The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1876.

Evening Star, Issue 4316, 27 December 1876, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1876.

There was no sitting of either the Resident Magistrate's or the Supreme Courts to-day. Dr Yatea has resigned the post of resident surgeon of the Hospital, but the resignation does not take effect for two months. We understand that the Hon. W. H. Reynolds and Mr James Rattray will be the Governor's nominations to the Harbor Board. The Press Agency hnvr not forwarded us the results of yesterday's races at Kikanui, but a private telegram has been received in town stating that Mr D. OBrien's Fishhook won the Kakanui Handicap of 100 sovs. The races at the Waihola Regatta yesterday which took place after we went to press rosulted as follows : - Ladies' Two-oared Race, two miles; prizes L 3 and Ll Mrs Overton and Mis Palmer's Balmoral, 1 ; Mrs Hanson and Miss Palmer's Chignon, 2. The Seulling Race was a walk-over for Green in the Waterlily, there being no other entries. 1 Four-oared Handicap Race, 3$ miles ; prizes L7L2—Waihola (lmin), 1 ; Young Colonist (2mm), 2 ; Isis (2miu), 3 ; Union (lmin), 4 Won rather easy by three lengths. Twooared Handicap Race, two miles; prizes L 4 and Ll 10s—Young Colonist, 1; Little NelL 2 j Union, 3. An accident occurred at the Peninsula yesterday, by which Mr Taggart, of the Criterion Stables, lo6t a pair of valuable horseß. Two waiters, employed at the Criterion Hotel, had been out for a drive in one of Mr Taggart'a buggies, and when near Portobollo it would seem they left the road and drove along the beach. In turning a point they had to go trough the water, which was apparfintly but a foot deep, but the horses got into a hole and were drowned before they could be extricated. Our Port Chalmers correspondent writes that the accident occurred in passing round Hobart Town Point, arid that the occupants olthe

»*S?^^^S*F r C " & Bunny, formerly articled to Mr Bathgate in this city, has just passed a successful examination for the Bar before Mr Justice Gillies at Nelson. The contract for the platelaying on the Mosgiel and Outram line of railway has been let to Mr J. Green, who expects to have the whole completed in less than four months. To-day's issue is the last of the 'Waikouaiti Herald,' the interest in which has been transferred to the • Palmerston Timeß ' We are glad to learn that Mr A. H. Gill who for many years has edited the «Herald ' will be associated with Mr F, Davies in the management of the ' Times.' A private telegram mentions the aeiious and dangerous illness of Lady Normanby whose condition on Monday night gave alarm to the medical men in attendance, the Hon. Dr Grace and Dr Kemp. A message from Government House to-day states that her ladyship is much better, though not yet out of danger. J To miss a collection is a most unusual circumstance; yet Buch happened at St Luke s, Oamaru, on Sunday last. When the time arrived (says the local 'Times') for making tie usual collection the plates were not forthcoming, and while the Voliin' tarywas being played messen- M ™£ spitched in search of t>- *„:*• • !!• i The organ had £? tols » ln g articles, andthedismi- before the y ai ™ed, benedict? P ra y<* was read and the tier. " '°? F onou nced, and the congreea- ". departed, taking for once their Church-* money home again. ~T ^e | |r ßt annual picnicTof"the Primitive Methodist Sunday School took place yesterday, at Broad Bay, in Mr Bacon's paddock, lhe school children, with the congregation and friends, numbering at least 400, were conveyed to tne rendezvous—a very pleasant spot-in the Balclutha, leaving the wharf at half-past ten and returning about half-past seven. The day was a thoroughly enjoyable one. The games were entered into with zest b/ all, and the trip there and back was most pleasant, thanks to the captain, whose ceurtesy won for him three hearty cheers, which were also given to the choir, whose singing was much admired. A serious conflagration nearly occurred at Port Chalmers this forenoon. A little girl, while passing along George street noticed flames in a small house occupied by Mrs Stevens, and immediately gave the alarm, when Constable Coffey and a young man named Simmonds were quickly on the spot Upon gaining admittance they found one of the rooms in flameß, but water having been procured, the fire was quickly put but. The floor was completely burnt threugh. The fire is supposed to have originated through a spark catching some old clothing that was lying about. It is fortunate that the fire was so soon discovered, or no doubt the whole block would have been destroyed, the greater part of which is the property of Mr J. Elmer, and uninsured.

A man named Eyans, employed as a cook at the Commercial Hotel Lawrence, attempted to commit suicide on Christmas morning. The 'Bruce Herald's' Lawrence W^A^^^ 8 e * ol * o ™S particulars:-" About six o'clock in the moraine the servants who slept in the adjoining room had endeavored to waken him by rapping at the partition, but obtaining no reply, thev sent 'boots' to see if anything was Ithe matter. On opening the door of the cook's bedroom he was found in a kneeling on the ground, surrounded v- J *'°™ °» blood. 'Boots ' ha "£ ft JP 6O ]. of from the nose, a-: 4ll jf Weeding over whe- i a 6ndea yored to turn him throV TnV 6 i? W a 1 in his *£ w-.u Qdaßmall P en knife on the floor. jIW, Withers was soon in attendance, and, S e not y et immediately pro>fiH w? 688 and flw U P the wbund. Although the man appears to have lost a SESST* 0tUo * l » ho P«» •» «*£ He had only been a short time in the hotel, and was of very to tne Tuapeka hospital." Mr Kobert Mitchell died at Wellington yesterday The '.Waikouaiti Herald 'lays S- h^i~^ r Mltohel l was a resident of this district of many years standing, and in common with other members of his family he was universally esteemed and respected. He was the representative of Waikouaiti in the Provincial Council fer years, and also its member m the General Assembly for a couple of sessions, and in both the Houbo of Representatives and Provincial Council he 5o Conducted himself as to win the esteem and friendship of many influential members. Ho was to all intents and purposes the poor man's friend, and there are many in the district at the present time who will have a pleasant recollection of his kindly and genial disposition and large-hearted and liberal nature. Since he left this district Mr Mitchell has spent the greater portion of the time in California, and it was in the hope that a visit to this district might be the means of reviving and re-invigorating a constitution which must have Deen daily becoming more feeble, that he reached Wellington a few weeks ago, but in so weak a condition that his further travels were forbidden by the faculty. While there he gradually became worse. A more honest, conscientious, or hardworking representative never trod this fair earth's surface."

An art union of oil paintings of consider able merit—as distinguished from mere oleographs—is a novelty in New Zealand. Such is the collection now on view in No. 1 Octagon, exhibited by Mr Anderson, a local artist. The first thing that strikes the visitor is the wonderful variety of subiects and general excellence of treatment. The twenty-seven portraits of celebrities, painted in oil, are almost all excellent likenesses. There are a host of figure subjects, small and large. These we cannot notice in detail, but a spirited copy of " The Battle of Worcester," "The Heather Belle," a clever little sketch, "The Chelsea Pensioner," together with "Lord Ullin's Daughter," "Angel's Whisper," Ac, &c, are worthy of more than a mere passing notice. The collection is rich in landscapes »i Home scenery, which must vividly recall the once familiar and lovingly-remembered spots. Theje is an admirably pointed picture of Dumbarton; Edinburgh, bathed in the golden tints of an autumn sun ; Dunottar Castle—where the Scottish Crown long lay hidden—perched on its frowning cliff", and the chafed sea breaking in foam round its rocky base ; Roslyn, with its sylvan beauty, rich foliage, and charming sunset; Bothwell, by moonlight; Loch Lomond, &c. The landscapes generally are characterised by transparency of treatment and great firmness, of touch. There is, in addition, a largo number of superior photographs, lithographs, &c, together with two monochromatic drawings of a high order. As the art union closes on Tuesday next, we would advise an early visit, and hope Mr Anderson will meet with the encouragement he well deserves. The annual picnic and ball of the Wakari Rifles will be held on Monday next, New Year's Day. Mr W. E. Couzens will meet the electors of Fouth Ward in the loug room or the London Hotel, Princes street., this evening, at eight o'clock. The annual meeting of St. Joseph's Branch, No 7S. H. » '!.B.v>., will be in the South Australian Hall this evening at eight o'clock. An adjourned meeting of Court Pridi of Dunedin, A.O P., will be held in the South Australian HalL to mtfrrbV (Thurßtiay) evtlJ tag, at right oVock.