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Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2064, 16 December 1869, Page 2

Presbyterian Fast Day. —This day being the usual Fast day of this denomination, divine service was held in the various churches. It was held as a close holiday, the government offices, banks, shops, and other business establishments being closed. Numerous pic-nic parties visited the ocean beach, and other favorite resorts of pleasure seekers, and a large number availed themselves of the opportunity of visiting Portobello, at a small cost, presented by the owners of the Golden Age. The English Mail.— A correspondent writes us :—“Can you, Sir, explain upon what ground the mail for Home is to close on the 20th, instead of the 2Gth, of this month. I could have understood it if no arrangement had been made for a mail steamer by the General Government. Then it would have been policy to have taken the first chance, viz., the Claud Hamilton, which leaves on Saturday next. But, Sir, we learn that the Tararua has been taken up by the General Government as the mail-boat to leave Wellington on the 23rd, and therefore if the usual route is adhered to, she will be here at the right time, the 26th inst. What is the meaning of this ? Is the L2OO stated as the amount to be paid for carrying the mails for the special benefit of Wellington, or is Otago which will have to pay the major part of the amount, to participate in the advantages derivable ? These are questions which the Chamber of Commerce should put at once to the General Government. ”

Princess Theatre. —The programme provided last night was such as ought to have attracted a full house. There was, however, only a moderate attendance. Kotzebue’s celebrated drama, entitled “ The Stranger, ” was powerfully represented by the actors engaged. Mr Joyce, as the Steward, gave us an inimitable rendering of the cringing, fawning, sycophantic servitor of a period in our history happily long since gone by. Miss Gassy Mathews as the Countess Wintersen, invested her part with great feeling and interest. But the chief interest of the piece was centred in Mr Joseph Rayner and Mrs Harry Jackson, who pourtrayed the characters of the Stranger and Mrs Haller with great tact, power, and cflect. They were honored with calls before the curtain at the conclusion of the piece. In the musical farce of “The Waterman,” which followed, Mr Sam Howard as Robin convulsed the house with his extravagant passion, grotesque similies, and excessive drollery. Low comedy is always efficiently represented by Mr Howard, but we do not remember to have seen him appear to greater advantage

than ho does in this piece. The same programme will he repeated this evening, and if playgoers really desire an evening’s amusement, we would most certainly recommend them to visit the Princess’s. Volunteer Firing. —The first competition for the Scottish Company’s Challenge Belt took place at the Kaikorai range this morning. Money prizes were also competed for at the same time. The conditions were five shots at each of 200, 500, and 600 yards, II ythe position at 200 yds., any position at 500 and 600 yards. The weather was unfavorable for good shootii g. the light being variable, and a strongwind blowing, especially at the long ranges. Volunteer Buchanan carried off the halt with a score of 43. The second prize was taken by Yol. M‘Leod ; third, Sergeant Wilson ; fourth, Volunteer J. Robertson ; fifth, Sergeant Ross ; and sixth, Sergeant Cowie. The following are the scores of 30 and upwards

Bendigo Gully Beefs.—Our correspondent states that to-day (9th insfc.) Mr Warden Pykc held a Court at Logautown, Bendigo Gully Reefs, and disposed of a number of mining applications, &c. Amongst others, the application of Mr Geo. Murray for the right to twelve head of water, to he taken out of a creek in the vicinity known as Grumbling Gully, and to he used for the purpose of driving a head of public stampers. In granting the application, which was unopposed, Mr Pyke made some very judicious remarks with respect to the undertaking. It was one, he said, which would confer a lasting benefit upon the district. It was the first step towards establishing the true character of the discoveries that had been made in the place, and he felt convinced that all would agree with him in saying that tho thanks of the district were due to the spirited projectors of the undertaking. After the business of the Court had been disposed of, a conference took place between Mr Fyke and the different claimholdcrs. The object of the conference was to furnish the Warden with such information as would enable him to make out a correct list of the various claims and have them properly classified, so as to he able to distinguish them for future reference, This part of the business was got through satisfactorily, and the record will bo prepared in a few days, when it is understood that it will be placed ,at the disposal of the public requiring information pu the subject. Still later in the evening tho ceremony of christening claims took place. The chief event of this kind was Logan’s, known as Goodgcr’s Reef, which was named the Bendigo Reef, There was the usual amount of champagne and inferior liquors consumed over the transaction.

We notice by .an advertisement that chemists are invited to tender for the supply of medicines, &e., required by the Pioneer Lodge A. I. 0.0. F., for six months from the 11th of January next, such tenders to be sent in on or before Tuesday the 21st iust.

Yol. Buchanan ... 200 500 600 yds. yds. yds. Totl. ... 14 11 IS — 43 ,, M'Leod ... 13 15 11 — 39 Sergt. R. Wilson ... 14 17 8 — 39 Yol. J. Robertson ... 15 15 8 — 38 Sergt. Ross ... 16 17 5 — 38 ,, W. Cowie ... 15 15 7 — 37 Corp. H. Neill . , ... 13 12 10 — 35 Yol. A. M'Gaw ... 13 14 8 — 35 ,, .T. Lindsay... ... 14 15 6 — 35 ,, P. Frederic ... 13 12 6 — 31 ,, J. Hogg ... 17 10 4 — 31