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Evening Star, Issue 2920, 28 June 1872, Page 2

Football. —Wc are requested to state that the football match, between the Scotch and English of the Dunedin Football Club, will be postponed until next Saturday on account of the inclemency of the weather. A Good Find.—The Cromwell Argus is informed that two pounds weight of gold, of th value of LOO sterl ing, was obtained a few days ago by two men working in one of the tunnel claims at Pipeclay Gully. This

was the resultfof three weeks’ work ; but it is only right to add that a considerable amount of dead-work had to be accomp lished before the auriferous lode was struck. The party alluded to have now a fair prospect of obtaining good returns for a length of time to come.

Masonic.— A mooting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of New Zealand, S.C., was held yesterday evening for the installation of officers. Bro. W. H. Reynolds, R.W.S.P.G.M., presided; Bro. Hislop, P.G.S. D. ; Bro. Gore, P.G.J.D. ; Bros. Livingston, P.G.S. ; Park, P.G.C. ; R. H. Leary, P.G.S.D. ; H. M‘Donald, P.G.J.D. ; Hammond, P.G.8.8. ; Burton, P.G. Jeweller ; Beissel, D.C. ; Ferguson and C, Macandrew, P. G. S. S. ; and Chapman and Smith, P. G. Sword Bearer and Tyler.

Sudden Death. —An awfully sudden death occurred at Roxburgh, ou the night of the 18th inst. A man named Gregory, a baker, in the employ of Mr Ormond, came nto the bar of Ormond’s Hotel, about 11 o’clock on the night in question, and called for a glass of sherry. When he had drunk it he remarked to Mrs Ormond, who was in the bar at the time, that it would be his last. Mrs Ormond thought nothing of the remark, as he intended leaving his employment the following morning. He then went into the sitting room, and after remaining there a short time suddenly fell back. Dr M'Dougall, who was present, sent for Dr Miller ; but before anything could be done, the man was dead. An inquest was held the following day, when Dr Miller, who had made a post mortem examination, testified that the cause of death was a fatty degeneration of the heart. A verdict in accordance with Dr Miller’s evidence was given by the jury. Deceased was 51 years of age, and a native of Scotland.

Anv.— Twelve large pictures in oil of European landscapes, are to be offered for sale to-morrow, at Mr Bare’s rooms, representing scenery on the continent of JEurope. They are evidently painted by a continental artist accustomed to the bold clear outline and well defined objects of countries where the air is drier and clearer than at home. They bear evidence of the same school of art —if not of .being the production of the same hand. Some of them are evidently paintings of ancient chateaus built in the style of architecture of the Middle ages, many of which are to be met with around the romantic scenery of Germany and Switzerland. There are two Winter scenes, well ’ executed, and the whole are much above the average of imported paintings. We do not aver that a handsome frame makes a good picture, but it adds much to its effect, and saves much expense iu preparing it suitably to ornament a room or picture gallery. The pictures in Mr Bane’s rooms have been well cared for in that respect. Thr frames are extremely elegant and in good preservation. The same remark as to condition applies to the pictures themselves—they have been well taken care of They should command a ready sale. St. David’s Street Bridge.—A very useful corporation work has just been completed in the bridge over the Water of Leith, at the foot of St. David’s street. The bridge connects the banks by a single span, without any intervening pier, pile, or othersupport likely to prove obstructive to the debris, &c., brought down in times of flood. It is composed simply of inch and eighth flooring boards, one being placed on the top of another to the number of eight on each side of the bridge proper. As each board is placed in position at the top of its fellow a strong coating of Stockholm tar is spread between them, and they are then securely nailed together. The same process is repeated till the required number of eight is obtained. By this simple process a supporting power is attained equal to a pressure of some five or six tons. The bridge as at present constructed, is intended for use of foot passengers only, but is so contrived as to be readily converted into one suitable for dray traffic. We are told the principle adopted in the construction of the bridge was suggested by Mr Councillor Barnes ; under whose immediate supervision the work was carried out, during the temporary absence of the City Surveyor; aud that Mr Mirams, upon his return, expressed himself highly satisfied aud pleased with the entire work.

Society for Investigating Spiritualism. —There was a large assemblage of Spiritualists aud their friends, together with a number of persons who are professedly anxious to investigate the so-called spiritual phenomena, in the Lower Hall of the Athemeum, last evening, when the President, (Mr J, Redmayne), delivered an address on the objects of the society. Mr H. Garrick occupied the chair. The lecturer perforce went over a good deal of the ground that has been traversed times out of number. He demonstrated that spiritualism was no thing of to-day, but had its disciples years ago, only they were neither so strong nor able as they now are to give expression to their opinions. A good deal of misapprehension, he said, was abroad as to the true method of investigating the phenomena. Ordinary scientific tests could not always be applied, but as in all scientific researches, certain conditions were dictated by nature, which should not be violated. The conditions offered by a public meeting were not favorable for the exhibition of phenomena. The proof, however, of spiritual communion and the truths taught could be brought forward ; and Spiritualism was one of the outgrowths of free enquiry, and had long been waiting for the world of thought to become prepared for it. A discussion followed the delivery of the address, and Mr Christie, in moving a vote of thanks to the lecturer, pronounerd it excellent in some respects, but passed a severe comment'onthe teachings and pretensions of Spiritualism, Mr Christie declined to serve ou the committee, aud complained of having been elected thereto without his consent. The Society now musters eighty-one members, twenty-five having been added last night.

The Volunteers. Major Atkinson’s seventh annual report, which was submitted to Colonel Cargill, commanding the district on the 10th, deals with a variety o subjects, the principal of which are grouped under their respective headings. A good deal of useful information is given. On April 30th, 1871, the strength of the force was 928 adults and 227 cadets, or a total of 1165. On the last day of April of this year the strength was 1286, of which number 231 were cadets and 1085 adults, or an increase of 147. This includes the Southland companies, which have been added to the strength of this command during the year. The total efficients are 875, of which number 611 practised in the third class, 427 in the second, and 264 in the first;

22-1 of whom are marksmen. The highest scorer for the battalion badge was Captain Jamieson, No. 2 Scottish, with 119 points in the second and first class ; Lieutenant Muir, Dunedin Artillery, being second with 112. I ast year the badge was won with 107 points ; this year six men made that number of points. The East Taicri company maintains its reputation as being the premier shooting company, having practised 36 men out of a total strength of 40. All the men of that company who pratised passed into the first class, and 33 became marksmen. The Adj atant contrasts the results of the class-firing of the Volunteers of this Proviece with that of the Robin Hood Rifles, the crack company of England. In that company 790 members completed their class-firing in 1871, and 202 obtained marksmen’s badges. In Otago, 611 men fired their classes, and 224 became marksmen—a comparison that is flattering in every way. The Adjutant advocates that the Government should encourage class-firing by awarding a gold or silver medal to the highest scorer in the Province, and a bronze one to the highest in a corps. The Adjutant does not appear to favor the present system of capitation allowance, and recommends it should be given for services actually rendered, i, c,, giving LI to each man for the present parade qualification, and 5s each for their classes in the annual course of class firing. By this he means the money to be given for each twenty rounds fired, no matter in what class, so that if a mau fails in the third class, so that if a man fails in the third class, he can try again to the extent of sixty rounds, and 5s for attending six battalion drills, where battalions are formed, six extra company drills. “ I feel confident,” remarks the Adjutant, “it would do good, and cause the corps to take greater interest in attending drill.” Under the heading of capitulation we had expected to see some reference to the dispute between the volunteer authorities and the Dunedin Fire Brigade. Most people will rememb .r th vt some time ago the latter body, to obtain advantages, real or apparent, enrolled themselves under the Volunteer Act, and went through a steady course of drill. At the proper time they put in an application for a capitation graut ; and, in reply, were informed that the authorities did not recognise the brigade as volunteers. The Adjutant intends altering the quarterly drills of corps, making them continuous, to which end the Staff-sergeant at Invercargill has been removed to Dunedin. Tn future, a sergeant will remain a month in each district, during which time the company will hold fifte.n company drills, and ten recruit and musketry drills ; and the coi ps will go through its class-firing, the Staff-sergeant acting as marker. In referring to the result of the recent Colonial prize-firing, Major Atkinson enlarges upon the desirability of the men being in encampment during the meeting, ‘as being less expensive than the present system, and being likely to accustom them to camp life.

The third quarter of the Dunedin School of Art commences on Monday, July Ist.