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Evening Star, Issue 4318, 29 December 1876, Page 2

We understand .that Mr D. Reid leaves for Wellington by the Hawea to-morrow to join the Government as Minister of Lands and Immigration.

A number of the married couples by the ship Oamaru were released yesterday and conveyed from the Quarantine Island to Port Chalmers by the p.g. Iron Age, proceeding to Dunedin by the 3.40 p.m. train. *> Bachelder's Pantascope at the Temperance Hall is still well attended, the entertainment being excellent of itßelf, to say nothing of the valuable gifts distributed. Visitors to Dunedin should not lose this opportunity of witnessing a splendid diorama. Messrs Watson Bros, the well-known caterers of this City, are importing from London, at a cost of L3OO, an ice-making machine, manufactured to the order of the firm, and capable of making 500cwt. of ice per day 1 , 'lie machine, which was ordered by Messrs A. and T. Burt from their London agents, is expected by the Clan M'Leod, now almost due/

At the Queen's Theatre "The White Cat" iihrtws no feign of abated popularity, for the house is crov/ded nightly aud the panto* mime and preceding burlesque are received with great favor. " The White Cat" will be repeated till further notice. In. compliance with numerous requests Miss Howard will this evening sing in the interval after the burlesque the "Trampof tbe.Fiw^rigwie."

The County Councils hatt> been summoned to meet on January 4. A private telegram from Napier to-day Btates that Sir Donald M'Leans condition, though oritical, has shown no change during the last couple of days. It is Btated that the Government contemplate placing the management of the Dunedin Hospital in the hands of a number of the leading citizens. In accordance with an arrangement made with the Government more than a weekag", Dr. Burns has proceeded to Stewart's sland to attend to the fever and measles cases there.

There was a very good house at the Princess's Theatre last evening when the pantomime "Troo-ku len-tos" was repeated. Messrs Poole and O'Neill were very amusing in the first part, and Mr Stoneham in the harlequinade. Mr Darrell s work promises to have a lengthened run.

The following notifications appear in the ' Gazette':—James Menelaus to be sublieutenant of the Port Chalmers naval brigade. The resignations of Capt. Kitchener (Palmerston rifles), and Lieut. D. Christie (East Taieri rifles), have been accepted. A post office and savings bank has been established at Kaitangata.

It is stated to us ('Southland Times') that the Home Government, in anticipation of the chances of a war in these perturbed times, has recently sent word to the Governor of New Zealand, in common with the Governors of other colonies, instructing them to procure the assistance of qualified engineers to report on the defences of the colonies, and also to furnish detailed information as to all the railroads open and main roads generally used.

A second case against George Sayers, a driver of one of Cobb's six-horse coaches, for driving round the corner of High and Princes streets, was brought before the City Police Court to-day. Inspector Mallard mentioned that application was being made to the Corporation for an amendment of the bye-law, and suggested that the case should be adjourned for a week. —The Bench thought the walking of a six-horse coach round a street corner was fraught with more danger than the driving round at a sharp trot. The case was remanded till Friday next.

Mr Seymour, M.H.R., when recently addressing his constituents at Blenheim, said he did not know that he had ever given a vote of which he repented. Speaking of the Sast Provincial Government of Marlborough, e referred with pride to the fact that its Council had been the only unpaid body of the kind in the Colony. And at Akaroa, Mr Montgomery, speaking of the Disqualification Bill, said:—"l found on going to Parliament (not the present one) that there was evidence of a strong inclination on the part of some members to try and get good billets."

As inquiries are sometimes made in the reference to the doings ot the Council of the Otago Convention, we ('Ciutha Leader ) believe we are right in saying that the business committed to them has been prosecuted with all possible despatch, and is likely shortly to be brought to a satisfactory termination. The matter stands thus: Mr Macandrew has for some time past been ready to start on his Home mission, buc delay has arisen through Sir George Grey being laid up by indisposition at Eawau. A telegram was received from him on Wednesday that he is quite prepared to start, and will be in Auckland in a few days to make final arrangements. The Caversham Presbyterian Sabbath School held their annual picnic on Tuesday in a paddock (granted by Mr Sidey), above upper Kew, and adjoining Mr Brederick's property. The weather was everything that could be desired, and the view from the face of the hill was beautiful. There was a large gathering cf the friends of the children and teachers, and those present enjoyed themselves to their hearts content. The children met in the church at about ten o'clock in the forenoon, when a very pleasing incident took place in the presenting of a writing-desk by the teachers and scholars to Mr Knox, their late superintendent. The Rev. Mr Russell in ajieat speech made the presentation, and Mr Knox replied in suitable terms.

Our Mosgiel correspondent writes :-- " Agriculturists here are busy with their hay crop, and the mower's rattle is heard again. The crops generally seem to be excellent, and, if ordinary fine weather prevail, an abundant harvest will be the outcome.—The contractors (Messrs Henderson and Fergus) for the permanent way of the Mosgiel and Outram railway are constructing a siding, 15 chains in length, to the bluestone quarry. This will connect the quarry with the line, and provide a very good material for ballasting purposes.—lt is hinted that one of our County Councillors elect is not qualified to sit, bis name not being on the Road Board voters' 101 l of the riding for the year ending 31st March, 1876. This may be correct, but, as all subsequent elections do not require that -condition, it will probably end in the gentleman having anot ier walk over.—The peace of the district is remarkably good ; but the officer in charge, I fancy, would find it a difficult matter to give his clients, if he had any, a proper night's lodging, there being nothing in the shape of a lock-up here."

The annua! gathering of the Taieri Caledo nian Society will be held at Mosgiel on Monday next. The Christmas number of the c Sketcher,' to hand to-day, contains a well-executed chromolithograph entitled " A Game at Euchre." The fortnightly meeting of the Commercial Building Society will be held on Wednesday, January 3, iustead of Monday.

On Monday and Tuesday next the ordinary Railway Time Table will be suspended. The special time tab e for those days appears in this issue.

A cricket matuh will be played on the Oval on Saturday next—Brewers v. Citizens. The following are the players:—Brewers: Godby, Godby, Huddy, Dick, Horan, Strachan, Fattison Bnrnside, Thomson, J. H. Anderson, smeaton j emergencies : Harris, Murray, Hmpson. Citizens: Haskell, Leith, Duck manton, Fagan, Wells, Sheppard, G. Fulton. F. S. Stokes, Morrison, G. Clarke, love; emergencies: Auger, G-. Stokes, Wadie.