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Evening Star, Issue 4126, 18 May 1876, Page 2

In firing for district prizes at Christchurch Gunner Hill, of the Engineers, made the fine score of 76 out of a possible 84 in the second set.

Notice of action has been served on Mr Hocken, District Coroner, by Mr Mouat, solicitor for Mr William Jenkins, claiming L 3,000 as special damages for false imprisonment and injury to Mr Jenkins’s credit and reputation. This action arises out of the proceedings in connection with the fire at Mr Jenkins’s premises in George street in December last.

Again has the 'Daily Times’ been hoaxed. In a recent issue appeared a “ local,” which told of the accidental discovery of pearls by Maori girls at Orepuki, and the fitting out of a pearl-fishing expedition by Mr John Turnbull, of Invercargill. This read marvellously fine, but unfortunately (says the ‘ News ’) there is no room for congratulating either the public or Mr Turnbull, for the simple reason that the gentleman was never in or near Orepuki in his life, and that the “ valuable discovery ” has yet to be made. Mr and Mrs Byers made their debut* at the Queen’s Theatre la>it evening in “ Richelieu,” but, owing to the strong counter-attractions, there was only a moderate attendance. Mr Byers, who is one of the oldest Australian actors, did not create a very favorable impression as the Cardinal, there being nothing original or marked in his interpretation of the character. His declamatory speech in the second act was, however, made a very prominent point. In melodrama he is well spoken of. Mr Steele as De Mauprat, and Mr Stoneham as the page gave creditable representations. Mrs Byerses Julie lacked energy. To night “ Damon and Pythias ” will be played.

By the Ringarooma there arrived on Monday an outrigger, built by Mr R. H. Matthews, of Kaipoi, for the Telegraph Department here. The boat is 42ft long, with a beam of 3ft Sin, and is fitted up in a most complete manner with all the latest ap plianccs. is provided with water compartments fore and aft, and with sliding seats, which should prove of great advantage to the oarsmen. The boat is built of cedar on ash wood, and is valued at sixtyfive guineas. She will be manned by medium weights, and should give a good account of herself. We might mention that Messrs M'Meckan, Blackwood, and Co. and the railway authorities acted most liberally towards the Telegraph Department, conveying the boat free of charge. The panorama and lecture, by the Rev. A. R. Fitchett, on the “Arctic Regions and the Franklin Expedition,” drew a crowded audience to the Momington District Hall last evening in spite of the inclement weather. The excellent views (fifteen in number) of Arctic life greatly pleased the juveniles, whilst the lecturer’s able explanation of the objects presented on the pictures, and his comments on the “Fate of the Franklin expedition,” &c., gained the sympathy and attentive interest of all. Mr Carty, with some friends from town, agreeably varied the programme with appropriate solos and glees, accompanied on the piano by Mrs Carty. The object of the lecture was to raise funds for the purchase of a site, and erection of a Wesleyan Church in the neighborhood, and we must congratulate the Wesleyan body on the result of their exertions. When at Taranaki the other day, the Minister of Justice made a passing reference to harbor management and control when discussing the question of employing convict labor in connection with harbor improvement, and he is reported to have said : —“Wherever the Government found it would be beneficial to the Colony to specially employ the convicts, to be conducive to the success of the works they were engaged on it would be important to have an undivided authority. The Government had no intention, however, to hold any control over the harbor after the works were completed, for it was the policy of the Ministry to hand over all harbors to the Harbor Boards, or whatever local authorities existed, for those bodies to manage. The Government preferred local management for all harbors. Of course, if the Government took over the harbor works, the functions of the Harbor Boards would cease, at least till the works were finished.”

The Timaru telegram which appears in our issue to-day is likely to escape observation on account of its brevity, but it actually conveys important information. It tells how rapidly, though silently, is the work of connecting the two Provinces by rail being pushed on. The Pareora contract, executed by Messrs Allen and f" tumbles, which has been taken over by the Government, carries the Great Northern trunk line, as it is called in the official reports, as far south as the Otaia. Beyond this point is the Hook contract, which is let to Mr David Proudfoot, and is in a very advanced state. We believe all the formation, bridge building, &c., on it is completed; and that since the contractor has obtained the use of a locomotive the plate-laying will be pushed on with the utmost expedition. The section from the Hook to the Waitaki bridge is, so faras formation is concerned, well under way; but tenders have yet to be called for about e : ght miles of platelaying, and these will, it is expected, be issued in July, when the formation will be sufficiently advanced to allow of that being done. On the Otago side of the river we nave the trains now running from the Bridge to Oamaru; and as our readers have already been informed, the Government can at any moment arrange with the Messrs Biogdea

to continue the traffic over the Maheno section, which terminates at Kakanui, and has been completed some weeks. The other fiortione of the Oamaru-Moeraki contract in his firm’s hands aro so well advanced that we 'have no hesitation in saying that Christmas of this year will see trains running from Christchurch through to Hamp den.

After parade last night, which was attended by thirty-three members, the North Dunedin Bides held their annual meeting, when the treasurer reported & small balance to the company’s credit, though over L3OO had been expended in new uniform during the jrear. The following office-bearers were appointed for the ensuing year Secretary, Corporal Johnstone; treasurer, Volunteer Hutchinson : committee, Volunteers Miller, Mitchell, Shepherd, and Sub Lieutenant Pollock (L eutenant Pell declining to be nominated as the commissioned officer necessary for the committee); auditors, Volunteers Green and Robertson. In reference to the claims of some members of the company to land scrip, Captain Reeves explained that their claims had not, through some neglect, been laid before the Government in proper form, but the matter would receive attention.

At the Benevolent F6te Committee’s meeting last night it was reported that Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell had offered the use of a printing machine to work during the performance, and on which they would print a special newspaper for the occasion, and that the Rev. Mr Stanford would exhibit his writing machine, which is of American invention, and should be a most attractive exhibit. In regard to the Bruce auction, Messrs Martin and Watson wrote, offering a load of cut wood, a load of Shag Point coal, and a bag of flour. It was mentioned that contributions of all kinds would be received, including live stock and dairy and farm produce, and that donations from residents in the country districts would be conveyed to town free of charge. Telegrams have been sent to the Mayors of up-country towns, apprising them of this fact. The Finance Committee were requested to wait on the Banks, Insurance Companies, and professional gentlemen for subscriptions, and the Musical Committee were authorised to engage professional talent.

The features of the final De Murska concert, which took place last night, were the well-known scena and chorus in the last act of “Trovatore,” a comic trio which served to introduce Signor Giammona as a vocalist, Mr Hill’s “Ave Maria,” and Mr Schott’s oboe solo. Besides these the company appeared in various selections, with which we have been made more or less familiar during the past month. Madame’s rendering of “Casta Diva” and the “Ave Maria” was faultless, and in each case she responded to the demand for an encore. The Trovatore selection was a treat. “ Deserta suU’ aura ” was finely sung by Madame, and in “Ah che la morte” Signor Rosnati was very effective, while the “miserere” was evenly given by a chorus. The trio was relished immensely, and in it Signor Giammona showed that he is an agreeable though not powerful baritone. It is almost needless to say that Signor Rcsnati did ample justice to his songs, or that Mr Hill’s or Signor Giammona’s solos were well received. Signor Susini sang “Calunia,” from the “Barber of Seville, but a cold marred what would have been a success, if he had been in customary voice. Mr Schott, who we could afford to hear oftener as an oboe soloist than we do, played the grand aria from “Robert” in the manner that might be expected of him, and being encored gave a fantasia on ‘ ‘ Traviata, ” which was equally well received. Madame and her company left this morning for Oamaru, where they appear on Friday and Saturday nights.

The attention of Volunteers is directed to a gene al order in our advertising columns -v spec al meeting of the Linden Lodge 1.0.0. K. s advertised for to-morrow evening, at eight o’clock An exhibition of dissolving views will be given in St. George’s Hall on S .turday evening, .it 8 o’cl ck. In our advert sing columns will be found a notice <»f the M Iton Pottery Works « orapauy, intimating that a first issue of 3,000 sha:eß is now ready for application. Mr George Mitchell, a candidate for the Mayoralty of the Maori Hill Municipality, will meet the electors in the schoolroom tomorrow evening, at 8 o’clock.

We notice that the Albion Brewing and Malting Company pay the guaranteed interest of 8 per cent, per annum on i riday and Satur d y next at the brewery in Cumberland street The Mayor of Port Chalmers has convened a public meeting, to take place at Criokmore’e Assembly booms on Tuesday next, at 7 p.m., to consider Volunteer Fire Brigade and ceme tery matters.