The Evening Star MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4099, 17 April 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1876.

It ia announced that Mr W. L. Reea, the well-known Auckland barrister, will shortly publish a novel, to be called “Sir Gilbert Leigh.” The postal card system was introduced in Melbourne on the 10th inst., when ten thousand cards were circulated through the •ty. It is evident from what appears in the Melbourne papers that Madame de Murska’s affairs, consequent upon the death of her late husband, are still unsettled. After she fulfils her engagement in this Colony she returns to Melbourne to see what settlement of her claims can be effected. The Nelson ‘ Colonist * states that a recent arrival there from Wellington, named Geo. Thompson, received 48 hours’ imprisonment (for some offence), but he appears to have been so well satisfied with ins treatment at the lock-up, that he purposely broke the lamp at the station in order to be again taken into custody. With reference to the comments made by Mr Pyke on Saturday regarding the case of a lunatic, an explanation made by that gentleman this morning eatirely exonerates the police and the justices (who innocently signed the certificate) from all blame The fault lay with the doctors who had signed the form used for a pauper lunatic case in lieu of that for a private individual. A sudden death from drink has occurred in Auckland. A woman applied to the police, stating that her husband was suffering from delirium tremens, and was dangerous, whereupon the police went to the house indicated, but were informed that the man had in the meantime quieted down, and that there was no necessity for his interference. About an hour later intelligence was received at the station that the man was dead. The name of the deceased is Armstrong; he was a pensioner, and his age about forty-four. In the Warden’s Court at Alexandra, on Monday last, a prospecting claim was granted to G. N. M‘Donald and party, on a quartz lode at the head of Aloinga Gully, one of the main tributaries of Conroy’s Gully. The ‘ Dunstan Times ’ mentions that the applicants stated that they had traced the lode along the surface for fully a mile, and had sunk a shaft on it to a depth of 50ft, in which the stone increased from 4in to nearly 3ft, that gold was visible in the stone, and from prospects they estimated it would yield about loz to the ton.

It is stated in the Taranaki papers that the Superintendent of that Province has received a telegram from the Hon. Mr Bowen to the effect that he will he in New Plymouth in a fortnight or three weeks hence, and that the plans and specifications for the new prison wall be in readiness by the time of his arrival. Mr Bowen is likely to be accompanied by the Hon. Major Atkinson. Referring to this the ‘Budget’ remarks ; “The news as to the proposed visit of the Minister of Justice in connection with the erection of State prison and commencement of breakwater, has had a magical effect on some property owners in town. But a few weeks ago they were breaking their necks to sell out. .Now they mean to hang on for a while longer.” Madame De Murska and her company are here at last. It is hardly news to say that they arrived this morning by the Albion. Of Madame whose reputation has preceded her and Signer Rosnati, who will be accorded the welcome that Dunedinites invariably give to old favorites, we require to say nothing to commend them to the notice of the music-loving portion of the community. Signor Susini brings with him the recommendation of being the finest basso who has been heard in the colonies; Signor Giammona is admitted to be the finest ox flute players ; and Mr John Hill, who besides conducting the concerts, will preside at tho piano, is a master of that instrument, as well as an admirable violinist. So that with such a host of talent there is little fear of the patrons of the Queen’s on Wednesday hearing other than first-class music. An impression is prevalent among some of our miners that the Gold Duty Rebate Ordinance is in force, not being disallowed within the appointed time, but one day after, as pointed out by Mr Vincent Pyke, M.H.R. We (‘Mount Ida Chronicle’) may say that an application was made to the Government, on behalf of a mining company who held a large parcel of gold before Christmas, as to mode in which tho rebate was to be made. The Government, however, refused to accept the inference that the Act was law and simply replied that the Act not being assented to the money could not be found to comply with its provisions. Even if the irregularity of the disallowance, could now be established in a Court of law the Government could not be made to refund the money, or indeed to make the distribution in any shape.