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Evening Star, Issue 4270, 2 November 1876, Page 2

In Greymouth, the public subscriptions towards the expense of a visit of the All England Eleven already amount to L 142. The * Cromwell Argus ’ hears that Mr R. Beetham, for many years located in the Wakatipu district as R.M. and Warden, has been appointed to the Magistracy of .Napier, Hawke's Bay Province. The Californian mail is due at Auckland on Sunday, The Zealaudia sailed from San Franchco on the 11th inst. The City of Sydney, from Auckland 25th September, arrived at San Francisco on the 18th ult., a day early. Senior-Constable Barry, who has recently been promoted to the rank of sergeant, has been a member of the Otago Police Force for fourteen years—a considerable portion of which time he was stationed in Southland - and for the last twelve months has held the post of senior-constaMe, He is ope of the oldest members in the force, and his promotion is well deserved.

Through the courtesy of the committee of the Otago Arts Society, we have been permitted to inspect the exhibits that will be open to the public at the Normal 'chool tomorrow. We were really astonished to see the number of beautiful paintings in oil and water colors that attest the talent and industry of the exhibitors. Time does not permit us to give an extended notice this evening, but we hope to be able to do so tomorrow.

The weather -may be said to have fairly broken at last, and no doubt the return of seasonable spring weather will be hailed with delight by the farmers. From the Taieri and elsewhere we hear that the continuous dry weather experienced lately has threatened to destroy the crops, and in some cases, we believe, land has been re-ploughed and sown, as the seed was feared to be destroyed. We hope th* l return of the rain may avert any serious loss to agriculturists.

A case in which the ownership of a dog was disputed had an amusing termination at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning. His Worship found that the dog should remain with Millar, the defendant in the case ; but Paxton, the plaintiff feeling dissatisfied with the decision, walked out of Court, carrying the dog off in triumph. The beast soon found quarters in the Militia Office, where Sergeant Paxton locked him up. Millar claimed the protection of the Court, but as Mr Bathgate expressed his inability to interfere, defendant mentioned his intention of proceeding against Paxton for dog-stealing. Considerable commotion was occasioned in Princes street this afternoon when it was known that portion of the upstairs building of Messrs Kirkpatrick, Glendining, and Co. was on fire. It appears that one of the men at work in the tailoring department had placed a patent iron on the floor, and the scantling on the wall soon became heated and the room filled with smoke. The application of a few buckets of water had the effect of extinguishing the, fire. Enginekeeper Robertson and Captain Atkinson were promptly on the spot* with the handreel.

There is every prospect of Victoria being well represented at the Fire Brigade's demonstration here bn Boxing Day. ‘ By the Otago to-day a letter was received by the Demonstration Committee from the Sandhurst Brigade, in which the secretary states :—“ lam in receipt of yours of September 27, and have the honor to state that we will do our best to comply with your request.” The Auckland Brigade meet on Monday next to consider the circular, and we believe it will be favorably entertained Ttie of Timaru and Blenheim intend putting in an appearance at the demonstration.

There wrs a very large attendance at the battalion parade last night, the muster roll showing—City Guards s 1 captain, 2 lieu tenants, 4 sergeants, and 24 rank and file. City Guards Cadets : 1 captain,. 2 lieutenants, and 26 cadets. Artillery: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, and 32 rank and file. Artillery Band :16 rank and file. Wakari Rifles; 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, and 22 rank and file. South Dunedin Rifles : 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 4 sergeants, and 26 rank and file. South District Rifles : 1 captain, 1 sub-lieutenant, and 16 rank and file. Dunedin Naval Brigade: 1 captain, 1 sub-lieu tenant, 4 petty officers, and 36 gunners. Port Chdlraers contingent: 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, 5 sergeants, and 37 gunners.

A short but pithy passage-at-arms took place at the Resident Magistrate’s Court this morning, between Mr Bathgate, R.M., and Mr F. R, Chapman, counsel for defcn-d.-nt in the case Paxton v. Miller. One Hammond, a witness for the defence, was under examination, and, in reply to questions, said a dog, the subject of the inquiry, was given to h ; m in July last, and afterwards that he received it from Joslin, a butcher, in August. His Worship cautioned witness that he might find himself in an unpleasant aituationif he was not more cautious. Thereupon the following dialogue took place ;—Mr Chapman : I submit that that is hardly the proper way to treat a witness. —His Worship : I cannot allow you to make suggestions in that way. The witness has already gireif two versions of a* simple matter.—Mr Chu'tnnan : I cannot see any necessity for such a caution.—His Worship : Be so good as not to interrupt.— Mr Chapman : lam bouuu to interrupt to protect my witness.—His Worship : I cannot allow you to address me in fcha- t manner. —Mr Chapman : I must simply t 'nter my protest. - His Worship: I cannot al lo . w you to protest. Co along with the exam of your witness. The witness’s eXaml na tion was then proceeded with, but as some kia replies wergiven in a somewhat contl ‘Victory manner, his Worship remarked thiW*' h® thought he ■ should have adminieterC(3 ® double craUra instead of a aipgta ora.

A case of some importance will be heard at the City Police Court to-morrow. Messrs Thomson, Strang, and Co., who are the employers of a number of females, will be proceeded against for contravening Bradshaw's Employment of Females’ Act. ‘ Among the amendments introduced into the Rating Bill by the conference, of the two Houses there was one to the following effect:—“ The rateable value of any property means the rent at which such property would let from year to year, deducting therefrom 20 per cent in cases of houses, buildings, and other perishable property, and 10 per cent in case of land and other hereditaments.”

There was very little business done, in the City Police Court this morning. John M'Cee, charged with drunkenness, was let off with a caution; Thomas Jennan, for a similar offence, was fined 10s; Mary Thompson, for usin'? obscene language, was fined 40s, or a week’s imprisonment, and for tearing the coat Of Constable Mulrooney, who arrested her, was further fined 10s. A number of nuisance cases were summarily dis posed of.

The a' tention of volunteers is directed to a General Order published in another column. The quarterly meeting of the Ayrshire Association will be held id the Provincial Hotel at 7.30 to morrow evening. A musica l and ballad concert will be given to-morrow evening, at the Foresters’ Mall, Port Chalmers by the members of Court Robin Hood, No. 3,991, in commemoration of laying the foundation-stone of their hall. At_ the Lodge Pride o" Dunedin, I 0.G.T., meeting, last evening; the officers for the ensuing t-rm were installed by G. W.C.T. Adams and the officers of the Grand f olge a- fo low.«; - WC.T., Bro lepine; WYT., Sister Trotter; W.S., Bro. Kern ton; W.F.S , 80. Patterson; W.T., Sis. Ballock; W.C., Bro. 1 enderson; W. M., Bro Dyer; W.I.G , Bro. Low; VV.O.‘-, Bro. Mines; W.R. M.S., Sis. Davidson; W.8.H.5.. Sis Denovan; A.S., Si?. Holly; W.D.M , Sis. Fullam.