THE Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR O'CLOCK P.M. Resurrexi. FRIDAY, NOVEMBEB 5, 1880.

Out the false alarm of fire penetrating the theatre last evening, the firemen who attended' the performance in uniform rushed out en masse. One " son of a hose reel "was looking in the direction of the glare instead of where he was going, and consequently took an impromptu dive into the well filled water table in front of Marshall's. The ducking did sot extinguish his ieal, bub what he said when he found that there wss no fire, our informant did not relate. The ducked one cannot be blamed much if he swore a little.

Thb Christmas Tree at the Volunteer Hall last evening was exceedingly well patrorised, and the object jit had in view—the raising of funds for the Shortland Wesleyan Sunday School—must have benefitted considerably thereby. The giving of the prizes caused great fun, as some of them went to the most opposite parties^-for instance, children's shoes and ladies' collars were given to young men according to th» number called, and of course the fairer sex (of whom there were more than an average number) received gifts totally unsuited to ; them. The table for the Bale of nicknacks was well supplied with really useful articles, and was well patronised by " fond parients" desirous of securing "a line'■ cheap—as the voluble auctioneer would say—and there were really bargains, and a brisk trade was done by the fair stallkeepers. We must oertainly say the idea of a Christmas tree to " raise the wind" for so laudable an object as that intended, is better than children begging from door to door as has been the practice .heretofore. ■..■<, ... , . , W» are glad to learn that the two men, Lawrence and Moore, lying in the Hospital are progressing most satisfactorily.

We hear that Mr A. Hart has. .been appointed overseer of workß for the County in the Eauaeranga riding.

The manager of the New Golden-Grown G.M. Co, is advertising for tenders for 100 feet of driving. Tenders to be opened tomorrow at 1 p.m.

A COBBBbpondbht writes that the Tapu I'obacco famine has ended happily through: the arrival of a large supply. It is said that sti'ong men, in their agonised craving for the we od, chopped up their trousers pockets, and wei*e to be seen inhaling the slight nicotine flay* •)* that remained in the linen, while those who had no pockets went to bed tobaccoless and miserable. Had Lawless or McLiver been there they would have been presented with the freedom of the city of Hastings right off. v . ••'": Mb jAM«i|FiNIAT, the enterprising manufacturing jelHler and watchmaker of Williamson street, s^rahamstowß, is «iow showing aa^'ntirelynew \itock of splendid silver and gold jewelery, watches, Ac, imported especially for the Christmas trade, and our readers would do visit his establishment before making tiHeir purchases elsewhere. There is also on view » constantly increasing stock <of jewelery manufactured on the premiseii, and which for quality and worknwnship will defy competition anywhert in the -colony, the quartz and greenstone brooches and earrings, suitable for presents: for friesids at Home, being particularly deserving of mention. We trust that Mr Finlaywill receive that patronage to which his enterprise fully entitles him.

DxJßiNft the heavy gale which raged in the gulf on Tuesday last, the catter Lady Bath, owned by Mr J. Enko, went ashore at Dead* man's Point, and is now lying high and dry on the beach. " Shacob," who was with hie show at Coromandel at the time, toon heard of the disaster, and is now endeavoring to get the vessel off. -1 ■■;'.

Mr Oxiyjtß Gabrett, who has bten for year* engaged v Government messenger hare, ha* received notie* that his lervioet will be dispensed with.

Wb call the attention of members of the Hauraki Engineer* and Thames Rifle Bangers to the notices oilJing them to meet for parade on Tuesday next. , ...'', :•

To-dat is Guy; Fawkes' Day, and doubtless be kept up in the usual manlier by our young friends. $*>«.£ of these latter being doubtless impatient to kindle their bonfire, lit it last night, and caused at temporary alarm in Grahamstown, many thinking that the whole of Upper Albert street was in a state of combustion, and horrible to relate, it disturbed the cogitations of the Borough Council, then in solemn conclave assembled.

Mb J. 0. Wiimahs, who returned from Tauranga early yesterday morning, informs us that Taylor, charged at, the instance of Peter Grant for stealing the race horse Eclipse, got off. Mr Williams, who was accompanied by Mr Tom Mangan, the lucky tributer, came through from Taurunga in th« quickest time on record, covering the distance in one day.

These was a large attendance at Messrs Banks and Co.'s sale at Parawai on Wednesday, and a large number of beasts were sold. The average price was 25s per lOOlbe for beef. The mutton was of varying quality, and ranged in price from 2Jd to 2jd per pound. Lambs were very good and sold at 12b 6d to 14s 6<i each.

Begabdih& the; recent boat race, the Herald eayg:—Not much is known hereof Laycock's opponent, but we find that towards the end of the 1877 season he rowed at the Boorie Regatta in Canada, being considered one of Ihe " ten best oarsmen of the Continent" (of America) for 1000 dollars, which was won by Hitnlan, Wallace Boas second and Hoamer third. He entered in the last race, but did not start. Laycock has yet another match. He row a Hawdon, of Delaval, on the Tyne, over the Thames champion course on the 13th of November. That he will win ie the earnest wish of all residents at ;the Antipodes. '--^ « - ■■:■' v .;-:: : ;