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Evening Star, Issue 4101, 19 April 1876, Page 2

A telegram in the ‘ 'fuapeka Times * states that Mr Strode has declined the Chief Commissionership of Crown Lands. Two men are said to have sold lOOozs. of gold to a Cromwell bank agent recently,being the proceeds of a prospecting tour up the Haast river on the West Coast.

A satisfactory representation of “The Woman in Red” was given at the Queen’s Theatre last night, Mrs Hill’s Rudiga being a capital impersonation. Mr Steele and Mr Stoneham, as the brace of thieves, were quite at home. In consequence of De Murska’s concert there wiU be no performance to-night; but “Broken Ties” will be played to-morrow. 1

There were some rather sharp passages-at-arms between Mr Smith and Mr Barton, op posing counsel in Bird v. the National Bank, at the Supreme Court this morning. The proceedings promised to be protracted in consequence to an unusual length, but eventually quietude was restored, and Mr Smith concluded his address without further interruption.

According to the Wellington ‘ Argus ’ the Government will next session introduce a to amend the Bankruptcy Act of last session, in matters of detail, where experience has shown that amendment is required. The general principle of the present law will not, however, be tampered a i -iA new regulations under the Act will probably soon be issued.

The Glenore tunnel is all but completed, only a cnam of the bottom remaining to be cleared. Two miles of the permanent Way are m position, and the bridge at the Woolshed will probably be reached by the platelayers in the course of next week, after which a locomotive will be employed to carry material and ballast, and the long desired iron horse on the Tuapeka railway will be an accomplished fact, The Supreme Court was kept waiting fully and when Mr ’ a^ona ® his Hono- put in an appearance i-- onserved that hitherto it had been aub practicf to wait in his room till counsel appeared, Henceforth he would allow a reasonable time—say five to eight minutes —for the difference of watches, and if gentlemen of the Bar were not then present, he would proceed with cases in their absence.

In a progress report of the Tuapeka railway works, the * Tuapeka Times ’ says they are gradually centering upon the Round Hill. On both sides of the tunnel of that name the formation is almost completed, and the laying of the permanent way is being pushed on as fast as the state of the works will admit. Goodfellow’s two sections have been taken over, and the Round Hill tunnel is so far advanced' that there is every probability of the heading being pierced during the present month, there being only seventy feet to drive now.

It is understood the Government have been for some time considering the whole question relating to the prohibition of importing cattle. When last the matter was brought before the House of Representatives, it was decided that prohibition was not necessary, and that a system of quarantine Would suffice. The question is virtually re-opened by the decision, after much deliberate consideration, of all the other Australian Colonies to continue prohibition for an indefinite period. Under these circumstances the Government have decided to invite the consideration of both Houses to the matter, by relegating it to the deliberation of a joint Select Committee, This intention is thus early notified in order that all who are interested in the question may endeavor to make their views known.

The Baptist Chtlfch anniversary tea Meeting was held last evening when between four and five hundred members of the congregation attended. The church was decorated with evergreens, flowers, and mottoes. Mid presented an attractive appearance. After tea the Rev J. U. Davies gave a brief address and Mr Fraser gave an account of the mission work in the country districts. Mr Currie (treasurer) reported that the congregation had cleared off by voluntary contributions the debt of L4OO remaining on the building and that the receipts for the year from all sources amounted to L 1,225. During the evening addresses were delivered by Drs. Stuart and Roseby, Professor Salmond, and the Rev Mr Fitchett. Vocal selections were given by the choir of the Congregational Church, and the proceedings terminated with votes of thanks being passed to the speakers, the choir, and the ladies of the congregation for their services, through which the meeting was made so great a success.

A Very successful conversazione was held last evening in connection with the St. Paul’s and All Saints' Young Men’s Associations. The room was tastefully decorated, and Several gentlemen contributed articles of interest for inspection by the visitors. Mesdames Humffray, Irwin, and Finch, Misses Tewsley and Edhouse, and Messrs A. J. Towsey, N. Kettle, and Statham, supplied an excellent programme of vocal and instrumental music and readings, and All Saints choir sang several glees, bishop Neville and Archdeacon Edwards delivered brief addresses during the evening, in which allusions were' made to the good work done by the Young Men’s Associations, A silver service was presented to Mr To'wsey by some members of St. Paul’s congregation in recognition of his kindness in giving organ recitals after the Sunday evening ae rvices. The proceedings were wound up by .a vote of thanks being unanimously passed to those who had assisted in getting up the con versazione.

The following items are [from the.'Ti'apaka Times ’;—Owing to a heavy fresh*at in the Molyneux last week, several of th*a claims had to suspend work for a few days. No serious damage was done, and work has now been resumed.—Several of the farmei*s on Speargraas Flat are stocking their land' with sheep this season owing to the low price of cereal produce.—-The rabbit nuisance on the runs in the neighborhood of the Dunstau is becoming intolerable. Mr Bees, of the Galloway station, informs us that these pests have increased tenfold during the past twelve months, despite the efforts that are being made to keep them thinned.—Two ladies travelling by coach recently having arrived at their destination about mid-day, entered the hotel wh<ire the coach stayed, and asked for a private sitting room and a cup of tea, as they were about continuing their journey by rail. They were curtly informed that tea was not made at that establishment in the middle of tb.e day, and that private rooms were not let to persons who did not remain for the night. A miner named Storre had a m,ost miraculous escape from * serious accident at Hayeloct

on Friday last. He was employed cleaning up the bottom of his claim near the face umen a large fall of drift came down,{almost covering him, His mates immediately went to his assistance, aud with some difficulty extricated him, with the exception of some alight abrasion of the skin, the man was otherwise unhurt. There is. likely to be a large exodus of miners from the Glenore tunnel to the Palmer diggings as soon as the work is completed.—The Golden Gate watkr race heading from Leahy's Creek, and terminating on the Dunstan commonage, is one of the largest in the Province that ban been at* tempted by a small party of men. A trial washing was recently made on the ground which the race commands, and in twentynine days’ sluicing, _ three tqeu being employed, 57ozs of gold were obtained, giving an average of Ll4los a man per week. The ground commanded by the race is unlimited m extent, and is highly auriferous.

We would remind our readers that the first of t.'-e Lie Mui-sk* concerts takes place *>»<■ evening. Toe pro;ra . jne appears in our advorLsing coin inn a, and a peru-d of it will .-how that a ti«it is in s ; ore foe those.who go to the Queen’s I heat; e t i-n ght.