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New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4319, 23 January 1875, Page 2

The ship Berar was placed in quarantine immediately ivpon her arrival yesterday. TJpon the immigration authorities visiting the vessel, it was ascertained that there had been twenty-one deaths from scarlet fever during the voyage, which lasted eighty-nine clays. There are still twenty cases under treatment on board the vessel. She left on the 18th October, and next day the fever made its appearance amongst the passengers, which is conclusive proof that germs of disease must have been brought on board the vessel. She will probably remain in quarantine for a fortnight, unless the passengers are landed and the ship fumigated, when her detention may not last longer than a week. In every respect the soiree on board the ship Soukar last night was an unqualified success. The arrangement and preparation of the vessel for the occasion had cost tho promoters considerable trouble and expense, and it was satisfactory to observe that their efforts had not been made in vain. There could not have been fewer than four hundred people present, but the capacity of the 'tween decks of this fine ship was equal to providing dancing and promenading room for more than attended. The sides had been draped so as to hide the bareness of the vessel, numberless gas jets were fitted, and the deck made fit for dancing upon with comfort. And a necessity was not overlooked by the promoters of the soiree, viz., a cloak room for ladies, to whom the after part of the ship was devoted. Dancing was commenced shortly before nine o'clock, to the music of the Artillery Band, and kept up with unflagging energy till half the programme had been got through, when those who felt inclined partook of a well-laid supper in the saloon of the vessel, provided by Mr. Donecker, who also dispensed refreshments in the 'tween decks. Dancing was resumed shortly after midnight, and Saturday morning was considerably advanced before the last couple had left the vessel. The novelty and the genuine good feeling which prevailed last night more than compensated for any defects—if there were any. In addition to the three uncontested events on yesterday's regatta programme, which were adjourned till this afternoon, at half-past two there will bo an exciting and interesting match between the well-known outriggers Stella and Dolly Varden. The challenge is understood to have arisen out of tho champion four-oar batswing race which was yesterday won hy the Wellington Bowing Club's Transit. The arrangements were concluded and money deposited last night. Notwithstanding tho many counter attractions elsewhere, the Theatre was very fully attended last night, when the management carrying out its programme of frequent°chauge of performance, produced, for the first time this season, the favorite drama of "Leah, the Forsaken ;" and although brought out for this night only, the same careful attention was bestowed upon its production as though it had been intended to run the play for weeks, moat of the scenery being new and the costumes of all the performers in correct keeping. The "Leah" of Mrs. F. M. Bates was a great success, the part being one admirably adapted to draw

forth the best powers of the actress, and without out-heroding Herod, a difficulty almost inherent in the character, Mrs. Bates by her determined and sustained energy made Leah to stand out like a picture, to the manifest pleasure and delight of her atidience, who demanded her reappearance at the conclusion of each and every act. The part of Leah so entirely absorbs the attention, that all the other characters are, so to speak, mere makeweights, nevertheless requiring careful attention to make the whole complete. In this respect justice was done by Mr. Bates (Joseph), Mr. C. Burford (Nathan), Miss Stoneham (Anna), and Mrs. Stoneham (Martha), and indeed by all concerned. The entertainment was brought to a conclusion by the first appearance of Mr. and Mrs. Bates in farce—" Toodles"—in which Mr. Bates played the hero with remarkable success, bringing down peals of laughter by his admirable delineation of the inebriate Toodles—•" a very handy thing to have in the house." This evening there will be a further change in the bill of fare, " Madeline" being the piece de resitsancc, with " Toodles" to come in at the finish.

It is said here on good authority (writes the Auckland correspondent of the Otayo Daily Times) that Sir George Arney does not intend to resign his appointment as Chief Justice, but will go to Wellington. Very great indignation is felt at the proceedings of the Government in this matter, so far as they are known ; and nothing could have struck a greater blow at the independence ef the Judges, in the opinion of many leading people here. That they should be liable to be worried, and their positions be at the caprice or mil of a Ministry, has startled most people. It was always believed that circuits and other internal arrangements were settled by the Judges themselves. This is now proved not to be the case, and confidence in the assured independence of the Bench has received a rude shock from which it will not readily recover. Sir George Arney personally commands the entire confidence and respect of the community ; and I speak with moderation when I say that there is no single ground of any kind whatever on which his resignation could be sought. The attempt to cajole oj. - worry him into it is becoming a public scandal. No one ever hears of, from, or through Sir George Amey a single word on the subject. The information we have may, therefore, be untrustworthy, but it is none the less mischievous, and ought to be known, so that if wrong it may meet with official contradiction. The successful introduction of the lobster into California by the fish commissioners of that State is thus recorded by the San Francisco Bulletin:—"ln June, 1873, the commissioners started from New York with 100 large and lively lobsters, with the intention of acclimatising them in the bay of San Francisco. All save seven of the lobsters died on the journey, and these seven arrived in an exhausted condition. The lobsters slowly crawled away when placed on the shore of the bay, and there was a difference of opinion among the commissioners as to the result of the experiment. As each lobster bore about a quart of eggs at the time of introduction to the bay," the question was one which a year would be likely to settle. If either of the lobsters lived, the eggs she bore would yield a million lobsters, and these would soon be noticed by the fishermen. The original lobsters lived and thrived, and the bay now contains millions of young ones. A Chinaman who cast his net for shrimp the other day caught 15 or 20 young lobsters, some of which he brought to one of the fish commissioners, in accordance with a previous understanding." A "Victorian contemporary, the Bendiyo Advertiser, has the following :—" It is not very often that even amongst miners such a case of extraordinary liberality is heard of as one which was brought under our notice a few days ago. The news comes from ' Finnigan's,' an important division of the Etheridge district. Oue of the most persevering, hardworking, and successful parties of miners was that of Harry Lewis and his three mates, the proprietors of the ' Queenslander and Marquis of Lome' reefs, and a ten-stamper machine. A short time since Lewis received advices from his Welsh connections at Llanwydd that an estate worth something like £20,000 had fallen to him, and that his presence home was required. He was immediately offered £6OO by his mates for his interest in the reefs and machinery, but Mr. Lewis not only refused to accept a shilling, but, making an absolute gift to them of the property, gave a champagne supper to a numerous party of his friends prior to his departure."

A New Zealand Gazette was published on the 21st instant.

Val Vose, tlie Ventriloquist, will give one of his popular entertainments to-night at the Odd Fellows' Hall.

The steamers Mauawatu and Ladybird eonveyed excursionists round the harbor yesterday, thus affording passengers an opportunity of enjoying a pleasant trip and a view of the most important races. Mr. Win Johnson, of Wellington, has beeu gazetted agent for the industrial branch of the Government Insurance department, for the Perseverance Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabites, under the Government Insurance and Annuities Act, 1874; and Dr. Harding has been gazetted referee of the same lodge.

A serious accident has occurred to a Norwegian boy, named "Johnny," in the employ of Mr. Lamb, at the Riverhead Biscuit Factory. The boy had been usually engaged in feeding an oven, but in the absence of the overseer he went over to the rollers, commenced feeding them with the dough, when his right hand was caught between them, and the flesh and sinews were torn off to the elbows before assistance could be rendered. He was promptly extricated and conveyed to the Hospital, where it was found necessary to amputate the forearm at the elbow. The accident is entirely attributable to the boy's ignorance of the work and his injudicious interference. The lad is now in Auckland Hospital, and no serious symptoms have developed themselves.