The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, MONDAY, DEC. 4, 1865.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 805, 4 December 1865, Page 2

The Evening Star. DUNEDIN, MONDAY, DEC. 4, 1865.

Ths proceedings in the Provincial Council this afternoon were not of general interest. Private letters from Hokitika give a most doleful account of the discomforts of life at that place. The weather has bean “terrific,” to quote our correspondent ; the continuous ro§.r of the heavy surf, the ceaseless rain,'the muddy streets, the wretched tenements, and gales, make up a picture which few

would care to realise. Meat is frightfully dear and bad, the mutton being hardly eatable, whilst the beef-is little better. In the hotels, with few exceptions, the beds are arranged ship fashion, a room eight feet square being considered sufficient accommodation for as many persons. It costs £2 per week for board alone, and the fare is anything but choice at that. Swamp fever and ague, legions of sand flies, and the chance of being washed away, are some of the accompaniments of tent life. To set .against all these discomforts and dangers, gold is readily got, and hundreds of men are “ knocking out ’’ a living by washing the sand on the beach. At the Grey things are better, and it appears highly probable, as the diggings are extending in that direction, that Greymouth will outrival Hokitika in commercial importance.

One of the best programmes yet issued by the managers of the Californian Circus is announced for this evening’s performance, and there will be the additional novel attraction of tight-rope dancing by Madame Tourneur. As the weather is unusuually fine, a crowded house may be expected, as it is the occasion of that lady’s benefit. We are glad to see that there is to be another mid-day performance on Saturday.next. The great success of the previous ones, and the delight they caused the “ rising generation ” of the town must ensure a favorable reception of of the last one.

We are glad to see that the Caledonian Society are so far advanced with their operations as to he enabled to call for tenders for the grand-stand. We are glad to notice from Canterbury papers that Mr. Mumford’s company is being well supported. 'The local press speak in the most flattering terms of Miss Julia Matthew’s performances, the most of the corps come in for a fair share of praise. The second annual meeting of the New, Zealand Building and Mutual Investment Society is advertized in another column to take place on the evening of Monday, -18 th inst.

The Criminal Sessions of the Supreme Court commenced this morning before Mr Justice Chapman. The Grand Jury, composed of the undermentioned gentlemen, found true bills in all the indictments :—W. G. Turnbull (Foreman), A. Garrick, A. Mercer, C. Webb, Thos. Redmayne, G. G. Russell, Martin Sholl, A. Morris, John Griffen, J. R. Mackenzie, James Marshall, L. Melville. A verdict of not guilty was found against John Gleeson, charged with stealing a watch and chain, and he was discharged.

By the Star of the South we have later northern papers. They do not contain any special items of interest.

The Curator thus remarks concerning the Botanical Garden reserve in his report to the Government : —Botanical Gardens Jlesexwe.— The south block, fronting Albany-street, is partly laid down in grass, as a flower garden, and partly as a nursery for young plants and trees, for furnishing any other parts of the gardens or Province, as may be required. The hill and bush part'are blocked out, and ready for finishing, I may state, from experience, that it will be useless to attempt to plant (or name) the new and valuable varieties of trees and shrubs in the grounds, until a house be erected, and the gates locked at night for protection ; as already, with all due care, I have lost several valuable plants.—Nursery Department : For protection, I found it necessary to rear and keep the most valuable collection in my own private garden. I have now succeeded in gathering together a very large collection of most useful and ornamental trees and shrubs from the sister colonies and home country, in exchange for plants and seed sent. I have also succeeded in gathering together a valuable collection of native seeds, each containing upwards of seventy different varieties, to nearly all parts of the world, for which I am now receiving ample returns. The forest tree seeds, sent fer from England (by Major Richardson, then Superintendent), and received last year, have succeeded very well. I have this season distributed to various parts of the Province, upwards of three hundred pines, - &c. Next Autumn, I shall have several thousands for distribution.