The Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1883.

Evening Star, Issue 6481, 24 December 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1883.

We observe in the reports of the proceedings at the close of the Girls' High School session for the year mention was mnde of a portrait of the late Sir John Richardson, which has been subscribed for by the old pupils of the school, in a measure through the efforts of Mis.s Dai/uymim.i:. Conceding to the fullest extent that Sir -John strenuously aided the founding of this most useful institution, it yet seem 3 strange that in the allusions made to its beginning no mention was made of the fact that the idea originated with, and was persistently carried to a successful coiulusion, by a few ladies whose names arc worthy to be had in remembrance. Among the most earnest of these was Miss Dalkymi-u: herself, whose exertions earned for her the honorable title of "Mother of the High School." W T e know of no one better entitled to present this portrait to the school than this lady, nor one more able to place on record a full account of its early history, and we trust full opportunity will be afforded for so interesting a narrative, if she will conscut to give it. Unfortunately for the cause of education here, she has left Otago, but is at present visiting tho scene!} of her past labor, ami the time is therefore opportune. _

There will be no publication of the Evening Star to-morrow.

At the Onehunga Police Court, on Saturday, William H. Jones was charged with shooting John M'Dermott with intent to kill him. The police, in applying for a remand on account of M'Dermott's critical condition, opposed bail being allowed. An eight days' remand was granted, bail being refused.

A two-roomed cottage at Lower Kaikorai owned and occupied by Thomas Gersting, was burned down early on Saturday morning. On going to bed the previous night, Mrs Gersting had left some baby's clothing hanging in front of a fire to dry, and it is supposed that a spark ignited them. The house and effects were insured in the Norwich Union for Ll2O.

As indicating the esteem in which Monsignor Moore, the Roman Catholic Bishopelect of Ballarat, is held as a citizen of that place, the Mayor and councillors of the Borough waited on him officially and congratulated him on his elevation to episcopal rank. The ' Courier' contrasts this action with the coldness of the bis"hop's reception on his return from England^ The Rev. A. R. Fitchett last evening, at AU Saints' Church, concluded the course of Advent lectures on the "Religions of the East." After briefly recapitulating the leading features of the religions of China and India, he gave a graphic sketch of Mahpmmed end Mahommedanism, and closed with pointing to the truth that Christianity supplies the great defects of each of these systems by adding to their moral require* ments spiritual and God-like motives and example, and thus rendering possible the perfection of humanity. The subject throughout the course has been most ably treated, and it is to bo regretted that the lectures, beiDg extempore, cannot be published. The last of the series of entertainments at the Princess Theatre in aid of the Burns Scathe Fund was given on Saturday evening. The fa«ce, f ' Taming a Tiger," was fairly well played, character being represented by Messrs A. Murdoch, R. and P. C. Drew. Tbe Naval Brigade Pand then played their most popular selection, " Light and Shade," tftej? which followed a concert, in which several y/ell-known amateurs took part. Mr C. Bills came in for a lsrge share of applause for a sailor's hornpipe TJjo farcical operatta, "Trial by Jury," was played with considerably more life than on previous evenings ; the members of the oomnany appeared to throw themselves more heartily into the fun of the situation, and as a consequence"the performance was appreciated by the audience. The principals generally rendered theit' rawiQ correctly. Signor Morley, who has supervised tlys production of the operatta, conducted, and the ereheetra was sufficiently powerful. The last of fche soirdes muskales given by Miss Hume aud Mr Towsey attracted a numerous and decidedly appreciative audience at the D.Y.M.C.A.'srooms on Saturday .evening. The seating accommodation was lea&ed to the utmost, and not a few had to content themselves with standing room. Miss Hume'3 contributions were " The Last Watch," the bolero from tho "Sicilian Vespers" (encored), and Braga's "Serenata," the "violin obligate being played by Mr gchacht. Mr Towsey also Bang " The Clang of the Wooden Shoon" (Molloy) and " Vorrei Morrir" (Toeti), the latter being treated with much feeling. The instrumental numbers were excellent. Messrs Towsey, Waud, and Schacht repeated a trio that met with much acceptance at one of the earlier concerts, and /£,yo Beethoven's Op. 97. Soloa were also played by Messrs Towsey (piano), Schacht (violin), Coouibeu (gornet), and Waud ("cello). It is very probable tkafc another series of these enjoyable concerts will arranged. ,Some extraordinary revelations of Stocjk Exchange gambling were made at a bankruptcy examination in' Glasgow. The bankrupt, William Thomson, described as a commission agent, staged, in s?eply to the trustee, that he was bankrupt some t£me ago, his liabilities being then LW.QOQ, and hif üßaip L2OO. He was still undischarged, Since fcrwc sequestration he had been aeti»g argent for nriKi .of stockbrokers in London and elsewhere en commission. Before his previous sequestration he made over L 20.000 at one time. Since his last sequestration he had earned about L 7.000, and he had received only about L3OO. During one fortnight he had about a million of stock open, and about LC7.000 wopth of American shares. In the course of his further anamination the witness stated that out of the whole transaction of a million sterling of speculative £jfcopk, and from L 100,000 to L 200,000 of shares, all he ever received in eash was L9O. The following were carried over in one fortnight by a firm of brokers in London : L168.G00 in North British shares ; LIOO,OOO in Home railways, .chiefly Caledonian; L 59.000 Grand Trunk of 6an#da ; L 500.000 Ohio bonds; lAO,OOO foreign J?Pffds; and L 7.000 American shares. It is eminently fitting (remarks the 'Lytteftpn Times') that the presence for the first time in the chief port of Otago of the finest steamef thai has ever visited New Zealand, should have been the occasion for the acknowledgment of Mr Maoandrew's position as "the father of direct steam." Mr Macandrew, who unfortunately could not be present, no doubt has since appreciated the compliment, all the more that it has come feom the representatives of the mercantile and shipping interests of Canteriyjry. In politics Messrs Richardson and and kurray-Aynsley were never of Mr Maoaadrnw. But that has not s*•*<■ vgntod them from giving emphatic public recognition to his far-seeing, consistent and persistent advocacy of dueci steam. If everyone who ha* the advancement of the Colony at heart like Mr Macandrew could see his views carried out &s successfully as he does when he looks upon that fine veaaal, £ba Tongariro, the prosperity of these islands \v4¥i<* bs very much enhanced. One step towards that enhancement is the exhibition of a very friendly feeling between the mercantile representatives of j&tagQ.aud Canterbury, for which this gathering on boW 4Jhe Tongariro was remarkable.

In a recent charge to a jury at Sfelsoa Judge Richmond said thatf juries too freqently took a sympathetic view of the cases they were called on to try. Because the lawwas hard they no doubt desired to soften it, ,a£i& consequently they did not do what was ■their duty. In many cases the ,law made no distinctfou in crimes, and for himself he would say Kg j&ojjld greatly prefer that,the law left less discretiqa to the Judges. They were no doubt acquainieel with a case recently tried in that Court." ■i'u .fchafc case it was perhaps very difficult to between murder and euicide, but he believed that if the jury had not sought to soften the law—if the jurors had done their duty— the, would not have had to deplore thoas evil (Consequences which they had had to-deplore. Take £ case such as one they might have in their niiuds, jawl i : •' .oase of a good-natured ruddy-faced f*-v, ; M:i who, neglecting his helm for a min;".-.■. <;/. .lov/n a boat, and was found guilty o? > ■- ■■'-'aagiiter; whilst the sailor would k</. >,.;!mgiy insula man, woman, or child, temporary negligence ied to death. He mentioned these cases toirhiotratehis meaning, andtoshowhowimperfect the ,Jaw was, for both cases came under the samehsad, and in both the Judge , r ,could legally pass ,a.JiL\sentence ; but the | Judge who did so,jhi the latter-mentioned .case woold n9* be &i to sit oh the bench.

The 29th anniversary of the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava was celebrated on October 25, when fifty-nine of the survivors dined together at the Royal Aquarium, YVeslmL.ster. Since the last anniversary five men had passed away, and in a few years their ranks will be still thinner. There are two members of the Brigade in New Zealand—Mr Si. Wilson, of Christohurch, and Sergeant Beviu, of this City. District Judge Meymott, of Sydney, is dead ; aged seventy-five years. He studied under Mr Joseph Cliitty, practised as a special pleader in 1831, and was called in 18-11, going on the Home circuit. He arrived at Sydney in 1850, and was at once appointed parliamentary draughtsman. In 18f>9 he became Crown Prosecutor for the southern district, and in 1865 was made District Court Judge for the northern district lie acted for the metropolitan district in the absence of Judge Simpson in 1872.

The residence of Mr G. 11. Marsden, at Maia (Rothesay), was completely destroyed by fire on Saturday night. It appears that Mr Marsdeu's family retired about half-past ten o'clock, and he went to put out a kerosene lamp in the kitchen. This he did by blowing down the chimney, and on his way to his bedroom he heard an explosion. Retracing his steps he found that the lamp had exploded and that the kitchen was in ilames. All his efforts to subd"« them were fruitless, and it was only with the greatest difficulty that he got all the members of his family safely out' of the burning building. As it was, Mr Marsden had a most narrow escape, having to return to the building for one of his boys, who had been overlooked. The lad was taken out in an apparently suffocated condition, and Mr Marsden fainted on getting into tho fresh air. The house, which was a two-storeyed one of fourteen rooms, wa3 burnt to the ground. Nothing whatever was saved, and Mr Marsden estimates his loss at L2,00Q above the amount of his insurance, he having a policy with the Transatlantic Company for L 1,700. The glare of the fire was distinctly seen all over the City.

The directors of tho Caledonian Society of Otago meet this evening. Pioneer Lodge, No. 1, 1.0.0. F., meet on Friday, at 7 30 p.m., instead of to-morrow evening.

Excursionists are reminded that acceas to the Quarantine Island has been stopped, aa a fever patient is located there,

Several photographic firms notify elsewhere their intention of closing their premises tomorrow and Boxing Day.

The Olty and Suburban Tramways Company's arrangements for Christmas and Boxing Day are advertised in this Usae.

Hods and M'Neill, ironmongers, are showing a superior selestion of electro-plated goods suitable for Christmas and wedding presents. Opposite Bank of N.Z.- [Advt.]

The officers cf the General Post Office have sent us a seasonable reminder of the good feeling that exists between the Press and Departments. We heaitily reciprocate their kindly greetings.

The arrangements for the Masonic picnic advertised to be held on the Qparentine Island have had tQ be altered owing to the sickness on board the s. s. Victory. Macandrew's Bay is the locality now fi*ed upon. A short Christmas service will be conducted at Trinity "Wesley an Church to-morjow morning, at seven. The Kev. Mr Barry a»ks his congregation to biing contributions of flowers, which will be sent to the Hospital. The offertory will be sent to the Benevolent Institution.

There Is on view at the shop of Collie and Puilen, Princes strcot, tho top of a card-table made almost entirely of Now Zealand woods. No less than 1,500 different pieces of wood have been used in its construction. It is the work of Mr E. Scott, cabinet-maker, during his leisure. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day telegraph offices which open to tho public on oundays and holidays will open from 9 to 10 a.m. and 7 to 8 p.m., instead of the usual Sunday hour*. On Boxing Day those offices which are closed to the public on Sunday and holidays will be opened from 9 to 10 a in.

Mr S. G. Smith, of the City Butchery, asks us to say that he will supply poor people with meat for their Christmas dinner gratuitously this evening from fjve to twelve o'clock. It will be necessary to fibtftln $ recommendation from a clergyman or from the authorities of fchp benevolent Institution.

A number of steamer excursions for to-morrow and Boxing Day are announced. The Ino, Shag, and Kakanut go to the Kaik, and the Peninsula to Macandrew's and the usual points along that side of the harbor. On Wednesday the Talaroa goes to the Kaik, and will make a run outside tho Hc-»'J».

At the Lyceum to rnorrow evening there will b9 a concept., to bo followed by a b&U, Mr Stout will deliver a nhorfc address, and Mr Charles Bright will probabiy be present, A noticeable item in the programme is a selection by tbß Duaedin ladles' Orchestra, who, it will be remembcrod, made their first appearance last Christmas.

A good match will be played on tho Cavisbrook Ground on Boxing Day between the Carlsbrook and Phronlx Clubs, commenoira at 10.30 am. Ciriubrook will bo represented by A. Oargill, D. Carglll. Collinson, Oooke, Drabbfc, Lebatt, A. W. Morris, Rattray, BobeifegQn, ftqsfl. end Wilkinson; and the Pbiwnii by jfc<Donaid, goddington, Niven MGregor, Wyincks, Moore, Spring, Burt, Townsend, Young, and Cook,

Judging by tho number av.d quality of the entries the Hibernian Society's sports require only to bo aided by i|ne voather on Boxing Day to be mere than averagely successful. (Jeorge Robertson, the -wrestling champion, has entered for the Cumberland and coilai styles, and Thomfti and Blackburn have been ontered in the hope that they will arrive here in time. The other wrestling contestauto will be J. Tyson, J. Tifftn, W. Hudson, 0. L'Estrange, "W. Thornton, B: Healy, and T. Cartrr,. We have reaeived from 8. &nd W. Mackay, George street, & manual of tho " Principles and Practice of tho Spinal System of Treatment," It is a neat volume, containing papers on Various physiological and biological subjects, treated fh plain and simple language. It ia chiefdy an auyocicy of the add cure, which has Jatje'r^y'attracted muph aifofrtioii. As a matter of ceurici wo can do no more j&an d'rept attention to the fact that jthis'wprk h'as been placed before us. To expsfeea ftpy opinion as to its merits would be stepping beyond cjjr province, qs it would involve a much more extensile knowiadge of medical science than we lay claim to. We nave atyft&dy noticed the lecture which has been delivered on the sabjefit of the acid cure, which may be fairly considered {ntror duotory to the perusal of this book.