DUNEDIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 382, 15 August 1874, Page 2

DUNEDIN.

[From our own Correspondent.) , On Tuesday, a3 I apprised you by tele- > graph, there occured a rather singular accident in the harbour, unfortunately attendedwith loss of life. Two men, Walker and r O'Brien, having been in the neighbourhood *>| Vauxhall, had observed a box or two near'the beach. These belonged to a new arrival who was engaged moving, and who left them there temporarily for convenience sake. Walker and O'Brien cast covetous eyes on the boxes, and on returning to town they procured a | boat and went across the bay with the evident intention of "breaking the" eighth commandment. Having reached their destination, they lost no .time in getting their booty on board, and started on the return trip — a trip that was destined to be the last on earth of one of the worthies. They had not gone many boat's.lengtlia from the shore, •when they .found it necessary to change the position of one of the boxes, and while they were engaged shifting it, the boat" capsized, and went down, carrying Walker with it to the bottom. The other man struck out for the shore, which he managed to reach in safety. The proceedings having been observed from a distance by the owner of the boxes, a man named ■ Wood, he made his way down, and started after O'Brien, who by this time was hurrying to town. Wood overtook O'Brien before the latter reached Dunedin, and accusing him of the theft, took him tc the police station. O'Brien was brought up to-day before Mr. Bathgate charged with the theft of the box. The case was adjourned till to-morrow, accused being admitted to bail. The police started the search for the body of Walker early this morning,- and about ten o'clock it was recovered. An inquest will be held to.-morrow. • •,-:."

On ■ Friday, the 14th inst,, the opening of the new Temperance Hall in Moray Place is to be celebrated by holding a soiree, concert, and dance in the building in the evening, The building is one that reflects infinite credit on the various temperance organizations which have co-operated in its erection. It is a commodious, substantial erection, and contains one of the largest halls in the city, thus supplying a want that has been long and severely felt by th<* various temperance bodies in Dunedin. The Kennedy family have engaged it,for a serie3 of farewell entertainments, and will, I suppose draw houses that will thoroughly test its capabilities. Among other things, it is to be hoped that it will not be like its neighbours of Moray Place hi the matter of ventilauon. The pluck of the.l.O.G.T.'s in erecting such a handsome and useful building, deserves substantial recognition, aud it is to be hoped that the carrying capacity of the new 11 all will be strained to the utmost on the opening night. The Wiltshires still continue their pedestrian feat in High-street, and' seem much fresher than they did a few days back. After the fit which Mr. Wiltshire had last week, Dr. Bakewell expressed an opinion that he did not think it likely that the task would be successfully accomplished, but Mr. Wiltshire Rpemed thoroughly determined to so through with what he had undertaken, and has been walking very.pluckily since,' althoug ho often appears much worn out in consequence of want of sleep. I called in at tho marquee today, and saw Mrs. 'Wiltshire do one of her half-miles. She isa slight, rather nice-looking little lady, and walked with a vigour and elasticity I was hardly ps-epared to see after reading the late accounts of- her performances. They- have now accomplished their 800 th mile aud liali'-milo i-cspeetirelj- 3 ' and' wilLI doubt not-be able to finish .their respective tasks wil.hont any break-down. Tbe systematic-, purloining of goods from tho Dunedin jetties received a slight Check to-day in; the .sentencing by Mr. John Bathgate' of two men to' fourteen days'imprisonment for stealing beer from a cask which was lying 'on tho jetty-street wharf. The losses to which importers have to submit by pilfering are a good deal heavier than most people imagine. It is quite , a common thing on opening eases and packages to find that portions of their contents have mysteriously disappeared, and what is often put down to breakage or leakage is very frequently ascribable to a very different cause. Not that importers and warehousemen are altogether freo from blame in t<he matter, for it is not stretching to say , that. they in too many cases almost offer a' premium for tho commifeion-pE- petty larceny , by. leaving their goods for days ' and sometimes even" weeks on the jetties without any watch being placed over them or any means taken' to ensuro their safety t , Last night there was produced at tbe Princess Theatre a play written by J. J". Utting, one of the "Guardian" literary staff, entitled " The, Great World of London." It is of the sensational class, and as a play of the sort is a most creditable production. "Mr Utting was called before the curtain at the close of the play, and received the -warm plaudits of the audience. There-.was. another attraction at the -theatre for the first time last; night, in the person iof th& Eugene Beda, a dancer and trapezist, who has to perform his feats under the disadvantage of having only one leg. He last night performed on the flying trapeze, and executed in an astonishing manner some exceedingly 'difficult feats. It is rather a painful spectacle, however, and one which I imagine most people will not care about witnessing more than once.