The Evening Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4302, 9 December 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1876.

Messrs Dalgety, Nichols, and Co. inform us that the Arawata, with the Suez mail, left Melbourne this morniug. The ‘Southland News’ understands that Mr Maitland is to receive the appointment of Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Otago Provincial District, vice Mr J. T, Thomson, promoted. “Jan ” was repeated to a numerous attendance last night, and will be played for the last time this evening. On Tuesday Mr Emmet appears in Invercargill, where he will be supported by a portion of Mr Shepperson's company.

Mr W. Murray and a party of shipwrights and divers, with the necessary appliances for the recovery of the 3,000 ounces of gold on board the wrecked steamer Otago, took their departure last evening by the p.s. Comerang, which vessel has been chartered to remain by and attend the working party at the wreck. At a meeting of the Britannia Cadets last evening, Robert Breen was awarded first prize; Henry R. Jewit, second prize ; and John Bames, third prize, for drill. As the corps had not received any answer to their petition, they forwarded to Wellington, a resolution was carried to the effect that the company should break up. A deputation from the South Dunedin Municipal Council waited this morning upon the Commissioner of Customs, and urged that the ressrvation of the ten acres of the harbor foreshore in favor of the municipality, contemplated by the Provincial Government, should be competed. Mr M‘Lean gave the deputation to understand that the Government recognised the land as belonging to the Harbor Board, and would not interfere.

The annual supper of the Hand and Heart Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening. The re-union was a most successful affair, and was well attended. Bro. Donaldson was the caterer, and under his management a most bountiful supply of the good things of this life was laid out. After the cloth had been removed the chairman (Bro. Woods, N.G.) delivered an address, from which it appeared that the finances of the Lodge had improved by about L3OO since the last report, and that in respect to the number of members it would compare favorably with the majority of the lodges in the Horae country. There had been veiy little sickness among the members, and the lodge had attained a degree of efficiency such as to enable it to fulfil to the utmost extent the purposes of Oddfellowship. A number of the brethren sang during the evening.

Last night the inhabitants of Pine Hill held a social entertainment in commemoration of the opening of the new public school. Mr Alex. Ford, chairman of the School Committee, presided, and after a service of tea, in which the ladies of the district lent their assistance, short speeches were delivered by the Rev, D. Johnston and Messrs Cameron and Waddell, and excellent songs, comic and sentimental, were sung by Messrs Warren, Boyer, Shepherd, M‘Ara, and some of the ladies present. The schoolroom was filled to its utmost capacity, and everybody ■eemed delighted with the evening’s entertainment. The catering was by Mr Wright, grocer, King street. After the programme was exhausted the tables were cleared away, and dancing was kept up with great spirit to music supplied by Messrs Henrichsou and Henderson, of Pine Hill. The new school stands upon an excellent site on the property of Mr George Ford, The school has been opened under the mastership of Mr W. Waddell, M.A., Edinburgh, and already gives props© of being a decided success.

We are much indebted to Mr H. S. Smith, of this City, for a full tile of the ‘ San Francisco Evening Post.’

We arc informed by a person who witnessed trio act that the destruction of the two newly-laid plots of turf on tire cricket oval was done by two dogs. The burlesque company at the Queen’s Theatre were well patronised last night, and the lively music and comical scenes incidental to “Lucia ” and “ Trial by Jury” were productive of much merriment to the spectators. The company is well worth seeing by those who are fond of a little innocent fun. The same pieces will be performed to-night. What looks like a very serious affair and may form the subject of legal proceedings occurred at Mosgiel yesterday. The assailed and assailant are connected with an entertainment that was exhibited in town a couple of weeks back, and it was in endeavoring to protect the latter’s wife from her husband’s threatened wrath that the other was hurt. It appears that he was so severely struck Tn the eye with the stick of an umbrella that the eye was forced out on to his cheek. With as little delay as possible he was brought into town and attended by Dr Renner, who is not yet able to tell whether or not the vision of bis patient will be seriously affected.

On Monday Mr George Darrell enters upon the management of the Princess’s Theatre, and produces a programme worthy of the occasion and himself. He will also take advantage of the opportunity to deliver his managerial budget. In one of the pieces the audience will become acquainted with Mr and Mrs Sam Poole, who come to us accredited with excellent recommendations. As we have been informed already, the Halls are engaged and will appear immediately, and following them will be Mrs Scott-Siddons. Mr Darrell has the enterprise, and, aided by the experienced and matured counsel of his wife, should be able to collect about him the material necessary to form one of the beat companies in the Colony. He gives pron ise of a very good beginning; and if the determinination which will be shadew r ed forth on Monday night is followed out, the playgoers of Dunedin and the new lessee of the Princess’s should, twelve months hence, be able to indulge in mutual congratulations.

At the Harbor Board’s meeting on Thursday a letter was read from Captain Tilly, of the schooner Inglis, complaining of damage being done to his vessel while she was under the charge of Pilot Gumming. The Secretary had referred the matter for investigation to Captain Thomson, who, after taking evidence, found that the damage resulted entirely from the vessel’s crew not obeying orders. A letter was also read from the Board’s solicitor, enclosing the reply of the captain to his applications of November 3 and 23 in reference to the titles, leases, ami other documents referring to the Wharves and Quays Reserve. The reply was to the effect that “the matter has been referred to a sub-committee, at whose hands it will receive consideration very shortly.” In connection with this the Board instructed the Secretary to write to the solicitor to take all action necessary to the Board’s getting legal possession, and to notify to the tenants that payment of rent must now be made to the Board.—An application from the Moeraki Harbor Board for some moorings, at one time in use at Moeraki, but handed over to the Dunedin Board by the Provincial government, was, after consideration, agreed to, the Board considering that the Moeraki Board had a claim in equity to the moorings. - A meeting is to be held on Wednesday to settle the tenders for wharf extension which wore opened at last meeting.—We have heard it stated that the Harbor Board’s debentures are now quoted on the London Stock Exchange. Messrs Harrison, Ord, and Douglas Eus sell will again deliver ad ires.se f at the Queen’s Theatre services on Sunday evening. Members of the Working Men's ' luh are .e----queated to attend a sp cial general meeting in the Club room on Wednesday, at 3 p.m. Tne raemb-rs of the T.eitb Lodge, 1.0.0. F., meet on Monday at 7 30 p m. in the new Oddfellows’ Hall, Albany ttreet for the uomiua tion of officers, Mr Bright’s Sunday evening lectures at the Princess’s Theatre will commence on the 27th inst Mr P. Hunt was last evening appointed secretary to to the committee