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Otago Daily Times, Issue 166, 28 May 1862, Page 4

:The business of tho Resident Magistrate yesterday was transacted in his Worship's .chambers during the early part of the forenoon; but, at two o'clock, two adjourned cases were heard in the Court House, which had been vacated by his Honor, Mr. Justice Gresson, lit twenty minutes before one. The business terminated- about three o'clock in the afternoon. '

•The Inspector of Nuisances informed .the Resident Magistrate yesterday that the recent heavyrains had nearly cleared away the houses at the year of the Ai cade, as well as the nuisances formerly reported, and complained of by him, in that locality.

. The" business of the Resident Magistrate's Court will be very heavy to-day.

The nomination of candidates for the representation of the City of Duuedin, in the House of Representatives, will take place to-day, outside the Court House, at twelve o'clock noon. A Provincial Gazette was published on Saturday. The only item of geucnU interest was the publication, for the information of Justices of the Peace, of a letter from the Colonial Secretary to His Honor the Superintendent, to the eflect thnt the Government is at present unable to supply J.P.s with copies of past enactments, the acts being out of print.

The gold entries at the Customs yesterday yielded a revenue duty of only eighteenpence — the smallest amount which has been known since the discovery of gold in this province.

It is in contemplation by the local authorities to immediately extend the present gaol, by erecting another stockade of corrugated iron at the north-eastern angle of the old building. A door will be formed through the stone wall which now confines the penal yard to the eastward, so that the prisoners may descend into the projected inclosurc, which is to be converted into a labor yard. The walls will be sixteen feet in height, and a,constable's platform will be erected at the waterside extremity, for the station of a guard. The old wooden wall which bounds the-present yard will be pulled down, in order to make the new yard of more extensive and commodious dimensions.

The Stuart-street jetty has been carried out to a length of 550 feet, or half the proposed distance: the pier will have a breadth of 33 feet, and each pile of 20 feet will be driven'into the earth a depth varying from six to nine feet, according to circumstances. Should the weather be tolerably fine, and allow' the laborers an opportunity of carrying on uninterrupted and consecutive work, -thi-wffto#«'-J!!? *ftpw.l_eteiU;j__sixjttxeks^time :

ing is ready, to be laid on, as soon as the piles are prepared for their reception.

Yesterday a rather peculiar accident occurred in Rn^tray-strect. As a baker's cart, belonging to Mr. Murison, was being driven through the street the horse took fright at the " flaunting flag of Liberty," the stars and stripes, projecting from ahouse front, and, shying, upset the cart completely, sending the loaves rolling in the mud, and giving the driver a very narrow escape of being crushed—for the cart, we understand, fell partly upon - him. Fortunately tlie . sjioiling of the bread was the worst part of the business. It may be a matter for the consideration of the authorities, whether the practice of hanging out flags in the streets is to be allowed to Continue. In some towns that we- could name the regulations are so strict that shopkeepers are hot even allowed to hang out any of their goods in such a way as to project over, the footpaths. ; We are pleased to notice that another piece, of ' footpath is being made in Princes-street, between Rattray-street and High-street. By little and little, the formation of the -street proceeds; and, there is reason to hope that'the present generation of inhabitants may live to see it completed. AYe lately received, on the same day, two letters, signed, "Pick and Shovel." Both were accidentally mislaid in the oflice, which accounts for their non-appearance in the paper. The benefit of Mr. Sartford Fawcett, wjiich was to have taken place last week, is definitely fixed for this evening, when it is confidently expected that there will be a good house, as the attraction of the programme of " Othello" can hardly fail to be effectual, especially as the chief character is to be sustained by an amateur, who has already shown histrionic ability of no ordinary stamp. ' A correspondent of one of the Wellington papers, writing from Otaki, makes the following remarks respecting the Natives in that district : —" In looking over the speech of his Honor the Superintendent to the Council, I am rather amused, and indeed astonished, at that portion which refers to the present aspect of the Native Question. Surely his Honor can not be aware of the state of feeling existing among the Natives within this Province. It is a confirmed and an established fact that, with tlie exception of a few individuals, the whole ofthe Native tribes within this Province "have determined upon.' resisting the interference of the Queen's authority and law. ' ' There is no mistake about this, and the Government are fully aware of the fact.' '. Upon the West Coast particularly, from Wanganui .to Paikakariki, the Queen's authority is completely ignored, '. Robberies and petty . depredations against Europeans are of frequent occurrence, without redress. The appointment of a Resident Magistrate for this district is a perfect farce ,in asmuch as the King natives havedetermined not to recognise Her authority as between themselves, or as between themselves and Europeans.' "

.We were yesterday, by" ihe courtesy of the proprietors, enabled to make an inspection of the plans and specifications of the new Theatre, now in course of erection near the Criterion Hotel. The following particulars will, we have no doubt, be found interesting to our readers. We may state that all the arrangements, as at present formed, evince, on t]ie part of the proprietors, a desire to. provide every possible. condition for constituting the new Theatre a tcinple worthy .of the Muses, and to aflbrd every requisite for the comfort and convenience'of tlie • public. The outside dimensions of fhe building are 42' ft. by 113 ft; The front, .elevation . ; will be connected ,with the Criterion Hotel, and will consist of - a 'first story built in the Tuscan style, with folding entrance doors in the centre 10 feet wide, opening into a spacious vestibule, which is so constructed

as "to "be capable of being converted into two i handsome shops /if,, considered necessary. The second story is to be in the pointed Italian style, with two side windows having circular labelled t heads, supported by fluted columns, with lonic d capitals. In this story is to bn .a commodious g and elegant ca'e, communicating with tlie side r boxes of the Theatre. From the top ofthe t -pilasters supporting the head of the side windows, to the top of the blocking, is to be richly deco- -I rated with carved mouldings, &c, and at each f end of the block are to be erected ornamental r pedestals. The whole exterior appearance will t be very pleasing and elegant. Tlie audience part t of the building is to be 42ft. by 56ft., having one t ' tier.of boxes all round the building. The pit £ floor is to be so constructed as to render the building capable of being used for public meetings, j balls, &c. The seats in the pit are to be straight; I the box . seats are to be stuffed, and constructed with all the necessary appliances for comfort and t .ease. The stage is to be 40ft. by 42ft., with ex- 1 tensive accommodation behind for scenery, &c. ( The proscenium will be richly decorated , the ( lower part of solid Wood, and with, fluted pilasters, the capitals and bases of which are to,be elaborately gilded. The front of the proscenium < will be panelled, with figures in each panel. Excellent provision is made for ventilation, whicli is to be effected through the roof by two large ventilators, springing from richly ornamented centre pieces in the ceiling. The ceiling is to be divided into panels, each panel containing painted , figures. The inside walls arc to be papered, and the whole furniture and fittings of the Theatre _ are to be of the best description. In the construction of the building, which is of wood, every provision has been made for ensuring the utmost stability. The piles are numerous, and of sufficient strength for supporting ten times the strain ever likely to be put on them, and all fixed upon plates. The plates aud framework of the building are of the most substantial character ; the framework and plates are made of timber, 6 in. by 3 in. ; the joisting 8 in. by 3 in. ; the roof framing G in. by 2 in. The roof is to be of iron, and the Theatre is to be lighted from the sides. The building is to afford accommodation for about 1,500 persons. The whole has been designed ;by Mr. Chasi G. Smith, the architect, who lias had considerable experience in the erection of similar 'buildings in various parts of the world. Mr. Smith designed the Prince of Wales Theatre in Sydney, and the Theatres at Back Creek and Fiery Creek, Victoria -, and also built the Jenny Lind Theatre in San Francisco three times, and the American Theatre in the same city, a large brick building, which he erected in 30 days from its previous destruction by fire. Mr. J. E. Thompson is the contractor for the works. The building is to cost about £3,000. The spirited proprietors are sparing no pains to render this a model Theatre, and in their contemplated arrangements,' the inhabitants of Dunedin arc likely to be provided with means of amusement second to none in the colonies. One of the proprietors is at present in Melbourne negotiating" for the engagement of Lyster's celebrated opera troupe, and hopes to \ secure it for the opening of tho Theatre. This gentleman is also in .treaty with Mr. Coppin, of Melbourne, for the services of the many talented and celebrated " stars engaged for the large new ' Theatre in Melbourne, and also for the engage- - -ment of n permanent company of performers of , UVira-o—i . .._ tQ _ ' this undertaking, and we doubt not thatthe spirited efforts of the proprietors to provide high class theatrical entertainments for the inhabitants of Dunedin, will be handsomely rewarded by the warm support of the public. We have received a letter in reference to the Port Chalmers; Regatta, from one of the crew of the Lord Nelson, .the boat which was disqualified. ' Some portion of the letter is nofc exactly admissible, but the following embodies the meaning ofthe writer :— " Seeing in your-.issue of to-day, that the Lord Nelson was really the second boat, but that a protest was made on the ground that slip was not the boat which had been entered by her crew, and, that she was disqualified, now, Sir, I flatly contradict that any such protest had been made in the presence of any of the crew before starting. We pulled in the same boat that, we entered, she being the Lord Nelson of no particular place. When we won the race it was dishonored. Now, Sir, I want to know why the objection was not raise 1 previous to starting, as is usually the case. And is it fair that one who was interested in a boat should be one of the Stewards ? Now, Mr. Editor, you will agree with me and say that there was injustice shown to the c.-ew of the Loi-d Nelson, after pulling round the course and winning the race.'' The Lyttelton Times says thnt" information has reached Christchurch of the disappearance of a young man named G. 11. Stuart, late in the War Office, London, and who landed here from the Chrysolite about a year ago. Mr. Stuart was engaged on Mr. Parke's survey staff, and left the camp on Good Friday to convey a letter to Mr. Parke's station. The first stage wivs about 18 miles, to Gray's station, on the Rukaia, but he never reached there, nor has he since been heard of. It is feared that he loifc his way, and perished in the bush." The Auckland Bible Society would appear to have met with considerable success iv its labors, for, at a late meeting, it was stated that " the issues from tlio depot have been a total of 1,502 copies, of various languages : i.e., in Hebrew, 4 ; Greek, 2; Latin, 3; German, 10; French, 15; Italian, 5; Spanish, 1; Portuguese, 1; Russian, 1; ' Swedish, 1; Chinese, 3; llarotongari, 5; Snmoan, 2; Tongan, 2; Figian, 1; Welsh, 2; Gaelic, 77; English, 992; Maori, 374; total, 1,502. Of these, \ 129 copies have been sold to the soldiers at the ' camp, including 15 bibles with marginal refer ' 1 ences." . • i J

From a gentleman just returned from a visit of inspection to the Highlay Diggings, we have obtained several items of information. He arrived nt Waikouaiti on Friday last, and at once proceeded to the diggings, visiting the alluvial workings as well as the quartz reef. At the reef he examined the quartz that had been got out by Mr. Bailey's mate, and could see the fine gold I scattered through it. In his opinion it would pay i very liandsomsly for crushing. Several parties of sluicers were in full work ; one party showed him two dwts. of gold, which they stated they ' had obtained the same morning, but from the I energy with which they were working lie was inclined to think they were getting something bettei'. The locality is, he believes, nearly 2,000 feet above the level of the sea, and at the time of his visit the weather was cold, and the snow of, some depth. Fuel hardly to be had., The actual number of miners he estimated at about one -hundred. Many of these had erected good huts, and were determined to slay the winter out, but the majority of those arriving were leaving again, without trying the ground, but expressing an intention to return in the spring. "Our informant, who is a man of some experience, was much pleased "with the look ofthe country and its auriferous indications, and from what he saw and heard, was led to expect that the place would be the scene of an important rush in the spring. We- may- add that this information agrees with ■what we have"gathered'from returned diggers. ,We are given' to understand that the miners have ! been spreading themselves over tlie neighboring I stations, prospecting, and that it is by no means

improbable that a wide extent of country may be found to be auriferous. We, shall, in a few days, be in a position to publish a full and authentic account-of these diggings, for we are about despatching a special reporter, tb go over the

ground, and institute the most careful enquiry into the present state and future prospects of the field.

ji very,handsome entertainment was given on Monday evening at the Shamrock Hotel, about fifty-four gentlemen sitting down to a capital dinner,lprovidedby the Messrs/Murphy, theproprie . tors of the house. The entertainment was given to celebrate the opening of the hotel, a fine new building at the corner of Rattray and Maclag-gan-stre~els." Mr. De Carle presided,"imd Messrs , Ward' and Sampson acted as vice-chairmen. After due justice had been done to the,good fare provided, the usual loyal toasts were proposed, wlien the company heartily responded to the toast ofthe evening—" Success to the Shamrock Hollel, and the healths of the proprietors, (Messrs. Murphy)." The entertainment did not conclude till twelve o'clock. Many well known Victorians were present.