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Otago Daily Times, Issue 216, 29 August 1862, Page 4

There was % good house at the Theatre Royal last night, owing, doubtless, to the very attractive programme announced for the evening's performance. Bu'.'kstone's play, "The Green Bushes," was the first piece performed. The plot of the pi iy is very good. Connor O'Kennedy, an Irish gentleman, owing to the part he has taken in certain conspiracies, is obliged to fly his country, leaving behind him his wife 'and child. He proceeds to America, and is there affianced to Miami, the oflspring of a French gentleman, and the daughter of an Indian chieftiin. After being absent some years, his wife, Geraldinc O'Kennedy, seeks her husband, and meets him far away in the backwoods of America in a most unexpected maimer. While in conversation with him Mt uni is, unknown to them, a witness of the f-cene, and in her mortification and indignation Ores at O'Kennedy and kills him. The scene is then transported to Dublin, whither Geraldinc has made her way after suffering great prbations and misery, to find that her child, who had been placed in the charge of her fo»tcr sister, had been stolen, but had been well cared for by Miami, who had also found her way to Europe. When the denouement takes place, Miami restores the child to her anxious mother, and then poisons herself. The part of Miami was very ably represented by Madame Duret, who acted with great earnestness and passion. Mrs. Holt was very clever *s Nelly O'Neil, playing with spirit and taste. Mr. Wm. Itypn, as Connor O'Kennedy, showed a great appreciation of the character. The various characters were well sustained by the artistes engaged, and the whole piece went off with spirit, and met with a cordial reception. The entertainment concluded with Shaksnere's comedy of " Katherine and Petruchio/' which went off excellently.

There was a small attendance at the Princes

Theatre last night, the rush to the Dunstan diggings Effecting the theatres.no less than other places of resort. Tlie performance consisted of " Robert Maeaire," and the farce of *• Done on Both Sides." The latter piece was admirably given, Mr. Chas. Young as Pygmalion Phibbs, with his amusing attempts to pronounce the words " Veterinary Surgeon,*' aad Mr. Tom Fawcett as Whiffles, being equally ludicrous.

The arrival in Dunedin of the greater proportion of the 300 gold or prospective gold-getters, who were brought from Melbourne to Port Chalmers by the ship Ringdove, caused a marked addition yesterday, to the number of those who * were busily pushing about the city, purchasing picks, shovels, and tin dishes, or laying in a store of provisions, more or less approaching the mini- j mum quantity recommended by the Government ( to be taken by each of those who are determined j ut once to move off for the Dunstan diggings, j We fear however, judging from the size of j various biscuit bags, that very few came up to the j precautionary standard officially suggested—that is, suflk'ierit for at least a fortnight. A good '. many parties came up from Port Chalmers in boats, in some cases stepping direct on board one ofthe steamers tor Waikouaiti, all of which were we believe well loaded. Of course, wet weather could never deter your true steady-going miner, much less a hot enthusiast who starts eagerly, if not happily, because he is ignorant of the privations he will have ut present to undergo while tramping up the country; but certainly the bright, brisk, invigorating weather we enjoyed yesterday seemed to add wonderfully to the spirits of those who plodded in string*, swag-laden, out of the city. The Tasmanian people seem to bo quite alive » the advuutugv'i of extending their commercial relations with New Zealand. The JJoftart Town Advertiser of 2t)th August, says:—."The purchase «>f a new vessel wa* decided on at the Special Meeting of tha.shareholders of the Tasiiuman Steam Navigation Company, he d yestcriay. We believe thin step will be found to be v very judicious one as an investment of capital. There can be no doubt th it the trade which will oon op.v up again with New Zealand at the end if the winter will justify the employment of -mother steamer, and that. Hobart Town geneally will gain hy the enterprise of the sharelolderi. The public have therefore every reason "or congratulation at the decision arrived at *'e»tiniay." To show how uncertain the value of station ■roperiy w. we are given to understand that a un in the South, which lately changed hands at i high figure, is shortly v> be declared into huri- j I reds. We believe It is on the Southland side. The fortunate s-eller miy very likely be the nirchaser of the freehold. We have to acknowledge the receipt of £1 from v.Y.Z.. Waikouaiti, toward* the Hughes' fund -, dso, ol £\ from Me>irs. Orbell Brother?, .'or the tame object. Previous to the announcement of the Dunstan iij;gif!g-«, we are informei there was a disposition i liivvi.-tr^ili tv rush t-j the Wakatip dig »in-^-i. >>me of the «uttiuns lost all their hinds, ami reports w..tc current of new di«corerie* yielding •letter w »gos thin the i\c<i gu'iy «ipeiie i. The w.wt, h<*ev^r, of the Hartley gold-lit:! I ;.ut a *top to tbe Wakatip ru*h, and from a gentleman ,!i*t relume 1 fr> n Siuthuul, we hear that quite m excitement w«n pn>lui'_-i by the news receive I -rom LLsncJin, aud numbers of parties were About ttarting overland, the i lea b.-ing very preralent liat a g-r>d road would be found by Invercargill. >ue sugge-itcsl wm up the Wak.itip Like by boat u> the Ivawaran, and then following that river town. Tbe gorge, however, wa* supposed to l>e impracticable for draya. The Chief Commissioner of Lands, .Mr. Peirs-m, cartel o;f immediately to try ani trace oil the >c?st roa I. A* here, *j at Sjiitithin I, all kinis of sports rere prevalent. One, our inform mt tells is he heard from Mr. Linguet, at the liluir. that i »heplwrd on Maclean's station had brought i-iwn 27 ozs. of gold from the new digging*. It s se.mvly necessary to pjint out hjw highly •nprwbable such a tale is.

We understand the Government have arranged *ith Mr. Riley for the purchase from him of two •oats to be ."tatiot-.ed on the Molyneux, a convenient dbnuiec from the new diggings. Mr. Riley 'akestho boats up tbe Molyneux himself; he is aking with him. we believe, a believe a quantity »f good*. From a gentleman who came in from Oanipb •;;'« Thompson's station, we hear that a large number ot men on foot and drays have passed through en mute for the new field. The road though difficult is supposed to possess no inalterable obstacles. The prevalence of sdow is denied. The Government party passed through .»u Sunday, and probably reached the diggings on Tuesday.

In the le'tcrs of our own correspondents at Tuapeka and Tokonv.iiriro,menth>;i haslatelv been •liade of the existence of a practicable route to the Dunstan Diggings from Waitahuna. We yesterday were favored with a view of a private letter, received by Mr. Reid of this town, in wliich the writer expressed himself to the following effect:—" There is a dray track opened from Waitahuna as far as Captain Baldwin's station, un the Molyneux, and the whole of the traffic is likely to go through by the same way. M'Queen Brothers arc off with a dray by this route, and Captain Baldwin's overseer is to guide them."

We lately directed attention to an advertisement in which the Commissioner of Police asked for information resecting a man named M'Clay, a settler near Waikouiti. who had been missing for some time. We now learn that the body of tlie unfortunate man has been found in a lagoon. An inquest was to have been heldou last evening.

On Monday last, a destructive fire occurred at Mr. Willmers' farm, near the Taieri Ferry, between the Ferry aud the mouth of the river.' It appears that some people from Adams' Accommodation House went down the river for firewood on Monlay in the morning, and when they passed down all was safe, but when they returned the homestead was a ra ass of ruins, and several stacks had been destroyed. It is understood that the fire was occasioned by the burning of the country which is now being so extensively carried on; that the flames caught the stacks, and thence spread to the buildings. Attention has more than once been called in our columns to the danger arising from the reckless maimer in which burning off is sometimes conducted. At the beginning of the week the work of burning seemed to be going on in almost every direction, the sky being red every night. We have been informed by a gentleman who was riling to town on Monday night, that at the other side of Saddle Hill the light was at one time so strong that he could see to tell the time by his watch. The whole country side, from the Maungatua ranges to the sea, and far inland, seem ;d to be lig'ited up Oa this side of Saddle Hill, however, all was dark.

The police, owing to the Large influx of population, are likely to have their time fully occupied during the next few months. Indeed it will bo very difficult to obtain suitable men to increase the force as much as cireumstauces will probably require. Would it not be a good plan to apply to the military authorities to undertake for a time the escort service? In Victoria the soldiers per- ; formed it for a long while at a time when the whole strength of the police force was required for other purposes. The local authorities should lose no time in making the application. Should the necessity not arise it need not be made use of. < H course the soldiers so engaged would be placed in the receipt of extra pay. We commend the suggestion to the Government.

On all sides of our beautifully placed city, newbuildings are being erected—here, a large hotel or store, there a neat cottage, or wooden hut. At least, such was the caso until the heat of the gold fever carried off so large a proportion of the building-trade operatives. Even now not a few works of the kind are being vigorously pushed onward to completion. We may say a few words, however, about two of which there are no risible signs as yet, but which will very speedily be commenced ; and one ol which will we believe, prove architecturally, to be an acceptable addition to the existing buildings. Tiie Bank of New Zealand want new premises; and the site selected ibr them is the flat on the easterly side of Princes-street, at the comer of liattray-street, and directly opposite the Bank of New South Wales. Tbe building will liave frontage of 60 feet to Princes-street, and of 40 feet to Halt ray-street; its height beiug 50 feet. The style adopted is Italian in character; and although it does not promise to be in any way rich in details, the effect will be pleasant and efl'-etive. The first storey will be iv plain rusticated work. A central doorway iv Princes-street ami a smaller oue at the junction with Rattraystreet, will give access to the public office ; on the higher side ofthe main entrance heing a Jar^e flat-headed window flanked by two smaller ones while on tha other side one ofthe small windows «i;i be absent, consequent upon the arrangements for the doorway at the corner. Tliere will be mi ornamental stringcourse and a balustrade, dividing the two stories ; the central bay ofthe upper one being filled with a circular headed window of thne lights. In the corresponding bay of the liattray-street front will be a segmental pediment supported by coupled Corinthiau columns, in the centre beiug a line window and above all there will be a simple balustrade. Tiie exterior will be of Hobart Town stone, or of brick, finished with cement. In the basement stories a smelting room will be fitted up, together with apartments fur tbe porter, stores, &c. On the ground floor, the banking room will be about 40 feet by 35 feet, but it* height will be only 19 fecr, which will ccrtah.hr be a drawback as regards effectiveness of appearance. Here aNo will be the manager's room, two strong rooms and a stair case leading to the up;>er storey, and the principal apartment, on which will be the lx>ard room. The designs for this bank are the production of Mr. Wm. Mason, architect, of Auckland. Tney are now at the offices of .Mr. David R.js;, architect, MansestrtU, and the tenders for the erection mu-.t V* t'-arwar le.l i«i or bsf jre the 12th Septeir.Wr. The work will be eommened ,at the earliest possible moment after i that date ; and, according to the terms of the contract, it wili have to be completed by May next. To Mr. Ross has been entrusted tlie preparation of plans and the superintendence «r the works uecesa-r/ for a very considerable enlargement of the Union Bank of Australia in Ui h-^reet. The existing building covers an r a.nr.i of 50 feet by 2u fret, ihe additions will be 1 cquiitoa length of 52 feet, with an average breadth of nearly SO feet. The priucipal room will be enlarged to H feet by 34 feet, leariug a square of 22 Icet, tree of desks, Sec. There will, also, be a new room for the manager, a commoi lioti-i gold-office, two exceedingly substantial and earetuliy ventila'cd strong-rooms, and various oilu-r oflh-es and apartments. The works here will probably be commenced in a few days. An unfortunate woman, named Catherine Kgan, corn noniy known as " Irish Kate," attempted to ! commit suicide yesterday .afternoon, by jumping 3 into the harbor from the new jetty. She was. however, speedily rescued by some boatmen, and ' was jriven into the custody of constable M'Mahon. s At the police-station she remained for some time 1 in a state of very great excitement, apparently tiie 3 result of long-continued intoxication ; but, last % evening, she was much calmer, and she will, this B morning, be brought up at the Resident Magise trate's Court.

Tiie Lyttelton Tnr.es entertains a very different estimate of what constitutes important* news, to the people of Otago. Speaking of the last mail from this Province—which, by the way, took the intelligence ofthe discovery which lias created such a ferment here—our contemporary says : " There is no news of importance." In another column the same paj-er says : *• I: is now quite evident thai the goid fields of Otago will neither I'iduce any great immigration from Kngland, or abstract any serious amount of population from the other Provinces of New Zealand." We think the next few mouths will tell a different tale -, even already tiie Omeo has brought over 120 passengers from Lyttelton.

As an instance of the mania that has seized the miners in respect to the new diggings at the Dunstan, we were yesterday informed "of a party of four men, who had left Weatherstone's, leaving behind them their apparatus, and a claim that was yielding the party from £30 to £40 weekly.

A meeting of Freemasons was held last night at the Shamrock Hotel, to take into consideration the advisability of erecting a Masonic Hall. The chair was taken by Brother Chas. Webb, W. M. of the Otago Lodge, and who shortly stated the object of the Meeting. After some little discussion it was proposed by Brother Vahland, and seconded by Brother Duncan, that "a Committee to be composed of two brethren from each Lodge, with power to add to their number, be appointed to report upon the advisability of the site offered tor a United Masonic Lodge being accepted." The proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks to the Chairman.

The Lyttelton Times uuntions a recent instance of the great uncertainty and inconvenience attendant ou trusting mails between the Provinces to sailing vessels. A heavy mill was dispatched from Wellington for Canterbury on the 23rd July, and the vessel did not arrive at Lyttelton until the 20th August, being thus close'upou a month on a voyage usually pcrformad by tho steamers iv tweuty-fuur hours. The delay iv this particular instauce might have been attended with very serious results, :is amou* the despatches brought by the Thetis was a coaiinutttbn of the sentence of death upo.i a prisouer named Williams. If it lv Iso happauei tint the time fixed lor the carrying out of tlie sentence hi i Lpsed in the interim, the man's life would have b#en sacrificed to deficient po#tal arrangement*.

We publisli elsewhere a letter from Mr Thomas Murray, of Mount Stuart, in which the subject ot the various possible routes to the new diggings, is very ably discussed, and no less than six'different li.us of read are described. It will be seen that tiie writer most favors that of the Molyneux as a permanent road, The first shipmmt of gas pipes for Dunedin ar ived by the Vie or, and will be followed by o^i'-rs in the Kiilermont. Advices were received by 'he Directors of "the Company, by the- last stjam-r, from Mr. Hntchison, their engineer, whohissucece ed in securing the whole of the necessary plans and m.iterials of every kind at price* wirhin h-s estimate, and on conditions of a satisfactory nature. Several of the Melbourne contractors, weare informed, have offered to take piyment at the market price of their material i^ pnid-up shares ofthe Company, and this arrangement will probably to some extent be carried out. We are iormed that a bridge'is now beinj erected for the Company at'the entrance to the site of .their works, and that the pipe laying will be commenced in about a fortnight.