The Evening Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 57, 1857.

Evening Star, Issue 7404, 27 December 1887, Page 2

The Evening Star. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 57, 1857.

A large crowd gathered in the Octagon on Saturday evening to listen to the concert by the Engineers’ Band, under Mr H. Benjamin. The programme was performed in a manner that reflected credit on the players and the conductor.

It is estimated that 12,700 persons patronised the trams yesterday, whilst the number of people who travelled by rail was as follows:—To Port, 2,400,- by North express, 510 ; for South stations, 490 ; Christchurch, 70 ; Timaru, JO ; Oamaru, 50; Invercargill, 4U; Lakes, 25. Total, 3,615. The excursions down the bay yesterday w era libcirdly patronised. The Koranui, Beautiful Star, and Invercargill ran to the Maori Kails and outside. The lona, privately chartered, also went to the Kaik. The Shag proceeded as far as Broad Bay and Porto hello, whilst the Kakanui ran in connection with the regatta.

Mr Adolph Hamarm, F.G.S.A., of the Otago University and School of Mines, who wax last year lecturer under Prolesscr Black ou the Otago goldfields, has hem appointed lecturer in chemistry, metallurgy, and assaying to the Bendigo School of Mines. Mr Hamar.n, whose parents are old residents cf Dunedin, received his early education in our City schools. Yesterday afternoon, at the Hibernian sports, a very painful accident occurred to Mr Thomas Little, prison warder. While at the back of the grand stand lie suddenly slipped, bis right foot being under him, ami the weight of Ids body snapped the leg halfway below’ the knee. One of his friends had him immediately conveyed to the Hospital, where he was promptly attended to by Dr Maunsell.

The service at the Trinity Wesley an Church on Saturday evening was largely attended, the Rev, W. Morley presiding. In addition to some good old carols, efficiently rendered by the choir under Mr G. H. Marsden’s leadership, Mr Faulkner contributed an organ solo, whilst the following vocal solos were rendered s— ‘ Comfort ye ’ (‘ Messiah ’), Mr Marsden ;‘ He shall feed his flock ’ (‘ Messiah ’), Miss Cooper ; * Oh, rest in the Lord,’ Miss Coventry} ‘ I know that my Redeemer liveth,’ Miss Christie; and the anthem ‘ Arise, shins.* The oolleption was in aid of the choir fund, Some little excitement was caused on board the excursion steamers yesterday, when opposite to Maoandrcw’s, by what appeared to be a buggy accident. The buggy, horses, and occupants seemed to bo suddenly precipitated into the biy. Later on the horses had the appearance of having freed themselves and got ashore, as they were seen galloping down the road. Home of the passengers assert that the occupants were also seen to scramble out of the water, but it was impossible to see very clearly, the steamer being rather far distant.

The Christmas entertainment of the Freethought Association was held in the Lyceum Hall on Sunday night, there being a large attendance. The Hall was nicely decorated, and Mr Parker provided a good concert programme, including several instrumental which were finely rendered by the band, numbering nearly twenty performers. Sir Robert Stout (presi dent) was to have given an address, but owing to his being indisposed he tendered an apology, and intimated that he would deliver a lecture on «“ Theology v. Depression ”on Sunday week. Mr «*• Stone occupied the chair. It will be seen by the following extract that there is at least oue place in the colonies that does not share in the general depression of trade. Writing ou the sth of December from Charters Towers, North Queensland, Mr Isaac Selby (formerly of this City) says.—“ The weather here is very hot, the thermometer frequently registering over lOOdeg in the shade. Pineapples and bananas are the principal frui ! s grown in North Queensland j the former will shortly he obtainable for 3d each. I have lectured here in Hunter and Harte’s hall for tJurfeep Sundays. Of the general condition of the district I can speak highly. Wages are high, and, what is better still, work is readily obtainable. In my opinion Charters Towers is the best goldfield in the Australasian colonies at present.” Over 300 excursionists availed themselves of the trip to Moeraki by tho s.s. Ohau yesterday morning. The weather was beautiful, but with just sufficient wind to make those on board rather uncopifortable during the journey. However, ou the return trip the sea was like a mill-pond, and everyone enjoyed the run home immensely. Arriving i at Moeraki shortly after oue o’clock, the excursionists were met on the pier by several hundred people and tlm Hampden Braes Band, who struck up a lively tune. Those who felt so disposed patronised the sports, which were held outside the township, while others preferred to enjoy the outing .by dispersing themselves in tho orthodox picnic parties. Tho s.s. Cerda was chartered by the Fire Brigade to make a similar trip, but owing to some iniamanagement oj) .the part of the Committee only about forty persons went by that steamer, so that the Brigade will Jose considerably by their venture.

Our report of the Hibernian sports is unavoidably held over til! tomorrow. On Thursday Mr Reeves, R.M. at Gore, fined John Ho.-iS for disturbing a Salvation Army service. The Mariposa, with the outward colonial mails, arrived at Sun Francisco early on Saturday morning. John Reason was received into the Hospital yesterday afternoon suffering from serious internal injuries, through a heavy fall caused by stepping on a loose stone whilst walking along the edge of a precipice at Shag Point Beach. He fell a depth of 40ft. He is conscious, but is not expected to recover.

The annual | ie lie in connection with the Freethought Association was held to-day at the Friendly Societies’ grounds, Sawyer’s Bay. The attendance was good, but the squally weather greatly interfered with the committee arrangements, and spoilt what would have otherwise been an enjoyable day to all present. Dance music was supplied under the direction of Mr E. Parker. About 150 members of the Masonic fraternity and their friends had a day’s outing at Blanket Bay yesterday. Outside of the members of the Order, the picnic was a private one. Games and sports of all descriptions, for young and old, were indulged in, the company returning to town late in the evening perfectly satisfied with the excellent arrangements and the amount of fun provided. A young man named John Stubley reported to the police having, on Saturday night, pulled a man named Eweu M'Nalty out of the water at Logan Point. Constable M‘Rac obtained a spring cart and had the man, who was suffering from tiie effects of drink, conveyed to the Hospital, whore it was ascertained that he had absconded from the Institution that afternoon. A medicine-bottle containing vvhisky was found in his pocket. There was a crowded congregation at St. Patrick’s Church, South Dunedin, on Christmas morning, when the Rev. Father Purton, 0.5.8., celebrated high mass. The choral portion of the service consisted of the ‘ Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, and Sanctus ’ from the Twelfth Mass of Mozart, and the ‘ Agnus Dei ’of Weber. Among the soloists, Mrs P. Lemon and Miss Drumm sang with taste and feeling. Mr R. Torrance, in ‘Et in Canatus,’ and Mr P. Lemon in ‘ Come let us adore,’ sang well, and Mr C. Lemon played the ‘ March in Scripto ’ as a voluntary on the organ at the conclusion of the service.

A carol service was held at St. Paul’s Church on Saturday night, there being a crowded congregation. The church was decorated suitable to the occasion, and the carols w r ere rendered by the choir, under the conductorship of Mr A. H. Norman, in a manner leaving nothing to be desired. Tim carols selected were:—‘The First Nowell,’ ‘The Manger Throne’ (Stoggal), ‘Sleep, Holy Babe ’ (Dykes), ‘ Jesu, Hail ’ (Stainer), ‘ The Angel and the Shepherds ’ (Thorne). ‘Glorious, Beauteous’ (Tiddcman), ‘Good Christian Men ’ (old German), ‘ Good King Wencenlas (Helmore). In addition to the carols Barnby’s anthem, ‘Behold, 1 bring you good tidings,’ and Gounod’s ‘ Nazareth ’ were given, whilst Miss West and Mr Norman played an offortorium on organ and violin. The service concluded shortly after midnight with ‘ Christians, awake. The collection was in aid of the choir fund.

The Christinas number of the ‘lllustrated Australian News’ is an excellent one. The New Zealand views are limited to two sketches of the West Coast scenery, but some picturesque snots in Tasmania have been treated by the ai list; and there is a novelette by a colonial author.

After the evening service at St. Paul’s Church last Sunday prizes were presented by Mr H. Davie, parish chcrchwarden, to the choir boys. Mr 11, F. Hardy and Mr Crowiher a’so addressed the boys. The la* ter spoke in high terms of pirai.se of Webb, who is about to Icavr. the choir. Mr Crowther’s remarks were fully endorsed by the Archdeacon.