THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1878.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2822, 1 March 1878, Page 2

THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1878.

It is scarcely necessary to remind readers, especially intending exhibitors, that the Horticultural Society's inaugural show will be held at the Academy of Music to-morrow. The announcement has been before the public for a week, together with the schedule of exhibits and prizes. It is to be hoped there will be a large number of exhibits, so as io make the show attractive. Mr C. T. Wren, the well known nurseryman of Auckland, has consented to act as judge of the exhibits, so that strictly impartial awards may be relied upon. The show will be open to the public from two to fire in the afternoon, and from six to ten in the evening. The Thames Naval Brigade Sand hare kindly consented to play during the evening. It may be slated that as Mr Pulleine will be amongst the exhibitors, Mr George Hareourt will act as honorary secretary during the show.

Some Volunteers are anxious to know when the firing for the district prizes is likely to come off, aa the competitions throughout the Colony have to be completed by the 31st instant. An enquiry at the JDistrict Office would probably elicit the information. Captain Fbasbb proceeds to Te Aroha on Tuesday next to arrange for the land to be taken for the road, as agreed between the County Chairman and the Aroha Natives last weak. The news of the running for the Dunedin Cup, received by us and published in the form of an " Extra " yesterday afternoon between two and three, caused some ex* citement. Hippocampus had been booked as certain for winner, and great was the surprise when he was not placed. We must express our indebtedness to the Dunedin Press Agent for getting the message (an urgent one) sent through so promptly. It was presented for transmission in Dunedin at 2.17, and reached our office about 2.35.

The raried groups of mechanical figures exhibited at the Theatre Boyal under the name of the "Blacksmith Dream" attracted a large number of visitors again last night, including many parents witli their children. The Dream is certainly a norel of ingenuitj, as the increments of tome of the figures are exceedingly natural. The bicyclists seem endowed.with life. Punch and Judy varies the performance erery fifteen minutes, and proves a diverting entertainment for the young people, though falling short of tbe representations familiar to natives of the old country. The entertainment is certainly worth more than the modestsum demanded for a visit.

A writer in the Melbourne Leader says:—The change that has come over the mining industry in Victoria during the past year is remarkable. The dividends declared for the twelve months show a falling off of no less than £275,000 as compared with those of 1876. There is a reverse, however, to this dark picture. This year in round numbers tbe increased yield of our wheat fields has enabled us to send away some 10,000 tons of breadstuffs, valued at £12 per ton. This represents no less than £120,000, whilst again, if I add the value of the wheat and flour imported in 1876, I bring up the total to something over £215,000, an amount which will go a long way to compensate for the loss in the gold yield. [We wish we could say as much for this district in its times of depression in mining.—Ki> ]

The town is being inundated with posters and small bills of a Grand Art Union. It is announced aa the Corio Cricket Club Art Union, and is to consist of 5000 members of £1 each, the first prize being oil paintings of the value of £1000, or the sum of money without any deductions. We hare been asked if persons residing in New Zealand can invest in chances without running the risk of | prosecution. As the Art Union is said to be got up with the permission of the Attorney General of victoria, we should say that those who may be so disposed can safely invest. It would be well, however, for every one to read carefully the prospectus of this precious Art Union. It will be seen that the object is for a cricket club, possibly to buy the freehold of a fine playing ground near Geelong. For this purpose the promoters coolly invite subscriptions of £5000, and propose to distribute £2900 in prizes, appropriating £2100 to themselves to cover the expenses of the Art Union and buy their cricket ground. It doesn't look good enough. There are cricket clubs nearer home that deserve encouraging. Thb usual weekly meeting last night of Star of Thames Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was made unusually interesting by a lecture delivered by JBro. George N, Phillips, the present W.C.T. of the Lodge. .The

lecture Laving been announced at the previous sessions of (lie several Templar lodges, there was a good attendance of members, visiting brethren and sisters. The Bubject chosen for the lecture was •• Tho Eastern Question," and it wus dealt with in a very able manner by Mr Phillips, who in starting said he would take a view which would probably be called one • sided. Ho glanced at the career of .Russia for many centuries pait, showing that as far back aa tho tenth centurj Russia was seen to have attempted tho seizure of Constantinople, and commented to some length upon tho characteristic of Russia as a Power who had continually been robbing her neighbors' territory, making particular reference to unfortunate Poland and its division, of which Russia got the lion's share. Finland in the north had been annexed; and. Bussia had one paw well round Austria in the north-east, and would have the other one round by getting into T«rkey. Referring to the Bulgarian atrocities he snid he believed that indirectlj it was all due to Bussia, who had been fomenting strife and urging them to rebellion against tho Turks, and then made it a pretence for stepping in on behalf of the Greek Christians, bat all the while actuated by designs upon Constantinople. The danger to India he regarded as considerable, as Bussia had by absorbing nearly half of what was independent Tartar/, advanced very near to the confines of India. In conclusion he said he thought it would be the least of two evils—although he deplored war— for England to assut in repelling Bu*sia from Turkey. Tho lecturer was loudly applauded, and thanked.

The committee of the Auckland Scripture Gift and Prize Association, Thames branch, held a meeting last night to make arrangements for holding a public meeting for (he distribution of tiie prizes awarded for Scripture exercises written during the Christmas holidays by scholars attending the public schools! Mr M. Whitehead in the chair. It was resolred that a public meeting be held on Thursday next, March 7th. The services of a choir hare been obtained, and the ministers of the district hare expressed their willingness to gire short addresss.