The Evening Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4077, 21 March 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1876.

The Caverskam Road Board met last night m the schoolroom, when it was resolved to call a public meeting of the ratepayers in the whole district to consider the question of borrowing L 3,000 for drainage purposes. Mr Turnbull has resigned the position of Resident Magistrate in the western (Riverton) district of this Province, in order to undertake the management of the New Zealand Mercantile and Loan Company’s business in Southland.

The ‘ North Otago Times’ claims that the railways in the Oamaru > district show a profit of L 166 over working expenses for the month of February, and adds, “ even as it is the lines pay, and would pay vastly better if sufficient rolling stock were provided, for we know for a fact that with the present quantity of rolling stock the railway is quite unable to overtake the work, and we more than suspect that the delay in opening the railway south is due to the fact that there is not sufficient plant to work it.”

At Waimate (Canterbury) Judge Ward had to hold a sitting of the District Court in what he was pleased to term a “hovel;” and he thus apologised for his appearance on the bench in unofficial costume :—“As long as the Government deem it fitting that the judge, the bar, the clerk, the jury, suitors, witnesses, and the public generally be inserted into a wooden box, fifteen feet by twelve, we must endeavor to compress ourselves as closely as possible. It we assumed official costume here there would be but little room for our robes to rustle.”

At the adjourned meeting of the Fire Brigade last night, a communication was read from Mr A, H. Jack, as chairman of the' United Insurance Association, intimating that the Association was willing to contribute one-fifth (provided it did not exceed LSO) of the expenses necessary to send over a detachment of the Brigade to the annual demonstration of firemen to be held in Ballarat in May next. No reply can be had from the City Council until after its meeting on the 28th inst. ; but in the meantime the town is to be canvassed for subscriptions, which we hope will come in rapidly. We may mention that Wellington intends sending over a detachment; and it will not be saying much for. the public spirit of the first City of the Colony if she is unable to do what will be accomplished by the capital. The ‘Bruce Herald’ of to-day has the following :—On Friday last, Mr John Hislop, while travelling over the range beyond the Glenore schoolhouse, came across what he believed to be a grave. He gave information to the police, and on Saturday Constable Aitcheson proceeded to the spot and unearthed a small wooden box, in which was found the body of an infant in an advanced state of decomposition. The box, which had been used as a coffin, was too small for the purpose, and it had been found necessary to. amble the body in order to get it in. Upon examination, it appeared that the body was that of a still-born child, and the coroner, not considering an inquest necessary, made an order for its interment in th® Milton Cemetary.— A recent visitor to Oamaru informs us that he has been residing there during the past three week, and felt thirteen shocks of earthquake in all from first to last. His friends with whom he resided occupy one of the palatial stone residences only to be seen thereabout; but so much p did the shocks affect the stone building that they [ experienced great fear and many sleepless ' nights. A tent was procured by 'paterfamilias and erected on the lawn in front of the house, where the family (a large one) slept, and our informant supposes are still sleeping nightly. Gore and Waipahee will be completed in about six months. No work is being done at present on the section between Waipahee and Clinton. A party of are engineers are engaged surveying the proposed branch line to Tapanui, and the greater part of the survey has been completed.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from *, *■ 1 athorities of the time table of that department for , ~ , • , 11. i. „ . -“nismg columns It Will be Seen by our ** /Vo. ew m that on Anniversary pay the Golden * nuke an excur-ion trip to POzt Chalmers ana the Maori Kaik.

AU ladies and gentlemen interested in tbe Chri-fc'an Brothers School Fanil a-e requested t» attend a m etlng in St. Joseph’s scholroom, this (i uesday) evening, at eight o’clock. We thank M r Thomas George for specimens of a series of chromo-lithographs of views in New Zealand. Whether regarded as works of art or as faithful delineations of some of New Jsealacd’a beautiful scenery, they are equally interesting. The skies and distances are very delicately tinted, the drawing is good, and the coloring in keeping. The pictures are neatly mounted on boards, and Mr George has a'-ded letterpress descriptive not: a of the different views, thus adding to their scenic value. The whole Serif a fo;m a handsome drawingro ra portfolio.

A meeting for tbe purpose of organising a Band of Hope, under the auspices of the Star of Freedom Lodge of Good Templars, was held in the Linden schoolroom last evening, when, notwithstanding the very stormy wea'hcr, there was a very good attendance, Mr K. N. Adams addressed the meeting, explaining the nature and objec's of such a society; Mr Geo. Lindsay indicated what would constitute the general programme of the meetings; and Mr C. Taylor expressed his gratification at seeing so imny juvendes present, and. told some of his experience In connexion .with the Bands of Hope in Scotland. Mr Birred gave a reading, and Mr Taylor a recitation. The officers elected for the first six months were, President. Mr ]?, N. a dams ; Vice-President, Mr Hugh MTeod; Treasurer. Mr G. Lindsay; Secretary. - Mr William Fail; Committee: Messrs James Black, David Gray, and J. Lothian.