The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1885.

Evening Star, Issue 6726, 7 October 1885, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1885.

Mr John Dick Peddie, M.P. for Kilmarnock, is at present in Melbourne, and will shortly visit this Colony. At a special meeting of the Univei-sity Council yesterday Mr Justice Williams was unanimously elected Chancellor. The Bruce County Council have appointed their chairman (Mr H. Clark) to represent the County of Bruce on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. The criminal sessions concluded to-day, Mr Justice Williams will sit in Chambers ou Friday, and the civil business will probably be taken on Monday next. The big guns yesterday were satisfactorily tested. The fifth round fired at St-. Clair (sighted by Major Goring) struck the middle of \Vhite Island, which was being used for practice purposes. The ' Gazette' notifies the appointment of William White to be lieutenant of the Waikouaiti Rifle Volunteers, the acceptance of the services of the Outram School Cadets, and the resignation of Lieutenant John M'Gregor of his commission in No. 1 City Guards. As the smuggling of cigars by passengers and crews of Chinese vessels has been unpleasantly frequent of late the Melbourne Magistrates intend in future to increase the penalties. Last week the Melbourne City Bench inflicted a fine of LIOO on a China man who had smuggled L 3.500 cigars from the steamer Timor. About 200 students and other young men in Calcutta have formed a society for the promotion of purity, taking the following pledge:—" Ido hereby declare that I take the vow of purity; that I will never, directly or indirectly, taint myself with vice ; that I will never take part or associate with those who, to my knowledge, take part in amusements and exhibitions which encourage prostitution in any form. I further declare that I will actively co-operate with all movements that promote purity in the land. So help me God." Messrs V. Pyke, M.H.R., J. A. Connell, and W. L, Simpson brought strong pressure to bear on the Land Board to-day, with the view of getting the rents of perpotual-lease lands in the Lauder district reduced. It was urged that the lessees they represented had been completely misled as to the character of the soil—a bitter experience having taught them that it lacked a ohemical ingredient which was most important for productiveness. After some consideration, the Board decided that they were powerless to interfere in the matter. There was a special meeting of the Dunedin Hospital Committee yesterday afternoon, for the purpose of considering the steps to be taken under the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act. The Government, in asking the Committee to carry on the management until the new Board entered on their duties, thanked the Board for the able assistance given by the Committee in the past. The meeting was adjourned till Saturday, when the following resolution will be discussed:—"That, in the opinion of this Committee, it is not advisable to take steps for incorporating the Dunedin Hospital a separate Institution under the 42nd clause of the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Act 1885." A somewhat singular incident, bearing upon the law of evidence, ooourred in the Nelson District Court on September 27. A witness was asked what somebody else said to him regarding the accident which formed the ground of action. The opposing counsel objected to conversation being accepted as evidence. "But," replied the lawyer on the other side, "the plaintiff was present at the time." The plaintiff, it should be mentioned, was a boy three years of age, whose leg had been broken by some fencing belonging to the defendant falling on it. The defendant's counsel urged that it was absurd to say that that which would not be admis ible in the absence of a three-year-old infant at the time it was spoken might be accepted as such if the little thing had been present. The Judge, however, ruled that as the plaintiff was present when the conversation took place it might be reported to the jury. An miscellaneous entertainment was given in the school-room of All Saints' last night, and passed off most successfully. An extravaganza—" The Knave of Hearts " which had been in rehearsal for some considerable time, was produced by the young people oonneoted with the church, and was gone through in a creditable manner, especially when it is taken into consideration that it was the first attempt of the performers in the dramatic line. The leading characters were sustained by the Misses Dudfield, Chambers, and Fisher, the former in particular giving a very good representation of the title role. These were well supported by the various minor characters. A musical melange followed, after which an amusing trifle which served to introduce some nursery rhymes and juvenile stories the affair to a close. It is needless to paifcularise any of the performers, as they all contributed more or less to the success of the piece. The same programme wiil he repeated this eyeninrj. The following i,tems are from the «Tuapeka Times's ' Wellington correspondent : The survey of the railway extension from Lawrence to Roxburgh is to be commenced a3 soon as possible. Mr Gordon, the Insp&itor of Mines, visits Tuapeka next week, with re&rpuce to prospecting and improved machinery iox .coment-crushing. Sir Julius Yogel and the Minister of Lands will visit the district early The San Francisco mail contract will probably be signed to-day. The present contractors, and Co., arranged today for an amalgamation with the Union Company and the Oceanic service, and will keep two of their largest eteaSWirs running between Sydney and Honolulu, H a third steamer is required, the Union Company provide it. Arrangements will be made with the Orjent and P, and O. service to run in connection with the i&P Francisco line, passengers •having the option of taking the round journey, nsing my <A fee Company s boats either way. , Thfl inal representation of " Xhs t fit*" Divers"' h»f evening was witnessed by a capital house, tfee drama going as successfully as ever, To-njghfc the performance of "The Two Brothers" will b§ under the patronage of Sir George YYhitrnorp, fcu4 the Garrison Rand will occupy the orchestra and contribute the musical selections, In reference to "The Two Brothers" the Bishop of Manchester spoke in the following terms :—" Such plays are stage sermons, nightly preached in our midst. It is just 020 of thoso few pieces introduced on the stage tbst blend the ups and downs of life, the darker with the brighter side of tins human character, &nd teach to those who witness them a lessoa &sfc all is not gold that glitters, and that truest hfcp&Jufiss mo re often dwells beneath the .if honest poverty than under the evei'-existing anxiety, fear, and doubt that rest upon the proud; while the sequcj tells that pride mast have its fall,iind,in the e»d the once poor take fte place of the usurping riflj pretender," ''

The Governor is visiting the Wanganui and Wairarapa districts. Renter cables this afternoon that for the Caulfield Cup Lord Exeter heads the list at 100 to 10, with Velocipede and Heleiieat 100 to 8 each. For the Melbourne Cup Trenton is given at 100 to 6, Coronet and Commotion at 100 to 3 each. We give the quotations as sent. The third anniversary of the Cargill road Wesleyan Church was celebrated last night by a tea and public meeting. A very large company sat down to tea, Mr C. Duke presiding over the public meeting, Mr A. Beck presented the report, which indicated progress in every department, There were 159 names on the communion roll, most of whom had been gathered during the pastorate of the present minister. Nearly LSOO had been collected for all purposes during the year. The present anniversary had realised the sum of L4O, which would bring down the debt on the property to L2O. This was deemed highly satisfactory. Interesting addresses were given by the Revs. Messrs Morley, Murray, and Rothwell, and the choir, under the conductorship of Mr W. Gilbert, gave a number of selections. Several of the speakers made reference to the necessity of erecting at an early date a new church on the section adjacent, left for that purpose, to meet the urgent needs of the congregation. Lodge Otago Kilwinning, 417, S.C., meet tomorrow evening. Received, from Mr Wheeler, Bradshaw for October; also, Young's Pocket Guide, The Government Insurance Department offers premiums for the best designs for the head office in "Wellington, The monthly Blue Ribbon was held in the Wesleyan Church on Monday night. Mr Williams presided; and Messrs Frapwell and J. Hc-nsby, jun., delivered speeches. The Blue Ribbon choir, under the baton of Mr T. Holgate, rendered some glees in good style. A concert was given in St. John's Hall the other evening in aid of the Kaikorai School improvement fund. Mr F. Wilkinson presided, and there was a good attendance. Among those who contributed to the enjoyment of the audience were the Misses Christie, Jones, and Lawrence; Messrs Robertson, Lane, M'Kenzio (vocalists); Messrs J. Wood, and Harlock (readings), and Mr J. S. Wilkinson ; while Mr J. S. Wilkinson acted as accompanist. A very successful rehearsal was held last evening of the entertainment which is to be held in the Garrison Hall on Friday evening in aid of the Benevolent Institution. The programme will consist of exhibitions of skill in gymnastics, and the use of arms by Professor Oscar David's pupils, the North Dunedin Rifles, Dunedin Hussars, and Otago Guards, and will bo especially attractive. The merits of the entertainment, apart from the exeeellent cause, deserve » crowded lioxise.