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Evening Star, Issue 4127, 19 May 1876, Page 2

Mild deprecation is the tone in which the j o. papers speak of the ;a t;ec tuc c-ity "swells” have of tahitu p< t- ■ bull-dogs wita them, to the dress-circle of the tueatre. Possibly the ‘ ‘ gentlemen ” will try a norse next. , Ik® ‘ Tablet ’ is scarcely able to contain itself this week, because the Government nave declined to grant free passes by railways to children attending the Catholic schools. This refusal is characterised as “a crying and most insulting injustice.” In the year 1842, or thirty-four years ago, Governor Hobson appointed twelve gentlemen to act as Magistrates in the Colony, Amongst them wore Colonel Wakefield, Mr Strang, Mr Beckham, and others. Of the twelve only one is now living, namely. Major Nixon, of Wanganui, who is consequently the oldest magistrate in New Zealand. ■ .At Invercargill, on Tuesday, a case was disposed of a£ the Resident Magistrate's Court which should act as a caution to tradesmen in preparing tenders. As is well known, the custom is for one to take an entire job on which several craftsmen will be employed, he getting from each a tender for their respective branches of the work. In the case in question, the principal, as he may be termed, after receiving an estimate in this way gave the job to another on his tender being accepted. The aggrieved person forthwith claimed for loss of the job, but was nonsuited, the magistrate being of opinion that nothing more than what is customary was done by him.

\ csterday we made reference to tke progress that is being made with the railway works south of Timaru ; and we find our information confirmed by the ‘Waitangi Tribune,’ which says that on the Hook contract the works are rapidly approaching completion. The permanent way is now laid for a length of eight miles and mostly ballasted. The bridging upon the contract, which is unusually heavy—extending between 3,000 and 4,000 lineal feet—has only occupied the short space of seven months. Pile driving in the MaHkihi Bridge was finished last week, and the superstructure is in an advanced stage. Should no unforeseen obstacle arise the contractors hope to complete the total section for traffic by the Ist of August. Mr Manton, of Sydney, has been visiting the Mount Rangitoto silver mines. He describes the lode as composed of argentiferous galena and pyrites, the galena, as the lode widens, largely increasing as compared with the pyrites. He says the mine could be worked at great advantage, as machinery, except that necessary for smelting, would not be required for years. An adit or drive on the course of the lode would thoroughly drain it, and leave thousands of tons of ore ready for stoping at little cost. A telegram in the ‘ Lyttelton Times ’ adds that Profes sor Kirkland, of Melbourne, has telegraphed to Pollock and Bevan that the difference between his and Mr Skey’s assay is not surprising. He recommends them to get out fresh ore.

According to the ‘ Southland Times,’ some of the squatters in that part of the Province are carrying on a vigorous warfare against the rabbits. One squatter sent down for shipment last year 150 bales of wool, against 250 the year before, and he will only be able to send 50 bales next season. During the past month, on one run alone, Mr Cowan’s at the Oreti, over 6,000 have been slaughtered, *bnt it seems to make no difference ; and at the present time Mr Purdue, at the Oreti Crossing, has hit upon one way of disposing of the rabbits profitably, and has just entered into a contract for the purchase of their bodies, without the skins, at a shilling a dozen, and proposes to use them up in feeding pigs. People are beginning to inquire when the report of the Rabbit Commissioners will be published. As the result of a communication addressed by the Mayor of Wellington to the other Mayors throughout the Colony with respect to some proposed legislation for municipal corporations, more particularly in the way of loans, it is stated in the Auckland ‘ Herald ’ that the Mayor of that city has forwarded for the consideration of the Government various suggestions of amendments prepared by Mr Philips, the Town Clerk, both in the Corporation and the Public Health Acts. Amongst the former, the most important suggestions are the consolidation of the various Corporation Acts; power to reduce annual recurring loan rates when increased valuation of property in boroughs will admit ; and many other amendments suggested by experience necessary for the efficient working of local selfgovernment. In view of legislation affecting municipal government being attempted during the session, the ‘ Herald“ thinks the various corporate bodies would be wise if they had some competent gentleman to watch their interests at Wellington, for otherwise they may expect little or nothing to be done.

The usual monthly parade of the West Taieri Rifles took place in the Drill-shed, Outram, on Thursday evening. There were present one lieutenant, one sublieutenant, two sergeants, one corporal, and twenty-two rank and file. Sergeant Thomson, drillinstructor, put the company through the different manoeuvres. After drill, Lieut. Blatch, commanding officer, presented the successful prize-takers in the Government District Prize-firing with their prizes, as follows :—lst Class : Sergt. Buchanan, 3rd district prize, L 6; Corpl. Grant, 9th do, L 3; Vol. Alex. Simpson, 10th do, L2 10s ; Lieut. Blatch, 20th do, LI 10s. 2nd Class : Vol. M‘Leod, 6th, L2; Vol. G. Shand, 13th, LI 10s. Afterwards Lieut. Blatch presented, in appropriate terms, the company prizes, won at company matches, to Sergt. Buchanan -a silver cup (presented by Dr M'Brearty) and the company’s silver medal. The drillinstructor handed over to Lieut. Blatch the company’s gold medal, which he had won at the last competition. These company prizes are fired for each Saturday, so that the winners will have their work to do to retain them.

The following account of finding a fossilised skeleton in a cave at Preservation Inlet by the crew of the whaling barque Chance, is related to the ‘ Southland News ’ by Captain Gilroy, master of that vessel, who arrived at the Bluff a few days ago by the cutter Rosa. On the 2nd inst. bad weather compelled him to run in Preservation Inlet, where a couple of boats’ crews went on shore to shoot and enjey themselves, In the course of their ramble they came across an immense cave, where a large body of deep water in a rock attracted their attention. The pool appeared to have been formed by a small but continuous drop of water from the top of the cave. On nearing this basin they were astonished to see a human skeleton complete, with the exception of one of the leg joints; the skull, legs, arms, and hand bones and the ribs were all there, and the whole of the teeth were perfect. Two of these were taken out by one of the men. The body was in a reclining position, as though the man had perished while half sitting with his chin on his hands and his elbow resting on the rock ; that side was embedded in the solid stone. The other side, although not embedded in the natural ston?, is completely turned into rook. Maori traditition says there was a war about Preservation Inlet ninety years ago, and the skeleton now found is supposed to bo that of a refugee, who had gone into the eavo for concealment and been unable to get up the steep sides.

V* h.en the Pearl was in quarantine th 1 _ \l.rai, li-. I t. ■■ ! • ross, , *co:nmi-v"atin j the ! mOiCt-l isolation o* our gallant defenders, despatclied a nunber or carrier pigeons as well as a letter to tue Commodore. The letter was not delivered, but the former were consigned to the steward, and the fact of their being “educated birds was just discovered in time to save their lives. They were worth three guineas a pair.

The Christchurch Fire Brigade have commenced practice with a view to a trial on the morning of Her Majesty’s birthday Similar to the competition shortly to take p,ace at Ballarat, Victoria. The programme s P e^ 1 1 ". e3 tnat a detachment of eight men shall drag the hand-engine 100 yards, attach two lengths of suction hose, 100 ft of delivery hose, and one branch, and pump water over a standard 10ft high. On Monday night (says the ‘ Lyttelton Times’) a detachment performed this work in Imin. Sseca., which is some seconds quicker than the second best time made at Ballarat last year, and only fifteen seconds slower than the best time made on that occasion. This must be considered highly creditable, more especially when it is remembered that Monday was the first practice night, and ten days’ practice is always allowed in Ballarat before the public trial is made. Good time was also recorded last night, and it is expected that the Brigade wm give a good account of themselves at the public trial. The time made on the latter occasion will be forwarded to the authorities as, Ballarat for comparison with the winning time at the prize competition.

_ We draw attention to the programmes for the concerts at the Temperance and Oddfellows Halls to morrow night. Competition or Dunedin Volunteer Artillery Battery's Bolt will take place at the Anderson s Bay Range to-morrow. All committees in connection with the concerts in aid of the Benevolent Institution will meet every evening at eight, in the City Council Ch .mbers.

-A. football match will take pi -ice to-morrow afternoon on the sou hern recreation ground between the High School pupils and members of the Dunedin Foot-all Club. Play commences at 2 30 p m. sharp.

The usual weekly meefn? of the Welcome All Lodge, LaG.T., \ 0 102, was held is the school-house. West Taieri, on the 18th in t nadmirabl-i essay on Good Temiilarism was de ivered by the W.C.T. Bro. Lothian, who treated of the duties, obligations, and noble objects of the order.

The usual weekly meeting of the Pride of Dunedin Lodge No. 30. 1.0. G.T., was held on .7 m the lodge-room. The u«s Hr0 ‘ ? 1 . <five ° or occupied the chair, .11 the officers being present. Two new members were initiated, after which all business was postp n d in order to have an open meetng, at which t .ere was a large attendance.

A new lodge of the Independent Order of Uood Umplara was open d in the Mission x^ uss , e > U street, last evening, by n ’ 5 ro ’ a sist-d by the Gr. .S ro. C .meron, . WT. Hro. Win (-arr. and the offic. nof the lodge Pride of Dunedin, No 30. The lodge was duly opened, several members joined by durances, and ten new membeis were initiated. The following officers were elected and install’d in their respechve offices : ~ W.O P , Pro. John Woo I; WV. L.. Bro Peter i ick ; W.S., Bro John Krown ; WPS Bro R. 6. W.T bro. John Wilson, jun; W.C., Bro. John Brown, jun.; W.M , Bro John Dick: W S Bro. Wm. Brown ; W. x.S , r iater J. A. Wi'l’ son; H. 11.5. Sister Martha Willis; L.D.S Br>>. John Wilson Bro. John W ilaon was recommended for D.Gr.W.C.T.

There is at present in this city a relic of the handiwork of Mary, Queen of Scots : it is a p ece of embroidery, which bears m,mistakeabl. marks of great age, an I can be traced bade, it is stated, from the present omet to its illustnous worker. M'llugh M‘Lean. who was m business in Glasgow thirty years’ ago as a muslin manufactu er, rec ived it from au elderly maiden lady named Hamilton, in whose family is had been for many generations M Lean was murdered whilst travelling in .Australia, and his effects, including this heirloo? 1 . came into the hands of M’Donald . -L'eßft of this ( ity. The present possessor intends very sh rtly io have it sent Home, where no doubt it will command a fancy figure. But wishing to give the lovers of art and anti qmtyan opportunity of inspecting, is it will be on view next the Queen’s Theatre this evening and during Saturday, a small charge being made for inspecting it. s