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Evening Star, Issue 4202, 15 August 1876, Page 2

At last night's general meeting of th« Church of England Sunday School Teachers' Institute, in St Paul's Schoolroom, there was a good attendance. The Ven. Archdeacon Edwards presided, and a paper on "Sunday School Organisation ' was read bv Mr Ashcroft. J

The election for six Councillors for Maori Hill took place at noon to-day, and resulted m the return of the following persons without opposition :—Messrs G. Mitchell, Robt. Patterson, Charles Lilly, Andrew Fairburn, Wm. Thorn, Thomas Fiddis. Auditors, Messrs A. Wilson and W. Kennedy, The regular meeting of the South Dunedm Council was held in Moloney's Hotel last evening; present—The Mayor, and Crs. Naumann, Heffernan, Hodges, M'lntyre, Barrowmaii, and Thomson. The offer of Captain Baldwin to let for Council Chambers, for a term of six months, at L 26, the building lately occupied as a Working Men's Institute, was accepted,

"Man and Wife" was produced at the Queen's Theatre last evening, and the management might certainly have fairly expected better support. The piece was well played, and the characters were well cast. Mm Darrell gave an excellent representation of Anne Sylvester, and was ably supported by Mrs Hill as the dumb woman, and by Mr Darrell as Geoffrey Delmayne. Mr Keogh was most amusing as Bishopriggs, the inn-keeper;" and Mr Clinton made a satisfactory Blinksworth. To-night "East Lynne " Will be played.

The 'Southland Times' has the following :—-A gentleman, who has been long resident in the Colony, and who has visited almost every part of New Zealand, makes the following curieus statement to us as to the order in which the towns would stand according to the richness of the soil around them, and their other natural resources : Christchurch 1, InvercargUl 2, Wanganui 3, Napier 4, Dnnedin 5. Auckland he has a very poor opinion of, and he Bays it has nothing to make a living from. He is also of opinion that in the course of time the towns will actually rank in the order named. A meeting of the provision 1 *! directors of the Otago Co-operative Store Company, Limited, was held at their temporary office, No. 6, Royal Arcade, last evening, at which it was decided that no more than 1,000 shares should be issued at present. It was suggested that not more than fifty shares should be allotted to any one individual. The share list is to remain open for a month from date. The opinion of the present Board was that the shares should not be transferable, in order to prevent any capitalist from exer-' cising any undue sway over the poorer members. It was decided that as soon as the Prat 1,000 shares were taken up the company should be incorporated.

At the Port Chalmers Police Court this morning, before Mr T. A. Mansford, E.M., James Fox, master of the brig Transport, was charged with assaulting jn eil Anderson on the Ist inst., while on a voyage from v ewcastle to this port. After hearing the evidence of complainant and a number of witnesses, from which it appeared that at the time the assault was committed there was a heavy sea on, and the vessel was in great danger, her wheel chains having parted and the complainant not being smart enough in securing the rudder", th 6 defendant pushed him away and repaired the damage himself. His Worship stated that a case of assault had been proved, although not a serious one, and inflicted ft fine of Is, with costs.

Another noveity was announced at the Princess's last evening in "La Tentation," described as a new sensational play, but which proved to bn a stock drama produced here about two years ago by Mr Hoskins. The drama turns on the leading feature of almost all modern emotional plays—the stdfy of an erring wife and the sacrifice of an injured and forgiving husband—but there is also a goodly amount of comedy in the olay. The oast included Mr Hoskins as the Cottnt de V&rdes, Mrs Lingard as his wife, Miss Colville as Helene, her stepdaughter, Mr Lingard in the comedy part of Keronaje, and Mr Douglas as Trevelyan. This evening "Cut off with a Shilling" and "Our Boys" wi'l be pla}'ed j the programme in which the Lii'gards originally appeared. Tomorrow " The Two Orphans," which has bach in ft«tive rehearsal for some time, will be produced. The 'N. Z. Herald' of thp 29th ult. says .- —two civil actions were heard before the ReSidtot Magistrate (Mr Barstow) yesterday, which have an interest owing"to the celebrity of the parties to them. The plaintiff was Signor Giammona, the eminent flautist, and the defendants were Madame De Murska and Maestro StratiSS Ilia, or as he is better known in the South, Mr Hill, the eminent pianist and husband of Madame De Murska. The first action was for travelling expenses (L 26), which he (plaintiff) had left for safe custody in the hands of Madamein San Francisco, when the engagement to come with her to Australia was made. The Australian eng gement was terminated in Melbourne, but was extended to New Zealand, the plaintiff to perform in all the towns until he came to Auckland, where his engagement was to terminate. He had not performed in Wellington, although thd company passed through Wellington. They wanted Signor Giammona to go to Wellington with them and take another engagement, but he declined unless he was paid the travelling allowance already due to him. Mr Bill declined to pa} 1- , and hence the present action. But as the engagement had terminated in Auckland, in addition to the L 26 he left with Madame De Murska for safe keeping, another L4O became due, representing the travelling expenses from Auckland to San Francisco. His Worship gave judgment for plaintiff in both actions, with ieave to defendants to apply for rehearing upon paying the amounts, with costs, into Court, * '

The Riverton 'Star' understands that a number of applications for miners' rights have been granted during the week to parties who have been prospecting on the Longwood Ranges.

The monthly inspection of the No. 1 City Guards last night at the Headquarters Drill-shed was attended by 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, and 38 rank and file; also 20 cadets, and 14 members of the bmd. The Company was inspected by Acting-Adjutant Eagerty, who Baid that in the course of his 25 years, military experience he had not seen a finer body Of men.

Mr Peter M'Gregor, A. A., formerly teacher at Welshmans and in the Normal School, has been permanently appointed master of the District School at Maheno. Miss Annie Osbdrne, feoentiy arrived from Great Britain, has been appointed school mistress at Outram. Soe i 3 a duly qualified teacher, and holds certificates of competency from the National Board of Education in Ireland.

The following is from a Nelson contemporary : A third attempt has been known to succeed after a first and second failure. Twice have we in Nelson seemed to be on the eVe of succeeding in obtaining a theatre, the want ©f which is peculiarly felt when a Madame Goddard, a De Murska, or an Opera Company make their appearance among us. Thus impressed, a number of gentlemen interested in the matter are obtaining information and data on which to act with a view to forming a Joint Stock Company to build a theatre suitable to the necessities of the town, with the necessary adjuncts and conveniences. We are sanguine both as to the prospects of success Itt the undertaking and as to its early consummation.''

Under the heading "A Murderer Pardoned," the Auckland 'Star' of the 2nd inseant, sayaj—"Oar readers will perhaps recollect that three years ago when Eppright was condemned to death for the murder of young Garretty, the third mate of the whaler Rainbow, at tho Bay of Islands, he had a companion in his trial and sentence named Fisher, a shipmate, who was said to have urged on Eppright to the commission of the deed for which he wag huDg, and to have actually put into Eppright's hand the knife with which he stabbed his victim. Both prisoners were found guilty and condemned to death, but Fisher, on account of his not being the actual murderer, and also on aceount of his youth, had his sentence commuted tolten years'penal servitude. We believe that the rule in our prison system is that when convicts behave well they are let off with two-thirds of their sentence, but in this case it appears that the prisoner has been released after serving less than a third of his -time. Why the exception has been made is not very clear, but it is possible that it may be owing to the statement made by Eppright on the scaffold, to the effect that she evidence against Fisher was wrong, and that he had nothing to do with the murder. Yesterday Fisher, who is afc Ameriean, made an application to Mr H. P. Barber, the American Consul, to be sent home as a distressed seaman, and thatgentleman procured him a passage in the mail steamer City of New York, in which he left this morning." The «Southern Cross' has the following: Respecting the debate on Separation, which, from all that can be gathered, will terminate in favor of the Ministry, we can at present say but little. It would be a great cause for regret to all true colonists if a severance of the Colony of New Zealand should, by any possibility, arise. When it is remembered that the South have already obtained from their lands fourteen millions, that the present value of their lands is fully twenty millions, more than the debt of the Colony, and that in a few short years, before the due expiry of the present Parliament, these lands will be worth thirty millions, then there is clearly in the way of righteous adjustment of the terms of Separation "No way but this." Let the South, in consideration of its former immense benefits from the land, and of its vast and still increasing possessions therein, with its extensive railways and other costly public works far in excess of those of the North—let the South, we say, enjoying their large possessions, pliee against them the whole debt of the Colony, and let the North with its Maori obstacles, its limited land, and its other disadvantages, begin the world unencumbered. The North, with, virgin simplicity, gave the South and provided funds for the purchase of the rich land which still represents for an early future some thirty millions, besides what has already been realised. Forty-four millions is the gift Otago and Canterbury have in effect rejoiced over without anyone intruding on their possessions. Southern Separationists can afford, with such advantages, to take over only twenty millions of debt.

The monthly meeting of the Committee of the Dunedin Athenseum and Mechanics' Institute Was held last night. The VicePresident (the Rev. B. L. Stanford) waa in the chair, and there were present->-Messra ft. Dick (secretary), logan, Lubeclu, Chapman, Caldwell, Denniston, Hay, Blair, and Fish. The Secretary repor.ed that three lectures had been given in connection with the Institution, which resulted in a net profit of Lll 9s. The sum of LIOO had been transmitted to the Home agent for the purpose of the Institution. Mr Thomas Tlobson had intimatod his intention of giving up possesdon of the premises of which he is tenant in consequence of the Committee having raised his rent. The report was agreed to. The request of Mr John C. Lubiensky for the use of one of the lower rooms, for the pxirpose of conducting a French class, was granted on the usual terms. Mr Chapman reported that the list of life members, which was fixed at fifty, was now completed. The Chairman pointed out that a resolution was passed at the last annual meeting to the effect that when LSOO should have been raised by., means of the issue of tickets for life membership, the Committee wa« authorised to borrow a sum of LI,OOO for the purpose of enlarging the building, it appeared t6 him that the condition on which the money was to be borrowed was now complied with. The matter was referred to the Building Committee and the Executive officers. A motion by Mr Dick that a Revision Committee be formed with power to withdraw any book they might see lit, was carried by a majority of one; Messrs Blair, Cbapnian, and Macgregor being appointed. A long and acrimonious discussion ensued on Mr Fish drawing the attention of the Chairman to the fact that thero j was a motion on the order paper in the name ■ of Mr Denniston (with reference to the future mettiugs of the committee being held in private). Mr Denniston said that in consequence of a concession having been made he would withdraw the motion. Mr Fish moved that Mr Denniston be not allowed to do so, and remarked that a threat had been held out to the Press at the last meeting of the committee., that if the Press published a certain matter the reporters would be excluded. This threat was made by Messrs Denniston and Macgregor. The Chairman, on being appealed to, said that while Mr Fish had been using rather strong language, he still thought Mr Denniston should explain the nature of the concession to which he bad alluded. Mr Denniston "declined to enter into a fruitless discussion when he had gained all he wanted," and the altercation waxing warmer the Chairman vacated iis seat and the proceedings abruptly terminated.

At a meeting of the Council of the Otago University held last evening, Mr H. 8. Chapman was elected Chancellor, in the room of Sir J. L. C. Richardson, who resigned that office recently. A committee was also appointed for the purpose of inviting competitive designs fcr the new University buildings.

Dr. Lee, who died at Motueka a few days ago, was a M.R.C.S., and one of the first coroners appointed in the Colony of Victoria. The Nelson ' Times * says the Doctor was a celebrity upon the West Coast goldfields in their early days, and in the indulgence of his peripateticpropensities met with many strange companions. He invariably travelled upon foot, for turning the scale at twenty-two stone tendered the obtainment of a hoi-se "up to his weight" a difficult task; while carriage roads were unknown in those days. Upon his pack he always fastened his card, and in 1865, while tramping between Greymouth and the Ter»makau, he was accosted by adigger, who asked if he really was a doctor, and on being assured that he was, requested to have a tooth drawn. The root of a tree served for a seat; the pack was unstrapped, and the tormentor extracted. The relieved party then produced a parcel of gold dust, and dividing it as fairly as he could by guess, handed Dr Lee one half, saying, "There, I put past eight ounces to take mete Nehron; you have saved me the trip, so there's your share." The gold sold for L 15.45, and the doctor used to eay it was the best patch he | had struck on the Coast.

Referring to Sir George Grey's Separation resolutions the 'Post,'a strong Opposition paper, says:—"The more we look at these proposals the less we like them. They mean something akin te the revival of , ProvinciaTsm, with enlarged areas and increased powers. In some sort the proposals imply going back to Provincialism as it was when first called into existence, with the dift rence that there are to be two Provinces instead of nine. When the Provincial system was first created, the powers and functions of the General Government and the General Assembly were strictly limited to dealing with certain specified subjects, while everything else was left to the control of the Provincial Councils. That Bystem was gradually changed, and year by year the General Government took upon itself more and more the functions of the Provinces, until it became evident that the time had come when it would be advisable to abolish the latter altogether. Under Fir Creorge Grey's proposals, the Colony would have many of the evils of Provincialism repeated. . . . . We say thaif those absurd, impracticable, and inexpedient proposals should be strenuously resisted That they will be defeated there is no doubt at all, but if the friends of the real unity of the Celony are prompt to organise and act, that defeat may be made a complete and crushing one. At branch of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society will be opened in the 1 rill Bhed, Green Island, en Thursday evening, at 7.30. The railway employes who subscribed in aid of the widow and children of the lite John Young are invited to meet the committee ttt Donalds n's Glasgow Pie House, on Wednesday, at 8 p.m. The Ladder of Hope Juvenile Lodg% T.0.G.T., held its usual weekly meeting in the Congregational Ballon Friday evening at halfpast seven o'clock. '1 he usual business having been transacte I, the following officers were installed :-C.T., Br >. Kobert Ure; V. I'., Ero C. Bastings; P.C.T., Bro. Geo. Stuart: Chap., iro. Tiltman; Secretary, Bro. James B. Stewart; M., Bro M'Gregor; F.S., fcister Hallay; Lib., Bro. C. Eeattie ; R.H.S., Sister Cooper; L.HS, Sister M. A. Terry; A.S, Sister M'Donald; D. M., Sister E. fcielby.