr Stoneham, as Bertie Cecil, evinced stul further progress in his acting; and Mr Musgrave was quite at home as his faithful attendant, The piece 'will be repeated tonight, when we hope to see fewer hitches than were perceptible in Saturday’s performance.

A telegraph station is now open at Parangahau, in the Province of Hawke’s Bay. There were fifteen admissions to. and twentysix discharges from the hospital last week. John Saber died from erysipelas. A meeting of the Standard Property Investment Society, to receive subscription*, will be held at tbe office on Wednesday evening, between ,6 and 8 o’clock. ihepublic meeting of tho South Dunedin Working Men’s Associa ion, wh.ch should have been held this evening, is postponed on account of the Council meeting till to-monpw, at 7.30, at Miles’s bakery.