iinne addressed a crowded meeting of the a Barr's Hall last evening. The meet* a very orderly and enthusiastic one. space prevents a report of the proceed'heasant shootinc is still carried on in ict. We believe most sportsmen have been unlucky. Mr Hutchins and mate, brought down six fine birds on Monday lerua district, iderstafcd our Tokomairiro friends are » rich treat soon. The members of the c to perform that excellent comedy an in possession," to be followed by the g farce " On hh> last legs." ieverest shock of earthquake felt for ara, occurred at Wellington at 4.20 on lay morning. It was also severely felt an vi, New Plymouth, Blenheim, Napier, »th, Hokitika, Westport, Christchurch. EMPBKA Settler's" letter we regret to owded out. We much more regret that Ratepayer's," l©ng letter was re- . jrour columns were full last night, and te an hour for insertion. We have time ■• urged upon correspondents not to their letters till late on the eve of pubaad warned them that if they did so, we t give them a place. Our report of the ngßoftheß.M. Court, Milton, yesteraUo crowded out, and much local and

Lettejis by the San Francisco Mail must be posted at the office bore not later than 4 p.m. on Tuesday next, the 25th insfc.

An engine, made by Davidson and Co., of Dunedin, and named "Jerusalem," is now plying upon the Kaitangata line of railway.

Dr Gillies, of Dunedin, delivered an excellent lecture iv the Athenanim Hall here on Tuesday evening, to a good audience. Tha subject was " Preventive Medicine." A full report of the lecture is held over.

We have to call attention to the fact that Mr Collier will give his celebrated entertainments in St. George's Hall, Milton, on Monday evening, and in Barr's Hall, Balclutha, on Thursday evening. We daresay he will have crowded houses on both occasions.

Mr Taylor, Government Inspector, examined the Balclutha School, on Wednesday, His report will appear in due course, but we understand he had every reason to be satisfied with the general proficiency of the scholars in the various branches of education.

We are surprised that so important a locality as Kaitangata is still left without a police constable stationed in the district. From the large influx of coal miners and others expected, it is not unlikely that the services of sxich an officer may sometimes be rcqxiirod, and we think the authorities should attend to the matter.

THE annual meeting of the shareholders of the Bruce Coal Company will be held in the Council Chambers, Milton, this evening. We believe the prospects of the Company have brightened up of late, and are now very good indeed. Wo trust there will be a full attendance of shareholders this evening, when the position of the Company will be fully explained and discussed.

Messrs J. A. Henderson and Co. sold by auction on the loth inst., the valuable property known as the Royal Hotel, Tokomairiro, together with furniture, stock-in-trade, &c. The prices realised on the whole were satisfactory. Tho hotel w.as bought by Mr P. M'G-ill, who we understand has made arrangements to re-lease it to the present landlord. We wish Mr Margrie bettor success under the new lease

MR Bell, propriotor of the 'Evening Star,' has been committed for trial for an alleged libel against the Roman Catholic Priests of Dunedfr' The remarks complained of were first publki-.:, in tho ' Tuapeka Times,' and found their way into other papers besides the l Star.' It is right to say that Dr Morau has sworn that the statements cornplnined of were entirely without foundation. Mr Bell was of course admitted to bail.

THERE was no business of public importance before the R. M. Court here on Wednesday. Hislop Bros, obtained judgments by default against Bisson, for L 3 7s lOd ; Budgeon, for LlO 19s ld ; and Spence, for L 2 lis, for goods supplied. Mr Henderson appeared for plaintiffs. In two cases against Mr John Duuno, for wages, it was found that the sxunmonscs had not been served in time. Mr Reid appeared for the plaintiffs. There was no other business.

A mistake occurred in last issue regarding the night of tho nomination of officers for the ensuing term in the local lodge of Good Templars. The nomination is fixed for to-night, not last Friday night as stated. Thero is no great harm done, but it is as well that members should know tho important business of this evening. We understand that in addition to the business referred to, the Lodge Deputy will confer the second and third degree upon all who have applied for these. They should, therefore, make it a point t© be i_ attendance.

We are informed by a Milton correspondent that Mr E. H. Mayhow, of that township, is exhibiting some really beautiful specimens of art in the shape of oil paintings. Mr Mayhew, we un" deratand, was a pupil of the late Sir Edwin Landseer, under whom he distinguished himself as a painter of no mean order. He oame to Otago some years ago, and (like many more) abandoned his profession and took to bush-work. For some months back he has devoted Mb spare[time to the brush, the result of which has induced him to take up his profession again, and start business in Milton, whore he has already obtained a few sitters.

On Monday afternoon, a lame gentleman might have been seen amusing himself throwing stones at the windows of the Mayor's office, Milton. He succeeded, evidently to his satisfaction in doing damage to the amount of L 5. Full particulars will be found in our report of the R..M. Court. A venerable constable in hunting for the above gentleman, went into a well-known hostelry and found his man. He immediately endeavored to serve the summons on him, but he would not accept it. The landlord was called on to witness the service. The gentleman in question said he would like to be locked up, and to ensure this, he broke the veuitian blind of the bar, and thus secured his purpose, as the constable at once took him in chaTge.

The first of a series of Sixpenny Readings, under the auspices of the Inch Clutha Lodge of Good Templars, took place on Friday last, at the Schoolhouse. 'Notwithstanding tho want of moon-light, and the unpleasant state of the roads, there was a good attendance. The previous Friday was the most opportune time for having the meeting, as " Paddy's Lantern " was then in full flow, by which means strangers could see their way over ruts and mud. As it was, those from a distance who were expected to take part in the programme of the evening, could not attend, consequently the success of the entertainment was very much doubted. However there was a go © dly display of local talent, and taking all the surroundings '.in connection with this, the first meeting of the kind held in the district for sometime back, the whole came off very credibly and pleasantly. The Rev. Mr Allan, W. C. of the Lodge, occupied the chair, and in the course of a few introductory remarks, which were full of humor, suitable, and instructive, said, while approving of such social meetings as a means of relaxation for the mind and body -the main source of true social entertainment was the family circle. There was the jfountah. head, from which all public gatherings derived their life and essence. The programme consisted of songs and readings, which were all well rendered, everyone endeavoring to do the bGst. Those present signified their appreciation of several songs sung, by demanding encores, which were heartily responded to. Advantage will be taken of the moonlight for next meeting, when we hope to see strangers from Kaitangata aad Balclutha present to take part in the proceedings of the evening, and assist to make the readings attractive and beneficial. At the present time the Island social meetings ■ are not easy of access, especially a', night. However, one of the obstructions will shortly be obviated, as the Matau bridge will soon be comI pleted. There was no charge made on Friday evening, as from the adverse circumstances, an audience was scarcely expected.

The ' Bruce Herald ' has changed hands and is now printed in Dunedin.

A meeting of the Tapanui Railway Committee was held on Saturday, at which a letter from Mr Bastings was read, informing the Committee of the positive refusal of the Government to construct the line from "Waipahee to Tapanui. It was proposed that a Joint Stock Company be started. A public meeting was then called, which was crowded. Mr Douglas proposed the floating of a company with LfSO.OOO'in twelve thousand shares of L 5 each. Eventually it was determined to adjourn the meeting to Saturday nex. , with the object of obtaining full report from Committee. The meeting was one of the largest ever seen in the district. Large support has been promised in Dunedin and Invereargill, Mr A. J. Smyth was present. The whole community is very indignaut at the curt refusal of tho Government.

The Rev. Mr Knowles, held his usual monthly meeting in tho Schoolhouse, Port Molyneux, on Thursday evening. The weather had been exceedingly wet during the day, but in spito of cold and wet there was a very good attendance. The Rev. gentleman chose for bis subject tho twentythird Psalm, which, from. the richness and fertility of the illustration of Eastern customs, and its applicability to a practical, evcry-day christian life, was'calculated to produce tho impression, that Mr Knowles, in bis efforts after usefulness, did not consider the materials that an audience of many hundreds might well have considered an excellent sermon, was at all thrown away, when thero were hut tens instead of hundreds to listen to it. We are glad to be able to remark not only that Mr Knowles' efforts aro fully calculated to give thorough satisfaction, but that this feeling is really being produced.