The Evening Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1886.

Evening Star, Issue 6819, 5 February 1886, Page 2

The Evening Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1886.

The importation of New Zealand sheep to New South Wales has been prohibited for twelve months.

Mr Samuel, M.H.R., urges the Government to have tho central prison erected at New Plymouth. Two pictures by Mr John Gully, which many consider to be his best works, are to be sent to the Indo-Colonial Exhibition.

According to the Cromwell paper the Minister of Lands intends making the overland trip to the West Coast via Wanaka and the Haast Pass, proceeding up the coast as far as Hokitika. Professor Black will probably accompany the Minister, but leave him at Hokitika, and proceed thence to Tuapeka, where ho will resume his mining lectures. The Postmaster-General has informed the Christchurch Industrial Association that the Government are opposing the application for a patent for the Ilebden telephone, because the only part of the instrument entitled to a patent is the india-rubber ring, which is not at all essential to its usefulness. The transmitter is really Hurnin’s, which has not up till now been regarded as superior to the Blake, which is in common use. The Southland Land Board have been asked to grant relief to a number of deferredpayment selectors, who complain that they have taken up their land at prices beyond their ability to pay. In one case L 7 15s per acre had been given, and the selector had spent a large sum on improvements, only four acres remaining uncultivated. In another the selector had spent LI ,500 on the holding. Consideration was deferred to admit of applicants laying their cases before the Minister for Lands.

At a meeting of tho creditors of F. C. Benson, hotelkeeper, Benmoro, the bankrupt stated that from the day before Christmas till two weeks after, he had not taken L2. The people in his district had all reformed. They had cither become Good Templars or joined the Blue Ribbon Army, and that had a good deal to do with the position be was in. The debtor’s statement showed that bis total liabilities amounted to LI.CGI 12s Cd, of which L 1,135 was secured ; and ids assets, consisting of land, shop, dwelling, stock-in-trade, furniture, etc., were estimated as worth L 2,251, making a surplus of LSBH Cd,

To show tho loss some runholdcrs have experienced (writes tho A\ akatipu correspondent of tho ‘ Cromwell Argus ’) _ the case of Mr Buteincut, of Harnslaw district, is an instance in point. Instead of shearing 30,000 sheep and lambs he has only gone through 18,000. He may have a few more thousand “stragglers,” but tho decrease will still bo very large. The weather at lambing was cold, with much snow, and Red for over a year has been very poor. Then the kea and rabbit inflictions fill up a bitter cup of disappointed expectations. The run of this gentleman until the last season and the present one has been a noted one for its excellent grazing and other qualities. How fearfully made up lawyers bills arc is known best to those who have had to “nav the piper.” A Sydney paper furnishes tho latest illustration of the way some legal gentlemen seek to llcccc their clients. The action was for L 35, and it was settled out of Court for less than L 3(). The lawyer sent in a modest bill for Ll9, which on taxation was reduced by nearly half. Two items of the account were of an extraordinary nature. One was for L 3 7s Gd, a witness’s train fare, when it was proved that the fare he paid was LI 15a Cd, and LI was charged for “sleeping car.” This item was disallowed, because it was proved that there was no sleeping car attached to the midday train by which this witness travelled.

The ‘Press’ does not think that the change in the South Sea Islands mail contract will be quietly agreed to by the country, or that the House is at all likely to sanction the expenditure of a considerable sum annually for the benefit of a few Auckland merchants without entering a decided protest. It goes on to say that as things have turned out, the expenditure has not been of any material advantage to any part of the Colony, except to Auckland, and that port had already secured New Zealand’s share of the Island trade. Things have now' practically reverted to tho position in which they were before tiro subsidy was granted—with this ditorppee, that the Colony is now paying some L4,(3O’J a ypar for a service to the Islands, for the benefit pf a few Auckland merchants.

At the dinner to the firemen who toojk place in the Napier demonstration. Captain Jilytil, in responding to the toast of “ The Army, Navy, and Volunteers,” expressed the opinion that drill was no part of a man’s work ; it should all be acquired during that dangerous wasted period of life, between fifteen and eighteen years of age. The enforced idleness id that time of life was responsible for the Jarrikinism of the present day, and were it not for the outlets to energy found in boating, cricketing, and other clubs, that evil would bo still more rampant, He did not consider the State did its duty when, after enforcing compelaoiy attendance a/t school, it then ceased to take any active interest in the individual. His idea was that when boys left school, for 1 three years after they should be carefully and thoroughly drilled at the expense of the State, and then if ever there needed to bo a •call to arms they would have at least an cfiiciontly-drilled force to place in the field, As things .were at present, many Volunteers wore also firemen, and if both had a meeting on the same,evening the brigade, he found by experience, always gqt the preference. 11 j

The question of the locomotive contract is to be fully considered on the return of the Minister of Works to Wellington. The Governor yesterday visited Stafford, Waimea, Kiniiara, and Greymouth, and at all these places met with an enthusiastic reception.

The loralc of the Easter encampment has not yet been fixed, but the Timaru Volunteers are anxious to have it in the vicinity of that town.

The Balclutha School Committee have voted for Messrs M'Kenzic, Clark, and Farnie. The Tokomairiro High School Committee voted for Messrs M'lvenzie, Clark, and (Ireen.

If Mr Larnach succeeds in carrying out his promise with reference to the resumption by the Crown of auriferous lauds, a large number of men (says the ‘ North Otago Times ’) will find employment in mining pursuits in the Oamaru district, as on several large estates gold has been found in payable quantities. The repetition of “ The Bohemian Girl ” at the Princess’s Theatre last evening attracted a large audience, and tiiis popular opera has undoubtedly proved to be the best success of the season. All the performers were in excellent voice and encores were plentiful. The opera will be played again this evening. At Clyde last week two teamsters were proceeded against for a breach of the Police Offences Act, in that they had driven their teams through the township on Sunday. The Magistrate dismissed the informations, supporting the contention of defendants’ counsel that a waggoner, while driving his team, was not following his calling, and that a waggon was a public carriage and therefore exempt. The London ‘ Times ’ received the following telegram from some of the leading men in BulgariaWe who are among the originators of the late purely national movement for the Bulgarian Union wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the Invaluable and disinterested services rendered to the Bulgarians. We entreat you to continue to plead before the noble, liberal, and enlightened British people the cause of a nation struggling to secure purely national independence.”

The Marlborough ‘ Times ’ learns that the Colonial Secretary talks of bringing an action for libel against a Blenheim paper for a leader reflecting ou him, and also an action against certain prominent Wairau settlers, for statements made at a meeting of a public body, a few months ago, in connection with Hospital natters. Mr Buckley particularly complains that some persons sent him from Blenheim a copy of the paper in question, with insulting words scribbled in the margin. He states that he knows the handwriting. The local ‘ Express ’ says “The insulting words are said to he in a female handwriting. If Mr Buckley is well advised, ho will treat the whole thing with contempt, and bottle up his wrath.”

The prizes won at the Napier demonstration by the City Brigade are being exhibited In the Princes street cutting. Received: G. and T. Young’s monthly almanac, Bradshaw for February, and the share circulars of Messrs Fenwick and Bradshaw.

Mr Huddleston, of Lake Tokapo, sends us a lithograph sketch map of the route to Mount Cook ami the glaciers, demonstrating how it Is possible to got there on wheels “ without camping out or fording rivers.” The proposal to establish a Nerses’ Homo In Dunedin lias fallen through, owing to lack of sufficient hupport. Subscriptions will bo returned in full, as all expenses have been defrayed by the proceeds of the lectures. A balance of L2 18s Bd, which remained after payment of expenses, has been banded to Dr Colquhoun to be expended for the benefit of patients in the Dunedin Hospital.

The cricket fixtures for to-morrow are: — Carisbrook v. Grange, on tho Oarisbrook Ground; Albion Second v. Clydesdale First, on the Northern Ground; Union v. Taierl Juniors, at Mosgiel; Excelsior v. Albion, at Montecillo; Wanderers’ Second v. Southern Second, on tho Asylum Ground; Carisbrook v. Waverloy, on the Carisbrook Ground ; North Dunedin Second v. Newington First, on the Northern Ground ; Southern v. Zealandia Fifteen (Cup match), on the Oval; Wanderers v. Roslyn, at Roslyn; St. Matthews choir v. Imperial. At the quarterly meeting of the All Welcome Lodge, 1.0. G.T., the following officers were installed by Bro. William Aitken, G.W.V.T., assisted by Bro. Sim, G.W.M. and Bro. Johnston, from Star of Wellington Lod<re, as G.W.D.M.: —W.C.T., Bro. Bonfell; W.V.S., Sis. J. Biggar; W. sec., Bro. J. Biggar; W.F. see., Sis. Sims; W.T., Sis. Aitken; W.A.S., Sis. K. B’ggar; W.G., Bro. Macdonald ; AV.M., Sis. Baker; W.D.M., Bro. John Tunny; W.1.G., Bro. John Webster; W.0.G., Bro. Palmer.

Tho first of Miss Rosina Caiandiui’s concerts takes place at the Lyceum Hall this evenin'', and it is to he hoped that the attendance will be commensurate with tho high-class nature of the entertainment. Apart from the performances of Miss Carandmi, in which a large amount of interest is centred, tho programme is a very attractive one, containing as it dors such nauu saß Herr Scherok (solo pia Ist and director). Mr James (Combs (violinist), and Signor Morlcy and Mr S. Moyle (vocalists). AVe may explain that the appearance of Mr Moyle, who is an amateur, is due to his association with Miss Carandiui in musical matters in Melbourne,