The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, NOV. 28, 1865.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 800, 28 November 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, TUESDAY, NOV. 28, 1865.

In the Resident Magistrate’s Court to-day Henry Townsend, an habitual drunkard, was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor. Kenneth Campbell and Mary Ann Minton were charged with allowing bad characters to assemble in their oyster saloons in the Aarcade, and each fined £3 and costs. Richard Gardner -was charged, on the information of David Dickie, Deputy Harbormaster, with having heated a quantity of tar on board a lighter lying near the jetty. Being the first offence of this nature heard, only a nominal fine was inflicted, viz., 20s and costs. The charge of abduction against Louisa Westland w'as abandoned, as no further proofs of the girl’s age could be adduced than as entered in her passport, and as stated in the indenture of apprenticeship, which were held to be insufficient. There were a number of petty cases heard, and summarily disposed of. The Californian Circus was remarkably well attended last evening, and the audience was evidently well satisfied. The single trapeze performances of M. Klaer, and the fearless riding of Signor Raphael were prominent features in the programme ; indeed in the latter it is difficult to say which most agility—the horse or the rider. A great many children were present, and the “ very old Joes ” of the clown tickled them amazingly. The deposits at the Savings Bank yesterday amounted to £540 12s 6d and the withdrawals to £238 16s Od. The number of new accounts opened was 17.

The proceedings at the Provincial Council this afternoon were of no special importance, and we omit our report owing to the pressure of other matters.

The installation of the Right Worshipful Master and officers of the Otago Kilwinning Lodge, S.C., took place last evening. At the time the ceremony commenced, the Masonic Hall, which has recently undergone some very great improvement, was well filled, about a hundred of the brethren being present, and presented a very brilliant appearance. The R.W., Provincial Grand Master of New Zealand, S.O. (Bro. Y. Pyke) assisted by P. G. Deputy Master, (Bro. Caldwell) ; the P. G. Senior Warden (Bro. MTCellar) ; the P.G. Grand Secretary (Bro. W. W. Wilson) ; Acting P.G, Junior Warden (Bro, J. O. Eva.) ; and -the P.CI. Director of Ceremonies (Bro, W. M. Hawkins), installed the following brethren fox' the ensuing twelve months, viz. :—R.W, Master (Bro. 'William Barnon) ; R.W. Deputy Master (Bi'o. W. M. Hawkins) ; Substitute Master (Bro. John Sibbald) ; Senior Warden (Bro. J. F. Martin) ; Junior Warden (Brother M. V. Hodge) ; Treasurer (Bro, G-. Young) ; Secx’etary (Bro. J. G. Fildes) ; Senior Deacon (Bro. S. T. Kerr) ; Junior Deacon {Bro. Jno. Reid) ; Inner Guard (Bro. Cuddeford); Tyler (J. Low). The impi’essiveness of the ceremony was greatly heightened by the performances of several voluntaries upon the harmonium by P. G. Organist, Bro. West, and Bro. Elyth, the latter of which gentlemen is appointed Organist to-the Lodge,

Thk “ hack-slums ” of Hokitika are in a frightful state of filth. At the back of lievell street shanties and tents are crowded together without the slightest regard to health or convenience. Here and there in close proximiiy to dwelling-houses are pigsties, slaughter-houses, and stables, the stench from which is indescribably disgusting, and is wafted over the whole of Hokitika. The authorities are in doubt about what can be clone to remedy the evil, as Hokitika is not a town in the New Zealand .acceptation of the term. One thing is certain, if a raid is not very quickly made on these hotbeds of disease, a dreadful mortality will overtake us. The only wonder is that we have ©gcaped so long. *

A death has occurred, about seven miles from Hokitika on the road to Christchurch, from eating tutu berries. Deceased was a miner named Keon. He was returning from a prospecting tour with his mates, and was attracted by the pleasant appearance of the berries. He ate plentifully of them, and his mates also ate two or three, but fortunately found them too bitter. Keon was taken ill shortly afterwards, and died in two hours. An inquest has been held on the body.

We are glad to learn by an advertisement in another colum that the principal merchants and all bonded warehouse keepers have signified their intention to close upon St Andrews Day ; and as the banks and Government offices will also suspend business, there can be no. doubt that the day will be a general holiday, and that as “ Saxby ” has guaranteed a fine day, and plenty of water at the Jetty, the laudable efforts being made in favor of the benevolent fund of the Masonic Fraternity will be crowned with success. The idea of substituting an al fresco entertainment, in which the fairer portion of humanity can participate, is undoubtedly a great improvement upon the ordinary formal dinners usual on such occasions.